Loving my Sewing Machine?

Well, I was very very excited to get my new sewing machine. 

But I will say, that Sheila and I, Sheila is my Sewing machine. I named her that, because when my kids are around, I can not say Shhhhh you know the rest. So now its Shhhhhhheila. 

I have broken a needle already. And what the flip good is the zipper foot???

okay, so other than that. I think I am getting the hang of it. It is not a miracle machine, that can do everything on its own, and you can only sew so many things! Limitations... not my strong suit! 

I did manage to sew these cutey patootey little Super hero capes.

Here is the Tutorial I used! So many great FREE sewing beauties out there!

Caught between TWO

Oh Y'all, this Holiday Season has me all twisted up Emotionally. 

I am so happy to be so unbelievably blessed.

But, I am also Sad... missing my Dad.

Today, I was out and about... visiting with new friends and running errands. Being in a big city again, there are a plethora of well... homeless.

Well.... I live in a very nice little Suburb... SO NICE.... I am often amazed that I live here.

As I walked into a building today, a man came up and asked for change. I didn't have any. He asked a pair of Ladies behind me, and they also refused. But then one lady said to ME, ME!... "oh I HATE that, You know he is a JUNKIE anyway."

Now, those of you who know me personally, know that this word bothers me so. Not because it is not true, but because it breaks my heart.

Soooo, there my breathe gets taken away.

And I spend the rest of the day in quiet contemplation. Mostly about the two worlds I live in.

I remember so WELL the day I was shopping with my best gal pal, not that many years ago... in my little bubble in South Carolina. My phone just started blowing up, like crazy calls. On the other end: Grown men Sobbing uncontrollably... telling me My father was gone!

My Dad.

Not a hero by anyone's standards... but he went to battle everyday. 

My Dad, maybe a Junkie to you.... but he was a FATHER to me, and 3 other brilliant children. 

So there I stood, knowing my Father was gone, leaving 3 other CHILDREN behind, how would I tell them our Dad was dead. How would I bury my DAD having passed at only 45.

Here is my quiet suburban life... a 3 year old son, playdates and bundt cakes... and I get dragged back to a really pleasant (NOT) city outside of Detroit. A city plagued with gang violence and currently FBI raids.

How do I exist in these two worlds simultaneously... is it possible?

So anyway, here I stand before two women who very obviously had no first hand Junkie experience....  and I am thinking how dare you, Somebody loves him, Somebody could be dying inside not knowing if he will be okay! But really, I just smile and move on.

 After my Dad Passed, I decided I wanted to have another child.... he would have ADORED her. She is so rotten.

Anyway, So that is me feeling pretty torn today. And maybe a little guilty for having it all.

On the crafting side, I of course found some quiet meditative solace in creating two sets of 12 step Serenity Prayer Recovery Prayer Beads. Honoring my Father's Memory, and praying for the Recovery of others.

The back has praying hands on it... like the next set.

Sorry if I bummed you out! Happy Holidays anyway!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Woah Friends and Blog Buddies, it has been a Looong Month.

This month was busy busy busy.

I had family come into town spread out for the last month, maybe a little more.

My Granny is still here visiting... but she is 'craft' friendly!!!

My sweet darling husband (you know he musta did good to deserve those words) got me a sewing machine for my birthday! Woo hoo.

So Exciting... here are my first two projects!!!

I apologize for the sideways photos... I think something is kooooky with blogger,because I tried 8 different ways to upload my UPRIGHT pictures.... and they always come in SIDEWAYS!
Any hoosit... My little apron has some issues on the trim, it was the first thing I ever sewed! Is sewed a word?
and my little dress, has one hem on the outside on one of the sleeves, I am going to fix that tonight :)

Veteran's Day Blog HOP!!!!

I love blog Hops that are Close to my Heart!

I went a LITTLE crazy making all kinds of Military apparel! 

I carry most of these pieces in my shop on Etsy!

I was thinking about all of the Wonderful Military Folks that I know... and I realized most of the servicemen I know are WOMEN! What an amazing time we live in! 

A few of my Sorority Sisters are US Army Sisters! Rock it out Kappas!

My First Project was Inspired by my Army Sisters:

These are Five Decade Memory Wire Rosary Wraps, with Saint Christopher United States Army Medals. Made from Unakite and Red Sesame Jasper!

My Second Project is Marine Inspired, I have more than a few Marines in the Family and well, it is their Birthday!

This is a Hand Stitched Red Leather Journal with Red, white and blue Page marker with a hanging Vintage Gold Cross!

For my Air Force Buddies:

Saint Christopher Land Sea Air Pocket Rosary in Red Sesame Jasper. Perfect for travel.

And for all of those Veterans and Active Military Personnel and family, I am praying for you!

5 Decade  Red, White & Blue, Crown of Throwns Sacred Heart Rosary.

BLOG HOP LIST:

1.     KarelJ at One By One The Flamingos Are Stealing My Sanity  http://karelj.blogspot.com

2.     Celeste at Touched By a Butterfly  http://www.touchedbyabutterfly.com

3.     Deb at Tidbit’s Place    http://tidbitsplace.blogspot.com

4.       Michelle at Peanut Butter and Jelly Designs   http://peanutbutterandjellydesigns.blogspot.com

5.       Jennifer at Young’s Scrapping    http://youngsscrapping.blogspot.com

6.       Diane at Crafting This Moment    http://craftingthismoment.blogspot.com

7.       Judy at Be Present Be Real    http://bepresentbereal.blogspot.com

8.       Marianne at Life From Marianne’s Table    http://number1aunt.blogspot.com

9.       Deb at If It’s Groovy    http://ifitsgroovy.blogspot.com

10.   Christel at One Scrappin’ Sista   http://onescrappinsista.blogspot.com

11.   Belinda at Queen Bee’s Musings       http://queenbeesmusings.blogspot.com

12.   Colleen at Col’s Creative Corner     http://scrappycol.blogspot.com

13.   Summer and Jennifer at Cricut Diaries  http://cricutdiaries.blogspot.com

14.   Rachel at Suburban Crafter     http://www.rachelstampshappy.blogspot.com/  ***YOU ARE HERE***

15.   Gina at Gina Thornton Stamping  http://ginathorntonstamping.blogspot.com

16.   Becky at  Susan’s Blog   http://sewingstitches.blogspot.com

17.   Rebecca at Creations With Becca  http://creationswith becca.blogspot.com

18.   Bobbi Jo at Sassy Sweet Diva  http://sassysweetdiva.blogspot.com

19.   Angie at Gypsy  Paperie  http://gypsypaperie.blogspot.com

20.   Linda at The Tulip Collector  http://thetulipcollector.blogspot.com

BLOG CANDY INFO:

*Our amazing Blog Candy (2—count ‘em! TWO Chances to win!!) are brought to you through the generosity of Marlo, who created the marvelous Scrap’NTote  and Anne, from Paper Patch Crafts.

The rules for entering are the same for both prizes:  Hop along our path and leave a comment AND a way to contact you on each and every stop. Please leave contact information in a safe manner ( ie, written out, rather than a direct link).   On Friday, November 12, KarelJ will use random.org to first select a blog number (1-20) and then a comment number from that blog for each prize.  She will post the winner’s name on her blog and notify the bloggers, so they can also post the winner.  KarelJ will contact the winner, using the information left in the comment.  If there is no information available, she will choose another winner from the same blog.  It is up to the winner to contact KarelJ at ksjennings(at)gmail(dot)com. If she has not been contacted by Monday, November 15, another winner will be chosen.

Now, on to the good stuff! Our first prize is a wonderful Pink Scrap’Ntote to store your Cricut Cartridges in!  It comes to us from Marlo, at ContainYaCrafts.  You can see the wonderful way this binder system keeps all your carts together, and ready to go in a flash on this link:  http://www.cricutcartridgestorage.com/index.htm  Need more than one?  Put it on the Christmas Wish List and have the hubs order NOW, as they are simply flying out of stock!  We got one of the final donations for the year, and are so grateful to Marlo!

Our second terrific prize is a set of Spellbinders Nesties in the Crown Circle Shape.  It comes to us via the generosity of Anne, whose family has an incredibly strong military heritage.  You can read more about Anne and her husband on Linda and Gina’s Blogs.  You can also check out paper Patch Crafts here, to see what other incredible things Anne has to sell!  http://stores.ebay.com/Paper-Patch-Crafts?_rdc=1  *

READ ABOUT A MILITARY FAMILY: 

Interview With Julie

1. How are you connected to the Military?   My father is retired from the USAF and my husband is currently serving in the USAF.
2. How has this connection impacted your life?  It has given me a wonderful opportunity to live abroad in other countries. To live in another country is a different experience than to just visit for a short stay. When it comes to assignment time I get anxious to find out where we are going next. To me, its like a new adventure and I always look forward to it.
3. What’s the hardest part of being a military relative (wife? Child? Friend?)  One would be being away from family and close friends. But with the military, you find new friends that you build strong friendship bonds that are as dear to you as family. hardest part...the thought of that dreadful knock on the door or the phone call.
4. What do you do to make it easier?  With technology now days it’s a lot easier to keep up with family and friends. I even still chat with close friends from overseas, which is nice. Get out and meet people. Get involved in local activities. Just try to mingle and get to know others in the area.
5. Do you think Veterans and Service personnel get the respect they deserve?  For the most part, I think they do, but I do feel as though the older Veterans sometimes don't get as much respect as they should. In the towns and cities where there are bases i feel as though the respect is higher.
6. What kinds of things do you think could be done to better support Veterans and the Military?
I would like to see more done for those serving our country who are injured while serving. Also, the families of those who have lost a loved one or are caring for a loved one who was injured need support.
7. What do you think artists and crafters could do to support the Military? Artisits and crafters have always been good supporters and I hope they will always continue sharing their talented gifts.
8. What else would you like to share with the people reading this? I would just would like to say that I am proud of my husband for his commitment to his country during these difficult times. Even though he works long hours and is sent to do tours, in the end it’s all worth it . We have traveled places and experienced things that most people would never dream of. We have 3 wonderful boys, each born in different countries, to share in this experience. I wouldn't change a thing. OK… maybe just the leaving family part...