Tag Archives: grateful

Give Thanks and Be Merry!

At our first craft fair

NEW - I heart my Mil & I heart my Dil pins!

NEW - I ♥ my Mil & I ♥ my Dil pins!

We had so much fun at our first craft show we’ll be doing another one at the Villa in McHenry on December 5. See below for the address and phone number for more information and directions. If you are in the Northwest Chicago area we’d love to meet you, show you our bracelets, our new hairwear, and we have a great deal for you! We have the cutest scarves, they are black and gold and come with our newest addition – your choice of an I love my mil or an I love my dil button. All for $10.00! Such a deal. A great present or a stocking stuffer. We’ve got a great selection and great deals. We’re offering our bracelets online at our Etsy shop at 1 for $16.00 or 2 for $30.00. Please check back as we’ll be adding new items nearly every day and you’ll soon see our hairwear on Etsy. As always we are happy to make custom orders for you.

Our table

As we take stock during the week of Thanksgiving we are grateful for the new friends we’ve made through milanddil and the time it has allowed us to be creative in a way that we’d not even dreamed of at this time last year. Each time I make a bracelet or a headband I open one of the many button drawers I have to look for the combination of buttons that set the tone I’m aiming for. As buttons sift through my fingers I’m mindful of the small contribution we are making in keeping things out of landfills and creating something that is lasting and lovely. I’m grateful for the words of encouragement we receive from our friends, and our customers, from people who see our items and marvel that something so seemingly ordinary as buttons can become something they never imagined. Thanks for sharing our vision and supporting us and passing the word along. Happy Thanksgiving!

Mil

December 5 Craft Fair
McHenry Villa
3516 Waukegan Road
McHenry, IL 60050
815 344 0246

We’ve been featured!

We are so excited to have been picked to be featured this week on the Etsy Lab Rats team’s Feature Friday!

Check out our interview!

Lab Rats ROCK!

♥MilandDil

Golden

Some days are golden. The sun comes up and you feel as though the whole world is glowing. The first day of fall feels like that for me. Days will get cooler, although in the Chicago area we are still awaiting the arrival of Summer…

The trees here will begin their annual color extravaganza, the brilliant shades of crimson, auburn, scarlet, goldenrod, and more will drizzle down and crackle underneath your feet as you pass by. Fall means coming indoors more and enjoying warm apple cider and fresh baked pumpkin bread. It is the perfect time to dream about what is left of the year. To plan the holidays, without worrying about who can’t come, not getting the perfect gift, not having enough, because really you have what you need when you have your family nearby- whoever and however that is. You have every dream come true, and all those other parts were the illusions.

Yes, it can be fleeting and yes, family can be complicated. But I think some of us make it more complicated than it needs to be. Reach out, forge connections. Most times it is better to choose to be in relationship than to choose to be right.

Family may not be perfect, but the paradox is that family is perfect the way they are. Each of us trying to muddle through- get along, support each other as best we can. When we are loved, without exception or condition life is golden, and the world is glowing. Life with the real, true, supportive love of family is golden, just like the perfect autumn day.

Mil

Adventures

Tomorrow Dil and I are going on another adventure. We are going button hunting. As I write this images of camo outfits, hip waders and other hunting gear pop into my head. Of course we only need a GPS , or a map, and we’ll be on our way to a place that we think may have lots of buttons and elastic that might suit our needs. Then we’ll be meeting Dil’s Mom for lunch. She has been one of our biggest supporters and has been doing her own button hunting for us as well. As a “mil” one of the things I’d never thought about when my children were younger was what it would be like if and when they had their own family.
To be a part of Dil’s family, to share some family gatherings, to be in touch with Dil’s Mom from time to time and watch our friendship grow, this has been another windfall for me. This year has brought many losses to my life and yet there have been many moments to savor and celebrate. As thoughts of Summer turn to thoughts of Autumn, and harvest, I think of the richness of my life, the growth of my family and the fledgling business we are nurturing. I am grateful for the support, love and assistance of family and friends who have stepped up to help in so many ways, whether with donations of buttons, gifts of supplies, words of encouragement, or spreading the word about milanddil. Thanks to everyone who has joined us on our magnificent adventure.