Hubby's winter break = Lots of projects getting done

In addition to making beef stew, baking cornbread muffins, cleaning out the garage (mostly) and part of the house, and decorating for Christmas, I got the following orders completed for Aerowyn's Castle.

a "big sis" T-shirt custom rush order for Allie

and here is one of two sets of custom embroidered burp cloths


Other projects I'm working on: more appliqued shirts, a large blanket, doll carriers (mei tai, ring sling, and stretchy wrap), several bows and a tutu.

I love custom orders, so send me your ideas for shirts, burpies, blankets, bows, tutus, etc. and I'll get working on them!!

HUGE Signing Time sale!!!

See below for a great sale going on through the academy store this weekend! Access the store at http://www.signingtimeacademy.com/brendajones

Feel free to repost this to your friends/family :-)

I am still offering a $10 gift card for the first purchase over $50 (after discounts and before shipping)!!!

Signing Time Holiday Specials

Many gifts fade over time but the benefits of signing with your child will last a lifetime! Make this holiday special and memorable with Signing Time.

Friday, November 27 - 50% off orders over $25

* All single DVDs, CDs, Books and Flash Cards are 50% off on orders over $25
* No Coupon Necessary
* Excludes ALL GIFT SETS AND COLLECTIONS
* Not Valid with any other offer
* Good one day only
* Not available to wholesale and distributors

Saturday, November 28 - $15 off orders over $50

* $15 off orders over $50
* No Coupon Necessary
*
* Not Valid with any other offer
* Good one day only
* Not available to wholesale and distributors

Sunday, November 29 - Free shipping on orders over $50

* Free shipping on orders over $50
*
* No Coupon Necessary
* Not Valid with any other offer
* Good one day only
* Not available to wholesale and distributors
* Free shipping available on domestic U.S. orders only
* Free shipping via USPS Media Mail (2-3 weeks for delivery)

Monday, November 30 - 20% off all gift sets & Collections

* 20% off already discounted gift sets *Note: Gift sets are not gift wrapped
* No Coupon Necessary
* Not Valid with any other offer
* Good one day only
* Not available to wholesale and distributors

boutique all-nighter

At the last minute (aka 8pm before a 10am show), I decided to get a few things together for a small craft show/boutique hosted by a friend's mommy group. So in the past few hours, I finished 2 new sets of burp cloths, 3 picture frames, and 3 bows. I've put together the pricing sheet for the Signing Time merchandise, organized some photos of other projects I've done in the past, and had Robert design my flyer. I just have to get everything printed and packed up. It's now almost 4am and I'm hoping to be done by 5am so I can get a few hours of sleep. Unfortunately, baby is awake, so that is taking up some precious time. If you're in the area, Aerowyn's Castle and Sing Me a Sign will be at Heritage Park in Tustin at 10 am. Wish me luck!!

New Business!!!!

I'm excited to announce that I am officially certified as a Master level instructor with Signing Time!

I will be teaching sign language courses using the Signing Time! materials and curriculum to infants/toddlers/kiddos and their families as well as professionals. In addition to teaching, I am also a vendor for Signing Time! products :-) DVDs, books, and flash cards make great presents for the kiddos in your life and your favorite mama-to-be. I grew up learning sign language, used it in my 10+ year career in early childhood special education/autism intervention, and most importantly with my now 22-month old daughter. She has been signing since she was 8 months old and has well over 100 signs. Frustration with difficulties communicating (a.k.a. the infamous "terrible two's") are practically non-existent.

Check out my store to order your new Signing Time! products today :-)
http://www.signingtimeacademy.com/brendajones

Contact me at brenda@singmeasign.com for a coupon code!!

My personal website will be up and running as soon as I have a chance to write it all out!

6 years. (long one, sorry)

I can't believe it's been 6 years. Can't believe how quickly it went by, how much has changed, how much those last few days are still ingrained in my memory. But, I'm noticing holes in those memories now. I know I'll lose more and more. My computer with all of our photos crashed and is awaiting a very expensive recovery. I have a few I rescued from a website I used to have. I have no idea what happened to the video and there are no other copies floating around any longer that I know of.

It's been a rough week, one very few of my friends really understand... maybe only one really does. Sunday 10/18/09. CHOC walk at Disneyland. Good day with friends, great cause, but all I could think about was 1o/18/03. Also at Disneyland. Aaron and his kiddos came to Disney with me and my family. It was a great day. I loved spending time with him again since I hadn't seen him in a while (I'd moved to Vegas). I loved seeing the kids again. I loved seeing Disneyland through his eyes, the sheer excitement and amazement watching Fantasmic that night. I will forever have that smile in my mind. I will remember our phone conversation the night before we went to Disney. I will always remember what he said. I will forever remember the time we spent, that last hug goodbye when he dropped me off at the airport. I miss his hugs. I remember sitting on the plane and looking out the window when we took off thinking that was the last time I was going to see him. I thought that was such a strange thought. Unfortunately, I was right.

I asked Aaron to come visit me on Sunday. Anything to show me he was there with me. All day went by, and nothing. Until I got ready to leave. I wish I could get the video off my blackberry, but it was too long and can't be emailed :-( I left my friends at the park to take tired me and sleeping baby home. I walked into downtown Disney and there was a guy playing "Tears in heaven" on an acoustic guitar. It stopped me in my tracks. This was a song from Aaron's service. He was there. It was everything I could do to not lose it in Disney.

6 years ago tomorrow... the last time I talked to him. It was a quick conversation, but one I'm glad we had. I will forever regret not calling him for our usual Thursday chat. I'd call when he was on his way to pick up/drop off kiddos. After the week we'd both had, I was exhausted. I decided to go to bed early and to call him the next day. He didn't have a next day. Of all the moments I wish I could redo in life, that's probably at the top of my list. "One more day." That song by Diamond Rio summed it up good. I happened to have it on my CD of songs I made that reminded me of Aaron when I went out for his service. We used it in his service.

Saturday morning will be 6 years since his crash. 6 years since I woke up to that horrible phone call. I can still hear Steph's words like it was yesterday. "I'm sorry sweetie... he didn't make it." I have pictures from the crash site. I don't look at them but I have them. Pictures of the broken trees, the divots in the road, the sidewalk where he was. It still doesn't seem real at times.

Thank you Aaron for everything you gave me. Thank you for the memories. Thank you for helping me get to where I am in life. I miss you every day. I always will. You are my angel. I love you.

New facebook page!!

I'm putting all of my Aerowyn's Castle creations on a new page. Stop by and become a fan!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=764573590&v=feed&story_fbid=168713904312#/pages/Aerowyns-Castle/89405154283?v=wall&ref=mf

More new stuff!!

I'm working on setting up a good way to show inventory for sale, descriptions, prices, etc. but for now, Facebook is the simplest and quickest way to get it done. Gotta love direct upload from the BB Storm. They keep changing the album code, which makes it very difficult to keep it current, but for now, here's the link to the current "for sale" items. As always, custom orders are always welcome!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=76973&id=764573590&l=5d20f288eb

New stuff!!!

Red, white, and blue bow. Can be attached to a french or alligator clip.

Embroidered kitchen towel. Custom designs welcome.

Stars for the 4th. Available on french or alligator clips.

Custom embroidered set for baby "cheese chain"

Custom designed applique

101 tasks in 1001 days

The Mission:Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days.

The Criteria:Tasks must be specific (i.e. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (i.e. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days? Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

Start Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Day 1001: Tuesday, January 31, 2012

To do In Progress Completed

Health, Beauty & Nutrition (0/12)
Go to the dentist (and have Aerowyn examined too)
Get my annual exam
Get an eye exam
Take vitamins every day for 2 consecutive months (0/2)
Go for a walk with the baby for at least 30 minutes 5 days a week for 1 month (0/4)
Do my hair and makeup 3 days a week for 1 month (0/4)
Floss every day for 2 months (0/2)
Lose 25 lbs
Drink 64-80 oz of water a day every day for 2 months (0/2)
Give up sweets (candy, ice cream, cookies, etc) for 2 consecutive weeks (0/2)
Give up soda for 1 month
Give up fast food for 1 month

Activities (0/11)
Take mommy and me dance lessons
Enroll Aerowyn in swimming lessons
Enroll Aerowyn in gymnastics lessons
Take Aerowyn to 3 stage productions (0/3)
Have a family picnic at the beach
Go camping in the backyard
Take pictures in a photo booth
Fly a kite
Schedule daddy/daughter date night once a month for 3 months (1/3)
-- May: Brea mall and downtown shopping/dinner
Take a family hike
Learn to scuba dive

Food Stuff (0/4)
Bake a cake from scratch (frosting too)
Try 15 recipes from “Cook Yourself Thin” and put faves in a book/organizer (0/15)
Eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies a day for 5 days a week for 1 month (0/4)
Try 5 new restaurants (0/5)
-- Melting Pot


Travel & Adventures (0/5)
Go to the SD Zoo or Wild Animal Park
Do a day at Disneyland (at least 4 hours) without bringing the stroller
Go to the Exploratorium
Plan a tropical vacation (take it if $ allows)
Take a vacation to another state

Personal Growth / Mental Health (0/10)
Complete this initial list of 101 things – 5/5/09
Take a self portrait every week for 52 weeks (0/52)
Take a picture of Aerowyn every day for a year (0/365)
Make a list of 100 things that make me happy (0/100)
Get a will or living trust written
Write a list of 10 things I love about myself (0/10)
Unplug (no phone, computer, TV) one day a month for 3 months (0/3)
Wear and feel good in a bikini
Have a spa day once baby is ready for longer times without mama
Have a new list of 101 things written before day 1001

Just for Me (0/13)
Load 100 songs (at least 10 for A) and 5 videos (for A) on the ipod
Learn how to download music and videos to my blackberry
Transfer all of my camcorder footage to DVD
Update my blog at least 3 times a week for 2 months (0/2)
Buy a Coach bag
Teach Aerowyn 3 new ASL signs every week for 6 months (0/6)
-- May: water, cereal, cookie
Read 50 books (includes below) (0/50)
Read 5 books from Oprah’s book club and 5 books from the NY Times Bestsellers List
Eliminate FB for 1 week
Research getting a dog and pick top 3 breeds
Ask an acquaintance out for coffee, etc. (make a new friend to hang out with)
Back up my laptop
Eliminate the f-word from my vocabulary

Family & Friends (0/7)
Update Aerowyn’s journal at least once a week for 6 months (0/6)
Send “just because” gifts to 5 special people in my life (0/5)
Call my dad every week for 2 months (0/2)
-- 5/10
Send out the 2009 Easter pics that are still sitting here
Attend Robert’s USC School of Pharmacy graduation (May 2011)
Get family portraits done every year (0/3)
Have another baby

Around the House (0/17)
Load the digital frame with at least 50 pictures and hang it
Update the digital frame every 6 months for the duration of the 1001 days (0/6)
Unpack at least 20 boxes from the garage and baby bins (0/20)
Paint and redecorate Aerowyn’s room
Clean out and get rid of the storage unit
Have a clean family room and kitchen before bedtime 5 nights a week for 3 months (0/3)
Frame and hang 10 photos (at least 2 with me in them) (0/10)
Paint the master bedroom and bathroom
Design and plan backyard landscaping
Get 3 estimates for backyard landscaping (and get it done if $ allows) (0/3)
Wash and clean out my car once a month for 3 months (0/3)
Scrub the kitchen and bathrooms completely once a week for a month (0/4)
Organize the bathroom cabinets and medicine cabinets (including a 1st aid kit)
Assemble an emergency/disaster kit for the house and cars
Plant and maintain an herb garden with at least 3-5 herbs
Craigslist/freecycle/garage sale at least 5 large boxes of stuff we don’t need/use (0/5)
Have a fresh bouquet of flowers in the house once a month for 6 months (1/6)
-- 5/11,

Finances and Shopping (0/4)
Go to Target without buying impulse items for 4 consecutive trips (0/4)
Make a monthly budget and stick to it for 8 of 12 months (0/8)
Help Robert secure the trust fund that is trustee-less
Research setting up a website, accepting credit cards, etc. for Aerowyn’s Castle

People & Society (0/7)
Pay someone else’s bill
Meet and have conversations with at least 2 neighbors (0/2)
Buy a homeless person a meal
Inspire someone to write their own 101 in 1001 list – 5/5/09 Maren is part way done
Send a care package via anysoldier.com
Use at least 5 reusable grocery bags for 5 consecutive shopping trips (0/5)
Donate $5 to charity (to be named later) for items not completed

Creativity (0/11)
Complete at least 5 projects for sale (frame, bow, onesie, etc.) every week for 3 months (0/3)
Learn to do embroidery machine appliqué
Learn to use at least 2 shortcuts on photoshop for embroidery design (0/2)
Learn to use the DSLRs and shoot in full manual
Take 100 depth of focus shots with the 50mm lens (0/100)
Make a “My first year” DVD of photos and videos of Aerowyn
Design photo albums of Aerowyn for 2008, 2009, and 2010 and have them printed (0/3)
Set up my etsy shop with at least 25 items across 3 types in stock
Sell 10 items on etsy in one month
Enter a craft fair
Learn to sew a hooded towel, bloomers, and a simple toddler dress

Other items that I thought of after the fact: (0/13) – these get to come off the next 101 list
Finish Aerowyn’s baby book
Find and have a jeweler make the pendant that Robert designed me for Christmas
Have a romantic dinner date with Robert
Have a romantic weekend away
Have boudoir photos taken for Robert
Start leaving love notes for Robert around the house or sending texts
See a dermatologist for a full-body mole/freckle scan
Make a list of 50 movies I want to see
…and watch them all (1/50)
Change the address on my driver’s license
Either preserve my wedding dress or get Trash the Dress photos taken
Make an album of pregnancy photos
Put lotion on after every shower for 1 month

For info on creating your own 101 Things to do in 1001 Days visit: http://www.triplux.com/dayzero/

Pampered pooch!

I've just made my first doggie bows. I know that dogs often use the same bow design as kiddos, but in searching for ideas, I noticed that a LOT of them were designed this way. I also found that french clips are easier to use, but double elastics are recommended instead for safety reasons. Here are my first 2 bows I made to complete an order. Both are double loops, hand sewn, and attached to double elastics. The pink camo bow has 2 light pink beads in the center and the black and white has a doggie bone resin. ($5 each) **please note bows have not been fully fluffed in this photo

Embroidery projects

I'm happy to announce that we have figured out the tricks to the custom designs and have made some great first projects with the embroidery machine! I'll get pics up as soon as the projects are completed. I need to pick up a few other fabrics before I can finish. Once I have prices set, I'll get them up for sale. Stay in touch!

Yay! Yay! Yay!

My wonderful husband, the worried-about-spending-money husband, approved the purchase of a kick butt sewing/embroidery machine. I can't wait to figure it out and get some projects together. I'm really hoping that this little business will pick up some time soon and I can start helping to bring money into the house instead of just sending it out. Of course start up costs are a bit rough, but I have my fingers crossed that I can make this work. I went to Joanns and got some great, yummy soft fabrics today. Keep a lookout for new products soon!

Adding to the repertoire!

Wow, never knew I could be so crafty (or is it cheap, lol). I love boutique stuff, but I can't shop the boutiques and be a SAHM. In a few years, maybe. Now, not so much. Besides, boutiques are so overpriced. Why not offer affordable boutique-quality items when everyone is trying to save a dime? Just because money is tight is no reason to be without the "cool stuff," lol.

Here's a sample of appliqued items that I will be adding to the
product list for "Aerowyn's Castle" (prices TBD).

Adding the fancy, schmancy no-dents nylon headband perfect for babies that don't have enough hair to hold all those gorgeous bows you have.

And just wanted to show off this cupcake bow that I made for a custom order. Act quickly, as I only have one more cupcake embellishment to use and sell ;-P

Easter!!

Coloring on an egg with a wax crayon.

Looking cute!

Stirring the dye...

Taking the egg OUT of the dye. She cried when it got put in.
Apparently it was ruining her fun.

That's better (note the egg laying on the table)

Playing with eggs and plain water. No more mess!
Easter morning. I hear money in these eggs. Woohoo!!!!Why is there a flower on my head?

Hey, I still fit in the basket!

My new book :-)

My cool new bunny. I loved boogeying to the music.
I found one!

Ooh, money and chocolate!!! I think I'll keep this one.

Push me Brayden!

On the big girl swing. Wheeee!!!!!

What's Easter without a little wii Rock Band??

Flying :-)

With cousins Brandon and Brayden, and Great-auntie Helen

Awwwww

Mmmm, easter egg cake from Eddie's Bakery

Life on the farm

We are so lucky to live in a part of suburbia that still has access to farm life. In February, we went to Amy's Farm in Chino (just a few miles from the house). It was right after the big rains and was super muddy, so miss independent had to wear her snow boots to walk around.

Ok, so far so good. I think this is ok.

Never mind. A rooster got too close and I'm not a happy camper.

I like the giant cow.

But I'm just not feeling the goats. Not even the babies in the tub.
Or maybe it's the fact that I'm standing in squisy mud.

Waiting to hold a baby bunny.

Holding a baby bunny.

Feeding a baby cow a bottle of milk.

And our most recent farm trip to Centennial Farm in Costa Mesa at the OC Fairgrounds. We had a play date with some of our gymboree friends.

Baby piglets.

And a baby goat. He was super tiny.

And one of the baby lambs.

I kept going into this barn.

Last shot of the day.