In an effort to make more of the things I love -- good food, pretty things, and organized spaces -- I bring you Making An Effort Monday!
Oh, Internet. This past week has been one big crafty effort. Things did not go as smoothly as I imagined. Le sigh.
HowEVER, I have FINISHED PRODUCTS, though there were moments when I thought I would only have scraps of fabric that I would stare at, seething and crying, only to remember the struggles I endured, for all of my days. Okay, it wasn't that bad, but let me put it this way: even though bumpers are WILDLY overpriced, I will never make one ever again. NEVER.
Here's my mom and I making the infamous bumper:
The first cut. Dear god, be careful! Moments after this, we realized the pattern required us to line up this design EXACTLY -- in many many places. BLARG! 
Pinning the batting that would later bunch up and require us to rip everything out and re-sew most of the eight panels. DOUBLE BLARG!
The next morning, Mom takes a break from the bumper and insists on patching up my quilt. But I LIKED it that way!
Our captive audience
Shortly before I realized the reason sewing has always seemed so hard is because it is much easier for me to sew LEFT-HANDED. The next day, I realized I thread needles left-handed, too! Life is gonna be way easier now, people.
After a quick trip out for more supplies. Note to self: craft stores put the kid to sleep. I told Jeremy, and he said, "Me too!"
Rolling my eyes and re-threading the needle (with my left hand) for the 78,000th time
That's my "OH YEAH" face because we are MOMENTS away from finishing, and I MIGHT not be late for work. All this only took us two full days.
YAY!
But that was not the only crafting that took place. Oh no. After my mom left (she only budgeted two days ... turns out I needed her for longer and she was unwilling to stay for an entire week just to help me craft. Huh.), I started the DINOSAUR pattern from Bit of Whimsy Dolls!
Awww. The two halves of the head. And they look like they're KISSING! Let's not fixate on the fact that it took me HOURS to embroider those eyes and eyelashes. Or that they look much better from far away.
Okay, it's getting a little harder now. Do you have ANY idea how hard it was to make this tiny little arm with my huge, clumsy man-hands and my possessed sewing machine? Very hard.
Then, I got to the second-to-last step ... and realized I had sewn the spikes on the wrong way and they would be INSIDE the dinosaur. Contemplate hacking dinosaur to shreds with scissors.
So, I took a break and made Josephine a little "taggy" (I think that's what other people call it -- two different fabrics with ribbons poking out. She is OBSESSED with them!). Note that I did not provide a close-up photo. It was my first attempt. No one's perfect! (At least, that's what my mom said when I called her crying.)
Then, I scrapped the ruined side with the improperly-sewn spikes. I made a few more mistakes, started over, started over again, and had a mild stroke, but I persevered and finished that g-d dinosaur ... today.
But I also took a break and made a pin cushion/needle storage container one day.
Jealous? I knew you would be.
Anyway, the dinosaur ... TA DA!!!
And yeah, the legs are wildly uneven and one arm may or may not appear to be coming from the center of the dinosaur's torso instead of the side, but no one is perfect ... including this dinosaur. YEAH, teaching moment, people. So when Josephine grows up and sees someone walking down the street with uneven legs, she'll be like, Eh, that ain't no thang (because that is how she will probably talk -- I'm guessing).
There you have it. A week full of crafting, cursing, and pink fabric. I also learned that it is not my calling in life to make stuffed animals. Now I know. THE END. Finally. Brag about your efforts in the comments!
