Working Through the Pain

Gosh...I don't know how to begin to tell you how sorry I am that I've been lagging on this blog.  I've been very busy with orders, which is so amazing.  I love, love, LOVE what I do!!

Unfortunately, I somehow aggravated my back injury on Monday (unloading the dishes, of all things) and I've been in excruciating pain ever since.  I can't tolerate pain killers other than basic ibuprofen or acetaminophen, so it's been a rough week.

How did I injure my back?  7 years ago my husband, kids and I were hit by a drunk driver who ran a red light.  Our SUV spun around and rolled over. I was driving.  By the grace of God we all walked away from the accident, but my back was never the same.

I go through this every few months...but this has been the longest I've been in pain...ever.  I think I may have to see a doctor soon. :(

I probably should have relaxed my back much more than I have this week.  After I finish this post, I promise I will go upstairs and stay in bed until Sunday.  Maybe my fairy Godmother will appear and do my laundry this weekend.

Here are some photos of what I worked on this week, pain and all...tell me what you think:

20" x 20" Chevron Throw Pillow

Elephant Karavan Applique Pillows

Scrappy Scarf Necklace

Boho Cuff Bracelet

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Elephant Applique and Patchwork Throw Pillows

My friends and family are the inspiration for most of my projects, and I am so grateful to them!  It takes so much creativity just to figure out how to run a multifaceted business from home with kids on two different bus schedules, all the while having to plan dinner, do housework, worry about bills AND try to find a way to have a fulfilling life on a budget. It's no wonder my hair is falling out...seriously, it is.  I could make a wig out of what gets trapped in the shower drain!

Even so, nothing has fulfilled me creatively than creating items to share on AquaSeventy6.  So, thank you again!

The following project was inspired by some fabric I came across while mindlessly browsing the web.  It was so beautiful that I had to share it on my Facebook page.  Minutes later, my friend Natasha asked if I could use the fabric to make her some throw pillows....OF COURSE!

I ordered the fabric from a trusted shop on Etsy (small business supporting small business!) as well as some coordinating fabrics for the backside.  When the main fabric arrived, I decided to cut out the print and applique it on another fabric.....and here is what was born...

Isn't it beautiful?!

Here are both sides.  What you can't see is the zipper I added to each pillow so that my friend can toss the covers in the wash whenever she needs to.

I love this pillows so much, that I am planning to recreate them for myself...if I ever make time!  I hope you all enjoyed today's bit of eye candy! xx

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Featured on DisneyBaby.com!

I am so excited to share that the Necktie Capia Pin that I shared a few weeks ago was featured on Disney Baby!

Check out the article!

The Coolest Goody Bags on the Block

I totally dig party planning!  When my son turned 1, I spent weeks creating center pieces, choosing the right menu, designing the perfect cake, and choosing just the right outfit for him to wear.  Over the years I've planned baby showers, baptisms, birthday parties and more.  It's just something I do for fun, but maybe one day I will take it to the next level.

One of my favorite things to work on for my kids' birthday parties were the goody bags.  I loved personalizing them and filling them theme specific treats. But, as my kids grew and started to go to parties themselves, I realized a lot of those toys and candies were soon forgotten, and most ended up in the trash. (You mean they don't actually write on a mini notepad with mini pencil?) What a waste of effort and money!

Recently, as I was making some of my sandwich-size mini wet bags, I thought of a great idea!  These would make perfect birthday party goody bags!  With all of the fabric selections available, they can be easily made to match almost any party theme. They can be filled with mini bags of goldfish, pretzels or other healthy treats, and the parents can reuse them later for snacks or in their lunchboxes. No more throwaways!  You can even personalize them with a little tag tied to the zipper!

Here are some super hero bags I made for my friend, which would make a perfect goody bags for a super hero themed birthday party:

My daughter's 7th birthday party was Pink Cowgirl themed...too bad I didn't have this fabric back then!

 Having a football themed party?  Even dads will love these bags!

Check out my Facebook page for more information on mini wet bags.  (Need 10 or more? Email me for special pricing!)

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Little Man Wet Bag

As you can tell, I'm kind of obsessed with the 'stache.  I think it's because my dad sported a mustache for the first 34 years of my life.  I'm pretty sure his upper lip was paralyzed for months after shaving it off.  He won't admit to upper-lip physical therapy, but it's moving now so I'm not totally convinced.  ;)

I designed the "Little Man" Wet Bag for my nephews, but my #1 client (who also happens to be hosting a mustachio baby shower) wanted one for her nephew as well, so I have two fabric combinations to share with you.

The following one matches the aprons I showed you earlier in the week.

This is the one I designed for my little guys:

I wish I would have had wet bags to keep in my diaper bag when my kiddos were babies.  I used to carry around plastic store bags and giant ziplocks to hold all of their messy bibs and burp cloths.  These would have been perfect.  Lucky for you, though!  Now they exist and you can get one for your diaper bag, or as a gift.

They roll up easily, so they won't take up much room!

You can even pair them up with the matching burp cloths!

For more info, or to order email me at the link above!  For the most up-to-date information, Etsy shop codes and more, become a fan of AquaSeventy6 on Facebook!

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Fee Night, Speaking Spanish and Pencil Cases

Today I took my son to his 7th grade "fee night", which is exactly what is sounds to be.  You look for your child's homeroom on a list taped to the wall and wait in line with 30 other parents and students. When you finally meet the homeroom teacher, you hand her a wad of dough and  leave with a manilla folder full of forms and your child's class schedule.  Fun times.

He's got Spanish this year which is fantastico considering that according to his forms he's "Hispanic/Latino" but doesn't speak a word of it.  That is my fault, I know.  I started speaking to him solely in Spanish as a baby, but as soon as he started talking in English we just went with it. You don't have to tell me how much I suck.  I hear enough about it from my parents, in-laws and grandparents.

Speaking of back-to-school, I wanted to share some super cute pencil cases I've been designing.

This Mustachio Pencil case is for my daughter's friend "A".  She's all about the 'stache, so her mom thought this would be perfect for her 4th grade year.

My friend's son "C" is LOVE the Redskins, and wanted a pencil case with the 'Skins as well as some other NFL teams.  I lucked out to find this print!  It pretty much rocks.

Now this is one of my FAVORITE pencil pouches, because it's going to be used by my friend Natalia from Ma Nouvelle Mode as a cosmetics case.  I adore this fabric and I am happy that she was my very first client to choose it!

Pencil cases are lined in vinyl and measure approximately 11"x4.5".  Email me for more info.

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A HUGE Score and a Mustachio Apron

I know it's late!  Who blogs at 10 p.m.???  Ummm, I do!!

I spent the day doing some back-to-school shopping with the kiddos, thanks to a nice gift card my wonderful mother-in-law sent them.  Then I did one of my ALL TIME favorite things....I went thrifting! 

I didn't exactly MEAN to buy anything.  I just walked into the shop to browse and kill time, and then I saw it. The sign.  It said "All clothing $1."  Say WHAAATTTT?

I decided just to peek in the woman's section. The first thing I found was a pair of gray Liz Claiborne dress slacks, in my size.  Right next to it a pair of taupe NY & Co dress slacks (also in my size!)  I found a couple of pencil skirts, a GORGEOUS button down black midi skirt, a beautiful navy Isaac Mizrahi dress, and a Simply Vera Wang top.

I was about to walk to the register when I saw a rolling rack with some newly placed items.  I found my daughter 3 cardigans, two from Gap and one from J. Crew.  My biggest find??  A pair of LIKE NEW Banana Republic jeans in hubby's size.  Keep in mind, these are $1 each!  ONE DOLLAR!  My grand total??  $14...CHA-CHING!  That was less than what I spent on ONE long-sleeve hoodie for my son at Kohls!

I don't have any pics of my score to share with you tonight. Half of the items are in the wash, and the other half are in a bag to go to the cleaners, but I will post some as soon as I can.

I'm not going to leave you with out any pics, though.  Here is one of 6 aprons I made for my friend who's hosting a mustachio baby shower. 

Enjoy!

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