Smells like Fall

Pumpkin, spices, apples...

What smells remind you of autumn?

I don't know exactly what it is, maybe it's the chill in the air or knowing that I'll be spending much more time inside the house, but Fall makes me want to bake. A Lot!

My kitchen smells just heavenly right now! I made an apple pie and it is in the oven baking right now. The smell of apple pie in the oven just screams fall to me.

So while I'm waiting for the pie to finish, I decided to return to my blog and ask a few questions to fellow bakers out there.

• When making your own pie crust, do you prefer to use only butter, only shortening, or a mixture of both?

• What type of apples do you prefer to use in apple pies and crisps?

• What's your favorite fall recipe? Share yours here.

For this pie, I used a flaky, butter crust and macintosh apples. Can't wait to eat it, with a big scoop of French Vanilla ice cream.

Today is the Day

I appologize for the recent absence from my blog. I have been very busy preparing to move.

But the day has finally come! We got the keys yesterday and everything is packed. Now comes the hard part...actually moving.

Just looking around the new apartment yesterday got me so excited! It is so much bigger than where we are living right now. I can't wait to get cooking and baking in the new kitchen; New appliances, dishwasher (and I'm not referring to myself), and the space...Oh! the SPACE! That's something I've learned to live without this past year and a half. Not to mention that we no longer have to lug laundry down the street. It's right in the apartment! In the kitchen of all places, but I'm thrilled.

Having not seen the place in a week or so, I had forgotten how bright and lit up with sunlight it is. I walked into the apartment with Ryan yesterday and almost shielded my eyes. It seemed even brighter inside than it was outside.

Yesterday was also the first time that we saw the apartment empty. When we went to look at the apartment before the previous tenants were still living there. We realized how poorly they had utilized their space. Just look at the living room in the picture on the right. They had too many oversized pieces of furniture squished into the space. It just looks silly. But with the right sized pieces the living room is a great room for watching tv, playing games or just relaxing.

(Not to mention my new landlord could take a lesson in apartment photography. These pictures do the place no justice. This hallway is not nearly as narrow as it looks.)

Unfortunately though, this move will mean I won't be here for a few more days. Our internet is not set to be hooked up until Friday. Not that we won't be busy enough with unpacking and getting ourselves set up in the new place. So, I'll leave you all with bad pictures of my great new apartment. Hopefully when I come back I will have great new pictures to share!

I Moved Things Around

As I said before, I'm new to blogging, so I've been playing around with my layout and the templates I'm using. I think I like this one better. It seems more suited to me and my style.

I also added a new widget. It's a bookshelf! (scroll all the way down.) If you want one of your own you can get it here. I love mine! I have my own online bookshelf so that I can show off what I'm reading or what I have read.

So, let me know what you think of the updated version of my blog.

Great Giveaway from an Etsy Artist

I just found out about a great giveaway from kerrybeary's Etsy shop. Her retro inspired prints are wonderful! I came across a great blog called Oh! How Lovely, and she is featuring a giveaway of 7 great gifts to 7 winners. And the contest is so easy to enter. Just click the link above and find out how.
Hurry, though, this all ends on Friday. Don't miss it!

I'm Being Featured!

I'm so excited!

The Halloween cards, that I have listed in my shop on Etsy, are being featured in the "Great Finds" section of MadeForMeByOakley's blog. Each month Oakley picks a selection of items from pages like Etsy, madeitmyself, and silkfair. Oftentimes, the picks are based on a common theme and this month's theme is, you guessed it, Halloween!

So I am here promoting Oakley, myself, and all the other beautiful items I'm featured alongside of. There's everything from really cute sneakers to home decor to jewelry. You absoluetly should check it out. And if you see something you love, you can buy everything you see directly from its creator.

I'm Starting a New Appreciation Section

So, I've been thinking of different ways to thank my customers. I already send little personalized notes with the item.

But, now I've decided to add a link to their shop or blog just for buying from me. I'll even add their logo or a picture of their goods! I know I love every little plug I can get. I want to thank each customer for taking the time to browse my shop and for supporting independent artists.

What better way is there to say thank you for supporting me, by saying I support you!

Finally Listed Another Item!

It's been more than a week since I listed new items at my Etsy shop. I've just been so busy at work, I haven't had much time to work on my crafting. It started because I wanted to make a card for my boyfriend's mother, who generously bought us a new mattress. I had been putting off making cards a bit because I'd been so tired.

Once I sat down, I couldn't be stopped. I took all my supplies out and began making my usual paper explosion mess. It was so relaxing to just putter away at it.

Maybe it was because I didn't feel I needed to make anything to sell. There was no pressure to produce, yet I did produce quite a bit.

So taking a break from your crafts isn't necessarily a bad thing, maybe it's just what you need. Once you go back to it, it will seem like a fun release instead of work. There's no need to spoil your love of crafting... Keep the Love Alive!!