Getting Back into Real Life

Well, we have been back from our Nebraska/Kansas trip for 2 weeks now.... boy, time is flying! Nothing is really new.... though, we really wish we were still on vacation.  The funniest thing is this pic of my mother-in-law actually using her sewing machine in the back seat of the car while we were driving! (This is for you Les and Marg!):

The trip was really good for me.  It was fantastic to see my sisters-in-law and to get a break from the computer.  It was great to step back from my computer and 

see that there really is more to life than web design.  Like I said before, I am starting to sew and knit. Still working on knitting project #1, but I have sewn an apron and I made a "creative/collage board" thing. Here's some of my stuff from the last 2 weeks:

Practice project #1:  It's supposed to be a bag that stands up open, but... it was 7:30 in the morning, and apparently I can't read directions that early in the morning.  I didn't even notice that it was all wrong until it was "finished" and Jason ask

ed, "is it supposed to look like that?!?" Doh!!!!  I'll try again later....

My Reversible Apron:  (cute fabric, huh?)

My pride and joy for putting ideas together:

I am hoping to start using this blog to the benefit of my creative skills.  I would like to start posting a new "creation" of some sort every week. That will keep me (hopefully) more motivated and keep my skills up.  It might be anything from a new website or graphic to a painting or knitting project.  We will just have to see.  I have a whole list of things that I would like to do.   Its been really nice to get out of my comfort zone and play around a bit.  I am lucky to have a husband that really wants me to work on these things and develop my skills.  We will just have to see where they take me from here.  

To be honest, I have to give away my sources of inspiration for most of my new projects and ventures.  The first individual has had the greatest impact on my "new" thinking: Heather Bailey.  If you have never heard of her, you need to.  She's pretty much amazing in every way. The next is Erin Harris - she's like Martha Stewart only more "home grown".  Love it.   Martha Stewart, on the other hand, is also becoming a hero of mine.  :)  

Speaking of Martha, I am designing a website called WannaBeMartha.com.  It will be a lot of fun and give more people more opportunities to share their knowledge about anything crafty, home-y, or whatever to people.  I am also creating a shopping cart to go with it so there is opportunity for selling homemade stuff: like knitted socks, baby clothes, cheesy reversible aprons, etc.  I think it will be fun!  I will post a screenshot when the design has been laid out in Photoshop. 

I have to go to bed... Prince Charming is getting sleepy.   'Night!!!