It's a Link Party! Join the fun!

Hey guys! I'm so excited to be co-hosting my first Link Party here on the bog! When Caitlyn asked, it was a quick yes!  :)  Join the fun! xo

Welcome to Wonderful Wednesday. This link party is here to aid you in finding not only new awesome blogging friends but followers as well. Share the love, follow the rules, and meet new people!This link-party can be found here every Wednesday.

1- FOLLOW YOUR HOSTS VIA GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT
(the first links in link-up, marked host!)
2-LINK UP USING YOUR BLOGS URL
(please do not use a specific post)
3-FOLLOW OTHER BLOGGERS & COMMENT
(meet new people, make new friends)
4-GRAB THE BUTTON, ADD IT TO YOUR BLOG
(share the linky love, and button up below)
5-SHARE THE WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY NEWS
(tweet, facebook,  instagram & etc about link party)



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A little about me...


Hey guys!

I just wanted to pop in and say hi! Aaron and I are working on some reeeally fun projects and I can't wait to share them with you! I'm hoping to have a little sneak peek by the weekend! 

Also, I am truly honored to be the Artist of the Month over on Pink Wonderland. If you'd like to learn a little more...ok...a LOT more about me, pop over! Plus Kelsea has a great blog! She is a total sweetheart, with a passion for art and handmade! I think you'll love her!

I'm hoping to be back later this evening with a special artsy post. (If I can check off my to-do list)

Have a Great Day!
xo Jenny

Hello Monday...



Hey guys! How was your weekend? Ours was spent hashing out ideas, planning our week, working on orders, designing, and painting, and we squeezed in some Art Journaling! Isn't Aaron's page so cool? A little exercise in using negative space...and it is in it's early stages. He started to add some color and it looks awesome. I'll share it with you when it's finished. 

I'm all for "pretty"...but sometimes it's about a vibe and a statement. And an Art Journal is the perfect place to play with you more visceral art ideas. I was in the middle of building a layout and really...the words: "Some Things Are Not Important", just appeared on the page in big, maybe a bit harsh lettering. Right over pretty papers, shapes and colors...but it feels totally right.


I'm always on the look out for alphabet stamps, and I found these on ebay for under 5.00! Couldn't pass them up! I love how big they are!


Yep...here is our to-do list for the day/week. More of a rough outline to keep us in check. We kind of jump around and pick away at things.  When you see things as a list it actually makes things way less overwhelming. Even if the list is mega long...I actually say the longer the better. There are no surprises. Or as I put them "wildcards". You can see your "worst case scenario" as far as deadlines and tasks. You can always use different color pen or chalk to prioritize. 

How do you tackle your tasks? I'd love to hear!

Have a Great week guys! 
xo Jenny


P.S.  There's still time to enter this month's FABULOUS giveaway!! 

A brand new subscription box for crafty gals!



I am so so excited to share this with you! Wait a minute...I think I just heard a collective: "yeah Jenny, what else is new?"...But it's true. This box came into my life, and I instantly thought about sharing it with as many people as possible. And that's when having a blog comes in extremely handy. 
I'm guessing most of you have heard about the ultra cool and very popular subscription services such as  Birchbox, GlossyBox, and Glambox...these services cover some of your beauty desires. And this month I introduced you to one of my fabulous sponsors: It's Paper, Dear...which is also a monthly subscription box, but it's contents are...yes, paper of course...and all sorts of crafty bits to get creative with. 
So now let's get to the root of this blog post. The latest thing that I am so so excited to share with you. And that is the box you see above labeled Craftistas. I was contacted by blogger / entrepreneur Camille.  She was excited about sharing her new project/business called Craftistas,  a brand new subscription service that sends it's members a DIY kit each month. And as with other subscriptions, the monthly DIY project will be a total surprise to subscribers! I love these kinds of surprises. Camille asked if I'd like to "test" one out?! Well, ummm..."of course!" was my answer.  


And as soon as I answered in the affirmative I was enrolled like a whirlwind. I got an email containing a shipping confirmation that my box was shipped. It was here within 4 days. Craftistas kits ship from NY and I am in neighboring NJ, so it may be a bit longer for you west coast or overseas peeps. My box arrived today and I felt like it was my birthday! I couldn't wait to open it! And as I said above...Camille didn't tell me what to expect...which is super fun! I don't know about you...but I'm a big big fan of having a box full of surprises show up on my doorstep each month!




My box arrived all dressed up in super cute wrapping. Minty green tissue, bits of washi tape, crinkle cut kraft paper, baker's twine... these just so happen to be some of my favorite things! :)


And then...the actual contents came into view. Once I laid eyes on the elements of this month's kit I was seriously grinning ear to ear! Fringe! Aqua! Gold! White! Yes! 
Again, I had no idea what to expect...and to tell you the truth, this project was way cooler than I imagined. I love how it's not only crafty, but also so on trend for this summer.  



The only outside assistance I needed to bring to my crafty experience was a glue gun, and scissors to trim off stray bits. I swear, I opened up that box and I simply couldn't control myself. I was already down to business/fun within 10 minutes of it's arrival on my doorstep! I grabbed my glue gun, plugged it in, and read through the GREAT instructions! Full color step by step photos and precise descriptions. The whole project took me less than 10 minutes to complete in full. I don't know if every kit will be as "easy"...which if so...that's totally cool with me...and if not...also totally cool. I almost felt like a cookie monster after I realized I was already finished with my kit. I had gobbled it up! Of course you and some crafty pals could all sign up and plan to do some baking, cooking, crafting, chatting...and stretch the project out into a daylong creative affair. Or you could be a crafty cookie monster like me...and eat it all up in 10 minutes flat! 



I'd say that I was/am thrilled with my Craftistas kit! I couldn't ask for more. Well thats not exactly true...I want more more more! But you know what I mean! From shipping time, to the artful packaging, to the glossy instructions, to the ease of creating such a totally trendy and wearable handmade craft...I completely adore it! And I really am so so curious as to what they have planned for the coming months! As a debut kit they knocked it out of the park! This box contains loads of creative fun for a seasoned crafter ( I teach at art events...so I guess that counts as a "profesh" crafter) or the bright eyed new crafty kid on the block.   

And this kit also inspires you to go further. It gives you the creative nudge...the confidence to start and finish a project. After you're done, you know that you could go shopping for all of these supplies...and make multiples of this necklace for friends, as gifts, or even for a handmade swap...or make more for yourself, in a few color ways. Of course it isn't heirloom jewelry that will last decades. It is indeed glued together. But I have purchased inexpensive trendy accessories from stores like Forever 21, The Icing, etc...that had indeed been put together with hot glue. It's trendy, it's for right now, it's for the moment...and it was fun to make it myself! 
I totally recommend Craftistas kits! High Five Camille! 
I adore my necklace!

xo Jenny

It's time for a Fabulous Giveaway from my lovely July Sponsors!


Oh my gosh guys!! I am so so excited about all of these amaaazing goodies! I cannot thank this month's sponsors enough for their generosity and overall awesomeness!  One lucky winner will be receiving all that you see here! Yep! You read it correctly...One lucky Everyday is a Holiday reader will be receiving ALL of the following prizes! Let's take a quick peek at what they are...







1.  One month's subscription to It's Paper, Dear! (August)
Repeating monthly features:
A pretty journal for you to doodle, write, and/or collage in. A lovely pen or pencil for you to play in your new journal with, and pretty tapes and office goodies.
But let's not forget the paper...
Everything from note cards to recipe cards, from book marks to book plates. From templates to create the loveliest envelopes on the planet, to DIY paper projects. From stickers and stamps to labels and collage sheets. From scrapbooking and smashbooking supplies to stationery for writing darling letters. And it keeps going. Zie is the gal behind It's Paper, Dear and she just started this subscription service this summer. She is so passionate and excited about it...you have to read the details on her blog...I can assure you that you will be overwhelmed when your box arrives on your doorstep!





2.   A $25.00 gift certificate to the Bake & Destroy shop! Which will afford you one of these Tees featuring the striking Natalie herself, or a pair of these cheeky panties, this hilarious "Less Talk More Tacos" tee...and much more! My friend Natalie has been Baking and Destroying for quite some time, and I always love whatever she's up to at the moment...and oh gosh, if you're looking for a kick butt recipe...Natalie is your girl.  




3.  An adoooorably sweet hand embroidered "Life is short Eat dessert First" hoop from Natalie at Take the Cannoli! Way back when me and Aaron first started selling one of a kind pieces over on Ebay, Natalie was one of our very first collectors. We only recently re-connected through the wonderful world of blogs. Everything Natalie does is touched with sweetness and reminds you to enjoy the sweet side of life. Let this adorbs hoop be a little introduction to Natalie's sweet world.




4.  A $30.00 gift certificate to Windy Springs Art! Which will get you one of Windy's super cool prints! Specializing in Surf art, Frida, and Pin up girls...She's an Artista/Surf Chica from the Pacific Island of Maui...She says she's "stuck to this Rock like an Opiehi in a Northshore Swell!" 
I just love when the art and the artist are one in the same...Windy and her work are inseparable. Love her style. 




5.  And last but certainly not least...a $45.00 gift certificate to the Kelsea Echo Studio shop! Annnnd a 15% discount code! Which is: HOLIDAY 15 ...yeah that's right...I gave away the code before I even picked a winner...and that's because the super generous Kelsea is offering the sale to all Everyday is a Holiday readers, not just the winner. Which is very cool, because you can go to her shop and begin shopping before waiting to see if you win the giveaway, right?! 
In Kelsea's work you can see another example of how closely entwined the art and the artist are...everything is infused with a youthful exuberance.   

Can you even handle this Giveaway?!! I'm so excited for you guys!!

Entering is easy:

Just leave a comment below! (make sure to leave your email address or link to your contact info)

 It's that easy! I'll be choosing a winner at random on August 1st! :)

For extra entries, follow each sponsor's blog and leave a comment (for each) to say that you did!


Good luck!!
xo Jenny

Friday Favorites


Gosh...did this week fly by for you guys too? Sometimes I'm on the fence about that being a good thing or a bad thing. I tend to think bigger than: "let's get to the weekend!" And I'm more like: "oh geez, life is short...let's not hurry it". Yeah, I'm a mega overthinker. I really try to keep that stuff to myself. It has always gone hand in hand with me being a panic-y person. I've certainly come a long long way with that stuff, but old habits die hard. I still have to over analyze everything. Including if it is right or wrong or good or bad of me to be glad the week went fast. Yeah, I never said I wasn't a nut.

Anyways...It is Friday! That means if Aaron and I do indeed intend on making Sundays our lazy day of Art Journaling (and Breaking Bad) it'll be here in a blink! I just imagined Jesse Pinkman saying "Art Jounaling B*#@!"  and made myself laugh. Any Breaking Bad fans?

So umm...how about this suuuper cute dress above? So many ways to go with it! Dashes of color, cute bag, shoes, hair bow. I really like it a lot!


Ok this thing is just cool! It's geometric and it's GOLD! It would bring such a futuristic pop to our living room. All it needs is a fabulous vase or stack of books...or Art Journals on top!  :)


I just love this. Plain and simple.


Yep...more Geo and Aqua!  :)  I would adore a few of these around our deck! And maybe even in the studio holding my washi tape! :)


I love this pillow. And again, I could sit and debate both sides of the coin. It's Friday and I'm sharing my favorites...things I certainly think I need. 

xo Jenny

Cake, Art Journaling, and some raindrops



This week has been a bit quiet. My little brother Walt is now working full time at his new job doing HVAC. Some days he spends 9 hours on rooftops in 100+ degrees working on commercial units...let me add that the materials they use are metal and reflective.  He comes home some days looking like he had spent a week in the desert. I'm so so proud of him. He has worked so hard this past year, all while dealing with his medical stuff. He has healed amazingly! And is feeling great. He came home from work the other day, zipped in for about 15 mins and mumbled something about having a boating class to go to. Aaron and I squinched our faces in puzzlement, and then shrugged. Typical Walt. This was earlier this week...he now has a boating license. No boat, but a boating license. He makes me laugh. :)




Aaron and I have been busy working on orders and adding some more of our classic imagery to our die cut collection. One of our all time best selling prints is our classic "coconut layer cake"...and it just shines as a wood diecut! We also added the ever so popular "piece of cake" to the collection.  We really like how they turned out! They are in the shop now.




And here is a peek at a Art Journal spread I've been working on the past 2 nights when we unwind...ohhh about 2 am. (we are mega night owls)  I'm pretty obsessed with "black raindrops" right now...well that's what I call them. I've been pinning all sorts of things on pinterest including these fantastic drop wall hooks from Normann -Copenhagen. I would LOVE a wall of them! :)




What have you been up to? Working on any fun projects? Start an art journal? I'd love to hear all about it! :)

xo Jenny

When I'm with you...



I came across this video a few summers ago and instantly fell in love! I'm a big fan of the band Best Coast...and apparently someone else is too! Yeah, I meant for that to be the understatement of the century...but what I mean to say is that I just love it when I stumble upon something artistic and it hits all the right notes in my soul. When somebody else out there can read my daydreams. To me, the band Best Coast...and this song in particular...is the audio embodiment of this vintage Disneyland footage. Sun faded, fuzzy, magical melodies, all dreamy and drenched in nostalgia. It's enough to make my heart flutter! Anyway, I just wanted to share this sunny glimpse into the quintessential golden age American summer. 

Enjoy!
xo Jenny

In the presence of Art I am humble , In the absence of Art I crumble




Not only did Aaron and I wake up today still smiling due to a day full of happy art making, we also saw that we received some of the sweetest messages, comments and emails from you guys about Aaron's pages! More than a handful of you mentioned that you'd love to see them as prints! How fun! Though that was never our intention sitting down yesterday...we are always prepared to make our art into prints and plaques for you guys. So we took a portion of today to do just that! We added a pair of matted ready to frame prints AND a pair of mini plaques to the shop!







We love Art Journaling and all manner of creativity and we know that so many of you guys can identify with this little saying here. We hope it finds a place in your hearts and studios...or wherever it is that you create & dream.

xo, Jenny

Journaling the day away


So today's weather was pretty much perfect! Sunny, warm, yet lovely breezes. What a day to go out and do something! Or, in our case, what a day to open up the windows, kick back on the couch, and Art Journal. We gathered up a bunch of favorite paints, pens, pencils, markers, and stamps...covered the coffee table...each grabbed our books, and spent most of the afternoon working on Art Journal pages. Adding doodles to some pages in progress, pasting layers of papers, washes of paint, and even starting some new pages. I jumped around from page to page, and Aaron worked on a single spread. 




We painted, cut and pasted, and doodled all day! We decided we'd continue our artsy fun right through dinnertime...this meant ordering in some food! We both went with simple stuff from our fave local place...Aaron got a grilled cheese and I chose a tuna salad. We cleared some space right there on the coffee table...ate...and went right back to the Art Journals. To say we never left the couch all day would be accurate...and guess what?  We are tootally cool with it! :)











Aaron's spread is super fun! This shot is before all of his doodles. I'll have to share it with you when he's finished. It's his original quote, it reads:

IN THE PRESENCE OF ART I AM HUMBLE
IN THE ABSENCE OF ART I CRUMBLE

I love that!


**UPDATE**





Hope you guys had a GREAT weekend. 
Thanks for popping in! 
xo Jenny...and Aaron
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