Dragonfly Fine Designs

I am back!

2011-05-15T10:09:00.005-04:00

I have been MIA for along time, but I am back. I am definitely going to try to stay on top of this blog. I would like to share some of the new products I just added to my store. Here are some pics. Thanks for letting me share!

Check out my etsy shop for more information!

Guess What We Did?

2010-07-04T11:07:00.008-04:00

Every year my son gets super excited to go strawberry picking. He always tells me that he eats more than he picks. How could he resist these beautiful strawberries?

My daughter also had a great time picking the strawberries as well. She was really into it this year.

There is a little petting zoo there that is operated by the local 4-H club, so my kids and their friends had a blast feeding and watching the animals.

Blueberry picking is just around the corner, and we can't wait for that! Happy Monday!

My Dad and My Little Girl

2010-06-17T20:38:00.005-04:00

I danced to this song at my wedding with my dad.

And here is my dad with my daughter. He loves her so much, I just love sitting back and watching them. It just always brings a smile to my face.

Have a great weekend!

I have to say....

2010-04-27T19:38:00.009-04:00

.....I love this song

To my babies, experience that big big world!

Love you! Smooches!

My Memere

2010-04-14T20:46:00.004-04:00

Where do I start? My Memere is strong, feisty, and a little rough around the edges. Well, let's just say she doesn't always think before she speaks. But, she has wonderful stories about how she grew up on the farm, worked in a bottle cap factory, and how she raised her eight children. I love visiting her, and seeing her interact with my children. It really is a full circle moment for me. I sometimes can't believe that I used to sit in her lap and she would rock me to sleep, she would hold my hand when we walked down the street, and I would sit at her dinner table for lunch. Now she does the same things with my children, her great-grandchildren. When I was over her house last Sunday, I noticed her hands. They were amazing. They not only showed her age, but her strength, her wisdom, her courage, her hard work, and her LIFE.

Thanks for all the lessons, stories, and love you have shown and taught me.

Jessica Sprague Class

2010-04-11T15:58:00.007-04:00

I am so loving the Oh Shoot Photography class through Jessica Sprague's web site.

I am so inspired. I can't get enough of photography. I want to learn, experiment, be creative, and take a ton of pictures. I LOVE it!! Here are some pictures I have taken so far for the class. Thanks for letting me share.

Happy Birthday!

2010-04-09T18:26:00.013-04:00

So my little Diva is another year old. I can't believe that she is two years old. Where has the time gone? I want to remember everything about your young life. I want to remember your smile, your laugh, your cute soft hair, your dimple in your chin, your tiny little teeth, your birth mark on your foot, your wonderful feisty personality, your spunk, and your determination. Nothing can stop you! You can do anything you put your mind too, you are one incredible little girl. A big kiss to you my big girl!She had a bird themed birthday party. It was perfect. You love birds, nature, and wildlife. I made birdhouses, a birthday banner, and cupcake toppers out of Amy Butler's scrapbook paper.

I also bought some bird shaped birdseed favors on etsy from Nature Favors.

I hand-stamped the little pots, put moss and candy in there, put them in cellophane bags, and tied them with a ribbon. Everything looked so pretty in the house. Everyone had a great time, can't wait for next year!

This is why....

2010-03-15T16:54:00.005-04:00

...I really can't get anything done when my children are around. My little Baby Spice gets herself in so much trouble, but she is so darn cute I can't stay mad for long. She was eating breakfast very nicely, so I thought I would sneak away for a few seconds to look at some emails. Moments later, I heard her little voice say, "Mommy, Mommy, mess". When I went into the kitchen this is what I found... A little girl covered in maple syrup. I just stood there and laughed (and of course, ran to get my camera), I couldn't help myself. I discovered that she knocked down the big bulk maple syrup bottle we buy at BJ's, and it was just pouring out all over the place from the top of the table. She must have been standing under it, because she was covered in it from HEAD to TOE. What I discovered though, is that syrup comes out very easy. I was surprised that it washed right out, who knew?

Inspiration

2010-01-24T18:15:00.014-05:00

Things that inspire me:

1. My children of course, they are my biggest inspirations...

2. Music, especially this song, it makes me think that when I have a bad day, tomorrow is a new day, and the past is the past.

3. Nature

4. Fabric, especially Heather Bailey's new line Nicey Jane, all I can say is delicious...

5. Paper

6. Vintage clothing, sometimes I feel as if I should have grown up in the fifties.

What a year so far....

2010-01-10T16:53:00.008-05:00

And it has only been 10 days into the new year. First, I receive news that I have extremely high cholesterol, and that I need to take medication right away. Now, I received this alarming news in a letter. No phone call, no nothing, just a letter. I know that it is not devastating news, but I would have at least have liked to talk about the situation before they decided to just put me on meds, I am only 31. Oh well, maybe that is just me.

Second, I am trying to get back in the work world, but also, try to spend as much time with my family. I know, not an easy task. Well, I got a wonderful interview, for a job that I thought I could balance working and still being with my children perfectly. Well, I didn't get it and I was somewhat devastated. I guess the only thing I could really do was cry. My heart was just a little bit broken, and I actually kind of feel silly admitting that. Because, I felt like, why are you crying? This is not the end of the world, my kids are healthy, I am healthy (well according to the note from my Doctor I am not), and I have food on the table, etc. Cowboy up (I think that is the saying), and stop being a baby. But I just couldn't...

Third, we had no heat. Well, when you live in New England in January you REALLY need heat. So, my good old dad came over (what would I do without him) and tried to fix it, but it really wasn't a simple fix so he couldn't fix it. So he gave us a lot of space heaters, and we would have to call the oil company in the AM. Urghh, well they came over in the AM, and the good news was they were able to fix it and it only cost us $150, but the bad news is that it could keep happening, because it has something do with the wind, and the venting, I don't really know...all I really know is that it is going to be a LONG New England winter.

I know those things I can weather. But it is just hard. I need to get out of this funk, and push forward. So I decided to stop complaining, and try to be better...

What that means in my mind right now I am not sure, but I am hoping I can see things more clearly...

Pictures from My New Camera

2009-08-10T16:50:00.012-04:00

I think my new camera takes really great pictures. I am for sure an amateur photographer, but I think this camera makes me look pretty good. Here are some pics I just took outside with very minimal editing. My kids do make great models. Happy Monday! Cheers!

My camera broke!

2009-06-09T09:31:00.005-04:00

Oh geez, my camera broke. I had a Kodak Easyshare, for 6 years. It has been my loyal friend, but I knew it was on its way out. So I finally decided to go with the big guns and buy a new camera, Canon EOS Digital Rebel XSi Black 12.2 MP Digital SLR. I LOVE IT! Sorry Easyshare, I have a new best friend!

My First Craft Show

2009-03-24T20:42:00.004-04:00

I am a little nervous. I have never done a craft show before, so I thought I would try one. Well, now I am stressing out about it. I don't have a lot of inventory, because a lot of things I do are custom. So, I am trying to build up my stock, which is proving to be really difficult. With my kids being sick, and being busy with orders (which I can't complain) I am feeling overwhelmed. It is so hard for me to get anything done. I don't have nearly as much as I would like, but I guess I still have three weeks to pull things together. I will keep chugging along, and chalk this up to a learning experience. Lesson for me, try to take one day at a time.

Happy 1st Birthday Little Miss A

2009-03-22T11:58:00.010-04:00

I have to say I am so proud to be your mother. You are a joy everyday, and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful little girl. You are full of love and life, you are one spunky child. You love to know what is going on in the world, you are in awe of people, animals, and your big brother. You love our cats, and you can't wait till you walk so you can catch them. I can't wait for many more birthdays, and to see what you discover next. I am excited and nervous about the ride to come. But one thing I know for sure, is that I love you so much, you are truly a bright light in everybody's lives

Germs, Germs, Everywhere!

2009-02-18T08:43:00.009-05:00

My kids have been so sick. It started with my son having a 104.5 temp. My husband and I attempted to give him some Motrin, but the moment he swallowed it, he threw up. It was a bright green, and it scared my husband and I to death. I was so scared there was something really wrong with him. Million things ran through my head, of what could be wrong that it actually kind of made me sick to my stomach. So we brought him to the Doctors, and everything looked great though, thank God!. His ears and lungs were clear. But the Doctor wanted to make sure that there was nothing brewing in his chest, so she wanted to send him to the lab for a chest x-ray. He was so brave, I was so proud of my little man. He stayed still and let him do the x-ray. He did tell me he was scared but he made it through. Everything came back normal, and he started feeling better the next day. I was so relieved that everything looked okay, and that it was probably just a bad virus. I gave him extra kisses and hugs that night for sure.

Then a couple of days later I hear my little girl crying in her crib, I went in her room to check on her, and she was COVERED in vomit. I couldn't even see her beautiful face, she was covered. It was literally in her hair, her ears, her eyebrows, and even her eyelashes. I was kind of shocked when I saw her, and found myself just kind of staring at her for a couple of minutes before I reacted, because I never saw anything like that. She vomited again, and it seemed as if she was choking, once again I was scared to death. My husband of course was just leaving for work, so we quickly called my mom to come to help. Honestly, I don't know what I would do without my parents. They are always there to help, and give me some words of wisdom. My mom rushed right over without any hesitation and she helped me clean up my poor little baby, and her room. I am so grateful to my parents for helping me out. I can't say thank you enough. The next day she seemed a little better, so I decided maybe I should drop off my son at my parents, in hopes maybe he would escape this horrible stomach bug. Well, of course, was I wrong. My mom called me and said that DJ seemed a little off and that he didn't feel well. I picked him up, and he fell asleep in the car around 6:00PM so I just put him in his bed. Well, a couple of hours later he started screaming for me to come in his room, I ran in his room, I picked him up and tried to hurry him in the bathroom, and that is when he proceeded to vomit all over me, himself, and all over his room. The smell was HORRENDOUS, which then made me throw up. OH MY GOSH, was I in hell! I quickly tried to clean myself up, while, at the same time I glanced over to see my three year old humped over the toilet throwing up. This is horrible, but I have to say, that I kind of chuckled out loud. Because here I was covered in vomit, and my three old has his head in the toilet looking like he is holding on for dear life. It was just once again, a sight I have never experienced. I rubbed his back, he said he felt better, so I put him in my bed, and he watched some tv. He later dosed off as did I, and the next day he felt better. He later said to me, " Mommy, I think that was a rough night." Boy was it ever!

An Etsy Feature

2009-01-18T09:26:00.011-05:00

Having an eleven month old daughter, I love looking at this etsy shop justaddcharm for so some great accessories for my daughter's hair. Just Add Charm has some wonderful jewelry and accessories for a special girl or for the young at heart. If you are on the look out for some great Valentine Items, she has some great selections. Here is so more information on Sarah and her wonderful shop.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your work:
I'm Sarah, stay at home mom to three and I fill whatever spare time I manage to find crafting and running my business. With a 2 1/2 year old son and 3 month old twins, spare time can be hard to come by. I find that I need to make time for a creative outlet to maintain my sanity.

What do you sell in your shop?
Currently my shop is filled with all things button - hair accessories, bookmarks, jewelry, magnets, etc. I also make beaded jewelry and I'm learning to sew so you never know what might be available next.
What inspires you?
Anything and everything. Sometimes it's a color combination that strikes me and I know I just have to make something with it. Sometimes an outfit that's begging for matching accessories.

What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
I love the Jello Shots magnets, anything with a retro feel like that makes me smile. I'm also obsessed with cupcakes so I love all the cupcake stuff.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?
Always seek out ways to improve your techniques and always provide good customer service.

What do you do when you are not creating?
Take care of the little ones, watch hockey, and read.

Thanks so much for letting me share this great shop. You can find Sarah at http://justaddcharm.etsy.com for more fun things.

Some New Holiday Items in My Etsy Shop

2008-12-12T11:37:00.005-05:00

It feels as if my life has been insane, and when things are insane it is hard to find the time to create new things for my shop. I have been decorating my house, making some handmade presents, Christmas shopping, and with my husband off visiting his brother for a couple of days, there is just not enough time during the day. It always makes me kind of sad when I don't have enough time for myself. I did find some time however to make two cute new holiday buckets for a new baby or a babies first Christmas.

Hope you enjoy!

Etsy Feature

2008-12-02T08:45:00.007-05:00

Are you looking for the perfect gift for someone special for the holidays? Take a look at the shop Animalicules she offers the cutest softies, which are "knitted or crocheted by hand with lots of love, and they are looking for a loving home." Here is a little more about her and her shop, www.a nimalicules.etsy.com.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your work:
I love cute stuff and I've always loved stuffed animals, way past the age when I probably should have. I used to teach little kids because I found it more fun to sing songs and draw than to just be with adults. My softies make great gifts for kids but I think they are just as good companions for grownups who need something to make them smile every now and then. They love to be played with but they also love to perch on mantels and windowsills and spruce up a room by looking cute.

How did you come up with your shop name?
Growing up, my dad always used animalicules as a funny word for animals. I think it's a good word to describe a species of cute little critters.

What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
I think my favorites are the sheep, probably the purple ones since purple is my favorite color. I like the sheep because they were one of the first softies I made up myself, and they look so cute when there's a whole flock of them.

What are your favorite materials to work with?
Yarn because it's so amazing what you can make out of one long piece of string. And buttons because when you turn them into eyes they can give a face a whole different personality. I'm actually obsessed with fabric too, but I'm not as good at sewing as at knit & crochet.

What inspires you?
Anything cute! Real animals, Japanese kawaii stuff, other softies, everything mini. Plus the shapes that you can make from knitting and crocheting because that's the starting point for any softie.

Feel free to check out her etsy shop, Animalicules, to discover more, "softies! Sheep, pigs, owls, and Christmas trees, with more to come. She has lots of ideas for animalicule-themed stuff for the future too." Or you can connect with her through her blog, http://animalicules.blogspot.com/. Have fun shopping!

I think this sums up my day!

2008-12-01T18:29:00.006-05:00

Did you ever have a day when you feel as if nothing is going right, or you feel as if you don't have enough time to even brown up some chopped meat for dinner? Well, that is how I felt today as you can see from the picture above. I sometimes feel as if there is not enough time in the day to do anything. Once upon a time my meals would be great, they would be tasty and lovely to look at, and you couldn't wait to eat them. Well now with two kids, my meals are not so spectacular. On this day I was trying to brown up some meat for some meat sauce and spaghetti, but as you can see I totally burnt the meat. I was trying to read some emails, and I totally forgot about what I was doing. The crazy thing is that I still made it. I just scraped up the meat, and continued on cooking my sauce. Oh well, what are you going to do?

In the Holiday Mood

2008-11-29T14:29:00.005-05:00

I always love the Holidays, but this year I am super excited. My son, which he just turned 3 is really into it this year. He can't wait till Santa comes, when we bake a lot of fun goodies, and make a gingerbread house. I can't wait for those things either. I can't wait to see my son's face on X-mas morning, and just the excitement of opening up things and hear him screech with glee.

I also would like to start a tradition with him, now that he knows what is going on. I am not sure what we should do though. We always make cookies, because I have a cookie swap every year. We always make a gingerbread house, and we always cut down a tree and decorate it. I want a tradition that really is special. I was thinking maybe doing a crayon quilt. A quilt block square that he colors and decorates, and I will make a quilt out of it. And then I can make it a wall hanging. I will post more on what I found on how to make a crayon technique quilt in a later entry. I don't know, I am still deciding what to do.

What is your family tradition?

Etsy Feature

2008-11-24T08:06:00.009-05:00

With the holidays approaching I always think it is great to shop handmade. There is so much passion and effort put into creating products for people, it is just something a little extra every buyer gets, which makes handcrafted so great. I came across this etsy shop that does just that. Her name is Risa, and she has the shop, www.createdbyrisa.etsy.com. She has really beautiful jewelry pieces, which would make the perfect holiday gift for someone special.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and your work:
I'm 47 years old--well 48 in a few weeks. My many roles include mom, new wife, friend, social worker, and last, but not least artist. One way or another, I've been making art most of my life. As a student, I always found a way to take extra art classes. After college I went off to work, but continued to make art in my spare time. Finding that spare time was harder as a single parent. I scrambled to find time and the space to make art. Now my kids are grown, I have an art studio (!) and I spend as much time as I can making art, jewelry, or whatever creative endeavor tickles my fancy.

How did you come up with your shop name?
Not too complicated...my name is Risa. I love that my name is unique. It means laughter.

What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
That's really hard, since I fall in love with every piece I make. But if I had to pick one piece close to my heart, I would pick my "Follow Your Heart: Create" necklace (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16367935) because it exemplifies my philosophy. It's also the piece I opened my shop with.

Any advice you would give to aspiring designers?
Follow your passion. And you are never too old to do that.

What are your favorite materials to work with?
I enjoy working in a number of different mediums, so it varies. If I'm making jewelry, I love including colorful seed beads and various glass beads. When painting, I choose to paint with acrylics on canvas. And then I have a passion for crafts using tissue paper and modpodge!

You can find her work at www.createdbyrisa.etsy.com, and you can check out her blog at www.createdbyrisa.blogspot.com

This always makes my day

2008-11-20T16:37:00.005-05:00

I was featured on, Indie Craft Corner, it is a great blog, "it is a place for people to gather and view a variety of beautiful and creative crafts. Featuring indie craftsters each week along with some crafting tid bits here and there. " Please check them out at, http://indiecraftcorner.blogspot.com/. Thanks again for the feature.

Features

2008-11-18T20:45:00.004-05:00

My blog is fairly new, but I am driving traffic to my blog more and more each day. I think being featured is very exciting, and it is great promotion. So I thought it might be nice to feature an etsy artist once a month. If you are interested in being featured please post a comment here. I will be contacting you with questions, if you are selected for the month of December. Thanks so much!

Desperate times call for desperate measures

2008-10-31T11:36:00.013-04:00

So I had to do it. I had to bribe my son with lot's of candy for him to wear his halloween costume.

He just didn't want to put it on. This was our conversation:

Me: Can you please put your costume on?
D: No!
Me: I will take your picture
D: No!
Me: You will look so handsome
D: No!
Me: How about a show?
D: No!
Me: How about a treat:
D: (he is thinking)...What kind of treat?
Mom: How about fruit snacks?
D: Ummm, I think I will do it for candy
Mom: What! (shocked that he was negotiating with me, and he totally knew I was desperate) Okay, how about some candy corns
D: Okay, sounds good

I can't believe my son to be three years old can be the best negotiator, but it worked, I gave in. Oh well, what are you going to do. He ate bundles and bundles of candy corns (which now he tells me is his favorite), but I finally got every last article of clothing to make his costume complete, well except for the crown. But he looked so cute anyways. I will have to post pics later.

My stubborn daughter

2008-10-29T09:15:00.006-04:00

I never thought when my daughter was born, she would NEVER take a bottle. My son didn't care where the food was coming from, he just wanted to be fed. My daughter on the other hand will NOT take a bottle. She is eight months, and only has taken a bottle twice. I have tried everything, putting fruit in the bottle, putting fruit on the nipple, countless brands of formula, latex and silicone nipples, pumped breast milk, and so on and so on. I am totally up for some suggestions, so please bring it my way. She is the most determined and stubborn girl I have ever met, well not really, that is totally me. You can't make me do anything I don't want to do. She is going to give me a total run for my money.

My nursing cover that I made for myself definitely comes in handy. I feel totally comfortable nursing in public, because I know that I am totally covered up. I have total privacy without me having to find a bathroom, or a dark corner. Here are some nursing covers that I have made.

And here is my newest...

Or on my web site you can be your own designer and select your fabric for your own nursing cover...

They are practical and stylish, and being a nursing mother with a very stubborn daughter I really couldn't live without it.

Every time I need a good laugh I watch this...

2008-10-24T11:45:00.002-04:00

I love watching this. I think it is great that he doesn't care what other people think, even if it was staged. I sometimes wish I could have the courage to do that. But I need A LOT of drinks! Happy Friday, Enjoy!

This made my day

2008-10-23T20:12:00.005-04:00

If you get a chance please check out...
This was very exciting for me. It is nice to have some exposure! Thanks so much!

In Memory of My Aunt Collette

2008-10-16T11:09:00.006-04:00

This Sunday, my Cousins, Aunts, and I are walking in the 2008 Making Stride Against Breast Cancer. Here is a great pic of my Aunt, that just says it all.

Here is a little something I wrote about my Aunt before she passed away.

I guess it is hard to put into words how and why someone has impacted someone else’s life. Or ways to describe how people truly are and the way they are perceived by others. I am sitting here thinking of words that would describe who a person is inside and out, for example, hope, love, strong-willed, exceptional, passionate, powerful, fighter, determined, laid back, and dedicated.

I guess now that Joe and I are having our first child I don’t want them to be just one word, I want them to be all the words that I described. You need to be balanced in life ready for everything, like Collette. You need to be strong in life and always have to remember that things can be tough and difficult, but you have to remember that you never can give up no matter what it is. Maybe applying for college but didn’t have the grades, but still applied to first choice schools anyways, or maybe they will try out for the varsity team, but they know that they are not the top player. Hopefully, they will understand that the most important thing is that they tried and didn’t let life pass them by, because they were scared to try and fight for what they wanted. Or they are true to themselves and wasn’t someone else, they were who they were no matter what other people said about them, like Collette. They honored themselves, by doing what came from their heart, which is the most admirable thing a person can do, it doesn’t matter if they made the team. The thing is no one can take away the fact that they tried. You have to be multi layered, you have to exhibit more than one emotion, and you have to be true.

I believe that is what Collette has taught me and Joe. She is literally fighting for survival. I admire such will and determination she has exhibited. I only wish that I could be as strong as she has been. Kara asked Joe and I to describe a specific event or encounter with Collette. I guess that was hard for me to do, not because I didn’t have such great times with her, or done some really crazy things with her, or didn’t have some wonderful memories of her. But I think my greatest experiences with her, is her just being her. She is who she is; she is everything I have described above but so much more. She doesn’t have children of her own, but I think she viewed all the cousins as her children, which made me see that family is extremely important, top of the list before friends. I think the most important and valuable thing to give to someone else is not money, gifts, etc, it is the integrity, and the way you live your life, also to maybe learn from their mistakes so you could avoid them. I believe that is what she has given me and Joe. Life lessons. I truly believe everything, and everyone that you encounter, maybe your neighbor, your teacher, or that special Aunt, like Collette, shapes you. I believe you have shaped us, you have taught us to laugh, live up life, be true to ourselves, shoot off a firework, put on a production for the family during Christmas, and just getting the cousins together for an outing just for the heck of it, and in turn Joe and I will teach our child all those things, okay maybe not shoot off a firework. And, honestly I can say to you that we are going to be hopeful, lovers, strong-willed, exceptional, passionate, powerful, fighters, determined and dedicated. And you definitely had something to do with that, which in my mind is the best gift you have given us and for our newest edition to the family, our precious baby. For that we want to thank you and we ever so grateful.

Be apart of a giveaway!

2008-10-14T08:44:00.008-04:00

I am currently taking part in a giveaway on the Handmade Showcase Blog. I donated a $25 gift certificate for the lucky winner. All you do is leave a comment on the handmade showcase blog, and you are entered into the drawing. Go check it out, and good luck!

Fall is in the air

2008-10-09T09:14:00.006-04:00

This is one of my favorite pics of my son.

It really makes me think of Fall time. He looks so sweet and innocent. I love Fall, the crisp air, the colors, baking, apple picking, and hay rides. It is one reason that I could never leave New England. I just love a cool crisp day, and wearing a bulky sweater. I love craft shows and festivals, and getting a hot chocolate.

I always go to the local nursery and pick lots of pumpkins, and select a massive amount of mums for my porch and garden.

Now that my son is a little older he really enjoys picking out his own pumpkin. He wants the biggest pumpkin he can find. I was amazed when he was walking around and he could actually tell me which pumpkin he wanted. Because just last year he was in his stroller, not to sure what to make out of all the pumpkins. Boy, does time fly! Where did my baby go??

I was featured!

2008-10-06T18:15:00.005-04:00

I am so very excited to be featured on Stylelist.com http://www.stylelist.com/blog/2008/10/03/indie-designer-interviews-dragonfly-fine-designs/. I have always been kind of shy regarding myself and my crafting, so this is kind of a big deal for me. I totally put myself out there. The interview talks about me and how I started Dragonfly Fine Designs. It was really fun seeing my work on a blog where they get a lot of views a day. I have to say when I saw the article up on the blog it totally made my day! If you get a chance, check it out.

So, what is in your diaper bag?

2008-10-02T10:30:00.005-04:00

As everyone knows I have two children, a toddler and a little baby. When my son was born, I brought EVERYTHING with me, I think even including the kitchen sink. I brought a lot of outfits, bottles, diapers, toys, burp cloths, wipes, etc, etc. Fast forward two years later, my daughter was born. I just threw some diapers and wipes in there and I was ready to go. I was more selective in what I brought. So here are the things that are in my diaper bag:

1. Diapers and Wipes
2. My nursing cover3. Toys for my son and daughter
4. Treats for my son, they always come in handy when he is getting restless in the store
5. My wallet
6. Cell phone

Now the problem I was having was that nothing was organized. I couldn't find my diapers or wipes. Everything would be buried at the bottom of my bag, with crumbs all over it. So I decided I need to make something that would hold my diapers and wipes, and I could just pull it out really quick out of my diaper bag, and everything would be there.

So here is one of my diaper and wipe carriers. It is great, this carrier has a hook and loop closure and can fit up to 2-3 diapers and wipes.

My question is, what is in your diaper bag? And what is one thing that you couldn't live without?

My first charity donation from my business

2008-09-30T17:32:00.010-04:00

My cousins' friend Theresa is running the New York ING Marathon to support the Boston Children's Hospital. She had a fundraiser event last Friday night, and I donated a door prize.
Here is a link to her web site... I wish her the best of luck!

How Dragonfly Fine Designs was Born

2008-09-18T09:15:00.013-04:00

I think even before I had children, I loved walking around the baby sections at the stores. I don't know, there is something about baby items and clothing that is so precious. Maybe because they are so small and cute. And it is so hard to fathom that you were once a baby, and that you could have gotten away with wearing ruffled bloomers or a shirt that said, "I love dirt". I guess that is the beauty of baby clothes.

My husband and I struggled to have children, and we were over the moon thrilled when I found out I was pregnant in 2005. I was so excited to just be pregnant, and most importantly that I was going to be a mom. I tried to enjoy every second of being pregnant, which sometimes was hard when I felt so sick that I couldn't get out of bed. I loved registering, and looking at all the gadgets and fun things out there. My mother was in awe of all the new things that had developed a good twenty years after she had children.

I think when I found out I was having a boy, I started going into "mommy mode". I started sewing for my son, and thinking about what can I make for him next. I wanted to make him outfits, blankets, bibs, hats, it was insane how obsessed I became.

After he was born, it was a big adjustment for me. I guess I didn't realize how different my life would be. I thought I was prepared but I totally wasn't. I felt like I couldn't take anytime for myself, so the things I was doing before like sewing, going out with friends, fell kind of by the waste side. I worked full time, but my husband and I decided together, that once our little boy arrived I would be a stay at home mom. I thought staying home was going to be a piece of cake, boy was I wrong. I always worked, and not working outside the home was tough for me. Being a new mother I felt kind of isolated. My son was born in November so I didn't really take him out much, in fear of him catching something. So I was home a lot. I felt kind of disconnected from the world. He was NOT a good sleeper, so I was adjusting to getting little or no sleep. I thought loving him, and wanting him so bad would be enough to get me through being a new mother, quickly I discovered that wasn't the case for me. I need a creative outlet, I needed other people around, and most importantly I needed time for myself. So I started scrapbooking, joined a MOMS club, and took some sewing classes. I was creating some "me" time again. I started learning that being a mother was just one piece of the puzzle to my make up. It might be a huge piece of the puzzle, but there are other pieces that are just screaming to be put together.

So when my daughter was born in 2008, I said to myself that I wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. I took time for myself, and I continued doing the things I loved. Like designing and creating. Also, I am more of a relaxed mother. I go with the flow more. I stress less. There is less of a schedule. And that is okay. I am okay. And my children are okay. And most importantly happy.

So when I turned the big 3-0 I decided I was going to do what I always dreamed of doing, open my own shop. I put my fears and anxieties aside and I did it. And in May 2008 Dragonfly Fine Designs was born.

Decided to jump into the blog world

2008-09-17T14:22:00.001-04:00

I am still totally shocked at myself that I am starting a blog. I would describe myself as somewhat as a private person. Don't get me wrong, you can ask me anything about my life and you can't get me to shut up. But I guess someone has to ask, and I have to know you on some level. Here in the virtual world, I feel like everybody can see me, and they can judge. That is kind of scary, but I turned 30 this year, and I decided that I am not going to be afraid anymore. I decided to put myself out there, and most importantly put my work out there. I recently opened up shop, Dragonfly Fine Designs on etsy, and also started my own web site.

As long as I can remember I was always creating and developing things at a very young age. I remember putting on plays and concerts with my brother and cousins. We would come up with these elaborate productions, with costumes, props and all. As far back as I can remember I was always painting, baking, decorating, or anything else creative I could get my hands on. My mother being a self taught artist herself and my father being an incredible woodworker has had a great influence on the designer I am today. She was always painting and designing truly magical art. She always taught me the importance of art and creating in ones’ life. I can only hope that I can bring the same passion and love of art into both my kids lives.

It has been a challenge balancing myself, being a mother, a wife, and now a business owner. It is tough, and a lot of hard work. I don't think I really fully understood how hard it would be. But I am doing it. I think partly it is working because my husband has been there for me and he is my biggest cheerleader. Don't get me wrong, he still leaves his crap around the house, and has never cleaned a bathroom, as long as I have known him. But I don't think I could have done it without him. And with that, I say thank you to him....

So, my goals are:
1. I am hoping to post often, and talk about Dragonfly fine designs, the ups and downs of motherhood, and life in general.
2. Not be afraid and worry what other people say.
3. Most importantly have fun with this.