From Cotton Time:

These photos are from the Nov. issue.

The Jan. issue is on its way!

Jenn : )

This is one of the new favoritest books in the Maruska house:

Scaredy Squirrel!

Adorable illustrations, great story and fun to read.

Scaredy Squirrel leads a predictable life, planning for any emergency.

Until one day, when something shocking happens!

Without giving away the dramatic ending,

I will say that Scaredy Squirrel’s world will change…

forever!!!

I’m pretty sure Scaredy Squirrel At The Beach,

Scaredy Squirrel At Night,

and

Scaredy Squirrel Makes A Friend

will be joining us SOON!

Jenn : )

… a message to Paula Deen.

Hello!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Our plans fell through when our friends called to say that they had the flu.  We decided to keep Madeline at home, so we celebrated with a quick roasted chicken, just the three of us.

I hope to have photos of our newly renovated upstairs, soon.  We have a few minor things to finish up and we’ll finally be done (we started this renovation all the way back in June!)  I’ve started slowly moving my studio upstairs, out of the dark, depressing basement (did you hear the champagne pop?) and we’ve already spent a few nights in our new bedroom.

Madeline keeps me very busy, but she and I are working out a routine, and I’m getting better at multi-tasking and doing things one handed.  I have a new respect for all you moms out there – this really is the toughest of jobs.

I have very little reading time lately, but I try to do a little here and there, while I’m feeding the baby.  One of my recent reads, is this issue of Food Network Magazine that my friend Christina sent me.

It has several recipes that I’d like to try, some great gadget ideas and lots of delicious photos.  I read it straight through and then set it aside, in a spot where I see it every day…

… and the more I look at it, the more I chuckle and think to myself:

________________________________________

Dear Paula Deen,

You seem like such a nice lady.

What is going on with your hair?

My great grandmother had a silver Christmas tree that spun around and had four different colored lights that shined on it.  I’m pretty sure it was made before lead testing was popular.

You should find a new stylist.

_______________________________________________

(Stay tuned – my next post involves a squirrel!)

Jenn : )

We have a GIRL!

Baby Madeline has been keeping us very busy.

We’ve had some very late nights here.

Thank you to all who sent their well wishes!

I hope to be back to blogging soon.

I just have to kiss her little noggin one more time…

Jenn : )

Big…

(or should I say “Little”)

news coming!

Jenn : )

Josh and I have been super busy over here.

We’ve got lots of projects going on these days.

The renovation of our upstairs is moving along quickly.

Here are a couple recent photos:

Our new railing!  There used to be a wall there.

This loft space will now be my new studio area,

instead of a cramped, neglected guest bedroom.

And we have new tile in the bathroom.

Josh has been working on several freelance design projects.

My latest custom order was for a large sized needlebook.

I tried something new with the cover and scalloped the edges of the embroidery. My customer was very pleased and so am I.  I think I’ll be doing more decorative edges on my needlebooks from now on.

_________________________________________

I was thrilled to learn recently that I’d been featured over at Evergreen Moms.

Evergreen Moms is a great blog that features items made by Northwest artisans and small businesses. You can sign up for their newsletter and receive a short message about their latest finds!

Thank you Heather, for including my items on your fun blog!

_________________________________________

And just this past Monday one of my taskets was featured in a Plaid Happy Collection over at Indie Icing!

Check out Indie Icing for gorgeous photos of cool handmade items!

Thanks to Jessica for including my tasket! : )

__________________________________________

I think the carpenters have left early today, so the cats and I are going to enjoy the quiet and the afternoon sunshine. Have a great day!

Jenn : )

A snail with a racing stripe…

Now THAT’S good self esteem!

Today, lets all think big and aim high!

Jenn : )

I received wonderful presents from friends and family for my birthday this year.

And this amazing package from one of my bestest blogging buddies, Christina.

Thank you Christina, for all the birthday goodness!  : D

A Japanese crafting book (how did she know??), fabric, buttons and Pinky Monkey candies.  Sorry, I won’t be able to show those off.  They didn’t last long enough to make it to the photo shoot!

Eeek!  The cuteness!

And a framed, beaded flower that she made herself!

Christina is a very talented beading artist.  If you check out her blog you’ll see many examples of beading techniques and amazing artwork.  She has taught me so much about this artform and I am proud to have this framed flower to decorate the wall of my new studio space!

Jenn : )

What a way to start the day!

My coolness factor just went up to *11*, folks.

‘Cause guess who just got her own nickname at the local coffee shop?

(And not even a bad nickname, either!)

I’m offically “OGHazel” now, peeps.

(That stands for “Original Hazelnut”, for those of you who don’t speak “the lingo”.)

Don’t worry.

I’ll still talk to you guys.

When I’m not signing autographs,

or windsurfing with movie stars.

Jenn ; )

Yesterday was my birthday.

We’ve been so busy around here that I’m

having my birthday cupcake and opening cards/presents today.

Right after I took this photo I made a wish and blew out the candle.

My birthday wish: that the renovations on our house will keep moving along quickly, that a day will come when Josh and I aren’t sleeping in our diningroom, that another day will come when we not only won’t have all of our things piled up in the livingroom – but also our friend Peter’s things too (how the heck did that happen?!?), that my clothes dryer isn’t really dead – that it’s just taken a short siesta, that the moths that somehow hatched out of the pretty wreath I bought for the kitchen will someday die off or just go away….. oh, yeah, and world peace.

I know that’s more than one request.

I really need the birthday gods to send me alittle something extra this year.

Happy Birthday to all my fellow summer babies!

Best,

Jenn : )