Back in the Groove of Things

My children, niece, nephew, and 1st cousins 6-15-11

Well, I didn't expect to let so much time pass between the previous 6-13-11 entry and today, but life got in the way which isn't a bad thing. We had the pleasure of having our out of state cousins come visit last week which was so sweet. I have 1st cousins close to the ages of my own children and nieces and nephews. So needless to say they all had a blast spending time together. The children only see each other a few times a year so it's a blessing when they all reunite. I've spent the rest of the time lollygagging trying to adjust to being on break. It's as if I'm overwhelmed with all the free time on my hands, but before I know it the day is over. I have so many odds and end things to do and was spinning my wheels not knowing how to get things started. Unfortunately the sewing was placed on the backburner.

Well, it made me miserable and I believe I was able to find the root of the problem. FACEBOOK and the smartphone Scrabble-like game WORDS WITH FRIENDS. I've been spending way too much time procrastinating with that. The minute I deleted those 2 accounts, I felt a sense of freedom. There were still just a few challenges b/c I have family obligations, but FB and WWF really caused me to be unproductive. Making a master task list of things I need to do while off on summer break made me feel less overwhelmed as well. I want to enjoy this short time I have off from work, and the only way I can do so is to manage my time. Take a look and see what I've done this evening on my tunic:
I know it doesn't look like much, but putting those sleeves in was a beast! I guess it was so b/c I haven't sewn in over 15 years and that was only my 2nd time doing so. I kept having to read and re-read the instructions. Another thing I learned to do was do a blind stitch hem on the sleeves. I had to pray for comprehension while reading those instructions and looking at the illustrations. Overall, I'm happy with how things turned out. I have to admit while attaching the sleeves to the garment, I told myself that this would only be a practice garment. When I tried it on, I was actually impressed b/c it was a fairly decent fit. I would've never thought such a simple looking garment would be so challenging, but practice makes perfect. I'm glad I chose it as my first practice commercial pattern project. I have a busy day ahead of me tomorrow, but I hope to attach the other sleeve and hem the edge. If so, I'll take a photograph of me posing in the completed garment. I'm so ready to start on my official project!!