introducing miss elliott luna

wow! what an insane week it has been but here I am finally sharing some birth story action... don't worry I will spare you all the gruesome details but feel free to google "giving birth" if you need more information.

my last weekly check up was friday and the doctor was trying to set up an appointment for me to be induced since I was at the due date and we weren't seeing much progress. I didn't let her set up the induction because I am stubborn and hate doctors telling me what to do. I woke up that night around midnight with horrible cramps but was able to sleep through them until about 4a.m. which is when I woke Todd up telling him I am going to call the hospital and see what they say I should do. Half asleep, I think Todd was totally caught off guard but hopped out of bed real quick. The hospital said they didn't have enough beds so we would have to call a different hospital so I decided to wait it out a bit more. The contractions got worse and we called again around noon that Saturday. The hospital still didn't have any beds and told me more hospitals are full so I would have to go even further than I thought I might. I was still not happy with not being able to deliver at my hospital so we decided to wait even longer.

Around 6p.m. I felt like I needed to take a walk and get my body moving even though I was in excruciating pain. Such a busy body! Todd and I took a long walk around the block and I had contractions every few minutes so I knew I was going to have to go in to whatever hospital they told me there was room for me. I called and luckily there was a room available at my hospital and they said they would hold a room for me! Score!

I took my third shower of the day ate some more snacks and we gathered all our hospital bags.... yes, we had multiple bags. Heading to the hospital was such a relief especially since my contractions were starting to really hurt uber bad. I can't believe I thought I would be able to give birth without the epidural... HA! We checked in and as soon as the epidural went in and we were all calm we sent out a text to let close family know what was up.

I slept all night and thank goodness because at 7a.m. the next morning the my midwife said it was time to start pushing. I was excited and had no idea what I was about to experience. I will spare you the details but the next 3 hours and 9 minutes was the craziest thing I have ever done. And just like that a baby girl came outta my you know what and she was perfect! Todd was the best birth coach EVER and I would not have been able to do any of it without him there helping me through my ups and downs.

Enjoy these cute little pics we have been taking all week...

W O W !!!

So Clutch

After about 30 failed attempts at a small clutch with a zipper I finally figured it out! The zipper is probably my biggest obstacle when I am making a new design and all I needed to do was take the time to make it work.

I had to become the zipper.

I made two today and you can find them at my shoppe. I used a sample of some really great home decor fabric. I will be making some more for sure. Let me know what you think.

love,
~*michelle*~

Yes, we are this cute in real life.

Chicken eggs from the chicken coop.

Life on the farm can be tough but we enjoy it very much.

I made ten new bags this weekend!!! I put to use some interior design fabric samples I got from a family friend who passed them on to me. These bags turned out super cute and I will hopefully be able to share them with you in the next couple of days after a little photo session. Here is a sneak peak of just a couple of the bags to be posted at Danikai soon...

Where's Michelle?

I have been away from the creative corner of my house for too long! Who knew planning a wedding could take this much of a toll on me? dress, food, photographer, music, decor, invites, guests, favors, hair, shoes, tuxes, flowers, cakes...

...that list seems small in comparison to all the other stuff going on right now! I am also supposed to be blogging for my dad's company and planning a big move to San Diego and saving money and looking for a job and finding a place to live! (Breath Michelle, it will all be okay)

My goal is to get back on track with my bags this next weekend. I think this will let some creative juices flow and I will be able to clear my mind and start fresh again with the wedding. At least that's what I'm hoping.

Congrats to my sister who is days away from her first piece of real estate!!! WOO WOO!! I am so proud and a teensy bit jealous ;)

Has anyone else noticed all the gorgeous spring flowers blooming all around??? The sun has been shining and it is making me oh so excited for summer!

love,
~*michelle*~

EARTH DAY SPECIAL!!!

All tote bags and grocery totes are HALF OFF through Earth Day and beyond! I will be outta town so any orders purchased between April 19th and April 27th will be shipped as soon as I get back. If you mention my blog in the message to seller I will also send you a t-shirt bag. It's a bag made from a shirt! I need to make some room for fresh spring items; out with the old, in with the new. Plus, I know there are people out there still who use those yucky plastic or paper bags, that's a big NO NO on the earth friendly scale. Also, Momma's Day is coming up and momma's love cute things, just something to think about.

Help me help you help the earth.

love,
~*michelle*~

p.s. don't forget to check out my favorites from other etsy sellers

What's Next Danikai?

Hello friends,

Just wanted to update everyone on all the new things you will being seeing in my shoppe. During the month of March I will be participating in a EcoEtsy promotion. Details to come so check back to see what specials I will be offering all month long.

Also, I am getting the hang of zippers so I am looking forward to adding them to my purses! The zipper seems to really set the purse apart from my totes and I think it will be a much needed addition. I will still be doing magnetic closures for all of us who prefer that instead.

I have a couple prototypes for tiny drawstring bags which are perfect for organizing all the small stuff that is so easy to overlook. The tiny bags will be perfect for makeup, sunglasses, snacks, and will be made from light weight vintage fabrics.

Another style I am perfecting is the clutch. I am going to be working with heavier fabrics than I previously have used for this style which I am hoping will give it a nice structure in the palm of your hand. I am thinking I will alternate between zipper, magnetic buttons, and a small piece of velcro; this way you can chose whichever you like best. Since I have tons of zebra fabric scraps left over I will be making my first batch from that fabric. Lots of cute bright colors will line the interiors and I am so excited to get started!

Until next time!

love,
~*michelle*~

Full of Ideas

Another weekend of sewing lies ahead and here is a
sample of fabrics that will be turned into grocery totes.
HoooooRAY!

I have some plans for the near future to add zippers to purses and improve my clutch design. Also I will be creating a collection of three different bags all with the same essential structure but each having their own special element to make three separate styles. I am very excited to share more but it is all being stored in sketches and notes at this point. Stay tuned.

My bostonian friend, Rochelle, sent me some a-m-a-z-i-n-g books for my birthday. One is how to turn my craft into a legitimate business and is chock full of ideas and tips on how to get started. I have already finished and I am feeling the entrepreneurial spirit once again.
The second book she got me has me ampt to start printing my own designs on fabrics. The book has easy step by step processes on several printing methods that can be done easily on a tight budget. Look forward to that too!

I am asking all my customers to send me a pic of them with my bag (or bags as many have become quite the fans, thanks!) so I can post them. In return I will be sending a nifty surprise gift. Yep, just for sending me a picture to my email ocean.grrl18@gmail.com

I have to give the biggest praise and thanks to Todd who has been doing some shoppe renovations for me on etsy. I have some gorgeous photos and a new banner and there is some more little tidbits to come. THANK YOU TODD!!!!!

love to all,
~*michelle*~

Another Year

Are you ready for even more new bags? Well, they are on their way!

I have been trying to stay on top of the sewing pile (new years resolution # 271) and have been doing fairly well considering all the other things that keep me preoccupied (todd, hops, museum, 30 rock, the interweb, oh ya and that whole wedding thing).

I have even finished projects that were lying around for six months or worse christmas presents that were never completed (sorry Danielle, #1 sister extraordanaire)! I am well stocked (labels, cards, fabric, needles, thread) so I should be getting lots of work done. I am excited and I think this next year will be better than the last which was great!

I bought some cards that will be sent with each danikai order (thanks tommymama.etsy.com ), just as a final touch for all my wonderful customers. Did you hear? Danikai just went INTERNATIONAL! I sold two bags to Japan and one to Canada. I really need to fine tune the int'l shipping however so it doesn't end up costing anyone an arm and a leg. Maybe you have some tips from your own experience....?

Thanks for reading and shopping and doing what you do ;)

love,
~*michelle*~