Pink Life Support

My time has been consumed by a tiny little girl and her tiny pink pump. YES! We switched from MDI (multiple daily injections of insulin) to an insulin pump a Minimed from Medtronic and yes she got to pick the color :) I don't think she would have allowed it any other way.

Now I had mixed feeling about using an insulin pump, and sometimes I still feel that way, but I can tell already that we have chosen the best method for her. She's able to have a little more freedom and not so many bombs of insulin. Or as the pump starter nurse here said "think of it as bullets of insulin instead of grenades". Which means before we would give her a big shot of insulin which tends to sit under the skin and all be absorbed at once which caused Little Miss to have very high blood sugar levels caused from the food she consumed then low's from the big dose of insulin. Now she is able to have the same insulin but with more of a drip affect so her body absorbs it over time rather then all at once. I have noticed a big difference in just the 2 short weeks it has been and while she doesn't' LOVE getting her "sticker" aka catheter or infusion set inserted(every 3 days) it certainly is nice to be able to just push a couple buttons and not have to poke her little body with a needle 5 times a day.

infusion set allows insulin to drip in via a tiny catheter - also allows tubing to be unplugged for water sport aka bath's ;)

And on top of all those good things we also have a live log right there on the pump so we can look at how much and when her last dose was, no more guessing, HEY don't JUDGE, we are insulin giving robots and it's hard to remember when your going through the motions on little sleep....do you remember how many breaths you took at 8:08am?! Didn't think soooooooo :) so now we know we aren't missing things and if I panic I can double check.

Now with all that greatness does come some bad news....mostly I can live with it cause let's face it, DIABETES SUCKS AND I WOULDN'T WISH IT ON MY WORST ENEMY.....MAYBE JOSEPH KONY ;)So the  bad news: well, there's no long acting insulin so if the pump has a kink in the tube or something happens, tough cookies, we are on high alert when there is high blood sugars(which are still happening, we have fine tuning to do) and my daughter is connected to a machine, all be it pink and small but it is still a reminder that insulin is keeping her alive and it isn't a cure but a way to manage her disease which in the past would have caused her a slow painful death! Boy am I glad for technology. We still have to check her blood sugar FREQUENTLY and at NIGHT (There is no true rest for me/us) and Finding a place for the pump to hang out comfortably on her little body is a challenge....hence another reason I am MIA, working on a great affordable juvenile diabetes pump pouch. I always find a necessary reason to sew even in the dark cloud that is diabetes. It's in my blood like a disease ;)


So there you have it! I am missing from blog land and or my friends and family recently due to a tiny pink life saving machine!!! Which I am utterly thrilled to have in my home each and every day!

Alright Universe I'm Listening.....

Example of a more recent sewing project - toddler messenger bag - padded, lined and handmade ruffle

If you sew it they will come?? Well maybe if  I offer to help them sew it they will come ;) As many of my friends and family know it has been my dream since being unemployed to teach sewing to ALL ages, preferably beginner because I think EVERYONE should know how to sew,of course I would love to help people beyond their imaginations.
Sew...I mean, so today while on a family outing we ran into Hancock fabric to get some gray fabric(really that's all I was looking for) and came across a couple scoping out some discontinued sewing machines for their 9 year old daughter who wants to learn to sew. One thing led to another and then I was offering up my services to teach their daughter to sew....and they informed me the manager of Hancock Fabrics is looking for someone to to teach classes but hasn't had the right person come along...Me!
Is it possible I was being summoned to follow my dreams? In the middle of a fabric store....(Ironic)
I really had put my dream on the back burner not knowing the need, but sewing is such a modern trendy thing to do(and my PASSION), it's popping up every where, for all walks of life. It only makes sense that in this PO-dunk town with little options(and high cost) that I offer to teach as well as give people more variety, personalized services and a modern perspective of crafting and sewing in today's modern world, none of this shirt making CRAP that's so old SCHOOL! People want to know how to sew and create what ever their heart dreams up, not some white collar boring stuff...Did I mention I couldn't pass up the killer deal on the same sewing machine I convinced that couple to buy?! So not only did I get gray fabric but two new sewing machines and the fire to get this dream started! So with out further a-do! I am officially embarking on my dream....Sewing lessons for all ages(well, almost all) private, groups and classes. My first priority...Beginners!

My sewing space in the midst of renovation...
Reclaiming the whole bonus room rather then the corner!
It's AMAZING PHOTOS SOON!

Beginners Sewing Lesson(ages 8 and up) $35 - (approx: 2.5 hours) List of supplies provided and limited sewing machines available if you don't have one. (private lesson or bring a friend/small group  I will do my best to work with your schedule for the lesson)

Class outline:

How to use a Sewing Machine:  Bobbin winding and loading, threading a machine, stitch length, needle alignment, using the presser foot and back stitching. How to sew a straight line.

Sewing Notions:Supplies to get you started, what you need, how it works and why you need it as well as tips on how to buy said notions.

Tips: How to clean and keep you machine clean and running, troubleshooting common sewing problems and how to keep sewing simple 

Selecting Fabric: How to select fabric based on skill , project and type.

Beginner Project: Envelope Pillow Cover. This project will include basic sewing skills to get you started. Pre-washing, cutting, pressing and sewing.

  This Class is designed for someone BRAND new to sewing or curious about learning to sew or purchase a machine. If you DON'T have a machine please let me know as machine use is limited.

READY to LEARN?? e-mail me The Mrs. aka Rachel @Sewwithrachelbend@gmail.com

Happy Sewing!