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interview

Maker Style Interview and Mental Health Update

Anxiety, Interviews, Sewing Patterns January 9, 2017

Any other podcast addicts out there?

I was really excited when I heard from Rachel at Maker Style a few weeks ago. Her podcast was new to me, but sounded right up my alley. I am absolutely honoured to be the first interview for her Bra Making Month. If you are into sewing, and particularly lingerie making, this series is going to be a must-listen.

You can listen to my interview HERE.

After doing my interview with Rachel those few weeks back, I realized how much my anxiety has improved. I feel like I’ve got a brand new start, but at the same time have this nagging sense of regret about the things I’ve missed out on because of my anxiety. I was able to speak to Rachel openly, and when we went our separate ways, I didn’t analyze every word I had said, second guessing my wording or phrasing and content. I can’t express to you how good this feels.

I’m still struggling with things – particularly fears about Isabel’s well being and my overall sense of self-worth, most notably being my body image. I think these are going to be things I struggle with forever. But, I’ve really found that saying my fears out loud (to people who are supportive) and being open with all of you here has helped (in addition to medication under the guidance of a supportive family physician, and therapist). The things that have changed the most for me are the fact that I now sleep. I have a sleepless night here or there, but not weeks straight of insomnia. I also can sit and play with Isabel, or sew, or watch tv without my brain spinning off uncontrollably in a million different directions.

I hate calling it anxiety. It sound so… stupid. Everyone has anxiety and it actually serves a helpful purpose. What I have is out of control, spinning, tornado fear-for-my-life catastrophic brain-chaos. I just don’t have a proper word for it. So, for now “anxiety” will have to do.

A Podcast + Getting Personal

Uncategorized October 21, 2015
I get really nervous about the thought of actually talking to people, which is funny because I’m pretty much an open book. Not much is off limits with me… But once the initial jitters wear off, it can sometimes be hard to stop talking! A while back I had the opportunity to do an interview with Reyna Lay, for The Reyna Lay Designs Podcast. It was so much fun chatting with her, I could have gone on for hours! I’d love it if you had a listen to our discussion. I talk a bit about juggling business + baby, plans for the future, and some tips on sewing lingerie.  Reyna is also having a pattern give away and is offering a coupon code for my Pattern Shop… But you’ve got to visit her site for all of that info!
On the topic of Podcasts… Have I told you yet how obsessed I am with Podcasts? When Isabel was a few months old she was having some serious nap issues, so I would put her in the stroller or the carrier and I would walk her all around the city… To keep my very tired mind occupied I started listening to Podcasts. First, I got hooked on Skeptoid. I’m a bit of a science nerd and skeptic (but I also love the paranormal and Bigfoot), so I devoured every single episode. Then I binged on Skeptics Guide… Then onto Criminal, Quackcast, Stuff You Missed in History Class, Sawbones, Oh No Ross and Carrie (MY FAVOURITE! I LOVE THEM!), Limetown, Nightvale, Lore, Stuff Your Mother Never Told You, Grown Ups Read Things They Wrote as Kids… I am constantly listening.  If you follow me on twitter, you may know that I suffer from insomnia. Well, there’s a podcast for that. Ok, it doesn’t stop me from waking up at 2am, but Sleep With Me Podcast does actually get me to go to sleep most of the time (and even when it doesn’t, at least I get a good laugh). Anyone else listen to any of these? Podcasts have seriously saved my sanity. Being a mom involves a lot of not-exactly-exciting moments (I love you, Izzy). Podcasts are an excellent way to feel mentally stimulated while also tending to a drooling, biting, maniacal little human. I’m excited about Reyna’s Podcast, as there aren’t really a lot of sewing related podcasts.
Life as a whole has been extremely busy lately. Today is Isabel’s birthday (my little girl is one already!) and I’ve been planning a birthday and doing lots of crafting. We’ve been busy with lots of projects around the house, and business has been very good. To make life a little more challenging, we also decided to buy a house and sell ours, kind of impulsively. Things were going really smoothly at first, but we’ve run into a few bumps over the last few days that have me second guessing the whole thing…  I’m at that point where I’ve been going-going-going, and just reaching my breaking limit. As I’ve learned with our first foray into real estate,  there are a million things that can go wrong with a sale and purchase, so I’m trying to not count my chickens before they hatch.  But it’s hard.
One of the other things we managed to squeeze in was a family photoshoot. Dan surprised me for our anniversary by hiring a photographer to take some candid photos of us! It was such a nice surprise and I am so happy to have these momentos of this special time with Isabel. It really is true, the first year flies by. I saw a newborn baby while I was out with Isabel today, and I can hardly even remember what that was like. It’s like it goes by in the blink of an eye… now my girl is starting to walk, pointing at the dog and shouting “DOH!”, and giving big, wet kisses.  I want to give a big, heartfelt thanks to Naomi from Shutter Owl Photography for spending the afternoon with us and capturing us in all of our glory. Isn’t Oliver a ham? He loves to model.
Oliver is in the midst of “crazy pug” (if you have a pug you know exactly what I’m talking about).

Oliver strikes a pose.

My handsome man and beautiful daughter

My mini-me! The most important person in the world.

Kollabora + Long Weekend

Uncategorized August 3, 2015

I recently joined Kollabora… it has been on my “to do” list forever, but I am so glad I finally got around to it! It is an amazing, inspiring site. I’ve spent so much time already browsing through people’s makes and getting ideas for my own wardrobe… If you are a maker, you should definitely be on Kollabora. It’s an amazing combination of the best of Pinterest and Etsy, combined in to one beautifully designed site.

A sample of what you’ll find on Kollabora!

I am also now selling my patterns on Kollabora and have been featured on their blog! It was a fun interview, and I got to talk a bit about what inspires me, advice for other designers, and what’s in store for the future! You can read my feature here.

Today is the last day of a long weekend here. It’s been one of the nicest long weekends I’ve had in a while.  Dan was off all weekend so we got to do lots of family things. We went for a short hike in Scouts Valley, went to a carnival on the waterfront and ate chip-truck poutine (which is the best poutine), and today went to the Zoo! Isabel LOVED the zoo. Her favourite animals were the giraffes and baby goats (the baby goat nibbled her fingers). I also started a new workout routine that has left me feeling old, sore, and terribly out of shape (stairs are the enemy right now). I had intended on sneaking in some work this afternoon, but I’m too tired.

Forest hikes, carnival, flamingos.

I’m enjoying Isabel even more as she grows. She’s cruising around furniture right now, able to pull her self up and down. She crawls so fast and is hard to keep up with! She’s already starting to want to do everything by herself, especially when it comes to feeding, so she’s mostly eating soft finger foods right now. It’s great, in a way… she mostly feeds herself, but also ends up feeding Oliver an awful lot of what she’s supposed to be eating.  I’m having a hard time thinking of foods that are soft and easy to eat, and that she can eat with her hands. So, if anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to leave me a comment!

beautiful blue eyes.