I've been making and making all day today. I wish I had more to show for it. Sometimes though, difficult and time consuming things come in small packages. So here's what I have been up to.

I started some mini Mary Jane shoes quite a while back and finished two pair over the weekend.

This pair was delivered today to a mom whose son is in Kindergarten at Owen's school. They were in pre-school together and she has another son Ivan's age and is now about to deliver a girl.

This pair went to a friend who just delivered her first baby on Monday morning. Little Bella was long awaited and many prayers went up for her.

I started two more pair on Sunday and finished them today. This pair is trimmed in oyster and has mother-of-pearl buttons.

This pair is from the same fabric but is trimmed in peach and has glass buttons.

I had been thinking of a way to create a simple card that would coordinate with the little shoes as a sort of gift package. I like this, but I wonder if it looks too casual for the shoes.

This card I like a little bit better because of the fabric. It looks less Hawaiian, but I messed up the second toe and didn't notice until I was sewing on the third. This is all a trial run, so I'm not upset about time wasted. In fact I learned a lot making these and more ideas came to me as I was working.

Something I've been wanting to try for quite a while and finally got the tools to make it work, is fabric cards that are sewn all the way around the card. I didn't like the raw edge of the fabric at the tops and bottoms of my cards but sewing fabric around sharp corners is a pain and tends to look sloppy. So I got a corner cutter that rounds corners and it was a breeze to put this one together.

I have a lot more to do, a ton of ideas swimming around up there in my noggin but I am trying to pace myself and not get frustrated or overwhelmed. I think "one thing at a time" is one of the best things that's ever been said.

I would sincerely like your HONEST feedback. If you look at any of these pictures and think it looks even slightly tacky, I want to know. I question a couple things myself but I won't say what, I'd rather get your raw feedback if you have any.

I have been doing pretty well with my diet. I like the enjoyment I am gaining in eating healthier. I thought I ate fairly healthy before, but I am realizing just how much I was overlooking. In the past a diet seemed like a temporary trial, but with what I am doing right now, I feel like I am truly transforming my mind. I had prayed for God's guidance in this and I think He's been doing so much more than helping me lose weight. He's showing me the clarity I can achieve through discipline and even sacrifice. It's been good so far. I'm not skinny yet, but I'm sure feeling good.

I thought we were gaining ground in regard to allergies. Aron has been so much better the past two days. It has rained and the wind has blown a lot of stuff through possibly. However, I was up with him again this evening as he cried and cried over his itching painful eyes. Ivan has been pretty miserable too, but with his strong sense of independence he rarely complains about pain. He is quick to let me know of any other emotional hurts and unjust offenses but since he was an infant he has been a fighter when it comes to discomfort. I think the reason Aron has suffered tonight is because I let him play outside today. I was fooled by his refreshed eyes, the cool air and rainy weather. Still we are praying, and the boys have really taken hold of that. Tonight we were sitting quietly and Aron piped up, "Mommy, tell the allergies to go in Jesus name amen!"

Now it is time to go to bed. I have been up and sitting in my recliner, watching part of a long BBC movie (Wives and Daughters) with Aron to keep him upright and comfortable until he could sleep. He is finally in bed and I am finishing up the last of this blog post. I started it around 8:00 and it is now a little after 11:00.