She Thinks She’s the Pink of Perfection!

First…still on cloud nine after the weekend’s festivities. Not Mother’s Day so much. (although that was lovely) I just cannot believe that all these people have been looking at my blog. Almost 600 this weekend alone. WHAT? Thank you, if you have stopped by. I’m loving this!

Second…if you can name the movie from which the title of this blog entry comes from, we are officially besties. Like, I feel intensely close to you right now. If you can’t name it, don’t worry. We can grow closer in other ways.

It’s the “perfection” I’d like to speak of today. And how, sometimes, being able to roll without it is how genius happens. Now, I’m a perfectionist. Don’t get me wrong. I will sit and change the font on a design project for hours. Or use 10,000 pins to keep my binding straight. But there’s something so cathartic about letting little imperfections go. Or making something that isn’t completely symmetrical. It’s kind of therapy for my undiagnosed OCD disorder.

So, for you perfectionists, let’s take this one on as a free form of therapy! Yes?

I had a baby shower this weekend. I love the chance to give a gift to a new mommy. And lots of times I’ll make a blankie or something. I just didn’t have the time this go around. But I’m still nearly morally opposed to giving an out of the package gift.

This is a “Bundle Me.” Made by one of my very favorite companies, JJ Cole.
(PS….I am not affiliated with them in any way….just a fan)
Anyway, these little beauties are a great gift. However, I still like to make them a little personal. Plus, if you buy your Bundle Me in a gender neutral color…then Mommy can remove your personalization and use on a different baby of a different sex. BONUS!!

Start by finding a fun material. Turn it over and sketch a flower, or some other basic shape. (I’ve used big circles for boys) Remember that we are working on embracing imperfection here! Notice that I fixed a couple areas…but symmetry is not as cute. Promise.

Cut out your shape.
Here’s a tip: I’ve actually never used a white fabric. Obviously, as you can see, the marker is showing through quite nicely. I considered starting over…but with all the other things that will happen to this little flower, it’s not going to be a big deal. Next time I’ll know.
Look at me roll with the punches! Cyber-self-high-five! Add at least one other contrasting fabric as well. Mine is the flower center.

Pin it on and go around it with a wide Zig-Zag Stitch. Leave around a 1/4″ edge. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Particularly in the center. Just make sure that the backing stays flat. It tends to want to bunch.

After it’s all stitched, take your thumb and forefinger and scratch all the edges. We WANT them to fray out. That’s why this project is so awesome. No interface, no perfection, no problem.

How cute is that? It’s kind of awesome. It’s funky, it’s girly, it’s never going to be mistaken for someone else’s Bundle Me. And when girly girl grows up…and baby brother comes…Mom can un-pick it in about .05 seconds. Then add some Navy and Brown. It will be great.

Finishing touches, for me, always involve a stellar wrapping job. It makes even the cheapest gift look priceless. And I’m pretty much having an affair with cellophane wrapping. It never disappoints me. Never.

Go off and make yours today. And even if you don’t have a need to make one of these little beauties, decide that you’re going to do something un-perfect. Leave that little mistake, work through it, don’t start over. Find a happy accident. You’ll be glad you did. And through that mistake, you’ll find that you’re right in the middle of “The Pink of Perfection.”

(did you figure it out yet….? It’s gonna bug you all day)

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