Psst... Something Exciting is Happening!

I have been keeping a secret for a while from you wonderful readers... but today I can tell you a bit about it.

I was approached by a company called Hazel & Ruby and given a chance to collaborate with them to create a craft kit!! I have been working to create the actual item, taking pictures, writing instructions and shooting a video! That's right, I said "video"! Being in front of a camera is not my forte, but I did it with my ever so supportive husband; AKA Mr.TRH.

Along with other blogger's craft kits (there are going be lots of fun kits!), my kit will be in a store near you soon. Eeek!

It would be a lie if I said I am not nervous, especially when I start thinking about whether my kit will sell or how people are going to receive it. But, looking back over the last several years of my life... how many times I passed up, or said "no" to opportunities, just because I was scared and because I didn't believe I could do it. This time, I decided to grab the bull by the horns and do my best. The rest... well, life is an adventure, right? I will wait and see what happens with an ever so delighted and thankful heart.

I will let you know when the product is released, so stay tuned! :)

Soft-Baked Funfetti Sugar Cookies

I baked these Soft-Baked Funfettie Sugar Cookies and quickly took pictures and shared it on my Instagram yesterday. I know, I should have shared it on my blog too, but Instagram is so much simpler and quicker! I promise to be better at posting things like that here as well.

I wish I could take full credit for these cookies, but I found the recipe on a blog called Sally's Baking Addiction. When I found the recipe, there were 274 comments on it. Wow, that looks promising right? I had to try it!

My cookies didn't look as pretty as hers, but they sure tasted so good! My family loved them and I love how they look cheerful with all the sprinkles baked in.
I am going to add this to my recipe book for sure!

Laundry Room Reveal

Mr.TRH and I finally finished out laundry room and I am loving it!

Yep, that is the before picture of my laundry room. As I shared in a post a while ago, I was SO sure that I ordered the sink for our laundry room when we picked everything for the house, and when we did the walk though, it wasn't there. When I checked our papers, it wasn't there... hmm, the hook up is there; how did I miss ordering the sink and cabinet??

Almost two years later, we finally decided to put in the cabinets and sink and finish the laundry room ourselves. Thanks to a 20% off kitchen cabinet sale at Home Depot, we were able to do the project a lot cheaper than we had originally planned. Mr. TRH and I have never done this before and it took us a long time to finish, but it is finally done!

We are not most handy people at all, so this was a pretty big project for us. I can't help feeling giddy and having an ear to ear grin when I walk in to the room. Here is the "after" picture and more details...

Opposite side of the room. We put wall to wall shelf and rod up. Now I can hang more clothes without them touching each other. I use garbage pails with lid as a hamper. I love how I can hide our dirty laundry inside of them.

I was so excited to decorate the room. The first thing I did was to paint the wall a very subtle gray. Does the wall art look familiar? I moved it from the family room to the laundry room. I had several options, but all the kids love the wall art there.

Then, the most exciting feature in this room... the sink. This is the first house I have a sink in the laundry room! Thanks to our friend T & T for helping us with plumbing, we would have been lost without you!

Between the job, everyday responsibilities, and yard work it was hard to find the time to do this, but it was worth it. Sometimes I will just walk in to the laundry room for no reason, so I can just look at it. I will share the pictures of the built in bookcase when we are finished, so stay tuned! :)

Hexagon Quilt Finished!

I started this quilt last summer and I finally finished it!! It is all hand pieced and hand quilted... which is what I love to do. Don't get me wrong, I love the convenience of the sewing machine and the speed with which I can produce a quilt. Though I started as a hand quilter and I just love sitting down and working on a quilt one stitch at a time. I love the peaceful feeling I get and forget about the chaos and worries in life for a moment. Also, by working by hand, I can take the quilt pretty much everywhere I go.

Because I have other projects I am working on at home using my sewing machine, I take the project I can work on by hand with me. I stitch in the car while I am waiting at the carpool, I stitch at the kid's Tae Kwan Do studio and I stitch and stitch some more at family gatherings for when I have down time. Basically, I wasn't in a hurry to finish this quilt; it was my fun back burner project. That is why it took almost a year to complete!

The feeling of joy at finishing the project came with a slight panicky feeling like "Yikes, I need a new back burner project!". I have three projects due soon, so I should probably wait on that.

When I quilted this quilt, I didn't draw lines. It was totally free hand and I went with the flow.

I went though my stash and pieced the backing as well.

I have been meaning to find the time to lay on the couch with my quilt and have a really good reading time, but it hasn't happened yet.

Are you working of something right now?

Green Craft Magazine Feature

If you happen to be at a book store or passing by a magazine stand somewhere... please look for the newest issue of Green Craft magazine.
You might ask why? Because one of my all time favorite cardigans that I refashioned is featured on three full pages!

Remember this "She wears flowers" cardigan??

I enjoyed the magazine after I received a copy! There are LOTS of pretty and fun projects for everybody.

It is always fun to see my own creations in print and I feel so honored to be featured. So, thank you so much to the people at Green Craft Magazine! I am sending a copy to my mom in Japan soon.