Hanna Cranna

Happy Halloween everyone! Hope you had a great one. Probably my most favorite holiday. I love everything scary, supernatural, creepy, etc. That said, I was turned on to this bit of local folklore last week. It is about Hanna Cranna, the witch of Monroe, CT. I just happen to live in Monroe. If I could figure out to insert a link, I would. If you would like to read a little about her, Wikipedia has a great little write up.

I went today with my 8 year old, who was fascinated by the story, to visit the grave sight. It is the epitomy of a spooky old graveyard. Even the name, Gregory's Four Corners Burial Ground, is spooky. People had left packaged candy bars, money, gum, and flowers on the grave. I am told that every Halloween the town does a little something about her. Could be fun and interesting to check out next year.

Why, oh why havn't I blogged in forever....

Why, you ask, is my last entry from the beginning of summer? Life is just going too fast. You know what I mean. With kids, work, a business, home, a husband, family, etc, it is a wonder we have time for anything.

There are so many new ideas floating around in my head and not enough time to carry them out. It frustrates me. I think we all struggle with this. We want to be successful, but when it happens, we just want it all to stop for awhile. I know that this too shall pass. I will get caught up on orders. My work chaos will settle down. The family will fall into place. Life will go on.

Until then, take those small moments to just breathe. Look around at the changing season and enjoy those little moments or quiet.

Summer

Summer!


Remember when all you had to do was run through a sprinkler? Or lay on your back and watch the clouds float by? I definately remember and love being able to share these simple joys with my boys.

What has happened to childhood? When asked "what are your kids doing this summer?" I always reply, "playing." I am fortunate enough to be able to be home during the week. I know this is not the case for everyone. I just don't see the need to schedule all of my children's time with organized activities. They are only 4 and 7 and should be left to enjoy what little time there is to just be kids with not a care in the world. As parents, we are told that in order for our children to be "great" they should learn x, y, and z.... Yes, they should. But, they should also learn what wonders await when all they have is a backyard and all the time in a day to fill it with wonderous things from their imaginations.

Think about your own childhood and what made summers really special. Was it running from sport to sport or camp to camp? Or was it those days when you could work on that fort or tree house? Or catch crayfish in the pond? How about just sitting under a tree watching ants and thinking about the worlds that exist underground?

Have a wonderful lazy summer!

My Brother Opened an Etsy Shop

So my brother finally did it and opened up a shop on Etsy. He takes some really wonderful photos and hope he does really well with it. You can find him at www.etsy.com under his name, Mike Gibson.

Head Colds and being miserable!

Ok, who agrees with me? Head colds are the worst! You aren't sick enough to stay in bed, but you are too miserable to be a functioning member of society. I have had a cold for 3 days now and am miserable. Call me a complainer, but I just have too much to do to be sick. Not to mention, my kids are sick too and therefore home from school which means more work for, you guessed it, ME! On the brighter side I did get this new wristlet posted today. I wonder if there is a decongestant in there somewhere? Ok, enough complaining for one night!

Spinning My Wheels

Do you ever have those days where you feel like you just can't get anything done? I am having one today. Maybe it is just that I lack the motivation to actually get anything done. My little boy is making more messes than I can keep up with, the laundry really needs done, the bills need paid.... All I really want to do is take a nap. I did manage to get this baby quilt and little boy apron done today. I guess that is something. I keep telling myself that I will feel more like doing house chores tomorrow. Who am I kidding!

I love a good sale!

It doesn't happen very often, but when it does it is a wonderful thing. I needed a bunch of different colors of thread for these headbands I have been working on. It just so happened the thread I needed was on big time sale! Yeah! Love that! They were all sitting by my sewing machine and I thought they looked really pretty, hence the photo. I did get my headbands done and they turned out wonderfully. I made 4 dozed for A Whole Lotta Bags in Bangor Maine. They are my first wholesale experience and have been wonderful to do business with. If you are ever in the neighborhood, stop by and check them out. They carry designer handbags and now things from yours truly.

The Perfect Little Girl Purse

I love making these. The prints are so much fun. I could really go crazy at the fabric store. This little bag is perfect for little ones. It is a great size for them and the velcro closure makes it easy for little hands to open and close it. It has an inside slip pocket and a removable little flower. I hope these sell well so I can make more.

Mother/Daughter Matching Aprons

I just made these the other day and am so happy with how they turned out. The printed one is for mom and the solid with lemon accents is for daughter. I may have a wholesale opportunity for them and am keeping my fingers crossed that all works out. I would love to get my items into a real B&M store.

Baby Boy Appliqued Vehicle Quilt

So hard to find great little boy things. I know I have two of them. I just finished this and love the way it came out. It was so fun to make. Can't wait to try out more styles.

Pink and Chocolate Roses Wristlet

What could be more perfect for Valentine's Day than pink, roses, and chocolate, all together in one perfect little bag.

New Line of Makeup/Travel Bags

I have been playing around with the design of these for a little while and think I finally have it. I just finished this one today. I am hoping to add a few more this week or next.

Nautical Navy and White Tote

I think making these totes are my favorite. I have made so many that they go together pretty nicely for me now. I need to get around to making myself a new one soon as the summer, and pool season will be here before we know it. My mom actually picked up this fabric a couple of years ago and I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with it until now. For me, each piece of fabric kind of presents itself as to what it wants to be. Some scream backpack and others nicely whisper small handbag please.

For Grace

This one is for you Grace. I am just trying to decide which direction to go as far as pattern and syle. Is the color right? Too light? Too dark? Smaller or Larger Print? You hate it? You like it? You love it? I was thinking of a messenger bag. The body of the bag would be in sage and the front of the flap would be the coordinating fabric with some brown, or should it be the other way around? Tell me what you think. You won't hurt my feelings. It has to be perfect.

Andie Huber - Talented Stylist

You really should check out her work. It is amazing. She has worked for magazines such as Real Simple and Country Living. Her work is currently being featured on the cover of www.timeoutny.com.

www.andiehuber.com

Boho Bag

I just finished this bag and am really happy with the results. Thanks to my sister in law, Andie, for the fabulous material!

Use Me Again Cards

So I got the idea for these cards as I was throwing away some really great cards I got for Christmas. I thought, this is crazy. I thought if I put an insert into each card, they could be used again. When I give gifts, I also like to have matching gift tags so include one with each card.

Beach Bags!

I have been working on my summer line of beach bags. They are so functional with an inside zipper pocket and two large velcro pockets. I also love that they are machine washable. These are my newest.

What I am working on

I just started working on this quilt and I am loving it so far. The material is so much fun. I think I am going to make it baby size. I still havn't decided if I am going to yarn bind it or hand quilt it.

Under the canopy

This was my little one while we were at the festival. I am thinking of using it on some of my photo cards. I love the blue of the canopy.

At the festival

Two summers ago I took my little boys to a local festival. I just found the pictures and thought I would share.