Progress Not Perfection

I usually try to stay positive and share funny things and crafty tidbits here on our blog but today's post is something I've been ruminating and pondering on for a few days. I just can't seems to figure it out and don't know how to change it. So this is my attempt to get it all down and try to make some sense of it.

Progress not perfection. That has become my mantra in my adult life. I have always struggled with the idea that somehow I am supposed to be perfect, do everything right and never make mistakes. While I know that this is not realistic or even possible, I have never been able to fully let go of this idea. I do not have this expectation of others. As a matter of fact I am very forgiving and understanding of the mistakes of others, after all they are only human! But try as I might I can't accept this idea for myself. Yes, I know this is my own crazy issue! It's one that I usually try to keep hidden but it's come to the surface this week. When Nature Girl was born I learned to let go of some of my internal need to be perfect. She was fussy and had to be held 24 hours a day. I couldn't do things to my previous standard so I learned to let go a little. Apparently not enough!

It seems that Nature Girl has inherited a bit of this perfectionism. Her report card came home last week. Students are graded on this scale: S- = standard not met, S = standard met, and S+ = exceeds standard. Nature Girl's report card was all S and S+ with the exception of two little areas that were S-. Both areas are skills that just require a little bit more rote practice, which we will ensure she gets. My husband and I were pleased with her report card. We praised her as we reviewed it together. When she saw the first S- she started to cry. I felt so terrible!!! To see her so upset about it was heart breaking! She's just in first grade. It is not our expectation that her report card be perfect but it seems to be her expectation. She has always been a child that does not like to be wrong, make mistakes or lose( I wonder where is got that from?!!).

So this leads me to wonder is perfectionism a trait that is inherited? How can I teach her from a young age to stop reaching for something that is a myth and is never possible to achieve? Better yet how do I teach myself that so I can teach her? Being motivated and ambitious is not a bad thing but feeling terrible when you haven't done something perfect, even when that something very small, is a bad thing! I don't want her to struggle through life with this. Somehow I need to remember the mantra - "Progress not perfection." - and teach her as well. So how do I do that? Telling her that she's not perfect and we don't expect her to be isn't enough. We've already been doing that so it's time for a new plan. I just haven't figured it out what that plan is yet. Wish us luck!

Gnome Bowling

February's YOE theme was gnomes so I made this little gnome bowling set for a YOE giveaway. These gnomes are happily living at Kerry's house now. Nature Girl loved the movie Gnomeo and Juliet so when she saw these gnomes she wanted her own set. I thought she should be able to make her own set.

I gave her some wood doll pins and she went to work painting them. I took pictures of the process along the way and we've created a tutorial so others can make their own gnome bowling set too.
Nature Girl painted her gnomes blue and red like the movie. She had the idea of mixing the colors together. I helped put the polka dots on at her request. I also helped with sewing and gluing the hats on. When she finished making her gnomes she used a Chrystal Light container to make a gnome home to store her game in. I love the ladder going into the tree hole and the little squirrel she drew. It turned out so cute!
The picture is a bit dark but, here the gnomes have been set up for a game of bowling. In between frames the gnomes were paired up and married. The red hats married blue hats and lived happily ever after. It was very cute! If you'd like to see how to make your own gnome bowling set you can look on the sidebar or click here for instructions.

April Fools Equals a Snow Day!

Well, here in the Northeast April Fools Day equaled a snow day. I have to admit I've enjoyed being home with Nature Girl today, hanging out in our pjs and crafting all day. But here's where the fool part comes in. . . for every snow day we have it means another day of school day tacked on to the end of the year. Now school will be in session until June 22nd! We'll be dieing in the heat come June. I work on the second floor with just one small window we open in a feeble attempt to cool ourselves. That's what I have to look forward to in June but for today I enjoyed my time at home.

We made unsweetened ice tea with our new ice tea maker. This is Nature Girl's glass. Yes amazingly she loves unsweetened tea and lemons! She accessorized her own glass with the umbrella and straw.


It was a productive craft day for me. I finished another hedgehog pincushion this morning trying a smaller nose this time. I think I prefer the big honking nose on my original prototype but I love the look of the colorful leave shaped pins I added. I found these pins at JoAnn Fabrics a few weeks ago.

Then I finally got around to finishing and posting a felt bunny in an egg tutorial(it's on the side bar.) I made the one in the picture for Nature Girl last year for Easter. I'd like to make a few more to use for Toy Society drops. Maybe I'll get them done this weekend.
I also made this little apron for Nature Girl. I have three more like it cut out waiting to be sewn. I wanted to make them for my nieces in Hawaii. I planned to have them done before we visited but as you know we've already been to Hawaii and back and I haven't started sewing them yet.
Sewing an apron today meant I got to use my brand new iron for the first time. I read Karen's post about her new red T-Fal iron and decided to try it for myself. It arrived this week along with the ice tea maker. So now I'm sipping ice tea and ironing. For those of you who know me and know that I rarely iron my clothes with an iron. . .yes, it's true I use the dryer for ironing. . . you maybe questioning why I even need an iron. It's purely for crafty purposes like apron making, sewing, etc. and for the occasional yet extremely rare ironing of an actual article of clothing. The iron worked like magic today and it shut itself off. Definitely a good thing.
well, I'm off to craft a bit more before bedtime, for tomorrow the snow day is over and it's back to the real world of house cleaning and school work! I enjoyed nature's April Fools joke and made the most of the snow day.

Chicken Loving Aprons

So this is a bit late but I had to share the fabulous chicken apron I received from Chrissy as part of the Chicken Loving Mamas apron swap. Chrissy sent me this beautiful apron in my favorite color scheme black/red/white. Just check out the fried egg and polka dot material on the ties and ruffle. It's hard to see but the top of the apron has smocking. Not only do I love the colors and prints on the fabric but I have to say that I think the cut and style makes me look skinnier so I love that too!


Chrissy sent some delicious looking recipes that I haven't tried yet and this beautiful red(my favorite color) chicken cookbook stand. Isn't it marvelous?!! The cute felt owl clips were included for Nature Girl. She loves them!

I started off with a totally different apron in mind but ended up making this whimsical chicken half apron for Chrissy. You know me, I love the make my aprons reversible so that you have choices for your apron wearing pleasure. You can't really see it in the picture but the chicken's wing sticks out.

The back of Chrissy's apron is a pink/brown/white polka dot print. Pink is Chrissy's favorite color so it seemed like a good choice for the reverse side of her chicken loving apron.

Chrissy has a beautiful little daughter named Regan. I had fun making a little apron, also pink polka dot on the reverse side, for Regan. I made a little stuffed chicken doll and included the book The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza for Regan. You can see the little red hen doll nestled into the pocket on her apron.


I borrowed this photo of the chicken I made from Chrissy's blog. Stop by her blog to see more pictures of their aprons. I had a blast sewing the aprons and putting this package together for Chrissy and Regan. Thanks for a fabulous swap!

March YOE

Hedgehogs! The March YOE theme was hedgehogs. I was excited because I think hedgehogs are among the cutest of forest creatures. The task was to create a hedgehog ornament for your YOE tree. Check! The challenge for March was to create a hedgehog pin cushion. Check again! So here they are.

I made the ornament from felt and hand stitched his quills one night a few weeks ago while my husband and I watched Red starring Bruce Willis. I thought he turned out rather sweetly but wanted to try more of a 3-D hedgehog for my pin cushion so I stuck with the same basic shape but added additional pieces to the back and nose to get more of a rounded look.

My hedgie pincushion is made from recycled, felted wool sweaters, black beads and a black pompom. I had a hard time sticking pins in him. As a matter of fact I heard him cry out in pain but hedgies are used to spines and pokey quills so he got over it quickly.

I have greatly enjoyed making hedgehogs this month and have several other ideas I'd like to try. I also have the makings for another wool hedgie pincushion cut out and ready to stitch up when I get some time to do it. I think I might need to add the hand stitched quills on the second hedgie pincushion.
I have to say I am LOVING the YOE swap! It's been so much fun to stretch my creativity. Even better I've gotten to keep the last few things I've made. Imagine that, I hardly ever make and keep something for myself! Now that the hedgies are done and March is drawing to a close, guess what the theme for April is. . . . bird nests. I have a perfect idea to try and am anxiously awaiting some time to get started. I also feel a few felted wool birds coming on. I went to a bag sale a local thrift store this weekend and got a garbage bag full of wool sweaters and jackets. Tweet, tweet!
I'll try to catch up later this week on some belated posts like the Chicken Loving Mama's apron swap, more pictures from Hawaii and some Nature Girl at her sweetest(yes, she's always sweet!)

Shazam!

Nature Girl picked out this pink sequins hat while we were shopping last weekend. Isn't it cute? The sequins send off little reflections of light everywhere. When I see it, I can't help but think shazam! She loves her new hat! We were prepared to pay full price($16,) however when we got to the checkout it was on sale for $2! I loved that. Cute and on sale, now that's my kind of hat!

I'm participating in the Year of Enchantment this year. February's theme was to create a gnome home. The challenge was to create it using a media you don't usually use.

Well we're half way into March and I finally finished my gnome home! I was vacationing at the end of February instead of finishing my ornament. Plus I wanted a 3D gnome home where the roof could come off to revel a gnome inside. That's a bit of a challenge when you have to hang the house from a tree branch so the roof can't be totally detached. I ruminated on the best way to achieve a roof that would retract but would still hang like an ornament. I essentially made it up as I went so it's a good thing this one is for me. There are too many things that make it a bit wonky to send it to anyone but that's okay because wonky or not I like! It took me a little while to finish it but I'm happy with how it turned out. It's made with recycled felted wool and embroidery thread. Now I just need a gnome for inside my little home.

I doodled this picture awhile back and planned to make a little 3D gnome to go inside but I haven't done it yet. Instead I stitched my picture to create another ornament for my YOE tree. My intention was the meet the challenge of using a different media by painting on the fabric to create the gnome. I've been in love with the painted dolls and creations over at Cart Before the Horse for years. Jo and her husband Dylan are super talented! If you haven't visited their site you have to check it out! I've been wanting to try this media for a few years but haven't mustered up the courage. Hopefully I'll give it a shot in the next few weeks. In the meantime I'm moving onto the next YOE theme. . .hedgehogs! I can't wait to make a hedgie!