open studio

looking back through The Storque's past "Open Studio tours"(click on the picture to read the article)...I stumbled upon this fabulous little space. just look at all that yummy fabric stacked so neat and tidy! super cute and bright and happy feeling. take a peek at Etsy's Open Studio Flickr Pool for all sorts of inspiration! Makes me want to rearrange my studio AGAIN;) I've told you before...I have a "moving things around" illness. Well, the studio will have to wait. I have all sorts of other things going on in my house and my trip to Florida is only about a week away! I have SO many deadlines and things to finish before I go. My health hasn't been cooperating very much either;) Between the meds for that crazy bug bite and all my dentist trips (OUCH), I've been feeling really bad. So yes...I've been resting some and trying to take care of myself...but now it's crunch time! Here's to a creative and productive day:)

big xoxo...jenn

Mad Hatter Tea Party

Welcome, welcome! I am delighted you stopped by!
I've been expecting you and you and you.
Yes, yes...even YOU too!
Have a seat and sip some tea.
Grab a cupcake and come with me.

All sorts of dear friends have been stopping by.
Their modes of transportation quite sublime.

ladies in lace flying down on magic spheres.
little green circus men on the backs of bears.

darling Lily arrived all dressed in red,

riding on a bird with a rather rusty head.

plenty of tea sets were set all about...
vintage & chippy is what makes this crowd shout!

entertainment included this balancing beast...

and a ballerina who was ready to feast...

Mrs. Mad Hatter picked some bright red berries...

they are delicious with tea, but of course so are cherries!

The rest of the guests arrived in pairs.

Even Phillipe and Claudine from the village of St. Claire.

Now, I won't name names...but some sneaky fellow, (who doesn't like tea),

snuck fresh Coca-Cola in to my festivities!

oh no matter...
could I get you something
from the vegetable platter?

The party is perfect because you are here.
thank you for being a most wonderful dear!

oh dear, things are getting quite silly and fun.
I must say farewell and start to run...

the party has ended gents and gals...
until next time my dear, sweet pals!

and an extra huge HUG to our fabulous host.

Thank you Miss Vanessa...

we love you the most!!!

xoxox...jenn

stay tuned!

I'll be back later today with my little part of Vanessa's Mad Tea Party celebration! ooooh Vanessa did the most magical job on her party...click on the link to see!! Pure delight:) I'm a little behind due to an evil bug bite that turned into a nightmare of epic proportions! Sound dramatic? It was! But many medications later...I'm on the mend:) see you Mad Hatter sweet peas later today!! xoxox...jenn

mini America

Just finished up a little mini painting for the 4th of July! I've listed in my etsy shop if you want a closer look:)

My dermatology appointment went really well this morning...no new things to chop off my body...yahooo:) Now I'm rushing off to the dentist. (stomach flip). see ya soon! xoxo...jenn

the boys...

somewhere...deep down inside...I am itching to be more "productive". summer has been (so far) one big jumble of appointments and classes and games and lessons. it hasn't left much time for me to sit and FOCUS and work and paint! wednesday is bringing some relief though. it's the last game for little league! yahoooo! and don't get me wrong...these boys are the cutest things and I've loved watching them play and practice...but I'm so happy the busy schedule is over. shhhh. don't tell;) I'm proud of Jake and his team and Chris for helping to coach. Go Cubs!!

I'll be leaving to visit my parents pretty soon and I have a MILE long list of things to do before I leave. Orders and projects and deadlines. I hope something clicks and I get my head back in the game here! I have been very slow with your orders and shipping your purchases and answering your emails. THANK YOU for being so sweet and patient with me.

Now, while I've been lacking in the 'art production' area...my boys have been VERY busy creating. I wanted to share a couple of Jake's wonderful drawings...

and Henry's delightful chalk creations (seen below).

When these boys aren't fist fighting each other...they are quite the little artists and can be so delightfully creative! Is there anything better than a child's art?!

I have a day filled with dermatologist and dentist appts. yuck-ville. wish me luck!!

xoxox...jenn

happy dad's day

wishing all you DADS out there a super happy Father's day! and an extra big xoxo to my Dad and my husband Chris. 2 fabulous Dads that deserve an extra special day:):):)

in between your father festivities today...check out Amy's feature on the storque! You will love her darling home!

xoxox...jenn

the beach...

a few ACEO cards celebrating my favorite place. the beach...

ahhhh...can't you just feel the ocean breeze!? I've put these in my etsy shop soon and I'll make some prints available, soon, as well:)

Wishing you all a HAPPY Friday!

xoxo...jenn

for the birds...

convinced that the baby birds needed another place to live...Henry decided to make them one. $1.50 little wooden bird house. the perfect paint colors. and intense concentration (see tongue sticking out). his masterpiece was complete.

now we wait;)

Happy Monday everyone!!

xoxox...jenn

SpookyTime Jingles Time...

it's that time again! When midnight strikes tonight, it will officially be the 13th of the month once again! And ya know what that means...SpookyTime Jingles update time! There are some fabulous treats from all my fellow STJ artists. You are going to love taking a peek! So, midnight tonight (Eastern time!!) be ready to see some spooky and sweet treats:) Here are my offerings...

the long skinny painting (22 inches long) has the cuuutest saying on it! I found the best words in one of my old books. An autobiography of some movie star from 1951. anyways...the text says:

"October 31, I was secretly frantic with excitement. Here was a real mystery-man type. No one was going to spoil a lovely evening with Albert."

SO hard to get a good picture of the long pieces! You'll just have to trust me that it's much cuter in person;) There's a close up on the STJ site:)

Okay my lil' noodlettes. I'm off to bed shortly, so I won't be up for the update start. Once the update is live...you can email me about any purchases. All items are first come, first serve:) I'm so sorry I won't be up to answer you tonight...but I'll get back to you first thing tomorrow! Early baseball game in the morning:)

Happy weekend!! xox...jenn

clarinets and doodles

As a young girl, I played the flute. I don't regret many things in my life...even the crummy decisions (and yes, I've made plenty. Tons even.)...but I do regret quitting the flute my junior year. I went to 3 high schools and played the flute in 2 of them. I couldn't bare to start another new band. So I quit. And now 20 something (ahem) years later my son is starting band. And I am SO excited for him. I love music and to play an instrument is truly a gift. He picked the clarinet and just started summer band lessons Monday.

Jake L O V E S it! He comes out of the little class beaming. Henry and I sit in the hallway waiting for him and Henry talks about when he is "big", he wants to play the clarinet too:) anyhooo...today I passed some of the time doodling and thought I'd share my silly sketches with you:)

If only I could bring my paint and canvases with me! Then, maybe, I could get some "noodle and lou" work done;) I'll tell ya what. Even though summer is here, we are still as busy as can be! Even busier than before, honestly! Oh brother. One day I will catch up on blogging and painting and orders and emails! **wink** I have been getting a FEW "noodle and lou" things accomplished though. The SpookyTime Jingles update is coming up on the 13th! Here's a sneak peek at the tall painting on wood:)

and there will be a few more treats for you as well! See you guys soon! Take a little time to enjoy some music today. Henry's one step ahead of ya:)

xoxox...jenn

new paintings!

yahoooo...new paintings going in the etsy shop RIGHT NOW! Well as soon as I'm done with this post:) Take a peek in my shop HERE!

4x4 chunky canvas original "hope"

8x10 chunky canvas original "so good"

4x6 chunky canvas original "adventurous"

All 3 are loaded with rich color and tons of texture. I just let loose and had fun with the paint! Hope you like them:) big xoxox...jenn

growing...

everywhere around me things are growing. changing and growing. my boys have finished their school year. baby birds are hatching and growing up in my yard. trees and plants are blooming with new life. things keep moving along. life can get so hectic. so many things to balance. so many distractions and frustrations and anxieties. but tonight I sat and watched our little cardinal family in our back yard. these tiny baby birds make me so happy. their mom and dad working together to bring them food. watching over them to keep them safe. it is so lovely. and simple. and sooo sweet.

aren't they amazing? yes...this is what makes me happy! also to see all the new blooms...

and of course this sweet child who grows like a weed...

and my official 4th grader! how did THAT happen!

so...trying to sit back and enjoy the changes going on around me. hope you all get to do the same this weekend as well! i'll leave you with a peek at an STJ work in progress. doesn't look like it...but it WILL be ready for the update on the 13th:) just a few more changes...

xoxox...jenn