Sunday, August 21, 2011

Oh, what the heck...let's just start!! #1 = VINTAGE POSTCARD DOWNLOAD!

Good morning, friends!

As the saying goes, "The greatest plans of mice and men..." things don't always go the way you want them to!  I made a conscience decision to NOT try to "do it all" and maintain some level of sanity in my world!  Wow...I must be maturing!?!?!?!

Those of you that know me personally (IE: we bump into each other in "real life") know that I have a bit of a tendency to do more than I should - I am one of those Type A personalities.  Currently I am coaching field hockey (double sessions 8-10 am and 5-7 pm), working at the Historical Society in between, keeping my business going, helping my youngest DD get around to colleges and work on applications, help older DD who is now an assistant field hockey coach at a local college, watch my absolutely adorable grandsons when needed and or possible and being the wife and mother with all that entails.

So, that means that something had to give and it was blogging and the time I was giving myself to create!  Waaaaaa!  But, unlike my attempts at losing weight (you know, falling off the "wagon" over donuts or something?) I will get back on, starting today!  The blogging posts may not be as regular for another week or so as I would like (still have the hockey in the AM...) but I will prevail!  :o)

Today's challenge is to get myself to JoAnn's and IParty (oh, poor me!) to pick up goodies and such to help my girls with teal treats!  We are participating in a Cancer Fundraiser on Wednesday all centered around field hockey!  Our team's cancer is cervical and so I am off to look for "all things teal."   I am thinking some fabric headbands and treat bags and perhaps some beads... muahahaaha - who knows!

Now, as to the "Oh heck" above... we just can't seem to hit the 1,000 I was hoping for on Facebook, so, no worries... let's just get started, shall we?



The first goodie I have for you all is a vintage postcard I have that you can use in a multitude of ways!  Stop by this post to see!

Would you like it?  All you have to do is comment below and/or send me an email address and I will get it right out to you!  EVERYONE wins!!!  It will come as a high rez file for you to have fun with!

Thanks so much for following the blog and for being a part of my life! 
Quilty hugs to all!
Carrie

Friday, August 12, 2011

Day #141 - "Crafty Corner" Interview!!

Good morning, everyone!

Been a bit quiet with some things I needed and continue to need to do here.  But, all that aside, it's time to meet another creative person!

Today, we are going to meet Erin!   Enjoy!

Some pillowcases Erin made!  Cute, eh?

How did you start your business in the first place?

I sort of got thrown into it.  I made myself a diaper bag, and a friend of mine liked it so much that she asked me to make one for her, too.  Then it snowballed from there.  I have a Facebook page for my little sewing business, and that attracted a boutique owner in Canada who wanted my stuff for her store.  Last fall, the smallest member of the Rowdy Bunch (my 3 sons – lol) had some medical issues come up, and I had to stop sewing.  I am getting back to it as much as I can though.

How did you come up with your company name and what does it mean to you?

Mama Cubed Creations was all my mom’s doing.  When I found out I was pregnant with my first child, my mom started calling me “Mama,” like I have with her all my life.  Then when our second was on the way, it turned to “Mama Mama.”  With our third, who was a HUGE surprise, she decided that “Mama Mama Mama” was just a bit too much, and she shortened it to Mama Cubed.  When I needed a name for my business, she suggested Mama Cubed Creations.  It was perfect.

How long have you been in business?

January of 2010 was when I started, so about 18 months.

How has what you do changed over time?

I design a lot more than I used to.  I need something new all the time, so I am constantly coming up with things that I want to make.  I have a few notebooks full of things “to do,” but sadly I haven’t figured out how to get more than 24 hours out of everyday.  (When you do, Erin, let us know!!)

One of her felted pincushions!  Soooo sweet!

WE ARE WONDERING ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE LIFE…
Tell us about what you make and how you got started.

I make all kinds of things; bags, blankets, key fobs, lanyards, laptop cases, aprons, etc.

How long have you been creating ?

About as long as I can remember, though my mom recently found a report card of mine from 4th grade where it said I needed improvement in my creativity.  Ha!  I wish I could go back and show that teacher where I am now.

What is your favorite project to work on? 

I don’t really have a favorite.  A lot of it depends on my mood.  Sometimes I want to get down and dirty and paint, and others the hum of my sewing machine is therapy for me.  I get the most joy out of making things for my kids and family.  Plus, I know they aren’t as critical as I am, so they won’t notice the flaws that stick out like a sore thumb to me.

How do you get your ideas? Do you start with a fabric, yarn, or fabrics or a concept in mind first?

I usually start with a concept, and go from there.  Since most of my business is custom order, I tailor my fabric selection to my customer’s style and preference.  

What other type of crafting to do you?

I paint, bake, decorate cakes, sew, and crochet.  I’d like to learn how to make soap, both melt and mold and cold process, do stained glass and a few other things.  I am always creating.

Describe your crafting/studio space to us.

We have a spiral staircase in our house that leads to an attic/bunkroom of sorts.  I’ve taken over one side of that for my crafting.  I have a sewing table, lots of book cases and BOXES full of fabric.  Most of my sewing is done at our kitchen table though, as I like to be near my hubby so we can watch movies while I sew.
 
For Fun…

What is something that makes you laugh out loud?

My youngest is very dramatic, and he can usually do something that makes me giggle.  I can’t wait to see what he, and his big brothers, turns out to be.

What is absolutely the best cookie you’ve ever had?

There was a bakery at the mall when we lived in Washington state that was divine.  They had these cookies that were chocolate that they would cover with a marshmallow crème type of frosting, and then cover with chocolate butter cream.  I’ve been trying to replicate them for years, and while I’ve come close, nothing is as sweet as my memory!

What is your best “stress buster”?

Sewing is wonderful, but when that’s not possible, I plug my iPod in, turn on Pandora Radio, and blast it and sing and dance with my boys.

What are your lifelong dreams?  
                          
I’d love to open a café/bakery and gift store.  Somewhere where I could have all the things I love together in one place.  A place where I would be able to create all the time.  It would be a friendly place where the coffee was always on, and the company would be good. (So would the coffee.)

What three character traits would your friends use to describe you? 

Since I had to ask them, this is what a few of them said – “Industrious” (that made me giggle), “Generous” and “REAL.”  I love my friends.

If you could visit anywhere on Earth, where would it be and why?

Ah, so many places… if I had to pick just one it would be Ireland.  I am in awe of the landscapes and lifestyle there. 

How many hats OR shoes to do own?

I have 10 pairs of shoes, unless some are hiding somewhere.  And I only own 1 hat.  Not much of a fashionista, huh?

Do you have a favorite author? Who is it and which of their works do you enjoy the most?

J.K. Rowling is my absolute favorite.  I had to get the Harry Potter books in hardback  because I was wearing them out.

I f you have a blog, how do you decide what to write about?

I mostly write about my sewing projects and the boys.  I don’t have enough time to blog consistently, but the nice thing about my blog is that it’s always there when I need it.

If you could meet anyone, who would it be, why?

This is a tough one.   There are so many people I’d like to meet… most of them creative – Kate Spain, Deb Strain, Patty Young, the Pioneer Woman, the Whisk Kid, Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts… the list is endless!

If you could choose one superhero power, what would it be and why? 

I would be able to fly.  I love the idea of being able to pick up and leave and go somewhere completely new at the drop of a hat.  And all the things you’d be able to see that you miss from on the ground.  It would be amazing!

Some adorable bags she made for the boys!
Thanks so much, Erin, for sharing your world with us!  Check out her blog at Mama Cubed Creations!
Enjoy the day!
Quilty hugs,
Carrie

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Day #140 - "We're baaaack!"

Good morning friends!

We spent the last 5 days on a 2,400 mile trip out to St. Louis on a college visit for our youngest DD. Can you say "L-O-N-G"? We did 17 hours the first night (9pm Thursday to about 3pm on Friday... breaks and such extended it) and I hope not to have to make the trip that way again! Though I must say, the traffic was easy peasy!

Being lifelong New Englanders, it's always fun to get out and see the world! So we were the car taking pictures of road signs and buildings! I WISH I had gotten a picture of the first billboard we saw when we crossed over into Indiana: "Pre-Planning is FUN!" and showed a man JUMPING out of a casket! Honest!!

Here are a couple of shots I thought you might enjoy:

We were taking pictures of all sorts of signs, particularly for places we'd never been!

The Arch was AMAZING!  Did I mention I have a fear of heights and am claustrophobic?   Yup, but I survived!

This was taken from one of the tiny windows INSIDE the top of the Arch, looking down on the river.
Forced my family to go through the Museum of Western Movement.  I LOVED it!  Lol...they were good enough to wander through!

We had lots of laughs, good food and fun!  Back to my world again!
Enjoy the day,
Carrie

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Day #139 - End of summer approaching - need ideas for kids?

Good morning!
We got caught in a torrential downpour yesterday at camp, which included some hail, but after about 45 minutes, they were able to finish out the afternoon session, a bit wet, but...so it goes!

This time of year brings about field hockey for me, but it also brings about the end of the summer and trying to think up a few last things to do with the kids before school starts.  The website I am sharing the morning has LOADS of fresh ideas if you need any.  Personally, I want to make one of the business cards holders below BEFORE my next market day to hold my cards!  What do you think? 




I can't WAIT to play with this idea!
Quilty hugs and have a great day,
Carrie

Monday, August 1, 2011

Day #138 - Capturing those creative ideas... here's one for you!

Good morning!
Field hockey is my other world and that piece begins this morning at Kangaroo Camp (8 years running) up in Keene this week!  Yay!  The weather might not be too cooperative, but, we'll see what Mother Nature has in mind!  It does have a tendency to capture my attention, but I'll do my best, folks!

That and the fact we are the parents of one last high school senior - how did that happen, eh?  That means college visits and so that will tug not only at my heart strings, but my time, again, I will do my best!  Both are BIG factors in the upcoming week.

That aside, I have been thinking about cleaning and organization.  I ran across this blog the other day that I thought some of you might find interesting.


(If you happen to be online right now, you find that I got distracted and hit "Publish Post" rather than "Preview" and the following thoughts were not there!  Lol....  Hopefully you weren't up to early and will get the rest!!)  Can't talk to hubby and blog at the same time!!

Anyway, I love the idea of the organization she writes about!  Her comment about "piles of unorganized chaos" basically explains my office!  Sooooo.... think I may give this a try!

How about you?  How do YOU organize your world?  Inquiring minds want to know!

Quilty hugs and enjoy the day,
Carrie