Notes from A Cottage Industry

In the end, I decided to leave well enough alone.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who shared their ideas and opinions on whether or not I should change the name of my business, and blog to something other than A Cottage Industry, including possibly using my real name. (Remember the post where I brought this topic up?)

After contemplating all of your input, and having an in depth conversation with the other Tracey on the subject, I decided that, as they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Everyone knows me as A Cottage Industry, and frankly, I just wasn't sure I was comfortable with "Tracey Buxton Creations" and I was pretty positive I couldn't pull off something like "Tracey Buxton Designs". A Cottage Industry suits me, and therefore, I'm going to stick with the name I have had since 2006.

I did however decide to update my logo, and I have been working round the clock the past seven days (which is why I have been MIA here on the blog...) on something that I am pretty excited about. It's a new website, and while I had set a goal of launching it this Thursday, on February first, I may have been a little overly optimistic. Suffice to say that my website will be live very, very soon!

 

Weekly words to live by.

Purging, organizing and possibly re-homing a whole lotta little white birds.

I've spent the first part of this week knee deep in junk. I'm in organization mode, as I began 2018 with a new planner, and, better yet, a new plan for achieving my resolutions, or goals, or whatever else you want to call them.

While I started out using my planner to add much needed structure to my days, I realized that having my thrifted inventory, and crafty supplies all discombobulated and looking like I had possibly just been ransacked was stressing me out.

Big time.

I guess I could say that I was creating stress while trying to create.

So, this week's goals are to completely organize my storage in the garage, and my workroom. I've got the garage about 85% complete and I cannot tell you how good it makes me feel. Today I am working on my workspace, and I imagine there will be a trip to the Salvation Army involved, as I am using tough love to scale back on some of the.....ehem...craft supplies I bought at various points in time, planning to create something or other that later seemed like a less-than-fabulous idea.

I was telling a good friend last Saturday night that I have a secret fear that I will die and my kids will have to go through my workroom, and when they do, there will be constant mutterings of "Oh my Gawd! I just found another locker basket full of those little feathered doves..or parakeets, or pigeons, or whatever the heck they are! What on earth do you think she thought she was going to make with those?!"

We both laughed, but it's a real fear, and those little birds are most likely absolutely going to a find a new forever home at the thrift store, after which I will bet money that I sleep better at night. (Don't ask why I ever bought all of those little white birdies, because I don't really remember. Just know that it seemed like a brilliant idea at the time, and I think they may have multiplied since I bought the first ones.)

The thing I have learned so far this year, since beginning to use my planner, is that order brings peace. You can do more when you have less. Purging with a tough love attitude actually is empowering.

I have this feeling inside me that this is not a stage (like how we all had to have bread makers in the mid-nineties.) but a gentle shift in my life, and it's gonna be good. 

From frumpy to farmhouse wine bar; a before and after.

The little wine bar transformation didn't take too much effort at all, to take it from a generic-big-box-store-wine-bar to a industrial-farmhouse-just-the-right-amount-of-rustic-wine-bar. You know, I am really a cottage style girl, but I appreciate and enjoy farmhouse decor in other people's homes, and when I came upon this while out thrifting, it's clean lines caught my eye.

I texted my daughter (whose home is a spectacular example of warm-yet-industrial-farmhouse style) to get her opinion. Of course, my first inclination was to paint the little wine bar white and rough sand it, then replace the glass shelf with a wooden one, and add an additional shelf above the wine bottle area.

She loved it, but pointed out that it was perfectly farmhouse-ready in the original black, and I am not sure why I hadn't seen that. (My first mode of operation is always to paint an item white, because I am of a more cottage style mindset, I guess.)

I added some wood shelves I had cut from plywood, and used my trusty Annie Sloane dark wax to add that deep stained vintage patina, and I the wine bar transformation was complete.

Easy peasy.

And a fun little project, at that.

I'll take it down to my booth later today, or tomorrow, where it will find it's new forever home.Do you reinvent pieces in your home to take them from the mass produced look to unique? I'd LOVE for you to share with me!

The TV weatherman says it's winter, but the grocery store wants me to know it's time to start thinking about spring.

Almost.

So...

I ran to the grocery store last Friday afternoon to pick up a few things, and there it was, out in front, just to the left of the main entrance. 

The scene stopped me dead in my tracks, and I snapped a picture with my phone.

In exactly the same way that retailers bring out Christmas decor in late August, they not-so-not-so-subtly announce spring is coming.(in three more months)

Way, way early, but still, it makes me smile.

Spring is coming. 

Weekly words to live by.

A mid-day post sharing my booth update.

I ended up working last night on my booth space for a few hours, and then needed to go back this morning to finish up, so this morning's post is now coming to you at 1:00 in the afternoon.

Here are a few pictures from my newly refreshed space, and it will be evolving further next week. (And the week after that I think!)

 

Hope you re all looking forward to a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Creative minds are seldom tidy.

Today is the last day of my 25% off everything in my booth sale at Camas Antiques, as my last chance to clear out and make room because tonight I'll be down at the shop doing a major re-do. I've been working on cleaning, painting, reinventing and crafting new and old treasures all week, and I am excited to get in there and change things up.

I'm messy by nature, and when I get going on a project, watch out. There's glitter, and paper snips everywhere, my scissors are inevitably are under a pile of ribbon somewhere when I need them most, and I have to ask Alexa to call my phone so I can follow the sound to find it.

*sigh*

What can I say? I'm in my happy place when I am making a massive mess creating.

(Tell me I am not alone in this.)

I'll show before-and-after pictures tomorrow!

Up close and personal with A Girl in Pink.

It's no secret that I love old, chippy, vintage treasures, as well as using those kinds of things in unique ways, staging them creatively in my home, and in my booth. Because of my passion for junk, I have had the idea brewing in my head to share a closer look into some of the amazing junkers I come across. I figured if I was curious to know their techniques, likes, and dislikes, you all might too, whether you are junker yourself, an aspiring antique booth vendor, or simply a human who appreciates a good behind the scenes interview.

Anyway.

A while back I put my idea into action. I interviewed one of my most favorite fellow junk vendors at Camas Antiques, the incredibly talented and creative, Amanda Bachelder (aka Girl in Pink) and I'm sharing it at long last with you here today....

 

How long have you had your booth at Camas Antiques? Eleven years! I've been there since the shop was two years old. I grew up in Camas and loved it. I always thought to myself, "I’d love to have a store here."

After I got married, I was painting furniture and putting it on consignment at the Daisy Patch, and I also did bazaars. People would ask if I had a store, and it got me thinking about a store. I started at Camas Antiques by selling there on consignment, and then I got a booth downstairs. JoAnne moved me upstairs, and I spent five years in a room there, and then I moved to another booth for six years.

Ever feel burned out on it? Hmmm, no....I don’t know...when I go to an estate sale, and I have fun...I think I’m going to do this forever!!!

How large is your booth? It's a 10x10 space.

What do think your hot ticket items are that customers just can't get enough of? It always changes, but I'd say that consistently, painted dressers sell really well for me. Also, light fixtures...they are hard to keep around! I am always in the hunt for them.

What are your slow-selling, or hard to sell items? Nothing specific, but I know I have tried to bring in things that are not my style and trendy and might sell. I would then have a hard time displaying them, and sometimes they wouldn’t sell. It has to do with the things other vendors sell, and they look good with their stuff, but they don’t blend in with my things…really rusty, crusty…..I can sell it better sometimes at street fairs.

How would you describe your style? Romantic vintage...there is a quote I have on my inspiration board. It says, "Inspired by the patina of age and romance of history."  

I use movies for inspiration. I will watch Jane Austin. I like that time period. I try not to get too carried away with it though. I can go too lacy...I try to have some rustic to compliment the feminine.

Speaking of vision boards...tell me about yours. I have done it for a long time...next to my computer...little odds and ends at estate sales...I stick up there, and pictures from a magazine of a display I love...when I feel like I am losing my style in my booth I look at this to bring me back.

Oh! I love that idea! Do you think the shabby look is still in or are you seeing less of it now? I think it is popular, but it has shifted more to shabby farmhouse as far as trends go.

Do you utilize social media? If so, which ones work best for you? I have had the best success with Facebook...instagram I am a little bit newer at. I have gained sales from Facebook both in the store and shipping items...I have regular shoppers that keep an eye on the store posts and I will ship. A lot of my blog traffic comes from Pinterest...You need to pin your own things.

How many days a week do you work your booth? What is your system?? It changes...I definitely put in a good 40 hours, working in things in between cooking meals and driving kids around...it fluctuates for sure. Some weeks are busier than others. I try to paint at least one substantial or 2-3 smaller pieces each week...Anyway, that is kind of my goal.

Why do you think your booth has been successful? Ha! Probably the first eight years I made just enough to shop to replace what sold and a few things for our own home...the last four years I feel I do contribute to our family income to some degree.  I think it is a standard knowledge among junkers that you only buy something that will fit in your own home. Buying what you love, and can barely stand to part with, are the things that sell.

What advice would you have for someone going into business for themselves? Hmmmm...Be purposeful in your shopping...that is the most important thing. Be thoughtful in your purchases...but what you love, and you know people can use in their home. Consider your style, and make sure you combine a couple of favorite styles. Don’t want to have too much of a mix...narrow down your style to what works together..think about how you are going to display the item. If the item is great, but hard to display, it probably won’t sell...think of how they will perceive your display.

What do you think the biggest mistakes are that vendors make? Probably...hmmm...being desperate for inventory...buying things sometimes that are not really their style (out of desperation to fill a space) or paying too much for something because they love it and then cannot make a profit. It’s ok if it make s great display or something but you’ve tied up funds in things…I am guilty of all of these things!

Do you do any barn sales or Vintage Markets? If so, how many a year? I have only done the Camas Street Fair, and one other. I always plan on the Camas Street Fair. With three kids at home I feel like I can’t commit to any other shows, but I hope to do more in the future. I don’t want my booth to suffer, and if I commit to more shows, I might not have enough. My booth is my priority. I will do Annie Sloan Paint demonstrations at the sidewalk sales.

I once did a blog post about doing ten projects using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. I was painting with latex and didn’t enjoy it. It took weeks to finish a piece, but I loved the look. I started reading about Annie Sloan Paint and I checked it out. No odor! Dried fast! I could paint in my house and finish things quickly! My husband said, "It's expensive. Are you gonna make a profit?"

I did a blog post with one quart of her paint, and Annie Sloan commented on my post!

That had to be exciting! Yes! This gives people a visual of how far the paint goes. I was then sold on it. I went to sf and met Annie Sloan, at a workshop. They said we should sell chalk paint in Camas…and I suggested it to Jo Anne, and I offered to teach workshops each month. Now I do two workshops a month with a color of the month paint sale to coordinate. I try to use that color on pieces in my booth with tags to show it is the color of the month.

If you could change one thing about your booth what that be and why? I’d like to come up with something more unique for the walls. Burlap is practical and cheap but, I am always looking for unique fun backdrop. Someday I will find something!

How do you stay motivated? Doing displays inspires me. I look at my vision board, and go back to my blog to old display pictures…the display part is probably my favorite of all. I actually set up displays in my dining room. I accessorize them and all...we eat in our kitchen nook! I look at it all day and get ideas...thinking about my display, what I need to shop for, and all that. Making a good sale motivates me too! If I go a day without a sale, I lose my motivation a bit...

Do you carry seasonal items for the holidays or seasons? Yes, I do to a point. I love to bring in Christmas and Easter stuff...they work with my style and colors. Fall is harder for me, but I am getting more into it. I do think our customs are shopping for seasonal things. I am planning on doing more of a real theme for the street fair..incorporating fall into my booth doesn’t mean just using a lot of orange, but I have found some rustic elements I am planning to bring in! More burlap and rustic things. I didn't in the past, you know, because of not wanting to store it, but now I have started buying Christmas at summer sales and am putting it away for this year.

Thank you so much for sharing a peek into your style! To learn more about A Girl in Pink, and to follow Amanda, you can find her online here:

 

www.onegirlinpink.blogspot.com

 

https://www.facebook.com/onegirlinpink/ 

 

https://www.pinterest.com/girlinpink/

 

https://www.instagram.com/onegirlinpink

 

 

 

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A woodland themed baby name banner.

I created a woodland theme banner for a baby shower for a family member, and wanted t share how it came out. I'm loaning out my Camp Cupcake plaid rag banner as well, to use as an additional bit of woodland feel. I hope the Mama likes it!

Weekend R & R with David Letterman, Barack Obama, and a football playoff game ending that rocked the house.

I was gonna do a post day with some Valentine's Day ideas, but the weekend just kind of slipped by me, in a restful-relaxing-over-the-top-exciting-end-of-a-ball-game, and that post didn't happen.

 

(Sometimes you just need to be present in the moment and take a breather to refuel, you know?)

 

The weekend began with my bestie since 5th grade joining us on the train ride back to Vancouver Saturday, and then my daughter headed for home to get back in the grove of running her house full of men. We then proceeded to continue our visit way into the night, talking, and eating too much pizza. 

 

We slept in Sunday, and enjoyed the football playoff games in our pajammies. (Oh. My. Ga. The last ten seconds of the Vikings-Saints game was a football moment to remember, and I still do not think Ralph has come down from the high of watching Stefon Diggs run across that touchdown line.) 

 

We watched an incredible (at least to me) new David Letterman show on Netflix that Ralph had watched while I was out of town, and he claimed was a must-watch. He was so right. It took me about three minutes to get accustomed to Letterman's new grey-bearded look, but it's the same Letterman humor and style, and having former President Obama as his first guest was perfection in my mind. (It is especially timely with today being Martin Luther King Day.)

 

If you are a Netflixer, it is a must-see, and if you are not a Netflixer, you should try it for a free trial month just for this show alone. (You watch Netflix shows on demand, so no need to wait for the episode to be scheduled...) It's called "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction" and, if you like Letterman, and you want to watch a feel-good kind of intimate interview coupled with call to action to simply be a better person, you will enjoy this show.

 

Just saying'.

 

So, that was my weekend. How was yours? 

 

#govikings #bestfriends #itdontgetbetterthanthis #acottageindustry

Weekly words to live by.

A quick hello from the emerald city.

The train ride to Seattle was nothing like what I had imagined, but so much fun, and completely relaxing yesterday.

I am positive pretty sure I was expecting the Orient Express, with deep navy blue velvet drapes on all of the windows, and white tablecloths and fine silver in the dining car, while a suited waiter took our lunch orders. (I know. You have to remember that I live in Traceyville for the most part, and not the real world...)

We first took our seats in the business class car, (which, if like me, you haven't ridden a train before, was much like boarding an airplane, with far more aisle and leg room) and we decided to check out the dining car as soon as the train left our station. We actually ended up sitting in the dining car the entire three hour ride while we rode the rails, because there were huge windows, with tables and booth seating, and enjoyed mimosas and a bag of potato chips. 

(Again...I know. The hot dogs from the Cafe Cart on the train just didn't look enticing enough for us, so we opted to eat a late lunch once we got to Seattle.)

We will most likely be bringing a picnic lunch for the ride home on Saturday, and looking forward to being able to sit and visit the entire was back to Vancouver in the dining car once again.

#girlsweekendinseattle #nottheorientexpress #acottageindustry

Girl's trip on the train.

Squeeeeeeeeee.....!

I'm leaving this morning with my daughter to go on my first-ever real take-a-trip-by-train trip. We are going up to Seattle (about three hours) to visit my oldest girlfriend, who is up from wet and rainy southern California on a business trip. (This is partially a continuation of her big six-oh birthday!) 

We will most definitely enjoy some top-quality girl time, while sharing a room downtown, and then all three of us will then take the train back to Vancouver on Saturday. That way, we can visit, and eat, and laugh, and drink, and enjoy the scenery, and whatever else we please.

Too much fun, amIright?! 

Ralph got me my train ticket for Christmas, along with some mad money for the train ride, so I am doubly-excited. (How sweet was that?)

I'm sure I'll be posting from the road (and the train even has wi-fi!) but right now I've got to finish packing!

#notthelasttraintoclarksville #bigsixoh #Seattlegirlstrip #acottageindustry

A little more background on my business and business name. (To go with today's earlier post.)

A second mini-post of the day to piggy back onto today's post...

First of all, thank you so much for all of the ideas and suggestions and questions surround what business or business I am referring to when I consider a name change! Every comment has caused me to consider new perspectives and options! (The Other Tracey has me on pins and needles waiting to talk on the phone with her to hear her always fabulous ideas, and Leslie Brown, you had me laughing at the forward thinking of the possibility down the road that my last name could change!) You all see things from angles I had never thought of or considered!!!

So...more background.

When I am talking about changing from A Cottage Industry to something possibly with my real name (or not, once I hear the Other Tracey's ideas!) I am wanting to brand all aspects of things I do into one single name. This includes my blog, my booth space at Camas Antiques, and my Cottage Industry etsy shop. I think my tee shirts are going to be going away, as the manufacturer discontinued my favorite V-neck tee and I haven't really been selling as many as I had hoped. (You never know until you try!)

I hope this helps to clarify what all I am referring to when I did my last post! Thank you again so very much for your invaluable ideas and input!

What's in a name?

Before I begin today's blog post, I want to thank each and every one of you that left me encouraging comments here on my blog, or Facebook, or messenger!!!! 

Oh, the love!

It warmed my heart and it is comforting to hear other's stories of passing through this same fork in the road of life at one time or another.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

So, on to today's post.

What's in a name?

No, I mean that seriously.

I titled today's post "What's in a name?" because I have been pondering the business name that has been with me since 2006. My daughter and I were having our planning day, talking business ideas and organization shortly before Christmas when the topic came up. I have been considering changing my logo, and kind of doing a fresh re-branding of things. That's when the topic of my current company name came up. She told me she actually didn't know what a cottage industry was until I explained it to her at one time. (She thought I had just liked the "cottage" word in the title, to create a feeling...) Her point was that since she had not known the origin, maybe a lot of others didn't either, and perhaps changing the name entirely to possibly something including my own name might make sense at this point in time. 

This idea had been presented to me before, a few years back by one of my favorite creative online friends, Carol Spinski (who began in the blog world as Raised in Cotton and later changed things to simply use her own name...) and revisiting this idea inspired me and got me thinking. (So much so that I got all sidetracked for about ten minutes of our fun planning session and had to be reeled back in to the plans we were working on at the time.) Thinking on it, many of my fellow bloggers and shop keep friends started out with names that were clever, but perhaps not recognizable with the person running the show, and later changed to using their names.

This little quandary has been in the back of my mind for nearly a month, and I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject! Let me start by sharing what my current business name, "A Cottage Industry" actually means.

If you look it up in Webster's dictionary, you will find:

A Cottage Industry
 1. An industry whose labor force consists of family units or individuals working at home with their own equipment
 2. A small and often informally organized industry
 3. A limited but enthusiastically pursued activity or subject

As for number three, while I don't feel my business passion is limited by any means, I am incredibly enthusiastic, and therefore, all three definitions describe me and what I do pretty accurately, and that is how I chose the name "A Cottage Industry" for my business.

All of this being said, many people do not or won't ever know what A Cottage Industry is, although I am not thoroughly convinced that they need to in order to recognize my brand and like my style. (We all know Pottery Barn is not actually a barn full of pottery, nor is Restoration Hardware a hardware store, after all.)

On the flip side, going with my name in some way, shape or form has it's advantages. It's easily recognizable, for starters. Some of the ideas I have come up with if I were to change the name, are:

Tracey Buxton (Simple. and after all, Martha Stewart, Rachel Ashwell, and so many others go simply by their given names.)

Tracey Buxton Designs

Tracey Buxton Creates

Tracey Made

Tracey buxton Creations

I may be making a mountain out of a molehill here, and over-thinking it all. I could leave well enough alone and stick with A Cottage Industry.....do you see why I would love your input?

Help, please.

#whatsinaname? #acottageindustry #amIoverthinking?

My street address says Washington, but I am living in a state of uncertainty.

And some days I am more okay with that than others.

When you're out of work not by choice, that's how it is, I think. I have faith that everything will work out, because...well, because I have faith.

While searching for that illusive next career job position, I have kept myself insanely (and quite happily, I might add.) busy with the things I am passionate about; my family and friends, my paper creations, my home, and my booth space in Camas. Having the opportunity to spend more time doing these things has been (and continues to be) the sweet spot in my life, but I can't help but kind of hold my breath as I wonder what I am going to be doing for grocery money a year from now....what adventure God has planned for me next, after I learn this latest mysterious life lesson He is most assuredly trying to teach me. I have yet to discover what the lesson is,  but I know it will be clear to me later, when I am looking back on this chapter in my life.(Is it patience? Is it trust?)

Truth be told, I rather fear that I am making a full-on career out of starting over every so many years. I know. It's all about getting back up when you're knocked down, but I feel like I already mastered that, think my character has been built pretty substantially over these past eleven or so years. (Uh-oh. Maybe it is about fully giving up control...again.)

Anyway, last night I was job hunting online, and packaging up etsy orders, and worrying...which I truly do not do all that often. As I said, I have faith. I am continually reciting this verse in my head: "She is clothed in strength, and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."Proverbs 31:25  

It's just that I'm sixty-one-derful and I am still searching to figure out what I am supposed to be doing job-slash-career-wise. I picture my grown children having hushed conversations behind my back, scratching their heads and wondering what kind of job their Mom is going to be doing next. Large Animal Veterinarian recruiter? Mochaccino Barista? Glitter Sales-Ambassador? I keep looking at Harland Sanders over there on my stack of string, and reminding myself that he eventually found success doing something he cared about, and it turned out all right.

I was on the verge of getting myself all kinds of jacked-up when I came across this quote: Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything. Maybe it's about un-becoming everything that isn't really you so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.

Can it be that easy? 

I guess I'm gonna smile, while I take my seat on the bus and stop trying to drive it, (Again.) and watch what happens.

#onlyGod #Idontevenlikecoffee #mynotsoordinarylife #livinonaprayer

My favorite thing about printable crafting...

...is that you can get as creative-and-crafty (or not!) as you like, and you can make multiple creations from a single design!

I am knee deep in Valentine idea development for my etsy shop, and there is glitter, and snips of paper literally everywhere in my home. It occurred to me as I was making four different looking banners from a single template I designed, that this is exactly what I like most about printables like this. (Well, that and the fact that printable files are an instant download, so you get them as soon as you buy them.) Some of the banners I did all fancy, goofy-la-rue, and some I printed on white and cream cardstock, and called it good. 

It's a case of sometimes less is more, and sometimes, more is more. (It all depends on the look you're after.)

When you use a printable banner, card, tag, flag, (you-fill-in-the-blank) you can simply print it, cut it out, and use it as intended...

...or you can add additional paper to it....

...or add embellishments like glitter, if you're so inclined....

....and you can do it over and over again...

...for yourself, and friends, and family...to to tuck inside a card asa little surprise, or for someone to hang in their cubical, home office, or whatever....

...and you only pay for it one time.

Boom.

How cool is that?

And, it doesn't take a lot of skill, either. If you're wanting to jazz up something you printed, you would simply:

• print it
• cut it out
• use a simple glue stick to glue the printed piece to a background paper
• cut that piece out
• spray with spray glue (I do this part outdoors, or in my garage, using a cardboard box to catch over-spray) I use the 3M 
• dust with glitter (I like iridescent glitter, and I get mine at Walmart) over a piece of wax paper to catch over-flow

• finish off the piece as needed (string it together if it's a banner, or use a glue stick to glue flags to dowels, etc.)

See what I mean? Easy-peasy.

If you haven't tried printable seasonal decorations, hop on over to etsy, and have a look-see at all of the new Valentine's goodies there. You just might want to try your hand at printing and making your own this year.

#valentinesday #glitterismyjam #acottageindustry #shop.acottageindustry #printablevalentines

Weekly words to live by.

#weeklywordstoliveby  #hello2018

Another little peek at my booth at Camas Antiques.

Last night I fluffed my booth at Camas Antiques, and actually took more out than I added in, (as you can see by these photos...) so I will be popping back in there later today to finish stocking up with fresh finds.

As is always the case in retail, we are ahead of the curve, looking to the next season or holiday. Valentine's items are now being displayed here and there, and I've found a few little Valentine treasures myself...(I scored some vintage Valentines last summer!)

Anyway, this got me wondering just how many of you decorate or by gifts for Valentines Day. Please share with me!

Camp Cupcake, the winter version. (Part Two.)

As I said in yesterday's post, Camp Cupcake 2017 had to be postponed from summer's end, until mid-December. During the original planning stages, I decided it would be fun to bring on my two oldest grand babes (Carter and Isabelle, both eight at the time) as Junior Camp Counselors. 

They were thrilled, to say the least, and we began planning activities for this year's Camp Cupcake. We even held a three-way-call phone meeting to finalize plans, and divide up who would be in charge of which activities and such...so much fun!

Camp began with everyone checking out their goodie bags, eating lunch, and putting on their camp shirts.

We had fun making bird seed molds to hang in the tree for the birds...

...made beaded necklaces with arrowheads...

...and had fun doing crafts...

...and team competitions, like racing with cotton balls on spoons...

...going on a scavenger hunt,and sitting by the fire with our cocoa...

 We did some fun night time activities as well. The all time favorite by far was night bowling. You take empty two liter bottles, drop neon glow sticks in them (Buy them at the dollar store!) and put the bottle cap back on. Voila'! Instant bowling in the dark!

I bought lightweight sleeping bags last summer for $11 each, and everyone piled into the living room for the night.

I would have to say that a great time was had by all!

Camp Cupcake, the winter version. (Part One)

Twenty Seventeen was a crazy year, and my annual Camp Cupcake ended up getting postponed last-minute due to a terrible cold bug hitting part of the campers the week of camp. Instead of being Labor Day weekend, we opted for a mid-December camp. I'm finally sharing some of the details here today!

Let's start with the set up, shall we?

I used my back patio, and we set up the outdoor heaters, along with the fire pit, and blankets for all of the campers, so we would be warm and dry, regardless of the weather...but we needn't have worried. The weather cooperated! A bit chilly, but no rain, ice, or snow!

I made a plaid flannel and wool tied banner, swagger across the roof area for added fun this year too...

I set up each camper's gear at the table, and made name tags for their chairs, as well as their camp stools by the fire pit. Everyone was given a camp hat this year, instead of the pennants we have used own the past to hold their badges earned. Enamel mugs for cocoa, and chili in the crock pot to go along with the hot dogs we would roast....

 

I use pie pans as plates for that mess-hall style, and added a few more campy touches to the patio...

I did the bulk of my set up the morning of camp. (Camp started around noon, as soon as the out-of-town campers arrived.) The camp patio setting looked great, and I could hardly wait for my campers to arrive! Tomorrow I will be sharing pictures from this year's camp, so stay tuned!

 

#campcupake  #acottageindustry  #lovemesomegrandbabies #babyitscoldoutside

 

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2018, the year of big plans, and colorful planners.

...and I am excited to put my plans into action! This will be the first time I have ever attempted to use an actual written-out-goal-setting-calendar-notebook type structured set up, and getting used to checking my planner to see what I am shooting for daily is a work in progress itself.

I am a creative type, as you most certainly must already know about me, and time management outside of a structured workplace environment is very foreign to me.(Weird, because at work, I am uber organized.)

Since being laid off from my career job, I find myself struggling to keep any sort of routine and schedule in place. One thing seems to lead to another, and more often than not, the best laid plans end up resulting in several new projects and ideas started by day's end, with nothing actually fully completed.

This is not only frustrating, but also not productive.

My daughter got me my planner for my birthday last month, along with a set of colored ball point pens to post things in various ways. She then gave me the incredible gift of her time to help me build out my plan of attack for twenty-eighteen using the planner method. By color-coding different aspects of my day (blog posts, etsy items, errands, my booth, family activities, exercise, etc) I am now able to see at a glance what my tomorrow looks like, and I can check off my accomplishments.

I'm loving it!

(I know. It's only January second.)

Still...I'm loving it!!

The feel of being in absolute control of my own day is empowering!

What methods of time management do you use? How do you juggle all the balls throughout your day? If you use a planner, how do you like to lay things out? I'd love to hear your ideas!

#gettingorganizedin2018 #acottageindustry

And just like that, it is twenty-eighteen.

I love the fresh clean slate a new year represents, and I especially like new year's day, because, I always use it as my last day to veg on the sofa, watch mindless TV, and eat the last of the junk food in the house. I don't know about you, but I like to start that seemingly never-ending list of resolutions on January second, thankyouverymuch.

I hope your New Year's Day is restful, and relaxing, and filled with all the things you enjoy.

#hello2018  #happynewyear #outwiththeoldinwiththenew