Love, Joleen Photography Blog

Studio Calico Guest Designer (Image Heavy!)

I was so honored and excited to be asked to be February's guest designer at Studio Calico. They have the best scrapbooking kits! I almost couldn't contain myself when the kit arrived for me to work with. :) Due to the arrival of the kit coinciding with me going out of town, most of my samples were made on an airplane which was definitely an interesting experience! It was a conversation starter for one and probably quite comical for onlookers as I was trying to work out of a tiny plastic craft keeper. I couldn't have my scissors so thread was "cut" with teeth and shapes were cut back on land. ;) I hope you like them! Be sure to get your kit early.. they sell out quick! xo

Kansas: A Follow-Up

I just kinda disappeared for a while because I didn't know how to follow up the last post. So much has happened in the last couple of weeks.. some bad and some great. Life. Going to Kansas to be with our family was really good for me. I have been blessed to grow up in a really young family and haven't had to experience death yet. I didn't know what to expect and the unknown is so scary. You know what I saw and experienced? A celebration of a life well lived; the life of a hardworking man who helped raise eight well adjusted, happy, healthy children. A time spent with a close knit family where love and stories abounded. Thank you for your support and kind words. They have meant so much to us and I appreciate your friendship and encouragement.

Out of the Office

Tonight my husband's grandfather passed away. We will be spending the weekend with family out of state. I will be "out of  the office" until Wednesday. xo

Winning Quote

Thank you to everyone who participated in my contest. I love the quotes shared and look forward to using them in future projects! I used a random number generator to determine the winner. Congratulations! Be sure to email me your mailing information, dear. xo

The Prize

[click to see larger]
There is still time to enter into the contest! As promised, here is a photo of the lovely prize. :) One, randomly selected winner, will receive:
♥ The February issue of Domino Magazine (my very favorite publication!)
♥ A gorgeous apron from Matilda Jane (adult size)
♥ A brand new, pretty lilac, scallop edge Journal - for you to fill up this new year! ;)
♥ Beautiful, vintage inspired stickers
♥ A vellum baker's bag, filled with tiny Valentine trinkets from my studio to yours
Good luck, friends! :) xo

La La La Love

I don't know what happened. I turned my head for a minute and Valentine's Day threw up all over my studio space. ;) That's not even the half of it.. you should see the floor and guest bed. Eesh! I've been *so* productive, though! I have 10 fronts and backs to do for the swap and I've completed 14 so far. I also started a mini art journal.

I started a special card project today. This week when I was in the garage I came across a gift bag with all of our wedding and shower cards and mementos in it. I brought it upstairs and have been brainstorming what to do with everything and today I decided. I have a plan and will be sure to let you know how it goes! :)
*********************************************************************
♥ The Portals blog has had a face lift. Go check out all the new stuff we're doing over there.

*********************************************************************
♥ Don't forget to tell me your favorite love quote to be entered in the contest! I'll post photos of the lovely prize in the next day or two! :) xo

My Love, My Valentine (& Contest)

Happy Friday, friends! This week went by delightfully fast, didn't it? When Heather was here I bought Somerset in Love, a book her work is featured in. She was kind enough to autograph it for me. ;) Ok, seriously, I love art books and magazines and all but this one takes the cake. I have read and flipped through this thing a gazillion times already. It is filled with talent and inspiration!! 

Over the past few years I've collected various lovey dovey tidbits, stickers, papers, etc. so when I saw Dede's post about a Vintage Valentine round robin, I was ready! It's been a long time since I've participated in a swap and I'm very excited. Here are some peeks at the pages I've been creating (to see more go here, and scroll down):

♥ I have put together a collage sheet of edibly adorable Vintage Valentines, which you can use in your artwork, scrapbooking, greeting cards, etc. Find them here.

♥ Contest!!! : I, self professed lover of quotes, want to hear your favorite "love" quote. I'm putting together a lovely package which will go to one of you lovely readers next week. Leave a comment to be entered. Contest ends 10 pm PST 1/13. Contest is closed! I will post a winner tomorrow! :) xo

Paper Tales

These photos were taken at Paper Tales on New Year's Day. Karin told the story much better than I ever could so go read all about it. ;) Seriously, how fabulous is this store? I could do an hour+ drive to visit this paradise. :) Thanks Karin, for having Heather and I over and thanks Michelle for coming down and opening your store for us on a holiday!! :) I can't wait to visit again (and possibly teach a workshop.. ) ;) xo

A Change In Luck

Good evening! After five days off I was not looking forward to gettin' back to business today but I've had a great day. It appears I've had a change in luck these last few days and nobody is more thrilled than me! :)

Friday I went to the doctor for a followup appointment and my test results. It turns out I do more than likely have PCOS. At this point it feels good to have some validation and a fertility plan set in motion. I feel very hopeful. I was also very pleased that I do not have diabetes and most of my levels (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.) are good.

My doctor praised my weight loss efforts and encouraged me to keep it up. As of yesterday I have FINALLY crossed the mark that's been plaguing me and I'm at my lowest weight in 2 1/2 years!! Woohoo!!!I still have quite a ways to go but I'm feeling very motivated. It's less than a month until my half marathon so I'm definitely going to be stepping up the training.

Here are a couple new Wardrobe Remix pics.. I don't know what is up with my face in the bottom photo (ha!). I think I was thrown off by the flyby peanut in our first go. ;) In case you're wondering, that fabulous purple sweater is from Ruche. So great, right?

Ok, so talk about lucky! I rarely ever win anything and tonight I won two tickets to see the Broadway Musical, Annie. I'm soooo excited! I saw this on a smaller scale when I was little and remember really loving it. :)  xo

PS- Other typepad users.. is there a way to post your photos on the right and text on the left? I've done it this way in the HTML coding and it looks right in the preview but isn't publishing correctly. Hmm..

A Happy Heart

Hello, friends! I feel like I'm coming to you with a renewed spirit. What a great way to start a year. Heather's visit was over way too quick. I always get so filled up being around her. She's a great friend to me and encourager of my craft and personal being. I can talk to her and cry with her about anything. Everyone needs a friend like this. It was nice to start a dialog about where I'm at and what my goals are... I have so many goals so for me, right now, it's all about prioritizing.

There was lots more art to be had while she was here and it was pretty funny having both of us work with so little space but as artists we're pretty used to working down to six inches of space. ;) I know you know what I mean. We made the pea her own work station on the guest bed with plenty of supplies for her art journal. She may be five but the girl has ideas to bring to fruition! :)

Here are some of the scrapbook pages I've made in the last few days (click to view full image):








Wow, if you've made it this far you get a pat on the back. ;) xo