Gathered & Sown has a professional photo shoot {I feel so grown up}

Last night, after I dropped my kids off for VBS, I was privileged enough to have my good friend Krissy Vanderlaan offer to take pictures of my bags. She has a super fancy camera, some mad photog' skills and photo shop. I would be a fool to say no! But when the time came to go, I had no model. As I called Krissy on my cell, I drove by my friend Laura's house. Lo and behold, there she stood, cleaning out her car, like a frantic answer to prayer! And don't gag, but as you look at the pictures, please know this is EXACTLY how she looked when I drove by. No foolin. I wish I looked that good when I was cleaning my car! Krissy was able to convince me that I looked presentable enough to be in a few shots, even though I was only planning on standing BEHIND the lens. Had I known, I would have tried to look at least a little more "laura-like!"

This picture was taken in the cutest little old fashioned soda and ice cream shop in the South Pier district.
If you are ever in Sheboygan, check out South Pier Parlor, owned by the sweetest little thing,
Michelle and her hubby Ryan.
{ I love to support awesome people and their small businesses, wink,wink! }

This was taken on South Pier in Sheboygan.
We are SO BLESSED to live right on the beautiful Lake Michigan.

Krissy thought Spencer felt left out. (he was waiting in the car the WHOLE time!)
SO we decided to get him in a few shots.
{Notice his body language. He was about to SPRINT after another dog.}

Laura and those L-E-G-S!
If I had legs like those, I'd be going around showing them to people, saying
"Hey, have you seen my legs? They rock!" :D

We had so much fun. The weather and natural lighting were perfect and I love what Krissy did with the pictures.

{Thank you Laura and Krissy for your time, talent and friendships!}

That's what I love about my job. I get to do what I love, with the people I enjoy being with and on top of that, get to see something I CREATED bring someone joy. Life is good :)

Inside my Newly Finished Studio

Last week, I promised a tour of my room, now that it is actually a real ROOM! I no longer feel like a hermit, slaving away in my dungeon. I am now working out of a bright, clean, open space, that feels more like an actual part of the house, not a storage area.

I have to thank my husband Ryan, my Dad Brent and my friend Mel, for the countless hours they spent doing this for me. They had absolutely nothing to gain, they just did it because they wanted to. And I am GRATEFUL! As a matter of fact, Ryan was down here more than anyone, and I heard him mutter the words "I'm never going to get out of this room!" on more than one occasion :) Thanks,dear!

Now it is all done, and I still catch Ryan and my Dad coming down here to sneak peeks at their hard work. And that's ok with me, it gives me a little company :)

Baseboards in, walls painted and floor painted

Mel and My Dad using a little bit of teamwork!

Spencer the wonderdog, helping Ryan cut tile. It looks like Spencer is laughing at him!

This is what I had to look at before the room was finished. Wires and Pipes and Ducts, oh my!

Our friend, Mel, who does all of our electrical work. Regardless of how he looks here, he actually did a lot of work!

Almost there!

My newly finished sewing machine and ironing area!

This is my cutting table. It sure looks clean in this picture :)

My computer desk, with the print that my friends Amy and Cara made for me. I feel the love.

Soon I am going to be posting some tips I have for organizing your work area, while keeping it cute.. stay tuned.