aLl hAlLoWs' eVe EVE

Man, it's getting spooky around here.

I have jumped and screamed really loudly not once, but twice today.

Bring it, baby!

I thought we would do a little Halloween costume parade here at k.Mac headquarters as somewhat of a pep rally for the BIG 10.31.

1st up...

Eli Garrett in his 1st costume. He was almost 7 months old and what sweet little lion he did make. Believe it or not, this costume is store bought. It is a Tom Arma. These were the years prior to me teaching myself how to sew and beginning k.Mac.

2nd up....

A cowboy. I put the ensemble together and made Eli's vest that said "Sherrif Cobble". I really wanted my kids to be exactly what they wanted to be each and every year. Eli couldn't really say his 1st year, but I worked that boy to death this 2nd year to have him make his very own choice! We even practiced knocking on doors and saying "Trick or Treat" and "Thank you" at the end.

Perhaps the last costume I wore as I child made me this way.

{I have searched the world over for a visual for this only to realize that the only copy of this picture is hanging in my Mom-mommie and Dad-daddy's bedroom.}

My last year of trick-or-treating my mom MADE me be a bag of jelly beans.

5th grade

I.AM.DEAD.SERIOUS.

Not cool, I know.

A bag of jelly beans???

5th grade?

Geez.

What a way to go out, huh?

Well, I think I may have made up for it Eli's 2nd Halloween.

Yep, I think I found peace with my bag o' beans if you will.

By this time, you see, I had begun the beginnings of teaching myself to sew. And well, let's just say I got crafty.

Anybody see Casey face in this picture?!

That's right! I was 6 months pregnant with Casey on Eli's 2nd Halloween. And well, I just had to be a belly dancer. A belly dancer who actually won a Halloween costume contest at that! I like to say Casey helped nudge me into the win column.

How's that for a bag o'beans?

Closure feels good.

Onward to Eli's 3rd Halloween and Casey's 1st

{on the outside of my womb}...

Eli got to pick for the both of them. Eli's was a cinch to make. He specified that he wanted a green collar for his cow bell. Of course, wish granted. I struggled with what to do for Casey. I opted to make a headress that would do nothing short of SCREAM CHICKEN for this sweet nugget of mine. I used a soft felt for the cap and then went to town with a couple of boas and hot glue. Yep, I think my mission of chicken screaming was accomplished. I did think it was strange, however, how Eli decided with such quickness that he was going to be a cow and Casey was going to be a chicken. I mean he was only 2 1/2.

Then one morning in play time on the floor I look over and see this:

Voila. A cow and a chicken.

Observant fellow that Eli is.

Eli's 4th Halloween and Casey's 2nd Halloween...

A green train and a football.

Kenny took the train and I took the football.

We each completely winged it on patterns. Me with my sewing machine and Kenny with his carboard, we worked it out.

Eli aDoReD his costume. It actually had a wood frame on the inside complete with an adjustable safety strap.

Casey was only a 1 1/2 here. He cracked me up not wanting to put his hands outside of the football through the arm holes. Each time I would try to get him to put his arm through, he would shake his head and say "No bootball, mama! No bootball, mama!" The boy was clear in letting me know footballs don't have arms! I had to carry around his candy bucket all for the sake of real.

Which leaves us to this year...

Batman and The Tin Man.

Eli began wanting to be a lobster and then thought lobsters weren't scary enough. Then he decided he would be a bat. Yes, bats were lots scarier than lobsters.

Until...

He eyed a Toys-R-Us catalog and saw a picture of a Batman costume. He has never even seen a Batman cartoon, but came running to me to say, "Look, mom! A bat and a man. I have to be this!"

And so he will be. I have the belt and mask left to make.

And Casey's looks oh.so.fine in his mommy-made silver lamay jumpsuit awaiting the addition of his daddy's craftiness with silver spray paint and carboard. Funnel hat...we are on the look out for a silver one. I have some back up ideas should one not turn up tomorrow on our hunt.

Never fear.

Let's take the time to state here that Casey's intial request for his costume this year was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz not the Tinman.

Kenny quickly made clear to Casey that boys don't be Dorothy.

Casey is infatuated with Dorothy. Her voice, her sparkly shoes. We got ourselves a celebrity crush, there's no denying it.

The boys think Kenny would make a super vampire or dracula and I couldn't agree more. We will see if that Coach Cobble decides to play dress up with us or not.

And me?

Well, as much as I want to be a purple sequined belly dancer AGAIN this year, I can't. Belly dancers only look cute when they have pregnant bellies.

So, I am going to be a witch!

This was my all-time favorite costume to wear on Halloween. A close 2nd was a gypsy, but the black hat always did it for me!

My costume has yet to be made.

This witch better shake her broomstick and get on it or all she will have on for Halloween is that black hat!

Now THAT is scary!

.mac-a-boo :)

The Batstreet Boys

Halloween is just my favorite.
It is.
I really think to be born on Halloween would be the ultimate.
Think about it.

Free candy
Parties to attend
EVERYONE in costume.

{THE BEST.}

Now, I have 2 boys. And with 2 boys, you kinda have to think outside the sewing box when it comes to making handmade shirts for Halloween.

Me: "I can't wait to make the boys some cute shirts for Halloween."

Kenny: "Do what?"

Me: "You know some appliqued shirts with their names on them."

Kenny: "Meg. Seriously?"

Me: {SIGH. GRUNT. STOMP} "Look, I am making the boys cute Halloween shirts. I am. I don't have a girl and making for my children is what I adore. It's GOING to happen."

Kenny: "Okay. Just don't do any kind of patterned fabric."
{SHAKING HIS HEAD AS HE WALKS OFF}

Well, I went with a little patterned fabric, didn't I?
And their best buds had to have matching shirts too.

Why?

CAUSE THEY ARE THE BATSTREET BOYS!!
Let's meet the band, shall we? Meet Eli.

The eldest lover of trains and follower of all safety protocol in our home.
Age: 4 1/2
Favorite food: carrots
Favorite hobby: drawing trains in his journal {as of last week}
Favorite mischief: tempting his little brother to race him in the house
Halloween costume: Batman

Meet Garyn.

A ratta-tat-tapping marching band man.
Age: 27 months
Favorite food: grapes and bananas
Favorite hobby: playing with his train table
Favorite mischief: screaming holy terror when his mom and dad drop him off at his Sunday School classroom.
Halloween costume: Lion

Meet Casey.

The youngest spitfire in our home obsessed with his mama, getting his way, his "B", and playing football.
Age: 2 1/2
Favorite food: chips {great, I know.}
Favorite hobby: tackling
Favorite mischief: tackling
Halloween costume: The Tin Man

And last but not least, meet Brayden.

Neighbor one street over and full of handsome mischief and squeals of fun.
Age: 19 months
Favorite food: string cheese and LOTS of it.
Favorite hobby: block building and tearing down
Favorite mischief: climbing stairs when you already have told him no.
Halloween costume: dinosaur

Of course, my boys got to break their Batstreet Boys stage gear in first.

Nick Carter and A.J. McLean don't have nothin on these faces.

And we struck a mean face pose to be sure daddy would agree that real men can wear appliqued shirts.

Daddy approved.

Eli gettin' spooky with it.

Casey in true mean form.
Then The Batstreet Boys were off to their 1st gig.
The Pumpkin Patch on Signal Mountain. A playground of true bliss and kid wonder. Some of the best sliding action you can find this side of the Mississippi.

Garyn ready on the drums to pound out any swing set beat.
And Brayden hip on the mike with squeals of joy.
After a gig, The Batstreet Boys need refreshments.

Pumpkin frosted sugar cookie from The Bread Basket will do just fine.

But wait!

The Batstreet Boys ain't no fools.

They know any good band has one amazingly beautiful and totally decked out hot chic on stage with them.

Wearing something like this maybe?

Complete with all the girly bells and whistles.

And hair accessories.

One must not forget hair accesssories.

Or their mama.
And frosted pumpkin sugar cookies too.
Meet Mollye.

Back up singer with vocals and head bobs like no other.
Age: 15 months.
Favorite food: Goldfish
Favorite hobby: Playing dress up.
Favorite mischief: throwing herself on the floor and playing dead with evil stares at you when she doesn't get her way.
Halloween costume: A Pink Ladybug

So, anyone in need of a great band or great handmade outfits and shirts, contact The Batstreet Boys' manager at meghan@kmaccreations.com.

"Cause I want it that way."

.mac-a-boo

Cleaning Off The Cobwebs

Life is full of cobwebs.
Being the week of Halloween, I thought this post was only "fitting".

Think about it.
There's this spider in your life.
She works ever-so-dilligently plotting and planning her next architectural silk design.
And then she begins her spinning.
Spinning.
Spinning you that is.
Out of control.
Off track.
Twisted and confused.
Stuck in a fit of YOU.
{thank you to my neice for allowing me to capture this fit in full swing}
Yes, before you know it, you are all tangled up in YOUR matters.
Laughter and love flow lessen.
Rage and inner fits of bad, twisted talk set in.
And well, you lay straight down on the floor refusing to participate in life around you.
No one can provide a way out of this silken maize. {note Eli's feet and hands on the ready}
You just lay there until you've made the choice.

The choice to climb up out of the twistedness stretching and tearing each spin of ugly.
And that's not to say that same spider in one form or another won't try to spin you back into her evil clutches.

Her web is masked with complacent people, negative attitudes, catty comments, self doubt, poor planning, and just down and out laziness at times.

But breaking free only takes an attitude of goodwill and strength.
Consistent stroking and swatting of the webs will hack your way out.
And then you just stand up and dust yourself off.
Grab hold of something real and something steady in your life.
And don't let go.
Clean yourself off.
Regain your focus.
And with clearer vision be on the ready to duck and avoid the cobwebs in your path.

.mac-a-boo :)

p.s. A special thanks to k.Mac's thematic cobweb inspired Halloween Mollyemade outfit with matching hairbow for visual post enhancement.

Quick and Sweet

That would be Eli and his learning as well as the announcement of the winner of April's k.Mac Sling Fling!

He wanted to help.
Stuck right by my side and figured out our total number contestants too. Then wrote the numbers.Waited patiently for mama to cut them up quickly and then it was showtime!

Congratulations, MysteryHistoryMom! Contact me at meghan@kmaccreations to hand over those 3 little letters and one nice address!

Thanks to all who entered this giveaway. I really liked hearing your answers to my questions of choice. Toenail polish, Halloween candy, and good books are totally some of my favorite things!

If you weren't the winner, no worries! You just keep right on playing. There will be several giveaways within the month of November as to gear up for Christmas and the season of giving!

Now off to tend to my little helper who has now a fever of 103. :(

My sweet sick little man...

.mac

~A Delightful Delay~

Ladies and yes, the ONE gentleman that have entered the BIG k.Mac handbag giveaway,

Blame the tardiness in my unveiling on these girls. They arrived a bit earlier than anticipated, and well, the boys and I have had to just scoop them up ever since.

Cousin lOvE never felt so good.

The winner will be announced Tuesday, October 20th FOR CERTAIN peeps!

Keep those fingers crossed until then!!

.mac :)

Climb Up In My Lap...

We like tractors in our family. Notice my header? We really do. Even my brother and sister-in-law were married in a field on my grandparent's land next to one of his Farmall tractors.

Pretty cute ring bearers, huh?
Sweet Mollye Bear just had to have Aunt Meghan make her a dress with matching bloomers so she could wear it on tractor rides!
And here it is. Mollye's "B" Aunt Meg made to match her dress. Let's just say, Mollye doesn't leave home without her tractors, okay?!
So when I was asked to do a tractor bag for a little girl, well, the only thing I had to readjust was the colors.

This client contacted me ecstatic over the upcoming arrival of her new niece. She, in fact, was given a k.Mac diaper bag for a gift just 3 months prior.
She loved her gift so much, she decided that niece of hers needed one too!

Chocolate and pink polka dots...sToP iT! The name "Claire". Oooh, it was just too much for a mama of boys to handle!

I was thrilled to design a diaper bag completely girly and COMPLETELY tractor for this special new life! I even loved putting the hand sewn bow on the front! EEEK!
Cause who says boys get to have all the tractor fun?
Not me!

However, last night it was boys that DID have all the tractor fun at our house.

I give you Eli and Casey Cobble:

Yes, those are mama's boots. One must be in the appropriate thematic attire at all times.

You like how Eli is clearly the lead singer while Casey provides total back up and pOwEr gusto wails at just the right moments in the song?

That's affirmative. Eli IS playing the guitar. Weirdly enough, we'll count that as the guitar.

And you are correct. Casey has the drums on lock.

Eli is in FULL of checkmeout mode. He is all enamored with his reflection in the french door glass. Serious about it too.

For those of you reading this blog for the 1st time and have not checked my regional origin in the United States, I am pretty certain you have ruled out the northeastern part of our country after viewing this.

Climb up in my lap, and drive if you want to...

.mac :)

p.s. Don't forget about the handbag giveaway if you haven't entered already!
Winner will be announced Monday, 10/19.

Spotlight

I started this business of designing handbags based on the joys of expressing who you are and on the beauty that comes with being the unique individual that God made you to be.
I wanted this business to be an outfit where fun, creativity, and personalization could be experienced by each and every client as well as myself in the designing process.

And the best part of it all to me would be the relationship I built with each and every individual I invested my time and craft with along the way.

And so far, I have done just that.

Meet April from Straight From The Heart. She was one of two lucky winners who won a 50% off design session on any size k.Mac "Sling Fling" from this giveaway. I cannot say enough sweet, wonderful things about this amazing mama and blog friend. She is kind, fiery, determined, a visionary, consistent, a perfectionist, and so upbeat.

And the crazy part about all of this is, I have NEVER even met her!

That's my impression of April from reading her blog daily as well as working with her in designing her custom handbag.

I truly enjoyed sending her fabric collections until she found just the right one. It was my pleasure to talk with her regarding the choices she was making with her purchase. The details are everything to me as I want them to be just right for my customers.

She was back and forth on whether to do a monogram or just a "W" for her last name. I love the bold and classy look the cranberry "W" provides.

After receiving her custom design, she had this to say about her purchase:

Oh, my goodness, Meghan...do I ever LOVE it!!! You did such a fabulous job and it's a million times better than I envisioned...which was pretty darn good! :) Thank you from the very bottom of my heart...

Love,
April

And that's exactly what k.Mac is about.

Giving people the opportunity to express exactly who they are in the handbag they carry.

Upon each and every bag design giveaway, I wanted to be intentional about celebrating the uniqueness of each winner in true k.Mac fashion.

So, I devised 21 questions. #21 being my lucky number.

21 questions for each winner to answer. These questions are based upon the every days of my life in a sorta silly way.

So, without further adieu, let's enjoy April, shall we?

What is one thing you do everyday and never miss?
I pray...and I eat a big bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios for breakfast! What better way to start my day off right!

Approximately, how many pairs of shoes do you own?
Around 40...some of them I REALLY need to donate!

What is your signature color?
Now, that's a tough question! I like so many different colors, it's hard to say! I'm a huge fan of red, but I don't really like it on me. I love burgundy A LOT, but I'd probably have to say black because it's such a versatile color...goes with just about anything.

If you were stranded on an island and could only take one make-up item, what would it be?
Well, if I were stranded on an island, I don't think I'd care too much about how I looked, so I'd have to say that it would be my Eurcerin Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30. I've got to protect my skin, you know! I wear it every day under my makeup.

Have you ever played in the rain?
Yes, on several occasions. However, I don't particularly care for how it feels when your clothes are soaking wet and they stick to your skin. Ugh!

What do you love most about your husband?
Simply put, I love that he loves me...and he's short, too! It's not easy, at times, when I'm suffering from PMS and pre-menopausal issues, but he understands and accepts me just as I am. He even tells me that I'm beautiful when I roll out of bed in the morning with no makeup on and my hair going every which way! I think he's way past due for an eye examination! :)

What are your children’s biggest strengths?
Abby, my 13 year old, has the sweetest, most sentimental heart. She never fails to say or do just the right thing whenever I need it most. Brittany, my 17 year old, is a talented athlete and has an amazing sense of humor. She makes me laugh about something every single day!

What is your favorite season?
I love Fall! That's when my hubby and I got married almost 20 years ago (our anniversary is next week!). I love all the changing colors on the trees and how the air is so crisp.

Best vacation you ever took was:
Sedona, Arizona. It was so relaxing and laid back. We spent our days exploring and hiking. We made some of the best memories as a family! I would definitely have to say that it's one of the prettiest places I've ever been in the US.

Peanut butter and jelly or ham and cheese sandwich? Which do you pick?
I'm a huge fan of good ol' PB &J.

What are you passionate about?
LIFE! I lost my mom, brother, and dad in a period of 6 short years beginning in 2000. It taught me to never take a single breath or day for granted...and to cherish those I love with all my heart and soul. You just never know what tomorrow might bring.

What is your favorite piece of jewelry?
My wedding ring. It's a constant reminder and symbol of the vow I took nearly 20 years ago before God, and family and friends to love, honor, and cherish my hubby forever and always...and I DO!

Name one dream that has come true for you.
To be a stay-at-home mom. I have a Master's degree in speech-language pathology, but I gave up my career 17 1/2 years ago to raise my girls. It's a decision that I can honestly say I've never once regretted. HOME is where I want and need to be.

You can only pick one: watch TV, read a book, take a nap, or go for a walk. Which would you pick?
Well, normally, I'd choose to go for a walk. I'm a huge nature lover and I enjoy being outdoors, especially this time of year. However, being that I get up every morning at 5:15 AM to see Brittany off to school, I think I'll go with a nap. I'm so sleep-deprived, it's not even funny!
In my spare time, I : exercise, organize, or blog!

What’s the best advice you have ever given?
Well, Abby went through a period when some boys on the bus were picking on her. She tried to handle it on her own for awhile, but I ended up having to get the vice principal involved and the issue was resolved in a timely manner. However, I sat Abby down and had a long talk with her. I told her to "never allow anyone to make you feel less than what you are." I explained that she had to believe in herself and to always remember that God was watching over her.

What makes you unique?
I might be short, little, petite...whatever you want to call it. However, if someone hurts my family or anyone I love dearly, I'm a spitfire, as my dad would say!

One thing people would probably NEVER guess about me is…
I'm a Broadway musical fanatic! Ever since I saw "Cats" with my mom years ago, I've been hooked! In fact, I know just about every song from "Cats" by heart! It's my ongoing lifelong dream to sing on Broadway one day. It isn't that I have the set of pipes to, actually, pull it off, but I'd love to stand up on that stage and be in the spotlight. Oh, what I'd give!

Favorite room in your house is? Why?
I'd have to say our basement because it's the place where we have "Family Movie Night" and play the Wii together. We're a very competitive family!

Are you right-handed or left-handed?
Right-handed.

What do you love about your k.Mac design?
It's so ME! I love the pretty Fall colors and the mixture of polka dots and stripes. It's so roomy inside, too!

I told you she was just THE best!!!

You want a stab at these 21?

Okay!
What's up for grabs?

Well, in honor of April...how about we say....April's bag!

No, we aren't taking April's bag from her and no, you don't need to be bummed if your last name doesn't start with a "W"!

The winner of this giveaway will receive 1 medium k.Mac "Sling Fling" in our "Freshly Fallen" fabric collection WITH your monogram.

To enter: Leave me a comment answering one of the following:
{cause I like it when I have choices}
1. I like your handbags because ___________________.
2. My favorite Halloween candy is ____________.
3. My favorite toenail polish color is __________________.
4. A good book I just finished reading was ________________.

To be entered 3 times in addition to your 1st entry, you could mention this giveaway with a link to this post. You could. Just me me know if you do!

The winner of a replica of April's "Sling Fling" will be announced, Monday, October 19th!

It feels good to be in the spotlight every now and again.

Good Luck!

.mac :)