A Better Sewing Day

Well I am please to say that my project today came out much more to my liking than that of yesterday. I just love these colors. The mail came with the fabric today at 2:30 and I had this whipped up by 5:30. It didn't hurt to have the ruffler nor the fact that I've made 4 outfits from this pattern already!







And Ella did a project today too. Her grandma got her a kit to color a T-shirt, then I iron it to make it permanent. She had so much fun making it and did such a great job. She told me she was "so impressed with this project". Wow, big word for a little girl. I'll have to snap a pic soon, but for now here she is with her best friend/worst foe. Oh the drama! And notice her self haircut in the bangs. I guess it doesn't look too horrible?



Tomorrow is the kids' Spanish class. It is parent day and since I am normally in Miles' class because it is a parent and tot class, my mom is coming to take him to class so I can visit Ella's class. I'm so excited to see all that she does in class!

Being Good to Me

Well, I'm going to try to do something a little different today. I have been kind of neglecting myself physically lately. Not eating the best of foods, not worried about my hair looking that great or my skin or my nails.

Today I'm going to eat healthier and do my best to fend off snack attacks. But the big thing is I'm going to give myself a manicure. My cuticles need it! Just a little clear or natural polish to finish off. I just hope Miles will behave well enough for me to do this and not mess it up. Perhaps I'll have to resort to TV!

On another note, I made a prototype for a ring pillow for an Etsy customer. I have mixed feelings about it. It is not the style I'd like, but what she asked for, so maybe it is ok. I would prefer something more simple.

*Also you may have notices the B&W photos today and yesterday. I went around the house yesterday taking photos of things that inspired me and will be sharing them over the next couple of days.

New Addition

If you look on the side column to the right I've added YET another item. It is a bookshelf by Shelfari of the books I've read recently and one I'm reading now (The Promise of Sleep). Kind of a neat little add-on. If you read, why not add one of your own. I'd love to see what people are reading!

Up tomorrow, pics of a prototype ring pillow. I did not yet receive the fabric in the mail, but I did receive news that we will celebrate K's daughter K on the 15th, so I have plenty of time to make the outfit. Though I do think I'll give it to her on the 8th since her birthday is on the 5th.

Bath time! For the kids, not me.

Turn Around

The day has gone much better than I expected. Must be your well wishes. :-) I managed to give the master bath a DEEP clean (my hands still smell like bleach) while Ella insisted on "cleaning" her bathroom. It was really cute. Then I cleaned our master bedroom. The worse thing the kids got into while I was focused on cleaning was a pack of gum. Miles also danced to music in Ella's room to keep himself occupied. Now I'm too tired to clean any more. Not too tired physically, just need to move on to something else.

I am so thrilled to be working on a custom order for a ring pillow for a customer on Etsy. We are together designing it. Me with my recommendations and she with her specifications. I'm excited to make it and hope she will like the finished project.

I think TMC will be celebrating my teen mom's daughter's birthday this week and I still need to get the fabric I ordered through the mail to make her outfit. The fabric isn't late, I just need time to sew up the outfit! I was also hoping to sneak some measurements while the mom wasn't looking. I guess if I get the fabric in time I can whip it up minus the waist and back elastic and just let her open it and then tell her I need it back to finish it up. I am hopeful the fabric will arrive today or tomorrow as it is supposed to have been sent via Priority Mail.

Only 10 more minutes until nap time!!!

Need Some Energy

It has been one of those mornings. It is Tuesday, a day we have no planned activities requiring us to get out of the house. It is too cold to go out and play (nor do I feel like it). Jason has the CRV because he took his car into the shop. So we are really trapped at home. The shop called about his car and it will be A LOT of money to fix. Great, just what I need to hear right now. So I'm having a bit of a freaked out day about the whole unemployed thing. These days/moment come and go from time to time.

The kids seem to be bouncing off the walls, crying a lot and shouting at me to do things for them.

I just want to be alone right now, or be motivated to not be alone.

3 Boxes of Tissues and Counting

As usual, this sinusy sickness thing is lingering. But today I felt good enough to go to the gym and I went enthusiastically. I am not feeling so great about how I'm fitting (or squeezing) into my jeans these days.

Where shall we start? Let's go back to Jason's birthday last Tuesday. Trying to be conservative at this time, I made a fancy meatloaf for dinner and a pound cake with whipped cream and strawberries at home for the birthday boy. We wore leftover birthday hats and leis.




Thursday was Volunteer Appreciation Night at Teen Mother Choices. The teen moms got up to talk about their mentors and each and every speech was very touching. I was really moved by one of the teens who acted very strong and stoic (her mentor is the one who has recently been detected with cancer). She got to saying how much "S loves her daughter and... " Then someone in the audience said "you" and she just broke down crying. I am amazed at how much these women have helped these young ladies to turn their lives around, gain self-esteem and make so much of themselves!

Friday night was Father's Night at Ella's preschool. Her class sang a song and then did activities with their dads.




In between feeling lousy, I managed to put this bag together for sweet Amanda Jo. In doing so I used my new ruffler. It is so cool and I can't wait to use it again! And look, I managed to remember to put my label on it.





I bought some fabric to make an outfit for my teen mom's daughter for her first birthday and I found more of the rose fabric for another custom order from one of my wonderful customers. Here is the fabric for the outfit, it is from Sandi Henderson's Ginger Blossom line, which I LOVE.




In other news, Miles did his first art project using a wall as his canvas. This happened once with Ella and never again. I hope the same is true with Miles. At least Miles didn't carve the wall with the pen as Ella did. Hello Magic Eraser.

In much more devastating news, another first happened. Believe it or not, I've thought about if Ella would ever do it and now my question has been answered. Ella and Miles were quietly playing Starfall at the computer and had been checked in on several times. Later we were down by the computer and Jason found clumps of hair on the floor. Yes, Ella cut her hair. Oh. My. She got my sewing scissors down (putting things up and away around here is not enough) and gave herself a bang trim. Well more than a trim, it looks a little punk in the bang area. I was horrified. She has her dance recital in a few weeks...

Jason and I also completed choreographing the "Dad's Dance" he (and I as support) are teaching next weekend. The Dad's of the Park District dance students (at least those brave enough) will be doing a dance at the recital. Should be a hoot.

Purging has been going well. I finally went through spring and summer clothes. I still have way too many, but I'm going to do the "hanger turnaround" method. I turn the hangers around backwards and if I wear the piece of clothing, after it gets washed and returned, the hanger gets turned the right way. Whatever clothes at the end of the season are still on a backwards hanger get purged since I obviously didn't wear them. Mainly I think we just need to go through more books and get real about whether we really need to keep them. Next up is a garage sale and all the prep that goes with that.

Finally, I am going to share the big bad news, the hard time we are going through now. Jason lost his job early April. A bit unexpectedly, but kind of not. It's hard to explain. It has been an interesting experience and a wide range of emotions. We are looking for signs as to what we are to do next and where God wants us. With this bad happening comes the possibility for new and exciting things for our family. We have found friends and family to be so helpful and supportive at this time and are so grateful for them all.

Ugh

Today is Jason's birthday. I've been trying to prepare him a nice dinner and dessert and feel like I'm about to fall over. I just checked and I have a fever. Bleh. Hope the kids and he don't get this.

She's Fabulous

Here is Ella on dance picture day. I'm so proud of her. I'm sure there will be more pics just like these around the actual recital day. Plus pics from the class I teach.





I also went to Loomcraft to search for some fabric for a bag I've made in the past that a sweet woman has requested I make again for her to buy. And I found what I was looking for on clearance! Not to mention everything in the store (besides clearance) was 50% off! I had to put blinders on walking around that store!!! It is like heaven in there.

BTW - the desk is clean! :-)

Owwy

The weekend was busy.

Saturday I took the kids back to my parents as Jason was busy and benefits from some quiet time these days. That night we went to church, then put the kids to bed and then watched "The Kite Runner". I was happy that he enjoyed it, since he isn't as big of a book reader as I am (at least not fiction) and I wanted him to experience it. I love subtitled movies. I think hearing the language adds so much to getting a feel for the culture.

Monday, "Super Hubby" fed the kids and cleaned the kitchen in the morning as I folded laundry. Jason's dad then came and took the kids to a park via bike. Jason and I cleaned out the garage. I mean really cleaned it out. All that is left is what is up on the rafters which we will hopefully do soon. Half of our garage is still filled with stuff for a garage sale/give-away to charity/ baby stuff to give away to a friend. But at least we have it somewhat organized. We all ate outside for lunch... ahhh! Jason's dad and the kids had a great time at the park and even ran into some friends (the family we carpool with for preschool). It was funny, when they got back from the park we still hadn't gotten everything back in the garage and Miles looked at the piles and kept asking "Who made this mess?" Later the 4 of us went for a short walk. That evening I felt a little soreness in my throat. Oh no! I had also done a lot of window washing and was therefore around a LOT of dust. I'm pretty sure that is what irritated my sinuses causing the dreaded post nasal drop associated with my so-called allergies.

This morning I woke with the sorest throat and it is not feeling much better. I'm hoping hot tea and plenty of saline nasal spray will help fend this off.

At some point (I don't even remember when) I also cleaned out Ella's room. So things are shaping up pretty well as far as cleaning and purging. The main thing left is the desk. I know, I keep putting it off. Maybe I will do it right now...


Saturday Early Morning Downtime

Friend with Cancer

My friend S. from TMC who was diagnosed with breast cancer will have to undergo more surgery as a biopsy from her lymph node turned out positive. She shared this poem and I would like to share if for anyone who has been touched in any way by cancer.

What Cancer Can't Do

Cancer is so limited...
It cannot cripple love.
It cannot shatter hope.
It cannot corrode faith.
It cannot eat way peace.
It cannot destroy confidence.
It cannot kill friendship.
It cannot shut out memories.
It cannot silence courage.
It cannot invade the soul.
It cannot reduce eternal life.
It cannot quench the spirit.
It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.
AMEN!!!

Life Goes On

We are still going through a difficult time and my emotions run their ups and downs, but overall we are staying positive and at times even excited by what the future may hold. I am so excited that selling things I love to make is picking up a little. At a time that sure is convenient. It may not be much, but I guess every bit can help.

My "big" house project now is washing our sheers. I've got 3 windows done and 1 normal and 1 big window's worth to do. First I have to finish mending a couple of them. I can't believe how easy they are to wash and what a big difference it makes! I've washed a few windows too. Probably about time to break out some of the warm weather clothes and while doing so sorting and purging can occur. This desk area here is still a mess... too sunny to hide in the basement ALL day!

Last night was a short Teen Mother Choices meeting. We just ate dinner with the girls (and it was a yummy one) and we left early so they can make us gifts for next week's volunteer appreciation night. Really nothing to appreciate here. God brought me to the ministry and I've been so happy to help out. Appreciate God!

Tonight we are going over to our good friends' house for dinner. I am really looking forward to that! Jason's got a bunch of stuff to do tomorrow so I will probably bring the kids to my parents' again. Maybe I can get some more sewing done!

Have a great weekend!

Visit to Parents = More Sewing Done

As usual on Thursdays, we go to Spanish class in Barrington and on to my parents' in Schaumburg. Today I brought several sewing projects with me. I finished the lining for a tote bag and two pincushions. Left to do are parts of Ella's costume (easy) and the completion of the aforementioned tote bag. I still have some designing to do on it (the front flap) and cut it and the strap out and of course sew it all together. Hopefully it will be out soon. I am thrilled that Amanda Jo is interested in one of the pincushions from the first batch and I've put it in the shop!

Sold my First Handbag!

I know, I know, I can only get away with celebrating sales on my blog for so long before boring you all to death, but this is my first handbag sale and it is one (of the two I've made for sale) that I am so proud of. I think I will do more handbags and less totes, although I do have one tote partway finished that I will complete first. I've been getting more sales lately than I have in a while. Not sure what it is, possibly a combo of things. Thanks to any of you readers who have looked, perhaps bought and/or spread the word about my store. I hope this handbag's new owner will be a happy to own it as I was to design and create it! :-) This is great for my self confidence. :-)

New Item to Go into Shop

I think these are so cute. I consulted with a fellow Etsy friend, I did a some Etsy research and decided I'm going to try selling them there.




These are pincushions, but could also be used as decorative accents or little decorator doll pillows. Any other ideas for uses?


In other news I sold a bulk order of Creative Little Notebooks in the shop! I'm so excited! They will be off to England this morning!

Good News

My friend from TMC who went in for surgery on her breast cancer went into the surgery with peace and surrounded by the love and prayer of her friends. She came out without a mastectomy and in very good spirits, feeling like a "survivor."

I am so relieved.

Look What I Accomplished Sunday

Well, it is really hard to see if I accomplished anything because I don't have before pics. But just imagine boxes and stuff strewn all over the floor. I went through everything and purged what we don't need/want. Also straighted up the shelves and got everything off the floor. The tool table was a disaster and I went through every piece there as well. Ah, next up is our office desk...






I have been so incredibly tired in the last several days I thought I was going to have to start drinking caffeine again. I stopped my caffeine intake in 2000 when there was a scare of mitral valve prolapse. It was causing me to have panic attacks that were both scary weird and very embarrassing. I managed to reverse? the MVP and a heart murmur when I went off caffeine. But wow I can't believe how tired I've been in the last few days. Luckily we spent the night at my parents, so they took care of the kids when they got up early in the morn and we slept in until after 9 am! Anyway, my point is that I haven't had much energy to clean and purge until today.

More Booklets - Great Mother's Day Gift!

Looking for a Mother's Day gift? Come check out my store...

I have had a ton of my Creative Little Booklets sitting around waiting to get into my shop for quite some time now. I was going to list them each one day at a time. By doing so, my item du jour will stay near the top of a search. But finally I just said "Forget it!" I listed a bunch from the Amy Butler Paper line. Take a look n my shop!

Here is a sneak peak...

New Day

Ruffle Ruffle

Yesterday my parents came up to watch the kids while I went to the dentist. I had asked for a ruffler foot for my sewing machine for my birthday. They brought along my early birthday present (actual birthday is not until July 25).

Close to Home

I was most severely affected by breast cancer in the late 80's when it took my maternal grandmother's life.

Today, a friend has it. I met her through a volunteer ministry I joined recently and she has touched my heart and blessed me in a very short time.

She found out last week. Today she goes in for surgery. It could be a lumpectomy, it could be a mastectomy. Of course it all depends on how bad it is.

I will be praying for her and if you are the praying type, please pray for her too. She works in the school system helping kids with problems, she is an excellent mentor for a teen mom and who knows what else she does. She has comforted me in a trying time. I hope God chooses to keep her around longer and gives her the strength to get through this.

Mood = Weather

We walk by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 5:7

This verse reminds me of a time I was at an Advanced Open Water Scuba Certification weekend in South Beloit, Illinois. We had to do a "deep" dive but the water was so murky. There was a line to hold onto that was connected to a concrete weight at the very bottom of the old quarry (filled with water). At first I was freaked out, it was cloudy, getting darker and getting colder as I passed each thermocline. I couldn't see in front of me, I couldn't see where I was going, I couldn't see my hands. But I remembered the rope. As long as I held onto the rope I would make it to the destination. In a way it was my life line.

My real lifeline is God and as long as I stick with him, I will make it to the destination.

Here is a poem in a card I received yesterday from the director of Teen Mother Choices (where I volunteer). I will keep this card for a long time.

Blessing in Disguise - Emily Matthews

The world is full of miracles
to those who recognize them,
But we have to look the right way
since God sometimes will disguise them,
He shines His light in places
where we'd least expect him to,
And often does the opposite
of what we think He'll do...
He has a way of bringing out
the best within the worst
The moment we stop worrying
and choose to put Him first,
And if we do, He'll pull us through
and help us find the door
That opens to the very thing
that we've been looking for.

Dear Blogger Friends

Without getting into details, life has been quite trying for our family recently. Please be understanding if I go a while without posting or am not happy and cheery all the time. The situation is beyond our control and all I can do to try to help maintain some control is clean and purge. So with that I am offering 30% off anything in my Etsy store as an inventory reduction sale.

Thanks for your understanding.

Sweet Potato Fries - Heathly Alternative to French Fries

I first experienced Sweet Potato Fries at the Heartland Cafe in Chicago's far north Rogers Park neighborhood. To describe this restaurant and all its nuances would be an entirely different post. Let's just focus on the fabulous side dish.

I fell in love with these goodies and they way they serve them, with marinara sauce instead of ketchup. Last week I attempted to replicate them for the second time in several years. I don't know what it was, but I think they turned out better this time. I may have added a little more of the spices than the recipe called for.

So I started off with two gigantic sweet potatoes. Unfortunately it is hard to tell how big the are in this photo. Normally the recipe calls for four sweet potatoes.

The oven was turned on to preheat to 400 F.

I peeled the potatoes and them cut them into fries.

The cut potatoes were placed into a microwave-safe dish with 1 TBSP water and cooked in the microwave for 5 minutes on high.

The liquid was drained and the fries were tossed with 2 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper (I added quite a bit more), salt and pepper to taste and 2 tablespoons of olive oil.

Fries were arranged on a baking sheet in a single layer. They were baked for 30 minutes turning them over once until they were crispy on the outside.

Cooled and served with some great pasta sauce, the SWEET POTATO FRIES were a PERFECT side for Blue Cheese Burgers on whole wheat buns!

I am Honored / Little Project

My friend Crystal was given one of my bags (one of my favs) for an early b-day present and posted it on her blog. I was also thinking of her (before she bought the bag) and how sweet of a bloggy and etsy friend she's been and made up a little pincushion for her. I saw a similar one in her etsy favorites and remembered a pattern I tore out of a quilting magazine. I'd been wanting to make one and had some extra Heather Bailey fabric scraps. I love how it turned out and even though I didn't sell it, I did remember to put my new tag on it. Go figure!

Speaking of which, my friend Lindsay in Austin got her package of the outfits I made for her girls. I'm hoping she'll post pics soon of her girls in them, but here are what they look like on my coffee table:

For Mallory

For Hadley

Sorry they are turned sideways, but hopefully you get the picture and hopefully I will get to post pictures of her girls in them when she posts on their blog.

Oh, and now you see where my leftover fabric came from for the pin cushion!

Weekend Backyard Fun

Miles prepares for a ride on the slide.

Ella practices her dance routine on the deck.

Bubble fun for everyone!

On "Sunny" Pond (actually named Molly's Pond)

The weather finally turned nice enough to enjoy being outside. We took a couple of spins out on the paddle boat.


It is currently slow uploading pics, so I will continue with more in another post.