Labor Day Weekend

I hope that everyone is having a relaxing long weekend. I have done some serious damage in the shopping department, and I think I have enough clothes to get myself through the winter, although that doesn't mean I won't buy more...

Now I'm off to do some of those chores that I can just never seem to find time for during the week, like washing the dog!

Have a wonderful extra day off!

It's Friday!

That's right it's Friday, do your little celebration dance. That also means that it's time for me to post some yummy seasonal treats, so I have two for you today (well technically one of them isn't seasonally, but it's definitely a guilty pleasure, so I'm posting it anyway).

The first treat is available around the country, and I generally would rather post something that you can make yourself, but this is my all time favorite fall treat, so I have to share it with you. This past week has been wonderful because I had my very first Pumpkin Spice Latte of the season!

That's right, I know that it's the very beginning of September, but Pumpkin Latte's are now available! (the image is courtesy of Starbucks.com, but I really don't recommend visiting their website because it gives you the nutritional information for their products, and there are just some things that I'd rather not know). You can find tons of recipes to make your own pumpkin latte, but I haven't tried any of them, so let me know which ones are good, I'd love to share them!

My second treat is not exactly seasonal, actually, these are wonderful all year long, and I am actually going to make some as soon as I get done posting this, so I present to you, Monster Cookies! (photo courtesy of the Food Network)

Monster cookies are giant, wonderful goodness. When I first saw the recipe I couldn't imagine that mixing all of those things together would actually taste good, but they are incredible. You can also find a ridiculous amount of recipes for monster cookies, but the one that I have always used is from Paula Deen (one of my favorites). Here's the recipe:

Ingredients
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 12-ounce jar creamy peanut butter
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup multi-colored chocolate candies (M&Ms)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup raisins, optional
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant)

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.
In a very large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and sugars. Mix well. Add the salt, vanilla, peanut butter, and butter. Mix well. Stir in the chocolate candies, chocolate chips, raisins, if using, baking soda, and oatmeal. Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not overbake. Let stand for about 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool. When cool, store in large resealable plastic bags.

They are super easy to make, this is definitely a recipe worth printing for later use! Just a note, this is Paula Deen's recipe, directly from foodnetwork.com, when I make these cookies I personally do not use salt, or raisins, and I have seen other variations of this recipe that include walnuts. Fell free to tailor them to what you like, baking is all about your interpretation of the recipe.

Ok I'm off to make some cookies, have a wonderful Friday and a safe Holiday weekend!

New Designs for Fall and Winter 2009!

Before I start I have to apologize again for not having these up yesterday like I said I would - I had some serious printer issues, and we all know that when you are in a hurry everything that can go wrong will go wrong!

Here are my first ever completely original cover designs! These will be available as covers to my planners, wedding books, teacher planners, travel planners, and address books in my Etsy shop (http://obsessivelyorganized.etsy.com/) for the upcoming holiday season. No worries, these are not the only covers that I will have, I will still have the gorgeous covers made with my favorite scrapbooking papers, but the designs that I am introducing right now are done with my own hand drawn images.

The name of the line is "Sass", it's very contemporary, definitely a reflection of my personal style, and they just feel fun:

This is the label for the line. I love it because it incorporates parts of each design!


Feisty is the design that I featured the other day, it is the first one that I finished, and after I got it done I was on a roll! The image on the right is the full cover, while the one on the left is a close up of the embellishment.

Classy is elegant, but still fun, and very flirty. Each flower is attached with a silver eyelet.

Lively is a lot of fun, and a lot to look at! It has a very sweet feel and each leaf is attached with a green eyelet.

Playful is really great because the polka dots make you think sweet and innocent, but the black lace adds a little mischief! This is the design that I used for the travel mug that I blogged about yesterday.

I can't decide which one I like the best, it depends on what mood I'm in, but that's a good thing I guess. Let me know which is your favorite, I would love to hear from you!

A great advertising idea - and it's free!

I thought of a great advertising idea last night (actually I'm pretty sure it was early this morning, I was only up until 3am...). This is so easy I can't believe I didn't think of it sooner.

I have a design-your-own travel mug (mine's a cheap one from oriental trading, but nicer ones are available from starbucks, among other places) and I decorated the insert using papers from my new line (which will be unveiled right here later this afternoon).

Here's my mug, and a sneak peak of my new line:

Now wherever I take my coffee I also take a conversation piece which gives me just one more reason to talk about my business.

It's Wednesday - Let's Get Organized!

That's right it's Wednesday, which means it's time for the first post in my weekly feature. Each Wednesday I will post ideas for keeping organized. I have two for you today:

When I started my Etsy shop one of my issues was what to do with the items that I've made and listed, but haven't yet sold? I found my answer at Michael's:

Great boxes and containers are perfect for a multi-use space because they give you a place to put thing that need to be kept safe and clean, but it's alright if they do not fit in the closet because they add to the decor of the room. I love these boxes so much that I would keep them out even if they were empty (ha! that would never happen!).

Some other great places to look for containers that are both functional and attractive include The Container Store and Hobby Lobby.

Organizing tip number two is a bit more crafty. If you are anything like me you have a bunch of little items floating around your workspace (paper clips, pushpins, beads, bobbins, safety pins, the list goes on and on...). Here is an idea for corralling all of those items, and recycling. I love flavored coffee, so I had piles of these containers:

This type of container is perfect for this project because it is sturdy, and it has a lid. Here is a picture of the finished product:

This is one of those great projects that you can modify to fit your personal style and the decor of your space. You can start with any kind of container.

First, measure and cut scrapbooking or craft paper to fit all of the way around your container.

Use Mod Podge or decoupage glue to coat the container, and attach the paper. Make sure to rub over the entire surface to remove air bubbles. Set this part of the container aside, it is important to let the first layer of Mod Podge dry completely before moving on.

While you are waiting you can begin painting the lid of the container. I used acrylic craft paint. Because it is a plastic lid it will take several coats. Make sure you let each coat dry completely before applying the next coat (this is a difficult project for me because I am not a patient person!).

Once the original layer of glue on your container is dry you can cover the paper with another layer of Mod Podge or glue, for a shiny protective coat. At this point you can also add any additional embellishments.

Finally, once each coat of paint on the lid of your container has dried coat the lid with Mod Podge also, this will help keep the paint from chipping off. Remember, don't put the lid on the container until the glue has dried completely!

Ok, now go get organized!

Hard work can really wear you out - who knew?!

I am exhausted! Have you ever gotten so into a project that you literally can't stop? That was my morning. I woke up with the intention of printing a couple books and then binding a whole pile of items, but my attention was caught by the paper design project that I have been working out (without a lot of luck) all weekend. Before I knew it I was cutting out tons of tiny paper flowers.

I worked furiously for hours, I didn't even stop for lunch! So now, I'm not only exhausted, but starving, it's time for me to take a break, but before I do I have to start a new sketch - something outside my window just caught my eye...

Then I promise I'm going to take a break - I need to start planning for my vacation! My boyfriend and I are taking his new camper out for the first time next weekend. We are going to visit his brother and then spend some time in Amish Country. I have been dying to get over there all summer, so I can't wait!

New Cover Designs

I spent the entire day on the computer trying to digitally enhance the designs that I drew over the weekend. I finally came up with a couple of images that I cannot wait to use as covers for my lovely books! Here's my favorite:

I owe my sister a huge THANK YOU for helping me figure out the editing program I've been working with, she's much better at it than I am!

I have a ton more work to do, but I think it's going to be tomorrow's project, my poor computer is begging for a rest, and so am I for that matter. Hopefully things will go a little more smoothly tomorrow, but I can't complain, because I have accomplished a lot today.

Please let me know how you feel about this design, and look for others to start showing up in my store (http://obsessivelyorganized.etsy.com) !

Saturday Sketches

Hi all, happy Saturday! I splurged this morning on some new pens and have spent the entire afternoon drawing, something that I haven't done in years. I am hoping to use my own designs to create papers for my Obsessively Organized items (http://obsessivelyorganized.etsy.com/). Here are some pictures of the work that I did today:

I'm going to play with my designs on my computer and see what all I can do, but I will certainly share the finished products!

Now that my afternoon is gone I'm off to get ready to head out to the German American Festival. August and early September are the best in Northwest Ohio because it is prime time for fairs and festivals. Already this month we have attended the Ottawa County Fair, the Wood County Fair, the Henry County Fair, and the National Tractor pulling Championships. Next month we will visit the Fulton County fair and check out the Black Swamp Arts Festival and the Luckey Fall Festival. It certainly makes weekends fun!

New Weekly features

I've been inspired by one of my new favorite blogs "Shop Friends" (http://shopfriends.blogspot.com). Each week Shop Friends has "Cupcake Friday" and they feature a different picture of a cupcake each week. It's such a cute idea that I've decided to create my own take on this idea. Unfortunately, I am in love with baked goods of every kind, I do not discriminate :) so I am going to be sharing "Seasonal Treats" every Friday.

I am also going to take a note from the title of my blog and offer a new organizational tip each Wednesday. I love to try new products to keep myself organized, but I especially love crafts that help me to get organized because they combine my two favorite things - crafting and ultimate organization!

Hopefully you will all enjoy these features, and if you come across ideas for either feature please do share them with me!

I'm in the news!

Today I was featured in the BG News, the newspaper for Bowling Green State University. I graduated from BGSU in December, and I started making my planners while taking classes there so this is a big deal for me.

On Fridays they run a special art section called the Pulse and this weeks feature was local Etsy sellers.

You can read the whole story at http://http//www.bgviews.com/our-views/entertainment/getting-artsy-with-etsy-1.1823716#3

I'm so excited - thanks to Alaina and the rest of the crew at the BG News!

Adventures with a lightbox

I used my white laundry basket as a make-shift light box last night, it was the only way that I was going to get some good pictures. I had been wary of actually making a lightbox because to be honest I don't have the space to store one, and the last thing I need is one more thing sitting on the floor in my room, but the pictures turned out pretty well. Here are a couple of them:

These note cards are available on my Etsy site (Just click the Etsy mini to the left) in a variety of colors.

My cats also really enjoyed my lightbox, but then, they generally have to check out anything that they will fit inside of.

Roy (gray) and Chester (orange) rarely get this close to each other, so I had to get a picture!

It has character

I love my boyfriend's old tool shed. For some reason I am drawn to it. It's old, and mildewy, it smells funny, and it looks like it could fall down, but there is just something about it that I am absolutely in awe of.

I secretly (ok maybe not so secretly) want to turn it into my studio. My boyfriend laughs at me everytime I mention this. He says it floods when it rains, it has no electricity, and no heat, "how are you going to work in a studio with no heat in December when it's snowing?". But for some reason all of this doesn't really matter to me.

The point is that I think my instincts are telling me that this dumpy little shed could eventually be the perfect place for me to create. It already has a ton of character!

I love to compete - with myself

Do you ever see something that someone else has done and say "I could do that" ? I do, all the time. Today I had the opportunity to look at some business cards that others on Etsy had designed for their own businesses and I started to compare mine to theirs (I compare myself to other people A LOT my boyfriend will be the first one to tell you that), but in this case it was a good thing because it made me challenge myself.

I looked at those business cards, and I looked at my old business card and I decided that I could do better.

I'm no graphic designer, but I play around a lot, and I spent a ton of time on my computer tonight working on a new business card. Now I do have to warn you that the layout is basically the same as the old one, and the picture is the same, but the background is new and I LOVE IT.

Just so you can compare, I'm going to post both the old one (top) and the new one (bottom):

I love looking at these two pictures next to each other, because not only does my new business card look more professional (and shows off more of my personality) you can clearly see that I have been working on the quality of my photos!

My very first Etsy Purchase!

I just bought this beautiful Vintage cocktail ring from Etsy seller MissesBird (http://missesbird.etsy.com/)!

I have been on Etsy for almost 2 months but I had never bought anything before. Believe me I have been trying to talk myself out of buying for the last couple of days, but this particular ring caught my eye and there was no turning back.

Now I can't wait to get it I don't know if i'm more excited to get the ring, or to get a package in the mail!

Ladies Who Launch

I have just started reading the book "Ladies Who Launch" by Victoria Colligan and Beth Schoenfeldt. It is not really a book about starting your own business, it's more about the idea that launching your life (i.e. doing what you want to do with all aspects of your life) is not just something that you do, but a mindset and a lifestyle.

I certainly don't agree with absolutely everything that Colligan and Schoenfeldt have to say (being the critical, educated thinker that I am - thank you liberal arts education!), but they do introduce a lot of interesting topics that make me feel a lot better about my current lifestyle.

Basically the authors say that women, especially those who work in non-corporate settings, conduct business very differently than men (duh!).

A couple of times while I was reading I found descriptions of myself. According to Colligan and Schoenfeldt "Women are more likely to have a creative idea when out in the world circulating." Thank you thank you thank for validating my need to get out, move around, and see more than the same four walls all day every day!

I cannot sit behind a desk all day. I cannot even sit in my studio (ok my bedroom, but it really does double as my studio/office for now...) all day. I need to go run errands, I need to go out for lunch, I live for taking packages to the post office!

Another thing that they mention is that many women complete tasks during their work day that others view as play (i.e. meeting friends for lunch, writing this blog!) but these things are important because they allow us to connect with others, and those connections can have a huge impact on our work. I just caught myself doing this. I was browsing the forums at Etsy and I told myself that it was time to get back to work. But then I had to remind myself that for me, those forums are productive. I learn things there that I cannot find anywhere else.

So these are just a couple of nuggets of wisdom that I have received from this book so far, but I will continue to keep you posted because I find it absolutely fascinating that someone understands the way that I work, and I will definitely be suggesting this book to all of those people who still think that I don't have a job!

Is this success?

I am exhausted! I have had an insanely busy weekend, but I am so excited because I sold two planners in the last two days. Is this what it feels like to be successful?!

In honor of my recent sales I want to feature some other Etsy sellers who have also made sales today. I used Etsy's Pounce feature to locate other sellers who have just made a sale, here are a couple of really cute items:

These adorable Halloween Fun Mini Notecards were just sold by CardsandNotes (http://cardsandnotes.etsy.com/) This shop is full of cute cards and note cards, they even have pot-it note holders, perfect for someone like me, I LOVE to make lists.

BernioliesDesigns (http://bernioliesdesigns.etsy.com/) Just sold the pattern for this absolutely gorgeous Elegant Gray Capelet. Who wouldn't feel like a million dollars while wearing this! I love to crochet, but unfortunately I've only mastered the straight line, I am in awe of anyone who can make something so incredibly beautiful out of yarn.

Finally, this Smaller Eternity Ring with Crystals necklace was just sold by cinnamonsticks (http://cinnamonsticks.etsy.com/). I love it because it is stunning, eye catching, and personal, yet simple enough to be worn every day. I had a necklace similar to this one when I was in high school (it said "dance dance dance" because I was the captain of my high school dance team) and I wore it all of the time!

Check out these incredible sellers on http://www.etsy.com/ and if you're bored give the Pounce feature a try, it could keep me entertained for hours!

Full Pull!

Here are some of the pictures that I promised from the National Tractor Pulling Championships:

Welcome to my hometown!

I am from Bowling Green Ohio - otherwise known as Pulltown USA, home of the National Tractor Pulling Championships, which is being held this weekend.

For anyone who has never experienced a tractor pull before your really must go to understand what i'm talking about, it's an incredible atmosphere. (Before I get too far, for an overview of the sport of Tractor Pulling visit the website of the National Tractor Pulling Association www.ntpapull.com, and www.pulltown.com has a great video of the sport).

Now i'm not what you would call a Tractor Pulling fanatic by an means, I do admit that the noise and the smoke is a little exciting, but I am going to the pulls tonight to engage in my favorite sport: People Watching. And I promise that this is the best place in the world to people watch. Think NASCAR race meets Daytona Beach during Spring Break.

I will definitely post pictures from my adventures!

I LOVE blended iced coffees. They are my major weakness, and I know this is completely random, but right now I am totally bummed because I drove through one of my favorite coffee shops after I shipped out my last sale and whoever made my coffee completely messed up. I mean it tasted like i was drinking the flavor syrup right out of the container.

Of course I didn't take a drink until I was halfway home, and I hate hate hate confrontation so I wasn't about to go back and ask them to fix it. Instead I did what I always do, I tried to fix it myself when I got home (thank goodness I was on my way home).

It definitely tastes better, but it still isn't very good, and I'm super bummed.

So there's my random rant for the day.

Another Sale - Finally!

I made another sale - yay! Its so exciting, I never get tired of making a sale, and after a slump I was super excited to make another one.

I was in the forums over at Etsy the other day and someone had asked if sellers who have hundreds of sales still get excited. I thought it was a great question, because I'm still a newbie so every sale is exciting to me, but aomeone who had over a thousand sales said that she still gets excited at each one, and that gave me a little more hope.

I guess if I ever don't get that giddy feeling when I make a sale then that shows me that it is time to try something new.

Right now I appreciate my buyers so much, I am amazed and humbled by every sale because it means that other people, people that I have never even met like my work enough to pay for it. That i've done something right.