Hi, and welcome to Confessions of a Homeschooler!
Please allow me to introduce myself:
Welcome to Confessions of a Homeschooler! My name is Erica Arndt, I’m a Christian mom with a wonderful husband and 4 precious kiddos! We’ve been homeschooling since 2006, although I was previously opposed to the idea. But I have learned through this journey, that when the Lord calls us, we are to be obedient! You can visit this post to see why we homeschool now. After a few early years spent getting into our groove, I can say that I am blessed to have the option to homeschool these kiddos, and that my husband and I can be the primary influence in their lives!
About our blog:
Confessions of a Homeschooler is a blog full of homeschooling ideas, resources and printables. I began the site in August of 2009 with the start of a new school year. It started off as a way for my husband to ‘see what we do all day’. And has really helped him interact with the kids about what they’ve learned each day. It quickly morphed into a place for sharing ideas and resources with other homeschoolers! And now we’ve even added in our cooking, quilting, and crafting adventures too!
About the Players:
This sweet girl is my first born! I’ve homeschooled her since the beginning! So she’s my guinea pig, and mini-me. She’s now 16 years old and currently in 11th Grade. She likes horses, cooking, animals, and all things light blue.
Next we have Sam. He’s my second born, 15 years old and currently in the 10th Grade. He’s the only dude in this group of all girlies (except my husband of course). He loves hockey, motocross, video games, and anything that I’ll let him take apart. He’s good at just about everything he tries, and he has a laugh that is contagious!
Olivia is up next. She’s my 3rd born baby, 13 years old and currently in 8th grade. She’s a girlie girl and loves choir, playing guitar, worship, and sewing. She’s a total “mama’s girl” and spends most of her time hugging and kissing me :o).
Last but not least is our baby. She’s the sweetest kid and is always up for a challenge! She’s crazy as can be, loves to try new things, and does her best to do literally EVERYthing that the big kids can do. She loves motocross, knitting, weaving, sewing, and hockey. And don’t let her size fool you, she can keep up with the big kids just fine!
We also added a few furry friends in to the mix! Check them out on instagram below 🙂
About Our Homeschool:
Similar to many moms, I face the self-inflicted frustration of self doubt.
“Am I doing enough? What am I missing? Am I a good teacher? Should they be in school?” But I’ve found over the years that my frustration is outweighed by the tremendous joys of seeing my family grow closer together and watching as the kids grow and learn new things.
I think homeschooling is one of those slow payoffs, but each day I can see little things that inspire me to keep going! The Lord has really confirmed our decision to homeschool each year and truly brought us joy through our obedience! You can read why our family chose to homeschool here. And more about my own struggle with it in my Candid Conversation with God, and my thoughts on Plate Spinning 101!
I have found great inspiration for our homeschool from fellow homeschoolers. Joining the blogging community has been a HUGE help, and frankly I’m not sure how I ever did school before! There are so many talented and creative moms out there, and I love that everyone is willing to share their ideas and inspiration so freely! It’s truly been a blessing to us over the years.
I hope you enjoy this blog, and that it would be a blessing to your family! Thanks for reading, and if you have any questions feel free to contact me, I’d be happy to help!
Hi Erica,
My sister owns a quilt store in Alberta Canada. Its called Klares Korner Quilts and More. She also carries cross stitch and embroidery patterns. Do you sell wholesale to shops? She would be interested in carrying some of your patterns.
Thankyou
Hi Ms. Erica,
Just was scrolling though you tube videos on rag quilting been sewing since I was 8 or 9 years old. Listening to your machine sew it sounded like the needle was hitting your bobbin casing when sewing. Maybe the needle wasn’t completely in the shaft or bobbin casing wasn’t completely seeded in the machine. Before a big problem happens you may want to check it out.
Hi Erica. Just wondering what is name and number of the moda white fabric you use for background, I never remember. Also what is fabric low volume with the little X’s. Or maybe the plus sign +. I think maybe Lori Holt but I really like and would like to find some. That you very much. Mary
Hi, I always use Moda Bella 9900-97, it is a nice creamy white. The white with grey X is Lori Holt Bee Basics backgrounds.
Good afternoon Erica,
I’ve made a few of your weekender bags. I have to make one a little smaller. Can I just take 2″ off everything and have it come out right? Thank you in advance
Hi Cheryl, no that will not work. I do have the mini-weekender pattern here: https://store.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=89&products_id=629
Good morning,
In one of your tutorials you said your favorite marking pen was a frixion erasable (I believe). Is it the marker, or the fine point? I have used the frixion heat erase but I seem to have trouble with the markers (or either they just don’t last a very long time)… Thanks… Just searching for a good, reliable marking tool for quilting. Thank you.
I use the fine point, not the markers, but I have used the markers in a pinch. Make sure to iron them off, then wash your project or they can return if your quilt gets cold!
Hi Erica, I bought a pattern in November 2021 and was unable to download at the time. I decided to try again and start pattern for Christmas gifts and realized the pattern download has expired. (My bad)I still have 2 available downloads. Can you open that expiration date for me please? thanks! karen
Erica, where is the forms you use to organize the curriculum for the year? I also want the student workbook the highlight as they complete.
Hi, they are all included in my homeschool planners! 🙂
I bought and downloaded the 2022-2023 Planner and the month of November at a Glance starts on a Tuesday not Saturday. Just to let you know.
Thank you so much for letting me know I’ve updated the planner!
Hi Erica,
I just wanted to say that I am so glad you are still helping homeschoolers. I started homeschooling my 6 kids in 2011 and you were my go to and life saver when we begun. All of my kids have graduated and now I am a grandmom stepping back into the homeschool arena. My grandson turned 1 this month and my first thoughts were of your preschool program, and I set out to find your site once again. I just wanted to thank you for all you’ve done.
Cutting instructions. I purchased the Trade Winds pattern but I am having trouble with the cutting instructions for the lightest sky fabric. Do I cut the fabric lengthwise or WOF and join pieces together? Pieces F G I K J L M.
Hi, I cut WOF unless it won’t fit, then I cut lengthwise.
I’m Blown Away!
You’re stocking tutorial has totally renewed me! That’s because it’s been a really hard year and I just had no idea what I could do for my kiddos and their little ones. Until I found you! Thank You So very much for your hard work! I’m literally crying my stockings are so beautiful!!
Your just awesome!