Countdown to Christmas...

So, in the spirit of facebook, here is my current "status" in the countdown to my favorite holiday (besides Easter), Christmas. Most gifts bought, probably shopping today, completed making many gifts, house semi-decorated, Christmas cards ordered (but not sent out), have a custom order to work on and hopefully finish next week, and just sold a ready to ship item today :). Oh and we did our Christmas bake the other day. No pictures, because I of course forgot my family. Maybe if I had a decent camera, I'd remember it more! Another thing is that I should be putting up a few ready to ship pants in the next few days, so someone can buy them in time for me to ship them before I leave. One of them is a pair of red ruffled pants with polka dots in size 6-12 months (above). And they will be on sale as I want to move them quickly!

Also, for your viewing pleasure, our Christmas picture this year. Not ideal, but it turned out pretty good and I am loving Ally's dress (which sounds conceited since I made it, but I do really love it!). Merry Christmas everyone!

A new skirt :)

I made another apron skirt. I love these skirts, and I especially LOVE this fabric! It is by Patty Young. I made these for two special little girls, and I can't wait for them to get them! I also listed them in the shop, and have sold two already. Things have been busy, which is great, but a part of me keeps getting discouraged and thinking the sales will stop. I hope not- I hope things keep going steadily as they have been, as we can really use the extra income!

I have also enjoyed purchasing some gifts on etsy. So excited about these! A certain ebay commercial says "No one wants handmade for the holidays." I find that rude, insulting...and not true! I love handmade things (like last year's "bacon bowl" from my brother Andre) and I think the people I made or bought them for will love them, too.

Maui :)

We had a wonderful time in Maui! I really enjoyed spending both my birthday and Thanksgiving there. Many of you know that I don't really like Thanksgiving...it's not relaxing, and there's too much cooking involved for food that I don't like that much. So, we ate at a Mexican restaurant. Ha! We also snorkeled (great snorkeling in front of our condo- we saw a few sea turtles, many fish, and a baby octopus). We also did the Road to Hana, swam under waterfalls, and drove to the top of the Haleakala crater (a volcano). A lot of fun stuff and good memories. But I really missed my babies. They were happy to see us when we got back! I also managed to sneak in a trip to the fabric store, so you might see some Hawaiian print dresses in the near future...

Almost vacation...

Allison in her new bow from Marie D's bows on etsy.

Odin "helping" me bake pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.

Ally in a lovely outfit from her Grandma G.

Wow, I have been busy! I don't actually have anything new for the shop, but I have been making some dresses and pants for customers. It's really wonderful that I've already made several sales, with a few others here and there expressing interest and/or asking for future custom orders. I am very excited about this, and hoping/praying God will continue to show me if this is what I should be doing. If it's not, I am perfectly content! On Saturday we leave for Hawaii, and I am really excited for a break. I am going to miss the kids a lot, though, especially since we have never left them for more than just a night. But they will be in good hands with my parents! Now, I'll attach a few recent photos as well as my new business card design.

Christmas dress

I made a Christmas dress for Ally, which is also in the shop. It turned out exactly as I envisioned and I got to use some cute Michael Miller Christmas fabric. I also made my first dress sale on etsy, so that was exciting! Another new item is the peasant top, which is also available as a dress. I am wanting to keep everything for Ally, but I need to make some sales, too!

Dresses for sale...

Well, I decided to do it. A lot of people have asked if I sell the clothes I make...at first I was just doing it for fun, but I enjoy it so much I thought I would try to sell some. "Try" being the operative word here. Sometimes I feel I am taking too much on- MOPS, playgroup, writing, my cards, and now sewing. Not to mention raising two kids, being a wife, spending time with God...you get the picture. So is it too much? Not sure. In fact, I might eventually stop doing the cards (except for friends and family who ask) and just focus on other things. To be honest, designing cards is not going well. I suppose I could put more effort into advertising- but who has time for that? This clothing venture might turn out the same way, and I'm ok with that. If God puts the breaks on it, I'll continue sewing just for fun. And all those clothes in my shop? Stuff for Ally and gifts for friends :). I'll stick to my writing though...that is something I feel I really SHOULD be doing, and maybe the other stuff is just for me. As far as playgroup and MOPS, those are important for my sanity and for my kids to make some friends until they begin school. They always have their cousins, of course, but it's good to make other friends too.

Anyway, thanks for listening to my honesty. This is where I am right now. Life is good, and I have learned recently that I don't need to do everything- not supposed to! I should be focusing on whatever God wants me to do. Now, here are some pics of clothes I am planning to sell- the skirt is a personal favorite and will probably remain in Ally's closet :D.

Fire Station Fun

A couple weeks ago we toured a local fire station with our playgroup. Odin LOVED it. Being the wimp he is, I thought he'd be scared of the big trucks, but he wanted turn after turn "riding" them. He even got to spray the fire hose! It was a lot of fun, and we didn't have to bring Ally because Adam worked from home that day. Even though she is a delight, it wouldn't have been a fun place to bring her!