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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

The final design......

HB031 (WITH RIBBON STRIPES)

Hello everyone! Glad to be back at home now......just came back from my short trip to my hometown to deliver some card orders for my Mom's high school reunion. It was indeed quite a challenging project.....the final design was a last minute decision.....a few things from the design had to be altered and I had a panic attack! I changed a few things from the original design, simply because of stock problem and also because of wanting it to look fancier.....There wasn't enough of this...there wasn't enough of that! And I had to do some searching for the materials here and there and everywhere just to make sure the design looks good. Gosh.....I almost gave up but even though it was so challenging, I had to carry on because time was limited and I just had to make good decisions to make it work! Funny how it all turned out in the end.......managed to finish all of the 50 pieces of cards on the day of the distribution itself!!! Phew! My Mom was so worried that I couldn't make it on time.....hahahaha.....but I did it in the end! It was so crazy hahaha.....Never felt so exhausted making cards before......I think this was the worst exhausting card making experience ever! :D

Am so sorry that the photos of the cards are not that clear......I took the photos right after they were done.....and at that time it was already in the evening....so, the lighting was not good, plus the photographer (that's me), was too tired to take good photos hahahaha!! LOL!

I'm just glad that I managed to get the cards done and they are happy with the cards.....that's what's important.... I certainly learned a lot from this project..... :)

Monday, March 30, 2009

Work-in-Progress.


It seems that everything I touch these days only gets half-done. Including this pillow cover. Perhaps I have too many projects going at once. How very Libra of me. Each day I am torn between playing with my son, running errands, working on craft projects, building my photography portfolio, hunting thrift stores, reading, exploring the outdoors ... and lately .... helping out family (not including the daily chores of being a household manager). And each day, I try to fit them all in. Seriously. It is ridiculous. I have so many passions, and I want to touch on all of them ... each and every day. So - everything takes forever to get completed (you should see the knitted item I am making Isaac. Halis laughs at how little progress I have made).

But I thank the heavens that I am able to do any of this - no matter how little progress I make. It is a good life. Especially being able to raise my son at home. I just wish that I were a little more focused. My brain just doesn't work that way though. It insists on multi-tasking at ALL times. Yet, I am never frazzled. I guess my brain knows what its doing after all. I just wonder when it is going to decide to finish this pillow (and the photography portfolio, the redecorating of the playroom, Isaac's quilt, the album for our trip to Disney, the paintings that I bought all supplies for, etc. etc.).

Love,

Jodi

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Around the Farm.


Ooohhh.... oooohhhh.... I love this book. Mostly because it was made by me. But, I really do love the photography inside ... and love to show it to others. It is a nice compilation of all my favorite photos from around my old farm. Fond memories and some beautiful scenes.

Hanging out the quilts to dry.

Visiting the horses.

Raising my Aussies.


Big, beautiful sky.

All this and more. If you are interested in purchasing this handmade-by-me photography book, please see my Esty shop. There are only 7 available. All signed and numbered.

These photos remind me of spring --- a season that I am SO looking forward to. I am sure you are too. Actually, some of you are already growing and planting, etc. Enjoy!

Love,

Jodi

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Elderly Ghetto Choir - Kicks it Old School:

Will be away.......

To all my dearest customers......

I have an important announcement to make......I will be going away for awhile tomorrow......way up north, for a few days.....got some important things to settle there and some deliveries of cards to my dearly beloved Mom hehehe!

So......I won't be able to have access to the internet for a few days! Urrrgggghhhh! That means I won't be able to reply any emails regarding orders or inquiries regarding my handmade cards for a while.......however, if you have anything that you wish to inquire or order....please do email me about it and I will reply them as soon as I get back to KL.....sorry for the inconvenience!

THANKS! :)

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Recession Sale!


I am having a bit of a "recession sale" of the photos I have posted in my This Handmade Life shop. Firstly because times are tough, so prices are reduced to accommodate (even shipping has been reduced). And secondly, because I have opened a new shop that is exclusive to my photography ... so am hoping to sell off that which is in my initial, handmade goodies shop ... in order to keep things better organized.

Anyway, click on over to the shop to see what goodies are on sale. (And please note that my logo will not be printed on your purchased photo).

Happy Bargain Hunting! More bargains to follow. And 10% of all profits go toward Haitian Roots this month.
Love,
Jodi

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Easter Goody Exchange, Anyone?


Wow, this economy is getting tough. I may not understand all the ins and outs of the economics of this recession ... but I do know that it is finally hitting home. My husband has had to take a significant cut in salary (and I do mean significant). So, much is going to have to change around here. Also, he will be taking a leave of absence from work in order to take over my father's business while Dad is recovering from surgery. So, we are looking at several weeks without pay. BUT, I am the eternal optimist and I love a good challenge! I am just going to have to be very creative with our money ... and I actually find some joy in that. I will certainly share with you all that I learn on this journey. Though I have always been frugal, I am going to have to step it up a bit ... and what I learn along the way, I will certainly share ... because I know that we are all in this recession thing together!

For starters, I was recently thinking about Easter. We have always been frugal about holidays ... trying to give Isaac mostly handmade goodies ... while perpetuating the significance of a holiday rather than the "receiving of gifts." And Isaac is really not the kind of kid who wants for anything (which I attribute to his lack of commercial television). Even so, I want him to wake up on Easter Sunday to a sweet little basket of goodies to celebrate the arrival of spring. One year, I joined a handmade Easter goody exchange ... and it was wonderful. I think there were about 14 kids involved. Each Mom made 14 of the same goody, then we shipped them all to one person, who then distributed all goodies to each participant. It was lovely. So - I am wondering if any of my fellow crafty bloggers & friends would like to do the same?

Please let me know in the comment section of this blog post asap and I will begin to organize the exchange. The number of items that each of us will make will be based on the number of children involved. For the sake of time, I would like to keep it to under 15 kids ... so if you are interested, please "sign-up" right away with the number of children that you have and their ages ... as well as the items that you wish to contribute.

This should be so fun! And please note that the items you make do not have to be anything grand ... just special.

As for my contribution, I will be making a pin set for each child over 3 (as seen in my shop) as well as a packet of lupine seeds for each child. I may add more depending on whether time allows for it.

Love to all,
Jodi

P.S. Details of the exchange will be posted once we have enough interested parties. Thank you!

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Family Matters.

I am sorry that I haven't been posting lately. My Dad has been experiencing some trouble with his health ... and our family has been rallying around him. It has been a tumultuous time for all of us. As I am certain that many of you already know ... it is so scary when we are faced with the mortality of those we love. We all firmly believe that Dad is going to be well soon ... but we are all going to be making many life changes in order to help Dad with his recovery. I will continue posting regularly both here and on my photography site. And for those who are concerned with Dad's progress, I will be sure to keep you updated.

Thanks for being here :)

Love,
Jodi

March 2009 : FULLY BOOKED!

Dear all valued customers..........

Truly sorry to inform everyone that for this month, my schedule is fully booked! Therefore, I won't be able to take anymore orders for this month. However, you are welcomed to book your orders starting 1st of April 2009......

* A little note for serious buyers only.....

For those who are interested to place an order......... please, please allow at least 1 weeks time for me to complete your orders......completion of the orders depend on the quantity of the cards you ordered....the more you order, the longer it takes for me to complete them for you. I work alone therefore I need ample time to make them.

Also, I would like to add that I will only proceed with your order once payment has been made upon confirmation of the order. If you fail to make the payment within the time allocated, I will not entertain your order (in other words, I won't make the cards for you hehehe)......please please understand, I only take serious buyers only.....thank you for your kind understanding of my situation..... :)

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Signs of Impending Spring ... in Maine.


The indoor seeds have sprouted:


The chickens are venturing outdoors and laying again:

Critters are coming out of hibernation:

Mud is everywhere:

The canoe is finally peeking out from behind a mound of snow:

I am waking up a little bit happier each day.

The sun is sticking around longer.

Isaac and I venture further into the woods each day.

And I am finding Halis sexier every day ... as the spring air brings with it that natural urge to procreate (I bet you wish I hadn't said that).

So - are you feeling "Spring"?

Love,

Jodi

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Blouse full of sequins!

HB035

I love this one!!! Can't help it, I sure do love it......I feel so sad to part with this one today.....it will be leaving me shortly once I put it in the mailbox to be posted to my customer hehehe! This idea came from my customer herself.....she loved the V012 buttons and sequins card so much but wanted it to be in the form of a bag or clothes or shoes.....so I decided to do a blouse instead! hehehe!

This was so much fun! I had to first figure out what type of blouse to draw and then I glued all the sequins on it...one by one! Sounds like a lot of work right? You got that right! It took me hours to get this one done! But it was well worth the trouble..... :)

I also love the paper bag I drew on the inside of the card......first I drew it on a piece of white paper, then I cut it out and colored it a bit with gold lines.....look fancy shmancy? I think so hehehe.....not sure what people will think about it though but I don't care....coz I love it hehehe.....LOL! :)


Monday, March 16, 2009

Isaac's "Frugal" Birthday Party.

I love hosting birthday parties "on the cheap". I whole heartily believe in keeping things simple for Isaac so that he appreciates all that he has in life ... without the expectation of the "more, more, more" attitude that seems to prevail in our society. So, I make it a goal at Christmas, Easter, and his Birthday, to keep things as simple and homey as possible. And I have alot of fun with it. So does he.

This year, I found a party package of Pinocchio goods at Goodwill for $1.99. It included matching plates, napkins, hats, and a tablecloth. I then added some matching handmade-by-me placemats to the table.
The 3 cakes were both made by me - from scratch. The castle cake was made using a mold that I borrowed from my mother. I sprinkled the cake with powdered sugar, then scooped cool whip into the center. For the decorative piece, I printed 2 wallet sized pics of Isaac & "his princess" and glued them to a popsicle stick, then stuck it into the cake ... as a sort of castle flag. And each tower was used for holding each of his four candles. Perfect. He loved it. And it cost less than $5 to make.

I also made a second cake for the adults ... a Pineapple Upside Down cake. I got the recipe from a child's cookbook. And this too cost me less than $5 to make from scratch ... and it was SO delicious! (Leave a comment here if you want the recipe - and I will post it.)


As for decorations, I usually post baby pics around the birthday table ... reminding guests of how much Isaac has grown. But this year, Isaac's Auntie had the wonderful idea to trace Isaac onto brown packaging paper ... let him color himself in with crayons ... and then post it on the door for the party. Another way to show how much he has grown. And he absolutely loved it!

The party was a wonderful success. Mommy and Daddy got him this great tea set made from recycled milk jugs. And although his grandparents doubted it at first - Isaac loved this gift just as I knew he would. He also received other wonderful gifts that totally made his day ... Legos, Playmobil, Tonka truck, Melissa & Doug Jumbo Blocks, etc. His Auntie even gave him the pet turtle that he has been longing for.

We enjoyed immediate family: 2 sets of Grandparents, Auntie & Uncle, and 3 cousins. A lovely, manageable gathering of our closest loved ones (although we wish Uncle Jamie & Aunt Amy were there too).

As for party games ... we all went out and played in the mud after. Buckets & spoons were all that was required ... and I have never seen kids laugh so hard. Again --- good times "on the cheap". Very easily done and oh so appreciated by all.

I hope you find some inspiration to create your own frugal get-togethers. What matters most seems to cost the least :)

Love,

Jodi

P.S. To see all of Isaac's Birthday photos, click here and then click on the thumbnails to see each picture.

You are 3!

HB034
THIS CARD IS CURRENTLY OUT OF STOCK


I just got this order done and it's all set to be posted to my customer. It's similar to LBL012.....but a smaller version with wordings on the front of the card.......the original has only gift boxes....I had a hard time figuring out how to do this as the card was pretty small.....my mind just went blank! So I did what I had to do.....and did the best I could to make it look pretty. :)

I am enjoying the new craft punch I got last week......it's the shape of the sun... so cute. :) I love decorating it on the card....making it look fancy shmancy hehehe....I had them on the card, inside the card and on the back of the envelope too! I hope I didn't over do it! LOL! The gift boxes are super small and lightly decorated. This was fun! :)

Friday, March 13, 2009

Happy 4th Birthday Isaac!

Happy Birthday my sweet son. You have grown so very much.

Here is the day that you were brought to Three Angels Orphanage --- to wait for your Mommy & Daddy to find you. You were under a week old:

Here you are on your 2nd birthday. Mommy decided to start a new tradition of photographing you in your Daddy's shirt every year on your birthday to show how big you have gotten:

Your 3rd birthday:

And today:


Wow! Check out that shirt on you now! You are SO going to be bigger than your Daddy in no time.

We love you so much. We are so incredibly proud of you. You are sweet beyond comprehension ... you are so smart ... so respectful ... so hilarious ... and such a joy to be around. Man - we are crazy about you.

Happy Birthday Baby :)
~ Mommy & Daddy
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Seed Starting ... With Pleasure!

So, I have never really been a successful gardener. I always way over think it ... planning, reading, and sketching until I become so overly anxious about whether or not I am doing it right that I ruin all my best laid plans by being overly cautious. Not this time - I tell myself - because I have a 4-year old who wants in on the project. Out with the superego and in with the id. Just get the dirt and the seeds ... and lose all thoughts on "doing it right".

I thought I would make a day of introducing the whole indoor gardening idea by starting with a trip to the local Blue Seal. I asked Isaac what kind of seeds he wanted to plant, and he replied, "Beautiful flowers to give to my Mommy." Awwww. Because we have recently joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) we have no need to grow veggies this year ... so we opted for sunflowers, gourds (for making bird houses), basil (for pesto), cantaloupe, lemon balm, johnny jump ups (Mommy's fave) and organic soil (of course).

When we returned home, we got right to work:


Isaac SO loved the dirt. It was a great learning opportunity as well ... we talked about how seeds grow, where seeds come from, what plants need to be healthy, when we can plant these outdoors, etc. A great unschooling project.

Then Mommy thought it would be a great idea to fill lots of little jars with dirt and grass seed so that we can have little mounds of grass all over the house in time for Easter. Such a Martha Stewart-y thing to do.

All of this for about $35. Not bad for planting about 216 little circles of seeds in dirt. If all grow well, that's a lot of plants! I think we may end up selling some at the end of the driveway.

Thanks to my four-year old, I may actually enjoy gardening this year :)

Have you started planting seeds yet where you are? Indoors or out? I would love to know what you are planting.

Love,

Jodi

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Snow Castles.

Me: "Isaac, look, Mama knows how to make snow castles!"

Isaac: "Wow Mama, that's really beautiful."

Isaac:

Isaac: "Thanks Mama! Now can you make me another one?"


I think I made about 50 snow castles yesterday. All were completely totalled. I say give that snow a good swift kick and tell it to get the hell outta here. I am so done with it!

Spring is coming .... even if I have to drag it by the earlobe.

Love,
Jodi

Not more than Friend......

MBL079

Another order from my regular customer came about more than a week ago.....I was not able to get it done on the time she wanted it......so had to postpone it so that I can have time to prepare the card for her. Managed to get it done today and posted this afternoon.....phew!

This is a a blue, green, cream and white combo......suitable for a guy......but this card is a sad card.....just by reading the title, we can tell how sad it is huhuhuhuhu......... :( That's another reason why I used the color blue.........coz she's feeling blue......feeling sad.....

I tried using a different layout for this design and I like how it turned out...... :) First time ever writing wordings on ribbons too! Love it :)

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Knitting With a Friend. Good Times.


My girlfriend, Missy, recently taught me how to knit. And I like it ... but don't love it yet. She, on the other hand LOVES it ... and I can see why. It is a luxurious feeling to have soft cotton/wool yarn pass through your finger tips ... to create something useful out of natural woven fibers ... to focus your attention on a craft as though it were a meditation ... to simply flick your wrist and wind together knotted stitches that when formed together create a gorgeous, wearable work-of-art. She does that. Often.

Me? Well, I have stitched about 4 inches of a project ... and am in no hurry to stitch more. When Missy comes around, I pick it up so that we can knit together. It feels good to work on the same craft while chatting together. Sadly, I never last long. I need more instant gratification than knitting has yet to provide me. I would like that to change though. I would sincerely love to knit as well as she does - and recognize that one can only do so if one practices often. Perhaps someday.

For now - I am simply admiring her work ... and am in love with the beauty that she creates with some needles and fingers.

Thanks for sharing your work Missy. It truly is a joy to watch.

Love,

Jodi

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Generation Gaps.

This weekend, I spent a few hours hanging out in downtown Bangor --- making new friends --- and taking some shots of the people who hang there. I loved every minute of it. I love our downtown --- especially the cast of characters who can always be found there. And I am totally in love with meeting new people and getting to know them. I am SO not shy. I am so very interested in what makes people who they are --- enjoying them for the moment --- and hoping to cross paths with them again in the future.

I have visited downtown quite a bit --- and worked there for a couple of years. I have seen groups of young people walking around downtown --- but have never really noticed them "hanging out" there. Downtown Bangor doesn't seem a likely teen hangout. But this weekend I saw a group of teens skateboarding on the steps of one of the local banks. They looked so great for photographing, so after circling downtown about three times in order to find a parking spot, I shouted out to them that I would like to photograph them ... and would they wait for me to park. Thankfully, they were very enthusiastic.

It was an absolutely gorgeous, sunny day ... snow melting everywhere ... and people coming out of their hibernation to soak it all in. When I finally parked the car, got the camera settings just right, and walked over to the skateboarding group ... they were ready for me. One young man even pointed out the best spots I might want to stand at in order to get some "killer" & "sick" shots.


I did get some great shots too. These kids were so much fun. I appreciated them in so many ways. In the short time I spent with them, I heard and saw some pain in their lives ... and also saw how big and beautiful their hearts were. It was such a treat. I gave them my card, told them to contact me to see their pictures ... and then we joyfully parted ways.


I then went on to photograph some buildings, the local guitar man (who belts out his tunes without want for money --- just a smile and a hello), some great guys from the local homeless shelter, etc. Then, when I returned to my parked car, I noticed that the skateboarders were engaged in a heated argument with a woman of at least 70 years old. The kids saw me and shouted out for me to come over to assist them. I wondered what harm an older lady and her "foo-foo" dog could do ... but still I walked over.

It seems that the old woman was chastising the kids for not doing something better with their lives. She insisted that they were breaking the law by skateboarding on public property (she is likely right about this). She assumed that they were slackers ... and was engaged in talking down to them. To be fair, the kids started it (once I asked how this all began). Apparently, this woman's dog barked at the kids for fear of their skateboarding and the kids shouted for the dog to "shut up".

Because I had gained the trust of these new young friends, I explained to them that it was highly unnecessary for them to treat their elders in that manner ... after all, shouting "shut up" to an old woman's dog was akin to shouting "shut up" at the old woman. Not right. Period. I am not sure whether they agreed with me or not ... as the anger they felt was more over what this woman assumed about them after they had upset her. She talked to them about how in her day they didn't do this ... and they did do that ... and how kids these days have no respect, no education, no morality, etc...etc... Basically, she did alot of talking down to them ... with an air of snobbery and sarcasm. She was beginning to grate on my nerves. I respect my elders --- there is no doubt of that. But her negative assumptions about their characters was unacceptable to me ... just as the disrespect they showed her was unacceptable. So, I had to put my two cents in ...

I told the woman that these were great kids. That I was glad they were here skateboarding in downtown ... then out getting high, vandalizing, or causing harmful mischief. I told her that they weren't hurting anybody ... and that I believed in them ... and maybe others should too. She kept insisting that they go out and get jobs ... to which I replied, "What jobs?". College students can barely get McDonalds jobs around here right now. She then insisted that they not break laws ... after all ... would it be alright for her to just pass through a red light and thus break the law? I replied that by passing through that red light, she was likely to kill someone, but that this skateboarding wasn't going to kill anyone. She was getting very upset with me by this point and said, "Well, their skateboarding is upsetting my dog." To which (please forgive me dog lovers) I replied, "With all due respect mam, that is only a dog ... these kids and their need to find a safe hangout is of far more consequence than your upset dog." She then asked me if I had ever broken a law ... to which I replied "Yes" (and quickly raced through my mind to try to find someone I knew who hadn't). That was the last straw for her ... she huffed away ... telling me that I was not an upright citizen either ... and that I should be ashamed, etc.

I then turned to this group of young people, who although they would never admit it, were upset by the entire conversation ... (who likes to be told what degenerates they are anyway? Really.) ... and told them to never accept what anyone else says about them ... that THEY know who they are. And as far as I was concerned, I believed in them ... and that they were all going to do alright by themselves.

And THAT is the summary of this story .... this is why I am telling it : I have learned within my 35 years of life that if you want to motivate people ... don't tell them how much they suck. Believe in them, encourage them ... and then they will believe in themselves. Show them grace and love by example. Be love ... give love ... listen to people without criticisms ... have faith that we are all just trying to do our best in this world. Especially our teens --- in a time when they are seeking out their identities --- in the face of peer pressures --- conflicting societal messages --- etc. --- let us ENCOURAGE them, BELIEVE in them. They are our future. And if perhaps their home lives have not given them the love, faith and encouragements that they have needed ... then it is even more important that others do.

So, if you guys are reading this (and I have a feeling you might be) I DO believe in you ... I believe in your power to create amazing lives for yourselves ... I saw your enormous capacity for love and I believe in its power within you. Don't ever let anyone tell you differently ... and better yet, stop shouting at old lady's dogs! Give the respect that you want in return. You all showed me nothing but respect ... and I gave it back to you. That's how the world works. I look forward to more "killer" / "sick" photo sessions with you guys. So stay in touch.

Thank you all for reading this. I was a little long winded, but felt the need to spread this message. Hope I wasn't too preachy.I just feel very strongly about this :)

If you want to see more of these kids in action, check out http://www.jlr-photography.blogspot.com/ and/or here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thishandmadelife/.
Lots of Love,
Jodi

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Pop up guy catching a fish!

HB033

Oh this was fun! hehe! A fun design to make.....especially for the front of the card, loved it very much, but the design on the inside was the one that really tested my patience hehehe! My aunt's friend ordered this card for her hubby's birthday......and he LOVES to go fishing! So that's how this card came about. It's all about his love for fishing.....and I tried to translate it on this card.

I wanted to do something like this for a longest time but never had the guts to do it plus I didn't know how......so I did some research on the net on the shape of a guy holding a fishing rod. Gosh, this was so difficult to do.....urgggh!! I almost gave up. But I had no choice but to carry on as time was limited to find any other ideas. I had to stick to the original idea and just try to make it work!

I know I know......the guy does look a little funny right??? It looks as if he is holding a light saber instead of a fishing rod!! hahaha! But, hey......at least I tried!!! LOL! It was a good experiment though....hopefully in time I will be able to make it look better. :)