Elevate 2016

I guess it's official now!

I am a real blogger because I went to a blogging conference!

I don't know how true that statement really is, 

but I will tell you I had the most amazing time at Elevate 2016!

I got to be in a beautiful place full of amazing women!

There was a perfect line up of activities and speakers for this creative soul!

Liv and Hope

I got to hear speakers that made me laugh and cry and think!

The Crafted Sparrow

 These ladies shared their hearts and their stories fearlessly!

 Persnickety Prints

I got to meet lady bosses that shared their products with us.

Me and My Big Ideas

Having time to create during the conference was one of the best parts!

O'verlays decorative fretwork

I got to talk with blogging friends that I had only known from my screen face to face.

 Belong Magazine
 Diary of an Addict

It was a gift!

A gift to recharge.

A gift to be inspired.

A gift to learn more about blogging!

A gift to make connections with so many mamas!

I was blown away by Jen and Summer's attention to all the details,

the way they love their tribe,

the community that they have created!

I am beyond grateful to be included into such a great circle!

I am still processing everything I learned,

but I already have plans to attend next year too!

Elevate 2016, you ROCKED!

*All photos are by the AMAZINGLY talented Chrissy Delacy of 
Let Me See You Sparkle Photography

Makers Gonna Make

If there is one thing that is predictable about me it is that I must be busy.

I have to make things or be doing something all. the. time.

Can't help it...

Spring break was here and I was so ready for it!

Did I sleep in...a little.

Did I rest...you bet.

Did I work on a huge project...of course!

 I have the privilege of being a part of the Elevate Conference in May 

and I wanted to send a little something for the swag bags.

Seventy-five little somethings to be exact.

There were points where I thought I was surely out of my EVER. LOVING. MIND.

for agreeing to provide seventy-five mini zipper pouches for all the ladies.

But I stuck it out and got them all finished with loads of time to spare!

 I love all the fabrics.  

The combinations that I hope will bring on smiles and all the heart eyes.

Since I actually had time to spare I decided I wanted to do a couple of projects 

for the house and even something for me!

One new pillow for the family room and one new zipper pouch for my bag.

If there is one thing I have learned in trying to have a little business 

it is that you have to get back to the root of how all this sewing began.  

I started sewing for our home and my hubby and my boys.

Giving myself permission to make something for fun is the key to not getting burned out.

I want to always have the feeling of wanting to sew.  

If it turns into something that is a chore I have defeated the whole purpose of my little shop.  

Sewing is my therapy, sewing is my joy.

twenty-one days

 source

In twenty-one days I am taking a quarter of my heart 

to Texas to begin his big adventure.

The kid that made me a mama has grown into 

an amazing man.

He's ready to start chasing his dreams.

He's ready to work hard and be focused.

He's ready to be on his own and find his place in the world.

And I'm okay with that because I know what kind of person

we're setting loose on the world.

Twenty-two years ago I was in the same place.

I remember the excitement, nervousness, and joy 

I felt exploring new places and figuring out who I wanted to be. 

In twenty-one days we begin the next chapter of his life together.

We'll get him settled into his new home, city, and school.

I'll head back to California

and he'll begin his schooling.

I'm sure I'll be a hot mess when I leave him,

but I am also sure I am beyond proud of my kid.

Holding my kids with open hands is a hard lesson,

but one that I appreciate every day as I watch them grow up.

Following My Heart

Here's a little disclaimer...I have a pretty amazing life just as it is.
My boys are my joy, my husband is the best, my job is secure.
As good as things have been, I know I need to move forward 
to make a better life and a happier me.

 

Learning to find my way has been quite a journey.

All my life I have been the good girl 
with a side of stubborn and competitiveness.

I was one of the smart girls in school, so sciences and math were pushed.
I wanted to be the top kid, so I worked hard to see my name as high score.

There was the ability to succeed, but a true love of the academic world was never there.

I loved the art projects and the creative presentations assigned.  
Those things made my heart full!

No one ever encouraged me to pursue something that fed my creative soul as a career,
 nor did it ever cross my mind to head in a creative direction.

Doctor, lawyer, engineer, teacher...those jobs are what academic achievers do.

Just now as I turn 40 am I realizing that my heart yearns to create and make beautiful things.

I love seeing the potential in homes,

in a yard of fabric,

in a slab of wood,
or an old piece of furniture.

I have been in a classroom or on a retail floor doing the right thing
to make sure the bills were paid and food was on the table.
Now I long to shift into creating all the time.
I worked on a project all of Sunday and I didn't even realize how much time  had passed.
That shows me following my heart is the right choice.

It wasn't work and I was smiling all day.

I long to create beautiful spaces.

I just realized this week I have always been wired to decorate and create.

The tree house in my grandparents' backyard needed curtains,
my homes needed cozy, warm touches, my classroom must be calm and nurturing. 

How I feel when I enter a space is beyond important to me!

The bottom line is this...
smart and creative can go together.
I'm not quite sure how to be my own boss just yet
or if all these plans floating around in my head will work,
but I do know I have to focus on making it happen.
Being creative and making beautiful things is
just too important to my heart to just be a hobby anymore.

dream chaser

I've been dreaming about changes in our lives for a long time.

New and different and exciting mixed with scary and unknown.

It all seems to be coming together.

I'm finding myself more and more.

Realizing things I have daydreamed about could become reality.

Now it's time to get to work and work the plan.

If you know anything about me you know I'm not afraid of work, 

but I am afraid of not being secure.

This year is going to be all about trust in our dreams, my dreams. 

Knowing that everything we have set out to do we have accomplished.

Every time I turn around I keep seeing the words "dream chaser".

I love the little nods that I am heading in the right direction!

Pictures all courtesy of my crazy boys...

payback for being on the other side of the camera!

How I Work

Everyone has a process they use to get things done.

Ever since I really started focusing on Amy's Monkeys I have adjusted 

how I go about getting the most out of my limited amount of time.  

I don't have all day to get things done, so the time I have must be used efficiently.

I really embrace the Henry Ford assembly line philosophy.

Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs.

I have a few steps I use to keep things going smoothly and as organized as possible.

This is how I piece together my zipper pouches.

 

First, I pair all the fabrics for my creations...seriously the most fun part of creating!

 

Then, I iron, measure, and cut all the combinations and interfacing.
Next, I iron all the interfacing onto the outside prints. 

 

After that, it's all about the ruffles!

Now, it's time to get the ruffles and tags attached.

 

Show time...

zipper, iron, top stitch, repeat, stitch all around, add gusset, flip out-side-right, 

stitch closed, smile at the new zipper pouch!

 Rinse and repeat until your to-do pile is gone and your product pile is overflowing!

Assembly line production has really streamlined how I get things done!

It's all about tackling projects in chunks.  Feeling that sense of accomplishment helps 

keep you going when you're tired and just want to quit!  

Trust me I know that feeling!

I'm not sure my process will help anyone, but it really does make a huge difference!

a thought for the day...

One Little Word

I've had one little word to define my hopes and dreams
for a fresh start for a few years now.

Balance

Grace

Thrive

This year is no different, so many possibilities are awaiting all of us in 2015.

After not knowing what I wanted my word to be it just hit me out of the blue.

There is a huge potential for lots of amazing changes for my crew in 2015. 

 My job right now has to be to keep focused on the things I can control
without letting the what ifs sneak in and sidetrack me! 

Continuing to raise amazing boys, making our home work better for us, 

and loving my hubby are all things I can set my focus on this new year.

I want to focus on growing my little shop,

 helping The Looking Glass become more known in the community, 

and working smarter not harder in my classroom.

If I set up smart goals and work the plans I come up with I know 2015 will rock.

Do you have a word for 2015?
 Please share...I love hearing about how other people choose their words!

Until next time,
Amy Lynne