Who knew?

Who would have guessed being cooped up in a hotel would inspire me to sew. Well it's true I sewed up the cutest Halloween skirt for Brooke. The picture is not the best but I am hoping the details show. There are 3 ruffled layers. The 3 layers makes the skirt a little heavy. I am really glad I made the elastic a little tighter.

Brooke absolutely loves the skirt and still wants to wear it. I keep telling her Halloween is over but being the diva she is, she doesn't care. She wore this outfit to school the Friday before Halloween. The orange and black striped tights added cute flair. We topped off the outfit with custom made candy corn hair bows from April. She was a doll and made these up for Brooke.

So all in all I think the skirt was a success. I hope to get the sewing room unpacked. Maybe once I see it all set up I will get bit by the sewing bug once again.

Moving and the realizations it brought to me

I am a creature of habit and hate change so you can imagine what a shock to my system moving is. I lived in the same house in the same little town for nearly 21 years. I rarely changed around my bedroom furniture. Once I get things the way I like I don't see a reason to move it around. Why fix it if it ain't broke right? I thought our first move in 2006 was going to be the death of me. Not only was I leaving my family and friends behind, I was leaving the country all together. It took me almost a year to adjust there and just barely. We moved again two years later. After settling into our 2nd house in England and getting comfortable I found out we were moving again. HOLY COW that's 3 moves in 4 years!

Packing our life into brown boxes was not my idea of a good time. I don't think it is pleasant for anyone. How military families do this every 3 to 4 years is beyond me. I give them credit for doing it. Not only are you trying to get ready for the pack you also have utilities to cancel, schools to deal with and the list goes on and on.

Arranging my house by room and into categories was good. It gave me a reason to put things back where they should be. Let me tell you that there is nothing like a move to put you straight on just how much you have. I didn't realize how much small clothes and shoes my kids were holding onto until I got into their drawers and closets. It was crazy! The toys, books and pillows had just accumulated so it was time for big donation pile!

The real shock came of course when I went to organize the sewing room. Now I knew I had a lot of fabric but I had no idea I had that much! On top of the fabric I have managed to accumulate quite the collection of patterns, buttons, brads, beads, trims and gadgets. I could have spent days "shopping" in my own sewing room. It is amazing how over time I forgot just how much I really have. There were duplicate patterns and gadgets buried here and there and everywhere. When I say everywhere, I mean everywhere! I don't think there was a room in the house I didn't have something in. So when I finally find a house that sewing room is going to need some serious planning. I have been told there should be a destash in my future. Let's see if I can do it :)

Let's hope we find a house in time for the holidays and that nothing is broken. I am trying to look at each move as a way to declutter and reorganize. With each move I learn a little something and grow a little as a person. I guess what they say is true, that which does not kill us makes us stronger!

Sometimes I Wonder...

Sometimes I wonder how so many women find the time to do it all. I read about all these talented women who are great moms, volunteers, sewers/crafters, and career women. I can't help but wonder how they manage. I have 3 great kids who aren't too active in their after school activities but still keep me pretty busy. I have not found the right balance so I can take care of my kids, keep up with my house, and find time for me. There is so much I want to do but I always put it to the back burner and never actually get to it.


So I ask you my friends how do you do it? How do you find the time?