The Dancing Mom

Crimson Lily Blog

2010-07-12T12:43:00.001-04:00

I promised you a link to my new sewing blog, so here it is:

Crimson Lily Designs

Please feel free to "follow" me and tell your friends as well!

New Blog?

2010-07-10T18:32:00.003-04:00

As I have recently been pondering the idea of an actual business and new name for it, I have also been pondering the thought of a new blog, just for my sewing and crafts. The Dancing Mom began as a way to showcase what I created while also talking about my everyday life. However, since Crimson Lily is coming to fruition I feel that Dancing Mom would be a better place for my everyday musings. Crimson Lily will then be the business blog. I am also comtemplating Etsy as my springboard for sales of my wares. Since I tend to be somewhat pessimistic, though, I have a fear that no one will be interested in what I have to offer since there are so many other more-talented-than-I-am artisans out there.

Why this is such a hard decision for me is beyond my comprehension. It's what I really want to do, but my insecurities are holding me back. Maybe if I knew that there would be a definite market for what I make, then it wouldn't be so bad. I know my friends and family appreciate it, but would the average handmade-items-buyer buy it? I guess I'll never know if I don't try, right?

So I guess at this point my next blogpost here on The Dancing Mom will be a link to introduce the all new Crimson Lily blog. Give me a few days to work it out, though. And thanks for reading!

Long Time

2010-06-02T10:41:00.004-04:00

I guess it's been a while since my last post. I hate when life gets in the way. At least for not-so-great reasons. I recently left my job and now I am half-heartedly looking for something part-time. I feel that it is unnecessary to spend $300+ a week on childcare for the summer when I wasn't bringing home much more than that to begin with. Bobby is also on the lookout for a new job as well.

However, I have done some sewing recently. (Pictures to be posted later because they don't seem to want to post right now.)
I made a lap quilt for a friend's birthday, a wallet and clutch for my mom (for her motorcycle), a yoga mat bag for myself, and a shopping bag (prototype), as well as a cute little sundress for Emma. I've been trying to keep busy while figuring out what I can sew to make me some money at craft fairs this fall.

Happy Easter!!! And A Little Sewing...

2010-04-04T08:32:00.003-04:00

I hope everyone out there in Blog World has a fabulous Easter!!! I know we will! It's going to be around 80 degrees where we will be, here in Maine. I know, crazy, right?

But yesterday I did a little sewing. After walking around beautiful downtown Bath, Maine and visiting the Bath Book Shop and Mariner's Compass Quilt Shop, I came home with some lovely purple & green batik fabric for another birthday throw quilt for a coworker. Again, I have decided to use my new favorite white Kona muslin to offset the deep colors. This is only the center panel of the quilt top, but so far I think I'm liking it. One it's complete and quilted I'm sure I will be loving it. It does have a name already, Magic 39 Quilt, but I'll disclose the reason behind the name once it's finished.

Have a great day!

A Sew-lful Weekend

2010-03-28T16:37:00.004-04:00

Finally.... another weekend full of sewing. Gramma took the kids overnight on Friday so I was able to
a) Go to JoAnn's for some fabric,
b) Sleep in Saturday morning - or not...
c) SEW!!!!! I had the day to myself until about 3:30.

Brittany had recently asked me to make some bibs for her little cutie pie, Zander. As I was waiting in line at JoAnn's with the fabric for said bibs, I saw a copy of Quilts & More Magazine with a bib pattern. One 40% off coupon later I was out the door with new fabric and a magazine full of new ideas.

On Saturday I made 3 bibs and today I made 2 more, plus a new purse that has been floating around in my head recently. Moda + Muslin = Love.

It's funny how once I started making purses about 2 1/2 years I haven't bought one at a store. Every once in a while I just feel the need for something new, as do most people. But instead of shopping around at the nearest TJ Maxx or Coach outlet (I wish!), I head to the fabric store. This particular Moda fabric was a member of the "discontinued fat quarter bin" at Mariner's Compass before Christmas. Jeanne bought it for me because for some reason it just whispered to me "I want to be a purse..." So today I pulled it out, grabbed a 1/2 yard of muslin that I found on clearance for $.79, found a few scraps of sueded blue fabric and a bit of canvas strapping. Voila! My new bag! I even used the floral Moda to make a matching button. I guess I'm kind of liking triangles lately.

So that's that for today. I really need to get the backing done for my mom's Christmas quilt as well as the borders and backing for my own Moda quilt. Maybe next weekend...

Shannon's Book-Writing Quilt

2010-03-15T20:42:00.004-04:00

This weekend I was finally able to sew something from start to finish.

I made a lap quilt for my friend, Shannon, at work for her birthday. She is an aspiring novelist and has been working diligently on her first novel which we are all hoping will get published.

Shannon's favorite color is pink, so I used Moda fabric in the Boutique Line by Chez Moi for the squares. The white fabric is my favorite discovery of all time: Kona White Muslin. This is the softest, most lovely feeling fabric ever. I'm talking Egyptian Cotton Sheets quality. Yumm! The backing is a basic bubble gum pink flannel for warmth and coziness.

Since I don't have a darning foot or a nice quilting machine (ssshhhh, don't tell my Singer) I am forced to improvised when quilting. I actually sew the 3 layers together inside out, flip it right side out, then I sew along the edge about 1/2 inch in. I usually have a little bunching when I connect the end to the beginning, but I'm learning to accept that for now. On this quilt I added a pink wavy border all the way around and a pink wavy line down the middle. Again with the bunching where the stitching meets up with itself, but, ah well.

So this quilt is named Shannon's Book-Writing Quilt because I want her to cuddle up in it while she writes her novel. I'm not quite sure how inspirational a pink floral quilt can be when writing a murder-mystery, but at least she'll be warm while she writes :)

Edited to add: Oops!!! Sorry! It was the Charisma Collection by Chez Moi, not Boutique.

Paige's Birth Story (From Missie's Perspective)

2010-02-27T10:49:00.006-05:00

At 5:56pm on Friday 2/26/10, 7lb 5.8oz, 19.75in long Paige Sophia came into the world.

She is the first child of my cousin, Cally.

She is beautiful and perfect in every way.

I had the amazingly good fortune of being there, right there, when she was born. Aside from the usual medical staff, Cally and Matt invited both me and my aunt Becky into the room with them. It was a very long day for all of us, but it was an even longer 2 days for Cally as she started having contractions at 7am on Thursday. By 8:30am Friday she was having contractions about a minute long and 5 minutes apart. After heading to the hospital she decided on the epidural around 11:30. This was definitely a good choice for her, as Paige seemed to be sunny-side-up at the time and back labor sucks! Cally rested throughout the afternoon as Becky, Matt and I tried to keep the humor going while we all waited.

At about 3pm Cally was fully dialated and almost ready to push. At 4:25pm the pushing began. The epidural worked quite well as Cally was in fairly good spirits throughout her labor. Finally, around 5:30 Paige seemed to turn herself into proper position and things moved quickly after that.

At 5:56pm we had the pleasure of welcoming Paige Sophia into this crazy world. Cally did a fantastic job and I am so proud of her for her strength and ability to push through the pain and produce a perfect little girl. Within 10 minutes, Paige was nursing and Cally finally had a chance to relax.

Matt, although a little (ok, a lot) nervous, was amazing as well. We were all surprised that he remained upright throughout the delivery process. He gave Paige her first bath and dressed her for the first time (first time for both of them!).

I am so lucky to have been a part of this incredible experience. I love Cally so much. I have always considered her more of a little sister rather than a cousin and now we can both experience the joys of motherhood together. We have wonderful role models in our own mothers, grandmother and aunts.

It's funny how becoming a mother really does change you, but experiencing childbirth from the other side really makes you realize how totally incomprehensible it truly is. A life is created and a woman, who may otherwise consider herself not strong enough, has the ability to bring that life into the world. Simply amazing.

Nothing to Report

2010-02-21T09:38:00.002-05:00

Sorry, Folks. I've been MIA for a few weeks, I know. Unfortunately, I have nothing to say. I haven't sewed (although I did do some fabric shopping). I'm very disappointed in myself for that. Perhaps I'll doing something worthwhile today and come back to post about it. Until then....

Today I Made...

2010-01-30T17:24:00.002-05:00

A patchwork pillow sham for the chair pillow to match the couch quilt and pillows

The 4th and almost final Christmas gift (yes, I know...) to send to NJ

Pictures are not really necessary today. On the bright side, after a morning of freezing and no hot water, it is warm again in my house. I really hate spending money to get things fixed, though. Especially on a Saturday. Those guys make out pretty good....

More Baby Stuff

2010-01-23T19:39:00.003-05:00

So last weekend, after I finished the infamous diaper bag, I decided to try a few more projects. I bought a book of baby patterns over a year ago just so that I could make some bibs. (Here's the book) I finally pulled it out, cut some fabric, and low & behold I made a bib! So I made 4 more.

And then today, another idea popped into my head. I vaguely recall seeing somewhere a burp cloth that was contoured to fit over one's shoulder. So I cut some more fabric and the next thing I knew I had 3 contoured, and quilted, burp cloths (and one receiving blanket, not shown).

Yes, they look somewhat like large maxi pads, but I'm sure they will do the job just fine. Unfortunately, the lighting in the hallway at 5pm left a little to be desired, so sorry for the muted colors, but you get the idea, right?

Wonder what I'll create next weekend???

She's 7

2010-01-19T19:57:00.003-05:00

My, how time flies. So many things have happened in 7 years. I have gone from having no kids at all to having 2. I have gone from working full time, to being a stay at home mom, to being a working mom. I have made scrapbooks, crocheted scarves & hats, sewed purses and quilts and everything in between. I have gone from a dancer of over 25 years to not dancing at all. Size 2 to size (you didn't think I'd actually say, did you?).

And all along, the things that keep me going are my awesome family. My babies, who aren't such babies anymore, my wonderful husband who puts up with all my quirks, my mom, dad, brother and sister who have always been there unconditionally, and my extended family and friends who have always shown me much love & support.

So there you have it. 7 years in a nutshell, with one of the biggest nuts turning 7 today. She's crazy. She's funny. She's emotional. She's talented. She's smart. She's beautiful. And she's all mine. Ok, I do have to share her with a few other people, but all that hard work was my doing ;)

I love her - my beautiful baby girl.

Sssshhhhh.... It's finished....

2010-01-17T08:46:00.003-05:00

Here it is! The final product. This is THE. BEST. DIAPER. BAG. EVER. I even made a quilted changing pad to match. I love this. I cannot wait for next Sunday to see her face when she opens this and sees how completely awesome it is.
Haha. I'm not proud of myself or anything, am I????

Sneak Peek

2010-01-11T19:41:00.003-05:00

Here's a little sneak peek at how I spent my entire day yesterday.

My cousin is having a baby (yay!) next month and her baby shower is coming up in less than 2 weeks. In November she gave me 4 yards of fabric & asked me to design & make her a diaper bag. Of course I couldn't refuse. Well, yesterday morning I found out about the shower and realized that I hadn't even thought of how to start this thing. I had many ideas running through my head so I just went for it. 8 hours later this is what I came up with. It still needs a strap and a button/button hole to make it complete, as well as a matching changing pad, so I think it will be officially finished on Saturday. I have to say, I am quite proud of this one. This is quite possibly my biggest undertaking yet when it comes to sewing. I can't wait to see her reaction when she sees it.

Photography 101

2010-01-03T11:41:00.006-05:00

January 3, 2010: First Snowstorm of the year and boy was it a good one. We got about a foot and a half from Thursday-Sunday. I love it! Here are some of my attempts at amateur photography. I love taking pictures but unfortunately I have a point & shoot camera (for now). For what I have to work with I don't think these pics are all that bad. Tell me what you think!

First Finished WIP of 2010

2010-01-02T11:05:00.003-05:00

This year I plan to finish some WIPs that have been hanging around throughout 2009.

This is the first. I finished it last night. I am calling it "Every Way But The Right Way," aka Couch Throw Quilt.

This started out with good intentions of being an easy and quick quilt. I had some leftover fabric from the pillows I made for the couch last spring, so I bought a few coordinating fabrics and 2 yards of flannel for the backing. What I didn't do was plan ahead. I just started cutting squares & rectangles of various sizes. Then I started sewing. It started out great, until I realized that since they weren't all the same width I wasn't going to have an easy go of it. But I kept on trucking. Sometimes I had to sew a piece to another piece and then sew it to yet another piece that was already in the quilt to make it fit in properly (if that makes sense). Once I got to the finished size last night I noticed that it wasn't even squared up right. So I trimmed it down to make it rectangular which then threw off the look of the sides.

At that point I didn't care anymore. I just wanted it done so I could put it on the couch (and mysteriously "lose" the fleece blanket that already existed there). So I sewed it, right sides together, with the pink flowered flannel backing, turned it rightside out, and sewed around the edges.

At some point I might try "quilting" it or tying it, if I feel like it. But for now it looks just perfect, albeit a bit wonky, on the couch keeping my sick little 7 year old girl cozy and warm.

Maybe I'll Win For a Change

2010-01-01T15:31:00.001-05:00

http://sugarnspicecreations.blogspot.com/2010/01/giveaway-time.html

One of the blogs I frequesnt is having a giveaway of these cool vintage sheet fat quarters. Let's hope I win!

Goals

2009-12-31T16:49:00.002-05:00

I don't make resolutions. Not because I don't want to, but because I never follow through. I really never even have good intentions to follow through. I just say something and hope it happens.
But not this year. I have some goals. I don't know how or when I will achieve them. They are just some goals that at some point in the near future I can say, "Hey, I did it!", and be happy with the results.

Goal #1: Lose Weight
This has never been a goal of mine until this year. Until recent years I have never had to struggle with my weight. Now I am not impressed with myself and I know it's now or never. If I don't start getting healthier soon I know I'll go downhill.

Goal #2: Make Money With My Crafts
This is something I have been wanting for a couple years. I would love to start a website or an Etsy store in which I can sell the stuff I make. I want to be known for my crafts. Even if I'm not known worldwide, I'd love to be known locally. And make some extra cash.

Goal #3: Spend More Time With My Family
There are many ways to achieve this goal. The one way that I have pondering lately is to work part time. I do enjoy my job. The money is decent and I have health insurance for myself and the kids. However, I miss being home with them. Since Jake will start school in September there will be no need for either Bobby or myself to be around during the day. I'm kind of hoping he can find a new full time job that will allow him to get insurance for all of us and be home on the weekends. I'd prefer to work a few hours a day or maybe just 2-3 days a week and be home when the kids get off the bus. This would allow us to all be together more often and hopefully I could get more done here at home.

So that's about it. I don't know if any of this will happen this year, but it's a start. I'll try my absolute best to get the first 2 goals accomplished. The 3rd goal will take some extra effort on my husband's part as well. Hopefully this year we can start working together more to create the best family environment possible.

So, Happy 2010! Another decade done. Another decade started. Hope it's a good one!

I Got A Makeover!

2009-12-29T21:41:00.001-05:00

Ok, so I didn't get a makeover, but obviously my blog space did. It took a little extra work, but I'm quite happy with the result. Tell me what you think!

2 Days Later

2009-12-27T08:46:00.003-05:00

December 27th, 2009. 2 days after Christmas. The house is pretty much back to normal, with a few adjustments in the living room with which I am very pleased (much more open and spacey, perfect for Wii playing). And it's raining out, which is a big difference from yesterday's lovely snowflakes that covered the ground.

So I thought it was time to finally post some pics of the projects I was making for my mom. I'm pretty sure she doesn't read my blog, but better safe than sorry. So here they are:

My Mom has been wanting a Christmas Quilt for quite some time, so last weekend as I was making these 4 pillows for her I decided to get the matching fabric and start her quilt (normally my grandmother makes the family their quilts, but it's time for me to start doing more to pull my weight). So on Sunday I spent about 5-6 hours cutting & sewing to get the quilt top done. It still needs a backing and needs to be quilted and a binding sewn on, but that's a whole other project...

Btw- She Loves It!!!!

Home-made Kahlua

2009-12-22T18:34:00.003-05:00

Last week was our Secret Santa week at work. Those who participated drew a coworker's name and had to get them something small and inexpensive each day, based on a theme.

Monday: something green
Tuesday: Santa's choice
Wednesday: something edible
Thursday: something sticky
Friday: something that your gift recipient will love and appreciate that reflects their personality

We're a pretty small office of about 20 and know each other pretty well, so it was pretty easy.

My recipient received the following from me:
Monday: green tea and spearmint gum
Tuesday: 2 holiday body lotions
Wednesday: a Christmas mug with Hershey Kisses
Thursday: salt-water taffy and sugared peanuts
Friday: bottle of red wine, large wine glass, and a scarf crocheted by moi

I received from my Secret Santa:
Monday: 10 green fat quarters and a pack of 6 yards of various green-toned ribbon
Tuesday: ceramic Santa cookie jar
Wednesday: home-made chocolate covered peanut butter balls in a snowman jar
Thursday: basketful of fusible tape & webbing and a barrel of monkeys for fun
Friday: very large bottle of home-made Kahlua- YUMMMMMMMO

So here it is, 6:40 pm on a Tuesday. The kids are eating macaroni & parmesan cheese while watching Ice Age for the bazillionth time. And I sit here at the "bar" drinking a lovely glass of Kahlua and milk over ice. Thanks, Cindy, for the perfect gift!

Sunday Morning

2009-12-20T08:45:00.002-05:00

Aaaahhh, Sunday morning. I love it. I don't know why, but Sunday always feel like a calm day to me. I'm not a Church goer, so I know that's not it. Maybe it's because I run around on Saturdays trying to get stuff done. On Sundays I try to relax for a while in the morning, drinking my coffee, hanging out online, thinking of all the things I want/need to do throughout the remainder of the day. I try to sew on Sundays as much as possible.
I did a little sewing yesterday morning, but then I came up with a fabulous idea for a gift for my mom, so I went out to get the materials for it and now I have to sew like crazy to get it halfway done (not finishing it til after Christmas, but I want her to see what it will look like). I also have 2 more blankets to finish for the nieces & nephews in NJ. Unfortunately they won't arrive til next week, but who doesn't like getting more gifts after the big day?
So, I will sit here for a little longer, finish my coffee, partake in one more cinnamon roll, and then off to the second floor for the rest of my day.
Hopefully the kids won't fight too much....

Not. Enough. Time.

2009-12-15T18:42:00.002-05:00

I fear that I will not be prepared for the 25th. I have 9 more days left and I'm working for 6 of them. Not to mention Bobby works for 2 of those days which leaves me Christmas Eve as the only full day to get away and shop. I don't like shopping on Christmas Eve. There's just not enough time. How did this season come on so fast? I really thought I was ahead of the game when our lights were up before Thanksgiving. That was 3 weeks ago!!!! HELP!!!!!!!!!!

Crazy Weather

2009-12-09T20:12:00.001-05:00

The past 12 hours have gone like this:

8am: a few flakes
9am: lots of flakes
12pm: 4 inches of snow
3pm: 6 inches of snow
5pm: 8 inches of snow & sleet
6pm: sleet/freezing rain (lots of slush)
8pm: rain, thunder & lightning

What a weird day.

Inspired

2009-12-08T19:29:00.002-05:00

As I have been perusing the craft blogs on which I often stumble (and then save in my Faves) I have truly become inspired. I want to do so much more. I want to finish my 2 quilts. I want to make table runners & placemats as gifts (think I'll get 'em done this weekend?). I want to design my own patterns. I want to get that diaper bag done for Cally. I want. I want. I want. I feel so selfish wanting so much. But then I think, I'm not selfish at all. I want to make these things mostly for other people - as gifts. I want to put myself out there and just create. Just create. For others. And for myself. Because it makes me feel good.

Extra Post

2009-12-05T20:16:00.001-05:00

I have updated the "Inspiration" list of blogs. Check out these amazingly crafty women who inspire me on a daily basis.

Feels Like Winter

2009-12-05T19:08:00.004-05:00

'Swinter! Ok, not quite yet. There's still 2 weeks before it's official. But the first official snow of the season is falling right now! Yay!

And here's a pic of the placemats & napkins I made for Jeanne. The fabric is a gorgeous cotton batik with snowflakes. It's wintery, but not Christmasy, so they can be used throughout the season. I also finished one blanket (with much swearing) and started the second. Not sure I like the satin binding so much. I'll get through these blankets and forget about doing satin binding on fleece for a while.

What's next? I need to make more stars for next weekend then I'm not sure after that. Funny thing is, I don't really care what I'm sewing as long as I'm sewing. I just love it!

What Am I Working On?

2009-12-03T19:05:00.002-05:00

Tuesday night I went next door to the landlords'/neighbors' house as all of my non-sewing craft supplies are being haphazardly stored in their dining room (until next week when I have to make room for it all here so they can throw their annual Xmas Party). Anyway, I was looking for a pattern for my crocheted cloche-style hat. I didn't find it there (in fact, I didn't find it anywhere), however Jeanne asked if she could tag along back home with me to see all the fun stuff I'm working on. This caught me off guard (messy house, you know) but it was so good for me. I pulled out half-finished purses, blankets, quilts & stars. I also found some fabric that had been stashed away for projects never started. I also showed her the napkins that I started last weekend for her. She requested napkins & placemats for a gift for her work party. Unfortunately, my machine threw a temper tantrum on Sunday. I'm giving it a few days to rest so I'll finish those on Saturday.
After she trudged back across the driveway I desperately searched for my pattern. Like I said, I couldn't find the one I wanted, but I did find another hat pattern that I love, so I started that as gift for someone. Can't post pics til after Xmas for obvious reasons, but I do plan to pull some things out this weekend and inventory all my work. I'll post some pics of my WIPs or UFOs (Works In Progress or UnFinished Objects).
I have so much to do! Better get off this computer.....

Pic of the Day

2009-12-02T18:53:00.000-05:00

'Tis The Season

2009-11-30T20:46:00.002-05:00

Aaaahhhhh. Christmas.
I love this time of year. From the last week of November to the last week of December I'm usually in a pretty good mood.
I blame my mother. She's one of those Christmas-all-year-long types.
This year we put up our tree earlier than ever; the day after Thanksgiving. That means an entire month of Christmas Spirit. I think it's because this year we have our own home again. We can use our own decorations. We have our own space. It just feels like home. And Christmas.
I also love this time of year because it brings out the craftiness in me. I have been sewing like crazy: star ornaments, placemats, napkins, anything I can think of to make to avoid buying meaningless gifts. I have always been a fan of "handmade" but for some reason, lately, I am really getting into it even more. If I can make something with my own hands and my own mind then why would I want to waste time & money in a store buying something that doesn't have nearly as much meaning & love behind it. I feel good about what I make, and making things as gifts at Christmas makes me feel even better.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-26T07:58:00.001-05:00

So much to be thankful for today: good food, good friends, good family.
May your day be a wonderful one.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Things To Be Thankful For

2009-11-24T19:03:00.002-05:00

- The roof over our heads
- The jobs that Bobby & I have to help make ends meet
- My kids' smiles
- My parents
- Our landlords/neighbors/second parents
- My best friends
- Free turkeys
- The holiday season to make me realize that I have so many things for which to be thankful

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-23T20:19:00.000-05:00

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Piiiiiittt Stop!

2009-11-23T19:56:00.001-05:00

Is he handsome or what?

Saturday

2009-11-21T08:00:00.003-05:00

Today I will sew.
Today I will sew.
Today I will sew.

That's my mantra for the day.
It's beautifully gorgeous outside: mild & sunny, and it's only 8am. I'm sure the kids will spend much of their time out there getting muddy today. I, however, will be upstairs enjoying the hum of the sewing machine and trying not to stab myself with pins. I have an order for 10 more stars, a rice bag with removable cover, and I have some Christmas gifts to work on as well.

Busy.
Busy.
Busy.

Today

2009-11-17T18:40:00.002-05:00

Today we learned that we may not get our annual raises this year. It was disappointing for about 30 seconds. Then we found out that our health insurance premiums could be going up anywhere between 12 and 30%. In an effort to keep our insurance costs down the owner, HR manager & CEO will be determining just how much extra insurance will be. They are hoping to not have to pass on the rising costs to us employees, which would mean no raises.
I can certainly appreciate this effort, however I am so unimpressed with our health insurance companies these days. I am not completely in the know about this national health care reform, but I do know that if things don't start getting better no one will be able to live comfortably anymore. We rely on our employers to provide us with health coverage, but we also rely on them to reward us for our good efforts each year, and to also make sure that we can afford to live as the cost of every day living keeps going up as well. I'm sure I make more than many of the employees in my company, but I also know that there are many other employees who make a hell of a lot more than I do. I know that I am worth more than what I make, but I also know that the job market is horrible around here right now.
I will take no raise & affordable health care over no job any day.

I'm Back

2009-11-16T18:36:00.004-05:00

Although I never really left.

It's funny, but I would like to blog more often. The problem is, if I feel like I don't have anything inspiring or amazing to write, then I just shouldn't bother. It's not like I have a lot of blog followers anyway, like all those big name blogs I read every day.

How do I get to that point? How do I make myself inspiring to others? How do I make my life sound interesting to thousands of other people? I'm not a designer. I don't have sponsors. I don't have freebies to offer, and if I did, who would win? The 2 people who read this? (Hi Pam & Laura!)

I want to be those people; those amazing women who inspire me and many others around the world with their simple words every single day; those women who are fortunate enough to have been blessed with the ability to stay home and become fabric designers, pattern creators, and overall nice people.

In the meantime, while I am searching for answers and wishing that I could be one of those bloggers, I will leave you with these pictures of some of the fun things I created this weekend. Enjoy!

Sorry, picture upload is giving me a hard time tonight..... I'll try again tomorrow.

Autumn

2009-09-26T10:54:00.002-04:00

Brrr. It's cold out. 3 Days ago it was 80 degrees. This morning it was in the 30s. Don't get me wrong. It's a beautiful day with sunshine and temps around 60 now. It's just that we never had a summer this year. Why not?

Where Do They Come From?

2009-08-27T19:33:00.002-04:00

What is the key to eliminating fruit flies from your house altogether? Get rid of the fruit.

If only that were possible. Funny, but they really seem to like my wine the best. Aaahh, at least my fruit flies have refined taste.
Catching them is easier than I thought. I tried the cider vinegar, but that didn't seem to attract them. What they like is our juice. So I've been treating them to pink lemonade and V8 Splash. Haha. Little do they know it's laced with dish soap. As soon as they hit the surface they sink & drown. Nice huh?

Now if I could only figure out how to stop them from invading my kitchen in the first place. Yeah, right. That's about as possible as having world peace these days. Oh well. We'll always have wine.

Good Day

2009-08-21T20:14:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday to ME!!!!!!!!

I have had a great day today. It's my 32nd birthday and I don't feel a day over 32. Hehe.
So I started the day by putting on a cute outfit and a tiara (I've always wanted to do that!) which I am still wearing as I type this after 8pm. The kids sang to me this morning and I went to work. When I got there I had presents on my desk! Yay! Huge surprise. I have great coworkers who got me 2 bottles of wine, a dozen roses, a new bracelet & earrings and delicious chocolate, as well as a gift card to buy, you guessed it, more wine! I think they felt bad for me after yesterday's horrible-ness of losing hundreds of dollars to an identity thief.

So, my other birthday gift was that Bobby was able to get all our money back from the bank. Yay! And then I came home to brownies and chicken parm for dinner. And on top of that I got to see my BFF Erin. Phew. What a day.

I love my birthday.

3 weeks!

2009-08-17T20:07:00.003-04:00

Aagh! It's been 3 weeks since my last post. The only excuse that I can give you is that my life is really boring right now. Basically work, and weekends. That's it.

I did manage to sew this weekend. I made a new John Deere pillowcase for Jake, a skirt for Emma for school, and a skirt for myself. I'd post a pic but Jake's sleeping on his pillow right now and Emma's skirt is tucked away awaiting the first day of school. My skirt is not really worth photographing, especially with me in it. I didn't use a pattern and realized that vertically challenged girls with no waist should not wear peasant skirts. Ok, so it's not THAT bad. It's just not something I'd like to photograph until I have the right shirt to go with it.

Speaking of that, I have a new blog to follow. I actually am thinking that I'll be an active participant with this one. Check this out: My Weight Loss Journey
This blog was started today by a friend at work who suddenly realized that it's time to make a change in her life. Not only do I plan to coach her through this, but I plan to participate and attempt to make some changes for myself as well.
I know I will never be that size 2/4 that I was before kids (and after them too - thank you, breastfeeding!), but I don't like the size I am currently at and hope to get back into the size 6 pants that I have held onto for the past couple years. My eating habits have not changed, but my metabolism has (man, did 30 take it's toll or what?). I also have not been dancing for over a year (funny for someone whose blog is called The Dancing Mom). I need an excercise routine and I need the motivation to stick with it.

So Tiff and I are in this together. And hopefully we'll both see success at the end of the road, wherever that may be.

This Blueberry Pie...

2009-07-25T14:52:00.003-04:00

is the most amazing thing ever. I worked at the Bowdoinham Farmers Market this morning, which is always a treat for me. I get to hang out with some neat people while selling delicious berries and veggies from a farm I truly believe in, all while making a little extra cash.

So with this extra cash today I chose to buy a blueberry pie. This isn't just any pie, mind you. This pie is homemade with love by a wonderful 12 year old named Libby. She and her friend Julia were there today with the Sprouts program (a program in Bowdoinham for kids to sell their wares at the Farmers Market).

I have to say that I have eaten other delicious treats made by Libby last summer, but this pie takes the cake! I believe the crust is homemade and the blueberries are picked by Libby and friends at an undisclosed location. They sell 3 different sizes: personal, medium, and full-on pie size!

So I'm sitting here enjoying my pie for lunch/snack while my successful first attempt at making potato salad cools in the fridge.

The kids should be home soon from the Wildlife Park (turtle exhibit) and then we're off to Uncle Jerm's for a BBQ this evening.

Why is it that when the sun comes out, my day just seems to get better and better?

And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down...

2009-07-21T20:16:00.003-04:00

That's one of my favorite scenes from Disney's Winnie the Pooh movie. The rain pours down and poor little Piglet gets washed away in a hunny pot.

That's kind of how I'm feeling these days. Aside from a few random days of sunshine and "warm" temps, these past few months have been filled with rain pouring down. I'm afraid that one of these days I'll come home to my kids floating down the flooded driveway in beach buckets.

In some ways, though, I kind of don't mind it. When it's raining I don't feel as bad about leaving for work and spending 9 hours away from home. When I stayed home I loved the warm sunny weather because we could do anything we wanted and spent much time outside. Now the only thing I feel bad about is leaving poor Bobby home all day without a car, stuck inside a tiny house with 2 extremely active children.

So now, it's 8:30 pm, pouring rain outside, with nothing exciting on tv. I have made myself a nice cup of hot tea with hunny :) and I'm going to curl up in the recliner with my latest book (The Gatecrasher, by Madeleine Wickham, aka Sophie Kinsella of Shopaholic fame). It's taken me a while to get into reading it as I don't have endless summer days to lounge around & read anymore, but I have plenty of quiet (and probably rainy) summer evenings to myself - just perfect for catching up with my favorite authors.

Now I just wish the library was open on weekends :(

Letter to the Sun

2009-07-19T08:56:00.003-04:00

Mr. Sun?
Is that really you? I can't believe you're really here. And on a weekend. I am so excited to actually feel your warmth and bask in your lovely rays of light. It finally makes it feel like summer.

We have seen so little of you lately. Where have you been? Have you been hiding? Have you been sick? Have you been cheating on us with others who have been enjoying your warm glow?

It makes me sad to think that you have been away for so long without telling us why. Why have you let those evil clouds take over your righful place in the sky? Why have you allowed the rain to soak us more than necessary? Are you punishing us for always taking advantage of you when you're here?

Either way, I'm glad to see you back in our neck of the woods. Please stay for a while. Don't go away again for such a long period of time. We need you. You make us happy. You keep us warm. We love your seemingly endless light throughout the day.

Thank you, Mr. Sun, for finally coming back to us. I love you.
-Missie

Growing Things

2009-07-13T20:42:00.004-04:00

It is that time of year when I want nothing to do with the produce department at the grocery store. My aunt Cathy's vegetables are coming into fruition and I LOVE them. I worked at the Bowdoinham Farmer's Market on Saturday representing Fairwinds Farm. Although it's still a little early for tomatoes and potatoes, there were still quite a few goodies to be had. The zucchini and broccoli almost sold out and I sold out completely of lettuce, summer squash, cabbage, beet greens and strawberries.

My own garden is also doing quite well despite the rain. My tomato plants are huge and hopefully we'll have some peas and green beans soon as well. But my flowers are what I am most proud of. I bought this climbing rose bush at Reny's for only $5 earlier in the spring. I have had 2 full blooms so far and about 6 more that will pop out this week.

And what good is a beautiful summer morning without your best friend to share it with you? (Emma & Patience, ages 6 1/2)

Oh Crappy Day.

2009-07-07T18:51:00.004-04:00

It's days like this which make me wonder why I have chosen to stay in Maine all my life. It's maybe 60 degrees and damp, rainy, cool and overall just yucky. It's July. If I wanted cold weather in July I'd move to the southern hemisphere. Even with the opportunities we have had to move south to NJ, I still want to be here.

Why, you ask? Well, just read this & you'll understand: http://timesrecord.com/articles/2009/07/07/news/doc4a5385d461a83636826129.txt

It's stories like this that make me realize that I live in the most beautiful state in the nation. Even though I grew up in the middle of a fairly busy town, I still saw deer and moose run through the neighborhood. We can walk to the river and see bald eagles and osprey. And where else can you drive for a couple hours and see both the gorgeous coastline of the Atlantic and the majestic White Mountains in one day?

I truly love it here - despite the crappy weather in July.

Fairwinds Farm

2009-07-06T07:42:00.002-04:00

Aaaahhhh, tis the season...

I love my strawberries. And I really love them from my aunt & uncle's farm. Fairwinds Farm in Topsham & Bowdoinham, ME, owned by Pete & Cathy Karonis is by far the best place for strawberries in this area. Despite all the rain we've had this season, they still have a fabulous selection for picking your own. Located off Brown's Point Road in Bowdoinham, it's a little off the beaten path, next to the Kennebec River, but it's beautiful there.

I worked at the field on Saturday before the rain hit, then Bobby & I took the kids picking yesterday morning. In less than an hour we just about filled a flat. Plus I managed to get about 5 quarts on Saturday as well. I now have 3 gallon-sized bags in my freezer full of both whole berries and mashed berries. As soon as I have some free time I'll be making some jam. Yum!

Hi Zack!

2009-07-03T10:25:00.004-04:00

Haha. Funny title, I know. I just found out this week that my brother-in-law also reads my blog on occasion, so just a little shout-out there.

So we spent 12 1/2 hours on the road yesterday to get home from NJ. Should have been 8. Lots of traffic and rain. The only state that was good for us was NJ because we were heading north instead of south to the shore. It actually took us an hour just to get from Portland to Bath due to 295 being covered in about an inch of water the whole way. People were hydroplaning everywhere. Scary stuff! Good thing we got new tires last week!

So our vacation was awesome. Of the 5 days we were there we spent 3 at the beach and one at the zoo in Cape May and Ocean City Boardwalk. We always stay with Bobby's brother and his family. His wife, Christa, and I get along really well and their kids are also 6 & 4, just like Emma & Jake. They play so well and fight like cousins, as it should be. We also got to spend time with Bobby's sister, Danielle, and her family at the beach. We always try to get all 7 grandkids together for a picture so we can see how they grow every year. Here's a pic from the beach in Strathmere, taken by Danielle.
Top row: Emma & Jackson; Middle row: Rilee, Reid, Julia, Jake; Bottom row: Marley

So I finally posted a new pic here, after almost a year without one. Now if I could just get pics uploaded from my camera to my computer I could post a million more. I think I need some sort of adaptor or something for that....

My Sewing Machine

2009-06-18T20:08:00.002-04:00

I frequently visit the Sew Mama Sew blog as I can find a lot of great ideas, tips & advice. This month they're offering some great prizes just for commenting on blog posts, including a new sewing machine. So they have asked that we fill out the following questionnaire & post the link to their site. Here goes...

What brand and model do you have? Singer, pretty basic model, no bells & whistles
How long have you had it? 3 years or so
How much does that machine cost (approximately)? $100
What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)? All of the Above
How much do you sew? Not often enough
How much wear and tear does the machine get? Not as much as it should
Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? Like it well enough - Didn't know I was supposed to name "her"
What features does your machine have that work well for you? It sews
Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? Skipped Stitches, not as advanced I would like, wish I could machine quilt with it
Do you have a great story to share about your machine (i.e., Found it under the Christmas tree? Dropped it on the kitchen floor? Sewed your fingernail to your zipper?, Got it from your Great Grandma?, etc.!)? We want to hear it! Nothing exciting - Bobby brought it home one day after I had been using my mom's machine to make quilts for his nieces & nephews
Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? Only to extreme beginners and those who don't sew much
What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine? For me, I want it to come with a walking foot so I can do more quilting and heavy duty purse making
Do you have a dream machine? Anything that will help me advance my techniques and sewing skills

My Job

2009-06-18T19:15:00.002-04:00

So since I recently complained about having to work & not being home enough with my kids, I figure I should actually point out that I do like my job. I work as a Customer Service Specialist at Village Candle in Topsham, Maine. It truly is a superior scented jar candle than anything else on the market. I have burned Yankee Candles in the past, but unfortunately I did not have great experiences. They soot tremendously and don't burn well. Village Candles have dual wick technology which provides a clean even burn and eliminates sooting. The fragrances are awesome and so true to life! And they are less expensive which, in my opinion, is a great thing these days. Why pay more for a candle that won't burn well and turns your walls black when you can pay less for a larger candle that burns all the way down and even comes with a free mini scenter car candle?

That's why I like my job. I honestly believe in the product. All of our candles are made on-sight in our factory by some of the most dedicated employees I have ever known. I work in the office as a CS rep so I handle many inbound and outbound sales calls from and to gift retailers, as well as sales reps and even consumers. These past 2 weeks have been extremely busy, in a good way. The Premium Village Candle collection is amazing, with a fabulous selection of fragrances that beat anyone else. Those other big companies don't hold a candle to Village (ok, bad pun, I know). We also have a country-style canning jar candle called our Kitchen Line. Yummy! Talk about wanting to eat something sweet while burning these candles. And then we have a soy and paraffin blend Accent Line in home decor friendly colors. I love these in my bright blue bathroom! We even have a line of Natural Soy Wax candles for you greenies out there. With Village Candles there is something for everyone...

Ok, I know I just totally plugged the company I work for, but why shouldn't I? Of course I would still buy these phenomenal candles if I didn't work there, but the best perk is getting to try out the new fragrances as they are being tested. I highly recommend those of you are reading this to try a Village Candle as soon as you can. If you don't have a local VIllage Candle retailer near you, check out the Village Candle Factory Store either in person in Topsham or online at www.villagecandle.com. Not only will you help me keep my job ;) but you'll also find yourself hooked on a new guilty pleasure - a premium quality candle at a very affordable price.

So there. That's why I do what I do. I enjoy helping people find the best candle they can. Once you try a Village Candle I am quite sure that you'll never want to buy from another candle company again. Made in the USA, Hand-Made in Maine, great smelling scented candles - Life is good.

Something to Say

2009-06-15T21:05:00.003-04:00

I wish I had something more to say.
I feel like I'm not blogging enough lately. I really feel like my life isn't worthy of blogging lately. I get up, I go to work, I come home, I get the kids dinner, give them a bath, send them to bed, I relax, I fall asleep. Start over 9 hours later.
Is this really my life?
Just 1 year ago I was going for walks to the library, catching frogs at the pond, reading 2 books a week, having picnic lunches in the back yard, sewing everyday. I truly miss that.
I know that I need to work right now, but why couldn't I have just 1 more year?
One more year with my babies while they're still little.
One more year of enjoying the fun times on a daily basis.
One more year before both of them are in school full time.
I want a reason to write here everyday. I don't feel like writing about my job as a customer service rep. I feel like writing about my real life, my life here with my family, the life that I feel like I'm missing by being away all day long.
My weekends are too short. This life is too short.
As my friend once said to me "the days are long but the years are short." My Jakey is almost 5 and Emma's going into 1st grade. The next thing I know they'll be in high school. Then what?
I know it's a long way to go, but then what will my life bring?
When they no longer need me, what will I be doing?
Maybe I'm just being a bit paranoid, or depressed, or guilty, but I can't help but want to spend as much time with them while they still want me to.
Some day, sooner than I want, it will be just a memory.

The Sewing Bug

2009-06-01T20:30:00.002-04:00

Yes! It has finally bitten me again. This weekend I decided, after cleaning the house, that I would pull out the old sewing machine. It's a little awkward, but I managed to sew standing up. Yes, you read that right. I placed the machine on the bar between the kitchen & living room, put the pedal on the floor (perfect height), and I was able to stand & sew. I finally made Cindy's 3rd wallet. I got the size right this time, but I'm a little worried about the metal snaps. There may end up being a wallet #4. I also found 3 adorable floral print fat quarters on sale at JoAnn's last week. So I whipped up a new purse for myself. I call it the "unstructured bag." It resembles a tote bag that you'd use for shopping, but it has an outside pocket as well as 2 inside. I also added a clip for my keys so they don't disappear at the bottom. I call it unstructured since I didn't use any interfacing for stiffness. It's so cute. As soon as I can find a USB adaptor for my camera & new computer I'll start posting pics again. Although I think I only have one reader these days, so Mama Brann, I'll post those pics soon! Thanks for reading!

Not So Bad After All

2009-05-24T09:20:00.003-04:00

So it may not be 90 degrees this weekend, but I'm home. And I like it that way. Yesterday I finished a really good book called "Good In Bed" by Jennifer Weiner, while the kids played outside. It should be a little warmer today. I'm sending the kids out now because they drive me crazy if I keep them in. Bobby's on his way home with my D&D coffee with the free Turbo Shot! I think I'll get some yardwork done & then we're grilling tonight.
Aaaahhhh. This is how I like it.

90 Degrees and Working

2009-05-21T21:13:00.003-04:00

The last time I had to work during the summer was when I was pregnant with Emma, 7 years ago. I am so not used to having 90 degree temps and spending the day away from my kids. I already miss reading my books on the swing in the back yard. I miss watching the kids using their imaginations to play around the yard. I miss walking to the library and searching the frog pond for tadpoles. I miss being able to take off for the beach whenever we want.

It's ok, though. I know deep down that what I am doing now is best for my family. And when all else fails, we still have the weekends!

And I hope that as they grow up they realize that their mom, as much as she wanted to be there for them all the time, did what she had to do to give them the best life possible. And I hope that they know how much she loves them.

Just Me

2009-05-15T22:01:00.003-04:00

I'm sitting here alone and I love it. It's quiet, the kids are asleep, Bobby's at work, the lights are low, I have a glass of wine (second one), and I can sit here in silence enjoying my home and myself. For the first time ever I feel like I have a home that is all mine (ours). I come home from work and I don't want to leave. I look around knowing that everything here is here because I want it to be here. I am here because I want to be here. I truly am liking my life the way it is right now and there isn't much else that I could ask for.

Home at Last

2009-04-14T13:01:00.002-04:00

We have been in our new house for just over 3 weeks now & it feels so good.
It's nice to come home knowing that it's our stuff, in our house. We did the work, we chose the paint, we put in new lights. It's ours & we love it.
Home, Sweet Home indeed!

A New Life Ahead

2009-03-13T19:14:00.002-04:00

My family is currently in the process of getting a new home. We have been staying with Gramma & Pa for almost 7 months now & it's time to move on. We luckily have some of the most amazing friends. My best friend's parents have a small 2 BR home that we will be renting. It's very cozy. The only downsides are that the kids have to share a room & there's only 1 bathroom. However this is the first time we are able to paint the walls the way we want and put in flooring of our choice. It's set away from the street and has a quaint back yard for the kids. Plus it's right next to Erin's parents, so we'll hopefully get to see a lot more of Erin & her family. We're very excited, and tired & sore. We spent today working on paint & flooring and have more of the same all weekend. It's a lot of work but will be so worth it when we move in, hopefully next weekend. Wish us luck!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-02T12:55:00.003-05:00

Well, it's 2009. I can't believe that 2008 went by as fast as it did. Crazy!
I'm still working full-time, and Bobby is working as close to full-time as possible. He was made a permanent full-time employee 2 weeks ago (at Target) and is still hoping that a management job comes avaliable soon. Emma still loves school and Jake enjoys being home with Daddy every day. They have their own routine and it works for them.
So what will this year bring for us? I really have no idea. I'm hoping that Bobby gets into management. That would help us tremendously in looking for a new place to live. We're hoping that by the end of the school year in June we'll be more able to find a new home and give my parents & sister their space back. It hasn't been easy on any of us, but it's working for now. I' m also hoping to get a lot more sewing done and start selling more bags & purses. Anything I can do on the side to add to our income helps.
So that's about it. Here's to a much more successful 2009!

Happy Holiday Season!

2008-11-29T16:35:00.003-05:00

Hello there!

I hope you all had a very nice Thanksgiving this year. We had a wonderful day at my friends Erin & Dan's house. There were around 20 of us there, and since she doesn't have any siblings I was her surrogate sister. She has a great family & the kids all get along so well. It was just like being at home. I hope we continue this new tradition in the future!

Well, now that Bobby's working at Target we've been doing our Christmas shopping. The kids want everything they see on TV and I want to buy them everything that I think is cute or cool. Unfortunately we don't usually see eye to eye. I guess we'll all just have to wait & see what Santa ends up bringing.

So I hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday season. Eventually I'll get some pictures on here. Emma lost her first tooth last weekend and another is loose now. I need to get some of her funny tooth pics on.

Ok, off to Beer Fest!

Off to NJ!

2008-11-06T13:01:00.002-05:00

Well, we're heading to NJ for a whirlwind weekend trip to visit Bobby's Pop Pop as he has been sick. We'll be leaving after lunch tomorrow (Friday) & returning Monday. We'll be tired & cranky, I'm sure, but it needs to be done.

And I've been trying to get sewing lately. I made the top to a queen-sized quilt for Bobby & myself, as well as a new purse for Michelle, and a few others that I've started. I also know a few babies who will be born in the next 7 months, so I need to get cracking on some gifts.

Anyway, that's all for now. Bye!

Happy Halloween!!

2008-10-31T08:26:00.002-04:00

Just wanted to say hello to all my fellow bloggers & Happy Halloween to those of you who "celebrate."

I need to get on here more often, but work has been getting in the way. Bobby starts his new job next week & I've been working on a few projects on the weekends to hopefully make some money at craft fairs this year.

Emma has her first loose tooth, so we're very excited about that. It won't fall out in time for her to be a jack o'lantern for Halloween, but I'll try to post a picture as soon as it comes out.

Well, I really should clock in here at work if I want to get paid. Have a great weekend!

Happy Birthday, Little Man!

2008-09-28T13:53:00.004-04:00

Today is Jakey's 4th birthday!!!! I just can't believe he's already 4. He got lots of Monster Trucks this morning and now we're waiting for cake & ice cream at Ma & Bumpa's house. Here's a pic of his Pumpkin Patch Cake. And here's 2 more of Jake & Emma this morning.

And here's a pic of all of us on Emma's first day of school almost a month ago.

Major Changes

2008-09-16T12:48:00.003-04:00

Hey there everyone!

I know I've been MIA for over a month now, but a lot has been happening around here. Within the past 3 weeks I started working full-time again, Emma started Kindergarten, we moved in with my parents, and Bobby is now staying at home with the kids for the time being.
I'm back at my old job at Village Candle® in Topsham, ME. Before Emma was born I worked there as a customer service rep, but quit to stay home with Emma. I was offered my job back in August and decided that it was time to start working again. I really like my job, I just wish I had more time for all the things I'm used to doing on a regular basis.

Emma is loving Kindergarten! She has the same teacher that I had (as well as my younger brother & sister). Mrs. Scala is wonderful!

Jake & Bobby are having fun hanging out together at home every morning. They bike ride with Emma to & from school and then they all spend the afternoon doing things around the house. This is definitely a good change for everyone.

So that's about it in a nutshell. I hope you all are doing well out there in blog-land. I'll try to post on a more consistent basis again, but I can't guarantee any pictures for a while. Have a great day!

Wedding Pics

2008-08-11T08:16:00.005-04:00

Sheri got married! Friday afternoon/evening we celebrated her marriage to Will, in the usual style of course. It was a lovely ceremony and the reception was fun, full of laughter & tears. Here are some of the pics. Bobby and I coordinated in our outfits (of course) & I think we looked pretty sassy together. He's so cute!

And then there's me and the girls. I love weddings & dance recitals because those are the only times we are all together to pose for pictures. Unfortunately there are no more weddings to be had for the 6 of us. But there will be more recitals.
Oh, and I made this really cute clutch purse on Friday morning to go with my new dress (I bought the dress, by the way). I think I have another new style to work on for the website, if I ever get around to starting it. Thanks so much for looking!

Happy August!

2008-08-01T08:40:00.002-04:00

Yay! 3 weeks til my birthday! (hint hint)

Things are a little crazy & stressful around here right now. Not sure how the rest of the month and the rest of the year will pan out for us. I won't go into details right now, but could those of who are reading this please keep us in your thoughts? Hopefully we'll be ok very soon. Thanks!

It's been a little rainy & cool here for the past couple days. It's so damp & sticky. I just wish the sun would stay out all day & then we could have a few showers at night. I hate keeping the kids inside. Of course, they'd rather be playing in the puddles anyway..... I'll have to get some pictures of that.

Summer Yum!

2008-07-30T08:34:00.004-04:00

This has been the summer of fresh produce for us. Working for my aunt Cathy has proven very beneficial to our health. First we had lots of yummy strawberries. Now her farm is producing an amazing array of vegetables. I've been working at the Farmers' Market in Bowdoinham for her for the past few weekends and I took these pics of the perfect salad ingredients. Mmmmm..... good!

Also, last week we had some rain which provided us with a lot of raspberries right in our front yard. Yes, in the middle of Bath we have raspberries. These particular berries only made it as far as my cereal bowl & the kids' mouths.

And I just couldn't resist taking this picture last Thursday. This is our "Beer Can Chicken." There is actually a can of beer up its you-know-what. I coated the chicken with olive oil & a garlic-rosemary seasoning, then baked it for almost 2 hours. It was delicious & so moist, albeit a little funny to look at in the oven. Man I love food!

Thanks, BriTT!

2008-07-23T19:08:00.002-04:00

AWW! Thanks, BriTT, for the awesome nomination! I love your scraPPing style and aLL your beautiful pics.

BriTT nominated me on her blog for this cute liTTle award. Like her, I check many blogs and fEEL like I know so many of you, even though we have never personaLLy met. It's nice to know that I have friends out there aLL over the world! (note the BriTT-style typing in this post!)

Hot Summer Days

2008-07-21T20:27:00.006-04:00

Aahhh, we finally made it to the beach as a family last Thursday. Bobby & I went to Fort Popham while the kids were at camp last weekend, but taking the kids is so much more fun. We went to Reid State Park in Georgetown, which is very kid friendly. We walked on the rocks & checked out tide pools for crabs & periwinkles. Then we hung out on the main beach for some wave action & frisbee. Unfortunately Hurricane Bertha made it difficult to enjoy the ocean that day. The rip tides were unreal & the lifeguards said the swells were unusually unpredictable. In fact 14 people had to be rescued from Old Orchard Beach about 45 minutes south of us. So after lunch, and a little more tide pool searching, we headed for the lagoon for some swimming. All in all, we had such a fabulous day. The kids were so good! (And the lifeguards gave me something extra to look at! LOL!)Also, it's lily season in the garden. All the neighbors have lilies too. It's like a little lily-fest around here. Unfortunately, I think that's the last of our flowers in the garden this year. I didn't plant anything as I wanted to see what was already there. Now I know & I'll be more prepared for next year.

Maine Summer

2008-07-07T09:08:00.003-04:00

Wow, 3 posts in one morning! I must be on a roll, or perhaps I should say I'm on a biscuit, just like these yummy strawberries.

As many of you know, my aunt Cathy owns Fairwinds Farm with her friend Pete, in Topsham. In Bowdoinham they have several acres of lush vegetable & berry fields. For the past 2 weeks I have been working for them at the strawberry fields. No, I do not pick them, at least not for money. My job is to welcome customers, tell them where to pick, then weigh their berries & take their money. Luckily, at $1.25 a pound, this is always a pleasant experience. I do get to pick berries for myself, however. Or should I say, I pick them for Emma. She has eaten her weight in strawberries lately. Jake likes them too, but not quite as much.

Yesterday, when I got home, I prepared about 9 quarts of berries for Strawberry Shortcake & my future attempt at making jam. The Shortcake was delicious as our dessert last night. Now I need to freeze the rest for a not-so-humid, less-than-ninety-degree day. I don't foresee that happening in the near future. Maybe this fall.... by then I'll be able to make Pumpkin Pie to go along with it!

#2 Is Two-Wheelin'

2008-07-07T08:25:00.004-04:00

Well, we finally convinced Jake that he no longer needed training wheels on his bike. Last Monday I noticed that he rarely had either training wheel on the ground, thanks to the fact that they had bent upwards. I couldn't believe it when he actually agreed to let me take them off!

He got right on that bike and started riding it across the lawn. In no time he was taking off all by himself. Now we can't get him to stop riding. I guess 2008 is now officially the year of NO training wheels!

Wedding Purse

2008-07-07T08:22:00.002-04:00

Here's the little purse & matching wallet I made for attending Hannah's wedding last month. Of course, the camera battery died right before we left the house, so we have no pictures of how cute Bobby & I looked together that day. Maybe Hannah has one she can email me........

Sorry,

2008-06-29T11:45:00.003-04:00

I didn't realize that I hadn't posted in over 2 weeks. I haven't been sewing much, except for a purse & wallet for myself to go to a wedding last weekend. But alas, my camera battery is dead again, so no pics today.
I worked 4 days this past week at my aunt's strawberry field, about 25 hours. I'm having a really great time working there & meeting some great people. I've also seen some old friends that I haven't seen in a few years. And I've eaten way too many strawberries! Only 2 weeks left of the strawberrry season & then it's back to the old routine.
Well, I guess that's about all for today. There really hasn't been anything else exciting going on around here lately. I'll be back again soon, hopefully with some new completed projects.

Finally, Pictures of Purses

2008-06-11T16:04:00.008-04:00

Yay! I had a spare battery in my camera case & didn't know it. I charged it & was finally able to take more pics & upload them all to my computer. So here are some of the recent purses I have made. These first three are available for purchase. I am using the following email address temporarily as a business email: MissieLindOriginals@yahoo.com

If you're interested in purchasing, please email me for details. The muted paisley & bird bags both have 8.5 inch openings & a vintage button closure, and the teal/floral bag has a 6.5 inch opening with no button.

These next 2 are gifts for friends.

And these last 2 were special orders. The teal one has a zipper closure....

So that's all I have for now. I have a few other in the works but you'll have to wait til another day for those. Thanks for looking!

Ugh...

2008-06-08T07:56:00.004-04:00

I have to yet to buy a new camera battery, so please bear with me while I post with no pictures. Especially since I have some purses to show you & no way to get them on this dang computer.
So, what can I blog about?
My mom & I had a yard sale yesterday. We didn't make out too badly, but we still have a lot of stuff to sell, so looks like next weekend I'll be running the show at my house with a few of my neighbors.
Ooh! I have a new favorite dessert! My cousin, Cally, introduced me to a new place on Maine Street in Brunswick called "The Gelato Fiasco." Mmmmm..... So Delish! I tried a few flavors before deciding on the Brownie Batter flavor. All you need is the "treat" size, as it is so rich & chocolatey. I have found a new guilty pleasure. Thanks, Cal! Next time I'll get a combo of a few flavors. I'm really anxious to try the Cake Batter flavor. And the S'Mores flavor. And the Dulce Leche. And the Mint Chocolate Chip. Aahhh, looks like I'll be spending some money & getting really chubby this summer. Plus they have a corner with big soft arm chairs where I can sit & read or crochet while enjoying yummy gelato & coffee. They're open from like 7:30am til almost midnight. Who wants to watch the kids while I take a little break today?

It's Official, I Think

2008-06-03T08:09:00.007-04:00

Thank you so much to all of you for your input on my business name. I'm quite sure (as of 8:33 am Tuesday morning) that it will be: Dum da da dum! Drum roll please.........

MISSIE LIND ORIGINALS

Yay! I think this is the one I've personally been leaning toward all along. I know that many of you liked Grace Robert Designs, but I found a Robert Grace Designs on Google & wasn't crazy about possibly being confused with him.

So now comes the really hard part- starting the business. I have some work to do, both on the business end & also on the sewing end. But I'll get there. Just keep your eyes on the lookout for me. And yay! I have a new printer! Thanks, Grammy! Now I can actually print business-related "stuff."

Oh, and I'd love to post a few new bags, but my camera battery died, so that'll have to wait. I will leave you with these 2 pics of my mom's new purse. It was her Mother's Day gift (even though she bought her own fabric). She has a cute fold-over bag that I made her for Christmas, but this is her new Spring/Summer purse. I can't wait to start on the Betty Boop Christmas purse, Mom!

I Need A Home

2008-05-29T08:00:00.003-04:00

Haha! Just kidding! Did I get ya that time, Jenn?

Anyway, I still need input on the business name, please! It's between "Grace Robert Designs" (which sounds a little more classy and Old Hollywood to me), and "Missie Lind Originals" (which, according to Jenni in OR, sounds more trendy & funky).

Which one do YOU like better?

I Need A Name

2008-05-24T07:45:00.002-04:00

Ok, here's the scoop. I'm seriously considering starting an online website/store to sell my bags. I've had a great offer to have someone design & host a site for me, but I need a business name. So here are a few of my ideas: Missie Lind Originals; Dancing Mom Designs; Grace Robert Designs (those of you who know me personally should know where that one came from). Ok, so that's just a few, but I will take any input that anyone out there has. Please let me know through comments on this post if any of those stand out to you, or if you have another idea (serious ideas only, please). I just need a little kick in the butt to get this going. I never thought that coming up with a business name could be so difficult! Thanks in advance!

Three In Three

2008-05-20T07:55:00.004-04:00

Three bags in three hours, that is.

Jenn called me at 10:30am yesterday to see if I remembered to do teacher gifts for Emma & Margaret's dance teachers. Oops! That one slipped my mind! Yesterday was the last class of the year, so I knew I had to do something. So here's what I came up with.

This is my cute little gathered pouch design. I reconfigured the dimensions so it's not quite so much like a chef's hat (the kids like to wear the one I made on Saturday). They're a little smaller, but so much cuter! I started these at 11:30 & was done by 2:30. Whew!

So Miss Cheryl, Miss Rhiannon & Miss Vicki (bags left to right) all got new bags from Emma for their end-of-the-year gifts. Hope they like them!

Hannah's Tote & Another Design

2008-05-19T08:34:00.006-04:00

My good friend Hannah is getting married next month. After she saw Sheri's tote bag she decided that she also wanted one. So here it is! Her shower was on Saturday so of course she already has it in hand. This bag has side & bottom gussets as well as a gusseted top for the zipper.

Also, on Saturday morning I had a brainstorm to do a gathered pouch-style bag. Here is my proto-type (or "my bag"). It's reversible, but I think it needs a button closure. And I already have an order for one (with a zipper)! Thanks, Sheri! I'll get it to you ASAP!

Oh, and here's the newest surprise in the garden! Since we moved here in July, we weren't sure what kind of surprises the garden would have for us this spring. The azaleas have been beautiful, but I am loving the deep purple irises! They remind me of my mom's garden, which, by the way, has yet to bloom anything other than her Lilies of the Valley.

I Like Pink

2008-05-16T08:36:00.002-04:00

but not when it's followed by the word "eye." Sheesh. When it rains it pours around here. Emma got pink-eye Sunday night, then Bobby got it on Tuesday, then Jake got it Wednesday. So far so good for me (knock on wood!). Emma's is now gone, Jake's is getting better, and I think Bobby's feeling a little better too. Of course, now at least one of our neighbors has it too. Oops! I feel really bad about that, but she says she's fine. Crazy spring!

What's the True Meaning of Mother's Day?

2008-05-12T08:26:00.003-04:00

Spending time with your kids, right? Yeah, I don't think so. Not if that means spending time over the toilet and/or buckets. But that's how Jake & I spent much of Mother's Day. It started just before midnight Saturday night/Sunday morning, and didn't end til around lunchtime. Oh well, at least we got to snuggle on the couch, even if we were both slightly green and trying to sleep. By the afternoon we were well enough to go outside & get some fresh air & sunshine, & then I was able to do a little shopping after all, although I didn't get much for myself. For the most part, though, the kids were fine all day and that's all I can ask for (Oh wait! Emma spent the whole afternoon with Gramma! No wonder she was fine, she wasn't even here!)

New Bags of the Week

2008-05-10T08:12:00.005-04:00

Last weekend I was able to sit and sew while it rained like crazy outside. My very good friend Susie (aka Pookie, or Auntie Pookie to the kids) has 2 daughters in dance classes (they're almost 11 and 14). They desperately needed/wanted new dance bags, so they picked out the fabric and I made these cute and personalized bags for them. (Surprisingly, the one with Elmo belongs to the 14 year old!)

I also had some inspiration for a new bag style. So I went at it and just cut & sewed some fabric and this lovely little blue & green bag is the result. I am now in love with this bag, and with the style. It actually is very quick to put together, but the appliques & satin stitching are what took me the longest. I don't know, I think I may have a new "signature bag." What do you think? (Oh, and the little matching book next to the bag is my coveted sketch & idea book.)

April Showers Brought.....

2008-05-10T08:00:00.002-04:00

May Azaleas!

And green leaves on the trees! This is my most favorite time of the year. I love the look of fresh, new nature in all its glory. The trees are green. The flowers are blooming. The world seems colorful again. We've been very lucky to have already had a few days in the 70s & several in the 60s. We spend so much time outside now that it's really hard to keep the kids in when it's chilly and/or raining. Although the rainy days are good for sewing!

We have even had several visitors this week in the form of hummingbirds, an osprey, a groundhog, many fat bumblebees, and our usual array of chickadees, cardinals & bluejays. Whoever thought moving to the middle of the city would also find us in the middle of so much nature?

Sophie's Books

2008-05-03T08:18:00.003-04:00

I have discovered yet another fabulous author. Sophie Kinsella has an amazing writing style and wonderful story lines. I just finished 2 of her books, "The Undomestic Goddess" and "Can You Keep a Secret." Next I'm going to check out her "Shopaholic" series. I can't wait til Monday to get to the library! I've added her link to the sidebar, so if you're looking for someone new to read be sure to check her out!

Rain, Rain.....

2008-04-29T10:26:00.002-04:00

Go Away. Come again at nighttime only!
Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the rain at all. Especially this time of year when the flowers need it. I just wish it would rain at night & be sunny during the day. After weeks of nice weather & playing outside every day, the kids are now forced to be cooped up inside. Maybe I'll let them splash in the puddles later today, like before bathtime. Maybe. If they're lucky. Or if I go crazy enough. Yep, I'm pretty sure it will happen.

Sheri's Tote

2008-04-27T08:15:00.004-04:00

I did my first ZIPPER! Woohoo! It really wasn't that hard. Deni helped me figure out how to do it with the lining in the bag and I think it turned out pretty well. Sheri seemed to be ok with it. I made her this huge tote bag as a bridal shower gift.

I hope you really like it and are able to use it, Sheri!

Well, we're finally expecting some rain this week, so looks like we'll be inside a lot more. I have a lot of cleaning to do & a lot more sewing. I guess I'll be busy getting back to the normal routine. Boy, I can't wait for summer!

She's Two-Wheelin'!

2008-04-25T16:45:00.006-04:00

After 2 years on training wheels, we took them off Emma's bike this past Sunday and she started riding instantly. It took a couple days for her to perfect the art of taking off, but she's got it now and there's no stopping her! Jake will probably be without his training wheels in a few months, if we can just get him off the tricycle and on his bike more often. (Yes, that's gum across his face in this picture!)

It has been such a gorgeous week here that we've been outside every day, nearly all day long. We've had barbecues with the neighbors and the kids have been to the playground twice. But alas, all good things must come to an end. It's cooling off as I write this & we're expecting rain showers by Monday. Hopefully the sun will last through the weekend so the azaleas will bloom. Spring has definitely arrived & summer is just around the corner. Now if I can just figure out how to make myself some new shorts.....

A Little Home Decor

2008-04-19T08:07:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was an absloutely picture-perfect day. We headed outside around 9:30 & didn't come in til bathtime. Of course, being outside means that I don't get much done in the way of housework, or sewing, or scrapping. But..... I did find a great project that required me to be outside.

I've had these oak wood picture frames for some time, but I just don't like the wood anymore. I also have a nice blank wall along the stairs and outside our bedroom door. So... I decided to paint the frames some funky colors & put something funky in each of them. I've been saving an old calendar of Paris, so 2 of my favorite pics went into the matted frames. Then I put some of my favorite fabric in the other 3 frames & arranged them on the wall (a little wonky, but I like it). As I find more frames to paint I'll be adding them to the collection.

Hmmm...... what can I do today?

Poor Jakey...

2008-04-15T13:00:00.005-04:00

He's just not feeling himself today. I think he may have a touch of what I had last weekend. Yuck! Poor little man. It's not often that he heads for his own bed at 12:30 in the afternoon & falls asleep. He's so cute when he's sleeping though. And he needs it.

Of course, little Miss Model had to have her picture taken too.

Oh, and behind Jake's head you may be able to see the quick little pillow case I whipped up this morning. He has a flannel travel-size pillow that's just plaid. So I finally got to use some "Lightning McQueen" fabric I've had for a while. So cute!

I Scrapped!

2008-04-12T08:32:00.004-04:00

For the first time in weeks (months, maybe) I pulled out the old scrapping supplies yesterday. Since neither of my printers are working I couldn't print recent pics, so I went through some old ones & found these great black & whites from my trip to Fort Collins, Colorado back in 2000.

I went there in November that year to visit Pam & her now husband, Rob. I was there for 4 days & had a great time. We tried to go sledding in the foothills. We hung out in Denver for a day. My favorite day was when Pam & I went shopping in Boulder. What a fabulous little city! I know I'm missing several pictures of this trip (all in color). Maybe I never developed them, I don't know. But at least I have these pics of that great trip. The next time I visit Pam & Rob (and now Mom Brann too!), I'll be sure to go when it's warm!

Warm Weather, Yardwork, New Skirts

2008-04-11T09:56:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was the first truly gorgeous day we've had so far this Spring. We headed outside at 9am & barely came in at all until about 4:30pm. We did some yardwork: mostly raking leaves. Ok, so Bobby did most of it. And Cary helped!

By mid-afternoon the sun was so warm I was able to try out my new skirt, finally! Emma put hers on too & we all walked to Cumby's for Slurpees. So here are the pics of my new wrap skirt (fabric by Tracy Porter at JoAnn's) and Emma's not-so-ruffly skirt.

Here are the links to the patterns, courtesy of Sparkle Power Sew Along:

Wrap Skirt

Emma's Skirt

What am I going to do with this girl?

Oh, and I need to give credit to my personal photographer, Jake. Didn't he do a great job?

Pretty Red Bird

2008-04-09T09:02:00.003-04:00

When sitting in my bed & looking out the window I have a perfect view........ of Route 1. And Cumberland Farms.

So it may not be beautiful right now, but once the leaves are back on the trees most of it is hidden. My one saving grace is that between our complex & Cumby's we have a lovely little marshy/field area. The kids played there last summer & fall when it was dry, and again this winter when it was snow-covered. Right now it's a little wet, but we can now see many birds out there on a daily basis (chickadees, blue jays, robins, sparrows, some crows-eeewww). But my favorite thing to see is the cardinal that hangs out in the maple tree right in front of my window. Here he is, just a little while ago. The picture is blurry because of the screen in my window, but I think you get the idea. He's quite red!

Feeling a Little Better

2008-04-08T14:17:00.002-04:00

Well, I haven't been doing much in the realm of craftiness lately (or in any realm for that matter). After being sick with a nasty stomach bug for the past 4 days, I finally feel like I have some energy back today. The nice weather helps a little too. I hate being sick & lying in bed all day, but that's how it was. I did manage to whip up a wrap skirt yesterday as I began feeling a tad better. Unfortunately it's a little big, so I have few adjustments to make before I post a pic. (I think I must have a lost a little weight over the weekend. yay!). So that's all for today.

Much Better

2008-04-02T14:00:00.003-04:00

After deliberating with my design consultant (Bobby) last night, I decided that the yellow straps just didn't work on this purse. So I took them off & made them to match the rest of the fabric. I had some cording left over from Christmas gifts & attempted to use the "piping" method. It isn't perfect, but it certainly looks a lot better from a design perspective. At least my design team & I think so!

Spring Purse

2008-04-01T17:13:00.002-04:00

Just foolin' around today with some new ideas that have been in my head for a while. Since starting this whole purse endeavor, I have realized that I am more creative than I ever thought possible.

It started with one simple fold-over purse pattern (I would give credit where credit is due, but unfortunately I have no idea where the pattern is now), but now I can look at a picture in a catalog or online & come up with my own variation. I'm actually quite proud of myself for this.

So this purse started as a fat quarter & some scraps this morning, and now it's a really cute handbag with gussets. The flap for closing it buttons on the front where the pocket is. I made it so I can button the pocket and the purse together. I'm just not crazy about the handles, but I'll figure those out better on the next one.

Oh, and just a little clarification for those who are seeing my stars for the first time. I use 18" or 28" tin barn stars, and I Mod-Podge various scrapbook papers on them. Then I embellish them with ribbons & little knick-knacks on the center. Emma & Jake each have a small one in their rooms, and I have my first large one in our entry way, as well as a small one on the wall over the computer. The snowman star that I made for my mom is already hanging over her dining room table! I think it's actually my favorite star so far.

Another Blah Day

2008-03-31T12:19:00.004-04:00

Will Spring ever make it's true appearance here in Maine? I actually do feel somewhat fortunate in that we have less than 2 inches of snow left in our backyard. Mostly it's just frozen mud out there right now. Cary still has close to 3 feet & she's only 30 minutes inland from our house. Yuck! But today is just one of those gray & chilly days. I did hit the gym this morning, & of course, today is library day before dropping Jake off at Gramma & Pa's house so Emma can go to dance class. Other than that, I don't feel like doing much of anything around here. I am allowed a day like that every once in a while, right?

Oh, and I can finally post a pic of a star I made a few weeks back. It was something I sent in a scrapbooking package to one of my Scrappintologist friends on 2Peas. I really hope Britt likes it enough to hang it up!

And I think I'm going to start attempting to make my own clothes. I know, a little weird for me, but I found some gorgeous fabric at JoAnn's that would make a really cool skirt (again, weird for me since I'm not much of a skirt-wearer). I only bought a yard, so I need a little more than that, and a pattern to follow. But it will happen, I promise.

Additional Pics of Kids & Bags

2008-03-28T16:50:00.005-04:00

This post is in addition to the one that I just wrote about the kids' Leapster bags. Of course they had to "model" with their bags when I was done, so here they are - my little muscle man & modeling princess. Boy, are we in trouble when they're teenagers!

Leapster Bags

2008-03-28T16:31:00.006-04:00

Wednesday & yesterday I did a little playing around with some new sizes for my bags. The kids got Leapster game systems for Christmas & I've been planning on making bags to protect them since then. These bags both have frogs on the fabric (for the Leap Frog brand - corny, I know) and I used quilt batting along with the interfacing to make them sturdier & more padded. Jake's bag is a little bigger than necessary, but probably better for him that way. Emma's is little & oh so very cute! (And, yes, that's Emma's Leapster in Jake's bag. He was playing his when I took the pictures!) I have so many new ideas! I can't wait to keep sewing!

Oh, but I did just take some time out to read "Plum Lucky," the last book of the Stephanie Plum series before # 14 comes out in June. I picked it up today at the library, started it around 1:30, and with a few little interruptions I was done at 4pm. Another quick read, but very worthwhile. Another 2 thumbs up to Janet Evanovich! Can't wait til June!

What? No Easter Pictures?

2008-03-25T10:15:00.010-04:00

I can't believe it. I did not take a single picture for Easter this year. What's wrong with me? The Easter Bunny came & left roller skates, a Matchbox showroom, Betty Spaghetty, new clothes, and, yes, even some candy. But did I take a picture? No. Why? I have absolutely no idea. That is so not like me. The camera sat right here by the computer while we enjoyed Easter, but we have no documentation of that joy. Hmmmm. What to do? I guess I have no pictures to scrapbook of Easter 2008 (not that I'm even caught up with Easters 2006 & 2007). So I just took 2 pictures of Emma & Jake in their oh-so-natural, loving-eachother poses (yeah, right). And this is what happens when I tell Jake to not be so "cheesy" & just smile (he loses his upper lip for some reason). So they may not be Easter pictures, but they're 2-days-after-Easter pictures, and I guess that's good enough for 2008.

Spring Purse

2008-03-20T10:29:00.002-04:00

Last night I designed a new purse! I used a very colorful & springy fabric that I bought a while back at JoAnn's. It has one strap made from gros-grain ribbon & webbing, and a double pocket on the front. Also, instead of folding it over to close it, I made a button hole (for the first time, yay!), and also one on the front pocket. I am loving this!

Goodies Up Close

2008-03-19T14:20:00.003-04:00

Just For You, Kara! (Oops, I think I forgot to add the flower punch in there!)