January Craft Time

Alright, my first craft of the new year!  I perused my Pinterest account looking for something easy and quick to make since I started my new job and don't have as much time (yet) during the evenings.  I found a few things but then saw an infinity scarf that my aunt made.  I LOVE the whole scarf trend and love to do basic sewing so I figured this would be it!

For a quicker look at how to make an infinity scarf, check out this video detailing this step-by-step.

The Infinity Scarf

What You'll Need:
-fabric in color/pattern of your liking
-matching thread
-scissors
-pins
-sewing needle
-sewing machine (optional)

*Note: for the fabric, I'd suggest getting it cut at the fabric store so you don't have to do any trimming and measuring.  I'd get 24-32 inches (a little less than a yard) per scarf. Remember: the more fabric you have the longer and bulkier the actual scarf will be.  Also, the heavier the fabric, the chunkier/bulkier the layers.  If you're looking for something Spring-y or Summer-y then I'd suggest a light jersey knit or gauzy cotton.  For Fall or Winter a good sturdy cotton or even (if you're feeling bold) wool.

I chose a cotton fabric in a nice pastel stripe to use for Spring.  It can also go with neutrals since it's a tad bit sturdier than a gauze.

Step-by-Step
1. Iron fabric.
2. Take fabric and fold long ways, face to face (or pretty side to pretty side).

3. Measure 4 inches from each side and pin.  Continue pinning length.

4 inches

Pinning

4. Sew length (you can use whatever seam allowance you like. I just used the foot pedal on my sewing machine).  Make sure you back-stitch the ends to keep them secure.
5. Turn inside out (here the seam should be inside).

(Yes I know it's uneven...but since it's to be worn and looped, I doubt anyone would notice)

6. Take both ends (the 4 inch non-sewed ends) and pin the forks seam to seam.

Fork

Seam-to-seam (pretty side to pretty side)

7. (This is where it gets weird) Next, you'll take the ends and pin face-to-face (pretty side to pretty side) and sew.  In doing so, you'll make this almost circle.  You'll leave the actual fork part unsewn (for now).  **NOTE:  The fabric bulks a bit here so make sure you're JUST sewing the edges and not any other material. Start from one corner and arch to the other.  Again, make sure to back-stitch each end to keep them secure.

See how the pins make this kind of circle?

Note that the bulk of the fabric is pulled away from the circle so that I can sew the edges.

8. Once sewn, you'll flip the edges inside and all that's left is this little pocket (fork) to hand sew and then you're DONE!

Pocket to hand sew

It's just a big ol' loop of fabric!

One loop, no wrap.

Two loops, one wrap.

After maybe 20-30 minutes you now have your very own infinity scarf!

So that's it!  I made two from a yard of this fabric so I could gauge the length and bulkiness I wanted.  I love them!

Happy crafting!

My First Week at the New Job

My 4 month respite of being unemployed and scared of future job opportunities is FINALLY over!  Yesterday ended my first week at my new job!  It feels incredibly amazing, I can't even lie.

How am I feeling you may ask?  Overwhelmed, elated, nervous, excited, challenged, humbled, and flattered.

I don't have much Excel experience and yet they hired me...knowing this and knowing how much Excel is used for my position.  I have no working knowledge of sales or insurance and yet they hired me...knowing this and knowing how much this is needed for my position.  They have high expectations.  So do I.

I am so thrilled about this!  I have come into an office at the beginning of a new year where I can learn so much and have time to do it.  Our office is getting a pretty large re-vamping from what I understand so I'm glad I'll get to be a part of that.

One week down.

SUCCESS!

Wasteful Practices

I have a bad habit of wasting things.  Time, money, perfume, food, etc.

Now I need to clarify. I don't waste these things in the typical manner.  I instead cling to them, refusing to (usually) use them how they're meant to be used.

Let me give you examples:

Time-I try to micromanage my time every day.  This means I try to fit in as much as possible in any given day so that I feel both accomplished and caught up.  Some of you may be wondering how this is wasting time...well I've come to realize that when doing this day after day after day I am cramming so much into my days to get things done that I'm not always enjoying what I'm doing.  While yes, I am managing my time by making sure a lot is getting done so that I can enjoy time LATER...sometimes later doesn't come for quite a while.

Money-I have always been a money pincher, saver, miser almost.  I grew up without much of it and saw the struggles my family had and (in retrospect) the sacrifices they made in order to ensure we had food on the table and clothes on our back.  I am forever grateful for this because I've learned to manage my bills really well and budget accordingly for the things we both need and want.  BUT...I have a habit of seeing any money that comes to our family as a bill. Seriously.  I recently graduated and when I first got some money I thought "I need to stick this in my savings for my student loans".  This isn't a bad idea by any means but I also realized that this was free money that was given as a gift for my accomplishments and should be used how I wanted to.
**Please note that I would NOT have spent money willy-nilly if we legitimately needed it for bills or savings.  Thankfully we're in decent shape.**

Perfumes/body washes/lotions-I love these things and the ones I find really amazing I hardly ever use.  I usually use them on special occasions and then they gather dust until another special occasion comes up.  Because of this, I have like 10 bottles of perfume/body sprays, 5 big lotions all about 1/4 empty, and oodles of body washes.  How silly!  Interestingly, my family also passed on the habit of using things to the last drop (so we don't waste the other way) but when Christmas and birthdays roll around I tend to get a load of these things (one reason why I rack up so much)!  When I really sit and think about it I can totally see consumerism and the Western (read: American) tendency to hoard and have multiple things just for the sake of having them, of having "choices".  Some of you may wonder why this is an issue.  Let me explain: most perfumes, for example, have alcohol in them.  This means that after a certain amount of time the mixed scents (artificial or natural) will wear off and most of the scent smells like decayed and diluted rubbing alcohol.  So you spend $50 on a perfume you use maybe 4 times a year and after about 2 years you are really just spraying yourself with an alcohol and chemical base!  No thank you.  Lotions and body washes are a bit different but after time they too change scents and consistency.

Unfortunately, many of us live in a culture that does things in excess. Wastes times, money, food, energy, goods in another bad way: by disposing of things when we're done with them instead of recycling, reanalyzing, and reworking.  I am glad I'm not a waster along these lines but waste is still waste!

So what have I taken from this introspection?  I need to actually USE! Use my time (and enjoy having it), use my money for some pleasure AS WELL as for savings and bills, use the body washes and such on a daily basis instead of for a special occasion, light the fancy candles, wear the fancy clothes, and ENJOY it all...because everyday is special!

I urge you to reassess your habits and see if you're wasting things in either of these ways.  It can save you time, money, and energy not to mention add happiness, balance, and possible good smells!  =]

2013-Another year to enjoy!

Another year means another chance at change, excitement, and adventure!  It's the start of something very different for me so I am anxious (in a good way) to get it started!

So what do we have planned for 2013?  Check it out!

-Make our lifestyle greener: After an adventure in making both my own face wash and laundry detergent along with reading a few blogs about making greener and healthier food changes I really think we can do it. By making our diets cleaner, our cleaning products both eco friendly and chemical free, and just making good decisions regarding our everyday living I think both D and I can do it!

-Bust my ass at my new job: I've got a new job which is to be incredibly fast paced and high stress.  I hope to not only manage but work through any issues I have and come out a champion by years end!

-(Attempt to) travel: Because of said new job, I'm not sure how/when I'll be able to do any traveling besides small weekend excursions.  If, after 6 months, things are going well and I can request time (and we have the funds), D and I will find somewhere to go and enjoy a new slice of the world.  IF we get to, here are a few places I'd like to visit if possible: New Haven, CT (to visit Shelley which in turn could lead to a quick visit to NYC), Gatlinburg, TN, Chicago, IL, and/or Redlands, CA.  I still want to see the Biltmore Mansion and Graceland but those may be a lot more "doable" since they can be quick weekend getaways.

-Purchase at least 1 work appropriate piece per paycheck starting with my first check in February (this includes accessories).  I was so fortunate to be given some funds for graduation and they REALLY helped me start gathering more work appropriate (and professional) pieces.

-(Really) learn French: Although I had more time without a job, I didn't find the proper motivation to go further than part 1 of my French Rosetta Stone.  So 2013, I will!

-Attempt at least 2 vegetarian or vegan days per week.  After attempting a meatless month I'd really like to progress into that.  I think January will be tough since I've got to wait until the very end of the month for my first check but after that...bring it ON!

-WRITE MORE! I find such solace and relaxation in writing and I want to do a LOT more of it this year.  Whether it's poetry, fiction, journaling, or research I just want to delve in and really do it.

-Save more money: With this new job I plan on putting more in my savings account than I had previously.  If I keep it up and don't mess with it I can really rack up some funds for a big purchase later in life!  With this also comes the start of paying off student loans.  While it's intimidating to me, I know we can manage it and really start chipping away at it, slowly and steadily.

-Make a list of stuff I want for the home: If we decide to stay in our apartment for the next few years (which we may do), I want to add new things to it.  Since it has been quiet some time since I updated about our home, I figured I might as well get the other stuff I want to really show you what it's become over the past few years =]

-Craft more:  My goal is to make at least one craft a month.  This does not include making the greener stuff (unless I come up with something truly unique).  I'm excited!

This is all I can think of right now and WOW-what a list!  I hope to blog about my do-it-yourself stuff and update you all on the progress to these goals throughout the year.

Cheers and HAPPY 2013!