My First Car Show!

Love this yellow car!

 

 

I just went to my first car show!  I don't know much about old cars.  What I do know is I love certain colors and styles.

Cool blue car!

 I did see some cute Studebakers and Thunderbirds, oh, and a cute old corvette!

This was my favorite!

 I loved the shade of blue on this old car!  That's the owner of the car in the picture.  He said he wouldn't have bought this car if it was black, because it would look like a hearse!  I think he said this was  1941 car.

Vroom Vroom!!

I need this car!

 

 

They just don't make them like they used to!

 I'm so glad I finally went to a car show!  This was a pretty small one, so hopefully I'll find a larger one to check out soon, and maybe I'll actually remember the names of the cars!

I want to find one with old trucks.  My friend Laura has the cutest one for her twitter avatar!

Happy weekend!

Jen

My Fancy Photography Studio

I'm sure you've all been wondering where I've been, since I haven't posted since July 4th!  You missed me, right!? :)

My fancy photography studio 

 I thought I'd share my lovely photography studio with you!  Yep, this little spot is where I take most of my pictures for my Etsy shop stuff!

The best place for good natural lighting

 I first lay a piece of wood down and then my poster board.  We bought the cute wainscoting board at Home Depot.  

I also used to use a light box that my daughter Lindsey made for me (for jewelry), but I've found it works just as well to use my fancy photography studio!

My daughter Katherine even used it to photography her yummy salad and blondies she made (from white beans!).

Oh, and my camera is a cheap but perfect Canon Powershot!

Since starting my Etsy shops, I've developed a real love of photography!  I still have quite a ways to go to be totally happy with my pictures, but it's coming along!

Jen 

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

 

 

I hope everyone has a safe and fun 4th of July!  I'll be watching fireworks safe and sound at home, on tv (yes I'm kind of boring!)!

Boom!

 

 Never was too crazy about the crowds~!  Especially crowds of people that are blowing off fireworks!

Proudly wave your flag!

 

 

 Westlake has a nice parade on the 4th of July, which should be traveling passed (it's not past right?) our house later this morning!  That's when the city brings out their finest service trucks!

Enjoy your holiday!

Jen

Featured Etsy Shop - Quotation Marks

Quotation Marks

This unique Etsy shop is called Quotation Marks!  The shop owner is Farrell, and she makes the prettiest scarves!

Little Darling

 Here comes the sun!  This bright and cheery scarf in inspired by the Beatles song!

Do Not Worry

 Wrap yourself in comforting works...do not worry!

Farrell says "we think everyone should surround themselves with their favorite words the way you'd surround yourself with close friends.  Our number one goal is to provide you with your new favorite quote on your new favorite accessory."

Be sure to check out this wonderful Etsy shop!  I'm sure you will find something special for you or a friend!  Oh, and Farrell can create custom orders too!

Happy shoppping!

Jen

Lucky Number 3000!

Vintage Jewelry

The countdown to 3,000 sales in my 1st Etsy shop, Jenscloset !

As of today, I have 2,998 sales!  I've learned so much since I started this shop back in 2008!

My china shop

I've learned the "art of packing" fragile items.  Speaking of shipping, that has definitely been my biggest challenge!  I have an official USPS scale that I weigh my items on.  I add a box with some packing material inside to simulate the actually weight when the item is packed.  I add almost another pound to that weight, and use my USPS chart for the cost, using the farthest zone.  I always refund if shipping is less (minus a small fee for packing material).

My Milk Glass Shop

Another big challenge is storage!  My husband Bob is constantly putting up more shelves for me, and my house looks more like a warehouse than a home!  I am not proud of that, but that's the way it is!  I would love to have a separate storage facility for all of my shop items.

With such large inventory, it sometimes is a hunt to find a sold item!  One of my methods is a spreadsheet/box method.  I add the item to a numbered box, and at the end of the listing, add that number, and also enter it into a spreadsheet.

Pink Pyrex

I also know that summer sales can be a bit slow, so I must be patient and not get discouraged!

Jen

Featured Etsy Shop

Aquamarine Necklace

I'm so excited to introduce a beautiful Etsy shop and the owner, Jasmaree Lisa, all the way from New Zealand!

Orange Calcited Necklace

Jasmaree Lisa loves living in New Zealand, a place she describes as "natural and down to earth"!  She recently finished studying graphic design and hopes to use her design skills.

Cute notebooks too!

Jasmaree Lisa considers herself to be a spiritual person, and if you check out her product descriptions, you will get a sense of that!  For an example, her Citrine Necklace description:  "the citrine properties that are most well known are its value for aiding manifestation of prosperity, particularly if you combine it with the power of affirmations" (love that)!

Clear Quart Necklace

She loves laughing (me too)!  Her passion is crafting!  I love that she says she enjoys bike riding and that bikes should replace cars, because the world needs to slow down a little, and I totally agree with that!

I would love to meet Jasmaree Lisa in person some day, she sounds like such a lovely person!

Please be sure to check out her shop at DreamDazeDesignz

Enjoy!!  I will have a new featured shop up by next week.  Let me know if you would like your shop featured!

Jen

Lindsey's Married!

The classic cake eating shot

Vintage plates I've been collecting for the wedding

The Bride and Groom

The Bridesmaid-Katherine

The Bride

Rehearsal-getting ready for the big day!

My oldest child, Lindsey, was married this past Saturday, June 9th!

It was a perfect day, albeit, a bit hot!  It was held at Thomas's (Lindsey's now-husband) parent's house, Rosemary and John.  What a gorgeous house they have, but the backyard is even more beautiful, with a pool and a pond and plenty of land!

Blogspot is driving me crazy! I'm trying to mix the pictures throughout this post, by alas, it is not working!  So they're a bit out of order!

Creative Lindsey did quite a bit herself!  She made the cutest programs, (they came with pretty confetti), the bouquets, and arranged all the flowers for the tables.  She also knitted a gorgeous wedding shawl (yes, she knits, crochets, quilts, sews, and more!).

I'll be posting another wedding blog soon, and more shots, including the cute favors Lindsey made!

Cheers to the newlyweds!!



Count Down!!

I can't believe my daughter Lindsey will be married in just a few days!

Lindsey and Mark

This picture was taken on prom night for Mark!  Mark is my sweet 20 year old son.

Katherine, Lindsey, and Mark



Another prom night shot!  It was prom time for Katherine (who is now 19) too!

So my first born will be married this Saturday, June 9th! Wow!  Lindsey and I have always been very close.  She was basically an only child until she was around 8 or 9!  When Lindsey was around 5, I divorced her Dad, and we moved from Colorado back to Ohio.

I grew up in Ohio, and my Mom and Dad were there to help me out.  Boy did they help me out!  When I went back to work, my Mom would pick up Lindsey everyday from school and take her to McDonalds.  They had such a special bond.

Lindsey also had a special bond with my Dad.  He would take her to all kinds of fun places, like he did with us when we were kids!

In 1991 I married my favorite husband, Bob!  Soon we were blessed with Mark, and surprise...Katherine about 14 months later!

I'm a lucky girl!!  Three wonderful children and a fantastic husband.

I wish my daughter the same happiness.

I love you Lindsey, so so much!!!

Best wishes!!

Mom

Remembering

Me and sweet Lindsey

Time is flying by right before my eyes.   It seems like just a few days ago my daughter, Lindsey, was just a little girl.  All of a sudden she's grown up and getting married!

We've always been very close, and I'm am getting a bit more emotional than I ever thought I would!

My Mom and Lindsey

Lindsey big day is making me think more and more about my Mom.  I wish she could be at the wedding, but I believe she will be there.  My Mom passed away just 4 years after this picture was taken.  After Lindsey and I moved back to Ohio (from Colorado), in 1989 (after I was divorced), my Mom and Dad were always there for us!

My Mom was a true lady.  Lindsey reminds me so much of her.

My wonderful brother in law, Steve, and my Sister Susan

My sister Susan, Lindsey, and I

I will be thinking of my wonderful brother-in-law, Steve, also.  We all miss him.  He was a wonderful husband, father, and gone to soon.

Remember how fast time goes by.  Enjoy the little things, they make up your life!

Jen

The Big Day is Almost Here!

Vintage China

Yes, the big day is almost here!  My daughter, Lindsey, is getting married this Saturday, June 9th!  Her fiance's name is Thomas, and he's an adorable red head!

Milk glass for the wedding!

I've been collecting vintage dinner plates and bread & butter plates for the wedding, as well as pretty milk glass vases!

This Noritake dinner plate was from my Mom's collection

My Mom passed away in 1994, so having some of her china at the wedding will be a way to have her with us on this special day!

Milk glass bud vases



I'll be posting another blog about my wonderful daughter (and best friend), Lindsey, soon!

Jen