Creative Crafty #2: Teddy Bear Care

Relationships are hard. It's a simple fact. That being said long distance relationships are even harder. There is something to be said about the time a couple gets to spend together and the stress that releases. Not even speaking in terms of the dirty sense but just physical contact with somebody who you connect with on a higher level. I have seen articles stating that a hug from someone everyday helps reduce stress. I completely agree with this statement.

Between my traveling and moving I have friends that live all over the country...Aaaannnddd as I am sure you have deduced, I myself am in a long distance relationship. My boyfriend and I met in the UP of Michigan last March at a snowmobile/engineering competition. We were both interested in each other but were not clear about that. So we both left the week long competition heading separate ways with numbers but without even the thought of a relationship in our heads. Fortunately, I had made friends with his whole team and left with a few good friends. So from March to December of last year, I kept in touch with a few of the guys on the team who were friends of my now boyfriend regularly. We did speak occasionally throughout the year though and in December of last year, one night late we were both cramming for final projects and finals and reconnected on Facebook.

Who knew that this would be what would seal our fate. The Facebook chatting progressed to texting and on New Years at my Mid night ( I live in MA and he lives an hour behind in WI) I received an actual phone call. It was probably one of the sweetest and most romantic things anyone has ever done looking back. As you can imagine the phone calls became more and more.

Understanding how difficult long distance relationships are I tried for so long trying to convince myself that I wasn't falling for him. Funny enough sometimes love trumps all. So now here we are, what feels like a million miles from each other. Every day I miss his face, holding his hand and his big arms wrapped around me. We see each other every month even though it is expensive its extremely important for us to be able to have that face time.

I won't lie the time spent apart is difficult. I can be difficult and boys will be boys, but my cousin recently offered up some of the best advice: "When dealing with a relationship, long distance or not, you have to check your pride at the door." It seems so simple but when female hormones are involved it makes it tricky. I get frustrated with the distance and act irrational sometimes. But at the end of the day I can't sleep without hearing his voice. He is the most amazing guy and I love him very much.


Teddy Bear Care:

That being said, in a way to cope with the fact that we can't see and hold each other I decided to make teddy bears for the both of us. I found a great tutorial at a cute website called How Joyful. They also have a free downloadable pattern there. The pattern and tutorial was easy to follow and I loved the way each bear turned out with their own personality. The bear on the left is my boyfriends and the bear on the right is mine. It's the perfect size to cuddle with. Also before I sent him his bear I covered it in my perfume so it would smell like me when he finally received the package.

Like the tutorial said this project isn't for beginner crafters. Also depending on the fabric you choose as well as the stuffing the basic structure will vary slightly. I surely recommend this project for others to try. I love it!!!

Creative Crafty #1: Polka Dot Dress

At the beginning of this year I moved from northern New York to Southern Massachusetts. It has been quite an adventure over the past few months. It isn't so much the moving that has made it interesting, for I have been moving so frequently over the past 3 years due to school, co-ops, and internships, but for the first time I was completely without any familiarity. I have grown used to having other folks from my Alma Mater around me every time I would move. This time the closest people I know live at least an hour away without traffic...thank you Boston.

I also had to stop playing rugby recently ( I have played for 4 years and numerous levels) due to the fact I have had too many concussions. Giving up a sport that I loved so much and took so much of my time and in fact was the largest source of my social activities has left a huge dent in my life. I am a busy person by nature and it has been a struggle having to restructure my free time.  As a result I have been a bit edgy to say the least...just ask the boy friend. : P

Before I started playing rugby I used to do a lot of other activities and had many interests that had to take a backseat to training, practices and games. Recently, the move, the lack of rugby, work and all other stresses took effect and I had somewhat of an identity crisis. It was a moment of frustration combined with the realization that I need to get my butt in gear and get back to the fun things I used to do. So I made a list of things I used to do and things I want to learn to do. Starting this blog was on the list. I love crafting and sewing and making my own clothes and many other things and my cousin suggested I write a blog to share these things with other people.

Since I have moved I have in fact done a few projects. Here is the first dress I have worked on in a long time. It is my return to my design side and just love it.

Polka Dot Dress - Creative Process

I recently went exploring the area and found this amazing fabric store in Natick, MA. its called the Fabric Place Basement and they carry a large variety of fabrics, yarns, notions and these amazing appliques as seen below on the back of the dress. On my first visit, my friend and I found these appliques and simply fell in love with them. We probably spent an hour or more looking through all of them. This was the perfect motivation to come up with a dress idea. I also found this simply charming navy and white polka dot fabric and loved the contrast to with one of the gold appliques that I found. I personally don't like patterns because I feel like its restricting to what I may want to design. I bring the fabric home and just drape the cloth on my dress makers manikin. This is usually where I start making rough sketches and try to figure out my direction.

I decided on a slightly dressy summer dress/cocktail style dress would be my direction due to lack of them in my closet.  I used an old sheet and made my own pattern before touching the actual fabric. I received some useful tips from one of my best friends on how to finish it to look the best. I never had fully finished my seems but with my friends advice the dress turned out a million times better. There are no zippers, buttons or fasteners. The dress simply slips over my head and the gold rope belt cinches at the waist. I am sooo happy about the way it turned out.

More recent projects to come!!! :)

As I am sure you can tell this is all very new to me. If those viewing my blog could bare with me while I develop my blog. I also am welcoming any tips or input.

First Blog!!!

I am addicted to weddings: wedding blogs, wedding sites, wedding magazines and pretty much anything wedding related. I spend a fair amount of my free time reading and browsing such things. Even as a kid I was always getting married to a teddy bear, doll or friend just so I could have a wedding.  My poor boyfriend is subjected to my constant babble and yet doesn't seem to mind as long as I don't ask his thoughts. I appreciate his cool demeanor but instead I have decided to channel my thoughts.  I am currently an engineer but I have a dream to one day possible be a wedding decorator or planner. Consequently, I have developed numerous google docs and recently started using pintrest to track my ideas. I hope you all like what I will hopefully continue to post. As for today here are just a few things that I simply am in love with... I should note that I am constantly checking out snippetandink.blogspot.com some of these pictures may have came from there.

Location:  Love the country and mountains.


 


Deco: Simple homemade items are perfect to accent with.

 


Theme: When the day comes I plan to be rocking the cowboy boots from tractor supply. :)