The packages are wrapped and under the tree, stockings are hung and cookies are baked.
Time to sit back and enjoy the holidays! That is exactly what I plan on doing...so this will be my last post until 2011. 
These are very strange times we're living in, but you know what? There is still so much to be thankful for every day!!! Hang on to the good times. Don't forget to tell the ones you love, that you LOVE them !! Ignore the bad stuff...it'll go away eventually.
Most importantly...embrace the arts! Without art and the power of creativity,
the magic is gone.
Have a wonderful and safe holiday season...
xoxo,
jen
And it was always said of him that he knew how to keep Christmas well...May that be truly said of us,and all of us ! And so, as Tiny Tim observed, God bless us everyone !
Charles Dickens
I have seen better Santas in my day, but this was for a very good cause.Our local Pet food store was raising money for the shelters...Oliver wasn't too thrilled, but soon realized the shopping opportunity !A chip off the old block!I'm pretty ready for the holidays...as usual I didn't get half the stuff done that I had planned on.But when you have a cute little puppy running around, who wants to work?!Best holiday wishes to all!jen
I hope all is well with everyone out there in blog land!! Our halls are decked and we're ready for Santa to visit...
Little Oliver is now 14 pounds and got the last of his puppy shots!! He has yet to meet a bowl of kibble he hasn't liked!
He's still really easy and potty training is going really well. The only thing he's not too thrilled about is rain.
So, I got him a fake down jacket at Walmart!!
On the crafty-schamsy end, I just finished a Santa Treasure sack !! It was the closest thing I've done to quilting in a long time. ..it was tons of fun !!
xoxo,
jen
Happy belated Thanksgiving!
We just got back from a whirlwind trip down to Southern California...a little pre-holiday chance to see family and friends.
First stop was Disneyland with my brothers family...my nephew is as crazy about Disneyland as his "Auntie"! I LOVE that!!!
It had been pouring rain until we got there.
Then the skies cleared and it was like being in a painting. There were the most amazing clouds and colors in the sky!
Next we were off to see our beloved Chargers play Monday night football...they won!!
Then...
Friends, more visits with relatives...FOOD...whew!!!
Time to go home...
Saw the dreaded words "Delayed" when we got to the airport, so what did we do?
Eat more!!
Finally made it home the day before Thanksgiving...food,food more food!
I'm now busy decking the halls...mainly for the exercise! LOL!!!
xoxo,
jen
It's been pretty warm here. Not usual for this time of year...but at least it looks like fall!
Yesterday I was going out to check the mail and saw all the leaves...hmmm. Oliver would LOVE this!
So I asked him if he'd like to go for a romp and he said yes, of course! ( He wasn't very busy at the time...just playing with his stuffed bunny!)
So out we went!
The leaves were the same color as his spots! Soooo cute!
It doesn't take much to entertain him!
xoxo,
jen
It's harder than I thought to potty/house train Sir Oliver and get things done...He's getting so big!
What can I say...the kid knows how to enjoy his food!
I was able to finish a few things while my little ball of doggy love slept in his playpen yesterday!
More puppy pictures to come!!
xoxo,
jen
For those of you that aren't into dogs, my blog may be a bit dull for a while.
I'm deep into puppy training at the moment...couldn't be happier!!!
I've got some cool designs in the works, but nothing to show just yet.
Stay tuned!!!
Potty training is going great, but my little monster is now 11.3 pounds!!!
45% bigger than his last check up!!
He out grew the baby bed, so off to the doggy store I went to get a "big boy" bed...
Oliver wasn't so sure about it, so he took bikini chicken with him to test out this new piece of furniture.
We have kept baby bed as a lounging sofa, but the new bed seems to be working out...
I must say...this has been the best decision ever. This little bundle of doggy love has brought so many laughs to our home.
Charles Schultz was so right..." happiness is a warm puppy"
xoxo,
jen
Not a lot new here.
Puppy training is going really well! We had one of the seasons first really nasty storms on Sunday...poor little Oliver didn't enjoy going potty outside! Can't say that I blame him!!
Still working on some new items for the holidays...I'd LOVE to list them, but Etsy is acting up this morning.
Maybe later...
Hope all is well!!
xoxo,
jen
Here are a couple of my latest holiday designs...can you believe it?!
I'm re-purposing as much as possible this season. When you think about it, most of us artsy types have soooo much as far as supplies in the nooks and crannies of our studios!
I really love how the bird turned out! Her body was made from a vintage raw silk tablecloth, and the nest is resting on a very rusty-glittery bed spring! Trash is never really trash...
xoxo,
jen
We have a new addition in the house ! A tiny beagle mix that I named Oliver!!
He's the sweetest little guy! Kind of reminds me of the cartoon Underdog!!
It's been a really long time since we've had a puppy in the house, so I'm open to any tips anyone has to offer!!!
So far we're doing great...my other two dogs aren't sure if he's a toy or what! After all, they have toys that are bigger than Oliver!
Hope all is well out there in blog land!
xoxo,
jen
Well, life at 50 feels like life at 49. My Mom always said that's how it was!
I had a really good time the past 2 weeks. My friends up here in Northern California joined me on The Napa Wine Train. Sorry no pictures ! We were all too busy celebrating!!
Next, my husband took me to my favorite place on the planet...Disneyland!!!!
It was a great time ! We were able to go to Jay Leno (with a pit stop at Bobs for burgers).
Disney was great. A little hot...but the Disneyland Hotels pool was perfect!
Now that the candles are blown out and the 2 week party is over I guess I'd better get back to work...I have to admit this must be what Cinderella felt like AFTER the ball!!
Stay posted!!
Christmas designs on the way!!
xoxo,
jen
I think I'm going to take a little time off from the artsy-messy-studio and enjoy the last few days of my 40's !!! 5-0 here I come !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
xo,
jen
I'm back!! I've been trying to tie up loose ends and finish a 
couple of projects that have been staring at me for far too long!!! I have a hard time starting new things when there's unfinished business...must be the Libra in me !! Well, now that I'm on that subject...moi is going to be the big 50 next week...I already got a great gift, you might say from above! I just didn't feel so great. So after feeling really yuk for way too long, I finally went to the doctor...LONG story short, I have to do something very hard...Calm down and stop worrying! I'm actually very grateful for this little reality check. I have so much more to create...My goal is to be "fit and fiddle" for the next 50!!!
xoxoxo,
jen
ps
This is the birth anouncment my parents sent...a LONG time ago!!!
This little Marie Antoinette pincushion is a custom order for one of my Etsy customers...just wanted to share!! I really LOVE projects like this!! She's a mix of pattern tissue, vintage lace and trims, and just about anything else I could get my hands on !! .
These are very strange times we're living in, but you know what? There is still so much to be thankful for every day!!! Hang on to the good times. Don't forget to tell the ones you love, that you LOVE them !! Ignore the bad stuff...it'll go away eventually.
