Life is getting hectic

I can really say that it doesn't surprise me because I tend to do it to myself. Have you noticed how your life can be crazy one minute and calm the next. School starts Monday. Bow making is ongoing. My part time job is seeming like it may be more full time than anything, and with my kids' outside activities, its getting a little nuts. I will say this, I will never complain of a dull life!

Today I worked on a new hair bow with some templates I purchased. I'm always trying to expand my abilities and there is nothing wrong with getting tips from the professionals! I bought a set of templates from a company called No Bow No Go And the above photo is one of my newest creations. What do you think? I stacked a twisted template, with a double layer surround bow, with some "streamers" below. They are attached to one another and anchored to a lined clip.

Tomorrow I will be immersed in rebar plans, the flea market, my children, a Saturday of house cleaning, shopping, and getting ready for Monday. I'm hoping to be able to get some time on here to share some of my tricks to doing little fun projects.

Until then, I hope you remember what a blessing each and everyday is, and that you make the most of it. Don't forget to thank the Lord!

Grace's Birthday

Today was Grace's 1st Birthday and this picture was the ONLY smile I caught on her face while eating cake. She was so dang tired she wasn't having any part of it!
















Grace checking out her very own cake that she can dig into. Check out her little birthday shirt I made for her!


















Grace being brought in my Dad. Whenever she's cranky, he's the Man!


















Grace's Pig birthday cake inspired by her favorite show to watch. Word World!














This is the other cake for folks to eat so that she didn't have to share her own.














A picture of Grace with her Daddy in her Tutu that I made her. Every girl needs a birthday tutu!

















It was a pretty special day for all of us, but most of all me. I remember the day I gave birth to her and the shock that the Dr. got that ultrasound ALL WRONG. She wasn't a baby boy named Grant! I got a baby girl named Grace by the Grace of God.

Bubbling with Excitement!

It has been a pretty fabulous day considering... considering I had to buy a tire for the van. But, fabulous because I realized it instead of having a blow-out.

Fabulous because its my daughter's 1st birthday!
Fabulous because this is the last weekend before the kids start school hee hee!
Fabulous because I book a Tupperware party!
Fabulous because I got a slamming good deal on a Goodwill auction and got well over $200 in retail charms and jewelry for about $25!
Fabulous because I found $20 fancy curtain rods at Lowe's for only $2.70!
Fabulous because I get to eat cake today!
Fabulous because its Friday!
Fabulous because this is the day that the Lord has made! I am rejoicing and GLAD!

Joy is a wonderful feeling that God blesses us with and I am thankful when it just hits you out of the blue reminding you that God is Great!

I really hope that my flea market selling goes well this weekend, because we are strapped for cash due to the tire, but I know God will provide.

Pictures are coming soon of the new hair bows.

My site is finally formatted in a presentable manner, now its just time to fill that sucker up!

School is starting and with that I hope my sales skyrocket. Tonight will be open house for my kids at their school. I wish my business cards were ready so I could hand some out, but I will have all of my girls modeling their bows. When I make a little spending money, they get to have fun.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful day. I hope to have some tutorials up soon!

Spark of Creativity

I have had a spark of creativity, and I'm pretty proud of myself because its something I haven't seen yet. Before you say... And?.... I will tell you that usually a lot of my ideas come from the inspiration of others and their gorgeous work. When learning to do hair bows and head bands, I invested in tutorials to learn the proper techniques to produce quality items. I didn't want my handmade homemade to look thrown together, I wanted it to look professional. There really is a lot to know and to learn how to do to achieve that too believe it or not.

So, why am I excited... because I came up with an idea of my very own for a bow design. Has someone somewhere already done it? Maybe, but I don't think so. If they have, I haven't seen it... I've got to build a template to make what I want, but as soon as I do I'm going to get them posted on here... I'm so excited, and the possibilities are astounding really.

I sound like I'm writing in code.

In other news today, I joined as a follower of several blogs from those in the hair bow business and hobby land. I love to look at people's work. No, not to steal, to get inspired. These ladies really do inspire! Check them out and get inspired too!

Have a great day! I hope to post some pictures soon

Slow and Steady Wins The Race

At least that is what I'm going to keep telling myself. In the midst of doing more market research, more business planning, and more dreaming of course, I was able to add a few items to my website today.

I find the hardest problem I have isn't making product, but taking pictures to put them online!

1) It's time consuming
2) I'm not artistic in the photography genre
3) I don't have all the fancy programs to fix my mess ups!

So that essentially means I have a lot of great stuff that many people don't get to see LOL.

But, the slow and steady win the race. I've essentially had to make a pact with myself that I would just work a little each day. Pick an item, accomplish it, and move to the next thing. I'm not talking 100 photos here, or 100 bows, bands, or whatever I'm making that day... I'm talking let's accomplish 1 to 5. I figure by the time I get off work, do some housework, cook dinner, entertain 5 children, and get on the computer... that I've accomplished alot!

At this pace will I be a millionaire? No LOL. But I will get to do what I love and eventually it will get out that I put 100% into what I make and people will know its true.

On the flip side, in the direct sales area of my life I am trying to get back on track with all my companies. That for the most part means doing a lot of training on the things I have forgotten, training on the things that have changed, and reaching out to let people know that I'm available.

So far:

I have 3 potential Tupperware parties. (3 people who say they are interested)

I have a strong Avon customer base (I hope to grow this even more!)

I have a plan for Usborne Books (This involves college and teaching)

I'm thinking of scaling back Homemade Gourmet (not because I don't love it, but the economy isn't quite right for it)

Looking into Scentsy (At the beckoning and begging of my Aunt... I must be crazy... spend a fortune on the products, might as well get a discount!)

Looking at bringing my bath and body products back online (for those who want a more organic and personal touch)

Oh, and I'm back out a the flea market, selling a bit of all of it to drum up some customers and whatever else I can get my hands on.

And in two weeks I start back to school full time, go to working part time, and creating in between!

What are you doing? Are you motivated?

Trying to Get Re-Wired

I know that sounds crazy, but that is what I'm trying to do! Re-wiring my life and my brain. I found out a few months ago that I have ADD. Which would explain a lot of things... inability to concentrate, thousands of unfinished projects, lack of sleep, etc... So, right now I'm experimenting with medication LOL.
I'm also re-wiring my life. I'm streamlining business, getting things in order. Getting ready to do some shows, getting ready to open my own building. I'm trying to decide if rehabbing my existing one is best or buying a whole new one and using my existing building for what it was intended... a garage/stable for animals. Not to good for hairbows, papercrafts, sewing, and such. I'm running out of room in my house though! My daughter wants her room back LOL.
Life is good. God is good, and he has blessed me. I look forward to getting on track!