Motherhood

Sam is two weeks old today. I am still adjusting to being a new mommy. Sam is so sweet and just a very nice little boy. I am still tired, more tired than I expected but have laid off the pain pills and am just taking advil. I went to have my incsions checked the other day and I go back in two weeks to get checked out. Sam has his Dr. appt. next tuesday. I am looking forward to seeing how much he has grown.
Dan's friend from work took some gorgeous pictures of Sam the other afternoon. I can't wait to see how they turned out.
Meanwhile thank goodness I have a strong support system, I can't drive so my mom or Dan takes me around. Everyone helps out with the baby which is nice for me. Dan has been the biggest trooper for the past 2 weeks. He sat with me when they put my epidural in, was in during the C-section, held my hand and helped the nurse when she removed my staples, helped me pump and cleans my incisions. I didn't think it was possible to love him more than I did before but I do.

I will be more on the blogging craft track soon I promise. A little man has taken over my life so I have been a bit preoccupied.

Isn't he lovely.....

Isn't he lovely.....
Originally uploaded by sewitsforyou

This is a picture of Sam. He finally arrived via c-section last Thursday at 5:58 pm. He will be a week old tonight. He is such a sweet baby and we are so lucky that he is so good because I am functioning at about 50%. Dan and my folks have been a HUGE help. More info to come soon!

Been a long time....

Well I am still pregnant, not sure for how much longer. I have an appointment with the OB tomorrow to see what is going to happen. Sam feels HUGE but as of my last ultrasound at 33 weeks he measured over 6 pounds. I am 36 weeks now and the OB originally said if I could make it to the week of the 7th of September it would be the best case scenario. I go for stress tests 2x a week and so far so good. Dan and I have been living at my folks for the past 6 or 7 weeks and that has been interesting. We are grateful that we have them here and close but we miss our house and I have a ton of stuff to do before Sam gets here...Thanks for all the good wishes I promise to make up all of the blogging I have missed for all my groups I belong to...

When life hands you lemons.....

I try not to get too personal on this blog but we have hit a few snags in the road with this pregnancy. Sam and I are fine, he will be coming along a bit earlier than planned. He originally was due the 29th of September but could be here any time from 3 weeks from now until the latest September 7th. I have beem a bit preoccupied so other things (like this blog) have taken a back seat. I will keep you posted!

Featured Etsyblogger MiesMama

The July featured etsyblogger is MiesMama. Her shop is full of fabric and felted goodness. When I was looking at her shop I saw so many diferent types of items from headbands and pins, to garlands and bags.

I have picked a couple of the items to post here that grabbed my eye!

This Heart Felt Garland is over 6ft long and perfect for hanging in your home to celebrate an anniversary or Valentines day.
This pin cushion is just what my sofa needs. I am notorious for leaving pins in the arms of my sofa.

ARRRGGGHHH! Who doesn't love pirates? This adorable hand felted skull and crossbones bowl is only $15.00.

So go take a gander at MiesMama shop when you have a sec.

Completed Sexy Girl top

Completed Sexy Girl top
Originally uploaded by sewitsforyou

This is what I was working on last week to sooth my nerves. I tired doing that but as soon as I put the sequins into play all hell broke loose. What a HUGE pain in the a$$. It came out awesome and I can't wait to wear it again. It did look a bit on a big preggo belly but who cares right? I am exercising to try and calm down a bit and got the ok for some yoga so let's hope for smooth sailing this week.



here is a close-up of just her head.

Featured Etsyblogger: Lazy T Crochet

The featured Etsyblogger this month is Lazy T Crochet. There are so many different items in her shop, here are just a few of the ones I liked. She also excepts custom orders and doesn't require you to have a paypal account.

This boucle scarf is only $15. I can't imagine needing one in Florida but it would have been great when I was in San Fran.

For those of you starting on a more green living experience the perfect hand saver for your starbucks, this coffee sleeve is only $12 and will be the talk of the office.

This hat is reserved for someone, but I am a sucker for hats. Not currently since I am almost 7 months pregnant and I am hot all the time, but I think hats are super fun!
So go check out Lazy T Crochet.

MIA for a bit

I am having some personal issues right now that have caused me to be MIA for a bit and may continue for a while. We are all ok but any positive vibes out there would be greatly appreciated.

My friend Adrien

I met Adrien a couple years ago at a show I was doing in St. Pete. She runs this fabulous show called Atomic Holiday Bazaar, which I was lucky enough to be a part of last year. We have become friends over the years and I asked her these questions recently based on my interview with kittykill.


1. How did you get into embroidery and how long have you been doing it?
My aunt is an amazing embroidery artist and gave me my first needle and floss kit which was a chipmunk when I was about 8. I didn't get serious about learning difficult stitches until my early 20s prior to that, I was just sewing things my way which made for some really cool pieces but beading that wouldn't hold because I wasn't using the correct thread, etc. It's good to really do it right the first time, duh!

2. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
I'm sunny to partly cloudy.

3. Tell me about your indie business
Tuff Betty Bags began in '99 in L.A., I don't produce as much as I had in the past due to my other indie biz stuff, Vintage Stew on Etsy, Atomic Holiday Bazaar my crazy craft show in December, Raging Retro, stylized retro photography (I don't take the pics) so I'm pretty busy year round with my hands in a bit of everything.


4. Any advice for the masses
Trademark your business name...very important. The potential to lose your rights to your business name after you have established a good following is a true reality that can bite you in the behind. You can easily trademark your biz name on line and it is worth every penny to do so.


5. What is your website/blog
www.tuffbettybags.com
www.tuffbettybags.etsy.com
www.myspace.com/tuffbettybags
www.atomicholidaybazaar.com
www.myspace.com/atomicholidaybazaar
www.vintagestew.etsy.com
http://vintagestew.blogspot.com/
www.ragingretro.com

6. What is your favorite piece of yours?
Really too many to mention. Here are most of my bags on a Flickr slideshow, 1999 - to 2009

7. Who/What are some inspirations for you
Aubrey Beardsley, Edward Gorey, Arts and Craft Movement, Art Nouveau, nature, music and vintage clothing.

My friend Kittykill (AKA Pam)

This is a little interview I conducted with my good friend Kittykill. I met her on Craftster oh about 2 1/2 - 3 years ago. She is the moderator for needlework and I have learned so much from her. I am also lucky enough to have a few pieces made by her and her craftsmanship and attention to detail is not to be believed. We became fast friends and although we have never met in person I feel like I have known her my entire lifetime! I am so excited to have you all meet her!

1. How did you get into embroidery and how long have you been doing it?

I saw an ad for Sublime Stitching in Bust magazine and decided that I wanted to try it. I bought some patterns and began stitching. I had done some needlepoint and crosstitch up till then but really fell in love with embroidery. It was like I found a home,something I could do well and have an excuse to watch movies while doing it.I also discovered Craftster and my life has never been the same. I've met so many amazing talented people. I've been embroidering for about 5-6 years.

2. Tell me a little bit about yourself.....

I just turned 39, live in Portland Oregon with my husband Mark and our two Jack Russells Lola and Jujube. When I'm not stitching. I work for a women's domestic violence/sexual assault crisis line and help moderate Craftster.org. I love anything vintage from 1890-1950's, scary movies, kitschy stuff. We have a Tiki bar in our house and my hubby can make a mean drink. I treat my dogs like chilren and I'm sure it embarrasses my husband to death. I'm also a contributing writer on FeelingStitchy.com and I just started the Scrappy Dog Society. I love embroidering vintage patterns, it makes me smile to think 40 to 50 years from now my work will inspire someone when they see it at an estate sale or a thrift store. I love the way embroidery tells the history of our cultures. You can see the world evolving (or de-evolving) through stitches.

3. Tell me about your indie business

I have a shop on Etsy.com. 3 Jack Design. I sell jewelry, embroidery and vintage clothing/housewares. I also have a joint venture with an awesome friend selling patterns. We are still trying to come up with a name but the patterns seem to be doing quite well.

4. Any advice for the masses?

Don't listen to negative criticism! Do what you want to do and you will be happy. I don't embroider the conventional way but it always turns out the way I want it to. Also, practice, practice, practice. My first pieces were a little shaky but I kept up with it and really like the work I turn out now. Also, BE NICE TO PEOPLE! You can certainly be sassy but the head you step on, on your way to the top, is the ass you will have to kiss on the way back down to the bottom. Meet people in your community, encourage others to share their talent and their voices.

5. What is your website/blog?

My blog is fasterkittykill.blogspot.com and my etsy site is http://www.kittykill.etsy.com/

6. What is your favorite piece of yours?
(I have added some of kittykill's favorite pieces throughout the interview as well as here)

This pillow above was made for me by Kittykill from a Shag print and I <3 it.



7. Who/What are some inspirations for you?

My family inspires me. Music and movies inspire me. People in the crafting community like Jenny Hart, lovely little deer, anyakase, kunderwood, Lilyvanilli, Brook, flossbox, sew sew a go-go, fiberartsy. Pin up artist, bad "B" horror movies, vintage embroidery patterns and pieces. And of course-you!

If you want to read my interview on her blog check it out here
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