Let the Sewing Begin

March 6, 2011

A few of my friends and I have recently gotten into sewing. We had talked about starting projects for a while but hadn't actually gotten very far. Then one day I got a post card in the mail advertising the Sew, Craft and Quilting Expo in a nearby city. Well, that was the only push we needed! The three of us attended this Expo having no idea what we were getting into. Our eyes lit up and ideas started forming as we saw booth after booth of beautiful fabrics and project samples. We came home with more fabric than we knew what to do with and were excited to start.

We got together this last weekend to work on our various projects. I must admit, that sewing with a group is way more fun than doing it by yourself. I had hoped to take a few photos to document the party but I was so caught up in my project that I completely forgot. So, words will have to do for now. (My apologies.)

My first project is a quilted tree skirt. Last Christmas, I kept my eyes peeled for Christmas decorates since we now have our own place, but I couldn't find one that I really liked. And since I had watched my mom sew our tree skirt and matching stockings when I was a little girl, I knew I could do that too. I had seen an sample of one at this expo we attended and thought it would be the perfect project to get 1) get me back into sewing, 2) introduce me to quilting (yikes!) and 3) provide me with a tree skirt for next year!

I purchased a few tools and some material at the expo and finished up my fabric purchases at JoAnn Fabric the following weekend. I have learned that I'm not at all confident in picking out fabric; I find it challenging to find complementary prints and shades that will look good when pieced together. It's very hard for me to visualize the end product when looking at numerous bolts of fabric.

Also, I realized that this would end up being the most expensive tree skirt I'd ever seen. I just have to remind myself that this is about learning how to sew (again), hanging out with friends and developing a new hobby; it's not all about a tree skirt or an end product.

March 6, 2011

A few of my friends and I have recently gotten into sewing. We had talked about starting projects for a while but hadn't actually gotten very far. Then one day I got a post card in the mail advertising the Sew, Craft and Quilting Expo in a nearby city. Well, that was the only push we needed! The three of us attended this Expo having no idea what we were getting into. Our eyes lit up and ideas started forming as we saw booth after booth of beautiful fabrics and project samples. We came home with more fabric than we knew what to do with and were excited to start.

We got together this last weekend to work on our various projects. I must admit, that sewing with a group is way more fun than doing it by yourself. I had hoped to take a few photos to document the party but I was so caught up in my project that I completely forgot. So, words will have to do for now. (My apologies.)

My first project is a quilted tree skirt. Last Christmas, I kept my eyes peeled for Christmas decorates since we now have our own place, but I couldn't find one that I really liked. And since I had watched my mom sew our tree skirt and matching stockings when I was a little girl, I knew I could do that too. I had seen an sample of one at this expo we attended and thought it would be the perfect project to get 1) get me back into sewing, 2) introduce me to quilting (yikes!) and 3) provide me with a tree skirt for next year!

I purchased a few tools and some material at the expo and finished up my fabric purchases at JoAnn Fabric the following weekend. I have learned that I'm not at all confident in picking out fabric; I find it challenging to find complementary prints and shades that will look good when pieced together. It's very hard for me to visualize the end product when looking at numerous bolts of fabric.

Also, I realized that this would end up being the most expensive tree skirt I'd ever seen. I just have to remind myself that this is about learning how to sew (again), hanging out with friends and developing a new hobby; it's not all about a tree skirt or an end product.

SF Walk for Life

Many of you have probably heard of "Walk for Life" in the  midst of all the other walks for . . . fundraising. I first heard of it when my roommate in Colorado Springs was volunteering for the local crisis pregnancy center and their Walk for Life event. The following year, I joined her. I didn't do the walk itself but I helped with the kids program. It was a blast.

When we moved to San Francisco, I met the director of the local crisis pregnancy center. She goes to my church. And the center is actually just down the street from our apartment. The director got up in church one Sunday to share about the needs the center had and inspired us with some really amazing stories. She shared with us that the number one reason they hear as to why the mother of an unborn child would consider an abortion is that they can't afford to take care of the child. That is a very real concern. I too think about how Chris and I will afford having a family in the city; but I don't think I had ever realized just how serious this concern is for some women. They are facing a literal life and death decision based on their financial need.

Thankfully, the Alpha Pregnancy Center and others like it are there to help. I was amazed when I heard just how much help they offer to both women who are going through an unplanned pregnancy and those raising kids under the age of 12. With the number of services Alpha Pregnancy Center offers (all of which are free), the concern over not being able to afford their baby should no longer be an issue. PTL!

The annual "Walk for Life" event is a way for the center's programs to continue. Without funds they can't do a whole lot. This year, I have decided to participate in the walk and to raise financial support for the center. I'm really excited about this opportunity as not only can I help raise funds for their programs, but this walk sounds really fun too. We will be split up into teams, given an arm load of presents and will then walk to the homes of families who have been blessed by the center! (The gifts are for the kids in the family.) How neat is that!

My goal is $250 -- and I have 29 days. The walk is on October 8.

Can you help?

I'm still working out a way to do online donations, but if you'd like to sponsor me in this walk -- please send payment to: Emily Babiak; 3812 Mission St Apt 1; San Francisco CA 94110 (make checks payable to: Alpha Pregnancy Center). All donations are tax deductible and Alpha Pregnancy Center will send you a receipt.

please check out: www.alphapc.org for more information and consider sponsoring me!

402 Miles -- I think I can, I think I can!

Many of you have probably heard of "Walk for Life" in the  midst of all the other walks for . . . fundraising. I first heard of it when my roommate in Colorado Springs was volunteering for the local crisis pregnancy center and their Walk for Life event. The following year, I joined her. I didn't do the walk itself but I helped with the kids program. It was a blast.

When we moved to San Francisco, I met the director of the local crisis pregnancy center. She goes to my church. And the center is actually just down the street from our apartment. The director got up in church one Sunday to share about the needs the center had and inspired us with some really amazing stories. She shared with us that the number one reason they hear as to why the mother of an unborn child would consider an abortion is that they can't afford to take care of the child. That is a very real concern. I too think about how Chris and I will afford having a family in the city; but I don't think I had ever realized just how serious this concern is for some women. They are facing a literal life and death decision based on their financial need.

Thankfully, the Alpha Pregnancy Center and others like it are there to help. I was amazed when I heard just how much help they offer to both women who are going through an unplanned pregnancy and those raising kids under the age of 12. With the number of services Alpha Pregnancy Center offers (all of which are free), the concern over not being able to afford their baby should no longer be an issue. PTL!

The annual "Walk for Life" event is a way for the center's programs to continue. Without funds they can't do a whole lot. This year, I have decided to participate in the walk and to raise financial support for the center. I'm really excited about this opportunity as not only can I help raise funds for their programs, but this walk sounds really fun too. We will be split up into teams, given an arm load of presents and will then walk to the homes of families who have been blessed by the center! (The gifts are for the kids in the family.) How neat is that!

My goal is $250 -- and I have 29 days. The walk is on October 8.

Can you help?

I'm still working out a way to do online donations, but if you'd like to sponsor me in this walk -- please send payment to: Emily Babiak; 3812 Mission St Apt 1; San Francisco CA 94110 (make checks payable to: Alpha Pregnancy Center). All donations are tax deductible and Alpha Pregnancy Center will send you a receipt.

please check out: www.alphapc.org for more information and consider sponsoring me!

402 Miles -- I think I can, I think I can!

The End of Summer

Last week I posted a poll about how often I should blog. The majority (of all 9 votes) said "Weekly." And I would agree. I know I can come up with something to share with all of you on a weekly basis (not including my little hobby pages).

I can't believe summer is seemingly over--in SF the weather should continue to be sunny/half-way warm for a while still. So I'm not complaining about the weather so much as the mindset of Summer being over. The buses are more crowded with school kids, traffic is worse, and generally speaking everyone seems to be more "busy."

It's funny how to many people Summer = vacation no matter what kind of job they have. Even for me-- though I am still working full time, I tend to stay up a little later during the week or do more after work as far as hanging out with friends/date nights, etc. And the weekends tend to be a bit more adventurous like taking day trips to the beach or having picnics in the park. (Doesn't my life sound a little too crazy . . . come on, going to the park . . . on a Saturday! Yikes!) I might even "forget" to do the laundry! Summer is also a time for travelling. We had four visitors this summer and we traveled to Minnesota and Hawaii.

There's something about summer that reminds us to loosen up and have fun. Maybe it's the extended hours of sunshine or the heat that most of you have during these three months of the year. It's freeing isn't it . . . to have Summer. To relax. Breathe. Take a break. It's not just for kids you know!

Now that September is here, our routines go back to normal. Our small group will get back into "study" mode, and our travels will end until Christmas. We do hope to make it the beach a few more times if we can. I'd like to keep the mindset of Summer for a while yet. I'm not ready to give it up. Are you?

Last week I posted a poll about how often I should blog. The majority (of all 9 votes) said "Weekly." And I would agree. I know I can come up with something to share with all of you on a weekly basis (not including my little hobby pages).

I can't believe summer is seemingly over--in SF the weather should continue to be sunny/half-way warm for a while still. So I'm not complaining about the weather so much as the mindset of Summer being over. The buses are more crowded with school kids, traffic is worse, and generally speaking everyone seems to be more "busy."

It's funny how to many people Summer = vacation no matter what kind of job they have. Even for me-- though I am still working full time, I tend to stay up a little later during the week or do more after work as far as hanging out with friends/date nights, etc. And the weekends tend to be a bit more adventurous like taking day trips to the beach or having picnics in the park. (Doesn't my life sound a little too crazy . . . come on, going to the park . . . on a Saturday! Yikes!) I might even "forget" to do the laundry! Summer is also a time for travelling. We had four visitors this summer and we traveled to Minnesota and Hawaii.

There's something about summer that reminds us to loosen up and have fun. Maybe it's the extended hours of sunshine or the heat that most of you have during these three months of the year. It's freeing isn't it . . . to have Summer. To relax. Breathe. Take a break. It's not just for kids you know!

Now that September is here, our routines go back to normal. Our small group will get back into "study" mode, and our travels will end until Christmas. We do hope to make it the beach a few more times if we can. I'd like to keep the mindset of Summer for a while yet. I'm not ready to give it up. Are you?