Elegant Journey :: The Art Blog of Jennifer Katherine

SOLD OUT Little Messages of Hope: A Collection to Lift the Soul UPDATE

2011-11-03T18:58:00.013-05:00

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Thank you for your support!
As of December 2011,
this series has SOLD OUT.

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Many thanks to ALL of you who came out and supported yet another amazingly successful gallery night. It never ceases to amaze me how much love and encouragement we receive *every* *single* year.

WORDS ARE CAPSULES OF POWER.

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. With the power of His words, He took a formless and empty darkness and formed the universe. Words can create and build up or words can destroy and tear down. The choice is ultimately ours.

The 'Little Messages of Hope' collection was created to lift the soul, keep us inspired and serve as reminders to stay focused on the positive.

I'm really excited to reveal my latest work. There will be 20 new pieces for sale ($50) at the 4th Annual Gathering Room Gallery Night.

Each unique piece of art is lovingly hand-crafted on velvet watercolor paper using archival inks and then mounted on richly stained birch wood panels. They are 8x8x2" and signed on the back. No two pieces are alike, each special in its very own way!

Got a favorite uplifting saying or scripture? Have your own custom piece created just for you! Please email for further inquires!

Embroidery Applique Art

2011-01-02T13:37:00.003-06:00

New Year + New Start = Fresh Art. Goodbye paint and brushes. Hello felt and linen. I've decided to put my paint brushes away for the time being and try my hand with an alternative way of creating.

Here's to a happy new year full of many blessings, new creative visions and open doors of opportunity. Keep on asking and it will be given; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking reverently and the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7

3rd Annual Gathering Room Gallery Night

2010-10-10T13:36:00.009-05:00

MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Saturday, November 6th! From 4-9PM I will be alongside 4 other local artists showcasing our latest work. Come have dinner at The Cruise, listen to live music and check out our newest pieces -- jewelry, pottery, handmade items, original paintings and more!

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The Cruise Neighborhood Bar & Restaurant28747 North Lake Drive, Waterford, WI 53185
For directions, check out www.thecruisetichigan.com

Scrumptious Things Called Houses

2010-07-10T19:45:00.005-05:00

IS IT POSSIBLE that most everyday I find myself loving my neighborhood even more? Fresh farmer's markets, tree-lined streets, the parkway, ...the sounds of trains in the distance. When the sun was still coming up and the only things out and about were singing birds, I was inspired to take a few photos of the most charming houses around my neck of the woods.

I still have a lot more sketches to do, but I couldn't resist starting to add color in already. Leave it to me to be 10 steps ahead of myself. I've got about 4 paintings waiting to be finished, but I really just wanted to start in on this project today. Guess you can never have too much stuff for a gallery night, right?

SHOW PREP - More Work In Progress

2010-07-05T15:04:00.008-05:00

GATHERING bits and pieces (literally) from here and there to get ready for my annual gallery show in October. Here are some snippets of new, but incomplete pieces that incorporate paper, felt and paint. They're a nice break from my usual digital illustration. And besides,... what's more fun than working with mod podge and having itty-bitty pieces of paper stuck to your toes?

Next on my list – ink feather sketches. Love creating positive & negative space and texture with just the use of lines. These will be completed digitally.

Work In Progress

2010-04-17T19:49:00.003-05:00

NEW acrylic/paper collage canvas pieces in the works:

because if I have to even look at a computer screen this weekend (how I normally create my art), I'll puke. Um, yeah,...I'm serious. Working full-time as a designer facing a screen alllllll day long will do that to you. I'm making a small exception in order to post. :)

Happy Easter!

2010-04-04T07:39:00.004-05:00

Mark 16:1-7

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.'

He is risen indeed! Enjoy your Easter weekend!

Eye Candy

2010-02-28T15:01:00.006-06:00

PRETTY magazines + double-sided tape + scissors + poster board = Sunday eye candy. Things and colors that inspire me:

Pink and Brown Bedroom

2010-02-21T13:40:00.007-06:00

WITH $9 for paint and my new pink quilt I made as inspiration, I've transformed my once white and barren room, to this lovely haven:

I've finally taken the time to push aside life and make my dream room come true. Being a renter, there's only so much you can do when it comes to interior decorating. But with a little maneuvering, I got the landlord to let me paint. I figure if I'm ever gonna have a pink and brown room, I better do it now. Here's the breakdown:

Marshalls: (The go to place for everything you didn't know you needed) - Magenta peonies flowers (my favorite), white circular mirror and white and magenta polka dot pillows.

Target: Brown quilted coverlet, pink polka dot sheets, glass lamp and shade.

HSN: Brown tufted headboard. Okay, so this was something I already had for the room. But still, I got this amazing chocolate velvet headboard for a steal when I happened to flip past this channel one night.

Home Depot: A quart of 'shy blush' pink paint.

Grand total: Just under $250. But really, it's priceless to me. All I know is... I had yet to make a place in my apartment where I could just 'be'. And now that I have one, my only regret is not doing it sooner. I know, I know.... pink and brown isn't for everyone. But to me, I've finally got my quiet oasis where I can relax and feel cozy for a good read or just some quiet time.

Where are your favorite places to get away for some 'you' time?

Pink Button Quilt WIP

2010-02-14T17:47:00.006-06:00

WHEN YOU CAN only get to this project on the weekends, it tends to last a loooong time.

Button ties complete.

Piecing together my binding strips.

Um, yeah....loooooots of strips to equal the length of the perimeter of the quilt.

Getting ready to pin the finishing strips around the outside of the quilt.

Sewing the strips on. When that's finished, I wrap the strips around to the backside of the quilt and hand sew with a blind stitch to finish up. Happy Valentine's Day! Some quilting love from me to you.

Weekend Wrap-Up

2010-02-07T18:01:00.007-06:00

The sunshine inspired this photo I took of a jar of old buttons my grandma so graciously donated to me.

This little birdie pin cushion from my dear friend, Dee, kept me company while sewing.

Pinned my quilt 'sandwich' together (meaning the top quilt, the batting and then the bottom) so I could sew 99 buttons on. By hand. And then after stitching one button on, I quickly changed my mind. I gotta figure out how to sew on about half of that and then maybe just use embroidery floss to stitch the leftover spaces together. I'll show you what I mean later on when I'm finished.

Oh yes,...and I also developed a small obsession with the new Jell-O chocolate mousse cups:

*ehem* Dr. Mr. Jell-O company: Please review and revise your six cup package design to hold twenty-four cups instead. One for each hour of the day. Thank you.

Mirror Illustrations Sneak Peek

2010-01-31T16:34:00.006-06:00

Pssst. Wanna see something I've been working on?

Here's a sneak peek of some of my art I had sent out to be make into little pocket mirrors. I'm working on sewing matching handmade drawstring bags for them. Adorned of course, with buttons. These will be the next things I add to my shop. I think I'm turning into a regular Martha Stewart. Creating and baking and organizing all in one day. I'm in my studio and I can smell the most amazing banana bread baking in the kitchen. You have to try this recipe. It's the BEST banana bread I've EVER had and it's super EASY. For real. Try it with mini chocolate chips and you'll inevitably find yourself licking the bowl.

Pixel And Pattern ETSY shop!

2010-01-24T15:45:00.002-06:00

YAY for the ease of Etsy! I've opened up a new shop called Pixel & Pattern. It features my illustration and all things handmade. It's about time, right? At the moment, I have 3 giclee prints available. They are all printed on Somerset Velvet Watercolor paper with archival inks. I am SUPER picky about how my work is recreated, so trust me, these prints are beauties for sure! They are guaranteed to last 80+ years when kept out of direct sunlight. They're ready for framing, so be sure to stop in and take a look and let me know what you think.

Right now I've only got one print of each listed, so if you happen to get to the shop and what you wanted was purchasaed, let me know and I'll re-list the item for you!

Yummy Yellow Goodness

2010-01-18T19:31:00.002-06:00

LATELY, these gray, wintry *blah* days are making me CRAVE the color yellow. Thank goodness for handmade lovelies on Etsy. Shopping always makes the frigid weather more cheerful. Feast your eyes on:

1) Admist Routes Letterpress Print by PearlMarmalade
2) Yellow Pocket Book from AwakenJournaling
3) Pineapple Brocade Clutch from LynnDavid
4) Cluster Corsage Brooch in Antique Yellow by AAliciaAccessories

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Now go ahead and feast on something that's really delicious. Bake up this lemon bar recipe full of goodness and sure to please your taste buds:

Not Your Grandma's Quilt

2010-01-11T18:46:00.007-06:00

LATELY I've become *obsessed* with fabric and patterns and all things made of thread. Somehow I got this crazy idea in my head that I wanted to sew a quilt, but where in the world to begin? I just started sewing a couple months ago and a quilt seemed like a rather daunting task.

Let's see, how can I simplify this?

Just plain, simple squares should do it. I mean, what can be so difficult about sewing squares together, right? When you look at it that way, it doesn't seem so overwhelming. So here's where I'm at. It's 5 x 6 ft. I loved coordinating and laying out the solid blocks of color together. It makes more of a graphic statement than a frilly, shabby chic lookin' grandma quilt.

Still have to put the batting and back part together and then sew a little button where each square meets up to bind the layers together.

'Till next time.... here's some quilts that inspire me from Red Pepper Quilts:

Backwards Bunny & Other Softies

2009-11-22T15:03:00.004-06:00

THEY'RE CUTE, they're funky, they look fun to make - here are some softies that inspire me. My favorites are the ones that are purposely 'messed-up'. The ones that are off-kilter and actually look handmade:

1) Sally the Snail by Soto Softies
2) Gustav by Nicol-b at Pink Cheeks Studios
3) A colorful bunch by Junker Jane
4) Otto the Strongman by Junker Jane

And now here's my very first 'attempt' to create one, except.... I sewed the ears on backwards. *Sigh* I flipped them around for the picture:

Everything WAS going fine until I flipped her inside out and found out the wrong way to pin things. Yay for mistakes that you only need to make once in order to learn a lesson. ;) Needless to say, this bunny had an extra short life-span.

Rain Clouds & Buttons

2009-09-07T17:22:00.011-05:00

LABOR DAY, SCHMAYBORDAY. Instead of relaxing on this day off, I took the opportunity to create 2 new paintings for the upcoming Gathering Room Gallery Night. I'm really excited about these guys and wanted to give you a sneak peek:

I think I've made the general conclusion that paintings are just plain better with buttons and stitching. Come see them in person at the show on October 17th. Save the date!

I even managed to get 20 handmade cards finished today. Aren't they cute? Okay, so I admit it: I am a *button freak*. Yes, I'm obsessed with buttons. Yes, I buy buttons every time I go into a craft store and yes, I fully confess I'm distracted by shiny things and put buttons on EVERYTHING. But seriously... can a girl help it?

AND SO IT BEGINS AGAIN

2009-08-30T19:23:00.005-05:00

IT'S THAT TIME of year again. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 17th for the annual Gathering Room Gallery Night (more details to follow). And that means....

paint, illustrations, fabric, buttons, glue and ribbon galore. :) I think my studio was beginning to forget who I was. Pretty sure I'll get reacquainted really quick in the next couple of days.

A FRIEND NAMED JENNIFER

2009-08-23T13:37:00.006-05:00

EVERYDAY we face challenges in our lives that force us to either fear or have hope. The choice is ultimately in our hands. We can take the courageous path of fighting through or giving up.

I found out a few days ago that a friend named Jennifer has a very rare type of cancer. She is having a really rough time dealing with the news. Let's be honest. Who wouldn't, right?

I wanted to not just pray for Jennifer but SHOW her that she has reason to hope. I wanted to give her the gift of hope and so... this is what I made:

Inside this container are all kinds of encouraging thoughts and quotes. Each inspirational saying is folded up and she can pick one out for each time that she needs a spiritual lift.

Even if it is little, it may be the one thing Jennifer needs for that moment of her day. Because after all, "Hope never abandons you; you can only abandon it." -George Weinburg

Have you given someone hope today?

RECOVER THAT OLD LAMPSHADE

2009-08-16T10:15:00.005-05:00

SUPPLIES:

Lampshade
Fabric
X-acto Knife
Spray Adhesive
Hot Glue Gun (optional)
Iron
Clips to hold fabric in place while it dries

STEP 1: Purchase fabric that you'd like to use to re-cover the old lampshade.

STEP 2: Carefully remove the fabric from the old lampshade with an x-ato knife. I used the tip of the knife to get the fabric loose from the shade and then gently tore the fabric away from the shade.

STEP 3: Lay the shade on your new fabric and use it as a guide for how much fabric to cut. I cut enough fabric so that it would have an extra .5'' on the top and bottom of the shade.

STEP 4, 5 & 6: After you trim your fabric, I ironed mine to make sure that there were no wrinkles. Spray the backside of the fabric with a spray adhesive and then slowly and gently wrap the fabric around the shade. Smooth out any bumps in the fabric as you go and when you're happy, use some small clamps (or in my case, small clothes pins) to hold your fabric in place as it sets.

OPTIONAL STEP: I found some matching ribbon to hot glue around the top and bottom of the shade to give it a finished, trimmed look.

STEP 7: Light your world - step back and admire your masterpiece.

MAKE YOUR OWN CHALKBOARD and OTHER RANDOMS

2009-07-26T16:31:00.005-05:00

WHAT DO YOU do with an old, framed, hideous painting that you find at a thrift shop? Why... you make it into a chalkboard for your studio of course. I got so into this little money-saving project that I forgot to take pictures along the way to show you the steps I took. But it's really pretty fool proof.

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED:

1 frame
hammer & screw driver (if you need to take an old painting out of the frame)
sandpaper
1- 11oz can white primer spray paint
1- 11oz can chalkboard spray paint
craft paint - whatever color you want
paintbrushes
1/4'' hardboard (the inside size of your frame will determine how big to cut this)
Gorilla Glue or some other type of *seriously* sticky adhesive
4 clamps

AND HERE'S WHAT YOU DO:

1) First thing's first. Whether you find an old, framed painting or just a frame itself, you'll have to get it ready to be sanded down. Knock out the picture that's set in the frame with a hammer or use a screwdriver to loosen the staples around the back of the frame and push the art out.

2) Use some sandpaper and rough up the edges of the frame so you can get a primer to stick.

3) Lay out some newspaper in a well-ventilated area. (I chose the backyard.) Use the white primer spray paint and make sure you get all the edges of the frame if you have beveled or decorative edges.

4) Let the primer paint dry for the time recommended on the spray paint can. Then you're ready to paint your frame what ever color your heart desires. I used some green craft paint in two different shades to accentuate the beveled edges. When that dries, follow up with a clear acrylic coating. I used Krylon UV-Resistant in a spray can. The matte finish.

5) Measure the inside of the frame and go to a local hardware store for 1/4'' hardboard. If you take your measurements to a Home Depot...they'll cut it for you for free!

6) After you get the hardboard, repeat steps 2-3 to prepare the surface for the chalkboard spray paint.

7) This is the fun part. After the primer dries on the hardboard, use the chalkboard spray paint and spray a bunch of even, light coats to slowly build up the paint on the board.

8) When the chalkboard paint dries, flip your painted frame so it is wrong side up and trace the inner edge with Gorilla Glue (or some other strong adhesive). Place your chalkboard into the glued edges, clamp all four corners, and let it dry overnight.

You're ready to hang up your DIY chalkboard masterpiece! Get yourself some chalk and an eraser and draw away.

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On a side note, I also got to visit my best friend this weekend in her new apartment. Sarah and I have been friends since Kindergarten. We go waaaaaaay back.

I want to see your creative spaces! Send me links to see photos of your studios!

IKEA FINDS AND NEW TUNES

2009-07-19T14:14:00.008-05:00

SO HERE'S who I've been listening to in my studio on hot summer evenings while I hang up my goodies from IKEA.

Emily Wells - The Symphonies: Dreams Memories & Parties

Meiko - Meiko

JayMay - Autumn Fallin'

Joni Mitchell - Blue

Oh! And like my new chalkboard I made?

I know you wanna make one too. I'll tell you how I did it in my next post.

JANOME LOVE

2009-07-11T10:05:00.003-05:00

SO......UH......where have you been? Oh, just enjoying the summer, taking late night walks with the fireflies in my cozy neighborhood, tending to my little flower garden, revamping my studio and....oh yeah *GRIN* this:

My new Janome DC2010. I just came back from Milwaukee Sewing Machine Company with this tiny treasure. I plan to make lots of aprons, pillows, purses, curtains and turn some of my creature drawings three-dimensional.

And the Singer machine I had gotten before, from that store going out of business - well, it turned out to be worth only the $25. I got to do a few things on it to see that I liked sewing, but ultimately, it had electrical issues that cost too much for me to fix.

Off to Ikea for the day. :)

Spring Season

2009-05-31T17:10:00.005-05:00

SO FAR this spring season has brought alot of sunshine, rain showers, and lazy weekends. I spent Memorial Day weekend at my Grandma's cabin in Friendship, WI. Whispering pines, campfires, smores and fishing took up most of our time. But I did make sure to dabble in the good ol' Crayola watercolor sets I found. A bit of crayon and a splash of salt for texture.... Taaa-Daaa:

It was nice to try creating art without the computer. :)

Today I went to my local farmers market and loaded up on plants & herbs for my balcony. Here's just a few. I think I'm most excited about the strawberries!

Studio Break

2009-04-19T17:32:00.005-05:00

I STARTED to get in a great groove with posting on Sundays. I've created a lot of new pieces. But I also wanted to let you know that if I don't post for a while, it's because I'm taking some time for myself. It's that time of year where lovely weather is starting up again. Being able to escape from hibernating in my studio feels very freeing. For the next couple weeks, I'll be taking in some outdoor inspiration from the greatest creator of all, God. :)

Oh, and here is a plate wall I'm starting in my kitchen. I love thrift shopping. You never know what treasures you'll find:

WHERE IS SPRING?!

2009-04-06T07:22:00.004-05:00

IT'S APRIL 6th, crazy windy, cloudy and 30 degrees with a chance of snow. I took these photos a few weeks ago when the sun was actually out:

Eye candy - food for the creative soul.

Nummy.

Thanks for the inspiring thoughts and links last week! :)

DON'T OVERTHINK IT

2009-03-29T12:37:00.005-05:00

IF YOU COULD see it now, (which I'm glad you can't) my studio has just enough room on the floor for me to tiptoe through without stepping on anything.

Here's a section of a piece I'm in the middle of:

But honestly, I'd be forcing myself to be work on anything else today. When you don't feel creative you can't make yourself make 'stuff'.

So I'm going to make some more tea, clean a path through my studio and find something else to do today.

What's everyone else working on? Show me your work! Send some inspiring links this way!

Prisoner of Hope

2009-03-22T19:38:00.005-05:00

YOU KNOW that feeling you get when you're *so* frustrated or discouraged with something you just want to give up? Recently I've learned that I need to keep positive thoughts in my head no matter what my situation may hold. Even if I don't feel positive, I can speak positive things and my emotions will start to catch up with my thoughts. I started in on a new piece to remind me of that mindset called, Prisoner of Hope. It reminds me that I cannot be defeated and I will not quit.

AND I started back in on some card-making. Spring colors. I kind of find it therapeutic. No computer work, no rules,... just buttons, ribbon, paper and stitches.

Anyone here have art shops online? I think I will open up a temporary shop until I can get my site finished. What do you like using, Etsy or BigCartel?

Creature Feature & The Yarn House

2009-03-15T15:40:00.008-05:00

BUTTON EYES and simple, child-like shapes. The start of yet another new project. Welcome to Creature Feature:

Sneek peeks of Lily Lamb

& Lola Lettuce.

These are just two of many which will begin in illustration form and end in fabulous fabric.

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AND! This Singer sewing machine that my Joey found for a piddly $25 dollars at a store going out of business.

Okay, yes...so it does have it's quirks, but after thinking about it, it's quirkiness may be just the ticket I needed. Part of my new line of work lends itself to being 'unperfect' on purpose.

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Yesterday, my friend Dee asked me to check out this this quaint, little shop called

in Elm Grove. In the back of this little cottage, a wise woman in her 80's sits and teaches free crochet classes on Saturdays. 6 of us gathered around to share stories and learn a new craft.

After all was said and done, I'm afraid I'm not a fabulous crocheter. The atmosphere alone, which was filled to the brim with stacks and stacks of yarn, card catalogs stuffed with crochet hooks and knitting needles, followed by rows of vintage buttons was...

to say the least... candy for the eye. I only wish I had brought my camera. Passing crocheting on from one generation to the next was never sweeter.

I Wanted To Show You...

2009-03-08T16:53:00.006-05:00

A snippet of this Sunday's Studio day:

And these bird tracks I found in the melting snow:

Happy lazy, lovely, rainy Sunday.

Studio Sunday #3

2009-03-01T13:01:00.003-06:00

A BIT MORE progress on the stitching heart:
I *love, love, love* where it's going.
Also! I think I've finally figured out a new style that I'd like to try. I've always been really heavy on outlines in my illustrations, but now I'd like to try something new. Here's a sneak peek at some raindrop detail in a new piece with the new style:

Many people have been asking about the progress of my shop. Right now, my main focus is to continue creating new work. Developing a site takes alot of time and I just haven't had time to focus on that right now. I've been considering offering some prints through PayPal right on my blog.

But for now,... the sunshine is out! Off to Alterra by the lake for an afternoon of coffee-sipping!

Studio Sunday, New Art & Pink Envy

2009-02-22T15:21:00.011-06:00

I've gotten so much done today. Above is a section of the finished piece called Transformation.
Next on my list - find a printer to produce it. When it's printed, I'll show you the whole thing and also have prints available.

I'm on a 'heart' kick lately if you haven't noticed. Here's part of a new sketch:

I'm actually surprised with how fast I've been able to create some of the things that I've been meaning to get around to. I think I've finally gotten past the part of me that says, "You don't have enough time to draw that". I'm able to accomplish much more when I set away a certain amount of time to get things created. When it's all said and done, 2 Sunday sessions and I'm able to crank some serious work out.

On a side note, I've always wanted a pink room...and a chandelier. So what do you do when you're not an electrician and you're renting? You paint one. I ran to Michaels and bought every shade of pink paint I could possibly find and went to work. I intend to hang it above my bed.

I draw the shapes in Illustrator, print it, then use a projector to get the image on the canvas and paint away. It's going to be part of a grouping that sort of looks like this (I use the computer alot just to plan out shapes and balance and give myself a general feel for what I'm going for):

Happy Sunday.
Off to clean up the studio.

Studio Sunday

2009-02-15T19:16:00.007-06:00

Studio Sunday = the day I draw all day.
Today I felt a great need to get my tremendous growth in faith on paper. I drew a heart that is being radically changed through love, growth and trials.

First I sketch, then I add ink, scan the image in, and then......add color. Or not? I spent most of the day beginning to add color, but I'm torn because I really just love the way the line drawing looks.

Hmmm, maybe a version of both - one color, one line art? I know I only give you peeks of the color version. It's not finished yet!

So, which direction do you vote for? Color or just plain line art?

Spread the Love

2009-02-14T16:04:00.002-06:00

Just Makin' Stuff...

2009-02-11T18:54:00.004-06:00

My Interview on Heart Handmade!

2009-02-09T08:11:00.001-06:00

Today's the day:

Be sure to check out my interview on Heart Handmade .
Thank you for such a great opportunity Marichelle!

JenniferKatherine.com COMING SOON!

2009-02-08T20:00:00.003-06:00

PUTTING UP that new button on the right-side column means that you can now go check out my website! While it is not a functioning shop right now, (which will feature my original illustrations, prints and all things handmade) you can still go there to sign up for my mailing list.

Let me know what you think!

Also don't forget, tomorrow I will be the featured artist on the Heart Handmade Blog so be sure to check it out the interview!

New Sketches, Website, Paintings and Finds

2009-02-05T18:21:00.007-06:00

NOW THAT I've accomplished more of the 'technical' end of a website I'm designing (which I'll be sharing more about on February 9th), I've had some time to get back into sketches and new paintings:

I'm excited with where this bird sketch is going.

And this is a snippet of a new painting I started for my living/dining room.

Which will go in here above my couch:

And when I was digging around in my studio, I found the long lost old-school 35mm camera. :)

Inspiration Galore

2009-01-31T20:23:00.005-06:00

I guess you could call it a tradition, that with each new year, us girls (my mom, aunt and cousins) get together for a yummy breakfast and page through lots of lovely magazines to put together collages of things that inspire us. After trimming and taping, I've re-validated my obsession with all things pink and lovely:

Ah yes, and this outfit... reminded me of Peter Pan and the "Peter Pan Syndrome" of never wanting to grow up.

Eye-Candy-Heaven. Off to start a painting for my living room.

'Do It Afraid'

2009-01-25T15:03:00.006-06:00

You know that feeling when you get an idea in your head and you think it's got huge potential but you don't know the first thing about how you should handle it? Well that's me. Uh, let me rephrase that. That's been me for the past oh...9 months or so. I've been carrying around this feeling for much too long. So today I've come to the conclusion that you just do it AFRAID.

So in the process of doing this 'thing' afraid,

Especially if you're a sewer! I've had this urge to purchase a sewing machine. Mind you, I really don't know how to sew. Okay, so the last time I touched a sewing machine was back in sixth grade in my Home Ec. class when we made a pair of shorts and matching top. So to help me out, I got the new book by Anna Maria Horner called, 'Seams to Me - 24 New Reasons to Love Sewing'.

So where does that leave me? With way too many sewing machines to pick from. Here's what I do know: I don't see myself sewing garments, but more like handbags, blankets,... maybe quilts. I'd like to stay under $400. I've heard Singer isn't made the way it used to be - and more and more, I've noticed Janome being a top pick. Especially the Janome ThreadBanger12.

So if you have a sewing machine brand you really like or one you'd recommend, please leave me a comment and share!

On a side note, today I handed over my interview questions to the blog, Heart Handmade. On February 9th, Marichelle will be featuring me and my art and I will also be able to show you something new that I've been working on - the 'something' that has been taking my time away from Elegant Journey. I'll be sure to give you a reminder to head on over to check it out when it's posted.

Add to your MadisonReeceDesigns Jewelry Collection!

2009-01-17T09:56:00.006-06:00

MadisonReeceDesigns has just released another one of my illustrations, Little Sprout, as a jewelry pendant on her Etsy site. Go check them out and order yours while they last!

I'm loving the way the rich magenta background plays with the contrast of the vibrant green leaves. When I drew this piece, I was thinking of how much it takes for a tiny seedling to turn into a strong, rooted plant. We don't 'SEE' the seed transforming, but we 'TRUST' that the seed is growing... and soon, we have proof of its transformation when it pokes through the ground.

Oh,...just following my dreams, having lovely conversation with my talented and courageous, dear Stephanie... *smirk* and painting glorious cupcakes. :)

'Nearly Nested'

2009-01-09T06:00:00.001-06:00

A while back I mentioned my art was being used on some of the jewelry pendants by MadisonReeceDesigns. I got my 'Nearly Nested' bird piece in the mail from Melissa the other day and was really happy with the way they turned out. I love the chain that it's on too.

Check out her Etsy shop for other pieces illustrated by me as well.

Warm Banana Muffins

2009-01-05T06:00:00.003-06:00

Yummy in my tummy. Warm banana muffins for breakfast. Find the recipe at Simple Recipes.

After 12 days of relaxing, organizing my studio, painting, getting some house stuff done and working towards my business goals for 2009, it's back to work for me today. I feel refreshed and ready to start the new year. With new inquiries about my art and a few tricks up my sleeve for Elegant Journey, I have a feeling this is going to be my *best year yet.

What are your resolutions for 2009?

Canon Rebel XSI

2008-12-31T15:04:00.006-06:00

Okay so by now I've chilled out a bit, but on Christmas Eve I got one of the best gifts EVER from my love, Joey. Through the year, I had always talked about how 'one day' I'd save up to buy an SLR. I love my Canon PowerShot, and it works beautifully for some things, but I knew if I wanted to have complete control over a photo, I'd need to upgrade. You can imagine my surprise when I opened this:

I am *so* in love with Canon! The camera has so many features I have to get used to, but for now, here are some random photos I took as I played around to get used to my new toy.

The best part was Joey's reasoning behind such an elaborate gift: He believes in me. He sees my passion for creating, for illustrating, for sharing it with the world. As I said before- 2009 is going to be a fantastic year for Elegant Journey. I have a few tricks up my sleeve - I've been pushing past my fears and can't wait to share all my experiences with you.

Studio Space

2008-12-28T08:00:00.001-06:00

Okay so check this out: 1 hammer + 6 nails + 6 clipboards = one easy, cheap and fun way to hang interchangeable (is that even a word?) art.

I love to feel inspired and cozy in my studio. My space is important to me and I try to surround myself with things that remind me to have fun, be silly and to use my gift of creativity in ways that will inspire others.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

I have off a full 13 days from work and that means I'll actually have time to update my readers on all the fun stuff I have going on. 2009 is going to be one super stellar year. Elegant Journey has been my process of self-discovery. It's brought me face to face with myself and revealed my true passions and purpose for life. It's time to start taking these ideas that have been floating around in my head and do something with them. This year, I'm definitely not letting fear get in my way.

Also be sure to check out the Paper Breezy blog. Collette is one fabulous gal and she wrote the sweetest entry on Elegant Journey. Yes, I know...the give-away she talks about is over, but the first one went so well, I think it'd be fun to do a whole lot more!

Star Garland Tutorial

2008-12-24T16:12:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas fellow Artists, Crafters and Creatives! A splendidly easy, unquestionably fun star garland project from Elegant Journey to You:

• tin star garland (I purchased wholesale from www.factorydirectcraft.com)
• thin piece of cardboard or thick piece of paper to make a template
• scrapbook paper
• mod podge
• paintbrush
• xacto knife
• cutting mat

• burnishing tool

1) TRACE your tin star on the cardboard and cut out the shape with your xacto knife to create a template.

2) PLACE the template over a piece of paper that you'd like to use. (I found this step to work well so I could visualize what the star would look like before actually cutting the paper star out.)

3) CUT the star shape out with your xacto knife. Keep all 10 fingers? Great! Move to step 4!

4) BRING on the messy goodness! Use the paintbrush and liberally apply your mod podge to the tin star.

5) CENTER your cut paper star on the tin star and hold down with your fingers to position in place.

6) USE the burnishing tool to help crease the paper into the edges of the star.

7) WHEN you feel the paper has adhered itself, apply more mod podge on top. Continue down the chain of stars. I did every other star because I like the rust finish.

And that's it! Now just find a special place to hang and display your lovely stars.

Give-Away Winner & My New Favorite Book

2008-12-15T00:00:00.002-06:00

Congratulations to Lauren of Hoosick Falls, NY!

Lauren- please email me your address and I will get to the post office to ship your print off.

Thank you to ALL who participated in the button print give-away! I loved reading all of your kind words and suggestions!

Also, I wanted to share this amazing book that I picked up the other day. It's published by Chronicle Books, one of my favorite companies! Craft Inc. by Meg Ilasco is a helpful little book for those of you like me...who know NOTHING when it comes to the business end of things. Besides having great examples from other people who have turned their craft into a business and step by step instructions on things like business plans & licenses, it's just plain pretty! Being that I'm in the publishing business, if a book doesn't feel good in my hands or have a good design base that intrigues me to read it, forget it! This book even leads you to great internet resources that come in super handy! If you're like me and you've got this gut feeling that you want to turn what you do for fun into what you do for money...this might be a great book for you too.

What are some of your favorite and inspiring craft, art or business books? If there's one I should know about, be sure to fill me in!

DECEMBER GIVE-AWAY!

2008-12-01T21:18:00.003-06:00

As a thank you for all of your encouragement and emails, I wanted to give you the opportunity to win a print of my artwork. Hand drawn and digitally colored, this button is printed on 8x10" Kodak archival paper. The art itself is 5.25x7.25", so it fits perfectly in an 8x10" store bought frame with a matte.

So how do you enter?

It's simple. I'll even give you two ways :

Either leave a comment on ways you think I could improve the blog OR post on your blog about my give-away at Elegant Journey (be sure to let me know where you'll be posting). Ooooh, you could even tell me what you think I should draw next. Do both and get entered twice!

*ALSO* please be sure to leave your first name, city and state. I will pick a random winner on December 15. Please note, the contest is open to all–however, if the chosen winner is outside of the US, they will be responsible for shipping.

Happy blogging & commenting! It's always so much fun to hear from you! :)

What Are You So Afraid Of!?

2008-11-25T19:43:00.010-06:00

I realized the reason I haven't been in my studio for a while: fear. Fear that I couldn't create what was in my mind. Fear that I'd get frustrated and give up. Fear that if I would feel pressured to make something greater than my ability. The excuses for why I wasn't creating were getting old. And the more excuses I made, the more frustrated I became.

So tonight, even though I could think of a million excuses - I picked up my pencil anyway, grabbed a tiny scribble from my 'secret stash' and started in.

I also found these bins for a shelf in my studio.

I had been looking for some way to hide all of my back up discs and music and 'bingo!' who would've guessed I would have found these beauties at the DOLLAR STORE! A grand total of $4 and it looks like an organization article from Real Simple Magazine. They go great with my fun binders too.

And... I had to share these early morning photos of my studio since the windows face the east. Who wouldn't feel inspired when the sunshine makes this kind of a statement in the morning!

Wanna win a print of my artwork? Check back for December Give-Away details. I'll be posting sometime next week. Have a Happy Thanksgiving :)
xo

Secret Stash

2008-11-14T20:17:00.006-06:00

Wake up. Get ready for work. Eat breakfast. Get to work. Design books for 8 hours. Come home. Make dinner. Run errands. Relax for a bit. Take a peek into my lonely studio. Crash for the night. Repeat.

I really do enjoy my job, but one of the most frustrating things about not having time to do new art is... *sigh* not having time to do new art. So I've devised a plan: When I have all these creative ideas running through my head, I stash my thoughts as tiny thumbnails on post-it notes or whatever other piece of paper I can get my hands on. Then they end up here, in my Secret Stash folder:

And hopefully sooner than later, I'll get back to them and make them real. So far, this method has been working well for me. It's all part of my journey–figuring out which path I want to take and what things in life that are most important. Art has always been a part of my life. It's what makes me the most happy and I feel the most comfortable with. I know that this journey is leading to something bigger than me, and I've just begun to realize that I can't always answer the "what-if's" or "I-don't-know-hows". I take one step at a time (sometimes easier said than done) and trust that I am exactly where I need to be at this moment in my life.

Elegant Journey Teams Up With Madison Reece Designs!

2008-11-10T13:06:00.006-06:00

This is what I've been *SO* excited to tell you about! A while back- Melissa, from Madison Reece Designs, approached me with the idea of teaming our talents and creating some really unique & classy pieces of jewelry. You can now purchase these chic pendants from Melissa's Etsy shop.

You can view this piece here.And this one here.

We both think that the colors of these pendants go perfectly with the new winter fashions and they'd make such unique, hand-crafted holiday gifts or stocking-stuffers. Melissa also now takes more wholesale orders, so be sure to check them out and let us know what you think!

New Entryway Art + 7 Random Facts

2008-11-05T19:27:00.010-06:00

4 months after my move, I'm sitting here in my studio sipping some hot chocolate and finally feeling like this is my 'home'. When I moved during the summer, I never really felt like spending too much time inside messing around making this place cozy. Now that the days are shorter and much cooler, I'm finding that desire to 'nest'.

Here's some new art I made and put together in a grouping right in the stairwell entryway of my house. Since I can't paint the walls because I'm renting, I wanted to bring color in with my art.

On a side note, I found this super cute old skeleton key when I was first unpacking my things. And to my delight, it still works! I wanted to include it in the grouping so I strung it up with red ribbon.

The other day I was 'tagged' by Yellow Lux. The rules state you need to share 7 random facts, so here are 7 about me:
1) I work better when I'm in a clean space.
2) When I get stressed out, I'll pop in old movies I used to watch when I was little. It takes me back to the days when I was a worry-free kid!
3) My toenails are ALWAYS painted some shade of pink.
4) I've know my best friend, Sarah, since Kindergarten.
5) A very special 'someone' found a REAL 4 leaf clover & I have it framed, sitting on my desk.
6) I {heart} sushi.
& 7) *smirk* I'm currently bursting at the seams with some exciting news that I'll be sharing soon! :)

There's No Place Like Home...

2008-11-02T09:50:00.008-06:00

Okay, okay... I suppose I'll end the suspense. Since everyone knows how we dress up at work for Halloween, people have been dying *giggle* to know what this year's Halloween office shenanigans would be. So I present to you – The Wizard of Oz, complete with Munchkins, Flying Monkeys and the 'oh-so-pretty' Ruby Red Slippers:

Pssst, and a special 'thank you' to Glenda the Good Witch (aka Lisa) for sewing my outfit! It fit perfectly!

Which reminds me, I've really wanted to start sewing again. Okay, okay, so the last time I actually 'sewed' was in my 6th grade Home Ec. class, but I have some really fun ideas that involve my illustrations, fabric,...and well, you'll see.

The rest of my day involves absolutely nothing in particular. Yay, my first lazy Sunday in a looong time! I'll have my football fix at noon when our Packers play the Titans. Oh! And bake some cinnamon rolls later this afternoon. Yummy!

Happy Halloween!

2008-10-30T18:20:00.009-05:00

Even though I'm taking more time to pursue my art, I have to admit... I do love my full time job as a designer. I work with some truly amazing people...they are my home away from home. One of the best things about my job and working in the art department is that my coworkers are super creative and LOVE to have fun. We dress up every year for Halloween. A while back, I found some scrap elements to download online - here are some pages I put together from last year when we dressed up like 'Alice in Wonderland' and had a Mad Tea Party. I was Alice...and...I think you can figure out the rest:

So much fun!

I'm a total 'list' person. So here is my list for the next few weeks since I am done with the art show!
1) First and foremost, beat this darn cold.
2) Clean my house!
3) Finally start to put together scrapbooks of my latest trips to NYC, Naples and Marco Island.
4) Sand and repaint my craft table that I got for a STEAL on craigslist!
5) Get to Crate & Barrel, Marshalls and Ikea
6) Find and hang curtains for my living room.

Have a Happy Halloween!

Gallery Night

2008-10-28T18:16:00.006-05:00

The Gathering Room Gallery Night proved to be one truly successful event! My month of creating, preparing and lack of sleep was well worth the effort. The restaurant's lot was so over-packed, many had to find street parking. I'm happy to see that the postcards did their job!

I also owe a huge 'thank you' to the Waterford Post, the local paper, that did an article on the event and interviewed me and my mom about the art show. There was a steady flow of people from the time we opened the doors until about 9:30pm. For a first time art show, I'd say we did a great job. But being so busy, I hardly had time to photograph, let alone get any pictures of me or my friends or the other artists! Thanks to my amazing friend Stephanie who took some of these pictures. As soon as I get more in, I will be sure to post them as well.

On a side note, I worked myself a little too hard & ended up... *sniffle* *cough* *sneeze* making myself pretty sick. For as much work as an artist gives, she must give back to herself. So where does that leave my elegant journey?

Right at the beginning! While I do feel the need to step away from my art for a bit and get well, rest assured my journey has just begun. There are many great things to follow like my favorite art books, transforming my studio into a workable space and exciting give-aways to name a few.

Again, thank you to all my friends and family that came to support us!

Thank You Soooo Much!

2008-10-24T13:24:00.009-05:00

A special friend reminded me that I once told her it was the people in life who dreamed big that didn't let brick walls stand in their way. If you'd have asked me a month ago, I would have never imagined that I'd have Elegant Journey up and running OR that I'd be participating in an art show.

I've spent the last couple of nights (and many lunch hours) matting, framing, packaging cards and stretching canvas... getting those 'last minute' details finished for the show. Seeing everything together is a true, full-circle moment.

It's been incredibly exciting hearing from people all around the world. So far, 16 different countries have visited Elegant Journey and I hope that number continues to grow. I hope you know how encouraging it is to hear from you and I absolutely LOVE getting comments and emails from you all. It makes me want to continue dreaming and take the necessary steps to further my art and open a shop.

This will be my last post until after the show. Again thank you so much for your tremendous support! I'm excited to show you pictures of the gallery night, especially for those of you who can't make it.

25 Limited Edition Prints

2008-10-21T18:03:00.011-05:00

In my previous post, I talked about the custom, nature-oriented art I did for my family's restaurant. The pieces were specifically designed for their business and I had no intentions of offering them for sale... but now I get to tell you the most *exciting part!

It's with great pleasure that I announce these pieces of art have now been recreated - specially printed, stretched and signed just for YOU! Because of the high demand, I decided to create 25 limited edition prints. These lovelies are 28"x28"x2" and are identical to the pieces hanging in the restaurant. 5 of each of the following are up for grabs: The Corn Field, The Water Lilies, The Street Sign, The Barn and The Boat.

4 have already been sold so if you're interested in purchasing or pricing please email me or come visit me at The Gathering Room Gallery Night where there will be one full set available for sale. All others will be made to order. Hope to see you there!

Oh, I almost forgot! Elegant Journey has been nominated for a 2008 "Love That Site!" award from Divine Caroline! If you get a chance, click the icon to the right on the sidebar to go vote! Nominations will be accepted until November 30, 2008 and winners will be announced in early December.

Itty Bitty Artist, Really Big Art

2008-10-17T17:57:00.004-05:00

*Giggle* So those of you who know me personally know I'm pretty much miniature-sized. I stand a whole 5' 1/2". But when huge open spaces need big original art designed to fit their space... it's fun to think on a whole different scale.

Above is just one of the many pieces I created for The Cruise Neighborhood Bar and Restaurant - a business my family started in Tichigan, WI. They wanted something that would really impact their customers and set the mood & atmosphere when people first entered the doors. So after discussing many options, I decided to do a series of stretched canvas art featuring all 'nature-like' things from around the area. The piece in the photo above represents the blue herons that are often seen around Lake Tichigan.

'Blue Heron' has 5 smaller 'sister' pieces - and since they were first put up over a year ago, they've received more attention than I'd ever imagined.

With that little tidbit, I have a *very special* announcement that I will be making in the next couple of days. ;) So for those of you planning on coming to The Gathering Room Gallery Night on October 25th (and yes, even those who can't make it), perk up your little ears my dears, there's exciting news to follow....

They're Here!

2008-10-15T19:36:00.007-05:00

I love getting packages in the mail. I was super excited to come home after work and find these little lovelies sitting at my doorstep:

I decided to design some business cards promoting Elegant Journey. Instead of a 'traditional' business card where it just lists the normal 'mumble jumble', I'm hoping to lead people and engage them more with the little stories about my journey here on the blog. I mean, I know that emails and phone numbers are important, but people are so much more than a piece of paper -- they have stories to share and personalities behind their cards. So I'll hand them out at the art show, and hopefully... they'll follow me as I continue to work towards opening my shop online.

If you happen to pick one up at the show and stop by the blog...leave me a note! It's always so encouraging to hear from you!

Polka Dots & Aprons...

2008-10-14T21:10:00.006-05:00

two of my very favorite things. By the time I am done putting together my studio, I may have adopted a small collection from Etsy.com. Below is my love:

I wore her while making my cards for the show. She's got perfect pockets that I can stuff full of buttons and scissors and ribbon so I don't put something down and spend 15 minutes searching and saying to myself....'now where did I put that (fill in the blank)'?! What are some of the things that you can't work without?

Yesterday I also got my card packaging materials in the mail. I'm happy to announce each will be wrapped with love :) Back to work.

More Sneak Peaks!

2008-10-12T17:14:00.008-05:00

Well, it's officially 'official'. The postcards advertising for the art show came early last week. Didn't they turn out fabulous?! I am very pleased.

Today was by far one of the nicest weather days we've had in a while - it was like summer! I worked in my studio all day long with the windows open and the breeze coming in. I had a few things to finish up and ran to get some prints made for the show as well. If anyone has some printers they recommend, please let me know! I've also decided to keep only one of the birds in the show from a new series that I started. I had envisioned 4 all together, but these are a special project I'm putting off to the side for now...

I know alot of you are curious about what my new house and studio looks like. But since I've been so busy preparing for the show, I haven't had much time to put the place together. Just yesterday, after being here for 3 months, I finally found a couch that fit up my stairs! So in the mean time, I thought I'd show you what my outside balcony looks like. The giant tree in my front yard turned bright yellow and its leaves were raining down all day.

Oh Soooo Busy

2008-10-08T19:59:00.002-05:00

The show is in 17 days and counting. Tonight I ordered my business cards, all of my packaging supplies and found the cutest way to display the cards. All baby steps I suppose,... but I hope it will lead me to open my very own shop on Etsy.com in the near future. This weekend I'll be back to working on my shoe series - so check back to see my updated progress. :)

Creative Block

2008-10-05T12:37:00.010-05:00

Yesterday, I went to my local farmer's market and picked up these little guys. Yeah,... and... um, I guess it was also a way for me to procrastinate from continuing a bird series I started. I'm kinda stuck and I can't figure out which way I want to take it. Maybe I'll just save them for another show instead. At any rate, it's definitely an "I can't draw what's in my head" day.

This one below is my 'fave'.

I {Heart} Red Heels

2008-10-04T14:49:00.010-05:00

Saturdays are my 'drink-coffee-create-fun-stuff-in-my-studio' days - and that usually means that YOU get sneak peeks of my work in progress.

Enjoy! I'm back to work.

Goodbye Lovely Summer...

2008-10-01T20:16:00.010-05:00

Happy Fall to all. Some favorite pictures from this summer of my favorite pink sneakers! With the end of summer comes pie baking in my polka-dotted apron, pumpkin carving, fall decorating & *lots and *lots of studio time. Can't wait!

Take a Sneak Peak at My Handmade Cards!

2008-09-29T19:54:00.013-05:00

After working all day in front of a computer for my job, I found it terribly difficult to come home and... sit in front of the computer some more to try and create new work for the gallery night. 95% of my art is done in Illustrator and Photoshop. If I was going to be part of this art show, I needed to start working with a new medium. So I started dabbling around with ribbons, buttons and embroidery floss, making cards during the week and saving my computer illustration work for the weekends. These cards and many more will be available for purchase at the show.

Welcome to Elegant Journey

2008-09-28T13:52:00.002-05:00

I am so excited to FINALLY welcome you to my art blog, *Elegant Journey*. Many events lead me to this new season in my life where I'm beginning to start my art again. After college, I got wrapped up in the deadline-driven life of an ad agency art director. It stole all of my creative energy and left me used up. But as with all things in life,...every new beginning comes from some other beginnings end - and I am so happy that I've finally figured out what I want to do: make pretty art in my new tiny little studio!

Come see me and other local artists at "The Gathering Room Gallery Night" at The Cruise on Saturday, October 25th from 5-10PM:

This is just my beginning. Bookmark my blog & check back often to get updates and sneak peaks of my new art and studio.