New Remodel Pictures

Yes, I fully realize that I am a blog slacker, but I do have new pictures of the studio, it is actually coming along very quickly, now that the average temperature is over 60 degrees it is much easier to work on!

Today's pictures are of the new siding, and I do admit that some of the character of the building was lost when the new siding was put on, but on the bright side, it doesn't look like it's going to fall over anymore!

And yes, I even managed to get the man at work! It is so close to done that I can feel it. As I type the interior paint is going up, and the best part is that I haven't even had to pick up a brush, I guess that's my reward for painting his entire house, he paints my tiny little shed for me, but I'm not complaining!

I have a trip to IKEA planned, and I am super excited to go pick out a counter top and some cabinets, then all that will be left is the decorating!

Scrapbooking fever

The scrapbooker in me has been somewhat stagnant lately. I really didn't have anything that I was excited about scrapbooking, it seems that I just do the same themes and events over and over again. But we all got together for scrap night last night after work and I really challenged myself to do something different that would spark my interest.

Then it hit me, I am so stupid, of course I have something that I want to record and remember - my studio! Not only can I create a scrapbook of the experience, but it can also serve as a place to keep all of those photos and fabric swatches that inspire the interior design of the studio.

The scrapbook pages that I did last night turned out so beautifully that I wanted to share them. Hopefully you will be able to see my vision for the finished space!

These are the photographs that have given me inspiration. Many of them are from one of my all time favorite blogs - design sponge while others are from products for sale on Etsy, other blogs, and DIY websites. I especially love the photo of the kitchen with all of the white cabinets, the cabinets have been painted lime green on the inside, what a great idea, and a great way to use such a bright color so that it doesn't overwhelm.

Here are some of the fabrics and papers that I have collected to use for different decorative elements, curtains, cushions, picture frames, and other fun stuff that I haven't even thought of yet.

I chose to do all of the actual photographs in black and white because I didn't want any of the colors in the photos to distract from the color scheme that I had chosen for the design, and for the scrapbook. My intention for the studio is to have a place where everything belongs, where everything fits harmoniously. I really wanted to convey this in the scrapbook too.

I had the hardest time finding an album for this scrapbook, I looked everywhere, and in the end I never did find one. So I am planning on spiral binding these pages the same way that I bind all of my planners, but I can't do that until I am completely done, so for now I will just pray that nothing happens to my pages.

Studio remodel - New pictures!

The weather here has been unseasonable warm, and we have been taking full advantage of all of this time to work outside, which has been perfect considering that the my soon to be studio is nowhere near ready to be heated. So I have some new pictures to share with you.

Aaron finished hanging the drywall today (yay!), and though it is basically still a shell of a building, I am really beginning to see it all come together. Here, check it out for your self!

I have also become somewhat obsessed with decorating my little unfinished space. My latest great idea has turned into an unexpected new hobby, as if I need another one of those. I really want to be able to display all of my supplies, especially the smaller notions and embellishments, in clear containers so that it is easy to see what I have, and I cannot resist unique glass vessels, especially vases and canning jars, so I have begun a collection that is growing rapidly.

I've never been much of a collector, even as a child I didn't really have any collections, but now I can see how they can consume you! But at least my collection of glass containers will be functional. I hope to be able to share some of my favorite finds with you. currently my favorites are the decanters with really unique stoppers, but I also enjoy the simpler milk bottles. I love to check out all of the photos on etsy, search vintage glass bottles and you'll be amazed, but I'm really cheap, so I've been scouring the local Goodwill store. I can't wait to fill them up, but I'm beginning to think that I'll have more jars than supplies to fill them up with!

A relaxing afternoon...what's that?!

After such a crazy month, there is nothing that I appreciate more than a relaxing Sunday afternoon, although I must admit that I am not totally sure what to do with myself, and I am working to restrain myself from freaking out about the projects that I really should be working on.

I know that I have things to do, that's almost an understatement. But I definitely understand the importance of taking some time out. Yesterday was extremely productive, I managed to post four new weekly planners and update photos for four of my wedding plan books (all can be found at Obsessively Organized on Etsy), but instead of showcasing the work that I was able to finish up yesterday, I think I will stick to the spirit of relaxation and show you a few incredible Etsy finds that celebrate what it means to really relax.

The first item is Dream Balm from Lilith's Apothecary . Not only is it beautifully packaged, but it is also supposed to banish stress - sounds good to me!

The second item is this gorgeous cardigan by Hackwith Designs. The best thing about this insanely gorgeous article of clothing is that it looks super comfortable, yet you could definitely dress it up to go out. I am seriously contemplating a purchase...

Finally, one of my favorite things, slipper boots! My feet are forever freezing cold, needless to say I do not walk around my house without a pair on, these are essential. This pair is by marissaann.

Now, if I can tear myself away from Etsy, I am off to curl up with Eclipse (for the fifth time) and spend the afternoon reading about someone else's drama!

Bridal Show Update!

Here is a picture of my adorable table from today's bridal show:

If you look really closely you can see my boyfriend Aaron in the background. He gets major brownie points for sitting with me at a bridal show all day - what a trooper!

I think that it was a pretty successful day, I made a couple of sales, and if nothing else I passed out a ton of business cards, which is never a bad thing.

I have been home from the show for four hours now, OK, that's not completely true, I did take a two hour break for drinks at the world's best Mexican Restaurant (El Zarape in Bowling Green OH), but anyway, I just finally finished updating my Etsy page. I had to take off a couple of things that I sold today, but I also added a lot of new items that I made specifically for today's show. For example I have this gorgeous set of note cards that I had to put away as soon as I got home so that I wouldn't use them myself:

I also have some really cute new recipe cards, a new purple notepad, and three new wedding book designs. Take a minute to hop over to Obsessively Organized on Etsy to check it all out!

What have I gotten myself into?!

I swear it's always something, half of my problem is that I can't say no, especially to a certain best friend. I know, I know, you have no idea what I'm talking about, but no worries, I will gladly fill you in.

One of my very best friends in the world is a wedding planner, needless to say, for someone who is neither engage or married, I probably know more about weddings than I could ever want to just from listening to her talk about work. Any way, the banquet hall that she works for is hosting a bridal show, and she asked my to make the all of the signs for the event. In return she is giving me a space at the show to set up and sell mainly my wedding plan books, but I will also have other items with me (because they make great shower gifts and bridal party favors!).

This sounds super exciting, and it could really bring in a lot of business, but I am so not prepared, oh, and did I mention that this event just so happens to be on Sunday? As in THIS Sunday!

I am the type of person who plans for things like this months in advance, not days. So I have been working my butt off to get it all together. Luckily I don't have very high expectations, and I doubt that I will sell too much, so at least I have enough items in my stock that I don't have to actually make too much more.

I don't have very high expectations, if a sell four books I'll consider it a great day, but then there's also that little voice in the back of my head that says "what in the world am I going to do if I get too many custom orders?"

I suppose I'll just have to wait and see how it goes, I certainly won't know until I try!

Snowed In!

We just got 12 inches of snow in the last 29 hours, so needless to say I am stuck inside. On the bright side, I've had a day and a half off of work, so all things considered, I'd gladly take the snow!

My favorite thing about snow days is that they are a complete surprise, it's like the gift of extra time. So today I spent the entire day frosting valentine's day cookies, something that I never would have actually had time for, which means this weekend I don't have to frost cookies, and I can do other stuff, you know, that I actually really want to do.

Don't get me wrong, I do love to frost cookies, but when I have a million other things to do, spending four hours with sticky frosting fingers isn't as fun as it sound. I know, this is a completely random rant, but I've been in the kitchen all day by myself, so you'll have that. Any way, here are a couple of pictures that I took today, first some finished cookies, just in time for me to take to work tomorrow, and then one of Allis playing in the snow drifts!

As far as the studio remodel, it has been slow going lately, a foot of snow tends to put a damper on outdoor projects. Luckily we were able to get two new windows and a new door on before the snow started falling, and most of the studio has been insulated, unfortunately I'm going to have to wait until after northwest Ohio thaws out a bit before I can add any more pictures.