Time Flies When You Are Sanding Floors

When I get busy, something has to give. For me it's blogging. I'm not terribly good at it anyway but when I've got a ton of other things going on it is even worse.

Here is what has been keeping me busy lately....refinishing wood floors

BEFORE: in pretty decent shape due to years under carpet but really dirty

DURING: I had fun trying to wrestle this monster around. I mostly stuck to the hand sanders around the perimeter of the room though.

NOW: I don't dare say "after" since the baseboards are a M.E.S.S.Stay tuned for a real after picture!

302 New Items

I subscribe to 94 (!) blogs in my Google Reader. How did it get to be that many?? As of right now I have 302 unread items. Should I be excited at all of the inspiration that I am bound to see or should I be afraid...very afraid.

Here are the type of blogs I go for:

1. House blogs. Anything to do with design ideas or renovations. I love before and afters!!

This Young House, Door Sixteen, Ramblings of a Renovating Couple

2. Food blogs. Cooking, baking, yummy looking food pictures. Food pictures are among my favorite types of pictures. I will someday make cupcake pops!

Bakerella, The Pioneer Woman Cooks, Bake It Pretty

3. DIY blogs. I have enough crafting ideas to last me at least 2 lifetimes.

iDIY, Twig & Thistle, One Pretty Thing

4. Photography blogs. I'm especially fond of fun and funky engagement sessions. My parents can't understand when I purposely cut someones head off in a picture. They totally don't get composition.

Bobbi & Mike, Open Field Photography, Jamie Delaine

5. Good reads. I would need a whole 'nother post for this category. Random people that I find and get caught up in their lives and stories.

6. Friends that blog. I love to stay connected with my friends all over the country.

Okay, I'm tired now. Holding steady at 302 items, but I'm sure that number will increase while I sleep. I'll let you know if I find anything good :)

New Logo

I have a new logo and I love it. There are a couple of tiny things I need to fix, but I could not wait to show you!!

What do you think?

Giveaway Winner

Here's to Eme, the first ever giveaway winner at On A Limb Paper. Eme loved the ribboned cards and now she'll have her very own set!

Eme, send me an email with your address and the name you'd like printed to gandm2007@gmail.com

Congratulations!!

Grandma's Sewing Kit

I recently inherited my grandma's sewing kit. Someday when my craft room is finished I might actually sew but for now it will wait patiently in storage with all of my other worldly possessions. Before putting it away, I had a peek inside.

No, it's not beautiful but inside that coppery rusted colored plastic box is a treasure trove of vintage sewing items.
Let's have a look shall we.
Sorry for the sideways picture, but I don't feel like going back to rotate it.
Tiny little thimbles...or Monopoly pieces.
Sewing machine oil. It looks rather oily. Am I supposed be oiling my sewing machine? Should I read the instruction manual?
A bag of elastic for those days when you feel bloated. Who needs zippers and buttons?
The instruction manuals for 2 different machines. Do you suppose that Doris still works over at Sears, Roebuck and Co? Again, sorry for the sideways picture.
A tiny little screwdriver. Again, from Sears. My Grandma must have kept that company in business.
Don't forget the needles! The one on the right is plotting something. Just look at the way her hands are clasped and that evil look in her eye.
What does the 12 mean after Columbus? Was there a time before zip codes?
There you have it. Some old fashioned sewing goodness.

Hey, don't forget to enter my first ever giveaway!! You'll be glad you did.

Sale Today!!

Today is the one year anniversary of my Etsy shop being open. I didn't get my first sale though until almost a month later. I guess things have been fairly good my first year, but now I'm ready to take things up a notch!

Head over to the shop and buy 2 sets of stationery at regular price! Get 1 set for free. Need an Easter gift? Something for Mother's Day perhaps? Be ultra-prepared and get your graduation gifts now!!

While you are over there picking out gifts for your friends and family, pick something out for yourself. Leave a comment about your favorite note set and on Friday at noon (eastern time) I'll pick a winner! Your gift will be one personalized note card set (10 cards and matching envelopes)My one year anniversary and my first giveaway all on the same day. I think I need to go lay down!

Top O'The Morning To You

Thank you Snippet & Ink for the lovely dose of St. Patrick's Day inspiration. I'm off to print some invitations, work at the house, and then to grab a pint at the pub. 4 years ago G and I were celebrating the holiday in Dingle, Ireland at the Lighthouse B&B. It was the only night out of 37 that we stayed in a B&B. The rest of the time was spent in hostels and one night in the car.

I wish I had some pictures to share, but they are all sadly, in storage. :(

Random Thoughts On A Monday Evening

1. The bathroom window is installed and trim is nearly done. Tomorrow I will fill the holes, prime and paint. 5 windows done, 5 to go. Next up for the 2nd floor is sanding the hardwood.
2. I spent the day painting the trim around the bedroom windows. The window all the way to the right (through the door) is in the new walk-in closet. We have not decided if we'll paint the actual window too. We'll leave it natural for now.

3. I cut my hand. I probably scared G when I walked into the bathroom holding it and proclaiming that I cut myself. When I released the pressure, a little dot of blood appeared and that was about it. But I got a kiss and a band aid.

4. Spring is starting to make an appearance outside. Thanks to the planting day with my mom back in November we should have some tulips and hyacinths in a few weeks.

5. I'm thinking of picking up Chinese food for dinner. You don't know how much I wish our kitchen was done.

6. I've been working on some new wedding invitations for my etsy site. I just need to take some pictures and post them! I'll share as soon as I do it.

I Could Use A Spa Day

March can be mean. 2 days ago it was bright and sunny and almost 80 degrees. Now it is cold and yucky with a high of 40 degrees. I sure am glad I climbed out on that roof a couple of days ago and didn't put that painting off.

Also, my abs hurt (see yesterday). A flat stomach used to come so easily to me. Oh to be 21 again. (in the flat stomach sense only)

While huddled up in my robe this morning, I stumbled upon 100 Layer Cake blog and found these amazingly cute and simple recipe cards for a stay at home spa day. The perfect answer to cure my cold weather, hurting abs blues. Download a set here, print them out on some nice heavy card stock, and then have the girls over and throw your cares away.

Thank you 100 Layer Cake for the lovely idea and beautiful photos!

The Ab Workout

Morning Torture

I've found a new way to torture myself each morning in the form of free exercise videos. I seriously need to lose some pounds before someone forces me into a swimsuit. It's bound to happen. Here is the video I did this morning which just about ruined my whole day. (not really, I just love drama)

There are pages and pages of free videos from arm workouts to yoga. Head over there and shed some pounds with me.

Out On The Roof

I'm about to go out on the roof to paint window trim.

The wind is blowing, the sun is shining, and I hope this weather sticks around.

Where Does Time Go?

i really feel like the week has gotten away from me. here are some things i had on my plate.

-my adobe photoshop program died this morning. all my lovely brushes, shapes, and actions are gone as well. it may take the better part of this year to get it all back in working order on my laptop.

-we spent many hours yesterday and today installing new windows in our master bedroom. 4 windows down, 6 to go.

-i started herb seeds in a little indoor garden tray that i got from lowe's. basil, oregeno, and rosemary.

-in the midst of 7 wedding invitation orders, multiple stationery orders, and 1 wedding shower order. i love the busy-ness and designing and talking with all the lovely brides-to-be. every one of them has such a unique vision for their day.

-scouting out locations for an engagement shoot in a few weeks.

-loving the spring like weather of the last two days. my tulips and hyacinths and peonies are starting to bud. hope it's not too soon!

-getting ready for my first ever craft show experience in 3 weeks. any pointers?

so now i am home on a friday night thinking about making dinner (or not). lovely husband is playing solitaire on the other computer. i can hear his belly rumbling. i'm tired. too tired for capital letters apparently.

i won't leave you without a picture. this is what i was doing 1 year ago today. hanging out on the top of a mountain. have a lovely weekend.

If You Live Near Columbus, Ohio

Be sure to check this out.

Our Wonderful Wedding Shower

Back before I was a married person I got to have a wedding shower. This was no ordinary shower (although I did have one of those as well). This was a pottery painting, dessert plate making, gather round and be creative wedding shower.

We held this shower on a Friday night at a paint your own pottery place. The goal was to make G and I a set of dessert plates of some of the places we've been to together. Not everyone is an artist so we printed out some basic images and let everyone pick what location they wanted to do. Some painted alone, some in pairs.
For the artistically challenged, the trick was to take your image and put it right on the plate. Use a sharpie to trace over the lines. **Don't worry, the sharpie burns off in the kiln**
Remove the tracing paper and start painting. I know they look sort of dull now but wait till you see the finished product. The kiln really brings out the colors.
We just sat around and painted (by we, I mean my friends and family) ate some light snacks and enjoyed some beverages.


All together, we had about 25 guests and ended up with 15 wonderful plates to enjoy. A couple of my favorites

Unfortunately, due to moving and renovations these plates have yet to see the light of day. I look forward to a party in their honor. I owe all of those painters some dessert and a chance to see their plate in person!
Not pictured: London

Irish Wedding Shower Invites

I recently worked with a client who was planning a bridal shower for her sister. The shower was to have a subtle Irish theme to it. Here are 3 examples I came up with for her.


By the way, she picked #3

Etsy Artist : Fall Down Tree

When I stumbled across the work of Fall Down Tree on Etsy I was awestruck. I would love to own every one of these prints but especially the one from the barnyard animal series. I love how they look sort of distressed with lots of texture. I added him to my favorites right away!

Here are some of my favorite pieces.




Thanks Adam for letting me share!