Snuggle Bunny Blankies

One of my favorite sayings/quotes throughout my life has been, "It is better to shoot for the moon and miss, then to aim for nothing and hit it."

So, here I am, shooting for the moon! It might be a small moon, a close moon, but I am still shooting for it! Amazingly enough this week I became a business owner! Wow. Me! A business owner! Obviously it is just the start of a business, but hey, it's a start! The best thing about it is that I get to be creative, and I am actually creating something that others like!

We (with Pat's and Amy's help) are getting everything in order. At this time I have 29 baby rag quilts made with the goal of 50 for the upcoming Yeah Baby Expo at Cal Expo on February 23rd and 24th. (I will only be in attendance, and have my merchandise on display on the 23rd - my standards come first, always.) Thankfully, Debi, Amy and Sue will be on hand to assist me in dealing with the public, and hopefully, selling! (Maybe someone will want to nudge the economy and buy some of my baby rag quilts!)

In the meantime things are moving along... Sam is drawing up a logo and so far what I have seen is amazing! I have no idea where he got his artistic touch from but I can honestly say it was not from me or Pat! I had an aunt that was quite artistic so I am going to give her the credit - which means it's from the Naslund side of the family! Seriously, back to Sam, he could really do this for a living! Heh... imagine that, he is going to! Good job Sam!

Amy is assisting me with the quilts and the computer. So helpful!

Craig and Rach are ready to jump in when and if needed and I truly appreciate their words of encouragement and support. Really.

Pat, of course, just lets me go and do and is completely supportive - financially as well as emotionally. What a guy!

Then there is extended family that believe in this product. I don't think I can run as fast as some would like me to, but that is okay, slow and steady works for me.

My next step is to get things for the expo in order and to get the website up and running. So much to do and think of!

My family knows that sometimes I watch Donny Deutsch - just because it is fun for me to see how people think and where they go with their ideas. Tonight a guest on there said something that really resounds with me - do what you love. Not that I have never heard that before, but it's more like do what you love, and don't really care about the money because it's the doing that is rewarding. (definitely summarized) That is what I am doing! If I love giving my quilts to others and making them smile surely others will as well.

For example, we gave one to a couple that just had their first baby at Pat's work. He is a co-owner with Pat. They can't stop talking about how beautiful the quilt is and how wonderful it looks in Hazel's room! Seriously, THAT is what I love! It is fulfilling to me to give others joy... to create beauty. It is great.

I have even sold three to a long-time, practically life-time friend of Amy's - Megan! She insisted on being my first real customer! I hope all the boys enjoy their new blankies!

There were a few recent years that I spent feeling lost as far as my times goes. I had far too much of it on hand and just did not know what to do with myself. I felt as though I had more to offer, and needed to feel like I could contribute something somewhere! Thankfully, I kept somewhat busy with church, our home, and our family; but I didn't feel that I was anywhere near reaching my potential. Not that I am now, but honestly, the time I spend in making quilts, trying to start a business, and doing all the other things I need to be doing, I find so gratifying. This is a blessing for me.

I am thankful, period. I have found a talent, unburied it, and am enjoying learning more about myself and those around me. It is totally refreshing. I see talents in my children that I have always known were there but are now being used to help me. I am one happy mom and wife! It's great.

So much for my ramblings... I just had to express my excitement about my new venture. I am hopeful that it will go well, but in the meantime I am having fun.

Here are a few of my most recent designs: