And Then The Flu Happened...

Uh huh... and it was all going so well! I won't bore you with the long and painful story. Suffice to say we are alive and breathing. Nearly three weeks have gone by but I am starting to resume normal life again... I truly hope that all of you had a much better ending to 2016 than I! I hope to be reassured of this as I go back and catch up on all of the posts and happenings that I missed!

Because the hubs and son were working out of town for most of December, and because The Flu Happened, we will be observing Christmas (and all fall/winter birthdays)with our closest family on January 14th. Hey! Better late than never, right? But party prep and planning are in full swing here, so the minis have been demoted to the end of the priority list.

 Let me just tease you with a few up-to-date photos of the cookbook projects and tell you that many new and exciting developments are afoot in my mini world and I can't wait to share it all! Soon, very soon!

Mine...

Tasha's...

Hope to see you all back here the week of January 16th! Until then, I hope you are all well and off to an exciting 2017, too!

Just Checking In...

Congratulations to all of the participants in this year's HBS Creatin' Contest. I know that we are all so excited to finally be able to see everyone's secret entries! No doubt there will be incredibly creative ideas and some amazing mini works of art. I wish all of the entrants the best of luck!

I've managed to keep myself busy in the 21 day absence of my wonderful husband, but am excited to report that he is on his way home for the weekend! He'll have to head back up to the job site for final inspections Sunday night, but I should have him back home for good next Thursday - just in time for Christmas!

This is about where I've gotten to this week on my kitchen-scene-in-a-cookbook (of course I had to do one for me, too). The (not so) secret one from my last post is just about completed. A special little detail is in a package from New Orleans. It was supposed to arrive Monday, but it somehow ended up in Opa Locka, FL! It stopped in Montgomery, AL for a visit too! This is it's ninth day in the mail. I sure hope it arrives in one (or two) piece/s!

I have lots still to make and to add, but I am loving the vintage colors! The bottle tells me that this is celery green, but come on! It's totally avocado!

I hope to fit Nancy's wonderful succulent kit into the queue soon, too! She wasn't sure about the green colored leaves, so she sent me a white set, as well! I have enough to make 14 adorable succulents - I'll need every one to fill up the upcoming flower shop project. Can't wait to get started on both!

I hope you have a happy, happy weekend and get to enjoy all that the season has to offer. A hot buttered rum sounds just about perfect to me!

The Weather Outside is Frightful!

It is cold and dreary here in the northwest... In fact, we got about six inches of snow last night! The puppies had so much fun investigating, and within just a few minutes, the back yard was completely covered in paw prints! We had to make several trips out, warming up by the fireplace in between. It is mostly melted today, but we have more on the way for Tuesday.

There's no better way to spend a dreary day than to work on minis! I have made some good progress on my (not so) secret project, though I am still waiting on a couple special pieces to finish it off. It's character has certainly emerged, and it fits my daughter to a "t". She's vibrant and fun and full of joy!

Material  for both aprons and tea towels printed on cotton fabric.

Natasha's apron assembled.

Here you can see where the apron will hang.
It was tough making sure nothing would stick out too far
and prevent the cover from closing!

I am still working on what will be included on the table shelf.
I think I am thinking too hard.

The chipboard shelves I made using the Cricut worked out wonderfully!

This is really my first time working in "mixed media",
so I spent a lot of time toiling over what to do!

Here is the back cover. I have made several pockets for storing
family recipe's which I'll re-write on recipe cards that are part
of the Kiss The Cook line of products.

I am astounded that there is only two weeks left until Christmas, and three until 2016 is completed. I hope all of you are able to make every moment count with those who mean the most to you!

Jodi