Finish It Friday

Finished up the buttermint cowl!!

I also finished up a little jar cozy for pens/pencils for my temporary work desk :)

Have you finished up anything fun lately??

~~Amy

What I Made...

Despite my little one being sick and being a few days behind my normal schedule, I did manage to get a little bit done this week.

I finished up a baby blanket that's been in progress for months. I reshot some product images and have worked on some more items. I'm currently working on a Moosey hat for Eli, his 4th birthday is Monday (I can NOT believe it..)

What's new with you?

 The Audrey, Granny Square Baby Blanket

 lacey stitch washcloth

 V Stitch baby Blanket

 Heart Wash Cloth for my CAL over on Ravelry!

I took some gratutious yarn shots also... 

I Need a Plan...or do I?

If I learned anything from my girl, disconnected experiment, it's that I stink at time management. I actually do manage to cram quite a bit of stuff into my days. I never missed deadline or projects when I was working. And currently, I do manage to get all my shop orders out, keep the house from exploding and everyone fed, clothed and somewhat happy.

But I still feel majorly stressed. I've tried a variety of schedules. It's hard to have ANY schedule in the summer when my boys are out of school, but what about the school year? I have YET to stumble upon one that works for me. The same thing every day? Or do I chose a "day schedule" like, monday is cleaning, tuesday is shop stuff, etc. Or do I go with the flow and do what works best in the time I have??

I know this much...sites like cozi.com, sparkpeople.com, etc don't work for me. It feels like such effort to get so streamlined and organized. I prefer a plain ol' notebook and written to do lists.

So maybe you guys can help me sort out my brain. Here are, on average some of the things I need to do in any given day or week:

Clean
Grocery shop/Plan Menus
Create/List/Network/Package/Ship/Manage all things for my business
Tend to the dog (usual pet chores, walking, pick up poop, etc)
Tend to the kids (usual kid chores, walking, pick up poop...oh wait.....)
Bible study
Reading (for fun...it is possible)
Writing (blogs and fiction)
Cook daily dinners and bi-weekly potluck food for church
Photograph (creative and handmade)
Friends/Social Networking/Calling Friends
Running errands with Dad
Exercise

Then there is the little things, the tv watching, driving in car for errands, taking the boys on fun trips, etc.And of course all the little things you do every day you don't even calculate...eating, showering, etc.

HOW do you possibly schedule all that? I'm contemplating just flat out spending a few weeks just letting things go with the flow, not TRYING to schedule anything....but will it backfire? It simply has to be possible to schedule it all in...somehow...

girl, disconnected...day 7--Adventures in Underwear

Oh, it's on. Like DONKEY KONG in my house.

So we have a dog. A super cute dog. A HOUSE TRAINED dog. Sooooo, my dear youngest child...it's time to take tips from the DOG.

You are well past the age that you could have been potty trained. You may have Autism, but you are incredibly high functioning, and for all intents and purposes "cured". (Please don't take that literally...he will always have Autism, but we've conquered many of the issues he had. Not all, but many.) So, dear child....it's underwear time.

Eli has sensory issues, that's no shocker. Feeding you often requires battle gear. I've accepted that. You scream. You kick. You throw things. (All of which you are slowly learning Mommy ain't hanging with.)

However....I will win this one. You will not be 40 and in diapers. You are completely physically able to potty train. So, it's ON.

He actually wore underwear tonite, so I figured, while I'm disconnected and supposedly finding more time....let's potty train!!

Of course I haven't created or sewn much lately but I rather figure that's a given during summer vacation. (August 8th....come on down...) But that's okay.....we got a doggy, and if I get a undie wearing boy out of it....I'll be a happy camper.

I'll keep you posted...let the underwear adventures begin...

What Mama's Been Up To...

I admit...I take on too much...and things slip through my fingers...such as blogging. In my defense, I have stayed on top of Daily Handmade Picks!! I have help with the lovely Danyel of Crazy Socks Crochet helping me do picks. If you haven't checked it out, please do! We really aim to choose unique, quality, lovely pieces each day! One little jewel to feast your eyes on each day!

So, I've not been able to add any tutorials and such for a bit, I apologize! Just WHAT have I been doing?

Well, I've been continuing my Year of Living Frugally! It's going well, I sufficiently stocked up in Nov-Jan so that Feb/March required much less grocery shopping! Couponing, watching sales, stocking up, it really does work!

Also, my littlest one started 3 hour a day preschool early intervention. While that gives me a few precious hours, business has picked up and kept me busy. He is LOVING school, and for those that followed his story, his Autism is what I consider nearly 'cured'. If you didn't know he had it, you wouldn't even notice. Sure, he has meltdowns, and has his little obsessions that you have to work with, but he's three, and some of that is normal!! He's adjusted wonderfully to school, and his speech is doing fabulous! If not for the food issues we have, I'd consider him completely 'cured'. (I say cure, but I look at Autism as you would cancer...you may beat cancer and put it in remission but you never take away the fact that you had it and it could come back. I see Autism like that. If we gave him gluten, stopped his therapies, his symptoms would return.). So I feel very confident by the time he's in kindergarten or first grade, he will no longer need his IEP services and may be able to just need a 504 plan (for his sensory issues). He's doing wonderful, my little buddy!

His big brother is also doing well in school, learning to read and loves kindergarten. I can't believe the school year is almost OVER!! Where has it gone?? He's working hard to learn to ride a bike, and Daddy is working on that with him. :)

Personally, I've been busting my tail on my businesses, my handmade goodies. I thank everyone who takes the time to check out my shops, share my work and purchase my work! I truly enjoy what I do and can't imagine not doing it. Who knows what the future holds, but I hope I'm buried in fabric for a long time to come!! :)


I'm also continued my Operation Simplify! I've successfully purged the house several times, donating the items. I've even purged my supplies! (GASP!) I gave up making handmade soap for profit, as much as I loved it, I realize I just didn't have the time. I will soap some for my boys but has sold or is selling the rest of my supplies. If you need anything, please check out Destash City, I plan to list more there ASAP.

My Handmade Louisiana team is about to celebrate two years!! I can't believe it's been 2 years since Merry, Lisa and I sat in that coffee shop and created Handmade Louisiana!! Stop on by if you haven't lately, we have a lovely new blog author, Baby Deary who is helping me out a ton with the blog!

Overall, things are well, I am happy and the family and businesses are good! I pray each of you are having the same experiences and enjoying this life while we have it! Things are bad out there, life is scary, but I go to sleep each night safe in the belief that we are not alone, God is in control and I pray for all our safety and joy!

Stay tuned, April will be a busy month! It's Badge Reels' 1 year anniversary and since Earth Day is in April, Micro Mops will be having some goodies!!

Happy Spring!!~~
Amy

Snowed In?

Are you snowed in? Thankfully I'm not, but I live in southern Louisiana, so if I was...well....I think that'd be national news!!

The kids have been sick with the crud, so the littlest one is home from school today (which has been going well by the way, he LOVES school!!) and mommy is just trying to clean, stay on top of things, and get a little time to create!!

Thought I'd take a minute to share a new design of mine...I decided to hand stitch over some fabric for my badge reels...give it a little unique-ness that my other reels don't have. This was a fun way to chill in front of the television..hand stitching the little birdies :)

Available in my Etsy shop, will hopefully be adding more soon as well as to my Artfire shop! :)

Find It Here!

Hi ho, Hi ho, off to work I go...again

Sheesh. So, here I go again! Off to work for a short time anyway :) I have to fill in for a coworker while she's out on medical leave for a few weeks. Not the best of timing since my oldest is just starting kindergarten, but we'll make it work!

So I shall be sparse for a bit trying to keep everything rolling!! But I'll be back with tutorials and new stuff hopefully real soon! Tutorials are in the works for easy zipper pouch, taggie blanket and more!

See you soon!!

Operation Simplify 2010 Update

Hey gang, it's been awhile since I updated my Operation Simplify 2010 plan! I'm doing OKAY at it! Let's face it, its hard for a supply hoarder to SIMPLIFY!!! I have however, continued to purge the house and giveaway or sell things we don't really need. When the seasons change it will be time to purge the closets and everything that the hanger is still facing the wrong way on--OUTTA HERE!

I'm aiming for a more organized life, that's for sure. Harrison will be in kindergarten in a few short weeks and that frees up my days a little, going back to having only one child at home much of the day. The online shops are doing well and I'm looking forward to having that uninterrupted naptime!!

I've been a hermit lately, but I think that's because I've taken a more active role in keeping this house in ORDER! I've got a goal to keep it tidier, more organized and with less STUFF!! (OKay so I still do the frantic 5:30 clean before my husband gets home so it LOOKS like I've been cleaning all day.)

I'm definitely no Martha Stewart, never will be. A clean house is a sign of a wasted life, I agree. But one's clean is another one's messy!!! LOL

Sooooo, I've purged, given away, found lost clothing in closets, given away supplies (YES FOR REAL) and tried to stick to a schedule. My next goal is to keep track EVERY DAY ALL DAY of what I do for a day and see where my time sucks are.

Thus ends this update on Operation Simplify 2010....purge people, purge!

~~mama

Content Decision....

I am sooooo happy to report I've made a decision...if you recall I started a new job back in February that was a temp position through the end of May. The job was among a company I formerly worked for and very much enjoyed. It worked out great that I could work at Harrison's school and my mother in law watched Eli.

Well, the time has come to make a decision...keep on working or stay home? After a short deliberation I decided to stay home! It's not even decided yet if the position I had would be returning or not, but that's okay with me, I'd already made up my mind. It wasn't an incredibly easy decision, I do love the job, it's in social services so I got to work with children but help families also. And I greatly enjoyed my coworkers. They were a blast and made me feel very welcome!

But I have to be real, my family is most important. Eli is only 2.5 yrs old. He has Autism, albeit high functioning, but he's just begun ABA therapy and that is extremely important to helping 'retrain' his brain. The problem is, it takes a lot to DO ABA Therapy and we feel its best that I be home to follow through with what the therapist says to do. He's already made great strides in it in a week's time!! His 'homework' this week was when he pulls me to something, I'm to get him to point and say "I want milk" or whatever it is. Well we've been doing that over and over, and earlier tonite he walked up to the pantry, pointed and said, "I Want Fish!" (Swedish Fish) without me prompting him at ALL. HUUUUGE Step for him!! He's been talking more and it's like he knows that it's on like Donkey Kong and I'm going to stay on top of this!!

So I am very happy with my decision, very content. My online handmade businesses are doing good to the point I can have a little bit of spending money for me (okay for more fabric buying...) and I enjoy doing it! The challenge of new projects, the comfort in making familiar ones, are all reasons I like creating handmade. So the beauty of staying home allows me to get that stuff done while Eli naps.

Harrison also starts kindergarten this year! (YIKES!) I'd like to be involved in his school. When Eli turns three in January there is a chance he'll go to school full time also. Perhaps then I can revisit the work situation. But right now, I'm happy to substitute from time to time, do my handmade thang, and be a MOMMY! :)

So I guess you'll be hearing more from me than the past few months!!
~~Amy

It's Almost SUMMER!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone sing it with me now...School's Out for Summer!! School's Out For EVER!
Ahhhh. Freedom is almost so close I can taste it. Easing back into the working world at Harrisons' school has been a tad hard for me. I enjoy the job very much even if there is that one person who tries to make your life hell (isn't there ALWAYS that one no matter where you go?) But no matter where you go or what you do, returning the work force after 4 years off to raise babies is hard! But for the most part I've enjoyed it, made friends with some awesome people, and would go back if my position comes back (not sure on that part...hopefully will know next week...)

But as much as I do enjoy the job (ok and the money)...I do miss my life at home! I miss being with Eli all day, and having my time to sew and craft! My handmade business had gotten to a comfortable steady selling point when I had to go back to work. So I'm looking forward to my summer! I hope it's filled with crafting, swimming boys, ice cream and snowballs!

Naturally I have big plans this summer...and little time to do them in! I will probably barely make a dent in my fabric pile!! (especially if I keep BUYING IT!) But here are some things on my to do list:

1. Make more red heel sock monkeys, using up all my red heel socks. 

2. Make more stuffed rocket loveys in various shapes because I have lots of cool prints for them, waiting!

3. Make a HUGE pile of swiffer pads because those are my best sellers and I need a nice stockpile done to last me awhile!

4. Sew a cute smocked dress for me!! (this is supposed to be done by May 28th, our work party but um yeah...)

5. Make Saints soap to be ready for football season reopening of my soap shop, Amelia Amos

6. Play around with the cricut, stamping and paper--just for fun!

7. Make more fabric yo yos and buttons...of course...because I can't stop!

What are your summer plans? I probably won't get to half of this list but it's nice to dream!!

~~Amy

Oh Vomit Fairy...

Ahh I knew that would get your attention...

So I hope your week was better than mine!! While I did start my new job on Monday, which I do enjoy, I had to take off Wed/Thur because myself, kids and Mother in Law were all ill. 2 days of the stomach flu--NOT FUN. Thankfully the boys are better, and I am on the mend. My MIL however has something bad, bronchitis, pneumonia or something. However she will NOT go to the doctor.

*sigh*

I have to return to work on Wednesday (thank GOD for Mardi Gras break) and I have NO idea if my MIL is going to be able to care for Eli. My stash of babysitters is fairly slim because everyone has their own kids, jobs, obligations to attend to.

If you know me, I'm not a fan of things 'up in the air'. I like a little bit of order...organized chaos as I say.

So needless to say not much crafting has gone on lately. I did finish up a huge batch of badge reels last week and took advantage of my bed rest to get stuff listed and organized on Etsy and Artfire.

Hopefully life will settle down and I can attack my fabric soon. It's calling me...Ammmmyyyyyy, come sew meeeeeeeee.

What your fabric doesn't talk to you?

~Amy

Operation Simplify Update

So. I have a new job starting Monday. That is probably the opposite of my Operation Simplify plan but I am going to learn to roll with it. It's a 'temp' job that ends in May so there is an end in sight. It means extra money that is much needed in our household. The job is at my sons' school so he literally goes to work with me, 8am-3pm. How sweet is that? It's with a company I used to work for from 2002-2006, so I'm familar with everything (although the job itself is new to me).

The job may turn into something permanent in the fall when they open a new center (www.rcddc.org) but we shall see. A lot depends on my mother in law being willing to continue to watch Eli, because even if I could afford daycare, we can't just put him anywhere. Him having Autism makes me far less willing to put him in any old daycare (particularly when you work for one of the top rated child care programs in the COUNTRY you're a little pickier about child care..) But if he's not with someone who understands his Autism, he can have regressions. Since he's doing AWESOME, I'm not willing to take that chance.

So when Moms isn't around, Grandma is just as good :) God Bless my mother in law. Even though she may drive me batty sometimes, she loves those boys will all her heart and is always there when we need her. Grandma's rock!

Now you may ask, how can adding a full time job simplify your life? Well for one, it will probably force me to give up even more in the handmade/online world. Much of what's for sale in my shops is done and ready to ship. So this will force me to be pickier about what I spend time making when I DO have time to create (weekends and holidays. I sense a Spring Break of sewing for me!)

At this point... we needs da money! So I shall make it work..somehow..someway!

And the best part is...I get a desk! A real live desk!! I've never had a job like that before! And I can wear almost grown up clothes (could be pulled into a classroom at any given moment) and be around adults! Talk about things besides diapers and autism!

Now...don't go thinking ya'll can get rowdy while I'm gone.
Don't make the Drama Llama mad...

MUAH
mama