LIVity

This past weekend was my birthday weekend.  So, I didn't get to make the post I was planning, but I did get to speak and spend time with so many loved ones, I'm still on cloud 9.

I promise I'll have the other post within the next two weeks.  But even with all the celebrating, did get a chance to work  on my skirt, so I'll just give an update on that.

I found out the interface material I talked about in my last post was sew-in and Mimi G called for a iron fusible.  So, I had to make another trip to the fabric store, for a different kind of interfacing. Luckily this trip didn't take three hours lol

I sewed the panels of the skirt together with no problem.


And although I was a little intimidated by inserting the zipper, I did okay.


I started piecing together the lining too.  The pattern didn't call for this step, but this is something Mimi G added to the project.  I think it's a good idea to give the skirt a more finished look, plus it's great experience.


So I guess that's about it.  Check out my Facebook page for updates on my upcoming craft room project.

Until next time,

~With ♥ from Halima

     

~With ♥ from Halima

     

The first step was actually my least favorite part of sewing so far, the cutting. Even with a cutting board, I've managed to cut jagged edges. This fabric was easier to work with then the stretch fabric I worked with on my first project, the vintage headband.  I did cut pretty straight lines, this time, but it took a long time.  And I discovered that even though batting looks like a bag full of clouds, it's actually a pain to cut, largely because of its stretchy factor. If anyone has any tips on working with this, please share.

After cutting, I had to iron the pocket. This step got rid of the deep, folding crease that was in the material, but also created a crisp pocket.

Next, I arranged the layers of the caddy: batting, back piece of fabric, pocket and front piece of fabric. It was an interesting order, but because the project is worked inside out, it all worked out.

Finally got to the sewing part.  I pinned the layers together to ensure I sewed through all the layers.  The pattern called for me to sew up the two sides and the bottom.  I was a little hesitant about sewing around corners because I've never done it and after my "cut on the fold" incident, I figured better to ask the dumb question than to make another mistake, especially because I didn't have extra fabric this time.  So, I watched this YouTube tutorial for sewing corners. Very straightforward without making you feel like you asked the dumb question lol

This was after I sewed up the sides and bottom and flipped the caddy right side out.

And, after I sewed partitions into the pocket to make four pockets.  I have my fabric marker, seam ripper, fabric scissors, tape measure and straight pins stored with plenty of room leftover! The whole project only took about two hours which I didn't think was bad considering a broken automatic needle threader and about 20 minutes spent fighting with the bobbin.   Until next time.... ~With ♥ from Halima

Sooo...this past month I really dove into my pursuit to learn how to sew. 

I found a couple of basic patterns on Craftsy and also took the suggestion of a friend and checked out Mimi G.  I was really excited about her because she has free, online classes which walk you through patterns.

This led me to my first trip to the fabric store. Where I spent three hours.  In my defense, not only did I have no idea what I was doing, but I had to touch all the gadgets I never knew existed. 



Don't mind the three-day old wash-n-go. Was going to do something cute, but was migraining for four days prior to this pic and suddenly it didn't seem so important lol

The first project I decided to try was a vintage headband.  Simple, right?? Just sewing in straight lines.  The first night I worked on it things moved slowly, but I walked away feeling confident I could pick this craft up in no time.  I printed and cut the pattern and fabric. Then I created the main seams.  Sat back to admire my handiwork and noticed the pieces looked a little shorter than the pattern's picture, but thought maybe it was the angle from which the photo was taken.  Or maybe because there were two pieces that needed to be put together, the length would work itself out.

The second night started off bad.  I sat down with all the confidence in the world, thinking all I had to do was spend a couple of minutes putting the finishing touches on the headband.  I started sewing and part way in, had to add more thread to the bobbin.  No problem.  I'm a pro at this now, didn't even need to consult the machine's manual this time.  Rethreaded the machine and it didn't take me two hours.  Not a single problem. Until, I got to the automatic needle threader which would not budge.  I'm not too proud to break the manual out again, even re-watch the YouTube video on how to work it.  Ok, I'm doing this right why won't it move?? Pushed it again, the plastic lever snapped off.  So, I threaded the machine needle by hand.  Inconvenient because now I had to check the machine's warranty and call Singer the next day, but one monkey don't stop the show. 

Infant baby turban

Finish the headband and it's infantile. By this I mean, if anybody needs a vintage headband for their newborn baby girl, I got you.  My first instinct was right, the pieces were way too short.  Re-consulted my pattern to see where I could have gone wrong.  The only thing I could find was a sentence that asked for the pattern to be placed on the fold of fabric.  When I was cutting, it didn't really make sense because the pattern called for two strips of fabric and I thought it'd be neater to just cut two separate pieces.  So, I took "fold of fabric" to be interchangeable with "edge of fabric."  But after making a teeny, tiny headband, I decided to Google and discovered the technique of folding fabric before you cut it to keep it symmetrical for designs that call for you to fold and sew them later. 

This story does have a happy ending though.  Luckily, I bought twice as much fabric as the pattern called for, so I was able to make a new headband that night.  And I spoke with Singer two days later and they've agreed to ship a replacement piece for the broken threader lever free of charge.

I've already moved on to my next project and am hoping my next 'What's Happening' post will be less lessons learned and more me showing off all my pro sewing skills.

In other news, I finished reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. I still think everyone needs to read this, but I do think it's target audience is extroverts that have a desire to better understand introverts and introverts who may not understand or be completely comfortable with their nature.  You can read my full review of it here.


And lastly, I started reading The Red Tent.  I'm going to hold off on giving any feedback because this post is already insanely long. 

I've gotten word that I should give progress updates on my craft projects, so stand by for that.  It'll let me be in touch  more, but it'll also keep my 'What's Happening' posts from turning into epic novels lol Also, you can get more updates from me on my Facebook page.  Or if you really need to know what's going on with me from moment to moment, I'm @midnytebloom on both Twitter and Instagram.

Until next time,

~With ♥ from Halima

     

I recently finished reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.  I was really excited to read this book based off of the title alone, but after completing it, can honestly say my socks weren't blown off.

As an introvert, I have spent countless hours inside my own head learning and trying to be true to myself.  So yea this book provided scientific evidence, but it was about stuff I already know and accept or want to change about myself.  Having data to back it didn't make me any more or less likely to do that though.

I'm happy ending kind of lady myself, so now that I've given you the bad news, I can move on to the good news.  The book is broken into four parts and every chapter in part one, The Extrovert Ideal, is outstanding.

• The Rise of the "Mighty Likeable Fellow" details the shift from the pre-1920s American ideal that the best personality attributes dealt with virtue to the standard that it was more important to be exude confidence and likability.  
• The Myth of Charismatic Leadership really hit home for me. It gave stories of how it feels to be an introvert in settings where extroversion is not only the standard, but where introversion is almost snubbed and not allowed.  It also spoke to one of my biggest pet peeves; just because someone says something loudly and with confidence does not mean they are right.  
• When Collaboration Kills Creativity also struck a chord with me because it addresses the need to set introverts up for success by not making us work in a cookie cutter setting that is meant to promote collaboration, but just ends up being overstimulating for us.

The other parts of the book were interesting but not as personally impactful.  They include: Your Biology, Your Self? which is basically the nature/nurture debate and how and how much we can expand our temperament; Do All Cultures Have An Extrovert Ideal which followed the cases of a couple of Asian American students who grew up in a California town where they were the majority and their respective cultures were largely intact.  Overall this meant have ambition, but you don't have to step on everyone around you to use it;

"Soft power is quiet persistence"

And the last section, How To Love, How To Work which was more of a how to guide - how to pull characteristics from your opposite type, how to communicate with the opposite type and how to raise introverted children.

A quote Cain provided near the end of the book brought everything full circle for me.  She said,

"Figure out what you are meant to contribute to the world and make sure you contribute it."

Simple words, but they needed to be said.  As an introvert, it's easy to allow your voice to be silenced because you get so exhausted from trying to be heard in such a loud culture. But we need encouragement like that to remind us that what we have to say is important too.

~ With ♥ from Halima
     

     

In last week's post, The Universe Speaks: Part I, I told you all about how I was finally able to relax in this life by embracing my faith.  And how I felt confirmed in this belief because of a Facebook post on my newsfeed with a Bible verse that spoke about peace coming through faith.  But I didn't tell you about my second encounter with that still, small [online] voice.

A couple of days after the scripture came across my Facebook feed, I was reading an unrelated Huffington Post article which led me to my new favorite YouTube channel, Soul Pancake.  It's made up of scientific studies on positivity whose findings are demonstrated in life situations.

One of the first videos that showed up on the page with this one titled What's Stopping You From Achieving Your Goals? The video talks about how when most people are asked to give a reason why they don't follow their dream, one of the top responses is, "fear."

"You have two choices: you have fear and you have faith"

So basically I'm back to that scary place I was about three years ago, trying to let go of the fear of  not being in control of everything.  But this time, instead of trying to fabricate a sense of newfound freedom by enjoying the ride, I've filled the void left by fear with faith.

~ With ♥ from Halima

Like I imagine most people do, I get in ruts where I feel I'm not making any life progress.  And I get caught alternating between pushing to make something happen and a state of exhaustion and desolation.

I'm guilty of spending countless days in my room, blinds drawn in hopes that if the world would just stop so my lack of movement wouldn't matter. Or of spending days sleeping, desperately trying to escape.  And in between these depressed states, I pray.  I pray because I was always taught that if I ask, and it's His will, it will be given to me.

I've been asking, but not only have my requests not been granted, but it seems they haven't even been rejected to be replaced by something more in line with what I need.  You know the age-old adage about not getting what you want because something better may be coming.

So I've recently gotten to the point where I'm questioning God. Asking him if he's forgotten about me.  Wondering why, in the past, he didn't answer my prayers when doing so could only be good for all parties involved.  Working myself up over not getting things I consider to be not too selfish.  Working myself up. 

And then I had an epiphany that if I'm not getting answers, maybe it's because I'm not asking the right questions.  Cliché, right?? I sound like a retro, King Fu movie.  But I changed my prayers despite being embarrassed of my Columbus-like discovery of basic knowledge.  I changed them to not only be direct in asking for what I'd like, but to also ask for the wisdom to know when God was speaking to spirit and guiding me towards His path. 

Then I ran across a Facebook post about faith being the only source of real peace.  It resonated, but I didn't realize how much so until I started relaxing.  This is kind of scary for me because I never relax. So subconsciously I began to think about how I could sabotage this feeling.  But once I caught myself, I starting thinking about what I did to make myself relax so I could hold on to this feeling.  What I realized is that I held on to my faith. 

And then I realized that I got just what I asked for, the wisdom to know when God was talking.  Whether he speaks through a Facebook post or some live-changing-event, he was still talking. It's the little things, right?? 

So I had to share my moment of enlightenment, but of  course, I couldn't find the verse that spoke to me.  Instead, I found John 14:27 which is along the same lines - peace can only come from above. 


Next week, part two of my latest "aha moment." Until then, peace and blessings ;-)

~ With ♥ from Halima

In the process of making art, do you fall in love with the tools for creation or with the resulting piece of work? I ask because I was reading How to Attract More Love In Your Life. an article by Mommy Noire, and ran across this:

"We are all moved by human drama."

I didn't think much of it until later when I started thinking about the people I've known over the course of my life.  People who have bonded with me over a specific trauma, but are absent in other areas of my life. What allows us to align with the negative experiences that shape a person, but not necessarily feel the person that emerges from the experience?

Empathy? Lack of facts? Maybe.

Or maybe Michelangelo's famous quote applies to humans as well.

“Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it” 

Since I've been reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, I've been thinking about parts of my personality I've always thought were shaped by life events. For instance, I attributed my reserved nature to my learning that, there are some things you just don't talk about. But looking back, I realize I was always shy.  Always the toddler peaking out from behind my mom's legs.  So yea, life situations may have enhanced my reluctance, but the statue inside of me was always there so to speak.

And I'm assuming others are like this as well.  The tools or experiences that shape someone else - no matter how much they resemble situations I've been through - will not produce the same result because their inner statue is fundamentally different.

So yea, I can offer advice and my advice may actually get someone through a life season, but it may not necessarily produce a kindred spirit. And that's okay.  We're all masterpieces in our own right.

~ With ♥ from Halima

It's been a while since I've written and I've definitely missed publishing, but I've been taking time to write for myself. Aannnddd...I've also been taking time to work on my crafting.  So, without further delay, here's what I've been up to in my absence.

Fabric lining complete

Okay, sorry for the big build up with no real reveal. But I've been working on a crochet project that keeps encountering little bumps in the road and I don't want to say what it is until I can show off the finished product.  But I will say, this is the first time I've ever lined a piece of work with fabric.

I did it by hand and it took way more time than I wanted to spend on that part of the project. So, I promptly decided I need a sewing machine for future projects.  I did some research and ended up with this pretty girl.

Now let me be clear, I have no idea what I'm doing here.  It took me about two hours, the instructional DVD and about three YouTube videos for me just to figure out how to thread this thing.  But now I'm pumped to maybe pick up some sewing projects.  Which led me to rediscovering Craftsy.  Not only do they have online classes, but they also have about 20 free sewing patterns. I'm about to be spending a lot of time there.

And last but not least, I'm currently reading Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. Listen, whether you're an introvert, extrovert or ambivert, this book is a must read.  It explains quiet leaders all the way from why they are how they are to the ideal leadership situation.  As an introvert, I definitely see a lot of myself in this book, but I'm also learning a lot of new, scientific information and am thoroughly enjoying the case studies.

Until next time,

~ With ♥ from Halima

So, because my blog is supposed to be about my crafts and reading list as well as my random thoughts, I thought it'd be fun to start the new year with regular updates on what I'm up to in those areas.

This month, I'm reading The New Kings of Nonfiction. Those who follow my Instagram account know I've been working on this book for far too long. I thought it'd be a perfect match for me, being journalists telling nonfiction, short stories, but I'm not feeling it as much as I thought I would. I don't know what's up with that, but it is giving me inspiration for some writing I've been trying out lately so it's not a complete waste.

And as far as crafts, I recently finished this hooded scarf for a very special co-worker. She asked me to teach her to crochet a while back and a hooded scarf was her first project of choice. But because of life circumstances, she hasn't been able to work with it like she'd like. Anyway, this isn't the pattern she picked, I didn't want to take that from her, but I thought this one was pretty as well.

That's about it. I'm thinking of starting a handbag, which I've been trying to make since I started knitting and crocheting, but I haven't decided if that will be the next project.

For more book recommendations, check out my Recommended Reading page which also contains a link to full reviews of some of the books.

Until next time.

~With ♥ from Halima

And just for good measure, my roll dog, Nellie got dragged on the trip so she deserves honorable mention.  This is her looking for the next squirrel to chase.


I was sick last week, but I'm going to do my best to post again this week.  If I don't get around to it though, have a very Merry Christmas.

~With ♥ from Halima