Happy New Year!

Another year has come and gone...what a year it was!  A year ago, I was about 5 months pregnant, and getting used to the idea that I was having a baby boy.  While my husband was probably dreaming happy thoughts of having a little fishing buddy, I was looking around my sewing space wondering what I could make for a boy!  I had spent years making things for girls, and my fabric stash definitely hinted at that.

I spent a few months working on a quilt for my daughter Maddy, and a few projects for her baby brother - a Boppy Cover, and a mini quilt for him.  When I had gone searching online for some boy project ideas, it was very clear there wasn't a lot out there.  I also remembered from my experience selling at the farmer's market that Boys items are very popular, because you don't find them very often! 

I started playing around with making Bow Ties and Neck Ties, and then my friend Danyel of Crazy Socks Crochet was having a giveaway, and she needed more boy items.  I offered to giveaway a set of three bow ties, and that was just the push I needed towards this crazy adventure I've been riding on ever since.  I was randomly surfing through Facebook one night, and noticed a post that Keri Meyers had posted, looking for photo props, different from the traditional hats/etc.  I sent her an email, and we chatted a bit about how small of a world it is - we both graduated from high school the same year, and we grew up less than 30 miles from each other.  That night changed my life - if I had not been on Facebook at the right time, life could be very different for me - our Facebook page was sitting around 800 fans, and today we have over 10,000.  Absolutely INSANE. 

This was the very first photo that Keri posted using one of my ties:

Keri*Meyers*Photography

I remember the day that photo was posted - I was sitting at my sewing machine working on something, and my phone started blowing up with emails from Etsy.  I had no idea what was going on - I went online and immediately saw this photo, and it dawned on me what had just begun.  If I only knew....

A couple weeks later I was in the hospital having my baby boy.  Luckily I had brought my laptop with me so that I could stay in touch - otherwise I would have gotten so far behind.  I am also very blessed to have a very supportive husband that is a very involved father. 

Here we are about 8 months later and I have exciting plans for this year.  I have reorganized my sewing space, and I took a couple weeks off in December to enjoy my family and the holidays - it was sooo needed.  I actually shut down my online shop - the first time since starting this adventure - so that when I returned, I wouldn't be behind - I would be starting fresh.  What an amazing feeling!

Usually for New Year's I don't make resolutions, I decide on a focus for the new year.  Several times, my focus has been patience.  This year, my focus is balance.  When I worked for Target, a huge "thing" is Work/Life balance - they wanted everyone to have it, stressed it, etc.  Funny thing is, I don't think I knew a single manager that truly had a work/life balance there.  At least not 100% of the time.  Still, it's nice to know it's valued.  Anywho...back to me and this year.  I am focusing on my own Work/Life balance.  This includes not sitting at the sewing machine for 14 hours straight - at least not on a regular basis.  I am hoping if I focus on balance, I will enjoy my work, and enjoy the fruits of my labor - and spend more time with my family. 

I am also hoping to blog a little more.  I'd like this blog to be more than just a place to host giveaways. 

Happy New Years everyone!  I hope this new year is full of fresh starts, happy beginnings and plenty of BALANCE.

Project #1 For Max!: New Boppy Cover!

I have a baby boy coming in April!  With the new addition to our family, I have a long checklist of things to accomplish before he gets here.  On the list is getting his room ready.  According to USPS.com, my box of fabric for his room should be delivered tomorrow! EEK! So excited to get started on his bumpers, crib sheets, crib quilt, and other little projects. 

Yesterday I was going through a box of Maddy's baby things, trying to see what I could use for Max...most things were a little too girly. I found my boppy, but the cover was no where to be found.  Too bad, too - hers was a really pretty green with brown, and embellished with an Elephant.  It would have been perfect!  Oh well, time to make a new boppy cover!  I had just gotten some light green damask minky fabric that was calling my name. 

I decided upon the other print I would use, and started searching the internet for a good boppy pattern.  The one I used came from here:  http://www.vanillajoy.com/how-to-boppy-cover.html

The cover came out a little big, and I don't like the wrinkles, so I kept adjusting until it was perfect for me.  Here's the finished product:

The green damask side even has a hidden zipper under that flap towards the top!  This is my second project with a zipper, and I have to say, they aren't as scary as I thought...I see more zippers in my future! 

The pattern even says you are allowed to sell items made using it, so maybe I'll make some for the Farmer's Market this season!  Trying to improve the line of products, and this just might be a good one!