Inspiration does funny things....

So I cleaned my studio. I don`t know that it is really clean, but it is tidy enough that I can work again...

Here it is before:

I am hoping that over the next few weeks I can get some things on the walls, more storage for fabrics, etc. but for now a clean room can be just as inspiring as a room filled with inspiration...clean allows your mind to think and create....

and after:

So...after all that cleaning I got to work. First I made a bag that has been on order for a while...then I had to create something that has been in my mind for a while. My natural tendancy is to now put in a disclaimer about how it`s a little crazy and you may find it odd...but I like it, and I`m trying not to apologize for my art. So for a bit of fun, I made this pillow.

I don`t really know where these things come from, but the idea has been rolling around in my head, and had to be created!


Hope this bit of craziness inspires you to think outside the box, and make something `just for fun` too!!

The "Studio"...uninspired to inspired

Today is the day...I'm going to bite the bullet and clean my studio. I'm off to town to quickly drop of the last of my business plan paperwork, then hoping to make a fresh start in my business by doing a major cleaning in my studio!

I have made alot of fabric purchases lately which have resulted in piles of fabrics on the floor. Also, when Randall decided to install a new shower in our washroom, he decided that the best place to open the massive styrofoam-infused-box that held it would be my studio=styrofoam pieces everywhere!!!

Anyways...I promise to post pictures tonight to let you all see my "space" before and after...

Now for a 'quick' run into town...oh, wait, does that exsist?

Meet Johnny...

First of all, I have to apologize for being MIA for 2 days...internet was down...how frustrating!

Anyways, I returned today from a relaxing family Sunday celebrating 5 birthdays and an engagement, and found that the internet fairies had magically repaired my internet and it was working again.

On Friday we had afew stops to make in town. Next to one of these stops was the pet shop. Willem has been in once before, and wanted to go in again. We wondered around looking at the birds, rabbits, puppies, and skinny pigs (if you've never seen these ugly creatures, you really should...proof that God has a sense of humor) We eventually looked at the fish. We were going to get a fish earlier this winter and it never happened...so this time Randall convinced me it would be good for Willem to "take care of something". I just didn't want the fish's death on my head when the inevitable happened.

We picked out a beta, as they have the longest life span with the least amount of care (low maintnance fish...just my style) We brought him home and started the deliberation on what we should name our new blue beta. Deliberation went from "Fish" to "Grandma" to "Corney"...we finally settled on "Johnny" named after one of Willem's favorited characters from the Johnny Tractor books.

So far, Johnny seems content with his new home, swimming around his bowl...not like the sedated looking beta's at the store, who seem to float aimlessly all day. We got an active beta...great for a 3-year-old to watch.

Going Green....and loving every bite!

Now that I got that "all about me" stuff out of the way, let me get to what I want this blog to be...tidbits of everyday life.

A friend of my recently joined the "Go Green Smoothie Challenge." This is a Challenge posted by Think, Feel, Be. You can find her at http://www.thinkfeelbe.ca

Now, I try to eat healthy, but I will be the first to admit that I'd rather grab a brownie than an apple. My son recently has had some health issues that have caused me to adjust our diet. I'm finding that instead of this being a struggle to find things that I actually enjoy eating, it's been a challenge that has made me start to make better choices for myself and my family.

When I saw this challenge, I decided to give it a try...I'm 3 days in to the green smoothies, and have adjusted the recipe slightly to add afew flavors that I really like.

The great part about this challenge is how it inspires you to do better in other areas. I got up and took a walk the other morning, and today I chased my 3 year old around the house 3 times. Also, it just doesn't seem right to sit down to a green smoothie, and eat it with a cheeseburger and fries...instead, last night I made chicken quesadillas, full of fresh veggies and wrapped in a spinach pita...I felt particularly healthy.


I hope that I can continue this challenge, as I have felt energized and motivated.

Green

Since this is my first post, I guess I should share a bit about myself and how this blog came about.

I am 26, married nearly 7 years, mother of 2 georgeous babies...life is busy! A series of circumstances, both good and bad, led me to start my own business "Fresh Mom". I love to make things. My mom taught me to sew at a very early age, I remeber having books propped under the sewing machine pedal so that I could reach it.

I consider myself to have 'Artistic ADD'. I LOVE to sew, but I also love painting, scrapbooking, decorating, designing, antiquing, or any combination of these hobbies! I can get bored easily if I'm forced to do any of these things too long, so when I need a break from my sewing machine, I pick up some brushes and a hot glue gun, and go to work!

This is the beauty of 'art'...it is what you make it.

Anyways, back to life. I'm starting a new business Fresh Mom, selling handmade Bags and accessories...and am discovering alot about myself along the way.

I hope you will follow my journey, ask questions, give me feedback ...I would love to hear from you and hope that my little blog can somehow benefit those who drop in!