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 Manic Monday for July 21

What’s your favorite beach in the world?

I’ve actually only been to a few beaches… The beach in San Diego was crowded, dirty and pretty much ghetto - not my first choice. The only other beach I’ve been to are the ones in Rocky Point, Mexico. So I’ll have to answer this question after I’ve traveled the world a little bit more.

What’s the next country you want to visit?

Ireland, hands down, though Germany, Belgium and Asutrailia are all pretty evenly tied for second.

What one thing are you craving today?

Does peace and quiet count? Or a maid? I am craving a meal that someone else cooks for me and cleans up afterwards. Or a prime rib from Outback, I always crave those. Or Honey Hot chicken wings from The Vine. I should probably go cook dinner now. 

Isn’t this quilt to die for?

You can win it just by going to this blog and leaving one simple comment. You can bet your sweet bippy that I already did! http://oldredbarnco.blogspot.com/2008/07/win-this-quilt.html

Okay, so, things have been quite busy here. Some good things, some bad things. Lots of pictures.

Where to start….

Rowan now has two teeth and judging by his level of irritibility it seems he may be popping out a few more. The first one was super easy and I didn’t even know it was happening. What a trooper huh? He’s been wearing his Amber Teething Necklace and just looks so cute in it! We call this his pirate face.

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We recently spent a morning at Agritopia with Grandma Ann and were blessed with an overcast sky. Sadly it was humid enough to induce a full body sweat film, but we still had a good time. The food was wonderful as well. Rowan just adored the grass.  We don’t have a single blade at our house, because it’s a crappy rental. Declan loved being able to run wild while we sat and ate - Oh, to be a two year old again. Notice the shorts D is wearing? Made ‘em. Yep. I actually made something for a boy. Not as easy as you think.

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I completed my Chromium Star Afghan for a very preggo friend, though it didn’t come out as expected. I don’t have the time, or the heart, to frog it and start over. It ruffles in certain sections, as you can kinda tell here. Before it ruffled so bad it wouldn’t lay flat. This is after washing and blocking. The points also curve but I kinda like it that way. I asked the pattern creator for help a couple times, but have gotten no reply. If you break the star into sections - you should see ten here - the section that goes from the valley to the peak ruffles up, like there’s way too many stitches. I’ve gone over the pattern time and time again and can’t figure out what I did wrong. Any ideas?

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I opened an apple for the kids the other day and the seeds had started to sprout. How cool is that? We popped them in a little pot and look what we have now. One is a marigold and the leafier one is the apple. Funny how they start out the same size. The apple was organic and local grown so I’m hoping that it’ll will actually grow since it’s most likely not some funky kind of commercial hybrid.

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My biggest news is that Matt has fully given me his blessing to really move on an Etsy boutique. I’d like to make some income from it, but Matt will be happy if I just cover the cost of all my fabric. I created a pattern for a simple little jumper and matching diaper cover and used one of my favorite girly fabrics. It came out awesome. I even made some labels that will make do for now. But then disaster struck! The reverse button on my machine just kinda popped out in my hand while trying to do the last two buttonholes. I would have been finished. But no! Matt’s mom had given me her old machine, so I can use that for straight sewing, but I can’t get the button holer to work.

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Stupid me, I marked the button placement on the outside of the dress with an indelible marker not thinking I’d have an issue. Grr. Now I have a cute little jumper set that I can’t sell until I figure out the buttonhole idea. I was so so so happy to be getting something rolling. It’s cute though, no? Would you buy it? Well, if it was finished?

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I think I’m going to have my labels made by Spoonflower. The ones I made myself were on muslin with fabric paint and I really like the softness. No one wants those itchy pokey tags. Now I just need to come up with a logo and make all the banners and avatars for my boutique. Any one want to help? I’ll make you cookies and watermelonade!

I’m thinking of paying someone to do it for me. Maybe I should look into business grants? Anyone want to help fund my endevour? Or buy a new sewing machine!?!

Comments guys! I live for comments!! Seriously.

I promise to post soon. There’s so much going on and so much to say, but so little time. On the other hand, my house is relatively clean, except for that dang laundry. It keeps coming back!!

For your enjoyment:

I think I’d spend my day laughing if my kids had this accent.