Love, Joleen Photography Blog

Holiday Reading

I hope you had a lovely holiday! Alex and I had a great time visiting family in Texas. It was cold and snowy which was a nice break from the 85-90 degree temps we still have here. The drive provided lots of time to read + listen to books on CD.

I picked up Flea Market Style just before we left on our trip. The images in this book were beautifully stylized and I was so taken by the photography of Debi Treloar. I normally buy interior books for the photographs alone and never even read the text (a lot of times they're not in English) but this one was inspiring and full of great ideas.

I've had The Crafter's Companion: Tips, Tales and Patterns from a Community of Creative Minds for a while now but haven't had a chance to read it before this week. This book was put together by Anna Torborg of Twelve22. It was fun to read the various contributions from bloggers I've been reading for the last couple of years and am looking forward to using a few of the patterns given within.

One of the books we listened to on CD was The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult. While you know that I am a HUGE fan of her work and have read several of her books over the last couple of years, I was not a big fan of this one. It wasn't all bad just a bit slow going and a little disappointing. Even still I am eager to read another book of hers and soon.

Pretties in Hollister

Today was a wonderful reprieve after spending most of yesterday in the car, driving north to visit Heather and family. This trip has definitely served to spark my muse with its abundance of inspiration!

This afternoon we visited the thrift store and handful of antique shops in San Juan Bautista and came away with oodles of pretties. When we saw this fabulously aged building we had to sit Heather's wee one down on the curb and use it as a background! :)

So far this trip I've almost completed ten holiday project kits as part of a super collaboration coming up in the next couple of weeks and I've tea dyed 10 pair of little girl socks for ornaments. This evening we're headed back to the mission so I can take family photos of her family for the holidays.

Once Upon a Child

One of my favorite things to collect from antique stores and flea markets are old photos. I love how sweet the kids look especially- how dressed up and posed they are and the character of each one. The grumpy kids just crack me up and have me thinkin', "They're kids all right." Last night I created this collage sheet of some of my favorite children's images, tea dyed lace, hand glittered star, and various vintage buttons. I wanted to create one or two of these sheets for purchase to use in your own artwork so these will soon be available at the holiday boutiques and eventually online.

Today was an incredibly busy day but I still managed to get one small art piece completed before having to pick up a bit and pack. I am driving up to Heather's tomorrow and will be there until Friday. I have a few holiday photo sessions and other than that will relax, create, and enjoy good company. I'll be on my computer (a girl's gotta work) ;) so I'm sure I'll have more to share over the next few days.

Summer Reading 3 + Where I've Been

Thanks for the emails from those who've noticed my month and a half absence from blogging and pretty much all computer use. I spent a week vacationing with the girls in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, relaxing all day and partying all night. I came back and started a new nanny job that I *love*. I've been reading in most of my spare time. The books above are the books I've read between mid-Aug. and Mid-Sept. We've been getting used to having a teenager in the house (my sister moved in mid-July). I've been dating my husband and having family focused evenings and weekends. I've been walking and hiking daily along with eating better and general exercising. I've lost  7 lbs. (and counting).

Happy Fall!

Bunch 'o Sillies

I've just wrapped up editing photos from the wedding on July 7th. You can view the entire slideshow here. I'd love your feedback. I'll finally have an opportunity to finish editing the family reunion photos tomorrow. Just thought I'd share this super silly one now. I'm on the far left and used the timer for the big group photos. In the very front is my husband's grandpa. We took our photos in this amphitheater that he helped build in their hometown 50 years ago. :) Isn't that awesome? Just look at this family that he built too!!

Beauty

These are some of my favorite "random" shots from the various parks we visited yesterday. I'm sure there will be more but these really popped out to me. The awesome one of the sun through the trees was by Alex and I just loved it so much I had to process it. :) I hope these brighten your day as they have mine.

we're back!

well, we're back from our cruise and it was amazing! wonderful family time and a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful celebration (father in law's 50th bday!). i have about a million trillion gazillion photos to share eventually but for now... hello. :)

i took this photo in cabo san lucas, mexico on friday, feb. 16.

bon voyage!

we're taking off right now (hello, mexico!) + i wanted to wish you a wonderful week. i'll be back online around tuesday (20th). take care! xo!