time for new favorite things

My list of favorite etsy shops is late this week not because of the Thanksgiving holiday, but because I love the winter trees.

This made me think of how sometimes we don't like to leave the past truly behind and accept new things or new challenges. The past is known, its familiar and comfortable. Even though it may be unhappy, we know that we can handle it because we already did.

I have a problem of letting go of some of my past demons and they are affecting how I treat myself. I need to exercise and lose 30 lbs. I need to be healthy not only because I would look better, but because my three girls deserve a healthy role model.

I need to be more optimistic. I need to see the good things about me instead of focusing on what is wrong or what is not working out my way. I need to say goodbye to the wrongs done tome and say hello to the good things that are waiting for me to receive them.

So to anyone out there dealing with the same things, let it go. Embrace today and tomorrow and leave yesterday behind where it belongs. Be happy.

Happy Birthday Erin!

Today is my middle daughter's 11th birthday. Erin is a beauty with pale skin, and dark brown hair with a touch of auburn highlights. She is tall like her older sister, but that is where the similarities stop. Erin is definitely a OOAK kid. She is very smart and funny in a dry, sarcastic but not mean way. She makes you laugh without thinking she is funny. She has always been very inquisitive and asks great questions about everything.

She has always noticed the little things in life. When she was little she would look at the mountains and notice the way the light was hitting them, or the color of the leaves at a certain time of day. She sees things through an artists eyes and draws and paints very well. She is smart and very stubborn and argumentative which will serve her well someday but can be trying at times. She currently wants to be a senator when she grows up but that changes monthly.

I remember when she was born, my husband left to tend to her big sister and it was just Erin and I snuggled in the hospital bed. I wanted to soak in every moment of just the two of us because I knew it would be the only time we would have together without the rest of the world crashing in.

Being the middle child isn't easy. Especially when you have an older and younger sister who are both very outspoken, loud, outgoing and talented and you feel like you live in their shadow because you tend to be on the quiet and shy side. I wish Erin could see how wonderful she is and that sometimes, the ones that are the loudest aren't always the ones to be listened to.

So here is to my beautiful daughter Erin who has lighted my life and my heart for the past 11 years. May she know only happiness and joy in her life and may she always stay true to her dreams.

Gearing up for Christmas

This was a very busy week for me. After the stress of last weekend's show, I took a bit of a break from sewing to clean house, and start cooking for Thanksgiving dinner which I hosted. The dinner was great and we had a good time. I also awoke Turkey day morning to a huge order from my cousin in CA which really made my day!

My house is a mess yet again due to the boxes and bins of Christmas decorations in every room! The tree is up, the outside decorated and some things are out, but I will have to finish up today. It is snowing, sleeting, and raining here so it will be a good day to get it done.

On top of it all, I have my middle daughter's 11th birthday on Tuesday so I also had to shop for that yesterday and I have to wrap today. Thankfully here in PA the girls are off from school tomorrow because of hunting season opening something or other.

I have custom orders to get done so that I can start sewing the Christmas gifts I have planned. I also have to make my oldest a dress for the Christmas dance Dec. 20th.

So, that is just a taste of what I have coming up, not to mention the school concerts, parties, and other social engagements on the calendar.

I wish you all a fun holiday season, whatever it is you celebrate and take the time to really enjoy each moment, they won't come again.

It was Great!!!

Had my open house debut yesterday and I had so much fun! I made a nice amount of money, got a bunch of custom orders and future customers and best of all, everyone was super impressed with my work!

I was nervous no one would show up but I had a nice turn out. A few didn't show up that I thought would, but life gets in the way so no bother.

I did manage to make a really cool original design bag on Saturday with a matching wallet.
It turned out great and I really like the edgy look of it.
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17663335

I am off to start my plan of attack on the custom orders I got. Hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving. We all have much to be thankful for if we only look around.

I have entered sewing sweat shop hell!

So I knew I had my big Debut open house this Sunday the 23rd for about two months. An organized business owner/designer/artisan would have had a plan of attack and would have worked steadily creating new items, tagging them, and pricing them all before the last few days. But not me. No, I had to procrastinate, and let life get in the way. I kept thinking I had more time, that somehow the things would get made.

I have been sewing like a fiend for the past 4 days and I still have so much to do before Sunday. I wake up at 5 each morning with a nervous pit in my stomach and my mind racing. I start sewing at 8:45, after my daily school commute and stop at 2 to pick up the kids, get homework going and start dinner. I start again at 7 and sew until 11. It's still not enough!

So, I am hoping that I will have enough to sell and showcase on Sunday. I am really hoping for this to jump start my business and get me some much needed Christmas spending money!!

With that, I will sign off to get back to work. Wish me luck, pray for me, and I will post more when this madness has ended.

Happy Crafting.

Blue beauties!

This week's fav is a little late because I absolutely loved the last ones I chose. They would make a great treasury collection on etsy.

Anyway, this week I chose the color blue, which I love as my guide. I found some gorgeous items which you can check out on the left in the fav mini.

Remember to check out my etsy shop for the latest listings and gift ideas as well as all the other talented artists there.

Happy crafting!

Quiet Sunday Mornings

I love to get up before the rest of my family and make coffee and read the paper while soft music is playing. I don't get to do it as much anymore because Brian gets up super early and so do Erin and Emma.

Today was a rare occasion and it was nice to watch the sun come up and be able to collect my thoughts.

I am finally having my open house debut on the 23rd so I have to get sewing big time. I want to make more bags,table runners, and some other things to showcase what I make. I am hoping that it will bring me some new customers and get the ball rolling to get my business off the ground.

The sun is shining, and it is nice to be able to post this entry without hearing the girls fighting or Brian yelling at them to clean their rooms!

I hope you all have a great Sunday!