The Boutique Biz

      So... I haven't written a post since Christmas. 😬  I have been busy though!   After years of being the craft fair mommy and traveling all about setting up, tearing down, packing and unpacking my wares at craft fairs, farmers markets and festivals I decided (actually "decided" may be the wrong word- the opportunity presented itself and I thought, "Heh why not?") to open a brick and mortar store front- Raspberry Hill Boutique.  I can sell my goods, provide a venue for my fellow craft fair momma friends to sell their wares, have a workshop space where we can teach fabulously fun craft classes and enjoy going to work every day!  It's my happy place!!

The adventure began with just a key.

We took possession of the building.  We cleaned, we painted, we moved in new tables and started setting up our displays. 

We had an adorable first customer! 

After having a soft opening we threw our Grand Opening party.  We put together gift bags filled with coupons, candy, and free products for the first 25 shoppers and they were gone in 3 minutes!  I absolutely loved seeing a line form out front on the sidewalk before we opened the doors.  We had put so much work into preparing for the day and it was a smashing success! 

I have an amazing group of local artisans, crafters and vendors in the boutique with me that are willing to help me out.  They have painted, cleaned, assembled tables and so much more.  I am very fortunate to have them by my side during this amazing journey.   My vendors create hand poured soy candles, natural stone jewelry, painted furniture, decor, crocheted doll cloths, and other crocheted items.  They offer custom sewing, alterations, embroidery, screen printing, vinyl and sublimation.  We have hand crafted greeting cards, hand carved and painted gourds, purses, art and so many gifts!  I love that I can help support all of these wonderful small local businesses and work together beside them to help us all succeed.   

Our next project after opening was to "spruce up" our classroom.  I ordered chairs and used folding tables for my guests to craft at for the first few months. 

 The classroom also needed painted so after a few months of classes I was able to do so.  The room was FULL of stuff and we were crunched for time due to an upcoming class so we had to climb over and under plastic draped furniture but we got it done in just 3 days!  Then I was just recently was able to upgrade to bar height workbenches and bar stools (that haven't arrived yet).  Love!  

I thoroughly enjoy teaching craft classes as well as attending them.  I hold them regularly and would love to see you there!  You can see our full schedule of classes and purchase your tickets on our website www.raspberryhillboutique.com.  You can also rent the DIY Market room to hold your own class or meeting.  Also- I do private parties!  Birthdays, custom wedding decor and gifts, baby shower decor and gifts plus more.  Plus- if you book a private party and 6 friends attend then your craft is FREE!  

Raspberry Hill Boutique has so much to offer and I enjoy it so very much!  Thank you all for your support and I hope to see you soon!!

Christmas 2017

Christmas 2017 is in the books!  The only things left to do is pack up the decor and spend the gift cards!  We had another whirlwind season packed full of fun.  

We started the holiday with "Santa Night" at Paige's school.  The PTA moms did an amazing job organizing a fun event where the kiddos can eat, craft and take pictures with SANTA! 

She asked for princess legos. 

Next- We drove to Wyoming for a holiday celebration with the cousins.  And when I say "we drove" I really mean that "we drove"... Caity has her permit and drove for almost half of the 400 miles it takes to get from our house to the cousins! 

We got to watch one of Hadly's basketball games while we were in town wich was a real treat! She is somewhat of a... a... how do I put this? Dancing Prancing Octopus on the basketball court.  It is the funniest thing ever!  She is an aggressive little player and super fast- we are so proud of her!  

After the game and some holiday Plunder and Lularoe shopping with Aunt Tress and Cousin Amanda we got to have dinner at Papa's house.  It was so yummy!  He made Turkey and French Onion soup... which was not a hit but the turkey and sides were great! 😆  Then we opened our gifts from Papa.  The girls made out like bandits and I FINALLY got an aggravation game! Woohoo! Then we went through some items from Grandma Elsie's that the aunts had sent to dad.  Bittersweet memories in those totes.  Afterwards Harlie decided that she is still small enough to fit into baby doll toys, but not small enough to get back out. 

The next morning I reserved a private room at the Hangar in Bar Nunn where we all played games, ate a yummy breakfast and opened gifts.  The fan favorite game was where two opponents had to move candy canes from the table top into a bucket by hooking them with a candy cane held in their mouth- no hands!  It was pretty funny!!!! Next they had to try to unwrap a gift (that I may have wrapped in 4 or 5 layers of paper hehe) while wearing oven mitts as the player to their left rolled 2 dice trying to roll doubles. When the player rolled doubles the gift and mitts passed to them and the dice when to the player to their left.  It was hilarious! I think fun was had by all!  

 The "big kids" got a little aggressive!

She must have had fun because she was so tired that she let the seat belt hold her head up on the ride home! 

After we traveled back from Wyoming we really got into the holiday spirit by building gingerbread houses! Well... Caity, Paige and I built gingerbread houses.  Harlie mostly danced to Christmas music while stealing candies and crashing Emma's house.  Emma gave up on gingerbread architecture and made rice crispy treats instead. 

 Emma's abandoned project. 

Then the craziest thing happened... it snowed... in Colorado... in December! LOL! The kids had a blast sledding, snowboarding and being towed behind the 4 wheeler. Afterwards we came inside to warm up and do some holiday coloring. 

On Christmas Eve each year we open a special Christmas Eve box which consists of PJs and either a holiday movie, book or game that we can all enjoy together.  This year I included Chalky painting projects for the girls instead.  They each painted a letter to put on their bedroom doors or in their lockers at school. 

Then... there was sleep!  For a few hours anyway! 😄 They went to bed and Santa filled our living room with goodies.  Then the girls were up and the paper was flying! 

We opened gifts and played with them all morning.  We played in the snow more and we colored more masterpieces.  We cooked and ate yummy food.  It was a Catfish Christmas this year! And just like that in the blink of an eye another Christmas had come and past.  Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!  

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!