Etsy Shop and Sami Show; Final Chapter

When I inherited all of Mom's sewing machines, gadgets, notions, books, patterns, and fabric, it was overwhelming! There is a whole post, complete with pictures, describing the vast amount of stuff we moved out of her house after she passed away. I honestly never expected to whittle it down to a reasonable amount. 

Over the past two years, I have donated boxes and boxes of fabric to the local quilt guild. I've made quilts to donate to local charities. I've made stacks of pillow cases to donate to the nursing home. I finished several of Mom's unfinished quilts and gave them to all of my children and grand children. I finished one of her baby quilts and gave it to a niece's baby. I turned several of her orphan blocks into art work for the walls of my home. I even convinced one of my daughters to help me set up an Etsy shop and participate in the local Sami shows to sell various items.  

Our last Sami show and most recent inventory items have pretty much used up the miscellaneous bits and pieces that really weren't big enough or numerous enough to make a quilt out of. I had reached a point where I was going to have to start buying fabric to go with what was left in order to make something that had matching fabric in it. That's when I realized it was time to stop.

During the time I've been using up Mom's dribs and drabs of fabric, my designing, cutting, sewing, quilting, and binding skills have improved ten fold! While it has been bitter sweet to work through her stash; but, I think she would be proud of my growth as a quilter. 

So, this is the last post about items I've made for the Etsy shop or a Sami show. The existing inventory will be available as long as the current listing is up. Once they expire and it is time to renew, the shop will close and we will no longer set up at Sami Shows. I'll even retire my tax ID number!

It was fun having Maggie, Sophie, and Leslie help out at the Sami Shows. I loved that the girls made their own craft items and sold them as well. I appreciated Leslie's administrative support with the shop; but, now it is becoming a job. That's when you realize it might not be much fun if you keep going. I don't want to turn a hobby into a job because it takes the pure joy out of it. 

So here are the final pictures of Etsy Inventory and our Sami Show experience. It was fun; but, the party is over!

Molly and Scott's Reception

When Molly and Scott invited us to have dinner with them to meet her parents, we ate at the German restaurant in Walburg. Anyone who knows our family is aware of just how special Germany and German food are to us. So many years spent in that beautiful country can only result in a special attachment to it. I think it is also wonderful that just a year or so later, Molly and Scott were celebrating their wedding reception at the same restaurant.

I'll admit that I was a little worried about what it would look like. In spite of the numerous beer steins, German beer banners, and old, rustic decor, the place looked amazing! Marian worked her fanny off on the decorations and they reflected the hours and love she put into them.

The reception was held in an upstairs room of the restaurant. There was a special table just on the upper landing outside the party room where she put the guest book. Molly asked the grands to take turns manning the table to ensure that guests signed in. It made the girls feel special to be included.

guest book table

                               

One of my favorite features was the dessert table. Molly and Scott chose to not have a traditional wedding cake. Instead, they ordered individual bundt cakes. There was plenty of room for cakes and a special display of pictures. The pictures included wedding photos of the bride and groom's parents and grandparents from both sides of the new little family. It was a loving gesture to also include people that have passed away but live on in our hearts.

family photos and desserts

                                 

Molly and Scott chose muted colors of white and sage green with burlap accents.  I really believe by the time the room was decorated, no one even noticed the beer steins or logos. It looked amazing.

guest seating on the left of the room

guest seating to the right

Due to the pandemic, the guest list had to be pretty small; and, everyone was asked to wear masks whenever possible. Guests were also seated in family or work groups, making sure everyone was grouped with people they already associated with on a regular basis.  There were people from the fire department, Molly's work, and immediate family. 

Mr. and Mrs. Searls

cute masks compliments of Jamie

sister selfie

Leslie, Ryan, Jamie, Seth, Rebecca and Gerson

Maggie, Mimi, and Sophie

Maggie, Mimi, Sophie, Sophia, Poppy and Samantha

fellow fire fighters and their wives/dates

After a delicious German meal, complete with apple strudel, people mingled and lots of photos were taken. The reception ended with a German tradition of sawing a log in half. It represents the promise that any obstacle in their marriage can be overcome if they work together. 

The Searls family

Temple Fire and Rescue crew and dates

Jamie, Leslie, Molly and Rebecca

Sophia, Maggie, Samantha, Sophie and Molly

Marian and Gwen

Mark, Marian, Molly, Scott, Gwen and Ron

Mimi and her girls

Scott and Molly explaining the log sawing tradition

Sawing the log

Welcome to the family, Molly. We are thrilled to have you and are so thankful for how happy you have made our son. I know you've said you always wanted a big family. I hope you know what you're in for!

Molly and Scott's Wedding

Molly and Scott were married at a beautiful outdoor wedding venue in Dripping Springs, Texas called Chapel Dulcinea. It is a secluded, intimate facility, set high on a hill in the Texas Hill Country. 

The grounds are peaceful and elegant. Several works of art are set along winding paths that meander up the hill as you walk towards the chapel. There are several scenic overlooks, perfect for photographs of the happy couple. 

Because Molly and Scott were getting married during the COVID-19 pandemic, Chapel Dulcinea was the perfect setting. The facility provided outdoor seating, limited guests, and a live online feed for anyone who could not attend. Molly's parents, Ron and I, as well as two of her closest friends were there.  Oh! I almost forgot; so was Dash, her sweet, blind dog.

                                   

Gwen, Scott, Molly and Ron

 

Marian, Scott, Molly, and Mark

The ceremony was beautiful. I think my favorite part of the ceremony was watching Molly walk toward the chapel with her father and glancing over to see Scott fighting back tears. At some point during the ceremony, the bride and groom are asked to ring the chapel bell. I know there is a symbolic reason for that; but, I can't seem to remember what it is! If I think to ask Molly, I'll go back and edit this post. 

After the ceremony, the photographer took several beautiful pictures of the happy couple. It really was a lovely wedding. Here are a few random pictures.

One final comment. I honestly had come to accept that marriage wasn't something our son, Scott, would ever have in his life. He was in every sense of the phrase, a confirmed bachelor. He would say, "I like being by myself... I don't want to share my stuff... whatever; I do what I want." over and over again. He seemed happy with his decision to remain single. As his mother, I worried about him growing old and becoming some crazy recluse living in a cabin in Colorado. 

Thank goodness Molly came into his life! I am now one happy momma.