friends who sew

This past Saturday, what was supposed to be a celebration of my Dad's birthday, ended up being (for us 3 girls anyway) an afternoon of wine, chatting about our lives and brainstorming about our three very different sewing businesses.

You already know me...so meet Jacquelyn and Carrie:

Jacquelyn is one of my oldest and dearest friends- we've known each other since the summer before 6th grade. She is the extraordinarily talented owner and designer of Jacquelyn Brooks Designs. One of Jacquelyn's major focuses is community and she donates a good portion of her time (as well as her designs) to benefits such as the annual Runways and Rescues fashion show.

Carrie married one of my cousins so I am lucky enough to call her family! She is owner and designer of both  Happy Little Monkey AND Monkey See Monkey Do. Carrie is one of the most forward thinking people I know and always has a few projects up her sleeve.

At some point, Carrie was able to snap a few photos of our gorgeous daughters enjoying some cousin time down on the the dock:

Every crafter/sewist/artist should have people like these in their life that GET what they are trying to accomplish and can help brainstorm ideas over an afternoon glass of wine.

GLAM Indie Craft Show 2011!

All the info you need to arm yourself for the GLAM event tomorrow:

You’ll be able to shop from nearly 50 local artists, crafters, and designers who are offering everything from T-shirts to tutus, and from hoola hoops to handmade soaps. 
GLAM hours are 12pm-5pm

 Vendors and links to their online shops

GLAM me up! -- an etsy treasury featuring several items available to purchase tomorrow 

Articles by Indie Gainesville on a few of tomorrow's vendors:
GLAM vendors
Dragonfly Graphics 
Miss Mermaid
Luellabird
Special thanks to The Sassy Crafter aka Kim Kruse for all her hard work in making GLAM a reality. Ride your bike and have plenty of room to park! Or take the bus. Villa East is on the 15 bus route. 

301 N Main Street, Gainesville, FL

View Larger MapDriving Directions

thank-full (a better late than never blog)

Those who are Awake
live in a state of constant amazement ...

~ Jack Kornfield ~

This post has been in my head for easily two weeks now- what are the things in life I am most grateful for? How do I summarize that into a concise blog post that someone would even want to take the time to read? So, round and round in my head it has gone.  
forgive me. this will be messy and unorganized. 
and my grammar will suck.


Last weekend as I listened to my girls laughing in the other room with one of their friends, I was reminded how so much of what I love is processed through my ears. Music...always music. and laughter. from anyone. 


I am grateful for all the people I share love with. 
My family. 
my beautiful, twirly, funny, creative, ever-changing children.
My friends who have seen me through the good and bad decisions- while lifting me with support. 
My wise friend who said: to him...all we are are our relationships and our conversations. 
Another friend- who has seen me through the same.old.shit. a million times. and is still here. and still smiling.
For another friend who said, "what are you THINKING?!? If anyone can get their massage license reinstated within a month, it's you!". And you know what? She was right. 
I am overwhelmed with gratitude on amost a daily basis by how many people I have in my corner and could easily list 100 people who have done extraordinary things to support me (m0mmacat, this means you).

I am thankful for the beauty that surrounds me. For the sun as it cuts through the trees in my back yard, the breeze that brushes across my arm, my peck peck pecking chickens as they search for food and care for the two new little ones...

I am thankful for the time and space I've been given to explore my creativity and find out what I love to do. 
And for the artists out there who are sharing their work. The singer-song writers, poets and philosophers especially. thank you for filling my soul on the days I was most in need. 


and as I write, I am thinking of how much gratitude I have for you. whoever you are, reading this blog. whoever you are...looking at my work on etsy or at a local market...relating to a poem I post or trying a recipe...thank you. Thank you for having an appreciation for a part of me. and our connection.    

last month on my trip to California, at a winery in Napa

No Bake Energy Bars

Confession: After 2 years of no peanut products in our home and being so completely vigilant of label reading- now that Violet has done the unimaginable and outgrown her peanut allergy- I feel a pang of guilt every time I use peanut butter. I wonder if any other parents lucky enough to be in my situation have ever felt the same.

And with that, I give you my recipe for No Bake Energy Bars. Sure there are zillions of variations on the web for these. What I am posting is a base recipe for you to build on!

Ingredients
1C peanut butter
1C honey (I used Sweet Dreams Merritt Island Wild Flower Honey)
3C rolled oats (uncooked)
Here's where you can get creative by choosing 1/2- 1 C or any add in you can think of!
A few ideas to get you going:
seeds (sesame, pumpkin, flax)
dried fruit
nuts
mini chocolate chips or carob
protein powder
coconut
brewers yeast


Directions
1. Combine peanut butter and honey in a medium size pot on low heat until mixed
2. Mix in the rolled oats and any other add ins
3. The intention is not to cook your mixture, just heat it enough so that combining the ingredients is easier
4. Press into a 9x9 or 9x11 inch pan (I greased mine with coconut oil)
5. Let cook and cut into bars
6. Wrap and store in the refrigerator

*Soon available for sale through Miss Mermaid*

For the lovelies who made it this far:
If you try this recipe leave me a comment and let me know what you use for add ins! I'm always looking for new ideas to keep healthy food interesting. And speaking of comments...I've been wondering lately, who is reading this blog? I'd love to hear from you and where you are located. If you have anything you'd like to suggest for a future blog post or questions you have for me leave that in the comments too! I love to hear from you and always respond <3

Hi, my name is...

Helen, and I have an addiction to beautiful fabric.

There are a handful of people who would ever be allowed to see the stacks of fabric I have in my sewing room. It's a little embarassing...

When I first started out sewing, I used to buy only what I needed for each particular project. Somehow (and very quickly) I gravitated to buying a minimum of 4 yards for each print I loved...and there is a LOT of gorgeous fabric out there, people.

Recently I had the experience of shopping with Sarah at Swell Cloth and it was hands down, the best fabric shopping experience I have ever had. Sarah was on it from the beginning- within an hour of my first email she had a custom order put together and posted for me to check out. The next day, my fabric shipped and again I received an email- this time with my tracking information.
All this, in my opinion should be standard for businesses. Sarah, went above and beyond to personalize this experience for me.

Today when my Swell Cloth package arrived, I finally realized I needed to sit down and write about this. Never before has a package of fabric come to me in such a beautiful and loving way. Each print was wrapped in tissue paper and sealed with a sticker...like opening a present! In that moment Sarah gained a customer for life.

The two Melody Miller prints I ordered from Swell Cloth:

What are your favorite places to buy fabric? Are there any small businesses you would recommend?

--------------------------------------------------------------------
places you can find Sarah
Swell Cloth on Etsy
Download the latest episode of her podcast, Stash Resolution for free on iTunes
Facebook
Twitter
Stash Resolution (blog)

my favorite and my best

It's hot as hell here in Florida. And yet...Fall will be here soon. My favorite time of year.


a cool breeze through my open windows
hot coffee
iced lemon zinger tea
baking
the Wednesday Farmers Market- actually staying to enjoy some music
planting a winter garden
more time outside in general
several drop offs to the thrift store as I try to keep our belongings to a minimum (forever, my losing battle)
and oh, the colors....oranges and browns, green, grey and yellow...
my heart warms just thinking about it.

joystclaire

shannspishak

Sylvia C Photography

sewjenaissance

 If You Were Coming in the Fall 

by Emily Dickinson

If you were coming in the Fall,
I'd brush the Summer by
With half a smile, and half a spurn,
As Housewives do, a Fly.

If I could see you in a year,
I'd wind the months in balls --
And put them each in separate Drawers,
For fear the numbers fuse --

If only Centuries, delayed,
I'd count them on my Hand,
Subtracting, till my fingers dropped
Into Van Dieman's Land.

If certain, when this life was out --
That yours and mine, should be
I'd toss it yonder, like a Rind,
And take Eternity --

But, now, uncertain of the length
Of this, that is between,
It goads me, like the Goblin Bee --
That will not state -- its sting.

that's my daughter in the water...

As an added *bonus* to my current giveaway contest, I'm activating a 10% off coupon code, good to the end of the contest (tomorrow/Friday at 5PM, Mountain Time). To use the code, simply enter 10OFF at checkout!

 

the time has come, the time is now

Kathryn Kaye & Miss Mermaid Giveaway 2011

 Call me emotional...it's certainly the truth. Reading the blog post Kathryn wrote last night- and seeing the photos of her beautiful children wearing the dresses I made...it brought tears to my eyes. We met as bloggers when we were both trying to get pregnant five years ago and have seen each other through some pretty significant milestones. And now she has actualized her talent for photography and I'm sewing- and thriving in finding a place for my creativity...it seems only natural that we put our heads together and find a way to support each other in this too.

To view the contest blog post click here. The rules explain how to enter 3 times for a chance to win a $50 gift certificate to my shop, Miss Mermaid.

Oh, and it looks like Colorado residents get an extra super secret deal just for entering the contest....so what are you waiting for?

Giveaway StartsTomorrow!!!

Keep an eye out tomorrow for information on a Miss Mermaid *GIVEAWAY* being hosted over at the gorgeous KathrynKaye's blog.
In the meantime...I will leave you with some of her beautiful photography...

Miss Mermaid & Friends: KathrynKaye

So my friend Kathryn....she has a way with words and a camera. I have such an appreciation for the way she articulates her passions (of which there are many!). I highly recommend sitting down with a good cup or coffee (or glass of wine) and perusing her blog. Beautiful photos. Beautiful words. Oh, and today's blog happens to have a few Miss Mermaid photos for good measure! 

If you are in the Denver area (*ahem* to all the cousins I have living there!) I highly recommend contacting Kathryn for a photo shoot!

KathrynKaye Photography

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KathrynKaye the blog: http://kathrynkaye.com/blog/
KathrynKaye photography: http://kathrynkaye.com/
Miss Mermaid: www.missmermaidshop.etsy.com

 

Ella's Birthday Giveaway winner is....

**E-Ferraro**

Please leave your email in a comment below and I'll get your 40% off discount code to you!!!

(chosen by random.org)

It's Ella's Birthday *GIVEAWAY*

Tomorrow is my 1st daughter Ella's 4th birthday and to celebrate I've decided to have a *giveaway* contest! The prize is a coupon code good for 40% OFF in my shop
Here are the rules to participate:

1. sign up to follow my blog
2. become a Miss Mermaid fan on Facebook
3. tell me in a comment here on my blog what your absolute favorite item in my shop is

                      that's it!

The contest will end Sunday night and the winner will be chosen randomly and announced Monday morning.

new on the scene...

...The Knotty Apron Dress!

Violet

Last Wednesday, this sweet little baby turned 2 years old:

Here is the outfit I made for her:

and here is one of her cupcakes:

Marble Cupcake with Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting/Sprinkles- recipe from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World

and here she is:

Cuddily, smart, delightful, determined and sensitive. Because of Violet I am learning so much.

Guest Blogging

This Monday, join me over at Little Speckled Frog where I'll be interviewed by Mama Frog (aka Marlo Fulton) herself! We'll be doing a giveaway and the contest winner receives a set of Miss Mermaid reusable cloth napkins.

New Blog Name- check it out!

Two different Sara(h)s contributed in this name! (I've got two new hats added to my list!)
First the word "chronicles" was mentioned which is just a great word and then today I was reminded of what Ella started calling me a few months back, Miss Mermaid.
So there you have it, welcome to The Miss Mermaid Chronicles.