Pretty Things

Just now, as I sat down to type, I had the urge to push my right foot down on the lever that gives the sewing machine its power. Its not that I spend too much time sewing, its that I spend too much time being awake. I've adapted to my decrease in mental awareness. I no longer clip the wall with my elbow when I turn corners or put the cereal box back in the refrigerator but sometimes as I'm making lists of things I need to do, I forget what I needed to remember. My defense for stretching out the hours in one day is that being deprived of the chance to make pretty things is worse than being deprived of sleep. My husband doesn't agree but he's standing here next to me, also not sleeping. Does anybody else have this problem? (The one about making things instead of sleeping, not about husbands.)

Urban Outfitters hearts me

Yesterday, Sebastian and I drove to Urban Outfitters to pick up some decorations for my booth at Big Hat Days. I had seen these parasols and paper stars on sale a few weeks ago and had hoped they'd still be there. I picked up as many as I could carry in my unoccupied arm and ran down a sales associate to see if he could stash my booty behind the counter until it was my turn to pay. Paper stars don't take up much room but I'd also snagged this HOT houndstooth bedspread that was also at the sale table that I couldn't resist.
So, squirmy Sebastian and I waited patiently in the longest line I'd ever seen at this store and watched the heavens break open and unload a storm. I was beginning to think I should've insisted that Brett had come with me to help manage my chaos. We made it up to the front and had the cashier round up our pile of goodies. As she finished scanning one bedspread, three parasols and two paper stars she said the strangest thing.
"That will be $12.57."
"I'm sorry?"
"Your total is $12.57."
It was then that I knew Urban Outfitters had a crush on me. I had totally missed the sign on the sale table that read "Additional 75% off of already freakin' great sale prices!" I think I saved about $80 off the original tags. I almost said..."Hold my baby. I'll be right back." So now I'm home and wanted to share my good news. Yay, for accidental bargain shopping!

For the love of Blogging!

I was so excited about releasing my little blog into cyberspace with its new backpack full of fresh notebooks and unused crayons, but my idealistic send off has been deflated by my inability to attach my super cute banner to the top of this page. SO...instead of waiting until the time is right, I'm going ahead with what I've got. Its an accurate reflection of my life, I suppose.
Here's a little personal information so we can say its been done.

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey
Name: Rachel
Birthday: August 31
Birthplace: Ft. Worth, TX
Current Location and what is cool about where you live?: Fresno, CA. I can drive to some amazing places in 3-4 hours.
Eye Color: Brown
Hair Color: Brown
Height: 5"4"
Right Handed or Left Handed: Right
The Shoes You Wore Today: Green Houndstooth flats from Old Navy Winter '05.
Your Weakness: Fabric
Your Fears: Rejection, Being Robbed.
Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year: Make a consistent profit off of my craft. Document the growth of our son.
Thoughts First Waking Up: Can I manage 20 more minutes?
Your Best Physical Feature: Curly Hair
Your Bedtime: Between 11pm-12am
Single or Group Dates: Any dates at this point!
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
Do you believe in yourself: I struggle with this one.
Are you a Health Freak: A Health Moderate.
Do you get along with your Parents: Yes
Do you like Thunderstorms: YES!
Do you play an Instrument: My IPOD
In the past month have you eaten Sushi: Yes.
What do you want to be when you Grow Up: Still thinking...
What country would you most like to Visit: Italy
Number of Piercings: Ears, unused; Nose, rehealed.
Number of Tattoos: None to date...
favorite thing to waste $ on: Fabric, Shoes, Accessories.
favorite place to eat: Zeni-Ya
favorite date night: Movie and a bookstore.
something you are passionate about: People's stories.
something random that you totally hate: Wal-Mart, mini malls, and homelessness.

Why I Chose This Title...

Sewing used to be something only your Granny did when she got tired of knitting you sweaters with kittens on them.
I learned to sew from my mom when I was in elementary school and usually made skimpy clothes for my barbies (only later did I learn that dresses need to fasten at the back somehow...). I started up again after my Meemaw bought me a sewing machine when I got married. I was still in college and in Married Student Housing, which was about as big as my parent's garage, so I usually parked myself on the kitchen table and let the fabric pile up around me. Then we moved and I got a whole hallway, complete with shelves and a proper sewing table from a second hand store. I called it a studio.
My best friend, Elsie, her sister, Emma and I started Red Velvet Art and had our first show at Cornerstone Music Festival in Illinois. We spent weeks preparing for it. It was then that I realized how important art would be in my life. It had to be everyday.
So, I decided my sewing machine needed some bling to bring it up to date. Granny would be proud.