Something for me...

I finally made myself something on the sewing machine. And it's something I'll use a lot and makes me happy when I look at it. It was relatively quick and easy (well, I still had to do some unpicking, and it's a bit rough around the edges), but I definitely feel a sense of pride in what I've created. Oh, and what makes it extra special is the lace from Nana, and the small momento that I sewed into the middle of it.

I've already taken a look at the flickr pool 2010 - 12 months 12 challenges and there's some beautiful things on there. I'm just about to add my contribution to the pool.

Time well spent

Are there 30 or 31 days in January (30 days has september... april, june and november).. phew - 31.. Which means I still have 5 days to go to make something for 'myself' as part of the 2010 12 months - 12 sewing challenges goal that I've signed up for.. (from the blog My Favourite)

Admittedly I am only new to the 'sewing thing', but I must confess - I am yet to make something for myself.. And tonight, I'm asking myself why? (perhaps this is another procrastination technique, but let's go with it and see what happens?)..

I think it might be that I'd feel guilty spending time making something for myself? I already feel a bit like time spent at the sewing machine, is time away from my family, and my household chores.. So I guess when I'm making something for Lola, or fixing something for Simon, then I don't feel guilty. I feel generous. I feel like what I'm doing will make them happy. I feel like I can justify the dishes in the kitchen sink, or the unswept floors - because I'm showing them I love them in a different way.

But I'd hate it to sound like I don't get time for myself either.. And of course the time I spend every day in my role as "Mama" and "Wife of the House" is exactly totally where I want to be.. But when I find time to do something for myself - I spend it torn in all directions. Say for example Lola is happy playing, these are all the things that run through my head..
- maybe I'll make a cuppa and read another chapter of Diana Gabaldon's latest book before it's due back at the library in less than 1 week OR
- should I have a flick through one of the magazines that I have a subscription to but never get to read, OR
- should I take a shower OR
- should I jump on the Wii fit board OR
- should I do some housework? OR
should I just sit down with Lola and watch her play with her toy...

Ultimately, the time goes and I haven't done anything, and I dont know where it went?

I wonder where the crafty people who's blogs I follow find the time to make such awesome things? I'm sure they have more than 1 child to look after? and I'm sure they work like I do as well..

But if anyone has any tips on how to make the most of those snippets of time that we Mums find in a day - I'd love to hear them. Oh, and I still don't know what to make for myself for the challenge.. But sometime in the next 5 days - I will sit myself down and create something for me.

My first challenge..

I was reading my friend Kat's blog, and saw that she'd signed up for a challenge on the blog My Favourite. I've never done a challenge before, and thought this would inspire me to try at least one new thing a month.

So I'm in! Even though there's only 10 days left of January - I think I might still make it. Not that I've made anything for myself yet? But this is as good a time as any to start.