The Rayn Collective

🎄 it’s the week before Christmas, and usually I’d be packaging last minute orders for my customers.

📦 This year, things look a little different. I haven’t had the time or energy to put into my little handmade business and have decided to pack it up for now, with hopes that I’ll one day be making & selling again.

🤍it’s almost the end of the year, which means it’s time to reflect on the last 365 days and set goals for the next 366. 2023 has been a big year for growth in our family. Rhys pivoted and started a career in a field totally different from the cooking he has been doing for 17 years. So grateful to have him home on evenings and weekends, and a bonus that he loves his job and we both work with the most kind hearted and incredible people.

🏡 I’ve been scaling my expertise in Bookkeeping and Real Estate. Not only am I focusing on studying, but I’ve also landed some teaching opportunities here locally which feels amazing.

🧺 We’ve been heavily focused on creating the happiest and coziest home environment this year. I’ve started making all our own bread products, we source 60%+ local produce and meat. We support our local small businesses whenever we can and try our best to avoid the toxicity of pre-made convenience foods and treats. (This is a work in progress and we are not perfect - just trying our best)

🕯️ This year has been about the little things. I started lighting a candle every night when the house is picked up and the kitchen is clean. No matter what chaos the day has held, it’s a simple reminder that we have a warm & beautiful cozy home that our boys both feel safe and loved in.

🌵 I’ve recently pulled this project back out. I miss making blankets, and all the things.
I’ve surpassed my goal of reading 24 books in 2023 although most of them have been audiobooks so I can multitask.
Putting my reading & knitting/crochet hobbies to the side while I focus on my career has been extremely hard. But I know it will be worth it.

🥂 grateful for such an abundant life here. This will be our third Christmas in Fort Frances and it’s surely feeling more and more like home with each year that passes.

Thank you for being here, thank you for supporting us, and I hope you have a very Merry Christmas 🎄

🌼 For all of the people that had inquiries this past market season about placemats, round coasters, fruit hammock, headbands, etc… I am trying my best to get around to them now!

🌸 I apologize that I couldn’t sooner, but this was a pretty rough winter season for us. Things took a turn in January for the betterment of our family and I’m so relieved to say we’ve had more time together and our family dynamic is stronger & healthier than ever!

🌻 I am starting to make stock for spring & summer markets. What would you want to see included? I struggle with warm weather stock!!

Saw .ann.studios post this pattern and fell in love! 🤎

I tried to make a bandana a few years back, but I’ll be honest it took me about 6 tries and I still couldn’t get it to look as dainty and beautiful as this one is!

I don’t get the opportunity to try many new patterns these days, so finding an easy to read pattern for a project that works up quickly is exactly what I needed for the small amount that of creative time I had. 😌

Let me tell you a secret about being the ✨Best Mom Ever✨

… I certainly am not.
I struggle with being a Career Passionate Mama, and work-life balance is something I don’t have much of. BUT, I’m trying my best.
You bet I’ll be at every hockey/soccer/basketball game & practice, cheering my heart out. I’ll be the first one to jump up and play “taxi” when the kids want to go see their friends. I make a solid effort to answer thousands of dinosaur questions every day and get down on the floor to really engage in connection. I’ll push them to limits I know they’re capable of, showing them their independence. I have investments in their name, and goals to meet that will create a better future for them.
I would do anything as a Mama to ensure that they live a great life, and I can be there for them. I’m not perfect, but I’m ✨Doing My Best✨
And I hope one day they look back and see “best mom ever” knowing I didn’t give them the world, and spoil them with gifts - but that I was *present* and *honest* & really did try my best which is what matters most. ☕️🤎

I am a 🪴home body🪴

This book speaks to my heart in so many ways. I often read a page or 2 with my morning coffee. ☕️

Soaking in all this sunshine lately has me creatively inspired again 🥹 if only I had more than 24 hours in a day for all my responsibilities & hobbies. 🤎

I’ve been reading more than knitting lately, and the shift has been ✨addicting✨
I miss knitting a lot, so reading on my iPad with the Kindle app has been a game changer! Not only can I comfortably do both; but I can be productive and simultaneously taken out of this world into another dimension. (My favourite☺️)

📖 I’ve been reading more lately not just to make my yearly goal of 24 books; but because I’ve been working full time hours, as well as studying again. I’ve been crafting up business plans, exploring real estate, making leaps & bounds toward every goal I set for myself this year.

It’s so incredibly rewarding to bask in the success hard work delivers. However, the overwhelm that accompanies tends to creep up in a suffocating way. Reading balances that choke hold stress has on me.

Only now, I have a whole new set of boundaries I need to uphold so I don’t stay up too late reading, or simply avoid other responsibilities for the love of a good read. 🤍

Did you set a reading goal this year? I’m already on book #9/24.

Hey 👋🏻 it’s been a while!!
With the launch of this month I thought it would be a good time to reintroduce myself here, since this is my landing page.
I’m a Mama of 2 beautiful boys, and workaholic. (Mompreneur)
I’m an artist, homemaker, bookkeeper, business owner, and dreamer 💭
In my free time I’m probably Planning, Reading, Studying, or in a bubble bath with a glass of wine 🍷♥️

Happy New Year!! ✨

A special thank you to each and every one of my customers in 2022. You really helped me scale to the next level as a young professional! 🌻

2023 is here, and it’s going to be a year of immense growth! Behind the knitting scenes there is A LOT going on, so my apologies for being distant. I still love and care about each and every one of you. 💛

I am so so happy (and a little nervous) to announce that I am going back to school ASAP and scaling my career to new levels. I am jumping 2 feet in to this new endeavour with so much passion, and I couldn’t be more excited!! 📚

I’ll still try my best to kick back and relax with some knits through all the chaos, I promise 😘

As always, sending you love & light ♥️

We woke up to a winter wonderland this morning!!
I absolutely love the cozy feeling of the first snow fall.

Now, if only I could hide inside knitting & drinking tea all day 🙊☕️

🍁Autumn is here!! 🍂
& it sure felt like it this morning when I woke up to 2°c outside and had to turn on the furnace briefly so everyone else didn’t wake up to a frigid home!
It’s time we’ll be relighting our fireplace and cozying up with knits & tea.

My absolute favourite time of year. I cannot get enough 🍂🤎🌻

Coffee & a thunderstorm calls for catching up on some knitting orders 😌

Today really feels like Fall, and I am here for it!!! 🍂

Craving my favourite kind of meditation in this chaotic time. I still have Christmas orders I’m working away on. One big one nearly complete, and another large one in the works.
I’m so endlessly grateful that I get to do what I love every day and call it a job, a career. 👩🏻‍💻🪴
Dropping one of my part time jobs this week, and as much as I’m so sad to see it go - I can’t level up without doing so. ⬆️

💯as I check out the new yarn shipment we got here this week and debate buying some 🙊

www.marymaxim.com

Oh hey 👋🏻
I should really try to show myself on here more often. 😌
I’ve been working A LOT and loving every minute of it! But today… today I feel extremely under caffeinated. 4 hours working out of home, then to either read all day and finish The Chamber of Secrets, or get a head start on my work list for this upcoming week? 🤔

Hahaa if this ain’t the truth 🤔

😆😆🤣

✨ the process ✨

Onto ! 💚🪄
& making Plant Rugs & Mug Rugs for my website relaunch 🙊

It took a few years, but I finally got far enough into the Philosopher’s stone that I’m hooked!!
🧹🔮🪄
My youngest sister is visiting for a few weeks, and we decided to read the series together since we have 2 copies. Rhys had one set from his childhood, and I got a box set gifted to me a few years ago.
It honestly took me many many attempts and forever to get through the first 14 chapters. But THEN! FINALLY! It grabbed my attention. 🧙🏼
Neither of us have read the books, nor seen the movies. We agreed to watch each movie after finishing each book and get as far as we can into the series before she has to leave.
I feel like a child again ✨ and what a wondrous feeling it is to enjoy such a simple pleasure. ⚡️

🪴 NEW ✨
Square plant rug!!

This spur-of-the-moment creation turned out so lovely. Only about 1 in 10 spontaneous creations actually turn out, I’d say 🤭

📖 Happy Saturday! 🪴
Spending the day immersed in pages of fiction & new knit stitches.
It’s gloomy today which means the mosquitos are out in full force. I’m not complaining - I love being cozy inside. It might even be chilly enough to have the fireplace going a bit this evening and a nice hot bath!
🙊

Hi 👋🏻 I’m still here!!
I just have a lot of hobbies, a family, work, and a garden. 🌱🍅🫑
I’ve been working away on 2 large knit orders, and reading as always. 📖
I jumped on the Colleen Hoover train and have NOT been disappointed! This one was an incredibly captivating read. I believe I finished it in 2 days... maybe less. 🤭
I hope you have all been well! I am looking forward to being back in the creative space, not only knitting & crocheting. I’ve recently been capturing more moments on camera & turning them into precious little videos we can look back on one day. These really are ‘the days’ and I want to soak up every single moment in gratitude for who we are and what we have. ♥️

😅☕️

I don’t need an inspirational quote, I need a coffee

Spending a lot of time lately focusing on doing the things I love because I enjoy them. Not just to get them finished, not to make money, not “because I’m supposed to”. Being intentional in every moment and taking it for what it is.
If I’m inspired, I’ll create.
If I’m feeling productive, I’ll get things done.
If I’m feeling overwhelmed and needing to cleanse my physical or mental space - I will do just that.
And honestly, I’ve never felt so ok with being selfish. I take care of my family and our home. I put loads of love & energy into them. Though I’m learning to set boundaries and take care of myself too. It’s ok to say no. It’s ok to spend hours doing something I love and pushing those feelings of obligations aside. The To-Do list will always be there. This moment, here and now, in my best health with my family by my side…. that won’t be here forever.
Slow down. 🌞
Just be. 🌻

🐝🌸🌵
Spring inspired squares just in time for a blizzard!! ❄️