three things added to my store

I am still getting a handle on a lot of things, it takes forever to upload pics to etsy, but I think I am developing smarter methods. As of now, I am the seamstress, model, director (girls, make sure you get the shirt in the picture), producer, marketer, and distributer. Maybe that will change, but for now it is pretty funny:-)
Happy Friday!

Monorailin...

So yesterday was our big outing, it was quite fun, but the kids still have a big desire to ride the city bus. Here are some pictures of everyone having a jolly time.

The Builder

A Builder builded a temple,

He wrought it with grace and skill,

Pillars and groins and arches,

All fashioned to work his will.

Men said as they saw it's beauty,

"It shall never decay

Great is they skill, O builder,

Thy frame shall endure for aye"

A mother builded a temple

With loving and infinite care,

Planning each arch with patience,

Laying each stone with prayer.

None praised her unceasing efforts,

none knew of the wondrous plan,

For the temple the mother build ed

Was unseen by the eyes of man.

Gone is the builders temple,

Crumbled into the dust;

Low lies each stately pillar, '

food for consuming rust.

But the temple the mother builded

Will last while the ages roll,

For that beautiful unseen temple

Is her child's immortal soul.

anon.

Serging, inspiration, and finding balance.

My Serger is up and running, and I have been happily serging away. I Worked on some things over the weekend, namely, a quick nightgown I put together for Audrey. This was the first time I put something together without using a formal pattern, and I was very happy with the results.

Inspiration seems to hit like a gentle zap of lightning, or at least that is how it hits me. As I was standing in the kitchen making the children peanut butter play dough for dinner, I got nipped by the cooking bug again. To be honest, I really do not like cooking or anything that it involves. I go from stints where I am cooking a lot (usually when Andrew is here) to setting up smorgasbord on trays in the living room with various cheese, fruit, veggies, bread, etc. for a grazing dinner. I think the inspiration partly came from the clean fresh kitchen that I was standing in (thanks to Andrew who I saw cleaning the stove with fresh lemon juice earlier in the day). So let's see where this takes me, and hopefully the children will appreciate it.

On another note--I have been searching for balance, deeply searching. My family has and always will continue to be first priority to me. I would fully surrender any business plans if that is what I was feeling led to, but I don't. So, balance is the key. I think finding balance in every area, will ultimately make my life the most fulfilling.

Oh Vinegar....

How I love you...

Have you ever walked down the cleaning section of any supermarket, and felt dizzy, nauseous and itchy? I have and do when I use commercial cleaning supplies.. That was before I discovered the amazing benefits of good ol vinegar. Yes, this super power of the cleaning world is still a mystery to many young ins out there. Glass-totally streak free, grout-white, counter tops-disinfected, and more. I purchase the spray bottles, from any local store, and mix one part vinegar and one part water, and this is all that I need to get the majority of my house clean....It is also nice that it is safe for the children when they are helping with the chores, and you can not beat the price and simplicity of having this one product on hand for all of your cleaning needs.

Disclaimer* the producers of vinegar did not pay me to promote their product

On another note, I did complete three projects yesterday that I listed on Etsy. I need to tweak them a bit more, but here are some photo's

padded laptop sleeve and childs apron

Organizing mass Chaos and more...

Do you ever have it? A room or a house that is completely out of order? If you have any number of children I am sure you have had that at one point or another. I know my house can turn into chaos very quickly. I wanted to give a tip that I do to helps the children and I get Everything in order very quickly. I learned this from a book when I was a little girl, and it has always stayed with me. Take a child's room for example. Toys, clothes, crayons, etc, all over everywhere. What I have my kids do is first make their beds. Next, put EVERYTHING on their bed that is out of place. Now the room is completely clean except the bed. We then quickly organize things in piles, trash, books, clean clothes, dirty clothes, etc, and then simply put the piles away. I do that in my room too, you could do it on the dining room table etc. Another thing I do for the common living areas is to take a basket, put everything in it that is out of place, and organize the basket the same way. Just thought I would share that tip, hopefully someone can use it.

On another note, I got a lot of projects done today, but none for sale. I made myself a purse, made my girls each an apron, and started my husbands quilt. I also ran two miles, practiced piano with my girls, taught bible verses, worked on cursive and manuscript with my oldest two. I would say that is a productive day, right?. I am going to be making some child aprons to sale next, as well as lap top sleeves, I also really want to make some shirts for myself (and eventually sale) Until next time these are the aprons that I made my little girls today.

Happy Thursday!



Here is also the pretty ironing board cover that I got from Etsy!

bird purse

I completed another purse (which I am going to make two of) to sell on Etsy. I am in the talks with a graphic designer to get a logo designed. On a side not I saw a giant cockroach by our front door (a common occurrence in Aloha) and went to pick it up and throw it away with a tissue. When I picked it up I startled it and I was surprised to see it still on it's back with it's little heart beating away. It's tiny (well not that tiny) fate was now in my control, and I got a lump in my throat. I suddenly was transported back to all the Disney movies that I saw as a child with some small characters life hanging on the limb. I decided to show this poor little creature mercy. As I opened the door to let it outside a little gecko darted in at full speed. I feel taken advantage of.

On another note, I have some pretty little flowers in my front yard that are blooming for creation. At one point I thought they were dead, but lo and behold they had babies. Though the original plant had long since been dead and tossed in the green waste can, all of it's little babies are now shining in glory. It made me think of my own children and the legacy we leave with them, whether good for man kind or not. I prefer the former. When I pass on I pray that my children will continue to shine God's glory, and their children and so on.
Happy Wednesday