New bags, blessings and friends…

First of all, Jill and I did spend the evening sewing Monday night and I’m finally posting some photos of our fun. We set out to create a completely new design and came up with what I do believe is our favorite purse yet. As soon as I decide which fabrics will match with the most things in my wardrobe I’ll be making one of these Lily Kate bags for myself. That is if I don’t snatch one of these currently listed in the shop as my own. :)

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You can find these purses in my shop here. Jill’s been busy making Lily Kate bags ever since and if you’re quick you may find one in her shop. She keeps her store much better stocked than mine so you’ll wanna check back often.

So It’s been a rough day for a lot of reasons. For that matter it’s been a rough couple of months. In fact for the most part there hasn’t really been much about the year 2007 that I’ll probably hold any fond memories of. So lately I’ve been thinking that I might be overdue for a count-my-blessings post. Just a reminder of some of the little (and big things) in life that I do have to be thankful for. So here are a few things that came to mind as I’ve been thinking about this post over the past week…

  • Fresh mowed grass (although that was Tuesday and the lines are beginning to disappear)
  • Pixel’s growing bladder. She no longer has to be let out every 5 minutes (although now I’ll need to figure out another reason to make a dozen or more trips up and down the stairs each day because I think it was actually helping my figure)
  • Hummingbirds that visit the flowers on my deck.
  • Carnation Instant Breakfast (and a sister who keeps my cupboard stocked with cartons of it from Sam’s Club) :)
  • Blueberry muffins at Panera with Nikki
  • Shoe-of-the-day pics from Jayne, love this girl SO much

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I really couldn’t ask for better friends. They’re so patient with me when I go days (sometimes even weeks) without checking in online or fall asleep on them while chatting (sorry Shari). I feel so blessed by the friends that I’ve met online. I know it doesn’t make sense to some but these girls mean so much to me.

Then there’s Jill who has been my friend since kindergarten. We talk almost every day lately and I love that. She’s been there for me in so many ways and I could never thank her enough for her friendship.

And my new sweet friend Nikki. I should’ve added my apartment in general to my gratitude list and one of my newest favorite things about living here is my neighbor Nikki. Having moved out on my own this past February and going through a lot of months where I felt completely alone most of the time, Nikki has been an absolute Godsend. Our dogs are the best of friends. I have to get video of them playing together because it’s the most hilarious thing. But Nikki is the greatest neighbor I could ask for. She’s always up for a trip to Panera for bagels in the morning on my day off. She calls to ask if ice cream sounds good at 9:00 at night and we make a trip to Coldstone. When she gets off work at 11 I’m the only wierdo who’s still awake that late so she comes over to chat and doesn’t care if I’m in my pj’s and looking a wreck. Gotta love that. :)

These are just a few of the beautiful people that I am so blessed to call friends. In a year where I have lost more than I could’ve ever imagined they have been there with love and support and a good laugh when I’ve needed them most. I truly don’t deserve their friendship but I’m so glad they stick by me anyway.

And I have to ask for your prayers for another friend who just lost his mom to cancer. She died peacefully in his arms last night. He has been there for me through the absolute lowest points in my life and has never left my side and my heart breaks for what he has been through the past few months. I wish there were something more I could do to be there for him. Please keep his family in your prayers.

I’m off to work this morning and then plan to spend a majority of my long weekend designing blogs.

Have a blessed holiday weekend.

{ Catchin’ Up – Part 1 }

Anyone still checking in here??? Wow, where to even begin after such a long time between posts…I have had so much I’ve wanted to blog about since my last post and I think if I waited till I have time to blog about all of it it’d never happen so I guess I’ll just jump in with random bits and I’ll try to catch up with more frequent posts over the next week.

Balance…struggling to find it. Think I’m getting closer…finally.

What I’ve been keeping busy with…designing blogs. Here’s a few links to some recent projects:

Bella Pink, Mariah M Photography, and most recently Maegan’s Confessions of a Scrapaholic and family blogs.

I have 2 others that should be finished this evening and 4 more that are in various stages as well as a website design that I think I’ll be taking on for a very exciting client. I also had the opportunity to work with Tara on the design for her new Wriskey logo (wish I could share but she’s got an exciting unveiling planned soon). :) She’s got some REALLY fun marketing items that we’ll be working on soon too. Busy busy but I’m loving it. The people I’ve met over the past month have been amazing to work with and I’m so excited to be doing something that I enjoy and actually making a bit of extra (read just enough) money to pay the bills. :)

Okay, lots more to blog about the new design endeavors but that’s one of about a bazillion topics floating around in my head for the past month and I’d like to cover at least a few of them in this post so back to the design stuff later. :)

Sooo, apparently I’m a…

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My sweet sweet friend Nancy listed me on her blog as a rockin’ girl blogger. Right back at ya Nancy. :) She’s one of the absolute sweetest most generous women I know. And an incredibly talented designer ta-boot. Thank you Nancy, you made my day. :)

So now I’m supposed to name my list of ‘rockin’ girl bloggers’ which is nearly impossible for me to do. If you saw my bloglines list you’d understand why. So I think I’m gonna try and be kinda random here.

Shabby Miss Jenn – because I totally owe my crazy fun new designing career to her little referral to Tara a month or so ago. She’s always incredibly supportive and just crazy sweet. Love her to pieces.

Okay, is it just me or are there certain blogs where you’re just too intimidated to post comments on? Well, here’s a couple on my list.

Melody’s Sofa – She makes me so thankful for the ‘keep new’ check box in bloglines. I think I have 10 or more posts saved to go back and read now and then. Most recent posts added are this one (going to try doing this challenge tomorrow or wednesday) and this one. I wish I could just copy and paste the whole thing on my blog for everyone to read. Truly inspiring.

Red Shoe’s Blog – this one I’ve recently started commenting on and I’m so glad I did. Catharine is not at all as intimidating as I thought. LOL She’s completely sweet and has even posted flattering comments here on my blog. Totally makes my day. :) She has the most amazing store and it’s right here in Michigan so I’ve been holding off ordering online in hopes that soon I’ll be able to shop there in person. First thing on my list…a little red fairy door. Is that whimsical or what?! :)

Brianna Graham – I honestly didn’t think we had any photographers this stinkin’ cool in Michigan, let alone right in Grand Rapids. She’s got a new website that’s just gorgeous and is selling out workshops left and right. Attending one is on my ever-growing wishlist. It’s another spendy item so I’ve gotta decide if it’s right before or right after the tiffany blue bike. I think they’re both pushed out to spring at this point so I’ve got some time to save my pennies. :)

Shabby Juls – A dear friend that I’ve gotten to know just this past year and I’m so thankful for her. Some of my favorite rockin’ posts from her blog…this recent one – definitely gave me a different and much needed new perspective on life right now, and is this not the coolest table you’ve ever seen?! And how ’bout this fun retro bike that her DH restored? She’s also started selling some gorgeous hand painted items in her new etsy shop.

Okay, gotta run. I wish I had time for more but if I don’t post this now it’ll sit in my drafts folder for another month. I promise to be back soon with pics and lots more links. Still on the list of things to blog about…

  • a new balanced to-do list
  • eating healthier – I’ve gotta share my latest favorite meal to make (yes I do make stuff…occasionally)
  • movie and music reviews
  • Pixel update
  • lots of thoughts lately on the amazing friends that I’ve been blessed with. Goofy video and picture mail to share that made me smile. Super sweet real mail that I’ve received. I don’t know what I’d do without them and it’s about time I dedicate an entire post to the subject of friends. :)

That’s just a few of the things still knockin’ around inside my head so hopefully you’ll come back. Off to hang out with one of those dear friends and do some sewing tonight. Maybe I’ll be able to add a new bag or two to the next blog post too. :)

Thanks so much for the e-mails and comments checkin’ in. I won’t be such a stranger from now on. :)

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