Tuesday, December 8, 2009

this will boost your self-esteem

I really shouldn't be blogging right now.

Why?

Because I should be busy figuring out what plan B should be for my kids' Christmas presents.  

It was all going well two nights ago.  While watching an uplifting Christmas message from the Prophet of my church on television, I carefully cut superhero symbols out of felt for later application to a cape for my kids.  I was rather pleased with my freehand drawing of the giant S for Superman.  Just looking at my precise cuts and lines made me feel like I was back in my "crafting" groove.


Then tonight, I got out the sewing machine.  I've already admitted that sewing is not my strong suit.  I am much better with hot glue.  Yet, I insist on trying over and over to improve my skills. But someone needs to tell me to STOP trying and just let my husband take care of the sewing because it all went wrong.  So wrong.

First mistake was buying sparkly, flowing, polyestery, stretchy fabric.  You know, the kind superheros would look stellar in?!  How on earth can anyone sew with that stuff?  It was stretching and pulling and bunching all over the place.  Pins...what's the point?  The fabric is so slippery, it could care less about the pin holding it "in place".  


Second mistake was using spray glue to secure my felt pieces together.  When I tried to sew them in place, the needle got all gummy and gunked up with felt balls.  Every 5 inches of sewing the thread would break.  And I would swear. (not really, cause remember I don't swear?  but there were plenty of groans and grunts.)


Third mistake was wearing fleece pants while getting increasingly frustrated and disturbed (which equals very hot and fired up).  When I got up from my chair there were literally two butt cheek imprints of sweat droplets.  (not pictured, but take my word for it.)  I'm such a lady.


Why oh why do I do this to myself?  I could have just bought myself a couple of cute capes off of Etsy, but no...i wanted to make something meaningful and from the heart.   Something, however, tells me that my 3 year-old just wants a blasted superman cape that resembles superman and more importantly a CAPE!

There's always next year....


12 comments:

heidi said...

I would LOVE to come over and help you...call me and let's pick a day.

bBchronicles said...

I'll just BET YOU $10 (no, let's say $1,000 - if we're going to bet!!) that your kids NEVER-EVER notice . . . they'll still go faster and fly higher than anyone else in the neighborhood . . . bet cha'!!!!!

What a good mommy! BTW: great photos!

TracyontheCheap said...

Those are awesome capes! I feel the same way about sewing...there are too many unfinished projects sitting around because I got frustrated at my lack of crafy skills half way through. The one baby blanket I did make my kiddo came apart in the wash. Oh well! :)

shawna said...

ha ha ha ...Kids don't really care if it's perfect or not. I do remember this gem my home-ec teacher taught us (oh so many years ago) Always sew with a loose bottom!

HeatherM said...

Oh Ali, you are too hard on yourself! Jack will LOVE it! But if you want to feel better I can show you some of my sewiing projects!

the 2nd tallest tree said...

I'm fairly certain all your guy will see is...SUPERMAN!! They'll love them! :)

Marie said...

Your kids will absolutely LOVE their handmade capes from their sweet mama. Years down the road they will pull them out and talk about all the fun times they had in their very own super hero capes. You actually put me to shame sewing gifts for your children. I'd rather just buy something on eBay. :)

sheena said...

they will LOVE them!!! I love them! Now you know what to get me for my birthday!


miss your sweaty butt!

jayne wells said...

Seriously though, I think it is awesome. I can't believe you even tried. I cannot sew. Really and truly.

Julia H. Doolittle said...

So funny, guess what I was making minutes before looking at your blog...yup, Super Hero capes for grand-kids. Having done a bit of sewing, which means a bit of frustration, I go by the Amish mindset to never make anything perfectly...the only perfect person lives upstairs...imperfection means we're human. (It also means there is a bit more love sewn in!)

Jay and Gwen Sessions said...

As I recall, a few posts back you were bragging about Troy's sweing ability....maybe you'd better leave the sewing to him. On the other hand...it is the thought that counts. Good job

Fawn Christiansen said...

believe me ali... nobody would ever know.. imperfections are what make it special! i promise! take it from a pro at imperfections :)xo