SPT- Personal History

Whoa! When was the last time I participated in Self Portrait Tuesday?! Sheesh! The theme for January has been "Personal History". These are a handful of pictures of my sister, Aimee, & I. Even when things changed- we moved, changed schools, etc... she has been a constant. She's my friend and confidant, someone to play with and talk to. We're both leading busy lives these days but nothing could ever replace or compare to our relationship. To my sister, my friend- I love you!

gifty 3

Yay! I'm so excited - Leslie posted Gifty 3 today! Click the image to sign up!

Here's all the info:
So, um, what's Gifty? Gifty is a fantastic, friendly gift exchange between web pals. The purpose of this project is to unite the weblog community by spreading cheer, love, and fun through the mail!
And here's the nitty gritty:
Theme: From the Heart
Monetary Allotment: $7.00 - $10.00 (this is a suggestion, not a requirement) + shipping
Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, February 3, 2006
Shipping Window: February 6 - 13th (this means that you should try your very, very best to get your package shipped off during this time).
Maximum # of participants: 100

scrapbook submissions

I've seen a website which lists themed calls for scrapbook pages for various magazines, submission guidelines, and due dates. I don't remember what it is. Does anyone have a link? TIA! xo

In the Works

If you've been to love, joleen recently, you've seen that the shop is currently down. Never fear, we have so many new things in the works my head is spinning! Hehe. I'll be working with Katey of One Good Bumblebee + Haha Web Design again. I've been wanting to do a redesign since before the holidays and we'll be getting to work on that starting next week. I felt that it was time for me to refocus, which I've been meaning to go into detail about. Instead of trying to be a "Jo" of all trades, I want to try to focus on a few things.

In the future there may be a few handknit items + possibly some sewn goods. For the most part I am sticking to paper + art. The new site will carry collage + card kits, more fine art: mixed media collages, framed artwork, assemblages, and handmade greeting cards. The thing I am most excited about is a new custom section. Here, I will have a portfolio of past commisions- customized invitations + announcements. I would like to have a questionaire that you, my potential client, fills out, giving me enough information regarding the job for a quote. I may also have a page of invitations/ announcements that you can choose from and personalize (vs. complete customization) with listed prices. A lot of thought is going into this new venture and I'm excited for you to see it! Does anyone have any suggestions in things you'd like to see? I would really appreciate feedback! ♥

baby announcement sample

This is a custom baby announcement sample I created per the parent's loose specifications. I pitched it tonight via email and will show them in person tomorrow. I hope they like it!!

Corners of My Home: week 2

For some reason I can't get this photo any lighter without it being too light. Picasa is being weird! Hope you can see everything. This actually isn't a "corner" but it is part of my home. This is the nightstand on my side of the bed. :) You can click on the image to see what everything is if you want. The bird feeder was from my visit to see Heather from a store called Annie's Cottage. The beautiful necklace with the bird motif is from Kathleen of Liquid Sky Arts. The little leaf dish which i love, love, love was a new find in Target! It holds my rings at night or when I'm hot and my fingers are swollen. In the little compartment is reading material, which varies often. On top there you can see a part of Designing with Fabric which is filled with beautiful ideas (not just re: scrapbooking). Typically, at night, I read from my current novel, and/or glance through a few of my (MANY) magazine subscriptions. Last night Alex and I started reading together from a book I got him for Christmas called Letters of the Century. I love reading books like these and the love letters one I purchased a while back. It's also fun to be reading outloud to each other. It sort of reminded me of being in school, only I was in pajamas, warm, and snuggly in bed!

More Corners Here.

♥ valentine kit + samples

5 red cardstock cards
5 pink cardstock cards
10 clear envelopes
4.25 x 5.5 sheet of stamped images
free form hearts out of pattern paper
tulle
ribbon
fabric bits
fibers
buttons
sequins
heart punch

$15.00 plus shipping

Email/leave a msg. to purchase! ♥

"Night"

This morning I finished reading Oprah's current book club choice, Night by Nobel Peace Prize winner, Elie Wiesel. It was a short read but powerful and sustaining. It was raw, honest, emotional, and horrific. I recommend it to everyone.

In reading his prize acceptance speech following the book, these words have stayed with me:

"Human suffering anywhere concerns men and women everywhere." - Elie Wiesel

be still, my ♥

Meet Mrs. Robineggie (above) and Miss Rubybelle (below). Aren't these cagelets just the sweetest, most wonderful things you've ever seen?! Alicia of Posie is just fabulously creative! I purchased these for my studio and bedroom! (Photographs used with permission. Thanks, Alicia!!)

PS- I know you're jealous! ;)

CLEARANCE ♥

love, joleen is having it's first ever CLEARANCE! It's time for a re-focus and possible re-design, not to mention LOTS of new product. We need to make space around here for all the new, fun stuff! To view sale items and pricing, go here. If you're interested in anything please email me at joleenieweenie AT hotmail DOT com.

{getting there}

So. I didn't finish my studio like I had hoped to do this weekend, but not for lack of working! As this peek of my bedroom shows you- I was hard at work all throughout the house. Hopefully I'll be able to show you more and more as time goes on, but it's obvious to me now, that this is a time consuming task! No promises as to when it'll be completed, but isn't it pretty so far? :)

oh yeah!

Remember this? I told you I would show you it when it was done but forgot. Oops! I made this evening purse for my mother-in-law, Kellee, for Christmas. Per usual, I did not follow any pattern, but just made it up as I went along. ;) It closes by wrapping the beaded tassels around the big button.

ode to journaling

It has been a LONG time since I've shared any of my quick journal pages with you so here are a couple of my latest. You can view all of my entries here. I haven't been writing in a journal for a while now but have recently began doodling and collaging again. I'm just trying to get the creative juices flowing and this is a fun and fast way to do it!

Here is a collage I made last night in my art journal. It's mainly just cut + paste but I'm loving all these bright, cheery colors. Don't you love that bracelet? :) Me too!

Do you keep a journal? What kind is it (art, life, etc.)? What do you create or write about? ♥

{love potion no. 9}

Amanda started a fabulous flickr group called Corners of My Home! Here's my first contribution...

This was my first attempt at a mixed media glass bottle & I am pretty happy with the result. I love the top part the best. :) From this angle it's hard to tell but along the bottom of the people are lots of little seed beads. Alex wanted it to be love potion "no. 9" so there it is. ;)

I got that fun typewriter for Christmas from my grandparents. (Thanks Grams!) It's aqua (my fave color) and wee (about 12" wide). It is a children's PETITE typewriter from the early 1960's. It was made in England.

I purchased the book, She for myself around Christmas as well. It's such a beautiful book about Celebrating HER (women). ♥

PS- Support Bernie Berlin's "A Place to Bark" dog rescue by bidding on this "Don't Bug Me" fatbook! You can also find it by searching for ebay item # 7382577926 or for the seller id: discodog. Please take a look and tell your friends!!

{new} ATC swap

Seven artists (including myself) came together to participate in an ATC swap. Theme: "New". Here were the results:

beauty.

for those with winter blues.. here's a little bit of beauty.

{WHITE} chunky book

Okay, we have a full group! I think this is going to be my best book (hosted) yet. We have a great group of artists and lots of first timers who I know will be impressed! :) Pages from this book come from SEVEN different countries- how awesome is that!? Have fun with your pages!

Joleen Thiessen - covers
Heather Simpson-Bluhm - $ - pages
Joslyn Hobbis - $ - pages
Evaly Jerome - $ - pages
Carol Dellinger - $ - pages
Leslie Anderson dropped
Kelly Barton dropped
Linda Eustace - $ - pages
Marie Lundgren dropped
Ruth Steinhagen
Jennifer Hodgert - $ - pages
Priscilla Schrock - $ - pages
Taylor Schapiro - $ - pages
Marilyn Healey - $ - pages
Edina Tien - $ - pages
Vivian McDonald
Ashley Gunn - $ - pages
Debra LaCourse
Brittney Young - $ - pages
Gwynn Thoma - $ - pages
Lisa Skeels - $ - pages
Elsie Sampson - $ - pages
Beth Taylor - $ - pages
Kristina Holt - $ - pages
Alexis Leatherwood - $ - pages
Lisa Busch - $ - pages
Lelainia Lloyd - - pages
Dee Nolan
Kelly Angard - $ - pages
Joei Lau - $ - pages
Geri Lamer - $ - pages
Angela Cartwright - $ - pages
Jennifer Griffin - $ - pages
Sharon Sears - pages in transit
Fast Eyes - $ - pages
Erin Roberts - $ - pages
Esther Janney - $ - pages
Rita Bellanca - $ - pages
Joan Lawrence - $ - pages
Kara Klein - $ - pages
Colleen McGinty dropped
Sharon Wisely - $ - pages
Shari Beaubien - $ - pages
Karen Brooks - $ - pages
Stéphanie Lepoint - $ - pages
Jane Tipton
Marion Zoboski - $ - pages
Julie O'Neil - $ - pages
Cindy Aurther
Debby Beheler - $ - pages
Chrissie Grace - $ - pages
Lisa Guerin - $ - pages
Lisa Hooker (fillin' in, thank you!) pages

Updated: April 04, 2006 OK, this is it folks.. I won't be accepting anymore pages.

winter cleaning

I am sick.. again! I suppose it comes with caring for a wee one but this is NO FUN!

I recently decided that it's finally time to CLEAN, PURGE, and ORGANIZE my studio. I went to IKEA and got bookcases, boxes, jars, magnetic boards, etc. I spent a day and a half assembling furniture and cleaning. I've recycled a box and two bags full of stuff. I have three boxes of goodies to sell & give away. And, I'm about 10-15% done. I have next Friday through Sunday to work on it too. I hope to share with you my new, CLEAN space sometime next week. For now, here is a sneak peek:

tag, you're it!

Let me prefice this by saying I'm totally knocked out by Children's Dimetap.

I've been tagged by Kelly:

4 jobs i've had in my life:
1. Pizza maker/ Delivery person
2. Muralist
3. Manager at a children's clothing store
4. Nanny

4 movies i could watch over and over:
(I've seen some GREAT movies but these are the ones I watch all the time:)
1. The Little Mermaid
2. Love Actually
3. Almost Famous
4. Finding Nemo

4 places i've lived:
1. Upland, CA
2. Portland, OR
3. Los Angeles, CA
4. San Clemente, CA

4 tv shows i love to watch:
1. LOST
2. Alias
3. 24
4. Boston Legal

4 places i've been on vacation
1. Cancun, Mexico
2. Lake Tahoe, NV
3. Tacna, Peru (mission trip)
4. Santiago, Chile (mission trip)

4 websites i visit daily:
1. flickr
2. hotmail
3. Chubbyville
4. Posie Gets Cozy

4 of my favorite foods:
1. Cheese Ravioli
2. Watermelon
3. Salmon
4. Spaghetti

4 places i'd rather be right now:
1. In bed
2. In my suddenly cleaned (by someone else) studio
3. Shopping with someone else's money
4. Vacation- somewhere international but I won't limit myself and say a place

4 bloggers i am tagging:
1. Melanie
2. Maitreya
3. Amanda
4. Michelle

{beading in art}

For the last couple of weeks I've been introducing beading to my mixed media artwork. I've created chunkybook pages with beaded embellishments, paper bag books with beaded binding, and a pretty bottle with a beaded topper (that I'll show you as soon as it's completed). The work is often extensive but the payoff has been wonderful. I feel such a sense of accomplishment and reward when I've completed beading something. This probably stems from the amount of time and effort that goes into these projects.

These funky paper bag books don't take much time at all. They're unique, fun, & bright. I love 'em! It all started with that very top one. I was at work and wanting to art. I brought no supplies from home so I searched for things to use. I found paper bags, birthday wrapping paper, newspapers, foil, and children's acrylic paint. Heather challenged me to use these supplies and an image she sent, to create something. This was my original creation. Later I was able to go by my house and gather a small tote of supplies and fun embellishments. Then I went to the craft store and bought floral wire (it's cheaper & you get more!). I punched the side and beaded the binding. Here is the finished product and a close-up of the binding. As you can see, I liked it so much, I made 3 more! These books are plain (but for the binding) so far.

SURPRISE!

Yay for contests and yay for winners! As you can see we have THREE contest winners. Congratulations Lollybob, PJ, & Aimee! Please email me at joleenieweenie AT hotmail DOT com with your mailing address. Why three winners you ask? Well, I use this random number generator for these contests and it only goes up to #30. I selected two winners by first starting from the top, and then starting from the bottom. There is a third winner because I accidently announced a winner yesterday for the BRIEFEST of moments. This way is more fun anyway! ;)

In reply to ALL the comments- There you are! Thanks to everyone who took the time to leave a comment. I enjoyed reading what you've all been up to. Besides working I've been making more time for art and more time for reading. Both, are true passions of mine and I wasn't giving either one enough attention. I wish you all the best of luck in achieving your goals this year and in all of your endeavors. Please stop by to share them with me every now and again! ;) Stay tuned for lots of fun contests this year!

contest, contest!

So, it's well past New Year's Day but I've been meaning to have a contest for over a week now. Where are you?! I think everyone went on holiday and forgot to come back. Or is it that we're all just super busy getting back to the day-to-day? Leave a comment by midnight Thursday (01/12) and tell me what you've been up to to be entered in the contest. :) The winner will recieve a package with all kinds of mixed media/collage/craft art items. It's a surprise!

♥ ART

I have had a whirlwind of art over the last few days. I feel so good right now. I am not feeling overloaded or overwhelmed. I feel great about the quality of my artwork. It's one of those times in my life when the ideas just flow and I feel totally inspired. I am motivated to get through my list so I can try new things & new projects this year. I had a great conversation with my mom today about wanting to learn new tasks and to FOLLOW THROUGH! I feel confident that this is possible for me as I have successfully completed my last few projects. As previously stated, I've completed the 35 covers for the Vintage Valentine chunky book. I don't know if you know what that entailed but after completing my collage I beaded 35 felt hearts. That's a total of 245 beads, folks. But wait! That's not all! I completed 27 of my 50 Aubergine chunky book pages, which, you guessed it, included beads- 189! By the time I'm done beading it'll be up to about 600 beads! Whoa! NOTE: THERE ARE 40 PEOPLE IN VINTAGE VALENTINE! OOPS..MEANS 5 MORE! I'm keeping the cover under wraps but here is my Aubergine page:

Then, I did the layouts in mine and Heather's collaborative journals (see previous post). Time to send those along. Below is an all original chunky book page I did for a swap on Chubbyville. Every month there is a new theme and you make only one page and send it along to the designated person.

The theme this month was "Windows". I am really happy with the way it turned out. I experimented with using bright and fun colors to create a non traditional look. The window image and a transparency are actually between two sheets of orange cardstock. I showed you a Paris piece I created as a submission to Somerset Studio magazine. Below is a piece I created today for their call for Bohemian artwork. It's not 100% yet as I'd like to have it cover a journal. I will show you the finished piece when it's completed.

wonderfully white!

Here are my latest layouts in mine and Heather's collaborative art journals. I started these a while ago but added to words & gesso today. If you're considering joining my new {WHITE} chunky book you have to get the latest Somerset Studio magazine! It is simply chalk full of the most beautiful inspiration. Plus, Heather is published in it and that's pretty darn cool! ;) For more inspiration try to get your hands on True Colors: A Palette of Collaborative Art Journals. Fabulous work! If you have any questions about the swap feel free to ask! We've filled about half of the spots so far!

Paris Submission

After completing 35 covers for the {Vintage Valentine} chunky book and 27 pages (of 50) for an Aubergine book I'm in, I decided for a change. Above is a piece I created for Somerset Studio's call for Paris themed artwork. Believe it or not, I've never submitted any of my personal art for consideration so I'm pretty anxious about it. This mixed media collage was created on 5" x 7" canvas. I created it using an image from HannahGrey, scrapbook paper, printed images, rubber stamp, a sticker, mini knit gloves, charms, gel medium, rubber cement, and gesso. The lighting isn't the best so the artwork doesn't look as good in the photograph as in person but hopefully if it's published, it'll look better. :)

PS- I've posted a new chunky book swap in the previous entry. If you're in my Vintage Valentine book and want to be in this one- don't panic! The pages aren't due for the next one until April 1st!

{WHITE} Chunky Book

click image to enlarge

lets talk about books, baby!

I've recieved so many wonderful books in the last couple of weeks, art related & not. I got most of my current wishlist for Christmas and have purchased a few in my last couple of trips to Barnes & Noble. In fact, I met up my Mom at the Irvine Spectrum last night to "give back" my younger sister, Sarah, who had been staying with us since New Year's and we went to the bookstore. Of course, I couldn't come home without a new book (and some fabulous deals from Anthropologie)! I was telling her how much I just love buying new books even though I really have plenty that I haven't read yet. Probably an entire shelf if I actually owned a bookcase. Note to self: Buy a bookcase! Anyway, I finished reading my first book in 2006 on Monday, which I'll tell you all about after a bit.

List of new books/ magazine subscriptions:
♥ Messy Thrilling Life: The Art of Figuring Out How to Live by Sabrina Ward Harrison
♥ Brave on the Rocks: If You Don't Go, You Don't See by Sabrina Ward Harrison
♥ The True And the Questions: A Journal by Sabrina Ward Harrison
♥ Collage Discovery Workshop: Beyond the Unexpected by Claudine Hellmuth
♥ The Complete Guide to Altered Imagery: Mixed-Media Techniques for Collage, Altered Books, Artist Journals, and More by Karen Michel
♥ A magazine subscription to Cloth.Paper.Scissors and Somerset Studio
♥ True Colors: A Palette of Collaborative Art Journals
♥ Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
♥ A Million Little Piece by James Frey
♥ The Chronicles of Narnia (although not this copy) by C.S. Lewis
♥Gardenias for Breakfast by Robin Jones Gunn (I read an entire teen series by her when I was young and LOVED it. I've been told this is for adults, though, so that's good. ;) )
♥ Two children's books to add to my growing collect (I may have more then adult books): Alfie's 1 2 3 by Shirley Hughes; Carl Goes to Daycare by Alexandra Day
♥ And purchased last night- My Friend Leonard by James Frey.

I read all of Sabrina's books, within days of recieving them for Christmas. Then I started on A Million Little Pieces, which is also currently THE book on Oprah's Book Club. It was such a great book- honest and hard to read (content not language difficulty). I wish I was good at writing reviews but I'm simply not so I'll just leave it at that. It won't be hard for you to look up it's rave reviews! Although I have this stack full of books to read, I had to go buy the sequel, My Friend Leonard, which I plan on starting it today.

In August I posted a request for good books to read, here. I've read a few of the suggestions so far. I'm always looking for more great suggestions and enjoy a WIDE variety in work. Any more favorites out there?

{portals}

Heather and I have taken on a new and exciting endeavor for the new year. We are going to be publishing a quarterly zine called, Portals! The premiere issue is due to be released March 15. The theme for our premiere issue is PORTALS and we are currently looking for portal themed art for the gallery. Please submit a high resolution ( 300 dpi) image of your mixed media work to: Heatherbluhm AT yahoo DOT com. Your work must be previously unpublished. Please include your full name, email address and location. Submissions are due no later than February 15, 2006. Thank you and happy creating! ♥

♥ giving back

In the Jan/Feb issue of Domino magazine, there is a fabulous section called {Giving Back}. Here, they talk about a volunteer website called Volunteer Match which helps match you to local or virtual (how cool is that?) volunteer opportunities. I really recommend checking it out! Here are some great opportunities I've found through the website:

♥ Send Love to our Troops through Care Angels
♥ Donate or Raise Money for School Supplies for 4 R Kids Foundation
♥ Mentor Youth Online through Mentor-E
♥ Donate Goodies for Birthday Bags through Cheerful Givers
♥ Put a Smile on a Child's Face through Post Pals
♥ Council Teens through Teen Central
♥ Valentine's Day Card Project through 4 the Troops
♥ Hospice Volunteer by Sewing through VistaCare Hospice

a happy new year

2005 was really a great year from me. There were definitely challenges as there are any other year but so many more wonderful times. I really grew as a person and am continuing to do so. I am happy and feel such love. Above is my first art journal entry of the year. It's a list of goals and hopes for this new year but the two most important ones I have I did not write. Those are to be happy and to have peace. These are both very personal goals for me even though they are standard answers to new year wishes. I wish these, above all else, to you as well. Happy 2006! ♥

viva las vegas!

happy 2006!!

see the wee people down there? that's my family!

alex and i spent new year's eve in vegas with my parents, two of my sisters (aimee & sarah), and our family friend, vivian. we went to excaliber (hotel & casino) for a couple of hours during the day. we didn't go to vegas to gamble but spent a couple hours playing slots. we started with $25 each and walked away with $60 each so that's pretty cool. :) back at the hotel we played scene it disney and watched new year's eve festivities on television. it was a short trip but still fun & great to see everyone! can you believe that over the holiday i didn't take ANY pictures- not of family or christmas or new years. Crazy, huh? I recently decided to spend some time on the other side of the camera enjoying myself, and enjoying others. ♥