Picking up Speed....

It seems as if all areas of life are going full speed these days....Which isn't a bad thing....I'm not complaining at all....I am just finally taking a moment to relax...and am realizing just how fast things are happening.
Quinn is on the move and would like to start running...but her skill level isn't that high....So needless to say....there have been some bumps and bruises around here lately.  Bless her heart....
Work has been very steady...with working only two (long) days a week....I'm not able to accomodate all of my clients...and prospective clients I am having to turn away.....(it is a great dilema to be in...)

The one thing that I wasn't expecting to take off...and to be a new business journey is my metal stamping....I have really been selling many spoons and other goods...I have custom orders coming in, and am still doing inspirational quotes and herb markers.  It's been a wonderful outlet...and something I can do at home while Quinn naps!  I have a great set up in the garage....and am having to pillage the Thrift and Antique stores for their silver and silverplate......that's the most difficult part is finding pieces to stamp! As I add to my tool paraphernalia...I'll start branching out and creating custom jewelry and who know what else....so exciting!  I love using my Dremel...and once I obtain a torch.....oh man, there will be no stopping me!  Ok....so that may be a little scary....but I've already promised my husband that I will use it safely......:)

My wonderful friend Monica is selling my things in her fabulous shop Embellish and Restore.  She is a stockist for the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.   If you haven't tried it or heard of it....you really need to get your hands on some!  There is no need for any prep work...no sanding, no priming, dries in 20 minutes, it adheres to almost any surface... Folks are even using it on leather furniture!  Seriously....it's worth checking out....Monica has consignment antiques, custom painted furniture, handmade baubles and jewelry....and of course my stamped goods.

Seeing this face everyday is....

....breathtaking

....inspiring

....humbling

....eye opening

....warming

....loving

....the best thing ever

Small Things...Big Impact

Quinn and I strolled around the garden section of Lowe's the other day....(Waiting for a prescription that was being filled at the nearby Walgreen's)....anyhow...Lowe's had a "free" brochure with many DIY projects for budget conscious folks....there was a great section on terrariums...so guess what!  Yep....we bought all the necessary items....and had a few things at home we knew we could use...and Voila!  We have a fantastic new center piece for our table.....here is an inside view.....I'll take a few other photos when my table is clear of some clutter....the normal things...mail, catalogs, baby bibs, craft stuff.....ugh...enough of that....the terrarium was a fun project and turned out great!  The Gnome and mushrooms I purchased from Teeny Tiny Things.  So awesome....and the deer is from the Hagen Renaker collection....I had sooo many of them when I was little....Do any of you remember the tiny little figurines?

Here I go....

I've been enjoying some metal stamping lately....it's so therapeutic to be creative..... trying to take advantage of my sweet Quinn's nap times.....Oh...is there laundry to do????  Hmmm...I'm stamping...sorry..

My apologies.....

Dumbfounded....that is what I am....I have not understood why women completely let themselves go when they have little children....well, for all of you wonderful, nurturing, amazing women out there...I sincerely apologize for the ridiculous thoughts...and lame expectations...I look like a POS most of the time...I realize now...that there are choices to be made each day....do I shower? (....and if I do...will I actually be able to shave both legs....) do I work out? (and if I choose this...I probably won't be able to shower...) do I eat?  (this option seems to win over the others choices most days).....but my sweet baby girl...she is bathed and beautiful each and every day....I now understand...this time in my life isn't about me at all....it's about surviving...and spending time with the wee little darling who is the reason I have been painting over chipped toenail polish for weeks now....over...and over...haha...and I've gotta say....it's worth being a scum bag.  My day will return sometime....but for now....she shines....:)

Oh man...

Quinn isn't feeling well...she has sounded very raspy for a couple of days...at first I chalked it up to the fact that she cried so much last weekend....(we had to take her to the ER at Children's Hospital to make sure she didn't have an intestinal blockage or anything else wrong)...she cried from early Friday night until late Saturday night...it was terrible....heart wrenching...anyhoo...this raspy thing I think may be a cold....not good.  Since Quinn is a preemie, she is so much more vulnerable than a term babe.....I've been so careful with her....very few outings and not to public places.....She could've very well picked something up during our jaunt to the ER....(dirty grimy ER's.....yuck).  So tomorrow I will put a call into the Pediatrician and see if they'd like me to take her in.....hopefully it will pass soon....bless her little heart.   Seeing her not feeling well....is just plain torture....I just wanna fix it.
Drove to Freaklandia (Walmart) this morning to pick up more formula (unfortunately I lost my breast milk after 3 months....Sad time) and some saline drops....early morning is definitely the time to go.....no...it's not the hour for the superb people watching that Walmart offers...but I can do without that....:)

How Does One Really Know.....

I spent a long time trying to get pregnant....failed attempts, loss, shots, schedules.....and I knew that if I was ever blessed with a baby...that it would be so awesome....but I had no idea how awesome.  No one can know this kind of love until it's handed to you in a little swaddled bundle....or in my case....looking into an isolette at a 2 lb. 9 oz. amazing little life...she...Quinn...has stolen my heart in its entirety....