Love, Joleen Photography Blog

What I Write

Here are a few peeks of the journal I mentioned I am working in now. I am really loving it. Unfortunately, though the pages are pretty thick, many of my markers and pens still bleed through. On those pages I just adhere two pages back to back so it's thicker. For my next journal I really want to try the watercolor paper Moleskine - the reviews have me really excited to try it out! These days I've been carrying my journal with me in a freezer ziploc filled with supplies and working in it whenever inspiration and time allow.

You're Gonna Find Yourself Somewhere. Somehow.

People find their inspiration everywhere. Some in the most likely and others in the most unlikely places. Anything, anywhere, anytime can be a source of inspiration. These days I am inspired by music, a photograph in my head, and most of all three very special girls in my care. Out of respect for their privacy I don't talk about my job as a nanny here. (If you've been following me over the years you know that isn't always the case but every family is different and sets different rules and boundaries for themselves which is perfectly fine and expected. I am about to be making some changes in my career to another family fulltime (which I'll discuss more in another post)) but for now I want to talk about creating with and being inspired by these girls.

There are twin one year olds (almost two!) and one five year old girl and these girls seriously light up my life. I joke with their parents about them spoiling me for all other children but I am only half kidding. They're so smart, and fun, and the creative energy between us really keeps me going. They've recently converted an entire counter in the kitchen to an art space where the girls can work in their "journals" with any of the available supplies. One twin collects all the crayons for herself while the other loves her stickers. These days I am incredibly inspired by the drawings and ideas of the five year old. Last night we both worked in our "art journals" side by side and I just loved what she created (above). She talks to me about growing up one day and having a studio with me and it melts my heart.

These are just a couple of peeks to a recent project/journal I was working on. I have since started a completely new journal. For Christmas Heather bought me my first Moleskin and I can't believe I haven't been using these before. Now I understand where all the hype comes from. :) This particular journal is very personal and working in it has been a cathardic process - and isn't that what it's all about?

Art Journal Collaboration

Heather and I always have some scheme or project we're working on. One of our recent projects was a round robin of art journals - we each had a journal we worked in ourselves then sent to one another to work in as well. We did this a few times for this particular journal. (We've since done a Vintage Valentine journal round robin that I will have to share sometime). These pages were all ones I did in her journal and they're my favorites. Some Most All(?) of them can be seen in the last issue of Portals. Click on each image to view larger. Happy Monday! xo

Picture Happy, Happy Post

Hello, my dears! I hope you've had a good few days. I had a wonderful birthday celebration - thank you so much for all your well wishes!! :) Saturday morning I went to Jazzercise and then Alex and I went to Candice's in the late afternoon. Candice took me (us) to dinner at the El Torito Grill which was so, so yummy. Then she threw me a party at her apartment which was so fun I don't remember part of it - Hah! ;) The top photo of Alex and I was taken there.

Sunday we went to the family birthday party to celebrate all the Feb./Mar. birthdays. We got to webcam with my parents and sisters which was really fun.

Last night, for my actual birthday, Candice, Aimee, Alex, and I went to Beachfire Bar & Grill for happy hour and dinner. This top photo of me is my "birthday photo".. all glammed up and ready to go out. :) The bottom photo of Alex and I was taken at the restaurant. Those insanely gorgeous flowers were from him. :) Lovely, aren't they/ isn't he?

So, while visiting family in Georgia last month we went to one of those pottery painting places. I picked out a hot air balloon "piggy" bank. It was done being fired after I left so my mom shipped this to me. I really love how it turned out! :) Happy hump-day. 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! :)
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♥ The Portals blog has had a face lift. Go check out all the new stuff we're doing over there.

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♥ 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

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

Happy, happy 2009!

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It's been pretty insane since Christmas so I haven't really had the time to write. That, and my laptop finally ate it on Christmas morning. Yeah... not such a great week. ;) I had a fun photoshoot the weekend after with three young sisters. I'll post some of my favorites from that shoot next week sometime. Heather and her peanut have been visiting us since Tuesday night. We've been having a great time. We got to spend the day with Karin in San Diego on New Year's Day. I have tons of photos but I'm going to have to spread them out. :)

Heather and I have been creating lots of art. Here are three art journal pages I created on the 1st. The first is my personal goals for 2009. You may recall that for the last few years instead of making resolutions for the new year, I've created lists of goals. Goals are great because they let you think about what you want to do and achieve. Goals can be adapted. Goals can be pushed to the next year or dropped completely without guilt if that's what's needed. The goals listed here are in no particular order. Here are my lists for 2006, 2007, and 2008. I've gone back over the latter and added notes on those completed for anyone interested. The bottom two art journal layouts are in my fertility journal. Tonight I scrapbooked quite a few pages so I'll share those over the next couple of days.

I hope you've had a wonderful holiday. I have a feeling this is going to be a good year. xo

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Oh good grief. I really hit the ground running today. This week is what the last several weeks have been leading up to. I'm excited, anxious, happy, nervous, sad - this week is damn bipolar. ha! I should be popping in and out over the next week. I just wanted to touch base and say hello. And since posts without pictures just aren't as fun, here a few of my recent art journal pages. :) xo

A Happy Hello + A Sneak Peek

First and foremost I'd like to say hello to all the new visitors I've had in the last couple of days (one of my very favorite design blogs, decor8, has added me to their blogroll)! Please say hello and feel free to stay a while. :)

It's been a busy week- but I have a feeling I'll be saying that a lot this month! ;) I am plugging away at my handmade holiday list. I'd like to space it out as much as possible and since I mostly need to be done by Thanksgiving weekend, I need to step on it. I wanted to share a little peek at my project this week. I wish(!!) I could show you the whole thing but too many people that read my blog are receiving one. This happens every year. ;)