crafting and reading

March is National Craft Month.  To me every day should have some crafting included in it.  What have you been crafting lately?  I love to see others creativity.  Besides designing items for my Etsy shop, I actually took some time to design something for me.  I purchased this beaded Easter Angel banner kit from Herrschners.  I really like how it turned out.  Beading, whether for jewelry or something like item is quite relaxing.  Sometimes it helps me to think through a problem or whatever is happening in my life at the time and other times I'm just "in the zone". 

I have been doing a lot of reading lately.  One book I recently was quite appropriate for the so called National Craft Month.  The book was The Quilter's Apprentice by Jennifer Chiaverini.  I went to a library used book sale, saw the cover and just knew it would be interesting.  By reading it, not only do you learn a variety of quilting styles, but you learn about family dynamics.  One of the most fitting themes for me in this story is how to not let your family split up over nonsense.  You only get one family.  My family means everything to me.  We are very, very close.  However, my extended family...not so much.  Its really a shame how some people don't want family.  When I think back, my extended family started to deteriorate years ago over money and wills.  Some people can only see one thing and only want one thing and will do whatever it takes to get to that end. Very sad indeed!  Surprisingly I stay strong and its made my immediate family and I even closer and happier.  Can't knock us down!  A song comes to mind with the verse, "I get knocked down, but I get up again".   Yep!  So readers, if there is conflict in your family....try to fix it.  If you get rebuked, at least you can say that you tried and then go hug your own immediate family and be thankful for them.

Until next time....

Melissa

What has been happening at the Cozy Cottage

It sure has been a while since I last posted.  It has been a trying time at my Cozy Cottage.  My mother who had been in hospice since January of 2012, passed away on October 6, 2012.  We had been having difficulties in our relationship for over a year prior to her going into hospice.  I am happy that my daughter and I were able to have long talks with her and work through all of it before it was too late.   There were many visits that were very enlightening to us.  We had gotten close to many of the staff members at the hospice center, who were a great comfort to us, during her stay there and after her passing.  I hope my mother is now at peace as I truly believe she lived with untreated depression and spent decades living with an ongoing family situation that she chose to accept instead of acknowledging and changing.  It is a shame how things played out, but I truly believe in two things.  One, the truth always comes out whether it be in my lifetime or not....the truth will be shown.  Secondly, karma has a wicked way of evening things out. 

So after just focusing and dealing with my grief, I decided that working on designs for my Etsy shop would help me deal with everything.  Crafting is an excellent way to relieve stress and tension.  My husband, daughter, and I decided to vendor at a few holiday craft shows which we were successful at plus we met lots of other great crafters.  Christmas at my shop was very good!  My angel tree toppers were just flying out of my cozy cottage.  Excuse the pun.  LOL!  Now that spring is just around the corner, I've decided to do a thorough clean out of my studio.  I have a whole section of "Destash Supplies" filled with ribbons, fabrics, etc., and with a whole lot more coming.

It was nice finally visiting with you and I hope to visit more often in future.  I hope to see you at my cozy cottage.

Until next time....

Melissa