The Train To Crazy

Make it, Wear it!

Did you check out last week's entries? I absolutely loved Kosmic Chai's earrings. Go ahead, make some for yourself.

Sugar Bee showed us how to make these fluffy girly skirts.

And what perfect timing is this shirt from Mary Jane Handmade? How cute is that?
Now, what have you made this week? Here are the rules!

1. Click on "You are next" below. Enter your project's description in the title field and the URL to the specific blog post in the URL field.

2. Pretty please link back here in your blog post. You can grab the button if you want.

<a href="http://www.thetraintocrazy.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab308/thetraintocrazy/makeitwearitbutton.jpg" border="0" alt="make it wear it" /></a>

3. Go check out the others who are linking! Have fun and get inspired! Leave comments because everyone loves comments!

The sun is more than just a pretty object in the sky!

It is finally putting off some heat and we are defrosting! I'll be outside this week. Have a wonderful week!

Is it warm where you are? How are you enjoying your weather?

Make it, Wear it!

Are you ready to show off what you've made this week? If you missed some of last week's links there were some more great ones.

I am Momma Hear Me Roar made this super cute embellished shirt. 

At Second Street used this $1 adult shirt to make a cute little girl's dress and shows us how.

Crafty Schemes makes this scrap fabric bracelet using those rubber bracelets you probably have sitting around the house.  

Now, what have you made this week? Here are the rules!

1. Click on "You are next" below. Enter your project's description in the title field and the URL to the specific blog post in the URL field.

2. Pretty please link back here in your blog post. You can grab the button if you want.

<a href="http://www.thetraintocrazy.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab308/thetraintocrazy/makeitwearitbutton.jpg" border="0" alt="make it wear it" /></a>

3. Go check out the others who are linking! Have fun and get inspired! Leave comments because everyone loves comments!

 

Reworking the reader. Again.

I mentioned a while back, somewhere, that I had reorganized my google reader and weeded out the blogs I don't read, or don't need to read. Well, the time has come to do it again. Don't worry, yours is still there. I cut some that I didn't think I'd cut though. Like Soule Mama. It doesn't really add anything to my life and we aren't friends so she's gone. I won't tell you who else I cut. But there were a lot of popular ones that I no longer feel connected with.

And while I think everyone should narrow down their reader, here are a few you should add if you don't have them already.

Be "The Hands and Feet" is amazing. I know many of you read Katie Davis' blog but Renee lives in Uganda as well and works reviving children suffering from severe malnutrition. Hours away from death she takes them into her home, feeds them every 15 minutes/24 hours a day if necessary and also teaches their parents about nutrition so that they can go back to their parents and thrive. Now THAT is something I can get behind! 

And are you reading Donald Miller's blog? While not every post is for you (unless you are a writer), he does have some EXCELLENT content. Really. Like his new project to change the world. I mean, THAT is something I can get behind! Of course, I still laugh thinking about his celebrity Amazon wish list.

And, while I'm on the subject of Donald Miller. I have a confession to make. I never finished Blue Like Jazz . I started off loving it, and then lost it. Literally. I had to pay $15 to the public library system, which I wasn't too happy about. I should have bought it off Amazon in the first place and saved myself a few bucks.

Of course you might already be reading this, but We Are That Family has been doing an excellent series on marriage (literally opening up their wounded souls to the world) and today she is heading to Kenya with Compassion International so I am looking forward to some gut wrenching, thought provoking posts coming soon.

And, because you can't read only thought provoking material, you must read Mama Sass because she's hilarious. And, I shouldn't say she isn't thought provoking because she IS! They'll just be thoughts of your crazy teen years and the awful jeans you wore or she'll make you think of all the stupid things you hate about facebook. You'll laugh anyway.

So there you have it! How do you decide which blogs to read?

Why blogging doesn't suck

Since I had my fit last week about why blogging sucks I thought I'd go ahead and say why it doesn't suck. So here goes.

1. It is fun. It is. 
2. You meet lots of people you would never have met otherwise. That's true too. People become your friends just starting out from reading blogs and emailing. 
3. You can say whatever you want, which isn't always fun, but you can do it.
4. You can constantly change the layout and the banner and the buttons and the links and it provides hours of entertainment =) Or is that just me?
5. You can actually make money. I've heard that's true at least. While I don't make zero money, it isn't anything to write home about. I think I'd have to put in a lot more time to make that a reality and I'm just not willing to make that kind of sacrifice. 
6. You learn so much "stuff" you wouldn't otherwise know just by reading and writing. Well, mostly from reading. It is hard to learn a whole lot of new stuff from yourself. Though, I suppose it is possible.

I know there must be more. Why do you like blogging?

Why blogging sucks

Do you like to read blogs? I do. I'm just going to go on the assumption that you do too. You're here after all. I also love to write this blog. I really do. I just have a few grievances so I'll just air them now.

Why blogging sucks:

1. It is a time suck. If I just journaled in my own personal journal it would take 1/10th the amount of time because who cares what the font likes and I don't have to keep checking back because nobody is going to respond.

2. People only comment on the light, fluffy stuff. This really disturbs me. I'm not going to lie. I know that most of you are subscribers because I sew and I highlight your crafts and sometimes make something cool myself, but I don't consider this a craft blog. It is much more. I really wish that I could inspire people. Inspire them to do more than just make cool clothes (I  hope I do that too) but more importantly I want to inspire you to care more, feel more, act more, BELIEVE more. I want you to understand that sewing and crafting and what you are wearing or where you are getting your clothes, it doesn't matter. Not really.

I think the thing that gets me fired up the most is that I just assume that when I pour out my heart and get 2 responses, it just means people read the first paragraph then their eyes glaze over and they move on, never reading the rest. I'm not vain enough to think that what I have to say is the best thing ever, but I'd really like to think that I have a voice. 

Perhaps the fact that I don't ride the fence gets some people. I just don't have it in me to hold your hand and tell you what you are doing is okay if it isn't. I just don't. If you are hitting your child with plumbers tubing, even if you are seeking to be a Godly person, EVEN if you believe God is telling you to parent this way, you are wrong. 100% of the time. Sorry, I just don't ride fences. If there are children starving I'm going to tell you to feed them.

3. Did I mention it is a time suck?

4. They aren't real life. I love your blog. I really do. Trust me. The thing is, you can say whatever you want about yourself, your life, your thoughts on your blog. You can make it all up if you want. Most times people pour out the good stuff into the blog, leaving me feeling as if that's all there is to you. And I get it, I really do. Most blogs are started as a way to keep up with family and long lost friends. There isn't space for your emotions or failures, but if you just show us a bit of that, we'll be more inclined to relate. Now, you don't have to be as open as Katey, Amy or April, but a little honesty goes a long way. Because, am I the only one who assumes (fill in the blank) isn't all she's written herself up to be? Just show me some passion! And don't think for a minute that I'm not guilty of filling this thing up with meaningless drivel. I do, usually when I'm hiding.

5. I just don't get why some blogs are as popular as they are. I understand why everyone hangs on every word Katie says, but why do so many people read Simple Mom? I know, I have her in my blog reader too, but really, why? Does it really make me a better person? Eh, no. Half the time I'm inclined to agree with my friend who says that Simple Mom is anything but simple.

And what about Dooce? I get that she's funny, and appears to be honest. But does she need to earn more than most doctors doing what she does because so many people read her? Eh. Probably not.

6. Because it is like opening a window to your soul, and that is scary. I don't mind the complete stranger reading my thoughts, I don't. But when people who love me and know me read my thoughts, it makes me a bit more nervous. Do you get that? So, I'll go ahead and be the first to admit I'm not soul bearer here. I keep a lot inside. I don't hesitate to spill a bit of passion here and splash it there though. That's the easy stuff. 

7. I just can't keep up with all your blogs. I try really hard, but when I prioritize my life I just can't do it. So if I'm a month late in congratulating you on your new whatchamacallit, then I am sorry. If I had so many blogs to catch up on reading that I just deleted them all from my reader rather than spend 3 hours catching up, I'm sorry. If I don't take the time to comment as much as you would like, I'm sorry for that as well, because I know you like comments as much as I do. And if you give me a blog award and I never post about it here, I'm sorry about that too.

...hmm.... perhaps it is the soul that is missing?

The kindergarten countdown

My baby will begin kindergarten this fall. Okay, my oldest baby, but she's still my baby. To the average person that is months and months away. To me, that is SO soon! There is so much to do! So many outfits to sew. I'm no LiEr so I have to start early. As a side note, did you notice she sewed 18 items of clothing and a backpack last week? Okay, someone get that lady a nap.

I'm thinking of making a few pieces really great (in my head) pieces. This is what I'm thinking so far.

This is from one of my Japanese sewing books. I just so happen to have some fabric that is nearly identical to the one in the photo. Lucky me!

And I'm going to attempt some pants as well. I have lots of different options for corduroy and bottom weights and denim. We'll just have to see what I come up with!

I've been collecting catalog photos of little items I love. I love this dress from Mini Boden. I'm thinking this fabric would look awesome as this dress. Of course, it will need to be lined. And I'm thinking a green or navy ribbon around the middle would be awesome. 

And these pieces caught my eye too. No fabric for inspiration yet though.

Of course, I have a bunch of other ideas and inspiration I'm tossing around in my head. I have a bunch of knit I want to do something with. 

I know a lot of you sew to be frugal. I wouldn't say that was my intention. I just love it. I'm not thinking I'll save money (because if you count the cost of my machines, really, who am I kidding?). And, my kids like wearing things I've made. Icing on the cake.  

So, let's start the countdown: 6 months, 0 items sewn.
  

Make it, Wear it!

Thanks for joining along for another week of Make it, Wear it where you can show off what you've made!

Here's a little taste of last week.

Jamee Homemaker used bleach to customize these shirts for her kids. Stop on by her blog to see her kids wearing the finished product!

And this little flower on the cardigan from Le Monde d Erika is irresistible.

 And The Mother Huddle shows us how to use an old t-shirt to make a waistband on a skirt.

 Now, what have you made this week? Here are the rules!

1. Click on "You are next" below. Enter your project's description in the title field and the URL to the specific blog post in the URL field.

2. Pretty please link back here in your blog post. You can grab the button if you want.

<a href="http://www.thetraintocrazy.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i874.photobucket.com/albums/ab308/thetraintocrazy/makeitwearitbutton.jpg" border="0" alt="make it wear it" /></a>

3. Go check out the others who are linking! Have fun and get inspired! Leave comments because everyone loves comments!

 

Clothing Sew Along: Week 4

Better late than never!

Welcome to week 4! How is your sewing going so far? I know some of you already completed your project but some of you are waiting on me so I apologize for my lateness. If you are wanting to learn to sew, go ahead and check out our first lesson, second lesson and third lesson.

This week I was planning to do a tutorial on putting in zippers and hemming but I figured, why reinvent the wheel when there are some great tutorials out there already.

So, you want to put in a zipper? Each of the following tutorials has a different feel to it so check them out and chose one that makes the process easiest for you.

Tutorial with lots of pictures

Putting in a regular or invisible zipper with interfacing

Glue set a zipper tutorial from Sew Mama Sew

Invisible zipper tutorial with invisible zipper foot

Zippers are intimidating but they really aren't that difficult once you know how to put them in. 

Now to hem your garment, or whatever you sewed. Your pattern instructions will give you measurements for the hem. For example, many skirt or dress bottom hems will be an 1 1/4" or more. I am not a perfectionist when it comes to hems. I usually iron the bottom of the garment up to 1 1/4" (whatever the pattern calls for or I feel like) using a measuring tape in several spots on the dress. Then I eyeball the rest. Once I have that crease ironed I open it back up and turn the edge up 1/4" and iron. Then I fold both creases again and I have my hem ready to sew. 

It is usually a cleaner stitch if you stitch on the top of the garment but if you are just starting out, don't worry about stitching on the underside so that you can see the edge of your hem and make sure you are always in the right place. If you turned up your original crease at 1 1/4" and then opened it and pressed the edge up 1/4" then your hem is now actually 1". I would stitch 7/8" from the edge. Make sure your line is straight because this is one of the more noticeable stitches in your garment! If you've chosen contrasting thread this will matter more. If your thread blends then you shouldn't have too much to stress about. I am truly sorry about the lack of pictures here! 

Want to sew a blind hem? Try this tutorial. Make sure you practice on scraps before trying this on your project. It took me quite a few tries to get the blind hem right.

Any other loose ends that need to be finished? Anything stumping you? Well, what did you make? 

Will you be a voice for children?

I really can't describe my mood right now. Angry? Dumbfounded? Sad? Helpless? As you may have read yesterday, I am very disturbed by the parents that abused their daughter to death. Yes, she happened to be adopted, but they used this same "discipline" technique on their other 8 children as well so perhaps they are just lucky none of the others died. 

You read about a story like this, and you get upset, wonder how anyone could hit their child with something like rubber tubing? Repeatedly. For something like mispronouncing a word. It is of course important to mention that this little girl was adopted from Liberia. The main language in Liberia is English. But Liberian English is very difficult to understand by Americans. Now, imagine this little girl getting beaten for mispronouncing a word.

So, you can't imagine this family doing this, but so what? This is an isolated incident, it doesn't happen very often. The other children in the home are now "safe" in foster care. Well, I'll tell you what happens when an adopted child is killed. Liberia, a country on the brink of reopening their adoptions, is now NOT going to open them. Dozens of children, already matched with parents to be adopted will be languishing for the rest of their childhood, if they survive, in orphanages. My niece, Blessing, is one of those children. She is currently not in an orphanage, but rather a foster child in my brother's home. You may remember her from her pictures before and after her surgery. Well, I'm here to tell you that the "isolated incident" may prevent her from ever having a family. From ever having the surgeries she needs to repair her palate. From ever feeling the love of a mother, father and siblings. This baby was abandoned, left to die by her birth family because of her cleft palate. My brother and sister-in-law nursed her back to health, saved her from death, and now they can't adopt her.

So what is left to do? Pray. Pray that something will change the heart of the LIberian President. Pray that by some miracle they will be able to adopt her and all of the other orphaned and abandoned children will find loving, safe homes.

And you know what else you can do? You can be the eyes and ears for abused children near you. How is it that the friends and family of these child killers believed the family was a good one and there was no signs the children were abused and yet ALL of the children say they were beaten with this plumbing tubing? I'll tell you why. People didn't see anything wrong with it. Plain and simple. Sure, they may have seemed a bit strict, but the kids were good and the parents "had good hearts." So, the next time you think of your friend who "has a good heart and good intentions" but you know she hits her kids, think twice about condoning her behavior. Sure, all parents mess up. All parents have different discipline techniques, and it is rare for a child to die, but it happens. Perhaps you can be the voice of reason in someone's life when all the other voices are telling them to control their child completely. Perhaps you can save more than just the life of their child, but the lives of others. Speak out against these cruel methods of child "training".

Now is NOT the time to be politically correct and ride the fence, hoping to not offend anyone. Now is the time to speak out against these practices. Speak out against these theories of parenting that require parents to "break" their children and get "total control". Will you speak out? Risk yourself for the lives and well being of these children in homes like this? Or will you sit back and allow your neighbor, your friend, your fellow church members, to abuse their children? Raise your voice for the children who have no voice.