a peek into my [[new]] studio

b and i decided to move my "studio" from the smaller room in the basement, into the bigger room (isn't he sweet??). i'm all settled in and am loving the new layout and extra space.

sewing machine #1, most of my sewing is done on this machine. when i first started sewing i got the second sewing machine shown, but i upgraded last year and l.o.v.e. it. no more jams and frustrations! one of my favorite parts of the room is the mason jars above, they store clips, buttons, glue sticks, etc.

below is sewing machine #2. i have a ruffler foot on this machine, so it's mainly used for ruffles and works out perfectly. the bunting that is hanging from the ceiling is a recent creation, and whenever i seem to find time, i'm planning on making bunting for the entire room.

i'm proud of my growing fabric stash :-) if my husband only knew how much fabric actually was.... you'll also see a HUGE timesaver on the floor, my accuquilt. 

cutting board and fabric scraps.

b's spot for when i want company.

entertainment, ironing board, and the banner my mom made for craft fairs. so happy there was enough room to hang it up. i'll be taking it down for another craft fair next weekend.

new products- you vote!

over the weekend i was a busy bee behind the sewing machine. i have a few potential products to share with you and would love your input. one of the items below will be added to the shop, of course there will be more patterns than just the one shown. which one is your favorite?

pacifier clip

thick headbands

ruffled purses

ocean blossom necklace

orange and teal damask camera slipcover

petite blossom dog collar

which is your favorite? the contest ends friday and we'll be giving a little something away one one of the people who comments :-)

instaFriday

have i told you how much i love fridays? not only is it the last day of the work week, but it's also instaFriday?

i treated myself to a pedicure and decided to go with the "trendy" mint green. i don't think i'll be getting it again, it just doesn't look as clean as my normal pink. i'm a little compulsive when it comes to my toenail polish, if there's a chip or smudge it's REALLY difficult for me to keep it on. like my new sandals? only $4 at old navy.

i've really been enjoying my new car. i wasn't sure if i'd love or begin to hate the bright red, but i've loved it. a little change from my black, gray, and tan cars in the past.

b's best friend works in the paper industry and gave us a treat to plant and raise. it was doing up until this weekend. we aren't very good at keeping plants alive.

what would a week of instaFriday be without a bailey post? here she is focused on getting one of my fabric cutouts. the little stinker has been trying to eat them.

i don't get the chance to make too many of my necklaces for myself, but i had a lithe extra time off this weekend and made this one. so many compliments and definitely the best type of advertisement.

best mac and cheese ever, no other words to describe it.

campfire from our mini family vacation. i love campfires, but the smell of my hair and clothes afterwards makes me sick and i must immediately shower.

coral inspiration

i'm linking up with gussy for inspiration workshop. this week's inspiration is color.

i'm currently loving coral.

Source: retrospection.typepad.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: suchprettythings.typepad.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Nicole on Pinterest

Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via Nicole on Pinterest

mini vacation

b, bailey, and i packed up the car and headed north for a few days. we met b's parents, sister-in-law, and our adorable niece and nephew in st. germain, wisconsin. it was SO nice to have a few days away from the office, studio, and relax with family.

the beautiful view from our backyard

firepit

love this little character!!

b and roman

 bailey was such a good girl. ..and didn't mind getting some of roman's meals :-)

 my niece, sephra. she's at such a fun age and oh so happy.

 bailey's bed worked out better for sephra, than bailey. it fit her perfectly and she loved it.

we're hoping to get to
-chicago
-minneapolis/ eau claire
-door county
all within the next two months. fall is our favorite season to travel and we have a few things to get done and family to see before things pick up!!

low sugar, cookie dough ice cream dessert

today i'm sharing with you one of my favorite dessert recipes. as much as possible, i try to be healthy- BUT i can't resist ice cream and anything salty.

to start with you'll need a batch of cookie dough (any kind will do, frozen yogurt (or ice cream), peanut butter, crushed candy, and sundae sryup.

preheat the oven to 350 degrees. spread out the cookie dough on a pie pan. any thickness will do, however i did about 1/4 inch thick.

place the cookie dough in then oven for 7-10 minutes. i like the recipe best when the cookie dough isn't completely hardened.

while the cookie dough is baking, dump the frozen yogurt into a mixing bowl. after it has melted a little, stir it up- you'll want it to be almost the consistency of a shake.

stir in a cup and a half of peanut butter.

stir, stir, stir!!

once the cookie dough is done to your liking, take it out and let it cool. once it is at room temperature, pour in the frozen yogurt batter.

drizzle the sundae syrup over the top and spindle the candy on. place in the freezer for at least two hours and you'll have a tasty and (somewhat) healthy dessert.

instaFriday

it's friday, which means i'm linking up with jeannett at life rearranged. enjoy!

who knew.. dogs are allowed in most of the shops downtown. bailey was so funny, she LOVES attention and certainly got her fair share of it downtown. 

b and i had a relaxing sunday, which included a picnic downtown.

i've been trying to pre-stock blossoms, so far it's been working really well.

new necklace, now headed for oshkosh, wi :-)

this isn't a very good picture, but b and i went to the movies last friday night. apparently movie theaters now double as restaurants. the pros: reclining seats/ extra leg room, the cons: a lot of traffic from the wait staff coming in and out with orders.