Tail Feathers

I am finishing up my most complex embroidery project yet. This has been several weeks in the making from my initial sketch and there are times that I feel it will never be done. But the closer I get to completion the happier I am with the way it is turning out. It is really beautiful. It is one of those pillows I would be happy to keep for myself, but then couldn't justify the time. The entire front cover will be peacock feather design. Here is a sneak peak!

This coincides with a milestone for me of almost 100 twitter followers! I know that is small potatoes for some, but just starting out it feels huge. So my son and I are letting off some steam and celebrating by dancing around in my studio...sometimes you just need to shake your tail feathers!

White Out

I have been really been inspired by the white rooms I've been seeing lately. So I took the plunge and started painting my office/craft/painting room white. This is not an easy task. This particular room is an extension off the side of the house. Three walls of the four are almost all windows surrounded by wood paneling.

The other wall is brick that includes the back of the fireplace from my living room. This leaves the room with lots of different textures as well as colors. We painted the brick wall white a few years back and now it is time to tackle the other walls. With the great light I get from the windows I think the space will be an amazing fresh bright space. When the painting is done I plan to get some white sheers to soften the windows and replace the ugly green ones that came with the house. It is still a work in progress and since my one year old has come down with a fever it will take a few days longer than expected. Stay tuned for the finished look!

Stages

I've been thinking of stages a bit lately. Not as in theatre, but as in stages of life. Perhaps it is watching my children grow and learn and change or myself grow a bit older everyday. I'm thinking about how to capture that in my art. For my drawing I am sketching a dandelion as it changes from a bud, to blossom, to finally a bearer of the wishes as it floats into the wind. I am also going to embroider this for my etsy shop and will eventually post some pics. I think the resonating point is to enjoy each stage to fullest, you can't change fate, but you can change how you feel.

A Balancing Act

So I am six months almost into my crafting business over at Etsy, and after some newbie lull in the beginning I've got a few sales under my belt, a growing follower list on Twitter and most importantly a growing vision of where I want this all to go. This is all wonderful but the thing I'm struggling most with is the balancing act of mother, wife, entrepreneur.

It takes time, energy, commitment and some money to grow a business. However first and foremost for me will always be my family. I am a stay at home mom, and I do my best not to compromise the quality time I spend with kids for my business. Most days I do a pretty good job but some days I just don't. And then I feel guilty and frusterated and everything suffers for.

For now I'm just hoping things get easier. I hit a stride with my business and my kids who are very little now (1 and 3) will grow a little older and a little more independent. In the mean time anyone out there have any great advice for ultimate juggling act?

Thanks Mom

When I was around eight years old my mom taught me to embroider. When I was around 10years old my mom taught me to sew. Because I was an annoying pre-adolescent, I rolled my eyes and probably said "Why can't we just go to the store and BUY something." Fast forward 20 years and now I pride myself in my ability to operate a sewing machine, manuever an embroidery needle, and I am always learning new tnings like how to make pretty little beaded flowers for me and my daughter.

I get so much joy from creating beautiful things by hand. Nothing makes me happier than creating beauty for my home and others. I love making jewelry, painting with oil and watercolor, drawing and sewing.

Two years I took the plunge and left my career to be a stay at home mom to my beautiful son. Since then I have had a daughter and could not be happier with my chosen path. I'm so grateful that Etsy has given me a creative outlet that I can incorporate into my family life.

Thanks for the Mention!

6th Street Design School: Blue Leaf Boutique