timed and tested

do you ever see something you want to do…maybe need to do: a home improvement project, a craft, a handmade gift, maybe even a chore?  
and the only thought that runs through your head is: “yeah right. I don’t have time”

I do the same thing all the time.

but I’m going to try and change things for you…and me.  I’m going to share with you a little secret I use sometimes – and will now use much more often! I’m going to use my timer to help us all be more productive. Most often I will share tutorials – my own or from others – timed to help YOU make time for them in your own life. I will try to include timed chores and other projects as well.

To start us off I’m going to share with you a timed and tested tutorial of my own… A Permanent love noteyou will need:
approximately 10x10 piece of fabric (I just used a scrap piece of muslin)
blue, pink and black/grey thread
a sewing machine (not a necessity, but will cut down significantly on time)
fabric pen (a pencil could work too)
embroidery hoop (not a necessity)
needle
ruler

Okay, let’s go

If you already have all these things it will take 3-4 minutes to get your supplies together..

I ironed my fabric so I could make sure my lines were straight, but after that, don’t worry about your fabric being perfectly flat. We are going to make this look like it was written on a piece of lined paper…put in a pocket, saved for a little while, then framed for safe keeping – so welcome the wrinkles.
I marked straight horizontal lines 1/2 inch apart for approximately 8x8 inches – then, measure about 2 inches from the left of your horizontal lines and  mark one vertical line…this will be the thicker pink line on the left hand side of your ‘paper’. 

now jump on your machine, use your blue thread and run it through all the horizontal lines…don’t worry about cutting your threads – they will be cut off later. (If you don’t have a machine, you will have to do this part by hand)

now re-thread your machine with your pink and run it vertically along the line you marked…I actually did it 3 times because I wanted the pink to be a little thicker

now you have this…

grab your fabric marker or pencil (used very lightly) and write your love note…only about 16 minutes have passed.

you can stop here if you need to and come back for the rest…you’ve used about 20 minutes from the beginning to this point.

The next part will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes so go push play on your DVR’d Grey’s Anatomy or wait until you watch a movie with the Mr. and you can finish it up. (I used an 1 hour and 15 minutes of naptime)

Thread your needle with black or dark grey thread and backstitch your love note… need help with your embroidery skills ?

just remember, you don’t want it to be perfect…it’s supposed to look like a hand written love note

cut your love note to fit your 5x7 frame…(I did these finishing steps while dinner was warming up)

and put it all together…and smile because you are done!

if you finished your little project while your other half was gone…go hide it and see how long it takes before he finds it – that’s what I did. It will make him smile.

from the time you gathered your supplies to the time you placed your finished project on the shelf (whether you accomplished your steps a little at a time or all at once) you used approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.

I hope you feel like this is do-able. If I can do it…so can you.