Goodbye to 2009

Happy New Years Eve !!

I've had some pretty fun things happen this year...being published in Art Doll was on the top of the list for sure!!
I'm ending this year just like I started it...several projects "in the works".

I guess that is just how it goes...you gotta go where the mind says to!!

I for one am looking forward to starting fresh.
A new year....a time to try new things.
Finish old projects...well, maybe!
And most of all, push myself beyond . Try to see if I can translate all the projects in my mind into something real...even just a couple, 2010 will be a good year.

Be safe everyone!!

xoxo,
jen

Happy New Year to All !!!!!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all!!!

I got a card from one of my husbands cousins today...
inside was the most lovely Irish blessing.
It says it all.

Wishing you always...
Walls for the wind,a roof for the rain
And tea beside the fire.
Laughter to cheer you,
Those you love near you,
And all that your heart may desire.


And as Tiny Tim said...and he said it best...
God Bless us, everyone!!

xoxo,
jen

My favorite Christmas movie

I love the movie, A Christmas Story!!!
I can watch it over and over...
Last weekend while walking to the Christmas festival I saw a house in the distance.
It was so cute ! Tons of lights...
I thought, "that looks like the house in the movie!"
We got a little closer...and sure enough! There it was!
If you haven't seen this movie, try to this season...it'll leave you with the best feeling inside!

Merry Christmas!

jen

ps
It was cold enough to try the tongue on the pole thing...but I didn't try !

It's Fragile-ley!!!!

A Little Inspiration from Starbucks...

Have you ever noticed the cool images on the
Starbucks cups? I never did until while
sitting in the most annoying traffic jam...
what a wealth of inspiration!
Needless to say, I came rushing home and got
busy!!
Here's my first attempt...

Happy Holidays!

xoxo,
jen

a few thihgs I've been working on

With the holidays just around the corner, I've been working
on things for my Etsy shop...
Here is just a couple of my favorites.
This is a Marie Antoinette pin cushion. I dressed her in pattern tissue...I love her hair!!!

xoxo,
jen

I've been enjoying these little pins.
They are made with a variety of millinery flowers,
jewelry findings and vintage hankies.
This particular pin has a small piece from a
very old bridal veil, and velvet oak leaves.

We made history!!

It snowed early this morning in the Sacramento region!!
This may not sound too exciting to some people, but it's only the second time it has ever happened!
We couldn't believe it!!

The dogs weren't too happy when we made them pose for a Christmas card picture, but we couldn't resist!

xoxo,
jen

A new creation!

I made these the other day.
They're celluclay over styrofoam.
I formed them last year but never got around to
painting the poor little guys!

I think they're adorable!

We put up our family room tree this weekend.
It's a collection of ornaments from trips we've been on, gifts and various collections.
I thought I'd share a few of my favorites...

The Wizard of Oz is always a challenge to hang.
It needs sort of a hole...this year the tree had the perfect spot!

I really love this ornament !!
I picked it up one Christmas at The Hotel Del
in San Diego.
It's one of the most beauitiful hotels ever!!

I made this little angel when I was first married.
These early ornaments are still my favorites!

I'm Back!!!

I'm back!!
Things are finally back to normal around here...so I've been busy decking the halls and crafting away for The Tattered House and my Etsy shop!
We do three trees. One is mostly nature, a family tree and a "boy" tree.
So far I just have the nature tree up...
Here are a few pictures of what I've done so far and some of the crafts I've finished.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!!

xoxo,
jen

Here's the stocking I've been working on for my
Etsy shop.
I kept adding things to it and had so much fun!

The best part is it's big enough for tons of toys!!

My pattern tissue Christmas tree!

Here's the bottom of the pattern tissue tree!
I used a spool of thread for the trunk,
and a big vintage coat button for the stand.

Really fun!

Here's the living room.
One tree down...three to go!
The dogs were very happy to see their stockings go up!

Part of my Santa collection

More decorating to come!

Life...

I wish I could be sharing some wonderful photos of all the things I've made, but that's just not to be...this time!
Just a quick up-date on my life.
The husband is back at work and doing well !
Me, now I'm recovering.
My goal this week is to get back on track. To get comfortable in my studio and start working!
The ideas flow, but getting the hands to cooperate is the hard part!!

I'm ending this year with a new appreciation for my life.

Thanksgiving and Christmas will have more meaning than ever before.
I guess things happen for a reason.
I wish my husband never would of had to go through this health scare, but if it makes us slow down a bit and enjoy the little moments that will be a really good thing.

xoxo,
jen

Thankfull !!

Even though Thanksgiving is next week, I'm feeling very thankful right now !
I was able to bring my dear husband home from the hospital...

You see he just went in for a routine procedure as part of his yearly physical. There were some unexpected complications. 3 units of blood later and a stay in the ICU he's is now home and on the mend.

My last post was all about being published in the Art Doll magazine. I'm still really proud, but after seeing the one I love go through such an unexpected and scary ordeal... well, you know!

Happy to report we're home, and looking forward to a nice quiet Thanksgiving with our two fur kids Molly and William.

Love to you all!!

Jen

I'm Published !!

Boy, do I have big news ! I'm in the Winter issue of Art Doll Quarterly!!
My little Mermaid doll is in some pretty big company ! This is such an honor for me.

Elanor Roosevelt said " The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

My friends believe in my dreams...this helps soooo much!

I want to thank Laura Della Porta for always being so supportive!
And of course Joy Gabler... you are the best ever! Thank you for always inspiring, and most of all listening!
Well, you'd think I just won an Academy Award, but that's what I feel like!
Today is a very good day.

xoxo,
jen

Here I am in print !!

Trick or Treat !!!!!

ten things About Me...

My darling Joy ( The Vintage Rabbit) presented me with this cool award.
The thing is , I've got to tell 10 things about myself that nobody knows.
Hmmm, lets see...

1. I don't eat squash. Hate it!!
2.I won toys from a childrens morning tv show called Hobo Kelly
when I was in 3rd grade.
3. I can (or used to) pogo-stick and twirl a baton at the same time.
4.I'm terrified of reptiles! Even turtles!!In fact if a lizard gets in the
house, I leave!!!!!
5.Can't watch animal movies. They make me cry!
6.I'd give anything to be 5'6"...or taller!!
7.I have a super huge crush on a Formula 1 race car driver from Spain,
Fernando Alonso !
8.Never read War and Peace
9.I don't like to make left turns...not sure why!!
And now the last thing that nobody knows about me is........

10.I don't like my food to touch.
AND I eat one thing at a time...clockwise! I know,
weird!!

Ok, time to pass this award on...I think all my blog-gals
are deserving, but keeping with my Southern California
friends...Sandra Lee, it's yours!!!!!!


xoxo,
jen

Way more than just a pumpkin patch !

About ten minutes from my house is the most adorable nursery/cafe/bed and breakfast place...it's called The Flower Farm.
They have an old bathing suit mannequin diving into the pond that I'd love to bring home with me!
For Halloween she's been transformed into a mermaid !
Love it !!

Have a wonderful weekend !!

xoxo,
jen

Is that a Mermaid?

Hello fall !!

A perfect blog party for two !

Last weekend I was able to spend some time with my dear friend joy...
we were able to have ourselves a little " blog-party".

We started our day at one of my favorite places for Mexican food and the most delicious pomogranite margaritas!
Then off to Vignettes' where joy has a very fabulous booth...the owner Laurie couldn't have been more sweet!!

We made another stop at papertales, then off to Cheescake factory for iced tea.

Our time went too quick, but it was sooooo great to be together!!!
Thanks Joy!!!!


xoxo,
jen

Miguels...Pomagranite margaritas...and Joy !

Off to Vignettes'

I got to meet Laurie, the owner of Vignettes'

I loved Joys booth!!!

Loved these!!

Papertales!!

We went to Papertales in Point loma.
This is a fantastic creative place!!
Not just for scrap-bookers...
I wish I had more pictures to share.
Did I bring extra batterys for my
camera...no!!
At least you can see this fab
selection of ribbons!
I wanted them all!!

Time to go home...

What I've been working on lately...

Maybe it was another birthday...but I've been feeling like I need to try to push myself into different directions with my art. Do something that's not so easy for me....

Being inspired by all the cool vintage-bohemian stuff out there, I've started a new project.

Not going to say exactly what it is just yet...a gal has to have a few secrets!!

xoxo,
jen

Rainy Days

I love to sew when it's raining outside!
You don't feel bad about sitting on your rear in front of the sewing machine just stitching the day away!
I made this little pumpkin head guy yesterday...
I was thinking about listing him on my Etsy, but he looks soooo cute on the mantel!
Hmmm...what do do, what to do!

xoxo,
jen

Pete the Punkin Head!

Thank You Joy!!

My sweet friend Joy sent me the coolest gifts!
I love it when birthdays keep going...
She always comes up with things that are so "me"! I can't wait to read all about how Barbie was created!
She included a great Wizard of Oz tote, and one of her darling wreaths!

Thank you dear friend!!!

xoxo,
jen

And my birthday continues!!!

Just a little reminder!

I had a little scare...well actually a big scare.
On my last eye exam the doctor was concerned that I may be developing Glaucoma!?
You could of knocked me over with a feather!
It's the #1 cause of blindness in this country!
Good news is that if caught early, it can be treated. Not cured, but kept under control.

Long story short, after 2 tests...and tons of worry I'm fine. I'm a worrier anyways, but this was pretty frightening!
So, please try to keep up with those ever so important eye exams!

xoxo,
jen

I feel like I could fly!!

Bits n' Pieces

Just a little up-date of what I've been up to in my studio...it's been a while!
I really love designing my dolls, but it's fun to step outside the box sometimes.
Like most of us crafty gals, I've got "stuff" all over the place!
Old hankies, lace, bits and pieces of treasure from who know where...even a very old tattered prom dress that I found years ago at an auto swap meet !

My goal was to come up with pieces that would have that great vintage feel, but would work with any style.
Ta Da!!! My little pins were born!!

Hope you like them!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

xoxo,
jen

This is from a very old 50's prom dress!

My 49th Birthday

last week was my birthday...
it's the last of my 40's!
We started off with a trip to Napa on the
wine train.
It was a really fun time.

A day later we went down to San Diego for
a little visit.

Now the party's over...time to get back
to work...on second thought, maybe I'll
extend the party another week!!

xoxo,
jen

Cheers!!!

Down to San Diego...