Baby Boys

It seems all the newborn babies I've heard of have been boys.  Three friends, a co-worker, two Etsy orders, and a random woman I happened to chat with who is shortly due, are all with the blue.  Here are the Etsy order gifts - a custom color chenille quilt followed by a pastel blue chenille teddy bear.

Now, I know of two more babies coming due - another co-worker and my sister - neither know what gender the lil tot will be.  My guesses are girl for the co-worker and boy for my sister....

In the meantime, I received another custom request (the teddy was the first I'd gotten! and I was so surprised!) from a guy in Georgia who'd like a large custom chenille quilt and matching pillow shams.  On top of that, the woman who bought my beach tote requested three of the same bag in different fabrics - and she sent me the fabric she wants.  I think I'll be quite busy this weekend!  I'll post some pics when I'm done.  Happy Friday!

Beach Bag and Sundress

It's 27 degrees this Saturday morning and that makes me think of the beach! :-)  We do live close by, but although we still have months to go before beach weather comes around, I am hoping for an early spring.  In anticipation, and because I don't have to feel guilty about staying indoors, I have been sewing alot.  I made a new beach tote that I LOVE.  I want to use it now!  It is reversible and I put a little cell phone pocket on the outside on the floral side.  I decided to post it to Etsy and it already sold. :-0  So my weekend plan is to make two more.  I also did a little navy and white little girl sundress.  Here are the results.  I have alot more to sew this weekend, but also many other things I need to get done.  I'm hoping to have a semi-productive weekend sew-wise.  Remains to be seen! 

One Year.....How Time Flies

It's January and I know I started my blog in January 2009 - so when I looked at my first post - it being one of my 2009 resolutions to start a blog to promote the sewing business - it is dated January 16th.  That means....drum roll please....it is my blog one year birthday!  I re-read that first post and I have managed the time to keep it up as well as read other great blogs.  I managed 93 posts - 93!!  I have really enjoy this side-track to the chaos of my life.  Thank you all for reading and following.  I'm making a new little bag to have as a "One Year Blog Giveaway"...and of course, I didn't think of doing this early enough, so it will shortly be posted.

One of the goals of this blog was to promote the little sewing business my mother and I started back in 2003.  We have so many new ideas for projects.  I'm happy to post a picture of our new little owl pillows.  These guys will be posted in our Etsy shop.  One is a felt body with wings in 'antique-looking' coordinating fabrics, and the other is a chenille body with matching wings in a floral flannel.  We've also made these in some bold cottons in teal and green, and in yellow and pink, and in hot pinks - the nieces love the new additions to their rooms.

Movies: "Twilight" and "Marley & Me"

Both these books helped me reach my measely goal of reading 6 books in 2009.  It's no secret from my other posts that I did not like "Twilight", but I did enjoy "Marley & Me" - it is just a basic 'this is my life' story, but I found it well written and it kept my interest.  I knew I'd end up in tears, and I was right. 

I've always preferred reading the book instead of watching the movie, and most often opt not to bother with the movie, but with these two, I was curious to see how each translated to the big screen.  So upon a lucky trip to the library, both were in!  I quickly grabbed the cases and then went to look to make movie night the trifecta with "Mystic River", but no such luck.

Back at home, neither garnered interest from the hubby, in fact, he looked at me and said "did you actually think I'd want to watch these movies?"  Truth be told, NO I didn't, and that was fine by me, but I has to ask. :-)

I watched "Twilight" first and liked the movie much better than the book.  I thought Kristin Stewart played a good part - better than Rob Pattinson (?) as Edward - too much make-up made his face look strange.  Now I want to see "New Moon", but will trudge through the book first.  uugh.

"Marley & Me" was the next night.  I loved the Jennifer Aniston 'Jenny' and the Owen Wilson 'John' - a great paring.  Eric Dane and Alan Arkin made for great supporting roles.  But Marley - the dog they got was spot-on from the book.  I couldn't stop laughing at the obedience school scene - and hubby reminded me that I shouldn't wake the sleeping child! 

Any others care to chime in on these two?  Or other movie / book combos?

Giveaway Winner: My Handbound Books

I was so excited to find out that I had won the giveaway I entered over on RikRak Studio blog.  The prize?  A weekly planner from My Handbound Books.  Rhonda was most generous with her giveaway and I really needed a 2010 planner.  I'm already filling its pages.  Here are some other great handbound books from her shop: 

.....a weekly journal like the one I won....

....a mixed-paper hardcover field journal....

....and an oak wood covered journal with a sheepskin spine.

It's nice to know that some 'lost arts' are still practiced.  These handbound books are to treasure - Thanks Rhonda!

New Years Day - Full of Optimism

It's a new year - and a new decade - I'm full of optimism that this year will be a good one. Not that past years haven't been good, but I have alot of resolutions and goals as we leave the 2000s behind and enter the 2010s. While swimming in my head, I decided to get some down on 'paper'. So here we go...

1) Pare Down. Why do I have 4 drawers and shelves of sweathers? Do I really need 8 white shirts? And 70+ pairs of shoes? 6 bottles of bubble bath? We live in a smallish house - I should be able to weed-out just like I do in the garden. I can donate or toss. I can shop in my own closet. I can declutter the piles of magazines. I know I can do it!

2) BUDGET. No excuse on this one. I have the template set up, but it doesn't work if it's half-assed filled out. I'm resolving to get the situation clarified and on paper. Along with that, I will organize my investment statements and see where I can combine old 401ks to cut down on the paper. Hubby and I have decided to alot each other $100 cash a month to be spent however we choose. We have each put the cash into an envelope and at the end of the month, before we get our new $100, we'll see where we spent the former month's money. My pink envelope still has the crisp bill intact - he has already started chiseling away at his (but he has a nicotine habit and I do not - this habit is supposed to come from this mad money). Can't wait to see how we do!

3) Promote the Sewing Business. I have so many ideas for new items from stuffed toys, to dresses, to skirts, to quilt designs. The more immediate goal is to get a graphic designer to do our website. Anyone out there know someone who could help us?? PLEASE let me know! I'd like to scratch this off the list early on.

4) Read more books! Continuing with my resolution of two past years, but upping the ante just a teeny bit...I resolve to read 7 books this year. I hit my mark of 5 the first resolution year, and didn't count yet to see if I read 6 in 2009, but I want to read more.

5) Drink Water. I'm resolving to drink down the H20. I think there is some ungodly '8, 8oz. glasses a day' out there, which to me means a whole lot of bathroom time, but I'm sure I can make at least 2 glasses a day.

6) Run a 5K. I'm not a big exerciser, but I will run in the warm months. I'm not talking entering a race, but running the 3.1 miles. If it comes in race form? Great, but I'm not going to seek it out. Longer term, I'm hoping to do a 1/2 marathon by the time I'm 45. I know this has less chance of completion, but why not throw it out there?

What is in store for you this fine first day of a new decade??

(( The adorable dog pick with the fun 2010 Hat is courtesy of "I Lick You" Etsy shop ))