I'm still trying to figure out what window opened after I lost my job. Granted it was only a part time job, but it brought in enough money to make life a little easier. Now, we don't have that extra income, but I am home for dinner and hopefully to make life a little easier from a functional stand point. I am trying to ask the universe to wither give me another opportunity that is the same time wise, or to give me a knew opportunity to take advantage of this break in work.
I am trying to make time to be creative. I am hoping that I can make some Christmas gifts, and that in the process, I can hone my skills so that I can maybe sell things. I keep thinking about what my dreams and passions are, and how I can make them a reality. Do I really want to create and sell? Do I want to just hold classes and teach crafts? If that is the case, I really have to hone my skills and learn how to teach. I would also have to learn how to market myself. I think in reality, I would love to teach classes, or have something more like open studio time or simple craft parties where people get together and create while spending some quality time with each other and/or learning how to use creativity for stress relief.
In either case, I really need to make time to create. I need to create for my own sanity and stress relief. I need to create to hone my skills and really be sure that what I do is worth giving as a gift and worth selling. I need to create to actually make things to sell. I really need to spend some time getting creative!
The other thing that I really need to make time for is my health. I have been really bad with my diet. Have I spent time eating the way I should? No! Have I really taken the time to eat healthy? Some what but not really where I should be. Have I spent time planning out our meals so that I know what we are eating, so I know we are eating healthy, so I am spending money wisely? I have been better, but not as good as I should be! I really need to plan my meals and really work on making food that is enjoyable to eat, healthy, and cost effective! I really want to learn more about herbs and essential oils and how to make beauty products that will help me and not cause problems due to different additives.
All of this means that I really need to prioritize my time so that I can hopefully take advantage of any window that opens (as well as taking care of my responsibilities), now that the door has shut!
Amy
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Wishcasting Wednesday: What do you wish to do one day?
Joining in again for Wishcasting Wednesday! This week, over at http://www.jamieridlerstudios.ca, Jamie asks "What do you wish to do one day?"
As usual, Jamie asks things that I am usually thinking about. This weeks question is pretty pertinent in my life right now. Last Wednesday, I went to work only to find out that I got laid off. This is the first time anything like this has ever happened to me in the 20 years since I have been out of high school. I am a social worker and really believed that I was safe from cuts like this.
Even though this was only a part time job, it made a huge difference to my family. I am trying to think of things in a more positive light! I am able to get to be home for dinner with my family. I am able to not have to feel rushed getting things ready for when my husband comes home. I am able to get unemployment so I can actually have some income coming in to help with our finances!
The other positive thing that I am trying to think about truly relates to this week's prompt. I am trying to decide just what it is that I really want to do with my life! I have a great husband and three great kids, but what do I want to do with my professional life? How can I use my education in a more out of the box way? I am thinking that I really do want to do something with art therapy, or even do something less clinical, but still something related to art/creating and how it can be therapeutic. I've written about this before, and I still think that this is something that I really want to do one day. I would love to be part of a community that truly believes in the mind/body/spirit, not just one area. I think that my social work career and my love of creating can be mixed to truly help care for ones mind, body and spirit. I would love to be my own boss one day and again be part of a community that truly looks at the whole person, not just parts of a person! Oh, and I want to learn to use herbs and aroma therapy as part of my career too! I think herbs, essential oils and creativity can all work together to help someone have a more balanced life!
What do you wish to do one day?
Amy
As usual, Jamie asks things that I am usually thinking about. This weeks question is pretty pertinent in my life right now. Last Wednesday, I went to work only to find out that I got laid off. This is the first time anything like this has ever happened to me in the 20 years since I have been out of high school. I am a social worker and really believed that I was safe from cuts like this.
Even though this was only a part time job, it made a huge difference to my family. I am trying to think of things in a more positive light! I am able to get to be home for dinner with my family. I am able to not have to feel rushed getting things ready for when my husband comes home. I am able to get unemployment so I can actually have some income coming in to help with our finances!
The other positive thing that I am trying to think about truly relates to this week's prompt. I am trying to decide just what it is that I really want to do with my life! I have a great husband and three great kids, but what do I want to do with my professional life? How can I use my education in a more out of the box way? I am thinking that I really do want to do something with art therapy, or even do something less clinical, but still something related to art/creating and how it can be therapeutic. I've written about this before, and I still think that this is something that I really want to do one day. I would love to be part of a community that truly believes in the mind/body/spirit, not just one area. I think that my social work career and my love of creating can be mixed to truly help care for ones mind, body and spirit. I would love to be my own boss one day and again be part of a community that truly looks at the whole person, not just parts of a person! Oh, and I want to learn to use herbs and aroma therapy as part of my career too! I think herbs, essential oils and creativity can all work together to help someone have a more balanced life!
What do you wish to do one day?
Amy
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
What To Do Next?
Last Wednesday, I was a told that my part time position of 15 hours had been cut from the budget. Needless to say, it feels very strange not to go to work. It's also a little disconcerting not to have an income coming in. I will be applying for unemployment, the first time ever, but it still feels weird. I posted on Facebook that I was laid off and one of my friends mentioned asking the universe for the same set up "ask and you shall receive". I honestly thought about that before she even commented about it. The other thing I thought about in the same vein is, maybe I should thing about doing something more creative. Maybe my unemployment checks will help to feed my family while I start working on a more creative endeavor than social work. The other ironic thing with regards to this is another Facebook comment from my husband's cousin. I have made a few new bags and am really enjoying sewing and posted a picture of a cute quick envelope clutch that I made for my husband's reunion. The comment was that I should make more and sell them. Maybe that is the next step I should be taking. Could the lay off be a blessing in disguise?
I have been wanting to open an etsy shop for a while. A bunch of friends either have one or have recently opened one. Is this the time now for me? I am so scared that it will fail, but what if it doesn't? What if I can find a good niche to get into? I have been wondering if a good niche would be the fusion of recycle/up-cycled and natural materials with new synthetic materials. First it would go with the whole trying to be green in my life, then using recycled materials would hopefully be cost effective, and given the whole push for others to go green, just maybe this would be a decent niche. It would also be the fusion of old and new. Should I look at another areanof creativity? Is this crazy on my part?
I am reall seriously considering doing this as well as doing craft fairs. I would love to have a partner in all of this, but I'm not sure who. Maybe having a partner is a bad idea. I guess I really need to make a decision and just go for it if I decide that I really want to do this! So as my Facebook friend said "just put it out to the universe, ask and you will receive!"
I am asking "should I use this time to try to follow one of my dreams and see if I can help to provide for my family using my creativity?"
Amy
I have been wanting to open an etsy shop for a while. A bunch of friends either have one or have recently opened one. Is this the time now for me? I am so scared that it will fail, but what if it doesn't? What if I can find a good niche to get into? I have been wondering if a good niche would be the fusion of recycle/up-cycled and natural materials with new synthetic materials. First it would go with the whole trying to be green in my life, then using recycled materials would hopefully be cost effective, and given the whole push for others to go green, just maybe this would be a decent niche. It would also be the fusion of old and new. Should I look at another areanof creativity? Is this crazy on my part?
I am reall seriously considering doing this as well as doing craft fairs. I would love to have a partner in all of this, but I'm not sure who. Maybe having a partner is a bad idea. I guess I really need to make a decision and just go for it if I decide that I really want to do this! So as my Facebook friend said "just put it out to the universe, ask and you will receive!"
I am asking "should I use this time to try to follow one of my dreams and see if I can help to provide for my family using my creativity?"
Amy
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wishcasting Wednesday
It's Wednesday once again and once again I am joining in with Jamie over at http://www.jamieridlerstudios.ca where she asks, "What do you wish for fall?"
My wish for fall is to fully enjoy the season. Fall is my absolute favorite time of year! I love the weather! What I don't love is the weather that comes after, "WINTER". With 3 small kids, winter can be a time when I feel extremely forced to stay in the house. Living in New England, you never know what the weather will bring. It could be a mild winter, or it could be a horribly cold and snowy and icy winter and my mood is worse when I don't get to enjoy being outside! I hope that I can focus on pumpkins, apples, crisp cool sunny weather, Halloween and not focus on the coming winter. Also, as some people have mentioned to me, fall can be thought of as a new year , almost like celebrating New Years in January. I find the fall weather to be refreshing and renewing so I hope that I can enjoy being creative and following my passions and being true to myself!
Amy
My wish for fall is to fully enjoy the season. Fall is my absolute favorite time of year! I love the weather! What I don't love is the weather that comes after, "WINTER". With 3 small kids, winter can be a time when I feel extremely forced to stay in the house. Living in New England, you never know what the weather will bring. It could be a mild winter, or it could be a horribly cold and snowy and icy winter and my mood is worse when I don't get to enjoy being outside! I hope that I can focus on pumpkins, apples, crisp cool sunny weather, Halloween and not focus on the coming winter. Also, as some people have mentioned to me, fall can be thought of as a new year , almost like celebrating New Years in January. I find the fall weather to be refreshing and renewing so I hope that I can enjoy being creative and following my passions and being true to myself!
Amy
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Newest Projects
My friend Liz over at http://www.goddessinprogressblog.com/quilts/ posted a fun bag she made from http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/free-diaper-bag-pattern.html. I couldn't wait to make this bag and I finally pulled out a bench of material to make it. I love that I used some material that I had bought before my wedding (shhhhh, don't tell anyone, I was supposed to make bridesmaids gifts that never happened). I Love how it came out! I can't wait to make another one. I probably have enough material at home but not the interfacing (which I didn't use for my first bag).
Sewing this bag re-ignited my passions for sewing and any other craft related item. I just joined in a table runner swap over at http://flirtyapronswap.blogspot.com/. I am so excited! I love aprons, but I love that this is a table runner swap. We are in the process of making some small renovations to our kitchen so this will be a nice addition to the kitchen! I missed out on the last swap since it was during the summer. I just figured that there wouldn't be enough time to sew it and get it out in the mail, but with school back in session, I think this will work, plus I am trying to tell my husband that we both need to make time for our hobbies (he needs to get back into his wood shop), but we are just so tired by the time the kids go to bed!
I have so many projects that I want to do. I really need to start working on the kids Halloween costumes. I can't wait to make them, but I am not looking forward to cutting and sewing satin material. I probably shouldn't complain, but I hate the slipperiness of the material. After that, I really need to start on my Christmas gifts. I am really hoping to make a lot of our gifts this year, partly for financial reasons, but also partly because I love it. I am really finding that I need to make time for my creativity and I hope that I can really make a point to do what I love!
Amy
Sewing this bag re-ignited my passions for sewing and any other craft related item. I just joined in a table runner swap over at http://flirtyapronswap.blogspot.com/. I am so excited! I love aprons, but I love that this is a table runner swap. We are in the process of making some small renovations to our kitchen so this will be a nice addition to the kitchen! I missed out on the last swap since it was during the summer. I just figured that there wouldn't be enough time to sew it and get it out in the mail, but with school back in session, I think this will work, plus I am trying to tell my husband that we both need to make time for our hobbies (he needs to get back into his wood shop), but we are just so tired by the time the kids go to bed!
I have so many projects that I want to do. I really need to start working on the kids Halloween costumes. I can't wait to make them, but I am not looking forward to cutting and sewing satin material. I probably shouldn't complain, but I hate the slipperiness of the material. After that, I really need to start on my Christmas gifts. I am really hoping to make a lot of our gifts this year, partly for financial reasons, but also partly because I love it. I am really finding that I need to make time for my creativity and I hope that I can really make a point to do what I love!
Amy
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Living The Life I Want
This week, I missed out on wishcasting Wednesday. This week the question was, "What do you wish to immerse yourself in?". As I sit here and type, I am thinking about that question. Even though I missed writing about my wish on Wednesday, there is no reason why I still can't write about it today! I love Wishcasting Wednesday, because it makes me sit and really think. I get a chance to sit and write down my wishes instead of just keeping them to myself.
My answer this week is, "I wish to immerse myself in my passions!". The question is how do I do that? I have 3 kids and we have enough money to live, but not enough extra to play with. The good thing is, that over time, I think my passions may save us money, I just have to find the time to learn. My passion is what this blog is all about, living a handmade and natural life. I am starting to cook more instead of going out to eat, I am trying to use the crafting supplies I have instead of buying new, I am trying to make a lot of my own health and beauty products. I want and need to learn more though! I want to learn more about aromatherapy, herbs, natural beauty products, gardening, crafting responsibly, cooking good healthy food that tastes good also.
My newest thing I want to learn is soap making. I need to get a good simple tutorial with a list of the basic supplies I need. I don't have a ton of extra money to spend, but we are spending a lot on buying good soap so I know in the end it will be worth it. I also have to stop worrying about making it. Someone told me that it can be dangerous so I should do it with someone who knows what they are doing. That has me a little worried, but I am sure that I can do it fine, as long as I take my time and read directions carefully (good directions). I have been making cream with essential oils, now it is time to move on to bigger and better. I just need to learn more about waht essesntial oils are good for certain things. Time to pull out the books!
Any thoughts on good resources for herbs, aromatherapy, etc?
Amy
My answer this week is, "I wish to immerse myself in my passions!". The question is how do I do that? I have 3 kids and we have enough money to live, but not enough extra to play with. The good thing is, that over time, I think my passions may save us money, I just have to find the time to learn. My passion is what this blog is all about, living a handmade and natural life. I am starting to cook more instead of going out to eat, I am trying to use the crafting supplies I have instead of buying new, I am trying to make a lot of my own health and beauty products. I want and need to learn more though! I want to learn more about aromatherapy, herbs, natural beauty products, gardening, crafting responsibly, cooking good healthy food that tastes good also.
My newest thing I want to learn is soap making. I need to get a good simple tutorial with a list of the basic supplies I need. I don't have a ton of extra money to spend, but we are spending a lot on buying good soap so I know in the end it will be worth it. I also have to stop worrying about making it. Someone told me that it can be dangerous so I should do it with someone who knows what they are doing. That has me a little worried, but I am sure that I can do it fine, as long as I take my time and read directions carefully (good directions). I have been making cream with essential oils, now it is time to move on to bigger and better. I just need to learn more about waht essesntial oils are good for certain things. Time to pull out the books!
Any thoughts on good resources for herbs, aromatherapy, etc?
Amy
Friday, September 16, 2011
Projects That I Need To Start!
I have a couple of capes that I need to sew. I found a link to the the capes (http://www.georgialeigh.com/?p=57) at my friends blog http://www.goddessinprogressblog.com/quilts/. My son Thomas is thrilled when we help him "fly" and he says superman. I decided to make all 3 kids the same cape so that there wouldn't be any fights over them. They love "Super Why" on sprout so I decided that I will be making the super why applique for the back of the cape. This seems like such a simple project, that even though I have other projects to make, I am going to start with the capes.
The next project I need to work on are the Halloween costumes. I think they will be somewhat easy, but maybe time consuming, so I really need to start soon. I have all or at least most of the material to start cutting. I am hoping that I can get my serger to have the right tension since I think it will make a nicer product. The kids are going to be a maiden and squire. I am also hoping to get to King Richard's Faire this year and I would love for them to be able to wear a costume to the fair.
I also have a bunch of projects to start for Christmas. The most important projects are for the kids, then my husband and then my mom. There are quilts to make, toys to make, maybe even jewelry to make, maybe some knitting or crocheting, never mind the potential of making my own Christmas cards. I haven't been very good at making time to complete projects. I feel so much better when I do, but for some reason, I have just been finding anything and everything else to do. I am hoping that with have a routine back, I will be able to get myself into a routine with laundry, house cleaning, kids, and time to create as well as making time to sleep.
I have a lot on my plate, but I am really going to try to find time to create. I should plan some take along projects so that when I am at work and it is slow, I can be productive vs just sitting on the computer. I am thinking that knitting and crochet projects are good projects to take along to work as well as maybe some small hand sewing projects!
A little ambitious, but I am really looking forward to this.
Amy
The next project I need to work on are the Halloween costumes. I think they will be somewhat easy, but maybe time consuming, so I really need to start soon. I have all or at least most of the material to start cutting. I am hoping that I can get my serger to have the right tension since I think it will make a nicer product. The kids are going to be a maiden and squire. I am also hoping to get to King Richard's Faire this year and I would love for them to be able to wear a costume to the fair.
I also have a bunch of projects to start for Christmas. The most important projects are for the kids, then my husband and then my mom. There are quilts to make, toys to make, maybe even jewelry to make, maybe some knitting or crocheting, never mind the potential of making my own Christmas cards. I haven't been very good at making time to complete projects. I feel so much better when I do, but for some reason, I have just been finding anything and everything else to do. I am hoping that with have a routine back, I will be able to get myself into a routine with laundry, house cleaning, kids, and time to create as well as making time to sleep.
I have a lot on my plate, but I am really going to try to find time to create. I should plan some take along projects so that when I am at work and it is slow, I can be productive vs just sitting on the computer. I am thinking that knitting and crochet projects are good projects to take along to work as well as maybe some small hand sewing projects!
A little ambitious, but I am really looking forward to this.
Amy
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