Still Here...

Quick post before Rick and I leave for Iowa for his school's last homecoming! The smallest school in Iowa is closing after this year. Check out a couple pics here--you'll be impressed!

Well, I've enjoyed a break from bows this month. The busy season a couple months ago just took it out of me! Trying to think through how much to do this spring/summer... How much to focus on the Etsy shop, preparing for shows for 2010... I've realized this month just how busy last fall and December was. In the end it was worth it, but it really was too much of a toll on our family. It was a bit of an experiment to see how many shows I should do in a season, so I kinda just had to go for it and see.

So this month I've been more rested (which is a huge benefit to my family), and I've had much more time I have to spend quality time with the kids and get things done around the house. I don't have the desire yet to pick it back up to speed, restock the Etsy shop with new pics and listings and all that jazz. A big part of that is the fact that Calvin is going to Kindergarten next fall! I never wanted a part time job having young kids at home, so I need to figure out how to keep this at a "hobby level" as best as I can for now.

AND, we're hoping that adding another child to our family (via adoption) is not TOO far off in our future. My nesting instincts are kicking in, even though it's likely we could have another 12 months or more ahead of us. But time flies with young kids, so it's really not all that much time. I want to spend more time focusing on things I've wanted to do for my kids and our home, and I've already got some of those things done this month! Keep an eye on our family blog for pics of fun projects--I spent last weekend with boards and a saw making a castle for outside play (pics as soon as it's painted!), I've got a spaceship project lined up for Calvin's room, robot PJ pants for Calvin, a little makeover for our living room, Fallyn's quilt...

All that being said, I am DEFINITELY still taking custom orders, you can still stop by to buy bows, you can still shop the Etsy shop... I'm just kickin' back a little for now.

Hope you all have enjoyed your month!

December in Pics

The kids love to "help".

Tara and I each had our own booth space side-by-side and opened it up into one big space. We loved our location being alongside the wall of the gym....perfect spot for our stuff. And Fallyn, who spent the 2nd day with me. She loved her little perch. Check out Tara's new machine--if you need any custom embroidery (monograms, names put on blankets or shirts, etc.), she's your gal! She's GOOD.

Outfit for my niece, sewn by Tara. The skirt is an adorable tiered skirt and so well-made! Of course I had to make matching bows!

Special pigtail bows for my niece, who told me her favorite colors are "pink and orange together." I cannot for the life of me, get pink to show up in photos very well. Doesn't look so hot here, but they're really cute in person.

Fallyn's Christmas bow, which matched the dress from Grandma perfectly, as well as a dress I sewed for her out of this fabric. No green in this fabric, but I just had to use the gorgeous jewel! So cute with a plain ivory top, too.

Special pigtail set I made for Fallyn.

This ribbon is too sweet! It matches so much with shades of green and pink!

Vintage earrings turned into hair clips!

Get exactly the size and colors you want with a custom order! Here's a small order I did for a friend, who picked her perfect size and ordered a few basic colors, with a little sparkle in the middle (no extra charge) to add a little somethin' to a plain bow.