Hello, Monday!

Hello, Monday!
Hello Spring Break!
Hello Sunshine!!

After a what seemed like days of unending rain, the sun is shining her, for at least the next 24 hours according to the mid-day news!!  My little love had her first sleep over at a friends last night, I'll tell you a secret, I missed her like mad!! :)  But she's growing up, and she had fun, and it makes my heart full for her to be out, doing little lady things!! Colt is gone until Wednesday and then he'll be back and all my little chicks will be home.  We have a fun weekend planned, Colt's having a friend over and we're going to see Star Wars in 3D.  MCH & Colt Montgomery are the BIGGEST Star Wars fans e-v-e-r!! I don't know what it is, but I still love the experience of going to the movie theater.  I love to rent movies and lay around at home and watch them, but I also love getting our tickets, and over priced snacks and having the experience that you can only get at the theater.  I was raised to love movies!!

This week, while I'm enjoying the freedom of not having to sign planners, or check homework, or pack lunches, or be sure specific clothes are clean, I'm planning on doing lots of cutting.  I made up all the totes I had cut, so I need to get some more of those ready to go, as well as some more aprons.  I have so many beautiful fabrics right now and I think I've just about gotten my hair accessory stock in a great place for The Flea, so it's the perfect time for getting some other things made.  I have many many dresses ready to go, they're so cute and perfect for Spring & Summer.

We're bummed that we missed out on the White Rock Local Market this past Saturday.  Every hourly weather report I looked at from Thursday morning on showed 100% chances of rain through Sunday.  I was too afraid to set up and then the rain come pouring down and ruin everything so we sat this one out.  And wouldn't you know it, it was dry, cloudy, but dry all morning until 1:15 pm.  You know, 15 mins after the market was to end.  Just our luck!!  But that's ok, it's the risk you take with outdoor markets in the Spring.  Thankful our next market is indoors so it's a go, regardless the weather.

Thanks for stopping by!!!  Hopefully I'll have an update with some pics later this week!!

Busy, busy, busy!!! :)

HAPPY HAPPY FRIDAY!

It has been a busy week, I like busy!!  I finished up a custom order for one of Colt & Katsie's favorite music teachers ever!! Those two rosette hairbands below are for her girls, and she has one to match. I have been working on dresses and skirts, and hairbands/clips busy getting inventory built up for our first market of the year.

It seems like there aren't enough hours in the day to accomplish everything that I want but I have a detailed list, (I'm SO a list girl) of all that I need to get done before the market.  So I'm confident that I'll get done what needs to be done  White Rock Local Market, we LOVE you!! I love the feeling of community that we have when we're there. I hope my local friends will come out and see us, March 10th at the Green Spot!!  And not long after that we'll be at The Dallas Flea at the Southside on Lamar, we love the Dallas Flea, I love the hustle and bustle event though by the end of the day, my feet are killing me!! :)  Being too busy is never something to complain about!

Speaking of busy!!  Tomorrow promises to be a whirlwind!!  Tennis, Basketball, oh, and did you hear, The Shine Project is in Dallas, hello!! :) 

Have a wonderful weekend loves...

xoxoxo

Broken Hearts. . .

I've been absent all week, I know.  Last Friday my sweet Uncle Mikey passed away after a short, but courageous battle with Esophageal Cancer.  We were told just a couple of days before Christmas that he had cancer, and just a week or two later that he would only have 2 months to live. So he lived for 6 weeks. You would have to know Mikey, to know his sweet, innocent spirit to ever fully understand the depth of sorrow we had knowing that each day that passed brought us closer to the end of his life here.  My Dad died of an aortic aneurysm when I was 14, it was instant, and we were devastated, this was different.  It felt like life was in fast forward, the days go by so quickly, life is so busy, and 6 weeks had transpired before we knew it.  As the days were passing by we prayed, every single day, that there would be no suffering, and in the end, I believe that prayer was answered.  But I'm only human, and my heartaches, and I want more time.  I tried to explain to my children that it wasn't wrong for us to wish Mikey had stayed longer, that it was human nature to be filled with tears when someone close to us, someone who loved us so deeply and we loved just as deeply in return leaves us too soon. I will be forever thankful for the blessing of little suffering, that he didn't linger, but I will selifshly wish he had stayed a little longer. 

Tomorrow is Mikey's funeral, pray for our family as I know it's going to be a difficult day. We do indeed have broken hearts. 

In lighter news, I received confirmation this week that we'll be at the White Rock Local Market on Saturday, March 10th for our first local market of the year. I'm very much looking forward to that!!  I'll be busy getting items sewn, lots of dresses, aprons, and totes are cut and ready to be sewn. If there's anything special you'd like to to be available, please let me know.  And we're SOOOO close to 100 likes on Facebook,  so keep sharing with your friends and  know that I appreciate every single one of you for your support. 

Have a beautiful weekend~



How I became a lover of all things VINTAGE!!!!

(Images:  1, 2, 4-www.googleimages.com & 3-my wedding bouquet)

"I believe in manicures. I believe in overdressing. I believe in primping at leisure and wearing lipstick. I believe in pink. I believe happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day, and... I believe in miracles." ~Audrey Hepburn 

I was thinking these past few days about how I became the Vintage Loving Momma. I can distinctly remember my first encounter with vintage clothes, it was sometime around 1990, I had been at my grandparents house during Winter Break.  I was going with some family to the Dallas Mavericks game and we stopped to pick up my uncle.  There I met a woman who did Vintage Fashion Shows, there were clothes, circa 1900-1920 and I was in LOVE!!  She agreed to bring some things over the next day and let me try them on, she did, and we took lots of photos. (I'll spare you the pics, it was the 90's, I was barely 13, I grew up in Dallas, I had an affinity for big bangs and aqua net, not a good combo!!)  I remember thinking these clothes were so so beautiful, that the detail was unbelievable and I couldn't believe that they were in such immaculate condition.  I "modeled" (for lack of a better term) in several Vintage Fashion Shows that were part of our local Historical Society Spring Style Shows over the next few years.  I have always had a love for frilly, girly, beautiful things, and I've been intrigued by vintage/antique things.  Homes, housewares, clothes, jewelry, everything. I love Hollywood Glamour, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe, beautiful women who's beauty has proven to be timeless.  I can thank my Momma for that!! :)  Part of it is just who I am, and I'm sure it's equally thanks to being exposed to these things growing up.  The 3rd picture in the collage is my wedding bouquet, it's not the best picture but the one I could find this morning!!  Those are knobs from Anthropologie, it is so beautiful, and so me.  I have it in a vase in our hutch where it will remain safe until someday my sweet girl can use it for her wedding, should she chose. My love for all things vintage spills over into my wardrobe, into decorating our home, and especially into my booth at EVERY market!!  I have old Samsonite Suitcases I picked up at Indie Genius (a local shop I LOVE!!) antique frames, some from Jefferson and some from local shops, old drawers and milk glass.  I just love the way these things feel, the mood they create.  I love mixing the old with the new and creating a space where I feel comfortable and beautiful and people are drawn in.  

Sooooo, this past week I've been cutting, cutting and cutting some more.  Dresses, aprons, totes, skirts, and working on tons of rosettes and flowers getting things all ready for assembly of a ton of hair accessories.  There are days when I try to work without a "list", that doesn't work for me, I need some kind of goals in front of me to stay focused.  I have so many ideas right now and I can't possibly focus all that creative energy without some structure.   I found this amazing Blog Planner that is going to help keep me organized and focus!!  So thankful to her for sharing!!  Remember, through the end of February, Vintage Loving Momma is having a sale!! 20% off your entire purchase in my etsy shop when you use LOVE20 at checkout.  So stop by and pick up something pretty at a great price!! 

Like Audrey says, "happy girls are the prettiest girls"  so smile, it makes you beautiful!! 

A little sale!! :)

Vintage Loving Momma is having a sale in celebration of ads launching for February!  Use LOVE20 at checkout on vintagelovingmomma.etsy.com for 20% off your entire purchase!!

I listed 8 sweet little dresses in the shop this morning and have been busy cutting more dresses!!  A sweet little package of fabric arrived from Gussy Sews sale last week.  I've already got some dresses cut out from that.  I also have lots of totes cut to get sewn.

Send your friends, and don't forget to "like" us on Facebook! Also, I'm participating in a giveaway at http://justlovelythings.blogspot.com/2012/01/january-sponsors-giveaway-discounts.html  so get over there and enter!!  Heather has amazing giveaways and you'll be sooooo happy if you win!!  :)

Off to finish my Indie Shopography lesson for today and pick up my little lovelies from school!

xoxoxo-

GETTING TO KNOW US. . .

Hello!!  It's Friday again!!  Hooray for the weekend...

Every time I come to this blog I find myself wanting to tell you all about us, about our life, about what we do all week!! We're busy, insanely busy.  There was a day that I thought I needed a house that was as tidy as a museum, and that's when I worked a full time job and had a one hour commute each way.  Now that I've been home for a year, I realize how much living we missed while I was frantically cleaning! Before I became the Vintage Loving Momma, I blogged here, www.caringbridge.org/tx/katsierane our life was not always easy, it was not always sunshine and butterflies but I went there and I poured my heart out, it was a way to journal and document all that was going on, and it was also very therapeutic.  So today I want to tell you about us. . .

I'm married to my best friend.  He's the kind of husband I want to brag about to my friends, the kind who works hard to provide for our family, the kind who allows me to stay home now, after 10 years in an office job that paid the bills but exhausted my spirit (I am thankful however that I stumbled into him there and the rest is history!!) so that I can grow my creative dreams into a business that is not only fun but important to me.  I'm a blessed woman!  I have a man who loves me like no other and I have three incredible children.

Three children who keep me busier now than ever.  Braxton, who just turned 16.  He taught me to be a mother when I was barely becoming a woman.  He reinforced my belief that love was the strongest emotion that anyone could feel, aside from protective instincts.  He loves FOOTBALL, and technology stuff, he's not a fan of my MacBook (but I LOVE it!!) and loves Video Games. He's my baby boy and the protective one.  Colt, who is 12 1/2 and the smartest boy I've ever known.  He loves basketball, and baseball, and computer and video games.  While he LOVES gaming, he can be found reading his Kindle just as often.  He's my tender heart.  Both of these boys are growing into fine men, they will make someone amazing husbands, if they ever learn to pick up their own laundry!! :)  And then there's our baby (I still call her that!) the princess.  Katsie Rane who's 9. We often bow to her will!  She loves tennis and cheerleading.  She's crafty like her Momma (and her Nana!) and I'm counting down the days until she's old enough to help with all this sewing!!  She is a special girl.  She was diagnosed with a brain tumor at 18 months and then 8 months later was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis-1.  She taught me about parenting on an unexpected path, about how to truly value each and every day.  She is a beautiful gift and we treasure her.  

Tomorrow marks one year since I lost my job.  What I'm sure could have been perceived as the end of the world was simply the beginning of something far more beautiful than we could have ever imagined.  I can drive carpool, eat lunch in the Cafeteria with my little lovelies, host Snow Cone fundraisers for 4th grade,  eat lunch with my husband at home, or on a lunch date whenever I want.  There is no office drama, there is no long commute, and the only expectations I have to meet are the ones I place on myself.  (And believe me, I'm far more difficult to please than any boss I ever had!!)  I'm thankful beyond measure for the gift of a beautiful family and extended family, for my Indie Biz, and for friends along the way.  

I've been sewing dresses all week, and I have tons more cut to sew.  So much fabric, I'm in love!! :)  

We have a busy weekend planned, and while we were thankful for 2 days of rain, today, since I have errands, I'm thankful for this beautiful sunshine!! 

A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND

I hope everyone has had a beautiful weekend.  The weather here is incredible, although I admit, I'm longing for winter.  For hot chocolate and board games and time snuggled up with my little ones.  However, this weather makes for great photo opportunities.  


I spent the morning taking pics of new products, editing them and I've listed lots of new items in my etsy shop.  Hop over there and take a look.  Don't forget to like my business page on Facebook and send your friends there as well.  

Sneak Peek. . .more pics coming this weekend!!

Happy Friday!! 

A new little bunting I made to go on a frame I use for product photography!!

A sneak peek at some hair pretties I've been working on. 

And some words to live by, that happen to be part of our Valentine's decor!! 

p.s. I'm in LOVE with Instagram. . .I know, it's yesterday's news, but seriously, in LOVE!!

WHERE DID THE WEEK GO??

I can't believe a week has passed since I've been here!!   

Things have been busy around our house.  Science Fair was due, so we spent lots of time wrapping that up and creating some awesome display boards.  We've had Basketball, practice, games and more practice.  We spent 2 hours Saturday picking out fabrics.  It was great fun!!  Have I mentioned lately how incredible my husband is?  He's always willing to go fabric shopping with me, and he has a great eye, so that makes it even better!! We ended up with 55 yards of fabric!!  I've been busy cutting dresses and totes, and working on hairbands.  I'm waiting to hear back about a few more advertising opportunities.   I'm busy making plans, and setting goals for each day.  I feel so much better having a list of goals to work off of.  I've always been a list maker, a planner.  And it's an amazing feeling when I've been able to cross all or most of them off at the end of the day.  

So I'm here, surrounded by TONS of fabric, and extremely happy!!  I'll update later this week, hopefully with some pics.  I hope everyone is having a great week so far!  

Don't forget to like Vintage Loving Momma on Facebook and send your friends! 

THE SHINE PROJECT~DALLAS and other stuff!

I've copied this pic from Ashley's blog, we'd LOVE LOVE LOVE for everyone to come out to A Little Artsy on February 25, and help us make a difference for the people of the Dallas LIFE Foundation.  I ordered a new grey & yellow hairband from the AMAZING Heather of {just.lovely.things} to wear specifically for this!! :) 

The past few days have been busy!!!  I've been cutting lots of cute little dresses for the Spring.
I hope to have them up in the shop in the next week or two.  Working really hard to meet my
goals each day so that I'll have the shop stocked and ready when my ad launches on February 1st.  This is how I start my day, everyday...I'm still enjoying my holiday coffees, I think Spicy Egg Nog
and Golden French Toast are my favorite!! 

My baby sister gave me that mug for Christmas, as well as a bobbin winder which is like a gift

from the heavens because there is nothing more frustrating than having to unthread my sewing machine to wind a bobbin.  So thankful for my sweet sister and those thoughtful gifts.   

Today my Mini Cards came in from Moo Printing.  They are SO SO cute!!  

I absolutely LOVE them!  I think they'll look adorable with the new bags and bakers twine I ordered.  I'm a lover of quotes, of lyrics, and just words in general, I read this quote on an Etsy article yesterday, "I love waking up each day and realizing all over again that I am living my

dream and knowing I never have to look back.  I won't ever take that for granted.  I love feeling

like nothing is out of reach anymore.  I love knowing that I'm working for a better life where I'll have the freedom to live life on my own terms."  ~Jenna Sue, Quit your day job (Etsy)   

So thankful for the blessing of a husband that allows me to follow my creative dreams, who 

works hard everyday to provide for our family while I grow this business.  

I hope everyone is having a good week!!  The weekend will be here before we know it.  

I'm back!!

The Vintage Loving Momma is back!  I can hardly believe it's been 9 months since I've posted an update here.  So many things have transpired since I was here last.  Summer came, and it was HOT, the hottest summer since 1980, which I happen to remember. My husband took a new job, we traveled to California for a week and I crafted in the hotel room while he was learning all about his new job.  Katsie had a summer full of tennis lessons, the boys had camps and work outs and life was crazy busy.  But it was beautiful, for the first time in 10 years I spent the summer at home with my sweet children.  School started, football season was a wonderful whirlwind and the holidays came and went.  


And now, here we are, in the 2nd week of 2012.  I have amazing plans for the Vintage Loving Momma this year.  When I originally dreamed up Vintage Loving Momma I envisioned a small online business, something to occupy my time while the children were in school, and something that fed my creativity.  Within weeks of starting VLM I had a desire to participate in local craft markets, it's a lot of work, but it was an experience that I wanted to have.  I LOVE IT.  I love the interaction with people, I love their facial expression as they look through the things I've spent hours creating. I'm the kinda girl who touches almost everything in the store, I'm a tactile sensory kind of person, I love the feeling of different textures, so when people touch my products and smile and enjoy it, it's so fulfilling. The local market experience is something I won't give up.  I just love every part of it, but I believe I can have the best of both worlds.  I have hopes to grow my online business, plans and goals and dreams, and a supportive family and creative community that will help me reach them.  I read this quote in my latest "Where Women Create" mag, 


"One can't believe in impossible things," Alice said.  "I daresay you haven't had much practice" said the Queen.  "When I was your age, I always did it for half an hour a day.  Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." ~Lewis Carroll, "Through the Looking Glass," Chapter V


I'm believing in impossible things, it's scary and invigorating all at the same time.  I've set a goal of blogging 3 times a week for now, keeping things listed in my etsy store, connecting with others through the VLM Facebook page and building my inventory for spring markets.  I'm registered for Indie Shopography which starts later this month, very excited about what I'll learn!  

Please share the blog and etsy shop with your friends!!! I look forward to sharing all of the great things 2012 has in store with each of you.