the "Second" Syndrome

I think these curtains have already had their blog debut - in sneaky bits here and here. But here they are in all their simple curtain glory. I made them right before (hours before?) our Christmas morning brunch, though I sat on the fabric (all 10 yards of it - my goodness) for a few months before that. It's from Denyse Schmidt's Katie Jump Rope line. Love that line.

I've always felt rather ambivalent about having curtains in this room - it's so lovely to see clearly outside, but in the winter it always feels a little bare. So my intent was to make these for the winter months. I made them floor length, which I love, and I hope means that wherever our 'home' may be in the future, I'll be able to find a window in which they fit. Otherwise, I've got 10 yards of fabric I love with which to play. Not a bad option, either.

And now let me show you the second window in this room. Oh, Right. There is no second set of curtains. Did I mention that I finished that first one on December 24th? Ah, yes. For two months I've put off finishing this project. It feels like the second sock. Or legwarmer. Or mitten. All of which I have a problem with, clearly. That second bootie, sock, curtain - whatever - is always a little bit of a hump that I need some pushing to get through. It's my personal crafting hurdle, if you will. The Second Syndrome.

At dinner a few evenings ago, Ezra took a nice deep breath and announced his revelation to the table, "Mama! There's only one curtain in here!"

Okay, okay. I'm sufficiently pushed now. The curtain is coming.

Comments

[amy]

awesome
I like it!
I love the wee one at the table

[erin]

i get that syndrome too. for me it always the second sleeve. it just takes forever, you know?

[jen j-m]

they (it) look(s) really nice. love those colors together. i think i have second-everything syndrome.

[Nowheymama]

You could always put one curtain panel on each window. That's how our bedroom has been for four years. :)

[Rachel]

This is exactly my problem as well. I clipped up fabric I was going to use as a curtain in my kitchen six months ago, and it is still hanging up there...just a bunch of unsewn fabric.

[whatchabuildin - Heather]

Ha! Yeah, like that t-shirt I made (almost) for myself that is still sitting in my "to do" pile. Why, you ask? Well because the only thing I have left to do is turn the bottom hem and sleeves under and stitch them! Or the pants, where all I have to do is put the elastic in the waist...or... Oh, how embarassing!

By the way, I have been meaning to ask you, what paint color did you use for your dining room, I love it!

Have a good day!

[QALBALLAH]

Doesn't that BUG you to leave things undone? Drives me nuts.

[Lisa Z]

I was advised by a friend, bless her heart, to knit both sleeves at one on circular needles(just to be able to hold both, separated of course). That way, they both turn out the same and they're both done at once. Takes longer to knit two at the same time, but when you're done you're done.

What a beautiful room! Thanks for showing it to us in its entirety, Amanda. Good luck finishing the second set.

[sarah]

My windows are feeling a bit bare right now as well. I was getting myself together to make them when my 50 year old sewing machine died.

[Helen]

I have twin boys and while they don't dress alike they do like to have coordinated clothing - the same thing in different colors. So yes - multiply that feeling by 2. I call it second son syndrome!

[Kristin]

I understand the second syndrome very well. I have at least 2 socks with no mate. Oh, well I have been finishing projects started long ago and that feels really good! I have a friend who makes both at once on 2 sets of needles, that way when she is done she all done. Good luck on finishing the undone.

[colleen]

i, too, love that fabric so. it really looks great with that green, and i wouldn't have put it together myself. that's what i love love love about blogs -- learning new tricks!

[jessica]

Hi. I love reading your blog! I also love the color of your dining room. Do you happen to know the color name? I'm looking for a color for my nursery. Thanks :0)

[Emily]

Haircuts!

Curtains, schmertains -- HAIRCUTS!

Goodness! How cute!

[Susan]

They don't have to match exactly. How about a store-bought sheer panel on the second window? Add a valance in the matching fabric for that window. Voila!

[Colleen (Silly Panda)]

Hahaha I suffer from "Second Syndrome" too! It drives my fiancee crazy! Proof: http://sillypanda.wordpress.com/2008/02/10/battling-the-cold-day-2/

[Crystal]

Great fabric! Looks so cheery, which of course is needed during the long bland months of winter.

I understand the second syndrome. I have halfwayitis, which is I get halfway done with something and itch to start something else. Mabye there is a cream for this? Ha!

[geek+nerd]

Oh I have that syndrome. I've been working on the same pair of mittens since Christmas. The first one I banged out over vacation in a couple of days...the second I've barely been able to get in a few rows every week at my Stitch n' Bitch, sheesh!

[Tere]

That's funny! I completely understand the syndrome. The excitement of making something new is really what motivates me a lot of the time...and if I've already done it...borrrrring.
Adelaide's hair is coming in darker now, isn't that interesting how hair colour changes like that at a young age? I was born with reddish hair, and I see none of that now (sadly!).

[Becca Orsi]

I stumbled upon your blog about a month ago, falling instantly in love I proceeded to read it from beginning to end. It was like one of those great books you never want to end! I know you hear this all the time, but the similarities between us are endless. It's good to know there are other crafty mama, natural parent, thrift store find obsessed, Indian food lovers out there!!! Thank you for all the parenting, life, and craft inspiration. And you are an amazing and hilarious writer, I'm so glad you are spending more time nurturing that talent, it really is a calling for you!

[Nicole]

It looks great! I like the light too... so hard to cover it up!

I have a case of the firsts... starting and never finishing until my husband points out that I never finished something so why am I starting something that is just like it.

[KievMama]

Someone beat me to the haircute comment! I noticed it the other day, and I'm dying to see it up close because I can't get a feel for the cut when he's so far.

[Veronica TM]

i have the same problem, i guess you make one and want to move on to something new. but ezra spoke...

[Siri]

Curtains! What a great excuse to buy yards and yards of one print that you're just crazy about, rather than the measly quarter or third of a yard I usually come home with.
Hmmmm. You've got me thinking about all the plain muslin curtains (7!) that serve as interior doors in our house for now, a super cheap fix when they all had to be done at one time, and on the quick, before visitors came.
But now, slowly, I could change them out, one at a time, and the outlay wouldn't seem so great. So much potential! And, like you said, you can always use the fabric later for something since it's still in one whole piece.
A whole new place to stash fabric. As window coverings!
Second sock syndrome? Right now it's FIRST sock syndrome around here.

[Ram in the Thicket]

I saw in a previous post where you mentioned that paint color, 'celery sprig' was it? Can you please tell me what manufacturer?

[SOULEMAMA]

***********************

Ram in the Thicket - yes, thank you!! Oh, I'm so glad you remembered that. I was just dreading the thought of going in the basement to hunt for it. So..

Yes! It's "Celery Sprig" by Behr. I really love the color - it's a warm, soft, and fresh green. It's a bit tricky to photograph against, but lovely to look at.

--amanda

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[Mellissa - wondermommy]

I have the exact same problem. I have a problem making more than one of the same thing. I also have a problem wanting to find out how to make something and never finishing because knowing how to do something is just good enough. I've ventured off into all kinds of different crafts because I wanted to know how to make something.

The curtains are lovely and the room will be perfect once the other set is hung.

[kat]

don't feel badly about your second curtain. we've lived here for 3 years, & all the curtain fabric is clipped to windows (14 to be exact) with binder clips, & chip clips. it's oh so fancy.
who is the kid with short hair? ;-)

[melody]

Last winter(actually 1 year ago today) when I was feeling a little crowded in our tiny house so I took the curtains down off our north windows to let in the winter light... we were having a little homeschool craft day with friends (and I always feel a little claustrophobic with all those kids in our tiny house). Anyway, my good friend walked in and said, "What did you do? it feels so much bigger in here!" Apparently I just needed to let some more of the outside in...

[Rachel]

I love your winter room pictures, the cool white light is so pretty. Can't wait till you post your WHO bread recipe!

[Jessica Keith]

I love it! Let's just say it gives the room "character". ;) My hurdle is with re-dos. If I goof on something I would rather do anything than fix it. We all have our hurdles, but in the meantime you have one lovely set of curtains!

[Beachmom]

I am in awe by you crafty folks who have the ability to put curtains together ... what a wonderful talent and I love, love, love your fabric!

[betz]

Oooh, no second syndrome in the book writing category I hope! I feel that way, actually. I think it might be like having 2 babies too close together. Hard on one's body! :)

[Ashley]

I have the same problem. Right now I'm finishing the sleeves of a sweater and thank goodness I decided to knit them at the same time on circulars or I would not have crossed the hump to start the second!

[aisling]

is that an art table on the side, with the little one at it? oh i want to see a better photo ...

Second syndrome is why I knit both my socks at the same time on two needles. I wouldn't have done a second, I am glad to be done with them.

[Rae]

That room looks incredible- I've always loved that celery greenish color.

[peanut]

I love seasonal window coverings (or the lack there of). It seams like such an easy way of completely changing a room. I like to have light weigth curtains in the summer (to catch the light and diffuse it through the room and let breezes in) and heavier ones in the winter (to cut down on drafts).

[Krista]

I totally relate to that syndrome, it's common around here, too. I really love that room and the curtain fabric really is great.

[Péitseoga]

Hi! those curtains are brilliant! i've been holding off on curtains so far, we have only blinds (lovely warm wooden venetians) in all the windows, which gives us privacy (no drive, looking straight across the road into the neighbours windows... but i'd love a bit more colour in some of the rooms. i wasn't sure so far as all the curtains i've seen in shops are heavy and lined and might dwarf the quite small rooms... but seeing your lovely katie jump rope curtains, i think my small dining corner could take light curtains like that! also, the other reason i didn't make curtains is that i was looking at rather professional curtain books, and couldn't face the most likely rather boring task of sewing lining and all that... do you mind me asking, what kind of width did you make the curtains, in relation to the width of the window?

[Rachel]

There is something so satisfying about making curtains. It's just instant gratification and completely changes a room.

[jennifer]

I love looking at pictures of your home. It looks so warm and happy! Good luck with the second curtain...Also, thanks for including you book lists...I notice you're reading math books (I'm taking notes!)

[Erin]

What prompted the new "do"? What's the story morning glory?

[SOULEMAMA]

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Peitseoga -
I used the full width of the fabric (45 inches?) for each *panel*, so there would be plenty of thickness to the curtains. It made for a lot of fabric, but I love the way it looks.

--amanda

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[lina]

Love how they still let the light in. I have unfinished kitchen curtains (made almost 6 months ago). I just can't decide on how I want to hang them...maybe I should just get on with it...and then start on the fabric I bought for the living room. Oh yes, we're completely curtainless (maybe shameless exhibitionists?!)on our ground floor!

[liliana]

Same problem here. Especially with knitted items as you mentioned - socks.

Oh and can I just say how much I love it when you link back to entries, because usually they were written before I discovered this blog so I get two "new" entries to read that day and for some reason that makes me incredibly happy. Like a little present I wasn't expecting.

[meg]

where did you get that fantasticly huge acorn?!

[Marissa]

But on the upside, dear Ezra, it is a one set of curtains :-)

[brandie]

oh yeah, i definitely have the "second syndrome" for sure. any cure?

[rhonda jean from down to earth]

It's beautiful fabric and the room looks great too. Is that the children's play room or your dining room?

[Ula]

That's funny! Children have no qualms about making their observations, do they? :)