by This is Carrie on April 18, 2012
This race was destined to be either my best race ever or my worst race ever. Sure, I was in the middle of a raging UTI, but more importantly, race #2 of the OC Chili Trail Run Series fell on the morning of the funeral for Sweet Baby James. Being an emotional runner to begin with (there’s rarely a race where I don’t tear up at some point), I feared knowing I would have to run home immediately after the race to be on time for the funeral would cause emotions too hard to handle. But if I was able to somehow harness the grief, the pain and the anger, maybe I could use it to push myself further, faster and harder.
The race felt good until mile 4. That’s usually the time my mind starts to lose focus on this 5 mile race and my brain starts telling me it’s time to quit. I quickly tried to quiet the voices and turned my thoughts to Baby James and then to my own baby. But of course, my chest started to tighten and tears began to well. I tried telling myself “you can do this for James” but it didn’t help. It was so hard to breathe. The small hill seemed insurmountable. I wasn’t sure I would make it. A wave of sadness started to envelope me.
Then all of a sudden, my thoughts turned to my friend Erin. I started thinking about how hard it must be for her to even breathe this morning, the morning she would have to say her final goodbye’s to her sweet baby. I thought about how she must be wondering how she will get through this seemingly insurmountable day let alone the next week and month. I thought about how a mother who loses a child must wonder how she will ever survive the heartache.
That’s when I realized I didn’t need to run this race for James, I needed to run it for Erin, because compared to what she was going through at this same moment, what I was going through was nothing. I knew she would find her breath. I knew she would face this day (and many others) with courage and strength. I knew that even in those moments where she will feel like she will never survive, she will, because she is an extraordinary woman with faith, family and friends that won’t let her quit.
It was then that I found the strength through Erin and for Erin to finish the race strong and with a smile on my face (even passing a couple men in the last mile with a sweet “See ya at the finish!” as I went by).
It was neither my best race or my worst race (only 2 seconds slower than the first race in the series), but the entire day will definitely go down in history as one of the most emotionally challenging and memorable days of my life..
Finish Time (5 miles) : 40:10
Overall Finish: 23rd
Age Group Finish: 2nd
by This is Carrie on April 16, 2012
This year, The Baby’s Easter outfit was completely recycled. It consisted of hand-me-down pants, shirt and vest from Big Brother which I topped off with a plaid bow tie I made last year during my quest to find the perfect little boy’s bow tie pattern (which I never did find BTW). I had never finished the tie by sewing on the slider and hook, so it was practically new, except for the fact that it was made from a .10 thrift store shirt.
If you are looking for a “real” bow tie pattern for your little boy, check out my Bow Tie For Your Little Guy Pattern and tips for making a great bow tie HERE. I’m warning you though, it is not one of those 5-10 minutes projects, but it will be a finished project you’ll want to pass on to your kid’s kids.
by This is Carrie on April 13, 2012
My little boy turned four. Weighing in at 50 pounds ( same as his 6 year old sister), he’s not so little anymore. As much as I feared being a mom of a boy after having two girls, he eased me into it so nicely, I can’t believe it was ever a worry. I totally love the kid.
I love this kid for his awesome robot dance moves.
I love this kid who gets so much joy out of catching lizards who bite his sister, but is scared out of his mind of the tiniest, most harmless spider.
I love this kid and his passion and excitement about everything in life.
I love this kid.
by This is Carrie on April 10, 2012
When my neighbor passed on this never-been-worn, plaid sports coat, I knew it was meant for Big Brother’s Easter outfit. Using The Purl Bee’s Little Boy’s Tie tutorial (with “shorter” and “skinnier” modifications) and some thrifted, then hand-dyed fabric from the stash, I made a “matching” yellow Easter tie. The majority of the tie is hand-sewn which I normally despise, but I found it quite calming and therapeutic this time around.
And what does a little boy do when his mom puts him in an outfit reminiscent of the Miami Vice era?
You pull out your best, 80′s dance moves, of course.
Tie making tip: Instead of making yourself crazy trying to find “real” tie interfacing or skimping with some thin, iron-on, chain fabric store stuff, head to the thrift store and pick up an old tie (at my local thrift stores, they are usually $1). Then open it up with your seam ripper and harvest the good stuff–the real tie interfacing. Trim to match your little boy’s tie shape.
by This is Carrie on April 1, 2012
I’ve opened a little etsy shop to help get my stash of fabrics, trims and projects that never found a home back under control. The shop isn’t super full right now, but I’ll add things every now and them so check back in. Feel free to make requests for supplies you wish you could find, but can’t. I probably have more than I need.
I think the best things in the shop right now are the grab bags of fabric, linens, and trims, but I’ve always loved surprises.
by This is Carrie on March 29, 2012
I’ll never forget the moment I found out about the tragic death of my girlfriend, Erin’s, little boy. There was an overwhelming sense of helplessness as I scrambled to figure out how to ease her pain as well as manage my own.
While it may have been the most emotionally challenging sewing project I’ve ever taken on, I am so glad she asked me to work on her baby’s burial outfit, turning it from a size 2T to a size 15m. For a “mama’s touch,” I asked her to write down his name so I could embroidered it in her handwriting on his little pant leg. I wish I could say that with every stitch, my heart started mending, but I can’t. It just broke even more. No mama should ever have to lose her baby.
While I still scramble to lighten the load of this loss, it is Erin and her family who have taught me how. Their faith and courage during this nightmare has been inspiring to everyone around them.
At the funeral, James’ grandmother shared a beautiful poem that Erin wrote years ago. With her permission, I want to share it with you. The passing of Sweet Baby James has changed me for the better and I hope for the long run. There will always be a list, just make sure the most important things are at the top.
The List
by Erin Hamilton Mason
There’s a list on my table
of things to be done,
there is laundry to fold,
and errands to run,
a letter of thanks
I’ve been meaning to write,
a stack of old papers
to put out of sight,
there is dinner to plan,
I should get to the store,
but I still haven’t showered,
and it’s almost four,
the weeds must be picked,
the furniture dusted,
the vacuuming done,
the sprinklers adjusted,
the dishes are piling
quite high in the sink,
and the printer for days
has been flashing “low ink”,
the car is on empty,
the milk’s almost gone,
the light I just changed
in the hall won’t turn on,
there are phone calls to make,
there are bills still to pay,
my body is willing,
and yet kept at bay
by the sweet little angel,
his face softly glowing,
who dreams in my arms,
without even knowing
the peace that he brings me,
how heaven draws near,
and things of eternity
all become clear:
that I am a mother,
my calling divine,
of highest importance
in the grand design,
and though obligations
and chores can’t be missed,
holding my baby
is first on my list.
by This is Carrie on March 27, 2012
The Tustin Leprechaun Leap was my first St. Patty’s Day race so of course I had to go “all out” with my running costume: green Team Sparkle skirt, green Sparkle Sleeves, Rainbow Race Legs and a sparkly shamrock tiara. I even wore my Vibram Five Fingers since they had green on them too.
I convinced Princess and her best running friend to run the race, luring them out of bed on that rainy race morning with matching, green, Jr. Team Sparkle skirts.
I was supposed to do this race nice and easy with my newbie running friend but sickness kept her in bed that morning and kept me wondering if that meant I had to “really run” the race up until the the starting gun went off.
But when you run with Kelly and Elise, there is no backing down. As we ran the first 2 miles with each other, we realized it had been almost 2 years since we were all able to run together at the same, fast pace since one of us always seems to be pregnant or recovering from being pregnant.
In the last mile, I picked off two women in front of me (with the help of Elise yelling, “Get her! Get her!” from 20 feet behind me). Love having friends who will push you to be better and go faster than you thought you could.
Finish time: 21:46 (7:00 pace)
3rd Place Age Group Finish
4th overall woman out of 417
35th out of 755 runners
(Local races can do wonders for your ego!)
by This is Carrie on March 25, 2012
Tables full of sewing machines? Yes. please. A room full of sewists? Yes, please. A weekend spent learning new skills and meeting new friends? Yes, yes, yes, please!
Just looking at the list of teachers (so far) has me psyched to go to Sewing Summit 2012. It’s hard to believe I get to teach a class too! The details aren’t yet solidified, but it’s going to be a course in “down and dirty” pattermaking for children’s clothes. I’m going to take everything I’ve learned from my years working in the children’s fashion design industry in LA and NYC and extract the best patternmaking tips and tricks for the sewist who hates (or is afraid) to use patterns. You will be amazed at how learning just a few patternmaking skills will open up a world of great design, and better fit for the beginning and intermediate sewist.
So who’s going to join me at Sewing Summit 2012? I can’t wait to meet you!
Tickets go on sale HERE April 3rd.
Make sure to register for the Sewing Summit newsletter to keep up on all the latest news.
by This is Carrie on March 23, 2012
These crochet adorned necklaces were probably my favorite gift I made this past holiday season.
They were my favorite largely due to the fact that they were made from crochet cotton once owned by sweet Grandma Maria (a wonderful woman and adopted grandma from our NYC days who lost her battle with cancer). I knew my four BFF’s from NYC would appreciate the sentiment in the gift since she was their Grandma Maria too.
Basic (not perfect) Steps. Hopefully it’ll at least get you started. Play as you go along!
Supplies: #10 crochet cotton, size 7 crochet hook, open loop chain. clasps, jewelry pliers.
Bow – chain for about 5″. Follow with 3 rows of single crochet. Finish off. Fold piece into bow shape, wrapping middle with crochet cotton. Attach to chain at points using pliers to open and close links.
Bird - For this pattern, you’re going to have to pick up the book Crochet Adorned by Linda Permann (it’ll be totally worth it). Attach the bird to your chain with jump rings.
Scallops - Make 3-4 single crochets into 9 adjoining links at the center of your necklace (you basically are trying to fill each link with stitches). Turn. Slip stitch into all the stitches in the first link and halfway into the stitches in link 2. (Chain 5. Single crochet into the next link) 3 times. Turn. Single crochet across, filling each scallop with stitches (about 5 stitches each). Turn. Slip stitch into the first 3 stitches. (Chain 5. Single crochet into the next scallop.) 2 times. Turn. Single crochet across, filling each scallop with stitches (about 5 stitches each). Turn. Slip stitch into the first 3 stitches. Chain 5. Single crochet into the next scallop. Turn. Single crochet across, filling the last scallop with stitches (about 6 stitches each). Finish off.
Covered Chain - Starting at one end, single crochet into the top of the first link 4-5 times until it the link is 1/2 “filled” filled across the top. Continue onto the top of the adjoining link, single crochet into the top of the second link 4-5 times until it is filled across the top with stitches. Continue onto the top of the next link and all the adjoining links until they are all filled with single crochet stitches along the top of the chain. On the last link, single crochet around the entire link, turning the chain so the empty “bottom” of the chain is now at the top. Single crochet along each link, filling the empty 1/2 until you get back to the beginning.
All necklaces: Add clasps to make the necklace the desired length.
by This is Carrie on March 22, 2012
I couldn’t wait for the OC Chili Trail Run Series to start this year. I only caught the very last race in 2011 and it left me wanting more trail running. The first two uphill miles felt a little bit easier than last year (kind of makes all those hill repeats, sprints and resisted runs I’ve been doing at Hit the Mark Fitness Boot Camp worth it). On those uphill battles I noticed a guy wearing knee high tiger striped socks up ahead of me. Everyone knows I appreciate snazzy running attire, so I decided to try and keep “Tiger Stripes Guy” in my sights. He was able to stay about 10 feet ahead of me the entire way up the mountain. But, when we got to mile three, I passed him on the down.
Miles 4 and 5 are on undulating single track through the trees and I could feel “Tiger Stripes Guy” right behind me the entire time (look at the picture again – you can see his legs in the upper right corner). As we emerged onto the road for the last 1/2 mile of the race, I looked back to see him about 20 ft behind me. As we came down the straightaway to the finish line I heard him creeping up behind me. I pushed and pushed, giving it every last drop of energy I had left in the tank, but I watched those tiger striped legs pass me right before the finish line. Boo.
After the race he came up to me and said “You have no idea how motivating a girl in a sparkly skirt can be”. To which I gave my usual response. “No one likes getting beat by a girl in a sparkly skirt”.
Finish Time (5 miles) : 40:08
Overall Finish: 25th
Age Group Finish: 2nd
