changes

Wow, so much has been going on. Thanksgiving was a long trip, well worth the expense of energy. We drove to Indiana to reunite with my Dad's side of our family. This is a yearly tradition... I did this every year growing up. I love Columbus. It is a remarkable town; the architecture is amazing. You can read about this special place here-- it is a small town, but has works by some of the finest modern architects in the world, including I. M. Pei, Harry Weese, and Eero Saarinen. "Columbus ranks sixth — after the more predictable Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Boston and Washington — among the top 10 U.S. cities for architectural design as selected by the American Institute of Architects" (taken from this article in the Chicago Tribune).


Church was beautiful on Sunday morning in celebration of the advent season, and we had a house full of friends on Sunday night (see pictures). I only took a couple; I wish I had taken more. It was a sweet time... a fire, beautiful music, good food, time for lingering.


My little girl has been sick, and I am a little bit too. She has been needing lots of holding and snuggling, which is nice because she normally doesn't like to snuggle. We have been taking it slow and putting work on the back burner.


My computer crashed while  was in Indiana. I think it was just a problem with the screen; Trevor recovered the contents of the hard drive for me. Anyway, the whole experience caused me to evaluate my relationship with my blog and really my business in general. Then I read this article written by Ann Voskamp on the role of a Christian blogger earlier today... scroll down until you see the bold text 'How might Christians blog?' It was so healing to my soul. So much is murky for me (especially lately) about blogging, my work, how they relate to my big three priorities (Jesus, Trevor, Piper)... even just the first point about the Hebrew word 'Avodah' was really encouraging to me. And I am so convicted. In a hopeful way... the way that God brings conviction and reproof. It is life-giving, not condemning.  In light of that, I kind of stripped down the blog a bit, just as a visual reminder to remember what God is teaching me. I wanted to change the followers widget more, but it is resisting my tricks (but not for long. I will be victorious.)


And friends, I want to introduce you to Clare. She and her husband Josh own the farm that we are hoping to move to. They built everything on it with their own two hands.  Did I mention that Clare built a cob house by hand? Yah. You can read about that and see pictures of the process here. It is a beautiful place and it would be a dream come true to live there! I am watching to see what God will do. Our house is listed on Craigslist. You can see the posting here. If you live in Athens, consider telling your friends about it being for rent (or consider moving in yourself!) At first I was hesitant to tell you about this possibility... but I would rather people know and be able to grieve with me if it doesn't work out. Our dream of having a farm has been developing over time for so long, and it is exciting to think that a small start might be taking place sooner than we thought. Even if we can't stay there long term, I am so longing for that lifestyle of simplicity and beauty. This is part of something larger that God is doing in our family... turning our hearts toward him and each other. I am hopeful.


And if it does work out I am going to totally freak out and go crazy with joy. And then I will post hundreds of pictures of the farm and all its beauty.


Don't worry-- I'll keep you posted :)


I'll be selling at a couple of craft fairs coming up in December, which I'll post about soon. AND I am shooting a wedding for an awesome couple, Renita and Kerry, on January 1. Exciting stuff, people. (I really don't know how to talk about business stuff without it coming off like self-promotion. It is probably annoying and I am sorry.)


xo
paige

thankful

Just wanted to mention how much I have to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

I am thankful for God... who pursues me and speaks truth to my heart.

He tenderly confronts my sin and selfishness.
He calls me to forsake it and follow Him, 

and lose myself that I might find true life. 

He brings life, healing, and joy where there once was death and despair.

I am so thankful to know him.

I am thankful for my husband, who grows more beautiful in my sight everyday.

He is an amazing man and it is a gift to be his wife.

He's my best friend, and I love the adventure of our life.

Trevor, it has been a hard year, but you have never turned away from

pursuing me, just like Jesus. You always honor me and

love me. Thank you for working so hard sweetheart.

I am thankful for my spirited little girl.

She is an amazing little person :)

Her life is a gift and being her mom is a source of tremendous joy.

I am thankful God gave me the gift of being a mother.

I love our family life and the places we will go and things we will do...

the times we will share together.

I am thankful for my extended family.

You guys are crazy and wonderful and I love you.

I am thankful for my church, and the nourishment God brings to my soul

through the people, music, theology, sacraments, and liturgy.

I am amazed at God's specific and careful direction

in bringing us to such a special church.

I am thankful to be part of it.

There are so many more things...

but lastly, I am thankful for the hope of a change in our life.

It isn't a new baby, and it may not happen the way we want,

but I am eager to see how God's plans for us unfold.

We are hoping and praying for a small miracle to come in January.

It involves a move to a farm here in Athens. 

If it doesn't work out, it will be because God has

other plans for us.

but I am quietly hopeful.

And prayerful.

Hope you all have a sweet Thanksgiving.

love to you

xo

a visit from a friend and two other things

This is Jeff Lacine. He, his wife Chelsi, and their kids were in Portland with us. They were some of our best friends. They still are despite the distance. Jeff and his family currently live in Minnesota where he is in seminary. Our visit was sweet and brief. We talked about each of our lives and where we are headed. I miss them so much.

This is my incredibly handsome husband. 

We moved here from Portland when Piper was only four weeks old. The Lacines, Cunninghams, and other families that we were close to haven't been able to see her grow and change... to see her little personality emerge. It was good for Jeff to meet her again. It is hard to not be with these friends anymore... but we are growing into new friendships. We'll always have these old friend in our lives. It is fascinating to see how we have grown and changed since we parted last. As much as we miss Portland, we were so affirmed in our decision to leave... not in a bad way, just in that we are really pleased with what God has given us here. It is right for us.

I cried when Trevor left to take him to the airport. But at church this morning... I saw our community of friends here, saw the faces of these people that we are growing with, the kids that Piper is growing with, heard the beautiful music and the sermon. I am happy here. God is faithful. He has planted us.

Trappeze. Check it out.

And... two things you might not know about me.

I have four tattoos. I got all of them around the age of 18, before I really had developed my aesthetic or could afford to get a good tattoo. In some ways, I really want to get another one, just because I would like to have at least one that I really love. You can see the one on my foot below. I actually got this to cover what was there originally, which was really really bad. I am not totally in love with the end result, to be honest. But it may have been the best option given the original. I am learning to like it a bit more. I have my reservations though. You can only see a bit of it here.

The next thing you don't know about me (because I haven't shared it on here) is that Trevor and I have a dream of owning a farm one day. We want to have a place that people with addictions can come to and work through their struggles... a place to study God's book, be surrounded by beauty and hard work, a place to be healed and to learn about God's love. This is the real goal of our life. This is why Trevor is going to Law school... so we can earn and save money for this dream. We want it to be free for the people who come. We are really city people; we don't know the first thing about farming. But the cool thing is that God has brought some people into our life here that know alot about it. We want to learn as much as we can. We don't know when this will become a reality. But I believe it will. I hope it will be soon.

xo

paige

recap.

Okay, so the craft fair was awesome. To be honest, I was apprehensive about it for a number of reasons... I hadn't seen any fliers or adverts up, there were a couple glitches in the communications between the organizers and the vendors, and I was unprepared. I was concerned that no one would show up and that my money for the booth would go to waste. I am happy to say that I was completely wrong. We had a lovely crowd of enthusiastic people who were willing to buy!! I sold three bags and nine custom orders. And, in my frantic preparation, I designed two new bags... see the mini-duffel in my previous post and the bag pictured above. I really really love these new bags. I carry the first one on the second row (or actually its clone) everyday. I have lots of inventory left over to post in the etsy shop (there are some new ones in there now) as well as... well that's a surprise and I'll have to mention it in a couple days. I will say that a very hip local boutique will be carrying my bags beginning in December (yay!). I am amazed at God's kindness in giving me this as work. I love it. I am thankful that there are people out there who want to buy my stuff... thank you!!


And I must mention, Luke and Helen Snyder (who shared the booth with me) were sweet and entertaining people all day long. You can check out Luke's process and work here. The knives are works of art, and he makes every part of the knife by hand.


Trevor and Piper hung out all day long together. I missed them both so much :)


Also, FYI, Piper and I just got matching aprons to wear while we work. Silly, right? The pockets are perfect for me to put my little thread trimming scissors in, and Piper fills hers with little bobbins and other notions she collects. She really does entertain herself pretty much all day when she isn't eating or sleeping, although we take breaks to read books from time to time. Her current fascination is with curating a collection of small things that she likes to put in and out of tupperware containers. It never gets old for her. Also, she can safely climb and descend the stairs which has made her a happy girl. Freedom is the name of the game for my girl. She is crazy independent.


Finally, our home brew is finished (or half of it is I guess) and it is delicious. It tastes like the Stone Ruination IPA... dry hopped with centennial hops and the second batch will be even more aromatic. Many thanks to the Boggs family who helped Trevor learn the process. I especially want to thank Elisha... if you read this, you are a warm and tireless hostess. You should get a medal or something for that, seriously.


I think that's all for now!! I'll be back soon with more, and this weekend we are expecting a visit from a very dear friend, Jeff Lacine. I will most assuredly post pictures. I know everyone is dying to know what Jeff looks like and who he is. Maybe I'll interview him...


xoxo
paige

new bag style!

This is my newest bag style... it's kind of a slouchy mini-duffel.

I designed it for the market I am selling at this weekend:

Athens Indie Craftstravaganzaa. 

I'll probably have some in a larger size as well.

And I'll be adding some in the etsy shop today or tomorrow (or maybe after this weekend is over, because honestly I need to give every spare moment to sewing more inventory). If you really want one, you can make an order by convo-ing me on etsy or emailing me: paige.maitland@gmail.com . 

At this market, I'll be selling only bags 

(totes, zipper pouches, and these mini-duffels).

I am super excited to sell my stuff in my own town. I can't wait to meet the other  vendors and the locals who support us by buying handmade goods.

I hope there will be a huge crowd :)

Buying handmade for the holidays is a great way to go.

There will be gifts galore at AIC.

Come see me and my peeps.

xoxo

paige

feed your soul (free art) and piperkins

I found this print in the Feed Your Soul free art project on Indie Fixx. It is by Cori Dantini and you can find her etsy shop here. Here is one of the other prints that she is selling in her shop:

I want so much for Piper to have art on her walls and I think that these prints would be perfect. Feed Your Soul has so many other lovely prints that would be just right for a little girl's room (I didn't really look for anything that a boy might like, but I am sure there are plenty of choices). I especially love the message of the last print (beauty on the inside, not coridantini2010).

I guess the reason that I am writing about all this is because I have so many things I want to do in my home to continue the dynamic, living process of making it our own. One of the issues of sewing for other people is that you don't often have the time to sew things for you or your own family. This is difficult because I cherish and value a handmade lifestyle. I want Piper to learn the art of repurposing, making do and mending, redeeming broken things and giving them new life. I want her to understand the value of a handmade thing. I think I have been getting caught up in the profit side of things (because we honestly need the money) and forgetting about WHY I love to sew and create in the first place. I think I have allowed my to-do list to take over my heart. I need to find a balance. I still want to work well, work wisely. I just want to make time for the things that matter, like a nourishing, thoughtfully prepared meal... or a handmade dress for my little girl... or beginning to make Christmas decorations... or working on Piper's room with my mom, filling it with special things that she will appreciate one day (like these prints). 

I visited my sister in Little Rock (as I have mentioned), and wow... if I ever feel busy, or tired, or working hard, I need to remind myself of what her daily life is like. She has twin boys that will be 3 in February, a newborn, and is running an etsy business. That doesn't mean that my experience of tiredness or busyness isn't valid... it is just a reminder to be thankful for the time that I do have, and it prompts me to evaluate my time schedule, because I really can re-arrange and re-prioritize.  Because....

...this little girl is only little for a short time. 

This reminder of what matters is the gentle voice of my Savior. The most important thing that I can do with my time, but too often neglect (especially lately), is to meet with him in his Bible. He is the Beautiful One and he satisfies my soul, he gives me new life, he fills me with purpose and vision, and he sets me free, renewed, to create and work and love. Why does it matter that we can take something broken and give it new life? Because it is an acting out, in a small, fragile, human way, of the gospel. It is speaking about grace in another language. I am so thankful for his loving correction in my life. 

I also just want to mention.... there are enough sites and sources out there to tell women what they should be doing different or better, and I realize that there is a place for that kind of resource. I don't want this space to be like that. I don't want my words to make you feel discouraged. There are simply seasons of life where you have to be busy. Things have to go undone. There are times when you are not the mom or woman you want to be... you are just getting by. Please know that I am not criticizing you if that's where you are. I am writing this because I just came out of that season. This is just a way for me to work out what I am learning and put it down on paper (virtual paper).

love to you, sweet readers. 

paige