The Attitude of Gratitude

In my online class, this last week is titled Giving Back. How appropriate it is during this wonderful Christmas season.

I would like to share with you this touching message from President Gordon B. Hinckley. It is only about 4 minutes long and it is definitely worth the watch. It's titled Lessons I Learned as a Boy.

It is so important for those of us who have plenty and enough to share to help those less fortunate than us. You never know what someone is going through. I also think it's important to give those individuals the things they need, and not necessarily what they want (i.e.: money). We need to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and without a spot of judgment on them. We are all mortal beings. We all go through trials and on top of that, we all sin. Charity is the greatest of all the gifts of God. To be able to see and love others the way Christ sees and loves them.


Also, this little video is so so so good too! Have I Done Any Good In The World Today?

Remember what this time of year is really about. Remember the gift of giving. Let's spread a little more love and peace this Christmas season!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all you lovely people. :)

Liebster Award Nomination

Okay so yes, I am a little late on doing this but better late then never, right?! I also have never heard of the Liebster Award before but I'm happy to accept it! I was nominated by Neive over at The Aussie Osborns and Rachel from Officially Stoked! Both adorable little ladies! The Liebster award is for the smaller blogger to help them grow their readers. As long as you have less than 200 followers, you can be nominated! 

Below I have answered eleven questions that Neive and Rachel gave me. After that, I will nominate eleven other bloggers with less than 200 followers on Facebook or bloglovin and they will answer my questions and repeat the process!  

1. How did you decide on the title of your blog?
It's my name so it was pretty easy. I had my last name before, but I'm pretty positive that nobody can pronounce it, ha! Maybe one day I'll have a super creative blog title that everyone will love and adore

2. What is one word that sums up the heart of your blog and why?
Sporadic! I kind of jump around a lot and I don't really stick to any one specific thing. I think it's fairly accurate though ha. 

3. What is your favorite pastime other than blogging?
If you can't tell already, I love love love sewing! It is by far my favorite pastime. 

4. What is your favorite aspect of blogging?
I guess I like sharing my projects with the world. Is that dumb?

5. Which project, recipe or idea on my blog would you most like to try yourself?
Basically most everything under the "Creative Cooking" just looks so scrumptious! 

6. Where does your blog inspiration come from?
I just pull it out of the abyss I guess. Or really from my life and things I'm doing, making, creating, etc. 

7. What is one country in the world you would like to visit? Why?
Austria! Probably because I just recently watched the Sound of Music and it is just so pretty over there! And... the hills are alive! 

8. If you have children, what are there names? If not, what are your favorite girl and boy names?
No children yet, and I'm definitely not spoiling any of my names! :)

9. A long-lost relative leaves you a large sum of money. What do you do with it?
Well, since I did marry a finance guru, invest it! And buy a house and a mommy wagon and maybe go to all the Disney parks! (I think there are four..?)

10. In your opinion, what is the best blog post you've written so far? (Include the link!)
I'm going to copy Neive and just go with the post with the most views! I'm definitely not sure if it's the best though...(I think it's just because Tilly is just super awesome)
Skirt From Love At First Stitch 

11. Where do you see yourself in five years time?
First off, hopefully aways away from Arizona! I've just been here far too long. Maying in another country, which would be kind of cool and hopefully the family of two will be a family of four! (Finger's crossed!)

Anyway, here are my nominations! (in alphabetical order!)

Angie ~ Chasing My Halo
Ashley ~ Yearn Love Grow
Bethany ~ Dandelion Pie
Melanie ~ Missing You, From Mel

Rachel ~ Choosing Human

Robin ~ An Ocean Dream

Sabra ~ Becoming A Gilbert
Samantha ~ Moving Peaces
Sarah ~ Joyfully Organized
Sierra ~ Enjoy To The End

Tasmin ~ Bright Little Corner

These are the steps to accepting your award:

• Answer the eleven questions given to you by the person that nominated you (see below). Please comment on this post with your link when you are done so I can see your answers!
• In your post, link back to the person/blog who nominated you and give a little thank you shout out.
• After completing the questions, nominate eleven bloggers with under 200 followers on the social media platform of your choice, and give them eleven  questions of your choice.
• Notify your nominees of their nomination, and provide a link to your post so that they know what to do.
  
  

These are your questions:

1. How did you decide on the title of your blog?

2. What one word sums up the heart of your blog and why?

3. What’s your favorite pastime other than blogging?

4. What is your favorite aspect of blogging?

5. Which recipe, project, or idea on my blog would you most like to try yourself?

6. Where does your blog inspiration come from?

7. What is one country in the world you would like to visit? Why?

8. If you have children, what are their names? If not, what are your favorite boy & girl names?

9. A long-lost relative leaves you a large sum of money. What do you do with it?

10. In your opinion, what is the best blog post you’ve written so far? (Include the link!)

11. Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Happy connecting! :)

The Essential Tee

So I was a little adventurous and decided to experiment on rub off pattering! (I found the link on pinterest <3) Since I've been sewing more and more, this was really useful, and it worked! And the best thing about it is I now have a pattern so I can make more shirts like it if I want to. 

This is the original shirt that I just love from DownEast Basics. And since I love the fit so much, I decided to try rubbing off the pattern! It's a super neat trick and a lot more precise than just tracing the outline of the shirt. 

Original shirt

I like using the brown packing paper because the needle makes nice holes and I don't have to tape anything! And it's super cheap. 

So I did it slightly different than the link up top. I didn't leave the needles in the fabric and pattern paper. I just poked holes all the way around. (Just halfway because I'm going to be cutting on the fold. And this makes sure both sides are the same) After making the holes, I used a pencil to connect the dots. Then I used my French curve to perfect all the curves. (A french curve isn't very expensive and its a great and useful tool. Invest in one! You won't be disappointed.) You are then going to want to give yourself a seam allowance and then cut out your pattern pieces! 

Once you make your first top using the rub off technique, you still may need to make additional adjustments to the pattern. I had to with the sleeves..

You also may have to play around with the length of the neck piece. (Pinning and repinning, as well as shortening or lengthening the neck piece..)  I have a bunch of patterns and for this shirt I used the neckline from the Out and About dress. (Typical tshirt style neckband) It's about 1.5-2 in wide and the length depends on the neck shape.

Finally, you can cut out your fabric and begin making your shirt! 

Looking at this makes my eyes hurt! 

Almost donnneeee!! 

The neck line is smiling at you :) One day I'll be able to serge this.. (makes me nervous..)

I love this style of shirt! It's super cute! And I especially love the half sleeves. Rub off pattern making is definitely a great sewing skill to acquire!

Happy sewing! <3