The One who dies with the most fabric Wins!

So My husband left early this morning to go hunting ...I know poor deer, you must excuse him he is not from the city but... we love him any way. He is an Archer so it is a long wait with no results. I am rooting for the deer.

Inspired my Suze Orman... "if you space is in order so will be your life..."

So as I look around the room where I sleep and work. I am just tired of looking at the mess. Spend more time in the bedroom than is humanly possible. We have been meeting with the builder and architect but my gut says I will not have my studio til after the Holiday rush. So I come up with a plan, at 6:30 Am it is dark out side. I will simply have to stream line the bedroom in to a more usable space. So I get less frustrated and more efficient.

So I have decide to move out any fabric or items that is currently not in use. I move it in to the space where the studio will be. I am having the Hubby make a Shipping Area instead of using the window sill and iron board. I hate moving the iron board to get to my socks.
I go to Ikea ...but the great large containers I purchased in the past...no longer there...they went small again. So I go to the dreaded Walmart. But I think long term less stress = Happy Mommy, so i purchased the containers from the root of all evil (another day different story me and Walmart, apparel ... not good)

I come home and start sorting...Spring fabrics, Fall Fabric, quilting fabric (I love each fabric they are like Babies... But wait I start a "What Were you Thinking" Fabric Pile, my dd helps he thinks it is fun...now why can't he do this with his room. I clean out my sewing closet, this is room 5'X7" where one of my machines is located... i call it my "Big Machine" Juki TL98 it is a great machine.

I also got rid of some UFOs' which was really great and did no hurt at all . The pitch pile grows more fabric goes in and it feels great! I started cleaning under the bed... it was scary i finished mine side still have to do the hubbies which is worse because i cut on that side.

I purchased lifts for the table so I can stand up and it does not hurt my back. I am also moving all the deco pillows out and storing them else where. They never make it to the bed any way unless i know someone new is coming to the house, plus I needed the space.

I would show pictures but it really was not pretty before or during. It looks like a fabric warehouse threw up. 1 box 3 garbage bags , 2 bags of Batting... I feel free!. I will let my fabric go in to the world to make others happy as it did me. I am not done I will be tomorrow. I went from being a fabric hoarder to a free fabric goddess.

I am going to free cycle the fabric. Organize is my new "it" word. Next week the Linen Closet!

Rain...Fall is here..Random thoughts

What is it with kids and rain? My children become the biggest couch potatoes in the rain and so does there mom. I order Pizza tonight. I actually felt soggy like the weather. I can feel the rush of the holidays is upon me and I am getting ready to hang on. Lets hope it is a fun ride like last years holiday season.
I vow to stay more organized, procrastinate less, use all my resources, and ask for help when needed. In all aspects of my life.

I will let you know how that works out for me.

Handmade Kids Challenge: Expert Panel Award Winner BabyPop

So I wake up last week and Google advise me that there is a post on the web about BabyPop I look at the the link and I won the Judges Award for Clothing in the Etsy Hand Made Kids Contest.

The dress that one is pictured above This is My House, My Car, My Tree Girls Dress

This is what Category Judge: Kelly Alfieri of Cookiemag.com wrote about my dress:
“This dress looks like a vintage one from a time when people had more time. The appliqué work, with the white stitching on dark denim that looks like chalk on a chalkboard, is gorgeous. I think this would be any little girl's favorite dress.”

So I was on cloud nine, it was really great to be recognized by such a great editor of a prestigious children's magazine. I can't wait to design more kids clothes..the scketch book and fabric bins are filling up with idea ....now if I can find the time!

Happy Happy Joy Joy School Started!

This time of year brings many moms back to a state of peace and I am one of them. Kids go back to school, I get more accomplished and the wonderful change of seasons brings me back to fond fall memories. So My DD started preschool this Monday, she starts really late. I was looking for something special for her to wear. So I saw my Mother on Saturday and I said do you remember the dress I wore the 1st day of school. She I remember a plaid. So did I blown and orange plaid .

So Sunday I took a trip to Joann Fabric. I was going to make my daughter a plaid dress. I started late Sunday afternoon 4:00, when I should have been sewing capes. I made brown plaid dress for my DD but she fell asleep before she got to have a fitting. So I crossed my finger it would fit.

It did! Here is the proof. I made it a little more 1950’s than mine and no smocking. I matched the plaid and made a complete circle skirt cut from one piece of fabric. I use a bias for the hem so it was easier then hand hemming. I love having a DD it like having a life size doll. She loved the dress and asked to wear it her next day at school.

Spoiled Rotten Dog!

So I wanted to discuss lazy dog…or the spoiled dog. I look over this morning and see this on my new couch head propped up on a pillow. My dog is a Male Red (brown) Doberman completely unclipped (meaning he has a tail, and ears have not been docked) and the first animal I felling love with. Hershey is his name. When he first arrived at our home he was about a year and ½ old and wild. He was a pound dog we adopted. He was born to run…(away that is) he is a very social dog and loves people. He would off like a bullet, the only way to catch him is by car and pray someone is outside to pet him so he stops. He thinks running is a game of keep away and he is always it. I think his previous owner just got sick of chasing him.

One day 10 years ago shortly after I took Hershey out to a craft show. He was "not so" good on lead pulling me down the street all 80 lb. of muscle, but at the show he stopped to let everyone pet him. Hershey fate was decided that day he was here to serve others. "We" Hershey and I signed up for training classes. 5 classes over 2 years and I thought Hersey was ready. He became a pet therapy dog for Broward County Human Society. Yes a Doberman not mean and scary but goofy and playful. He was born to visit people. He never laid down in any hospital rooms he was there for the people, to bring joy to others. We would visit 2 nursing homes every week for the next 4 ½ years. Hershey was amazing people who had strokes, many of the patients could not speak and cried when they saw him. Hershey would take there hands by putting his nose under it then push it up so they could pet his head. Many of the people had not visitors. So Hershey and I were it. Hershey knew when he was working he was all business when we went for visits Never resting till the ride home.. He is amazing.

Then I had my son and tried to continue but it was had so when 6 months after having my son and going back to work. Hershey and I had to stop volunteering .
We then moved to Philly. 3 years ago Hershey was hit by a car. His front leg was crushed. They gave me the option of removing the leg or fixing it. I chose the latter. They put in a steel bar, wire, and 7 screws. Because of his size the screws back out and he had to go back in for more surgery repeatedly. He was in a cast for 9 months and very sick. I call him my bionic million dollar dog. My advise for every pet owner 2 words - Pet Insurance.

He currently is a couch dog who smells old, though if he gets the chance he will take off and visit the neighborhood (this past week it was twice). I am thankful every time a strangers calls and says they found him. So when I said I purchased a new couch just for my dog. I really mean it. Hershey is a 14 year old Dobermans, who is spoiled, amazing, loves my kids, and deserves to be lazy!

Etsy Handmade Kid Contest

I just found out that I am a finalist in a Etsy Kids Handmade Contest. The finalist was chosen by some professional from the industry Like COOKIE magazine, an editor from MAKE and an editor from Martha Stewart. But I need votes to win. You must be registered as an etsy user to vote. Then you can click on my product “BABYPOP”

First register for etsy:

Then enter the Kids Handmade contest area

I am actually a finalist in 2 categories:
Handmade Toys- For my capes – SuperHero “Princess Capes Custom Set for Teddy and Child “


Handmade Clothes – for My dress “This is my house, My Car, My Tree”


Also I apologize to your wallet for introduction any of you who are new to Etsy. It is a great site for any and all things handmade (not just kids items) Take a look around (click on the etsy logo fro the front page) some of the artist are wonderful. Soap is a great 1st purchase. Try to buying handmade people love getting items that are not commercially produced.

Also once you log in you can make a favorites list. Jeff picks all my presents from my favorites list so he knows I like what I get, but it is a surprise.


Thanks for your help it would be a great honor to win.