Friday, October 19, 2012

Let's talk about you!

My, my, my--just when I thought I was going to be on a blogging roll, here it is months past my last post. Reality has kept me from pursuing my usual crafty fun, hence the lack of posts. So I decided it has been long overdue that I ask you for contributions and inspiration that you would like to share. What kind of projects have you been working on? What are your favorite types of creative endeavors? Painting? Sewing? Upscaling or refurbishing yard sale treasures? Would love to see photos of what inspires you and what kind of beauty you've brought into the world! Please share!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Bursting Blooms

Ok, so here is the entry I came up with for the Fabric8 Spoonflower/Robert Kaufman contest mentioned in the previous post. The theme is pen & ink/watercolor. So I took a design I did just a few days ago that I was planning to have for personal use and revised it to have a watercolor feel to it. Let me know what you think--does it look "water-colory" (yes, I just made that word up) enough? Wish me luck!


Thursday, April 19, 2012

And speaking of fabric, if you're interested in designing, here is a contest put on by Spoonflower in conjunction with Robert Kaufman Fabrics. I hope to get an entry in myself! The theme is Pen & Ink/Watercolor. Good Luck!



Monday, February 20, 2012

Bora Bora!

So now that I am recovering from my ankle mishap, I am feeling the urge to create again, especially to dabble in fabric design and try to come up with fresh items that I can post on Spoonflower. "Spoonflower" you ask? What the heck is that? Well, if you are not already privy to the fantastic phenomenon that is Spoonflower, and you love fabric--feast your eyes!

Have you been looking for the perfect fabric to make those accent pillows for your couch or bed, but are tired of the stuff you find in regular fabric shops? Looking for the sweet pattern that will make your next fashion project truly you? Welcome to the relief that is a fabric oasis.

Spoonflower.com is a relatively young site that allows you to design and/or purchase fabrics of all kinds. And by all kinds, I mean not only a vast array of designs by seasoned as well as burgeoning fabric artists; I also mean a great selection of fabric weights from quilt to upholstery, including organic options. Below is a sample of one of my favorites. Bora: a Dutch designer with sweet but not-toooo-sugary aesthetic that I love. Her color palettes, her adorable characters--just stinkin' crazy cute! Anyway, head on over to Spoonflower and peruse to your heart's content. It's not only fun (if you're a fabric freak) but can be a font of inspiration, too. Think of all the great items you can sew--or have sewn for you--that will be totally unique to your own sense of fashion or decor! Enjoy!



Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Whoooosh!

Wow! Is 2011 really over? Was my last post really in August? Is it reeeealllly January? Wow again!
So much has been going on since then: not only my full-time freelance illustration work, but painting 3 murals, painting a bookshelf, mommy stuff, helping out my senior citizen Dad, and school volunteer opportunities. No wonder the time went by so fast!

But it all came to a screeching halt on December 1st. My community had a severe windstorm that left our power out (ours was for 4 days, but others were out as long as a week). I was leaving the house with my 6 yr old daughter when I missed a step on our back porch and I tumbled down, rolling my right ankle into an almost unrecognizable mess. After texting my husband to hurry home (which he did) and literally dragging myself back into the house, it was decided that it was wiser not to try to move me to the car ourselves (to go to the ER), and we called the paramedics. One surgery, 3 metal plates and about 10 screws later (internal "bling", if you will), I was back in my hospital room for the next 2 days. I am not only grateful for the hospital because of its excellent care, I am grateful I had a warm place to sleep as our house was still without power, and the temperature in the house had dropped to the 40s (F). Luckily a family member was able to watch my daughter for those few days; my husband, however, was valiant and stayed in the house with a roaring fireplace, battery operated camping lanterns, and tending to all our pets who camped out overnight with him in front of the fireplace.

And may I offer some unsolicited advice? If you are not a fan of keeping fit, this may hopefully help you stick to what is for many of us a yearly New Year's Resolution. I proclaim myself the poster child of why you should exercise. I have for many years been a sporadic exerciser. Sporadic meaning, once or twice a week for 3 or four weeks, take off for 9 months, 5 times a week for 2 weeks, 3 months off--you get the picture: neither serious or consistent. I am paying for that lack of activity now. The first two weeks of recovery,well, to put it nicely, made me think I had taken a trip to Hades. Not only did my ankle cause tremendous pain (even with prescription meds)--imagine feeling like a bulldozer ran over your foot every time you had to get up to go to the bathroom--but (and this is where the lack of fitness comes in) every muscle being fatigued from using crutches, getting out of breath easily just from trying to maneuver around on the crutches, developing carpal tunnel-like symptoms all the way up my arms, my leg muscles in my right leg burning from having to carry the weight of the cast (I was not allowed to put any weight on my right foot), and my left leg muscles burning form having to basically hold up all my body weight all by its lonesome self. And I'll be in physical therapy for weeks and weeks. There. See? Not worth it to make excuses or be lazy (which was my habit).

So why am I sharing all this on a blog that is more about creativity, home, and crafts? Because it's important. Not my own personal story mind you, but what the message of it is. Take care of yourself. Both mentally and physically. I've always pretty much tended to the "mentally" part of it--I like to explore, create, read, and learn; but the "physically" was always lacking. And I think a lot of us don't realize how important the physical part is because as long as we're feeling fine, the matter doesn't seem so urgent. But  if (and hopefully for your sake never "when") you have a type of accident that leaves you impaired, you will almost surely regret not taking care of yourself. I personally believe my recovery has been hindered by the fact that I have not been physically fit for quite awhile.

So if one of your New Year's Resolutions is to become more healthy (however you define it for yourself: eating better, losing weight, gaining muscle, etc.), stick to it! Do not let yourself down! Take care of yourself. You really are worth it, and your loved ones around you think so, too.

Have a fantastic, creative, healthy, happy, successful and prosperous 2012!

Monday, August 15, 2011

I Need Your Vote!

Here we are, starting the season of political gobbeldy-gook where we have to start considering who we will vote for for public offices. Well, if you're too overwhelmed by choices (or lack thereof) then vote for something you like, like fabric! Connecting Threads is having a contest; vote for your favorite new design, and the winner gets to design a coordinating line of fabrics that will be produced and sold to the public!

It has long been a dream of mine to be able to design such a line, and this just might be my chance--that is, if you VOTE! Click here and vote for the Orange Owls on the Green Field, by me, Leona Jaeger. It is a far more fun to vote for cute fabric, isn't it? And Thank You for your support!


Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Finally--A Project Completed!

So as I was putting a stroke of paint on, an ethereal light surrounded me and covered me in warmth. Am I dead? Nooooo!--not now!!--I've got a chair to finish! .....Oh, wait....silly me...it's just the midday sun starting to swallow up my painting spot on the patio.  So after I regained my sense (I'd say "senses", but I'm not sure I have more than one), I looked again and realized--it's DONE! The second chair is finished! The set of chairs that Friend Nicole has been patiently waiting for is finished! So here they are, waiting so patiently, as did Nicole, to be shipped halfway across the country. Let me know what you think!




Friday, July 15, 2011

Tomato, ToMAHto

So, I go over to a friends house for a barb-e-que over the 4th of July weekend. She lives a little far away, so I don't get to her house often. She has a large yard with a pool and 2 or 3 seating areas--it's large and cozy all at the same time. And quite honestly, I'm surprised anyone could fit in her yard at all--because of her huge tomato plants! Gorgeous and easily 4 feet tall (the little girl in the photo is 4 yr old Gianna), the tomato plants were so full of tomatoes that Angela had to tie the plants up to the neighboring tree branches for support! I asked what her secret was, and she said  "Seaweed". It's a highly concentrated form that takes a lot of dilution, but apply every 2 weeks and you'll never have to go to the market for tomatoes again. If it's not too late to bump up your garden's output, then I suggest you run down to your local garden or hardware store and get yourself some seaweed. And enjoy those lovely tomatoes....or to-mah-toes.




Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Have a Seat

I haven't posted any furniture projects lately, simply for the fact that I haven't been able to work on them. But here is one of a set on which I'm finally making a little progress.  The other chair in the set will be the same colors, but with a different henna-inspired design. I enjoy doing patterns and colors that are not necessarily expected to go together, but somehow come together in the end. A kind of happy surprise maybe? What do you think?

A Cozy Space

Finally fed up with our random clutter on a section of our patio, we reorganized the area to contain our little bistro set, shade umbrella and some peaceful little plants. It's so nice to have a spot where you can enjoy your coffee, tea, or other delightful concoction of your choosing. Now it's a cozy and peaceful space. (Much cozier than my computer space which, along with my ankles, happens to be being attacked by a "ferocius jungle cat"--a.k.a, kitten). Looks like it's time to stop typing and start walking toward that little bistro set--with a concoction and without a kitten.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Some Photo fun

this is just a little quickie: I was playing around with a new app I got for my iPhone called "Hipstamatic" which will take your photos and add slight effects that give the photos a different feel. Sometimes a slight blur that gives an ethereal feel; sometimes it really saturates the colors; sometimes it gives a vintage-y feel.
Here are some shots from my garden for you to enjoy. If you have a phone that accepts apps, try Hipstamatic--it's a little addicting and a lot of fun.




Sunday, May 15, 2011

A Little Progress...

For anyone who has noticed posts about my working on my friend Nicole's chairs, I've revealed a possible color palette before, and now I'm going to give a hint at what design I'm going to paint. I absolutely love the delicate, intricate, beautiful lines seen in henna tattoo designs. Florals, swirls, paisleys, etc. all dance around each other to create truly lovely patterns, and no two are totally alike. So here is a sketch of a partial design that I will be painting on Nicole's chairs, inspired by traditional henna tattoos. Although the difference is, from what I understand, in traditional mehndi  each design symbolizes something. I don't pretend that mine symbolizes anything other than pretty, swirly flowers and such. Enjoy.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Let's talk about you!

My, my, my--just when I thought I was going to be on a blogging roll, here it is months past my last post. Reality has kept me from pursuing my usual crafty fun, hence the lack of posts. So I decided it has been long overdue that I ask you for contributions and inspiration that you would like to share. What kind of projects have you been working on? What are your favorite types of creative endeavors? Painting? Sewing? Upscaling or refurbishing yard sale treasures? Would love to see photos of what inspires you and what kind of beauty you've brought into the world! Please share!

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Bursting Blooms

Ok, so here is the entry I came up with for the Fabric8 Spoonflower/Robert Kaufman contest mentioned in the previous post. The theme is pen & ink/watercolor. So I took a design I did just a few days ago that I was planning to have for personal use and revised it to have a watercolor feel to it. Let me know what you think--does it look "water-colory" (yes, I just made that word up) enough? Wish me luck!


Thursday, April 19, 2012

And speaking of fabric, if you're interested in designing, here is a contest put on by Spoonflower in conjunction with Robert Kaufman Fabrics. I hope to get an entry in myself! The theme is Pen & Ink/Watercolor. Good Luck!



Monday, February 20, 2012

Bora Bora!

So now that I am recovering from my ankle mishap, I am feeling the urge to create again, especially to dabble in fabric design and try to come up with fresh items that I can post on Spoonflower. "Spoonflower" you ask? What the heck is that? Well, if you are not already privy to the fantastic phenomenon that is Spoonflower, and you love fabric--feast your eyes!

Have you been looking for the perfect fabric to make those accent pillows for your couch or bed, but are tired of the stuff you find in regular fabric shops? Looking for the sweet pattern that will make your next fashion project truly you? Welcome to the relief that is a fabric oasis.

Spoonflower.com is a relatively young site that allows you to design and/or purchase fabrics of all kinds. And by all kinds, I mean not only a vast array of designs by seasoned as well as burgeoning fabric artists; I also mean a great selection of fabric weights from quilt to upholstery, including organic options. Below is a sample of one of my favorites. Bora: a Dutch designer with sweet but not-toooo-sugary aesthetic that I love. Her color palettes, her adorable characters--just stinkin' crazy cute! Anyway, head on over to Spoonflower and peruse to your heart's content. It's not only fun (if you're a fabric freak) but can be a font of inspiration, too. Think of all the great items you can sew--or have sewn for you--that will be totally unique to your own sense of fashion or decor! Enjoy!



Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Whoooosh!

Wow! Is 2011 really over? Was my last post really in August? Is it reeeealllly January? Wow again!
So much has been going on since then: not only my full-time freelance illustration work, but painting 3 murals, painting a bookshelf, mommy stuff, helping out my senior citizen Dad, and school volunteer opportunities. No wonder the time went by so fast!

But it all came to a screeching halt on December 1st. My community had a severe windstorm that left our power out (ours was for 4 days, but others were out as long as a week). I was leaving the house with my 6 yr old daughter when I missed a step on our back porch and I tumbled down, rolling my right ankle into an almost unrecognizable mess. After texting my husband to hurry home (which he did) and literally dragging myself back into the house, it was decided that it was wiser not to try to move me to the car ourselves (to go to the ER), and we called the paramedics. One surgery, 3 metal plates and about 10 screws later (internal "bling", if you will), I was back in my hospital room for the next 2 days. I am not only grateful for the hospital because of its excellent care, I am grateful I had a warm place to sleep as our house was still without power, and the temperature in the house had dropped to the 40s (F). Luckily a family member was able to watch my daughter for those few days; my husband, however, was valiant and stayed in the house with a roaring fireplace, battery operated camping lanterns, and tending to all our pets who camped out overnight with him in front of the fireplace.

And may I offer some unsolicited advice? If you are not a fan of keeping fit, this may hopefully help you stick to what is for many of us a yearly New Year's Resolution. I proclaim myself the poster child of why you should exercise. I have for many years been a sporadic exerciser. Sporadic meaning, once or twice a week for 3 or four weeks, take off for 9 months, 5 times a week for 2 weeks, 3 months off--you get the picture: neither serious or consistent. I am paying for that lack of activity now. The first two weeks of recovery,well, to put it nicely, made me think I had taken a trip to Hades. Not only did my ankle cause tremendous pain (even with prescription meds)--imagine feeling like a bulldozer ran over your foot every time you had to get up to go to the bathroom--but (and this is where the lack of fitness comes in) every muscle being fatigued from using crutches, getting out of breath easily just from trying to maneuver around on the crutches, developing carpal tunnel-like symptoms all the way up my arms, my leg muscles in my right leg burning from having to carry the weight of the cast (I was not allowed to put any weight on my right foot), and my left leg muscles burning form having to basically hold up all my body weight all by its lonesome self. And I'll be in physical therapy for weeks and weeks. There. See? Not worth it to make excuses or be lazy (which was my habit).

So why am I sharing all this on a blog that is more about creativity, home, and crafts? Because it's important. Not my own personal story mind you, but what the message of it is. Take care of yourself. Both mentally and physically. I've always pretty much tended to the "mentally" part of it--I like to explore, create, read, and learn; but the "physically" was always lacking. And I think a lot of us don't realize how important the physical part is because as long as we're feeling fine, the matter doesn't seem so urgent. But  if (and hopefully for your sake never "when") you have a type of accident that leaves you impaired, you will almost surely regret not taking care of yourself. I personally believe my recovery has been hindered by the fact that I have not been physically fit for quite awhile.

So if one of your New Year's Resolutions is to become more healthy (however you define it for yourself: eating better, losing weight, gaining muscle, etc.), stick to it! Do not let yourself down! Take care of yourself. You really are worth it, and your loved ones around you think so, too.

Have a fantastic, creative, healthy, happy, successful and prosperous 2012!

Monday, August 15, 2011

I Need Your Vote!

Here we are, starting the season of political gobbeldy-gook where we have to start considering who we will vote for for public offices. Well, if you're too overwhelmed by choices (or lack thereof) then vote for something you like, like fabric! Connecting Threads is having a contest; vote for your favorite new design, and the winner gets to design a coordinating line of fabrics that will be produced and sold to the public!

It has long been a dream of mine to be able to design such a line, and this just might be my chance--that is, if you VOTE! Click here and vote for the Orange Owls on the Green Field, by me, Leona Jaeger. It is a far more fun to vote for cute fabric, isn't it? And Thank You for your support!


Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Finally--A Project Completed!

So as I was putting a stroke of paint on, an ethereal light surrounded me and covered me in warmth. Am I dead? Nooooo!--not now!!--I've got a chair to finish! .....Oh, wait....silly me...it's just the midday sun starting to swallow up my painting spot on the patio.  So after I regained my sense (I'd say "senses", but I'm not sure I have more than one), I looked again and realized--it's DONE! The second chair is finished! The set of chairs that Friend Nicole has been patiently waiting for is finished! So here they are, waiting so patiently, as did Nicole, to be shipped halfway across the country. Let me know what you think!




Friday, July 15, 2011

Tomato, ToMAHto

So, I go over to a friends house for a barb-e-que over the 4th of July weekend. She lives a little far away, so I don't get to her house often. She has a large yard with a pool and 2 or 3 seating areas--it's large and cozy all at the same time. And quite honestly, I'm surprised anyone could fit in her yard at all--because of her huge tomato plants! Gorgeous and easily 4 feet tall (the little girl in the photo is 4 yr old Gianna), the tomato plants were so full of tomatoes that Angela had to tie the plants up to the neighboring tree branches for support! I asked what her secret was, and she said  "Seaweed". It's a highly concentrated form that takes a lot of dilution, but apply every 2 weeks and you'll never have to go to the market for tomatoes again. If it's not too late to bump up your garden's output, then I suggest you run down to your local garden or hardware store and get yourself some seaweed. And enjoy those lovely tomatoes....or to-mah-toes.




Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Have a Seat

I haven't posted any furniture projects lately, simply for the fact that I haven't been able to work on them. But here is one of a set on which I'm finally making a little progress.  The other chair in the set will be the same colors, but with a different henna-inspired design. I enjoy doing patterns and colors that are not necessarily expected to go together, but somehow come together in the end. A kind of happy surprise maybe? What do you think?

A Cozy Space

Finally fed up with our random clutter on a section of our patio, we reorganized the area to contain our little bistro set, shade umbrella and some peaceful little plants. It's so nice to have a spot where you can enjoy your coffee, tea, or other delightful concoction of your choosing. Now it's a cozy and peaceful space. (Much cozier than my computer space which, along with my ankles, happens to be being attacked by a "ferocius jungle cat"--a.k.a, kitten). Looks like it's time to stop typing and start walking toward that little bistro set--with a concoction and without a kitten.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Some Photo fun

this is just a little quickie: I was playing around with a new app I got for my iPhone called "Hipstamatic" which will take your photos and add slight effects that give the photos a different feel. Sometimes a slight blur that gives an ethereal feel; sometimes it really saturates the colors; sometimes it gives a vintage-y feel.
Here are some shots from my garden for you to enjoy. If you have a phone that accepts apps, try Hipstamatic--it's a little addicting and a lot of fun.




Sunday, May 15, 2011

A Little Progress...

For anyone who has noticed posts about my working on my friend Nicole's chairs, I've revealed a possible color palette before, and now I'm going to give a hint at what design I'm going to paint. I absolutely love the delicate, intricate, beautiful lines seen in henna tattoo designs. Florals, swirls, paisleys, etc. all dance around each other to create truly lovely patterns, and no two are totally alike. So here is a sketch of a partial design that I will be painting on Nicole's chairs, inspired by traditional henna tattoos. Although the difference is, from what I understand, in traditional mehndi  each design symbolizes something. I don't pretend that mine symbolizes anything other than pretty, swirly flowers and such. Enjoy.