Naptime Stitches

In September of 2009 my husband accepted a full time Pastoring position in a church that was about an hour from where we were living at the time. Taking this step into full-time ministry meant a move for us and it was the perfect time for me to transition into the stay-at-home-mom role.  At first I embraced the fact that everyday resembled the one before it.  I loved getting up, playing with Ella, and getting to housework whenever I felt like it.  It was nice to cook every day, and my husband loved it too!  To be honest I’m not really sure what I did with all my time, after adding two more little girls I’m thinking I wasn't very efficient!   

About 4 months passed and we found out we were expecting our second baby.  Morning sickness and the pregnancy hormones took hold and I started to become less than content with the day to day.  At this point I hadn't made too many friends and was feeling quite lonely.  I was only an hour away from my family, but still felt distant. There was always plenty to do, but it was the same thing I did yesterday, and tomorrow it would need to be done again.  (You know the things… making the bed, sweeping the floor, dishes ect.)  It was in those days that I began to search for a hobby, something that stayed finished once I completed the task.

December rolled around and my Mom began asking what I would like for Christmas.  After a little thinking I told her a sewing machine.  I had been looking at craft and sewing blogs and it seemed as if sewing could be the perfect hobby for me.  Creating things had always been something that I loved!  After Christmas I couldn't wait to begin my sewing adventures.  After reading endless sewing blogs and finding a mountain of projects I wanted to try I was a little overwhelmed.  My sewing machine set untouched for a few weeks.  Finally a friend and I got together, and she helped me to complete a simple log cabin quilt. It was just the push I needed!  After that I just took off, if I was unsure of how to do something I just googled it.  There are so many helpful blogs and resources out there.  I'll share some of my favorites in another post.  

          

           After our second daughter Emma was born my sewing time diminished greatly.  As we got into a routine I realized that if there was going to be sewing time both girls had to be on the same nap schedule.  Once that was achieved my daily sewing session took place at about 2:00.  It felt so good to put down all the house work and do something creative even if it was for only a short time.

            My love for sewing started with quilting.  It is so fun to see how the quilt is transformed after it’s all finished.  My little girls love clothes and dresses, so naturally I started sewing things for them.   I am not a fan of using store bought patterns, so I usually draw out my own and just start sewing.  It is always an adventure.  When I made their Easter dresses the first one was intended for my oldest daughter, however when finished the dress was too small, but fit our middle girl Emma perfectly!  She loved it and I learned a thing or two about pattern sizing along the way. The girls love to wear the things that I make for them and that brings me 

such joy!

 Sewing for other people is also something that I enjoy.  Recently I have been making items and putting them on my Naptime Stitches Boutique Facebook page.  A few of my latest orders have been little girl’s dresses, baby quilts, purses ect.  There is great satisfaction in seeing someone else love what I make!

The pictures scattered throughout this post are some of my completed projects.  Just yesterday I put together a couple of new pillows that I thought all of the Chicken Scratch followers would enjoy.  You can find and order them over at Naptime Stitches Boutique.   (there is a button at the top of the blog page)  If you comment with your name, email and tell us about your hobby you will be in for a drawing.  The lucky winner will get to choose between the Rooster or Egg pillow.

Well it is naptime so that means that I better get stitching!

God Bless!

Melissa

**Don’t forget to comment to be put in the drawing!