Adventures Part 1: Ideas

There are exciting ideas coming to life as the winter begins to thaw. Goals and plans and new opportunities are starting to take shape. I imagine this spring will be an amazing one. My little babe is growing and really becoming curious about the world around him. I love to have the woods here in our backyard, but I crave to experience more. I want the grand ideas that seem like leaps from possibility to be only stepping stones for my son. 

Before the year is over my little babe and I will try our hand at WWOOFing. It is definitely time for an adventure.

My First Product on the Market!

Upcycled Safari Tote
with Vintage Buttons
First of the Jungle Virgin Series

Back in April, I said I would do it! After sewing my babe a monster baby for his first birthday (I will get around to posting pictures of that soon!) I have really been on a roll. I had never sewn before, was borrowing my sister's sewing machine without a presser foot, and did it completely from scratch without any sort of pattern or anything. It turned out pretty cute and really inspired me to start creating, especially since receiving from a friend a second hand sewing machine of my very own! I have made a few small keepsake purses and journals that I will be giving as Christmas gifts, but I wanted to offer this little tote for someone who might appreciate my new found excitement in handmade!

This Upcycled Safari Tote is home to a sweet felt elephant I cut by hand. It has been adorned with vintage buttons from my mother's button box which has been passed down from my Great Grandmother who she now cares for here at the farm. It is the perfect size for books or magazines with long enough straps to comfortably sling over your shoulder. Completely handmade and unique it is sure to be a conversation piece.

This is the first of the Jungle Virgin Series, creations inspired by the wild and true stories of my Great Grandmother Virginia. Why Jungle Virgin to honor her stories? In high school she detailed the back of her green "slicker" with tape creating a picture of a palm tree and her nickname, "Jungle Virgin."

Grow Up!

Watching how fast my babe grows reminds me how slow my progress has been lately. This past weekend he has rolled from tummy to back, back to tummy, grabbed his feet, and ate KFC chicken with honey!

Okay, the whole KFC and honey thing is actually a very infuriating story that I will be sure to share once I can see the humor in it a bit more. Rage is still the first emotion that takes over, but I am getting there.

Anyways, watching him inspires me! So, in order to help myself commit to really stepping out of my comfort zone, I am compiling a list of goals, interests, and ideas that I want to explore.

• Crocheting - already started
  
• Sewing - need to learn to use the sewing machine
  
• Cooking - ugh
  
• Writing - everyday
  
• Reading - some plans
  
• Creating - so far so good
  
• No 'Poo-ing - as in shampooing, today is technically day 1
  
• Going More Green - see above, cloth diapering, any more ideas?
  
• Supporting - like breastfeeding, natural childbirth, and not routine infant circumcision
  
• Discovering My Hidden Talents - we'll see!

Okay, here I go!

From Here On Out

One year ago last Friday, March 20, I found out that I was going to be a mother.

The emotions poured through me colorful and bright. Shock, fear, excitement, and disbelief overtook me. The disbelief made itself quite at home and I imagine it will stay with me the rest of my life.

I dote on my beautiful babe's every wakeful moment in complete awe. I am really looking forward to helping his little toes experience all the sandy, wet joy of the beach for his first time this summer. There is so much I want to teach him. Even more though, I want to stand back so that I do not get in the way of opportunity. It is easy to send someone a message that suggests you don't believe in them. If he wants to become or do anything, who am I to tell him he cannot? If at 6 years old he wants to fly, I will just point him in the direction of the swing set and away from the rooftop.

I, on the other hand, do not even bother to swing anymore. It isn't that I am particularly pessimistic, I just don't expect to fly. He is growing everyday and I desperately want to catch up to where I left off. I want to challenge myself, try new things, be adventurous, spontaneous, learn, explore, discover new talents, and everything else that will inspire me to grow! How can I expect to nurture his excitement for life when I am so caught up in the things that keep me from living it?

Today, when I leave the house I am only going to check the heaters and locks once. If whats her name tries to give me any grief about it I am really going to let her have it this time.