Over a Year Later!

Oh. My. Goodness! I cannot believe it has been over a year since I have posted anything. So much has happened in a year... We are proud parents to a very sweet little boy who is now a little over 6 months old! The time definitely flies, and I can promise that I take the advice to enjoy every moment we are able. And because I just can't resist, here are 6 months worth of our sweet Liam!

 Newborn

 1 Month

 2 Months

 3 Months

 4 Months

 5 Months

And our most recent... 6 Months!

Parenthood has been interesting, to say the least. I hope I get a chance to post on all such topics as breastfeeding, natural birth, formula, and any of the fun stuff in between. I struggled severely with breastfeeding due to chronic thrush and whole body yeast issues. It ended sadly (heart-breaking-ly for me) with me no longer being able to breastfeed and having to choose the next best option for Liam. I would love to discuss what went into our decision to choose Baby's Only Organic Lactose Free formula. I would also love to get some time to do an in depth post on Candida and all the issues it entails in hopes of helping others. If you happen across my blog between now and when I someday get the time to post up on my battle with Candida, please shoot me an e-mail at flowersandstripes@hotmail.com because it is brutal to go through and brutal to have to research on your own. I would be glad to pass on what I have learned.

And, in the crochet world, I don't get nearly as much done as I used to. Who would have guessed that I would be consumed with a certain little blue eyed boy zooming through my house in his rocket ship walker? :) I have drafted up a handful of patterns in the past year that I have had no time to sit down and edit, revise, find testers for, etc. Now that Liam is mobile, I get a little more free time with my hands, but most of that has gone to research in the past few months. I have been researching health and nutrition to death LIFE! Hehe. I make myself laugh. 

Today, compared to a year ago, I am a green-smoothie-drinkin', whole-grain-eatin', cloth-diaperin', attachment-parentin', health-and-nutrition-lovin', caffeine-free(in'?), Bible-studyin' crazy wife and momma! As you may have guessed, I never really needed the caffeine to feel EXCITED for life. I hope this is the first of many blogs to come, and I hope to share all of my thoughts with you about all my crazy roles in life. 

Oh, and one more quick note that I... you guessed it... hope to go more into depth later with, here is a great blog post I found about the whole copyright/licensing debacle I posted about such a LONG, LONG, time ago. Over at Speckless, she has posted her Thoughts on Making and Selling, and I feel like she was in my brain! :) I completely agree with her post, and I must say, over a year later from posting my initial thoughts on copyrights and licensing for patterns, I have gained much more experience and my original thoughts have changed. I offer most of my patterns to buyers letting them know that they are responsible for their finished items, meaning they can do whatever they wish with the items they put so much time and effort into. However, a small selection of my patterns are offered with the understanding that you cannot sell the items you make from the patterns online. I chose to list those patterns that way because I am a WAHM (work-at-home-mom). My husband supports us solely and is constantly working 10-15+ hour of overtime a week to ensure my ability to stay home with our little guy. The money I make from my Etsy shop is our only extra income, and most of that money comes from the sales of custom items using the select patterns I do not allow sales from. I know that legally, I have no rights to prevent people from making sales. That is why I have asked in the listing that you not purchase the pattern if you cannot agree not to sell the finished items. I am happy to answer any questions further regarding this policy upon request, but I just wanted to make a quick update. People change and grow, and their opinions change and grow. That is really all this update is about. :)

We're Expecting!

I have been away from the blog world for ages and ages, but I am popping back in at the moment to share my most recent project and to share the wonderful news that my husband and I are expecting our first baby! It is a very exciting, tiring time for me, and I am trying my hardest to stay focused, energized and inspired. Some days that is proving to be a real struggle, but with the sun shining, and summer just on horizon, I have high hopes that the baby blues won't take me down!

Lucky for our future little one, I have been obsessed with making baby clothing for months now. Here's a look at some of the things I have been doing.

I knit this adorable sweater and longies set for an equally adorable little girl whose mommy was very sweet to share the photos with me. Both the sweater and pant yarn were custom dyed by me on Superwash Merino wool.

This is the same little girl in an outfit that was crocheted by me. I dyed to pants yarn in a custom colorway and I love this set!

This little guy got some crocheted shorties in one my colorways I call "All Around the World." I love it when my customers share photos!

I wrote and published a pattern for knit bib overalls. These were the tester version in the newborn size. His mommy gave me lots of great feedback and even sent this picture of her newest little guy!

These bibs were also knit from my Knit Bib Overalls pattern and my own original design for the guitar applique. This little girl rocks any outfit she's in! This yarn was another of my own colorways called "Sassy Girl" and it was dyed on Superwash Merino Wool.

I have been having so much fun making baby items. The sunny weather seems to have people outside more and online less, so sales have slowed, giving me more time to reflect on my own growing baby and work on various other projects. Summer always feels like a time of new beginnings for me. I crave the sun, the barbecues, friends and family. Almost everything about the summer months just brings a smile to my face, and this summer, I will be watching my stomach grow as my first child gets bigger and bigger. If that isn't wonderful and inspiring, I don't know what is.

Copyrights and Licensing Patterns

UPDATE 6/16/2012:  Oh, and one more quick note that I... you guessed it... hope to go more into depth later with, here is a great blog post I found about the whole copyright/licensing debacle I posted about such a LONG, LONG, time ago. Over at Speckless, she has posted her Thoughts on Making and Selling, and I feel like she was in my brain! :) I completely agree with her post, and I must say, over a year later from posting my initial thoughts on copyrights and licensing for patterns, I have gained much more experience and my original thoughts have changed. I offer most of my patterns to buyers letting them know that they are responsible for their finished items, meaning they can do whatever they wish with the items they put so much time and effort into. However, a small selection of my patterns are offered with the understanding that you cannot sell the items you make from the patterns online. I chose to list those patterns that way because I am a WAHM (work-at-home-mom). My husband supports us solely and is constantly working 10-15+ hour of overtime a week to ensure my ability to stay home with our little guy. The money I make from my Etsy shop is our only extra income, and most of that money comes from the sales of custom items using the select patterns I do not allow sales from. I know that legally, I have no rights to prevent people from making sales. That is why I have asked in the listing that you not purchase the pattern if you cannot agree not to sell the finished items. I am happy to answer any questions further regarding this policy upon request, but I just wanted to make a quick update. People change and grow, and their opinions change and grow. That is really all this update is about. :)

After my previous post about The Bearded Lady, I was left with so many questions about how copyrights protect my patterns and whether or not there was any legal grounds for licensing my patterns. This question has been plaguing me since I began crocheting and using patterns out of magazines. Then I branched into using patterns online, and eventually, I stumbled upon Etsy and Ravelry where I began to hear terms and phrases such as, "You may not sell the finished items you make from my pattern." "If you wish to sell the items you make from my pattern, you must purchase a Cottage License." And yet others simply stated you could sell your finished items or said nothing. In all that time, I only ran across one lady saying you had total rights to your finished products because her copyright did not extend to the finished product.

I used her pattern and I graciously thanked her for allowing people to sell the finished products as well as offering the pattern as a free download. All of this was in ignorance, though, as I have now done my research and have found that no copyright extends to the finished product in terms of patterns. There has never been a case that has made it through the courts based on someone selling finished products from patterns, though some big name sewing pattern companies have tried. These same big name sewing patterns list on their labels that you may not sell the items that you make from their patterns, but it is unjust. They are misinforming you, and they are getting by with it because the general public has no idea that they can't enforce their "rules."

Now, I am not condoning purchasing a pattern and mass producing some items for your own gain. What I am saying is that I do not condone the sellers who insist you pay lump sums of money (sometimes quite large lump sums of money) so they can "license" you to sell a finished product that you have the full rights to anyway. Please, save your money and your integrity and do not buy into this. I have listed a handful of links below, some government websites and some I felt were just very detailed websites that I believe will greatly benefit buyers, sellers, and authors alike.

As an author and creator, I would love to be able to say, "No, you may not sell this item once you have finished it," because I would love to be the only one making money off those items. However selfish that may appear, it is illogical, and the laws are laid out before you. Please keep yourself informed.

Definition of Useful Articles

Copyright Law of the United States

A great animated video to help children understand copyrights. (I used it to help myself understand copyrights.)

A list of Examples of Visual Arts

Tabber's Temptations website featuring a detailed article on copyrights and pattern licensing.

Tabber's Temptations website featuring an article about Cottage Licenses and Angel Policy

The Bearded Lady!

Ok, So I'm not really a bearded lady, but it sounded pretty good. I got this idea after my younger brother called me few months ago begging me to make him a "beard beanie." My first question was, "What in the world is a beard beanie?"
He told me all about them, but he couldn't find a pattern online. So, for awhile, I toiled away on my computer searching for a pattern... to no avail!
He was saddened, and I must say, I was a little bit annoyed. I have rarely come across an idea that I found NO pattern for, but I can now say that I have.
All this is to say that this particular beard beanie is my own original design. I am playing around with the idea of publishing the pattern, and I am also playing with the idea of selling licenses that allow people to sell the items they make. This is something I have never tampered with. Usually I just sell my patterns and allow people to sell what they make, but with this particular product, I am trying to respect another seller. She is selling these things like hot cakes in her Etsy shop, and I assume if she wanted lots of other people to be able to produce them, she would have published a pattern herself.
Can anybody give me any info on selling licenses on patterns?

Otherwise, these beard beanies are available for sale in my Etsy shop, which you can find in the side bar of my blog.
Enjoy!

My Malabrigo

Last week, I went out alone all day. I visited the book store, went to my local yarn shop, and even saw a movie by myself. Every once in a while, striking out on my own is freeing and reminds me what it is like to be independent...but only every once in awhile.

I have been eyeing this wonderful, soft, luscious, shiny yarn for months. It was all balled up, sitting on the shelf, begging me to clutch it between my fingers every time I walked into the store. It was also sitting on that shelf intimidating me. I can't quite explain it, but there is something slightly intimidating about a good quality yarn. Its as if I fear that all the art ended once the yarn was dyed and spun. If it looks so beautiful just sitting on the shelf, what could I possibly make to compliment it?

Well, I will tell you what! I finally bought that beautiful Malabrigo handspun yarn, and it inspired me to write and publish one of my first knitting patterns! There is something oddly magical about buying a quality yarn. It feels like it should really have purpose. If I am going to hawk out a hunk of change on some fiber, it ought to be worth something to me.

This week, I made two pairs of fingerless gloves with my malabrigo.

I learned to use Double Pointed Needles with my malabrigo.

I fell in love with my malabrigo.














I learned to cable knit with my malabrigo...

Ah, yes...my malabrigo and I have become very close. How will it inspire you, today?

Despicable Minions

I was mesmerized by the Despicable Me movie this past summer. It really struck a chord with my inner child, and ever since, I have been itching to make a Minion. Isn't he awesome? I would really like to make a few others and experiment with different eyes, mouths and hair. Maybe, at some point, I will actually get the pattern sorted out and published for other Minion lovers.

One year and Two days

I have officially been married more than one year! It is sort of strange and exhilarating to say that out loud. We watched a lot of couples split up that were married near the same time we were. It blew my mind to see so many people not even make it through the first year. And honestly, without knowing any of the reasons people get divorced, I just have to say that maybe those people should have been more patient with each other. It is not my place to judge, but I have to wonder.

Our first year was tumultuous. It was slow. It was fast. It was full of fighting (or me yelling while my husband rolls his eyes at me behind my back). It was full of love and laughter. I can't believe our first year is over. I know it doesn't make me an "old married lady" just yet, but it sure does feel nice to be past the first year.

It always sort of felt like there was a lot of pressure for that first anniversary. I would sit and wonder what it would be like...if my husband would suddenly become the romantic type and whisk me away somewhere. I wondered what we would do and how I would feel...sort of the same way you always wonder if turning another year older will change you somehow. I can't honestly say it changed either of us, the day in itself, but the change in us over the past three and a half years is obvious to us both.

When we started dating, I was so high strung. I made lists. I had to stick to those lists. If I didn't plan it, it sure as hell was not allowed to happen because we did not deviate from the list. I was not spontaneous, though I longed to be. I was naive, though I was convinced I knew so much. I was a child thrusting herself into the "real" world.

During the first year we were dating, my husband and I moved in together. My mom died very suddenly, and I had not given myself a chance to come to terms with the fact that she was not actually invincible. My husband took the brunt of my anger for almost an entire year. Even after I realized I was taking my anger out on him, I continued to do it because he was always the one around when I was feeling my worst. Those were my "Dark Days," and my husband was there for me. He never ran, even when he definitely should have.

It took me two years to really feel like I was in a state to care about other people again. I know that sounds awful, but losing my mom rocked my world. It made me re-think everything I thought I knew. It also managed to polish my heart a bit and renew me to the person I am today. If it weren't for my husband, though, I honestly don't believe I would be this person I am.

My husband taught me so many lessons about loving who you are, keeping life simple, appreciating the small moments, and always being confident in your inner artist. He doesn't know a thing about knitting or crocheting, and while many of my friends like to give me a hard time for doing those crafts at such a young age, he has always been proud of me, always shown pride in the things I make like they were his own creations.

Someday, (and no we don't know when) he will make a great dad. Only, he won't be just a "dad." He will be a real, live father, one that I will be honored to stand next to. He is going to be an old man with me, and we are going to hold hands for all the young people to see.

As for now, we are still learning, and we are enjoying every moment of our naivete.