My last LONG post---PROMISE!!!

But for the sake of understanding I wanted to Dissect this whole "Expert" thing….




The Book that sparked this whole idea.....


I know some people may be real skeptical about the whole 10,000 hours notion. Upon discovering this I too wondered what really makes someone an expert at something. Can this be achieved by ordinary folk? I’ve always thought that people who were extremely good at something had a step up over the rest of us common folk. You know they had the “extra” on top of our “ordinary” which of course made them extraordinary. I’m not trying to discount their hard work but that’s the thing, I guess I was so taken by their “Image” that I didn’t give much thought to “the behind the scenes work” that made them so good. Let’s take Michael Jordan for instance. I’m not even into basketball and I know that he’s one of the most prolific players of all time (my brother was obsessed with him). But did you know that in 10th grade he was cut from his basketball team. But what kept him going as he says “was his relentlessness and determination to be the best”. He’s not the only one. Just for fun check out this link of famous people, who like Michael Jordon, have had some setbacks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6hz_s2XIAU.

You know, come to think of it, I used to be relentless just like that. When I first began sewing I was truly obsessed and probably possessed (LOL)! I was consumed with it. I knew things got pretty bad when I would check out 30 sewing books from the library at one time and had some even sent from other branches. When I went through their resources I began researching and buying my own book, etc. I just craved learning more and trying new things. I amassed a library that I am very well pleased with. I have some of the top rated sewing instructional DVD’s, books, etc on every topic from textiles, to draping, to drafting, to etc.etc.etc. Maybe this isn’t necessary for everyone, but for me it was.

But somewhere along the line I began to lose steam and at some times stall. It didn’t happen suddenly but gradually. As the UFO’s and wadders began to pile up--- so did my feelings of inferiority. It seems I was uncomfortable with my own failures. Thing began to change when I really accepted that learning is a process (we all know this but do we accept it?). The thing that makes someone an expert, as Merriam Webster defines, “is having, involving, or displaying special skill or knowledge derived from training or experience”---is experience. Failures are just as much a part of the whole process of learning. So maybe, just maybe, if I (We) kick in enough hard work and accept the success and failures that will result that I (we) too can become extraordinary—an extraordinary seamstress!!! Now that’s a thought. I’ve since returned to my old “relentless self” determined to see how far I can go with this. Maybe Michael Jordan is right, maybe sometimes you have to ……...”Just Do It. What are your thoughts?

My Story Part 2

How it all began

“Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end".
~Seneca, Roman philosopher

I became a seamstress in a unique fashion (pardon the pun). I never intentionally set out to sew. I don’t think I really gave much thought to it. At the age of 8 or so I taught myself to knit and crochet so that was really my craft of choice---and I was really good at it. I crocheted everything from afghans to pillows to Bible covers to stuffed animals—everything! I would go to Joann’s to buy yarn and hooks and nothing else. I always thought those women huddled around the sewing pattern tables at JoAnn‘s were a little on the weird side—seriously flipping through catalogs and aggressively yanking out cabinet drawers—mind you I was 8. I never knew that seventeen years later I would become one of those “weird women”. :) I would say it was through divine intervention that I discovered my passion for sewing. My Husband’s Grandmother, Anne helped me discover sewing. It was in her untimely passing in 2004 that my Mother-In-Law (the BEST IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD) passed Grandma Anne’s 1988 New Home Sewing machine on to me. At first I looked at it and had no idea what I would do with it. I only sewed pillows briefly in 12th grad Home Economics. Secondly it was EXTREMELY HEAVY—all metal and weighed a ton But because of how “Extraordinary of a Woman & Seamstress” Grandma Ann was I figured the least I could do was learn how to sew to commemorate her legacy.


Grandma Anne


Young Grandma Anne--wasn't she beautiful!


Grandma Anne's New Home--My First Sewing Machine

So as soon as we returned from the funeral I headed off to Hancock to take sewing lessons for $5/hr. from a sweet store attendant named Mrs. Helen. I had no idea that this would spark one of the BIGGEST OBSESSIONS in my life. You know what I mean. You have it too. I can see that look in your eyes!!! You know the way your hand twitches and heart palpitates when you find that awesome pattern or that spectacular fabric-----you know EXACTLY what I’m talking about! LOL Let me tell you ALL about it…………………(to be continued).

My Story Part 1

Ok, to be quite honest with you I don’t know how to exactly begin. I have contemplated beginning a blog for some time but have easily talked myself out of it. Hey, I enjoyed the 10+ blogs I frequently visited and have asked myself “Does the world need another blog?” Would it soon become overcrowded? Would mine sink into the pool of unread blogs? But that’s just how my mind works. It’s typical for me to over think these sorts of things.

I didn’t get my inspiration to begin a blog until I ran across the scientific observation of a neurologist named Daniel Levitin. According to him,”….ten thousand hours of practice is needed to achieve the level of mastery associated with being a world-class expert” (not just good genetics or any other factors). His studies have shown that people who have become extremely successful at a thing have worked extremely hard and was able to master their “craft” just around the time they logged 10,000 quality work hours—which usually amounts to about 10 years or so. Why is this inspiring to me you might ask? Well I’ve always desired to excel and become a great seamstress. Well by “always” I mean since I began sewing just a few years back, but that’s a story I’ll save for a rainy day :).

Now I know the 10,000 hours may seem daunting to some of you and to be quite honest it does, that is if until you break it down. Ten thousand hours a day for 10 years easily breaks down to 1000 hours a year which can be broken down to 19 hours a week or 2.8 hours a day. Not so bad huh? So if I can devote about 3 hours a day to becoming a better seamstress I’ll be on my way to my goal. Thanks for joining me on my journey!!!!!!