DIY

What defines you?

I've taken on the endeavor of sewing, and it's been kinda fun. I started this a little over a year ago. I was exposed to sewing from my big sister Brenda. She use to create beautiful dresses for niece Samantha when she was a toddler, and she even started to sell them. She occasionally still sews. As a teenager, I thought that was so cool, and hoped one day to do something like that. Years later, watching friends (Selle, Ruby) take on this task was exhilarating, because I was reminded of that desire a time ago, and watching these two get down on their sewing machine was fun! When I saw them I wanted to start up, but didn't really have a motivation until Key Hava came into existence in my belly. All these emotions, and ideas starting churning in my brain, and I had no outlet, I was a wreck. All I could do is keep telling my sister Jenny "I want to create this...and this...and this too!" I knew I had to at least try this darn sewing thing. With Rock, sewing was just a forethought, I felt like I didn't, and couldn't create stuff for him (that's changed a little now), because he's a boy, and making boy stuff is hard.

Fast forward months latter...when we got to DC, I knew I had to crack open my little piggy bank that I had been saving for my little machine of wonders. I was so nervous, and excited to buy it. I would just look at it online for months (I'm weird like that). Well, it came and I played with it, and bought other accessories for it, I was having fun. I just hadn't sewn anything. I started to see that I could buy these little accessories all day long, and not create anything! I knew I had to start something. I searched and figured I'd copy a hooter-hider. I looked online and found a tutorial. After finishing it, I was proud to show PJ that the money was going to good use :) I later called Ruby and asked for help on making a skirt for my soon-to-be Pan Dulce.

I was reluctant to show my friends (online) of my little creations, because of pride. I didn't want to be compared, be seen as competing (in my head there's no competition, others are just way more talented), or other silly things that plagued my mind, BUT I started dwelling on the question, what defines me?

I don't want sewing to define me. And I don't want endeavors into creativity to define me. For others the temptation could be: money, prestige, a good job, success in your little business, creativity, relevance to today's culture, marriage, love, or any particular dream. What should define me? I WANT Christ to define me, and to define you too. I want people to see Christ far more than I want people to give complements of what I strive to create. Yes, there's a place for honor, and wanting to encourage people, which is fine, but it's up to the receiver, to not let anything other than Christ define them. It MUST be Christ that defines me.

So what prompted me to share now (not that there's anything to "show off")? It's to encourage. I believe, if God has given you an opportunity to stay home with your children, then new endeavors, and challenges should be explored, and tested to see if it's up your alley. This is an encouragement to mommies to test it out and see if you like it. Let God use you in different ways, for different reasons. Maybe your new endeavor (whatever form that can be) can open opportunities with friends, family, strangers! It's already been useful for me in respect with wanting to stay home, and save money here and there.

Perhaps for some, it's not sewing, but some other thing that has caught your eye, but you feel like you can't...I say, try it!
The hooter-hider that is always in use.Key's first skirt.