MonsterBug Blankets

Red Pandas!

2010-10-04T12:18:00.002-05:00

Pandas

2010-09-30T12:42:00.005-05:00

Some panda choices!

11 (nose would be centered--oops!)

Hope one of these is just right!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Birthday Turtles

2010-08-05T07:48:00.003-05:00

Some birthday Turtles. For a soon to be 3 yr old! YAH!

2 (I can use the black with tiny polka dots on this 3)

(I can use the black with tiny polka dots on this 3, also the turtle is upside down--he'd look right if this is the way you want him facing!)

working, working, working....

2010-08-02T10:56:00.006-05:00

(Ladybug Birthday Shirt)

My long sleeved tshirts and onesies arrived last week, so I need to work hard and get long sleeved shirts listed in my shop! I have a few, but need to add more!

I finally started in on a pile of bibs and burp cloths I cut and pinned sometime in or before May. I sat this morning and sewed and sewed and sewed. At some point, I'm going to need to trim and flip all of those! But it was nice to just zoom through them all. And soon, I'll photo them and list away! There is still a hefty stack of bibs and burp cloths that need pinned to chenille. A bunch of them are Alabama and Auburn--for the local folks!

And my dear friend Sonja, of Very Verdant, reminded me this morning that I need to be on the ball with fall items....sigh....it's going to be 100 today--HOW am I supposed to think of fall on a day like today? ;) I somehow need to think of pumpkins and such....

So, that is the beginning of my week. :) Hope yours is wonderful!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

long time....

2010-07-28T11:45:00.003-05:00

soooo, it's been a long time since I chattered on here. So much chattering--but elsewhere. ;) That and I made a fan page on Facebook, so I became easily distracted putting my new creations up over there. (PS--you can become a fan over there--and get % off sales and such from time to time--yah!)

Life has been, well, crazy. I was super busy this spring, and in the middle of May I felt frustrated by all the busyness, and while praying, I realized it was time to shut down for a bit. So I closed MonsterBug Blankets and did other things. And to tell you the truth--I'm STILL not quite ready to be back sewing--shhhhh! I'm doing it some--when I have to--but I've not gotten back into the rhythm of it yet. That will come, I am confident! (It kind of HAS to--I have a wholesale order to get out in 3.5 weeks! hahaha!)

So, instead of sewing, I canned for the first time! I made strawberry, ginger peach, and blueberry-lemon jams. Oh YUM! I've never canned before! I also bought a 50lb box full of the most delicious mixed corn.....so I put up corn one night (in the freezer)! It's been fun learning to do things that used to be a part of everyday life. And the kids--oh they got to help! I can't make jam without them! Monster gets weary of mashing the fruit--but he likes to be a part of it! By the time the jam is boiling rapidly, I send both kiddos out of the kitchen to do other things. Though they usually end up sitting right by the doorway, watching. :) I canned chicken stock, too--but later read that it needed to be pressure canned--oops! I suppose I'll need to dump those cans. :( And BBQ sauce--my husband likes the recipe--I find it so-so. I'd like to find a different one. I'm not sure what this one needs, but something is lacking in it for me.

In my time off, I also soaked up and read so many books, magazines, and internet sites on homesteading, starting a hobby garden, organic gardening, canning, preserving, and herbal healing. I've barely scratched the surface, but I am enthralled! I keep reading, knowing somehow enough of this information will sink in to my brain! Our dream is to one day have some land to work/hide on. ;) It is funny (and amazing) to me, how my husband and I are being brought together into one mind concerning so much of this.

What else.....we bought a compost bin--so next year when we start our garden, we'll have nice, lovely compost to add to our soil. I found an amazing book by DK, Grow It Cook It, to read to the kids. Two days ago, we read about our compost pile and how it works to make soil. The kids were DYING to see all the bugs in the bin, so they went with me that evening when I put our scraps in--yikes! I knew there bugs in there--but wow. yeah. I am a bit frightened to head back there again! hahaha! The kids just loved that the compost is made up of bug poop. Poop is always a way to get kids interested, isn't it?!

I'm sure I've learned so much more--this is just the tip of it! So while MonsterBug Blankets was quiet this summer--there were other avenues for me to learn and grow in! I took the time and energy I used to sew with and put it to use elsewhere! ;)

Hope ya'll had a great summer!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Horsies....

2010-07-22T09:49:00.007-05:00

These horsies are for a birthday girl! :) She loves blue. And she will definitely have a larger Tshirt than this 3-6 month onesie--hahaha--but this is the correct color for her shirt, and the only size I have on hand for now! ;) I wonder which one will be her favorite???? I always try to guess when I do custom orders.... Which would YOU choose--especially if you were an almost 5 yr old girl?

Oh, and please excuse the inside shots. There is NO WAY I'm taking pics outside today! deep south + the end of July = a raging furnace!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Buffalo and Ships

2010-07-19T18:43:00.005-05:00

I had a request for some Buffalo and some ships--so here's what I came up with. :) Next on my plate--horses and kangaroos! Fun, fun! :)

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Ladybugs on a blanket

2010-03-25T12:22:00.005-05:00

6--pale pink corduroy--wrinkles will be gone!

Ahhh, some FUN fabrics to add a ladybug to! Glad I am not the one making the decision! ;)

MonsterBug Blankets

PS--sorry for the darker photos--I kept waiting for the sun to come out today--then it got darker and darker--and it actually dared to rain on me for the last 2-3 pics! :P

Working on Ladybugs

2010-03-22T11:08:00.004-05:00

Ahhh, Ladybugs! I've been wanting to do these for months--but just haven't. Then I had a request for a custom one yesterday--so I played around with some of my fabrics and came up with these. I can't decide which one is my favorite..... Which do YOU like the best??? (Oh, and they will look better once they are stitched onto the shirts--these pictures are to help the customer decide which SHE like best!)

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Custom Owls

2010-03-16T13:28:00.002-05:00

MonsterBug Blankets' new Spot

2010-03-10T13:35:00.002-06:00

I moved from the bookshelf at The Old Ice House to sharing a spot with one of the other vendors. She has the floor space, and I have the wall. My space is about double what it was in the bookshelf! Currently, I am borrowing a table from the owner, but in the back of my car are two white bookshelves that need putting together--so I can display my things a bit better. I was REALLY wanting white, square cubbies for this area--but the price was higher than I was willing to spend--plus the cubbies were over 41" tall--and the bottom of the wire grid on the wall is 39" from the ground--and you can see how much my onesies and T's hang below that! I can't believe most of this stuff was crammed onto one bookshelf!

Anyway, thought I'd show off my space--I know it's just a little place, but to me it's wonderful! ;) I don't have the time or energy needed to pour myself into a little handmade boutique--though after wandering through two gift boutiques yesterday, I was wishing there was a sweet, handmade place to visit! Ugh, I am forever spoiled for handmade!!!!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Birthdays and Hearts

2010-02-04T11:57:00.003-06:00

A birthday shirt for a boy turning three!

And while making the birthday shirt, Bug requested her very own heart shirt (as she thought the humps of the three were a heart). She got it!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

I'm OPEN!

2010-01-23T21:41:00.003-06:00

My shops are BOTH open, and I am THRILLED!!!! YAH!!!

I had an order this week for some of my Valentine Chunky Crayons, individually wrapped for a classroom. And I realized it may be wise to list these regularly--classroom favors! Beats moms having to buy a mold, buy bags, buy shredded paper or pretty ribbons, pay full price for enough crayons, then spend an eternity trying to unwrap all those crayons! whew! Someone else can do it--namely, ME! (I also have two helpers--Monster and Bug love to help--as long as their attention spans last!)

I guess it was a wise choice, as I've already had a bite! YAH!

So I am back--whew! Below are links to my shop!

1000 markets store

etsy shop

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Tow Truck Cozy Blanket

2010-01-20T13:16:00.002-06:00

This fall I sold a bunch of Tow Truck Onesies. And one of them went to a new mom. She called me last week, wanting a blanket to match. It sort of does--only I used a different fabric for the tow part--cause the blanket is the original tow fabric, and it would get lost in all that red if I used the same color. And she wanted a red blanket. Monster is quite in awe at this blanket. He loves him some tow trucks--especially a certain one named Tow Mater. Bet anyone with a 3 yr old son is absolutely NOT amazed at this! ;) Anyway, this Tow Truck Cozy Blanket is now listed for sale in my etsy shop.

:) MonsterBug Blankets

More Owls

2010-01-12T13:16:00.003-06:00

Here are the baby bibs I made with various owl appliques I had (while playing and trying to find the right combo for my customer). I love the colors. Playing is so much fun!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Owl shirts!

2010-01-12T12:06:00.003-06:00

Can it be that I'm writing a second posting in a month--AND including pics? ;) I AM! Here is a sweet pair of big sister/little sister shirts! My kids had a ball discussing what was similar and what was different in each shirt. (The impromptu learning that comes with homeschooling!) I love these little owls--and I am just realizing I have four owl bibs I did not photo....hmmm....must do so later.

I must be feeling more in the swing of things--seeing as I grabbed the camera and snuck outside to take pictures. I've been busy, busy sewing, but no pictures as of late. Of course, when it is 20 degrees outside, it makes wanting to be outside an issue! Today is supposed to be mid-40's! Yesterday got into the 50's--and I threw open my windows for some fresh air!

I am busy working on tax info, re-arranging my sewing room (I bought an AWESOME buffet to hide stuff in, cut fabric on top, and to unify the area where I had a treadle sewing machine and a drop leaf table), and re-arranging my whole house. Lots going on at once! And oh, lots of de-cluttering! It feels great!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Some Owls

2010-01-04T20:10:00.010-06:00

boy owl

Some pink and orange owl appliques for a friend. :) Hope she likes one or two or so....

MonsterBug Blankets

Where I am now

2009-12-10T11:56:00.004-06:00

I suppose I should write more. But it's been a rough few weeks--even longer--a rough few months! So full of busyness and changes and vacations (yah!) and sickness (yuck). For the first time since August, I feel like I can breathe. I don't feel the to do list is going to suffocate me when I am not looking. It is a nice feeling. It was HARD to close down my shops for the best shopping season--BUT--the sanity is returning--and to me, that is more important than some money. I'm also enjoying my December--simple, peaceful, full of family and God. This is what I've wanted.

The kids and I are thoroughly enjoying this nativity set by Under My Umbrella:

We set the pieces on the table and chat about all the characters, I read a bit from the Bible--Luke, and now Matthew, then the kids draw pictures in a blank book, and narrate the story and picture to me. It's fun and precious--and the kids adore it! I really should purchase the angel and stable from her, too!

And then we're loving this matching game by Merry Blues Art!
Her artwork is GORGEOUS! We played twice today--Bug wanted to go on and on--she is a game-playing-fool! Monster was done, though! I hope she comes out with a spring game! (She does have an autumn one, but I'm not a fan of some of the symbols she chose. Just me, though--I'm sure others will love it!)

I have a few new items I've been working on for MonsterBug Blankets, but no photos. Product photos have stressed me out lately--so in the spirit of slowing down, I've avoided taking them! ;) I have puppy dogs to show off later!

The other day, I scored 67 Heather Purple Toddler T's--for spring (and definitely girly) appliqued T's! I was soooooo excited, as I stalked those shirts for 6 weeks--till they went on super-clearance! I also found a wonderful new supplier for Tshirts--Monag. Their quality is amazing, and they have wonderful colors to choose from! I'm not sure when I'll place an order with them, as I have an abundance of Tshirts I ordered last year still hanging out in my fabric closet! But I'm excited about the switch-over! They also have some sweet dresses and jeans that make my brain do crazy things--like want to stay up all night thinking of new items to introduce!

A friend told me about a great craft fair in Tallahassee every year--Market Days. It sounds amazing, though it is a million times bigger than any other show I've done thus far! (Ok, little, tiny exaggeration, maybe just 100,000 times? hahaha!) The show claims to have between 19,000-22,000 attendees, so about 2-3 times the size of TroyFest. The fees are bigger, plus I'd have to pay for somewhere to spend the night....though I believe there is a KOA in tallahassee.... Anyway, just ideas running through my head right now--maybe a show I can do in the future. I'm not sure that in this coming year I even have the time to make enough product to sell at that large of a show! (and yes, I've mapped out the weeks and the amount I could feasibly sew between now and next December!)

Thanks for peeking--I'm alive and well--the kids and hubby are, too! And we're busy just doing family stuff for now. Maybe come January, I'll be in a place where I can reopen my online shops. Maybe not. We'll pray and see!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Reindeer

2009-11-12T10:30:00.003-06:00

These Reindeer Shirts are new to MonsterBug Blankets! I also have them on long sleeved, white onesies! (I still need to sew the eyes on the onesies--so no pics yet--but they look the same, just smaller and a white background.) I'm sewing up a bunch of these to take to The Old Ice House to sell. I'm also working on Snowmen and Christmas Tree Chunky Crayons--the kids helped me a little today!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

New Onesies

2009-10-16T13:25:00.004-05:00

Monkey

Gingerbread House

Some new onesies I worked on this week. The monkeys were something I thought up while trying to figure out what to make for a friend's baby shower. She's having a girl--and I wanted something new to give her. I still need to make a matching burp cloth--and I picked up a copy of Good Night Moon, as it is one of my very favorites!

The gingerbread house pic is hard to tell--but the little window is mint green gingham--so cute! Looks like a little mint! I have an idea for a gingerbread boy, but until I have time to play around and see if it works--I just don't know. Sometimes ideas in my head turn out better than what I pictured--and sometimes they turn out horrible! I'm thinking I'll prefer the gingerbread house on a navy blue shirt....it'll add a little something. My kids like the "candy" I put on the house!

We've had a few changes the past few weeks. Things have gotten very, very busy with MonsterBug Blankets--and while I am thrilled that my business is becoming successful--sometimes success knocks priorities out of order. And out of order makes for a grumpy family. So after much prayer and then talking with my husband, the decision has been made to stop selling online until after the holidays. So my 1000 Markets shop will be closed soon--hopefully just for a bit--until I can figure out how to do everything--hahaha! Or rather, until I can keep my priorities in order! But if you keep peeking in here, I'll show pictures of what I'm busy making and creating! Cause I hope to sell again at TroyFest this coming April--and boy, do I have ALOT of sewing to do for then!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Crayon Notebooks!

2009-09-30T16:14:00.004-05:00

Last year when I was opening a bazillion boxes of Crayola's so I could unwrap them and make chunky crayons from them, I kept most of the boxes. They were soooooo cute, and I could just see something adorable made with them. I put them in bags, threw them in my fabric closet, and mostly forgot about them (except when they'd fall on me!). Then this summer, I realized that my friend Patricia makes little notebooks out of recycled boxes and cards. I offered the crayon boxes to her to make and sell--but she had a better plan. She wanted to make the notebooks for me, and I would make some baby stuff for her. Fair enough! I cut all the boxes and shipped them to her--and these are the ADORABLE little notebooks I received in the mail today! YAH! I haven't shown them to Bug or Monster yet--they are going to go nuts! I already snatched one to write all my orders in--so I can flip back and forth and keep everything in chronological order. So happy!

So go, check out Patricia's shops:

The Chameleon's Attic

(and my fave--yummy, yummy tea!)

Dancing Bears Tea House

:) MonsterBug Blankets

aaaahhhhhhh......

2009-09-30T12:10:00.002-05:00

It's been a very busy week. We came home from vacation last week Monday evening. And right into craziness I walked. It was evident from the very moment I awoke last week Tuesday that the vacation was over. My sewing room looked like a Toys R Us explosion. Add in a few clothes, too! My to do list at home and for MonsterBug Blankets seemed insurmountable. I wanted to hole up somewhere and stay safe. :) I've been working and working and working on my to do lists. And today feels right. I feel sane. It MAY have something to do with FINALLY getting my clean laundry folded! The lists are still there--but my sewing room is clean, and the upstairs hallway has 2 baskets of folded, clean clothes (another basket is on my bed, and there's a pile of folded linens upstairs, too--lots of bedding washed over the past week!). I also sent out 5 or 6 boxes and envelopes the past two days, and added new stock to my bookcase at The Old Ice House. Whew! Now I feel like I can breathe! Much more to do--but the house is somewhat livable again--and that is important! ;)

MonsterBug Blankets

Turtles

2009-09-28T12:15:00.004-05:00

Belinda, of Wandering Whimsies, asked me if I could make some Turtle Towels for her. I was so excited to have ideas for a new applique! I made her towels lickety-split, then started making Turtle Onesies! The Onesies are in my shop--well, one is--guess I need to get the other in there, too! ;)

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Birthday and Tow Truck Shirts

2009-09-26T07:58:00.003-05:00

Monster's 3rd birthday shirt

Custom Order Tow Truck Onesie

Two new shirts in my shop! Both can be made on T's or onesies. And any birthday can be made--1st-5th! I can probably do larger birthday shirts, too! ;)

I think all is caught up....did I show off my turtles yet?? I'll check, and if not--will do so soon!

Much to do today!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

What's new around here!

2009-09-23T20:25:00.006-05:00

The view from the back of our vacation home--Fairview--Amherst, VA

Pumpkin Chunky Crayons

Truck Tshirts and Onesies

Apple Onesies

Halloween Onesies and Tshirts

It's been busy here--getting orders ready before we left for vacation--and remembering to make Monster's birthday shirts the morning we left! The green one with the truck (above) is his! He also has a navy blue shirt with a 3 on the front--I'll have to post pics later--I think it's cute. :) I've been trying to stock the Old Ice House Antiques Shop with new items--the apple onesies I made for there, and this week I'll work on getting some Alabama and Auburn baby gear in there. The Halloween Pumpkin Crayons are just too fun! I saw the mold in Walmart yesterday--and HAD to have it. I also bought up the very last of their school supply crayons. I hope I have enough to last me through Halloween, Christmas, Valentine's, and Easter! I think I bought 135 boxes.....maybe I need to check other Walmarts, too? What else...the Boo onesies and T's--not sure I posted them before. I can do them on white or grey shirts. I still have Turtle applique shirts and a Tow Truck.... I've had a couple of orders for just the appliques in the past couple of days--that has been fun! One was for a girly crown--working out the details, but should have pictures soon.

Our vacation was lovely--we stayed in Fairview, in Amherst, VA. Man, was it gorgeous! And the VIEW! TO.DIE.FOR! I miss the Blue Ridge Mountains--I grew up in them! It was wonderful to see the mountains change all through the day! We visited Natural Bridge, Charlottesville, Dickie Brother's Orchard, Crabtree Falls, went fishing in Lynchburg, and visited Amazement Square and the Depot Grill, and had a family wedding, two family birthdays, and saw both Great-Grandmas. We stayed in two different KOA Kabins on the way up and the way back, too--ahhhh--wonderful! One was in Cleveland, TN, the other in Cherokee, NC. The kids enjoyed the bunk beds! We liked it way better than staying in a hotel.

Now we're home, and it is back to work! I'm still trying to get the house put back together--somehow nearly our entire car top carrier was full of toys on the trip home....grandparents, aunts, and uncles spoiled the wee ones ROTTEN! Not sure where all the Lightening McQueens and Monster Trucks are going to go....

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Crib Bedding

2009-09-01T10:36:00.005-05:00

I've been emailing back and forth with L. for awhile, trying to get all the details hashed out for this crib bedding. It is nearly complete--just the crib skirt is left! I love the fabrics and colors L. chose! I think the two of us might just be cut from the same cloth--our tastes are very similar. :)

I'm not sure I'll do more crib bedding in the future....maybe now that I know what I'm doing, it will be easier--or if the customer and I could go to the store together... It is hard to do a custom order and discuss things through emails. But I love how everything looks now that the order is mostly finished. Makes me wish I'd known more when Monster needed a bumper pad--I tried to follow a pattern--pinning and cutting a bazillion pieces of fabric and batting....this set was WAY easier! I realized all I needed was two 41"x 12" pieces (front and back) per bumper pad. Sew them together, leave a hole to flip and push foam through, and done. Oh, ribbons need sewn into the sides, too. The sheet was even easier! I had to dig Monster's crib mattress out of the attic to make sure my measurements fit the mattress. I did this AFTER I cut the fabric--yikes! But it was a perfect fit! I had some moments with the elastic--but I tamed it, and was happy with how the sheet turned out. I told L. that I almost want to have another baby--just to make colorful, fun sheets for him/her! Almost--but not quite! ;)

I'm working on more things, too--I haven't updated on here in awhile....but I'll leave them for another post.

:) MonsterBug Blankets

The Old Ice House Antique Store

2009-08-19T11:39:00.007-05:00

MonsterBug Blankets' Bookcase at The Old Ice House

Bibs+Burp Cloths

Sassy Onesies + Cozy Blankets

Cozy Blankets + Diaper Holders + Fish Lovies

Child Friendly Christmas Ornaments

Above are about half of my goodies--all for sale at The Old Ice House Antiques Shop in Headland, Alabama. :) (It's actually the old ice house for the town!) I rented out this bookcase in an antiques/vintage/handmade shop--it's soooo cool--if they sold coffee and books, I'd probably only leave to go buy fabric. :)

I found this place last week on my afternoon out and about. I needed to go somewhere still and quiet--needed to have my soul fed. I wasn't sure where to go, but then remembered the Koinonia Kaffe in Headland--and there I headed. The drive there, in the countryside, is wonderful--the sky is so BIG, the farmland is gorgeous, and there's always the chance to see airplanes on short final overhead and trains running alongside the road. :) As I got out of my car to get some coffee and a yummy sandwich, I saw the sign for the Old Ice House, and was interested--I always love to look through antique stores! As I stepped inside, there were gorgeous antiques AND handmade items--wow! I've been looking for such a shop for so long! After chatting with the owner and her mom, and getting my questions answered, I went home to think, pray, and discuss with Hubby about selling there. I was sooooo excited, I could NOT fall asleep until 345am! (And Monster promptly woke me at 6!)

I have a bazillion ideas of things I want to make specifically for this shop, but for now I am using the stock already made. Hubby and I talked about craft fairs this fall, and we both agreed that this fall is way too chaotic to add craft fair prep into the mix! So for now, I will work on some Halloween onesies ("BOO") to put into The Old Ice House, some Christmas gifts and items to list in my shop, and other ideas that are rolling around in my brain! :) And also, I will build stock to hopefully sell at TroyFest this coming spring! I have PLENTY of time to prep for that now, don't I!?!

Soooo, if you decide to head towards Headland, AL, stop by The Old Ice House, and see what goodies are in there! It is just off the city square, a few stores to the right of the Koinonia Kaffe! (31 Grove Street)

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Fish Plush Lovey

2009-08-07T11:56:00.003-05:00

I've been trying to think of baby toys to make. I have a cute idea for a Lolly Dolly, but really, I am not excited by the need to hand sew all those eyes and mouths! So one night, late, just as I was drifting off to neverland, I thought about making this Fish Lovey. It measures approximately 5"x7"--plus ribbons. It is colorful, with ribbon loops to play with, and a soft chenille back. I love how it turned out! Now, I did try (again) to make a flower lovey--but (again) it didn't turn out how I envisioned. :P I have another idea I want to try for the flower, but it may be awhile before I get to it.

I'm adding some more bibs and burp cloths to my 1000 Markets Shop next week. I sewed a bunch last week, and got some pictures taken in between thunderstorms the other day! (It's been storming on and off for about 2 weeks now!)

Some exciting news--1000 Markets just sent out about 25 boxes for a PR Campaign. Inside were postcards showcasing several of the Markets--and one of my Cozy Blankets was on the back of the Child's Play Market postcard! YAH! BUT--my friend Beth's shop (The Yarn Chick) made the FRONT of the postcard! Her little girl was wearing one of her hats--too cute!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

New Items

2009-07-25T11:11:00.004-05:00

I've been meaning to make my niece some personalized items, and was able to work on them this week. I've also listed the items as custom orders in my shops--yah! :) They can be made for boys or girls--and I have fabrics to choose from, too! I also have Tshirts in 2T-5T.

The kids and I are outside enjoying probably the MILDEST summer ever in Alabama. But the mosquitos are horrendous! I'm slathered in natural bug repellant, and they are still devouring me.

Enjoy the weekend!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Yum!

2009-07-15T20:51:00.006-05:00

Before my husband left the military, and we regularly shopped the commissary on post, I used to luck out and buy 50lb boxes of bananas for $2-3. They were over-ripe, and I'd swipe them up. I had a baby then, and she loved mashed bananas. I froze the bananas before they went bad, and would use them to bake with, too. Then we moved into our current house--out of army housing--YAH! And somehow we started making smoothies with those frozen bananas. Probably daddy started it--but then Bug and I would have one quite often! Some yogurt, some fruit, a frozen banana, and a little milk. Or, she would eat a frozen half banana. She called them her "colds". :) Cleaning frozen, goopy, banana junk off a 1 yr old is similar to sloshing boogers around--but she loved eating the frozen bananas.

I'm guessing we stopped buying bananas in bulk when our commissary privileges ended (and by the time we got them back through the reserves, the commissary only sold VERY green bananas), and somehow I forgot about our yummy smoothies. Till I was in starbucks 2 weeks ago, and had one of their banana strawberry concoctions. It was ok. Mine are better! So today, at walmart, I picked up 3 bunches of bananas--2 very ripe ones, one good for eating--and I popped the ripe bananas in the freezer. I used one banana, added 3 nice sized strawberries, milk, a large dollop of vanilla yogurt, and some ice cubes for thickness--cause the banana wasn't fully frozen. YUM! Bet it would be tasty with peaches or pineapple and some chocolate!

I couldn't wait to make one tonight--and yum--it was delicious. Now I want another!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

PS--yes, I am sewing a little bit. Mostly buying fabric, though. Oh, and I didn't even show you my latest--silly me! I'm making appliqued hoodies--sizes 18mo-youth 10-12. :) They are GREAT for back to school!

sizes 18mo-4T

youth sizes 6-8, 10-12

hmmm, maybe the muse is returning?

2009-07-11T10:48:00.003-05:00

I'm starting to get a few ideas for sewing again. Maybe the muse is returning? I wish! I hope to work on some hoodies this week. I wasn't sure what to sew onto them--but now I'm thinking of personalizing them with an initial. That would be fun! :) I have a bunch in stock--need to check the sizes, though. (It's dark in the fabric closet--due to a burned out light!) I'm also checking on larger sizes, as I *think* my sizes only run into 5T.

I'm also hoping to start a monthly newsletter soon! I found some info on 1000 markets about different newsletter sites--their strengths and weaknesses. It would be nice to get that set up and going! (And if anyone is interested in signing up--email me: monsterbugblankets at yahoo dot com)

That's it for today!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

the 4th, well, the 3rd...

2009-07-06T06:11:00.002-05:00

We celebrated our nation's independence on the 3rd of July this year. Ft Rucker, the home of Army Aviation, and our next town over, wanted their soldiers to actually have a weekend off--so they had the foresight to celebrate this holiday a day early. :) This had the effect of messing with mine and hubby's internal clock all weekend, but that is ok!

In school the past couple of weeks, I've been talking about Independence Day some with the kids. (Oh, we homeschool, and the kids and I sit on our couch about 2-3 times a week to learn new things.) They learned a little about the American Flag--to the point that little Monster hollers "AMERICAN FLAG, MOMMY!" every time he sees one. Which is ALOT with the whole holiday thing happening right now! :) They even had an impromptu lesson at the mall a couple of weeks ago, as they wanted to play in all the flags and swing on them, etc! So we talked about respecting the flag...

It was wonderful on the night of the 3rd, as the 98th Army Band struck up our National Anthem, to teach my daughter to put her hand over her heart, to listen, to not talk--you know, all the respectful things we are to do when our country's anthem is played. And there we were, with thousands of soldiers, families, veterans, and civilians--singing our national anthem, and teaching our children how to honor and respect and enjoy this gorgeous song! (And yes, the tears welled up in my eyes, as always when I hear our Anthem!)

Then we sat on the ground in the cooling night, and listened to the band play other songs. Bug was enthralled with the conductor's baton--so much so, that she has adopted her American Flag pole (where the flag part is, I have NO idea!) as HER conductor baton--and now leads the music coming from Monster's radio!

After about 40 minutes, we headed back to our car to watch the fireworks. It was about a 10 minute walk, and we weren't up to dealing with the mad rush to leave after the fireworks. So we parked just past where they were lighting the fireworks, and found a relatively red ant-free spot to put out our quilt in an empty field. There were cars lining the field, and people in and around the cars--but no one else was out in the field with us. And man, did they miss out! Honestly, if we had paid all the money in the world to have a fireworks display catered specifically to where we were lying in this field--we could not have had it better! The wind was just right, and our location was perfect--the fireworks exploded directly overhead. Some of them were coming down a bit lower than made me comfortable--and the ash was all over our car to prove it! But it was gorgeous! A night to remember! All four of us, lying on the quilt together, all cozy--sharing the wonderful evening together! :)

So that was our celebration of the 4th--on the 3rd. :) The real 4th was somewhat more subdued!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Happy 4th of July to the Homefront Team

2009-07-03T12:53:00.003-05:00

An article Teri Keys and I worked on is now featured in the Storque on Etsy. It's about the 4th of July, and is an interview with some of The Homefront Team. The Homefront Team is comprised of veterans, spouses, and significant others of our military. I am soooo excited!!! :)

Beach Bag

2009-07-03T07:29:00.004-05:00

Sooo, I am in need of a beach bag. Our 3 year old, monster-sized basket I bought at Publix in Orlando has broken. The handle broke on it. I wanted to cry--cause it's been THE perfect bag! It sits in Bug's closet, always ready. It holds sunscreen, bug spray, hand sanitizer, a wet bag. Bathing suits and towels, pool and sand toys, child wetsuits, and a couple of child life preservers. It's a big basket! I like that I never have to go around, searching for the items I need before we head out to the pool, beach, lake, or springs--everything is right there!

But now, with a broken handle, I am searching for the new, perfect bag. It needs to be large, obviously! I need a couple of pockets--for the sunscreen and stuff, and also for my cell phone and wallet. I'd like it to close at the top, maybe--though I'm thinking that would be difficult with all I want to stuff in it. :) Sturdy handles. I started looking on etsy for beach bags--oh heavens! It's always been hard to search on etsy because of how they rely on tags--all kinds of odds and ends stuff end up in your search. But now they seem to have turned off the ability to say "beach bags NOT blanket NOT wet bag". They turned off the "not"???!!! What a PAIN! So I narrowed the search a bit by searching for orange beach bags. :) As orange is such a favorite color for me. Then, I saw an oilcloth bag in the search--and thought--wouldn't an oilcloth bag be THE BEST!!!! So 23 pages of oilcloth bags later (that I couldn't search with "not lunchbag"), I chose a bazillion favorites. But not THE ONE.

So I went to bed last night, thinking of all the pretty bags I saw. And then I thought of the 19 yards of oilcloth I have sitting in my fabric closet, since I am unsure if I can use it for children's picnic blankets because of all the CPSIA legislation. Hmmmm, should I attempt to make my OWN beach bag??? I fell asleep trying to remember what patterned oilcloth I bought, and what one pattern would look like with another.... :) What a way to conk out! I don't know IF I'll end up making the bag, or if I will keep searching for one, but it sure is fun to design things! And it made for a good night's sleep.

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Edited: So my cousin mentioned the XL Lands End Canvas totes. She said a child can fit inside--hahaha--and claims she "heard" this, but hasn't experienced it with one of her four kids. Not sure if I'm believing that, but, I'm grateful for the visual of how big the bag is! I have always been in love with the canvas Lands End bags, yet always wondered what exactly I'd use one for. So I followed her link, and the XL tote in persimmon and natural was on sale for $19! What a DEAL! I bought two! And I plan on adding some sort of an applique when they arrive--my initials or something--we'll see! (And yes, I KNOW they monogram for a good price--but I want to add my own touch to them!) Thanks, M! :)

Summer

2009-06-29T09:43:00.002-05:00

It's summer, and it seems to be time for the blahs creatively. I'm surrounded by gorgeous fabrics and plenty of projects, yet I have no desire to work on anything. I should be working on hoodies and long sleeved onesies and T's for the fall, yet I can't seem to get any ideas flowing. Sometimes I feel guilty about it, but mostly I just realize that this has happened the past two summers and I need to just give in to it. I need to rest, and enjoy my family, and do other things. I feel a little lost, and get worried I'll never want to sew again. But it's come back in the past, so I hope and believe it will come back again.

I have a custom order to work on the next two weeks anyway, a crib bumper, skirt, and sheet set. This will be something new to do, and will be nice. A little something to keep me busy, and maybe in a few weeks, or another month, I'll be ready to just sew my little heart away.

I'll show pictures when I'm done with the crib set, and will post more when the creative juices flow again. They seem to come in the fall for me. :) Maybe because I'm so in love with the fall (and because I so hate summer?).

:) MonsterBug Blankets

After the Vacation

2009-06-18T11:58:00.003-05:00

I had a good visit last week with a dear friend--and our kids got along wonderfully! I ordered yummies from Nikid (on etsy) for our quiet moments--hahahaha--if you believe we had any quiet moments with 5 kids running around! :) So for our--I've had it up to here--moments! Surprisingly, the kids were so busy playing, they didn't notice our noshing on gourmet chocolates!

And yes, I forgot AGAIN to use my Christmas gift card at Joanns. :P Three times now.... And we had fun at Ikea--oh, how I needed a gift card there! I brought home Swedish coffee and Lingonberry jam--yum, yum! And picture frames galore, an orange bath mat that was SUPPOSED to be used in my kids' bathroom, but somehow made it only to my own... I bought Christmas presents for the kids in the marvelous toy section--European toys are so amazing! And yes, they had my lovely hippo fabrics! YAH! The baby stuff there made me want to have another wee one--just so I could stock up on super-cute baby toys!

I've been busy since we got back--VBS is this week, so the kids have been shuttled back and forth. Man, are they worn out after all that FUN! I've been sewing--though not as much as I had hoped!--and getting pics taken for a custom order. I've been a nurse to my sick husband. :( Poor guy! And trying to get the house in order--cause it gets crazy in here quickly! We still haven't unpacked, either.... I took a car load of stuff to the Salvation Army this week--it had over-taken my sewing room! And I cleaned out Bug's closet--whew--3 trash bags later....

Busy next week, too--we have some family coming for a visit! :) Can't wait! (And the kids don't know yet--hahaha!)

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Little Vacation

2009-06-08T09:54:00.004-05:00

Last minute, the kids and I decided to take a little vacation to see friends in Tampa. YAH! Guess what is in Tampa, besides wonderful friends? A brand-new Ikea--with cute, cute hippo fabric (I hope!), and a super-sized Joanns--like almost walmart sized (well, a smaller walmart, but still...). Maybe THIS time I will remember to use my Christmas gift card at Joanns???

It's going to be a hot, steamy week--but it's like that here at home, too, so little change between the two places! Kids will have other kids to play with, a baby--who's almost not a baby anymore--to coo over, and a change of scenery. :) nice! And momma is going to have adult conversation ALL DAY LONG! And wonderful yummies from Nikid's goodie shop!!! I bought us a sampler.... :) She adds dry ice for a few dollars more--much needed when the goodies travel to Tampa.

Hope ya'll have a great week! :)

MonsterBug Blankets

New Shirts

2009-06-03T12:18:00.005-05:00

"I am THIS many"

Big Sister

Little Sister

Some new shirts I've worked on this week. A customer contacted me about making some shirts for her girls. :) Her oldest is about to turn 3, and so I tried to think of a birthday shirt (that hadn't already been done). I love how when you ask a little one how old they are, they hold up their chubby fingers and say, "I am THIS many!" It is too precious! So I used Monster's almost 3 yr old hands as a pattern, and made the fabric hands double-sided--so when the thumb and pinky come together, you see the back fabric. :)

I tried to pattern the big sis/lil sis girls after stick drawings. I think I need to add a little bow to their heads... All those letters to sew around was a bit painful. Lots of starting and stopping, lots of curves. Definitely took more time than my normal appliques. I charged a bit more for those. I can't wait to do boy ones, though! :) Cute, cute!

I'm also thinking of doing some ice cream appliques.... I can picture them in my head--just hope the idea translates well! :)

Oh--fun news--my Green Towel Set made it to the front page of etsy on Monday! for a whole hour during lunch--whoohoo! My first time EVER on the front page! (A day I figured would never happen.) It was in an admin curated treasury of graduation gifts. :) I secretly think it was to appease me for their politically correct treatment of Memorial Day. Their, yah for Memorial Day--lets honor the foreign etsy sellers. huh? Isn't Memorial Day a day to honor our US military, past and present? But, that is an issue that's been dealt with, and laid to rest....sort of....

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Graduation Presents

2009-05-22T11:45:00.003-05:00

I had fun making these towel sets for some friends that graduate high school tomorrow! Bug helped me pick the towels colors, and I chose the fabrics to go with. I'm really thinking that I need to pick up some pretty towels and put OUR initials on them! Bug seconds this thought! She loves colorful and pretty things--just like her mama! :)

MonsterBug Blankets

Memorial Weekend Sale!

2009-05-22T00:41:00.005-05:00

I'm running a sale at MonsterBug Blankets this weekend--buy any three bibs and/or burp cloths for $25. You can purchase the items, and I'll refund the $$, or you can write "waiting for invoice" in the notes to seller section at checkout, and I will send you a revised invoice. Shipping is normal.

Perfect gift for all those mommies-to-be!

MonsterBug Blankets shop on 1000 Markets

MonsterBug Blankets shop on Etsy

:) MonsterBug Blankets

T shirts and more onesies

2009-05-18T23:40:00.003-05:00

Giraffe Tshirts size 2T-5/6T

Star Onesies Newborn, S, M, L

I finally got some Tshirts made--5 of them today. :) I have 2 of them above--the other three are giraffes, too. :) Bug helped me pick out the colors. The onesies I started on Saturday--just had to finish stitching the inside red fabric on the one star, then press and photograph. I'm digging the one that's off-center. It has a patch of my sister's jeans on it! She's been sending me old pairs of jeans to use--so it was cool to use an upcycled piece of her clothing. (Though mainly I used it because my fabric closet is sooo overflowing that I could NOT find the denim I KNEW was in there, and sis' jeans were near the top of the pile...)

I've been trying to figure out what other shapes to applique lately. It's hard when I see so many fun ones on etsy, then I really don't want to copy them. :P The stars I thought of because the 4th of July is on its way--and this coming weekend is Memorial Day--the beginning of the "patriotic season". So these stars are red, white, and blue (with a little pink thrown it, too!), but they can be made in any color-combo. I'm still thinking of others--I have a few in mind, just need to play around with them.

:) MonsterBug Blankets

2009-05-16T23:44:00.007-05:00

Mud Pies

Ballet

It's been a good week. :)

Harley-Baby!

2009-05-15T11:06:00.007-05:00

Last month, my sister K called and asked if I could find some Harley-Davidson fabric to make a baby blanket for a friend of hers. I found some on ebay--if it's not on ebay, it's not been made!--and it was cute, so I ordered two yards of it--one yard for her blanket, one to sell extra. I'm so glad I did that, cause this fabric makes sweet baby items! I made a bib, burp cloth, and second Cozy Blanket out of the extra yard, and listed them online. This week, a lady emails me and wants to know if I could make a matching onesie...hmmmm...can't believe I hadn't thought of that earlier! Especially nice--I had a long piece of this fabric about 5" high, that I couldn't use for anything--it has 15! good logos on it--so I have PLENTY to make onesies and Tshirts! :) (Also, I just re-ordered more of this fabric, as I am nearly out!)

I sewed several bibs and burp cloths this week, and am adding online what wasn't already taken for orders. Some of them were just back-ups to the ones I already have listed. I'm realizing that in order to have a full shop, I need to keep listings online that I may not have made--and make them as they are ordered. I've been watching those who sell ALOT on etsy, and they seem to do this--relist items that have sold, and make the same items over and over.

When I ordered new fabrics after TroyFest, they all came in and were sooo pretty--and sooo PINK.... So I've been window shopping for boy fabrics this week. :) Sooo many cute ones! Rockets and dogs are on my list of favorites!

I got the Tshirts in on Monday--I now can make all my onesie designs on Tshirts--size 2T-5/6T! YAH!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

PS--the Harley-Baby items are for sale in my etsy shop.

Friday Already?

2009-05-08T07:56:00.002-05:00

Where did this week go??? We've been chilling out, mostly. Lots of rain--so I try to sneak the kids outside when the sun peeks her way into our yard. :) I've been trying to list more of my items into my etsy shop--what a LONG time that takes! I have a window in the afternoons I've been using--but the views that time of day are horrible. I need to make the listing, save it, and "finish" it in the evening, I guess. Soo hard to wait! :)

I received the Tshirt samples this week, and made my decision for the ones I want to order. I love the ringspun Rabbit Skins T's! They are super-soft, stay true to size when washed, and just are what I wanted! I also tried the regular Rabbit Skins T's, Gildan T's, and Bella T's. The regular rabbit skins and gildan shirts were good shirts--but the Bella ones were 1. girl shaped, and 2. SHRUNK!

So I ordered T's to applique! And more onesies, as I am almost out of them. 190 T's and onesies headed here early next week--where, oh where am I going to put all these?!?! I went to Target yesterday to pick up another shelf for my fabric closet. Next week I know what I am doing--pulling out EVERYTHING from my fabric closet, adding a shelf, re-arranging, purging, and hopefully having a home for all the T's, onesies, hoodies, and newest fabrics! :) I also realized that I have ordered tons of girl fabrics in the past two weeks--but no boy fabrics. yikes! So my etsy favorites are full of boy fabrics right now! :) I need to get some orders so I can SHOP!

I was thinking yesterday. If I spend one week a month working on onesies, another week on bibs, another on burp cloths...then I will have a REALLY good supply of items for the holiday craft fairs! :) And I figured conservatively, too! YAH! There are a few shows I am interested in checking out--one in Montgomery that is supposed to be the largest one around. That would be awesome! I need to check out dates, costs, etc. Very Verdant was talking about it yesterday. Actually, she's been talking about it since some time last year! If I can keep to my schedule, I probably would have enough items to do something big like that! We'll have to see...I'd probably need to stay overnight up there, as it is 2 hours from home....

Lots of ideas, lots of plans! :)

MonsterBug Blankets

Changing Things Up

2009-05-04T08:53:00.004-05:00

So, I've changed things up a bit. I suppose since I can no longer re-arrange my house at will, I can use my online sites to do so! And guess what--I did it in the middle of the night--same time I used to re-arrange! hahaha! I changed all my banners and avatars--took a picture of a pile of my Cozy Blankets--cropped it, wrote on it, and shrunk it as necessary. :) I love the colors of these blankets! :) I'm trying to get used to all my links being on the left side, though....

Still waiting on my T shirts to come--so I can make a decision about which ones to order. Also I am waiting to hear from fabric.com about buying chenille wholesale from them. I wasn't expecting them to take so long to get back to me--so many other sites have online applications that are approved within 24 hours. We'll see. I really like buying from them--they are FAST in their shipping! And I have an order that needs to mail out next Monday--so whether I get wholesale pricing or not, I NEED to buy chenille!

I have been buying fabric left and right--whoohoo! So many, many fun colors and prints! I am bummed, however, that Amy Butler has discontinued her Lotus and Belle lines. The fabric coop wasn't able to get any of her Full Moon fabrics on their last buy--they were already all gone. :( I am so bummed! I love the cherry and tangerine full moon dots! Sooooo, I've spent $$ buying Michael Miller's Ta Dots fabrics--there are so many fun colors! :) They are vibrant, and make great baby gift items! :)

Last week was crazy for our family, and I guess Bug wanted in on the action--she broke her collar bone yesterday at church. So guess what--Mommy is sewing a giraffe on her boring sling today! She's been excited about that since she woke up! Fabric is already picked out! I'll show pics later....

:) MonsterBug Blankets

weariness

2009-04-30T12:12:00.004-05:00

Weariness surrounds me. Today it took awhile to hit--I actually had energy--then, BOOM, I didn't. I always HOPE that the week after a craft fair, I won't be a zombie--and this time I really hoped it would be true--cause I wasn't psycho so much the week prior (as I have been in the past)--but the weariness is here nonetheless. (And I have soooo much to do!!!!)

Two other things are contributing to this tiredness going on--one being my mom having surgery today to remove cancer. scary. And two being the scare my brother and sister-in-law had while baby I, my niece, was born. It's been a hard, stressful week--worrying about all these people I love! But the little pic of my chunky, beautiful niece has helped! :)

I've spent the week trying to figure out where to buy Tshirt blanks--so I can add appliqued Tshirts to my line of onesies. :) It is really hard to commit to buy many of something, when I haven't been able to touch or feel or see what I am buying. I finally found a place that has several of the brands I wanted to check out--and I bought one of each of their T's. In Monster's size--so if I don't like them, at least I can make a shirt for him out of them--but they will be white--and Monster REALLY loves dirt.... I need to buy stock in the Stain Stick company, I tell you!

What else is going on here...I have some bibs and burp cloths cut out, needing to be sewn--gotta build my stock back up! I bought THE CUTEST ladybug fabric the other day--I made a bib and burp out of this last year--and with the white chenille back--it is to die for! So sweet and pretty! I also came home Sunday, got on my fabric coop, and bought 20 yards of fabrics! :) I was holding off, waiting to see how much I'd make at TroyFest--and then I let go and bought! :)

Mmmm, the smell of lilacs is blowing through my back door....yummy! :)

That's it!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

TroyFest

2009-04-27T08:10:00.008-05:00

MonsterBug Blankets Booth at TroyFest 2009

Front

Side

Back!

Whew, what a weekend! Hot (90's+), busy (yah!), and lots of fun things to look at and buy! I really enjoyed selling at TroyFest--the people in charge were gracious and bent over backwards to help all the vendors! They planned a huge supper for when we set up on Friday, a good breakfast for Saturday morning--even bringing coffee around to all the tents, and they brought cold water bottles to us all day long on Sat and Sun. :) And the people of Troy were great! I've only been in Troy one other time--I visited the Antique Store in downtown--so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised! I especially liked hearing groups of people walk by, speaking foreign languages! :) Above is my booth--I had THREE visible sides--could not have asked for a better spot! All in all--a great weekend!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Come see me!

2009-04-23T23:55:00.003-05:00

MonsterBug Blankets is selling at TroyFest, in downtown Troy, Alabama on 26-27 April! 9-5 on Saturday, 12-5 on Sunday! :) So if you live in Montgomery, Eufaula, Enterprise, Dothan, Ozark, or anywhere in between--come for a visit! (Or in Troy--hahaha!)

Look forward to meeting you guys!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

quietness

2009-04-15T20:32:00.003-05:00

Things have felt so crazy here. I've been putting so much pressure on myself about getting more and more made for TroyFest. And there were three family members in the hospital/having surgery this week--the worries for them have been playing in the back of my mind for days. So Monday, I sat in my living room with my husband and watched tivoed shows for three straight hours. And yesterday, on my afternoon to run out and about--I visited with a friend, stopped by the quilt shop and browsed and jabbered, and then I stopped in a field and took pictures. I felt very refreshed. Today I wanted desperately to get lost in quiet--my way of dealing with my thoughts--but two little ones being silly kept me from much of that! But I did have awhile this afternoon when I just sat and ironed on appliques and was quiet. I watched some tv with hubby, and we just were together. I know right now I should be pushing to finish things--but my sanity is requiring quiet, few deadlines, and just being. So I am working on what I can, and enjoying quiet moments as much as possible. with two toddlers. :)

MonsterBug Blankets

busy, busy, busy!

2009-04-10T05:01:00.003-05:00

Yesterday I ironed. and ironed. and ironed. I spent my whole morning ironing while the kids "played with rattlesnakes". Not really, calm down! We went to a local Rattlesnake Rodeo on Saturday (where we all tried alligator on a stick--kinda tough--Monster devoured it--gotta love the south!), and since, the kids have been pretending to see and play with rattlesnakes. So while I ironed a huge stack of pretties and lots of fabric to continue sewing--they went rattlesnake hunting. :) Made for a fun time!

I was gonna take a picture of my new stack of blankets and burp cloths--all those colors make me happy--but I didn't have the time. (Too busy ironing--you getting the theme here?) I'm dying that I can't/don't have time to list these new things. I want to put them online--but I'm running out of time! TroyFest is in 2 weeks! Lots to do!

Two weeks ago, I stopped in to the Army Aviation Museum Gift Shop to see if they would be interested in consigning some of my baby items. I left some items with them to look over, and the other day I called them to check back and see if they were interested. WHOOHOO! They already sold some of my things, and asked for me to make several more items for them to take with them to a Convention in May!!!! :) So excited! Of course, it's a little crazy--cause they need the items by the 29th--3 days after my craft show--hahahaha! So my sewing has gotten more intense the past few days! :) But I am so excited about this!

Ok, gotta go get busy.

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Cozy Blankets for K and B

2009-04-03T20:26:00.001-05:00

Aren't these adorable? I can't decide which one I like better--the cool Harley-Davidson Blanket or the Frog with the orange N applique? Too bad I shipped them both off today. :(

I had a bit of a mishap with my sewing machine this week. Three weeks before TroyFest. While vacuuming. I still can't believe it! I hit the picnic basket under my sewing table while vacuuming, it bonked the cord to my sewing machine, and sparks went flying! I completely fried my machine. I loved my little machine. I immediately began adding in my head the $$ I have available for another machine. I mean, there's a craft fair in THREE WEEKS! As I stood there by my sewing table, thinking and staring at my sewing and embroidering machine across the room, it took me a minute for things to sink in--I have a sewing and embroidery machine across the room! :) YAH!

This new (to me) machine intimidates me. It's not a simple turn the dial kind of machine. So I had to break out the users' manual. (Had to figure out where that was first!) First thing this morning I plugged that bad boy in, and started practicing. Then I finished the two blankets above. Oh man, am I in love! That machine is like a race car (sounds like one, too)! I'm already sooo happy with the new bells and whistles--things that I never knew a sewing machine could do--and now I cannot live without! :)

Three weeks to go till TroyFest. Did I say that already? I'm excited and starting to freak out now!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

PS--It's a Singer Quantum Futura C-200.

Poppies from Cutesie Clips to match Poppies from MonsterBug Blankets!

2009-03-31T15:51:00.007-05:00

About a week and a half ago, Jennifer of CutesieClips on Etsy, contacted me about collaborating on a project. She wanted to make Felt Hair Clips to match some of my Poppy Onesies! We were both excited about this! And so she went to work--above is her Poppy Flower Felt Hair Clip , and below is my Poppy Onesie that matches! I recently ordered a purple butterfly hair clip from Cutesie Clips--and it is AMAZING! Bug loves it to death! The quality of her handiwork is top-notch! And I love the hand-sewn details--makes me want to swoon! :)

Be sure to visit Jennifer's shop and look around! She has such beautiful items for sale!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Busy Week, what i remember of it....

2009-03-28T23:47:00.003-05:00

After clicking AGAIN on a couple of blogs I love, and getting frustrated that THEY hadn't updated recently....I realized I'd only updated my blog once in the past week and a half. Oops.

It's been a busy week. Lots to sew, lots to clean, sick right in the middle, and storms that kept us on our toes! (Bug was very upset when she didn't get to sleep in the tub. It was lined with quilts just in case we had to hang out in it for a bit cause the "freight train" was coming. Oh, you gotta love tornado season in SE Alabama!) And with non-stop rain, I've had zero chances to get any pictures taken! I think we get sunny weather until Wednesday or Thursday. maybe. we'll see.

I almost have 8 more Propeller Onesies done and ready to list on etsy, I have a couple of custom blankets to get done and shipped by Wednesday, and I have 5 tshirts to make--similar to my giraffe and propeller onesies--for the bigger kiddos! I'm hoping and praying I can get the shirts I want at Target. I like their T's.

That's about it--I'm getting that heavy feeling in my arms--too tired to hold them up! :) Sleep tight!

MonsterBug Blankets

Propeller Onesies

2009-03-25T13:29:00.004-05:00

CLEAR PROP!

Yes, Hubby and I are aviation geeks--the maps, the smell of avgas and jetfuel, the feeling just as a plane lifts off the ground.... I was a student pilot many, many moons ago, and he's qualified in both single engine airplanes and in helicopters. We're a match made in heaven! :)

Kiddos have the bug, too! Bug was not even two years old when she had the chance to ride in the back of a Cessna. She LOVED it, and cried when it was time to get out! Both kids are getting close to identifying the different Army helicopters that fly in our area. They go NUTS when they see ANYTHING flying--and Bug about went berserk when she saw her first bi-plane last weekend! And what other two year old do you know that screams--"A CONTRAIL, Daddys, A contrail!"?

Our love of aviation has led to many items in my shop. Now I've added these sassy onesies to the mix--my Propeller Onesies! :) I soooo love the prop of an airplane--it's gorgeous to me! And these I made bright and bold--such a fun way to combine fabrics! :) I currently have them in my etsy shop, and hope to add more to my 1000 markets shop later this week or next.

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Giraffe Onesies

2009-03-19T07:39:00.004-05:00

Had fun making these yesterday! I love appliques! They make me smile! These giraffes were patterned after the giraffe tshirt I made Bug for her birthday. I used the same pattern for Bug's shirt, but once I cut out the giraffe, I realized that newborn shirts and 5T shirts are somehow NOT the same size (imagine that!), and I had to re-draw a smaller pattern!

For these new ones, I wanted to use polka-dot fabrics. I LOVE polka-dots!!! And I had plenty of polka-dot scraps left over from the latest bibs, burp cloths, and diaper & wipes holders I've made.

I'm still trying to decide on whether to do eyes or not. I like the simplicity of the shapes, yet wonder if they need a little something more? Back and forth, back and forth! :P I'm always like this with the things I make! Anyway, there are 10 of these so far--the other five are made of the same fabrics, but the faces are turned opposite from what is above. :)

I'm still trying to write the description for the Poppy onesies I did earlier this week. When I get the chance to sit down and try to write--it's after the kiddos go to bed at night, and my brain is pooped! Definitely NOT a good time to try to think! :) I'm mulling on it, though, and am sure I'll come up with something--then get these all listed in my 1000 markets store! :) YAH!

That's it for today--kids are awake and needing some breakfast and love--though not in that order! :)

MonsterBug Blankets

Appliqueing Onesies!

2009-03-14T15:31:00.006-05:00

Oh My! I had sooo much fun this afternoon! I started on the onesies above--cutting flowers, adding details, pressing them on the onesies with wonder-under. I still need to stitch them, but wanted to play first! I have 8 more flower ones to make--then I'm going to try my hand at giraffes and helicopters. I'm a little nervous about those, as they are new to me--but playing is soooo much fun--so I will enjoy them, I'm sure!

I purchased these onesies a whole year ago! A lady on etsy was getting rid of them--wish I'd purchased all that she had! But I bought what I could afford, and I knew it would be awhile before I could get to playing with them....(never thought a YEAR later!) Just seeing these makes me super-excited about the tshirts and hoodies I bought for the fall/winter! (Which are laying in stacks on a chair in my workroom! Monster likes to knock the top two or three over every time he passes by...)

Anyway, that's my fun for today! I also worked on listing a few more burp cloths to my site, but then I realized I'd photographed them wrong. :P And, with our new Mac (whooooohooooo!), I haven't figured out how to re-size the pictures--so the files are HUGE, and they take forever to load. :P So just a few were done. More later!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

Hmmmmm

2009-03-12T01:02:00.004-05:00

I'm awake and it's after 1am--just barely. It's been a busy day--sick kiddos (teething, I think--do 4 yr olds get new molars?), lots of cuddling in my chair. Doesn't make me unhappy in the least--when do I get to snuggle with the whirlwinds UNLESS they feel yucky?

I feel content that part of my getting-ready-for-TroyFest-projects for this week are complete! 14 bibs, 14 burp cloths! (And seven yards of white chenille to be delivered to my door tomorrow!) Now to get started on my secondary project for the week: Alabama and Auburn Diaper and Wipes Holders! Yah! (I guess, if'n you like one of those teams.) :)

My dishes are done, my laundry is all folded, and I have 1.5 loads to wash tomorrow--and my floors need vacuuming--then my house will be clean for the week. :) (Of course, that means it'll be clean for about 2.5 seconds! Whirlwinds, remember?!)

So, things are done, accomplished, yet I cannot sleep. Maybe I need to bask in the completion? Or I forgot to take my tylenol pm? Or maybe I'm finally starting to get caught up on my month of little sleep--and needed a night of insomnia to push me back on the other side? :P (The DARK side!)

Anyway, out of my not able to sleep-ness--you get to read this silly post! :)

Nighty-night!
MonsterBug Blankets

PS--I realize that it is now Thursday (though early!), and I have not yet photographed OR listed the bibs I promised would be up on Tues or Wed. Well that MAY end up being next week--depends on if the kiddos are still feverish and needing to be held constantly! :) And if our plans for this weekend go through or are rained upon. :P
Hahahaha--I guess what I am referring to above is from the post I ended up NOT posting the other day. Hmmmm--so sorry. THIS IS WHAT YOU GET when I do not sleep! :)

12 Years Ago

2009-03-08T15:21:00.003-05:00

Twelve years ago, I said "I do" to my dear husband. :) I cried out of joy as I walked down the aisle on my father's arm. My hubby made me laugh the whole ceremony. :) The rest seemed a blur--pictures, an appearance at the reception, and then we were off--and hungry. Cause WHO even eats at their reception?

My mind has been on our wedding since I photographed the wedding on Valentine's Day. I searched Flickr for Hotel Roanoke pictures. :) I thought about our brief time in Washington DC--I had to get a military ID card before hubby departed back to Germany! (And I cannot believe the lady granted me one without an official marriage certificate! She told me to fax it in when we picked it up!?) We spent several cold, snowy, and wonderful days in upstate NY. :) And then we visited with family and friends before my husband left to return to Germany--with us both unsure of when I could join him again. Ah, the joys of military life were just beginning!

It's been a wonderful 12 years! I would not trade them (or him!) for anything!

Happy Anniversary, Love!

Baby Blankets

2009-03-04T12:15:00.006-06:00

So here's hoping my brother and sister-in-law don't peek at my blog between today and Saturday (their shower)! Cause these are the baby blankets for my niece to be! :) SIL loves Winnie the Pooh--so I made a Cozy Blanket with this pretty blue toile Winnie the Pooh fabric. I added an "I" in pink rick-rack to the bottom right corner. :) The back is white chenille. My bro is a baseball fanatic--so I just HAD to get this baseball fabric for his baby! I bought it before they found out the sex of the baby--figured I could girly it up if need be! :) It has a red swiss dot backing, a layer of batting, jumbo red rick rack around the edges, and I tied it with red ties. :) I normally do not like ties on blankets/quilts--but this one--with the vintage-looking baseball fabric and the sweet rick rack--it just NEEDED red ties! Nothing else seemed right to me.

I'm super-tired today--last night I was FULL of ideas. I spent 2.5 hours turning my bedroom light on and off in order to write everything down (cause I'm horrible at remembering things). Ideas for the craft fair displays, ideas for new things to make--it was crazy! :) Why do these ideas seem to always come when I'm supposed to be asleep? :)

MonsterBug Blankets

Custom Order for C

2009-03-02T11:40:00.004-06:00

I love realizing that I didn't take a "group shot" of my custom order AFTER it was packaged and waiting on the front porch for the mailman to pick up. So that just means you guys get to see three pictures instead of 1--ha! :) This order was for a Cozy Baby Blanket, a bib, and a burp cloth made with Mod Dots in Fire. The colors are bold and vivid--so pretty!

I have 42 baby onesies in the dryer right now--I believe my schedule has me appliqueing those in two weeks! I hate the wait, but there are many things to get busy with between today and then! I realized this weekend that I had 8 weeks until Troy Fest, so I came up with a plan to get everything done. When I made my plan, I thought I only had 15 short sleeved onesies--not 42--so they may take a little longer than I planned--but boy, was I EXCITED to have that many! I felt very limited in my plans until today when I realized my mistake. :) So far my plans include helicopters, poppies, and giraffes. :) :)

The next couple of days will be used to work on things for my niece-to-be! The shower is Saturday--and I just didn't realize it. :P So I have to get cracking!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

www.monsterbugblankets.com

Diaper and Wipes Holders

2009-02-26T15:43:00.004-06:00

So I finished these bad boys last night--and six more--go look in my shop. :) I have some time this afternoon--but am still groggy and a little grumpy--not a good combo for sewing--so I am just sitting here.

http://www.fabric.com/ is my new favorite store. I ordered from them on Monday morning, and within 48 hours, I had my five yards of chenille! They ship free on orders over $35, AND you can google coupon codes for them--and get a % off your order! By the time I was done shopping with them, my chenille averaged barely over $9/yard. It would've been $7.80/yard--plus tax--if I drove to a Joann fabrics store to buy it--but I would've driven four hours round trip AND I would've had to track down which store actually had the white chenille in stock. I like shopping from my chair, at 430 in the morning. Or 1100 at night. And not driving. It's worth $1-ish a yard in cost to me!

MonsterBug Blankets

http://www.monsterbugblankets.com/

This Weekend

2009-02-22T12:46:00.003-06:00

So, this has been a bust of a weekend. Hubby, Bug, and I are sick--while little Monster has been living up to his nickname! :) Actually, he's been very good--just full of WAY TOO MUCH energy! We're spending today watching too much tv, but that is all we have energy for! And even that has worn out hubby. :P

Friday, I started working on some very sweet and colorful diaper and wipes holders. :) Can't wait till they are finished! The new ones aren't camo, either, but Amy Butler, Michael Miller, and Moda fabrics and such--soooo pretty! I started working on pinning the outer fabrics to the linings yesterday--but then this bug hit, and whew, no more!

I'm very excited about the 2 custom orders I have! I have to wait on the fabrics to arrive before I can start--I am impatient for the mailman to bring them! :)

And today, while watching TV, I worked on uploading some of the wedding pictures from last week onto http://www.picnik.com/ so I could edit them and/or play on there! :) It's been fun, though the process is slower than I prefer. I need to be more discriminate about the photos I upload, since it takes forever to load them, and makes my computer want to explode!

That's it for the weekend--hope the coming week is better, so I can show off the diaper and wipes holders and also the custom orders! :)

MonsterBug Blankets
http://www.monsterbugblankets.com/

Custom Order for L.

2009-02-20T21:22:00.008-06:00

(Click on the pictures to see the fabrics better.)

Construction vehicles on blue, trains, construction vehicles on white

Sock monkeys on blue, VW vanagons on blue, frogs on blue, mickey "house" (ala Monster)
baseballs on black, sock monkeys on red, green and orange plaid, kermit on green

Some boy fabrics to sift through. Let me know if any of them suit you--if not, I will search online (because that is super-fun)! Also, I have more of most of the fabrics in my shop--so if there is one that you like, please let me know. :)

:) MonsterBug Blankets

http://www.monsterbugblankets.com/

Custom Order for C.

2009-02-20T19:50:00.003-06:00

C.--this is all the pink and black I have. :P (Click on the picture to see better.) I like the fabric you chose earlier.

:) MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Surroundings--Photography by J. Holmes

2009-02-18T12:27:00.004-06:00

I've had an idea of doing something with my photography since soon after I started--way back in Germany almost 6 years ago--even came up with a name back then--and designed some business cards. :) Surroundings--photography by J. Holmes. Cause I like to take pics of my surroundings. Nothing super exciting--but simple, which I like.

I finally opened a Flickr account today, so I could have a place to showcase a few photos. Now I feel like I'm naked to the world! Untouched photos--when I see so many that are "perfectly" photoshopped. I feel awkward and silly and not up to par--but hey, I'm out there now. No turning back! :) So stop by and look: http://www.flickr.com/photos/surroundingsphotography/

:) MonsterBug Blankets

www.monsterbugblankets.com

Weddings

2009-02-17T10:50:00.006-06:00

(Click image to see better!)

It's been nearly 12 years since I said I Do to my dear husband. I think we may have been to one wedding since. So when I was asked to be the photographer for a friend's sister's wedding, I kept thinking, Heavens, what kind of photos are "in" nowadays? (My sister said sideways/crooked ones!) I talked intently with my little sis--the ever creative Beckagator Photography--since she's photographed a few weddings already. I also bought two issues of Martha Stewart's Weddings magazine. I was nervous and sooo excited. Especially nervous about the wedding being at night and outside--HOW do you light such an event??? I'm such a lover of natural, DAYTIME light! :P

The couple made it super-easy. They are naturals at posing, posed most of the photos themselves (whew!), and they knew exactly what they wanted. I also took a bunch of candid pics as they talked and were silly with their families. I liked that--they were relaxed and had fun, and so did I. I think my favorite pictures were of the bride's brother and bro-in-law stuffing her into an old carriage, cause she didn't want to walk in the mud right in front of it, but wanted to be in it to have a picture done with them. :) I took lots of pics then. :)

I'm pretty sure I don't want to do alot of wedding photography--not anytime soon, at least. I don't like being away from my family for such a long time. And the pressure of not screwing up the pictures--believe me, it is intense! But I think it might be fun to do candid type portrait sessions--like children at a playground. Or maybe I'll just stick to MY children at the playground....

Anyway, I am grateful for the experience! Anytime I can take a bazillion pictures and gain more experience is fun! :)

MonsterBug Blankets
http://www.monsterbugblankets.com/

TAXES--scream!

2009-02-11T20:26:00.004-06:00

You know, I did really, really well with recording receipts and expenditures and the like last year--well, until May, that is. And then I just stopped. I think it started with all the sewing I did to sell at the PX in May. I was soooooo busy. Then I kinda crashed afterwards. For 3 months. Then, I realized I had to get in gear for selling at the Holidays in the South bazaar. And after that, I was super-busy shipping Christmas Tree crayons out--Santa is one slave driver, I tell you! Next thing I know, hubby is online, filling out the Turbo Tax stuff, and asking me too many questions! For two--or is it three now?--weeks I've been printing receipts off 2 different paypal accounts, 3 different email accounts, and compiling them with receipts from etsy, ebay, my fabric coop, other fabric stores, and trying to track down where I spent $49 in February last year. Then inputting data for inventory of goods made, and inventory of fabric owned (362.13 yards of fabric for MonsterBug Blankets--NOT including my personal stash!), sales, expenses, on and on..... Today I am seeing the finish line. I can ALMOST touch it! I have to finish adding the cost of goods for the inventory I have made, and then I have to add the cost of goods sold. Which I'll have to go through all 12 months to compile. But that's ok. Almost there. And when I'm done--hubby can do the taxes. And we can get a decent computer. We hope. (Least that's what I think the refund is going to this year. Kinda sad it's not going to more fabric. Ummm, yes, I DO tend to forget I have 362.13+ yards of fabric waiting. Some of it is cheap walmart dollar a yard fabric--so it really doesn't count--cause I'll like never use it!)

Anyway, because of all this tax stuff taxing my brain, I've not felt very creative lately. I feel stressed and grumpy and TIRED. And I haven't sewn. at all. And it is Wednesday night. :P Now I spend my naptimes thinking of what I COULD sew, but I don't--cause I don't feel like it. Gotta FEEL it to sew!

I'm gonna FEEL like it next week--I'm certain of that! :)

MonsterBug Blankets
http://www.monsterbugblankets.com/

PS--spellcheck doesn't like me today. :P

Edited 12 February: ALL MY INFO IS COMPILED, ADDED, AND READY!!!! WHOOO-HOOO! Now we have to sit down and do the taxes.... :)

Cubs Order

2009-02-07T09:43:00.003-06:00

Here's a custom order I finished up yesterday. For a Chicago Cubs fan. I love the cute, pink, fleece fabric! So cozy and soft. NOT a treat to sew with, mind you, but the end result was sweet! I made a 36"x36" baby blanket, a bib, burp cloth, and onesie.

Not much else going on this week--it's been a super-odd week--full of changes. Next week we should get back a bit to normal. I hope.

I picked up several more long sleeved tshirts and turtlenecks yesterday--for appliqueing. Can't wait! Next November I'll have TONS of shirts available--yah! :)

MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Over a Week Later...

2009-02-04T13:05:00.004-06:00

Wow, it's been over a week since I last posted. I kept WANTING to post last week, but I was in a weird funk--where I wanted to do things, but just couldn't. Lack of sleep, fighting off some weird sickness, running a tiny temperature that made me feel yucky. I had no motivation and no energy. I spent time aimlessly. It was rather annoying! But today I'm starting to feel motivated again! YAH! I get scared when I am unmotivated. Scared it'll last forever and ever. So to have it behind me makes me VERY happy!

15 of my 19 yards of oilcloth are sitting impatiently on my cutting table! YAH! Soon I will be sitting on gobs of picnic blankets! Well, I probably won't actually sit on them, but they will be finished, and ready for someone else to sit on for picnics with their kids! I have fun colors--lime green, orange, pink dots, red with white dots! I found our picnic blanket about a month ago, and the kids have been having a blast with it! They like to use it inside for picnics when we can't use it outside. I'm SURE other kiddos would LOVE to have one, too!

I made up some Auburn and University of Alabama baby bibs last week--check them out here! I call them my Fanatic Bibs! :) I didn't actually use Auburn or Alabama licensed fabrics--but used fun orange and red Amy Butler fabrics, with denim and polka dotted backs. I also completed some plaid ones today (no pics yet!) that have denim backs--very cute! I personally am not into SEC teams (sorry, I grew up in ACC territory!), but I felt it would be wise to make some available. I really, really want to do a UNC bib, too--with a baby tarheel on it! OH MY!

What else is in the works.... I plan on making a crib skirt for my niece-to-be--appliquing her name on it in pretty colors. I'd like to offer these personalized crib skirts for sale in my shop once hers is done. :) And I have a bunch of navy hoodies to applique for next fall/winter. Scooped them up at Target on sale last week! And a ton of long sleeved tshirts, too! I have sooooo many ideas for these! What else.... I need to make another trip to Joanns, cause I need more chenille (I ALWAYS need more chenille!) to make a bunch more cozy blankets--I have Olivia fabric cut out and WAITING! And I bought the cutest Army patches fabric that I need to get busy making stuff out of! Soooooo much to do! :) And energy to do it all now--what more could I ask for???

Ok, naptime, cause I have things to work on this afternoon! :)

MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

MonsterBug Blankets and the CPSIA

2009-01-25T16:25:00.002-06:00

Lots and lots of worries, fears, etc are going on with the new CPSIA law starting 10 February. Until the law is amended, I will only have items for sale online that were sewn/made on 9 February 2009 or prior. I cannot afford to test anything made on or after 10 February 2009, though I'm pretty darn sure the items in my inventory have not been injected with lead nor do they have a lead blanket sewn in the middle as batting. No lead-based paint has accidentally spilled on them, nor crumbled from my walls (thankfully, we live in a house built in the mid-80's). Just to let you know. In case you were worried.

I'll still sew baby items--supposedly I can still sell in-state at craft fairs without getting the lead testing done, and I have a little niece coming who NEEDS some MonsterBug Blankets to wrap in! So she will get some untested, but definitely lead-free, baby blankets, bibs, burp cloths, etc. If anyone else is interested in some black-market, after 10 February, untested--but lead-free--baby items, hmmmmm.....Maybe I know someone who can hook you up.......

But do know--my stock is marvelous, and full of goodies I've never even listed--so I'll keep on listing my pre-CPSIA items for awhile. Hopefully, by the time I have them all online, this silly-written law will be amended. If not, plan B is to get busy on some adult items--many of which have already been featured on this blog over the past 2 years. Or, I'll start playing more with my photography....

:) MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Best Laid Plans...

2009-01-21T11:16:00.004-06:00

Soooo, after a nice, long, relaxing weekend, and catching up on some much needed rest, there's ALOT of things needing attention in the MonsterBug Blankets household! So my PLANS for today were to tackle EVERYTHING that needs done upstairs. everything. Ha! I worked some in Bug's room before breakfast--getting clothes put away (from her 35 changes a day!), and some storage put back into her attic. Then we ate breakfast, and the kids started playing so nicely, and I needed to catch up with a friend.....

And THIS is what I made while chatting--see I wasn't 100% ineffective!

I'm always seeing such CUTE, CUTE, CUTE little moleskin cahier notebooks on etsy. And on a wonderful, childless visit to Barnes and Noble yesterday, I picked up some of these journals--knowing I wanted to do something fun with them. So I trimmed some fabric scraps, put a heavy-duty needle on the sewing machine, and quickly stitched this fun notebook! Now I need to decide what to use it for--do I pop it in my purse for thoughts/ideas I have on the run? Do I keep it next to my chair, and use it instead of the 4,000 sticky notes I keep on the table? Do I use it for my prayers? I don't know. Maybe I should make up the other two--then I could have one for each! I'm having thoughts of using some sheets of music I have.....

Maybe the upstairs will get done this afternoon?

:) MonsterBug Blankets

http://www.monsterbugblankets.com/

PS--Lest anyone think I did nothing today BUT sew this cute little notebook and laze around--a reminder--I DO have two preschoolers underfoot--they need feeding--constantly--and dressed and loved on and played with.... Also, I did manage to fold a load of laundry, re-organize the linen closet, wipe down two walls with mysterious milk splashes on them, clean up crumbs and LOTS of playdoh, vacuum the floors, frame a picture and hang it--finally!, and play beauty salon with Bug--on top of the cleaning of Bug's room before breakfast. I just didn't finish the plans I made before the day got started. :) That's normal!

Friday and Saturday

2009-01-17T12:25:00.006-06:00

Some bibs I worked on yesterday and today.

I have burp cloths to match the first three.

Available in MonsterBug Blankets' 1000 Markets shop.

Well, except the orange one--it's off to a Vols baby--a custom order.

I can make more, I promise! In fact, I have plans to use blue denim on the back of this same Amy Butler fabric--great for any Auburn fans. Or WaHoos!!!! Or bears fans...

Anyone who loves orange and blue!

MonsterBug Blankets

www.monsterbugblankets.com

To Do List

2009-01-16T07:35:00.004-06:00

So this is my TO DO list for the next three months:

And it is sad, cause it's still missing these fabrics:

And these, plus 4 more yards like it (2 in red, 2 in yellow):And I can think of at least 12 more yards I DON'T have pictured, too!

Here are the bibs I have cut out so far--at least half of them were cut yesterday while waiting at the doctor's office for Bug's yearly check-up:

It's gonna be a busy 3 months! :)

OH--did I forget to tell you about the 19 yards of oil cloth on its way, too? How silly of me!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

www.monsterbugblankets.com

Organizing--since I couldn't sleep

2009-01-13T04:34:00.004-06:00

I was sooooo excited last week--within minutes, yes, MINUTES, of my 1000 markets shop going live, I was contacted about making a baby blanket. The daddy is a fisherman, and grandma wanted to buy a baby blanket that reflected that. I've had the above fabric for almost two years now, cut into the right size, but I just never ended up finishing the blanket. It turned out so sweet! I love the blues and greens--and of course, the chenille backing!

I couldn't sleep last night--been up since 230ish. We shut the bedroom window 2 nights ago cause it was too cold--then last night I was too hot! Gotta keep the window at least cracked! Sooooo, since I could not sleep, and somehow have tons of energy (do you feel the crash coming on?), I got busy. First, I made sure to look over the lesson plans for today. Then I decided it was high time I went through the books and workbooks and games and magazines (homeschooling) that sat next to my chair in a basket and piled high on the table. While doing this, I ended up doing the lesson plans for Thursday, too, since there were sooooo many neat ideas I was coming across while trying to decide which books needed to be in the LR, and which ones needed to go back on the homeschooling shelves. Once that was all done, I took the huge pile of things not needed now back into my sewing room/library to put away. Well, to put on the floor, since I have not gotten to clear off a new shelf for homeschooling--on the list of to do's--just not there yet!

OK, soooooo, once in the sewing room, I see the three bags of onesies/tshirts I bought from Target yesterday. This year I want to start appliqueing baby and children's onesies/tshirts, and so when they were marked 75% off yesterday, I went crazy! And there all 31 of them sat, in bags, needing to be organized. WHERE to put them????? The closet is completely overrun with fabric, so that was out. I had to figure out how to store them in plain site in the sewing room, without overtaking everything (like my fabric scraps do!). But, if I am going to store them, I needed to sort them by size and color, so I know what I have. That done, I remembered all the infant onesies I have stored, and wondered what sizes I had of those--so they got organized and recorded as well! Whew. Then, on to receipts......

I am happy to FEEL like organizing! But man, there is sooooo much to organize. When hubby was active duty army, he was in the field for 3-4 weeks every spring and every fall. And that is when I would tackle big organizing projects. Files got sorted and tossed, clothing, boxes of stuff (we moved constantly--there were ALWAYS boxes of stuff!), books, papers, drawers, etc. Hubby has been out of the army for three years now--and so I have not had my normal times for sorting. I can tell! :P I usually get a bug to organize my fabric closet every 5-6 months, and that is good (and needs to be done again--ugh!), but there's so much more that I need to work on. I just hope the ambition lasts for quite awhile!

Ok, now I'm off to get the onesie purchase recorded in my new excel spreadsheets. My impulse buy in December, as it was May when I last recorded any business expenses! :P Yikes! Another thing to get organized--especially since tax time is right around the corner! After that, I'll probably crash a bit--get some rest before the kids wake up!

:) MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Lazy Sunday

2009-01-11T15:51:00.003-06:00

Ok, I'm HUNGRY! Hubby turned the travel channel on--or maybe the cooking channel--anyway, there are shows on that go to places and find THE BEST hot dogs or BBQ--I'm sure pizza will be on next! Then he fell asleep. And I'm too lazy in my chair, reading online, to get up and make myself something to eat! But my tummy is growling--I SWEAR this channel has somehow figured out how to scent the air with the places they are visiting! Or maybe I'm so hungry I'm hallucinating???

Anyway, today I have off and tomorrow I start sewing again! :) YAH! I've had 17 days off from sewing, and now the fabrics are gently calling me back. I have this CUTE Olivia the Pig fabric draped across my sewing chair, and she calls to me--"sew me into a sweet baby blanket and some bibs!" This pig WANTS me to sew her! (OK, maybe the hunger hallucinating has spread to my fabric as well.)

I'm starting on a custom blanket order tomorrow, then a bib and burp cloth set for Very Verdant, and then Christmas presents for her kiddos. Yikes. THEN, I get to start on all the goodies for Troy Fest! Almost two weeks before I thought I'd want to start. I originally planned on taking off this whole month, but now I can't wait to start up! Hopefully, by starting my plans for this craft fair 3 whole months in advance, I'll not feel as panicked at the end, and I'll be able to get done most everything I have planned!

I feel WAY better prepared starting out this year than I have the past two years as MonsterBug Blankets. I feel more on top of things, more ready for what is ahead, better at planning, better at getting done what I want to do. It's a great feeling. The first year was all about beginnings--getting fabrics and figuring out what I wanted to sew. The second year I learned more about business--LOTS about business! LOTS AND LOTS! I still felt behind the curve, though. I was way better prepared for Christmas shopping than the first year, but still not quite there. Then this year began, and I got my 1000 markets shop up, and I felt like I knew what I was doing. And it excites me. And here I am 3 months from a show, ready to start--not 6-8 weeks prior scrambling. YAH!

I'm already planning for next Christmas--can you believe that!??! I have some money set aside for specific things I want to be able to buy for next year's Holidays in the South Bazaar. I've even contacted two crafters for some wholesale items I want to sell there. Some of my ideas are for hoodies and onesies, and more! YAH!

Ok, I suppose I SHOULD maybe eat now--before I start plucking computer keys off this keyboard..... :)

MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

New Obsession

2009-01-09T10:34:00.004-06:00

So, apparently I haven't learned with my year plus of experience on etsy. I now have to check my 1000 markets shop four thousand and one times every time I'm online to see if someone has bought from me. And now I'm making excuses to get online. Maybe someone wrote me. Maybe someone bought something and I NEED to get it in the mail NOW. :) It's funny and ridiculous, I swear! I hope it wears off, cause it's rather exhausting--and disappointing to see that no, someone did NOT buy from me in the past 4.2 seconds. Rejection over and over! :)

Last night I woke up to a screaming child--just 30 minutes after falling asleep. After soothing and getting her back to bed, and crawling back into my wonderful bed--I started thinking. Oh so dangerous. How much would it cost to do __________. What about with these fabrics? Do I have anything I can use here to go with _____________. If I added ________ to my products, how much would each piece cost? How much would I charge? How much do I have in my account and what should be priority in the line of spending? On and on it went. I even started dozing a few times, and instead of succumbing, as would be wise, I re-woke myself up to think more. I was on a roll! A roll that lasted till just after 330 this morning! Man, I'm tired now. Wish all this thinking had come when I was driving for 13 hours last week--what a boring time it is to drive and not have anything to think about! :)

The gist of my thoughts? The craft fair I want to do in April, Troy Fest, is attended by local people. Not military. So all the military and aviation ideas I'm dying to work on need to be put on hold for a bit--cause I doubt they will sell as well at Troy Fest. Yet, with locals attending, University of Alabama and Auburn fans are a guarantee. I'm sure a few of these crazy fans have babies or know of babies who just HAVE to have a new bib or burp cloth in their school's colors. Soooo, I needed to figure out what to do with this epiphany. And that is what I worked on for almost four hours in the middle of the night. :) Good ideas.

I spent an hour ironing fabrics last night while hubby and I watched tv. Lots of new pretties I've bought since December! :) Lots of gorgeous new items I'm wanting to add! I think the ironing got my brain to running last night. I was very excited about what I could make--and hope this excitement continues! I have not sewn since 25 December--when I finished up my Christmas sewing and could take a break. And until now, I've not even wanted to sew! So I'm kinda glad the juices are flowing again!

Still have to work hard on getting prepared for tax time. I stopped recording everything in May--I know, I'm very bad! Soooo, lots of inventory to take note of, lots of purchases to record, etc--you get the idea. A mountain of paperwork. :)

Gotta go--the natives are getting cold in their bath water!

MonsterBug Blankets

My New Website!!!!

2009-01-07T19:56:00.001-06:00

Check it out: http://monsterbugblankets.com

I was accepted on 1000 markets this evening, and I am soooo excited! :) The layout is great, and I can't wait to use this site as my new website! :)

Sorry, I'm just so giddy!

MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Good Morning!

2009-01-07T07:21:00.002-06:00

It's been a busy few days, that's for sure! Just trying to get all the Christmas lovelies put away, and then the incessant NEED to organize. the WHOLE house! Like I'm not exhausted enough from 8 days of traveling. So I've been trying to follow hubby's advice to just pick one thing, work on that one thing till it is finished, and don't think about any of the other things. :) He knows how ADD I get while cleaning--A leads to B, C, D-W, then two hours later, no one thing is complete and I'm tired and wondering why I bother. So I made a list of 15-20 things I want to accomplish, and I am slowly making my way through them all!

One thing I wanted to do was to update the photos of my products. Above is a view I was playing with (my new camera makes all of this oh so much fun!). I realized while digging through all the baby bibs, burp cloths, and blankets, that I only have maybe 1/4th of my items listed for sale. BAD MonsterBug Blankets!!!! How can anyone buy from me if the item is not pictured or listed??? So the past two days, I've snuck outside for about 35 minutes to take pictures of my baby items, then spent some of the afternoon/evening listing them on 1000 markets. It's a new-ish website. I was searching for a place to put all of my items--where I could list them ALL and not have to worry about the craziness that is etsy (ie--what's the best time to list to be on top of the searches, should I relist to get people to see me, how much should I spend to list items this month....). I also wanted a site where I could re-route my domain to--and have it be my "website", I wanted to be able to play around with the location of my listings, and I wanted STATS. 1000 Markets seems to be a good fit for all of this. Plus, their listings are all on one page--not the five pages on etsy. I think it takes about 8-10 minutes to do a listing--and that's me as a newbie! Anyway, once I get some more items listed--hopefully by the end of this week--I plan on clicking the button that says I'm ready, please accept my shop into 1000 markets! Man, I hope they accept me!

I had a day to myself yesterday afternoon, and I just did NOT know what to do! I did a bit of fabric shopping, of course, but then I was kind of lost. I managed to find my way to Dothan (the BIG city--hahaha!) and wandered into Target. Their Christmas items were 90% off! And while they didn't have alot that excited me, I managed to pick up a 6 foot Christmas Tree for $2.49! Now, I am NOT a fan of artificial trees, so do not think that this fake tree is going to be set up in my living room next Christmas! BUT, I do plan on making and selling more Christmas Ornaments next year--and a large Christmas tree would be perfect to showcase them at the craft fairs! :) So I am excited about my fake tree and what is to come next year! I also plan on heading to Target again later this week to see if the hoodies on sale for 50% off end up going to 75% off--I want a ton of them to applique on for next winter. We'll see!

I wandered through the baby aisles at Target, too, and found crib skirts on sale for just over $7. I bought three white ones--one to play with for my new niece to come, and the other two to play with for MonsterBug Blankets. We'll see how all this turns out. I wanted to buy all of the skirts they had, but restrained myself. I still have 10-20 yards of chenille to purchase!

Wow, it's now time to get the monsters out of their beds! I hear one squealing with delight in his room, and the other one keeps whispering down the stairs--"Can I come down now?" :)

MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Happy New Year!

2009-01-03T20:11:00.003-06:00

It's been a crazy couple of weeks! With Christmas, all the sewing, and traveling--we're finally home and it's quiet. Though there are TONS of things to put away now! :)

Above is a picture of a tie I made for my dad and my father in law. I used a pretty navy wool fabric, and hand embroidered the kiddos' hand prints on them. I was REALLY nervous about how they would turn out--as I made them from scratch--but they ended up exactly as I pictured in my mind! :)

I thought I took pictures of all the presents I made, but alas, I didn't. Hmmmm, must have been too busy! I still have hubby's present, and I'll have to get pics of that later. He's a UNC fan--so I traced the kids' feet onto some Carolina fabric, added a navy blue "tar heel" and sewed them onto a blue shirt. He was happy to get it!

I received a wonderful new digital SLR for Christmas this year, and I've been having super-fun playing with it! :) A trip through the Blue Ridge Mountains provided much to photograph the past week! :) Hubby said he'll have to take me out on the Mill Pond he dives in, so I can take pics of the water, the spanish moss, and all things southern. :) Maybe I'll get a gator pic, too! Though I'm not really hoping for that!

That's it for tonight. I'm pooped from traveling all day yesterday and organizing/putting things away today!

MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

busy!

2008-12-18T12:30:00.004-06:00

I want to write--really, I do! I have pictures to post--and pictures to take in order to post. But, what I do not have is TIME to do these things. Or to do much of anything! :) My etsy store has done very well since I opened it up after Thanksgiving. (YAH!) And I am a busy bee, packaging and sending orders and sewing up all the Christmas presents. (I want to show you--but am scared the recipients of said presents will see and their Christmas will be forever ruined. :) A little dramatic, perhaps?)

So, all you get from me today is this little blurb above, as I watch the kids (out of the corner of my eye) playing with tape and bandaids our neighbor gave them for Christmas. :) She also gave them those little capsules you drop in water and watch shapes come out of, chapstick in yummy flavors, and various other things that have proved to be extremely entertaining! She SO knows kids!

That's all I have time for!
MonsterBug Blankets
http://www.monsterbugblankets.com/

PS--there's still time to get an order from me! I'm shipping via priority mail through tomorrow morning!!!! Should get there in time for Christmas--look at those crayons and ornaments in my shop--don't you know someone who just HAS to have them? Or a Playmat???

5am Wakeups

2008-12-09T08:59:00.002-06:00

Soooo, in order to STOP STRESSING over all the Christmas sewing I need to do--I am waking up at 5am to ensure that I have enough time to do it all. Today--it was 4am--though not by plan--just because. In the past two days, I've sewn 8 cocktail napkins and the first sewing of 10 dish towels and 8 tea towels. Not too bad! I have to pin and cut out another 15ish tea towels and 2 dish towels (for me--don't tell!). :)

I got a HUGE box in the mail from my sis yesterday--with over 7 yards of white chenille. So today, while on my grocery shopping run, I'm probably going to end up at the laundry mat--to wash and dry all those yards into soft, cozy perfection! Hubby has banned me from using our own washer and dryer again for this fabric--since I broke the dryer for two weeks the last time I dried chenille--and since his clothes had little fuzzies all over them, too. :P

I talked with hubby about the two craft fairs I was debating between. And he made the decision easy--he's in classes for work around the time of Piney Woods, and would not be able to help me at all the week prior to the show. Everything gets so hectic that week, and he takes the kids away or outside, so I can finish my sewing. And he does the dishes and picks up, since all my time, thoughts, and efforts are into sewing and prepping for the show. I need that help, and so the Piney Woods fest will have to wait till another year. Nice thing is, I now have till April to get things done! YAH! And I get to try out another craft fair.

I'm pooped for the day, and it is barely 9am! This is the craziness that happens when one wakes up at 4am and runs around like a chicken with her head cut off! I'm ready for a nap, and the kids are still going strong! :)

MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Christmas Napkins and Ornaments

2008-12-05T19:54:00.009-06:00

I've been busy ironing and ironing. Took me 2.5 hours to iron last night--just so I can cut the fabrics and sew with them. :P It was quiet in the house, though, and I was able to think a little, be still a little, and grump a little cause I was tired of ironing! But I finished all the gorgeous cocktail napkins and tied a bow tied around the middle of them--sooooo cute! Want to keep them ALL for myself! (And yes, they have strings on them still in the pic above, as I PLANNED on writing this post 3 days ago, while they were still in progress.)

Here are a few of the ornaments I made last month for the Holidays in the South Bazaar:

Fish Ornaments: Baby safe, chewable, soft, and perfect for those first several Christmases when the kids want to play with all the Christmas Tree Ornaments! :) (My kids are finally old enough to stop taking ornaments off the tree--well, mostly!) I also have Poppy Ornaments, but haven't photographed them yet. I tried, but the wind blew them away!

Next on my list: cutting out and sewing tea towels and dish towels, then I have two youth blankets to make: one fairies and one Star Wars--both with white chenille backs--so cozy! Oh, and so much more--but if I get into all that, I'll stress myself out!

I've been searching through old magazines and books--finding ideas of more things I could make for MonsterBug Blankets. I have a stash of Decorating magazines from when I was pregnant with Bug and Monster--all of baby nurseries and children's rooms. Man, there are TONS of ideas in those books! And not just decorating (duh!), but things I can make! When I last looked through them, having my own business was not even an idea in my head--so now I'm looking at them with fresh eyes. It's a whole lot of fun!

My brain keeps thinking and thinking, trying to figure out what I should work on/focus on for the coming year. It's fun having so many ideas, but I have to look at cost and time, too. And what materials I already have on hand. I want somewhat of a focus for the coming year. I have a few things in mind: I need to play with and figure out my embroidery machine! And I have many, many baby onesies that are just waiting to be sewn. :) (Been practicing with my kiddos' clothing lately!) Those are two "necessities", but the rest seems unlimited--I could branch out in any direction! I do plan on sewing up several ACU baby blankets. I'll be near a Joann Fabrics store the end of this month, and the plan is to super-stock up on chenille while there--especially white, of course, but also pink and blue--to back the ACU Blankets! How cute will that be!

I'm also debating about my next craft fair. Should I sell at the Piney Woods Arts Festival again in March, or wait till April to try the Troy Fest? I've never been to the Troy Fest, so I'm really curious--what are the customers like? Will MonsterBug Blankets be a good fit there? So many unknowns. But I like that it is a little later in the spring--so I have more time to work on new items. And I won't have to be crazy right away after Christmas, gearing up for Piney Woods. :) I would like a little bit of a break in there. Not too long, but enough!

So, that's how my mind is running lately. Ideas, plans, questions, trying to figure out the next year! :)

MonsterBug Blankets

www.monsterbugblankets.com

What Have We Been Up To?

2008-11-30T13:33:00.004-06:00

What have we been up to? Absolutely NOTHING! And loving it! The MonsterBug Blankets family has enjoyed time together, stillness, lots of laughter, a little of our own craziness, and just being together. No big shopping, no super-sales, no running around having to have the latest and greatest. Movies, some popcorn, a good ballgame or two, spending Thanksgiving with family, and decorating our Christmas tree. It's been lovely to just chill out and not have anything pressing us to do or go! This is how I enjoy my holidays! :)

The sewing will commence soon--it HAS to! :)

Oh, and I opened up my etsy shop for the time being. Check out some of my goodies there!

MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Purple Giraffe

2008-11-24T20:53:00.005-06:00

Wow, last week felt GREAT! Once I settled down and relaxed, that is. And I FINALLY got my workroom back together--it looked amazing--well, till I had to hem a pair of pants and make Bug's birthday shirt--now it has strings all over the place, scraps of fabric, various scissors sitting here and there--but I did put the ironing board away!

So here is the shirt I made for Bug:

I originally was going to make her a purple ladybug, but she's been going on and on about how she's a giraffe (due to her lovey, Mr. Giraffe), so I drew up a few giraffe plans. I just remembered this afternoon that I had these corduroy fabrics in two shades of purple--it could NOT get much more perfect! I have hoodies for the kids for Christmas, so she MAY get another giraffe--or a poppy--we'll see! All I know is that I won't be able to pop on to check my blog while she's around this week now that I've posted her present! :) (Oh, and sorry for the poor pictures, it was dark out once I finished this.)

Since the only other thing I've sewn is a pair of pants, and I don't plan on showing them off, this is it for now!

MonsterBug Blankets

www.monsterbugblankets.com

What to do with myself?

2008-11-18T07:17:00.005-06:00

I keep feeling like I have something pressing I HAVE TO DO. I keep running through my mind, wondering what I'm supposed to work on next. I can't seem to stop thinking like this. Even though I haven't begun any more projects, even though my workroom is in a shambles, not put together yet, sewing table STILL in hubby's truck--I'm sitting and trying to rest--yet the brain keeps trying to figure something I can work on! Six weeks of non-stop going, doing, sewing, projects--guess I've developed a habit! :) Good thing--cause the Christmas presents aren't gonna make themselves--and the Christmas budget has been spent on fabrics (so no getting out of sewing by popping into a store and buying things!). :)

It's hard to relax right now--even though my body is thoroughly exhausted. My emotions are spent, too, as yesterday we had to put our dear Rottweiler to sleep. Cancer was consuming her. So relaxing means quiet which means thinking of how much I miss my dog which means tears and more exhaustion....and....and....and..... Yet, if I don't rest some, I will be sick (and I feel my body fighting something off even now).

So--what's next to do? (Maybe if I write it down, it'll stop running in my brain???) Bug's birthday present. I want to make her a hoodie with a purple ladybug applique. Though she's into giraffes (thanks to her Mr Giraffe lovey and her giraffe print minky blanket). Maybe a purple giraffe, instead? I'd have to figure that one out. By next week.

And Christmas presents. I have fabric for dish towels for some lucky recipients! Hubby will make salsa to give out, too. Both kids will get new blankets--IF the fabrics come in on time. I have a Cave Diving Blanket to make for a friend of hubby's. And I want to make a felt board for Bug--maybe Monster, too. That's all I can think of right now. My brain has been soooo focused on the craft show, that I haven't made time to think of more presents this year. Guess I need to get busy thinking! I also have baby blankets to make for my brother's baby on the way! :) Still don't know if it is a boy or a girl, so I'll have to wait to find out. I have SO MANY ideas for their new little one! :)

Side story--Bug and I were talking about the new baby my Bro's wife is having. We were wondering if it would be a boy or girl. Somehow my almost 4 yr old took that conversation and decided that Mommy was having a baby. She made sure to announce this to her dance teacher yesterday. :) And last night, she was arguing with her Daddy about it--and started crying when she was told that no, I don't have a baby coming--that her AUNT is the one with a baby. Please, tell me HOW one conversation got SO turned around!?!!!

So that's where we are now--tired, but hoping to enjoy the week ahead. Oh, and about to begin homeschooling again. Wow, we had about 3 weeks off there--life, busyness, helping others, mommy busy sewing. It'll be good to spend my time teaching the kids again! :)

MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Holidays in the South Bazaar

2008-11-17T12:14:00.003-06:00

Holidays in the South Bazaar, Ft Rucker, AL

Some Cozy Blankets and a whole bunch of bibs! See the helicopter bibs on the top row? Ft Rucker is home to Army Aviation--ie. the helicopter training mecca!

Some burp cloths (on Bug's red stool--she was so worried I'd sell it!),

Patriotic Bibs, and my new child-friendly ornaments to the left, on the tree!

Runway Playmats, Merryville Playmats, Tag Blankets, and Diaper Holders.
Our Pretend Station: Very Verdant's gorgeous potholders and a pencil holder on top,
my baby doll blankets on the next row next to her cocktail napkins,
Chunky Christmas Tree Crayons and Doll burp cloths,
And fish and flower play blankets (similar to tag blankets)

Wow, it's all over. Whew! I had fun at Ft Rucker's Holidays in the South Bazaar. Very Verdant and I sold together and it went well! Thankfully, we were able to set up on Friday--cause my brain was fried and I needed a ton of time to figure things out. It took me two hours to set up a few pieces of furniture and put my bibs up--I redid them about 8 million times! Very Verdant and her daughter set up the whole pretend station (on my baker's rack) while I was in zombie-land trying to figure out the bibs! Then Saturday morning, I got there early and added all the things I was able to think of overnight!

Both of us were tired and frazzled first thing Saturday morning--we've had alot on our plates at home besides getting ready for the bazaar. We even forgot to charge tax on the first several purchases! :P But soon we started to get into a rhythm, and all worked well. We figured out we needed more than one hiding place for us to stand, as we kept doing a strange little dance each time a customer came into our booth! :)

The hits at this bazaar? The Helicopter Bibs, Christmas Tree Crayons, and Playmats. The airplane Cozy Blankets received alot of attention, but no buyers. The pair of ice skates I picked up in Germany had several inquiries--Nope, not for sale! The sale for bibs and burp cloths went over well: one for $9, three for $25. I had three or four people buy a third item because of that! I'm thinking of doing it with my baby blankets next time: one for $20, two for $35--we'll see how that works!

I'll definitely do this bazaar next year--it's one of my favorites--long before I ever thought of selling! Very Verdant and I realized we'll most likely need to get a 10'x20' space next time, as we pretty much filled up the one we had! Plus, we don't care to do the funny dance next year! :) AND--we need a specific place to have as a checkout! THAT would be very helpful!

It was fun--and I have stock to maybe do another one. Maybe. If my family can stand it! This one was hard on all of them!

:) MonsterBug Blankets

www.monsterbugblankets.com

Late Night Sewing Fest

2008-11-10T12:32:00.003-06:00

I fell asleep for about ten minutes last night, then woke up from a nightmare. This is a nearly every night occurrence, so don't be alarmed. :P But usually I conk back out quickly, and last night I didn't. Hmm--seems I forgot to take my tylenol PM, and so my mind started racing over all the sewing I need to do this week in order to get everything done. And it would not stop. So after tossing and turning and realizing I was WIDE awake, I decided to make the most of it, and I got busy sewing, cutting, pinning, etc. I did the first sew-around of 9 Runway Playmats and 15 burp cloths--yah! It took me just over two hours of work, and I realized the things I want to finish today, tomorrow, and Wednesday aren't more than I can handle! Good, cause the other day I had THE BEST idea for Christmas ornaments for little kiddos! And I should be able to spend all of Wednesday morning working on them--yah! :)

The ornaments are made of fabric, batting, and chenille--in poppies and fish shapes. :) Perfect for baby's first Christmas, and up through the toddler years--unbreakable, washable, chewable, etc! My kids have free reign over the bottom half of our tree--so having pretty ornaments they cannot break or destroy is always a good thing! Plus, they end up playing with our ornaments more than they play with their toys, usually! Well, till Santa comes!

Gotta get back to work. Well, after a nap--I DID stay up till 1am sewing!
MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

This Week

2008-11-07T09:13:00.003-06:00

Sooooo, I have two blog posts that I STARTED, but didn't want to finish. I don't know--I guess I started rambling and didn't care for what I wrote about 2/3rds of the way in. Sometimes I just need to jabber, I suppose, but then realize it's ridiculous (and I'm not going to pretend that today may not be ridiculous, too!).

The kids are playing so nice this am--I suppose I should try to sew. Oh sewing. What a week. So many plans, so little accomplished. I swear. I REALLY wanted next week to NOT be crazy, but well, we'll see.

We've been busy making Christmas Tree Crayons this week. I may not have time to sew, but the kids and I have had lots of time to unwrap crayons and then break them. Hmmmm--which do YOU think is more fun for them? Mainly they just enjoy hanging with Mommy and being helpful! And Mommy loves it, too! Bug is excited that the crayons will go to some little kids. She understands that I make things to sell, and that another kiddo will be on the receiving end of Mommy's work--and she likes that. :)

I found out this week that MonsterBug Blankets was in the December issue of Adoptive Families! They talked about or listed my Christmas Tree crayons! I donate a portion of all my sales to Samaritan's Purse--and for this reason I was featured. How cool! I received two emails from that article--one trying to get me to buy ad space in Parenting Magazine. And another ordering some Crayons from me! YAH! (With that sale, I was getting down LOW on Christmas Tree crayons--thus the flurry of crayon making this week!)

Ok--time to get some breakfast in my belly, get ready for the day, and get out to the post office to mail off an order (for a Merryville Playmat).

Till Later!
MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Crazy

2008-11-01T14:13:00.002-05:00

Yes, I'm feeling a might bit crazy right now. I get calmed down for a bit--but then it soon comes back. Two weeks. Two weeks until the Holidays in the South Bazaar on Fort Rucker. 14 days. Oh I have SO MUCH TO DO! I keep telling myself that it is ok to not have all 25 burp cloths made to match the bibs already waiting to go. I keep telling myself that it is ok not to have time to make the grocery lists this year. I keep telling myself that not getting all the baby blankets made--well, it's ok. Right now I mist need to worry about making the Runway Playmats--and it will take me ALL of this week to come, maybe more. And that frustrates me. Because I cannot do any of the other things--since these will take up so much time. In one week, I can finish the 8 burp cloths, three Merryville Playmats, and 4 Baby blankets PLUS the other 25 burp cloths, some more bibs, and several more baby doll blankets and burp cloths.....or, I can make 13 Runway Playmats. Thing is--IF I can get the Runway Mats done in one week, I can still sew up much of the rest in the following week. But I'm so scared it won't happen. So I become a crazy one--worrying, fretting, and feeling overwhelmed--which usually equals me not getting ANYTHING done. :P Stupid nerves!

So my thoughts go to--should I REALLY bother with the Runway Playmats--since they will take so long to make? BUT--I am selling to a bunch of aviators and their families--and the runway mats are the exact runways and helipads that they train on and fly from day in and day out. So really, it is foolish to NOT make these up. Then I get to thinking--should I make more than 13? How will I have time to make more than that? And I get overwhelmed on the opposite side of the coin! Funny--haha--I know. :P

What has been most frustrating this week has been only getting to sew on Monday and yesterday. Two days out of five. UGH! But I hope to have some time after (my) nap today, and since we wore out the kids this am, hopefully that will end up being a LONG time for me to sew! :) Please tell me I can do this!!!!!! Please!

OK, that's enough freaking out for one day! I need to close my eyes for a few minutes, so I can barrel on through this afternoon! Wish me luck--or rather, pray for me! :)

MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Sock Monkey Tag Blanket and Bib

2008-10-29T12:25:00.004-05:00

Here's a custom order I made for C. I was SO EXCITED that she chose the green Sock Monkey fabric with white chenille for the backing--it looks so pretty together--so cozy! Perfect for the new baby that will receive it!

I hope to get many things worked on today. Well, at least 40 some buttonholes made for 20+ Runway Mats! :) Then I need to hand-embroider all the runway numbers and H's for the helipads. :P I also have 8 helicopter burp cloths to press and top stitch. What else? I don't want to even think about it--I'm already terribly overwhelmed!

MonsterBug Blankets

www.monsterbugblankets.com

Ta Da.....

2008-10-24T19:42:00.004-05:00

Here they are: Merryville Tot Town Playmats!
They measure approximately 17"x21", and while the placement is different on each playmat,
all of the scene is on each of them: airport, hotel, playground, "Welcome to Merryville", etc.Each has a blue denim back, and denim ties with ragged edges
Cost: $15.00 (plus shipping and/or tax)

(And you can buy them HERE.)

I did get two small bursts of energy yesterday--well, rather bursts of motivation--cause the energy was hardly there. I spent the kids' bathtime pressing all the playmats (thought I'd DIE--how does sitting in a chair and ironing really wear you out?). Then after lunch, I topstitched them all. Today they received their final pressing, and I pulled all the strings (most of them, at least) off the ties. I originally was going to roll them up with the denim on the outside--but it's so much prettier with the town on the outside, don't you think?

I picked up a 58 gallon container at the store today to hold all the newest items I'm making. The old one is overflowing, and the bench in my workroom was overflowing, too--so it was time for a new one. It now holds about 16 baby doll blankets, 18-20 baby doll burp cloths, and 9 of the playmats. Kinda looks empty--but I have two baby blankets and several bibs to put in there, too--I just didn't get a chance to finish pressing them today.

That's all for now, hoping to get much accomplished this weekend!

MonsterBug Blankets

http://www.monsterbugblankets.com/

Busy, busy--then BAM

2008-10-23T09:22:00.003-05:00

Being busy and also not sleeping well for three weeks combined into an ugly thing this week. So the past two days I've been sitting in my chair, unable to move or do much. Not fun! Especially when my days are planned to the T for the Holidays in the South Bazaar at Ft Rucker on 15 November! UGH!

I was super busy on Tuesday--even though it was a relaxed, lazy kind of day. I sewed on and off for about 3.5 hours that day--what FUN! I sewed up nine Merryville Playmats, 8 baby doll blankets, and 4 baby doll burp cloths. Well, the Merryville playmats still need topstitching--but man are they CUTE! They measure about 17"x21", and are backed with blue denim. I also sewed on denim ties, so they can be rolled up and loosely tied--to take them along with you to the doctor's or anywhere else little boys need to play with their cars! :) Monster is SOOOO in LOVE with this fabric! (Have I said that before??? How silly of me--but it deserves repeating, that's for sure!)

I was wanting to finish the Playmats, sew up another three of them, and also get about 25 burp cloths pinned and cut--before this weekend was here. But seeing that it is Thursday, and I'm barely moving, I'm not positive these goals will be met. It is frustrating, but getting better fast is more important to me right now.

Oh, you HAVE to check out the newest items by Very Verdant!!!! Check out her etsy store! Those Aprons and Tea Towels are GORGEOUS! She brought the Aprons by my house about two weeks ago, and they are AMAZING! The colors and details--wow, I'm SOOOO in love with them! Little girls NEED these aprons, so if you need to buy for a little one this Christmas, go visit Very Verdant!

MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Some Fabric Choices For a Bib and Tag Blanket

2008-10-20T13:04:00.006-05:00

Choices, choices. I love to sift through my fabrics to find colors and patterns that go together. Here are some choices for C. to sift through now! :)

Blue Sock Monkeys

Dark Brown Corduroy, Red Polka Dot, Green and Blue Plaid

(Monster has a quilt of the plaid and the monkeys--love it!)

Brown Wavy Fabric (I know, so technical!) and Red and Cream Stripe
Red Sock Monkeys

Red and Cream Stripe, Brown Wavy

(The polka dot red is the wrong color red for this fabric)

Dark Brown Corduroy, Brown Wavy

And lastly, Green Sock Monkeys. Either of the browns would look nice, the reds would be ok, or the white Chenille would be pretty. I can also search at the Quilt Shoppe, too, for a pretty backing fabric. (I had to use an old picture, as I've run out of this fabric--but the quilt shoppe has tons.)

The Bib will have White Chenille for a back, and the Tag Blanket can have any of these fabrics, the Chenille, or I can find something else at the Quilt Shoppe!

Thanks for looking!

Jennifer

MonsterBug Blankets

Sunny Afternoon's Work

2008-10-18T18:56:00.004-05:00

Soooo it took me all week, but I finally finished sewing the forty-some items I had sitting around my workroom this week. The snaps still need to be put in half the bibs, and most everything needs a final pressing, but it's done. Whew. So glad!

Bug chatted with me this afternoon while I finished everything. She cut up scraps of chenille (well, tried to--toddler scissors are unsurprisingly dull!), ate a snack, played with more scraps, watched me wind a bobbin--her FAVORITE, and tried to learn how to roller skate on carpet. :) It was wonderfully sunny in my workroom, and warm, and just a lovely, relaxing afternoon. (Had this week not been super-crazy, I would have finished everything MUCH earlier!)

I have not hardly slept this week. My mind will not shut off. All the ideas. UGH--I'm tired! But next time I'm up from 2-5am, I need to sit my hiney at the sewing machine, and get to work! I might be able to finish 2% of the ideas in my head if I did this every night. :) Ok, 5%.

Gotta get the kiddos in bed. We have tears and sadness. Crazy weeks make for crazy children. :(

MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Working Away!

2008-10-14T19:30:00.008-05:00

The dish towels I made a couple of weeks ago:

Yes, I'm still here, and working very hard! I had to take a break just to write this. :P I have around forty items in various stages of being sewn right now, and many, many more ahead! I'm working on some Christmas gift items for girls and boys at the moment--baby doll blankets and burp cloths for the girls, my runway playmats for the boys, and Christmas Crayons for all! :) I have 15 or so bibs part-way sewn, 3 baby blankets backed with chenille--two with biplanes on them, and one with a cute kids winter scene. (I swear, finding a link for that fabric was tough!)

I have 13 or so of the runway mats cut out--but I need to work on hand stitching all the runways. Whoo-hoo--sounds like FUN--anyone want to help? I figure I can work on that in the evenings while watching tv. Bug liked helping me--as I cut out the circles, she pulled the pins out for me. :) I loved it, and so did she!

I think the runways are going to be the most work--but that is because I want to sew around 20 of them (hopefully more!), and with the hand-stitching, they take a bit more time. I wish I knew how to use my embroidery machine! It actually may take less time to figure it all out than I'll use to hand-stitch. Hmmmmm.

I am having a hard time focusing right now--there must be something about the fall--but I cannot stop getting ideas of things to make. I'm writing things on any piece of paper I can find--whenever and wherever I am! I was like this last year, too! Anyway, one of the thousand ideas I'd LOVE to have time to do would be to make up several onesies for the Holidays in the South Bazaar. I have a whole bunch that I bought wholesale last MARCH, and I keep having ideas for them! UGH! If only I had tiny elves working for me while I came up with all the ideas! :)

I keep having ideas for gifts for the kiddos, too. Bug has a birthday coming up, and I really want to find a pull-over hoodie, plain, to decorate with a ladybug made of several different fabrics. I need to check out target, because walmart only has white hoodies--yeah right!--or ones already decorated. I also want to make her a flannel board--with or without the board part--maybe a roll up or fold over one. We'll use it for homeschooling, and she can play with it in the car or in her room, too. I've been writing down different games I can make/do with it for when we do school, and so I have millions of those ideas, too!

For Monster, I keep wanting to make him sheets and pillowcases and blankets for his big boy bed--which we do not have yet. But out of this fabric, and this. I already have the second fabric--and hope to get some playmats made out of that for the bazaar, too!!! When Monster saw the fabric, he went positively berserk! The kid was in love! So I'm hoping to get some of the first fabric in time for Christmas through my fabric coop--and he'll get sheets and/or pillowcases made of it. The one with the roads--it'll be a large blanket for him! :) He can either sleep with it or play with it on the floor--or both. :)

Anyway, I need to get back to work! I have a TON of ironing to do--so I can topstitch a million things and get them all finished! Ok, more like 40, but still, that's ALOT of ironing! Plus I have several yards of fabric that can't be cut till they are pressed--I think it's time to pop that Mama Mia CD in, and start dancing--uh, I mean ironing! :)

Tschuss!

MonsterBug Blankets

http://www.monsterbugblankets.com/

Prepping for The Holidays in the South Bazaar

2008-10-01T12:20:00.005-05:00

Ok, how come November 15th seems an eternity away, until I sit down and figure out all I want to sew between now and then--and realize that it is just around the corner! Six and a half weeks is NOT enough time to sew hardly anything! Not when I'm mom and wife and homeschooling!!!! YIKES! Oh, for those of you who are wondering--Nov 15th is The Holidays in the South Bazaar, on Ft Rucker. And Very Verdant and I are selling together then--in fact, she's at home RIGHT NOW, sewing her fingers off! :)

The Holidays in the South Bazaar is wonderful! It is run by the Officer and Enlisted Wives Club, and I go every year I can--trying to contain my Christmas spending! (My idea of Christmas shopping is one for _________, one for me, one for __________, one for me.) :) I'm so excited to get the chance to sell there this year! Yippeee!

Anyway, I woke up this morning, fretting about how 7 yards of chenille won't make very much--a couple of baby blankets, and a few bibs and burp cloths--but I wanted to make MANY blankets, and MANY bibs and burp cloths. How am I going to handle not having enough--when will I get the chance to buy more--where will I get the money I need to buy more..... Then I started thinking of all the things I want to sew and create--and I realized I needed to figure out what I most want made by the 15th, and what was second most important. This helped me to focus. And then I thought about how much time I'll need to make the most important items. I decided that I need to put my main focus on making the runway play mats--then I need to work on the blankets, bibs, and burp cloths. And all of this can be made in 5 weeks--IF I work 2 hours a day, 5 days a week! So I may never get the chance to run out of chenille!

So my goal today is to finish the dish towel order for L. (she picked the turtles and the toasters!), then if I have time, to cut out circles for the playmats--as many as I can. While the kids played outside this am, I pinned and cut out several bibs to sew later. Fun ones in apples and pears, sock monkeys, and red and orange ones. :) I hoped to cut out some of the winter kids print I have, but I ran out of time. Somehow, the monsters that inhabit my house got HUNGRY! :)

Anyway, I felt kind of crazy this am, but feel better now that I have a plan. :)

MonsterBug Blankets
http://www.monsterbugblankets.com/

Dish Towels Green and Blue, from my stash

2008-09-26T15:33:00.006-05:00

This post is to show L. some of the blue and green fabrics I have in my stash--well, my non-dump truck or baby doll ones! :) She ordered some dish towels, and I figured she would like to see the more grown-up fabrics I have. I also need to run to the quilt shoppe to take a few photos, but that is for another day.

B
C
D
E
F G

H
I
J
K (TOP) L (BOTTOM)

Yes, I included a few fun ones--the turtles, and the two above! :) I mean, those toasters are just TOO MUCH! And, yes, some of my fabrics are horribly wrinkled. I have two little munchkins, so the fabrics get washed when they arrive at home, then ironed just before I sew with them. :) Unless I think I have more time than I do (hmmm, not me!), and iron a bunch thinking I'll sew 50,000 things that week.

Anyway, If anyone else in this world wants custom dish towels, MonsterBug Blankets would be HAPPY to make some for you! They make excellent housewarming or hostess gifts, birthday gifts, Christmas presents, or a just because I want pretty new dish towels gift for yourself! Each dish towel is approximately 17"x22", and backed with a soft, white cotton fabric. They are $11 each, and I can make matching dish wash cloths (8"x8") for $4. Just send me an email: monsterbugblankets-at-yahoo.com.

MonsterBug Blankets

www.monsterbugblankets.com

Projects This Week

2008-09-20T14:26:00.003-05:00

Wow, I was in such a rush to make it to the post office this morning, I completely forgot to take pictures of the Adult Blanket and Tag Blankets I made for my friend A. :( I wanted to keep her blanket, as it has the same front as mine, but a soft, comfy chenille on the back. Warm and cozy--and now I NEED to have a chenille-backed blanket as well!

I guess it was a good thing I didn't stop to take pictures--one, the kids were getting rather grumpy and were ready to DO something other than terrorize each other while Mommy was sewing! And two, we made it to the PO with 15 minutes left before they closed! Got in there kinda close to the deadline. But now I don't have beautiful things to show you!!!! :(

A. picked out Amy Butler's martini print in linen for her baby's Tag Blanket, and one for her friend's baby as well. I think the last time I made a Tag Blanket was back in February? Or March? Not sure.

Now I need to finish top-stitching all the bibs, burp cloths, and diaper and wipes holders I worked on last week. I'm not sure what I'll do next. (There's soooo much to choose from!) I know what I WON'T be making--a baby girl ACU blanket. The beautiful pink flannel I bought at Joann's Fabrics is horrid after I washed and dried it. I will NOT use Joann's flannel again. It is the most pilled up, rough flannel I've ever used! And I normally buy Walmart flannel. I assumed the quality would be greater, but it is so poor. I'm absolutely amazed at this. Has anyone else found this to be the case??? Anyway, I do have a glorious, soft, cushy baby blue flannel (where, oh, where did I purchase it???) that will make a sweet baby boy ACU blanket. I'll sew ACU camo on one side, and the baby blue on the other. Soft, cushy, army! :) (Please, it's for a baby--not a soldier!)

I did spend some time yesterday afternoon sewing tags on some of my bibs and burp cloths. I didn't realize so many of them had no tags! Ooops! Now they do--but I didn't put price tags on them yet. Will do that later.

That's all for now!
MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Oh--yeah, um.....to order anything, you'll need to contact me from now on. After much deliberation, I decided the few, precious minutes I get to create each day were best used to sew--and not to list, list, list on etsy. So I've pulled my items off etsy.com, and will now sell through here, on my website, or by phone/email. It just wasn't working out so well. The majority of my MonsterBug Blankets sales come locally or through people I know, yet the majority of my time was spent taking pictures, writing up listings, and trying to promote on etsy. It became more of a hassle than anything else. So now I have MORE time to do what I really love--sewing! YIPPEEEEEE! :)

Sneaking in Some Sewing

2008-09-15T12:07:00.003-05:00

I've sewn a little bit here and there the last few days--the bibs, burp cloths, and diaper/wipes holders I got pinned up before and during our vacation. Hubby was studying one night and I sewed, and then last night the kids played outside after dinner and I just needed some time to myself. While on the phone last night, and while the kids played outside today, I trimmed everything, then flipped all the pieces right side out. I need to press and top stitch everything still, but it is a great start!

This morning I was able to press some fabric that will become bibs. And this afternoon I'll start on the adult blanket for my friend A. I need to press the brown fabric, and pin it to the sage chenille she picked out, then sew the edges. I may not get it all done this afternoon, but maybe I can work some tonight after the kids are in bed and hubby is studying. I hope to get all the rest of it done tomorrow--then ship it off to her on Wednesday or Thursday. :)

Saturday, hubby and I went to Hancock's fabrics for me to buy some ACU fabric. I had a 40% off coupon that was about to expire--but lo and behold--all their camo fabrics were 50% off! So I was able to buy 7 yards for $3 a yard! :) I have soooooo much planned for this fabric!

I think I broke our dryer. I washed the 7 yards of white chenille the other day, and there was sooooo much fuzz in the lint trap. Not all of it came out--some fell back into the dryer, and ever since the dryer has not dried properly. Hubby used the vacuum cleaner in and on and around the dryer and the different filters and hoses, etc--but it still isn't working. All my clothes are sopping wet, and I'm having to hang things up to dry. Oh joy.

That's it for what's going on lately. A little bit of sewing, when I can sneak it in. :) And I save my pinning and cutting for when the kids play outside. :)

MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

Back from my mini-vacation

2008-09-10T02:00:00.005-05:00

Yeppers, I've been gone awhile. Can't believe it's been so long since I wrote. can't believe all the things I made and didn't take one photo of. :( I finished a baby quilt for my friend A--and delivered it--yah! :) Haven't seen her since five years ago in Germany--now she has an extra two kids! I made four burp cloths out of Amy Butler fabric for her little baby's burps--they got put to good use right in front of my very eyes! And I made her two older kiddos some cute little wash cloths out of a violin print fabric and my lovely ACU fabric--since her oldest is a boy and his daddy is in the army. I also made a set of a pretty turtle print batik fabric (that I am in love with)--for my friend M.'s little boy--I got to see M. this past week, after 11 years!

While at A.'s house, I worked a little on some diaper and wipes holders, cutting out fabric and sewing on the velcro--yes, I remembered THIS time to sew it on before I stitched everything together! :) My own personal diaper/wipes holder has only one piece of velcro on it--I forgot to put the other piece on, and while it annoys me, I just never have added it. (And I just tried to find where the pics were of that project--can't seem to remember when I made it....) :) Anyway, the fabrics I used are ACU fabric for the outside, and for the insides I picked a pink/green floral for girly ones, and a light blue camo for the boy ones. I have them in my workroom, all pinned together and waiting to be sewn. I finished one of them--but I did that one first, to make sure the velcro was in the right places and that I remembered the correct seaming before I went and made all seven of them.

I got to go to the mother of all Joann's stores last week. It was crazy-big. The one near my MIL's is teeny-tiny, packed and crammed into such a small place. The one by my mom's is maybe 1.5-2 times larger--at least you can turn in a circle in the aisles! :) But the one in FL that is by A's house seems like a super-walmart size! Ok, it's more like an old Walmart size, but when you compare it to the super-tiny ones I've been in, it seems bigger. I was also in 2 Joanns around Orlando--they didn't even compare. And one in Tallahassee--it was smallish, too! Yes, I was on a hunt for some sage green chenille, and ended up calling several Joanns on the route home, trying to find someone who had it in stock!

I found the CUTEST baseball fabrics for my bro's little baby-to-be! :) I decided--girl or boy, this baby of my crazy cubs fan brother is gonna get a baseball blanket--well TWO--since I found two prints I love while at Joanns. :) I can girly them up if they have a girl, don't worry--already have that planned out! :)

I finally picked up the white chenille fabric I've been needing for about 2 months now. It wasn't as much as I wanted to get--but all I had the $$ for. Seven gleaming yards. :) I wanted to buy 20--just so I won't have to worry about trying to get some next time! BTW--does anyone know how to use a Joanns discount coupon for multiple yards of fabric? In the store, my 40% off coupon goes for however many yards I have--but online I was only able to use it for one yard! (Thus the tracking down every Joanns between Orlando and home!) I was NOT going to pay $30 (with shipping) for fabric I could get for $13 in the store! It would be useful to know how to apply the discount to ALL the yards, for future buys--in case I'm not wanting to make a four hour trek to get more chenille!

That's about it. Or at least all I can remember from the past couple of weeks. Oh--I got my Michael Miller fabric in--and am hating I didn't buy more of this print. :( It's too precious in person! :) Oh well--guess I CAN pay full price....

Nighty-night!
MonsterBug Blankets
www.monsterbugblankets.com

PS--my friend A turned me on to the Land of Nod catalog--what cute, cute stuff they have. I saw the most adorable picture on one of the pages--it's of a vintage paper doll and her clothes--all laid out on a mat and framed. Hmmmm---if you check out my current etsy favorites--you'll see where MY brain has gone with this! :) I LOVE the idea--hate having one that ANYONE can buy from the catalog! :)