Day 45 , originally uploaded by byjen . I made this cute anatomical heart for Daniel from a kit I found on Etsy .

As I continue to seek order in the chaos that is my house, I put this together to organize my chipboard letters. I was originally going to use some large envelopes that I had, but Rebecca kept asking for envelopes so she could give her drawings to loved ones. So I changed my plan and used a pile of lunch bags I found. I shortened them and bound them together with my bind-it-all. I stamped letters on scraps of red paper (I love red and brown together) and stapled them to the bags. I was going to make a stand with a dowel in the center but it seems to be doing just fine standing on its own. Now onto the next project.

Day 18 , originally uploaded by byjen . Since Christmas, I've been busy moving things around at home trying to create some order. It looked a lot worse for a while, but I suppose you have to make a mess to truly organize a mess. Its all coming together nicely, so I'll have to share some photos soon. Promise.

In Ali Edwards fashion , I have chosen the word CREATE to represent my 2009. I wish to create a healthier lifestyle and a healthier me. I hope to continue creating new crafts and using them to create my By Jen business. I want to create more order in my home and in my life. I could go on and on, but overall I plan on creating a life that I love. What's your word for this new year?

Rebecca's Turkey Shirt , originally uploaded by byjen . Its taken a little time to get back into the swing of things after the craziness of getting ready for Sally 's crafting party two weeks ago (the party turned out to be a lot of fun but lots of work). Since the party I've been trying to settle in and organize my crafting supplies, as well as my thoughts, so I'm ready for the upcoming holiday season. I absolutely love Christmas time! I love the decorations, the music, eggnog, the crafts, baking, gift giving, family time, White Christmas, etc. (I could go on and on) There's always so much I want to do, but so often I run out of time to do it all. I am considering putting "more time" on my Christmas wishlist this year. I know its not even Thanksgiving yet but its never too soon to start planning for Christmas. In an attempt to be better organized and prepared for the holidays I am taking Aby Garvey's Holiday Organizing Workshop . Through the workshop,...

Lately, I've been trying to get ready for Sally 's crafting party this Sunday. I finally chose the projects we would work on and am working on some party favors. This morning I finished up some notebooks using my new toy, Bind-It-All , which I love. I still have much to do, but still find time to get distracted and overstimulated by the internet and crafty blogs. During some blog-hopping this afternoon I found a blog hosting a recipe swap which sounded like fun so here's our recipe for Dutch Babies . I don't know exactly where it came from. I just know for a long time we've been making it when we want something special, impressive, yet easy for breakfast: DUTCH BABIES: 1 cup flour 1 cup milk 4 eggs Dash of salt 1/3 cup margarine 1. Put margarine in a pie pan or 9x13 glass dish and set in cold oven. 2. Now preheat oven to 425 with dish inside. Allow oven to warm up while mixing batter. 3. Put eggs in blender. Blend on high for 1 minute. 4. At same speed, add milk gr...

I am really excited about the progress I am making on By Jen, my craft business. After joining Ladies Who Launch in September and completing an Incubator that month, I have finally taken steps forward. I got my business license and fictitious name permit for By Jen at the beginning of this month. I designed my logo, started this blog, completed a batch of business cards and made some updates to my website (still more work to be done)! I am constantly filled with ideas for crafts and projects as I read through magazines, books, and other blogs (thank heavens for Google Reader ). My sketch book is filling up quickly. Now I just need to sneak in the time to complete some of these projects. But not today. Today is Rebecca's 4th birthday and Halloween! Production will have to wait another day. Have a Happy Halloween!

It can be hard for me to find the time and energy to be creative, but I have continued to make more of an effort to fit some creative play time in each day. Unfortunately, most of it has been during quiet times at work lately. Its unfortunate because its so quiet at work and it means I have lots of ideas and plans in my head and sketched in my notebook, but not a lot of projects started. Hopefully this weekend I'll be able to change that and start making some of my ideas. I started working on some new bears last night after work, so I'm off to a good start.

I suppose I have always been creative. I do remember working on art projects with my mom for school and helping to decorate my bedroom. I come from a very creative family. My mom enjoys rubber stamping and making cards. She has made chairs from birch trees and made wreaths from dried grapevines. She's amazing in the garden (not necessarily one of my creative talents or interests). My dad's creative talents include woodworking, photography, stained glass, and baking. I have some beautiful oak furniture and wonderful stained glass to show for his talents. And we benefit from my dad's baking at the holidays with amazing cinnamon rolls he learned from the family (his sister-in-law's (my aunt's) mom). This aunt, Cyndy, has made a business for herself making fleece blankets and pillows. My grandpa has made windchimes from silverware and is constantly tinkering with things and coming up with creative designs and solutions. For a recent example, we helped him design and bui...