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What’s up, Buttercup?

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Hi, All!

What’s up, Buttercup? Lots of good stuff! A list of some of the things that flew by the last two months: End of DD’s school year, Mother’s Day, planted my garden, ran a 5K with my sister, Father’s Day, swimming lessons with DD, Waupaca Strawberry Fest craft fair (and the hard work that went into that grand event!), hurting my back, camping at Mirror Lake, and now baking in the hot sun! When does the “summer vacation” start? Ha! Never. But it’s all good. There is literally never a dull or boring moment. I just need to manage my time a little better.

Missie S. (ie-giggleFritz) with Sock Monkeys – Waupaca Strawberry Fest 2018

As I noted above, the giggleFritz and Co. booth traveled to Waupaca, WI to take part in the Strawberry Fest craft fair. We haven’t been to this event in many years, but it is still the awesome shindig it was before. The turnout was good and the strawberry shortcake was great! Thank you to everyone that stopped by our booth, bought an item, or just told me they like the things I make!

Have a lovely Friday, All!

Missie S.

Spring is here, Baby!!

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Oh the difference some nice weather makes!

This time last week it was snowing. Snowing!! My crocuses had come up before we had two snow storms. As the snow started to melt, you could see them poking through the snow. THAT is a tough flower! Now my bulbs are in full bloom. Every time we go outside DD must count and “boop” each flower. She can’t wait to start picking dandelions.

Purple Crocus
Crocuses between Lilac Bushes

The nice weather is really making a difference. People I have talked to or run into today seem happier. Everything is greening up and neighbors have been out doing yard work. I have been planning our vegetable garden and researching which apple trees I want to plant this year. This is spring!

I am off to make sock monkeys! Have a fantastic Wednesday!

Missie

 

Happy Spring, Happy Easter!

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Happy Spring and Happy Easter, Everyone!

Easter weekend was a whirlwind! Saturday we spent with my husband’s family. We had a lovely lunch, went bowling, and brought home tons of Easter treats. We had a blast!

On Easter Sunday we hosted my family’s Easter at our house. After a beautiful Easter church service we came back to our house and had brunch. We talked, laughed, ate ham and German potato salad. Time flew by too quickly.

While I was preparing our house for our get-together, I thought it would be nice to get a little fancy and use my mom’s China.   I am not a fan of paper/disposable anything. My own dinnerware is looking shady. But, it was Easter (THE most important holy day for Christians!), so I dusted off my mom’s beautiful China.

Family China – “Regency Rose”

Before we ate, my sister said to me, “Remember when we used to go all out for Easter? We’d get dressed up for church and have a sit down dinner?” She was pleasantly surprised when I told her we would be using mom’s china for our meal. It was a beautiful Easter in so many ways!

Before we met up with my husband’s family on Easter weekend, I received a call saying my sewing machine was ready to be picked up. I was SO happy! Not only did I pick up my old pal (and now she runs like butter!) I purchased a new machine! It is a great machine (Janome) and I still have so much to learn about it.

So, I am up and running again. I have been catching up around the house from Easter and sewing new things to list and put in my booth at The WB Merchantile.

Have a wonderful Saturday, and try to do something either fancy, relaxing, or both! 😉

Missie

 

Index Card Binder

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Hello, All!

As I wait for the return of my sewing machine I am working on my wire bound notebooks. From sales on the “Note-to-Self Mini” fabric portfolios I have learned that many people organize their lives with index cards. People tell me they use 3 x 5 inch index cards on a daily basis and they use the mini fabric portfolio to hold their cards and help keep organized. After some research (that has actually gone on for several months, but hasn’t been acted on) I decided to make an index card binder. I didn’t know these were so popular. However, after making one I know I want to make more! They are very cute and I can’t help thinking about all the ways index cards could help me get my act together.

Index Card Binder for 3 x 5 in index cards – by giggleFritz and Co.

I will be making more of these and getting them in the booth at The WB Merchantile in West Bend and in my online shops. I am not sure which size is more popular: 3 x 5 in or 4 x 6 in. Let me know in the comments if you use index cards. What do you use them for? Do you prefer the 3 x 5 or the 4 x 6.

I am still antsy without my sewing machine.  I have a lot of work to do and will have to get hopping when I get it home again. Until then I get to work with pretty papers and try out some new things. I can live with that!

Have a great Wednesday!

Missie S. 🙂

March 14, 2018 – Getting Antsy

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Happy Wednesday, All!

Last Saturday I took my sewing machine in for annual maintenance to Heuer’s Sewing Center in Fond du Lac, WI. I had a nice mini road trip! I brought some old CDs, packed a healthy lunch, and did some fabric shopping at Joann Fabric after I delivered my machine. There was a GREAT sale going on and a nice lady slipped me a coupon! SCORE!

I miss you, old pal! 🙁

Although I had a lovely weekend, I am starting to get antsy without my machine. I have been working on organizing and doing ‘business-y” things this week. Today I will be pressing and cutting fabric for bibs and books. But it feels funny to not finish things up and go all assembly line. I am hoping to speed up productivity at least.

New Flannel Fabric

While I was at Joann Fabric, of course I started talking to the other ladies in the fabric cutting line (That was the BEST part of my mini trip! I am pretty much an introvert, but have no problem talking to nice lady strangers. ;)) Part of our conversation was sewing machines. I need a new machine, but have put off buying one for years. I should really invest in a new one and use my current one as a back up. So, that is my next project: looking into a new machine. The ladies I spoke with said they love their Baby Lock machines. I had never heard of that brand. Anyone else use a Baby Lock? Do you like it?

I have to roll. My fabric is calling, and I must go!

Have a fabulous Wednesday!

Missie S.

 

 

March 9, 2018

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Hello, Everyone!

It seems like a slow time of year for the handmade industry, but the truth is: It’s HUSTLE time!!! I have been working on Sock Monkeys, Socktopus, and Note-to-Self Mini books and slowly building my inventory. Now that my daughter is 4 years old and is part “helper”, part sassy pants, I have more time/freedom to get  some more things done.  I have been renting space in our local handmade store, “The WB Merchantile” in downtown West Bend, WI.

giggleFritz and Co. booth in The WB Merchantile
West Bend, WI

As I add things to my booth and snap a picture each time, I can’t help but feel I will need a bigger space. As I said, it is HUSTLE time!!!

Have a Fantastic Friday and Weekend!

Missie S.

 

January 24, 2018 – Diet and Animal Crackers

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Hello All!

I didn’t make any New Year resolutions this year. I never do. I just try to stay positive and plan for things I want to see happen, or not happen. Last week, however, I tried a new diet and it seems to fit into the New Year resolution category of eating better in 2018. I cut out sugar and processed wheat for a whopping 5 days! MAN, that was hard!

I tried, I REALLY tried! I avoided temptation like a boss, even when my husband forgot to order my chili from Culver’s and brought me home a soda and some custard. I drank a lot of water. I ate a lot of eggs, oatmeal, and peanut butter. Friends who have similar diet restrictions lent their support and tips. (For that I am forever grateful [Wendy L.!!!]) I looked up recipes and was bombarded with what seemed like foreign food. I went through some lousy withdrawal symptoms and felt proud that I was detoxing for the greater good. In the end, the anxiety of not finding enough to eat, the constant feeling of not being satisfied after I ate, and not being able to think straight got to me. In the beginning, my thought was, “There will never be a “good” time to do this diet,” so I just started it. The fact is, I really need my brain to function at full capacity NOW. I will try again in the future. At the very least this was a great practice run.

Animal Crackers – These were the first food I chowed down on after my “diet”. They were SO GOOD!!

Did you have a New Year resolution? Are you still working on it, or have you called it quits? Let me know in the comments.

So, that’s what I’ve been up to lately. Failing diets, sewing, and taking care of my loved ones, and watching some TV. There’s some more stuff, but I got to go sew some more stuff!

Have a fantastic Wednesday, Everyone who reads my blog!!

Missie S.

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2018!!

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I hope everyone is having an excellent 2018 so far. At the very least I hope we are all keeping warm.

giggleFritz

I haven’t shown up here in the last two months. What have I been doing? We participated in St. Ann’s Holiday Gift Fair and that was a lot of fun! The people were great and sales were good. It really got us into the holiday spirit!

After St. Ann’s I had a large order to fill and it took me some time to finish. Afterward, my family and I spent most of December sick. It was odd, we are usually healthy and haven’t been that sick in years. I really think our daughter being in preschool this year had a lot to do with it. Combine the stress of the holidays with lots of germs from small children and you are left down for the count!

I am up and at ‘em again! It’s back to school time and I have been cleaning up, organizing, and making plans. I am working on inventory and will be filling my shop soon.

Let’s work hard for a happy and healthy 2018!

Missie S.

November 1, 2017

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Good Morning and Happy November 1st!

Today I am continuing filling up my booth for St. Ann’s Holiday Gift Fair Nov. 11th. I don’t think I will get everything listed on the web site or in the Etsy shop before this last craft fair of the year. If there is something you are looking for that is not listed, perhaps a certain color, please contact me:

Email: missie@gigglefritz.com

(My contact page is currently out of commission since the last Word Press update. Lots of work to do!)

The newest Socktopus in the giggleFritz shop:

Silver and Gold Stars and Stripes Socktopus – SOLD

 

My sewing machine calls! Have a Fantastic Wednesday!

Missie S. (giggleFritz!)