Chocolate wisdom and leopard ruffles

Isn't that just one of the greatest quotes ever? What a treat when I opened my beloved little chocolate from a secret stash bequeathed to me by a coworker. That stash is only for the most special of occasions... like when I try to cut back on caffeine. Which I'm trying to do - not an easy task when you average about six cups of coffee a day... on a good day.

My goal is two cups a day. Today I made it to two cups of coffee and a Diet Coke because I met a dear friend at Chick-fil-a, and I just couldn't bring myself to order water. I was so strong on Paleo and so weak now that I'm off of it. I think I'm a total all-or-nothing kind of girl. Dang it.

This past weekend I threw a classy bachelorette party for one of my dearest friends who is getting married next week. I absolutely can't wait, it's going to be one of those weddings of the year, helped by the fact that it also happens to be a dear, dear friend. And there will be good food. And my dress is somewhat forgiving. And I'm wearing nude pumps that would make Kate Middleton swoon. It's a win-win.

I promise to post new pictures soon, but wanted to show off my fancy new ruffled tablecloth. I learned how to make this on YouTube -- ahh, YouTube, you have changed my life so. Mr. Right wasn't a fan of the leopard print and pink ruffles, somehow he doesn't find it as neutral (and awesome) as I do. When I assured him that I could re-use some of the fabric I purchased for the party in our house - he wasn't so game. So I may have to make some leopard ruffle pillows for my new etsy shop.

Speaking of etsy shops - I promise you I'm working hard on creating inventory so I actually have something to post. Because as beautiful as an empty shop is... well, it really isn't very beautiful. In the meantime, I have a few friends who have inquired about special items... if you have something you want, I am happy to create something ahead of time before I launch the store. Just leave me a comment and we can discuss. 

And to the sweet person who stopped Mr. Right yesterday at church and told him that she can't wait to buy something from my little shop - you are officially my very favorite person. You know who you are (ahem, Michelle--BLESS YOU). 

Speaking of Mr. Right - I got to help him out at church yesterday. He's usually busy running all over the place and we never actually see each other at church, and I've busied myself by volunteering behind the scenes with the production staff - mostly because I get to wear a cool ear piece and headset and look official and stuff.  Kind of like a member of the FBI, but in a dress. But now, one week out of the month I'm officially Mr. Right's right-hand-gal helping him with a new member class he teaches. I do very important things like sign people in, hand out books and pick up response cards. Basically the class couldn't run without me. Okay, it could. But I like to be helpful and it's nice to serve Mr. Right and my church at the same time. Besides, I love to hear him teach and love on people. 

And since my sweet nephew Luke has been hogging all the pictures on the blog lately (my goodness, isn't he adorable?) I thought I'd include a picture of our beloved niece Ella. We got to hang out at the pool yesterday, swam with our favorite girl, I watched Mr. Right do flips off the high dive, and then we ate a huge dinner on the patio overlooking the pool. It was a pretty great outing.

Ella will be a big sister in October and we will gain another adorable nephew who will probably hog the blog with all his cuteness. And of course I'm about to start his baby quilt, which may also delay my pillows. Thanks for your patience, I can't tell you how much fun I'm having getting geared up.

A crazy busy girl with some wild dreams (and a picture of a cute baby if you make it to the end)

Starting a teeny tiny little business out of your house is SO MUCH FUN. It's the most fascinating thing I've ever done - to figure out all the ins and outs of what I want to do and then how to make it a reality.

Like, I hired a CPA. Because having a small business requires all sorts of tax-y things (like paying sales tax, complicating my income taxes, and giving me some wonderful write-offs that are kind of awesome).

I purchased supplies. And organized my sewing studio.

I chose a name. And designed a logo. I can't wait to show it you, but as with any true marketer, I've got to build up some suspense. (You know, like the do on The Bachelor... the most dramatic rose ceremony ever!)

I went to the Post Office to figure out shipping stuff. That wasn't nearly as much fun as organizing up my sewing studio.

I created my first piece of merchandise. I've got to make several more before I launch, and I've got to take pictures with a better, fancier camera than my iPhone.

It's a list-making-girl's dream. And also a lot more involved than I thought when a few friends told me they'd like to buy a pillow from me.

But it's a true adventure, nonetheless, and the process is as much fun as the end result. Which I really hope involves selling a few things. Not enough to get rich, but enough to supplement that habit of mine of buying fabric... and clothes. But mostly fabric.

So stay tuned for an official announcement and virtual grand opening for my little online shop. If you were here, I'd probably serve you some Diet Coke and my husband's famous chocolate banana cupcakes. But let's face it, if you buy a pillow from me, I will probably figure out a way to get you that chocolate banana cupcake as a big-hearted thank you. Heck, we might even cook you dinner. We're a sucker for dinner parties.

And even though this doesn't have anything to do with ruffled pillows,  this little man is one of my very favorite people on the planet at the moment - here's another picture of my precious nephew who turned one month old today.

God bless America. Can I get an amen?

Pillows

You know I love to quilt, but I've been looking for some quicker, less-expensive projects to serve as gifts (and who knows, maybe one day can go in an Etsy store to fund my fabric stash). I've had some ideas for pillows swimming around in my head for a year now, and finally had time between quilt projects to give two of them a try.

Ruffle My Feathers Pillow

Lately I've been obsessed with ruffles and this gal was easy-peasy. I just sewed up a stack of ruffles and then machine-stitched them onto a matching square of fabric. I used a light-weight cotton and hand-stitched it shut at the bottom. This became a birthday gift to a dear friend. 

We've Come Full Circle Pillow

This pillow was inspired by a set of pillows we got as wedding gifts from Crate & Barrel. Ever since I got it, I've wanted to recreate it on a smaller scale. I just took some felt I had leftover from making a Christmas wreath, used a few items I had laying around my sewing studio to trace the circles, and then hand-stitched them onto a matching square. Next time I do this I'll probably do it on my machine, but I was a little worried that my free-motion quilting might be a bit wobbly on those little circles. 

I think I may make some in red and white, or green and white, for Christmas presents. They would be so cheerful!