First "real" post, an introduction

Well, I guess that title is a bit misleading. I haven't been fake or anything, I've just tried to focus on the tutu business moreso than my personal life when writing this blog. That, of course, is changing now. :) I will warn you, I am very opinionated. If you can't handle that, I do apologize in advance! You should follow this blog instead -- I do giveaways and reviews, and it's pretty much all business, with just a little bit of sass. ;)

I should introduce myself! Most of you know me already, but this will be a good post for others to look back on when they find me. First of all, I'm a typo FREAK so if you EVER see a typo in one of my blogs, PLEASE tell me!!

Me in 1987:



Me in 2009:



I'm 24 years old (I will be 25 on 4/9, send me something special lol). My partner's name is Rachel - we have been together for a little over a year. We have also lived together for a little over a year. In true U-Haul fashion, we did in fact move in together after dating for less than a month. (For the record, I didn't do that with anyone else prior to her - I had kids and never trusted anyone enough.) We met at work - it was love at first sight.

Rachel:



Us:



We have three little girls. Jenelle is 8, Gracelynn will be 5 on 3/7, and Sapphire is 3. Seeing as we are lesbians, she obviously didn't impregnate me and I didn't impregnate her - I'm biologically their mother. I was married previously, and was terribly unhappy... not much to say on that subject really. :) Rachel is their "other mother" (that's the name they came up with for her), and more of a "father" than theirs ever was.

Jenelle:


Gracelynn:


Sapphire (the day we moved in, excuse the mess):



I read an article online back in October of 2009 about making your own tutus. They were called "no-sew" tutus, and seemed fairly easy to make. I kept reading, and watching, and figured out how to do them. My first few attempts looked pathetic, honestly (so if you're trying to make them, don't give up).

First tutu I ever made:



However, I soon perfected the tutu-making and people started asking where they could buy them.

Tutus now:



I've always liked working online, so I figured I'd make a webpage and sell the tutus there. I had no idea it would turn into such a big thing, but I love it!! It still isn't HUGE to where I'm getting orders every day yet, but I'm working on that. :)



My first customers were photographers. I placed an ad on craigslist asking amateur photographers if they wanted their photography noticed -- I offered tutus in exchange for their photos.

Other than making tutus, we also like to do all types of crafts. I recently taught my 8 year old how to loom-knit and she fell in love! It is the first craft I've let her do solo, and she is addicted. :) She doesn't have much time to do it, with school and such (that's another story in itself), but she did complete her first scarf last month. She is making her sister one for her birthday as well. I recently got a Cricut, so we have started papercrafting also! The little ones can help with that, and they really enjoy it.

As far as my philosophy and views on things.. I've been asked a lot of questions lately about religion, politics, going green, and more. My views on some things change from day to day - others I am firm in and have not changed my mind in 24 years. :) I generally shy away from discussing such "deep" topics with people, because they seem to get offended easily, but for introduction purposes I will state my beliefs on a few things.

Religion: I am 10000% against organized religion. I believe in God, we pray every day (and before every meal), we talk about God a lot, but we do not (will not) attend church.

Politics: I really hate politics..

Going green: I'd love to be a traveling tutu selling hippie.. I'd love to dred my hair and drive an RV across country that runs on vegetable oil. However, finances prevent us from doing that right now.. so until then, I do send all of my bows, giveaways, etc out in recycled materials. Sometimes I use a cereal box that is cut up, other times I use wrapping paper or magazine pages for envelopes. I always try to use recyclables, though.

Schooling: I home schooled Jenelle up until this year. I loved it, she loved it, but Rachel wasn't really too keen on it. We agreed to try public school this year, and Jenelle is.. well, she's surviving. Kids are mean, teachers can be also, and it's just frustrating to have her come home crying at least once a week because of it. However, it's the real world, and for this year she has to deal with it. I'm hoping within the next two years we can start home schooling again - though I'm not sure it will happen, seeing as Grace is starting kindergarten next year.

Okay, so I think that's enough of an intro. I included everything I've been asked recently as well as a bit more.

If you'd like to know more, just ask a question in that box to the right! That's my FAQ box and I answer all questions right away. You can click on it to see all my previous answers.

*UPDATED MARCH 2011* Just wanted to post some new pictures of us! :) Also a new update on Jenelle in school.. she is doing great! Grace is, too!

Gracelynn, Sapphire, Jenelle, and then Rachel. :) No pics of me as of yet. I am working on losing weight and will do a 'big reveal' towards the end of 2011.

Intro

The purpose of this blog is to keep track of our swaps - what has been sent, what has been received. We will also post various pictures, crafts, etc... but the main purpose is to keep track of swaps!

If we reach 500 followers, we will start doing giveaways on a regular basis. The giveaways will include tutus, hair bows, craft projects, and more.

If you would like to follow us, or participate in a swap with us, visit www.swap-bot.com -- username is nelliebugsdotcom

Also don't forget to check out our tutu website at http://www.nelliebugs.com

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