Mamma and Pampa's Yard

Last summer I was visiting my Grandparents in Texas. Their home is full of such wonderful memories. There are many things about that house that I cherish, so I was inspired to take some pictures.

My Mamma will be moving to an assisted living home very soon. So I decided to take those pictures and do something special with them. I am creating some books for her (and for me) with the help of shutterfly. Here are some of the pictures that will be included in the book, "Mamma and Pampa's Yard":

4 Simple Goals

So much has been going on the last few weeks. My husband just returned from a trip to Rwanda last week after a very sad and tragic event. While he was away from me, I did a lot of thinking. Even before he left, I was kind of going through some stuff, we both have been actually. Good stuff. The kind of thoughts and ideas that make you realize what is most important. Priorities, values, all those important life issues...we have been mulling over a lot lately. That is why I felt compelled to join in the 4 Simple Goals (before 2011....) group started by Elise Flannigan. I love her idea of making the goals positive and life enriching.

Here are my 4 goals:

1. Sew/Craft for pure pleasure at least once a month for me or my home...not just for my shops. I tend to try to keep up with making my "personal markets" fresh and new sometimes to the detriment of crafting for fun. Sewing is just a hobby for me. I have a job that keeps me really busy. Sometimes I get so caught up in trying to market and sell my wares that I lose the love of the craft.

2. Stretch everyday. Pilates, yoga, or just a good reaching for the toes. I get so stiff everyday and always feel good if I take some time to just breath deep and strrrreeetch!

3. Take a trip each month to St. Marks to see what has changed. St. Marks Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful swampy area close to home where the ocean meets the river. Complete with a lighthouse, alligator sightings, and amazing Dr. Suess-like foliage. This place is unlike any other. I always feel more alive and inspired after visiting this piece of the earth.

4. Call my sister more often. We are both a bit introverted and she is a very busy mother of three. In the last few months she has been a rock-solid friend. I love her so much and need to be proactive in keeping up with her life. Erin I am sorry, but I am going to be bugging you a bit more often.

Wish me luck in keeping my goals! Thanks Elise for the inspiration!

Shop Update

A new collection of patchwork roses are in my shop!

Craft Show Complete!

The craft show that I attended last Friday was a lot of fun. I enjoyed meeting other "crafty people" and exploring a new place. Thomasville, GA downtown is so cute and quaint! I didn't sell very much at all, but that is ok, because now I have plenty to stock my esty shop and the brick and mortar store. Here are a few pics of the event.

Handmade Maggie at Textures

Tracie Kelly

Platypus File

Handmade Market

Beautiful Etsy Inspiration:

from slightclutter

from larimeloom

from warmnfuzzies

from matilou

from anothershadeofgrey

Stitch Mistress

Well I am off to do my first craft show tomorrow night. I have decided to use my "Stitch Mistress" (vintage child's sewing machine) to decorate my table. Maybe she will be my good luck charm. I hope to make some new friends and sell a few goodies in the process! Have a great Friday!

Pretty Garbage

When I was taking out my trash this week, I noticed how lovely my garbage was. I know it is kinda strange. (Reminds me of the plastic bag scene on American Beauty. he he) After all the sewing I have done this week I had a whole bag of little scraps and clippings. It also made me feel like I had really achieved something...pretty garbage.

Texas Road Trippin'

I finally am ready to share some pictures of our trip to Texas. Many of you know that while I live in Florida, Texas is my home. After a few days in New Orleans, our road trip took us home. Home to open fields and beautiful blue skies...except for the Hurricane. We started our trip in Galveston where we met my parents and my sister's family just in time for Hurricane Alex. Though it was not anything like they got in south Texas, it kept us from spending our days laying out on the beach.

We went to NASA instead where there were demonstrations, movies, and hands on fun for the kids.

The clouds finally broke as we left the coast and we went on to visit Austin, San Antonio, and Fort Worth.

It was a great trip and I had the best time visiting with family; finally seeing my grandparents after way too long. Notice the photo behind them; their wedding picture.

We had great food the whole time...nothing beats Texas BBQ.

I loved spending time with my niece and nephews:

Natalie, who was difficult to take pictures of because she either made a face or hid.

Andrew, who took "hours" to decide what to spend his money on (there were just too many choices).

James, who learned how to sew like his aunt Krissy!

I also made a side trip to Oklahoma to catch up with my best friends. I want to share a few of those pictures with you later.

Jason and I had fun together despite the rain and busy schedule. We have really learned how to do road trips together. Some how driving across the country has a way of bringing two people closer. Though we were sick of the car we came away from the trip happy and renewed.

Thanks, Texas!