Need Your Ideas!!

So, I'm stumped! I'm at a point where I really want to be making inventory for a website to sell the stuff I make. I still cannot figure out what I want to make to sell. I can make handbags and tote bags and bibs, etc. I also am pretty good at following a pattern. :) That's kind of where I get stuck, I don't want to be cutting out patterns for tons of items; although I may definitely do the bibs b/c they're easy and don't take much to cut and sew. Plus I've already made a few. :) I also thought about starting a site and selling some of the bags I may not use later that I've already made but I've customized those to me and most of them have flaws that I don't care about b/c it's mine but don't really want someone else thinking I do crappy work. :) Also, I'm hoping that I will be able to keep up with inventory and such with a little one literally running around! Plus I will be getting a job soon (when I find one lol) and will need to keep up despite that. Obviously it will be something I will have to juggle but I guess that's why I want something easy but crafty and very creative! The website I've been looking at; Etsy.com, has a lot of selection and frankly I'm intimidated b/c I feel like it's a lot of competition! It can be frustrating too b/c I look through the stuff that I could possibly do and see lots of cute stuff I could do but am looking at a site that already sells it! Some things I know right away how I could make it different and attempt selling it and others, I'm thinking, I would not change a thing! PLUS I was thinking about doing a site with my best friend Terri which could help keep up with inventory but I know she's in the same boat too with managing her time, etc. :) I just don't know what I want to do! I did recently finish a bag that I really like and is multi purpose; I am using it as a diaper tote bag; but could also be used for school or work or whatever. Putting it together, I don't think I'd have patience to do that 30 times! It is fun b/c it has "patches" or fabric squares all over it so it's very much personalized. Maybe if I do it assembly line it would work; I have to think on it. I also do not have pictures of that bag yet b/c I haven't taken them yet. I may include the picture of the pattern, though! Anyway so I'll definitely take any and all ideas you have! Anyone can post comments below so please do!! If you get this in your email you can either email me back or go
to the website and post a comment!

I did the taller tote without the bows;

I also made the smaller one in front of it for my stuff!

My friend Katie made the other two and hers turned out cute;

just sewing the cris-cross stuff seems teadeous! :)

High School Reunion!

Well, I really just wanted to update on how it went since I've been mentioning it so much lately. I really didn't get any pictures. I honestly don't know what I would have taken pictures of. :) I think the best way to describe it is pretty much how I told my friend Mindy, wasn't too exciting and I didn't see a lot of people I don't see regularly or semi-regularly but mostly b/c I didn't got to the right things! I went to the football game the Friday night and it was okay; we lost (of course) we weren't the home team, and not a lot of other alumni went. Apparently most of the people went to the thing at Fox & Hound following the game, I decided to come home to Jason and Madi. :) Saturday they had a picnic and school tour. I went to the picnic, okay technically I met up with a few friends at the picnic that were already there and said there weren't a lot of people that we talked to in high school there and none of us paid to eat, so we all went to Chili's and had lunch together and came back for the tour. We did some of the other alumni at the tour but didn't really talk to anyone so it was interesting. It was a good time though, b/c I enjoyed the company and the tour was pretty neat to see how the school has changed in 10 years! We also ran into one of our teachers that happened to be there! :) That evening they had an event at the Bricktown Brewery and I did not go, it was formal, and I'm only formal for friends and families weddings! :) It looked like from pictures a good group went to that as well. :)
I also wanted to add b/c with the reunion behind me and having my realization on realtionships, I really feel like it's made such a difference on my outlook on life! I have been thinking a lot more about the important things. I almost feel like I've changed overnight! I can't explain it, just I mainly feel more confident and feel like I'm really working at getting more out of my relationships. I think a lot of it is that before hand I was really timid and sometimes felt like I spent time with people for some benefit of my own (even though that wouldn't be the case) and now, I'm spending time with people because I enjoy their company or if they need the company, etc! Basically, I'm not thinking about it so much, just doing and enjoying! I don't know, it's like because I am less timid than I used to be things are growing a lot more naturally and I feel a lot less awkward in the situations I used to make so awkward. There never really were many awkward situations I made them into that within me. I feel more free. It's great! I'm still the same when it comes to new people but those people that have been there for a while things are better! I'm so happy! Now to just find that stinkin' bag of money I've been searching for.............. :)
Have a great weekend! You all are still the greatest people in my life! We are on this path for a reason so step back take a look and see what it might be or step up and follow it through to see where it leads!!

Relationships

I guess in part of growing up; I've been thinking a lot about the people in my life; currently or previously. I just think it is so interesting how people come in your life and the types of relationships you can have! People you never expect to be friends with and the people you think were long gone suddenly become very close to you. I have really begun to realize that you make those relationships grow or not. You decide if those people will be close or further away. I used to always whine that certain people wouldn't ever call me or get upset that they went out and didn't even call me or ask me; then I realize, when was the last time I called them or asked them to do anything?! I guess for whatever reason I always thought friendships and family relationships were easy and marriage was the only one you had to work at. Obviously I have learned, if you want to keep anyone in your life it does take a little work! I think I always took it so hard because I am the type of person that once you are in my life you automatically have a special place in my heart and are my friend for life. Thus in turn because I treasure every realtionship I have I am very picky and it takes me some time to warm up to people. Which also frustrates me because I don't chat up people as well as people like Jason or my dad! Having my 10 year reunion coming up has been interesting in my relationships because a lot of people I never thought I would talk to again have become pretty good friends, yet at the same time; a lot of people that I never really talked to in high school and never really have since then, I'm kind of thinking why do I need to converse with you now? :) I started to take sociology in college and since I didn't finish college, didn't finish that; but something I will most likely look into finishing! I am going to finish college, but never really decided in what, so now I think it may be more in the sociology field! I always think it's interesting to see how people interact and I am a big people watcher, so it would be a good field. Anyway, basically I think because as you get older friends can become more scarce especially when I am pretty much a stay at home mom; I don't have co-workers and I don't really have a way to meet new people, yet; so I treasure everyone and have really pondered each realtionship becasue I do cherish everyone in my life. I especially love when you have family members you are close to! I have a sister that when I was still in high school followed me everywhere and I totally had no problem with it! We were best buds and although we've grown up we try to stay as close as possible; with kids and full time jobs, you can get pretty busy! Maybe that's also my thing because was we grow we have different interests with people we used to have everything in common with and that scares me (I also don't like change very much) so I'm trying to find common ground with everyone! I also think maybe that's why I have gotten so attached to my sewing because not only am I doing something that my grandma and great-grandma loved but it has brought me closer to other people I didn't expect! My cousin whom I used to play with a lot when we were little and her sister we had lost touch as we grew up and because we're into sewing it has brought us closer. We went to the zoo this past weekend and it was a pretty good time, nice to get to talk in person again! I also started to feel like I was losing touch with what I consider one of my best friends but sewing has brought us back together! I think the past 3 or 4 weekends we have been garage sale shopping and it's been a blast; yes we are going tomorrow too! :) People change but the people in your life don't have to. I think that is where I'm trying to find comfort. BUT, I love having new ones too! Meeting Laci has been so much of a blessing and Charolotte is a joy! Makes me realize that when you have a job and think man, I wish I hadn't worked at that stupid place, it was all for a reason, because I wouldn't have ever met those two ladies! I also hated how we had to move back into an apartment but we have some really great neighbors that I am really glad we have met! Even though they are moving soon, I hope they will become great friends of ours (including Madison w/ the baby above us)! I also think of those who have passed away friends and family and what a better person I am for knowing them. Yes their time may have been cut short; but I do truly believe everything happens for a reason. I also believe that even though those people are gone, they still live on through us!! I am still growing and loving every chance I get to spend with those people in my life! You are all a blessing and I wouldn't trade any of you! (well maybe some.....j/k!) Maybe this will give me more motivation to find a new job and make some new wonderful friends! :) Anyway, I just had to share and I don't have any new pictures, I will add more soon. Take care!
~Ashley

I just wanted to update a little. I've been kind of busy with the sewing stuff, I had a few projects to get done by a set time, so once I got those done I managed to get a pattern I am borrowing from a friend and made 2 bags. Which was also fun because last weekend we went garage sale shopping and found nothing, but stopped by my grandma's and got a lot of fabric from her, then decided to go by Terri's moms and got a good stack of it there too. So it was fun to make a bag out of the new fabric I got! I did get a lot of baby type fabric so it should be fun making stuff out of that!

Purse I made for Cara

Katelynn's birthday cats!

doll I made for Betsy's birthday!

all the fabric I got!

cute little pin cushion I made!

first of the two bags I made

second bag I made; my fav so far :)

I also organized my little sewing corner!

Aside from that Madison and I had a couple of playdates all in a week and were pretty busy, but it's been fun! We went to the Omniplex on the first day of school which was fun since I hadn't been there in ages! Then the next week we got to play with Madison's boyfriends, Seth, Maddox and Grayson! That was pretty fun too b/c it's been a while since Madison has gotten to play with just the kids without the girls there. Although she certainly loves playing with the girls!! Then later in that week we were going to go to the zoo with Mindy and Story but it was going to be too warm so we just went and played at their house and then went to McDonald's. I think Madison enjoyed playing with Story's new toys especially since we played outside mostly and they had a pretty good section for the littler ones to play at McDonald's so that was nice. We also got to go to Betsy's first birthday this past weekend! That was amazing because when Betsy was born she was one of three but because they were so early her sisters didn't make it. So to honor her sisters they had a balloon release at the party and I hadn't actually ever been part of one of those, so I thought it was amazing! I even got Madison to give the balloon some kisses before we sent it up! I know the babies had no idea what was going on, but as they grow and hear the stories they will appreciate it. :)

Story and Madison at the water table at the Omniplex!

Madison carrying Betsy's present!

Madison giving the balloon a second kiss

the balloon release

Betsy figuring out her cake!

It has been crazy, I don't know what it is, but I guess with all the stuff going on around me, my emotions have been kind of crazy! With my reunion around the corner and all the kids getting older and Betsy's birthday party, I've just been kinda wonky! I think maybe I've just let things get to me more than they should lately. I don't know.
Anyway, that's all I really have to update! Take care, until next time!

Madison figuring out using a spoon! Yummy Cool Whip!!

watching Katelynn and Tim blowing out the candles!

playing on Kyleigh and Katelynn's swing set

(can you tell she's concentrating?)