big creative life, small business
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This internet thing is pretty awesome
January 25, 2012 — 2 Comments
I had to share this great story. We just listed custom Ruffle Joy skirts on our site and our first order came rolling in this morning. Since we need specific information I responded to the order with a list of questions. This is the email I received back with all names changed so I don’t over expose someone else’s children on the internet – I do that enough with my own 
“Dear Megan,
I am your Mom’s dear friend from High School, Susie. I have to run and pick up Annie who the skirt is for and her big brother Nelson. I will get the measurements while they spend the afternoon with me and get back to you. I look forward to having this beautiful skirt for Annie. It will mean alot to me. I spent time watching your Mom sew, and could never believe how amazing she was. I do remember when she was sewing her baby blue prom dress that was a very beautiful, but heavy fabric, and she sewed through one of her fingers! That is my memory anyway. Is Kim currently on vacation as advertised in the x-mas card? I do need her e-mail as I am going to send her a photo of us in our prom dresses!!!
Thanks so much,
Susie”
Seriously – is that the BEST email order ever?!?!? It truly is amazing how small the world gets when connected through technology. Now if I only had a picture of that prom dress…
We are family
January 15, 2012
What a special weekend with Uncle Todd. Celebrating his birthday and just being together. These weekends are the best.
I go through phases
January 11, 2012
This may be a SERIOUS understatement. From the variety of crafts, cookbooks, etc. that I have amassed on different topics I can’t begin to count how many “phases” I’ve gone through. I went through a cake making phase – it lasted from when Bridget was about 1 to when her sister was born – 8 months later. I produced two fabulous cakes with the help of multiple books and a lot of necessary tools.
I went through a vegetarian phase and a vegan phase – both pretty short-lived because I love bacon but I learned that I liked a lot more vegetables than I thought. I’ve had a couple small businesses where I learn more each time I close one . And the list goes on – you get my point. But something miraculous has happened. I passed on a phase I swear I would’ve dived right into 5 years ago. Over New Years we were in the Hills and got to visit a co-worker of Katy’s little farm. She has goats and chickens.
After I totally romanticized the idea of having our own chickens and going out to get eggs every morning I thought – who takes care of them when we’re on vacation? or it’s really cold out? Then I decided I did not ever want my own chickens but I would like someone else close to me to raise chickens and I would buy eggs from them. PHASE AVERTED! It really is miraculous.
Food for thought
January 4, 2012
We always cook most week night dinners at home. I really enjoy cooking if there’s time and I’ve gotten a lot better at it in the past few years. That’s not saying much, but improvement is better than the alternative . With all the food sensitivities and allergies so many people deal with now I really try and focus on whole foods when cooking. Any recipes out there that you love? I’m digging anything by Jamie Oliver because of what he stands for – and I follow him on Instagram and love his pictures 
. See how easy it is to influence me? Just throw a couple good pictures up on Instagram and I’m yours! Here’s lucy zesting a lemon for dinner – so stinkin’ cute. Post some recipes you’re loving if you’re so inclined! I’ll get some up too – Happy Wednesday.
A Toast to a New Year
January 3, 2012
Although it looks very much like I’ve deserted this blog I actually am always thinking about posts – “this would be such a great post, oh! I have to write about this”, etc. etc. So here’s to more posts! I have been posting a lot of pictures on Instagram – which is a total blast. If WordPress had a way to transfer Instagram posts into blog posts I would be oh so active . If you’re on Instagram – follow me at bridgetandlucy!
In creative endeavors, I’m working on a cowl for Bridget’s teacher using the pattern linked below(just click on the link). I love it because I can take it anywhere and I don’t have to count or pay attention to anything – just knit.
So here’s to more posting in 2012! If you have blogs you follow or write yourself list them below so we can all take a look! Megan
Craftsy: Learn It. Make It.
October 4, 2011
Oh my – I’ve never heard of Craftsy before but it looks amazing! I had to pass this on. All these online classes with videos too! As I’m cleaning and organizing (yes, still) my sewing and laundry room my motivation will be one to take one of these classes. And maybe bridget&lucy could teach one someday! A girl can dream . Happy Tuesday!
THANK YOU
September 13, 2011 — 3 Comments
Because of you – our amazing supporters – we were able to claim over 1000 Facebook fans in our Pitch Slam proposals – THANK YOU! We have not forgotten the promised prizes but I will finalize and announce them next week after The Creative Connection – where mom and I will pitch our three different ideas. The last 3 weeks have been a blur. I’m usually a busy person, but I can honestly say I don’t think I’ve ever been this busy before. If I have been this busy before I have completely blocked it out . While being this busy I’ve had to constantly remind myself – Bridget just started Kindergarten, she needs extra love – Lucy is 4, she needs you too. Although there truly is not time to do it all I do love all that I am doing. Tomorrow afternoon I will head up to St. Paul for a huge experience – pitching our original ideas. Mom will meet me Thursday to actually present the ideas. Those of you that know our tendency toward long windedness – we only have 3 minutes to pitch each idea – 3 MINUTES! I don’t think I can let mom speak . SO many people have helped us out these last few weeks – to name a few – Uncle Todd proofed all our proposals, Aunt Katy doesn’t know it yet but she is bringing Lucy to school on Thursday, Lucy’s preschool teacher is taking her out to lunch on Friday, friends have sent pictures immediately when asked for them to support our proposals, etc., etc., etc. We are beyond blessed. And it truly does take a village! It takes a village to raise kids, run a business, take a risk, and even make dinner. So I find myself just thinking and saying over and over in my head, “THANK YOU!” Your love and support is absorbed and needed. I will have an update on how everything goes on Thursday and I will tweet all through the conference. I’ve barely thought about the fact that I get to take classes with AMAZING women. I can not wait. Happy Happy Tuesday all!
Contest to Help Us Out!
September 1, 2011
We need your help. In 14 days bridget&lucy will be pitching two different book ideas and a gift line to experts in the fields of publishing and wholesaling. With the new social media buzz, publishers and wholesalers like the idea of a social media presence. Here’s where you come in and we reward you. If you could forward this to friends you think would enjoy bridget&lucy and encourage them to “like” us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter we would be THRILLED! {Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/bridgetandlucy.handmadegirls Twitter page http://twitter.com/#!/bridgetandlucy } And the good part for you – we will choose a winner on Facebook AND Twitter to each receive a Ruffle Joy skirt and Mop Top hat. ALSO – if the winners are new followers or fans the person that referred them will win their chose of 2 free patterns or a clothing item. It’s a WIN WIN!!!! Thank you so very much for helping us out along this wild journey!! - Megan and Kim
First Day
August 24, 2011 — 3 Comments
Well I don’t think I could call myself a blogger if I didn’t blog about my daughter’s FIRST DAY OF KINDERGARTEN! It just wouldn’t be proper. I used to think I was a roll-with-the-punches type of gal. I really didn’t think I would cry when Bridget went to kindergarten. As the first day got closer I got a little more teary. We were encouraged to read The Kissing Hand if we owned or could borrow a copy of the book because they were going to read it in school the first week. And I kept getting choked up in the middle of the book. Then when I was trying to tell people who asked, “Do you think you’ll cry” that I most definitely wouldn’t because of all these great reasons, I kind of got choked up. So I knew Monday was going to be tough on me.
How did she get so big? and grown up? and serious? and really WHO let her get her ears pierced ? I kept thinking about how she will be in school now – FOREVER. It made me sad. But SO determined to not show her that I was sad!!! Bridget started Kindergarten in a Spanish Immersion program. So with all the other new stuff the comes with Kindergarten her teacher only speaks Spanish. So there was that too .
The first morning of school Bridget got up, got dressed, wore her sneakers (which made me cringe) because it was a PE day, had breakfast and got her apple ready for her teacher. I have NO idea where the apple idea came from but I would like to take the opportunity now to thank whichever fabulous tv show gave her this idea . We went outside and took pictures…
Her sister joined for pictures and her apple almost bit the dust…
We made it to the line at school…
And then the parents had to step away from their kids and watch them stand in line while the staff did a school song presentation deal. Really? Step away from your kids and watch them stare blankly at a small group of people singing while their parents just left them standing there? And they can still see their parents standing there? But not next to them anymore? I may not have liked this part because I was doing an “ugly cry” and my friend Sara documented it through pictures. But really, it seemed crazy at the time. Then they headed off inside the school and I cried some more. I clearly AM one of those moms that I did not think I was. Which seems to almost always happen to me. If there is some aspect of parenting I think I really know that I am definitely NOT, then I usually end up actually being that thing that I was pretty sure I was not. Oh life – you are crazy . So my one child and I headed back to the car.
And I proceeded to go over to my mom’s house and cry all over again. What is it about seeing your mom when you are emotionally vulnerable and just crying like a baby? That’s not just me – right?! The day ended with a smile at pick up and a little swimming. And then the 2nd day was so much easier. How does that work? However it works, I’m glad. And I’m tired. Extra hugs to all you moms that started this journey too – cause I know you need one!
I love organization
July 28, 2011 — 3 Comments
At one point I was REALLY organized! Seriously, I was. I’m not so much anymore but I’m surprisingly okay with that fact. I still do love a good organization tool though! I recently found the blog life’s a journal. It is a fabulous read and she LOVES to organize too. This is her more recent printable that I’m SO excited to use. It probably won’t get much use until school gets started, but that’s right around the corner! Do you have favorite organizing websites or printables you want to share? Please do!
