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It is days like today that I am insanely thankful for the opportunity to have my own business. While it hasn't broken into the "never have to sub again" category (YET), it allows me to feel like I'm contributing financially to our household even when I'm at home. That, in itself, is enough to put a smile on my face...but today, when the wee babe is crying heartbrokenly, shivering even though it's quite warm in the house, and running a higher fever than she's ever had before, I am overwhelmed by gratitude. I can choose to stay home and be with her when she needs me and I don't need to ask anyone's permission. Sure, I feel slightly guilty for cancelling on my sub day for tomorrow, but my relief to be staying home with Ava if she's not feeling good FAR outweighs the guilty thought that the guy has to try to find someone else to teach for him.
So here's to hoping we soon DO enter a whole new tax bracket. Because, while I'm not sure "I want to be a billionaire so freaking bad," I AM sure that I love this 'work-at-home-make-stuff' thing. So, thank-you to everyone who has helped us come this far. -Celia I've always loved to make things, but it wasn't until Cecelia and I started our business that I've had a real outlet for this passion. Really, there are only so many pillow covers and notebooks I can use in my own house. And instead of my interest waning over time, it seems to be fueled by the act of creating, making me want to try new things all the time (which is one of the reasons we have so many different things going on in our shop -there's too many fun things to try our hands at!). A few weeks ago I discovered a pattern for a toddler jacket (along with matching bellbottom overalls) at the Salvation Army.  I immediately had to try making it, envisioning how insanesly cute my daughter would look in this vintage style jacket. I am so impressed with how it turned out; I think this is probably the most detailed thing I've ever made (it even has a lining). Observe: -Maria
While I want to do what I can to be environmentally conscious, my cheap and frugal side often vies with this desire. Buying organic and locally made products can often be a bit more pricey than going with the cheap WalMart crap. So I must say, I love it when my split personalities agree and I can feel like I am getting a good deal while keeping the earth in mind. Since WalMart had been the only place in our small city that sold fabric, my sister and I found ourselves falling back on their supply (particularly those tempting remnant rolls...) when we were in need of specific colors. We go through quite a bit of fabric in making things for newleafhandmade and despite sort of hating WalMart for it's all-pervasiveness and various evils, it was nice to know that we could find what we needed, if the need arose. So it was with a bit of dismay that we watched the fabric section close down and the fabrics slowly disappear off the shelves, in favour of precut pieces, most of it upholstery fabric. And yet, it is sort of good for me too, knowing I have to rely that more strongly on finding fabrics at the second-hand stores in town. This way I'm using almost totally post-consumer fabric in my creations and it is costing so much less than it would to buy new. The only problem is you kind of have to buy ahead, since what you find today could be gone tomorrow when you actually need it. I can't always find exactly what I want while I'm thrifting, so I've also been searching the Etsy supply shops -I like ordering from these people, knowing that they probably get that same rush of happiness, finding a sale notification in their inbox. And I also love how Etsy sellers are so reasonable with their shipping costs, more often charging the actual shipping cost unlike some of the big online fabric stores. Ah, Etsy....
-Maria  This morning I drove in to the post office to send off a number of orders that came in over the long weekend. I love it when we get a stack of orders all at once, not only because I like to see our stuff sell and be shipped off to new homes, but also because I get a very happy feeling from seeing all those brown packages piled up stamped with a green leaf and printed with addresses throughout the world. Yum!
-Maria Congrats to Dana , the winner of our September giveaway draw! If your name is Dana, check your email: we'll be in touch for delivery of your $10 gift certificate. If you weren't the winner, there's always next month! And if you've subscribed to our email newsletter (see sidebar), you'll have a coupon code for $5 off custom/personalized orders until September 10th. Don't miss out on this great deal, subscribe to our newsletter now. Next month's draw will be held on Oct. 1st. The giveaway item will be announced here and on Facebook in a few weeks. Happy September and back-to-school, all! Check out some of our personalizable goods below: |
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