DelaneyGates.com

Dallas Road Trip

We spent the beginning of last week in Dallas and Arlington and had a blast! (I was having Typepad glitches, or else I would have uploaded these sooner!) It was spur-of-the-moment-- We decided a few days ahead of time that we were going, and we packed as much into those three days as we could: Six Flags, a tour of Cowboys Stadium, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and a few more things, too. We have this running joke that I'm the planner and Jason is the executor. I find all of the attractions and plan our schedule, and he gets us safely there in one piece! Lol! Some of the highlights were:

*Seeing the inside of the Cowboys locker room and taking photos by Tony Romo's locker.

* Seeing the inside of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders locker room.

*Hanging out right in the middle of the field in the star!

*Trying this awesome steakhouse called the Trail Dust where they cut off any and all neckties at the door! The walls are covered with cut-off neckties. So fun, right? (See the photo, below.) We love unique places.

Unfortunately, I was so busy having fun that I hardly took any photos! I don't think I took a single one at Six Flags. Ah, well. I'll remember for next time. In a couple months, we're going to go to Chicago! We've never been before, and a family member's wedding is the perfect opportunity to stay a couple of extra days so we can see the sights!

Now that my work schedule has calmed down a bit, I hope to start blogging on a regular basis. Right now, a post is rolling around in my head about actually going out and doing what one talks about doing. Plan. Then execute. Like our road trips! We've been making a habit of that lately...and I love it! Have a wonderful day, friends!

Subtract to Add: A Post on Obligations and Time

 Does your life look like this? A lot of amazing things strewn about, but arranged in such a half-hazard manner that you can hardly make sense of anything? Read on.

I've encountered a theme throughout several of the online articles I've read as of late. When this happens, I always assume it's for a reason. And, more often than not, I share my life lesson right here on my blog. After reading what I did in these articles, I've learned that even though we're usually reluctant to give up responsibilities to which we feel obligated, it is okay. Do you know why? (This next sentence really hit home with me.)

 It's because when we remove the "seemingly important" obligations from our life, we create even more time for the things we want to spend time on, like our family. So, what do you want more of? Can you remove something else from your life to achieve that? Is it worth letting someone else take over a task so you can focus on what truly matters? You choose what you spend your time on. Never let society or anyone else choose it for you. Never feel guilty for letting something go because it brings you more time for what you'd rather focus on: school, family, creative time, etc. It's your life! Do what you want.

Note, I could not find the source to the image above, so if you know of it, please let me know and I'll edit to credit properly.

Chic Handmade Baby Outfits from Chirp and Bloom

It's no secret that I adore the work of Rebecca Harkin from Chirp and Bloom. After all, her robin applique coin purse is on the cover of this month's Simply Handmade! Each piece Rebecca creates is timeless, yet quaint. Her stitches are impeccable and she never strays from her trademark style.

As I browsed through her shop this morning, I knew I had to share this with you. Isn't is the most adorable thing you've ever seen? I'd love to have one for my little girl to wear this summer! The yoke onesie and ruffled bloomers are available in other vintage prints, too! Click on the photos above to visit Chirp and Bloom, yourself.

Want your sewing project to be published?

I just wanted to check in here on my little neglected blog and let you know that we're now accepting submissions for another Simply Handmade Sewing book, scheduled to be released in September of 2012. The response has been so impressive to our first sewing book that we just had to make another! The deadline to submit is Thursday, March 15th and this is what we're looking for:

Autumn in the Air - Send us your stitched autumn-themed projects! Think leaves, harvest, and back-to-school!

Spooky Stitches - If it’s sewn and scary, we want it. Halloween themed décor, treat packaging, costumes, and more!

To Carry - This section includes handbags, market bags, clutches, and altered canvas bags.

Patchwork - Get creative with this one. We want traditional and not so traditional patchwork projects!

Applique - Whether it's fabric on fabric or paper on paper, show us your applique projects! This includes applique décor, accessories, and art!

Pin Cushions - We want the cute and the functional. What’s your take on this fun craft trend?

Embroidery - If you’ve stitched by hand or embellished with your high-speed sewing machine, we’re looking for anything and everything which includes embroidery!

To Wear - We’re looking for hats, children's clothes, men’s ties, embellished shirts, brooches, scarves, etc.

Beautiful Basics: Felt - If it’s created from felt and is sewn, we want it!

Wedding - Send wedding-themed projects which are sewn, including but not limited to: décor, ring pillows, and bridal accessories.

The Boutique - This section is for anything that is stylish and stitched, yet doesn't fit into another category.

You may not have seen the revamped Northridge Publishing submission system, yet. It's amazing and oh-so-convenient. If you have a stitched project in any of the above categories, you may submit it right throught the site, here: http://www.northridgepublishing.com/forms/submit-creation

New & Chic at Anthropologie

We all need a pick-me-up at times, yes?  Before you get lost on Pinterest for an hour or reach for the door of your fridge out of boredom, simply click on over to the New Arrivals section at Anthropologie.  It's guaranteed to perk you right up! I perused a bit yesterday and found a few favorites! Scroll down for more.