Everything But the Kitchen Sink

Literally... There's nothing left in my kitchen except for the kitchen sink:

Speaking of sinks, The 30 inch version of this apron-front beauty (insert giddy grin here) is the one we just purchased for a seriously good deal. It was the first actual purchase toward our new space.

I can't believe how many decision I have/get to make. It's pretty darn overwhelming, but I'm not going to complain! I'm having the hardest time with countertops. I always thought I wanted marble and/or butcher block, but I'm rethinking that now that I'm learning about the upkeep and care involved in different surfaces. Any countertop suggestions / thoughts / experience to share?

I'm also working on updating the Perfect Sentiment Etsy shop, so look for some new additions there in the next few days!

Official "Before" Kitchen Pics

You've heard me talk and talk and talk and talk about my kitchen dreams. Would you believe me if I said we're finally doing something to realize those dreams? What if I showed you what my kitchen looks like at this very moment in time? Check it out:

Yep, I'd say there's no turning back now... We are in the midst of remodeling our 1950's kitchen! So here are the official before photos:

Soon there will be no walls or doorways... A breakfast bar/island will be in its place!

Finally saying buh-bye to the ancient stove :-)

Stay tuned for the "after" photos... Everything should be complete in about 2 months. I'll share my inspiration photos very soon. I'm giddy and anxious all rolled up in one!!

I'm Thankful for... a free download!

It's been a while since I've shared a download with you... This one comes just in time for Thanksgiving. I made little "I'm thankful for..." slips of paper for our family to record our blessings this season. It came about because that little Thanksgiving project I made last year is still up in the attic with the rest of our fall decorations. (Ahem. Not pointing fingers. Okay, I am.) I wanted a visual way for us to think about all we have to be thankful for. I slipped them into an tin can, along with a pencil, so that we can easily jot it all down. Then on Thanksgiving we'll pull them out and read them.

You can too if you' d like! Just print out this file on a regular 8.5x11 sheet of paper (do not scale or fit to paper) and cut it into fourths. Then just grab a can or jar and a pencil. What a simple way to record your blessings.

Have fun!

Tis My Season

I just finished my first Christmas card order of the season! Makes me so excited and really gets my creative blood flowing. I'm excited about my 2010 holiday designs!

It also makes me bit anxious too... I know I talked about this before, but I am so not a business person. I love to create. I don't love to market myself. I get so excited to email out a digital sample to a customer. I do not like to charge money. I am all about the details for my products. I drop so many balls when it comes to taking care of business. Case and point:

I just spammed my entire Perfect Sentiment mailing list by mistake. Those sweet folks who elected to receive updates from me just got an in box full of 6 of the same emails from me. ARGH. I don't feel entirely comfortable sending out a "choose me" newsletter, but I step out of the ole comfort zone a couple of times a year. I spent the better part of the evening setting up my holiday version, and then I sent it out s-i-x times. Ooops.

I gotta work on the ins and outs of being a business-woman (Ha!) and mom-preneur (a fun new term I heard recently). In the meantime, I'm having fun creating my newest product, the notepad.

One is a custom pad for moms. I got the idea at a recent birthday party where one of the gifts had a tag on it with the multiple choice boxes for each kiddo. I thought a notepad version would be a good thing to have on hand to jot down a quick note to send to school. The other version is a ready-made little guy with a unique quote on each sheet. I'm going to try these out at my booth at a local craft show next week. Then they might just show up on myPerfect Sentiment site and my Etsy shop.

Right now I'm going to try to stop cringing at my spamming mistake. I'm sure it will pass.

T G I F !