For Mom

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I'll be sharing your special Christmas song next week, but I thought you'd like this one too.  Get your tissues, folks!

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

TGIF!!  I am so looking forward to a weekend of getting lots accomplished.  Filling up the new fridge, making teacher gifts and crafting with my sweet girl, setting up the Christmas tree, and wrapping packages to be sent near and far.  Daddy has promised us a nice toasty fire on Saturday, and Sophie is looking forward to using her special candy cane/marshmallow/chocolate swizzle stick for a cup of hot cocoa. 

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Here are some pretty flowers and leaves to kick off your weekend:

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How are the holiday preparations shaping up around your house? 

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Come on back tomorrow to see how I decided to cope with the craft show doldrums :)

Thursday's Treasure

 I'm trying to think of one word to sum up last night's event.  Something honest and positive, or if not positive at least not negative.  It's a tie between "eh" and "slow". 

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On the plus side, we got there with plenty of time for Sophie to eat her dinner and get set up.  Since I had stashed all of my stuff at the school earlier in the day, it was pretty easy to round everything up and set it out. 

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On the minus side, we had over 20 vendors in one half of a school gymnasium, so we were pretty crammed in.  I had asked to have a bulletin board behind me so that I could hang some stars.   That put me in a back corner, which would have been a nice little nook... if my "neighbor" hadn't pushed her table out by about 3 feet.  I couldn't push out more without blocking the person on my other side, so I was kind of stuck.  It didn't keep people from being able to come over, it just interrupted the natural flow of traffic and more effort had to be made to get close enough to see my stuff.

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I was pleased that the people who did stop by were interested in my goodies and complementary in general.  Cards were asked for and given out, so there is the potential for orders down the road. 

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So, bottom line, I sold enough to cover my space fee ($25), and made $37 over that.  Was it worth the time and effort?  No.  Am I disappointed?  Slightly.  Yes.  Did I enjoy myself?  Not so much.   Did Sophie enjoy herself?  Definitely yes.  She loved the atmosphere and seeing her friends.  She loved to go shopping by herself over at the kids section.  She loved picking out cookies that the teachers made from the bake sale section. She loved wearing her apron. 

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Did I learn anything?  Yep!  Next time I would not want to be in a corner.  I would put prices on individual items versus having a comprehensive price sheet.  For this venue, I would bring only smaller ticket items and more child friendly wares.  Will I do it again?   Highly doubtful.  Am I glad I did it?  Absolutely.  Now I don't have to wonder how it would have been.  Or be disappointed in myself for not giving it a go.   I suppose Thursday's treasure is "I did it, and, it's over".

Wednesday's Works

Tonight is the big night! My second ever craft show! It's taken me three years to get over the trauma of the last one. Just kidding- mostly. It wasn't bad, but I had a LOT of anxiety leading up to it. This time, the stress has been lessened by two things- one, this isn't my first time, and two, Sophie is super gung ho to help me. Things are always less scary when you have someone you love beside you.

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So, I've been busy this week filling my little card holder...

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 ...arranging and tagging items...

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...making cute little signs and decorating little trees...

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... and making stars.  LOTS of stars!

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These photos were taken of my mock set up in the living room.  I will take pictures of the actual set up tonight and give you a full report tomorrow!  Have a happy day!

Tuesday's Treat

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This dear deer bowl is the brainchild of one of my most creative customers.  Isn't it precious?  It will be a gift for her mother this Christmas :)

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In other news, check out the new holiday slideshow over on the right side of my blog.  It was created by my good friend Karen from Vintage Station, and it features my shops along with many other awesome etsy sellers.  What a sweet surprise!

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Happy Tuesday, my friends- may you have many treats to fill your day

Makeover Monday: 12/3

 The fabric for the second large hanging storage basket has just enough bits of this mauve color to complement the first basket perfectly!

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 I really like the way the colors came together in this finished project.

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And I really LOVE they way they look together!  They are all tagged up and ready to head off to NYC.

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How is your week looking?  Mine?  Exciting!!  I have Sophie's holiday concert to look forward to tomorrow, and I'm selling at a little holiday craft fair on Wednesday night.  Well, I hope to be selling.  And on Friday I have a new refrigerator coming!  Woohooo!  It will be so nice to not have to walk out to the garage every time I need creamer for my coffee.

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That's it for today, but come back tomorrow for Tuesday's treat- I have a couple of them :)

On A Whim

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I have wanted to stop at this store with the pale pink and black spotted silo for years.  Since it is in between my mom and dad's house and ours, you'd think it would have been easier to schedule a visit.  But, usually we just want to get to our destination.  Today, on my way home with Sophie, she was up for a "girl's adventure".  We had a grand time exploring this adorable shop, and I know anyone in the area would love it as well.  Check the website HERE for some fab photos!

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Since I realized that many of the rooms in the barn seemed to be run by different decorators, I asked about it when we were checking out.  Apparently they have a very selective process for how they screen their vendors, but I left my card-  just in case something *soso* catches her eye :)

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Come on back tomorrow for Makeover Monday!