The List Continues...

Thank you all for the overwhelming response and support of my new blog!   Several of you have reached out and asked that I add some items to my list.  I have updated the list below, but here are the new additions:

James D. -- attend a comic book convention (November)
Jessica D.-- teach a gymnastics class
Anne and Judy-- kayak in the Pacific
Debbie M-- create stationery (I added this one- I am feeling crafty after my run in with the ornament!)

I hope to start checking some of these off first thing in November.  I am particularly interested in putting acrylic nails on my sister Deanna which I hope to do when Laural returns from her trip!  Stay tuned for more additions...

Finished!

One ornament down, one to go! This isn't your grandmother's (or my grandmother's or Eric's grandmother's) ornament, but it still came out pretty darn OK.  Sophia decided that this one should be Griffin's and that she wants a gingerbread house instead. (this probably isn't up to her standards either :)

Progress

Here is last night's progress.  I finished the candy cane by sewing together and stiching all the sequins on.  I hope to finish this bad boy soon hen focus on another "thing!"  I am directing my attention to joining Chris D. at his meat smoker- that one I have to see.

On another note, it occurred to me that sewing stockings and ornaments was also my grandmother's (my mother's mom) hobby.  We all have stockings to show it! (sorry Salvi).  Maybe I will make Salvi a stocking, not a good one, but at least he will have one too.   :)

Ornaments continued..

Check out last night's progress on the ornament ! I have to say, my stitching sucks but I remain proud of my creation.  I figured out that I think I am supposed to be separating the thread strands out  (I have been sewing clusters of 5 strings of thread for each stitch!) I separated them out and it makes for a much cleaner stitch. 

On another note, I asked Eric how grandma Mae hid her stitches when she was at the end of her thread and his response was "she didn't rush it."  Whatever, he's probably right, but whatever...

I hope to finish this ornament soon and then on to the next project!

Little beads!

I started making the ornaments "a la grandma Mae" the other day.  I have to admit this project started out daunting so I avoided it over the past few weeks.  I got as far as purchasing the ornament kit, reading through the materials, getting the remaining things I needed to start the project like batting, craft scissors, etc.. then organizing my materials.  Then I just stared at it all feeling overwhelmed! The directions are lengthy and a bit confusing which delayed my start.

I decided to ditch the directions (using only the ornament photos as my guide) and finally put needle to felt last week (albeit with some wine in me).  The stitching started off rough (due to both the wine and my impatience to "get it over with").  Looking at my sloppy stitching discouraged me even more. 

Well, last night, with renewed motivation from family (thank you Meredith!) I finally put a sober hand to the craft again.  I posted some starting and ending photos of last night's progress here.  I decided to make a gingerbread man who will eventually be holding a candy cane.  While my embroidery work is nothing to brag about, I am much happier with last night's progress.  (see below).  He actually looks kind of cute! I am looking forward to getting back to this tonight and doing it right (again, thank you Meredith!) 

The one thing that did trouble me (perhaps it would not have, had I read the directions!) was sewing the tiny beads and sequins on to my gingerbread man.  Maggie, if you are reading this, I welcome your advice instructions on how to get those damn things on there the right way.  I refuse to read the directions again!)

On another note, each year, in continuance of my mother's tradition with me and my siblings, I purchase an ornament for my children for our Christmas tree.  When they are older and out of the house, like my mother did, I will give them their box of ornaments.  Last year, I "made" them ornaments by gluing fancy paper to pre-made ornament shapes (wine was involved with that project too :)  Man did I think that was an accomplishment!   It is obvious to me now that this ornament and one more that I hope to make will go to my children when they are done and will surely outshine last year's attempts at ornament-making.  With that in mind, I am really trying to make beautiful finished products for my kids.  I look forward to telling them the story behind the ornaments later in life. 

Thanks for reading.  More to come- stay with me!! 

The Journey Begins...

Dear friends and family:

Thank you for visiting my blog spot and for taking the time to read about my journey through your things! I started this project after an inspirational night at Symphony Hall watching my friends Kim and Allison perform in one of their many shows.

I have known Kim and Alli for over 20 years and theater has always been a part of their life. As I sat watching them at the theater that night I realized that I had no idea what they go through when they perform: what it's like to audition, to rehearse and to get on that stage night after night in front of a crowd of people. I feel like I know them inside and out, and I certainly know what it's like to watch them perform, but I don't know how the experience is for them. Thus, the motivation to audition for a play and to experience not only their "thing" but all of your "things": the hobbies and interests of my family and close friends.

So, the journey begins this week. As a tribute to my husband's late grandmother, Mae, who passed in September, I am starting with one of her "things" which is to make stockings and ornaments for family. I purchased my very first ornament making kit and will post photos and entries of my progress through this process!