Holidays are Around the Corner Are You Ready

Wow I was looking at my last blog I am running behind my goal to blog every Sunday not because I don't have anything to say or show you only life has overwhelmed me here at home. Since November 2010 my husband has become disabled a ruptured brain aneursym put in him the hospital for about 3 weeks between the surgery and going to rest home to recover after this it was another 8 weeks of everyday therapy 9-5 with weekends off. I am afraid to leave him alone I know that this is ridiculous but if you know me you are aware that I am a bit of a worrier. Steve, my husband, is unable to return to work which I know is a bit stressful for him but now its my turn to take care of him. We married when I was barely 20 since this Steve has taken the best care of me and my daughter that I brought to the marriage he had a daughter and then after 3 years we had a daughter so 34 years later 3 daughters and 7 grandchildren-awesome.
I have been working for a company called Working Solutions, based in Plano, TX this is a work at home business I love it surely I have mentioned this before it works out perfect for us keeping me at home to help watch over him and earn money so that we can continue to pay our mortgage.
Steve is getting better each day all the prayers from family and friends and support to help him has been fantastic I am constantly thanking everyone on facebook, letters yes I still use snail mail and telephone calls.
Work has been keeping me quite busy not those wee late hours where you can find me sewing not only for myself and the web site but for others now. I have taken on a few customers that wanted me to sew for them for their products. I love the fact they have trusted me enough to sew their products and it allows me to still be creative, something that I have to do to maintain stress level at even keel.
I ventured into an old favorite again crocheting and knitting I found that at night I was unable to run my sewing machine the sewing room is too close to our bedroom with my trusted old sewing machine it makes a bit of a noise that does interfere with Steve's sleeping hence quietly crocheting and knitting. I have had a lot of fun making cocoons, hats, blankets for friends, family and been selling a few items too. I know that everyone is used to me creating with wood and fabric this is new to those that are viewing my fan page so I am sure the sales will increase with time. The items have been listed on my web page once I felt confident to continue making them you can find all new different items under tab Crafter's Corner. Catchy little phrase that my web designer came up for me since everything else was wood and fabric she decided I should include everything I make not that she is bias or anything...LOL
The rest of the days have been clearing out the clutter that I have accumulated thinking we would have our married daughter and her family move back in with us for a bit realizing it was way too much stress on each of us we decided I would work more it was a mutual agreement now I have cleaned out all the rooms Hurray- clutter is gone onward and forward.
Gave away of lot of items to the family members one big yard sale at the end of September all is Good. :-)
I have lots of new items that I want to show and a few how to's my goal for next week is to get back on schedule Sunday blogging again.
I have continued reading all your blogs though learned a lot of great tips made new friends so least that did not go by the wayside.
Well now that I have written a partial book here I am ending my blog today.
Here is something I did finish up on a pillow for a dear friend

receive Miracles in the present moment

Lots of love to you all
Rachel♥

What I have learned from Blogging

The summer has inched itself right into our lives the days longer weather hotter I love it. I am ready for a bit of sunshine lasting more than a few hours in the day. I work the mid afternoon shift so in early morning time I get to go outdoors to water, garden, paint all the fun things before I am sitting at my desk for 5 hours straight.
This weekend I went to a baby shower for my daughter's dear friend. I was quite impressed to find how much my daughter has learned from the blog inserts I have sent her. I read your blogs even though I may not comment all the time I have been there looking to see what creative ideas you have produced. All of you are so talented in so many different ways. This talent is appreciated back to the story my daughter had chocolate covered strawberries, dipped pretzel sticks, large chocolate and carmel marshmellows on a stick plus she decorated the containers used. Glass vases with ribbon, painted flower pots with large bows to hold the favors, pink buckets for prizes, her personal touches were everywhere. I must say she is her Mother's daughter and I was very proud.
The baby shower went so well even with the temperature in the high 80's no one melted especially the Mommy to be. The gifts there were extra special because there were so many handmade items. It was so nice to see the old fashion type of gift giving from the heart those handmade. Mommy was so touched by the love from each indiviual one created for her new little Brooklynn.
There I met some wonderful ladies who had created these gifts one in particular I wanted to share with you. Her name was Debbie the owner of
http://lovelydiapercakes.weebly.com/index.html her diaper cake was so beautiful I was anxious to know if she created others. Yes she had a web site and I went there to look. Wow she is so talented the choices were amazing and her prices reasonable. I liked the fact that she really wanted customer intake before making any diaper cake. Debbie creates for the customer I admire this since I try to make sure that I craft the same way.
I have included some pictures of the festive day hope you enjoy them I know I had a wonderful day.
Included two of my granddaughters with me couldn't resist they are just too cute.

It's A Giveaway

In the mood for a Giveaway I know I am feeling the love to do one.
These past few weeks I have been so busy creating for customers, thinking of the future holidays to come, working my day job, tending to the house and busy outside in the yards that I want to remind you how much you are appreciated from me.
The only thing is that you have to make sure you follow the rules for entries. Lots of time I sincerely feel bad that someone did not put their information in the correct area so they could not be included in the random drawing. Please that makes me feel sad and usually I take the time to go email that person so they can have the chance to do it again.
The rules:
1. Must go to my website at http://www.ourcreativehands.com
sign up for our newsletter. If you already have that is one entry just comment you have. There is a coupon for 10% discount on first purchase when you do just for doing this you can have a coupon for future use. That is a plus right.
2. Follow my blog if you do just comment you do. Every comment is one entry so if you suggest me to a friend have them let me know that so you will get another entry.
3. Like me on Facebook if you are there already make sure and comment again for that entry.
After our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ourcreativehands reaches 900 fans the drawing will take place.
The prize I have chosen is Apple Betty who warms my heart and I know that she will warm yours also.
I wish you all the best of luck! You all make me want to continue to create, craft and enjoy what I do so I want to thank you.

Creating and Promoting

I can't believe its been over 3 weeks since I have blogged the time slips by so quickly. Not that I am not doing anything this definitely is not the case.
I constantly read from you how important it is to spread the word about your wares to sell. There are so many avenues today to accomplish this without knowing which is the best. We have Twitter, Facebook, Web sites, LinkedIn, Blogging and the old favorite of mine Word of Mouth. In order to accomplish this I have found that it must be done everyday. I wonder where I am going to fit in the creating part since I am a Customer Service Rep during the day hours too. Not to worry I tell myself the house can be a bit less perfect and the garden can wait until Sundays. So I have made a schedule for myself morning hours are working on projects for either the local store here in California that I sell to, the web site and any special orders received from family and friends. The early night hours are for promoting on the media I mentioned above and those late night hours when nobody else is awake is to sit and think of new ideas. These late hours are around 1-2am I am found thumbing through magazines, scouring the internet, looking at old photos of items I created years ago and a bit of dreaming. I do my best idea planning this late so peaceful and in the summer months you could find me out on our deck under the stars sitting on a rocker just thinking of what I could create or have Steve cut for me in wood the next day. He is so funny because I barely jump out of bed some mornings with all these ideas that he gives me an odd stare as to say"who are you". I really do overwhelm him sometimes with my ideas. But the good guy he is we discuss if the idea is possible and off he goes to make it a reality. No Steve wastes no time once we decide.
Well I am hoping that out of all my words today you to will come to a conclusion of what schedule works best for you. I know it is harder for you that are Moms with small children to tend to but when your creative juices are flowing and your passion for your ideas are flying out of your head you will find the time.
Make sure to promote even if it is quick note on one of your media choices we all love to show what we have made and better yet we love to see other creations.
Added a few pictures of my latest items you can find on the web site.

Creating Summer Desserts

It's Friday mid May and I don't know about your home area but here in California I am still hoping for more sun. I am not complaining nor wishing for 100 degree weather but I would like to go outside without long pants, two shirts and a sweater. I have so much yard work to tend to, want to bring out those summer cushions and plan on some barbaques without wondering if the rain will spoil our plans.
I just received an email today that made me yearn more for summertime it was from Betty Crocker receipes. I want to share this with you because they sound so yummy. I am making sure to put them in a safe place, I have a tendency to delete, so when summer plans are in the making I will be the first to offer a new dessert.
I have tried and tried to get the link to post to my blog page but it won't so after several attempts I am just going to let you know they are from Betty Crocker recipes called Happy Hour Desserts. They are absolutely yummy looking. Pina Colada Cupcakes,Mojito Bars, Strawberry Daquiri Cake, and Grasshopper Dessert Squares.

So sorry that the link would not appear on my blog page.
Hope you enjoy them.
Have a wonderful weekend be safe and enjoy whatever you have planned.

Stitching Memories

Stitch Your Memories
Today marks the second year that my Mom had passed away many of you that have read my blog in the past know how important she was to me and how much I miss her.
Marilyn, mom’s name was a strong woman who started her family very young she divorced and married later again to a wonderful man, Willie. He had passed away several years ago so as usual Mom picked herself up and continued living life to the fullest. She never passed a moment to do what she enjoyed whether it be gardening, checking out the thrift stores, creating, cooking, traveling or just spending time with friends.
A few of my brothers and sisters our Dad and his wife got together yesterday along with our children making it a special day to honor her life. We attended a Mass honoring her name then came back to my house for a pot luck barbecue. Not all of her children were with us since they lived out of state but the day was full of love. No sorrow only memories that brought tears of happiness. We took pictures the children played; we ate delicious food prepared by her granddaughters. As I stood back and looked at this family gathering I was reminded of what Mom had passed down to her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren the ability to rejoice in what was around them.
Our Mom was probably looking down at us yesterday with a big smile on her face knowing that yes she did leave her mark on this earth. This is something that I pray for that I too will be remembered with love not sorrow. I don’t want my children, grandchildren and hoping great grandchildren not to have tears of me away from them because I won’t be. I want to be STITCHED in their memories.
You all have stories that have been told to you passed down from generation to generation keep them going. Share with your family let them know where they came from, who they take after or what trait they have inherited these are important facts that all families should carry on.
Remember those old quilts from yesteryear that tell the story of family well now in the modern day times we may not have that but we can STITCH these memories in our hearts.
Lots of Love to you all.
I have shared some pictures hope you enjoy them.

Mother's Day Question

What Did Your Mother Teach You

Today’s day is special to all women who either gave birth ,adopted or just took in a child in need and I just want to take the time to applaud you.

I was reading face book today catching up on all the news you all have to offer and stumbled onto a question about Mothers that appealed to me so I thought I would get your answers. How fun it will be to read back each answer getting even closer to you my readers. One word answers are fine if you aren’t the sharing type but seriously I would love reading what your Mother has taught you, did it change your life, was it something that was passed down from generations, do you find yourself doing something she always did, crafting, sewing, cooking, working in the garden or just something you so admired in her that you want to share.
My Mother gave me so many great traits but to choose one would be how she could create. Mom had 5 children basically in a row so she had to learn how to make do with what she had in order for us all to be well dressed and happy. She crocheted, knitted and sewed so the 3 girls always had clothes that were especially made for them. Mom taught us all how to work with our hands in the garden so that fresh vegetables were available for meals, and she could make powdered milk taste fantastic. She taught us to add a dash of this and a dash of that to create wonderful meals. My fondest memories remembered are when Mom belonged to each of our PTAs. We had the best school carnivals, class parties, and our house was decorated for every occasion. Even as we grew up we knew coming home to visit Mom her home would be decorated. I have taken this wonderful trait with me and every occasion my home is decorated I personally love Christmas so I literally take everything out of my house and transform it into Christmas as my Mom would do. Mom did like Halloween like Christmas so it was the scariest home ever all the children loved to go trick or treating at her house. Now that my Mom has passed on each time I decorate I look at my creation and think how special she made it for me and I just smile. My children comment that they hope to have my decorations when I go to Heaven I just remind them it is not going to be for a long time so start shopping but I am so pleased that this is something they want to continue like me and my Mom.

Happy Mother’s Day with much love …

I have included some pictures of my Mom please do the same
Sincerely