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.

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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!

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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! : )

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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 : )

Wow – this week seems to be flying by.  It’s already half over, tonight is a new Lost episode, and somebody will be leaving American Idol.  Whew!

Josh and I took a trip over to Bainbridge Island Wa this past weekend.  We lucked out and had a very sunny day.  We took the car over on the ferry and visited new friends at their beautiful home.  It was such a nice day trip – I’d like to go back again soon and visit all the little shops there.

I was so preoccupied with the gorgeous weather and our new friends that I forgot to take any photos while we were there.  But I did get this one of Josh on the ferry.  Can you tell we were having a great day? : )

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I want to send out a big thank you to Liz over at LavenderLizard for including my little orange needlebook in her latest blog post.  Thank you, Liz!  If you love great Etsy finds like I do – I hope you’ll take a gander at Liz’s fun collection.

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This morning I did a big shop update…well, big for me anyway. : )

I’ve got a brand new Project Tote.

And a matching needlebook.

And something a little different…

The other day I made up this tasket prototype.  This one is quite a bit bigger than my usual taskets.  I used linen (reinforced with fusible fleece) and this new Japanese canvas I just got from Superbuzzy.  Over all I’m very happy with how this new design turned out.  I think there’ll be some larger taskets in the shop soon.

This one does have some slight puckering of the lining at the back, but all-in-all it’s sturdy, roomy and cute.

Since it’s a prototype, I’m offering it at the same price as the smaller version, even though it’s quite a bit bigger.

So if you like a good sale and need a cute place to store some fabric bundles, knitting supplies etc… I hope you’ll give this tasket a home!

Sold – and on it’s way to NV.

Have a great day, everybody!

Jenn : )

We’ve gathered together a group of fabulous Etsy sellers who make some of the loveliest and well made hand crafts around. We’re bringing our very best creations from our homes to yours in this unique two day online shopping experience. Plus, we’re giving away door prizes so don’t forget to leave a comment on each blog to enter. It’s not too early to think about shopping for those special folks on your Christmas list so please keep them in mind as you browse these fabulous offerings:

Notebooks
Sue Bleiweiss

Gadget Cozies
Ginny Harvey

Toys
Felicia Haywood

Felted Items
Lisa Jordan

Needlebooks & Sewing
Jenn Maruska

Pottery
Julie Thomas

Gift Tags
Karen Wittkop

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Welcome!

I’ve just been doing some embroidery. Come on in!

My name is Jenn and I am the creator of Jenn Maruska Design. I’m an artist and seamstress and I make cute and useful items for your workspace and home. About 10 years ago I made my first simple needlebook out of woolfelt. I’ve since modified the design and incorporated my own unique, hand embroidery as decoration. And I now use luxurious high-quality wools for the covers. My needlebooks, pincushions and taskets are well made and meant to last for years to come. I’m inspired by natural colors and Japanese design.

My needlebooks are perfect for anyone who quilts, beads, embroiders or sews.

You can use a tasket to hold your small supplies and tools.

I hand embroidered a spool of thread as decoration for this crafty pincushion.

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Don’t forget about the door prize!

Leave me a comment to be entered into a drawing to win the pincushion below.

The winner will be announced here on Wednesday, Nov 5th.

Thank you so much for attending this Virtual Etsy Home Show!

I’d like to invite you to the next stop on your tour:

Pottery
Julie Thomas

Jenn : )

Gosh, it’s been a while since I’ve posted!

There’s lots going on over here at the Maruska house… I keep meaning to do a blog post.

I now have a list of things to remember to share with you guys.

So.

Let’s get this party started!

Here are a couple of sewing projects I’ve been working on.

I have 22 of these little flower needlebooks that I’ve been creating.

I’ve made so many of these books in preparation for the upcoming holiday season.

I hope that folks like them as much as I do. : )

Right now I’m a bit obsessed with these wee tiny flower buttons – aren’t they cute?

You’ll see those in many of my new embroidery designs.

Here is a WIP that I’ve had for ages: these bunny embroideries.

These will eventually be needlebooks for my select sewing sets.

There will be a needlebook with matching tasket and pincushion.

I’ve very happy with how these came out. : )

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Conversation in our kitchen yesterday afternoon:

Josh: “Hey, have I shown you this computer game that I’ve been playing?”

Me: “No.”

Josh: “It’s pretty fun. And really cute. I bet you’d like it.”

Me: “OMG! I HAVE to put this on the blog!!!!!!”

This game was created by the California Milk Processor Board (the “Got Milk” people) as a cute way to promote… milk. The graphics are fantastic. The story is fantastic. And I am completely head-over-heels in love with this game.

It’s been out since 2007, so maybe many of you have already heard about it.

But for those of you who haven’t, I introduce to you:

“Get The Glass”

Simply click on the dice to roll them.

Keep your wits about you.

Try not to get sent to Milkatraz!

And enjoy!

I’ll see you again soon!

Jenn : )

Here are a few more photos from our trip back to PA and NY this month.

In NY we celebrated my dad and brother’s birthdays (they are both on the same day!).

Grandma made a cake with half vanilla frosting and half mint.

In the center was this adorable little wooden bird to hold one of the candles.

I don’t recall seeing this little bird before.

She said that her mother decorated her birthday cakes with it when she was a little girl.

She put pretty sheets on our bed.

While we were in PA, we stopped by International Fabrics.

As the name implies: they have fabrics from all around the world.

They have something for everyone….

…even a comfy chair for dad to sleep in while the women shopped.

: )

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I’ve been asked to make another moose needlebook, so I’ll be embroidering this afternoon.

Right after I order one of these,

(despite the snarky review)

for EVERY ROOM OF MY HOUSE!

Jenn : )