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You can read more at Me and Wee. Much love to you all!
Hello everyone! I'm so sorry I've been so absent. I think I'm finally starting to come out of my beginning pregnancy fatigue and illness! *doing a dance* Maybe this means I will have the drive and energy moving forward to post more! Today I wanted to tell you about a cute new shop. My cousin's amazing and talented wife Andrea makes amazing candles that happen to look like any sort of baked treat you can imagine. Pies, cakes, cookies, muffins, loafs, coffees, birthday cupcakes...the list goes on and on. And they each smell like the thing they look like. YUM! She's been very successful hosting and visiting "candle parties" and she has now opened her own brick and mortar store in Scituate, Rhode Island (right on the main drag across from the Post Office there.) I'm telling you folks! Her prices are VERY competitive (I would say LOW) especially compared to that famous scented candle-maker who only makes plain jar candles (I can't name names). Andrea's cute shop is called Maple Creek Primitives Candle Bakery and Gift Shop. Be sure to check out her website and online store if you aren't in the area. Here you can find all of her handmade confections in the forms of candles and "tarts" you can melt in a tart warmer (basically a little holder that holds a scented piece of wax (which Andrea can make look like cookies!) that sits over a flame and melts down and fills the room with wonderful smells.) The other great thing about her shop is that she allows local craft vendors to sell their HAND-MADE wares that fit her "primitives" theme...so it's a one-stop shop for all handmade quality gift items. Nothing is mass-produced. Everything is completely customizable and can be made just for you. Have a particular favorite confection? You can just ask her and she can make your item just for you and ship it out. She can even do customized candles as wedding favors. Your imagination is the limit. She has been kind enough to ask me to design a few cards to sell in her store, so it was quite a fun process coming up with new material. The designs are very customized to the "primitives" theme and have a "country" feel that my work doesn't normally have. But, I still managed to make the designs feel like they were done by me and still have that Megan twist. I will feature the designs in my next post. If you are in the New England area and particularly Rhode Island, consider stopping by Maple Creek Primitives to pick up a few gifts or stocking stuffers for the holidays. A pie candle might be a great housewarming gift at Thanksgiving. Be well everyone!
Maple Creek Primtives: 174 Danielson Pike, North Scituate, RI
Phone: 401-764-5880 Wed-Fri: 10-3, Sat-Sun: 10-5
email: maplecreekprims@aol.com (email Andrea with any requests or questions...she's great!)
Thanks for all your well wishes from here and from my other blog. Our hearts are so warmed! We have piles of emails from friends and family wishing us well and it feels so good to have so much support and care. I'm so grateful to be surrounded by such wonderful folks! :)
I am 14 weeks along today and all seems just fine. No bump or belly yet to show for it but I know I have a few more weeks before anything will be visible. But, it's fun to lay down flat on my back...I can feel the lump of my uterus when I run my hand across my abdomen. Feeling it makes it feel even more tangible and real...I like to say hello to the baby that way and think nice thoughts of the future. I am still in awe that this is happening and I think I will be all the way to the finish. Each new day is one to celebrate and I'm certainly grateful EVERY day.
In other news, I must lend a special mention of condolence to my Aunt Pat. Her amazing partner Bob passed away very suddenly the other day. We are extremely saddened by this loss as he was such a gentle and loving person. I have always looked forward to seeing him and talking with him. I loved his warm energy. He'd always been so fun to talk with and was always so helpful. He would be the first to jump up to offer his help in any situation...even if it was to do things that weren't so fun. I definitely looked up to him and saw him as a firm member of the family. Even my tiny dog took an immediate shine to him and enjoyed being near him (a funny sight as he had a "lumberjack" look to him...a tall teddy bear...whereas Maren is a tiny 10 lb. mini dachshund.) But he was so gentle and spoke so softly to her...it was a heart-melting kind of thing to see. I am still in shock over the news and can't quite wrap my head around the fact that he's now "on the other side." He will be sorely missed and I hope he continues to visit us all during all our future gatherings. He is always welcome here! Be well everyone. One thing I have learned in the past 2 weeks is to be sure and tell your loved ones how you feel about them. You think "there's always later" or "we'll get together soon" and then the unexpected happens. Don't allow yourself any regrets that you'd wished you'd said this or that. Just do it!
Have a good day everyone, I appreciate you for visiting and send my best to each of you.
Chris and I are proud, thrilled, and overjoyed to announce that we are expecting a baby in very early May! I am 13 weeks along so far and we've been dying to share the news with all of you! Many of you have been following along our difficult journey to get here and we have been so excited to update you with good news for once! Little baby Carty already likes Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video. As you can see in the pic, his/her hands are on either side of the shoulders/face doing the thriller dance. It's as if he's saying "RAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!" And his/her knees are both bent up by the belly and the little legs and feet are pushing into the side of the sac. I can't wait to actually feel it. Words cannot begin to express how grateful and thankful we are.
More in this space soon. You can track the pregnancy and all that goes with it at my other/new blog Me and Wee. I will be continuing this blog as well, but wanted a separate space to candidly discuss those issues. Please note that it can be frank and graphic, so it's not for everyone...it's targeted more toward those who've had troubles with pregnancy and for those who are either going through pregnancy or have gone through it. My husband will be writing for it on occasion as well...to give the male perspective. Much love to you!
My lovely Aunt Carol passed away 2 days ago in a relatively sudden fashion. I'm not quite sure what to think as I'm in shock, but I know that I am sad. She's my Mom's older sister and is a huge inspiration in my life. Although it ultimately wasn't what caused her passing (but I'm sure it didn't help), she has lived for years upon years with multiple sclerosis. She had so much struggle with her physical body...and she was always so upbeat, loving, friendly, positive and humorous. I remember asking her how she got that way and she admitted that it wasn't easy at first...that she'd had a bout of depression after hearing the news she had this disease. She soon realized, though, that allowing herself to wallow was not helping her and wasn't serving a purpose in her favor. She decided to become proactive and she learned all she could about her condition...all while exploring new treatments and experimental drugs. This attitude, in light of so many adversities she has had in her life even besides the MS, has been a huge influence on how I handle adversity myself and how I choose to handle difficult times. I live by her example and am so grateful to her for showing us that even in the darkest of times we can find humor, a smile, a sense of acceptance to what we've been dealt. I will truly miss her, but I am excited for her and her new journey. I am pleased to know that she can move around effortlessly now and travel anywhere she wants as she couldn't before. I've already spoken to her as I briefly felt her nearby yesterday...and I felt an overwhelming sense of calm and peace. For now, I know that it is our time to mourn and her time to dance.
Today is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Day. I just wanted to get the word out for those who are mourning the loss of their angels. We have 4 angels that I am loving and thinking about today. Please think kind thoughts for those you know who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss...it is a topic that is often overlooked but a grief that is very real and strong.
Thanks and much love!
Several months ago, I did some freelance design work for Crane & Co, the classic stationery company. It was such an amazing experience! It was literally a dream come true for me. I must admit, though, that my design style is a little more "wild" for the Crane brand so I found it at first to be a challenge to "dial it back" and make the design ideas more classic and simple. It took some getting used to, as any new design project does. I have found in the past that once I get used to working in a new aesthetic, I can shine. It just takes a little getting used to. I hope that in the future I get to do more work with them now that I have a better understanding of the brand. Here is a design I put together for a personalized sympathy acknowledgement. You can find the design on the Crane & Co website here.
This election is making me crazy. So much information to sort through!!! The debates are interesting to watch but always leave me feeling overwhelmed. My husband emailed me this link this morning...a fact check website on all the statements from the debates. So, if there's something that was said that concerns you, you might find the statement here and what the real truth is. Hope this helps anyone out there who wants help sorting through the muck!
Just a quick post to say how grateful I am for being able to think of new things to create! Just when I think I may be tapped out forever, I always seem to rally at the last second (even when I feel like I could just sleep at any second).On that note, I have a bunch of supplies on order and another creative spree is on the way. I can't reveal too much yet, but it's VERY busy here. A welcome change from the odd job here or there lately. I'll reveal more as these next few weeks roll through.
One last parting thought for today: I was watching John Edwards (the guy who is a medium and is able to communicate with those who have "crossed over" after their deaths) and a woman who'd lost her 4-year old boy had the most wonderful quote that got her through her days. She said to remember: "Always blessings, Never losses." She said she was lucky enough to be blessed to have him as her son for 4 whole years and to remember him that way. I wanted to share that today in case it might help someone else the way it has helped me.
Hi friends! When we were at Epcot center in the end of May I (of course!) picked up a bunch of paper souvenirs in the "Japan" section of the park. I grabbed this set of folded paper bookmarks...shaped to look like Japanese girls in traditional dress. Everything here is made of beautiful Japanese paper and intricately folded just so. I thought they were so sweet and I loved how artful they are...very impressive layering. Makes me want to learn origami and other folding techniques.
Our pantry is filled to the brim with food, paper-goods (you know, napkins, paper plates, etc.), canned items, paper towels, plastic baggies...the list goes on and on. When it comes time to find the toothpicks; well, it's a miracle to find the little box amongst the chaos. My husband uses toothpicks to hold together the chicken rollatini (a favorite dish he makes). Mmmmm. But I digress. When I spotted this bird toothpick holder at Black Ink, I realized that this might be the stylish solution to the toothpick search. I wouldn't mind having this sitting out in my kitchen or dining room. You can purchase it here.
I used to love the story of Pinocchio as a child. I never tired of the idea that you can wish on a star and make your dreams come true. I also loved the idea of a toy coming to life and being my friend. (not coming to life and being evil...but my fear of clown dolls is a story for another day)
I came across this charming figure and it brought me back to that innocent time.
It's called "Ciao Pinocchio" designed by Fabio Piazzesi in Italy.
What's cool about it is it's handmade with FSC-certified beech and embellished with non-toxic paint. He moves every which-way thanks to 33 jointed pieces. (I always loved pose-able figures!) The kicker is: his nose grows. Yep, there's an internationally patented hidden lever behind his hat that enables the fabled "growing liar's nose."
You can get one for yourself here.
Photo from Canoe's online shop.
Hi friends! Great news! My company and work have been featured today on Paper Crave. It's a daily read of mine and I'm so excited an honored she included me amongst her discoveries. Thanks to Kristen at Paper Crave! You can see the entry about my work here.
