{love, joleen} the blog

i've moved!

2007-01-09T12:50:00.000-08:00

edit: please note that i've made the move to typepad. you can view my new blog here. please bear with me as i'm learning and be sure to change your bloglines feeds + bookmarks so you don't miss anything! xo, joleen

after two years of blogging with blogger, i've decided to move on over to typepad. don't have the first clue what i am doing over there which feels so new and weird! can someone please help me? i can't even find a back-end to custom design my layout using html. any help would be much appreciated! thanks! xo, joleen

things that make me happy today

2007-01-08T16:10:00.000-08:00

♥ snapping this polaroid mid-yawn (which scanned a little pink. not sure why)

♥ alex wearing a sticker label he made this morning that says, "I LOVE JOLEEN"

♥ having friends (and family) like you who send virtual hugs + kind words just when i need them

♥ drinking hot tea

♥ snuggly babies (even if they are sniffly)

♥ quiet, alone time during synchronized naptimes

♥ browsing flickr and adding to my huge collection of favorites

♥ getting ideas and absolutely loving these maternity shots

woe is me

2007-01-08T11:16:00.000-08:00

since i don't have a really pathetic photo of myself to share, you get pretty but dying roses. don't read this post unless you're ready to watch me play my tiny violin while i cry to myself. i am not doing well. not. at. all. some days you just feel so bad you have to tell someone. anyone that'll listen. i am tense. i am tired. i am sick. again! i'm grumpy. i'm annoyed. i have no. more. patience. i want to bury myself into a foot of covers and die for the day. i have two sick, whiny babies that i can't seem to help because they just keep crying. my head feels like it's going to split right in two... one half for each of them. my shoulders are so tense i imagine they could hold just about anything. and they probably are. i have pressure in my chest, a sore throat, and an icky cough. i'm torturing myself by thinking about a photography job i can't take. i'm all around feeling sorry for myself about now.

end of rant.

whatever

2007-01-07T11:38:00.000-08:00

i tried to blog yesterday but then i didn't know what to write about. my break on friday was much needed and appreciated. it was so nice to hang out with someone my same age (we're both 23), talking about young marriage, eating yummy salad + breadsticks from olive garden, making plans (i get to do a maternity + newborn shoot with her! (she's due in june.)), buying books, and strolling the mall. me time. girl time. i need it more often! we talked about getting together regularly (other than our daily morning walks) for pampering ourselves and i really hope we follow through. it's restorative.

the wee ones came over last night just before 7 and we have them until thursday. they're acting as though their parent's gave them candy, soda, and crack before coming over and we're already a little bug-eyed. ha! yay for naptimes, huh? that and airborne as i'm trying desperately to fight off something...

i've been trying to take out my camera(s) everyday and shoot- random things really, that you can view here. i want to practice and just take tons of shots. i want to develop a personal style and because i like such a variety of things, i am struggling with this. or maybe i'm not at all and am just over-thinking as usual.. lol.. i think my set of personal favorites flows nicely + is a good representation of my work.

um ok end of awkward blog post.

our lazy morning

2007-01-05T11:16:00.000-08:00

{here it is larger}

thank you so much for your feedback in the previous post. i have to say it proved something to me; and that is "your clients are going to like different things, for different reasons". it's not as though i didn't think this would be the case. it's just so interesting to me when it becomes blatantly obvious. i really do love both versions of that photograph and imagine i'll end up printing them both for myself. the black and white feels classic, strong, and masculine to me, which i love. the color just pops- it's so vibrant and powerful, and that's very me. something about the background on that one isn't quite right even though the tones are the very same in the other. i don't know just what it is.

here are a couple shots from mine and spencer's lazy morning. i just love, love, love how this top one came out. it's probably my favorite photograph of him so far. this just screams his personality. i love when you look at the results of a "session" and see magic. it's astonishing to me that i can sometimes take a photo and see the subject's soul. it makes me just sit, stare, and think. :) ok, i have to run. i'm supposed to meet my walking friend in 10 min. for lunch and shopping at barnes & noble and i need to get dressed. yikes!

my boys

2007-01-05T00:13:00.000-08:00

which version do you prefer?

My Hubby, the Newbie

2007-01-03T21:58:00.000-08:00

I've kind of been MIA this week, haven't I? It has been a rough transition getting back into the swing of things. The week is going well but I'm just incredibly tired. Tomorrow morning I start walking again, which on the one hand I am really looking forward to (for the extra energy especially!). It'll be interesting getting used to waking up at 5:30 again- ouch. Slowly, but surely, I am adding photos from our trip to Kansas, which you can see here. I'll be adding more as time allows. I am really excited to share the above photographs (diptych) with you that Alex took. I just love his attention to detail, don't you? It's the first that he has uploaded to his flickr account. He is always taking photos but says I am hording them on my computer. I'm nudging him to add more soon so please be sure to welcome him! :D

Goals, Not Resolutions

2007-01-01T23:50:00.000-08:00

{click on image to see full size}

Last year I created this goal list for 2006 and in 2005 I wrote this list of 50 things to do before age 30. I'm a list maker. These are not resolutions. These are goals I've set for myself today for the upcoming year. As time passes and experiences allow, I love to accomplish things on these lists but I know that nothing is for certain. By the middle of the year I may not have the same goals for myself or they may be altered for one reason or another. They may even be ignored completely. I don't hold this against myself because that is part of growing up and is the beauty of evolving goals and dreams. It's such a pleasure looking back on past lists to see what has been accomplished and what I should keep on my new list for the new year. It is an exciting time for reflection and dreaming. I'm wishing you big dreams and much success in this new year!

happy new year!!

2007-01-01T21:32:00.000-08:00

i just wanted to stop by and wish you a happy new year! we are home from our whirlwind weekend in kansas, visiting with alex's family. here he is with his mom on friday night - i think it's such a happy photo! it was a fun, busy trip and we're ready for ~~vacation~~ sleep. (ha!) ;) really, so great to see everyone we missed so much! we can't wait to see them again later this year!

the best of intentions

2006-12-27T21:59:00.000-08:00

i had hoped to share more of christmas before taking off for the the new year festivities but i really just need to take a break. i got a little overwhelmed today trying to get everything together, while still working an 11 hour day (i work 11 hrs./day 4 days/wk.).. i'm just a little bit tired and want to enjoy myself (+ relax!) on the trip. we're leaving for kansas first thing friday morning to visit with alex's family + will return monday. i hope you have a fun and safe new year's eve! i'll come back sometime next week to share some of the things i'm most grateful for in 2006 and some of my goals for 2007! also, i'll probably pop in with flickr to share photos while i'm gone if you want to check there. love + hugs! joleen

a special gift: love monster

2006-12-26T20:55:00.000-08:00

this is my youngest charge with his christmas gift from alex + i. i am so excited to share it with you! this is one of my most favorite holiday projects because, while i made nearly all of my gifts, this sweet love monster was a collaboration between my husband and myself. he helped select the fabrics we used; he turned arms + helped me decide their length; he chose the buttons for the eyes + sewed them on the face; he stuffed, stuffed, stuffed. :D click here to see more of it.

Oh, happy day!

2006-12-25T22:57:00.000-08:00

i hope your weekend was as wonderful as mine! i just love that photograph above (even if i look a little wonky!)- my mom bought us matching pj's which was oh-so-fun. it was just SO wonderful to spend time + holiday fun with this beautifully spirited group of people. i feel incredibly blessed to have such a close + special family. i cannot wait to spend new year's with our other family (alex's parent's, etc.)! below, aimee and i are being our super silly + sexy (if i do say so myself ;)..heh ) selves... for today's wardrobe remix. you have no idea how wonderful it is for me to have a sister as my very best friend. more christmas goodness throughout the week, i'm sure. thank you for all of your sweet comments regarding our family photograph in the previous post + for your well wishes! xo!

Merry Christmas, Friends!!

2006-12-23T13:32:00.000-08:00

Love,
The Thiessen Family

Holiday Survey

2006-12-20T21:56:00.000-08:00

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate with marshmallows and a peppermint stick!
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrapped.
3. Colored lights or white on tree/house ? We don't have a tree this year but we still have lights everywhere. They're all white but if we had lights on the outside they'd be colored.
4. Do you hang mistletoe? We didn't this year because I didn't see any at the checkout.
5. When do you put your decorations up? The weekend after Thanksgiving.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Do deviled eggs count?
7. Favorite holiday memory as a child? Staying up really late with my sister, trying to sleep but watching Christmas movies instead. :D
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? What truth? ( I like Heather's answer)
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? We open immediate family gifts on Christmas Eve and Santa gifts on Christmas day.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Usually lights + ornaments (new ones and childhood ones for both of us).
11. Snow… love it or dread it? Love it! But, that's because we live in SoCal where it does NOT snow... so it's fun to visit.
12. Do you know how to ice skate? Like riding a bike. LOL
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I've had so many! I would have to say that there have been two gifts that I remember most not so much by the gift but the way they were presented. When I was 5 or 6 my parents rolled out a mint green scooter and I thought that was THE coolest surprise! When I was (hmmm 9-11?) I got my first (previously loved) sewing machine. It was given to me in the way of a scavenger hunt. My family is genius I tell you!
14. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you? Family- who wouldn't say that? ;)
15. What is your favorite holiday dessert? Fantasy fudge, thank you very much.
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? My family still spending the night at my parents on Christmas Eve. That tickles me.
17. What tops your tree? a silver glittery star.
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Well I ain't gonna lie... (ha!) I really like both. ;)
19. Favorite Christmas Song? My Grown Up Christmas List
20. Favorite Flavor of Candy Canes? Peppermint-duh!

Thanks Heather, that was fun. Now it's your turn!

wardrobe remix

2006-12-19T13:00:00.000-08:00

{click on the images to enlarge}

One of my goals for 2006 was to participate in a project called wardrobe remix for at least 14 days. With only 14 days until 2007, I began on Sunday- talk about procrastination. ;) You may recall that I did a similar project in May, called month of moi, where I took a self portrait every day. This project will focus more on fashion and how I interpret that to be on a daily basis. I thought this would be a fun little documentation. You can see 'em all here.

PS - I look angry in today's pic (top)- I'm not, I'm just really tired + my tummy hurts. :/

i love...

2006-12-18T06:46:00.000-08:00

my family! :)

happy monday, friends!

abuse

2006-12-17T17:04:00.000-08:00

{sad bear purchased from hotdog n' bun booth at felt club.}

i was sitting in a restaurant booth with alex today at lunch, looking out the window when i saw a young man begin an altercation with the woman he was with. horrified, i saw him in her face, yelling at her and pushing her into the car they were standing against. then he shoved her into the passenger seat and began to hit her. he ran around to the driver's seat and like that, was speeding along. shocked and horrified, a scream was going on within myself. hadn't anyone else seen what was happening? couldn't i have run out the nearest exit and yelled for him to stop? embarrassed may have made him worse once they got home, i suppose. my heart broke for that girl and i cried silent tears for her into my lunch. how do people find their way into abusive relationships? it's seems uncommon since, like most negative things, it's rarely talked about. still, i'm sure it happens more often then we think. feeling helpless, all i could do at that point was pray for her and her situation- and thank god i've always felt treasured in mine.

i ♥ shoes!!

2006-12-17T00:24:00.000-08:00

oh, how i ♥ my new leopard print wedges from target! target has to be my favorite shoe shopping place because i find so many shoes that are super super cute, always with the season, and inexpensive- so i don't feel bad if wear out more quickly (which i find they don't, really). i was just browsing online and my goodness!! there are so many adorable shoes that aren't in my store! i hope i get target gift cards for christmas! lol ;) here are shoes i'm oogling:
♥ sibley cork platform wedge
♥ tosca modras wedges
♥ delila gatherd pumps
♥ annabell canvas demi-wedge
♥ tessi polka dot basket weave wedges
♥ sasha menswear skimmers
♥ blue mod dots rubber rain boots
♥ andrea platform pumps
♥ chiara tall shaft boots
♥ tysley platform wedge
♥ sarah buckle skimmers
btw, i've recently started a new set over my flickr called i ♥ shoes and of course will be adding to it. ps- i'm a size 9. ;)

Plug

2006-12-16T13:04:00.000-08:00

First off I'd like to say thank you again to my Brad for thinking of me in this gift. His sister recently passed away and he was given a box of her belongings. From this my parents gave me a porcelain doll and a jar (vase?) of these wooden spools of thread from the box... which I LOVE. I just did a photo session with them for fun and for the current (FIBER) issue of Portals (which we're putting it to bed this weekend. Yay!) I have to say that it is honestly my favorite issue so far. I am so excited about it and really think you're going to love it! Don't forget to pre-order your copy here.

Prima Dollies

2006-12-15T22:36:00.000-08:00

{Photograph used with permission of snoopygirl! Thank you!}

These are Prima Dolly Ashlette, Prima Dolly Ginger, + Prima Dolly Violet. Violet was the next beauty on my list and lately I've been watching her on eBay. I found this auction that was offering all three PD's for a really great deal, including international shipping. I told Heather about it who said that Sharon was interested in getting a Blythe also. (Heather has two now). So, I had to ask Alex to tell me if I was already getting her or if I could move forward with the auction. He said that he had, in fact, purchased her for me (aww!) but that the deal had just fallen through (boo!) and to go ahead and move forward. Yay! So, on their way from Hong Kong are these three beauties- sisters- fraternal triplets if you will. I've gotten permission from both girls to go ahead and open the boxes so I can take photographs of our sisters together before they move on their way. I cannot wait! :D

My Favorite Passage In A Very Good Book

2006-12-14T20:21:00.000-08:00

"Dear God," she prayed, "let me be something every minute of every hour of my life. Let me be gay; let me be sad. Let me be cold; let me be warm. Let me be hungry... have too much to eat. Let me be ragged or well dressed. Let me be sincere--be deceitful. Let me be truthful; let me be a liar. Let me be honorable and let me sin. Only let me be something every blessed minute. And when I sleep, let me dream all the time so that not one little piece of living is ever lost."

-Francie Nolan
"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by, Betty Smith

ohh and psst...
took some pics of Inka today that you can see here. ;)

am i really posting for the third time today?

2006-12-13T12:32:00.000-08:00

why yes. yes i am. i can't wait until tomorrow to share this utter cuteness with you. i recieved this weeks ago but it took me a while to notice it in the box and wasn't until today that i set it all up to take photos. what took me so long?? this super cute lil' gnome is from beshka. she sent me this wee kit that came with the 3" gnome, a mini rectangle of astroturf (ha!) and different postcard images for backgrounds. i LOVE this! thank you, beshka! :D

holiday hubub

2006-12-13T10:16:00.000-08:00

{click on the image for photograph credits}

this morning i put together this mosaic of christmas inspiration, which is also my new desktop image. what that heck happened to my holiday mojo?? do you have it? it got lost about two weeks ago and now i'm frantically trying to locate it so i can finish everything on time. i've now come to grips that not every gift this year will be handmade. i am happy that a lot will be if i could just finish things instead of leaving them all half done. today i am finishing up with issue #4 of portals (hallelujah!) and then i can focus my attention to christmas for the next week and a half. this upcoming weekend will be santa's workshop at casa thiessen- that's for dang sure. how are you doing with your gifts? am i the only crazy, frazzled, panicked one?!

Questions Answered, Etc.

2006-12-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

{Our first dolly family photo!}

First of all, thank you for your super sweet comments regarding my hair. I don't know how "brave" it was. I kind of viewed it as rebellious thing. Against myself and my ideas of structure. Against anyone who doesn't like it. It wasn't about being even or "perfect" but the epitome of carefree! Plus, it grows back so quickly- any damage would have been temporary. ;)

So there are just a couple of questions from the recent comments that I'd like to address. I'll do it here in case you were wondering as well. Soleclaw wanted to know why Maileena didn't go to the meet. There are two reasons. One was that I was running a wee bit late and she wasn't fully dressed. It didn't occur to me to finish dressing her there... der. So, she had to wait in the car.. *sniff* The second (and very embarrassing!!) reason makes me feel oh-so-bad that I haven't been able to share it with you until now. The day she arrived I thought I would welcome her with a special dress. So I had her on the ironing board while I was fitting her and then took her over to the table to work. I noticed there was something on the bottom with her hand and when I went to take it off I realized that I had burnt her with the iron. Oh the shame! I cried and cried. If there is anything good about what happened it's that you cannot notice it unless you're really looking... see here how her right hand is bent a bit? The other good thing is that she is my only girl that can hold things like this.

To the person wondering what Blythe dolls were, check out This is Blythe for just about anything you'd want to know!

Karissa and I took a short trip to the beach today. It felt like going home and hurt my heart to leave so soon. There are more photos from our trip here, including one of us sitting in traffic for 3 hours. Argh.

Ok, I'll try to think of some new topics for the rest of the week... ;) Thanks for indulging me.

chop, chop, chop!

2006-12-12T00:20:00.000-08:00

on a whim tonight i began chopping away at my hair... no plan or anything. ended up with a big pile of hair on the floor and this new hair style. i threw on a red top for these shots so i could participate in this month's self portrait challenge (it's been a while!). ;) i have more blythe photos to show you but i'll give you a day's break. heh!

maileena

2006-12-11T14:29:00.000-08:00

maileena was sad because i didn't bring her to the dolly meet yesterday so i snapped a few shots of her today. she's wearing her new, beautifully handmade coat and hat by momo and knit scarf by me. :) how much do you love that hat fabric?

socal dolly meet

2006-12-11T00:11:00.000-08:00

whoa- what a turnout! the socal dolly meet on sunday was a huge success. i believe there were 19 of us there and something like 54 dolls? wow. in that big group shot at the top there are 50 girls and i know some didn't make it in. this being my first meet, it was interesting to see how people were about their girls. let me tell you every single dolly there was dressed to the nines (whatever the heck that saying really means! lol). i was feelin' some dolly insecurities for sure. ha! anyway, here are a few of my favorite shots of the day. the girl in the middle right photo with white mohair and yellow glasses- swoon! it took everything i had not to try to hide her in my bag. ;) it was love for sure. unfortunately, because it was so overcast, i have a ton of blurry shots- including all my individual shots of her. boo. anyway you can see ~~a few more~~ the rest of my photographs from the meet here. the photo below cracks me up. recognize darina? i feel like she was thinking, "are you sure about this??"

just some bits of randomness

2006-12-07T21:59:00.000-08:00

♥ Last night I created a new mini art journal in honor of the Kim family. It's 4.5 x 6 canvas paper that I spiral bound. I titled it "Treasure Life" and each day until it's full I plan to document something I was grateful for that day. A physical reminder to live + cherish life.
♥ Just started reading up on unschooling, after first hearing the term from Amanda and again from "BellaBlue". I am completely intrigued.
♥ Portals Zine Issue #4 FIBERS is now up for pre-order. ~~Please wait on Intl' orders as there has been a mistake in pricing and we need to get that remedied.~~ Thanks!

♥ I am a third of the way through Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith that I started this morning and am soaking in every word of it.
♥ Wanna meet this weekend? I will be at the Felt Club on Saturday perusing about. I've also arranged a Blythe Meet on Sunday in Japantown (Los Angeles). You can find all the information for it at that forum thread. Email me if you're coming to either so we can make arrangements to meet up! :)
♥ Christmas Cards are on SALE this weekend Fri. - Sun. FREE shipping if you order two or more sets! Each set is on sale for $10 through the weekend. All orders will be shipped Monday.

deeply saddened.

2006-12-06T21:27:00.000-08:00

i'm having a hard time coming up with the right words.

so i'm sending peace and love to the kim family.

{reflection}

2006-12-06T07:14:00.000-08:00

lately i've spent a lot of my time thinking and reflecting on my life. really, what a great life it's been so far. it does not escape me that i have such wonderful and supportive family + friends. i am truly blessed.

after a chaotic year of transition and uncertainty (LIFE!) we are finally settling down to a sense of "normalcy" and stability. i've now been a nanny for this current family for two years. i've been there for every step and stage of development since C was 3 months old and V was born. it's amazing, the experiences i am awarded in being part of this family. it has opened my eyes to so many things. it has molded me and my life will never be the same as it was before.

this year has brought with it every extreme emotion under the sun- from utter despair and confusion to elation, euphoria, bliss. my relationship with my husband was greatly strained for a while and now we're past that and more in love than ever. just when i think my life couldn't get any better, it does. i just have to get over the bumps; the funks. and i do because i have that great of a support system.

a support system and network of friends that encourage and inspire me to be the best me- to have goals and dreams and to strive for them daily. people that are real and face tribulation head on because it's the human condition and not something that should be feared but shared. i consider this year and think ahead to the things i want to accomplish in the next. i have to ask myself, why wait?

{as is}

2006-12-05T11:09:00.000-08:00

the truth is we all ache.

we all have growing pains

and wonder if we are

okay and enough + loved.

the thing is- we are.

really.

without the silver shoes

and the lepord print sheets.

we are enough without

all the things we buy

to make us much more

than we are or need to be

we are simple

and complex

and rare

as is.

-sabrina ward harrison

Issue #4: FIBERS

2006-12-04T17:32:00.000-08:00

Due to a variety of reasons, we've extended the publication of Issue #4: FIBERS from December 15th to the 30th. We should have the purchase button up on our Get It section later this week. This issue is coming together absolutely beautifully. Seriously, you're going to love it! Be sure to reserve your copy early as we're expecting this issue to be the best yet and you won't want to miss it!

We're starting to get to work on Issue #5: ReUSE, ReCYCLE, ReCREATE so please visit our Calls for Art page for submission + swap details. As always, we accept any type of submission all year long so please do not hesitate to look ahead to other issue themes and send your artwork, photography, articles, and creative writings. Please make sure that these items are previously unpublished. Thanks!

happenings

2006-12-04T00:25:00.000-08:00

{alex took this photograph of me + aimee on thanksgiving}

hi friends!
i hope you had a wonderful, fabulous, super duper weekend. i had a very busy weekend but that's not news to you, i'm sure. we spent most of saturday running errands but at night we had ourselves a little holiday bake-n-make-a-thon. today i worked- the kids came over at 10 this morning and they ended up staying the night tonight. this is alright by me- OT is always good + it means i get to stay in my pj's longer tomorrow morning. :) i've also spent today finishing up the last of my portion of portals: issue #4. i still have an article to layout and am waiting on some photography permissions + article contributions before i can be completely done. i believe heather will have the issue #4 purchase button up this week. for now, you can purchase issues #1-3 as a gift to yourself or someone else on your holiday list! :) i know all of you are as busy as i am between your regular schedules and added holiday chaos but please, please take a moment or two to pray & light a candle for the kim family.
be safe. xo, j

update: praise god! kati and the girls have been found, alive. mr. kim is still missing- please remember him in your thoughts + prayers!

100,000 views

2006-12-01T23:54:00.000-08:00

Recently I noticed that i was nearing 100,000 views on flickr and began monitoring it for this milestone. I was tickled to see that it surpassed that mark today. I just wanted to thank you all for viewing, commenting, and supporting my photography, artwork, crafts, etc. Me. Thank you. We all know I love flickr... and here are my favorites (almost 6,000 of 'em!). Happy weekend, everyone. Be safe! xo.

holiday diy: with kids

2006-12-01T00:44:00.000-08:00

just a quick post seeing as it's nearing 1 am and i have really got to start getting to bed earlier this week! oh wait, what week? it's already friday. sheesh. time flies when your sick, huh? the last couple of days at work have been full of holiday fun with me and C. we stocked up on finger paints + glitter, cardstock, foam sheets, and stamps. together we've created holiday cards for this wee one to give the people that love her. what better way to warm the heart of a far-away relative? today we made scrumptious sugar cookies from a packet. these are super quick to bake and perfect for little hands. at two these things are new to her- she loved squishing her hands in the dough (and cleaning often), rolling it out, and pushing down the cookie cutters. After they cooled and were frosted (by moi) she loved adding sprinkles and candies.

ps- you should check out moki's merry make-along (photos link directly to blog entries)

holiday traditions

2006-11-28T16:31:00.000-08:00

i'm not sure how long my mom has had this doll, but for as long as i remember she's been a part of our holiday decor. given my affinity to dolls, it was no surprise that i looked for her to go up every year. she's so beautiful- down to the every last detail (i just love the holly + berries, don't you?). (you can view here in her entirety here.) a couple of years ago i was completely tickled when my mom gave her to me along with some tree ornaments from my childhood. my mother in law very thoughtfully gave us some of alex's childhood ornaments as well and we now proudly display these collections each year.

do you have any traditions like this? any "decoration" of sentimental value?

and a thank you!!

2006-11-27T22:14:00.000-08:00

well, i never did get that tablecloth or do much else saturday but be sick. after i decorated the table i abandoned all other holiday decor. i slept nearly all day and felt ill the rest. i thought i was just in a funk like the previous week and that i just needed to get out of it. it didn't even dawn on me that the baby (my charge) being sick the previous day could have been passed on to me. i assumed he was sick because he got a sampling of thanksgiving dinner and his little tummy wasn't used to that kind of food. it turns out i got the flu. everyone in the family i work for got the flu and i'm probably the one that passed it on to my aunt kim. (soooo sorry!) so needless to say, i was sick, sick, sick on saturday night. lost three lbs. that day, i did. lol

even though i wasn't feeling 100% on sunday, i felt well enough to go on with my plans. a regularly 1.5 hr. drive to my sister's took three, and i hadn't allowed that kind of time to pick her up. we made it to the pantages theatre in hollywood about 30 minutes after the lion king started. it was really very good. the costumes are amazing! this whole night had been planned for my aunt (down to where we ate dinner!) and i feel really bad that she missed it. :( if you do end up going, i know two girls (who missed the birth of simba- ha!) that would love to accompany you. ;) by the time we got back to her place i wasn't feeling up to the long drive home so she was gracious enough to have me over (thank you!). this morning i drove home and slept for the next 6 hours! whoa.

basically i've spent the last two days sleeping. the aches and fever are gone and so is the migraine. i still feel a little bit nauseated and am taking tomorrow off to 'finish' getting healthy. the last thing we need is for me to get the babies sick again or vice versa. then the vicious circle starts all over again.

anyway, onto the thank you! today is my second blogiversary with {love, joleen}! i just wanted to take a brief moment and thank you for reading, for commenting, for your encouragement, love, friendship, and support.

ps- all my feeds seem to be working again- thank goodness!

and like that...

2006-11-25T13:46:00.000-08:00

...we're in full holiday mode and i am loving it. i love, love, love this time of year! it's been a little tough living here with the deceiving temperatures everyday (still in the 70's-80's) but i am determined to make my home a little winter wonderland. we did a little shopping after work yesterday- mostly holiday wrapping, a few decor items, and some holiday clothes for ourselves. i'm using those fabulous wine glasses from target to hold candles as part of the centerpiece and filled the candle hurricane holder with silver and "peppermint" ornaments. i'll be on the lookout for the perfect tablecloth today and may switch the candles with red ones. we'll see- i'm quite pleased with it so far.

happy thanksgiving, friends!

2006-11-23T07:17:00.000-08:00

oooooh!

2006-11-23T00:12:00.000-08:00

i got the most fabulous surprise package today from a certain bugheart. we arranged a swap back in may but life got away with her (it happens, i would know!) and boy-oh-boy was it ever worth the wait!! i didn't know it was coming and was incredibly excited when i saw that sweet tape all over the outside of the package. not to mention gwen's fabulous handwritten label! everything inside was so thoughtfully wrapped.

she used the most vibrant orange velvet ribbon and each tag (oh, the tags!!) had a wee drawing and perfect notes. e.g. - to wash with: washcloths, to write on: notepads, etc. did i mention how great her handwriting is? :)

and here is the fabulous loot in all it's glory! yum, yum, yum. i was absolutely spoiled rotten! and honestly, my hands were shaking when i opened one of her trademark (felted knit) purses- adorned with a bird no less! swoon! thank you, so much, gwen!!

{thank you}

2006-11-21T21:54:00.000-08:00

just a couple of things before i retire for the night. i want to thank you for your encouragement a couple posts back (and always!)- i love knowing i can come to you and get understanding, sympathy, and validation when i need it. thank you. thank you, also, for sharing in my joy over having received such a perfect gift. i'm getting over the being-too-intimidated-to-use-it phase. i'm ready to try + to learn. let me just tell you, this camera is amazing.. the color, clarity- stunning. images turn out the way i want them, without any work in photoshop.. woot! above, is a photo of the pup at work- chanel. she's huge, but yes, she's still a pup! she's only a year old and just going to get bigger. she's beautiful.. but she doesn't like me or listen to me so that makes photographing her tough! lol

i've been playing around with the focus a lot since that wasn't really a capability of my previous camera.. neither were macro shots.. and boy are they with this one! i really intended on the focus of this photograph to be on my shoes.. lol.. but i'm just learning! i still like the shot. i think it makes my legs look long (ha!). i have two pair of these jeans because they're a favorite and i spilled bleach on this first pair.... that i still wear anyway.

and lastly, a photograph of darina. (i couldn't leave out a doll now could i?) she's the only one i've taken out with the camera so far. the weather and lighting were perfect for these shots. it's finally "cooling down" (still in the 80's, ugh). you can see more of these, here. and here is one i took of her last night with lights..

ps- one of my feeds for bloglines isn't working and i can't figure out how to fix it (i've even tried republishing the blog). unfortunately it's how the majority of you see that i've updated. :/ frustrating..

nikon d80

2006-11-20T14:11:00.000-08:00

omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg omg

i got an early (totally awesome!!) christmas gift! thank you, thank you!!

inspiration + dolly meet

2006-11-19T23:36:00.000-08:00

still no camera battery, so you don't get to see my new girl - maileena - just yet. above is a mosaic of blythe inspiration. each beautiful outfit is handmade with such attention to detail + most of the dolls are customized in one way or another. click on the image for photograph credits. you can view more of my favorites here.

i've spent this weekend designing and sewing. oh, im so thrilled with how cute and wee everything is. i still have a lot of finishing (sewing on snaps + velcro) to do because i'm always getting ahead of myself and moving on. im in the process of making each of my girls a holiday outfit for a special outing that i just cannot wait to share!

and speaking of this special outing- i am arranging a dolly meet in los angeles, calif.; sunday, dec. 10th. if you're in the area and want to bring your girls (or just to see what it's all about!), we'd love to have you! more specific information coming soon but if you're interested be sure to let me know! :)

perspective

2006-11-18T15:04:00.000-08:00

thank you for your kind and concerned comments and emails re: spencer. we're all (including him!) happy that he's home safe + sound and have spent much time cuddling and getting decent naps together. :) last night alex and i saw stranger than fiction. it was so good. i'm typically not a fan of will ferrel's brand of comedy so this was a really nice change in my opinion. it really showed that he can do something different. anyway, it was really funny and smart and touching. go see it.

it was (is still?) a tough week for me. i am kind of in a funk right now and am really trying not to be. it was a long week with work and then spencer left. i feel perpetually tired and bummed for really no reason because i'm getting plenty of sleep. i was cheered up a bit this afternoon when my new sweet doll arrived. but even that joy was a bit short lived. there are just some of those days where i just want to sleep + sleep some more. i just wish there weren't this many of them. :/

part of me being bummed (and i hope this doesn't reflect too poorly on myself) is that my two most prized possessions are both broken- my laptop + my camera. i want to cry just typing that because it's so dang frustrating. my laptop has had so many problems in the last year and a half since i bought it, that it's quite easily the worst purchase i have ever made. my camera has two batteries- one that i cannot find and another that is completely dead and will no longer charge. i guess i'm going to have to go on a search for another battery now. hence, all the polaroid pics. anyway, that's all. i promise the next post will be happier.

shake it like a polaroid picture

2006-11-17T11:36:00.000-08:00

well, thankfully this story has a happy ending- however exhausted and emotionally drained i may be. last night at 8 pm we had food delivered to the house. spencer was being such a good boy, just sitting there while the transaction took place. however, when the delivery guy left, so did spencer. he took off down the street and disappeared. a truly awful thing about where i live is that there are no street lights- making it nearly impossible to see a thing. we searched and searched and searched. we searched by foot and in the car. we talked to neighbors. we called his name. nothing. we went inside then back out to search. and again. and again. i finally had to get some sleep sometime around midnight but didn't sleep very well at all. when i heard the neighbor dog barking i woke with a start this morning and took the car around again. finally (!) we got a call from the animal shelter that he had been brought in last night. (i wonder when and where he was found.) thank god he had a warm place to stay last night! i was so worried that because it was so dark, he could get hurt. i worried that he'd go to where we walk- a hiking trail in the cove- away from people and filled with wild animals. i worried that he would get sick in the cold because he's used to being inside. it was an awful experience that i wish not to repeat. today he is alive and well and happy to be home. i don't think he'll try that again any time soon.

wip: blythe diy

2006-11-16T09:28:00.000-08:00

karissa (pwp), darina (ll), inka (ft)

these blythe outfits are works in progress as i didn't have snaps or velcro for finishing. you have no idea how surprised and impressed with myself for achieving these (even if they are simple and a bit wonky!) because a) they're so wee and that makes it all the more hard because my chubby fingers get in the way. b) I don't read patterns so I completely made everything up. c) i don't sew- not clothes for myself or anyone else.

it all started because i got inka (far left) almost a year ago (!!) and didn't really feel connected to her (i know that won't make sense to non-blythe people) and therefore she had no name. sooo, i made an outfit that was "her" and searched through names last night. i wanted her to be french but couldn't decide on a name so i switched gears. i gave her a finnish name after a girl i saw on hel looks. the other outfits ensued.

ps- i bought a new girl and she's on her way! she's going to be such a funky character and i cannot wait!!!

pss- i have a couple more spots for the swap (below) if you want to trade with me. please keep in mind it's a 1:1 swap. thanks!

blythe: handmade holiday swap

2006-11-15T10:15:00.000-08:00

my girls have been so neglected the last few months due to a move + a busy schedule. they're all (3) coming up on their first birthdays so i'm busy making them gifts. i made this quilted scarf/wrap for darina last night. it got me thinking that i'd love for them to have a great christmas! so, i'd like to propose a swap. the idea is for the 'gifts' to be high quality handmade items. i will arrange a personal trade with up to five people. let me know if you're interested and we can discuss the details. :)

{love, joleen} christmas card

2006-11-12T20:02:00.000-08:00

i hope you love this super cute christmas illustration as much as i do! (notice the tweet under the tree? ;) hehe) these new stationery flats are for sale just in time for the holidays. they are printed out-of-house on high quality matte cardstock. each set includes ten 4x6 stationery flats and ten white envelopes and are packaged in a gift box with a clear lid.

limited edition: 90 sets
each set is $12.00
pre-order special (now - nov. 18th): $10.00
order four sets + get the fifth FREE!

shipping will begin nov. 27th

to order email joleenieweenie AT hotmail DOT com
subject: christmas card
please include the quantity you're interested in and your zipcode for a shipping quote.

thank you!!

inspiration: polaroids

2006-11-10T22:16:00.000-08:00

a couple days ago this bug talked about collecting + using polaroid cameras. so many of us are inspired by these quick captures, myself included. last christmas i asked for a polaroid and was lucky enough to score two cameras + lots of film. i've only just recently needed to purchase more when preparing for our trip to colorado. we were driving and i knew i'd want to capture some of it in something other than digital. now, i display the most inspiring (to me) images around my studio on my inspiration board and with photo clips. you can view more of my (incomplete) set of polaroids here.

wip: christmas gifts

2006-11-10T09:32:00.000-08:00

here are some christmas gifts in progress. top: tweets in progress. too lazy to get down the reg. machine so i'm using my sew mini. it's slow but all the more accurate. completed tweets can be seen here. bottom: bird houses mid-painting. i won't be able to show much more without giving away surprises! ;) are you working on anything special?

corners of my home: sitting room

2006-11-09T16:29:00.000-08:00

you girls are too funny.. no, i'm not really planning to move to london, although it's always been a (somewhat) secret dream of mine. alex and i used to talk about moving there temporarily back before we got married. ah, life goes so fast doesn't it? well, at least spencer slows down and takes a break once in a while. ;) here he is in the sitting area of our master ~~bedroom~~ suite (?). we love supporting independent artists and proudly display artwork throughout our home. this is a framed card from i'm smitten.

orla kiely

2006-11-09T10:18:00.000-08:00

i need to move to london because i've become completely obsessed with this designer! today i want this and this and this and this and this... heck, i'd just like to live here!

snuggle friend

2006-11-08T09:53:00.000-08:00

here is the new + improved "tweet"! he has puffy wings on both sides for optimum snuggability (nice word, eh?). this one isn't quite finished on the bottom, as you can see here, because i lost the only needle i brought with me, somewhere between home and work. last night i cut out two new birds but on both forgot the second set of wings (oops!) so those are at a stand still for now. i think these are so super cute! i'll probably have to keep the original for myself. ;) i've been working when i can on christmas gifts but am kind of stuck on adult males (dads, father in law, uncle, boss, etc.) any ideas in what i can make?

tweet!

2006-11-07T23:01:00.000-08:00

fabric for "new" creations... never before fully developed...a better variation of these previous endeavors (found here and here) in the works. i'll try to post a few by the end of the week. i've been painting too (during naptime of course)... here is one of three:

for my cousin's 18th birthday
ink + acrylic paint
12 x 12 in.

{love, joleen} studio, etc.

2006-11-06T12:05:00.000-08:00

my studio is finally clean and organized. it'll always been a work in progress as i rearrange and find homes for even more stuff.. but here it is. and it's such a spacious room and so fun- i am truly inspired by it. you can view more photos of it here.

actually, to get ready for the "exploring through play!" retreat (such a hit!!) i cleaned + unpacked my entire home including the garage. finally. we're truly moved in for the first time in four years. it feels great. now that the event is over i have a nice clean slate to work on the next issue of portals, christmas gifts (all handmade this year!) and some very exciting projects!! i have so many truly wonderful things happening right now and i can't wait to share them all with you, friends.

i'll be back lots this week to share all about the retreat, more photos of my home, and all the exciting news! for now i leave you with the winner of our "earliest memories" contest. boy, were those so fun to read! thank you so much for sharing with me. and without further ado, the winner is:

Emily!!!
(please email me with your mailing address)

Holiday DIY

2006-11-01T12:11:00.000-08:00

Can you believe it's November?? Whoa. Much progress has been made in the way of Holiday DIY: gifts. Here is a sneak peek at one of my projects. Remember this? Kinda fun to see it come together. :) I have most of my gifts in the planning stages now and can't wait to share more ideas with you. Here is the first list if you missed it.

Just a few short days until my home is filled with art bound women. I'm so excited and anxious! These next few days will be spent scrambling about, cleaning and preparing, and more preparing. I hope you're all well! xo!

waves

2006-10-29T01:47:00.000-08:00

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!

2006-10-18T08:57:00.000-07:00

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

2006-10-12T22:58:00.000-07:00

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

2006-10-12T13:33:00.000-07:00

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

2006-10-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

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...

2006-10-09T22:53:00.000-07:00

...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

2006-10-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

{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!

2006-10-08T09:39:00.000-07:00

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

Fun, fun, fun

2006-10-07T15:54:00.000-07:00

{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!!

2006-10-06T21:03:00.001-07:00

{click to view full size}

Just stopping by to say hello.

2006-10-06T14:01:00.000-07:00

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

2006-10-03T13:55:00.000-07:00

{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!

2006-10-02T16:23:00.000-07:00

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

Issue #3

2006-10-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

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

Because I can't get enough...

2006-09-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

{click for full size image}

Oh busy, busy workin' on my to-do list this weekend (I have three days, thank goodness!). One of the things on my list was sending some images to the printer for my work-in-progress portfolio. Ah, so exciting and scary too! I'd love your feedback.

More yummy photography to oogle:

♥ Charlotte Sterling Photography
♥ Marmalade Photography
♥ Captured by Carrie
♥ Myra Klarman Photography
♥ Tiny Photo Shop

oh, did i wake you?

2006-09-29T12:11:00.000-07:00

i've had a couple of late nights this week because i can't seem to get my brain to stop thinking! when i finally went in to sleep this is who i found. on alex's pillow i might add. ;)

Eye Candy

2006-09-28T15:40:00.000-07:00

Today Moki (who is also a photographer) helped me write an ad for a couple local free listings and mom's groups. "Local photographer is looking to build her portfolio and is interested in photographing expecting mothers, infants, and children. She shoots on location and for a limited time only she is offering no sitting fee and no obligation to buy. She will send a link to an online proof sheet with her prices if you are interested in buying prints. This is a wonderful opportunity for great quality pictures and a lower price than most photographers offer. To schedule, please email joleen.thiessen AT gmail DOT com. " What do you think?

Pure Eye Candy:
♥ Photography by Sara Jane
♥ Jinky Art
♥ J. Otte Photography
♥ Work of Heart
♥ Bookout Studio + Design
♥ Grace Photography

And it begins...

2006-09-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

This year I am finally going to do it. I'm going to make every Christmas gift I possibly can (extended family guys are hard). Yesterday I wrote out my list of 'who' and have been jotting down notes + ideas for each individual. I was bouncing off ideas with Moki, who also wants to make her gifts and who has started a great flickr group: Holiday Gift Ideas DIY. Since I'm doing the searching and compiling of ideas anyway I thought I would share some of my findings here. I hope you find these links useful. I'd love to hear/read/see your ideas or links to other nifty handmade items for kids. The following ideas are for the babies + toddlers in your life:
♥ wall pocket (pictured above)
♥ stuffed toy
♥ travel lunch set
♥ fabric memory book
♥ story telling tape/cd
♥ quiet book or busy book
♥ felt board
♥ memory quilt
♥ patchwork baby bib

Re: Photography Advice

2006-09-27T10:34:00.000-07:00

{Deana: Upland, California}

I just wanted to really thank everyone for their photography advice last week. I appreciate all of the tips as I'm just getting started. I did want to say that the portfolio I am creating is for school admission. There are no set plans but I have been spending a lot of time looking into it for the fall of 2008 and an important criterion for admittance is a portfolio. This means that for the next six months or so I will be shooting whenever possible. I've got to build up enough quality images to choose from. When that time comes and along the way, I'm sure I'll be coming to you again for advice. So thank you, thank you, thank you.

Just a note...

2006-09-26T12:11:00.000-07:00

My visit with Heather and her family (Hi Hannah + Greg!) was really great. I can't wait to show you all of my shopping finds. Heather taught me to bead embroider, how very apropos having just finished up with our Bead Issue of Portals! Woot, woot! If you've already purchased your copy be looking for it in the next couple of days! Heather also taught me to solder jewerly while I was there. Sometime this week I'll show you what I made. :) For now, while I catch my breath, please enjoy two of my favorite photographs from our visit to the mission at San Juan Bautista. Thanks again for having me, Heather! I can't wait until our next visit! xo

Adios!

2006-09-22T07:40:00.000-07:00

{click on the photo for credits}

Thanks for all your help in the pervious post. I think I finally found the one I like (the second crop). I'm off to visit Heather for an extended weekend! We'll be binding and packaging your zines! I'm sure she has some fun in store for us- shopping + playing! I also get to do a shoot with her little Hanny. Yay! :) I hope you all have a great weekend and I'll see ya Tuesday! xo

Advice?

2006-09-21T11:10:00.000-07:00

I don't usually post the many photographs I take of my charges but I am currently working on my portfolio and am looking for advice. Even if you're not a photographer I would love to hear your thoughts about this particular photo. Just so you know, I can't do anything about the crop- it was shot this close and the front legs were cut off- oops! Thanks in advance. I appreciate your thoughts.

Edit II: What about this?

graphics

2006-09-20T23:13:00.000-07:00

here are the three banners i offered . i hope they like them! i also created this black + white print ad for portals to go in teesha moore's zine, art + life. phew! i'm tired!! have a good night! xo! ♥

need a blog banner?

2006-09-20T15:18:00.000-07:00

do you like my new banner? every now and again i feel inspired... and i'm feeling generous! i will create new blog banners for the first three interested people to comment (leaving a contact email) today. to view banners i've created in the past go here.

Edit: Whoa! That was fast! :) Thanks for your interest. I know I will do more another time!

Direction.

2006-09-20T08:23:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking that it has been a while since I've posted a "proper" post - not "just" a mini update, inspirational mosaic, or links. I have so much going on right now and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed + confused. I am spending a lot of time thinking about my life and the direction I am heading in. I am spending time evaluating my goals and looking into options. I am considering my own happiness and life's calling. It's all exciting and all a bit scary. Life is exciting and a bit scary, isn't it? There is so much pressure when you only have one! I just want to make the right decisions and be happy. Isn't that what everyone hopes for?

PS- Let's call today "Email Day". If I owe you one, look for it today.

Portals, Portals, Portals

2006-09-18T10:40:00.000-07:00

"Be Still" Art Doll By, Sandy Gordon; Los Angeles, California

Portals to be printed this week. The gallery has a wide range of artwork sure to inspire you! Beads is such a great theme and there are some fun articles + tutorials in the issue as well. I hope you'll go reserve your copy now as they sell fast! Thanks again for your support + encouragement throughout this endeavor.

Mark Your Calendars!

2006-09-15T12:16:00.000-07:00

More Information Coming Soon!

hit refresh!

2006-09-15T09:57:00.000-07:00

what in the world is going on with blogger/bloglines lately? something about a beta version of one of them- makes no sense to me. well, i've gotten a few emails from people wondering where i am. i'm still here! just hit refresh. chances are you'll find my 'missing' posts. so weird.

wish i were with you.

2006-09-14T12:37:00.000-07:00

what a crazy week! i feel like im spinning in circles and accomplishing nada. what's worse is dealing with a ~~two year old~~ toddler! omg! how do you do it?? i briefly considered taking a mental health day today. LOL and because i'm so super busy, you get links. happy clicking! :)

{click for photo credits}

*blogs*
♥ all buttoned up
♥ mizu tamago
♥ handmaid
♥ distressed
♥ luckybeans

unplugged.

2006-09-12T22:48:00.000-07:00

today i started a post about this past weekend when i realized my charger wasn't working and my laptop battery was quickly dying. when i plugged it in i accidently dropped it on the travertine causing some sort of short so for the rest of the day i was unable to work. it was so frustrating because i have so much on my mind (re: issue 3) that i want to get onto a layout! it also means i'm unable to check my portals email inbox so if you've emailed me recently please have patience a while longer. tomorrow i'll be visiting my local tech store for another charger and i'm hoping it doesn't cost my right arm.

weekend news: the women of faith conference friday + saturday was really great. it was nice to spend time with special family members + hear the great speakers- each with her own powerful testimony. i didn't realize robin mcgraw would be one of the speakers so that was a fun surprise for me. it was neat to see her hubby (dr. phil) walk her off the stage like she does for him everyday on his show. sunday my mom, sister: aimee, and i participated in the heart 5k run/walk. we had set the goal of walking it in 45 minutes. we each completed the 3.1 miles in the 41st minute! :) my exact time was 41:31. i was/am so thrilled with that and proud of our accomplishment. now we're training to run a 5k (and beat our time!) in about 4-5 months. thank you for your continued support!! i also want to share that as of last thursday, alex and i have each lost 18.5 lbs.! :) i still have a lot more to go but i am really feeling great about myself right now. thank you for being such an encouragement to me!

9/11

2006-09-11T07:11:00.000-07:00

{clip-art image found here.}

Today I encourage you to check out 2,996: where 2,996 volunteer bloggers join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11. Each person will pay tribute to a single victim by celebrating their life.

Edited: Please click here to see the list. The original site had too much traffic and was shut down, which is why the link didn't work.

{nature walk}

2006-09-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

today was my day off - but that meant nothing to spencer who woke me up at 6:30 to go for a walk. with my eyes closed i threw on some clothes and tennis shoes, sans bra + socks and let him pull me around the block. i woke up when i heard thunder and dogs barking- storms are so exciting to me. the sky and fog were amazing - more like home at the beach if you ask me. as soon as we got home i grabbed my camera and spencer + i jumped in the car. i wanted to get a little closer to the mountains so i could get some shots without all the houses and telephone wires in the way. i was so thrilled when we got up there just a few blocks and there was an entrance to a walking trail! spencer seemed excited too by the way he pulled on his leash to get going! ;) if you want to see the images seperately + larger go here.

ps- i am away for the weekend- conference with my mom, aunt, and sister tonight and tomorrow. then sunday is the heart walk (5k). thanks to everyone who donated- my team raised $550! have a great weekend! xo!

Writers WANTED!!

2006-09-07T19:47:00.000-07:00

We are looking for written submissions for Portals zine! If you are interested in contributing your short stories, poems, articles, or reviews (now or in the future) please email me at: joleen AT portals-zine DOT com. Looking forward to hearing from you!

Portals Zine - Issue #3

2006-09-07T11:46:00.000-07:00

Check out our NEW and improved website and order issue #3 today!

Thank you Hope and Heather!

i ♥ anthropologie

2006-09-06T20:51:00.000-07:00

i ♥ anthropologie!

oh how i love love love when the new anthropologie catalog comes in the mail. it's pure eye candy! not only are the items simply stunning but the photography couldn't be more perfect. flipping through it is truly uplifting to the soul- the mood of the photography feels like coming home. i hope you enjoy the diptychs i've created using a few of my favorite catalog images and some of my own.

fall on my mind

2006-09-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

{click on image for photo credits}

this week i'm inspired by images that remind me of fall. sometimes photos with entirely different subjects can portray that feeling. it's hard for me to imagine fall here in the desert but i'm definitely looking forward to cooler days. i'm sad there aren't trees as proof of the change but i'm hoping to find it in other things. if anything i know there are changes going on in me.

Advertise in Portals!

2006-09-05T21:50:00.000-07:00

We're offering a great new deal for advertising space in Portals zine! Hurry and get your ad in before our third issue goes to print. Lots of exciting things happening with the zine and we hope you'll be a part of it! Don't forget to reserve your copy now!

{dreams}

2006-09-04T21:38:00.000-07:00

{click on image for photograph credits}

i'm dreaming about owning a little old house - a bungalo - with a garden and a little white fence. i'm dreaming of cool air and rainy days; snuggling with a good book and long walks. i'm dreaming about making a modest living and going to school. i'm dreaming about meeting friends for a drink and late night study sessions. i'm dreaming of taking three steps back and feeling at peace.

happy labor day!

2006-09-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

friday to saturday alex and i went camping + hiking but i'll tell you all about it another time very soon. i found my camera charger too close to leaving so we had to use a disposable camera and are waiting for it to be developed. saturday night we stayed at my mom's house in apple valley and sunday afternoon they had a bar-b-que. i was camera happy so there are lots to see but not yet because i don't have time to upload them all right now. the ones in this post are my favorites. :) alex took the very top photograph of me and aimee and i took the others. we had so much fun!

meet spencer. isn't he beautiful? we're his foster parents right now but if we have him for a while and everything works out then we'll probably adopt him. i really like him already! he's really a sweet dog. we brought him home last night and he seems to like it so far. this morning we went on our first walk together and i am really looking forward to having him as a walking buddy. :)

we hope you're having a wonderful holiday weekend!

{summer reading} part iii

2006-08-31T21:48:00.000-07:00

funny how i only just started tracking my reading like this in the last three weeks of summer. ;) this week i read steinbeck's of mice and men. don't know how i missed reading that in middle school but in our most recent trip to the bookstore alex made it part of my selection. short book, good read. very touching. i also read jodi picoult's book keeping faith- my 3rd of her books in as many weeks. it was a good read- very unique topic.. a little confusing at times as to who was narrating but still good overall. looking forward to reading a couple other books of hers that i have waiting on my nightstand.

this is another book i recently purchased: a hardcover coffee table book on sale for $10! the photographs for the tutorials are truly beautiful and there is a really wide range of craft ideas. i can't wait to try some of the ideas myself (in my copious spare time, right?). you can view these scans individually/larger here, here, and here.

i ♥ linkity links

2006-08-31T08:25:00.000-07:00

unfortunately my camera battery died and i am without my charger, which means a rerun- rearranged into a diptych. i've recently become enamoured with diptychs and have joined a flickr group to see the unique pairings and have started a set of my own. i love the mood of the pairing above + i love that alex and i each shot one of the photos. he took the one at the top from where we were parked on a structure in santa monica. i shot the bottom photograph in one of my all time favorite places- the bookstore (same trip). ;)

newly discovered and smitten:

blogs
♥ sky fox a
♥ two straight lines
♥ buzzing bee
♥ the glass doorknob

shops
♥ zuzupop
♥ fluffy co.
♥ six one six
♥ fern works

photos
♥ daily dose of kitten
♥ fourteen
♥ garden, next to someones doorstep
♥ from maditi

ps- {hot pink + orange} fatbooks will be shipped out tues. sept. 5th.

good morning!

2006-08-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

Either Blogger is just completely out of whack or I've become dull. Where are you, friends? I think I may decide to make the intimidating move over to typepad. *gasp* We'll see. So, last night I couldn't sleep so I decide to do my makeup. Haha... the two don't usually go hand in hand but it's been too long since I've worn the fun stuff... or taken a self portrait. The beautiful flowers were photographed at the school we stayed at for artFIBERfest in Washington.

In October I'm going to a gala called the Diamonds + Pearl Ball for a charity organization my employers chair for. After seeing the Emmy's I'm dying for a purple dress but we'll see. The theme is 1940's Hollywood and I'm having a hard time with it! It seems that wasn't the richest time in this country and even Hollywood wasn't terribly glam in my opinion. I did find one cute dress but I'm not sure it'd be dressy enough. If I'm unable to find "the dream" dress then I can always dress it up a bit with accessories and fancy hair. I feel like I should get help with this! Any ideas?

{snap}

2006-08-29T13:20:00.000-07:00

I can't stop staring at the photographs in this mosaic- as a collection and individually (click on the image for photo credits and links). I'm obsessed with it really; a larger version made it's way to my computer desktop for nonstop oogling.

This is one of my favorite photographs from our hiking last Saturday. We found this great flat rock to lie down on to rest and from there I shot this photo. Photography has really been on my mind (as you know!) I'd love to invest in a really nice camera one of these days. I've been keeping my eyes open for a photography class but the local community center isn't offering one this fall. I'll probably have to wait until I'm able to go back to school. That's okay. I may be taking a Watercolor class soon and I am absolutely thrilled about that. Then I can go hiking with my camera and visual journal et al.

PS- What is going on with Blogger?? I know Blogger was having some issues yesterday and now I see we are today. Were you able to see my last post Re: {photography}?

{photography}

2006-08-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

The incredibly talented Jennifer Causey, aka photobird on flickr recently organized a flickr photo swap. A stupendous idea that I hope happens again and again! Photography is such an incredible source of inspiration for me. I would love a "real" collection of some of the very photographs I find myself favoriting daily. Above are two amazing 5 x 7 photographs I recieved mounted on cardstock greeting cards from Dianna Miller. I wish I had a website link to share with you. She says, "The bright red tricycle inspires me to lounge in a lawn chair + eat watermelon." I love that!! Thank you so much, Dianna!

This week I'd like to let myself be inspired by my everyday surroundings. I am challenging myself to photograph these things and post at least one of them a day for the rest of the week. You are more than welcome to join me in this endeavor!