Flippy Flops

Finally, I can post this! Why, you ask? I’ve officially asked all my bridesmaids…only took me 3 weeks! I knew from the beginning I wanted to do something nice to ask all my girls. Problem is, I’m NOT cheesy, I suck at writing anything sentimental and I’m not made of money…what’s a bride-to-be to do? I guess I could have been simple and just asked but I’m much too crafty for that.

What does everyone need, can be found in any color and aren’t hearts? Old Navy flip-flops!

2 for $5, available in any size and color. It was the perfect solution; they could be worn where ever, whenever (I would never dream of ever telling anyone what kind of shoes to wear) and made a useful gift. I bought 8 pairs of orange flip-flops and made little cards asking each gal to be my bridesmaid or MOH. I think they all really enjoyed them. It’s just a small idea I’d thought I’d share for all you non-cheese brides out there that don’t mind DIY projects.

I wrote a little poem (by writing I mean combined lines from multiple poems I found online) that seemed to be straight to the point but also nice and non-bridezilla.

Take these flip-flops to the beach,

or dance in them on “The Night”.

Either way,

Will you be my bridesmaid?

It’ll make our wedding day just right.

Not too horrible right?

P.S.

We also asked the 3 flower girls and 2 ring bearers with very cute cookies from Weddingish.com. Check out their site for some great personalized gifts.

Flamingo Headbands?!

Hello all! It’s back to some craftiness for this gal. This coming Saturday I’ll be in a craftshow with my FSIL. I honestly don’t have many details about it, except that it’s a PTO fundraiser, 12 hours scrapbook crop and craft show (I will not be staying 12 hours!). Here’s the school’s site if any of you are from the Richmond/McHenry, IL area and want to stop by Nippersink Middle School to say hi!

Ok to my actual point…this past Christmas I made my future niece and nephews (5 in total and I can’t even begin to say how excited I am to have nieces and nephews!) feather stuff and they LOVED it! In the words of Emma who is 6 “Did you make these from a flamingo?!” I made the girls (very girly pinks and purples) headbands and hair clips and the boy a simple feather charm on a leather cord. I never in a million years thought that they’d like them as much as they did….surprisingly they were so easy to make! Normally when I’m using natural feathers like pheasant I spend hours picking out “matching” feathers and feathers that are up to my quality standards. This was completely different. With all those fluffy neon-dyed feathers, I didn’t have to spend the time sifting through bags and bags to find nice ones. These might be just what I need to boost my sales a bit.

Over all I thought they turned out so cute and the girls have been wearing them pretty often and they’ve stood up to their wearing. With my FSILs encouragement I made a ton for this upcoming craft show. I’ve even had an order for a headband/hair clips. My hopes it that these sell at the PTO Craftshow and who knows, maybe they’ll sell well online. Right now I don’t have any pictures taken but I’ll be sure to post some from the show.

Wish me luck!

Oh Dear…

I’m going to be a Mrs in less than a year! (5 months be exact)

So where have I been the past few weeks? Besides drowning in work, job hunt and crafting for custom orders, I also go engaged. Still, over a week later, seems so foreign for me to stay. Not that it’s a bad thing, just very very different. I knew from the time I met the Woodsman I’d marry him, I just never thought about when. 14 months later, here we are, planning a late-July wedding, and I couldn’t be happier.

It’s going to be my mission not to over read, over think and over do being a bride. I’ve been to weddings where everything was dictated by Bridezilla. From our hair, to our tan lines…I, will not do that. I’m generally a pretty easy going gal and well the Woodsman is even more chill than I am. So far, it’s working. We had visions of casual grandeur about our wedding. It’s pretty ironic actually. We wanted a backyard wedding (courtesy of the Woodsman’s parent’s land), with a tent, paper lanterns and a pig roast. Oh, how reality hit and things change quickly. From the get-go we were asked a million questions about everything and didn’t have an answer for them at all. Neither of us are planners and that’s been our main obstacle. We agreed that no matter what, this wasn’t going to be a stress fest and we were going to stay flexible with everything. After all, it’s just one day…

Once the budget and approximate number was set there was no way we could afford our “casual” backyard bbq wedding, unless we cut the guest list down to 75 people. Both coming from large families, and being one of the youngest on each side there was no way that was possible. Our perfect solution came from my FFIL, his golf club wasn’t too far, could host an outdoor ceremony and give us a discount if we booked with them. Without typing all the details we ended up booking with them and now our wedding is a month sooner. It’ll be an outdoor ceremony and cocktails and a nice big, bright space on a golf course . We’re saving a ton and although it isn’t what we had originally envisioned, it’s no longer a planning nightmare and we’re both happy.

Flexibility, my friends (and fellow brides)…is key.

Although we’re only a few weeks into the planning process, we’re only 5 months away from the big day. If things go like they have been, I think we’ll be fine. I have lots of other crafty stuff, including my dress being handmade by mom my on board for this blog. Lots of exciting things to come, it’s all the good stuff I’ve been waiting for…

Cheers,

FT

(Isn't that pic at the top hilarious...that's totally something I'd say!)

Next Number Please...

For the exception of a few miserable years, I’ve always had long hair. The miserable years I am referring to is when I was about 6, I was forced to cut it. Long story short (hehe ironic), it was so long and curly and I’d fight every time it would need to get brushed (some things never change) so I was ordered to cut it…SHORT, by my Dad. Of course, having no say in the matter, it got cut…short. At first I didn’t mind it much, but then a neighborhood kid came up behind me and asked my brother “who’s that boy?”. Granted it was the really strange drooley, awkward staring, set his house on fire because he was a pyro kid, but nonetheless I was so freaked out that I said my hair must be what defines me and is who I am…Fast forward to years later (about 20) and here I am, still with long hair and about to write about stuff that has nothing to do with getting a haircut. Yep, nothing to do with hair or a haircut…I guess I just needed a good intro to whatever it is I’m trying to say so I here it goes.

Here we are into the 2^nd month of the New Year and I’m just as confused and tired as ever. I, like everyone else wishes that the next year will be “their” year. Whatever that means, right? So far, this year has been more days of applying for a new job and no response (job search is going into month 6), working for a person who has lots of bad karma coming to them and me still not knowing what I really want to do or where things are going. Well, I still have long hair but let’s just say that I feel a little lost.

Does the whole figuring out who you are just magically happen? Do you just fall into your place? The reason that I ask is because I’m still a first time adult and time’s flying by and it’s kinda freaking me out. Ok, yes possible quarter life crisis but I’m pretty sure I did that around 22. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happier than I’ve ever been and I have to credit my Woodsman, family and best friends for that but the rest of things are in chaos. Is that part of life…when one thing FINALLY happens (love and happiness) does everything get out of sorts? I am so thankful and fortunate for my personal life but the rest of stuff just seems like a big deli counter and I’m waiting for my number to be called so I can order my potato salad.

The Woodsman keeps telling me that I need to really figure out exactly what I want and it’ll happen. What I don’t understand is how I’m supposed to get there when I don’t know where to even start. I’m really not being picky; I just want something better (decent job, to have a family, not worry about money so much…the usual). I think with his thinking is that I’ll have to start small like. So I guess the whole point of this isn’t to say I’ve come to some big conclusion and I’ve figured out exactly what I should be doing or saying. It’s just to say this is where I am. Even though my hair hasn’t changed (and of course nothing physical should define you as a person), the rest of my being and me has. My hope is that it gets a little clearer…soon.

Party Like It's 2010!

Oh my, where has the time gone?! As we wind down 2009, I figured I’d get back on track with the blog. Sorry for my absence, it’s been a busy month! This year has been, to say the least, interesting. I’ve done so many wonderful things, but to be honest, I can’t wait to start 2010. I don’t really ever have resolutions for New Years, BUT I am an extremely motived individual. I do anything I put my mind to so for this purpose I call them “goals”. Here are a few goals I have for the coming year…

First and foremost, I WILL be finding a new job. I’ve had a few things on that front lately but not really sure how they’ll pan out. For the first time, I actually believe that I shouldn’t take the first thing that comes up. It’s time I stop settling and find a job where I am truly respected. I know not everyone loves their job, but I’d like to at least like it and feel like I’m not just some monkey pressing buttons on a computer. (yes, my current boss thinks anyone can do our job and tells us all the time).

Another goal of mine is to put more time into my Artfire/Etsy shops. Granted they’re almost the same but I’d like to do a little more self promo. I’m still pretty new at it, so I think I need to do some more research. Also, I’m going to be starting a kid’s line of feather stuffs (fueled by encouragement from the Woodsman’s sisters). For Christmas, I made the Woodsman’s nieces feather headbands and hairclips and his nephew a leather and feather necklace. It seriously went over SO much better than I thought it would…

Which brings me to my last goal and I think it will be hardest. I need to work on the confidence area. I’m finally realizing that I really lack it, and I shouldn’t. So no more job doubts, or doubt in my talents (whether it be at work, cooking a meal or my crafting). I’ve had a lot of positive encouragement from everywhere lately, it’s time I just start to listen to it!

Now that I’ve rambled and exposed a part of myself that I try to hide, what about you? Do you have any goals for the coming year? Not that you have to tell me, but I always like to talk about anything. Lastly, I’d like to thank all of you, my readers, family and friends. Knowing that people actually give a crap about what I have to say/write means so much to me. There’s a lot of good things on the horizon. Happy 2010, cheers to the New Year!

They Call Me Big Sista?!

“If a kid cannot bring out the true meaning of Christmas, ya gotta be in pretty bad shape.” @Evangelic_Diva

That quote comes directly from a Twitter friend and I just can’t stress how true it is. As with every holiday season I am reminded how lucky I am to have the close friends and family. I am also very thankful for my Little Sister, Cassandra. She’s 14 (almost 15), freshman at a college prep high school and just about the sweetest girl I have ever met. Believe me, I could go on for hours about all the things I admire about her and all the great things she has and will accomplish…but I won’t :) More importantly I feel that it’s important to tell people about my experience with my little Sis and how we got to where we are now.

It was about 3 years ago that I decided to join the program. I was working at my first “real world” job as a graphic designer, and I felt like something was missing. All of my life (thanks to Girl Scouts as well as my mom) I have volunteered. From reading to kids in the cancer unit at Lutheran General to making Christmas decorations with the seniors at Rainbow Hospice, I am no stranger to giving back (and to the heartbreak that goes along with it as well). I had to find something that with my schedule I’d be able to do and after much research I found the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization. What appealed to me was that it’s not a rehabilitation program, it’s more of an assistance program. I’m not acting like a therapist or trying to change a kid. I’m simply there to help nurture and be a good role model to a kid who might not have one.

When I told people about me trying to get into the program, I was surprised about how many negative things people said; mostly about how long it takes to get a match. I wasn’t going anywhere and was in no hurry, so I gathered my references and signed up. After numerous interviews, plenty of questions and 10 months I was finally matched with Cassandra.

Fast forward to now (almost 2 years later)…we’re closer than I ever imagined. I’d like to think of our relationship as one that was meant to be. It hasn’t been the easiest thing, but it’s been very rewarding in so many ways. Being a “Big”/mentor is something that takes a lot of time, and lots of creativity. I’m lucky that my Little is just as easy to please and laid back as I am. Never did I think that sitting on my couch, eating pizza, watching a movie would be one of the highlights of our time together. This also proves what a lot of people miss while in the program. It’s not about the money or fancy things that you take your Little to do, it’s all about the time that you spend together. There have been times that we’ve been driving to an outing or over a meal that we’ve shared the most. It’s those moments that I truly believe that I was meant to do this. She’s no longer a “match” but my family and for that, I’m grateful.

So I guess to sum it up, it’s a wonderful program and I couldn’t be happier with the relationship that I’ve made with my Little. I’d also urge anyone who can put a child they initially don’t know before themselves to become a Big. It might seem like a lot of time to some, but really it’s just another member of your family you want to spend time with.

It’s one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made, and can’t image my life without my sister Cassandra. She makes me proud in every way...just sayin’ is all!

Waters Craft Show

Yesterday was the big craft show that I’ve been preparing for… and it went pretty well. We had a great spot and my display looked amazing! I was also really happy with the amount of items I had in stock. Over all I sold 1 pair of earrings and 2 headbands. Although I did sell enough for the show and supplies to pay for themselves, I still don’t think it was the right audience. No worries though, every show I get to meet other great artisans, and get to talk to fellow crafters. Maybe next year I’ll have my butt ready for a holiday gift bazaar, but for the time being, I still have a ton of stuff to get listed online!

Check out my pictures from the show here.