Crunching Numbers

It is the last day of March so I am hitting up the books for some end of the month bookkeeping.  It is sort of a panicky feeling when I start to crunch numbers.  Sometimes I wonder why I get so stressed and look at the negative side of things instead of the positive.  Maybe I am just wired that way.  Maybe I just always see room for improvement.  Maybe I just wish I had my own personal accountant who told me what to do and how to handle finances....yep, I think it is the latter of the three.

Needless to say, I can't help but feel so much gratitude for what my supporters have done for me this month.  I think that if I didn't know they were there, self doubt and a lack of confidence would take over and I would most likely give up on this business adventure.  I am so grateful for friends and family and even perfect strangers who go out on a limb and tell me what I need to improve or even just give me some words of encouragement that I would so need in a day.  If I had a drink to raise I would...Cheers and Thank You so much!

As far as my skirt challenge goes, I am up to 19 skirts and I had said I wanted to make 50 by April 14th....we shall see...You never know sometimes! Miracles can happen! I could also grow another set of arms and...well, hey, it's worth dreaming right?

A wonderful Saturday night to one and all.  If you are out to have fun tonight...DO IT.  If you are "In" to have some "Me" time... ENJOY.  If you are crunching numbers and panicking a bit..you are not alone. I am right there with you!  Cheers!

-Blessings

19 out of 50

Have you ever had those weeks where your dreams make you more tired than you were the night before?  Yes, this is one of those of those weeks.  I feel like I need a nap from sleeping!

On another note, I completed another skirt yesterday!  This makes me so happy.  I am officially up to 19 skirts in my "making 50 skirts by April14th" challenge...we shall see!  Maybe that is why I am not sleeping too well...Skirt Pressure! Ha!

-Blessings on your day and a good night's rest!

Lemons

Life sometimes dishes out lemons.  Today was a bit of a lemon day.  You see, my good friend from Oregon flew all the way out here to see me and visit for a day and a half.  Unbeknownst to us, a flu bug also decided to make a stop at the house and infected my husband and child!  So, our reunion turned out to be a quick hello, a breakfast outside and me taking her to her next destination much earlier than desired.  Lemon Day.

The wonderful thing though was that we got to talk.  I think because we knew we were under pressure, we were able to talk about the most meaningful things.  It was nice getting down to it.  I will however miss the time we could have spent.

On another positive note, my sick family was so great.  My daughter was so well behaved and never complained. My husband did what he could (which was not much because of his sickness) and helped out a bit.  They really gave me space, even when at their worst.  My family is a blessing and my heart would not be whole without them.

So, after a crazy day of driving, healing and a whole lot of cleaning, I am going to take a much needed shower to not only cleanse the "sickies" off, but also to cleanse my head for a new start tomorrow.  Be well and I wish you all good, if not great, health.

-Blessings

New creation..

Today I tackle the studio/office/playroom....It has been quite some time and I am beginning to feel the push of the playroom creeping in on my creative space and the pressures of the office taking over the much needed openness of the studio.  It is definitely not a good feeling when "your space" gets overwhelmed.  So, the dust bunnies have been eradicated, the toys are in their "place", and the office will soon be brought back to reality.

 I would sincerely like an entire new look for my work space.  You know, the kind of look from the Martha Stewart magazines where the threads are color coordinated and each piece of material has a perfect spot.  Well, as a good neighbor of mine once said, "We LIVE in our house.".  That is something this family definitely does.  However, one thing that I would like to do above all is at least have the items that I have made displayed for me to see so I can practically go over them and see what additions or changes might be made.  It is a creative process and with out seeing where you have been and where you would like to be, it can be just impossible to get anywhere! So, today I start that little desire with a trip to the Dollar Store to at least get more pants hangers to hang up the skirts in an orderly fashion.  Small beginnings lead to big steps...

So, onward...my your day be filled with more sunshine and less dust bunnies..                                            



- Blessings

The third is complete!

So it has only been three days but I feel like I haven't blogged in a lifetime! The reason for the absence is because I have been working so hard on finishing up some projects and my worldly social life is just completely overwhelming....not.

I am excited to report that I have completed the third patchwork skirt!  One more to go and my patchwork series is complete!

I think it turned out pretty good! I know it is not perfect, but patchwork is patchwork, and perfection isn't real, so I am pretty happy!  I am now off to complete the fourth skirt, empty my home of all Winter clutter and continue with my challenge for April.  I made a challenge to myself to make 50 skirts by April 14th! Well, we are officially up to 16 skirts....so, I best get to work!

Blessings on you day!

I'm so close to finishing these skirts I can taste it.... More to come....

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTg1Njg5MnwyNTI3NTEwNTgw/ill-take-things-that-come-in-threes-for?index=0


Look what got featured on Etsy from my shop today! :) 

NUMBER TWO IS FINISHED! Whoo hoo!! :)

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95872988/patchwork-aline-drawstring-skirt?ref=pr_shop

Patchwork skirt #2:

 Patchwork skirt #1:

So glad these have turned out...now moving on to #3....

Finding a medium...

I FINALLY finished the second patchwork skirt! Only two more to go and my patchwork saga will be retired for a bit!  It is very nice to see the result. However, I think my original plan of making 34 (or was it 38) skirts in less than a month may come to a halt.  There is still time...we shall see. You never know, right?

So here in our little corner of the world, we have been going through a lot of decision making.  It seems quite overwhelming as well. My husband and I are thinking of our child's future and I didn't think the decisions about school would be so hard.  Decisions like public or private, religious or secular, small or big.  Things along those lines.  Don't get me wrong, I am unbelievably grateful for the choice.  It is a privilege.  I just don't know which direction would be best. I also never thought that finding a church home would be so hard.  There are so many here and I feel like I am not fitting anywhere. On top of it all it is an election year and that means we are inundated with politics which can be very distracting as well.  So, I think we may head out to the woods, build a bark home, raise our family communing with nature and...............well, you get the drift. 

I think what every parent really wants is what is best for their child.  They want safety and love.  They want kindness and genuine concern.  They want their child to avoid making the mistakes of the past and be able to improve the future.  But then, when you look at their faces and you are able to catch a glimpse of the innocent joy that comes with being human for such a short time, you can't help but wonder if the greater forces are just going to let them be OK.  If there isn't something bigger that controls the situation and even if we have them in the top schools and the most wonderful churches and the world was at peace, maybe they would end up where they were meant to be and all our fussing wouldn't make a hill of beans.  It is a bit fatalistic I suppose, but aren't the hands of God much bigger than ours?  Or aren't the actions of fate so much broader than anything we could ever imagine? 

I do know this.  The best thing I can do for my child, my family and this world, is love my child unconditionally.  Feed her the kindness of the world and teach her not to seek revenge, or hatred, or greed.  No institution can teach that.  No politician can bring that.  Love, family and generosity.  These are the properties that can only be learned my example.  Perhaps that is the best we can do.

No worries...yet

So I had all good intentions to finish a skirt yesterday, blog about it and so on.

Did you ever have one of those days where there just wasn't enough time to get done all the things you needed to get done?  Yes, yesterday was one of those days.  I began to realize that I set my sights too high and instead of finishing everything, I just sort of flustered myself and became frustrated.  When it hit midnight and I was still running around getting things accomplished, my husband asked me if I planned on fitting sleep into my schedule.  Ha. Ha.

So, today, without totally freaking out, I do plan to get a few things done. However, I can't worry so much about all the tasks.  I think there will always be something to do.  Be it cleaning, wash, dishes and household things to sewing, gardening and reading, and then there is the schooling, clubs, fitness, and then there is......

Well, you get the point....but, I'm not freaking out about it or anything...right?

-Blessings and no worries on your day!

Goal, Dream, Accomplished

So, I normally don't blog twice in a day...I know...this is some Crazy Stuff!!  I had to share that I finished one of my goals.  I didn't make all the things I needed too, but I was able to read all 26 of my Etsy Blogs that I had been saving and I actually learned some things from them!  It is a very good thing I read them. Having the business can be so overwhelming, so having a support team is really great.  I appreciate having the blogs and articles and tips available so I can just "click" and find new perspectives.  Speaking of new perspectives....

I had a dream two nights ago about swallows and washing my hair.  Yes, an odd combination, but, none the less, I had a dream about them.  So, after I woke up, and I felt rather perplexed, I decided to look up what the symbols might mean.  I was really hoping it didn't just mean "fly away" and "your hair is dirty".  I mean, if it bothered me, it had to mean something more than that.  Well, it turns out that when you dream of a swallow (and there were two in the dream) it symbolized that you are close to being "home".  Which is big for me considering I have moved over nine times in eight years.  Then, the washing of the hair means "you are changing your way of thinking".  Which is great for me considering I have felt like I have been in a funk with the whole thought process thing!  So, it looks as though I am homing in on my thought process and I should be feeling more at home or something along those lines.  It was an encouraging idea for me to think differently and feel "homey".  I could use that now-a-days.  So, on that note, good night. Goals have been accomplished, dreams have been interpreted, and maybe tonight, I will have more interesting dreams and goals thought up with my new perspective!  We shall see..

- Have a good sleep, or a good day, where ever you may be....

Funny Bunny

It was so funny this morning.  I got up quite early and decided to take the dog outside and listen to the birds wake up.  It was a very busy morning for the birds!  You can so tell that Spring has sprung.  So, I am sitting quietly on a little table, enjoying the morning when our local rabbit (who we have lovingly named Rabby-Rab), hops up the yard like nothing is different.  I am just sitting there watching him, with our dog in my arms, and he stops short, looks at me like, "WHAT THE HECK????", freezes and hops away!  The funny thing is, he didn't just hop away, he stopped to do a double take!  I think he was just a little stunned. It was a great start for a morning.

Today is filled with work for me.  I have to finish these 34-38 skirts in less than a month.  I think at times I do  a double take at what I have to do!  So, onward and upward....

-Blessings

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY  TO ONE AND ALL!!

So since becoming a parent, I have realized that my St. Patrick's Day Celebration has gone from this:

                                             


TO THIS: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::






NN                                   





  

Ah, How things have Changed......

But still, just as Sweet!

Enjoy your day and ....

May the road rise to meet you,  May the wind be always at your back,  May the sun shine warm upon your face,  and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.....

-Blessings on your day!

Give..

Sometimes it is very pleasant to see the rain.  After planting my seedlings last week, there hasn't been a drop of rain and so we have had to use our own water, which can become very expensive in my opinion.  We are so fortunate to have water just to be able to do this and I can't even express how grateful I feel every time I turn on a faucet or fill my watering can.  I feel as though recently, there has been so much news about devastation and so much pain and suffering, that often I feel terribly guilty that we have our water, our home, our lives.  But, this is where I was planted from the beginning I suppose.  So, last week I was able to water the seedlings.  Now, I am hoping that the clouds open up a bit and bring a little rain. 

Perhaps there is a parallel here...I know I can find it... Perhaps, I need to open up my "cloud" a bit and rain on those less fortunate than myself.  It would be great if we all could "soak" others with generosity from our own hearts.  I think I will go through my clothing and see what I can donate. Maybe go through the pantry and find some canned goods to give to the local church's food pantry.  Even, I could go through toys in the house and donate some for children who have none.  There is always something to do, isn't there.  So, today, as I do my work and live out my day, I will be sure to take out the time to be generous to someone else.  Give a little.  I don't think that is too much to ask from myself.

-Blessings 

It's Alive!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11AejNV5h_0
So this is how I feel after completing one skirt!! I have three more to finish, but after all the work...IT'S ALIVE!!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95356541/aline-patchwork-skirt?ref=pr_shop

I am just so happy to have finished this!  I have wanted to make a patchwork skirt from my teens until now...let's just say more than 2 decades...and finally I had the courage, and the gumption, to do it!  Now on to the other three....a mad sewer at work.....

New perspective for a skeptic

For the first time in a while I woke up in good spirits and with plenty of direction.  It is a great feeling when you can roll out of bed and say, "Yep, I get it".  I know for so many people, that doesn't happen.  That hasn't happened for me for a least a year or two and today, like a surprise gift, it happened.  It wasn't planned, or thought out, or scheduled.  However, there was one thing I did that may have helped.  The night before, feeling so exhausted and a bit low, I fell into bed and just before falling asleep, I muttered (actually more like whispered), "Lord, I pray you can show me some direction, some way".  I fell into a deep sleep, which was easy enough, had some positive dreams, and when I woke up, I just knew the path I needed to be on.

Now, I am a skeptic on so many levels.  I am paranoid about the food I eat, about the streets I live on,  driving at night, schools, churches....let's just say I like to do my research and make sure all my ducks are in a row.  But today, I don't feel that.  I honestly think that because I asked for help, I got it. It wasn't some coincidence or my inner most conscience giving me a break.  I know it was the Being I prayed too giving me a hand.  So, that is a pretty powerful thing to wake up to in the morning.  For today, it will give me a different perspective and that is all I could ever ask for in one day.

So, today, I know that if I am feeling low, tired, grumpy or outright confused, I think I will put in a message to God and say to him, "Could you help me today?  I am definitely not feeling up to it.".  Don't mean to sound preachy, but that is what happened and it is entirely to big for me not to share.  So, on that note....

-Blessings on your day

Planting some imagination

It was so beautiful outside yesterday that my family and I planted the remainder of our peas.  We also planted some onions, broccoli, red lettuce and green lettuce.  The temperatures are in the 60's this week and although I am well aware that there are freak snow storms in April around here, I think the plants will do very well.  If a frost comes, I will cover them with a blanket or with an end of a soda bottle for the "greenhouse effect".  Plus, the peas, onions and broccoli can take a frost.  The lettuce is the only more delicate plant.

My mouth is watering for some fresh vegetable from the garden.  Soon enough!   You know, it doesn't take too much to have your own fresh vegetables.  I have always wanted to try to make a garden using just pots around my porch and because I have used up so much space in the garden already, I may be doing just that!  I think it is all about using your imagination and using the space you have.  Anything is possible if you put your mind to it!

So, on that note, I am off to use that 'ole brain 'o mine and start sewing again.  Time to put the imagination in action and get these skirts done!  Time to open the windows and let a some Spring in the house!

- Blessings on your day!

I did it! I finished all four skirt fronts this morning! Whoo hoo! It feels great! Now, on to the backs.  It is a wonderful thing when you accomplish what you need to get done.  I feel as though there is a chance I may actually do this! :) 

-Keep on truckin'

Don't want to disappoint...

Last night I had dreams about disappointing EVERYONE. Yes, it was one of those kind of dreams.  In the dream I was in my 20's and my parents wanted me to go to college (which, in reality, I never completed) and I chose not too. Thus, in the dream, I received a lecture on how disappointed they were.  Then I chose not to be a realtor, which disappointed my boyfriend in the dream (in reality, I am happily married) and received yet another lecture.  I was literally hiding from the lectures and when I woke up I thought to myself, "best not to disappoint anyone today!".  Very strange, but I think I know where this is all stemming from.

With all these new adventures in business, Etsy, shows, etc..I believe I am so afraid of disappointing.  I am afraid of disappointing the public, my family and, most of all, myself.  What if I can't produce fast enough? What if people do not like my items?  What if?  There is nothing harder than putting all you have on your sleeve.  Putting what you have created on the line and hoping that people will enjoy your imagination.  If they do not like what you have created, it is not so easy to back to square one.  When you take your heart, put it out into a material object, and wait to see if it brings approval, it is like holding your breath waiting for a scary moment to be over.  However, when someone does appreciate and admire your creation, it is like all of that held breath is released and you can almost fly. That is why artists do what they do and that is why people continue on.

So, today I will allow myself to feel a little insecure. Today, I will allow myself to be well aware of the stakes.  But, in the same token, I will allow myself to be exposed, to let things develop and to create without worry or shame.  It is not an easy thing to do, but I believe the outcome is better when there is a little pressure and you do not want to disappoint.

- Keep dreaming and blessings on your day.

No pressure...really

I have my goals set now for the upcoming shows that I have booked.  I would like to make about 50 skirts.  I know that sounds crazy, but let's see if we can do it here at JclaireP.  I have recruited my Mom (God Bless her!) and I hope to keep the focus going!  I already have 12 skirts, with four in the making, so that only makes....34 skirts...

Maybe I will make a little wager with myself.  If I can get these made, I will give myself the freedom to redecorate a room.  Frugally, of course.  I have always wanted to do that in our house, so that is something I can work towards!  A little more motivation for the cause, right?

So, onward and upward, as they say. No pressure...well, just a tad...

-Blessings

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtrEN-YKLBM

Working hard!  Here are some updates on the four patchwork skirts I have been working on...I sincerely hope they turn out how I have envisioned them.  That being said, it is so great to go out of my comfort zone and just let it organically come together!  Ah, yes...letting it go and letting it happen! A beautiful thing!

- Blessings on your day!

I am excited to say that the lady luck is with me this week!  Completely out of nowhere I have managed to get two venues for selling my skirts booked! The first is at the Bear Creek Skiing Resort in Macungie, PA for their Food and Wine festival in April and the second is a for a fundraiser at a school!  It is so great how things just work out for no apparent reason.  So, I have enlisted my Mom to help me sew and cut and brainstorm because I really have to get things moving at this point.  I am really looking forward to working with her too! 

So what am I doing???  I have to get sewing!

Have a wonderful day and remember that you don't need a social network to make things happen..Fate is still alive and well!

-Blessings

I was so thrilled yesterday that one of my skirts make a treasury list on Etsy!  Thank you so much Elana from http://www.etsy.com/shop/RomeoShop.

Here is the treasury to check out!

 http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTY0Nzc5NzZ8MjM3MTQxMzE2Ng/discounts-sales-clearance-is-my-true?index=0 

It is a lovely silver skirt that I adore...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/89108492/sale-silver-with-black-velvet-scroll?ref=tre-2371413166-16

I believe at this time for me, it is one of the most wonderful feelings when someone has recognized something I have created.  It really gives me a boost!  So, today I am planning to sincerely dive into the patchwork skirts I have started.  Dive in, no holds barred...

Inspiration!! It is a beautiful thing!

- I hope you have blessings on your day and inspiration in your heart!

Make it yours

This made my day brighter... hope it does to yours too...


www.youtube.com/watch?v+9D05ej8u-gU


There is so much to be grateful for each day.  I know for me, the sun, the rain, the sky, the land...those are the key elements to my life.  God, Love, Peace, Goodwill.....those are the wholeness to my life.  Family....that is the meaning of my life.  Happy to be here, glad for the time, ready to live here...the decision is mine.

- Blessings

A good Monday

Today is a stunning sunny day here in PA.  I have plans to put in all the stakes needed for the peas and go to our local gardening store and get some organic snow pea seeds.  I had about a dozen or so started to go into the ground, but my cat decided she would rather eat the seedlings for a midnight snack, so alas, I start again.  No worries though, it is early March so I have plenty of time.

I also am looking forward to sewing the patchwork skirts I have started.  I feel like it is a mad scientist experiment and I can't wait to see the result.  I can't seem to work fast enough and there is never enough time.  But it will work...oh yes...it will! (Insert evil mad scientist laugh).

On another note, yesterday I had the wonderful surprise of having a big sale from my shop.  Well, big for me!  The best part was, it was a family member of mine showing her support!  There is truly nothing like knowing you have people who love you and want to see you succeed.  Thank you to her and it is so inspiring!  So, today, if you know you can support someone in their endeavors, please do.  An encouraging note, a call, anything!  If you are on the other side of the fence and feel like you need support, go give to someone.  Get out there and help someone else and you will find the support you need.  I often have felt like I am alone on things and the only way I ever feel better is by helping others.  Sometimes it puts things in perspective for me!

So, there it is!  Enjoy this blessing called a day and keep it sunny!

- Blessings

Tilling time..

It is beginning to look like Spring is definitely on it's way.  My Siberian Garlic is starting to peek through and the low temperatures are going to be above freezing this week.  So, it looks as though it is time for some tilling! I can not wait to put in the peas and lettuce this year. I would really like to fill my entire garden with them.

So with that said, it also means that I get to bring out my Spring clothes! I can't wait to get into my long, flowing hippie skirts and my flip flops.  There really is no other feeling like it.  Right now I am working on four patchwork skirts..that may sound like a lot, but it isn't so bad...I think the colors are fair, but I will be able to work on that as time goes on...

So, enjoy your Sunday..get a little dirty and bring creativity to the day!  That is what it is all about, isn't it?

-Blessings

Just a little Fun

This is how today should be! Wide open spaces, lots of running and FUN!  Thank you to appleandoats.etsy.com for sharing this adorable video with me on my Facebook Page!  May your weekend be filled with friends, laughter and fun!

-Blessings

Also, I have to tell you, if you are a horse lover, the photography done by Jennifer Meyers in Apples and Oats Photography is superb.  Please be sure to check it out!

www.applesandoats.etsy.com

thaw

I went out this morning to my garden at about 6:15am with the thought and hope that there was a slight possibility that the ground wouldn't be completely frozen.  You see, I have about 24 peas that I planted in a shallow tote in my living room.  I know you are not supposed to start peas early, but my little one loves to see the growing process and so I figured I would give it a try indoors first.  Needless to say they have taken off!  Now they are at least 8" high and are in desperate need of a transplanting.  So with that in mind, I went out to the garden, and as my slippers crunched on the soil while I was walking there, I realized there had been another frost.  I knelt down and placed my fingers on the soil and it had a layer of frost icing, but under the frost it was a tiny bit softer than it was last month.  So, I know that the thaw is coming soon.

I can't say I was completely thrilled, but I was less disappointed.  I mean, really, who am I to think I can control the arrival of Spring?  Is it like the little kid who believes that if they wish enough or think about a toy enough it will magically appear?  Well, maybe.  So on that note, as far as Spring is concerned....

I WISH, I WISH, I WISH, I WISH.......

Is that a robin I hear?


-Blessings!

Today I get to wake up and say that I have finally finished revamping the look for my shop on Etsy.com! I am so thrilled! A new look for a new year.  It feels so wonderful to accomplish one of the goals I set for myself. It was not a huge one, but it was significant for me to get it done.  It allows me feel a bit more professional and a bit more serious about the days, weeks and months ahead.  Now, on to stage two...filling the store with wonderful treasures.  If you would like to see what has changed in JclaireP, please visit:

http://www.etsy.com/people/jclairep?ref=si_pr

You will be glad you did!

SALE Purple Tafetta with black velvet scroll drawstring skirt

Vintage Romper Room Clock

Lovely Petite Rose Brooch

www.etsy.com/people/jclairep

Those are some examples of what you will find...and there is a lot more!  Thank you so much and I hope
you have the most wonderful day that brings you happiness and love!

-Blessings