I’ve been a very delinquent blogger the past few weeks. Fortunately I had set up a few posts prior to taking this small hiatus. I guess you could say Snigglefritz & Me Etsy site took off and I wasn’t expecting it. I ended up getting a few custom orders and had to focus on getting a bit of a plan together to get everything done before Christmas – and unfortunately I wasn’t able to get to the blogging portion.
Never fear, I have been taking a ton of photos of everything I‘ve been working on and I will be able to post a lot after the New Year begins.
It has been a busy little holiday season. Honestly, I think I’m busier this year than I have been in the past. Perhaps it is because I now had time to say ‘yes’ to so many things I had be unable to do in past years because of work. Lesson learned, I may have bit off more than I could chew this year. However, I enjoyed each moments and I have been able to spend quality time with family and friends.
Below is a small visual of the things I have been up to over the past few weeks.
When I left work I was asked by my sweet friend, and Team Leader, to join the Women’s Leadership Team at our church. At the time our church was going through a growing pain and much help was needed. I told her I would be there for whatever she needed. The first thing that came up was the annual Women’s Christmas Tea. I loved this. It was the first time I had been to one of the Christmas Teas (shocking as we have been with our church family for over 12 years!). At our teas we invite the ladies to host a table and then they can decorate it the way they wish. I, of course, wanted a pink table that was elegant. I think I pulled it off. What do you think!? (I had another table too…it was all Nutcracker Themed).
The makings of some simple Christmas ornaments.
When it came time to decorate for Christmas, this year was a bit different as well. I was so short on time that I have not decorated our house the way it would normally be decorated. Taking a page from our Pastor’s sermon series for the season, I went with a Simple Christmas this year. Usually I would have a tree set up in the equivalent of each room – each with its own theme. This time around the Rocket Scientist decided he would like a real tree…so, we ventured out to get a small Noble Fir. Once we got it home and up I decided that it was such a beautiful tree, I didn’t want to throw a bunch of ornaments on it – and the ones I did put up I wanted to have a simple, homespun beauty. So, I set out to create my own ornaments – paper medallions, chalkboard printables, and a pom-pom garland. I added a few understated store bought ornaments for a little ‘shine’.
The tree topper was the capper – I made my own with 2 wooden ‘M’s covered in beautiful Glitter. It came out just the way I imagined – and I will take a photo of it in all its glory once there are gifts under it and it appears fully ‘dressed’.
Helping with fabric selections!
Winston has made a few visits and has tried to behave. He and Penelope have helped pick out some fabric for a few of the projects I needed to sew up. Ever the helpers...it is sort of fun to look over and see them there throughout the day. The fun of the process makes me happy!
A little sugar rush for a busy elf!
I did catch him trying to get a little sugar rush in the jar of Jelly Bellies I keep in my craft room (my go to treat for a pick-me-up in the middle of a project.). I adore Winston – and will enjoy when the Lil Man gets older and is a part of the magic.
Chocolate Caramel Thumbprint Cookies
I have been able to do some baking – in particular some cookies. The Daughter In-Love and I worked very hard on some recipes for the upcoming cookbook. I’m not going to lie…there was a toffee recipe we worked on most of one day. We could not get it to turn out – and we made 4 batches trying to get it right. I don’t know that we succeeded, but we learned a lot along the way. We will be working on some other versions after Christmas. I made a new cookie – new to us – and it was a complete hit in this house. I haven’t baked as much as I would normally – again, keeping it simple this year. I have enjoyed making food for the family and that is most important to me.
In addition to working on recipes for the cookbook, my precious Daughter In-Love wanted to make some special gifts for her friends…homemade bath and body products in a pampering basket. We both underestimated how long this project would take us. We spent an entire day making the actual products:
Brown Sugar Body Scrub
Black Amber & Lavender Bath Salts
Vanilla Oatmeal Bath Bombs
Lavender Bath Bombs
Coconut Rum Lip Scrub
Vanilla Mint Lip Scrub
Vanilla Coffee Bean Goat’s Milk Soap
Rose Clay Shea Soap
Russian Tea Mix
Hot Cinnamon Milk Mix
Crocheted Face Wash Scrubbies
Packaging took a little longer than we anticipated. Overall this was a project that took us several days. Of course, the Lil’ Man was helping us so that probably added to the time frame! Once again, we learned a lot of things and we already have many ideas for the next round – maybe Mother’s Day…but certainly for next Christmas!
In the midst of all of this we had our annual Family Photo Session with my best friend over at SweetheartCreative. I was also her assistant on a newborn session up in the Phoenix area (something that kicks our fannies every time – photography is hard and physical work sometimes!). These family photos held a special first, as we have now added in another generation. My heart is overwhelmed with joy and love. I really never knew how much more my love would grow once the Little came along.
My favorite machines with my favorite beverage...these are the days of my life!