How many children do you have and what are their ages? Please tell us something about each child.
I have 2 little girls, Simone who is 4yrs old and a cautious sweet girl. Ruby who is 2 is pretty sure she is a 4yr old as well, and lacks all caution... we consider her our 'boy'.

What is a funny or rewarding experience you've had as a mama?
Little Ruby has started potty training herself the past month or two. Last weekend we were at the store, we had both girls walking around with us and I heard my husband say "Oh my god, Ruby!" I look over to find her with her pants around her ankles, her little bare bum out in the wind as she was squatting down preparing to poop on their floor! Luckily we got her pants up in time to catch anything, so there was no mess to clean up, but still embarassing!

What did you think you'd be when you grew up?
A fashion designer, from like age 8-19!

Who did your classmates think you were in high school?
The somewhat strange (for my small school anyway) artsy chic.

Would they be surprised by who you are now?
No, not at all. Still somewhat strange artsy mama!

Are you married? What is your husband's name and how did you meet him? Was it love at first sight?
I met my husband Dave in art school. He was in the graphic design department and he shared a studio space with a friend of mine. I used to go visit her to see him; I had a major crush. He didn't do anything about it then, but the next September he started pursuing me and within 2 weeks or so we knew we would probably end up getting married. We've been married for 9 years and I couldn't ask for a better father or more terrific husband!

Who were you before Sugar Peas, any interesting jobs or schooling?
I left art school to pursue a career involved with horticulture but couldn't break with my creative roots and I ended up running my own garden design business for 5 years in California which I really loved and miss. I had to give it up when I had children as it was not work I could do as a stay at home mom or in New England where the landscape style is completely different. I still do a lot of gardens, if family members are wiling to be really patient for me to get their plan done! I did some graphic design for some leftover clients of my husbands for a few years before I started Sugar Peas, LLC.

How did you get started cloth diapering and sewing your own diapers?
We have always been on the environmentally consious side. When we had our first daughter Simone, we lived in Oakland, CA and everyone we knew cloth diapered. I remember being very concerned that they would leak all over the place, but my neighbors convinced me they wouldn't and we used a diaper service until we left CA when Simone was 9 months old.

What inspired you to create your business? Did you run into any obstacles in starting it?
Well, you know how when your pregnant, it's really fun to shop for baby stuff? With your second, especially of the same gender there just isn't much to shop for! I had always used snappi'd prefolds and mostly bumpy or bummis covers with Simone. It was getting harder to get that system on her. 2 yr olds don't just wiggle when you try to diaper 'em, they get up and run away! So, I started obsessing on getting fitted diapers. Unfortunately, they were not in our budget.

I did splurge on some and they were not exactly what I was looking for. I wanted hemp, multi-sized, and quick dry. At the time, this did not exist in one diaper. I kept reading how one sized diapers didn't fit newborns which was a concern as I have TINY children who fit newborn sized things for a couple months. So one night, laying in bed, I decided that 2 size was the way to go!

How did you come up with the name Sugar Peas?
This is kind of silly but I guess I'll tell. It was our pet ferret's name! I am definitely a plant girl and have a thing for farm vernacular. So our pet had vegetable names, and I missed her and I thought it would make for a great farm themed business name.

If you could do any kind of work you wanted, other than the business you now have, what would you be doing?
I'm interested in most types of design. I'd love to design children's clothes, gardens, homes, housewares, fabric, etc. I'd really like to have a large orchard someday.

Do you have any advice to anyone considering becoming a WAHM/WAHD, or just starting out? I would suggest thoroughly researching the market and finding a niche or a new product that isn't already available elsewhere. I also firmly believe it's worth it to invest in your appearance, an appealing easy to navigate website and brand makes a lot more difference than you'd think. Lastly, be prepared for LOTS of hard work and try your best to keep people happy without working more than your family can handle. If you figure out how, let me know! It's the absolute hardest part of being a WAHM and something I'm still trying to figure out how to balance.

If you have time for hobbies, or outside interests, what are they?
No time, but I fantasize about learning to quilt, making tons of funky clothes for the girls as well as myself, and doing some weaving. I'd also really like to have sheep or alpaca someday.

If you could have a day to yourself (hubby and kids could be cared for if you wanted, and you were all caught up with sewing), how would you spend it?
We actually try to do this one day a weekend with whole family. We like to go for hikes, or go for a drive and check out new areas. I have no idea what I would do all by myself... I'll have to think of something and try it sometime.

What is your favorite book?
My favorite author is probably Tom Robbins, but I can't say I have a favorite book. I listen to many audiobooks while I work.

Who is your favorite musical artist or what is your favorite song?
Favorite all time would have to be the Beastie Boys with favorite song Egg Man.

Do you have any guilty pleasures that you will admit to?
Fancy girls clothes! I love Baby Lulu and would give my right arm for a closetful of Catimini clothes for my girls!

What are your dreams for the future?
Enjoying our beautiful 1846 Farmhouse we bought in rural CT. I am thrilled to finally have my own garden to design and work in. I'm excited to decorate and make all sorts of things for the house. I want to see Sugar Peas, LLC thrive in the workshop space at the house and grow slowly until my girls are in school. Then we should be big enough to rent a commercial space in town and grow some more!

http://www.sugarpeas.com
Products include: Hemp and organic cotton fitted diapers, wool and fleece covers and embroidered special items.