A challenge for myself to make one new zipper pouch each week in 2022. Some will be old patterns I’ve made before, some will just be an excuse to use favorite fabrics. But some will be ideas that have been floating around in my head or sitting in sketchbooks for week, months, or even years. This will get the ideas out of my head and into the world. Follow along on Instagram to see what comes up!
A year of craft
2020 is my year of craft.
Not for an Etsy shop, not for sale at craft shows, just for fun.
After the birth of my third child I went through a bit of a grey period. For a few months, I had no motivation to do or make anything, no interest in much at all. I call it a grey period because it was not all dark, I was generally happy - hanging out with friends, vacations, smiles, and laughter. If you hung out with me during this period you wouldn’t have known at all. Honestly, I didn’t really know until the clouds started to clear a few months later and I realized that I was feeling better. I know many women struggle in big ways but I think it’s important to know that postpartum trouble can occur on many different levels. It’s not just sunshine and rainbows or doom and gloom, there is a lot of time spent in between and that’s ok.
On a happier note, I spent last year taking better care of myself. New clothes, a haircut, lost a little weight, and most importantly made some time for myself, my work, and my hobbies. This year I want to keep the creative spark going because that is truly something that makes me happy. I’ve worked in the fabric and sewing industry for over 13 years but I’ve never felt successful because I’ve never really been able to make my side hustle a real business. I’ve come to accept that I’m probably never going to have a 6 figure Etsy shop or make thousands of dollars every weekend at amazing craft shows. You might never be able to swipe up on my Instagram stories and that’s ok. I work part-time from home so I can be with my kids and I’ve started to realize the work that I do for the women I work for is important and I’m good at it. I am allowed to have my hobbies just for fun. As I recently read, it’s ok to not monetize your joy.
So this year I am going to dabble in all the areas of craft that I love and maybe a few new ones too. Will this last a month or a year? I don’t know, but I’m excited to find out.
Thinking out loud
Feeling like I am finally getting a bit of a routine back after having baby #3. I think my creative mojo is returning and I might be able to get back into the sewing room soon.
I'm reading more books lately, I don't think I finished a single book in the last few months of 2017. But I've been much better about putting down my phone and picking up my books instead. I finished Truly Madly Guilty, I love her books and it kept me hooked until the end, and The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F*ck, this is a quick read and pretty funny, full of good reminders to stop caring so much about what everyone else thinks.
I'm Making plans for a Cleo skirt for an upcoming wedding and I have ideas for a few Kalle tunics, I just need to find the perfect fabrics first.
Enjoying the weather again as spring has finally arrived in Ohio after a few surprise snow showers. I go into full hibernation mode in the winter so I'm happy to be emerging.
Watching the entries roll in for the recent DMC contest has me laughing and so proud of the maker community coming together against these big corporations. Read more by Abby Glassenberg here.
Following along as #MeMadeMay18 starts today, although I don't have enough handmade pieces to participate all month long, I love seeing all of the inspiration on Instagram. I will join in as I can but I will be stalking that hashtag all month long.
My year of buying less
I feel like this experiment is almost a little cliche since I've heard so many people talk about it and write about it over the past few years. Nevertheless I decided to try it this year and make a few simple rules for myself.
My goal - Buy less stuff, of course. At the top of my list is clothing, after reading about the world of fast fashion I have decided that I want my wardrobe choices to be intentional and not a mindless stream of purchasing Target t-shirts.
My rules:
-No new clothing for myself - I can purchase fabric and sewing patterns to make my own clothes and I can purchase clothing second hand.
-No new jewelry, purses, shoes or accessories - Same rules as above
-Kids clothes - I am lucky to receive a lot of hand me downs from friends and family so, even with three kids, this category doesn't usually include a lot of spending on my part. When I do purchase clothes I get almost everything at second hand stores with the exception of a new pair of sneakers and new leggings at the beginning of the school year. Those two items don't really make it to the hand me down stage so we usually buy new.
-I can buy gifts for people and craft/sewing supplies.
I know I won't be perfect, there are sure to be a few circumstances where I need something last minute or have a special event pop up. Even if I'm not perfect, I can easily make a dent in my disposable wardrobe and become more intentional when I buy.
My 2018 Word
Choosing a word for your year was a new concept to me in 2017, I heard a few bloggers and podcasts talk about it early in the year and it peaked my interest so as we start 2018 I decided to give it a try.
I went back and forth between many words that seem to be popular as people plan their resolutions - healthy, organized, fit, calm, and the list goes on. I have a long list of resolutions and bucket list items for the year and I was having a hard time thinking of one word that would incorporate all I wanted to work on. As I was scrolling on Instagram recently I spotted someone's word that resonated with me and my plans for the year.
The word was "ME."
At first I struggled with this choice, it seemed selfish and self-serving. As a mom of three kids, a wife, sister, friend, and co-worker I rarely find time to "treat yo-self" much less dedicate time to just me. I spend my days cooking, doing laundry, wiping bottoms, wiping tears, cleaning up toys, and answering emails among other duties - I don't usually have tons of me time during the day. But as I looked at my list of resolutions more, I realized that many of the items on my list centered around improving myself. Nobody wants a mother/spouse/friend/employee that is not happy, choosing the word "ME" will ultimately have far reaching benefits beyond myself.
A few of my resolutions include:
- Find my exercise - I am done having kids and I'm creeping towards 35 years old, it's time I find a workout that I love. I'm not promising to run a marathon or climb a mountain this year but I want to find an activity that I will enjoy.
- More creative time - I want to sew more garments, write a few sewing patterns and submit articles and projects to magazines and blogs. I need to spend a lot of time creating in order to accomplish these goals.
- Mental Health - practicing gratitude, tracking my goals, and meditation - actively working on improving my mental health will have endless benefits throughout my life.
There are a lot of small resolutions inside these big areas but 2018 will be a year of working on me in many ways.
5 years old
How is that possible?
I recently read the post I wrote last year. Honestly, I write so infrequently that I forgot that I posted it. It almost brought me to tears and it's only been a year. Reading that when you are going to college will turn me into a crying mess.
So I guess I should try it again (and maybe go back and do it for your sister?)
At 5...
You are still amazing, no surprise there.
You still wear your glasses and you patch 2 hours a day. I've been trying really hard to hit our goal so that your eyesight gets to where it needs to be to have your eye surgery so all of this can be behind us. I know it's annoying but you're a pretty good sport about it.
Two years of pre-school are behind you and you are about to start Kindergarten. You are most excited about: making new friends, riding the bus, and learning how to read. I am terrified that someone is going to be mean to you on the bus or that you won't have someone to sit with, with all the worries in the world I guess I am lucky that these are mine.
You and your sister are playing more and more together. As she learns to talk more you have your own way of playing where you ask her questions you know she can answer. It's hard to describe but incredible to watch. You hold hands, giggle, play and fight like true sisters and I love watching your relationship grow.
You love fashion, you are much fancier than I am. You love to pick out your outfits, you often change multiple times during the day and you are confident in your likes and dislikes. While packing for a recent trip you asked to approve the outfits I picked for you - you changed a few of them. We got a giant bag of hand me down clothes from a friend and you went through them and vetoed a few items. I wish I had your confidence, I hope it lasts a long time, I wish I knew how to make sure it didn't get washed away by worrying about what other people think.
You still love books and crafting. Your drawings are starting to look like real things and you amaze me with the ideas you come up with.
You make me laugh every day, you also make me want to pull my hair out many days. But the laughs far out number the frustration and I can't ask for anything more than that.
I love you more each day and I know I will be a crying mess in two weeks when I put you on a school bus for the first time.
Love, Mommy
New booth display
I've been playing around with a new layout for my craft show table. Since returning to Ohio I'm ready to get back into craft shows and I know my holiday season will be busy and I'm looking forward to it! A few new, and exciting products coming to a show near you!
New backpacks coming soon!
New products are always exciting for me, I love the process of testing sizes and fabric types to get the perfect mix to create something special. My daughters are great test models for the kids products too, they love being involved.
This little backpack is great for kids about age 2 - 6 years old. It is convertible from a backpack to a regular purse with a simple pull of the strap.
We took a few backpacks for a test drive recently and I can't wait to get them added to my Etsy shop soon!
Super Easy, crafty, cash envelope system for money management
We've done the Dave Ramsey envelope system off and on for years. Now that we're done with big projects on the house and the holidays are over, we're ready to get back on again. I always want cute envelopes or a wallet to keep my cash organized. I usually spend hours on Pinterest and Etsy trying to find the perfect wallet that will work for me and I never find anything. I will keep looking, but for now some pretty envelopes will do the trick.
These are pretty self explanatory but basically I put washi tape around the outside edges and then I stamped the title on the front of each envelope. Sometimes I just need a quick crafty fix to make something like money management and budgeting a little more fun.
It's Fall!
Fall is my favorite time of year and I love spending time outside with my girls. I posted a photo from our pumpkin patch adventure from this afternoon and then pumpkin patch pictures were popping up all over social media, it seemed like everyone enjoyed some fall festivities today.
If you're in the central Connecticut area, check out Fair Weather Acres for a day of fall fun.
Just start...
It's the simplest advice but sometimes it's the hardest to follow. I've had the dream of "doing my own thing" for years. I love to sew, I love interacting with people at craft shows, I love this industry in general and I want to be a part of it.
Life has thrown me a few curve balls lately and I think this is my sign to get my act together and get things started. I've made lists and plans and pinned and I think the only thing left to do is to Just Start. I need to stop planning and start doing!
On the move
It's official, we are moving back to Ohio! My husband and I have both spent most of our lives in Ohio, about 2 years ago we moved to Connecticut for his job and now we are heading back home. I have absolutely loved my time in Connecticut but I am thrilled to have the opportunity to move closer to friends and family. We haven't had a night out without kids in way too long.
All of the details are still up in the air, which is kinda driving me crazy because I just want to get into a new house and get settled before snow and holidays and all of the other end of year craziness. I guess I just have to let go and enjoy the ride over the next few weeks. Meanwhile, you can find me on Pinterest obsessively pinning home decor and craft projects!
Four
Lucy,
Today you turn four and, once again, the cliche is true - it goes so fast, I can't believe how big you are!
At 4 years old...
You are kind, smart, funny, caring, happy, talkative and all around amazing.
You have been wearing glasses for 2.5 years. You still have to wear an eye patch for one hour a day but I forget sometimes (a lot). You never complain about your glasses and you are usually pretty good about agreeing to wear your patch.
You have completed your first year of pre school and you loved it, year two is just around the corner.
We traveled a lot this summer and you were great - climbing mountains, walking the streets of NYC, dozens of hotels, countless hours in the car - you did it all with a great attitude and not too much whining.
You are a great big sister. We had a Lucy/Mommy date to Target the other day and you told me you missed having someone to talk to in the car. Even though we talked almost the whole drive and Ayla only knows about 10 words I love to hear that you like having her around.
For Halloween this year your ideas so far have included - spider, witch, fairy, statue of liberty, butterfly, and of course, princess.
You are getting better at trying different foods. You don't usually like the new foods, but you'll try a bite. You are not too picky but we're still working on those vegetables...
You still wake up at least once or twice most nights. You usually just need a quick trip to the bathroom or a few minutes of back scratching before you fall back asleep. Sometimes I wish I could just sleep, but I know there will be a time when my nights are quiet and I will wish I could still snuggle with you. Whenever your dad is out of town you get to sleep in his spot, I really love our extra cuddle time.
You love making new friends, every time we visit the library or a playground you ask to make friends with the other little kids. You usually just walk up to them and ask them if they want to play, I wish I was that brave sometimes. Most of the time they agree and you are off and running. Every once in a while they say no or some version of it, and it breaks my heart. I know you will face mean girls and bullies in your life but I'm not ready for it and I hate having to teach you about it so early.
You love crafting, you have space at the dining room table but Ayla is getting bigger and climbing on everything so you usually prefer "the high table" in my sewing room where "little hands" can't reach your projects. I told you once this summer that you could be an artist when you grow up and you said "but I already am an artist." I wish I had your confidence, I hope you keep it for a long time.
You love books. We visit the library almost weekly, the librarians know you by name. Earlier this year you checked out your first chapter book and you were very excited and proud. More recently you wanted to try comic books and you really enjoy those too. I can't wait until you learn to read, I think you will love books even more and I'm looking forward to watching that passion grow.
I love you more than words could ever explain. I can't imagine sending you off to Kindergarten in a year but I am looking forward to watching you grow into the amazing little person that you are.
Love, Mommy
32 before 32 - Projects 29 - 32
We made it to the end!
Project #29 - Dream Big! I made a simple freezer paper stencil with my circuit and then filled a spray bottle with bleach and went to town. It really doesn't get much easier than this.
Project #30 - I did this project a while ago, my magazine hoarding is getting out of control!
Project #31 - I offered to make Lucy a purse for her birthday and she said "That's fine but it has to have leather!" I don't know where she comes up with this stuff. I let her pick from my "leather" pieces and I picked an Amy Butler print that I knew she would love. She was thrilled with the results, she has a great time picking out exactly what goes into the purse and I'm having fun recording her choices. See what's #InLucysBag on Instagram.
Project #32 - I found out about this workshop with Nancy Soriano a few weeks ago and it seemed like a lot of fun. I was a little hesitant since it was in Brooklyn and I didn't know anyone but I stepped way out of my comfort zone and drove myself to NYC for a fun night of crafts.
Happy Birthday to me! This project was a great way to force myself to do some of the projects that have been living on my Pinterest board for months or even years. Thanks for joining me!
32 before 32 - Projects 25 - 28
More DIY because I want to.
Project #25 - A super easy crochet bracelet, I had to re-teach myself crochet for this one - thanks YouTube! This took about ten minutes once I remembered crochet and then about 2 minutes to sew on the button. I had all the supplies on hand so this was another quick and easy project. Here is the video I used from Craftaholics Anonymous. Also, this book is so good!
Project #26 - The cutest bucket hat and you can get the pattern for free from one of my favorites Oliver + S!
Project #27 - This project was supposed to be for Ayla since so many of my crafts are for Lucy. But I think Lucy liked it more, Ayla wanted a snack.
Project #28 - I made something for myself! I don't make a lot of garments because you have to be pretty exact and follow patterns, I would rather just do a little improv crafting where I don't have to be so serious. So this project was a good mix, I didn't follow a specific tutorial but Pinterest is full of great t-shirt re-fashions. Amy Butler fabric is my favorite!
32 before 32 - Projects 21 - 24
I hope you're not sick of my DIY projects yet!
Project #21 - Nothing is cuter than baby leggings. That is all.
Project #22 - I also love leggings for big kids. This kid is learning to pose like a pro!
Project #23 - I love how this turned out. I've painted and decoupaged these drawers so many times and it always looked like a pre-school craft project. I finally did the sensible thing - paint it white and add washi tape. A little improvisational crafting can go a long way!
Project #24 - These tents were so easy and the girls absolutely love them. We've spent many afternoons in the backyard playing neighbors. There are tons of variations of these, I used the tutorial from Cakies.
32 before 32 - Projects 17 - 20
And a few more projects...
Project #17 - The water blob, you can't get more exciting than that. We had a little incident with a runaway water blob on vacation. When the tutorials say to make sure your blob is on very flat ground - they are not lying! We had a very slight hill and after about 10 minutes of water flowing into the blob the entire thing rolled down a hill and we had to start all over. It was pretty amusing and the kids had a great time once we had it set up.
Project #18 - Decoupage is awesome, this is another inspiration that came from a photo I saw on Instagram months ago. I covered one of my craft tables in old pattern tissue and I love it. I bought a pattern from the thrift store for 50 cents and got my decoupage on one night. I was pretty quick and easy but you have to be careful not to tear the paper since it's so thin. I love the look of this - more improvisational crafting for the win! Side note - isn't my fat quarter shelf amazing? My husband custom built it for me and I love it oh so much.
Project #19 - Aaand more decoupage. A fun poster, a blank table in the kid's playroom - a match made in crafty heaven. I trimmed down the poster to fit the table and then did a quick coat of Mod Podge on the top and bottom. It was so quick I was done before Ayla had the chance to stick her hands in it!
Project #20 - I love sunflowers and although I've tried numerous times to grow them I have never succeed. Until this year when I took the time to start seeds in a tray, water them, transfer them to the ground, continue to water them, weed a little and continue to water them. It's surprising how much bette plants do when they have water. Apparently I bought the smallest sunflower seeds available because these were tiny BUT I grew flowers! Next year I will buy the big ones. Another side note - I shot this with an iPhone by making my own little macro lens from an old disposable camera - so much fun.
32 before 32 - Projects 13 - 16
Even more DIY!!
Project #13 - Lucy would say "I picked out the fabric and the pompoms so I designed it, but my mom made it." She was pretty excited to pick everything out after I saw a similar skirt on Instagram. I keep telling her she can be an artist when she grows up and she says "mom, I already am an artist!"
Project #14 - The easiest dress, especially since I don't like doing sleeves. T-shirt and fabric, you can't get much easier than that. I didn't really follow much of a tutorial for this, I usually just make it up as I go along. I like to call it improvisational crafting - sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. This time was a success, you can find a tutorial for a similar dress from The Best Dress Ever. And how about the posing - she's getting pretty good.
Project #15 - We had almost our entire house repainted after some crazy water damage from the snow this year. So, after over a year in our house I finally hung up some photos in the dining room. I love gallery walls so I had a great time setting this up. Make sure you plan before you start putting holes in your walls! I used the paper stencil method like Young House Love except I used mostly command strips so we don't have tons of holes when we sell the house some day.
Project #16 - This girl LOVED making a fairy garden. Well, she loved picking out the fairies and the furniture - not so much the actual dirt involved. I planted the garden, she plays with the fairies.
32 before 32 - Projects 9 - 12
More DIY fun...
Project #9 - I love my family photo albums so much. I'm not a professional photographer or an amazing graphic designer so my albums are very simple and not fancy at tall. But I have a record of each year and I really appreciate having these around and Lucy loves looking through them too. This was my forth book including a wedding book and I hope to go back and do a few pre-kid books too. Check out my Instagram to see a short flip through the book!
Project #10 - A super easy bow for Lucy. She doesn't usually like me to put her hair up but having a pretty bow helps persuade her to let me do something fancy. There are dozens of simple bow tutorials all over pinterest, I used this one from Craftaholics Anonymous.
Project #11 - Another easy bow, this one was no-sew. I don't think I really followed a tutorial for this one but I was inspired by a lot of the bows all over pinterest. I just cut a circle of felt and then started glueing rick rack in a circle and then I glued on a vintage button and a clip on the back - easy peasy! This tutorial from The Ribbon Retreat is similar, she sewed the rick rac, I just glued it.
Project #12 - Quilts - I could go on an on about how special quilts are to me, especially baby quilts. Basically, my mom was an amazing quilter and she always made quilts for people for special occasions - going to college, getting married, new babies. She passed away a few years ago and I've since made a few very special baby quilts for a few special babies that have come into my life. This was made for my best friend from high school as she welcomed her first daughter. I loved the colors she picked for the nursery, who doesn't need a little gold polka dot and a few elephants in their lives? I used this free tutorial from Sing All You Want.
32 before 32 - Projects 5 - 8
The next batch of projects from my challenge.
Project #5 - I've wanted to learn more about my camera for a while now. After getting a new lense I wanted an easy way to add some fun and color to my camera strap. I looked through pinterest at about a dozen different tutorial but I wanted something quick and easy so I found some ribbon that was exactly the right size. I topstitched it right on top of the strap I had and it was all done. The ribbon is by Amy Butler from Renaissance Ribbons.
Project #6 - Lucy loved making these wash tape dolls, she decorated them and played with them for at least an hour. She asked if she could make more the next day.
Project #7 - I've had this stamp carving kit for years and I never knew what to do with it. I finally got the motivation to cut into it after starting my project. Drawing is not one of my talents so I made a simple bunting banner.
Project #8 - I made these cards using the stamp and filled in some of the flags with other stamps I had. It's not perfect but I had fun trying something new.