blue Monday

Really, there is no big reason to be blue lately - - it just seems to happen.  Bummer.

 Not saying the entire day is a waste.  There was the beautiful morning God allowed me to enjoy with P.  The decent run.  The fact that all of the Big Three kids had clean clothes to wear to school.  A good salad for lunch.  Not too shabby.

But before I indulge in making another tray of fudgey brownies I decided to search out things that made me smile (and didn't hinder my 10 lb weight loss that I am still trying to achieve).

So here you go, I hope you find something to make you smile -- I know I did!

                               Source: dancinthemoonlight.tumblr.com via Kaela on Pinterest

No comment needed here - everyone loves cupcakes!

                                   Source: createfindadmire.tumblr.com via Rose on Pinterest

Hate it when they pop - love to see them float

                               Source: arefocusedlife.blogspot.com via Stephane on Pinterest

There is something so renewing about feeling the sand between your toes

                                            Source: flickr.com via Christine on Pinterest

Spending summers on the North Fork of Long Island -- along with eating good pizza

                                               Source: burpee.com via Natalie on Pinterest

one of my favorite Flowers - zinnias

So, what makes you smile? What old memories do you like to recall to bring the day back in perspective?

21 months or 35 years - what's the difference?

This little bundle of joy, a surprise blessing from God. 

Or rather a force to be reckoned with.

She is a tornado of hairbows, necklaces, squeaky shoes, and babies.

This gal knows what she wants and to heck with you if you stand in her way while she is trying to get it.

She is chatty and demands that you listen.

Her facial expressions take up the slack for her occasional silence.

   Her walk demands purpose (or at least she thinks it does).
I picked her name out long before she was born and boy does it fit.

She's my mini me so watch out - there are two of us!

My top ten Movies

Pretty simple......my top ten movies of all time.  Except - I do not like going to the movies.  Perhaps I suffer from some type of attention issue but I can not just sit and enjoy.   That is probably why I am perfectly happy with four very different children.  Always something to do, to look at, to address.  So here it comes America a movie list from a child of the 80's.

Source: flickr.com via Marilyn on Pinterest

1.  The Patriot.
The Mel Gibson version.  I am a married woman but seriously Heath Ledger (God rest his soul) was           pretty easy on the eyes in this one.  Matter of fact this movie left such an impression on me that I named my first son Gabriel after Heath's character.  Don't tell all my friends who think I researched names in the bible and thus picked Gabriel.  I am proud to be an American too!

2. A Knight's Tale.
Heath Ledger - need I say more?  I actually loved the mix of satire type influences with music, poetry and romance.  Again, Heath Ledger.

3.  Cocktail.
At one time Tom Cruise was Tom Cruise - now I have to admit I think he is nuts.  Big downer there but I am OK with it now.  Oh, this was also the first rated R movie I went to.

4.  The Breakfast Club.
Really no explanation needed here.

Source: google.com via Valya on Pinterest

5.  16 Candles.
Thank you Molly Ringwald for making me believe that there was someone out there with a family crazier than mine.  And for having really neat hair.

6. Pretty in Pink.
Yes, romance does still exist and not all "cool" kids are jerks.  Although the ones I met in high school were (you know who you are!).

7.  Forest Gump.
Sweet, innocent, perfect!  Not to mention, I wish I could run like that.

8.  The Terimal.
Perhaps the best things in life are right in front of what we do not want.  And Dear Government - you have no idea what you are doing!

9.  Napolean Dynamite.
You make me so happy.  I laugh, I cry, I dance, I sing.  Thank you, you quirky little guy.

Source: google.com.au via Elizabeth on Pinterest

10. And my newest favorite........drum roll please........ Death at a Funeral!
Totally funny and totally out of my artsy fartsy love Heath Ledger comfort zone............

Honorable mentions - Patch Adams (although I try not to cry in public), and Death to Smoochy (an overlooked needs to be classic)

Interesting huh?  What goes on in the little mind of me?  I think I am pretty much like a spool of multi colored yarn you might see at the boutique.  You never quite know which is going to come next but when it is all woven together perhaps you like what you got?  Wait until I share my IPod playlist, you won't know what his you :)

What are you favorites?  Might be something I have to see?  Please Share!

So for - creating history - one stitch at a time

Usually on Thursdays I do a little post about who I am, where I came from and where I am going. Instead, I enjoyed Thursday by linking up with the Gussy Sews Community for a pamper prompt party! So fun!  Think I will do it again.

For now, Friday you get a little more of me.  I think it might be time to give you a little bit of where this "Sew Four" idea came from and what I pray it becomes in the future.

                                                                   Source: allthingsbelle.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

At our house, the past few months have been a roller coaster (for those of you who know me - I HATE roller coasters - never been on one until now).  Thru the madness, Michael and I have really been given an opportunity to re-evaluate where our family is its' storing treasures.  What a blessing!  We have collectively prayed, and though it may not have been the way WE planned, God has provided in a more amazing way than imagined.  He really affirmed to us what we need to be "so for".  

As a mom he has laid it upon my heart to be "sewing for" my kids.  So as Michael starts a new job, with a new number attached to it, my sewing machine will be working full time "so for" the family I love so much!

                                                                         Source: granvillehouse.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

In the next few weeks I will continue making adorable boutique/appliqued items which will stay in the Nina Bina Store.  Of course, drop off monogramming will always be available.



BIG NEWS, BIG BIG NEWS!


But the big news is that by the first of August, I will be opening a new store!  It will house my first sewing love of cute pouches, totes, ruffles, vintage fabrics, buttons and more.  It will be a store committed to providing for my clients and for being "so for" my four blessings from God - - for my family!  I will be working on making this blog a place where community can come, feel safe, relate, laugh, learn, share and relax.  I am so excited to show the world what I am so for and even more excited to learn what you are so for!

Is there anything you are working on that you are "so for?"  I would love to hear your loving words - please share!

So who am I? Are you still dying to know?

There is much more to the story than a sweet little girl sewing with her grandmother.   Here comes the big part, I mean REALLY BIG part!  In 2000, my husband and I were called to adopt!  We had 8,000 in the bank so we were ready to go!  Except for the fact that we were about 42,000 short!  What?  

After much prompting by a friend (thanks Michelle!), a month later I was sewing again!  At the time we had a sweet dog who always knew when we needed an extra nudge.  Her name was Cotton and thus "Cotton's Kisses" was born.

   

During the next 6 months, many angels opened their homes to my family to host tote parties.  It was similar to a direct sales party except this party I gave our testimony about adoption and a little bit about Michael and I.  The parties were so fun!  During that time, I cried in front of more people than I care to count, met so many new friends, shared stories with complete strangers about infertility and SOLD totes!  A total of 10,000 +  dollars in totes in 5 months!   At the same time, I began crafting boutique items for sale on Ebay.  Both efforts, and tons or prayer, put together more than half our adoption fund.  HOLY COW!

                                                             Source: ohmigoshblog.blogspot.com via Heather on Pinterest

In 20 short months, Michael and I were getting off a plane with our new 19 month old daughter from Moscow, Russia!  All because of sewing (oh and a calling from God)!  We have been home over 8 years now and have added three more little blessings to the mix.  Life is good.

Right now, God is calling my family to walk thru another fire with him.  I am thankful that he has given me a gift to carry my family thru this time!  He is faithful and I must be too! 

Is there maybe a little gift that God has given you to carry your family thru the good and the bad?  What is it?  Are you using it now?  Would you like to use it now?  Why not?

So, who am I?

I am Heather.

I love Jesus.

I am a wife.

I am a mom.

I love "real" food.

I craft.

And, I sew! I really love to sew! Seriously, love it, love it, love it!

                                                                          Source: shelikescute.com via Heather on Pinterest

I started sewing when I was 6. My grandmother had this fantastic room in the back of her house filled to the ceiling (she could have easily been on hoarders) with gobs of craftyness! Fabric, Fabric, Fabric! Love it! We would spend hours together creating clothes from scratch for my babies! I would come home with the most fabulous creations!

Eventually sewing turned into something much bigger than doll clothes, but the time I got to spend with my grandmother was the biggest gift of all!

The shop

the shop

New in the shop are two little wallet purses. Made from some vintage finds and trims from my grandmother's house! So cute, so perfect for summer. 5.5 inches wide and 4 inches tall.  12- each.

Also in the shop, a sneak peek at what is blooming!

Fondly,

Heather