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

[residentmuse]

Ah ha ha ha......!!!!! I just finished my FOURTH drape. Okay, I guess that counts as the "second set," ugh. (The first set was done... umm... in June!)

[Abby]

ohhhh thats funny.... I definately have the second syndrome.... to the point that I Started a first boottee in a different colour but the same pattern before I realised I hadn't finished the original pair..... OMG.
happy curtain making....
luv Abby

[Meg]

I need an Ezra to make it known that I have, let's say ... at least 4 socks that need pairs! Your curtain looks so inviting - fabulous use of the Katie Jump Rope.

And guess what arrived today?!? The calendar! It is just too precious for words. Really and truly. I am so so happy to see it on my wall. Please tell Calvin, Ezra, and Adelaide. Tomorrow I'll take in into my classroom to share. Also - those quotes are so great, they have Patrick wishing he had children! :) Thank you!

[Anna]

Haha! I made curtains for the two rooms flanking the entry, and then before a party I pinned a "curtain" to the top of the entry door. It's been that way for two years now. Oops.

I feel your pain.

[Carrie]

Ordinary days are so beautiful at your house!

[chris]

in my mind your son sounds like george from seinfeld when he says, "mama, there's only one curtain in here!"

[Natalie]

I have the same problem, only in my bedroom. We have one curtain done and the other has sat there for months. I have sewn a bunch of other things, so sewing time is not the issue. Fortunately this one curtain when pulled closed covers the whole window if it has no gathers. I guess that has helped me delay even more. I am great at starting projects. it is the finishing off that is the problem.

[bec shulba]

so i'm a first time commenter - but this post totally reverberates with me because i feel like every project is like this for me! glad to know there are others like me out there. ALSO...by the way...you were my inspiration to take a sewing class this month. i saw that you had so many great projects on the go and i love your passion for fabric and old quilts and i decided that i needed to get some sewing know-how so that i also could have piles of fun fabric and sew clothes for my future kids. so i did it. :) thanks. can't wait for the book!

[amy]

so, second syndrome is what i have! good to know...

[amy johnson]

Orange is HAPPY. Flowers are HAPPY. mmmmmm, love em!

[tammy]

Usually my first try at anything ends up riding the pine while my second one, the benefactor of so many mistakes on #1, sees the light of day first. it's hard to go back, undo the mistakes and start again.

[Amber]

Gosh, how many projects do I have like that, with one a part of it finished?! LOTS!

I love that fabric!

[shelley caskey]

ahhh, i'm familiar with this 'second syndrome'. so happy to finally have a name for it. and other sisters who experience the very same thing!

[tamara]

I so totally understand and relate to the second syndrome. I have so many first completed and a big pile of seconds just waiting for their debut.

[Tiffany]

I totally understand the second syndrome and it doesn't even have to involve the match to a curtain or sock or mitten. Sometimes it applies to the second time you make something that you've already made before - like a jacket. Even though you've made one once, having to produce another one similar to it is just so difficult... mentally, that is. I think because I've already made it, I have a short attention span and I want to move on to something new!

[lynnie]

Lovely!

[Roxanne]

Hi Soulemama. I have watched your blog ever since I too started the '30 days of everything' challenge. (see mine at www.14gems.blogspot.com) It's funny how we think a like. I started in some projects as soon as it was over too. Quilts, mending and the like. Great job on the curtains!
Michigan Mommy of Many

[Richgold]

Silly question here - can I ask what's the name of the wall color? We've got a pinky-mauve of the same hue and I need to make change.