Hello my name is Rejoyce, yes my given name by my parents.

I was born and raised in Panama RP.  I lived in both Panama City and several Canal Zone housing areas.  The Golden Frog at the upper left hand corner of my pages is a representation of Panamanian artifacts from the Pre-Columbian period, we refer to them as Huacas (wakas)

I currently make my home in the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with my husband, whom I met in Panama.  We currently have 4 children.  They range in ages from 16 months old to 9 years old.

My chosen career field is accounting and I have begun working on my MBA as time permits.  Being Mommy is first and foremost right now.

My sewing room was in our dining room.  I enjoy sewing very much and finally moved everything to our enclosed porch.  Another move is planned as our house rennovations continue to open up new finished spaces.  I had hoped to make my hobby somewhat profitable, but I do it for the sheer enjoyment and satisfaction of completing beautiful creations.  I've sewn for myself and my children regularly since I inherited my Great Aunt's 1947 Singer in 1997.   Prior to owning a machine, I would often borrow someone else's machine. I purchased a serger machine in 2002 for the sole purpose of fixing my cloth diapers for my 2nd child, it gets a lot more use these days as I've learned how great it truly can be. In March 2005, I purchased a fancy embroidery machine, a Janome MC5700.  So, how did the idea to sewing bags get started?

I desired a backpack style diaper bag to replace a bag I was using from Guatemala.  I discovered that the market really didn't have a lot of options for a mother with 2 in cloth diapers.  I needed something large enough for a day out with two in cloth and expressive in nature enough to go along with my love of things unique.  I have developed new styles as I see needs develop.  I found this was fun to do and others could enjoy my bags designed for active mothers in all stages of motherhood.

Why are my bag styles given musical terms?  I've grown up all my life around classical music.  I began playing the piano at age 6, the violin at age 7, the flute at age 10 and the viola, my true love at 16.  My grandfather was my inspiration.  He played the violin beautifully even at 99 yrs old and restored 2 trashed violins for his own use which are now with me since his passing in the summer of 2004.   In high school I fell in love with the sound of the viola while fooling around in a practice room with a school viola before a Christmas Concert junior year.  After break, I played the viola in the school orchestra from there on out.   I've had wonderful opportunities afforded to me in musical education as well as performance opportunities that went beyond my wildest dreams while we lived in Panama.   I even taught violin for a few years after I married.  My wedding gift from my husband was my own Viola!  Now, I simply play for my children and desire to play in a community orchestra if we had one near by.  So to keep my musical dreams alive, what better way than to take music to my designs!

In addition to sewing, you might find me in the kitchen where I hold the self proclaimed title "Gluten Free Baking Queen".  Early September 2005 our second child was diagnosed with Celiac Disease.  Celiacs is a genetic autoimmune disorder that requires a life long adherence to a gluten free diet.  Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye and oats.  Although some Celiacs can tolerate pure safe oats, many can not and my son is one who can not.  I bake bread from Sorghum flour, Garbanzo bean flour, tapioca starch, corn starch, almond meal and a few other things found only in health food stores.  I bake cookies from these exotic flours and cakes too.  Aside from baking, all our family meals are gluten free meaning rarely am I able to use a recipe from a magazine or cook book without adaptations.  I have yet to master my Grandma's Swedish Coffee bread in a gluten free form, but I haven't really tried either! 

It would appear the our newest little boy is also afflicted by Celiac Disease.  Gluten does pass through breast milk and the signs appeared in his poos at 9 days old.  I recognized the entire scenario and my heart sank.  I went Gluten Free to prevent damage from happening to his young little digestive system.  When he is older and able to eat solids the pediatric GI can run the test, however, who in their right mind would force food on a child who will suffer pain and diarrhea from it just to have a test confirm what they already know?  And the lasting damaging effects of gluten can lead to a variety of cancers later in life.  So much is still unknown.  So, we will likely avoid testing him until he is able to understand the need to "prove" he is Celiac like one of his brothers.

My Children (do not attempt page with dial up service, it's too big)

I sell MayaWraps because I love them, however, I'm selling what I have in stock and will not be selling them anymore.  I believe they should be affordable because every mother wants to be close to their baby (babies) as much as possible and the MayaWraps have gone up in price like everything else.  All my in-stock items are reduced. 

Feel free to contact me at Rejoyce