Made a rough week to a better weekend.

Last week was a long and busy week at work. So Saturday I told my husband that I needed some fabric therapy and I would take our 18 month daughter. She needed a nap and the drive to JoAnns would be long enough. I was pleased to find some reversible jersey knit fabric 30% off and some cute cotton fabric to make a toy catcher for my daughter. So when I got to the register I pulled out my joAnns app and found a 20% total purchase. Very awesome. So when I got home I washed the fabric and Sunday afternoon my daughter took a great long nap so I got some afternoon sewing in. I made that toy catcher and one infinity scarf. Then after the kids where in bed I made two more. One for my mother in law and I have two for me. What started with creative therapy turned into business. Yeah for me! Two people want toy catchers and one scarf. Ready to go back Saturday. Hoping our snow will have melted enough for driving.

This is a better view of the colors and design. I love it. 

Changes

Sorry, I try to keep up. This last month I've busted out a bunch of purse orders, did a booth at an unsuccessful craft fair, canned some garden goodies and got a job. 

In  I was busy sewing. Made some reusable snack bags, big purse like mine and chap stick holders. I have a bunch of handmade stuff in boxes to sell too. So the church I go to was partnering with another church to do a fund raiser craft fair. Needless to say, wasn't successful. Was glad to meet a person who follows my Mir Made This Facebook page. 

My garden had been great. I have a family recipe for zucchini relish that my family and husband's family loves. I made two batches. Love it on my black bean burgers I have for lunch everyday. 

So I had been on unemployment since we moved and it ran out last month. I had tried going to VSP dr offices in the area and nothing. The week before my last check I got an email from Staffmark for an at home job. I honestly thought it was too good to be true. Well after I filled everything out online they

called me the next day for an interview. It all worked out and now on my second week of training. It's for technical support for Direct tv. It's challenging but great overall. 

The differences in North Carolina

It's crazy how much rain we get. I rarely have to water my lawn. Everything grows so quickly too. I was looking back in march when we had our yard seeded for grass and all the ivy and weeds that come out are crazy. Our 4x4 garden bed with 4 tomato plants are so crowded we know for next year two plants per bed. Our zucchini leaves are so tall it's hard to find the zucchini, but when we do they are big. We ate our first bell pepper yesterday on a pizza and in a salad and it was so flavorful. I think having a garden in NC is less work than CA since the rain and humidity really does most of the work. I do plan to do winter crops this year and add two more boxes. It's really coming along nicely. I have bought canning jars and a big pot to make zucchini relish and tomato sauce. I'm ready. 

For Real, Homemade Deoderant

I love Pinterest. I've seen a couple things for homemade deodorant and soap, you know. Well, I have not been happy with Suave, Secret anything I would try didn't last all day. I like simple and came across a recipe with baking soda, essential oil (what ever scent I wanted) and warmed coconut oil. Mix it until its a paste and store in a container with a screw top. Leaving it in a warm bathroom is ok. It's easier to apply that way. I have been using this for about 5 days and so happy. 

Life on an acre

So since November when we moved into our home we've been working on our wild yard. We now have 4 fruit trees, 4 blueberry bushes, 4 garden beds and seeded grass. Thankfully the grass we paid someone to do it. We plan each year to add to our garden and trees. It hasn't been easy clearing out wild briar patches and weeds. Did you know green onions grow wild out here? I have seen wild strawberries too. Found the strawberries attract snakes. Not good. Most of our plants are growing like all 4 tomato plants, zucchini and peppers. Our watermelon and cucumbers didn't. Can't wait to harvest. 

One Year Later

Life is nuts and it just keeps going. Well, a lot has happened in the last year. 
Starting in June I had my daughter Claire Rene' and that was a new adventure. Breastfeeding for the first time. It was successful and tiring and empowering all at the same time. 
I made friends with a mommy group in Gastonia. Its funny how my son is a little older but Drew fits in well. He loves little kids. So far it hasn't changed. We finally got our big dream house we wanted. With a lot of stress and saving and planning we did it. 
In January the kids and I flew to California to see my friends and family. Such a great trip. 
My son turned 5 and we signed him up for kindergarten for 2013 school year. Such a blessing how my in laws are paying for him to go to a Christian school near by. 
Finally about a month or two ago I got back into sewing and crafting. Much easier now that Claire is almost 1. Its crazy to think that. 
My latest thing is getting my kitchen aid mixer. So happy for that. Got one on a major sale at Target. It was a long day waiting for the UPS guy that day. I had wanted one for about 7 years and before didn't have the money for it or space. Now its wonderful. The first thing I did was make 4 batches of my roll out cream cheese sugar cookie dough to freeze and made 2 batches of bread. They both came out so well. I tried making my royal icing yesterday and that was a flop but I didn't let that get me down. I just looked it up on other sources to see what I can try next. No biggie. I have a Facebook page now for my sewing which is Mir Made This. I really like it. Here are some pictures to show what is up.
My baby Claire

Our great house

                                                                                                 We started with a weekly walk

My niece and kids in CA

My new mixer.

Back to Sewing

Well, I've had a pattern I bought years ago when I didn't really have time to sew, but thought someday I will make it. Well 2 Fridays ago I pulled it out and spent about 4 hours from reading the directions, ironing the fabric and cutting the fabric to make these pocket clutches. I was really happy with the one I made that on Saturday I made two more and then I couldn't stop. In one week I made 8 in total. Now I can make it without the directions anymore. Really nice.
I've been selling my coffee sleeves at a local coffee shop and that has been going great. In 4 days sold two. So last Friday I dropped off 4 pocket clutches to sell. It has been fun with that. I know I won't be able to do a whole lot soon when my baby comes. Just seeing what I can do for now.




I'm working now on getting ready for my baby Claire. I got my fabric yesterday and washed by last night. So today I plan to start making a canopy cover for the car seat. Making a couple for a friend at church too. Then I got a pattern from my mom for my birthday for a purse that has a ton of pockets that look like a great diaper bag. So I'm going to attempt to make that too.


We got a Pac-N-Play with a bassinet and changing table for the first couple months before we move to our house where we will have the room to have a crib and dresser. I have it set up and now it seems more real that my delivery date is in 7 weeks. So many things this month to get ready. Classes and tours at the hospital.