windy day

"Windy Day" 6.5" x 8.5" Prints of this illustration will be available in the July shop update. The original illustration was created using colored pencil and ink on watercolor paper.

I've decided to make prints of this mixed media collage painting as well.

stationary flat sets are available! :D

*NEW* cuuuuute stationary flats are now available in the "paper" section!

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side note- I met the cutest little boy today who within 10 minutes told me he was five years old and can almost wipe his tushie himself (ha!) and informed me that Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was not a cartoon but an action show. Well, exuuuuse me! ;)

self portrait tuesday

I can't believe it's already Tuesday again! The shop has been open a week today! If you haven't joined the mailing list yet and missed your chance for free shipping, head on over to Lifestyle Daily for exclusive discounts effective through July 31st!

picture this

I'm driving behind a motorcycle and what do I see? A pup riding along on the back. It was a medium sized dog and had some sort of harness around him. Behind his head and under his chin were the straps to riding googles. Ha! I don't remember the last time I was that amused! I had to call up my husband to share in the laugh. :D

sorry, we're closed. come back tomorrow.

Am I the only person in the entire world that wants to go shopping on a weekend evening?? Sheesh! Saturday we go to the mall at 8:30 and it had closed at 7:00; the departments stores, 8:00. Yesterday I drove myself on over to Michael's at 8:00 only to find out it, too, closed at 7:00 on Sundays.

interesting thoughts

Funny Katey should mention her blog becoming all about her shop because I am feeling the same way about my own! I'm sorry I've been so obsessed lately but it was such a long time in the making. Now, we're up and running and everything is going well! Thank you for your support.

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Today was so interesting! Alex covered for someone at work and had asked me to come with him to an appointment this morning. We left at 8:00 for what was supposed to be an hour and a half drive down to San Diego. We put the address in the navigation system to find that although this place is in San Diego county it's two and a half hours away! For the last hour we weren't on any major freeways and for the last twenty minutes we didn't even see a house. It was like driving through Kansas. I wish I had brought my camera to show you how ridiculous Alex's "painted" mini looked against the country scene. It wasn't at all like the fast pace of Orange County, that's for sure! The client had three horses and a pond of goldfishes that rushed you for food. I haven't been up close to a horse in years! The weather was gorgeous!

The client had absolutely no clue about his computer which still amazes me about people. I almost wish I could be content with that laid back lifestyle but I am happy with how much I rely on technology. I've met most of my closest friends + even my husband here! Isn't it interesting how different people's lives are but how alike our feelings and problems can be? So many times I am sitting in my car at a red light and I look at the person in the car next to mine and think, "Wow, that person has a life". Ha! I know that sounds funny. Isn't it interesting how self-centered we are? I don't just mean that in the bad implications it has. I mean, we have a life and everything happens around us. You will probably never again see that person next to you or many of the people they ever come in contact in. I wonder what's going on in their life- what's important to them. Any interesting thoughts you have while driving?

patchwork tote

My craft books from amazon.co.jp came yesterday! Can you believe how fast the shipping was? I was told 3-4 weeks and it took ten days! Woohoo!!! I can't wait to share photos with you when I have a chance to scan.

Inspired by this patchwork book I made my first patchwork/quilting item- a tote! :) I hope you like it! I sure do.

Excellent Beginnings!

What a way to kick off the shop's opening! We've had our first ten sales AND have been named Site of the Week on indieshopping.com! You can view the press here! We are so excited and appreciative to everyone! Thank you!! :)

self-portrait tuesday, flowers, + well wishes

My parents are so considerate and thoughtful! Thank you so much for sending me such beautiful flowers. your love, well wishes, + support today- and everyday! I love you!

my five minutes of fame.

The Grand Opening is here and love, joleen is officially open! :) Being the first day I am sure there will be some minor issues. If you noticed something is just not right please email me at joleenieweenie AT hotmail DOT com. If you have AOL Instant Messenger my screename is gdsgrl777.

A *huge* thank you to Katey for being so easy to work with and for creating what I think is a wonderful website!

Thank you to Sarah for pointing me in the right direction.

To Aimee- Thank you for being such a great love, joleen model and an encouraging sister!

To my family, friends, and loyal blog readers: THANK YOU!!! You have been so encouraging, helpful, inspiring, & reassuring.

Now, go have fun! ;)

you're the apple of my eye

Yummy apple checkbook covers will be available in the shop tomorrow! You get to choose from yellow, red, and green apples. Mmmm, delicious! :)

The shop is opening...TOMORROW! Eeeee! :D

Ha! Okay here is me chilly out, Katey. ;)

happy father's day!

raindrop stationary flats

Sets of stationary flats will soon be available at love, joleen. These were designed and ordered today so it will take some time to get back from the printers, assembled, and put into the shop. I hope you like it! :)

1" buttons!

We now have 1" buttons in the shop! They were made with my images by Stephanie of Whammy! Buttons and they look great!!

You get to choose from two designs:

or get both! hehe...

shop pixelgirlshop!

The top left items are from love, joleen. Those and other great items can be found at Pixelgirlshop. Go shopping! You can also find us in San Francisco, CA at Needles & Pens and Allentown, PA at France & Amber!

Oh! Be sure to go to the shop and sign up on the mailing list for the latest and greatest! :)

shake it

Dude, we just had our second earthquake in 4 days. My husband went almost three years living in California before experiencing his first one last Sunday. That one was something like 5.7 and today's was a 5.3 I believe. I was sitting here doing the whole email thing when it happened and it scared me half to death. It's the weirdest thing when you and everything around you just starts shaking.

*note* 3:15 pm- They've downgraded it to a 4.9 but because it was only 2 miles under the Earth's surface it was felt over a broader area. Now, don't I sound smart? ;)

furry flip flops

I hope you love these as much as I do! These crocheted furry flip flops were made for me by my mom, Lisa. (Thank you!!) We think they're so fun + funky and love them so much we've decided to carry them in love, joleen! Here's how it works: You select the size and you customize them by telling us what color(s) (of our selection) you'd like. You get to choose up to three different colors! Now, don't you think these will be perfect for summer? :)

"self portrait tuesday" + other stuff

Thought I'd jump on the band wagon here so here's a photo of a bit of me today. Look at those chubby fingers- haha! :) Like my new skirt? I thought it was a floral print but if you look close those are dancers with big flowing skirts. I made the bracelet. ;) To view some other sweet people out in blogland go here, here, + here.

Kathleen of Liquid Sky Arts recieved the wristlet I made her for our trade a while back. She took such a great photo so go take a look!

Congratulations are in order to Leslie + family for their new addition! Kate Hazel Born: June 13, 20055:43 PM 8 lbs. 15 oz.21 inches

So, I'm thinking the car gods are against me lately after the flat incident a week ago today. I took the wee one to the post office today to send some wristlets off for consignment and I locked my keys in the car. I realized this as I was paying the cashier inside. Again, no panicing (I'm on a roll here!). I just walked outside to evaluate the situation. Thank God, I left one of the windows unrolled just enough to stick my arm in and unlock the door. I probably shouldn't have had them down at all since it was sprinkling...

192 hours + counting...

Well love, joleen's grand opening is just around the corner and I feel like I'm forgetting something! I still have so much to do but I suppose I can always do updates should I need to. Maybe posting my list will help keep me accountable. If you could help with any of this (i.e. the press release) I would love you forever!

• Send promotional postcards to contacts, family, + friends. If you want one email me your address! (joleenieweenie AT hotmail DOT com)
• Take photographs of jewelry
• Edit all remaining photographs
• Finish writing product information
• Update Line Sheet
• Order soft plastic clear boxes for plush birds
• Order packaging supplies
• Package product for consignment
• Send consignment order to Needles + Pens
• Send consignment order to Pixelgirlshop
• Go through website and check for anomalies in product information, item numbers, links, photographs, prices
• Write or have written- Press Release (I would love to trade someone a customized wristlet for a press release! Email me if you're interested!)
• Sew more wristlets for consignment shops (Know of any brick + mortar shops in your area that consign?)
• Send consignment order to France & Amber

I haven't made any birds yet for the shop. I would like to make the small ones like I made for the Sampler and some large bird throw pillows. It's looking like those will have to wait for an update- probably July's. I can only do so much! :)

home is where your...

...wrist is? Haha! Here is a wrislet I made last night while inspired by the book from the previous post.

i ♥ japanese craft books!!

Okay, so I am still on a Japanese spree because I'm beyond smitten with it all! If you want my undying love buy me a handmade ZAKKA craft book. You might recall this one I bought back in April while in San Francisco. It's my absolute favorite craft book to date!

ISBN #: 4579109686

Today I went to the Japanese Amazon and searched for more handmade ZAKKA and other craft books recommended. Unfortunately international orders take 3-4 weeks to deliver but I am STILL *so* excited to get these books!! Here is what I bought:

beautiful baby items:

ISBN#: 457911017X

craft items:

ISBN #: 4579109988

patchwork book recommended by wee wonderfuls:

ISBN #: 457911020X

beautiful artwork created with children's drawings, recommended by angry chicken, which remind me so much of lizette greco's work:

ISBN #: 4776201135

You can get help in converting currency (so you know what you're paying!) here.

Oh man, there are so many books I want! Although I love eBay this is such a cheaper way to get them! Make sure you take a thorough gander because shipping costs are not cheap. Plus, it would stink if you completed the sale and then fell in love with another book! But then again, how can that not happen?

shop japan

There are so many fabulously *cute* Japanese shops + illustrators out there! I really wish I could understand a word these websites said. Nonetheless, they're worth taking a look at!

As promised:

jewelry
items for the kitchen
a hodgepodge of items
cute illustrations
a great shop with a variety of goodies
for your home
beautiful handmade items
more jewelry
links to lots 'o shops (great layout!)
I couldn't quite figure out what they sell, if anything, but it's a cute site.

And my absolute favorite, favorite, favorite cute things, Japanese- DECOLE!!
here, here, & here

beautiful images

I went from one cute online Japanese shop to another tonight (which I'll provide you links to in a later post) and found this Japanese illustrator. I can't read anything on the page because it's in Japanese and therefore looks like question marks to me but I looked at every single image on the website.

Here are a handfull of my favorites which you can of course click on to enlarge. I recognized an image and knew right away that it's the header of My Little Mochi's blog. Right there she had the link to this which I just think is hilarious! I didn't have to go through all the sites I did to find it, I guess.

oilily

Katey's post about this awesome French shop called French Touche reminded me of one of my own favorite shops, Oilily. It was established in 1963 in The Netherlands with this in mind: "pure imagination, rich textures, vivid color harmonies, and a spirit of unbridled celebration". Their bright colors and creative photography in their catalogs and webstore are so inspiring! If you don't live near a shop (so sad) then be sure to visit them online!

Here are some of my favorites:
I love this skirt! It reminds me so much of Lizette's work based on her children's drawings.
What little girl wouldn't want this polka dot party dress?
I want a little girl just so she can wear this and this and this. Oh my gosh, and this!
You all know I have a purse obsession. How cute is this!
I want ALL of these dishes!!

Here is another great shop for cool baby clothes and gifts!

hello kitty crimper

for $24.99 you too can have a hello kitty crimped into your hair...

now i love hello kitty but... wow.

this is funny. :)

and i kind of want one!

bye, bye birdie

Well the shop isn't fully completed yet but we did have our first sale. Hope from The Soul of Hope saw my bird wristlet on my flickr album. She commented on wanting to purchase it so we decided to let her be our test order. :) Everything ran smoothly and she will be recieving her new wristlet by the end of the week. Thanks, Hope! :D

uhoh, a flat

Is it my turn for mini disasters or what? Today the wee one I care for and I were on the freeway (in her mommy's car) on the way to pick up my love, joleen postcards when this guy next to me honks and tells me we have a flat. Now, for those of you that know me well, I tend to get really emotional. Normally, I would cry and panic. 1. I have a baby with me. 2. This isn't my car. 3. I'm on the freeway. But this time I stayed completely calm because, you know what? It wasn't my fault! I didn't put the nail on the ground and say I think I'm going to run it over and see what happens. Hallelujah, call the press, I'm a big girl now! You laugh but it's true. :) AAA is awesome and was there in record time! (Thanks, Mom!) The entire mini fiasco was resolved within a half hour. So... we pick up the postcards and they look great! They don't have the rounded corners I purchased but there are worse things in life. Let's look at it as a small refund for my efforts.

PS- no, sweetie, my necklace is not for eating...

power failure

I had somewhat of a productive day yesterday even with a 3.5 hour power loss! I was mid sewing (that blue and yellow wristlet above) and Alex was playing a computer game with his friends when it happened. We just sort of looked at each other and said, "Now what?" I realized last night just how much we need electricity. The power company said it wouldn't be until the following day that we'd regain power (yikes!). We watched the next episode of Alias we had from netflix until the battery on the laptop completely died. It started getting dark so we got the flash light Alex got for Christmas (thanks, Mom!) and put it by the front door before going to Chiles for dinner. When's the last time just the two of us sat down somewhere to eat? We're all about convience (aka: we're lazy) most of the time. It was nice to go out though. We were hoping the electricity would be working when we got home but no such luck. We decided to go to bed at 9:30 (Ha!) just as the power turned back on. Woohoo! We resumed our tasks and went to bed at a more normal hour- midnight.

mark your calenders!

thrift store scores

1.5 hours, 2 thrift stores, and $40 later...


look at the post below for some pouches + wristlets I made with the fabrics. :)
looks like jenn had a similar idea today!