Jennifer's Junky Life ~

Jeanne Oliver :: The Journey of Letting Go {creating beauty from ashes} Art E-Course

I started working on art again last year after not doing much of anything (other than painting furniture and the occasional small craft) for many years. The kids and I don't work on art nearly enough! I took two years of art while in high school my junior and senior years (that was 18 years ago. eep.) and wished so badly at the time I'd taken it all four years! It was my absolute favorite subject in school and through it I discovered a new passion.

{Source}

I have always wanted to paint and I finally started painting last year. But I didn't get very far. It seems like the days just fly by and I just don't take the time to do it.

Granted, things are busy with homeschool and working on the shop but art is important to me. It's relaxing, inspiring, motivating, therapeutic. All around us. And I really want to take more time to work on it. So I was absolutely thrilled to have the honor of winning a coveted spot in Jeanne Oliver's new online e-course, The Journey of Letting Go {creating beauty from ashes}! I've been grinning from ear to ear about this.

I've wanted to take art classes over the years but haven't known where to even begin and worry about finding the right one locally that feels compatible. Everyone's style of art can be so different and you really need to feel that connection in order to truly benefit from a class. I'm a visual person, by nature, too, so it's really difficult to read a description (in a flyer) of an art class and feel connected to it without any photos to go on.

{Source}

When my mom encouraged me to enter the drawing for this one, I took one look and knew it was something I would enjoy and it really spoke to me, the whole 'letting go' part. I just felt it was right up my alley! With everything life has thrown our way and all of this crazy skin stuff, this will be such a therapeutic endeavor, I've no doubt. And I'm so excited for it to begin.

Ah!! I get to work on art again! To learn some new things and see where it leads me!

{And who am I kidding? This is the perfect excuse to pick up some more art supplies! As if there needs to be an excuse...}

Adding icing to the cake, I was given the opportunity to gift this e-course to a friend so I emailed my family and my sister, Kaitlin, is going to take it, too!

Everyone deals with stressful, hard things. And everyone has things that they may benefit from 'letting go' of. If you enjoy art or are interested in simply beginning(!), come join the class so you can join in on the fun, too! Class begins April 8 and is self-paced. Click here for details.

{As a fun little aside, my mom recently took the Creatively Made Home E-Course from Jeanne Oliver and absolutely enjoyed it. I can't wait to go 'home' next to see all the things she was inspired to do in the class. She happened to win hers as well in a drawing on Post Road Vintage! What are the odds?} (:

Clean Up

I'm working on making a bunch of changes around here on the blog.

Out with the old, in with the new as they say.

{That tired little baby finally took a really long nap this afternoon for the first time in a long time. Sleep training just might pay off after all...}

I've got a few blog goals I'm hoping to achieve this year and I'm tossing around the idea of switching to a new blog as I turn my focus on growing my Etsy shop. I haven't made up my mind yet (whether I'm going to change the name of my blog or not) so I may have just mentioned that for no reason at all (if I don't switch)!

I'm considering cleaning up my blog in the hopes of attracting sponsors this year as well... something I've thought about many times over in the past few years. (i.e. move my blog roll to a separate page, etc.)

{I'm very much hoping she'll start getting the hang of nap time in her crib so we can start seeing less of this...} :)

{Our driveway when viewed from the direction of our house. This is why I love winter here in the north woods so much! The freshly fallen snow is so beautiful on the pines.}

I know absolutely nothing about HTML and might have to start learning. I've been wanting a new blog header for a few years now. And there are a bunch of other things I've been wanting to figure out. (i.e. how to add a search box on here, how to link to printable pages for my recipes, etc...)

I might not get to all of it and it might take me a long time to get to any of it. But it's all been written down on my list of goals for this year... so we'll see what gets done.

Drawing the World. But Only in My Mind.

Frustration is...

Not drawing for nearly 15 years and trying to pick it up again.

{I wrote this below the drawing that I'm not going to show you.}

I found a vintage scrapbook with a pretty olive green hardcover at a garage sale this summer and decided to turn it into a family art journal. It's sitting on the coffee table (an old black chest that I would like to paint eventually). I was inspired to do so after reading so many posts of family shared art on one of my favorite blogs, Cakies. I feel so inspired to include the kids in art projects and to foster their creativity whenever I read Ruby Ellen's blog. I love that. (P.S. Love my vintage couch but not the worn upholstery. It's my dream to slipcover it. some year.)

Going back to the sketchbook, I picked it up the other day during the heat wave we had and tried to do some sketching. It didn't take long to become increasingly frustrated with my lack of remembrance of techniques and the various pencils used in the trade!

No sooner had I pulled out all of my old tools, tools with which I was once intimately familiar with, that I felt ready to give up. Colored pencils and various drawing pencils all appeared overwhelmingly mysterious after so many years of abandonment. I couldn't remember what a single ones purpose was. Not.one.

I think also the perfectionist in me flared up and threw a fit because I couldn't just fall back into it.

I haven't touched the book but for that one day.

{Above, this is the first still life I ever did. I think I was 16. I drew it my first year of art in high school when I was a junior. I had the.best art teacher ever, Mr. Fisher. I credit him for my lifelong love of art. When we walked into the class that first day, he told us anyone can learn to draw so long as they had the will. I tell my kids that same thing every time they say they want to draw. And I tell them to draw every day.}

{Another still life from my first year of art. Sadly, I don't even remember what medium this is...?? Charcoal pencil?? maybe. But what is the white?? It's drawn on some kind of blue paper. I'm clueless and frustrated by all that's been forgotten.}

I'm totally crazy over the art journals I've been seeing out there for the past year or so -- they're so incredibly inspiring. And I want to learn how to do all of the beautiful layers using vintage components and sketches. I love the idea of doodling for art.

{An unfinished collage I started near the end of my second year. I was 17. It's a bit smudged after being in storage all these years. Although, I had a super great art teacher, I always feel a bit disappointed that I don't have my sketchbook from my second year, my senior year of school. He lost it and I wish so badly that I had it.}

I know the only way to get anywhere is with practice. Lots and lots of practice. And perseverance.

And probably YouTube. I bet YouTube has some great videos on drawing and creating art journals. I want to make pretty things. But for the moment, I'm still throwing an internal temper tantrum so it's holding me back from trying again. But I will eventually. Drawing was one of my favorite things to do ever. Wish I'd kept up on it all these years!

Have a fabulous weekend!

Gawkin' at the goods

First I learned about foodgawker. Then somewhere along the way, I discovered craftgawker. And, now I found out there is dwellinggawker! It's relatively new. And, well, if I'd paid any attention I would have seen that they're all listed at the top of the page whenever I was on foodgawker.

Source.

I've been waiting for this site for a long time. And I didn't even know it.

Have you heard of dwellinggawker? Oh man! It's so great. I love all things pertaining to decorating and design so I think this is an especially fun one. (There is also weddinggawker for those interested.)

Source.

Now I'm wondering what they'll come up with next? I love, love, love foodgawker. It's my go to site any time I'm trying to figure out what to eat. Which is pretty much every day. I'm such a 'visual' minded person that I need pictures with my recipes and foodgawker fulfills that need in a big way. Except when the recipes are written in a foreign language. (I don't typically trust the computer translations when it comes to recipes.)

I love magazines for decor and home inspiration but this is going to be so nice to be able to just open up a website with all of this inspiration in one spot!

(Photos found via dwellinggawker.)

I'm not normal, I know it, I don't care {Ace of Base}

Granny Chic Inspiration

Not that I ever need an excuse to browse around blogland for inspiration...but it's a lot easier to do it guilt-free when you're feeling under the weather. Just as with yesterday, I sat on the couch and started working my way through last fall's Country Living mags. I'm way behind on my magazines and being sick was a good excuse to start getting caught up. My subscription actually ran out sometime this year and I need to resubscribe! Stat. But, anyway, I'm getting sidetracked...

Some great granny chic style found in some fun places:

Tutorial here. (And I love that furniture, too.)

Happy Colors.

Cool stones. Tutorial here.

Fabulousness here.

Pretty cupboard here.

I hope you're having a great Monday!

This, that, and a little bit of something else. But, really, this is a short post.

Just a couple of cool ideas from the blogosphere...

• I want one of these. Bad. (A banging wall as seen on SouleMama. Amanda always has the best ideas for kids!) The perfect solution to the drum dreams, I think. (Aapo's been wanting a set for about two years now.) And, since the snow will be here soon, maybe next summer. I'm not really digging the idea of having one in the basement, for some reason.

 

• My friend, Beth, emailed this next one to me. There are so many great ideas in Edie's (Life in Grace) '12 Days of Handmade Christmas Tutorial'! And, I'd seen this ragamuffin garland (from Nesting Place) before but had forgotten about it. I just showed it to Nikayda and she's really excited to make one for her room! I love that it's an easy enough project that she can do herself and it's a nice way to start using all that lace and ribbon I've been hoarding.
• Speaking of...I'm teaching her how to embroider in the afternoons after homeschool. She loves it. I used a tattered vintage pillowcase in the softest shade of pink. She wanted to do her name and I've been wanting something for the embroidery hoops hanging on the wall in my living room, so it's a start!

 

• And, going back to garlands, I love garlands. Love them. But I don't have any. Not counting Christmas ones. I keep seeing so many great ideas for garlands out there. I just need to get busy making one! At the top of my list is Tif's (Dottie Angel) 'Vintage Recycled 'Whatnot' Holiday Garland'. I can't wait to make one. That is, when I (re)learn how to thread my sewing machine.

A Thrift 'Challenge of the Utmost Kind' Update

eta: Thinking of thrifting got me thinking of other things in these photos. My red shoes were found (brand new) at a garage sale - $2.00. Nikayda's pretty yellow sweatshirt (I love it) was a hand-me-down from my youngest sister, Jeanie. Her jeans were thrifted. And, Carter's brown shoes (third photo) were thrifted, as well - $0.50. (Not new, I do buy second-hand kid's shoes when they're in nice condition.) And, if I were to get real technical, even the costumes my kids wore for Halloween are all from either the thrift or garage sales ($2.00 each for the frog and the chicken and $0.50 for the vintage dress). All items are from before this Thrift Challenge. (If you can tell, I'm just a little bit into thrifting.) ;)

• Thrifty/handmade Christmas preparations are well underway. I don't have too much left to do for the kids. I've even been finding fun little stocking stuffers at the thrift, as well. I have a couple of things I plan to make for them. I found a child's sewing machine that I need to inspect to see if it works, for Nikdayda. I really wanted one for her this year! (If you're on Facebook, some of this might be 'old-hat'.) :) I think this is going to be the best Christmas ever. Truly. I've been wanting to do this for a couple of years.

• I scored three pair of winter boots for the kids, Target brand with tags on, from the Goodwill in Duluth, MN. Plus, a bonus super-cute dressy pair with pom-poms and faux fur trim for Nikayda, also new, for church. All for the cost of one pair at Target right now. (Still thrilled about this one.)

 

• Speaking of Duluth--I won a free overnight stay at the Duluth Sheraton--about three hours from us. (They did a four day drawing on their website at the beginning of October. I entered every day and won on the last day--at 2 a.m.!) We went for one night as a family, a fun little getaway that only cost the price of gas and one large pizza that we ate on the way home. I made and packed all of our food in a cooler. (Homemade croissants and chicken salad for lunch.) It was such a treat because we haven't gotten away since last Christmas (when we went to Michigan to stay with my family). Now, I know vacations aren't excluded in this Thrifty Challenge but this was such a treat for us and it's right down the 'thrifty lines'.

 

• I've been trying to hit up the thrift every week when we run errands. I manage to find an article of clothing or two or sometimes four or more for my kids every time. (Like the above brown sweatshirt - $1.00. I'm not big on names, words, or pictures on clothes but I *love* brown.) I've started looking for bigger sizes now, too. And I snagged a really cute pair of jeans for Nikayda in the next size up the last two times we went. They go through sizes so fast!
• I've made it a goal to bring a box (or more) to the thrift every time I go. That was last week. I'm on my second box right now and it's filling up fast. (Last week, I had a large bag and a couple of boxes.) I'm bound and determined to declutter this house over the course of the next year (and if you've seen my house, you may be like me and think it could take two or three ;) but I'm shooting for a year)! I'm on a mission to simplify our entire life--a work in progress.
• There was something else I wanted to mention but my mind is drawing a blank. Whatever it was, was the reason I started this post in the first place but as soon as I started typing about Christmas, I completely forgot what it was.

• Since we're talking about Christmas again, might as well mention I found two boxes of vintage glass balls at the thrift. I still can't believe each box was only $0.50. They're never that low when I see them there--and there are a bunch of Shiny Brite ornaments too!

• And, on the same note, I need to grab the next sunny day and start photographing Christmas items for the shop. It's long overdue for an update! I also just found the sweetest vintage baby mobile that I need to list (above). Going on a guess, I'd say it's from the 60's. The little animals are so whimsical.

I've got Christmas on the brain and it's none too early to start planning

It may have a little something to do with the snow we've already had. We barely had a fall this year. As much as I love fall, I'm okay with it--loving winter and all, too. But it is a little strange not being able to enjoy the brilliant colors of fall a little longer. Everything is brown.

There is still green on a few trees but their leaves are turning brown instead of into vibrant autumn colors. I love trees and I appreciate them even when all their leaves are gone as they are in the winter. They're pretty year round.

Thinking of Christmas has got me thinking about baking. I'm already envisioning stocking our freezer with homemade cookies and treats. And, I have two really good cookie recipes that I'll be sharing with you soon. (Once I get them typed up.)

I'm also thinking of starting to add Christmas items to Etsy. I haven't added to Etsy in some time and when you add items, they're listed for four months so I can see why everyone is beginning to add Christmas items already. (And, I'm the first one to say how ridiculous it is that stores have Christmas items out already! Now, if that ain't the pot calling the kettle black.)

I need to take inventory of our kid's presents. I have a couple of items that are brand new that I picked up before I began the thrifty Challenge of the Utmost Kind, and I've really been enjoying hunting for the perfect (gently used/second hand) gifts at the thrift store and on Ebay. And, trying to sneak them in the cart without the kids noticing--that part gets to be a little fun when they're all with me.

I've seen quite a few deals starting to pop up on toys here and there, as well as coupons, and it's amazing how easy it is to just pass them by when you're in this frame of mind. I've been wanting to do a thrifted/handmade Christmas for the past couple of years but I just haven't planned ahead enough and so far this year, I feel a little more on top of it. I'm loving this!

I'm trying to come up with some handmade ideas for my kids so I can start on those soon as well, in order to have plenty of time to get them finished. I'd love any ideas or suggestions to get the ol' wheels turning! (That is, if anyone is still reading out there--me being such a delinquent blogger and all...)

Not so heavy metal

I made the Mango Cardamom Jam this week but I still need to 'try' it. I need to bake bread so I can have it on toast. We had it the other night on Coconut Mango Pancakes with Cardamom whipped cream but I didn't really like the pancakes as much as I'd anticipated I would so I still don't have a good verdict on this one. I think I liked it but I'm not sure yet. I don't usually like jam on my pancakes so that may have been my first problem.

The Cardamom whipped cream was divine, though. I plan to make it again if I ever bake an apple pie. (I don't think I've ever made one! If I have, it's been years.)

I need to pull out some more of my linens. I have three huge boxes of them, yet I keep using this pillow sham (above) for all of my photos. Time to change things up!

The boys and I went to the thrift this week and they found some fun toys. Both have been a huge hit around here.

 

 

I finally worked on a couple of painting projects last night when the wind died down. Do you have any idea how windy it's been for the past month or so? I do! I've been watching every day so I can get out there and paint!

The tray on the right (above) is forged aluminum and I'm planning to paint it in a soft pastel so it can be used as a serving tray or decorative piece. The other two (top, left and below) were rusted a bit and will be something fun after I finish priming and painting them. I have some ideas but I haven't decided if I'll put them on Etsy or use them for the show during Mid-Summer, as I need to start gathering for it. 

 

 

I'm a metal junky. I love metal. And these vintage trays and other style metal containers always catch my eye. They're such a fun thing to paint and transform into magnet boards, artwork, or even just a prettier serving piece.

I usually take a drywall sanding block and sand off as much rust as I can, then use the Rust-Oleum metal primer before painting them. I love this primer if anyone is interested, I highly recommend it!

The little engine that could...or would...or maybe it was almost never to be

Aapo got a train for Christmas so the boys painted it the other day. I really enjoyed watching them and they loved it. They've been asking to paint ever since.

We color a lot in this house. Nearly every single day--pencils, markers, crayons, colored pencils... But we never paint.

 

I think it's time to start collecting painting supplies and some more objects to paint.

 

 

 

Oh, and just to keep a little reality in this post--he got this train two years ago for Christmas.