Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!! ...and WINNERS!

Ok, first off....I've got a message for any misanthropes out there: Quit your whining!...people are amazingly nice!!!

I cannot believe just how nice you guys are. Me and Aar read through all of your comments on the Blogiversary post (and the emailed comments from those of you who have AOL allergies : ) ) and we were both just so taken aback by how kind and generous and open and....gosh I'm just so completely flattered! Really, this isn't just girly gushing. I'm totally floored by all the kind compliments you've lavished upon me and my little blog. I really wish I could respond to each and every one of you at length but if I took the time to say all that I'd like to say...well, I'd be out of a job and living on the street! Or I'd have to spend a year without sleep! Thank you guys soooooo much! Believe me...I get more from you than you get from me!

I just wanna say...that whatever this blog provides for you; whether you stop by for the pictures, the links, the ramble on tales...or if I simply provide a brief respite from your humdrum workday. Trust me...it's my pleasure and it's the least I could do. I live a fairly isolated, unexciting, low impact, whisper quiet, life. And I'm just so completely grateful that through this blog I'm able to open up the fourth wall and let you guys in. And more than that...if what I do here is even a teensy bit worth your while in the ways you've described in your comments, then I should sleep the sleep of a queen. (unfortunately, my anxiety disorder won't allow that! ; ) )

Well, really, I could go on and on but I'm already at the brink of superlative meltdown! So here's a few more...you guys are the best! the sweetest! the greatest! the warmest, most fantastic group a girl could hope to invite into her artsy crafty world!

Alright...now down to business. There are winners to announce...a giveaway to be given away! I really did pick at random. It would be dangerous for me to do it any other way...if I had to pick from my fave comments I'd absolutely crack under the strain. So random is the way...And I won't hold back any longer...Here are the two winners of the Surprise Package full of sweet, vintagey, crafty, happy, lovely, things!

#36 CoreyMoortgat

&

#59 Amyelisedesigns

I've got your info and I'll be contacting you both shortly. Me and Aar will do are best to put together the ideal: Surprise Package full of sweet, vintagey, crafty, happy, lovely, things! for each of you!

Now, in reading the posted comments and emails I'd have to say that the overall favorite blog post was :Parcel or Bust (PART 2) from Sunday, Aug. 24th 2008. I hope Nancy, the fab proprietress of Parcel reads this...because she's the star of that show. No Parcel=No Post. The credit goes to her...I'm simply the messenger. But really, I'm so happy that so many of you shared your fave because it'll help me with future content. Now knowing how well you guys responded to the Parcel trip, it looks like I'll have to get out there and do some retail recon! Though I doubt I'll find a Parcel equivalent...trust me, Parcel is even better than I've shown it to be!

And many of you expressed that you like the posts that involve me and my family... my bro's and sis and the boyfriends and the dogs. Thanks for that...it means a lot to me. I could probably provide lots more in that department! Once I get out from under the piles of work I'll round up the troops and plan some excursions!

Alright, since I'm so tickled pink by so many of your comments I have to give a couple quick shout outs.

Shout out # 1: Gennifer Stueck, I LOVED your email! You are just too kind. Me and Aaron both loved how you repeatedly stressed your lack of computer knowledge : )...you actually called yourself "a complete computer failure" ! Believe me, I can relate. Wrangling this wild beast of a pc is a day in day out challenge for me. And thanks so much for sharing so much about yourself. I felt like I was reading a favorite blog! I know you're focusing on opening up a bakery, but you have to set goal number two: Start a blog! Please do it...find a cousin who is a computer geek and have them set you up with a blog and a decent digital camera. It would be so cool to see an online journal of your bakery start-up! And I can't wait to meet your hometown pal Jenni Bowlin at Silver Bella this year...if she has room in her luggage we'll send her home with something for you!

Shout out # 2... what a funny comment...loved it!!! here's an excerpt from # 96:

"And please make my entry "sticky" so it sticks to your hand when you do the drawing, because I am really nice, and people that come to get help where I work are mean and say bad words and call us bad names! (I know I sound like a 2 year old, but I really am over 50) and thought I'd try this out instead of jumping off the top floor of the parking garage... it sounded more pleasant!

Seriously, I love your blog.

Sheila"

Shout out # 3...of course she's grossly exaggerating, but the sentiment is just way too kind...here's an excerpt from comment # 80 from Crystal:

" And I'm not alone when I say we all love it when we visit and see a brand new post with delectable new photos of your work, your environment, and your inspiration! :) It's like getting a Mary Engelbreit magazine in the mail!"

Get outta here! Your postman must rip out all the good pages of Mary E before he put's it in your mailbox! : )

Alright, I can't relive the kindness and flattery all night...One last big THANKS!!! to everyone, and now let me move on to the present tense.

 

Click here for a (silent & mini) VIDEO we took at Billy's. : )

Friday evening, Aaron was out running some errands and called me from his cell. He asks "Should we go into the city for some cupcakes?"...And at that moment we couldn't have been more in sync. There's an amazing wave of Fall weather here in Jersey and NYC and we've been cooped up for many consecutive days. An Autumn night in the city can be a cure-all for the most severe case of cabin fever or the blahs. I called up my little bro Walt...of course he was ready and willing as always...and we zipped in for eats, sweets, and some strolling down the crowded streets. You would not believe how many people flood the city in these perfectly temperate weeks of early Fall.

Well, as it turned out...our dinner was underwhelming...especially since we later realized that the San Gennaro festival was going on in Little Italy and we could've roamed from food cart to food cart and sampled the best Italian food vendors on the planet!! But...oh well...Billy's Bakery to the rescue. We got our cupcakes and all was remedied. I had Walt take some video of a Billy's employee frosting some cupcakes. There's no sound, and Walt actually filmed it from outside looking in...but still, there's something Zen about this little clip. Billy's cupcakes never ever disappoint.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since moving to a new apartment I'm able to better appreciate some of my prized collectibles. Just starting fresh has put me in a position to do things the right way. Whereas in my old place a "piling on" method was beginning to take hold. Now I can clearly see what has a place and what does not. I really own way too much good stuff to fit comfortably in my new place and the idea of packing it all away for a distant future kinda makes me sad. Keeping all these magical little things out of sight is a crime so I decided to open up a new section in our shop dedicated to some of my fave flea market finds and all around good stuff. Here are some of my safety pin and bead baskets....the time and care put into these is remarkable...I love when they're full of flowers...those are hard to find! I've seen spreads in Martha Stewart and Country Living featuring these beauties. I've got about a decade's worth and they need good homes...I've got a bunch listed now and I've already packed up a pair of candle sticks and basket, addressed to their new homes where they'll have ample room to shimmer and shine. I'll be adding and adding to this section of the shop so check back often. I'll also have more and more one-of-a-kinds...some "upcycled" stuff...kitchen things, like the cake dome you see, which is already sold and headed off to our friend Rosanna in Italy. Stayed tuned for more like these and tons of vintage Christmas ornies are on the way. I listed a village worth of cardboard christmas houses and all butone have gone to new homes. The last remaining may be one of the cutest out of the lot...it'sjust that I forgot to list him!...the poor little guy! He's got fun polka dots, which you really don't find too often. The one thing most of my houses have in common is that they're fixer uppers. Rarely are the little cellophane windows not poked out by curious tiny fingers from the past.

I debated for a few minutes if I was gonna give up this little vintage Avon box. But the new streamlined Jenny won out...and my loss is possibly your gain. It's actually a box for Sweet Treat pink & Pretty cologne. The cologne bottle that was inside is a chocolate cupcake with a cherry cap that screws off. I decided that just offering the empty box was a bit uneventful so I figured I'd pack it with coordinating crafty bits:

-chubby pink rick rack

-vintage cocoa pom pom trim

-vintage pink velvet ribbon

- vintage red velvet ribbon

-tan vintage lace

-adorable striped ribbon(red, pink, white, tan, chocolate)

I hope to list a bunch like this...little inspiration packs with crafty bits and whatnot. This way, you can use the crafty bits and then you've got a fab box to put in your studio or even on a kitchen shelf.

 

 

And I just made up this new jar. Much larger than our other jars. We've only got two of these right now but we hope to stock up on more soon. Great for the kitchen or the craft room. Now on in our shop! :)

 

Lastly, this Flickr mosaic is my current obsession. I click back to it all day. It's another take on pink and aqua but this time less antiquey...more FUN. The Blythe doll is just too perfect!...and that cuuuuuute pink chair and relaxing pup! WOW!

Ok, congrats to the winners and my apologies to everyone else. You have no idea how much I'd love to send a box to all of you! Thanks so so much again!!! xoxo, Jenny

2nd BLOGIVERSARY!! and a GIVEAWAY!!! hooray!

I remember last year's Blogiversary...my first...and how I was so shocked at how fast a year flew by. I felt like I had just started blogging and the next thing I knew...I was 1 year old! In order to convince myself that a year had passed I had to go back and dig through my own archives! Only after seeing the visual proof... month after month of stuff...swaps I took part in or organized...seasons and holidays celebrated...new shop discoveries...amazing art I received in the mail...the growth of my friendship circle...all the give-away contests (which I haven't done in a while and that's lame...there will be more give-aways in the year to come!!)...Only after seeing all of this irrefutable evidence was I truly convinced that a full year of my blogging life had passed!

Well...what a difference a year makes. On this Blogiversary...my 2nd...I had to convince myself that it wasn't really my third!! I actually rummaged through my vintage cake decorating supplies and pulled out a number three birthday cake topper. And when Aaron told me that it should be a number two on top of the cake, it took a minute or two for him to really convince me. My sister even thought it was my third...and the reason she was in on the conversation was because she was waiting on Aaron to bring over her half of the cake (she's my next door neighbor) ...but I couldn't cut the cake until I knew that I had an acceptable photo of it. When I emailed my sister the pic of the 2nd Blogiversary cake that she'd soon be eating, she said..."But isn't it your 3rd?" And for a second I thought she might be right!

But alas, it is my 2nd Blogiversary and it's now so utterly obvious as to why I'd think three years have passed instead of two. Blogging, and everything that goes along with it...from the immediate to the periphery, have become so completely enmeshed in my day to day life. Even though my posts have become less frequent (I'm sincerely sorry for that...I wish I could get on the ball!)...even though there have been less give-aways (so sorry again) and sometimes big chunks of weeks passing without a single word outta me...my life still does completely revolve around blogging. And I say that in the most positive voice. I know the implications and the cliches: "get out and live a little...you spend your life in front of the computer...etc" But of course I live a little (very little ; ) .... and of course I don't spend my whole life in front of the PC (otherwise I'd post more, right? ; )....But...so many of the worthwhile additions to my life...so much of the growth I've undergone...the opened doors...the glimpses into the lives and worlds of people so very much like myself...the REAL stuff, REAL friends, that are usually paradoxical when speaking of online relationships....All of this is tied in with blogging. And there is just SO MUCH more in my life now! More than a mere 365 days worth! So if you told me I'd been blogging for five or maybe ten years, I'd believe you. I'd look around my apartment at the wonderful things I've collected from all the fabulous artists I've met through this medium...I'd look at my overflowing email inbox...I'd scan my Flickr favorites...I'd go up to my nav bar and check out the last 300 pages I've visited....and I'd say "yup, that looks like ten years worth of GREAT STUFF!"

So if last year's Blogiversary focused on my evolution and personal growth...from introvert to extrovert...from incommunicado to up close and personal; Then let this year's focus fall on you guys! I want to celebrate the creativity, sweetness, honesty, openness, humor, and graciousness that has been so generously passed from you to me! I've always said that art and life have so much to do with give and take. You need equal parts of those in order to make it. Maybe there are times in your life when you feel like you're constantly on the take. Maybe you feel like you have not contributed enough lately. But don't worry, because if that thought even creeps into your mind then that means that you're on the verge...you're on your way...you're just about to give back. I received so much inthe past year. So much encouragement...support...inspiration. And I can only hope that in the coming months, the coming year, I've got a lot more to give back.

So right now I want to do a give-away and I want showcase at least a tiny bit of the people and places and things that have made this single year feel like five or ten.

First: Flickr ! It is just soooo important! Not only does it help me tremendously as a host for my photos that I post on my blog but it's a daily inspiration that I cannot live without. I check in on my friends...their latest flea market finds, home improvements, decor problems and solutions, foods, dinners, lunches for kids, desserts, Cupcakes they baked, new artwork....

And then there are the Flickr groups...which are a fabulous editing tool...you and others find exactly what you want to find. For instance...the awesome Cupcakes take the Cake group then links to the Cupcakes take the Cake blog and it ends up being this whole cyclical relationship. Meet ups are posted on there...friendships are made. And in many ways, for a lot of people Flickr is their blog!

I've got so many new loves...and not necessarily new in the general sense, but new to me. There really are way too many names and I'd really fear that I'd leave out a fave and kick myself for it! So now I'll list a few top of the tops that represent a pretty fair cross section of my heart...each place is like a little piece of what I think makes me...me!

As always, Alicia Paulson... She only gets better and better. She doesn't let her increasingly busy life detract one smidge of magic or care from her incomparable blog: Posie Gets Cozy. From the minute I found her blog...my first foray and favorite...I always said that she's a book deal waiting to happen. And of course, it did happen! Alicia never ever disappoints...In blogland she is the Paradigm.

And I'm never not in awe of the non-stop flow of creativity that emanates from Inside a Black Apple. Really, if you want to see an artist set new and unbelievable standards for herself at a rate that isn't natural then look no further than Emily!

Can you get sweeter and more inspiring than Artsymama?!! ....Nope! Kari's passion for art, people, life, family, is not only unmatched but it's infectious! She's a sharer through and through. She doesn't let anybody just sit on their hands and watch. She is a non-stop swap hostess of the highest caliber and is just constantly on the move creatively. But somehow she manages to take you along with her. She's one of the few online inspirations I got to meet in person and she just has an effortless way about her...a niceness...she's got her picture in the dictionary next to the entry for REAL. Love her!

Now... Kimberlee Edgar. She doesn't march to the beat of a different drum...actually, she got rid of the drummer and replaced him with an antique xylophone and a chorus line of ravens wearing top hats! I go to Kimberlee for that inspiration that lives beyond your normal line of sight. I love her for her truly unique vision and passion.

Another big time fave is Free People Blog. It somehow manages to be big but feel small. It's so inspiring and inviting. Aaron described it as feeling like you went to one of Gatsby's parties and Gatsby walked up to you and actually knew your name. It's got national magazine clout and style yet they host swaps that you can be a part of! They are a clothing company but never ever do you get the feeling that you are being sold a single thing. And their actual brick & mortar locations are just so crafty and have that DIY feel!

Also, I'm so grateful for the local gals I've found and who have found me. We've yet to "hang out" but I'm really hoping to change that! I love to know that there are like-minded people right near me. We've got some local haunts in common...we know the geography...we know the roads...we speak the language.

And Silver Bella! I was there last year and will be there again! And even if it was a total repeat...same people, same faces as last year, it would still be the ultimate highlight of my year. But it won't be...I've watched word spread and I just know that I'm going to be completely overwhelmed by all the new people I'm going to get to actually meet in person and spend quality time with in the great city of Omaha! Me and Aar had some travel nightmares last year and missed out on a lot of the downtime experience...this year we're dead set on wringing all the fun we can out of Nebraska!

And lastly I want to talk sorta generally about this magical medium called blogging. Well, our kind of blogging...the artful kind. It all goes back to the give and take. It's a medium that manages to bring out the artist...the crafter...the photographer...sometimes the writer, in everyone. And there's this phenomenon that occurs. This full circle effect. Go to your local craft store...pick up your favorite magazine...shop for clothes...go to Target. You'll notice some changes. You'll notice that things are available that weren't available before. Us bloggers have corporations watching our ever step...Magazine editors poring over our posts for trends...TV producers from Martha Stewart looking for guests...you can find better supplies at your local A.C. Moore's and Michael's because their buyers have been reading the same blogs you've been reading or writing. You'll see someone's amazing one of a kind craft turn into a product licensed worldwide because a creative director found their artwork right here! And that's awesome...but it's not why we're here. We'd be here anyway...even if no one was watching. We're here for all the reasons listed above. But you gotta admit that it's pretty cool when your hobby...your craft...your passion...directly effects the big world out there. And it all goes round and round. This big circle of inspiration!

*And now for the give-away!! It will be the usual method except that this year, to mark the 2nd Blogiversary...Me and Aar will pick 2 winners at random from comments left on this post. Now, there may be a lot of you that have never posted a comment here...and I must apologize and warn you that for some reason it's not a simple task to leave a comment on an AOL blog. It's not dangerous or scary...it just takes more steps than usual and involves creating a username and password etc...But please do it and take part in this give-away. And oh yeah, the give-away prize will be a Surprise Package full of sweet, vintagey, crafty, happy, lovely, things from me and Aaron! So in your comment please list your preferred color palette so we can try to tailor the prizes better to your tastes. Also, make sure to include within the body of your comment your blog address and/or your email address so that we can more easily contact you and so other readers can find you! And because I really don't want to leave anyone out...if you simply have too much trouble signing in to the blog then you can also email me a comment at jennyeveryday@aol.com. And one more thing...if you have the time...just for added fun...I'd love for you to give the date and title of you favorite post of mine from the last year or two...and maybe your thoughts on why....but that's not necessary for you to win...just thought I'd ask! And you've got time to post...

I'm gonna pick the winners on Friday the 19th.

Anyway, I couldn't be more grateful for all the magic you've brought my way! Thanks so very very much!!!!!!!!!!! xoxo, Jenny

Thank you all!! I LOVE you guys so much!!!!

Goodbye Summer.

For us, Labor Day weekend was filled with lots of Labor. Every year it's seems like we're shut inside for summer's last splash. But this year we did manage to steal away late Sunday night for a little ride down to Seaside Heights, New Jersey. Me and Aar are both of the pale complexion, so nighttime is the right time for us anyway...and nighttime is the only time to go to Seaside Heights. The lights are magical...the roar of roller coasters in the breezy night, the distant thud of that big dark ocean crashing on the beach. In Jersey we tend to take these things and these places for granted. It's because they've always been there for us...a quick drive down the shore and you're in another world. We used to do it a lot but this summer with the move taking up so much time, this was our first trip down. And always we bring my little bro Walt, but he's been working a very physical summer job and was too exhausted to go with us (shocking...'cause that kid don't like to miss a party!) So it was just me and Aar this time and it was a great time. We are big on people watching so we love nothing more than to grab a bench, share a giant order of fries and watch the people go by along the boardwalk. Our first stop is always Midway Steakhouse, which is located at the "midway" of the boardwalk. They have outstanding cheese steaks, sausage and peppers, and fries. And the reason it's our first stop is because it stands as merely a prelude to our visit to Berkeley Sweet Shop, where the fudge is homemade and stocked in abundance! We probably like the peanut butter fudge the best. We just got fudge and actually passed up on the usual pound of chocolate we take to go! But I did score some amazing vintage style boxes of salt water taffy, which are one of my fave collectibles and figure big in my Jersey Shore bathroom decor. We also hit Lucky Leos for some mandatory games of Skee Ball! We always collect all of our prize tickets...go up to the counter and check out the prizes we've earned...plastic rings, chinese handcuffs, mini decks of cards, tiny japanese fans, candy etc... But then we find some little kid and hand him or her our bundle of tickets so he or she can swoon over the new prize bracket they've ascended to...water guns, mini purses, light up yo yo's, name brand candy...

  I took a shot of this shop on the boardwalk, Lucky Lady boutique, which is just way outta place! It's sandwiched between two stands and it sell quality clothes, jewelry, and really good candles. While the other boardwalk shops specialize in insane novelty tee's and booty shirts with billboard style announcements across the cheeks! Lucky Lady is so outta place and the name and odd placement make me wonder if the owner of Lucky Lady is maybe the daughter of Lucky Leo...who owns the biggest arcade on the boardwalk and is the proprietor of many many stands.

  Great night, and I got some good carousel photos. Those things are visually perfect!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I got some more gooooood mail! My friend  Jenelle  from Sleepy Hollow Craft Company sent the most fun box of goodies! I'd say the star of the show is this awesome antique photo/sewn paper witch ornament...which you can find in her shop. And then, she proved how well she knows me with the inclusion of a paper mache bunny! Love it! And a vintage inspired paper garland...love these. All of it wrapped so nice and topped off with this oh so sweet porcelain doll tag! A very nice delivery indeed!

 

 

 

And yet more mail...and this isn't even the mail that I promised to show in my last post...I'll save that stuff for next time. But this here is another assortment of great stuff from my favorite place online for great stuff...   Pink Grapefruit Style! It is the greatest yardsale/flea market you will ever attend and you won't spend a dime on gas, you won't get your hands dirty, and you won't have to haggle over a price. You click through Holly's shop...fill up your shopping cart...pay a very tiny amount of money...and within days you've got a box of treasures at your door. When you spread all the stuff out in front of you, you just want to yell... SCORE!!! Because at that moment you are an awesome flea marketer...you found the best stuff around. But the secret is that Holly is the best flea marketer and she's done all the editing, driving, and junk diving for you. Then she puts the perfect finds in her shop with clear and succinct descrips...great photos, and great prices. You should go to this link to read a great interview with Holly. She's the real deal!!! I love her. Well anyway... get a load of all this stuff. The homemade flashcards are great...they're only second best to those amazingly sweet pale pink chippy candlesticks! As much as it almost pains me to give away one of my best secrets...I just wouldn't feel right if I didn't share! (even though I have told you about her before..) I mean, as it is, the good stuff goes in seconds...you have to have a quick refresh button finger to get what you want. So now that I've opened the waters to you....happy fishing!! Pop in and be sure to tell her Jenny sentcha! :)

 

File this part under: What a small world it is! I have been waiting to get my hands on this for a year or so, maybe longer. It's by Susan Arnot...one of my favorite folk artists. Her etsy shop sells out within a day of listing new items...and she re-lists seasonally. I've always wanted this Cupcake Porcelain Doll and I saved her in my Ebay favorite searches so I'd be notified incase a seller put her up for sale. Well it's been a year and never an email. Until last week...I get a notice and it turns out the seller is a really great customer of ours!  A gal named Crystal who is totally a girl after my own heart...well, that should be obvious...she collects our stuff! Anyway, Crystal is moving and downsizing and selling stuff instead of storing stuff. Which also helps with the moving expenses. She was sad to let her cupcake girl go but I promised a great new home. Well, it turns out that the money raising part of the transaction was a bust...as was the lightening of their moving load...because we ended up doing a trade! Her little daughter Prisilla is now the owner of our Celebrate Everyday 11 x 14 plaque. I love the idea of providing art for kids...Prisilla loves to draw, color, using cupcakes as subject matter....I hope to be buying her art in a few years!!

 

 

Here's another pic of our room. You can see the crazed and crackled cream platters hanging above our bed. We use them as "frames" for our favorite collages that are made by one of our absolute favorite artists: Judy Mccallum....stay tuned for a post all about Judy with some zoom shots of her perfect creations!

 

 

And finally for some new Everyday is a Holiday stuff! We've been wanting to do more candles for a while but wanted to find the right size to frame our artwork. Also we wanted a candle with a great scent. Well we found the perfect model...a great size 6" x 3 1/2"...pretty big...and they're scent is a really pretty and delicate (and nicely potent) Fresh Tuberose. We've got four so far and we've added some decorative trims to the artwork on each as well as a sweet little three dimensional element...a bit of brown and white bakery twine tied in a bow around a tiny bundle of vintage millinery flowers. We love these and the Well Read Raven candle sits on our mantle now, which is great because of the lack of wall space in our living room prohibits us from hanging the 11 x 14 plaque. Go check them out in our Etsy shop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And wait, speaking of....In our Etsy shop we've got some of our Halloween stuff listed now. Labor Day has passed and we welcome the cooler temps. Not only that but so many swaps and new projects start to brew in the Fall. I believe that if crafting has a birthday, it's in the fall. It seems like the dawn of your creative year. So get cranking on your new fall stuff...join a swap...and get the glue gun warmed up for some cozy crafting!

  Thanks for stopping by again!! xoxo, Jenny

 

 

ohh ohh ohh.....and another tiny thing....while on our nightly walk, I found a sad lil branch. I knew I could make it happy. Doesn't she look like she is smiling? I know I am!! Simple..but so sweet huh? Now I must find another for Halloween!!