Patterns organized!

It's been a rough couple days for me with my RA, but I did manage to sort out all my patterns and get them organized.  And I started tracing a few new ones out as well, so I'm ready to go with my next project, once I decide what to do.  I recently got Kari Mecca's "more Sewing with Whimsy" book and my 5 yr old fell in love with the Pom Pom Perfect dress, so that one is on the short list.  I'm also going to try to sew knit leggings with an attached skirt again soon as my 1st attempt showed need for tweaks and improvements.  So many ideas, not enough time to follow through with all of them at once!  I also want to make another multiple layer ruffled dress with lighter weight fabrics as this one I made for Valentine's Day was a lot heavier than I anticipated.  That dress has gotten more compliments than any other item I've made for the girls, however, and they love it, so definitely worth reworking.

  

Another busy, but productive day!

Had another busy day today, but at least got some stuff done including a much needed grocery run.  In between school drop off and pick up I got my monthly RA bloodwork done, after stopping again at the dr's to get new lab orders because the old ones had expired.  Hate when that happens!  Excited that next month I get to have the newish Vectra-DA test, which supposedly gives a more accurate assessment of RA activity.  I frequently have lots of pain even when my blood work says my inflammation levels are normal - the curse of having a seronegative diagnosis, I guess.  I also got in my trip to the fabric store and am all stocked up now on pins and needles, thread, kids clothing patterns, elastic, etc. and even indulged in a pinking blade for my rotary cutter.  Saving up for a serger, so that new pinking blade will be a real time saver over the shears in the meantime!  Now I just have to decide what my next project will be - most likely a purse for myself or dress/skirt and leggings for the girls.   I also need to redesign the Leapfrog Explorer game bags I made for the kids, as after a couple months use I now find fault with several things about them. Hmmm, what to do, what to do?

Bah... Foiled again.

My fun me-time I had planned for this afternoon fell by the wayside due to another common RA symptom.  Yes, FATIGUE reared it's ugly head.  I know everyone feels fatigued sometimes, but the fatigue that comes with RA and other auto-immune diseases is a whole other ballgame. Try googling "the spoon theory" to get an idea what I mean..  Anyway,  I was able to keep myself awake long enough to get through swim lessons and drop the girls at school.  Then I gave in and crawled into bed and was completely out for 90 minutes.  Now preparing for pick-up time and my dr. appt, and can still hardly keep my eyes open.  Yawn...  Good thing that sale at JoAnn Fabrics lasts all week.

Busy busy day

Gearing up for a very busy day today.  Taking the girls to swim lessons this morning, then lunch then afternoon pre-school.  Errands while the kids are at school, and then my rheumatologist appointment after school.  I'm guessing we'll continue the current course of treatment for my RA for at least a few more months.  It's also my 7th wedding anniversary, so we'll be heading out for a family dinner at a restaurant tonight, which will hopefully be a good thing - it's always hit and miss with a 3 year old along!  Hubby and I had a date night last night for ourselves.

The fun part of the day will be while the girls are at school.  Joann Fabrics has a big sale this week, including 50% off notions, rotary cutting stuff, etc.  So it is time to go stock up on needles, blades, etc.  Will also be looking for  Simplicity patterns, ribbons and trims, and maybe a bias tape maker.  Must restrain myself...

This winter has been rough on me.  The medications I take for my RA (enbrel, arava and prednisone) suppress my immune system, so I've had bronchitis 3 times since October.  I can't take the RA meds while sick, and generally have considerable pain and swelling when off the medications.  So my creating/sewing time has suffered somewhat lately.  However, machine sewing is also one of the few things I can still do fairly well  while my hands are hurting, and is also one of the few things I've found that helps me block out the pain when it is bad.  I might suffer for indulging later, but those moments while I am doing it, I feel more like my old self.  Here are a few of the more recent sundress projects I was able to complete for my girls:

Both dresses button at the back of the chest band and were made with fabric the girls selected themselves. I am continually amazed at how patient they are visiting fabric stores with me!  Little fashionistas in the making?

And here we go!

I finally decided to jump on the blogging bandwagon!  Bear with me as I learn to do things and get my page set up.

My name is Melissa.  I am a married mom with 2 active and imaginative little girls, who inspired me to become crafty, learn to sew, and to start making cute girls' clothing and handmade toys. I've also started dabbling at quilting. Life threw a curve ball at my family in March 2011, when I developed rheumatoid arthritis, an incurable autoimmune disease that causes my immune system to attack my joints and and other parts of my body.  This blog will be my outlet for describing life as a mom of young kids while battling chronic pain, and my efforts to create beautiful things for my family and others despite the limitations my body imposes on me.  I stay at home with my children, sewing and creating when I can.