"I love you too Mommy"

As a mother we all live waiting to hear these words out of our children's mouths. We grasp at the faint utterances that might have the hint of "mama" in them. A tiny gesture of our children showing their affection or need for us is what we live for. Now why else would we have gone thru pregnancy pains and childbirth tortures if it wasn't for those tiny hugs and sloppy kisses and "I love you too's".

Well my day finally came on Nov 11th,2008 just 3yrs and 14days after her birth. Yes I have heard it before from Joshua and Melody and even Madyson who is now 19mo, don't get me wrong I didn't take those for granted or mean any less, but Josslyn was one I wasn't sure I would hear it from. See, even as an infant she didn't like my touch while I nursed her, hard to fathom even harder to endure. She never liked hugs or kisses and her favorite word has always been NO!, even before she could speak, she would sign it. So every time we asked for hugs or kisses that's what we would get and big fat NO!

It wasn't until Madyson was born that she showed affection in her own way that is, but it was mostly towards her, we got some random hugs, never kisses,never "I love yous" but Mady must have made an impact on her because by her 9mo Josslyn was hugging her and kissing her gently.

I knew then my time would come, just not soon enough. By then she was mostly attached to dad, still is, he was and is the light of her life and her safety net, me I'm the one who takes her to Drs and therapies and gives her shots and meds, I'm the one she tells to "GO AWAY" when I walk in her room. But my day finally came...I remember it like it was a second ago and I'm sure I will remember it just like this for the rest of my life.

Like any other day, I woke up and got the kids ready for school and waiting for the bus as I am in the kitchen Josslyn comes around the corner and runs to hug me and I hug her back and she whispers in my ear "I love you too Mommy", right then and there I knew it was going to be a GREAT day. We hugged for what seemed like hours and I cried of joy.

Such simple phrase and it means soo much, I had not even told her I loved her yet..but she knew what I meant by that hug. Just 19mo ago she only had 4 words in her vocabulary and in such a short time she has made some major achievements we can not and will not ever take small steps for granted.

Christmas came early this year!

Christmas at Home

Well this has been on VERY interesting month, some of you know what I'm talking about..LOL

I have been super busy, ahh when am I not? Christmas was creeping up on me without hesitation and I was running low on time. But I did get what I needed in time to give my family our traditional Christmas. (sshhh still have some 3 Kings Day gifts to mail off. What am I waiting for...get your butt into gear)

We had my sil and her girls come over Christmas Eve and we enjoyed our Christmas Eve dinner, change into PJ's to drive around looking at lights, tuck kids in bed and finish playing elf till late that night. We woke up casually late for us after 7am and I started our Christmas Morning breakfast. Yummy Egg casseroles for kids and us and Eggnog French Toast, that is super yummy. Homemade Hot cocoa mix and after breakfast we opened gifts.

Needless to say kids were on cloud 9, as usual we try to keep it simple with items they need and want but will use and it all worked out. We have lounged and played for hours with them and watched movies, all in all a Good Christmas.

A very GOOD Christmas now that I put it in perspective because Mel is home. I often thought of the soldiers missing their families during the Holidays. I tried not to cry, but it's very close to my heart. My best friend and sister Agnes is out there serving while her kids are missing her back home. Her and many others we know personally are still out there. We just pray they come home safe and sound and SOON.

Now Bring on the New Year!!

Craft Fair checklist

So as I was getting ready for my craft fair I started making a list of needed items and what to bring to survive a craft fair. Here's a list I came up with...you might need to add some items of your own to cater your crafts and needs.

Hope you find this useful.

Janine's Craft Fair/Show list (indoors)

Buisness aspect:
1.Tax/Biz Id and chart
2.Calculator
3.Biz Cards- special Fair discounts
4.Money-change and bills $125 in a box
5.Flyers with upcoming shows and how to find you.
6. CC machine/Laptop-internet for CC sales
7. Big Sign name and Logo
8. Easel to announce sales -payment methods -website
9. Wear a shirt with your biz logo, name and site if possible
10. Hardcover sign in book for newsletters
11.Inventory price sheet- to scratch off a sale
12. Freebies with your cards
13. price tags
14.Camera -batteries and memory card
15. Laptop with pretty slide show of your past work (examples)- should draw attention -power cords or fully charged
16. Office supplies (Tape, scissors,staplers,pens, notepads,pencils)
17 Clear bags to place their items.
18. Gift bags/Jewelry bags (if needed)
19. Carry cart/bag to carry all supplies with you
20. Receipt book with carbon paper
21. Order notebook
22. Make a photo album of items for sales in various colors and styles (catalog)
23. A plastic envelope with zipper(kids school supplies) to place orders, receipts, others biz cards etc. (remember craft fair booth fees are tax deductible as well as travel and food expenses)
24. Extra bin with more inventory to replace sold items.

Networking-get traffic
1. Arrive early and get to know your neighbors- help watching for potty breaks
2. Know your area so you can redirect traffic to your booth with signs.
3. Have FREE candy, treats in a small bowl to atract customers.
4. Invite customers on your lists to the fair, family and friends
5. Arrange for someone to help you, so you can take a break and visit other crafters and take biz cards with you. And also poty and eating breaks.

Fair Survival
1.Cooler with drinks and snacks
2.makeup for touch up
3.hand lotion
4.chapstick
5.tylenol or other headache meds
6.paper towels
7.garbage bags
8.windex- to wipe down
9. Chair- if not provided.
10. Dress nice and wear your items if possible, but dress comfortable.
11. Cell phone on low- for emergency
12. Comfortable shoes
13. small broom and pan
14. zip ties

Crafts
1. Bring extra tools to craft while waitingc(hopefully you wont have to wait)
2. Bead Charts, Ribbon Charts color options
3. Mirrors (so they can see themselves with your items)
4. Ribbon or other craft materials in an organized bin.
5. extension cord
6. light source


Display
1. Table
2. Long solid color table cloth so they wont see your feet and under table mess.
3. Vase in various heights- for hats
4. Flower Pot with craft foam and Pipe Cleaners to display Clippies and small bows.
5. Ribbon draped over craft table decorated at end with flowers for bows and clips
5.Set different levels for any items displayed and get more use out of your space.
6. Small lattice panels for tutus, clothes, bows and more.
7.Xtra string- just in case needed.

Do's:
Always wear your smile.
Say Thank you (even to snotty customers or bypassers)
Welcome everyone who passes by, never know who might be interested.
Be polite when they ask how do you make your craft, ask for sources, instructions, how easy it looks etc.


Dont's:
No music of cellphone talk- you want to give your customers all your attention
Don't Wear perfume- strong fragrances- some ppl are sensitive, might deter them from stopping by.
Don't Comment on how bad you feel, how you crammed for the show or any negatives even about other sellers.
Don't get too personal (no family issues etc)- keep it professional ie. why you craft? where your from? what motivated you? What are they made of? Can you customize? etc



*Outdoors

Summer

Tent (sandfilled pails, tie downs)-Sun Block/Sunscreen-Bug repelant- shades, paper weights, fan

Winter

Tent(same as above)- space heater-jacket (weather appropriate)

Customer Reviews

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Thanks,
Janine

My Latest Creations

Because of YOU

Because of my dear daughter Josslyn this has all sprung out in a million directions. Tons of adventures, new views on life and a whole new meaning to the word miracle.
Because of her is that The Fairy Princess Garden emerged full force with my passions for my children and their betterment and the urge to help others like us and make our world Aware.
Because of her I find myself a better person today, more passionate than ever and with creativity bursting at my seams. Because of you baby....I am here today.

The Fairy Princess Garden

Welcome to my Blog.
I am looking to share some of my creations and passions here. I started years ago when I was a child being very creative in different mediums and always wanting to do and try more. I made cards, knitted, painted, made sculptures with foam, flower arrangements, airbrushing, pottery,beading to name a few. Where did it all come from? Well my family is very crafty and I guess I got a bit from both sides. It was lots of fun, and after having my son I loved doing crafts with him and teaching different things. 3yrs ago he asked if we could make beaded snowflakes for gifts for family and friends, and thus was reborn my love for beading. After we had our second daughter Josslyn I began to have an interest in bows in hopes to show others that we had 2 little girls and not 3 little boys. Shortly after I started making clippies and bows and have ever since for family and friends and a few customers. I since then have merged the 2 to come up with sets for my girls and some for sale.