Because I'm Me

Crazy

2012-01-31T01:11:00.000-05:00

yes, that's my son

I am spending this week running around like a crazy chicken with my head cut off (lovely expression, right?). Yes, it's only Monday, but I'm planning to spend the week being busy getting dizzy (Nothing At All, a favorite around here).

The sale at Very Jane was quite successful and great for getting my "Because I'm Me" name out there. Of course, the items that sold the most were the ones I had the least fabric for, so I've spent the last few days running all over town and scouring the internet for replacement fabric. Challenging, but exciting at the same time. Most of this week will be spent cutting and stitching oodles of crayon and pencil rolls, then packaging them as pretty as I can (I'm not a paper craft person) and shipping them out.

I've three quilts in the works. Photos to come. I've developed a strange love for triangles. I didn't see that one coming, but I'm having a great time coming up with all sorts of new fabric triangle configurations.

Craft show in Alva Saturday. First craft show in years. I'm not ready. Nope, not one bit. Well, maybe one bit but not so much more than that. But I'm so excited to have the chance to do some networking and get out and talk to adults!

The whole little point here is that I've got posts brewing in my head and I want to get them on paper, but that probably won't happen this week.

Have yourself a wonderful week. Can you believe it's February 2012 is upon us on Wednesday?

{this moment}

2012-01-28T21:53:00.000-05:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

From SouleMama

*****

Because I'm Me at Very Jane

2012-01-28T21:10:00.000-05:00

$8.50 | Fun & Creative Crayon & Pencil Roll-Ups - 10 Styles!

These Because I'm Me pencil and crayon roll-up holders regularly retail for between $15 and $19, for this very special off at Very Jane they are only $8.50 each.

If you haven't "met" Very Jane yet it's a great site for daily deals on handcrafted items. There are four or so deals offered each day and the offers last for a few days, and all are at great discounts, like the Because I'm Me pencil and crayon rolls that are 56% off regular price.

The sale on the pencil and crayon holders ends Monday and quantities are limited.

This and That

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000-05:00

A few items of note (to me) to mention ...

First of all, after many months I've changed my blog header. And I used Picnik, but no fancy stuff. I'll be going back with some other images to play, play, play. But for now I have a new header.

Next, there's a new shop in town. Fort Myers town, that is. Savvy on First is expanding and adding a second location on Cypress Lake Drive (9405 Cypress Lake Dr., Ft. Myers FL 33919 (Opening Feb.1)). I will be one of the 200 artists featured in the new shop. I've stocked some onesies, handbags, coasters, and baby layette items. This will be the first time, since Ditto Kiddo closed, that I'll have any of my items in a brick and mortar store, I have no idea what to expect, especially with a new store, but I'm hoping for the very best. I spent some time with Lisa, the owner, today and the shop is going to be so exciting. She's got some terrific ideas and some great merchandise. If you're in the area, either downtown Fort Myers or the Cypress Lake/McGregor area, stop into Savvy for a peek.

On Saturday, February 4th the Alva Community Park will be having it's first Annual Craft Show, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Admission is free. I will be there peddling my Because I'm Me wares. This is the first craft show I've done since River was born, I think, so I'm a bit disorganized and getting a little nervous about being ready in time, especially since I have a whole booth to fill and not just a smaller table. I don't think it'll be hugely busy, but it seemed like a good opportunity to do some networking with other crafters and artists and since I didn't have any other plans I thought I'd give it a shot. If you happen to be in Alva, Florida on the 4th of February, stop by and say, "Hi."

And now I'm off to work on binding a zig-zag quilt.

A little Picnik play in the bottom left corner

Good News / Bad News - Picnik is Closing

2012-01-23T23:27:00.001-05:00

(Cross posted to Because I'm Frugal, no you're not experiencing deja vu.)

If you've ever used Picnik to edit photos you know how awesome all their tools are, and have seen the wonderful things that can be done on their site with a photo. A lot of it could be done for FREE. FREE collages, free frames, free text added in all sorts of awesome fonts. I love Picnik.

The bad news is that Picnik is closing.

An e-mail was sent out Saturday saying, "Since joining Google in 2010, we have been creating editing magic in Google products while continuing to keep Picnik awesome. But now we get to focus on even awesomer things. Picnik will be closing on April 19, 2012."

I don't know what the "awesomer things" are but I'm happy for them, and so so so sad for me. If you know of a comparable photo editing site please let me know. The e-mail from Picnik goes on to state, "We are excited by the photo-editing fun we have already brought to Google products, like Google+, where you can find many of your favorite Picnik effects in Creative Kit. We encourage you to visit Google+ and give it a whirl." Has anyone tried Creative Kit? If you know of another comparable photo editing site please let me know.

The good news, and the reason I'm sharing this, is that Picnik's premium services are FREE FOR ALL until they close on April 19, 2012. Folks, there's some fun stuff to play with there. I plan to spend the next three months colorizing, decorating, framing, doodling, skewing, collaging, and whatever else I can until my images bear no resemblance to their former selves. Well, maybe not that much, but I will be making some collages for Because I'm Me merchandise, and a back stock of banners for blogs, websites, and Etsy.

Also, if you are a Picnik premium member you'll be getting a full refund of your annual fee, whether you signed up last week or eleven months ago.

recently created on Picnik

Treasury Love

2012-01-23T21:49:00.000-05:00

I feel so blessed lately to be included in so many wonderful treasuries on Etsy. It's very encouraging and quite a compliment. Here are a few more from the last few days, followed by the first treasury I put together, which was a lot of fun but not as easy as it looks!

My blue and white quilt is in the bottom row, second from the right.

My butterfly onesie, third row, second from right

My handiwork (well, the treasury anyway, not the greatness in it!) There is so much wonderful stuff on Etsy, picking and choosing is not easy!

{this moment}

2012-01-20T08:00:00.003-05:00

Another Great Etsy Treasury

2012-01-19T09:31:00.000-05:00

First row. Second image. Because I'm Me.

(mostly a test to see how this app looks, thanks for bearing with me)

More Love

2012-01-17T01:10:00.000-05:00

Taking a break from sewing oodles of colorful triangles to share these fantastic treasuries Because I'm Me was included in this weekend. The items in both treasures use Dick and Jane fabric. Fun little coincidence!

Click on the images to see the treasuries on Etsy.

See the Dick and Jane pencil roll smack dab in the middle there? :)

Barely in the image, but the bottom right is Because I'm Me's Dick and Jane Baby Quilt.

I am so honored to be included with the other wonderful handcrafted treasures in these collections.

Weirdest Conversation

2012-01-15T08:00:00.001-05:00


bowling balls at the orange grove

Ran into Joann Fabrics on New Year's Day for one particular fabric (the binding in this quilt). Of course, they didn't have that fabric but they did have a few clearance fabrics at just the right price.

I get to the front of the line and the gal starts cutting my fabric ... (this isn't the exact words, but close ... ):

Her: So, did you go outside and watch the sky at midnight?

Me: No, we didn't make it outside.

Her: Well, we did. And when we got outside we saw two red lights going up into the sky. They were going much too high to be fireworks and one was moving in our direction. It were moving too fast for the telescope so we looked at it through binoculars, and it said "USA" on it. It was very loud too. One was moving south and one was moving west. I called ABC News and they didn't know anything about it but said they'd call me back if they found out anything.

Me: Oh, wow.

Her: They called back at 3:30 am, it's ok we were still up playing poker, and said they knew what the things were but couldn't discuss it because it was a matter of national security. I called FOX news and they said, also, that it was a matter of national security so they couldn't discuss it.Well, that sure tells me what was going on.

Me: Yes, wow.

Her: We're not the only ones who saw it. It's all over Facebook. Of course it's bombs, and they were shooting them off at midnight to hide behind the fireworks and noise of New Year's Eve. And then I hear there's an earthquake in Japan this morning, which could have been from a missile landing in the water.

Me: Oh my (yeah, I'm a big talker).

Her: Here you go. Have a wonderful New Year!

See - Weirdest Conversation. At least the weirdest conversation I've ever had at a fabric store.

I have to admit it was a little unnerving. Especially after reading about Iran and their missile testing on New Year's Eve. My guess is either missile testing or wonderful lady at the cutting counter just wasn't thinking clearly that afternoon!

Bowling balls at the orange grove is not relevant, just odd.

Fourteen

2012-01-13T20:00:00.000-05:00

fourteen (ˈfɔːˈtiːn)

— n
1.	the cardinal number that is the sum of ten and four
2.	a numeral, 14, XIV, etc, representing this number
3.	something represented by, representing, or consisting of 14 units
4. the age of my oldest, tallest, deepest voiced, closest to driving age son, Happy Birthday Ian!
— *determiner*
4.	a. amounting to fourteen: fourteen cats
	b. ( as pronoun ): the fourteen who remained

{this moment}

2012-01-13T08:00:00.002-05:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

From SouleMama

*****

Birthday Backpack Sewing

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

When I made River his backpack (which he loves and wears everywhere) in November I also made a couple more for a niece and nephew with birthdays on the horizon.

The birthdays have passed and here are their backpacks.

For my nephew I made a backpack similar to River's but with a different reverse side fabric, this one another airplane fabric. Other than that, the two are identical.

Given the chance to sew for a young girl I wasn't going with airplanes! Instead I used this wonderful red MoMo Wonderland fabric. The reverse side is a subtler blue green floral.

I had so much fun making these, though it had been a while so my recollection of the order of operations and measurements was a little faded. It all worked out in the end though.

Crayon and Pencil Rolls / Holders

2012-01-11T14:14:00.001-05:00

I made a few roll-up crayon and pencil holders as gifts this year and they were very well received. And the rolls were so much fun to make. So I made a few more. And then a few more. And then I stopped. To catch my breath.

They are so fun, so fun, you see (little Green Eggs and Ham reference). I'm heading the sewing machine to put a few more together.

Crazy new obsession.

More practical notes ...

these travel really well, once rolled up the crayons and pencils don't slip out
River, at age 3, very easily puts his crayons in the holder and takes them back out himself
I've made many of the crayon rolls with elastic and button closures so it's easier for little fingers to secure it themselves, and all new ones will be made that way (if you order a crayon roll it'll come with an elastic closure)
all the pencil roll fabrics are designed to be used by kids of all ages, even grown-ups ... no childish prints there
the less feminine pencil rolls also close with a button and elastic, guys don't usually want ribbon
each holds 12 crayons or pencils (or markers, or paintbrushes)

Available in the shop (in more styles than shown here - yup, I'm that excited about these).

And I thought Christmas had Passed

2012-01-11T08:00:00.002-05:00

The mailman has been bringing me the best things lately. You'd think Christmas season was still upon us.

I recently received this gorgeous hand-dyed fabric from Laura at Laura's Art on the Run that I won through Quilting Bloggers Blog Hop Giveaway. I'm not convinced I'll ever be able to cut into it, it's so pretty.

Also arriving via snail mail was my January block for Block Swap Adventures, made by Tiffany at Pinks Sweet Treats. Isn't it pretty? I was smiling BIG while I opened the block.

Oddly, both packages arrived from Wisconsin. As did a third package that came today, with a free Poise sample (HUH? why did I get this?) from Kimberly-Clark (actually, it might not have come from Wisconsin, but they used to be based near my home town in WI). Two great packages, and a weird one, from the state with the best football team ever. How cool is that? (Go Pack Go)

Feeling Pretty

2012-01-10T00:48:00.000-05:00

I have been featured in two Team FEST treasuries in the last few days. Before I begin ... Team FEST is the Florida Etsy Street Team and is an awesome group of women from an awesome state. I am thrilled to be a part of the group. If you're a Florida Etsian do check the group out.

The first, above,called "Celebrate Life with a Splash of Color", my Celebrate wall hanging is shown with all sorts of other gorgeousness. I'm madly in love with the quirky robot in the second row and the bowls in the fourth row ... not that I'd say no if you gave me anything here!

The second, below, entitled "Team FEST Monthly BNS - Ring in the New Year" contains my Forest Friends crayon roll, along with a great selection of other beauties.

I'm feeling so pretty and popular today!

{this moment}

2012-01-06T08:14:00.000-05:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

From SouleMama

*****

Late Christmas celebration. Busy kids while waiting for everyone to arrive.

The BOAT Bucket, Revisited

2012-01-03T22:01:00.000-05:00

Many years ago I posted about the BOAT Bucket - The Bucket of Abandoned Things. (Yes, I know calling it a BOAT Bucket is redundant, bucket is mentioned twice ... but I'm the momma, so there.)

The BOAT Bucket is where things children have left laying around go at the end of the day. Items can be retrieved from the bucket for $.25 each (2 shoes = 2 items), and schoolwork and library books must be retrieved first.

The bucket has stuck around, a large Rubbermaid tub tucked high atop a cabinet, but it isn't used much anymore. Not due to lack of need, at all, instead it just kind of fell to the wayside over time.

Yesterday I told the kids though, that anything left out last night would be in the BOAT Bucket this morning. Momma is ready to stop tripping over shoes, Christmas gifts, and other things.

Last night I met Pinterest. My dear friend set me up ... with no warning whatsoever that I was entering an enormous brain tickling time sucker (I would love for you to follow me, but how do I tell you how to do that?). A short time later (ahem, a few hours ... maybe quite a few hours) I came across a link to this awesome blog post by Becki at Madsens Memories.

Her idea is similar to the BOAT Bucket ... a box to hold mislaid items in, requiring "payment" to get things back. Only instead of a quarter per item she charges a task like "dust living room" or "clean out van". There are a few silly tasks too, such as "Do 25 jumping jacks while singing, “I am a cleaning machine.”". Also included are a few free passes, or warnings. Her list is posted in the blog post.

Well, hello! Cleaning for their stuff? I love it when kids clean. Really, truly.

I copied Becki's list and made a few changes, adding and removing a few things here and there. I cut the tasks up and tossed them into a manilla envelope, which went into the BOAT Bucket with the assorted shoes and life jackets left laying around last night.

The kids got a kick out of it. They giggled as they reached in and pulled out their task tickets. One had to scrub the upstairs bathroom bathtub and organize the silverware drawer and another had to vacuum the family room and organize the upstairs bathroom cabinet. One lucky duck got a warning. One did opt to pay for his things, and was sweet enough to pay for another brother's shoes.

I really do love it when kids clean. I also love having all those little nagging jobs that aren't part of everyday cleaning, like organizing drawers and closets, get done. For me this is a WIN. Which should scare the children ... I warned them that as much as I love a clean house I'm going to be sure to put things in the bucket!

If you make a BOAT Bucket or Ransom Rubbage Bucket of your own I'd love to hear about it.

Back to Pinterest ... I'm fairly lost in it, what should I know to navigate my way around and make it work for me?

Nature Journals

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

One of the creative writing tools I use with the kids is working in nature journals.

Nature journals, for us, are for writing or drawing whatever you want when you're out of doors. One day a child might write a poem about the clouds after lying on her back for a while, another day one might create a line drawing of a river, or just write random scribbley doodley thoughts all over the page, or press flowers. or write a story about fairies, or design a garden of their own, or chronicle the adventure of the day.

Cassie recently confided to me that she hated nature journals when she was younger. I never had any hint that this was the case. But, she then said, looking back she wished she'd enjoyed it more because it's a neat idea and she's glad she had to do it.

My goal with the nature journals is to keep the creative brain awake. To exercise that half of the brain which is responsible for more abstract thinking. To see the nature around them and let them see how it moves them - because it is moving and inspiring.

A home schooling goal I'm setting for 2012 is to gather up our nature journals and head out far more often.

Crayon and pencil holders available in the shop.

2012 Goals

2012-01-01T23:33:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year everyone!

My goals for the upcoming year are pretty simple.

1. Exercise at least 3 times a week for 30 minutes each.

2. Continue with the financial focus, working on paying off debt and continuing to save wherever we can.

3. Increase Because I'm Me business.

4. Smile and laugh - good goal worth keeping!

5. Plant and grow a vegetable garden.

6. Work on time management.

7. Have a happy and healthy home, and be the best Mama I can be.

8. Sew clothes. Something with a different challenge than quilting offers. Just to mix things up a little.

And now a look at last years goals:

1. Continue to work to create a financially manageable home (lots of couponing, penny pinching, etc.). Worked toward it.

2. Become comfortable sewing with zippers. I'd intended to do this by today, but that didn't happen so I'll give it another year. I did it. I sewed a zipper. Last week, finally!

3. Increase Because I'm Me business. Still working on that one.

4. Take a class. Any class. I took a childcare class.

5. Smile and laugh a lot. Yup.

6. Commit to a color and repaint my living room. Yup.

7. Find a way to get the kids traveling a bit. Still working on this one, definitely didn't accomplish it.

8. Learn how to apply make up (on me ... I don't wear it, have no clue). Getting there, I've been working on it.

9. Plant and grow a vegetable garden. Didn't do this, though I did get four citrus trees planted.

10. Be the best Mama I can be for my kiddos. While this is an ongoing goal it is my biggest goal each and every day.

11. Have a happy, healthy home. I'd say this is an ongoing goal, one I certainly strive to achieve daily.

Ringing Out 2011

2011-12-31T13:31:00.000-05:00

A few projects from 2011. Looking forward to many more in 2012.

{this moment}

2011-12-30T11:50:00.000-05:00

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

From SouleMama

*****

Orange you Happy?

2011-12-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

A visit to our local u-pick citrus. We've seen their little signs for years and finally made the time to visit.

It was one of our best adventures yet. Grapefruit, a cat, lemons, signs, tools, an alligator, friendly owners, and more oranges than we could ever pick (and just $9 for a 5 gallon bucket of oranges!).

Purse n-alize-it! Tutorial

2011-12-27T08:00:00.002-05:00

baby bling!

package front, multi lg chandelier

While playing elf I came across a package of Purse n-alize-it! adhesive rhinestones that I wanted to use on a handbag I was making. As you can see from the images below, the package contains no instructions whatsoever. I googled and found no instructions, other than to use glue to adhere each individual rhinestone.

Deciding that couldn't be the best route to go I attempted ironing the rhinestones on, which was a success. I decided to post a little tutorial so that other crafters could find the instructions for this, and wouldn't opt to glue each and every little rhinestone (I wasn't doing that, while I love the beautiful diva I was making this for that just wasn't going to happen!).

package back

A few years ago, I made my daughter a shirt using one of these products and once they are on an item they stay on extremely well, which is very impressive given the washings kids clothes receive.

I originally purchased the product at JoAnn's Fabrics, but I don't know that they still carry it. The date on the pack of the package is 2007, so it may be out of production. Nevertheless, instructions seem useful.

Please excuse the quality of the images, the lighting wasn't optimal the day the photos were taken.

Purse n-alize-it Adhering Tutorial

Step 1: Press item rhinestones will be adhered to remove wrinkles and create a smooth work surface. Lay out the item so the rhinestone sheet can be easily applied.

step 1

Step 2: Remove clear plastic piece with rhinestones from package, discarding white plastic and paper pieces. Center, rhinestone side down, on item to be embellished.

step 2

Step 3: After item is placed where it is going to be permanently attached cover the plastic sheet with a piece of cotton fabric and press. After a few seconds lift the fabric back and see if the plastic sheet peels up leaving the rhinestones behind. If the rhinestones pull up too press for a few more seconds, gently moving the iron to avoid overheating the plastic. Continue pressing and checking until rhinestones are adhered.
.

step 3

Step 4: Remove fabric piece and peel back plastic, again ensuring that all rhinestones adhere to the item being embellished.


step 4

Step 5: Enjoy your new blinged-out one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

step 5: completed item

Winner Winner. That's Me.

2011-12-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

I am so lucky! I won this awesome Amy Butler bag book from Melissa at Loblolly Quilts. I can't wait to dive into it and make a few bags ... and my oldest daughter has already picked a few she'd like (I think it's time for her to learn to sew. And cook.).

The book itself is terrific, with easy to read instructions and great photographs. I love it.

Thanks Melissa!