I am returning with my shop to re-open soon!

Oh my gosh!, It's been so long. It is been a crazy few months personally, but I soon will be up and running again. I actually have be contemplating and whether to re-open the shop.  It's not easy trying to make a go of it and thrive to make ends meet. But there are several reasons why I want to make this happen.  First of all: I enjoy making and creating.  I am totally obsessed really.  I have a room full of craft supplies, an awesome sewing machine that almost cooks itself, and plenty of fabric to sew a quilt or two or three! 

Second of All: My 2 boys are my biggest inspirations. So with that being said AND the fact that my youngest Son, who has Autism and my oldest who just entered high school year are my biggest inspirations.  I just can't face closing up shop.  So my friends, stay tuned. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.  I love feedback.  Take Care Pigeon Peeps and happy crafting!

Take a Peek

Lately I have testing many of my items in the shop to see whether or not I would get any interest, it's been a journey and everyday I try and make a go if it. 

Also my computer problem seems to be solved.  Just needed a clean up and maintenance!

Back in December for the Christmas holiday, I made several I spy bags.  They are hit with many kids, including Yours truly.  This weekend I whipped up three to eventually place in the shop but I wanted to give you preview.  These are fun to make.  They aren't quite finished yet because I need list of trinkets and a picture card attached to the bags.  I wanted something to place the cards in and those are on order.  BUT I might just as well laminate.  Anybody know of an inexpensive laminating machine at a reasonable cost.  I don't need anything large nor fancy.  One that does business cards will certainly do.

Here's the promised preview:



Autism Awareness!





What's Inside.



Besides creating some really cool "I-Spy" bags,  I was experimenting with potholders.  I enjoy all the kitchen novelty fabrics and just having fun with it.  This potholder is a cute bright green with orange giraffes.  So bright and cheery!

I apologize for the last image.  My camera washed out the color.  The true color is more of the first image.  Enjoy the pictures. 

Hope everyone is having a great day. 

Autism Awareness, Technical Stuff, and other Mumbo Jumbo.

April is Autism Awareness Month and tomorrow is "World Autism Day."  Hope you can support it!

My story with Autism is an adventure, but here is a very shortened version. From the very beginning in the womb I knew something was not right.  My son would toss and turn constantly and keep me from sleeping.  He could not stay still and I don't think he was very happy inside my belly. He didn't like to be held, wiggle and stream to be set free. As a toddler his speech never progressed, so we did test after test.  His doctor thought he was just slow developmentally. Pushing ahead a few years educators and doctors finally diagnosed him with Autism at six years of age. He is a verbal child and he can not tell how his day has gone, but he can certainly give many hugs. He is the most sweet precious boy and I wouldn't change him for the world. This graphic sums Autism up rather well. Keep in mind that Autism is different with every individual, that is why it is considered a spectrum disorder.

I have been out of sorts lately but, but now in sorts! I enjoy the blog hops and parties, but truthfully I find it difficult to surf the web lately.  I can't visit my favorite blogs with out having my computer freeze and this is sad. :( So I limit my visits for fear of crashing!

Case in point I am having to re-type my entire post because of frozen computer issues.

With that in mind, I have a new FB page.  Please let me know what you think.  I will use it for updates, happenings and keeping in touch with my followers.

I also have a new website, it's a WIP (work in progress), so bare with me.  I would like to eventually email my followers with a newsletter and anyone who stops by and leaves their contact info.  You can say "NAY" if you like, I know that people don't like alot of junk in their box. 

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying their crafty adventures.

Take Care,

I have Returned!

Happy Friday,

I apologize for the long absence.  I was sick for awhile and I am now back in the groove of things.  I fully admit that trying to keep a blog is quite the feat. 


 Don't get me wrong it's not that I haven't been doing anything in the way of sewing but I seem to be on a creative block.  I have made a few things for the shop, but because my mind constantly runs in several directions at once I can never be satisfied! There I said it.  I do believe that I have some form of ADHD, just my like youngest with Autism.  It's funny even with such things as body wash, I get bored with what I am using because I want use one that smells different.  Crazy I know, but I do have it under control but it took me 44 years to figure it out.  That's why my reading comprehension is about two minutes.

Well enough about my psychological health, on to creativity! Yay!  Take a look at a few things I have sewn for the shop.

 This is "pinky" my latest Little Hoot.  My goal was to get her done before the end of October for Breast Cancer Awareness,but that didn't happen.  That's okay, on to something else.

Shoulder snakes. These are made with long grain white rice.  Put them in the microwave for the ultimate in heat therapy.  Great for the boys, especially if they have sensory issues.  My youngest loves to play with these!

Now, since you all know that I like to do everything, my latest obsession is Zakka Life and all the cute(Kawaii) Japanese Fabrics.  I have some ordered from Etsy.com and will be making some cute stuff.  Stay tuned. 

 

I actually very addicted to all the cute Japanese prints.  These are just some of my favorites.

Now on to the last item to share.  I enjoy painting quite a bit and just last weekend I finished up an acrylic 24" x 30" painting.  I call it the "Quiet Coast."  It's currently gracing our living wall. More are in the works. 

Enjoy!   

                   

I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend.  Happy crafting Pigeon Peeps. 

It's Friday...Time to Share, but is My Head on Straight?

I keep asking myself that.  I really wish physics could really increase the hours in a day, because lately I don't have enough of them. 

I am very encouraged and excited because this week I had my first two sales in my shop! I truly took me by surprise and I wasn't prepared. Literally! Running your own shop is a one man show and trying to keep the blog is a challenge as well.  Sorry for not having the weekly Tuesday tip, just didn't have one prepared.  Too busy running to the post office!

 Yes, I am overwhelmed at times, but having my own business is a dream come true for me and I wouldn't change it for the world.  I have all of you to thank for that!!

I made my first "Sne(e)ak n' Peek bag.  Other people would name it "I Spy" bag, but knowing me I wanted to be different.  I had to test this toy on my youngest son, just to see his reaction.  These bags are supposed to keep children occupied for certain periods of time.  Well, honestly it didn't work with my son.  He also has ADHD and his attention span is about 15 seconds.  The interest level was not there.  He periodically picks up the bag, looks at it for about a few seconds at time and then puts it down and goes to something else.  He is a visual learner and sensory to the extreme.  That combination of ADHD and visual stimulation is really tricky.  I find it a challenge to find therapy type toys for him.  It's one of the reasons that I decided to open up a shop to see if  I could create something different for every individual. Every child with Autism is completely different and that is what makes them so unique!

 So I probably won't end up making these for the shop.  One, they aren't beneficial for everyone and two, everyone seems to be making these because they are really easy to create!

But I will share the bag that I made and pass it along to you.  Enjoy!

 

No word list here, just a visual list.  These are all actually buttons. Aren't they cute? How do you like the wizard?!


I want to share something special to me.  It's actually very old. I finally had to dig it out of my closet after a few moves.

I don't even have a name for her but she is an heirloom handed down to me by my Mother.  It was hers when she was a child.  I am not sure of the age, but I am guessing around 60-70 years or more.  She is handcrafted from felt.  The details are amazing.  Just look at the detailing on her skirt, on her face and look at the bottom of her shoes.  I just love her face and eyes.  Look at the curls in her hair and the braids.

I am not done yet.  I decided to try working with wood last weekend and came up with this cute welcome sign.

Cute penguin! Originally I thought it was an owl.  My oldest son informed me that it was a penguin!

Painted the wood sign with acrylic brown paint. Let dry. Purchased some small wooden stars and painted one with yellow paint, glued on.  Found the penguin and glued him on as well. Then I bought a sharpie paint pen
and did some fancy writing. Then I took a little hand drill and put a few holes in the upper corners.  Walaaa... Quick welcome sign.

Hope your enjoy your weekend.  Happy crafting Pigeon Peeps.

Tips and Tutorials Tuesday - Hiding the Veggies

Hello Pigeon Peeps,

I am starting a new segment here at Blue Pigeon called Tips and Tutorials Tuesday.  Every Tuesday I will post either a tip or a tutorial to share with each of you.  When it comes to tips, it could be anything from cleaning to Autism! I want to share what I learn with each of you!  Project tutorials won't come as frequently, perhaps only once a month because they take time to plan and prepare.  I haven't learned yet to make things simple!

This is Tuesday and Today I have a very simple tip for when you are cooking for the family. 

My son has Autism and if you are familiar with it, they tend to be very picky eaters. This tip isn't just for children with Autism, but for any child.  He likes about five kinds of foods and that about it.  One of his all time favorites is Spaghetti.  If he had has way, he would make Spaghetti a separate food group.  

This summer we had a nutritionist visit our house to weigh and measure Brendan.  Before she arrived I had to record exactly what he eat and how much for three days.  He's a little chubby because his behavior tends to be an issue with food.  He was eating WAY to much and it was becoming a problem.  Can you say "meltdown?"   He wasn't getting everything that he needed nutritionally.  Doesn't really like any veggies except salad and LOVES tomatoes with Light Ranch Dressing.  But we needed more. 

Since Brendan loves Spaghetti, the nutritionist suggested taking doing this:

Take about 1/2 cup of fresh spinach leaves and place in the food processor.

Then prepare Spaghetti as you normally would.  You can cook ground beef or turkey (I use turkey) in a saucepan. Or use no meat at all.  Then without your kids in the kitchen peaking, quickly add the chopped spinach!

Next, add a jar of spaghetti sauce or if you have time, prepare your own.  Me? I don't have the time.  This jar will do fine. 

Sauce complete. My son cannot tell the difference and doesn't even notice that I have added anything.  It has been working fine.  He has even lost weight and the meltdowns happen less now during dinner time.  I hope this one tip has helped you today.

Enjoy! Until Next Tuesday!