A fancy farewell...

Since I love making things for my friends, I thought it only appropriate to make a pretty farewell card for Miss Trish before her departure. So using a fun DIY by Silje from Little Bird Crafts- featured on A Beautiful Mess here-, I made my own little mini-book.



Aren't mini books fun??
xoxo, jenn

Thursday already??

This week has flown by! And I've been such a busy little bee that I didn't even realize... I've managed to completely clean AND rearrange my room (AND put away clean laundry, my lease favorite chore)- you know that feeling that washes over you after you've given your home (or bedroom in my case) a little fixer upper? When it's all clean, and fresh, and new? Yeah, I get that feeling every time I come home now. And it makes me wonder why I didn't rearrange my space before! It just makes more sense now, and my room feels bigger... and the best part? I don't have to craft on my bed anymore! Yay!!

In addition to cleaning, I've also been spending time with my dear friend Trish. Who flew back to the states today. Who I won't see again for 6 months. I'm a sad panda, but I'm very happy for her as she was not happy living in Germany. I know she was looking forward to this day with great excitment and anticipation, so I'm trying not to be TOO sad. I'm going to try to throw myself into crafts so I don't go all mopey and depressed, because I know that only makes the time drag by slower (as I discovered the first six months I lived in Germany).

This shouldn't be too hard of a task, as I'm overwhelmed with projects! Today I will be working on this adorable pin cushion swap created by miss Leigh-Ann at FreckledNest.com. I'm so excited to get it in the mail this weekend.
Then I have an art journal class lead by Polka Dot Robot, and then Indie Business starting a week later, AND I still have most of my style school projects to complete! Whew! Add in my normal job, and I won't have any time to pout (although I'm sure I'll manage to pout a little bit. Sometimes.)!

And in brighter news, the sun has come out!!! I *love* the sun. Cannot get enough of it. The sun makes me so ridiculously happy and giddy, that sometimes people wonder if I'm on drugs. Haha, the sun makes me silly, and I'm so glad it has decided to grace us with it's presence. My sister and I went out to enjoy the wonderful warm weather this week, and we both hope it doesn't go away any time soon! I also recommend everyone listen to Lily Allen's song "Mr. Blue Sky." It's the perfect little pick me up!

Keep Moving...

Albert Einstein once said “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.”

I really didn't want to get up this morning. I kept waking up and looking at the clock, and knowing that I should get out of bed, I decided to snuggle deeper into my blankets instead. I just kept thinking I'm tired, I don't want to get up, it's gray outside- you know, being my normal pouty self. Then the words "keep moving" popped into my head. It's been a little mantra of mine lately. I suffer from seasonal depression, so it's really easy for me to drop everything during the winter months, but I really don't want it to run my life anymore. I want to be proactive and productive and get my life going, creatively and in general.

And it worked. Those two little words got me out of bed and into the shower. And now I'm busy sending emails, and paying bills, and enjoying my morning (-err, afternoon) tea. In my favorite coffee mug btw. And my new favorite tea- Pomegranate Pizazz. Yuuuuummy! And it's keeping me warm. ;)


xo, jenn

I'm a great slacker.

My room reallllly needs a good cleaning, and a desperate organization overhaul. It's bad. I'm losing socks, work shirts, my camera, buttons- you name it, I probably can't find it. And my poor poor mistreated laptop is screaming "Dust me!"

Fortunately, I'm great at procrastinating.

My nails are now a pretty "Violet Vision" and my room is still a mess, haha! I think I deserve a good pat on the back for my amazing productivity.

Back to work I go. ♥

Super-secret-surprise!

I was so busy yesterday that I forgot to share about the surprise project I was working on. Masks! One for me and each of my friends that went to Venice. Originally, I wanted to make something we could actually wear, but I couldn't find the right masks (these are childrens Zorro masks, hehe). In fact I couldn't find ANY masks untill a week before we left. These masks had a little Z embossed in the center, which provided a fun design challenge. I think they turned out adorable, even if they were too small to wear. Annnd, the girls loved them. In fact a couple of them even got a little misty eyed, which was much more than I was expecting. Now we all have a cute little momento to remember the best Venice trip ever.

Before
After
Trish
Amy
Maria
Me
And here's a little peek at some of the pretties I bought myself: 2 bottle stoppers made from Murano glass, a pretty glittery mask, a plain cat mask that I can design myself (I want to dress up as Puss in Boots this year for Halloween), a Murano glass calligraphy pen, aaaand a lime green pashima scarf.


xo, jenn

Color me Carnevale!

I'm home! What an *amazing* trip. The girls and I had such a great time... but I have to admit- Venice kicked my butt! All the walking around and going up and down bridges (there was a big one in particular near our hostel that we crossed at least 4 times a day.) definitely added up by the fourth day. It was one of those vacations that you need a vacation from once you get home. Not that you ever get to do that. I had to go right back to work today. And now I feel I have sooo much to catch up on! But more about Venice, haha!


Carnevale was awesome. Because we caught the tail end of the celebration, it wasn't nearly as crowded as I heard it can be. We could at least walk around without getting overly friendly with our neighbors. And the costumes! So beautiful!! It seemed those who dressed in the full masquerade attire were seasoned Carnevale veterans, as they were very nice and stopped for tourists to snap pictures. I can't wait to go back another year and dress up myself!


Most of our days were spent wondering the streets, hitting up the usual haunts: San Marco square, Rialto bridge and market, Murano Island and glass factory, Doges Palace, and Peggy Guggenheim Museum. Our nights- well that's when things got really interesting. First we would find a charming little restaurant to eat dinner, drink wine, and share laughs. Then we attempted to make our way back to the hostel. I say attempted because it was not an easy task... the first two nights involved getting very lost (Monday we didn't even have a map, and Tuesday we wondered so far we found cars- and there are no cars in the heart of Venice). It took us an average of two hours to find our way. And once we did make it back to the hostel, we rewarded ourselves with gelato! I think we ate gelato at least twice a day, and I made sure to try different flavors and combinations: chocolate, mint chocolate, cherry, lemon, strawberry, grandma's cake... Mmmmm, gelato...


Sorry, quick foodgasm there, what was I talking about? Oh yes, getting lost. Well, by the third night we wised up and decided to take the water bus. It still takes about an hour using their public transportation, but at least it's an hour sitting and not wondering lost on sore feet. By our forth day, we ran out of things to do. In Venice! What kind of crazy girls ran out of things to do? Like I said, Venice kicked our butts, and since we had seen everything we really wanted to see, we spent the last few hours hanging out on a bridge and waving at strangers. We even got a few winks and kisses blown our way. And even though we were exhausted, we were all very sad to leave the romantic city.


And now I'm home. Back to reality... sorta. I have more trips in the works that I have to finalize plans for, and I'm really excited about those as well. I figure if I only have four months left on this continent, I might as well make the most of it. Next stop, Luxemberg.


loves, jenn

Venitian Holiday

I'm off to Venice! I'm soo excited. I really hope this turns out to be a fresh new experience, and not just another trip to Venice... so far my morning hasn't been looking so good. First I fell down the stairs, then I ended up with hot sauce in my oatmeal!

But it's ok, because I'm going to Venice. I'm going to Carnevale'. I'm going to have fun! I've got my nails painted pretty assorted colors! And cute sassy clothes packed in my bag! Do I care that it's going to be raining most of the time? No! Why? Because I'm bringin my rain boots, that's why! And I'm leaving these snowing days of Germany behind.... ::insert jenn's signiture happy dance here::



Ciao! jenn

Mom's home!

Momma Bear came home today after spending the last two weeks in the states. Although she went for work, and she was snowed in most of her trip, she made a special trip to Michaels just for me. Armed with a list of needed supplies, she returned home with the following:

1x super cute polka-dot craft bag
1x scrapbooking kit with lots of sweet little things
1x Speedball Lino Cutter Assortment
1x Speedball "Speedy-Carve" Stamp Making Kit
1x pom-pom maker
1x 2-3/8" wooden people set
2x 1-11/16" wooden people sets
2x foam wreaths, annnnnd
21x adorable scrapbooking paper

Isn't she the greatest? Above and beyond! I'll have so much to keep me busy when I return from Venice. As a little surprise to welcome her home, I decorated our entry room with a little Valentines garland.


She liked it.

And now I have to leave for the airport in less than 12 hours, and I STILL haven't packed. Such a slacker, haha!
loveloves, jenn

I'm sooo not allowed to get sick!

I'm not getting sick. I'm not getting sick. I'm not getting sick. The sniffling, sneezing, itchy eyes and nausea are all just figments of my imagination. I'm going to Venice in 2 days!! Getting sick is just out of the question.

Please send soup. loves, jenn

Late nights

I've had quite a few very long days this week. Something I'm sorta surprised by in fact. Usually I sleep for a good... oh, 10 hours? Maybe more? I'm kinda a bed whore- I lovvve my bed, and I lovvve sleeping even more. I thought it something I wasn't prepared to sacrifice in the face of starting a new business and reconnecting with my crafty roots. But lately I've been staying up until 3am, waking up at 9 or 10am, and still having enough energy to last the day without a 2 hour nap. Crazy, huh?! I think maybe it has something to do with my determination to finish my super-secret (but totally awesome)-suprise. By the way, I will be revealing the specifics and finished product next Friday! Yay!! Or maybe it's just determination in myself. I can admit that I'm a lazy bum, and I really need to snap out of it. It's taken 26 years for me to figure what I want to do with my life, and this is the year I'm going to make it happen!

That being said, I'm super excited to write the following:

I've enrolled in Indie Business!! I'm super stoked about this class, especially since I decided during an amazing new years eve fireworks celebration that THIS WAS THE YEAR I'd be starting my jewelry business. I cannot even express how thrilled I am about everything I'll learn. If you are interested in taking the class yourself (maybe start a "hobby" business for fun?), you can find information here and here annnd here. I know, so many options right? I adore Elsie and Leigh Ann, and I've quickly become a fan of Jill as well! All three ladies are pretty amazing, and you should check out their blogs even if you're not interested in the class.

Ta-ta for now! xxoo, jenn

In Need of Creative Space

If there's one thing I'm looking forward to in life, it's definitely settling down in a city I adore and having my OWN place to call home. Whether it's a studio or a small cozy house. Although I have been independent for 7 years, it's been 6 years since I've had an apartment to myself.... and wow did I take that for granted. Not that I don't mind roomies. Roomies can be a lot of fun. But to have my own space to decorate as I will, that I can walk around naked if I want, or to just know that I'll always be able to count on having a quiet evening when I get home.

Maybe it's because I'm living with my parents again (the only way I could afford to live in Germany), but I *crave* having my own space right now. I feel as though I'm living in borrowed space... None of the furniture is mine, and I don't really have a place where I can craft- all crafting takes place on my bed. Lame!! It's making me crazy. And since I'll be living with a friend once I return stateside, I know my space will still be limited. So lately I've been trying to visualize a room that will double as a sleep space and craft studio. And I have to say, I'm looking forward to the challenge! I realize some sacrifices may have to be made, like a smaller bed (booo!), but it will be worth it to have a space that will make me happy.

I love big open spaces! So much room to move around and dance.

I definitely need a long desk, or similar workspace like this. Then I'd have room to bead, and jump over to my computer on the other side to select desired tunes!

I really like these bright colors...

A touch of whimsy.

I've always wanted to make my own beaded mobile. Something beautiful and handmade to display in a corner, something that speaks. Um, and that dog.

I'm a fan of both the crisp white (I imagine using slashes of color that I can change throughout the year in correlation to mood or season) and the use of overhead storage. And that you can pull the curtain closed and hide!

And this bed! I love it! It's like part daybed part sofa. I can already see my linens on it surrounded by lots of pillows. I lovvvve pillows, btw. Can't have enough of them.

So, as you can see, I like a lot of different things. But I know the basics of what I want in my next "space." Lots of room, an excellent working desk and storage, an amazing bed, and bursts of personality! What sort of things do you love about your home?
♥, jenn

[all images unless otherwise noted found via weheartit]

Paint Day!

Just a quickie to "Hiiii!" It's paint day at my friends house. I like painting, but today will have an undertone of sadness as it means that my dear friend is definitely leaving in only a couple weeks. Sad day. Granted, I will see her again come August, as I'll be joining her in upstate New York to be roomies... But who will keep me sane until then??


Next week we'll have one last hurrah as we head to Venice for Carnival with a few other girlfriends. It's going to be so much fun! I've been to Venice a couple times already, but never for Carnival. It's simply going to be amazing, and I promise to take lots of photos for you!

I'll be back later, paint splattered and dirty, for a little inspirational post.
loves, jenn

The snow made me smile

A little smile danced it's way across my lips this morning when I awoke to see that it was snowing yet again. And I realllly don't like snow. I think it's pretty for about the first ten minutes, then it gets plowed away into ugly dirty mountains of ice that line the streets.

And yet... I smiled. I layed in bed, entranced by the flakes making their way past my window. I got really happy when the flakes got super big and slowed down so I could see every one! This coming from a person who usually gets grumpy and mopey to see snow falling. Same thing happened yesterday as I made my way to the post office. As soon as I stepped outside and started walking, the snow started falling. Rather than pouting, I smiled and thought "Ooo, snow!" So I'm walking down the street with this big grin on my face, and I feel ridiculous. Which only made me grin more! In fact I had to hold back a few outbursts of giggles for fear that people would start looking at me strangely.

I think I'm converting into someone who actually likes snow. Uh-oh.

Pretty snow covered trees outside Garmisch, Germany.

xo, jenn