thegoodlife

Where I Hone My Genius

(ha ha!) 

While most men in the U.S. were sitting on the couch, beer in hand, watching the Superbowl on February 5, 2012, my man was building me a new office! 

After pinning an extra large batch of inspiration, we went to work to create a standing height desk and shelves along one wall in my office. My desk and gear and supplies used to take up the entire room, but now we are down to this and the closet...the rest of the room is Maggie's Playroom (will share when it's finished, work in progress).

There are some issues, but it's 90% ideal. I shouldn't have bought the barstool... defeats the purpose of "standing desk" but the height keeps the items I am working on out of reach of Little Miss Grabby Hands... and since her toys and books and desk are in the room, she's not interested in my stuff very often. 

oooh...clean...it never looks like this! :D 

 Some info: 

• The shelves were free. They were offered by a client of John's who was renovating and we were so very lucky to get them. The system is by Rakks, but we cut a piece of 20" wide MDF for the desktop. 
• The barstool, rug, round side table and the white boxes are from IKEA. 
• The chevron and teal blue containers are from Target. 
• The image in the frame on the desk is from this pin: http://pinterest.com/pin/3518505928704856/ 

Since taking this photo, I have moved a few things around...the clock is now over by the photo printer and the file sorter is between the lamp and my laptop so I can have files close on hand and stay organized. I bought some vertical file folders from Martha Stewart for Avery at Staples and they work great, but that thing is so full, it's bursting. 

I am contemplating filling the back wall behind the desk area with pin boards in-between the vertical rails. For now it's fine without it, but I have a lot of stuff I like to keep in front of me, and I am running out of room on the desk. 

The other half of the room, as I mentioned before, is Maggie's playroom- it's still under construction/organization, so I don't really have finished photos to share, but you can sneak a peek of it here in this photo of her stamping: 

She's a busy little bee. :D 

...so...did I mention I finally got an iPhone?...

I am obsessed with my new lovely. It proved to me, in one fell swoop, that money really can buy happiness. I now use it as my primary camera, and I can't imagine very many situations where I am not satisfied doing just that. The DLSR is nice for some situations, but it's big and heavy and I hate hauling it around. I love Instagram, and I love how Kelle Hampton does a photo dump...so here is mine: 

1. New haircut.
2. Making oversize fabric flowers for a Moms Group "Pinterest Party." 
3. Wearing said oversize fabric flower. 
4. Maggie sleeping on our way to Grandma + Grandpa's house. 
5. Maggie and I on the Seattle/Bremerton Ferry. 
6. Maggie decorating cookies with Grandma.
7. Family picture with the Easter Bunny.
8. Maggie delivering a beer in her new apron and chef's hat. 
9. Riding on the "horsey" with Grandpa.
10. Pushing her baby in the stroller with her purse in hand...just like Mommy! 
11. My KONY 2012 activism kit. 

Life actually looks interesting for a change! 

And with that, I am going to put on my KONY 2012 T-shirt and crawl into bed. We'll have to save some of the interesting for another day. Let me know if you have questions about the desk set up, and I will be happy to answer! 

Smooches.
-Jen 

 

Getting Things Done

Tap, Tap, Tap...

Hello out there!! 

How is 2012 treating you so far? 

Mixed reviews from us at the Pebbles house. Q1 was filled with some smiles and some frustrations- worked on a rebrand for my friend Kelly's photography business, got snowed in and lost power for almost a week, then headed up to Canada for another wonderful trip to Whistler (of which I maybe have 4 photos), back for a week full of cleaning and reorganizing, and then our whole family was down with the flu. From about Valentines Day, until Maggie's birthday, we've all been varying degrees of sick. BLECH!!

March was a bit kinder to us, and April is looking up so far. 

We have a 2 year old now. If you have or have ever had a 2 year old, then you know of which I speak. Life is very, well, let's say...rich with experiences!  I love being a Mommy so much, and I remind myself 10x a day just to keep sane. :D 

When I can, I have been sneaking in some designing here and there...March had me working on a project for a friend, who is a member of the Junior League of Seattle. They are hosting an event in June called, "Touch-a-Truck," which is free to Seattle families and kids of all ages. There will be all kinds of construction trucks, service vehicles and emergency responder vehicles for kids to explore! I designed the branding for this years event, and produced some posters and information packets. 

Here is the sponsor packet: 

and the poster: 

It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun. So glad I had the opportunity to volunteer! 

2012 has also included a lot of focus on living simpler and healthier lives...thwarted by weeks eating comfort food while fighting our flus...but everyday is a new day and for me, losing weight and finally healing my hormore issues is at the top of my list. I will go into more detail in a later post, but this week especially has been off to a good start. 

I have so much to share...(and it's funny, because before I sat down to write this post, I was thinking that life has been busy but unproductive lately...however, now that I think about it, it's actually been really productive. Amazingly productive in fact! So productive, I acutally have enough things to blog about that I am going to save them for the next post, or two or three!! YAY!!) 

• We re-did my office into a shared playroom/office.
• We had a little family birthday party for Maggie's 2nd Birthday.
• I got an iPhone.
• I've had Laser Hair Removal :)
• I've worked on some fun design projects.
• I took a Typography class.
• etc., etc., etc.... 

...Most importantly, we've added a day of daycare for Maggie so I can have a more productive schedule to get things done. And to keep my eye on the prize, as a reminder, I made this print for my wall:

Which you can download and print for your wall if you would like :
(personal use only please) 

I'm so glad I have the time to blog again, (well, at least the time today) because I have been away for a really long time and I miss it and feel guilty about not posting more often. I don't like it when things get left hanging, as most things do, in my life of many interruptions, so hopefully now I can be better about being consistent and offering something of value to my readers. I don't need to post everyday, or make them too long, or whatever I do that makes it too hard to keep up- simplify and get things done. That's my motto for 2012. 

Until next time...
Love + ((((hugs))) + World Peace! 

Hell Week + Holidays

Well, I survived my week from Hell!!

Never, ever again people. I must have been clinically insane when I decided to do that fair with only 4 days to prepare. in. sane. 

Here's a couple pictures, this first one is from the Si View Parks, the director sent me a copy: 

Here are a few I took: 

We did okay with sales, nothing spectacular. I have made much, much more at my scrapbooking garage sales! :D But the experience was worth it, because now I can make an educated decision about future participation in markets and fairs. What is that decision? Well, I haven't made it yet. I think the wounds are too raw for me to be objective. 

I am tired, and I am ready to hunker down and enjoy this December. 

Part of enjoying December, for me, is to be crafty! Not "prep-for-fair" crafty, but "just-for-me-makes-me-happy" crafty. I have been making decorations, (some of those prints up there ^ were copies of the ones I made for my mantle), I have made a wreath, and I just finished making this year's December Daily album!

I made the whole darn thing! I cut up a priority mail box from the post office, and recycled a binder mechanism from a recyclable binder from Office Depot. I wrapped it in batting, then the yellow fabric...I just hot glued it together, no sewing...too lazy for that! :D Then I added the sheets of wool felt inside the front and back covers (the front cover has a little pocket) and then I decorated the front. I bought some suede elbow patches and toggle buttons and made the title art and closure. And, .just to keep things real around here..I should also say that I am about 6 days late on starting this album and I was making that album at 2am.

I am using my Awesome Christmas products as part of my album and in the inside I will be mixing up a bunch of Project Life Photo Pocket pages that have been trimmed down from 12x12 to about 12x6 or 12x9, and then letter sized sheets might be included as well. As soon as I have some completed pages, I will take more pictures and explain further what I am talking about. 

Speaking of Awesome Christmas, I am going to re-list all of the items in the Etsy shop tonight, so if you didn't get it on the first round, here is your chance! This is all that is left, I didn't want to over order on this first release because honestly I wasn't sure if anyone would like it! 

So that's what's up with me! I hope you are having a great december...I have loved looking at all the great Holiday ideas on Pinterest, this really is the most wonderful time of the year!

 

Thanks + No Sleep Till Craft Fair

Thank you so much for the warm welcome back, and for the GREAT response to the new Awesome Christmas line! I have had a few people ask if I will be restocking- I have two "bazaars" this week (I am insane and have agreed to take a last minute table at one this Saturday,) so I will know after that what I have left.  I will keep you posted! :D 

Yeah...last minute craft booth...what was I thinking???? I was looking forward to a "slow" week this week, and instead it's just as crazy as last week. If I get to bed before 2am, it's a MIRACLE! It's nuts. I am going to have my slow down next week if I have to tie myself to the couch. :D 

I really want to sit down and make my December Daily album for this year... I have been collecting ideas on Pinterest, here are two I really like. 

Source: f*yeahpackaging.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

 

Source: reavespartyofthree.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

 

I have some ideas in my head of what I want to do, I just need to make the time to sit down and get it done!! I did great last year, for me at least, I got about 90% of it done...did the photos and journaling, which is most important, just never got around to decorating it. So, being honest, I probably won't have my book done until next week sometime, but I won't forget to start taking pictures on Thursday! :D 

When do you make time to work on your December Daily? I would love to hear your ideas and advice. Just don't say, "I do it at 3am." because currently, that spot is reserved for blogging. :P

PS: Happy Birthday Mom!! Hope you had a wonderful day!! <3

A New Look + New Direction

Hello, Hello!

I am so excited to finally write this blog post after so many hours + hours + HOURS of ideating, pinning, codeing, vectoring and sleep deprivation! 

My new blog design is FINALLY done, AND my Etsy shop is UP and RUNNING again!! WAHOOOO!!

If you would like to see a little peek, here you go: 

There are so many NEW and exciting changes in my life these days, it's really a happy time for me! 

I have a regular paid gig as a freelance production designer for a delightful and well known artist in the craft industry, I am constantly inspired to create and design and I am so excited to finally have produced a very small but long anticipated collection of scrapbooking products, and after two years (can't believe it's been that long) my well-loved hoop.dee.do embroidery hoop bulletin boards are back! 

The holiday season was a great motivator to get everything ready and finished, because I will be selling my items next week at a shopping party hosted by my local mom's group...being as I had to have as much completed by then as possible, I thought it would be nice to give the blog a big facelift as well. 

Since I was still putting the finishing touches on everything at about 3am this morning, I am not sure you'll get to see what I see on my 17" Chrome browser running on Windows 7 :P....but with that I refer to my two favorite new mantras: "Done is better than perfect." and "You can always make improvements tomorrow." :D 

And speaking of "done is better than perfect," I think I am going to cut this post short today, let you enjoy the rest of your holiday weekend, while I hurry up and help John pack up our car and head home to the Snoqualmie Valley where we have a date with a bunch of rowdy football fans to cheer our rival teams on to victory or defeat in today's Apple Cup game! 

I hope you like everything! 

I will be back in the next couple of days with more sharing! We decorated our house for Christmas 2 weeks ago...so you know I will be dying to share that, and I have some freebies and giveaways planned, and of course I will be creating another December Daily album this year...

Lots to chat about, it's been too long! 

((((hugs))))

-Jennifer

 

 

I make design graphics

So, years ago I started this long journey to figure out how to take my Fine Arts BA in Painting and turn it into something more suited for earning a living. There have been many bumps in the road, but I feel like I have reached a point in the journey where I can finally say I know more than I don't know when it comes to designing. I still have gaps in my education that I need to fill, since my path has been somewhat hampered by the arrival of baby, but I am still as passionate about the learning process as I was when I started. I just wish I had more hours in the day. 

I don't really share this part of my life on this blog very often, but I have recently completed some projects that I am proud of, so I thought today I would show you what I have been working on. 

I have made some logos recently:

 

 

Maggie's 6-month "annoucement" was on a scrapbook page I made awhile back, but here it is again up close:

and I made these when we moved:

(don't send any presents to that address because it's fake.)

And I have also made some posters: 

And last fall, I worked on the branding and graphics for the Preeclampsia Foundation's annual fund raising gala. The project included a series of large informational posters about current research, something totally new to me. I learned a lot about being a working designer through this project:

(these are the posters at the event, and this is one of the research doctors next to her poster. :D)

I will say there have been some negatives in not being able to do this in a school based environment. I don't have a mentor or peers to bounce ideas off of and I don't have a seasoned designer to give me constructive criticism or someone to help push me beyond my comfort zone as often as I would like. I can dream up a lot of  fake "school assignments" for myself, but I am missing that guiding hand and voice of experience. Going back to school would be a dream, but it is not, and has not, been even remotely financially possible. As challenging as all that is, I am glad it hasn't stopped me from accomplishing this transition.

I am really proud of how far I have come. It might not be the most stellar design work you have ever seen, but I am finally at a point where I can pretty much create a final product that looks like it did in my head as I envisioned it. That is a huge accomplishment for me. And I like this place in my "career." I like being excited about each final project and I love when my clients are happy. I enjoy doing freelance projects, but ultimately my goal is to be able to work on a freelance or "work-from-home" partnership with a firm or client on a regular basis with a steady income. 

So, that's that! In case you have wondered what I have been up to since I scaled back from the craft world, there it is. :) Thanks for letting me share. 

Hello Wednesday

Source: thefrugalcrafter.wordpress.com via Studio on Pinterest

 

When I saw this on Pinterest, I could not WAIT to share this idea...it's just too awesome. Make-It-Yourself Baker's Twine! I DIE!!! <3 <3 <3

Here is the how-to video: 

Seriously!! How smart!

I've been thinking it's time for me to add a weekly fluff post on my blog just to keep me updating regularly...just some of the mundane noise in my head... (wow, sounds great.) I just don't have a lot of interesting things to post about these days, so the stupid little stuff is all I have to offer. :D Anyway, here goes: 

• When a baby is learning to say the word "Sit," it sounds a lot like another word that you might not want her to repeat in public. 
• Trader Joe's Roasted Gorgonzola Flavored Oven Crisp Crackers are reason #603834985 that I am not thin.
• I could have saved a lot of time in my life if I had found this sooner. 
• And last but not least:  If you are prone to screaming when presented with a 36" close-up image of a spider's face, probably don't watch "Wild Pacific" from the Discovery Channel. And probably don't watch it while holding your toddler. 

That's all I've got for today! Hope the weather is nicer where you are than it is here in cold-grey-sky-rain-HELL!!! :)

KI Memories Challenge: Scrap a "Placeholder"

via kimemories.typepad.com

OMGee can you believe it? What is this, like 2 pages in less than a week? I can't believe it either!! :D 

Here is my page for the weekly challenge on the KI Memories Blog: Scrap a Placeholder. You can read more about it here, and it would be awesome if you wanted to play along and share your version! 

KI Memories Focus On: Silhouette Shapes

via kimemories.typepad.com

I think this page I made for the KI Memories blog might be my most fave ever...

I fired up my dusty ol' Silhouette!! For Christmas, I asked Santa to bring me new blades and new carrier sheets, and once I downloaded the new software onto my desktop computer, it was up and running and good as new! Then of course, I have made another Santa wish list for all the new goodies they have: sketch pens, interfacing for fabric, adhesive cardstock, and a tote bag to DIE FOR!...lots of fun stuff to try out if you have a Silhouette and haven't been to their store lately. If you didn't already know, KI Memories has all kinds of cute shapes you can get for your Silhouette, on this page I used one of their butterflies. You can read those details here.

The photo is of Maggie in Pig Tails because her hair has been getting in her eyes, but I don't want to cut it. Today it's in a single Pony on top of her head and she looks ADORBS!

Today appears to be a rare sunny day in grey and dreary North Bend, so we may have to venture out when Daddy gets home! I hope you have a great weekend!! (((hugs)))

Maggie's Room + KI Project

I posted a project on the KI Memories blog about a week or so ago, and took pictures of Maggie's room, but I forgot to come here and post them for everyone to see! Aside from the living room area, and my office (mostly) this is the only other area of the house I can say is done...

Here is a close up of the Hot Air Balloon project, you can read more here on the KI Blog:

And here are the rest of the pictures...

Poor Maggie, here we move into a bigger house, and she still sleeps in a closet like Harry Potter! :D 

I joke, it's actually great! The room is perfect for her, she just sleeps here and maybe will read a book or two in the morning when I am making the bed or brushing my teeth in the bathroom...I like having her close, but still have that privacy. When we first moved, we took the door off, so it was open right to our room...but as she got older and had some repeated sleepless nights with teething, we knew that we needed to put the door back on sooner than later...so now the door is back on, but we leave it cracked open and she always has a fan to circulate the air inside. The added quiet and darkness really helps with her sleep, and she is back to being baby sleep champion of the world! (KNOCK ON WOOD- don't want to jinx anything!!)

We kept the decorations in here pretty simple. I am always looking for a cute rug, but everything I like it too expensive for my non-existent budget...so until I find one on clearance somewhere or learn how to make something on the cheap, we've skipped it. And...one of these days I will get around to swapping out the ceiling light fixture for something fun...it's just the standard rental light right now. 

So that's that! She likes it, I like it...so what more do we need!! 

I have another project to post on the KI Blog tomorrow, so I hope you will come back and check it out! I SCRAPPED a page...can you believe it? Pigs must be flying somewhere. Booyah!