June 21, 2010

New Hobby

Within our first week of getting to El Paso, the realtor we were using (and now turned friend) invited us to a cookout they were having along with other military couples. There was another pregnant wifey there (again turned friend) who invited me to join in her Fort Bliss craft group. I kept saying "yes I'd love to" for about a month, but other things kept coming up. Finally, last week, I was free and went to the craft group albeit with nerves in my stomach.
I don't have the easiest time trying new things. I usually do and am up for trying just about anything, but it's always hard for me. Just have to push the nerves away!
Anyway.. I'm so glad I went! Turns out it's actually a stitchers group and these ladies are all waaay more advanced than I am. As in, they were making quilts and I don't know how to sew a button on a pair of pants! So yeah... way advanced. I felt comfortable right away though. I enjoyed chatting and had every intention of coming back next week, but not really participating.

Then the host got ahold of me and insisted I start a project. We'll start you easy she said.. with cross stitching. I looked at her like she was insane, but mindlessly followed her into her sewing room and let her load me up with supplies. It's like she had me brain washed and I could say no. All I knew is that I was in over my head. Before I knew it, I was on my way home with everything I needed to make a burp cloth for my son. Except confidence.

I took everything home and stared at it for a few hours giving myself a pep talk. You can do this. It's just a burp cloth. Who cares how it turns out, Andrew's just going to be spitting up all over it anyways. I'll be able to keep it and tell him later on, "look what your mama made for you". Just try it.. who knows.. you might be a genius at cross stitching. I finally pick up the cloth and clumsily thread the needle.. I'm all thumbs. I can't figure out what the hell she meant by stitching all in the same way and something about top left to right bottom. Right bottom of what???
The next afternoon I leave a desperate comment on above mentioned "friend" who forced me to start this crap anyways, letting her know I was giving up until we met up next. I vented and vented. Then picked it back up, pissed that I was failing, and was determined to conquer this burp cloth.. it was not going to get the best of me.

That's all I needed I guess. Something clicked and I figured it out just like that. I'm glad I was home alone because the happy dance that ensued after that was probably not pretty. I was so flippin proud of myself.

The host said if I come back on Thursday with an E done (his name is part of the design and you have to start in the middle) she'll call it a success. I'm not done yet, of course, but it's only Monday and look what we have so far...


In the end, it'll say "Andrew" and the name will be being (that drives me crazy) towed away by a tow truck.. hence the wheels on the bottom of his name. It's not perfect by any means, but I'm glad that friend of mine (we can take the quotation marks away now ) ;) introduced me to something I NEVER would have tried on my own!

13 comments:

New Girl on Post said...

I think you are doing a great job! I started cross-stitch when I was younger, but don't think I ever finished anything I started.

I can't wait to see it when you get done!

Brigette said...

that looks really good so far! For the longest time I didn't know how to stich either and when I finally learned how to sew a button on I also did a happy dance. lol

Steph said...

I think it looks great. It will also be something for you to do since it's too darn hot to be outside much.

Michelle A'etonu said...

you're off to a great start! glad you found a group of crafty friends on bliss. Don't forget to look into OCSA. They do cool stuff all the time!

lola said...

that looks super cute! I can't wait to see the whole thing all finished. I'm with New Girl -- I don't know that I ever finished things that I started!

Anonymous said...

Good for you! It is great to have something just for you that you enjoy. Being a wife and mother is wonderful, but I know personally I try to set aside a small amount of time to do things I enjoy. It makes me a better wife and mommy!

JG said...

Well done! I miss cross stitching sometimes. Your burp cloth looks like it's coming across excellently!

Unknown said...

Thanks for letting me know! I got the link fixed!

ThinkFeminist said...

I think you did a great job! That looks really nice and boyish....you are one big hands-on mom.

Anonymous said...

I think it looks good!!!

I miss doing "craft-y" things, I really need to pick it up sometime soon.

Kristy said...

I'm so proud of you for continuing to try AND for all the progress you've made! It's turning out GREAT!!!!

Anonymous said...

Awesome job!! I've never had the patience to try cross stitching, but have always admired those who could. That burp cloth is going to be adorable!! Keep up the good work :)

Maridee said...

wow I bet my name was being said in unkind ways last week. Glad you figured it out and it's looking great! So glad you came back to our group. See you in two weeks - after my granddaughters run me into the ground for a few days!