Hello again after... two years away? Man, that was quite the hiatus...
Now, where was I?
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Honestly, I let my health and doubt dictate a lot of why I was away.
I won't go into too much detail regarding my health, but it's been a struggle. It's recently become more manageable after finding proper doctors, but it took a while to get there, and a lot of energy. I am thankful for the group treating me now. It's making it easier to get back to crafts and my small business.
Doubt kept me down most of the time, though. It's a cruel bugger, it is. I'd get an idea for a post, but I'd let it tell me it was stupid. It told me I wasn't good enough to have a blog a shop for that matter. It told me I needed to shut up and stop trying because no one cared about anything I was saying. It was very rude.
It still is, but I'm fighting back and writing despite it telling me I'm dumb for telling a bunch of internet strangers how I'm feeling. I'd rather write somewhere than nowhere and maybe connect with someone than let myself feel stupid and not talk about what interests me. If I enjoy the process, then I guess that counts as something.
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As far as the highlights of the past two years: my fiancé and I welcomed two more cats into our home in 2020 from a litter we helped take care of, and I got engaged last year. :)
We've also been updating the house here in the country. I did a ton of work in the garden this summer, my sweetheart has been on top of lawn care, and he got our mailbox up as well as boards we need for trim repair. It's slow-going, but I'm happy with what we've done. I will be sharing the decorating in future blog posts, so look out for that!
I think we're all caught up now, so onto the seasonal stuff: Fall projects and activities! Who else is excited?
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Decorating
The first thing I did Thursday morning was decorate our front porch.
I don't do a lot mostly because it's my preference, but also because we're only one of two houses that do any kind of decorations for the seasons. It feels a little awkward. Still, the pumpkin doormat and metal jack-o-lantern heads went out with fresh red mums in them.
I really enjoy the metal pumpkins, especially with votive candles in them at night. Our landlord left them behind, and I found them last year when cleaning/rummaging through the garage shelves. I have no idea where they're from, but they're fun!
A couple decorating projects I'd like to do involve ghosts. I'm really into ghosts this year. The Pottery Barn Ghost Pillow has come across my Instagram and Facebook feeds multiple times. While I can't justify the price to buy theirs, I found this DIY tutorial on Instagram to make one for a lot less. Naturally I have to try making one now. Crafty-minded people logic, right?
I'm also loving ghosts made from air dry clay like this. I have a small ceramic ghost on a pumpkin from Joann Fabric (his name is Jed), and I think he could use some friends to haunt the halls with. What do you think?
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Gardening
This year, my Fall Project List includes gardening. I have Peony bulbs coming from Eden Brothers (not sponsored or affiliated). I ordered Copper Image Peonies, and they look STUNNING! I'm really excited to have them in our round bed out front. They'll get all the sun they need and no other plants will fight them for space. I got word that they shipped, so I should be receiving them soon.
There's some weeding and mulching to finish, too. I didn't quite make it through the side garden bed this summer, and the weeds ran amuck. I'm not worried about that, though; whatever grew provided the butterflies and bees extra flowers. Next Spring will bring my game face back to finish the gardens.
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Crafting
While I love fall and want to dive into every Halloween and Autumn-based project and event I see online, I must first get through what's already in my project bags.
Currently On My Needles-
Highland Cow Plush for my shop. I have four legs, a tail, a horn, and assembly to do.
Yarn Cozy Lite by Knitty Natty. I plan to over-dye the yarn I'm using since I don't like the color. I'm making these cozies for myself :)
Currently On My Crochet Hook-
Scarecrow Doll Prototype and Baby Bats
I have a lot I need to focus on for my shop, too, but I'm trying not to overwhelm myself. I think I have the right kind of system to test for its success, and I'll announce more here and on my social media when I get it sorted. One thing at a time.
What do you do to welcome Fall? Are there any special projects you're excited about?
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