Blogger Get Together

Last year I discovered a blogger named Natalie who is also a very talented clay artist that sells on Etsy. Natalie is the artist behind NS Pottery and creates everything from jewelry to serving dishes and bake wear.    
It all started when I bought this ring from her...

Then an apple baker...

Then on Christmas, I received my next piece; a surprise gift from my sneaky sister-in-law, Sarah!

I love all of them so much, but let me tell you a little bit about the last piece.  I have talked to my sister-in-law about pottery, Etsy, blogging, buying handmade....you name it, we've talked about it.  

For my Christmas gift this year, Sarah decided to get me something she knew I would like but wasn't expecting.  She contacted Natalie and said she wanted to buy a trinket dish for me and together they came up with a custom order.  Sarah told Natalie that she would like her to include a saying on the dish, which up until now, I had never seen Natalie do!  When I opened the gift I loved it and I asked if it was from Natalie and she said yes.  I then couldn't stop awww-ing and telling her how much I loved it but to be honest, the saying didn't click on where I heard it from.  Sarah said you know the saying?!  With confused eyes I looked at her and she said it's what cousin Michael kept telling you when we went to Chicago.  Somehow I forgot that her cousin Michael kept telling me not to be afraid of success and to take chances when it comes to my business.

{remember how I said my memory isn't the best earlier this week?!}  

If that wasn't enough to melt my heart, she then goes on to say I remember us talking one day about how you were needing to find inspiration and I thought this could be a reminder.

Isn't that a perfect Christmas gift?!  My little dish now sits on my bedside table with a few rings and a little heart shaped rock that husband found last year and gave to me.  I love it!

So today, I am actually getting together with Natalie for lunch!  We have never met in person but actually live very close to each other!

I am very much looking forward to meeting my online friend in real life and talking with someone that is also a blogger and an Etsy shop owner!  

Before and After: Homemade Raspberry Jam Recipe

photo source

Things you will need:

Lots of raspberries

Lots of sugar

Butter

A few boxes of pectin

Jars with sealable lids 

Foil

Small pot

Medium pot

Large pot

Two pairs of tongs

Pot holder

Wooden spoon

Funnel

Strainer

Large bowls
Measuring cup
Clean up supplies


Before you start:

Wash all jars and lids.  The best way is to wash the jars in the dishwasher and keep the door closed after they are clean to keep the heat in.  You will transfer the hot jars into a medium pot of really hot water to keep them sterile throughout the jamming process.




After you wash, puree and sift the berries [to get rid of all the little seeds] you are ready to start jamming!

Measure 5 cups of berries and pour into small pot.  Stir in one packet of pectin and bring to boil.  Once the berries are boiling, pour into large pot resting on a different stove burner.

Add your butter and sugar...Everything tastes better with butter and sugar ;)


Bring to a hard rolling boil for one minute.


Using tongs, remove the glass jars from the boiling water, dump any excess water, and place on the counter next to large pot.


Using a funnel and ladle, pour raspberry goodness into the jars.


*Very important step* Use a paper towel to remove any liquid from the rim of the jar.  This keeps the jar sterile and creates a nice suction on lid.


Once you screw the lid on, place on a table and listen for all the lids to pop!  That sounds lets you know they are good to go!  If your jars are not sealed, you will need to eat within the week or two.  After your jars have cooled and the lids have popped, you can gather all your favorite crafting supplies and decorate your jars so they are ready for gifting.  These little jam jars are *perfect* for Christmas stockings, get-togethers and wedding favors!

A photo from Gretchen's wedding.  200+ little jam jars with seating information for the guests.

Thanks to Marianne and Gretchen for always making the most delicious raspberry goodies and inviting me to jam with you at your lovely home.  It is always a fun time :)  

Great "Dane-a-saur"

Just when I thought this couple couldn't be any more adorable...

...they found Owen, the cutest Great Dane puppy I have ever laid eyes on.  He is handsome, sweet and is living the good life with his awesome new parents.  They are one little happy too cute for words family.

 

Aubrey and Adam call this his "dane-a-saur" face!  I had to laugh when I read that and then saw the photo.

Since Owen came into their lives, Aubrey and Adam realized they needed an XXXXXXXL dog bed for his 60 pounds {and growing} puppy body! Aubrey asked if I would make a dog bed cover for him and naturally I said yes and started thinking about ideas and colors!  In the end, it was plenty big enough, super cute...i mean rough and tough boy....and will be easy to care for.

It's funny how the bed looks so much smaller when he is laying on it :)  Congratulations on your new home Aubrey, Adam and Owen.  And I can't forget Owen's sister, Catherine {aka Catrin}

One Beautiful Bridal Shower

This past weekend I was able to spend a couple days in Columbus celebrating Aubrey's upcoming wedding!  Gretchen, Abbey and I threw one of the cutest bridal showers full of good food, family and lots of blue and orange decorations.  I loved spending time with Aubrey while she was in town and am excited to share photos with you from our fabulous day!

Orange, white and blue treats decorating the table.

Aubrey and Adam's engagement photo and her handmade toss bouquet.

Oreo BonBons.  I will share this recipe soon!  They are SO delish!

Aubreys favorite is carrot cake!  And it has blue icing :)

 Griffins artwork for Aubrey and Adam.

 Excited to get the shower started!

 Griffin lovin on auntie "aubwee"

A handmade cork board from recycled wine corks from Gretchen's work.

After the shower we hung out for a little bit around the house, saw the movie Bridesmaids, and then roasted s'mores and ate leftovers on the back deck.  It was pretty much a perfect day!

Only 3 1/2 months until the BIG day!  We are so excited for you Aubs :)

{Wordless Wednesday} - Fun With Friends at The Cleveland Art Musuem

{Inspiration Linky Party #1} - Everything Handmade

A couple months ago I found Gussy Sews, and let me tell you, she is *AMAZING* to say the least!  Gussy Sews is a woman that makes all things ruffles and has a very strong brand identity, fan following and creative community behind her.  You must check out her blog!  She is full of encouragement and inspiration!

Speaking of inspiration, she decided to start a link- up part with her blog called Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop.  Each week she will send a newsletter with that weeks prompt, and then her fans/followers/creative community will blog about the post topic and link it to her blog.  So what does this mean?  LOTS & LOTS of really cool and very talented bloggers, crafters, and artists will be linking their interpretation of that weeks prompt for all to see!  Let me tell you, I CAN'T WAIT!!

So, now that we get the idea behind the linky party, let's get started!  The first Gussy Sews Inspiration Workshop topic is Everything Handmade.  This was pretty hard for me because I have so many handmade items from friends, etsy purchases and family members.  I decided to pick something recently handmade from one of my best friends and an item my husband l.o.v.e.s and picked out himself at a Columbus art festival:

Justin purchased this mug last fall at the Columbus Art Festival from a woman selling all kinds of beautiful handmade pottery.  This particular mug was designed for a pig festival she did earlier in the year and she had some left over and brought them to the art festival.  Justin couldn't pass up the "manly" mug that he proudly uses whenever company is over.  And when he is not around, it is secretly one of my all time favorite mugs too!

next:

For my birthday this past April, my lovely friend Aubrey mailed a beautiful little mug and her own tea blend.  This year I have been on a bit of a tea kick so it was a perfect gift!  Aubrey is too cute.  This is what her tasty tea label read:

This uplifting tea blend is named after the inspiring spirit of my personal favorite icon, Audrey Hepburn. The calming effects of peppermint will ease any feelings of anxiety or depression.  Fragments of organic vanilla bean increase your levels of adrenaline and give your mood a boost.

And it is all packaged in a little mason jar with a hand stamped linen lid.  HOW CUTE IS SHE!?!

If you want to participate in Gussy's Inspiration Workshop, click on her button on the right side column underneath my LBF button.