Today: begin

what love looks like

Last year I got the lucky opportunity to travel to Japan and since then, I have be attracted to, obsessed with and interested in all things Japanese.  It is no surprise I took my interest to the web and started looking for Japanese blogs.  I have stumble on a few that I frequent including "Our Adventures in Japan"  Kat's blog is a feast for the eyes...and her writing style is just as delicious.  All this background just to say she had a meme on her blog and invited others to join in.  I love a meme as I use them for inspiration in the art journal.  If you read my blog and you would like to participate in the meme, please do!  {Link back to me if you do.} 

{7 things}

7 things I did before
1.  Worked at Hallmark.
2.  Worked at Waxie Maxies (a real record store.)
3.  Color Guard coach.
4.  Sold ads for the Cougar Pause (college newspaper.)
5.  Nanny for adorable little ones.
6.  LAN Manager for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
7.  IT Manager at the Entrepreneurs' Organization.
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7 things I do now
1. Senior System Engineer for a large credit union.
2. Sell paintings in my etsy shop.
3. SCRAPBOOK!
4. Make list.
5. Read a ton of magazines.
6. Obsess about losing 60 pounds.
7. Play Rock Band on the xbox360!
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7 things I want to do
1. Learn to landscape.
2. Be a self supporting artist.
3. Travel to France.
4. Go back to Tokyo.
5. Go back to school for Graphic Design.
6. Find a workout routine that works for me.
7. Write on my blog everyday.
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7 things that attract me about the opposite sex..John
1. His love of cooking.
2. Always researching new things and teaching them to me.
3. His laugh & smile.
4. Kindness.
5. Love of the outdoors/Sports (still working with this one.)
6. Willingness to be part of a team.
7. Likes to brush hair ;)
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7 favorite foods
1. Pho
2. Greens leafy vegetables
3. Chips and Queso
4. Chili
5. Fish & sushi
6. Banana pudding
7. Hot Sauce
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7 things I say most often:
1. Can you get my a glass of ice water please?
2. Bella shhhss...
3. I am so tired.
4. Just Kidding!
5. UGH!
6. Have you seen my Blackberry?
7. I want to be an artist.

a visual feast

that is how I would describe this weekend.  I really explored my creative side and started and FINISHED several new projects.  Let's see...

jenypenny.etsy.com is finally branded!  New logo, business cards, and other goodies.

I am working on new projects for my etsy shop and beyond.  A few weeks ago, my mom gave me a bunch of my grandmothers old jewelry.  I have spent this weekend shopping around several jewelry stores, Fandangle being my MOST FAVORITE.  Then putting all my new findings to good use. I am having a blast re-fashioning these vintage pieces.
 

be well.
*jeny*,

simply awesome

i am so excited to have made so many connections through the one world, one heart project.  The world is truly such a small place.  I think that the best part about one world, one heart is the amazing and different art that I have seen.  I am such a creature of habit.  I visit the same blogs everyday...sometimes I will wonder off through a link to a new one, but mostly I just view the same ones.  I scrapbook & art journal & sell on etsy.com so most of my blog reading tends to follow this trend.  Can I just say that tonight I was so inspired by all the different forms of art I have seen.  I can't wait for the drawing tomorrow.

Most notably, I so enjoyed this blog.  I love that poetry can reach in and make you nod your head and say, I experienced this.  "This Girl Remembers" is a journey I encourage you to take.  It is real.

I also am so delighted that I made a connection with Sherry from Esprit *d'Art.  She also has a shop on  Etsy and creates sassy pieces like this one, which I am in total love with.  Her blog is also full of eye candy and she currently has a great meme. Thank you Sherry for the great journal prompt.

meme
Tell 5 unusual things about yourself that people might not know.

1. I have a healthy fear of trains because Hobo's may or may not be on them.
2. I stockpile Crystal Light to go packets (I have over 150 at any given time) because I fear they will stop making it.
3. Waterworld is my most favorite movie (and yes, I get slack for this.)
4. I read magazines back to front.
5. I once had to out run an alligator at a wild life preserve.

I would like to tag anyone reading this...leave me a comment and let me know if you used this meme too. 
Until tomorrow.  Be happy, just be.
*jeny*

just the way things work

I woke up one morning last week and I said, "enough, enough already."  I have lived in Richmond for two months (today) and I need to start considering this home.  So I have worked all week and into the weekend reminding myself to LIVE IN THE MOMENT.

Ahhh, yes living in the moment.  Something I can never get right.  This weekend though I embraced my surroundings and put myself in uncomfortable situations in order to meet new people, make connections, and hopefully start finding some local friends.

I love etsy.com and I am especially excited to be a member of  Richmond Etsy Street Team (REST.)  This group of amazing, SPUNKY, and talented artist have already inspired me.

Also, the Blog world brought me to this site tonight and I am glad I visited.  What a really beautiful idea...
"One World, One Heart" is a yearly project that brings bloggers and people from all over the world together by the giving and sharing of hearts.   Below is my giveaway and with it my sincere hope that I meet at least one friend. 

be happy, just be.

*jeny*

New & exciting...

So much to get down because there are things I want to remind myself to write on in the next few days.  I am going to have to revert to using a list...kinda like I have done on past post.

1. I will find out on Friday if I am getting a girl or boy Yorkie-Poo.  I am very excited to add this new addition to my life.  Losing Triplee so suddenly July 1st has left a tremendous void in my heart.  I know that I will never replace her sweet little face, attitude, and grace, but I know in my heart I am ready to love another little personality.  I will tell the new pup all about his or her wonderful older sister.
2. In 4 days I am turning 31.  I am so pleased with this.  Unlike last year and dreading the big 30...I am so grateful for all that I have learned, loved, & lost in the past 365 days.  I wouldn't change the experiences that I have had because I finally know who I am.  *I want to do a 31 reasons why I am glad to be turning 31.
3. I am heading to the beach on Saturday morning to start my birthday weekend off at my most favorite place (the ocean) with one of my favorite people (John.)  I am so blessed.
4. I participated in a really cool swap with the girls from Red Velvet.  It was "my three favorite things" swap and I was paired with a very talented artist from Maine, Heather Wilson.  She has a very cool shop on Etsy.  Lots of fabulous eye candy like this & this. 

This is my swap package from Heather.  I loved the star magnet (stars are my weakness) and the really yummy fabric.  Thanks Heather for the new inspiration!  Ohh...and the lip balm is FANTASTIC!

My package to her just went out today.  Below is a sneak pick of my favorite things...Tea, Stars, PaperSource, Ink, a few other things and a new painting from my etsy shop ::Scribbles Inc:: I really hope she enjoys my package.  See photo below.

Thanks for stopping by..it is fun to read comments so if you have a moment say hi.

xoxo *jeny*

new studio space::new project

so excited.  i have lived in my condo since late December, but this past weekend I finally finished my studio space.  I could barely sleep Saturday night since my mind was spinning with ideas for new projects.  a few weeks ago i was in Richmond, VA and visited a scrapbook store, Memories Galore.  I finally got my hands on some new "love, elsie" paper.  Add random bits of fun from Recollections sale (felt stickers, random word stickers) a few jenni bowlin stamps & martha stewart paper) you get this...enjoy!

::journey through photos::

xoxo *jeny*

cool finds::fresh links

I wanted to spend some time talking about Etsy.  When I joined etsy almost a year ago I never expected it to take off like it has.  I felt so lucky to be a part of a such a huge and talented group of crafters that were so welcoming.  One my second day of having my shop open, I was picked as a featured crafter.  That gave me a ton of exposer.  I want to do that for a few of my favorite shops here.

TV Tray Art::  Her jewelry is so fun and I love the color combinations that she chooses for all her pieces.  Not to mention, I am a bit of a sucker for the cool shop name.

Samantha Leigh Designs::She has a great eye for shapes and colors.  I like the choice of warm beads with cool silver.  The bracelet has such a great "organic" shape.  Big Fan.

Bethany Cooper Designs::She can do some pretty amazing things with polymer clay.  She also uses PMC and has really great prices.  A great shop to pick a little something up for someone just because.

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I have decided to add an additional step into my day.  I am going to make an effort to do one unexpected and nice thing for someone different everyday.  I started on Sunday by giving a lady at Bed, Bath, and Beyond my 20% coupon.  I didn't really need it and I saw that she was making a HUGE purchase.  It was worth it to hear her exclaim how much she saved.  She also gave me a little hug.  It felt good.  Today, I made dinner for a friend and brought it to him.  Nothing makes you feel as good as seeing a real genuine smile on someone.  I am really down right now...I feel sad and lonely, but I am smart enough to know that what I do have in my life makes me very lucky.  After experiencing a bit of an "Oprah" moment I decided a sure fire way to start feeling better would be to start paying the unexpected joys forward.

*jeny

::note to self:: tomorrow I should write out a list of what I hope to accomplish every day.  I need to see if it is realistic.