Link Love: Milestones & New Adventures

This week our Little Man turns 4. I know every parents says it, so why should I be any different, but I don’t know where the time has gone. I feel like I blinked and he was a toddler and now he’s a little boy. It’s been a hell of an adventure. I’ve learned so much about myself, the human race and about this little person whom now carries my heart. I’m excited to spend this week celebrating his birthday, boring him with tales of “this time 4 years ago” and just enjoying being with him.

My parents celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary this week. I cannot begin to fathom what forty years of marriage would be like. I’m assuming it’s kind of what ten years of marriage feels like only with more aches and pains and less nappies (or maybe it will be more???). I wish I could be with them to celebrate, but I’ll just have to be thankful for FaceTime and make the most of it.

This week will also be my first full week of being self-employed. That’s right, I resigned from my job last week. After 20+ years in the public service, a job I dreamed of since I was in Grade 7, I left to pursue my own dreams. I can’t believe the difference that knowing that I don’t have to cram everything in because there’s going to be a big chunk of my time where I can’t work has made. I’ve felt my creativity coming back, I’ve made plans to catch up with friends we haven’t seen in what feels like years and I’m positively glowing.

I know we have a lot of work ahead of us, but we’re in it together and I’m the master of my own destiny. I have some big ticket items I want to close off in June and then I’m on to planning and charting my course. It’s all possibilities and that’s exciting.

I’d write more, but I have a sewing machine I need to spend some quality time with, you understand, right? I hope you have a fabulous day!

FUN THINGS TO CLICK ON

• I love this hexie pillow from Minki Kim on the We All Sew blog. Click here for the tutorial.
• As a family that heads to the library a lot at the moment, I’m digging this fabulous library tote from Jennifer at Ellison Lane. Click here for the tutorial.
• I’m loving these fabric illustrations at the moment and so these video tutorials from Minki Kim are perfect. Click here to watch.
• If you’re off to the library, why not whip up one of these one-the-go reading cushions from Melissa at Polka Dot Chair. Click here for the tutorial.
• I’m crushing on drawstring bags at the moment and I’m loving this tutorial from s.o.t.a.k handmade. Click here for the tutorial.
• Did you see the fun little pincushion I made last week? I love it! Click here for the tutorial.

COMMUNITY CORK BOARD

• Liz, a lovely lady I worked with, travels to Vietnam to volunteer and work with Helping Hands. Helping Hands is a non profit organisation set up by an Australian Terry Donnelly to work within the most needy and vulnerable people of Vietnam. Helping hands is funded in part by the Vietnam International Volunteer Placement Scheme (VIVPS). VIVPS staff provide care for the children through rehabilitation, education and nutrition to name a few of the services they provide. This improves the quality of life of the residents by providing them opportunities that would not normally be afforded to them.Funding these employees is achieved through international donations and there is currently a need to fund Nang as the Rehabilitation Assistant. The total annual cost of a position is US$4600. Liz is currently raising funds to raise the annual salary for Nang who is a single mother working hard to provide for her family and the children of Helping Hands. You can find out more and donate by clicking here.
• Trixie at Coloured Buttons is hosting the Sew-a-Softie Day this July 16 to help get adults and kids excited about sewing. From July 1 until July 16 sewists from around the world will be sharing tutorials, tips and tricks and encouraging everyone to make a softie. You can find out more information by clicking here.
• The lovely and fabulous Kerry Goulder of Kid Giddy has some exciting news about an upcoming teaching event. If you’ve ever wanted to master the art of doll making and you’re able to get to the Missouri Star Quilt Co Retreat then you’re in luck. Find out more by clicking here.
• The lovely ladies at Make Modern Magazine are running an amazing competition that just requires you to make a Mini Mini Quilt (that’s a quilt that measures no greater than 6″ square). There’s over $1,000 in prizes on offer and the competition closes June 20. Find out more by clicking here.

SPONSOR MESSAGES

• For four days only, you can get any and all classes for 50% off, and that means sunny, inspired afternoons doing exactly what you love. Expires 6/13 @11:59pm MDT. Click here to shop the large range of Craftsy classes.
• If you’re like me and you like to dabble in more than just sewing and quilting creative work then check out these free downloadable papers from Sizzix. Great to use in any graphics work you might be doing (like blog banners)! Click here to get your free papers.
• Fat Quarter Shop have released their new monthly subscription service: Sew Sampler. It looks amazing and I love that unlike other subscriptions this one comes with all the information you need to make a quilt. Each month contains a quilt block recipe card that you can use to make a full 12 block quilt. Genius! You can find out more by clicking here.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a very small commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link, in fact in some cases I can offer you a better price via an affiliate link. I will not recommend something that I do not use myself. These commissions help me keep being able to provide you with great content for free. Thank you, in advance for your support!