hanging my head in shame since I started this blog and then sort of abandoned it. But like the saying goes "I'm BAAAAAAAAAACK!!!"
It is National Sewing Month - YAY! I love love love to sew. I learned 18 yrs ago when my dd was a baby and today that baby started College! She is going FOR FREE (can't get much better than that!) on the NJ STARS scholarship program. OK I'm a proud mama - can't blame me can ya?
So anyway long story short (I have a sister who says this ALL.THE.TIME.) - I really want to sew this month.
In fact I belong to a great forum www.sewingmamas.com - and I am involved in Stash Game. Basically you earn points by decreasing the amount of yardage of fabric in your "stash". BUYING fabric during this month causes you to lose points. 8 points per yard sewn and -8 yards per yard purchased!!! LOL There are prizes (cool prizes) for lots of categories.
AND I am going to buy a serger tonight! (Shhhhh don't remind me that I already own a top of the line Husqvarna Viking 936 serger) I am going to keep my 936 set as a cover stitch machine and use my new Brother 1034 D for my "workhorse" standard stitch serger. I got a super-duper deal (read STEAL) on this machine. Goes for $235 on amazon - mine is only $120 AND I'm getting 12 spools of serger thread, an instruction manual AND a book of Serger Techniques and Inspiration! WAHOOOO - GO ME!!!!
In addition to my sewing this month - I intend to get a lot of crafting done. My kids (well the other 2 - 7th and 10th grade) start on Tuesday! So I will be sewing and crafting and organizing ala Flylady! (Check her out too www.flylady.net)
OK that's enough rambling for today ......... do I always sign off that way? Maybe it will become my new tag line???? Wait for my next post and see!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Monday, March 22, 2010
Welllllllll....................
If I post every six months does that still make me a blogger? Or a slacker? Probably both LOL!
Well it's been a very hectic six months in my life - as soon as I started this blog I went back to work full time for the first time in 2.5 years - I was laid off from Merrill Lynch way back in the beginning of the corporate downsizing - one week later I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and have been out of work since then.
So I work for the ARC of Mercer County in NJ - we are an advocacy group that runs 13 group homes for the developmentally disabled (formerly the Association of Retarded Citizens). I was hired as a Personnel Assistant and less than three months later was promoted to Staffing Supervisor (please hold your applause).
Well let me tell you just how hectic it is to staff 13 homes with staff during the height of SNOW BLIZZARD SEASON in NJ. I was working days nights -weekends - you name it!!!!!!!! It has slowed down some - thank goodness!
I'm trying to do more crafty things as I find them to be therapeutic in that I tend not to worry about anything when I am immersed in a sewing or craft project.
One of the big "craft projects" I am in the middle of is - creating a craft room in my home. Now don't get all excited it's NOT that type of craft room. There is NO actual workspace in the room. It is only 6 x 12 feet and contains two doorways and a full size window to boot. So basically I am using it for storage for my Mary Kay business needs AND my crafting supplies.
So I am in the process of organizing every thing I own craft wise (well except my fabric - that's a whole 'nother post :) )
Joe and Jack installed the nine cube shelf systems (three of them) in the room for 29 cubbies for boxes for storage. Then there are three bookshelves along the six foot long back wall.
Oh yeah the room is HOT PINK cuz it was my daughter's room when she was small and she wanted it "Barbie" pink - and IT IS!!!!!!!
Pics to come later.
OK so that's my absence explained in a nutshell. Hopefully it won't take another six months to post again!!!
Well it's been a very hectic six months in my life - as soon as I started this blog I went back to work full time for the first time in 2.5 years - I was laid off from Merrill Lynch way back in the beginning of the corporate downsizing - one week later I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer and have been out of work since then.
So I work for the ARC of Mercer County in NJ - we are an advocacy group that runs 13 group homes for the developmentally disabled (formerly the Association of Retarded Citizens). I was hired as a Personnel Assistant and less than three months later was promoted to Staffing Supervisor (please hold your applause).
Well let me tell you just how hectic it is to staff 13 homes with staff during the height of SNOW BLIZZARD SEASON in NJ. I was working days nights -weekends - you name it!!!!!!!! It has slowed down some - thank goodness!
I'm trying to do more crafty things as I find them to be therapeutic in that I tend not to worry about anything when I am immersed in a sewing or craft project.
One of the big "craft projects" I am in the middle of is - creating a craft room in my home. Now don't get all excited it's NOT that type of craft room. There is NO actual workspace in the room. It is only 6 x 12 feet and contains two doorways and a full size window to boot. So basically I am using it for storage for my Mary Kay business needs AND my crafting supplies.
So I am in the process of organizing every thing I own craft wise (well except my fabric - that's a whole 'nother post :) )
Joe and Jack installed the nine cube shelf systems (three of them) in the room for 29 cubbies for boxes for storage. Then there are three bookshelves along the six foot long back wall.
Oh yeah the room is HOT PINK cuz it was my daughter's room when she was small and she wanted it "Barbie" pink - and IT IS!!!!!!!
Pics to come later.
OK so that's my absence explained in a nutshell. Hopefully it won't take another six months to post again!!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Throwing My Hat In The Ring
Well most of you that know me in real life are probably NOT shocked at all that I have decided to start a blog. Ask anyone and they will tell you that I tend to have a lot to say and am not afraid to say it either!
So you ask WHY have I decided to do this now? Is it because I have an over-abundance of free time on my hands? NOO! Is it because noone listens to me in real life? NOOO! It's probably because by sharing it with all of you, I hope to learn more and possibly help others too!
I'm going to start with a little about myself - the brief description to the right just wasn't enough.
My name is Ann Marie - I am married to a wonderful man named Joe for the past five years. He is my "keeper" husband - he came into our lives when my children and I needed him so much. He is always making us laugh and takes care of us in such a special way.
I have three children "E" who is 17, her brother "J" who is 14, and their little sister "N" who is 11. They are beautiful, healthy, active vibrant kids who make me so proud of them!!! I hope they know that.
I am a Breast Cancer Survivor - I was diagnosed in May 2007 and underwent a lumpectomy, a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Thanks to God, my husband, kids and family and friends I am totally CANCER FREE today!!!!!!! If you or someone you know is having a problem with breast cancer (lumps, shadows on mammograms, fears etc.) you can contact me privately. I would be happy to try to help in any way I can.
I love to talk about my cancer - I know how funny that must sound to all of you. But I see it as a story with a very happy ending. If talking too me helps even ONE WOMAN to get a mammogram, or see a doctor or start doing BSE's (Breast Self Exams) then all my talking will not be in vain.
So you will hear about that on here.
I also LOVE to craft. I wasn't crafty or artistic AT ALL growing up. I couldn't draw a stick person!!!! But when my oldest dd was almost one - I learned to sew. Several of my friends were showing off the pretty little outfits they were making their children and I was SHOPPING.(Ok so my shopping didn't stop - I just started buying FABRIC!) So when a friend asked me to take an adult ed class on sewing at a local high school I jumped at the chance. So that was over 16 years ago now and I feel I am a "pretty good" seamstress.
I have been encouraged by others to start sewing professionally - so I am in the process of setting up an Etsy shop named PrettyPinkPolkaDotz (more on that to come). I will be doing custom children's clothing and embroidery. I may also offer handcrafted greeting cards too.
I am VERY into papercrafting these days - I got a Cricut electronic cutting system for my birthday last year and now I am just crazy about it!
I love to read - anything with a happy ending - but prefer modern romantic comedy type books. Just can't read anything heavy lately!
Oh also I am a Catholic and tend to mention God so if that's not for you - then that's okay. But I will say what I want - I am open and honest to a fault. I can't lie seriously - I get a stomachache!
I also own my own business - I am privileged to represent Mary Kay Skin Care and Cosmetics.
(If you would like to order or request a catalog - you can email - mention this post for a Blog Discount!)
AND I can ACT - I've been on the stage in one form or another for ahem over 35 years. I started with the lead in the Christmas pageant in 4th grade and they haven't been able to pull me off since.
Currently I do murder mystery dinner theater where the audience actively participates in the "whodunnit" of it all! It is a blast!!!!!!!! I think we actors have just as much fun as our audience.
G'night!!!!!!!!!
So you ask WHY have I decided to do this now? Is it because I have an over-abundance of free time on my hands? NOO! Is it because noone listens to me in real life? NOOO! It's probably because by sharing it with all of you, I hope to learn more and possibly help others too!
Also I know absolutely NOTHING about blogging - I am totally winging this here. Hence the PLAINness of it all. I am going to upload some pictures and templates as soon as I figure out how to do so!!!
I'm going to start with a little about myself - the brief description to the right just wasn't enough.
My name is Ann Marie - I am married to a wonderful man named Joe for the past five years. He is my "keeper" husband - he came into our lives when my children and I needed him so much. He is always making us laugh and takes care of us in such a special way.
I have three children "E" who is 17, her brother "J" who is 14, and their little sister "N" who is 11. They are beautiful, healthy, active vibrant kids who make me so proud of them!!! I hope they know that.
I am a Breast Cancer Survivor - I was diagnosed in May 2007 and underwent a lumpectomy, a partial mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. Thanks to God, my husband, kids and family and friends I am totally CANCER FREE today!!!!!!! If you or someone you know is having a problem with breast cancer (lumps, shadows on mammograms, fears etc.) you can contact me privately. I would be happy to try to help in any way I can.
I love to talk about my cancer - I know how funny that must sound to all of you. But I see it as a story with a very happy ending. If talking too me helps even ONE WOMAN to get a mammogram, or see a doctor or start doing BSE's (Breast Self Exams) then all my talking will not be in vain.
So you will hear about that on here.
I also LOVE to craft. I wasn't crafty or artistic AT ALL growing up. I couldn't draw a stick person!!!! But when my oldest dd was almost one - I learned to sew. Several of my friends were showing off the pretty little outfits they were making their children and I was SHOPPING.(Ok so my shopping didn't stop - I just started buying FABRIC!) So when a friend asked me to take an adult ed class on sewing at a local high school I jumped at the chance. So that was over 16 years ago now and I feel I am a "pretty good" seamstress.
I have been encouraged by others to start sewing professionally - so I am in the process of setting up an Etsy shop named PrettyPinkPolkaDotz (more on that to come). I will be doing custom children's clothing and embroidery. I may also offer handcrafted greeting cards too.
I am VERY into papercrafting these days - I got a Cricut electronic cutting system for my birthday last year and now I am just crazy about it!
I love to read - anything with a happy ending - but prefer modern romantic comedy type books. Just can't read anything heavy lately!
Oh also I am a Catholic and tend to mention God so if that's not for you - then that's okay. But I will say what I want - I am open and honest to a fault. I can't lie seriously - I get a stomachache!
I also own my own business - I am privileged to represent Mary Kay Skin Care and Cosmetics.
(If you would like to order or request a catalog - you can email - mention this post for a Blog Discount!)
AND I can ACT - I've been on the stage in one form or another for ahem over 35 years. I started with the lead in the Christmas pageant in 4th grade and they haven't been able to pull me off since.
Currently I do murder mystery dinner theater where the audience actively participates in the "whodunnit" of it all! It is a blast!!!!!!!! I think we actors have just as much fun as our audience.
And a few other small things I LOVE to use parentheses (didja notice yet?) and I often use CAPITAL LETTERS to emphasize things - cuz ya don't always "get" what I'm saying in print like you would in real life. And I like to use slangy English when I am writing casually but did edit both my HS and college newspapers so I DO know how to spell and speak correctly!!!
SO that's who I am in a nutshell...........I cannot wait to meet you all and hope you enjoy my blogging!
G'night!!!!!!!!!
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