West Point

West Point …

I got a call in December from a woman who had seen me out at the Green Valley Farmer’s market.  She had taken my business card, and thought maybe I could just pull this one off.  Monica had a pair of pants from her son’s uniform from West Point Military Academy, what to do with them????  Hmmm, make a purse!  Not one, but two of her son’s have attended this prestigious academy and just the sheer sound of cutting up a pair of pants from the uniform, I will admit had me a little intimidated.  Would I be able to pull this one off?  Would it live up to the image that name itself holds?  Would I be able to make this mom proud to carry her new bag?

Monica and I met, Emma underfoot (singing Frosty the Snowman) to go over design ideas. I was so excited…but again, asked myself, could I pull this off? I had a vision in my head but could I translate it into a purse.
 

So….I finally started the project, not the easiest thing to cut apart but I did it and the rest of the bag flowed naturally.  Monica provided me with a picture of her son in uniform, along with a few of the brass buttons that are on the actual uniform and lastly a tag from Westpoint!

I am so pleased with the result, I met with Monica last week to deliver the bag!  I have to say, I think she is very happy with her new bag!!

Thank you again Monica for giving me the opportunity to make this bag for you!

Xoxo, Emma's mom

A few things I am thankful for:

My beautiful, amazing, sweet and loving daughter. She has taught me what true love really is. She has taught me to love from the deepest part of my soul and with my whole heart.

My parents for their constant love and support, even when I am struggling, you are there cheering me on, even if it is silent, I know you are there.

My family…for being just that…my family

Friends…the true friends in my life that are there for me (no matter how much time has passed). The ones that are there at all times, not just when it is convenient, but through good times and bad. They are there when I am happy and more importantly when times are sad or there are struggles that need just a little help getting through. They don’t change their pattern when the wind blows a different way. They don’t walk away when there is a disagreement, sometimes time is what is needed and when we are both ready we talk and work it out. Friendship is a two way street, each person giving of themselves, not always being on the receiving end.

Even for the acquaintances, because you are there for a specific reason … makes me think of the saying “Friends come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you go, it makes the true friends shine more brightly and brings a new appreciation to them. Sometimes, I am fooled by ones “sincerity”, but eventually I figure it out…I am learning to be more cautious of my surroundings…

For our home…before Emma it was a house and I enjoyed the quiet. It is now a home because of Emma. Her shrieks of laughter as I chase her down the hall, the step ladder in the kitchen as she “helps”, the little art projects we do together…she makes it all worthwhile!

For my talent…even though its hard to admit this one. I was blessed with a talent. My mom taught me the skills when I was young, and I have taken it to a whole new level. I can create things with fabric, purses, quilts…memories that bring smiles to the recipients and a sense of accomplishment to myself.

Patience…this one is definitely new acquired. Emma has taught me patience, some things take a little longer but so worth the wait (From May 25^th, 2009…until June 2…this was the biggest waiting game) and let me tell you…it was worth every second!! Baking and crafting just aren’t the same when Emma isn’t there to “help” even though dinner may be 45 minutes behind schedule, the time that it takes to make it together is priceless!

Amazing how fast time goes...this was Emma's first Thanksgiving!  She is what I am truly most thankful for.

What are you most thankful for????

Xoxo, Emma's mom

Happy Birthday Mom! I know, you will probably strangle me for writing about you again on my blog, but you know what…that’s okay. I think you need to hear/read these words. You are an amazing individual with a heart the size of Montana (actually bigger but you know what I mean). I am so fortunate to be your daughter, and that you are Emma’s nana. You have provided me with all the wonderful characteristics that you possess, you taught me right from wrong, you taught me how to love, to forgive (I still have a ways to go on that one), to believe good things will happen and to look for the best in people.

When we were at the Wine & Chocolate Festival a couple weeks ago, we were walking to the restroom and passed a man sitting on the bench, he said “excuse me, is that your daughter?” and you replied yes and what he said next surprised me…”He said she is beautiful because of you”. I saw the tears well up in your eyes, because a complete stranger gave you such a compliment, I laughed because I thought you drunk fool. I shouldn’t have laughed, because I took a compliment away from you that you rightly deserve. He was correct, you gave me all your best qualities…unfortunately, I picked up the bad qualities on my own..hehe!

You have been a great role model in my life and for that I am grateful. You have always been there for me whenever I needed a soft place to land, an ear to hear all my thoughts as crazy and random as they might be, a safe place to vent when things just need to come out…you are that ear so I don’t say things to people that I might regret and hurt someone’s feelings. You are always there to support me in whatever adventure I choose, from the smallest of adventures to even my biggest one to date…Emma! Need I say it one more time, she is so lucky to grow up with you and dad, to develop the bond that you have with her and be such an important part of her daily life and upbringing. When we do something fun or for the 1^st time, she always says “call Nana & Papa” so she can share it with you as well.

So mom, we extend the happiest of birthday wishes to you. I hope your day is filled with all of your favorite things! We love you to the moon and back!!! Happy Birthday Mom!!

Xoxo, Emma’s mom

Tis’ the Season….

It’s fall and that means we are heading up to Bishop Ranch Pumpkin Patch again in the very near future.  Mickie, who has been like a mom to me for the past 20+ years…OMG…that makes me sounds old…ugh! and her amazing husband Craig (who I have learned I don’t win any kind of argument with, I thought I was stubborn…hmm, he has me beat)  invited us up last year to the Pumpkin Patch.  It was a great time and I decided this needs to be part of Emma’s fall tradition…so we will all pile in the car…Emma, Mommy, Nana & Papa too! 

They have a petting zoo, a train ride, pony rides (Emma wasn’t too keen on that, but we tried), and pumpkins, huge pumpkins in the patch…it was great.  It will be interesting to see Emma’s reaction to the experience this year.  She is much more sure of herself this time around, look out animals, here we come.  I’m sure she will be climbing on the pumpkins instead of being sat on top and posing for mommy…this year, I will have to be fast J

We had such a great time, I decided the day needed to be preserved and presented to Craig and Mickie in the way I best know how…photos and a quilt.  I had to make all my Christmas gifts last year and when I was going through my stash, I came across this adorable fabric that seemed like a project was already started but certainly not finished (how did that happen?????) and decided this would make the perfect gift!

Mickie and Craig loved receiving it as much as I enjoyed making it…its memories that we will all cherish for a long time to come.   I am so blessed to be Emma’s mom!!!

We are looking forward to our trip in a couple weeks…I haven’t told Emma yet, because she would be asking is it time yet?  Can we go to the patch now?  For now, we will leave it as a surprise!!

Xoxo, Emma’s mom

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday today to a very dear friend of mine, Dawn!  Life would not be the same without you and I hope you know just how much you mean to Emma and me.  Even though we don’t see or talk to each other every day, I know that our friendship works this way.   When we see each other, it is as if no time has passed and I appreciate that aspect of our relationship.

You are such an amazing individual to me…where do I begin.  You have overcome so many obstacles or I should life choices and you share your experiences freely, not many people could or would do that.  You love unconditionally and you help those who need you even if it means giving up another piece of yourself.  Those characteristics are not present in a whole lot of people and you my dear friend possess them.  Thank you!  You were there for me on my biggest day…ready, willing and able!  You were there when Emma blessed us with her presence and that is something I will never forget!  However, you could have spent a lil’ more time talking to me, I had to remind you a few times that I was there…even though I knew with my insides exposed you couldn’t possibly forget I was there…hehe!  But seriously, thank you!!!  There are not words to express my gratitude for your love and support!

I hope today is a day of relaxing (I know, probably not an option), but at least maybe doing something you enjoy, for you!!  I hope all your wishes, hopes and dreams all come true…you deserve them…the sun, the moon and the stars…and a call from Kev!  Have a fantabulous day and enjoy each moment.  We love you!!

Xoxo, Emma and Emma’s mom 

Farmers Market & Manners...do they go together? :)

I am going for Round 2 at the Green Valley Farmer’s Market this Saturday, Sept. 10^th. It was a great time 2 weeks ago, I think Emma enjoyed it the most. She stood on the box right at the table and greeted all the people passing by. “Hi Lady”, “Thank you coming”, “Have good day” were just a few of the greetings Emma threw out there, what a character I heard, or how polite she is. At 2 years old, I love hearing people saying how polite my daughter is! She doesn’t even need to be prompted to say please and thank you or your welcome most days, of course, she is just 2 and there are days that gentle reminders are planted, but she is just 2!

I did okay the 1^st market, was totally excited and caught up in the day that I plum forgot to take photos of my booth set up….duh! The only one I do have is from my cell phone, so it is not the best….but here it is.

My mind is constantly working to think of different ways to display product. One thing for sure is that the burlap table cover needs to say “Dragonfly Stitches and Birdie Wishes” so you all know who we are! That’s on my list of things to do…and hmmm, purses, hard thing to display…any ideas out there? I am open to hearing them.

The Green Valley market has been a great opening experience to getting exposure, I am very glad that I tried it and took the chance. www.gvagconservancy.org They are extending the market to October 22 instead of October 1 being the last day. Hope I can maybe make one more date at the market before they close for the season!

Back to being polite and being proud of my daughter, I was once told that you don’t need to say please and thank you, it is all in how you ask for something. WRONG!!!! Hate to say it but I strongly disagree with this statement. I was raised with manners and I have every intention on raising Emma in the same fashion. It is quite obvious to me this is a lost art, manners that is. The reason I say that is because so many times I hear what a polite little girl she is and people seem utterly amazed. I think it shows a good upbringing, while some may think its old school I feel it is how children should be raised, with respect for themselves and towards others. (“Respect” now that’s a whole different blog post for me and someday I will get there but not today). Kids these days are just not the same as when I was growing up, not sure why that is, maybe parents just don’t have the time or take the time to discipline, not really sure. I do know that if you give someone an inch, they will take a mile, children especially. I know that Emma will try to push the limit with me and I just pull her right back in. She TRIES to be very demanding, “I want my bottle now!” hmm, and then she will say it again in the same way…I wait a good 30 seconds, and then say “ Is that how you ask for something, please try again.” Guess what I get…”May I have a bottle please?” It takes patience, love, understanding and more patience. What may work at one house, may not necessarily work at another home…it is not too early to start teaching this and believe it or not, Emma already knows. That’s why it changes to “May I have a bottle please?”. One of the things I strive for in raising Emma is for family and friends to look forward to Emma & I coming, not saying oh no, here they come. I think thus far I have been successful, and it is a learning experience each day for both of us…together I think we can accomplish great things! Patience, love and understanding go a long way!

Until next time…Xoxo, Emma’s mom

"The Help"

It’s been awhile since I have posted…I have no excuse other than life happens!  I am really excited to say that I am participating this weekend in the Green Valley “Totally Local” farmers market.  I have a collection of purses, bags, aprons, pincushions, etc and I am ready to start selling my wares!  Thank you Jeri  Sue for turning me onto this venue and encouraging me to give it a try.  We all need a little encouragement at times and with that said…hehe…we need to pick a date and sit down and write your pattern for your table runner!  You are talented and your talent needs to be recognized and credited, so mark my words, it might take a little time to convince you but we are going to do this.  My friend, you are also going to teach a class!!  Woo hoo…if I can do it so can you!!! 

I am also going to participate in the Wine and Chocolate Festival at the Suisun Waterfront on Saturday, October 1^st!  So feel free to come on out and visit!

I read on Little Miss Momma’s blog that you need to be real and honest so that your readers can connect with you…that’s hard to do. I often times want to use my blog as a journal, but feel so vulnerable and feel I may be criticized for my thoughts and feelings, but I have chosen to work on that.  I know I don’t have any followers (not yet anyway) but I hope to in the future.  I also know that I need to be more committed to my writing, so I thought I would share a little something.

I tell Emma on a daily basis that she is a strong, independent and beautiful little girl!  Seriously, I tell her daily and even when she is staying at her father’s house, I talk to her in spirit and I tell her that to stay strong.  I send her “angel kisses” and she knows it.  Recently I saw the movie The Help.  I loved the scene where Aibileen was telling the little girl “You are kind, you are smart, you are important”.  I have since added that to Emma’s little saying and now…she says it back to me.  Just the other day, Emma and I were driving to nana’s house before I went to work and I heard Emma talking to herself…”I am kind, I am portant, I am pendant”  Those simple little words were monumental and music to my ears!!  Even when you think your child is not listening to you or they don’t get it…this is proof they do listen!  When we lay down at night for bedtime we say those words, both of us and now she will say to me, “again mommy, again”. 

I developed this saying a few years back when my wedding was called off just 2 weeks before the big day.  Everything was set, in fact just the day before we picked up our wedding bands in San Francisco, and the day before that we finalized our wedding ceremony with the priest, we were ready!  Not really I guess because that Friday night the wedding was canceled…he didn’t love me!  I had two choices that night after I called the wedding party to let them know it was canceled.  I sit there and cry and be an angry bitter woman, or I pick myself up and move on!  I chose to pick myself up, there were tears along the way and not a lot of good feelings about myself, but if I couldn’t love myself who else would.  So I had post it notes in places around the house as a reminder that said “You are a strong, beautiful, independent woman!”  In time I started to believe it, most days it is just 2 out of 3, but there are those rare and special days when we are 3 for 3. 

I want Emma to grow up with a strong sense of who she is and be proud to be Emma!  There are some not so nice people in the world, whether it be strangers, kids at school when she starts to go to school, and unfortunately, there may even be members of her very own family that may try to put negative thoughts in her head, but if I start now with the positive, maybe it will help her develop a thicker skin and not let those negative thoughts and words into her heart so easily.  My job as a mom is to teach, love, nurture and protect her on a daily basis…it is never too early to start.  If I help instill a strong self esteem in her now at an early age, she is 5 steps ahead of the game and maybe when the negative words come at her, she can deflect instead of taking them in!

Be strong my sweet girl!
Xoxo, Emma's mom