A Passion for Fabric!

Holy moly! I went to Hobby Lobby with my mom yesterday, because I wanted to find some tiny plastic rings that I can sew on my banners to use for hanging them. That was the ONLY thing I needed. Huh! $50 later and guess what I forgot to even look for!

Furthermore, you should see the two big plastic totes full of fabric that are piled in my living room. Not to mention, three more plastic bags full of it sitting next to my desk! I definitely do not need more fabric. I could probably sew for a year without having to buy anything other than lining fabrics, interfacing and thread. But when I saw this bolt, there was no way I could leave without some.

Seriously. How could I pass this up? Not only is it totally retro and fun, but it's red and black, my all time favorite color combo! I bought a yard and a half, so I'm really hoping I can get a large and a small bag out of it. After that, I'll have to decide if I can even part with it!

Some Random Happy

One of the things I love about the modern world is being able to fill up my gas tank and pay for a car wash at the same time. I am absolutely the worst about keeping my car clean. My husband is constantly nagging me about the fact that I need to clean out my car. Look, I have a four year old boy who is a constant passenger in my back seat. He covers the seat with cheese crackers and the floors with papers from daycare. There are random toys all over the place! The front seat is covered with my trash. Things like empty soda cans litter the floor along with discarded MapQuest directions and granola bar wrappers.

Before I found a gas station with an automatic car wash, I would go months and months without washing my car. It drove my dad nuts to see my perfectly nice car covered in a layer of grime. Now, when I fill my tank at my favorite gas station the happy little screen says, "Would you like a car wash?" I push yes, it adds it to my bill, and after filling up, I drive through the automatic wash. (Don't get me wrong, I don't wash my car every single time I fill up, but when it needs washed it sure is handy!)

When I'm planning ahead, I go through the drive-thru at a nearby fastfood chain and enjoy my cheeseburger, while my car is being washed! It's kind of peaceful in there, and I have enough time to eat my lunch while I read. It just makes me happy!

One of those days

Everyone once in a while, you have one of those days where everything just seems perfect. One of those days where you kid actually behaves the way you want him to, and you feel like Super Mom. Today was like that.


My very best friend whom I've known since third grade, moved to Indiana this year. She was home visiting family this weekend, so I crashed their family brunch and got to spend some time with her. I love that Melissa and I can always pick up where we left off, no matter how long it has been since we've talked or seen each other. I also love the way we feel like a part of each other's families.


I took Connor with me, because I knew there would be lots of kids for him to play with. He was so well behaved the entire time. I'm never quite sure what to expect from him, but he did amazing. I kept having to check on him, because he was playing so nicely in the basement.

When we got home from brunch, I made a tail for Connor's Halloween costume. My mom bought him a costume, but it didn't come with a tail, and Connor really wanted a tail. I bought some green fleece, and even though it's not quite the right color of green, I'm pretty proud of how it turned out. I attached the tail to a fleece belt that velcros around his waist so he can easily take it off and put it on. Connor even helped me stuff it with polyfil to give it more shape.

This evening, Connor and I attend our nearby city's Halloween Safe Walk. Once again, Connor was very well behaved and had a great time. People kept saying, "Oh, what a scary alligator!" Connor would say, "No, I'm not! I'm a dinosaur!" Then he'd smack them with his tail. Luckily, he's four and cute and can get away with hitting strangers with his tail.

So, today was pretty much perfect. (Okay, there was a melt down this afternoon when I made him take a nap before trick-or-treating, but otherwise, it was great!)

Meet Moira

Look what I bought yesterday! I have to tell you that I have been coveting this little monster for weeks! I first saw her on LaurenSmash's blog and immediately hearted her when she showed up in the shop. After my craft show this weekend and another wholesale order, I finally felt like I could splurge on this little treat. I absolutely cannot wait for her to get to Kansas!

Here's the cute description from the shop:

"Meet Moira! She is one scary monster. She loves to jump out at people from behind a chair to scare them. She also loves playing pratical jokes on people like leaving fake bugs on their pillows and tacks on their chairs. Moira also loves embroidery, scrapbooking and cotton candy."

See, she's a scrapbooker! Just like me! LOL!

There are several other items in LaurenSmash's shop that I would love to have, as well. Her owls are to die for!

Craft Show Quote of the Weekend

"Let me just see if this is what I think it is," said the lady as she opened one of my purses.

I'd still love to know just exactly what she thought it was...

First Craft Show of the Season!

My sister Jessica and I exhibited at our first craft show of the fall season today. I have to admit, it was definitely not our most successful show, but it certainly wasn't the worst, either! I only sold three bags, but Jessica did a bit better with her hair accessories. Fortunately, we each managed to cover our half of the booth fee, as well as our lunch and expenses. (By "expenses" I mean the stuff from other vendors that we couldn't resist!) On the up side, it was a fun day spent hanging out with my sister and her 8 week old son, who was a total darling the entire day.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures of our booth, but I do think it looked great! The planning we did last weekend definitely paid off. At our show next weekend, we actually bought a double-sized booth, so it will be fun and challenging to fill it. We can hardly wait! We did this show last year and did quite well. The good part about not selling much this week means that I won't have to work my tail off replenishing my stock for next weekend! (See, there's always a bright side!)

Sampler Day!

I was totally surprised to find my very first Sampler on my front porch when I got home from work tonight! Just in time for my birthday tomorrow! I managed to put my purse down and check my phone messages before ripping into the package. Then I leisurely purused the contents on my couch. Here are my very favorite things from the October Sampler that I received!This necklace is by Wabisabi Brooklyn. It's a nice earthy orange color with black smudges. I love the way the pendant sits right at the base of my throat. I'm wracking my brain to figure out what I can wear it with tomorrow! I can definitely see myself becoming a Wabisabi Brooklyn customer.
Aren't these little earrings fabulous! Love the simplicity. These are from Eutectic, and I'm wearing them now. The jewelry on their site is all so elegant! I may have to email my mom a link for Christmas shopping...
I am a huge fan of the lost art of letter writing and 16 Sparrows is all about that! I love these little notecards. I will definitely be placing an order soon. I just can't decide if I want to mail these little cards to a pen pal or use them for journaling boxes in my scrapbooks! I know I want to become a member of the Letter Writers Alliance, though.

Another treat for a letter writer was the pen pal kit from Wolfie and the Sneak. I am going to have a very hard time deciding who is worthy to receive this super-sized cupcake envelope, and it will be a very special package that gets the Fragile sticker.

Okay, now, I should be sewing! My first craft show of the fall is on Saturday, and I never feel like I have enough done. Did I mention that tomorrow is my birthday?