A Very Merry Birthday

{Design*Sponge}

Thirteen more days :)

Twenty is a big step for me; I've never been twenty before

and that means I won't be a teenager anymore

--actually, I hadn't thought of that one (really, I hadn't!) until my orthodontist mentioned it.

It seems so much more than nineteen, so I'm hoping it will be a better balance for the braces:)

Seriously, I don't usually get so excited about my birthday but this one is

pretty special for two reasons--okay, maybe three:

1. We'll be in New York(!!!), thus the East Coast in the Fall.

I'm really looking forward to the accents, colors, and yes,

the cold!

Papaya drink and hot dog, roasted chestnuts, and NY pizza,

here I come!

2. I might be able to convince my family to go see an opera

(I'm thinking a matinee of Cosi fan tutte, we shall see).

3. We'll be with dear, sweet friends.

This is probably the main reason that thrills me the most :)

{bonus} For just one year it will be that much easier to calculate how far apart

Nicole and I are in age! Yes, that reason was free of charge

This is Grace.

She is small and very sweet.

She's also sporting the latest custom birthday crown; made with love for the party of a special birthday girl. I've branched out from the style I used for Mia; for example, with the one above, I covered the elastic with fabric and I did a few things different in the way I embroidered the pieces together. It was pretty fun to put together and I hope the Little Birthday Girl enjoys it!

{Inspiration}

This is a lightweight coat a dear friend loaned to us--isn't it adorable!

Yes, those felt flowers are sewn onto the sides of the light blue corduroy

I'm so excited to wear in on the plane!

We still have a few things to wrap up at the house and all of the packing to do!

Tomorrow we are planning to spend some time in Austin and are hoping to find some hostess gifts, other gifts, and general shopping. I know we just saw them

but we're all aching to see Nicole and the Stickies!

Dom won't be 17 months forever and I don't think we can see our family too often.

Are there any other Fall birthday people out there?

It's my favorite season and a pretty good month in which to have a birthday :)

{on the needles}

This is reason #562 of "Why I Love Ravelry"

(Beside the entire issue of free patterns)

A few years ago I misplaced a fabulous Spud and Chloe pattern (oh yes, I was super sad), but I've re-learned the Honeycomb stitch, so perhaps I can re-create it on my own since I can't justify re-buying the expensive pattern for something that I could probably knit without it.

It is my current "take with me everywhere I go because you never know when you will have a chance to knit" project.

Like a few rows at the park on a crisp-Houston-November day,

before going to adventure in the woods that is :)

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So, what are on your needles--or sewing machine, crochet hook, or loom?

{Happy November}

{Design*Sponge}

"Do what you can,

with what you have,

where you are."

~Teddy Roosevelt

That has been an inspirational quote for me this past year, and just about sums up my outlook on knitting, sewing, and just about every area! Coupled with setting goals and priorities, it has been so helpful as my small business has slowly taken shape and grown.

I love my crafts and I'm thankful that I am living in this time and season that I can devote time and energies to improving these hobbies. I also want to be so guarded with my time and not be so caught up with them that I forgo my responsibilities and place with in my home! Hence the setting goals and priorities! It is much easier for me to set aside a project when I know that I am on schedule; also, it's helpful for the happy customers!

Do you have goals and schedules? They're so handy, especially for this upcoming season!

I'd love to know what helps you the best and if there are any tried and true methods you would suggest!

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p.s. The birthday countdown begins--22 more days,

I'm so excited :)