Where has the time gone?

I knew I had been neglecting my business, but I didn't realize that it had been four months since I had posted anything.  I haven't been idle, I just haven't been online much as of late.  The holidays are always busy and my mother-in-law gave us a cruise for our anniversary.  Then after the holidays, I got sick and I am still not 100%.  I have left my Etsy shop shuttered since the second half of November.  I need to get busy, but I have been so exhausted between some personal family issues and being the mom taxi and not feeling well that I needed to take a break.

I have done some crocheting, but in the last week or two, I have even taken a break from that.  I have made too many scarves, tested out new stitches, made some boot socks, boot cuffs, fingerless gloves--I have made myself at least three matching sets (one even including a hat and I don't wear hats!) and several more random infinity scarves.  I had wanted to put some up on my Etsy shop, but probably by the time I get around to it, it will be spring and no one will need scarves!

In the fall, I took some family pictures for some friends and in the winter, some baby pictures for a friend of a friend.  I'll post some samples of my pictures and my crochet projects soon.

My mom was busy embroidering and sewing Christmas gifts for the kids, so I have lots of items to show off that she made for them.

Just checking in.  I'm still alive, just maybe not kicking...yet.

Fire Baby Outfit!

I saw a set like this on Pinterest or Etsy somewhere and since I already had a pattern for the fire hat (from Micah Makes) and a boot pattern I thought I could modify, I decided I could probably figure out the diaper cover/suspenders.  I started this months ago.  My husband is a paramedic for Kansas City Fire Department and one of the firemen at his station had a three month old baby and said I could use her as a baby model.  So, I made the hat, one boot and got 2/3 of the diaper cover done.  Then life got a little crazy and I put them away and forgot where I put them.  I searched everywhere!  By the time I found them, I knew his baby was too big to fit into the outfit.  However, we've had another volunteer!  Another fireman has a baby due in a couple of months, so I may yet get my baby model!!!  For now, here are pictures of the set, which I will likely be making available on Etsy soon.

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 11...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "K"

I have to admit, I put a lot of thought into yesterday's blog letter.  J.  What could I do that started with "J"?  So, my daughter and I were walking around, saying, "J...juh...juh...juh...."  I considered writing a "journal" entry.  Then I considered doing a journal entry that was about a fictional character.  As I sat down to the computer, I thought, "Dummy!  Your book starts with a J!"  Joy Comes in the Mourning.  Yep, could have written about that.  But, instead, I decided to put in a short story I wrote called simply "John 3:16."  I can't wait to get to X if I had this much trouble with J!

For today, I decided to write about my kiddos.  This is my business blog and I don't want to make a habit of bringing my personal life over here.  However, my kids are the reason that I work from home.  They are the reason that I try to make my Etsy shop and my photography business work and why I try to publish my books.  They are my motivation and my inspiration and sometimes my models.  They are the reason for this blog.  I can guarantee you that as much as I like to write, I would not be spending hours each day writing blog posts, promoting blog posts, learning how to write blog posts, guest blogging, stalking Google+, Pinterest, and Instagram for followers if I wasn't doing this for them.  And while my husband and children probably deep down think that I am just goofing off on the computer all day, I am working for them.

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 8...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "H"

By far, the most common object that I crochet is hats.  It's not the only thing that I crochet.  I have made scarves, mittens, diaper covers, headbands, goggles, pincushions, fingerless gloves, bags, costumes, booties, decor, and even a baby top.  But, I would guess that 75% or more of my projects are hats or include hats.  I have some sets that include leg warmers or diaper covers or booties.  One set has a Santa hat and a stocking that you can photograph a newborn in.  Another set has a turtle shell drape--another photo prop.  The one I am working on now has a pink fireman's helmet, a diaper cover with suspenders and cute fireman boots.  I have a gracious model when they are complete--the baby of a firefighter my husband works with.  Some hats I have for sale on my Etsy shop and some I haven't yet decided to post in my shop yet, though they can be found on my website.  Mostly I make them for my kids or for photo props or as gifts.  They do make adorable props!  And soon, I will be partnering with the ladies from my church to make hats for the homeless, the childrens' homes, and cancer patients.  I am very excited about this.  I have wanted to make items for charity for some time.  But, I am only one person and one hat at a time can only make so much difference.  But, a whole group of ladies can make a bigger difference!

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 5...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "E"

Yay, break from blogging tomorrow, since it's Sunday.  Well, technically, I get a break today too because I have a guest blogger!  My mom, Linda, graciously agreed to write a little bit for me about embroidery since I know absolutely nothing about it.  If I were to write today's blog, it would be short and simple: "My mom does embroidery.  It's pretty.  See?"  She didn't really want to write it, but I persuaded her, as I often do.  So, give her some love in the comments!  Her work is viewable on our site and some is available in our Etsy shop and we will be adding personalized items in the future.  Please contact us if you need to commission any embroidery work and we will send you a quote and give you a custom listing.

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 3...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "C"

Today's blog will be about CROCHETING.

Okay, yeah, I know that is pretty generic considering that 25% of my blog (well, possibly more) is about crochet.  I had PLANNED on using today's blog to post two instructional videos: "crocheting basics"--one covering chaining and the other covering a single crochet stitch.  However, it's been one of those days.  No, one of those weeks.  Heck, when did it start???

April A to Z Blogging Challenge Day 2...Today's Blog Brought to You by the Letter "B"

My mom gets quite a few requests for baby gifts...mostly from me!  These are several of the gifts that she has made for me to give to friends for shower gifts.  She can do a shower gift blanket with just the baby's name on it or a gift for after baby arrives with baby's birth stats!  She can personalize burp cloths, which is great if baby is going to be in the church nursery or day care, so you go home with what you brought.  We also like to get creative with the bibs.  One of my best friends has quite the attitude so we came up with "My mommy doesn't want your advice" for one and "who wants to be a princess when you can be queen" because her name and her baby's were well-known queens.  Another friend was a fan of the Beatles and named her first son "Harrison", so we used that theme to come up with "He's got a ticket to cry."

We will be doing a listing on etsy for these personalized items in the near future, but in the meanwhile, you can check out her embroidery designs here and if you send us a message, we can give you a quote and set you up with a custom listing!

~ Robin ~

We're Going International!

You heard it here first!  This week, I received an order on Etsy for three of my Minion hat and goggle combos to go all the way to Normandie, France!

Thing One and Thing Two hats

My latest project, an order for twin infant girls, is complete!

Crocheting for My Etsy Shop

Items that appear in my Etsy shop, RobinsNestAndBeyond:


So, what can you do with a big ball of yarn and a crochet hook?  A lot, actually!