What should we do?

Well, here we are, all of us, in the midst of a recession . . . . or is it actually a real depression yet?  Who knows - I guess it depends on who you're talking to and what the definition is.  All I know (about this particular subject) is that we are struggling financially, and just about everyone else that we know is struggling, too.  Whatever that makes the state of our economy, here we are.  So, I've been thinking.  So what else is new?  I usually think too much and make myself crazy.  And then there are those around me who have to put up with my "too much thinking," and I really make THEM crazy!  How can I do something, create something, write something that will help a few other folks out there who are struggling through this mess along with the rest of us?  Since I've been working away from home (while I'd really rather be working right here in my cozy little lake cottage), I haven't really had much time to work on my creative stuff, and that is making me crazier than normal    ;o)   I must get back to the creative, artsy stuff one way or another. 

I guess it hasn't helped that we've had two weddings since we moved to the lake in the fall . . . . and then, of course, there were all of the holidays, and birthdays, and then there is school, and work, and church.  So, somewhere in the middle of all of this stuff called "LIFE," I have to find a little bit of time to get all of this junk that I just think about, out of my head and into action!  So, here's one of my ideas:  Since I've done lots and lots of projects where I take OLD stuff and turn it into some NEW stuff, maybe there are other moms and dads who want to try some deconstruction / reconstruction projects for their families.  If I can squeeze out a little bit of time every few days, or even once a week, I want to begin documenting some of these ideas to share with you.  I'm still getting emails about my eBooks and patterns, so I know you all are still making stuff.  But what do we need to make these days?  Clothing for our kids . . . . . or for our own use . . . . or home decor projects . . . . or practical little projects for our yard and garden?  Here are a few pix of some of the vintage and retro garments that I am currently working on.  How can I transform them?  Maybe add some embellishments, cut them apart and add a little skirt . . . . some vintage jewels or a few fabric flowers?  I'm thinking . . . . .

When I was a little girl, my mama often would take hand-me-down clothing in adult sizes, cut it apart and recreate something for me to wear.  Dresses, especially (back when little girls wore dresses to school most of the time), but she also made my winter coats sometimes.  That's why I learned to sew at such an early age . . . . in self-defense!  When I became a teen-ager, if I wanted something new, I would have to babysit for a few hours, buy a couple of yards of fabric, thread, and a pattern and make a new outfit.  So, now I LOVE to create new designs and beautiful clothing for children (my own girls are just as happy with a raggy pair of jeans and a t-shirt, though), but I REALLY enjoy the challenge of taking something old and making it into something new.  As I am able to make slow, but hopefully consistent, progress on some of these projects, I think I will try to take a few pictures and write up some tutorials and eBooks just in case some other families want to try their hand at reconstructing and recreating whatever they might need.  After all, it doesn't take much looking around to know that the world is overflowing with STUFF . . . . . so maybe using up some of that STUFF to make different STUFF is just plain common sense.  And if you are interested in being eco-friendly, well that works, too! 

Just have to post a few pictures of our sweet little Leah . . . . she is just about 4 months old.  Since she is in Colorado with her mommy and daddy and big  brother Jacob, it will be a while before we will get to see her again, so I took these pictures to keep her close to our hearts!