My Gluten Free Story

{This is my story - my long story - about why I'm gluten free}

Every time I happen into a casual conversation and tell my story about why I'm gluten free, I find out that my story is a common one. It all started with my thyroid. Funny how so many of us have thyroid problems.  I think it's worth sharing our stories. You are your best health advocate and when we talk to each other, we might just pick up on an idea that could help us in our own journey.

This Spring, I went for my annual physical with my primary care physician. I love him. He is so smart and personable and always remembers everything about me and my family. I realize he has it on a chart in front of him too, but he truly remembers "our history" and will call us at home to chat about our care. He's great.

During my exam he said I had a goiter. And nodules that he could actually feel.

Yuck! What the heck is a goiter?!

What he was telling me was that my thyroid gland was enlarged and that he could feel that I had nodules on it. He asked if I had trouble swallowing which, I actually had been having trouble but honestly, I didn't think twice about it. I figured it was allergies and sinus related and paid no attention. He said I needed to have it checked.

The next day, I was laying at the hospital in the ultrasound room having my neck scanned. Fun stuff.

My lymph nodes looked clear. And the nodules did not appear to be "abnormal", meaning they didn't think I had thyroid cancer. My doctor called me at home and said, "You have Hashimoto's. It's a thyroid condition. Yours has quit working.". He wanted me start taking Synthroid which is a medication to help regulate your thyroid.

My symptoms

For years, and I mean since high school, I have complained about having a "sensitive stomach". I have carried Immodium with me in my purse for half my life. I never knew when what I ate would send me running to the bathroom with horrible stomach pains and well...you know. Sorry  (too much information?)

I was getting headaches 3-4 days a week for years.

I had been telling my doctor that I have always felt like I had ADD. I could not concentrate and focus to save my life. I used to chalk it up to being "creative" or a "twins mom" but the truth is I've spent my whole life with a lot of noise in my head that is very distracting.

I complained that I always felt bloated to the point that I had pain when I bent over right in the middle of my gut. Like a constant cramp. It was also really sensitive and somewhat painful to the touch.

And I had no energy. I was usually good to go until about 2:30pm each day. That was it. I was cooked after that. I needed a nap and my brain would just completely shut down.

So when my doctor told me I had this thyroid issue and to take medication, I asked him, what happened? Why did my thyroid quit working.

He said it was due to my age (I'm *cough* over 40) and that was just what happens to women my age.

Before I would start to take the medication, I googled everything he had told me. And I found medical journal articles and more that seemed to indicate that GLUTEN could exacerbate a thyroid condition. I found a link for celiac disease. And as I read through the symptoms I thought...THIS. IS. ME.

I have other auto-immune issues. Primarily an auto-immune liver problem that isn't harmful but it just makes my liver enzymes appear that I'm in liver failure when in fact, it's just a weird thing my body does (long story - but I was seen at the Cleveland Clinic and it's all just fine). I also have a severe vitamin D deficiency. My doctor said I barely register any Vitamin D at all. And that sensitive stomach. Headaches...everything. They all were symptoms of celiac disease.

I asked my doctor if I quit eating gluten, would that help. He said no. There was no correlation.

But I pressed on. And I asked if I cut gluten out, maybe it would reduce the amount of medication I needed. He said it wouldn't matter but he agreed we could try and experiment and go gluten free for 6 weeks and then retest my thyroid.

I woke up the next day and started to avoid anything with wheat, barley or rye. After 7 days, my daily headaches were gone (gone by day 4). I had more energy and made it past 2:30 without feeling like I would collapse. And my stomach quit hurting.

I figured it was my imagination. I happened to be at my obstetrician's office for my yearly checkup and told her about it. I told her I figured I was imagining it and she said, no way. She believed there could really be a link.

I called my doctor and asked if it was possible, since I had this symptom relief, and I had these symptoms for most of my life, if I could be celiac. His immediate response was no. But he also agreed to run a celiac panel blood test. That would require me to be actively eating gluten. So I started to eat normally for the next 6 days. During that time, every time I ate something with gluten, I broke out in hives, itchy bumps and rashes, and then would get a horrible stomach ache. My headaches came back and my sinuses got very congested.

My blood test came back negative. No celiac.

But in order to test the theory about the absence of gluten having an effect on my thyroid, I went off the gluten after my celiac panel test for 6 weeks. During that time, each time I accidentally ingested anything with wheat, literally, a crumb, I would break out into a rash, run to the bathroom within 30 minutes followed by 3-5 days worth of dibilatating migraine headaches and sinus congestion. My reactions are always fairly immediate. Sometimes it takes an hour. Usually it's within 20-30 minutes. It's pretty miserable. (and as I write this, I'm regretting eating a bun-less hamburger tonight from a fast food place. My stomach is guessing it was on a bun and removed before given to me. Ugh.)

After 6 weeks gluten free and not yet on any thyroid medication, I went and had my thyroid blood test done again. My doctor called me at home. My thyroid. It was in the normal range. He didn't know why but told me not to take any medication and keep doing whatever it was I was doing.

Last month, I had a ton of medical tests and bloodwork done. One of the things they noted was my liver enzymes. My ALT and AST. They have been off the charts high for roughly 10+ years. They are both normal now.

Does that mean gluten is the problem? I don't know for sure. I know that I feel better when I don't eat it. I know that my thyroid, for now, is normal and so are my whacked out liver enzymes. And I know that when I do eat anything with even a trace of wheat in it, I get sick, really fast.

Is it possible I might have celiac?  I think the blood test can be false negative. I had gone off gluten and then only ate it in limited doses before having my blood test. I'm hoping to get gene tested next because you have to have one or two specific genes to even have the potential to have celiac. The other test is a biopsy of your gut but you have to be actively eating gluten to have it done. I don't see how I could possibly do that without making myself extremely sick. Maybe I get sick so easily because it is celiac...because of the skin reactions and rashes and the severity of all of my reactions and because I've spent most of my life with "sensitive stomach" issues. It seems like it was the culprit and was killing my thyroid and maybe had something to do with my liver autoimmune issue. But who knows.

That's why I'm gluten free.

In this space, this is where I plan on sharing good foods I find that I like or different meal ideas that are gluten free. It's been quite the learning curve. It helps a lot to share info because eating gluten free can be expensive. I hate to buy something only to find out it tastes terrible.

And truthfully, this process has been depressing. I haven't gotten back to cooking like I used to before. I feel somewhat defeated. And sad that eating isn't that easy anymore. It requires more time and thought. (for instance, I had to let my church know so that I could still take communion each Sunday. Luckily, they offer individually wrapped corn wafers)

It's not like I would go to Subway everyday to get a sandwich. But I miss it. I miss the taste of sweet, just out of the oven, smooshy breads. And I miss Oreos. And pies. Doughnuts. Not like I ate them often. But I miss them. So, when I find good stuff, I'll try to share it here and if you can't eat wheat or gluten either - hopefully, we can encourage each other to eat, drink and be merry in spite of the whole gluten free thing.

If you have a story to share about your own thyroid or gluten issues or a food suggestion - I'd love to hear about it in the comments.

Family, Faith and Farming

There are certain things that reaffirm for me I'm doing right as a parent. 4H is one of them. The kids work so hard with their projects and can't wait for County Fair week. It is everything "americana" and so much more. I heard it quoted recently that if only more kids were involved in 4H that our crime rates would be virtually non-existent. I could never say enough good things about what my kids have gained from being involved in this program.

And Moms, this isn't just a rural program. 4H is everywhere. Even in the heart of downtown Chicago at very urban schools. They offer projects in robotics, electronics, mechanics, sports, nutrition, child care, sewing, baking, environmental sciences. There is TONS of stuff the kids can choose for projects and amazing life lessons to be learned with each one.

Our county fair was just a week and a few days ago and the Two Peas and my Sprout showed sheep for their first time. It was fabulous. The Peas purchased two market lambs with their own money. They paid for all the materials to build them a sun and rain shelter and fenced in area next to our barn. They paid for all the feed bills. This was their very own business. And in the end, after the livestock shows and finally the sale, they ended up $32 in the hole. Almost breaking even. It was an excellent lesson in investing, hard work and business.

I kept looking at my husband as they girls were going over their receipts and winking at him, asking, "Are you SURE we aren't going to help them with any of these bills??". And the answer was a firm, NO. This is a lesson in business. Of course, we will find a way to reward them for their months and months of hard work. 5:30am feedings that we never had to nudge them to do - they just got up and did it everyday on their own. But he wanted the lesson to sting a little, to feel what it was, which was an almost break even investment.

And the Peas were ok with that. And they can't wait to do it all over again. Because what they learned from the experience was more priceless than any monetary gain they could have gotten from selling their sheep.

Here are a few highlights from our 4H projects this year and our county fair. Candy making, archery, savvy shopping and sheep.

This just makes me happy

I love Halloween. It just makes me happy. It's the silly, dress up, handing out candy, playing games like bobbing for apples or flashlight tag that reminds me what it feels like to be a carefree kid again. It's joyful and fun and it just makes me happy.

My neighbors threw another epic Halloween party this year for the kids. They are incredible hosts and it was THE perfect fall afternoon.

I hope you have some mischievous fun this Halloween and enjoy the tricks AND treats!

Sew to Speak

I love visiting with local shops - they always have such a warm and welcoming community of friends and Sew to Speak in Clintonville is no exception. Thanks so much to Anita and April for hosting a book signing and class recently. Can't wait to visit again!

how my husband taught us all the greatest lesson in love

I've been largely absent from this space. When you take a leave, it's hard to know what the right words are to re-enter.

But what I wanted to share was not about tragedy but about brightness that comes from dark days.

We have had our fair share of dark days in the last few months. And talking about it in a place that is your creative space and outlet to talk about business ventures hardly seems "fun" or even appropriate. But I think the lesson of love is worth sharing.

When my twins were born, my Mother-in-law was the first person waiting in my room when they wheeled me back from delivery. Without fail, she visited with all of our children, at least once a week until several months ago. She was ever present in our lives everyday.

She was my youngest, my Sprout's very best friend. When you would ask Sprout where she wanted to go on a day off of school - the zoo or Grandmas....she excitedly would yell, "GRANDMAS!". They had a very special relationship.

My Mother-in-law has battled two different types of cancer in her lifetime. And when they told her for the 3rd time, they thought she had cancer - she politely said No Thank You to cancer and just lived and loved the most that she could in the time she had left.

She was really good at that.

So these last few months over the winter when she became very ill, my husband (with help from his brothers and a cousin who is really more of a sister than a cousin) became her full time caregiver.

What my husband did during those 56 days of her acute illness was teach our daughters a lesson in love that was priceless and irreplaceable and will stay with them as they grow and have families of their own someday.

My daughters watched their Dad tenderly care for his mother, love her, hold her hand, prepare meals for her, help her in every possible way you could imagine and well beyond.

They watched their Dad and their Uncles be vulnerable.

They watched their Dad be strong and at the same time, weak from exhaustion and sadness.

They watched their Dad put all of his energy into loving his Mother as much as he could every day. Not just when she was sick. But everyday. He always has.

It took a fair amount on everyone's part to care for Grandma. There is not an ounce of it that any of us would trade for the world.

We were reminded that we are never closer to God than we are when we are with someone transitioning from this life to the next.

Our daughters saw their father's faith in action and unconditional love and sacrifice.  I'm not sure what better lesson they could ever receive than to see how we care for one another above all other things.

It's all that we have and it's all that matters. Each other. Here. Now. For Always.

It's the greatest lesson in love I think they may ever learn from their Dad. Not by his words but by his actions.

In that darkness and sadness of saying goodbye, there was so much bright light and love that I know it will carry our girls all the rest of their days until they are reunited again.

We are celebrating this sweet woman's life soon with our family and while I know there may be tears, there will be so much love and laughter. There will be hugs. There will be stories. It will be beautiful.

And my daughters will see just how great this love is for family and it will become part of who they are, how they love, forever.

What a gift.

[ trusting in your talents ]

"Your talents are a gift. Are you just going to drop them, hoping that someone will give you your dream job and a fat salary just for being you? Or are you going to take responsibility for what you've got and really push yourself to do something great with those gifts? You have to believe in yourself enough to know that you've got talent and that you are worth the investment of time and effort. God valued you enough to give you those abilities. Value yourself enough to grow those talents to become great." - Michael Oher in "I Beat the Odds"

One of my friends posted this quote on Facebook this morning. Michael Oher is the kid who found a forever family, football fame and had his life story made into the movie, The Blind Side.

I've had this mental block for awhile now since I finished writing my book. I've found it hard to even organize my thoughts. I'm not sure why. I've had plenty of time to decompress and move forward.

I think partially, it's fear.

I'm not sure what is next. I don't know what God has planned for me. I don't know where to focus. Many days, I feel pulled in far too many directions. I think this is natural for a lot of people. You can't be on your game all the time.

This quote just gave me an "Ah-ha" moment this morning. Each of us, me, you, all of us...are born with talents. To teach children, to help people manage their finances, to care for people when they are sick, to build buildings, or make art...each of us has a talent.

How we will use it, share it, hone it, work on it, let it be of service to the greater good...all depends on believing in ourselves. And trust. Trusting that God knows what he's doing and that our hands will do His work, whatever our work may be.

So, although I may feel like my brain is working in a vat of molasses...there's a process and a reason and an opportunity for me, for you, to grow in who we were made to be.

I think I should get some gummy bears, coffee and ponder this thought a bit more. Gummy bears and Coffee always seem to make things better.

| under the sea - a work in progress |

Finishing up the text for this fun bag pattern that involves patchwork and zippers into a cross body bag. I have loved these prints from Mo Bedell from her Full Moon Lagoon line and couldn't wait to use them in lots of ways. Mo has another great line of fabric out that is equally bright and fun. Both are great prints to shoo-away the winter blues.

Look for this sometime in the future on the We All Sew website as a free pattern....I'll keep ya posted when it's live.

{Say hello to Oliver while you are here - my little kitten who I adore. And there might be a sneak peek of a cute apron that will be a free pattern too - just in time for Mother's Day crafting!}

:: Frozen Snow Day ::

Been a lot of naps here lately.

Yawn.

Staying in our PJ's all day.

Enjoying new toys from Santa.

Too cold for kitten to go out and play.

Snow Days. Here's to lazy days and long winter naps. Yawn.

(Clearing out boutique items from the shops in town putting them for sale in my etsy shop. New items being added daily. Get 25% off through January 12th. Use code SNOW25) Pass the word.

{ Letting go and giving in }

This came in the mail today. From someone I haven't met that goes to my church. It spoke to me in such great volume. And brought a tear to my eyes.

I haven't blogged here for a long time on a consistent basis. I have been busy writing my book. Being with my family. Keeping my head above water trying to work at my day job at the university and keep food on the table. Like all of you.

For most of this year, I have heard this voice inside me say, "Who are YOU? Who do YOU think you are to be in THIS place? To say...WHAT? Who cares? Who even is listening?". I let some negative forces that breeze in and out of all of our lives, make me believe that what I was doing was just self serving and not worthy. I kept to myself mostly. I kept quiet. I just froze.

And then this Sunday.

At church. 3 different people came up to me to tell me how much they appreciated the writing I shared in our Advent Devotional book.

And today. This note. From someone I've never met who thanked me for sharing what I wrote in that devotional and what a blessing it was to them.

I pulled my notes out of my purse today that I wrote while in church on Sunday (yes I WAS listening Pastor Tim). It was about THIS PLACE. This blog of mine.

I was jotting notes that read:

Why do I journal here?

Do I even care who my audience is?

Bigger than my "biz" - there's more to it.

It's my own personal letter - to my kids, to myself, to YOU, to someone who needs to hear it today because God gave me this place.

I think I have felt guilt over pursuing success in this sewing / design industry. Guilt over working outside the home in my day job. Guilt over wanting to make a better life for my kids rather than being in the moment, content and thankful for what I already have. I think it's not enough but it is. Most things do not come easy for us these days financially with a family of 5 and my part time job and my husbands retirement. But we have enough. We have MORE than enough. I forget this so often.

I have felt vain. I have let others make me feel less than what I am. I have compared my own talents to others and wished that I had their successes.

The truth is my success in this design industry, take it or leave it, does not define me. Who I am, how I live, and my CONNECTIONS TO OTHERS does define me.

That connection to one another gives me purpose and hope and happiness and makes me feel grateful. So very very grateful for those around me.

When I let go of overthinking who I am, what I'm doing, and what's next - what naturally rises to the surface is peace.

Peace in knowing that God has a plan for me and rather than trying to define myself by my successes, I will define myself by the company I keep and the relationships that arise and the love that swells in my heart knowing that each and every day, I am HIS.

I have a purpose to serve and if I've been blessed with creativity and a joy to share and inspire it here, then I will. I will speak what comes to my mind, I will write a letter to myself, to my kids, to YOU.

I want to write. I want to write here freely. Not just about sewing. But about my life. About what is important to me. About everything in life and faith and relationships AND sewing and art and crafting and inspiration and color and fabric and nature and so much more.

Read if you'd like. Share your stories with me too. This is just a letter to me. To my kids. To you.

And that devotion I wrote for church, here's a piece of it:

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

......Let's call it a "mid-life" crisis. Or something like that. I'm half-way through my life and all I could think about was "I don't want to miss these moments". There is only just this one day my littlest will be 5 years old on November 5th or whatever day it happens to be and I don't want to miss it because I'm at work.And so, with that tugging on my heart, I started a new routine for my mornings to try and change my attitude. Everyday, on my commute to my job, to work in advising and counseling students on their career paths in the environmental sciences, I pray this prayer,

"God, please use me today to do YOUR good works. Please help me to be everything YOU need me to be today to whoever comes through my door". 

I kept saying the words each day but, I didn't feel them.

Then late in the summer, I hung a cover from one of the church bulletins on my office wall that had a painting of Jesus on it that says, "Who do you say that I am?". I noticed that a lot of students would look intently at that picture and a few have opened up about how their faith life was very important to them and how they want to incorporate it into their career path. Not a single student has ever mentioned their faith to me in the 15 years I've been at the university - until I posted that picture.

One day, about 2 weeks ago, I had an attitude changing moment that rocked me. I was meeting with a student and we were discussing academic courses and plans for internships. Our appointment time was over and he says to me, "So, I wanted to ask you a question. Who do YOU say that Jesus is?". I just stared at him in this moment, with a very surprised tone, and I put my hands to my chest pointing at myself, taken aback and all I could say was, "Me?? Who do I say Jesus is? Like, ME? Who do I think He is???".

• Public school institution
• Am I being punked?
• Maybe he's an atheist and he wants to argue with me
• Can I really talk about this here?
• Am I going to get in trouble if I talk about this HERE?

In a matter of like 3 seconds, all those thoughts raced through my mind and I looked out my office window, sat back in my chair, and looked at him and said, "Jesus to me, is my Lord and Savior. That's who is to ME." I then was breathless because I had said it. Out loud. It felt really powerful to say it when questioned in a moment I least expected it. And the student responded, "Cool. He is for me too." and then we spent the next 20 minutes talking about Jesus, God, who Jesus was to other religions, specifically how He is referred to in various scriptures...and I was completely amazed.

These college students I work with are away from home. For many, church is a 2nd home for them. Like it is for my own children. A place where they feel safe. A place where they are with God. And I think, that picture on my office wall makes them feel safe with me at that moment. It calls to them a reminder of a part of their life that is the most meaningful.

I am often the person who helps a student choose a major and determine what they will do for their lifes work and I think - I know - that God has called me to this place at this time. To be with His children. Not just my own. I know that what I do here is more than a job. God is using me in unique ways with gifts He has given me to help others. For that, I give thanks, in all circumstances, for the opportunity to be His hands, to share His word. At times when I least expect it.

So, that's it. Speaking from my heart freely. I hope to be back more often with more to share.

Glamorous Fair Wear - Part 3

I've been sharing all this week a fun refashioning project that I was working on for our county fair with my kids. Be sure you check out part one HERE and part two HERE. You'll find the "what I did" to refashion my big girls outfits...

I saved my favorite for last. Sprout and my husband, The Gardener, competed in the pairs class for the Guys and Gals Lead Lamb show and since we are in the heart of Buckeye country (that would be in reference to THE Ohio State University Buckeyes for those of you not in the know on the scarlet and gray) I choose a sophisticated game day look for the two of them.

I started with this large stash of sweaters from the thrift store. That awesome scarlet and gray striped sweater could not have been more perfect. But it fit me. I wear a size LARGE women's...Sprout wears a size 5 toddler. So getting it to fit was a challenge.

In order to get that large sweater to fit Sprout, I had to cut the side seams and arms. You can see how I did it HERE on this post where I performed the same sizing down on a sweater for her last year.

Here's how I refashioned that pile of sweaters for outfit #3:

1. I sized down the large sweater to fit Sprout. I added an appliqué using my Bernina 580 to add the text "OHIO" and a little buckeye. (it's a poisonous nut from the Buckeye tree which happens to be the "mascot" for The Ohio State University Buckeyes). What I loved about using my Bernina is that you can adjust the stitch width and length to the extreme detail. For instance, I satin stitched this using a zig-zag stitch - using the turn dial, I can adjust that stitch to exactly what I need. You can go from a stitch length of 3.5 to 3.4, 3.3...and so on. It's a great feature!)
2. With some of the left over wool sweater pieces, I made Sprout a facinator. It is a HUGE bunch of rolled roses with pearls added to a headband. It got really heavy and I had to add a few hair pins to it to help hold it in place BUT it was so cute!!
3. THE SKIRT! Oh the skirt! Inspired by a cute skirt I saw at the Country Living Fair this fall, this skirt started with a single wool sweater. I cut it into a very slight A-line, using one of Sprouts other skirts as a guide.  I cut the sweater so that I used the finished hem of the sweater as the hem for the skirt.  I left the skirt at this point, unsewn on the side seams while I added all of the fringe (in other words - it was a rectangle shape).  That fringe is a lot a lot of wool sweaters cut into pieces of various lengths and widths. Then I started at the bottom on one side and just kept adding and filling in until I had the entire skirt covered.  Next, with right sides facing, I sewed the side up to create a tube and create the skirt. Next, I used knit to create the waist band. I added in elastic to the waist band to get the perfect fit. This skirt was so cute on her and had the perfect "twirl" effect

For the Gardener, I found a great wool coat in perfect gray color. On the inside of the coat, on one side, I appliquéd the letters "O-H" and on the other side "I-O". If you are a Buckeye fan, then you know this is a cheer you hear often...when someone says "O-H!" the proper response is "I-O!". So when it came their turn to spin on the runway, he looked at the audience and opened up his jacket, flashing everyone. Ok, not exactly FLASHING but you get the idea! It was hilarious!

Did they win? No. But they did come in 3rd place and they won $14! Sprout was over the moon. She promptly asked if she could spend her money on a funnel cake and ice cream. I love this outfit and it will get a lot more wear this year as we cheer the Buckeyes on! (Ranked #4 currently in the nation....I feel an awesome National Championship title coming this year!)

Have you done any great refashioning projects lately? Share a link to your projects in the comments section. 

Glamorous Fair Wear - Refashioning part 2

I'm sharing this week about my refashioning project from our recent county fair...If you missed the first part, check it out HERE.

One of my peas wanted a casual look for her sheep show...and I obliged.  Although the class says they are looking for an elegant look, I think we compromised with this casual elegance.

We started with a wool tweed coat and a cream colored wool hat.

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Here's what I did for outfit #2 to refashion it:

1. Lavender Tweed coat - we added vintage lace to the collar.
2. I added rosettes  and these flowers made from wool sweaters and felt leaves all along the hem of the coat. Then I added pearl beads and other pretty buttons into the mix.
3. I made a wool belt from one of our thrifted sweaters. We topped off the knot with a pretty vintage brooch.
4. All the way down the side seam of her jeans, I fused with Steam-a-Seam, wool patches from our thrifted sweaters.
5. We topped it off with that cute creamy wool hat I found at the thrift store.

This outfit came together pretty quick. I love the flowers along the hem of the coat and I think this is a super cute way to add some whimsy to an old coat.

The belt was a fail in my opinion. To use the wool and sew it into this long skinny tube and turn it for the belt...it didn't flow right and I wasn't crazy about it. We had to pin it down to get it to lay right.

The wool patchwork jeans were a big hit. My daughter loved the look and they looked cute with her boots! It was super easy to do. The Steam-a-Seam has paper on both sides. I peeled back one side and placed the wool. Cut it out around the patch, removed the other paper backing and then placed it on the jeans seam. I used a cotton pressing cloth and steam pressed the patch. It turned out perfect. I LOVE Steam-a-Seam for applique and patchwork projects like this one.

Do you have any fun refashion projects you've done? Share a link in the comments section! I'll be back on Thursday to share the final project of this group, and it's my favorite one!

Refashion Wool - Glamorous Fair Wear

I've been largely absent from this space. I may have mentioned...I wrote a book. A crazy process that has kept me quiet here while I tinker away and try to keep up with my kids at the same time. No easy task. I'll be stepping back in here time and again with a whole mess of fun projects and tutorials in the months to come.

I've missed sharing and sewing in this space. So, what's new with you?!

Me? Well, since you asked...

The nice folks at Bernina have treated me to the use of 580 machine to use while I work on my book and to try out for a year. It will be hard to let it go next Spring as I have quickly fallen in love with all she can do and with what I am learning to do with all of these features.

I put her to good use this month while I worked away on a refashion project for my Two Peas and Sprout. They participated in a fun show to promote the Lamb & Wool industry at our county fair earlier this month.

It's called the Guys and Gals Sheep Lead. Each contestant leads a lamb around the show ring past the judges and wears an outfit made of wool. They hand off their lamb to the Lamb & Wool Queen and then take a spin on stage while the announcer gives the details about the outfit they are wearing. They are judged on their handling of the animal and also on their outfit.

You can see our refashion project for this show from 2012 right HERE and from 2011 HERE.

This year, my trip to thrift store yielded some great finds for our show. I talked over each outfit with my girls and they picked out their favorites. Funny thing, my pea that picked out this first outfit, in the end, decided she liked her sisters outfit better and wasn't thrilled about hers. Guess who won 1st place? SHE DID! She loved her outfit after that plaque was handed to her!

OUTFIT #1.  I started with this....

An Ann Taylor LOFT long sleeve wool blazer and J. Crew wool pants. The pants turned out to be way too big - more than I felt comfortable adjusting so we ended up opting for an ankle length wool pencil skirt.

Here's how I did it:

1. I added black lace all along the blazer collar.
2. I shortened the sleeves to 3/4 length and also added the same black lace at the cuffs.
3. I removed one of the buttons that was not covered by the lace and replaced it with an antique earring that served as a button and added glamour.
4. On the collar of the blazer, I neatly folded a vintage lace hanky and pinned it to the blazer with an antique brooch.
5. We added a simple cream colored grosgrain ribbon around the waist for a belt.
6. The skirt had been ankle length. I hemmed it to just above the knee. I added a double layer at the hem. One layer of a creamy gray cotton ruffle and then underneath the cotton, a layer of the black lace that was the same as the lace used on the blazer collar.
7. We embellished her skirt with a trio of rosettes made from wool and layered on top of lace and pleated satin.
8. Her final accessory was her headband that was made from one of our thrifted wool sweaters and edged with lace trim.

It took me a total of about 2 hours to play around with the design and then implement it. My Bernina was a work horse with this wool fabric. She didn't hesitate a bit and handled these super heavy duty layers on the blazer with no hesitation.

(I only wish I had a better camera than my circa 2001 Kodak Easy Share 4mp (yes, FOUR MP) but I think you get the idea.) Refashioning is fun and affordable and I'll tell ya what, it sure satisfies my creative side. I really enjoy it.

I'll share more on Tuesday this week about the other peas outfit plus the outfit I made for Sprout that was a big hit! Here's a teeny sneak peek!

Are you a refashioner? Share in the comments links to your refashion projects!

:: Button Loop Tutorial ::

It has been BEYOND insanely busy here at the Two Peas studios in the last year. Many new projects and lots of exciting plans...one of those plans was hiring an intern.

My desire in wanting to give back and work with students in a learning environment led us to attend the Career Fair at our local art college where we met La-Neka. She has been learning all about the business and doesn't even bat an eye now when I tell her we need to go run an "errand" (which is code for ice cream run in town). She has put together a great little tutorial for you below. Please take a moment to say hello and wish her best wishes as she continues in her fashion design career.

Here she is in her first blog post...a button loop tutorial. Great for using on bags, garments and more.

 Hi, You are probably wondering who I am. I am the new intern at Two Peas in A Pod Homegrown Designs. I am a student at a local college in Ohio and I am studying fashion design. I have made a few Tutorials and I hope you like them.

-La-Neka

Loop button holes

Materials

• Scrap fabric 12"x12"
• Thread

Directions

1) Cut 1 piece of fabric 5 ½”x 4 ½”

2) Cut 2 strips of fabric that at 2”x 1 ½”

3) Take the larger piece and fold the long side under ½” and press. Set aside.

4) Fold one of the short pieces in half long ways with right sides together and stitch a ½” seam. Back stitch at both ends.

5) Cut the seam with in half leaving it to measure ¼”.

6) Turn the tube to the right side and press flat.

7) Lay the piece vertically flat and take the top end of the piece and line it up beside the other end. It is like wrapping a scarf on some one.  It should have a kind of looped point at the top. Iron it down flat to create a point at the top. Set aside.

Repeat steps 4 through 7 to make the second loop with the second short piece of fabric.

Take the larger piece and unfold the seam.

On the backside of the looped pieces there is a small triangle at the top. Place the piece back side up. Line up the edges of the loops with the edge of the larger piece where the fold is. Pin it into place.

Sew along the folded edge, ½” seam in, and backstitch over the loop seam.

Button looped pocket - putting your button loops to good use

Materials

• Sample made from button loop tutorial (see button loop sample)
• Fabric 1
• Fabric 2
• 2 buttons the same size (1”)
• Thread

Directions

Cut one piece of fabric 1 measuring 4 ½” x 5 ½

Cut two long strips. One for the lining and one for the exterior.

Stitch the pieces together with right sides together leaving one of the short ends open. Backstitch with a ½” seam on each side of the fabric.

Turn the pocket to the right side and press the seams evenly.

Press under the top that was left open with a seam allowance of ½”.

Fold the piece in half so that the short end that is open is lined up with the other short end. Wrong sides together.

Topstitch the side edges with a ¼” seam. Press flat and set aside.

Take the button loop sample and the short cut piece that is the same size as the samples beginning size and place it on top right sides together and stitch it on ½” seam on each side accept the opposite end of the button loops. Turn it to the right side and press the seams evenly. Take the open end of the button loop flap top and slide it into the pocket piece’s opening ½” down and tip stitch it into the seam. Press the seam flat. Flap the top of the button loops over evenly lined up with the pocket.

Make a mark where the loops are through the loop, make a dot. This is where your buttons will be. Flip it back and sew your buttons where you made your mark.

Now you’re all done with this great button looped pocket. Add a plastic bag and make it for snacks or store your safety pins in it.

 Great job La-Neka!

:: Mother's Day project for Pediatric Cancer ::

A little boy in our area, Sam Bish, who was the same age as my "two peas", passed away several years ago from pediatric cancer.  Cancer sucks enough as it is at any age but to strike a child - makes me weak in the knees and my heart ache.

I had the pleasure of meeting Cindy Bish, Sam's Mom, through a mutual friend at church while Sam was fighting his fight.  It profoundly touched us all.  Cancer is something that has surrounded our family and still rocks us to this day.  When we get a chance to lift up someone else who is in the fight, it is a gift to us to be God's hands at that time.

I'm asking today if you will help Cindy be God's hands.  Since Sam's passing, her family created The Sam Bish Foundation and they bless families going though pediatric cancer treatments at the hospital Sam was treated - Nationwide Children's Hospital here in Columbus, OH.  They bring meals to families, gift bags to the kids, pajamas, pillow cases - you name it, almost weekly, Cindy and her crew are there supporting other families.  She is truly, a saint, and a bright light in an otherwise dark day.  She posted about her next project she's organizing for Mother's Day...she writes,

Our next meal we will be providing at Children's is next month and at that time I hope to give mother's day bags to the mom's on H12 fighting cancer right alongside their child. Many of you said you would like to help with this project. Please message me through this page if you are able to make up some bags or donate items for the bags. Many of the items can be found in dollar bins at Target, Michael's, ect... Here are items we have put in the bags in the past- journals, note cards, chapstick/lip gloss, pens, tissues, hand sanitizer/hand lotion, body lotion, book marks, $5.00 gift cards (Starbucks/Tim Hortons/Hospital gift cards). If any of you are willing to help us pick up some of these items we would appreciate knowing that as well so we have enough products for the bags. We are planning to make up 30 bags. Thanks so much for your support. These bags have always been a blessing to the mother's that receive them.

Here's where YOU come in!  Can you help by making some Patchwork Wristlets for these Moms?  They require very little fabric - in fact, you probably have enough in your scrap basket to pull one of these together.  They require less than an hour of work.  These pretty little wristlets are a great bag for Mom's to put a put a few dollars in and run down to the cafeteria.  Hold some hand sanitizer and chapstick.  I think they would find a million uses for them while they are at the hospital.

Will you join me in making these for Sam's foundation?  Cindy would like these items by April 20th so they can organize for their April 30th delivery date.  She needs 30 of these.  Anything over that amount, she will use in future gift bags the following months since they are weekly, meeting and helping families.

Will you make a wristlet?  If so, please comment here that you are committing to making a wristlet.  Tell me how many you will be making and sending.  To save time, you can mail them directly to Cindy at : The Sam Bish Foundation - Mother's Day Project, P.O. Box 323, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068.  If you are local to Columbus and want to pass your bag off to me, let me know and I'll get it to Cindy.  Let's see how many of these we can make and then Cindy will have a great stash of these sweet little bags to share with Moms...and even with the kids.  I know she has a hard time finding the right things to share with the teenagers receiving treatment and I think these would be fabulous.  Anything above the 30 quantity she needs for Mother's Day - she will put to great use with patients and their families.

Pass the word to your sewing friends and thanks so much for helping to be the hands of God.

xoxo

:: two peas in a pod etc ::

Join us TONIGHT8:30pm EST for our studio sale

We will try to do this a few Tuesdays each month to sell some studio samples and other boutique goodies we find The prices are AMAZING Trust me - you will be glad you stopped in!

Like us on Facebook HERE

: : me and Jo-Ann : :

Yeah.  SO...a long, long time ago...I was asked to design a few projects using the Simplicity Deluxe Bias Tape machine.  And I came up with a a few things including this simple patchwork bag.  Haven't seen this bag in a long time.  Until tonight.

Searching for something else on the internet and I stumbled upon my old bag.  As a free project on the Jo-Ann fabrics website.  YEA!  I wondered when it would surface and be shared and now I'm uber excited because it's a freebie for you all to enjoy.

SO...enjoy!  Would be super cute in bright Spring fabrics for you to carry once the snow melts!

{thanks Jo-Ann's and Simplicity!}

: : swooning over new pattern covers : :

 

Shipping later this month...a refreshed version of my best selling pattern, the Hazel Hipster.  Hazel now boasts an additional style option...

...straight pocket, ruffled angled pocket, zip pocket on the front

...make it full size or mini

...or add a full size magazine / book pocket

Loads of options, lots of style, and a heap of full color, real life photo illustrations and nice heavy duty paper pattern templates.  Hope you love it!

: : winter and so on : :

There really is no such thing as balance.  Work, family.  No balance. See, the thing is as a woman, it still actually sucks for us in the work world.  You can't actually have it all.  When you are at work, you think about what you should be doing at home.  When you are at home, you think about opportunities passing you by because you aren't at work.  I have written about it before.  And it's nothing new.  Not for me.  Not for any woman regardless of where you work.  In or outside of the home.  It's not fair.  But it's the way it is.

I pray about it a lot.  I'm still on that "Mommy track" and others around me who once were are no longer.  They have moved on.  Their kids have grown and their priorities are all work work work.  And I am, gratefully, with much blessing, still in that place.  The "Mommy track".  That place where my kids are little (and some big), still like to snuggle, still call me Mommy, and my heart is 1000% with them all the time.  I want to be here when they leave for school, be here when they get home, make dinner early, make life for them peaceful and not rushed and chaotic.  Life is short and I will never ever ever never wish I had achieved more in my work life.  My aspirations are to be the best person God created me to be.  Pure and simple.  To nurture my children and husband all the days of my life with as much of me as I can give.

But it's a challenge.  I run my Two Peas business.  I work part time at another job.  I volunteer and am active in my community and I'm terrible at saying no. But I'm learning.

I'm learning you can't really have it all.  You can't stay home AND actually have enough money to put food on the table.  You can't work all the time and actually mentally or physically be there for your kids, fully in the moment, and without guilt as much as you'd like.  At least I can't.

And I wrestle with that balance.  Those struggles ebb and flow in my life.  Lately, it's been increasingly uncomfortable.  Life is challenging me.  I think those uncomfortable feelings that creep up are pushing me towards new ideas and changes.  I'm not sure where yet.  I'm not sure what yet.  But I feel something in me stirring and changing.  It's uncomfortable.  And I know that means that change is coming.

But I'm patiently praying and quietly listening.  I do know that my heart is pulling me stronger than ever to be present in this place.  To follow what is most important in life.  Maybe it's just the natural transition of getting older, growing wiser, being more secure in who I am.

And it's sometimes hard to come to this place - to write, talk and say something worth saying when I haven't felt like it.  When I haven't known what to say or share.  Or how to find the time.  But it hit me last night, like a lightening bolt, some ideas for change.  And here I am, finding some time to start a conversation.

Winter has been good.  Fun.  Warm, even though the temperatures outside are cold.  I wanted to share a little of what our two peas, sprout, the gardener and I have been up to...

Santa visited our girls and we enjoyed having Grandma with us too.  There were shouts of joy for chocolates and sock monkeys, barbies, and the best ever...Sprout got a Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer in her stocking.  She paused, held it out in front of her and burst into tears.  Big fat huge raindrops falling from her eyes while she exclaimed, "I love him so much!".  Sweetest thing ever.  Made us all cry because she was just so genuinely thrilled.

The snow missed us Christmas day but so beautifully fell the day after.  Of course the call went out, "The Preston sled hill is officially open" and friends gathered and came to hit the slopes and then sip hot cocoa afterwards.  The photo on the left : : the two peas and one of their buddies trying a triple person run not so successfully : : photo on the right is Sprout and I, she eventually took her hands down and watched, and squealed and screamed all the way down.  We may live in a teeny tiny house but I remind my girls all the time - you have the best backyard in town and that makes all the small spaces so worth it!  (and no, the little yellow house is not our house - it's the playhouse my Dad built for the kids.  The brown building in the background - also not our house - but our barn).

We visited family and the girls Aunt and Uncle treated them to a day at the ice rink for Christmas.  They LOVED it!  All three of them!  (If you are ever near Dayton, OH in the winter - the Riverscape downtown park / ice rink is a must do!).  And Sprout, well of course she sports an "S" on her skirt.  She loves getting dressed for church on Sunday and visiting with her girlfriends.  They quite literally, run to each other and knock one another down in a fit of giggles and then run off to play in the nursery or go to class.  4 is the best age ever.  Seriously.  

We have been exploring new recipes.  This one was a huge hit!  It all started because Wendy's (fast food - don't judge) has these new Baja salads.  To quote my 4 year old, O.M.G.  So delish!  So I tried to copy it at home and totally pulled it off.

I made a pot of homemade chili.  Put a scoop of the chili over iceberg lettuce. Add shredded cheddar cheese, a few tomatoes diced, fresh avocados sliced, a dollop of sour cream, a squirt of Hidden Valley Ranch Southwest Chipotle dressing, and a few crushed Doritos.  Score!  Kids LOVED it!

And then of course, you have the days that Sprout wants me to do her hair just like Mama...and I always oblige.  Sock buns!!  With my long hair and sewing, sock buns have been my fav way to pull my hair back lately.

And finishing off revisions to my best selling pattern, the Hazel Hipster.  Freshening up pattern covers for relaunches.  Headed up north to film for Season 5 for It's Sew Easy soon.  And...I'm going to need more coffee.

Hope you all are well.  Leave me note, catch me up on what's new with you!  I hope you are finding challenges in life as opportunities for positive changes and enjoying moments everyday.

: : handmade gift giving ideas from two peas : :

Just some ideas from my stash to share with you if you're still working on gifts (or like me, just starting, literally...to make and shop).  My tutorials page has  handbags, accessories, fun household items, thrifty makeovers, refashions and more.  A few are videos and I think you'll enjoy them.  So, hop over and visit my TUTORIALS page and find something you love to sew up!

If you make something from my tutorials - drop me a line and share!  I love to see what you craft up!

Now...I'm off to sew!  Earwarmers, scarves and new Hazel Hipsters ...my Two Peas gave me a wish list!

Want to sew with me?  Save 25% right now through December 21st, 2012 ($20/ each) on either of my video courses - The Tie Tote or The Hazel Hipster - 2 of my most popular patterns.  They go together quick and the videos are wonderful because it's like having a private lesson in your home.  (discount given via paypal refund after puchase).  Buy both classes and save even more - purchase both classes and save 35%.

Happy Sewing!