Monday - Time for Show and Tell!

Well, you may have noticed I missed a couple weeks of Show and Tell Monday. Sometimes life just gets in the way, doesn't it. I am so happy to report that I am back on track here and really excited about all the new things happening at Clutter Bug Studio and at MMP - Make Mine Pink.


Today being Monday, it's time once again for Show and Tell. This week I would like to share with you a project that I started just a couple weeks ago and had to set aside. I don't know about you, but I am soooo frustrated when I am looking for something in my studio and just can't find it. I do so love organized spaces. So that's what this week is about........getting organized.

Phase I:
I've started re-organizing my studio by building this shallow shelf. It is about 6' wide. My original intention was to create something to house my ribbons. I don't care for them on rods because I prefer to remove the spools and carry them over to my work table. I'm not a fan of unrolling and cutting in place. The ribbon areas have an extra little molding on the edge so they don't roll off! =)


You might notice the drawer cabinets are a sweet shade of pink. I have started labeling the drawers:


but am not 100% satisfied with the labels. When you look closely, the backgrounds are a little pink check, but here they look too bright for my taste. I'll be doing some fine-tuning on those.


This shelf resulted in many useful areas for some of my antique and reproduction jars housing all manner of goodies. I can store everything from wreaths to buttons, birds to tape measures.


I think it turned out pretty good, don't you? Next phase is to start a lower section with drawers, etc. and a counter top. Although I have a wonderful 5' cutting counter just around the corner, I like the idea of another flat surface right here by my new shelf.


That's it for today. Hope you enjoyed my newest storage idea.



....til next time................

Show and Tell Monday

As yes, it's time once again for Show and Tell. I just love this feature shared by many of my friends at Make Mine Pink. It is great fun to hop around to all the blogs and see what everyone is up to.

This week I'm posting a project that I did yesterday with my sisters. We all gathered at the home of my sister Kathy to put forth our combined creative talents to make something special for Mom's birthday - which happens to be the day after Mother's Day.

We started with an old Jenny Lind style spool bed - full size. Here's the headboard before we got started.

We sawed, sanded, drilled, and screwed parts. Here we are working on assembly

Gayle stepped in as photographer here. We are finished with assembly at this point. Next, Beth and Gayle rubbed down all the old wood to clean it up and give it some new life. (do you think anyone will notice the drill is not even plugged in?????)

We had sooo much fun! From there, we went inside and starting measuring, cutting, sewing, stuffing......

Hey Kathy, wake up....this is no time to take a nap! Did I mention that we took a time out for lunch? Kathy made us two different quiches to try, accompanied by a delicious spinach salad with raspberry vinagrette and mandarin oranges, fresh strawberries and sliced almonds. But I digress....

Here are the four of us with our finished product: Back from left - Kathy, then me. Sitting from left, Beth then Gayle. None of us are spiffed up for picture taking, but I'm sure you'll understand. Won't you?

We didn't have the filler for the big bench pad yet. But here is the finished bench to that point. Just imagine it with that bench pad all full and fluffy and pretty....
Hope you enjoyed this little peak into my family and project! P.S. - in case you are wondering......we did "upholster" the front rail for a finished look. And the pillows are all reversible. This will go on Mom's front porch of her charming farmhouse style home......it's a soft butter yellow. Isn't it just amazing what four ambitious women can do in a day.....and still have time for lunch!

til next time..........

Show and Tell Monday!!!

Ah yes, it is Show and Tell time! Gosh I love it.....it brings back lots of memories of elementary school and the show and tell days where you had a chance to show a bit of who you are.

This week's show and tell is about unfinished business. All of us creative types find ourselves in the midst of chaos from time to time. As I sat at the hospital waiting while my dh underwent treatment, I worked on cutting out and turning my Raggedy dolls. Each time I make a new batch of these babies, I get soooo excited. I so enjoy seeing them come to life and picking out their new clothing and giving them personality. I hope to have these on my site in a week or so.......and I love to do special requests. So.....if you need a certain hair color, or fabric (maybe to match a room), give me a shout. I'll be there to answer the call.

til next time................

Carol

Mother's Day Shop Hop

Make Mine Pink will be hosting a Mother's Day Shop Hop starting April 21st and ending May 10th, 2008. Join the Make Mine Pink Bloggers as we post our plans for a Mother's Day Event - we will share stories and recipes, a garden hat or two. There will be great prizes to win too! For all the details, stop by Make Mine Pink to register and get all the details.

You will not want to miss this great event! Oh.....and take time to smell the roses along the way!

Show and Tell Monday!

Yay, it's Monday. What? You think I'm crazy to love Mondays? Doesn't everyone dread that dastardly day? Not me - let me tell you why. Monday is Show and Tell Day at Make Mine Pink blogs! Woo Hoo!

Each Monday, many of my fellow entrepreneurs at Make Mine Pink will post a pick of something new they've been working on. What a great way to get the "inside scoop" and advance notice on things to come. Super exciting, isn't it!

Well, here is my Show and Tell. My new line, Oooh Fudge! After much prodding and cajoling, I have finally succumbed to the pressure to offer my customers my own homemade fudge. In a jar....with a spoon....creamy and delightful!

For decades, this family favorite was available only to close family and friends. Now I am ready to share it with YOU! Currently available in three sizes: Decadence for One (4 oz), Double Decadance (8 oz), and Deeply Decadent (10 oz). Packaged in recyclable charming glass jars with real spoons. No need to wait to indulge..... for more information and to order, please visit my web site.

....and don't forget to stop by Make Mine Pink and see all the other boutiques participating in Show and Tell Monday. You'll be glad to did.

Happy Monday.........til next time.............Carol

Home From Chicago!

Wow, what a jam-packed weekend. I flew into Chicago and attended the Country Living Magazine Women Entrepreneurs of The Year event. This was the third year - it was attended by 600 business women from 40 different states. It was a fabulous event.

My weekend started by meeting with several of my fellow Make Mine Pink members at the airport. Firstly, Karen of Sweet Necessi-Teas and Lori of Katies Rose Cottage were there to meet and greet me. We then met up with Roxie of Business in The Bag and Sharon of C'est Chouette. What fabulous fun women. Although we had never met in person before, we felt like old family upon meeting. The laughter, teasing, and camaraderie was unending.All in all - our MMP group included some 19/20 members, our founder Joyce and her husband, and Joyce's two accomplished, lovely daughters, Katie and Sarah.

We stayed in a lovely brownstone just one block from Lakeshore Drive and were anxious to walk the Magnificent Mile of Michigan Ave. Here we met up with the other members of Make Mine Pink attending the conference.

Another of the highlights was the honoring of our MMP founder, Joyce Lucas, as one of the County Living Women Entrepreneurs. A resounding applause, with some hootin' and hollarin' were overwhelming as she was introduced. The one-day conference included speakers, such as Anna Griffin, above, and panelists of successful business women. Lots of sharing of ideas, tips and hints poured out through the day. Raucus laughter ensued as we converged back at the brownstone with everyone in attendance for a tiara contest, pizza, and a "pamper me pink" yankee swap. What a riot! I'll be posting some pics about this later.

I cannot begin to tell you how inspiring and uplifting this weekend was. Be sure to stop by other blogs and get more details. Also in attendance were (in no particular order) Sita, Dianne, Cindy O., Dawn, Christine, Cathy, Janet, Gail, Georgia, Francie, Michelle. Hope I didn't miss anyone. Click on their names to visit their sites.

This was one awesome event and I sure plan on attending next year as well.

Win This Ring!

Oh yes, I am not kidding!

This gorgeous ring is up for grabs in a special contest being held at Make Mine Pink.. We have a great year planned and if you're serious about growing your business, come grow with us! Open your own Boutique Today!

Don't forget to join the public forum while you're there and get to know the members and shop owners. We always have something fun and informative going on! This month it's our QUEEN FOR A DAY Contest! This contest is open to all forum members that will not be attending the Country Living WE event in Chicago this month. What is the prize you ask? A TIARA RING of course!

For more details.. you'll have to pay the forum a visit! For more reasons than one, you'll be glad you did!