~ Aug 2013~ Sew what... We've gotta find a way back! Part I!!

[DMGeurts]

D you get some of the best pictures. I love seeing your girls through the years.

Your SSP sounds much better than me finishing my launch outfits.

Thanks! It's so strange to see them growing up so fast! But I am also happy for them that they have such a good life long friend.

I still have soooo much work to do on my SSP... I was on a roll yesterday, but then my neighbor came over and we chatted for 3 hours. Gotta catch up today!

the GAC bag turned out great!

fun photos at the park, those are some creepy looking monsters!

Thanks Lisa... Yah - they definately like to keep Halloween gory at that park - one of the things I don't like about it.

D~, this is a fabulous picture of YOU! I love your hair in this picture and I can totally see how well "MFP" is working for you!

Awww... thanks Oopsi... I haven't logged into MFP in a while.

Fun Pictures of ValleyFaire!! We also went to our local park this weekend and had a great time. We don't have those character wandering around just Snoopy and the Gang. The favorite thing my kids love to do this time of year is go Trick or Treating from Character to Character. See the character get candy!! What kid wouldn't be happy doing that.

It must be a Cedar Fair park then? Our Valleyfair is owned by CF... Maybe Snoopy and gang are mascots at all their parks? I just assumed it was only our park because Snoopy/Charles Schultz is a MN native and very popular here.

I actually checked out the pictures this morning when I stopped by work for a couple of hours but I didn't have time comment. I like the idea of boys using it for pins. Very cool.

DH cooks too, but he tends to make one pan meals -whether they really are or not.

LOL about your DH... Too funny!

I worked hard in my sewing room on my SSP, and I was moving a long at a nice clip, but then my neighbor came over and we chatted for 3 hours! Gulp... totally threw me behind schedule. But we had a nice visit.

I am also 99% sure that I have made my final decistion, and the girls and I will be going in October. Part of the final decision is that I came up with a MNSSHP costume theme - and I am VERY excited about it. It will be a group theme - and that is all I can tell you.

Some of you will also be happy to hear that I was able to bribe the girls into wearing the costumes. For Alli, I had to promise her that I would not make her any customs for the trip at all. But I did tell her that she would have to carry one of my bags - she can choose the theme. Pretty sad that I have to beg my own child to carry one of my bags. For V, I had to bribe her with a soda... Promise her a new bag. And promise to make her a few new outfits. She started designing them last night...

I am getting really irritated that my tags haven't come yet... I know yesterday was a holiday, so no mail - but it's just so frustrating. The person that I ordered them from (I've ordered several times from her before, and service/promptness has always been stellar) has her shop closed right now. I am thinking I need to send her a message if they don't come today.

Ok - that's all for my boring life... I hope you all have a great day today!

D~

 

[babynala]

I am a bit far behind - I was not on the computer much over the weekend but I don't remember doing anything exciting. Just soccer and cleaning the basement.

I LOVE the GAC holder and Mickey is so cool looking. Such a great idea.

Glad you set your plans for your trip. I think you will be able to handle having fewer days in the parks since A. you guys were there a short time ago and B. you will be going back the following year. You won't feel like you have to "get it all done". I think it will be less crowded so you can get more done in the same amount of time.

Great pics from VF. The pictures of the girls when they were little are so cute. Looks like you had a fun day.

As for you having to bribe the girls....so funny. Their two personalities are really coming through in the conversation about "bribing" them. I am sure you could get A to wear a -dread- store bought Disney t-shirt so you will still be stylin' for all your photopass pictures.

I am a big fan of Lands End, I love that you can buy stuff on line and return it to Sears. They almost always have a free shipping promo going on if you get their e-mails. Congrats on finding a suit you like. I guess you will be planning some pool time for your Oct trip!!!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Awww... thanks Oopsi... I haven't logged into MFP in a while.

Neither have I...


I am also 99% sure that I have made my final decistion, and the girls and I will be going in October. Part of the final decision is that I came up with a MNSSHP costume theme - and I am VERY excited about it. It will be a group theme - and that is all I can tell you.

Hmmmm- sounds intriguing!

Some of you will also be happy to hear that I was able to bribe the girls into wearing the costumes. For Alli, I had to promise her that I would not make her any customs for the trip at all. But I did tell her that she would have to carry one of my bags - she can choose the theme. Pretty sad that I have to beg my own child to carry one of my bags. For V, I had to bribe her with a soda... Promise her a new bag. And promise to make her a few new outfits. She started designing them last night...

I, for one, find this to be very exciting news!

D~

You have a great day, too!

 

[solana131]

It will be a group theme - and that is all I can tell you.

Some of you will also be happy to hear that I was able to bribe the girls into wearing the costumes. For Alli, I had to promise her that I would not make her any customs for the trip at all. But I did tell her that she would have to carry one of my bags - she can choose the theme. Pretty sad that I have to beg my own child to carry one of my bags. For V, I had to bribe her with a soda... Promise her a new bag. And promise to make her a few new outfits. She started designing them last night...

This is too funny! Can't wait to meet them!

- that's all for my boring life...

And this deserves a too! Boring....HA!

Oh, and I meant to comment on FB that your hair does look really really great in that picture! And I noticed the Vera bag.....was that a tag on it??

 

[sewmess]

I am also 99% sure that I have made my final decistion, and the girls and I will be going in October. Part of the final decision is that I came up with a MNSSHP costume theme - and I am VERY excited about it. It will be a group theme - and that is all I can tell you.

Some of you will also be happy to hear that I was able to bribe the girls into wearing the costumes. For Alli, I had to promise her that I would not make her any customs for the trip at all. But I did tell her that she would have to carry one of my bags - she can choose the theme. Pretty sad that I have to beg my own child to carry one of my bags. For V, I had to bribe her with a soda... Promise her a new bag. And promise to make her a few new outfits. She started designing them last night...

I am getting really irritated that my tags haven't come yet... I know yesterday was a holiday, so no mail - but it's just so frustrating. The person that I ordered them from (I've ordered several times from her before, and service/promptness has always been stellar) has her shop closed right now. I am thinking I need to send her a message if they don't come today.

Ok - that's all for my boring life... I hope you all have a great day today!

D~

Hurrah for October!! That's our plan for our next trip - 2014. Of Course, that's also when our anniversary is... And maybe I'll have costumes for the party too. I've only been working on Dh's for 2 years.

I know where your girls are coming from: My mom used to make me clothes and tried to continue in High School. I rebelled and didn't want her to do that, even though I was on a costuming crew at school & knew how to sew myself. I went so far as to absolutely refuse to sew any clothes for years, even when I started sewing again - cloth dolls yes, clothes that was for my sister and mom. Then I started getting into costuming again and friends started having babies. I'm sewing clothes now.

Your seller having her store closed is not a good sign. Hopefully she just got backed up with orders, although communication would have gone a long way to sooth the customers.

Your life is never boring to me. All that time in your sewing room!

 

[kittylady1972]

OK a quick post from my phone as I sit in DD's gymnastics class wait area.

First love the photos. Just adorable.

Second thanks for your post on my PTR. I will respond there too shortly.

Third I totally blame you for the shopping I did.this weekend. Lime you, I am a top heavy girl so when you mentioned the bathing suits I had to go check. Despite my best efforts I didn't make it to Sears and the online store didn't have much Lands End stuff. Instead I went online to Land's End where I spent way too much money I didn't need to spend. I am hoping I will like a few of the bathing suit pieces and if not I have no problem returning them. I am just no longer comfortable in my current bathing suits and I know I can't lose the weight I need to (about 10-15 pounds) in the next 6 weeks to fit back into them. If only the vending machine at work would stop stocking hostess products I might have a chance!

Can't wait to hear more about your October trip. LOVE that time of year, my favorite next to Christmas decoration time!

 

[DMGeurts]

I am a bit far behind - I was not on the computer much over the weekend but I don't remember doing anything exciting. Just soccer and cleaning the basement.

Thanks for stopping by Liz. I hope that Curtis is doing much better by now.

I LOVE the GAC holder and Mickey is so cool looking. Such a great idea.

Thanks!

Glad you set your plans for your trip. I think you will be able to handle having fewer days in the parks since A. you guys were there a short time ago and B. you will be going back the following year. You won't feel like you have to "get it all done". I think it will be less crowded so you can get more done in the same amount of time.

I know... It's just really hard, because we like to have 2 days at AK, 2 days at MK (and possibly an evening - usually our first evening), 1 day at Epcot, 1 Day at DHS... Then we'll have to do MNSSHP too - and we llike to have that moring off.... So, that's a minimum of 7 days. With that many days, I would really like to have - for sure - 1 day off, but I would prefer 2. Sigh. Otherwise it feels like we are going commando all the time. I guess we could skip Epcot or DHS on this trip? But that would feel wrong. We might just have to sacrafice one of our other days...

Great pics from VF. The pictures of the girls when they were little are so cute. Looks like you had a fun day.

Thanks! We had a great day!

As for you having to bribe the girls....so funny. Their two personalities are really coming through in the conversation about "bribing" them. I am sure you could get A to wear a -dread- store bought Disney t-shirt so you will still be stylin' for all your photopass pictures.

Possibly on the store bought shirt, but probably not... Grrr... We just won't go there.

I am a big fan of Lands End, I love that you can buy stuff on line and return it to Sears. They almost always have a free shipping promo going on if you get their e-mails. Congrats on finding a suit you like. I guess you will be planning some pool time for your Oct trip!!!

See... Now I need to plan pool time too...

Definately glad I found LE, I was actually quite shocked and the most shocking part is that I was totally prepared to look into the dressingroom mirror and hate it, I was so surprised when I actually liked it.

You have a great day, too!

Thanks Oopsi! I hope you had a fabulous day!

This is too funny! Can't wait to meet them!

And this deserves a too! Boring....HA!

Oh, and I meant to comment on FB that your hair does look really really great in that picture! And I noticed the Vera bag.....was that a tag on it??

Thanks! ROFL... No, that wasn't a tag - you silly girl. That was my car keys hanging from the strap... but I can see how it would look like a tag.

Hurrah for October!! That's our plan for our next trip - 2014. Of Course, that's also when our anniversary is... And maybe I'll have costumes for the party too. I've only been working on Dh's for 2 years.

Well, I hope you get it done on time.

I know where your girls are coming from: My mom used to make me clothes and tried to continue in High School. I rebelled and didn't want her to do that, even though I was on a costuming crew at school & knew how to sew myself. I went so far as to absolutely refuse to sew any clothes for years, even when I started sewing again - cloth dolls yes, clothes that was for my sister and mom. Then I started getting into costuming again and friends started having babies. I'm sewing clothes now.

I was the same way... No home made clothes here, and I was such a brand name snob... If it wasn't Guess, Girbaud, Esprit... I wouldn't touch it. I was definately a difficult teen.

Your seller having her store closed is not a good sign. Hopefully she just got backed up with orders, although communication would have gone a long way to sooth the customers.

I know it isn't. No tags again yesterday. Her store note says she has been sick... I just know that her shipping takes longer because it's coming from Australia, but it's been 2 weeks, and I am not sure how much time to give it?

Your life is never boring to me. All that time in your sewing room!

Awww... Thanks!

OK a quick post from my phone as I sit in DD's gymnastics class wait area.

First love the photos. Just adorable.

Thanks!

Second thanks for your post on my PTR. I will respond there too shortly.

Anytime... I am really bad about checking PTRs, I don't actually subscribe to them, I just look for the white arrows... So, if it isn't on the first page or two of the PTR/TR section - I don't see it.

Third I totally blame you for the shopping I did.this weekend. Lime you, I am a top heavy girl so when you mentioned the bathing suits I had to go check. Despite my best efforts I didn't make it to Sears and the online store didn't have much Lands End stuff. Instead I went online to Land's End where I spent way too much money I didn't need to spend. I am hoping I will like a few of the bathing suit pieces and if not I have no problem returning them. I am just no longer comfortable in my current bathing suits and I know I can't lose the weight I need to (about 10-15 pounds) in the next 6 weeks to fit back into them. If only the vending machine at work would stop stocking hostess products I might have a chance!

Sorry about the shopping trip... Lands End had a pretty good online code though - I thought so anyways... They took the 40% off the most expensive item (and it was already marked down). Once my order gets here, I will have 3 full swim sets with cover-ups... I wasn't planning on getting any more, but when I went back to Sears to have them take the security device off the first top - I went back to the racks and found a top that would coordinate with the bottoms I ordered online... It was $12.60 after all the discounts. It is a bit big, but I figure I can take the sides in a little if necessary. I am very happy for you that you found something though - seriously - I hate swim suit shopping, I couldn't believe that I found some to fit me.

Can't wait to hear more about your October trip. LOVE that time of year, my favorite next to Christmas decoration time!

I am very excited about it! And I am uber excited about MNSSHP!

I made so much progress in my sewing room yesterday - I was so pleased. I am about half way done with my SSP!

Ok y'all... Remember, Oh, a long time ago - I made the Travel Organizer for our trip? Here's a reminder:

I have had soooo many requests for this on Facebook, but I just haven't had the time to go back and tweek the pattern. The pattern itself is fine, but honestly, that zipper closure is killer - but it's necessary - and I won't make one with out it. The problem is that NO ONE makes a pattern like this with a zipper closure, so I had to totally wing it. It was rough - and that was an understatement.

Well, a few weeks ago, I found a pattern... It wasn't for a wallet - it was for something else, so I ordered it. I really only wanted it for the zipper portion, because I had no clue what I was doing when I did it. Well, the pattern came yesterday - I was so excited! I open it up to read the instructions for the zipper, as it turns out - I did it right in the first place... I just suck. Josh thought this was hilarious... I did not. Turns out the problem is that I need more practice. I was hoping to be able to offer this item in the near future... I guess it won't be as near as I was hoping. But I tried. Oh, and btw, the pattern I ordered - it sucks... It is the most "difficult to read" pattern I have ever encountered.

Hmmm... What else can I talk about this morning?

Oh... I opened up for my waiting list last night. I only took 5 names, but I filled in about a minute. I was not here for that, because I had a meeting that I just couldn't reschedule. Josh was kind enough to log onto my Facebook and post the initial post... Such a nice guy. So, I am happy to have another waiting list in place.

So, today, I will be in my sewing room again all day. I will continue to work on my SSP, I really hope that I am able to get most of it done this week. I am super excited about it, because I will have super exciting things to show everyone! I am also excited to finish, because it will mean that I can start my trip planning in earnest.

Anyways... I hope you all have a wonderful day!

D~

 

[dianemom2]

I just love your GAC holder. My nephew has special needs and something like that would be perfect for him!

It looks like you and your girls had a great time at Valley Faire over the weekend. And I'm so happy for you that you found more bathing suit pieces. It is nice to be able to have 3 swimsuits. I hate putting a damp suit on. It always feels so gross!

 

[DisneyDreamerMN]

Love this!!

What is your Facebook account under? I would like to be one of the first to know when you have openings!

 

[cogero]

I am so excited for your super secret project and I don't even know what it is.

 

[DMGeurts]

I am so excited for your super secret project and I don't even know what it is.

I just posted a small hint on FB.

D~

 

[cogero]

I just posted a small hint on FB.

D~

I saw and am even more excited now

 

[oopsiDAISY]

Woah!!!! THAT was a BIG announcement!!!! Congrats on your awesome and rapidly growing business, D~!!!!

 

[EEs*Mommy]

I really hate that you cannot multi quote on your phone just thought I would put that out into the universe. I cannot wait to see your RTS and is it bad I cannot wait to see what they go for? It is like Tom and Lisa's dresses I always enjoy the show even if I am not bidding!
I really hope you will post pics of what you make your DD for your trip! <3 I would love to go in Oct. I was tempted to ask for October with our Wish trip but I didn't think they would let me do 10/13!

 

[ladylyons]

Yes Great America is owned by Cedar Fair. So is Knott's Berry Farm in Southern Calif. We love getting to see Snoopy and the gang!!

 

[Chicago Mo]

Oh... I opened up for my waiting list last night. I only took 5 names, but I filled in about a minute. I was not here for that, because I had a meeting that I just couldn't reschedule. Josh was kind enough to log onto my Facebook and post the initial post... Such a nice guy. So, I am happy to have another waiting list in place.
D~

Ummm I'm a LITTLE excited...

 

[miprender]

In regards to the BTG... they are there in October too. I could not believe my eyes when I saw them this weekend But not as many as we see when we go in June/July. Also another thing that shocked me was how HOT and HUMID is was. We were just there a few months ago an I swear it was hotter than the summer.

I am super excited about this project!

So many people have a approached me about creating this, and I was so happy to finally have the time!

While I was making this one, I just kept getting more and more excited, because I started thinking about all the possibilites for boys... They can use the lanyard portion for Pin Trading, they can use the pouch portion to hold their keeper pins - or even better, their Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom cards. It's zippered, so they could even stick a gift card inside. And of course, the reason for the pouch - It has the vinyl window to hold a GAC card. The vinyl window is semi-waterproof. I had so much fun creating this!

D~

This is just too adorable

 

[DMGeurts]

I just love your GAC holder. My nephew has special needs and something like that would be perfect for him!

It looks like you and your girls had a great time at Valley Faire over the weekend. And I'm so happy for you that you found more bathing suit pieces. It is nice to be able to have 3 swimsuits. I hate putting a damp suit on. It always feels so gross!

Thanks Diane!

Love this!!

What is your Facebook account under? I would like to be one of the first to know when you have openings!

Hi and WELCOME! I've sent you a PM.

I saw and am even more excited now

YAY!!! And... That's only a teeny-tiny bit of the SSP... There's MORE - lots MORE.

Woah!!!! THAT was a BIG announcement!!!! Congrats on your awesome and rapidly growing business, D~!!!!

It wasn't THAT big... There are bigger anouncements coming...

And thank you Oopsi, I feel like I am always working, but I enjoy it and have lots of fun. And it really helps that I have a vacation to plan too.

I really hate that you cannot multi quote on your phone just thought I would put that out into the universe. I cannot wait to see your RTS and is it bad I cannot wait to see what they go for? It is like Tom and Lisa's dresses I always enjoy the show even if I am not bidding!
I really hope you will post pics of what you make your DD for your trip! <3 I would love to go in Oct. I was tempted to ask for October with our Wish trip but I didn't think they would let me do 10/13!

LOL Yah - it's always fun to see what things go for. I started my first RTS yesterday, and I love it.

Of course I will post pics of what I make for our trip... I feel like I post pictures of everything.

Yes Great America is owned by Cedar Fair. So is Knott's Berry Farm in Southern Calif. We love getting to see Snoopy and the gang!!

Interesting... I learn something new every day. That's awesome for Snoopy! He used to be the mascot for the Mall of America theme park, but they dumped him a few years ago - or actually he dumped them... Anyways - it took them several years to find another mascot, and ended up with Nickelodeon (sp???). I was happy to find that Snoopy was at Valley Fair last year, and now I am even happier that he is at all the parks.

Ummm I'm a LITTLE excited...

Just a little? LOL

In regards to the BTG... they are there in October too. I could not believe my eyes when I saw them this weekend But not as many as we see when we go in June/July. Also another thing that shocked me was how HOT and HUMID is was. We were just there a few months ago an I swear it was hotter than the summer.

This is just too adorable

Yes, I do remember October being hot and humid - but it does get pretty chilly at night.

I do sincerely apologize that this PTR hasn't had much PTRing going on in it...​

However - I do plan to change that very shortly. I do need to get caught up on the rest of my SSP first... Almost there - I promise - about half way, actually.

Some trip planning ahead:

I did have another idea yesterday - something I'd forgotten about. If Disney does not release a code, the girls and I can always stay at Shades of Green... We thoroughly enjoyed our stay there in 2008, and would not hesitate to stay there again. Staying there would totally change the dynamics of our trip - and I am not sure how much I would enjoy that part of it. But there are serious pros and cons to SoG.

First of all, I went to the SoG website yesterday - and they were offering an early birds discount. They only book one year in advance - so nothing for my time frame, however I am hopeful. That early birds discount would bring our resort down to $73/night - no tax, no fees. I will be carefully watching their website over the next few weeks, because if an early birds discount is offered for my time frame - I will be booking at SoG. I can back out of it at 30 days, and still receive a full refund. One night's stay is required to book.

So, a few drawbacks to staying at SoG... First - no ME - which means I would have to rent a town car. I do feel safe with doing this - we have done it several times before.

The next one is no DDP. So, all of our meals will be OOP - which means I will have to budget. However, doing our meal budget yesterday - the prices are very similar to what ddp woulld cost us. So, it's more of an annoying thing than anything.

Then, all the walking... There's a lot of it. SoG does have a good bus system that goes to all of the parks, but their busses are usually parked in weird locations and finding them is sometimes difficult. However, because of it's location to the Poly - using the Poly busses or the monorail is usually easier - however, the walking path to SoG is LONG and the resort is large - so it's a LOT of walking at the end of the day - however - it's probably not THAT much longer than any other resort.

If you've never stayed at SoG - or realized where it is - here's a Google map, with the walking path highlighted, and our prefered room location "Xed"... So, not only would we have to walk from the Poly, but the hike to our room would be quite far.

The benefits:

SoG rooms are among the biggest in WDW.

They are the only resort on WDW property with an official Starbucks on site (I am definately a Carabou girl), but in a pinch - Starbucks is fine.

No tax with in the resort... Not on food, not on dining, not on the room, nothing - nada, zero, zilch...

Their supreme location to the Poly... I have to admit that staying at SoG - I love all the time I get to spend at the Poly - it's almost like staying there.

And the SoG is an indoor resort... All of the rooms are located inside hallways...

So, that's it - we are either staying at POFQ with a decent code, or we will stay at SoG.

Of course - if we stay at SoG... I have a whole gammit of food budgets to go through.

OK - end of trip ramblings.

Today - I work at Target, so no sewing room.

I hope you all have a fantastic day!

D~

 

[dianemom2]

I saw your announcement on FB. That is so exciting. I'll be there checking out your bags each month and cheering you on!

SoG looks like a great place to stay. You certainly can't beat the price on the room and the rooms are supposed to be quite large. We have friend who have stayed there and really liked it. They ended up buying at the DVC after a couple of visits to Disney. It is nice that you will have multiple options that will fit your budget.

 

[rpcvpanama]

Hey - Just wanted to send a quick note about Columbus Day week/weekend since you are still in the planning process. I just got back from a 5 day trip to WDW over Columbus Day weekend. I have to say that I will never go that weekend again. The crowds were crazy and parks jam packed. The weather was also terrible, but I don't really count that because we have gone in September and the weather has been fine. This year it was very hot and humid, especially bad because the weather had started to really cool down at home. I guess the only take away is that weather is unpredictable!!

This was the second weekend of the F&W Festival and Epcot was unmanageable on F/S/S. Actually, it is my favorite park and we avoided it like the plague the entire trip. We left on Tuesday and the crowd calendars said that the remainder of the week would be better. But, we had two green park days while we were there but I definitely could not tell and would not have classified them as green.

There were room only discounts for the time were were there but they were not doing the free dining. I believe it started after we left. We ended up staying at the Swan for about $1000 less than a deluxe resort at WDW. All in all it wasn't horrible but we definitely found the crowds to be much larger than expected.

Hope that helps a little with your planning.