C is for Crown

Isn't it lovely to find a new blog full of inspiration and tutorials? I stumbled across Juicy Bits yesterday and it is delightful! Jessica has a wonderful tutorial on making felt crowns and I'm dying to make one! (I still haven't broken in the new sewing machine yet and this seems like a good way to do it) I still have a few months before Noodle's first birthday so maybe I can make one in time.


Find the tutorial here.

(Photo and tutorial borrowed from Jessica Levitt of Juicy Bits)

Sharing

I wrote a post on my personal blog not long ago called "Tell the Truth." It was a post about how I wish moms would share with each other more. I think many of us feel the need to present ourselves as perfect moms who have it all together. I'm not sure if this is because we feel the need to be Superwomen or if we simply fear judgment. Maybe both. However, I realize I haven't really been upholding my side of the bargain. I need to share now and then if I'm going to complain about others not doing so.

Being a working mom is harder than I ever thought it would be. I miss my baby so much! I am SO lucky and SO blessed to have my mother taking care of the baby right now. She gives him so much love and undivided attention. And he loves her. In fact, he ignores me when she is around. That hurts a little bit but I am happy that he has such a connection to her. I am starting to look at part-time daycare options and that is pulling at my heart as well. I worry about how it will affect the baby and also how it will affect my relationship with him. Will he bond with his new caretaker like he does his Grandma? Will Mom just run a distant third? I am embarrassed to even admit all of this because it sounds selfish and unreasonable. But hey, I am irrational now and then.

This morning, when I gave Baby to his daddy and said goodbye, he started fussing and crawled over to me and pulled up on me. He wanted me to pick him up. I started crying at having to leave him but it also made me feel a little better. He didn't want me to go.

You know what, Noodle? I didn't want to go either.

Belated Valentine

I decided to use Jenni Bowlin's February kit to make a special Valentine for my baby. (aka Noodle) Here is the final product (you can click on the photos for a closer look):










It was really fun and easy. I'm happy with the way it turned out. I'm going to hang it on baby's wall. The press-on letters were so easy to use and I especially liked the rhinestone buttons. You can find the kit here.

On to the next project!!!!

Rainy Day Activities

It is pouring down rain and I absolutely love it! I pulled out my Kelly Kilmer journal that I haven't used yet and decided to make it my creativity journal. I used the first creativity journal activity from Amy Powers' Inspired Ideas e-zine and made my own ribbon cake.




It was so fun that I ended up making three of them! I can't wait to do the next project. Doing small little creative things gives me a quick outlet for doing something crafty.

I hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day. My husband took me to see "Coraline" in 3D and for sushi and gave me a subscription to the New York Times Review of Books. I am so spoiled!!!

The One About Blogging

I started blogging back in 2003 along with my buddies Genevieve and Ellen (both college buddies). Genevieve's blog is still up and running. Ellen was the first person I knew who had a blog and it was called "Sugar in the Raw." Later, Ellen morphed her blog into the delightful "Reign of Ellen." Her blogs no longer exist and that is a shame for everyone.

I thought a blog would be a great way to stay in touch with friends and family. My original blog started out as an edited online journal. Over the years, I discovered the many applications of blogs. I realized I needed to edit myself a bit more (revealing a bit less of my private life) and became much more general in my writing. I decided to focus my original blog on books, politics, and semi-personal matters. I created separate blogs for religious matters and crafting/creativity. And so far, I haven't gotten tired of writing them.

I have seen many blogs come and go. I miss so many of them. It often feels as if I just discover a wonderful blog only to see it disappear. I think this happens for many reasons. First of all, I feel that some people feel pressured to post every day and keep their posts interesting in order to create a following. I briefly worried about raising my "blog traffic" and getting a "readership." But then I started to dread posting. It felt like work. I gave all that up. I don't really care who reads my blogs anymore. If someone finds something useful here, that makes me happy. But I'm not looking to post a bunch of ads or try and make money off of my blog. I think some people also get too personal and then they worry about how much of themselves that have put out into the blogosphere. Other people just go through life changes that change their interests. Perhaps you started blogging to fulfill a certain need or purpose and then that need resolves itself in another way.

I only know that I have met wonderful people through blogging. I have learned all about swapping which filled me with joy and rapture. (like having modern-day pen pals!!!) I have found people who share similar interests and life experiences. I have learned lots of fabulous crafty things through tutorials and the publishing of people's work on their blogs. I have found and purchased the work of artists and crafters that now graces my home. I have been inspired to try new things and to think about new ideas. It's a wonderful thing.

So, if you blog, I challenge you to let go of any concerns about keeping up with posting or coming up with interesting material or worrying about advertising or readership or blog rankings. Just follow your bliss and follow the links that your favorite bloggers post because you never know what interesting and wonderful people you will meet.

Crafting in Progress

Hello Friends!

I have been spending the last few nights making some VERY SIMPLE valentines for Baby to send friends and family. I am also working on making a little gift for my buddy Gary whose birthday is right around the corner.

I ordered this month's Jenni Bowlin kit and I'm looking forward to doing it! I love her kits because they have pretty much everything you need and they are quick projects to do.

I have also subscribed to Teresa's e-zine and I am gathering items for the first project.

Busy busy....I'll post photos soon!

(The above photo is borrowed from Chas Batte Studio....this lovely Prince Charming is for sale on eBay right now...Isn't he wonderful?)

Your Most Cherished Family Memory

On my favorite radio show, the Bob and Sheri show, they discussed a quiz out of the book THE BIG BOOK OF RELATIONSHIP QUIZZES. The quiz was focused on the nature of our most cherished family memories.

Let's take it together.

Each of the following words or phrases represents a SCENT memory. Choose your favorite smell:

1)maple syrup

2)spiced apple cider

3)pine

4)roaring fire




Have you picked one yet?




Okay, here is what they mean.

If you chose the smell of "maple syrup," your favorite family memories are those that are luxurious. The luxury items you invest in provide comfort and security and are not just frivolous indulgences and these people are the most likely to make new happy memories because they can make the connection between happy memories and the effort that it takes to create them. They understand that happy memories are made and don't just fall out of the sky.

If you chose the smell of "spiced apple cider," your favorite family memories are linked to achievement. People attracted to strong spice scents tend to be achievement-oriented extroverts whose most important memories center around early success. They are not afraid of being noticed for what they can do and they are born risk-takers. When they need an emotional boost, memories of past achievements can provide that.

If you chose the smell of "pine," your favorite family memories are linked to nature. Among adults born twenty or more years ago, most childhood memories center around being outdoors. If you choose pine, you have a youthful attitude which endears you to children and helps you to maintain a youthful exuberance.


If you chose the smell of a "roaring fire," your favorite family memories are linked to togetherness. Your probably cherish family memories like baking cookies with mom or spending lazy Sundays reading the comics, neighborhood block parties, etc. These people tend to have warm, generous hearts. They love to have home fires burning and lots of people around.


I found this really interesting. I happened to choose "roaring fire" and I think it really describes me. I am an adopted child and I think adopted children often subconsciously work on building family. I am disappointed that none of my brothers-in-law have children because I am an only child and Baby will never get to experience having cousins. I have always wanted to tight-knit family that spends joyful holidays together. Still working on that....