You can have it all, but not at the same time: In honour of International Women's Day

This week I was busy making. Now that I look back on it, making quite a random assortment of stuff. Which, I’m learning, is my style as a maker. I took care of some serious business Dewdrop wise- I got caught up on pending orders, I started a few new fun projects. 

This week I made a lot of stuff.

This week I seriously sucked at some of my other 'jobs'. The laundry is in teetering piles around me, I woke up to a sink full of dirty dishes, and it appears that there are barbie shoes on every surface of my house. 

You get the gist.

If you know me well, you know that my mom is my go-to quotable person. Which is understandable, if you know Babs. Have you read her blog? My dearest friend Sarah regularly reads my mom's blog, because she says it keeps her up to date on my life, and because of the Babs wisdom that permeates every post. She admits to skimming some of the detailed sewing posts, but Sewing on the Edge is a daily read for her. Which I find hilarious and awesome. But I digress.

My mom is a big feminist, a professor of Women’s Studies among other things. But despite her firm stance on all things female, she always says that women used to have it a whole lot easier than they do now. Although they didn't have equal rights, although they were typecast into being wives and mothers, they had clearly defined expectations, and they were not expected to do it all. They weren’t expected to have thriving careers, be thoughtful, flawless mothers, have Pinterest perfect homes, and be fit as 18-year-old fiddles.

My grandmother, who retired from her nursing career after a few years to have 4 daughters in the 1950s (and who, to this day, identifies first as a pediatric nurse), was the most involved, hands-on mother of small children around. That lady can still sit and play cards with my girls for hours. If you need to know anything about small kids, she’s your woman. But she is not a gourmet cook, and housework was not always her priority (She also famously once wrote f&*k housework on the bathroom mirror in lipstick, and then spent a week in the tent trailer in the driveway, on strike). But that was ok- her focus was on mothering her kids. No one can do it all.

No one can do it all.

Or, in the words of Babs “You can have it all, but not at the same time”.

This week, I made a lot of things. My three little kids, and my slightly out-of-control making schedule took all of my energy. Some things fell by the wayside. 

I sit here this morning, feeling quite fulfilled.

My girls couldn’t find clean underwear this morning, but I sure did piece some awesome pillows last night.

My girls. Here's hoping they're this confident on International Women's Day 15 years from now.

March 6, I love you

Yesterday I turned 34. Holy smokes.

It's starting to sink in that I'm borderline middle aged. When did that even happen? When did I stop being 18? Yesterday I got up, just as excited that it was my birthday as I was as a kid. It's something I don't even try to hide. I love my birthday.

Then I put on my eye make-up, feeling perky and all birthday-ish, and some of it got stuck in my wrinkles.

But the sun shone all.day.long.

I felt celebrated all.day.long. I realize how incredibly lucky I am that I have a life full of people who make a point to reach out and let me know I am appreciated on my birthday- who make sure
I know I'm loved. Guys, I am so lucky. On my birthday, just like on holidays, I'm left with a feeling a deep gratitude. For my life, for my people. For the chance to share a few images of what made my day.

I can't wait to turn 35.

My friend Mary MADE this mug and I basically forced her to give it to me. Need some of Mary's amazing pottery in your life? She'll be at the East Coast Momma Collective Spring fair in Halifax on May 2.

My kangaroo baby loves being wrapped up, and I love rainbows. My Girasol woven wrap from Nurtured in Halifax is such a pretty lifesaver.

My 87-year-old grandma sends me flowers every year on my birthday. She's a pro. There's no one like Buddy.

Spring Fair Fever

This week I'm CRAZY BUSY sewing for one of my favourite events of the year: The East Coast Momma Collective Spring Fair. This is always a very successful weekend for me- and this spring, I'm launching my home collection. I'm basically beside myself excited. I can't wait. Come visit me and other incredibly talented East Coast crafters and business women. You won't be disappointed!

sneak peeks

Today it's all about happy Dewdrop sneak peeks.

I am so excited to share a few images of what's been keeping me busy these days (besides sunshine, sand and surf and two very busy small girls).

This project just wrapped up. I collaborated with some amazingly talented local moms to help Lindsay design a custom nursery for the little guy who's about to join their family. I'm thrilled with how it's turned out. I'll be sharing all of the details of this project soon!

And then there's this. Sigh. I am so in love with the colours and pattern that Shannon chose for her daughter Maggie's big girl quilt, and I'm honoured that she chose Dewdrop Crafts for the project. I hope Maggie loves her quilt as much as I do.

There you go... a little glimpse into my world lately. Now, back to packing for a long camping trip on the Shore Rd (also known as the best place on earth). The next few weeks will be all about family, friends, beach, boat, campfires, and happy sweaty little girls. 

I love summer.

Planes, trains and automobiles

The title of my last post was 'Bye Bye Florida'. Man, was I right! I am back to reality, full speed.

After a long day of driving, flying, connecting and flying again we're home. 12 hours + of travelling with two kids under the age of 3. The kids were amazing- they may have held up better than us. 

I spent yesterday unpacking, de-cluttering and trying to get my head around the fact that I returned home to a kitchen with no sink, stove or cabinets. We are well on our way to a beautiful new kitchen, but for now we're sort of camping around here. 

My work for Dewdrop is piling up, quite literally. I have stacks of gorgeous fabric that needs to be cut and pieced and stitched into something that will be loved by someone very small. My brain is cluttered with to-do lists. My home and my sewing room are in various states of chaos.

I need a little inspiration. I thought of this.

I stumbled across this lovely, so perfect-for-me-right-now quote here. I follow Oh My Handmade regularly and am always inspired.

After a few days of planes, trains, and automobiles, tired kids and washing dishes in the bathtub, this was just what I needed.

Tomorrow, I sew.

Bye Bye Florida

Today is the last day of my relocation vacation. We've been in Florida for 3 weeks and it has been delightful. Tomorrow is our travel day, so I won't be posting.

I thought I'd wrap up my Florida posts with some random thoughts about St. Augustine and travelling with kids.

1. The next time you're in St. Augustine, RUN to the The Tasting Room for Spanish tapas and a massive, delicious wine list. My husband and I had one of our first dates here since Heidi entered our world, and it was really amazing.

2. The next time you're in St. Augustine, DO NOT go to Pot Bellie's Cinema. It's straight out of a horror movie (haha, literally!). Walking down the aisles, I was waiting to trip over a dead body. On your visit here you may be served nachos with mouldy jalapeños. The adventure is not worth it.

3. I've been to many, many beaches all over the world, and the beach in St. Augustine is right up there. If you're looking for a beachy vacation, this is your destination.

4. I think I've developed an unhealthy addiction to Target.

5. When eating out with small kids, outdoor patios are excellent.

6. I always thought those weird cloth shopping cart inserts were overly germ-a-phobic and silly. Until I realized how great they were for awkward restaurant high chairs and babies that can't quite sit on their own. A must for travelling and eating out.

7. In order to do a proper beach day with a 7 month old and a 2 1/2 year old, it's worth it to take a playpen to set up under your tent.

8. When fabric is your main currency, order it while on vacation in the USA. Even if you're having it delivered to your hotel room. The money you save on shipping is huge. Trying to smuggle several bolts of fabric across the border will be a rush.

9. It turns out that St. Augustine is a consignment shopping mecca. When you arrive here, first hit the beach. Then, go to Target because it's awesome. Then, spend the rest of your trip checking out the amazing consignment shops. Then, go back to the beach.

10. I love vacation, but I'm always ready to go home. I love my home. I can't wait to get back into the swing of things and get some major Dewdrop sewing done. Even if it means that Scarlett may develop hypothermia by refusing to remove the sundress that she's been wearing for 3 weeks straight.

Here are a few pics that I couldn't resist sharing. Life is very good when these are your girls.

This is the sundress. It's been worn, washed and worn again for 3 weeks straight.
Courtesy of... you guessed it! TARGET!!

See you Wednesday!

My favourite (old) project

There are a few reasons why I don't have many photos to share of new projects.

1. I am busy, busy with custom orders at the moment, and don't like to share images of custom orders until they've been delivered to their new home. In a week or two, I'll have lots to share. And trust me, there is LOTS to share. Exciting Dewdrop developments on the horizon- keep your hats on!

2. I am still sunning myself in Florida, and I find it awfully hard to tear myself away from the beach to sew. Can you blame me?

3. I'm more than a little obsessed with my new blog at the moment. Need to work on my sewing/blog balance. Will blog tomorrow about how that's going. Ha!

So, in light of the fact that I'm low on current intel, I thought I'd share some photos of one of my favourite projects to date. A special quilt for Heidi. I am still in love with this fabric- I don't recall who designed this, but it feels like something by Westminster Fibers, who create gorgeous designs. 

This quilt has a solid front, is filled with bamboo cotton blend batting (as are all of my quilts), and is backed with natural flannel. This has been the most amazing stroller quilt and has been used every day for tummy time. It's soft and warm. It's a basic quilt, but I love it. Maybe because of the baby. Really, isn't this the most adorable baby you've ever seen?