Houston We Have Internet {and products for sale}!

So sorry I have been MIA. We recently discovered we have internet on our patio! Now I can post and keep you up to date from here in sunny Florida more frequently than once a week. 

But for now I just want you to know I have LIMITED items in the shop and more great color combos coming as soon as I can get them sewn. Please go now and check them out.... HERE. I have the best husband I asked him to take the pictures for me. Thankfully he said yes and didn't get annoyed at me (at least that I know of).

I hope you all had a great valentines day.

For my family back home in the snow you will be happy to hear that I haven't been to the pool yet once. That will probably change soon though :).

Florida Home

We made it to Florida! It was a very long drive but luckily, we get stir crazy and entertain each other. Lets just say our dance moves are even better in the car. I am proud to say I didn't nap at all because I know how much it bothers BD and because it makes me feel crappy taking three naps in one day. Win win for both.

Our studio is almost perfect. The size is great. We have a  comfy queen size bed, a love seat, and a couch. We set up a table in the corner for me to sew and work. There is no closet, but we have a rolling rack that our clothes fit [snugly] on. We also have a dresser that is pretty packed. We have a full bathroom and half kitchen. It has a tiny bar sink, that one bowl can fit in, and a half refrigerator. Here is a few pictures before we moved all of our junk in.

We brought along our toaster, crock pot, and griddler hoping that every meal doesn't have to be served to us at a restaurant. So if you have any easy recipes that require nothing more than that... send them this way please!!

Yesterday we stocked up on some grocery basics; bread, cereal, milk, etc. We also were going to go to Target and pick up some other necessities but when I searched on my phone there was none in the area. After church last night I spotted Target and was SUPER pumped. I really really like Target. I do have other sad news. There is NO Hobby Lobby within 45 minutes. I was really bummed. There are some other quilt shops and a JoAnns so I should be able to get my supplies from there. Otherwise I'll be calling on other to creatives to send me some goods.

Our apartment also doesn't have WiFi. This should increase my productivity because I often get sidetracked easily with internet. Since we live in the city, I only have to hop in the car a few minutes to find a Panera or somewhere with free Wifi. Hopefully each morning after I take Brandon to work I'll stop,catch up, and fill you in.

So besides the no Wifi and no HobLob near by, I don't have any other complaints. Not that I'm here to complain. We rented this place with out meeting our 'landlord' or seeing any pictures so we were very pleased when we got here.

I guess we will call it home for the next seven weeks.

Also if you're last minute decorating for Valentines or a baby shower or any get together I have an easy garland tutorial up at Design, Dining, and Diapers today! Please check it out.

Snail Mail

I love snail mail. I do. It's way better than an email, text, or Facebook message, although I do enjoy all of those things. 

I also enjoy sending snail mail. Maybe more than getting it. I'm always giddy leaving the post office even though there is usually a wait and sometimes not so friendly customer service. That just depends on where you go and usually my giddy mood trumps grumpy people. FYI I missed the memo somehow but a stamp now cost $.45 hurry -- buy the forever stamps before they go up again! 

For as much as I enjoy sending letters and cards I don't do it near enough. I'm away from almost all of my friends and family or will be at some point during the year. This leaves me plenty of opportunities to write. I'll blame it on being busy, but it's just being lazy. I'm sorry.

Sometimes I feel silly writing, telling about what is going on, mainly cause I try to keep everyone up to date here.  My goal is at least one letter or card a week. I'm going to try to be better because everyone loves snail mail. 

Research - I need YOUR help!

It dawned on me that I did pay attention in some of my college marketing classes. In order to market and sell products, you have know know what your consumers want. Not that hard of a concept. Anyway..

I am in the process on working on some new goodies for my little shop. Poor thing is empty as can be right now. I'm chomping at the bit to get stuff made but we are kinda moving this week which is a pretty big deal.  I'm actually planning a March re-opening in case you were wondering so sit tight. 

Spring and Summer are upon us and I have just enough time before it does to get busy.  It's easy in the summer to switch out bags depending on your activity. It may be a day at the beach, outdoor concert, or dinner on the patio. But you'll agree with me you need a cute bag. 

I need YOUR help. It's a small favor really. I'm doing some research. Research on what features YOU like in a purse, clutch, wristlet, tote, etc. 

{Measures 10"x6}

Tonight I made this beauty and I was really wanting some feedback. Someone to sit and brainstorm and design with me. I like it, but do you? Does it need to be skinnier? Sturdier? Should I add a strap? Is it to plain? Less is more right... see what I'm saying.  I need opinions other than my own and you all are the perfect friends to ask. 

Big or small. Square or rectangular. Multicolored. Solids. Patterns. Fancy. Casual. Straps. Strapless. Zipper. Trendy. Pockets. Just to name a few. I might be missing something that is really important to you. So let me hear it.  What do you love in a spring/summer bag?

Departing Soon

I can't believe we leave for Florida this week! Yippie. Alabama was finally starting to feel more like home. It's probably because we have been here for three weeks straight for the first time all off season.  

From the beginning..

We tied the knot on Nov 5.

Honeymooned in Cabo for a week.

Thanksgiving followed two weeks later.

Brother graduated from MIZZOU.

We went to Tennessee for Christmas,

then Christmas'd in Missouri.

Threw a NYE party.

BD traveled to work conference in D.C.

Winter Warm Up in STL

Drove to GA to see Blake Shelton

and we are home. 

That is what it's like to be traveling every two weeks. Busy bees. Now it's time to pack up again and head south.  

I hate leaving. Hate it to the point of boo hoo tears. I don't think that will be the case this time around. Normally I dread Spring Training. He leaves traveling south and I leave traveling north and it seems like a looooong time until we get to see each other. This year, I'm tagging along. 


Don't take this as I won't miss our family and home and things here in Alabama because I will very very much. But...I do believe Florida will be good for me and I'm excited for this chapter to begin. Then hopefully we will be in STL because I miss my family! Until then we will take it one day at a time. 


This is what I'm looking forward to most in Florida. 

A routine. It is probably about to drive BD crazy as it is. I have sleeping issues, not a surprise to many of you, and I just need a normal everyday routine. Since I will be the work taxi at 7 a.m. each morning I think a routine will be established.

City life. Nothing irritates me more when I am in the middle of a project or cooking and I realize I don't have something I need. This means an hour and forty five minutes later I will be home from 'town' and unmotivated to complete the tasks. I am excited for a less than five minute drive to the grocery or craft stores. 

Coffee shops. Sometimes that is where I like to write and grab a cup of coffee if I have LOTS of projects I am wanting to work on. If I need that extra pick me up to start the day it will not be far away.


Shop progress. I will have plenty of time to work on items for the shop. Here it seems as something goes on everyday and I never have a set time to work on things. I just get to them when I can. I'm hoping to get at least three-four hours each day devoted to the shop.

The beach. Sunshine. Flip flops. Baseball. Baseball. Baseball. 


Yes, I do believe Florida will be good for me.

Our Wedding -- Part I

We've been married three months today! We lasted longer than Kim and Kris so we're doing pretty good. I'm sorry, but I had to. I gave you a recap after the wedding but I decided it's finally time to start showing you some pictures and tell you a little bit more about our day. If you remember it was very stressful planning our wedding and if you want to read here, here, and here for some of the details go right ahead. I don't want to think about that so I'll just let you check it out if you're interested. 


We invited our family and close friends to Gatlinburg,Tennessee for the wedding. It was a group of about 60 people, exactly like I wanted it. Our family and the wedding party stayed in a huge cabin with a gorgeous view from Thursday through Sunday morning. 23 of our favorite people all under one roof. Good memories. Even when one of my bridesmaids beat all the guys at air hockey.


Our wedding ceremony was right across the road from our cabin which was super convenient. We had not been to TN to see any of what we had booked. It was all decisions made with hope that they would turn out perfect and they did. My sister was the mastermind behind helping plan this destination wedding. I'll never forget the hours we spent on Gchat planning and swapping information from the vendors we had contacted. Thank you so much if I forgot to tell you. I'll NEVER forget that. 


Friday was our rehearsal, we walked across the road, and did a quick run through of the ceremony. Twice. Then we walked back to the cabin where my mom and grandmother had fixed Chicken N' Dumplings, BBQ Brisket, Salad, Rolls, Carrot Cake, and I honestly can't remember what else. It was DELICIOUS and everyone had fun hanging out at our cabin. It was so great for our families to spend time together for longer than the duration of one of BD's games. 


I know this post could go on and on but I'll try and let the photo's tell the story starting with... pictures of me and my groom. 

We decided that we were going to wait a year to get my

 wedding band and instead he surprises me during our first look. 

Tonight my husband spoke at our church's wild game supper and it made me realize all over again why I fell in love with this man. I'm blessed to have him to share my life with. 

On a totally crafty note -- please go visit my good friend Karen and show her some love. She had me over on her blog the other day sharing this EASY Valentine craft. Her photos are amazing if you have time to browse. Love love love them. 

Baby Boy Miracles

Yesterday we were supposed to go visit our friend Rebecca in the hospital. She is pregnant with twin boys. This is our friend who sang and her husband played the guitar for us at our wedding.  This is the friend who visited Brandon's granddad while he was in the hospital when we couldn't be here. We miscalculated our time schedule and  the errands we had to run and did not make it by to see her. I was really bummed. I wanted to show her that we did care about her. We decided we would go today and then run the rest of the errands after BD worked out. But that didn't quite happen... 

Here is a little background on the subject. Rebecca has had multiple complications with this pregnancy. It began from the beginning with struggles getting pregnant and IVF treatments. She even lost one of the babies after the IVF was successful. They didn't give up. Once she became pregnant, with twins, the doctors saw little hope in the babies surviving and advised her to abort both babies. That was not an option for this family. As a result of their strong faith and loving families they continued to hold on. They knew this would be a struggle and that any moment their children, twin boys could be taken from them. 

Numerous trips to specialists and doctors happened. A procedure was done on Baby B the day before our wedding. They were having troubles with their kidneys. I don't know all the details so I'm sorry that it seems vague. After the procedure and for the last few months each time they returned to the doctor for ultrasounds they continued to see improved results often times with no medical reasoning to back them just God's miracles. 

As of last Friday our dear friend was placed on bed rest due to leaking amniotic fluid. Then Monday they admitted her to the hospital as this became a concern for the doctors and of course the babies well being. 

We arrived about 1 and I didn't expect anything less. Rebecca aka always bubbly and chatty was nothing less. It was as if we were spending time with her outside of the hospital. There wasn't the dreadful hospital stigma in her room. We talked about things the doctors told her and some of her concerns for the boys. I could tell deep down she was nervous. Nervous that she was going to have to spend the next six weeks in the hospital waiting. Or nervous that the boys were coming sooner than planned. 

Her husband arrived while we were there. He is also very upbeat and well spirited. We seriously love this couple. While we were there they were monitoring the babies hearts and it was so neat hearing them. I'd never heard that before. Then the nurse came in and told her that she was actually having some Braxton Hicks contractions. 

Whaaaaaa (Despicable Me voice)  --- we said peace out we gotta roll! No, not really, but I know my husband was thinking it. We left the room while they had to do some nurse/private things and when we came back we chatted a few more then said goodbye about 2:30ish.

I couldn't quit thinking about her on our ten minute ride to the gym and text her one more time telling her not to be nervous, not to worry that everything will be fine and that it's in God's control.  Her response ...

Are you JOKING me? Not possible. We just left the hospital and your nurse said nothing was happening yet. 

As soon as Brandon finished working out and I finished some computer work for the trainer we ate and headed to the hospital. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the hospital with their family and friends. This evening we got to see the babies in the NICU. They are precious little miracles. 

Aaron and Benjamin were born at 3:50 today. 

Aaron weighs 2 lbs 6 oz and is 15 inches. 

Ben weighs 2lb 7 oz 13 3/4 inches.  

These photos don't show how tiny they are but they are oh so small and adorable! 

These babies were born a little over an hour after we were there visiting. Now she blames it on us that we sent her into labor. How will we ever repay her?

As of tomorrow the babies are only 29 weeks old. We believe these little miracles are going to be fine. They will have to stay until they are at least 35 weeks old. They still have a long road ahead of them but with their faith and good spirits we know the babies will surprise us yet again to overcome the odds. 

{The lesson in this for me. I have been running myself ragged stressing over all these things I want to do before we leave. And more things I need to get done before we leave. Today I realized that they will get done in time. There are some things more important that need attending to first. Being there for our friend was one of them.}