I can’t believe it’s been a year since I started this little business of mine. I was in my head with so much doubt because I’m super shy and it was really hard for me to put myself out there. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I will still be here today.

I actually celebrated last Friday, Sept. 7th but with the show, I wasn’t able to do a proper post until now. I still remember sharing this quote on Instagram. It was my way of officially holding myself accountable by making a public declaration. My store officially launched on Nov. 12th. It took me 2 months to make all the bags and get organized.

As I sit back and reminisce, I want to take you waaaaay back – and share my story. Many people have asked about how I got started sewing and knitting and I really tried my best several times but could never follow through. I even tried to talk about it on my first podcast but it quickly turned into a hot mess so I decided not to continue. Then, like an angel, my friend Eric tagged me on Instagram to share 5 things about me in my stories. I don’t know how or why I had this overwhelming desire all of a sudden to share and for some reason I was able to express myself without falling apart.

Anyway, if you’re interested on how it all began, continue reading. I haven’t talked about this before because it’s so personal and although it happened ages ago, sometimes it feels like it was just yesterday. I’m sharing it with you today because it’s part of my story on how I got into crafting and how much it helped me cope.

This is my mama. Her name was Tess. This was taken about a year before she passed. She’s on vacation here in the Philippines. It was her first and only time to go back home to the motherland.

We lost her 8 years ago, a day before my birthday on July 5, 2010. She was 56 years old. She was on vacation again – this time visiting her family in sunny California. It was an accident and totally unexpected.

We were actually scheduled to go there and meet her. We had booked a flight prior to travel on Jul 7th and stay for 2 weeks. I still remember getting that dreaded phone call while at the drive-in theatre by the docks. I haven’t been back to a drive in since that day.

She went to Cali to assist her sister with her business. She had already been away for over a month before the accident and it still gives me goosebumps to think that was her way of preparing us for what’s to come. When I was packing her belongings, I found a pamphlet by her bedside about support for widows. My dad also said she wanted him to set up an appointment to buy a lot in the new cemetary near their house for when she came back. She wanted to take advantage while the price was still low. There were so many more signs indicating my mom had some sort of premonition…I’m going to stop here because I don’t want to freak you out… but it seemed like she had a hand in planning her final arrangements. She was always super organized and I feel like up to now, she is close by, always watching over us…

Anyway, you can imagine… how tough it was.

My mom was the most frugal person, I swear. She was so frugal, she wore the same clothes from when we were little. When she passed, my dad couldn’t keep her clothes obviously because it hurt to look at but he also couldn’t give it away so he gave it to me and my siblings.

One day, out of the blue, my brother says, “let’s make a quilt out of her clothes.”

BRILLIANT! Except…none of us had sewn anything before. We didn’t even own a sewing machine.

Budget was super tiiight as I was on mat leave with Vanessa so I picked the cheapest sewing machine on Amazon. They came over one day and we just went for it.

It’s my one and only sewing machine – Brother XL2600I – and still the same one I use today to sew all the bags. She still works! Good ‘ol brother! But I have a feeling someone’s watching over it though 😉

I was going for a modern, minimalistic quilt but I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. My fabric choice of blue silk for the background felt nice against my skin but puckered like crazy. My quilting lines all wobbly and crooked but none of that matters because it’s just like getting a big hug from mama.

 

Since then, I sewed more things, mostly toys and simple clothes and accessories  for Vanessa:

I also made her this quilt out of her baby clothes:

She still uses it today, as a blanket for her doll:

I started a tradition with Vanessa where I made a headband and a matching onesie for the first 12 months of her life.

When Aaron was born, I never got around to making his quilt (and I’m reminded of it every time Vanessa has hers out 😔) but I did keep up with the tradition of taking his photo every month. I cut up a onesie and sewed it back together into a “faux shirt” and also sewed a bow tie.

Here’s a closer look:

That’s basically how I got started with sewing. It felt really good to hold something I made out of my hands and the memories behind each item made it extra special. But with 2 babies only 15 months apart, I had less and less time with the machine. Enter knitting and well….the rest is history!

// I Make Things Enamel Pin from Makeology //

I am so grateful to those who have supported me whether you made a purchase or left words of encouragement. I want you to know I appreciate you!

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart ♥️