New Blog?

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!

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

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!

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

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

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...

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....

She's 7

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.

Goals

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!

Home-made Kahlua

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

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....

Crazy Weather

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.

What Am I Working On?

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

'Tis The Season

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

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

Saturday

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

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

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

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?

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

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.