Art Journal & Scrapbook elements!

Hurricane Irene was a gal with some major mood swings. Her effects on the east coast ranged from mild to devastating. It was predicted that our area would be wrecked...so much so that even my friends in England and Australia caught the word and were praying for our safety. A lot of people in our neck of the woods evacuated but we stuck around, hoping that the hype would turn out to be hype. We were lucky. Irene wasn't all that bad to us. Aaron even walked the little pups twice during the early stages of the storm. We were prepared though, candles...tons of snacks... orders to work on and some fun new projects to keep us busy...we were just really hoping for the power to stay on because doing artwork by candlelight just isn't possible. Turns out, the power outage didn't happen til we were in bed anyway...and it was back on by the time we got up. And when we looked outside after Irene departed we were thrilled to see that our neighborhood was pretty free of damage. The Asbury Park boardwalk and neighboring towns weren't as lucky.

Anyway, what we worked on during the storm were these super cute pages of original artwork...ready made for your Art Journal or Scrapbook. They're actually stickers! And we did them in black & white so that you can fill them in with whatever colors you wish and use whatever medium you please...paint, markers, etc...The page you see here features Allie & Amy...a flag banner...roses...a vintage bunny...cupcake...a cake...and an adorable lace scallop. It's in the shop now! We are so psyched about them and we can't wait to see how everyone customizes them and uses them in their layouts, and spreads ! (We'd love to see pics!)

We are already at work on sheets 2, 3 and 4...so stay tuned! :) If you'd like to add some Everyday is a Holiday elements to your art journal or scrapbook, pop over to the shop to pick up your very own!

I guess that's it for now. Aaron and I send lots of love to all of you who emailed and messaged us on facebook about staying safe. Your prayers must have worked! :) Thanks again for stopping by today! xoxo, Jenny

Making my own Sunshine

It's raining it's pouring Aaron is snoring...



Yep, what a gloomy grey day here on the NJ shore. Goodness. It looked like 7 pm at around noon today. I swear, on these types of days I really just want to watch Columbo, smoosh the chihuahua in my lap, and eat stuff like homemade Mac n' Cheese. (Have you ever made this one of Martha's? It's berzerk deelish!) We've been working round the clock on all sorts of projects, so meal times are all screwy. I've been eating lots of pistachios, and there are 3 empty seltzer bottles in the studio right now. Before you think oh geez, this girl posts non stop, over-the-top, knock-you-over sweets and carb heavy recipes on facebook and all she eats is pistachios.... no no no... There has been pizza, pasta, adorable and deelish itty bitty grilled chicken sandwhiches with a fantastic homemade basil pesto...fried oreos...jeez, need I go on? Yeah, lucky us, we live near a University...so we have all "campus food: late night deliveries" happening over here. Really....fried oreos delivered to your door. Still warm people! Where was I going. ...



Oh yeah projects..



We have a super fun GIANT menu board in the works for a semi local (P.A.) bakery that is about to open. The gal/owner had seen a menu board that we had painted for ourselves ( quite rare..painting anything strictly for us and our home...but it was one of those things that we simply NEEDED)...well she saw it over on flickr. She actually told us that our cake paintings inspired her to open her bakery...she took to baking nearly every cake on the menu board! So needless to say, this got us really excited and inspired...so when she asked if we could paint a very large version of the menu board...we just had to oblige. I love when inspiration comes back round again, full circle. So one of our current projects is the menu board...and it's looking amazing! We'll share more of that with you soon! :)



We've been filling orders too. Nothing we love more than walking out the door with a stack of boxes addressed to new friends all over the globe! So so fun!!



And oh man, we have been working on all sorts of goodies for vendor fair at The Creative Connection and Art Is! New prints, mini plaques, jewelry, collages. Lots of NEW fun stuff!

"second chances"


This piece is much larger than my itty bitty daydreams I last shared with you. I like the size. Again...no plans. I just let it happen. Which is so so different from our normal creative process. No sketch of a cake or still life, or thought of where it will hang in our collector's homes. Just me and my paints. :)

I worked on these two spreads between projects this weekend. Wow, yellow huh!? I know! I am loving it. In decor, fashion, and art supplies! These pages were really fun to do. Introducing the yellow to my everyday color palette really opened doors, and windows! Once I put down some of the yellow I knew I'd be thinking outside my usual box...or rather NOT thinking. Just letting it happen. It really is so so important for us as artists, and crafters to experiment and try new things. A new color can lead to a new shape...which leads to brand new moods and vibes and possibly even music, and scents! Sticking to the same old things, same old supplies, same old colors, same old imagery, is a common trap you can fall into as an artist. You have a tendency to say "this is my thing". But you have to be careful...and try to steer clear of developing a thing. Try to always keep your palette, your tools, etc...fresh. Don't be scared to change...you won't get lost...because no matter what, one constant will remain...and that's YOU. You can change all of your colors, tools, mediums...but they still have to filter through YOU. The development of a personal style will come all on it's own.



That said, I'm so looking forward to our upcoming workshops! Being surrounded by a group of like minded, excited souls ready to play and learn new things! We'll bring our knowledge and tricks, and methods...our inspiration (if there is one thing that we have in surplus supply...it's inspiration.) We're so excited to add to your personal artist toolboxes.





Oh oh before I go...



Ahhh!!! Can you hear harps?! And Angels singing?! A full set of Pantone Universe Twin Markers! Ahhh! Oh my gosh How I would adore this sitting here on my work table! Only $483.00! :/ I doubt I could find that in the couch cushions. A girl can dream right? I mean they do offer them open stock. I think I could handle at few at a time at 3.44 each. But mann that caddy is seriously eye candy. :)





How do Jenny & Aaron deal with a rainy evening? Adorable itty bitty cherry topped pastries! That's how! The plate that's holding our sweets is one that we handpainted back on Valentine's Day, when we did paint-your-own pottery as a Vday date. I'll take a better pic soon. This is rainy day, lamp lighting. So the color and etc...are all off. But the pastries were delicious!!



Alright kids...that's all for now, see ya soon!

xo Jenny



ps. Thank you SO SO much for all of your lovely comments and emails and encouraging sweet words! They mean so much to me!

Daydreams

Daydreaming...



When I was little I'd lay around in my room, leaf through the Spiegel catalog or even the local real estate brochures that I'd grab on my way out the door at Grand Union. I also had a thing for any books/paperwork/accessories that felt "officey". I loved phone books...(one summer I thought I could actually pull off copying it all by hand) I loved the busy work...the stacks of my tangible progress...I'd be able to flip through and gaze at all of my pages at the end of a hard work day... and oh yes, when I played office I put in a FULL work day. I put on my "heels" at 9 and got in the "elevator" down to the car garage at 5. "Elevator" was the top landing of our stairs...the button was a sticker on the railing. Oh, and I knew every word to Dolly Parton's "9 to 5". Whenever my sis and I played office my name would be Jenny Anderson. Definitely inspired by Loni Anderson's character from WKRP...plus MacGyver's real last name was Anderson...and I thought I'd marry him. Ohh man I could go on and on with stories here...



but where was I going with this?...yeah day dreams.



I've said it before...I always want to keep this blog light hearted. We all have our own "Stuff" and we know we can put it out there when we need to, and that our blogland neighbors are always there when we need them. Things have been pretty heavy for us here, and for quite a bit of time. Family "stuff" and work "stuff"...some good, some bad, some great, and some awful. We're trying hard to keep balance, and to keep moving, and to stay positive, happy, and creative. I know you get it.



While doing my best to keep all the plates happily spinning, I've also been "daydreaming" with paint. Paint is one of my absolute fave things in existence. One of man's greatest inventions! I say that all the time! Geez! Imagine a world without paint! Ahh!!



This collection has been such therapy for me. I can't really say where I am going with it, but I'm enjoying the blissfully blindfolded ride.

It really is just so freeing for me. These pieces are truly only about color & feeling...thoughts & memories, and hopes & dreams. I'm not thinking about who would want to buy them or if they are the right size, etc...these are just tiny bits of me in the moment. Though...I was totally smiling when I read some of the kind and encouraging words some of you had posted on flickr and pinterest. :) Thank you bunches! :)

Ok, so can you even handle the cuteness here?! These diy paper cameras?! Ahh!! Like grinning-from-ear-to-ear-til-it-hurts cute, right?! It's so hard to pic a fave. I just purchased all 3 sets as a bundle from the talented Mel Stringer. I'll be printing them as soon as I pick up some nice cardstock. How adorbs would these be as party favors or a party project at a kids bday? Ahh!! I can't stand it! Look at the lil' "photos" :) Oh gosh you so have to pop over and visit this talented gal's shop! She really knocks my socks off! :)

and once again... "The little" after a nap. His trademark one flopped ear :)

See you guys soon!

xo Jenny

journals journals everywhere!

I mentioned in my last entry that I had printed out my 30 days of photos and was ready to start a happy lil journal project. The book I am using is the perfect length and size for the pics. I didn't want to do big page layouts or lots of additional journaling or anything. It's really all about the photos. And I think this will be such a fun keepsake! :) So here are Day's 1 & 2. Reliving that awful 2 days of the gas leak and no running water! Ohh boy..that hair! Though I am proud to have been a good sport about it! ;)
I have a ton on my plate right now...with orders, and the two very exciting events coming up...so I'm sorta at a snails pace with this journal...but I will indeed work on it whenever I get a moment! And I'll be sure to share with you guys! :) you can follow along on flickr as well! :)

And while I'm on the very close to my heart topic of Art journaling...here are some pages in progress from one of my in progress journals. Nothing fancy...nothing spectacular...really just relaxing with the process, not overthinking, and having fun. I really can't see an art journal as a place to stress out...or to get upset at mess ups...or a random "lame page" haha. It's just a fun escape. A place to try things out...flush out ideas and emotions. I really love journaling, and I'm so so excited to be hosting a workshop this October!! It will be an ALL day affair!! Imagine...8 hrs of art journaling with a bunch of awesome peeps who totally Get You!! :) What a great feeling and way to spend a fall day!! If you have been looking for something like this, Something that will feed your soul....treat yourself to this amazing retreat!! Art Is..in Danbury CT this October! It isn't too late to sign up! We would LOVE to have you!! It is going to be a FUN FUN time!! Lots of brand new tips, tricks, ideas, and techniques to share! :)

For more info click here! :)

I've also been doing some personal painting lately. More abstract than you are used to seeing from me/us. This type of painting is so relaxing for me...totally therapeutic. It's all about vibe, color, feel, mood, shape, and flow. I'm hoping to start a small collection of them. They really make me happy. Aaron is a big big fan of art that's not representational, so he likes these new pieces I'm working on a lot. No rules, no restrictions. :)

ok, see you all soon! xoxo, Jenny