Well, as usual, even though I was trying SO HARD to be in the moment, I blinked my eyes and Christmas was over. My five-day weekend was over. Commence post-holiday sadness. Commence tripping over Peyton's Christmas haul every two minutes.
On the bright side, it's only a two-day workweek, we are hosting a sa-weet New Year's Eve gathering at our house this year, and now that the holidays are practically done I can really start focusing on the finer details of getting this business up and running (namely, getting my stuff SOLD).
I'm very excited for more supplies to come in. Valentine's Day stuff is BEGGING to be made, and I've started designing my Easter and Spring collections, so yessss&yayyyyy to that!
If you're tired of logging into my store and seeing just earrings: fret not, my friends. I've got a few nice tricks up my sleeve that I think you'll enjoy. I've been sewing till I'm cross-eyed every night and I'm so excited to get some new goodies listed!
So, did Santa treat everyone well? What was your favorite part of this long holiday weekend? Feel free to share in the comments.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
Too Easy
It is too easy to get caught up in the insanity that is the holidays. Every year, I always find myself all wrapped up in the "have tos":
I have to decorate the house the second I have finished digesting Thanksgiving dinner.
I have to remember to have SOMETHING to give to EVERYONE.
I have to bake 27 trays of cookies before Christmas Eve.
I have to make at least 12 handmade gifts this year.
I have to go to my company holiday party and I have to not get drunk even though there's a perfectly good open bar right there, because people remember those things.
I have to make sure Peyton understands, at every spare waking moment of her day, that OMGCHRISTMASISCOMINGGGG! Baby Jesus! The nativity! Santa! HO HO HO.
(What's that, Peyton? You don't understand why Baby Jesus is in a manger with the donkey and the sheep and Santa terrifies you because you are only 18 months and SERIOUSLY?! Oh. Okay then.)
...and so on. I'm sure you get the picture.
The fact of the matter is, the "have to" mantra during the holiday season leads to some serious burnout before Christmas week is even upon me. By the time the whirlwind ends, getting all of those "have tos" done between December 1-23, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day come and go and next thing you know it's December 26, time to go back to work and retail stores are putting out their Valentine's Day and spring merchandise. I was in Michaels yesterday and they were already moving and consolidating their Christmas stuff. Christmas isn't even here yet! That is such a bummer.
It's already December 21st. I am (almost) finished my Christmas shopping, I am (almost) finished wrapping everything. My house is (totally) decorated, even though I keep forgetting to turn on those pesky outside lights (this is why a timer is a great idea, darling!). I have decided that I am not baking cookies...because a.) I don't want to this year, and b.) there is just not enough time left. I've ordered my Christmas cards and they are in my possession in addressed envelopes, but haven't mailed them yet because going into the Post Office at this time of the year to buy stamps gives me major anxiety.
But I have decided that I am riding out the last few days before Christmas just soaking it all in. Remembering what Christmas is about (not Santa and presents, btw). Actually enjoying wrapping presents instead of seeing it as another chore to do. Driving by a house with lights and taking a moment to appreciate and admire the work that someone put into their decor even if it was freezing and they really didn't feel like it because, hey, Christmas.
And next year, I hope I remember the same thing: let's take it all in, friends. They don't call it "the most wonderful time of the year" for nothin'.
I've got lots of pretties planned for my shop in the new year! Can't wait to share them all with you!
I have to decorate the house the second I have finished digesting Thanksgiving dinner.
I have to remember to have SOMETHING to give to EVERYONE.
I have to bake 27 trays of cookies before Christmas Eve.
I have to make at least 12 handmade gifts this year.
I have to go to my company holiday party and I have to not get drunk even though there's a perfectly good open bar right there, because people remember those things.
I have to make sure Peyton understands, at every spare waking moment of her day, that OMGCHRISTMASISCOMINGGGG! Baby Jesus! The nativity! Santa! HO HO HO.
(What's that, Peyton? You don't understand why Baby Jesus is in a manger with the donkey and the sheep and Santa terrifies you because you are only 18 months and SERIOUSLY?! Oh. Okay then.)
...and so on. I'm sure you get the picture.
The fact of the matter is, the "have to" mantra during the holiday season leads to some serious burnout before Christmas week is even upon me. By the time the whirlwind ends, getting all of those "have tos" done between December 1-23, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day come and go and next thing you know it's December 26, time to go back to work and retail stores are putting out their Valentine's Day and spring merchandise. I was in Michaels yesterday and they were already moving and consolidating their Christmas stuff. Christmas isn't even here yet! That is such a bummer.
It's already December 21st. I am (almost) finished my Christmas shopping, I am (almost) finished wrapping everything. My house is (totally) decorated, even though I keep forgetting to turn on those pesky outside lights (this is why a timer is a great idea, darling!). I have decided that I am not baking cookies...because a.) I don't want to this year, and b.) there is just not enough time left. I've ordered my Christmas cards and they are in my possession in addressed envelopes, but haven't mailed them yet because going into the Post Office at this time of the year to buy stamps gives me major anxiety.
But I have decided that I am riding out the last few days before Christmas just soaking it all in. Remembering what Christmas is about (not Santa and presents, btw). Actually enjoying wrapping presents instead of seeing it as another chore to do. Driving by a house with lights and taking a moment to appreciate and admire the work that someone put into their decor even if it was freezing and they really didn't feel like it because, hey, Christmas.
And next year, I hope I remember the same thing: let's take it all in, friends. They don't call it "the most wonderful time of the year" for nothin'.
I've got lots of pretties planned for my shop in the new year! Can't wait to share them all with you!
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Officially official
Well, I finally did it:
whimsy renee (link) is open for business!
Once the madness of the holidays is over, I'm really looking forward to beefing up the shop with more goodies.
Here's to making 2013 the most creative yet!
PS: Our house sold! Squeeeee!
whimsy renee (link) is open for business!
Once the madness of the holidays is over, I'm really looking forward to beefing up the shop with more goodies.
Here's to making 2013 the most creative yet!
PS: Our house sold! Squeeeee!
Monday, November 19, 2012
Funny
I really am the world's worst blogger.
The thing is, my life would make for amazing blogging fodder, if I had half the motivation as I think I do. On occasion, I even wake up in the middle of the night with some amazing thought and think to myself, 'GENIUS, you are. You have to post this to your BRAND NEW BLOG THAT YOU'VE BEEN NEGLECTING tomorrow.' But then I don't. Because, life, you know.
Blogging, for me, is a great outlet to keep that mindjuice flowing while I immerse myself in a life of domestic blissdom. Blogging can be a great way to escape those mundane aspects of life, for sure (i.e. "Why do I find myself having to run the dishwasher every. single. day. if there are only three of us in the house...how do we accumulate so many dirty dishes?" "I'm so glad I found the bottle of milk Peyton hid last week under her crib (OMGCOTTAGECHEESEGROSSSSSS)." "I stayed home for ten months with my daughter only to get the itch to go back to work (plus unemployment was up, yikes!), only to then daydream every day about staying home...hello, Grassisalwaysgreener, nice to meet you."). If you can manage to find humor in an awesome yet pretty average life, it makes it exponentially more awesome.
Let's face it, friends. I convinced myself, not even ten years ago, that I was destined for (and wanted) the anti-baby, anti-domestic lifestyle. Now that I am Ms. Crafty McCrafterson and bake cupcakes from scratch ("just because it's the weekend!"), revel in cutting tissue paper into puffy balls to hang from the ceiling, and can change a squirmy toddler's diaper in 30 seconds flat...that is sheer comedy of its own.
I don't mean to make it sound like I am not enjoying this lifestyle; to the contrary, I am pretty stoked about it. Being a young mom, planning a wedding, planning a move...it's all really exciting. Way better than the 17 year old version of me thought it would be.
Just funny how life turns out sometimes, isn't it?
The thing is, my life would make for amazing blogging fodder, if I had half the motivation as I think I do. On occasion, I even wake up in the middle of the night with some amazing thought and think to myself, 'GENIUS, you are. You have to post this to your BRAND NEW BLOG THAT YOU'VE BEEN NEGLECTING tomorrow.' But then I don't. Because, life, you know.
Blogging, for me, is a great outlet to keep that mindjuice flowing while I immerse myself in a life of domestic blissdom. Blogging can be a great way to escape those mundane aspects of life, for sure (i.e. "Why do I find myself having to run the dishwasher every. single. day. if there are only three of us in the house...how do we accumulate so many dirty dishes?" "I'm so glad I found the bottle of milk Peyton hid last week under her crib (OMGCOTTAGECHEESEGROSSSSSS)." "I stayed home for ten months with my daughter only to get the itch to go back to work (plus unemployment was up, yikes!), only to then daydream every day about staying home...hello, Grassisalwaysgreener, nice to meet you."). If you can manage to find humor in an awesome yet pretty average life, it makes it exponentially more awesome.
Let's face it, friends. I convinced myself, not even ten years ago, that I was destined for (and wanted) the anti-baby, anti-domestic lifestyle. Now that I am Ms. Crafty McCrafterson and bake cupcakes from scratch ("just because it's the weekend!"), revel in cutting tissue paper into puffy balls to hang from the ceiling, and can change a squirmy toddler's diaper in 30 seconds flat...that is sheer comedy of its own.
I don't mean to make it sound like I am not enjoying this lifestyle; to the contrary, I am pretty stoked about it. Being a young mom, planning a wedding, planning a move...it's all really exciting. Way better than the 17 year old version of me thought it would be.
Just funny how life turns out sometimes, isn't it?
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
wedding planning, crafts, life, oh my...
Can I just say that sometimes I think my eyes are bigger then my metaphorical stomach?
This is any given workday:
Wake up at 6:30. Get ready for work.
Wake up Peyton (because she finally SLEEEEEEPS!). Get her ready for the day. Pack diaper bag. Wrestle her into her car seat (we still scream bloody murder in the car, yayyyy!)
Drop her off at the house of whoever's watching her that day.
Get to work by 7:45.
Run any errands I need during my hour-long lunch. Usually run out of time to actually eat lunch.
Finish at 5:00.
Remember at whose house I dropped off Peyton and pick her up.
Get home.
Make dinner.
Eat dinner.
Clean up Peyton.
Clean up dinner.
Bath time for Peyton.
Bedtime for Peyton.
Shower for me.
Clean up the house.
THEN you would think it would be bedtime for me. But lo and behold, I am a slave to the overachiever in me. Once all of that is done, it's time for crafts. You name it, I'll be doing it on any given night: building inventory for my newest endeavor, crocheting (Christmas is coming!), making things for our impending nuptial event, or just making pretty things for the house.
I am a sucker for anything involving a hot glue gun or a crochet hook, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Even when it entails lack of sleep. My ultimate goal is to surround myself with personal, handmade, pretty things, because there is no greater feeling in the world than looking at something and saying "I made that." (this goes for mini-me as well, even though she was not born of hot glue guns and crochet hooks). I've taken my sickness for all things handmade about a thousand steps too far: nearly every element of our July 2013 wedding will have a handmade touch to it.
It's an intimidating thought; I look at my wedding DIY Excel spreadsheet every day (crazy? yes) and click through each tab with it's own project. And then I look at my wedding to-do spreadsheet with each tab its own month and several projects to be done (I may be super crazy, but I am super organized). And then I look at my pile of inventory that I'm slowly building for my shop launch. And I shake my head and I laugh at myself because really...
Who actually hand singes individual petals and then stitches together enough flowers for a bridal bouquet plus three bridesmaids' bouquets, eight boutonnieres, and four or five corsages?
Who actually sits at home and assembles umpteen million fabric flowers for brooches and clips that will be listed for sale very, very shortly?
Who reeeeeally thinks that that cute frame could be mod podged into a nice display for that seasonal printable she saw on Pinterest last night?
Who decides that she can squeeze in just one more crocheted hat before seriously, IT IS SO LATE GO TO BED.
So really, this is what my blog will mostly entail: a glimpse into the life of a serial crafter, because seriously? This next year is going to be a wiiiiiild ride.
I sincerely hope my glue gun doesn't crap out on me. I love that damned thing.
This is any given workday:
Wake up at 6:30. Get ready for work.
Wake up Peyton (because she finally SLEEEEEEPS!). Get her ready for the day. Pack diaper bag. Wrestle her into her car seat (we still scream bloody murder in the car, yayyyy!)
Drop her off at the house of whoever's watching her that day.
Get to work by 7:45.
Run any errands I need during my hour-long lunch. Usually run out of time to actually eat lunch.
Finish at 5:00.
Remember at whose house I dropped off Peyton and pick her up.
Get home.
Make dinner.
Eat dinner.
Clean up Peyton.
Clean up dinner.
Bath time for Peyton.
Bedtime for Peyton.
Shower for me.
Clean up the house.
THEN you would think it would be bedtime for me. But lo and behold, I am a slave to the overachiever in me. Once all of that is done, it's time for crafts. You name it, I'll be doing it on any given night: building inventory for my newest endeavor, crocheting (Christmas is coming!), making things for our impending nuptial event, or just making pretty things for the house.
I am a sucker for anything involving a hot glue gun or a crochet hook, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. Even when it entails lack of sleep. My ultimate goal is to surround myself with personal, handmade, pretty things, because there is no greater feeling in the world than looking at something and saying "I made that." (this goes for mini-me as well, even though she was not born of hot glue guns and crochet hooks). I've taken my sickness for all things handmade about a thousand steps too far: nearly every element of our July 2013 wedding will have a handmade touch to it.
It's an intimidating thought; I look at my wedding DIY Excel spreadsheet every day (crazy? yes) and click through each tab with it's own project. And then I look at my wedding to-do spreadsheet with each tab its own month and several projects to be done (I may be super crazy, but I am super organized). And then I look at my pile of inventory that I'm slowly building for my shop launch. And I shake my head and I laugh at myself because really...
Who actually hand singes individual petals and then stitches together enough flowers for a bridal bouquet plus three bridesmaids' bouquets, eight boutonnieres, and four or five corsages?
Who actually sits at home and assembles umpteen million fabric flowers for brooches and clips that will be listed for sale very, very shortly?
Who reeeeeally thinks that that cute frame could be mod podged into a nice display for that seasonal printable she saw on Pinterest last night?
Who decides that she can squeeze in just one more crocheted hat before seriously, IT IS SO LATE GO TO BED.
So really, this is what my blog will mostly entail: a glimpse into the life of a serial crafter, because seriously? This next year is going to be a wiiiiiild ride.
I sincerely hope my glue gun doesn't crap out on me. I love that damned thing.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Change is a-coming
Well.
Here I am, friends. Popping up under a new name. Change is certainly coming; change is good, and I'm ready to put into plan something I have been thinking about for a good long while.
I'm only just now putting the pieces in place.
I have a plan.
I have never, ever been so anxious (in a good way) and I am positively buzzing with energy.
You might be curious, so here's a hint:
Maybe it doesn't make much sense now, but I promise you it will soon.
This is my new home on the interwebs (well, one of my new homes...details all in good time). My new home to write about life, my mini-me, crafting, wedding planning, DIY, pretty little things and the small joys that make life beautiful.
Buckle up, friends. This is about to be some ride.
Here I am, friends. Popping up under a new name. Change is certainly coming; change is good, and I'm ready to put into plan something I have been thinking about for a good long while.
I'm only just now putting the pieces in place.
I have a plan.
I have never, ever been so anxious (in a good way) and I am positively buzzing with energy.
You might be curious, so here's a hint:
This is my new home on the interwebs (well, one of my new homes...details all in good time). My new home to write about life, my mini-me, crafting, wedding planning, DIY, pretty little things and the small joys that make life beautiful.
Buckle up, friends. This is about to be some ride.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)