Love, Joleen Photography Blog

Just a Little Sunshine for You

...from my favorite little friend, C.

Moving Forward

Lately, I've been trying to come up with a way to display my very favorite polaroids. I was so inspired when I came across this last month. I loved the idea, although a heart shape didn't exactly scream "Alex and Joleen". ;) I am quite pleased with the result of this installation.

Below, are a couple more spreads from my fertility art journal. I am really enjoying the process of working in this book. It's so personal and freeing. It has really been unlike any other "project" I've done before. Because it deals with such a personal topic and I'm using personal imagery and ideas, I feel so much more connected to it. It feels like an extension of me; of my thoughts and feelings. 

I hope you're having a great weekend! Anything exciting going on? We're being homebodies this weekend. :) Here are a few linky links I've enjoyed this week:

♥ Awesome Frickin' Picture Books for So-Called Grown Ups
♥ Things I'd Wish I'd Known
♥ Just A Few Flickr Favorites
♥ Sneak Peaks by Design*Sponge ; Oh! And Before & After - so inspirational!

Illustration Inspiration

One of the gazillion jobs I would have if I could, would be an illustrator. I am so inspired by illustrations + hand written type. I play around a bit (here are a few of my own illustrations) but I'd love to get formal training. Someday. Maybe. :) Here are a few illustrators I'm inspired by:

♥ Lauren Child
♥ Anke Weckmann
♥ Penelope Dullaghan
♥ Karen Katz
♥ Tania Howells
♥ Kim Kutner
♥ Laura Cornell

Inspiration

     I am constantly being inspired. Constantly. And by everything you could imagine. My family always points out my "special" ability to see something beautiful in everyday occurrences. I can't imagine not being this way! I am most inspired by lovely images, especially photographs of people and nature. I love this photo of these twin girls with a shared passion- it illustrates such a beautiful relationship, don't you think? I have been "collecting" so many inspiring images lately. (What else is new?) ;) You can see all my favorites here.
     I recently came across a beautiful blog I wanted to share with you called unruly things. I love everything about it, especially her photographer spotlights.
     Last week I was sitting in a waiting room and came across a past issue of Country Living. It was so incredibly inspiring and I just couldn't bear to leave it. It's from May and has probably been read a gazillion times so I only feel marginally bad. ;) Below are two pages that I just love, love, love! They're from the home + shop of Annette Tatum. She keeps a lovely blog here. Talk about inspirational! She posts the most fabulous "inspiration boards" to illustrate her ideas.. check it out.

     I was especially inspired by the colors and patterns in these clippings, which influenced the aesthetic of this very personal art journal page I created today. Feel free to click the image to see it larger. xo

lovely randomness

hello, friends! i hope you've had a lovely weekend! i certainly did. yesterday i spent the entire day snuggled in my pajamas, slippers, and robe. the windows are open and the air is so cool and crisp. love it!! we had a marathon of stargate (our current tv series to watch til completion). we're on episode 7 of the first season. there were 10 seasons so i'm guessing we'll be watching for a while. ;) 

today we woke up early to drive the 75ish miles to the rose bowl flea market. i took lots of photos and have so much to say about it but you'll have to look for it in an upcoming issue of portals. ;)  i will say that it was super fun and i came home with this fabulousness!

i've been meaning to design more collage sheets for a while now and finally sat down and did it while tv watching yesterday. the top one i created today and included some of the beautiful photos i found at the flea market. collage sheets are great to use in your mixed media artwork, art journals, and even your scrapbook pages. ok, and so i know it's eons away from valentine's day but it's been on the to-do/idea list for ages and i was on a roll. ;) they're in the shop.

lastly, here is a scrapbook page i made on friday. it's different for me for a scrapbook page.. more the style i would do an art journal page.. but i really love it. :) just click the image to see the full page. xo

a few friday favorites

♥ anything from this shop but especially this, this, and this. swoon!
♥ she is so dang cute! i especially love this ensemble. figures, she's from helsinki.. all the coolest dressers are. ;)
♥ hershey's bliss dark chocolate (just don't look too closely at the label)
♥ i love these photos.
♥ these make my heart beat faster!

happy weekend, friends!! smooches

“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.” - Peace Pilgrim

I will be away most of the next few days as my mother in law will be in our home visiting. I cannot wait! We don't get to spend time with her often since she's out of state but our time together is always wonderful. I'm looking forward to long talks, laughter, and a relaxing time.

I leave you with some current favorites of mine:
♥ I am going crazy over this photographer!
♥ A great message (and so creatively written).
♥ Fun project idea.
♥ Great childhood reminding diptych.

I hope you have a lovely weekend.

(Click on the images to view larger.)

california poppy love

view large.

i just wanted to share a couple "happy photos". i took these at california disney adventure a couple weeks ago and they're my current favorites. hope you are well! xo

A Little Bit of Happy

I think this blog is due a little bit of happy after my pity party earlier today. There is just no way I'm gonna be a scrooge this year! :) Here are some things making me happy today:

♥ Made a gingerbread house with my favorite 3 year old
♥  Drank Hot Cinnamon Spice tea from Harney & Sons
♥ Watched this movie for the upteenth time & loved it
♥ Went for a nice walk this morning
♥ Found out we don't have to move next week
♥ Received the last of the Christmas gifts in the mail; phew
♥ Browsing flickr and adding tons to my favorites

I just love this color combination and you know I'm lovin' these socks! View outfit breakdown here.

And, since people are starting to receive their gifts.. you get to see.. here is a sneaky peek of a holiday gift I made (more soon!).

This holiday gift is a mini art quilt for this lovely Mama and family.

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.