It's been a while

So it's been a while. I've been busy. 

This summer was one of those that felt like someone threw me in a blender and turned it on as fast as it could go. 2 fairs, 3 trips out of town, a broken arm, a concussion, hand foot mouth, family visiting us, and a death in the family made for no sleep and a need for an uneventful fall and winter. 

Now that our summer is done we're onto bigger and better things. 

My sweet 3 yr old started preschool this morning (at home). She starts gymnastics tomorrow. No mommy and me class anymore! I'll be glad to sit and watch her this time around. It'll be good for the both of us. 

Business wise, I have 2 maybe 3 fairs coming up this fall. The first is outdoors in Hadley, MA on October 15th. I can't wait! Outside on a crisp fall day, hopefully with a good view of the beautiful fall foliage which should be at its peak that weekend. The second is at a high school in Springfield, MA on October 29th. It benefits the sophomore class. Hoping all goes well. The 3rd, if I get in, is in Reading, MA on December 10th. 

{picture is of my 3 yr old excited about starting preschool}

Long day in Boston

Had a long busy day today. Attended an all day conference in Boston. Lot of walking, rode the crowded T, and sat in crowded workshops. Ended my day in the lobby of my husbands office reading a book. Worst part was that it rained all day. So I spent several hours soaked from the knees down. Oh well. At least I learned something other than not to ride the T during rush hour.

{pictured is the book I've been reading in my spare time lately and the corner of my badge I was given to wear at the conference}

Working.....again

Busy working again. Hoping to work a couple fairs this year. But if I'm gonna work fairs, I need to fill out applications. Did this one last year and did fairly well considering what I paid. Figured I'd give it another shot. It's Mother's Day weekend, so I'm hoping people will be out shopping for last minute gifts. 

If you will be anywhere near West Springfield, MA, come visit. But something from someone. Enjoy what will hopefully be a beautiful weekend weather wise. 

Crazy weather

From spring to winter in about 12 hours. She loves both. Sometimes you just gotta take advantage of the opportunity to go out and play. 

I challenge you.............

So here's the thing, as I am starting a new year and considering where I want to be a year from now, I have taken the time to look back on the last few months and all that I've learned about myself, and the craft fair attendee/business owner world. 

The biggest thing that has jumped out at me is the number of people that work these fairs that I've started working. And not just work because they want to or enjoy it, but work these fairs because they need the extra income. You see, not everyone has the ability to work a traditional job. Some people have kids or elderly parents that are dependent on them for their care 24/7. Running your own business out of your own home with mainly an online and/or craft fair presence brings a certain level of freedom and flexibility that working an office job or anything else doesn't offer. Working from home allows you to attend all your kids school functions and sports events and to be there whenever or Drs appointments or attend to all your elderly parents needs. No need to worry about limited sick time or PTO or having to pay for day care/after school care. Not everyone has family willing and able to help as needed. 

In other words, not everyone is like me in that I am able to take my time figuring this out. 

So here's my challenge for you......... Go online, check your newspaper. Find some of those small, school or church run, or town fairs and attend them. Your presence is a big encouragement to the people working the fair. And, trust me, you will be surprised at what you can find a these fairs and the good quality jewelry that often shows up at these fairs. Who knows you may even find something that would make a perfect gift for someone in your life. Go, find some fairs happening this year, and make someone's day by purchasing something. 

Who knows it may end up being the difference between someone being able to pay off their electric bill or being able to buy more than just a loaf of bread at the grocery store. 

Please. 

Ok. Stepping down off my soap box. This is just something that is important to me. That we support those who need it. 

Oh yeah

So why am I always working at 10 pm??? Oh yeah, I have a 2 yr old who keeps me busy from 7:30/8 am til 9 pm. 

Anyway, take a look at all the fun fabric taking over my home!! 

I'll take what I can get

So where I live now with my family, we have no space for any kind of a sewing/crafting corner or room. But we have a spare closet that was empty for a while and got taken over by boxes from electronics. We cleaned it out, got a shelf, and voilà!! I now have some storage space that doesn't involve boxes in the basement. 

Best part is that I can leave it as messy as I want and no one will ever now because I can shut the door on it and hide it. 

Anyway, I'm loving having the space. I can find stuff again. One look and I know what I have for thread or embroidery machine stabilizers. 

Back to work

So I've kinda taken a little extra time off after the holidays. As of today, it's back to the grind.

Yesterday, my daughter's toddler gymnastics class started back up, so I felt it was time to get everything else up and running.

Part of what I used my free time for today is working on photographing pieces made. Make them look better online. 

{Pictured is the newest blanket made} 

My inspiration

This cuteness is my kid, my inspiration, the reason I do anything. Adorable, silly, and my favorite person ever (but I'm biased). 

If it weren't for her, who knows where I would be today. She gave me purpose. Because of her I have "drive" and now know what my own dreams are. Yes, they are all closely tied to her, but they exist. 

If you had talked to me 10 years ago, I would have told you my only goals were to get an education and get married. But I wasn't doing anything to accomplish said goals. I felt stuck in a rut. Like I needed an education to get a better job but I needed a better job in order to pay for said education. (And to top it all off, I had no clue what to major in.) And like I had no options on the potential life mate end of things. Anyone I may have liked wasn't interested back or already taken. 

Today, I'm happily married. My daughter is two and a half. My purpose and all my dreams stem from the desire/need to care for and provide the best life possible for her. 

I know that in order to do this her dad (my husband) can't be the only one working (though he makes enough we could get away with it). I want her to watch me while growing up and know that anything is possible, that she can follow her dreams, whatever they may end up being. Even being a stay at home mom while pursuing her own dreams. I'm able to do multiple things I love all while being present in her life and making it to all the things she could possibly want me present for. At this point it's just the day to day little stuff with the occasional mom and me class or library story time. 

I get to take care of her (dream #1: stay at home mom) and I get to figure out how to run my own business making practical baby items to sell and/or donate (dream #2: doing something that benefits babies/kids). 

My secret obsession

Do you have a secret obsession or something you love to do that you tell no one about?? 

I do. I love to color. I'm not great at it and I haven't colored a whole lot since elementary school, but I love it. I don't have a whole lot of time for it now that I have a 2 yr old and am running a business, but I bought myself an "adult coloring book" I finally found a few minutes today to start on one of the pages. 

I think the big reason I love to color is it gives me something to focus on and work on that is not stressful. No one else is gonna see it, so I'm not as concerned about how it looks when done. When I'm doing something that "low pressure" I'm much more relaxed and it helps me recharge for whatever's next. 

New year, new things

As the new year starts and everyone's making resolutions for the year, for the first time I have my own. Only I'm calling them goals, not resolutions. "Goal" seems more tangible and reachable than "resolution".

I'm actually having fun doing the beginning parts of working towards these goals of mine. Lots of research and reading at the moment, but as an adult I enjoy research and the reading involved much more than I used to. 

Hoping that by the end of 2016 I am very close to accomplishing my goals if I haven't yet. 

Keep coming back! I'll post updates as I go!