*waves*

so, where have i been, huh? busy, busy. and really i've only just come by to let you know i'm okay! i didn't intend to take a two week vacation but i'm going to have to excuse myself for one more. we're cleaning, cleaning, and organizing our house right now. aside from getting ready for the art retreat here next weekend we need to get ready for the holidays (making gifts galore!), etc. hope you are well! xo!

ps- don't forget to send in your submissions for the next issue of portals.. theme: fibers!

just a quick hello!

Vail, Colorado

This is the view we woke up to this morning! Isn't it beautiful? This is the first snow of the season and the view is from our balcony on the 4th floor. Here is another view. I hope you're all having a wonderful week!

Don't forget to enter in the contest in the post below!

Contest: Earliest Memories

Alex and I are leaving for our first week long vacation (without family) tomorrow after work and we're quite excited. I am not sure I'll be getting online so I hope you all have an excellent upcoming week! When we drive back we're going directly to the hotel where the gala is at next Saturday so I'll be sure to take lots of photos. We went and picked out Alex's tux so I can't wait to see how it all comes together. :) Since it's been quite a bit, I leave you with a contest (the prize being the above pouch). Anyone can enter simply by leaving a comment with one (or more) of your earliest childhood memories. This contest will continue until midnight, Saturday, Oct. 21st. I look forward to your replies! xo

Kid's Creating

A few years ago I took several early childhood education courses to prepare for a career as a preschool teacher or nanny. I loved learning about the stages of development in young children and how to plan a 'curriculum' that would aid the natural learning process. I especially love how great arts and crafts are for wee ones and enjoy the breakdown of just why (helps develop fine motor skills, great for sensory development, etc.) Recently, my charges' mom purchased the book "First Art: Art Experiences for Toddlers and Twos", among others, for tips and ideas. It's really the best book of the bunch and I get a lot of great ideas from it. You don't have to purchase a book (although I recommend this one!) to get fabulous ideas. I've found some amazing websites online that you should check out! This SouleMama is always astounding me with the clever things she does with her little ones. I especially love this idea and can't wait to have kids that are old enough for it. Oh heck, I'd probably make it just for myself because it looks so dang cool. Whip-Up has an entire category of children's crafts, here. And in case you want more:
♥ Art for Young Preschoolers
♥ Kitchen Art for Preschoolers
♥ Crafts at Kid's Domain
♥ Family Fun Arts and Crafts
♥ Crafts for Kids at Enchanted Learning
♥ Bright Ring Art Activities
♥ Kid Craft's Blog

Just a bunch of randomness

Because I didn't want to leave you with another photo-less post, here is a small piece of art I created just over a year ago. You can view more of my artwork here. I just have a few cool things and updates to give you this morning.
♥ My sister is blogging again. She's a great writer; go give it a gander.
♥ Jennifer Weiner's new book, The Guy Not Taken, was released. You may know that I've read each of her books to date and was/am excited to read this book even though it hasn't recieved the best of reviews. I'm ignoring the pile of books on my nightstand to read this new buy.
♥ Being as busy with work as we have (overnights 13 days out of 17) we haven't completely stuck to the WW plan of eating healthy and working out. We have managed to maintain our lowest weights with minimal fluxuation. Alex is down about 23 lbs. and me, 19 lbs. :)
♥ I am so, so excited to visit my friend and photography mentor, Moki and her family on Saturday on our way to Colorado.
♥ There is still room in the Portals themed fatbook if you want to sign up! The book will be published in a future issue of the zine.
♥ Speaking of the zine, in the event you're not aware, we have a blog where we post updates (etc.) so be sure to add that to your bloglines.
♥ And just to add to the randomness of this post- V is crawling forward which is so super exciting to see... C never crawled so I'm really enjoying this. :)

my 620th...

...post. no photos to share, just a few words before bed. we just got back from seeing the departed and it was amazing! so smart, so serious, and so seriously comedic (if you black comedy). really, a great movie.

went to the outlets at cabazon for a dress for the gala in two weeks. i scored a simple + pretty (purple!) dress from bcbg and super sparkly shoes from off 5th. yay! :)

ok, omg alex just read on imdb that brad pitt is producing "the time traveler's wife" slated to be released in 2008!! can i get a collective "YAY"!

Inspiration: Autumn

{click for photograph credits}

About once a week I create these little inspiration mosaics from my flickr favorites. They have different themes, colors, feelings. I am so smitten with this autumn mosaic - it's my new desktop image. I sure wish Autumn looked like this where I live. I'm really looking forward to our drive to Colorado (not to mention the vacation) so I can see some of this! :) You can view more of my inspiration mosaics here.

"Portals" themed fatbook!

{click to view large. don't have flickr? click here.}

Fun, fun, fun

{Heather's kitty, Zoe}

This photo has nothing to do with the post other than to say I've added this and another cute kitty to my portfolio. I am continuing to make changes and update this regularly and would love your input at any time! I can't even tell you how insane things are right now- in a good way. This week my Mom and I finished planning "Exploring Through Play"- a two day mixed media event/retreat. It takes place in my home (La Quinta, CA) November 4th + 5th and is going to be so much fun! We've got six great classes planned, food, drinks, accomodations (hello, air mattress! *wink*)- two days of fun- for only $120! If you can only come for one of the days, that's great too. The fee for each individual day is $70- a great deal, if you ask me! If you've like more information regarding this event please email me at joleenieweenie AT hotmail DOT com. Registration has already begun so you need to act fast! Well, I intended to write more but I've got the kiddos and they need me now. I hope you're having a great weekend!

Advertisers... don't miss this!!

{click to view full size}

Just stopping by to say hello.

It's been crazy around here and I'm feeling really overwhelmed and tired today. Well, and a little bit discouraged. Just kind of having one of those funky days filled with anxiety + self doubt. I'm trying to knock myself out of it so I can still be fun to be around. I have the wee ones while their parents are on a business trip and my sister, Sarah, has come for a visit. We're planning a trip to the park this evening so that should be good for us all. One by one I'm attacking my to-do list with vigor. My most recent accomplishment is our flyer for Exploring Through Play! If you're in Southern California and you'd like more information about the retreat I am hosting for Nov. 4th and 5th, please let me know! We're going on a last minute vacation Oct. 14-20th to Colorado (long story!) so the countdown is on! More about how this trip came about soon. Happy Friday!

Pet Photography

{click for credits}

...I changed my ad to include it. I'm not sure why I didn't think of it to begin with. I don't mean your typically cheesy (sorry, but true) + posed studio shots but real + in their own environment- or at least in an environment that captures their essence. You can view a few of mine so far, in my portfolio.

Inspiring Pet Photography
♥ Anna Kuperberg (Stunning! Thank you, Michelle!)
♥ Canis Studio
♥ Kurt Schlatzer Photography
♥ Beth Mallon Photography
♥ Melfi Creative

ah, finally!

the {hot pink + orange} fatbooks are finally out..
and i do hope you love them as much as i do! :)

Issue #3

Portals issue #3 is NOW available. It is ALL printed, all pre-orders have been mailed and we have plenty left as we have discontinued our limited editions. We will soon have back orders of #1 & #2 available on our website as well.

Issue #3 is beady themed and has the usual eye candy in addition to some fun tutorials that are useful in your mixed media work and the upcoming fabric postcard swap!!

Check it out!

Thanks, Heather & Joleen