Thursday, January 27, 2011

Project 2011 - Week 4

It has been quite a week for Project 2011 and I am super excited!! If you'd like to see our Royal Goals, click here. We've also added the goal of spending more time outside in nature, inspired by the other button to the left . . . Nature Connections. If you'd like to join Project 2011, click the link to the left and visit our sponsor Cate at Moments of Whimsey for the details.

We sewed . . . well mostly I sewed, but Princess did complete 2 running stitches. I learned the running stitch, back stitch and overhand stitch.


 I started my first project, a pillow for Princess. Using a large bowl for the shape, I traced around it, then marked dots 3/8 of an inch (about 1 centimeter) outside the circle. I then attached the dots and used that for the cutting line and the inner line for the sewing line.




The pillow should be done by my next Project 2011 update. Then Princess wants a heart shaped pillow. After that, I plan to do a real project . . . a long sleeve nightgown for Princess.

We did our Slow Burn workout. They even have a Kids Slow Burn! Princess and I both did our workouts. It was challenging, but we both enjoyed it. The best part? It's a once a week workout. Just the right frequency for a 7 year old and for my lack of exercise desire. The results people have shared are amazing. I can't wait to see our results!

We spent time outside! It was just a couple evenings after getting home from Village Home, but still . . . we were outside. Our backyard counts as nature, right?




Looking at these photos, I see the delight in Princess' face and how much she loves being outdoors. I also see that she does the only child thing pretty darn well and really is happy.

As far as working on my photography/learning how to use my camera to its fullest. Well, I am taking a lot of pictures. A LOT . . . all the time playing with my camera. I am no longer afraid of adjusting the settings. I was nervous doing the photos in the dark. I played around a little and then did the incredibly brilliant act of turning the dial on top of the camera to the nighttime setting. Brilliant!

14 comments:

  1. Great pictures!

    My seven year old is learning to sew, and she is having a blast.

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  2. Thanks, Mama Zen! I really am pleased with them, too. Who knew photography could be so flippin' fun!

    Very cool that your 7yo is learning to sew. Princess really wants to learn, but at this moment I don't think she has much patience for it. Still, a couple stitches every so often can be a good start.

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  3. Go You! See, in one week you've learned more about sewing than I have in 12 years. I know how to do all those stitches, but I certainly didn't know their names. Can't wait to see the progress.

    I'm finding my workouts difficult but rewarding too. Daughter is also on board with me and I find that it helps having a partner. :D

    And yeah, Princess sure has a grip on the only child thing. Hehehe, great pic.

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  4. Well Sheri, I don't know if I would go so far as to say that I've learned more. Let's wait until I try sewing some actual clothing. ;-P

    The thing that makes the workouts work for us is the fact that we only have to do it ONCE a week. For me, that rocks!

    I'm still surprised by my photos. For me, the trick (besides changing camera settings) is taking A LOT of photos. If I take 50, I'm certain to end up with at least a quarter of them turning out and at least a handful that are pretty good.

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  5. Well done on all yhour work. I started off sewing very slowly and just playiung around. It's amazing how far you come when you have a go. Keep up the awesome work!

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  6. Thanks makitgiveit! I'm surprised how much I'm enjoying sewing. We'll see how it goes once I have a pattern to follow. ;-)

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  7. Your pillow is coming along nicely.Cant wait to see the finished project.Sewing is a lot of fun.I began to learn awhile ago but gave up for a while.its on our todo list for this year as well.Once you get the hang of it a whole world of possibilities will be at your fingertips:)

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  8. I hope I will find a world of possibilities. I'm a little nervous about moving beyond pillows.

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  9. Your backyard absolutely does count as nature! Breezes, sky, grass...absolutely!! :D She really does look so happy out there.

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  10. You've discovered my secret. Take 100s of photos, and you are bound to have one good one in there :-)

    You've had such a great week - yay to Team Royalty! I should really jump in and learn sewing with you, but as with my craft stuff, it's all packed away as we are about to start the next stage of ripping the house apart.

    We may need some "before Slow Burn" and "after Slow Burn" pics lol!

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  11. Oh cool, Sherry! I sure was hoping. I think Princess has certainly rekindled her love of the outdoors. But at least now at the ripe old age of 7 she has more reasonable expectations of when it's time to come in.

    Cate, hah! Who knew that was the secret?! The sewing has been a lot of fun and I've learned something surprising from it. With sewing by hand, I am learning patience. Bonus!

    Before and after pics are a good idea. For me to have at least. Not sure that I will share them, but heck! I didn't think I would share the boudoir shots either.

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  12. Very good shots!!!!!!!!! Great sewing project. You can make toothfairie tooth holders!

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  13. I love your blog! I think it's wonderful that you and your daughter are learning new things together. Great job on the photos! I can't do night photos very well. I'm impressed! I've also learned something new while over here. I have never heard of unschooling and I'm intrigued. So happy that it's obviously working so well for your family. Have a great weekend, Candace

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  14. Thanks Sheila! I am really pleased with the results of my photography goal. Tooth Fairy holders are a great idea for a sewing project, but Princess has one that she made a few years ago and loves.

    Wow, thanks Candace! And thanks for stopping by my blog!! Princess and I do spend a lot of time together and it's fun to learn new things together. We love unschooling and have found that we are truly unschoolers at heart. It isn't for everyone, but for us well...it rocks! Wishing you a great weekend as well!

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