I Have a Confession

I know I have apologized profusely for neglecting this blog (as well as my other one). I haven't been totally honest as to why I haven't been around. Truthfully there are probably many factors that have lead to my decline but I have decided to confess the main reason.

About a year ago I attended a social gathering with people I didn't know well or, in many cases, at all. The topic of blogging came up and, to make a long story real short, I was asked point blank "Why do you think that anyone cares about what goes on in your daily life? Why don't you just send emails to friends and family, aka the people who actually do care? " Now many of you reading this (if I even have any readers left) are fellow bloggers and I happen to know that I am not alone when I say that that very thought has crossed my own mind periodically. It's that dark, nasty voice that tries to deter us from doing anything significant or meaningful. It's that voice that makes us our own worst enemy. I have fought that rotten voice off for the 3+ years I have blogged and crafted, reminding myself to ignore it and carry on. Well that one fateful night last year was the physical manifestation of "the voice". It looked me in the eye and told me that I have no place speaking publicly. That my life is insignificant and no one cares. Sadly, that was more than I could take. I subconsciously decided to close up shop and quietly retreat back to my apparently insignificant life as a stay at home mom.

I know you all are disappointed in my inability to call an asshole and asshole and stand up for myself and blogger womankind. Rest assured that no one is more disappointed than me. I allowed this person to take my voice. Not the nasty one but the self-expressive one. The one that makes me feel alive and connected. The one that allows me to vent all of this creative and occasionally stifled energy and, in turn, makes me a better mother...a better person.

Over the months that I remained quiet, a very sad thing happened. I lost my voice. I forgot all that makes my mind race and my pulse speed up.  Last week I realized how much I missed this little outlet of mine. Sharing about my family and daily activities is fun and I love that my distant relatives and friends can stay in the know but what I missed most was sharing me. My thoughts, my hardships, my isms and revelations.  I processed my thoughts this way and, most importantly, I received good, positive feedback from people who cared.

So here I am, confessing the truth and standing up to say...no yell

MY LIFE MATTERS. MY THOUGHTS MATTER. I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO SAY WHATEVER I WANT TO SAY IN AS PUBLIC A PLACE AS I WANT TO. YOU DON'T HAVE TO READ IT...HECK YOU DON'T EVER HAVE TO COME HERE AT ALL. BUT IF YOU DO, MY DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN. AMEN

Lovely Flower Tutorial

I just adore tutorials. I have learned most of what know in the craft department from online tutorials. When I stumble upon a great one, I must pass it along. This one is great!

This flower was so quick and easy to make. Most of what I do the first time is less than perfect but this tutorial was pretty fool proof.

I used felt for this first go round but I can't wait to try fabric. The center is a pearl seed button.

I attached the rosette to a trusty bend and snap barrette. You know I love those because I can put it in their hair, on a crochet hat, on a head band....even on a scarf or bag.

The answer is yes, I have tortured my poor baby girls (ok not so much babies anymore but forever babies to me) by making them try this on in every possible way. You can see that Gracie is ecstatic about it.

Summer Recap Volume 2: The Fair

Oh my, just looking at these photos make me wish I could rewind... replay. This was another magical time for us. My sister in law, Jaysi, and her 2 boys came to stay for a full week. We were on the run trying to pack in memories and adventures. This was tops in my book.

Our little town hosts a fair every summer. It is small and manageable and so much fun for all!

There are rides for the little kiddos and rides for the big one. Imagine having a fair that is full of all of your middle school buddies. Meeting that girl you have had your eye on and riding the ferris wheel with her. Not that my big boy would share all of that with me but I can only imagine what those long days at the fair involved.

That is what the magical memories of childhood are made of. Riding your first roller coaster with your best cousin by your side.


And remote control car races. Come on....doesn't get any better!

Summer Recap Volume 1: The Beach

School starts tomorrow. I am not ready...at all. Jack is off to a brand new school, same district but the new middle school has been completed. I am so excited for him. I am hoping that all the hard work he did last year will continue. Fall baseball begins tonight. Nothing like jumping in with both feet!

Sammy is off the kindergarten tomorrow. I can't even discuss that. I am NOT ready. He is more than ready but his poor mommy can't handle these kids growing up so fast. My girl friend pointed out why this is so hard for me yesterday. I am terrified to start this school ball rolling because it is a slippery slope. You send them off to kindergarten and when you turn around, they are teenagers. I know everyone says that but it really is true (*sniff, sniff*).

Before we can jump into the present, I have to recap the summer. It was magical and wonderous. We had adventure after adventure. Our week in Michigan was definitely a highlight!

My littles are growing up a mile a minute. They jumped on the jetski and didn't want to get off.

I even convinced my my mother in law to go for a ride. The real ride came when she finally relented and let her son drive her. It was a blast!!

Grandpa and girlies.

This is what hard work at the beach looks like. Our men were quite proud.

Babies in the sand...doens't get any better in my opinion!

This was my preferred way to spend the day. I was even brought a frosty adult beverage a few times. Perfection.

Anyone who has spent summertime in Michigan knows that ice cream on a near daily basis is a must. Diet? What diet?

Boys.

Girls.

BLISS!

Bridal Crafting

Here comes the bride, all dressed in white. This past weekend I hosted a small bridal shower for our dear Aunt Shelly.

Her wedding is in less than 2 weeks now. Brian and I will be heading to Colorado Springs so that I can stand next to her as her matron of honor and celebrate this joyous occasion.

The little shower included 4 flower arrangements for the table and for the guests to take home with them.

I made these candy wrapper sachets (pattern from One Skein) for the favor. Actually, my lovely friend, Heather, made 2 and I made 2. Thank heaven for good friends! Jo Ann had cute heart charms in the bridal department. I thought that they would bring a touch of love to the mood of the party.

Jacky-boy so graciously modeled the arpon I made for Aunt Shelly. This went along with the Anthropologie measuring cups and spoons.

I have photos of the actual shower that I will post soon. Happy Monday!

Missing You!

My poor little blog, I am sorry for the neglect. Life is so very busy and finding time to nurture and grow you is escaping me. I have so much to share that I could burst. Soon...I hope. I will leave you with this new summertime favorite just so you don't forget about me.

Completed Armwarmers and a Gift for Baby

I have said it before and I'll say it again, I adore small knitting and crochet projects. Knitting is very time consuming and given my short attention span and limited crafting time, small = ideal.

Here are the completed armwarmers I made using the lovely yarn I posted about earlier. The color is wonderful and bright and these puppies are super soft and cozy. Not sure if I will gift these or if I must simply keep them for myself. Regardless, this pattern will be used again for sure!
Pattern: Irish Hiking Scarf Armwarmers (free on Ravelry)
Yarn: Hand-dyed wool from farmers market.


Here is my current project. A new baby boy has been born and he must have a crochet blanket, right? I will be working on some other things for him as well.

Life has been crazy. I have been with my kids 24/7 for the last 2 weeks with no time to shop and very little time to craft. Hopefully that will change very soon!