So Sew Organized

Even though it seems like Christmas was last week , here we are at the end of January already. 2015 is already history, folks. As hard as that is to believe (because after all, it was just last month) we can never get the days of 2015 back. We can now remember them fondly as memories of the past. And boy, was there some good memories! Three family weddings, buying my first car, getting stranded in Canada...twice....in the same trip. Some memories I'd rather forget! {wink!} I am a bit of a sentimentalist at heart, but I also strive to be a minimalist and keep clutter at bay. So after having a fun-filled summer in 2014, I was left wondering...how can I hold on to those keepsakes and still keep a clutter-free, minimalist approach? In January of 2015, I purchased this box at TJ Maxx to act as my "Box of Memories." I love the Paris theme, and the faux book look of the box. It could easily be tucked into my bookshelf as another book, or displayed as art because it i...

Recently I had the fantastic opportunity to take a trip to NC for my sister's college graduation! It had been 4 very long years since I had been there, and I had a fabulous time visiting old friends and getting re-adjusted to southern ways. :) After living there for 5 years, there was lots of things I loved about the South that I had forgotten! Such as: 1. The heat 2. The beautiful, lush landscapes and flowering trees 3. The fun accent 4. Beautiful homes and landscapes 5. The heat..did I mention that already? (wink!) Here is a recap of the week in pictures. I am a horrible blogger and missed so many great photos, but here are some fun ones I did get! The cute little car I rented while I was there! <3 This girl! My first time EVER not being on the platform for this type of thing...I rather enjoyed being able to just listen! This guy. I am SO GLAD I finally got to meet him and enjoy his adorableness! Loved this beauti...

Tuesdays are my piano teaching days. I have four students, and I like to call myself the "travelling teacher" because I go to the student's homes to teach them. We have a great schedule worked out that allows me to visit each home for a 45 minute lesson and even get to work on time at 2:45. In the middle of that busy, ram-the-roads day, I take my lunch to a local park. It is in a pretty secluded spot, and while there are a few others there on lunch break sometimes, it is often a quiet place where I have a half hour to enjoy the peace. The scenery lately has been beautiful. Situated on a river, the leaves peaked in their full autumn glory and the acorns have fallen thick on the ground. There is park benches and a swing set that always sit empty, squirrels darting back and forth beneath. But not this day. I saw his face as his mom parked their car beside mine. He didn't seem to see me, his only purpose was to get out of the car as quickly as he could. I didn't hear ...

My own journey to healthier, greener choices did not begin until I was out of college. As I started to read blogs , research real foods and recipes, and make some healthy decisions for myself I found that I was quickly overwhelmed! Things like grinding my own flour, knowledge of herbs and herbal remedies, essential oils, etc. etc. went way over my head. Too much information, not enough time and money! It is easy to feel like this healthy living thing is just a fad, and sales gimmic, and a way for companies to get more money. But after learning more about what we are really putting into our bodies each day and the truly negative effects it has, I have come to realize that it is a very important topic! Our bodies can not function the way God intended if we do not have the support and nutrition that he designed for us to need. But it does take work, and it does take money...precious money we might not have. Trust me, I get that! I don't have the money to shop at health food-y, organi...

It is Monday, time to say hello to a new week! Hello Monday posts were started by Lisa Leonard as a way to embrace a new week and a new perspective. Each week is new and exciting and brings opportunities! Join me by saying hello to your own week in the comments! Hello Monday. Hello dogsitting this weekend and peace and quiet and solitude. Hello peace and quiet and solitude . Oh wait, did I already mention that?? :) Hello busy, busy days . I'm getting ready for a local event this Saturday..crunch time!! Hello sneek peek at new items . (I share them on my FB page often, make sure you interact with us over there so FB will let you see them!!) Hello to a tweak in the So Sew Organized branding . I had my business cards and literature printed at Staples this time, and I'm in love with them! Hello to visiting the fabric store every other day . After Saturday, I'm going to not spend any money for like, a year. Haha. Hello to beautiful sun. Hello to getting a tan. :) Hello to sing...

It's Monday, time for some hellos!  If you're just coming in, Hello Monday posts, started by  Lisa Leonard,  are where I greet the week with some hellos, and reflect a bit on last week.You are welcome to join me by saying hello to your own day in the comments section or over at  Lisa's blog . Lets greet the new week with a smile! Hello sunny days. The vitamin D is so helpful Hello time change. I'm all for spring, but "springing ahead" throws me off. (I have to ask...did anyone forget??) Hello cousins coming home. Can't wait to see them! Hello packing...again. Hello cleaning house. Hello cousin time. Just love these girls! Hello dreams for So Sew Organized. I have some new ideas for spring...can't wait! Hello taking my sewing machine to the repair man. This is a problem when you own a handmade shop! :( Thankfully I have back-up! Hello scholarships for Guatemalan teens Ruth and Alan . We had some sales come in last week... will you help us? Hello gr...

It's Monday, time for some hellos!  If you're just coming in, Hello Monday posts, started by  Lisa Leonard,  are where I greet the week with some hellos, and reflect a bit on last week.You are welcome to join me by saying hello to your own day in the comments section or over at  Lisa's blog . Lets greet the new week with a smile! Hello warm weather. It was above freezing for several days. Hello snow . Despite warmer weather we can't seem to go more than a couple days without a snow storm. Hello winter wonderland. Hello Bald Eagle soaring overhead. Come closer so I can have a better look! Hello closing ceremony. I enjoyed it! Hello So Sew Organized giveaway . It was a fun few days! Did you participate? Hello skype calls with my little brother.  Hello sleepover with my cousins.  Hello brand new accessories in the So Sew Organized shop . I can't wait to share all the details later today! Hello to a new work week! I'm excited about what the week might brin...

It's Monday, time for some hellos!  If you're just coming in, Hello Monday posts, started by  Lisa Leonard,  are where I greet the week with some hellos, and reflect a bit on last week.You are welcome to join me by saying hello to your own day in the comments section or over at  Lisa's blog . Lets greet the new week with a smile! Hello Maine winter . After 8 years I'd forgotten what you were like. Hello chatting with family and friends from home.  Hello turkeys in my backyard. Hello metal roof . Makes for an exciting day. Hello making memories with family. Hoping to make more this week! Hello roasting marshmallows in the winter. I am convinced that roasted marshmallows taste way better in the winter than the summer! Hello baptism at church last night . It was a blessing to see two young boys in obedience to the Lord! Hello funeral for a great aunt. A sad hello for us, but the best hello for her! Hello days off of work and getting some other things done. Hell...

It's Monday, time for some hellos!  If you're just coming in, Hello Monday posts, started by  Lisa Leonard,  are where I greet the week with some hellos, and reflect a bit on last week.You are welcome to join me by saying hello to your own day in the comments section or over at  Lisa's blog . Hello Winter Olympics! I'm enjoying watching...and cheering for both the US and Canada. :) Hello winter in my backyard.  Hello sheets of ice coming off the metal roof . Its a heart attack waiting to happen. Hello three days later... Hello custom orders. I'm working on my largest tote yet, can't wait to share it with you when its done! Hello sleepovers with cousins. Hello new projects . Going to attempt to reupholster a big armchair with my aunt...a first for both of us! Any tips? Hello Valentines week . I'll be so glad when its over! Hello cold mornings . Its hard to get out from under my heated blanket! Hello seeing family and old aquaintances . Hello getting family ...

Its Monday, time for some hellos! If you're just coming in, Hello Monday posts, started by Lisa Leonard, are where I greet the week with some hellos, and reflect a bit on last week.You are welcome to join me by saying hello to your own day in the comments section or over at Lisa's blog . Hello, Monday! Hello clouds. Its a hot beverage kind of day. Hello getting back into couponing and deal shopping , thanks to a friend! Hello restful weekend. Glad I could spend it with family. Hello Football Whoopie Pies. This was so fun! Hello Oreo Footballs! Recipe can be found at the end of this post . Hello to a rather anti-climactic Superbowl.  Hello work and office files. Hello custom orders for So Sew Organized . I'm glad to be busy! Hello grocery shopping . A task I enjoy! Hello to a brand-new, busy week! What are you saying hello to today?