Dear Summer,

I really miss you. Please hurry back to me.

Sincerely,
Jen

[weekend giveaway]

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The Little Things.

I just dug up these images on my laptop, buried in a forgotten folder. They were originally slides my grandpa took while he was overseas in the army. I'm sure he told me at some point, but I can't remember the exact dates or places pictured.

[Grandpa is the handsome fellow on the top left]

I wanted to share these because they are beautiful. But also because I was suddenly struck by the hidden stories in these strangers' faces. It's interesting to me how the youngest and oldest faces seem to say the most.

In this particularly hard time for our country, these pictures remind me to appreciate everything I have. I think even in the toughest times, we are still so lucky and blessed compared to many parts of the world. I hope to never take that for granted.
................................................................................

Update from Grandpa:
"These pictures were taken in Korea in 1952 during the war [1950-1953]. They were Kodachrome slides taken with an Argus C3 without an exposure meter. These depict a war ravaged society. Some are in the vicinity of Taegu and Seoul Korea. I served in the 11th Evacuation Hospital near Wonju, Korea."


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MusetteMade Giveaway.

This week's giveaway comes from Shannon Conlin of MusetteMade. Shannon lives and works in Charlotte, NC.

She shared a little with me about her love of jewelry-making:
"I have always been an artist but I find myself drawn to jewelry design because I love working on a small scale. The possibilities that come with all the supplies - beads, chain, wire, metals - are endless and I love exploring new ways to use materials. I find myself creating pieces I love and would actually wear myself - I can't imagine selling anything I don't think is a wonderful creation!"

If you are in the Charlotte area and would like to see some of her work in person, just drop her a line at MusetteShannon at gmail dot com!

One lucky reader will receive the lovely Annie bracelet shown above. I adore the elegant simplicity of this piece and would wear it often. For your chance to win, just comment here before Sunday. I'll announce the winner on Monday. Good luck everyone!

Don't forget to stop by her shop to see more of her beautiful work.


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Sometimes...

...I worry myself. Specifically when I find myself at a monster truck race. And like it.

I wish I could say this is a hypothetical situation.

Please tell me this is not my sign...

Image from here.


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Lightness.

Bec, you never cease to amaze me.

Forever one of my favorite artists discovered on Etsy.

From mycharliegirl.


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Windgame.

I want to play.

From bl0metjE.


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Serendipitous Sunset.

One evening last week Chomper rang his little doggy bell at the back door for the 483,724,694th time that day. Needless to say, I was getting frustrated that he doesn't quite understand the difference between "outside to potty" and "outside to romp around, eat dirt, and check out the dogs nextdoor." ...Not again, Chomper. I know you don't really need to go out...

Well, what can I say? The pup has impeccable timing. While he romped, I ran back inside for my camera to catch this gorgeous sky. And the neighbor's cows were even there to pose. Perfection.


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White Burch, Walnut, and Poplar, Oh My.

I have an abnormal obsession with beautiful wood cutting boards like these. I'm still trying to convince Randy he should make me one. If boyfriend doesn't come through, I may just have to get one from Gary.

From garythomas.


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Just So You Know...

...I love these prints from PaperFunkPress.

Happiness on paper, indeed.


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DIY Tea Set.

I found this very cool and easy tutorial on Apartment Therapy for decorating your own tea set. I had no idea it was so easy to paint straight onto porcelain like that. I really love Aya's final result.

Now to hunt down some fancy thrift store china... ready, go!


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Jealous.

Why don't my freckles ever look this cute?

Image from here.


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Feather By Feather Winner.

Congratulations Erin! You are this week's lucky winner and get to choose one of Julia's beautiful headbands.

Thanks for another great weekend giveaway everyone!

If any of you are interested in donating an item for a giveaway on my blog, send me an email or a convo on Etsy. Y'all are the best!

Happy Monday...I can't believe another weekend has already flown by. Where has February gone?! At least with the months passing quickly it means it will be summer in no time.


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It's Only Been Three And A Half Months...

...since I last updated my Etsy portfolio blog. Oops...

Well now it has a fresh new look + bigger images + it's up to date!

So if you want to know what I've been up to, check it out to see my latest projects [although it's really not in chronological order anymore, but we can just pretend..]


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Feather By Feather Giveaway.

I'm wrapping up my Shop Local: Tulsa week with an awesome giveaway from featherbyfeather. Julia lives in Owasso, just north of Tulsa, and makes these gorgeous feathered headbands. Wouldn't these add a glam touch of drama to your outfit on a night out? Or maybe you'd wear one just for fun to make a statement at the grocery store? Either way, I love them!

Just leave a comment here to enter the giveaway. I'll announce the winner Monday and you can choose any headband from Julia's shop. Also check out her blog to find out more about the woman behind the headbands.

Good luck!


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Priscilla The Bird.

A fun and unique clutch from FelixandJayne. I heart the irregular hand-stitched details that make this bag one-of-a-kind.


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Little Guy Tie.

These are just too cute. Perfect for baby's first formal?

From MYHODGEPODGERIE.


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Pupdate.

[God I'm cheesy...sorry.]

Sleeping through the night: Check. [Heck yes!]

On a daily schedule so "mom" can get work done: Check.

Sit: Check.

Come: Check.

Paw: Semi-check.

Lie Down: If there's food involved and no distractions.

Stay: Not so much.

NO: Hah!

House trained: Eh.. getting there.. [This bell on the door means we get to go outside and play, right?]

Other news:
He hates peanut butter [What the heck, dog?!], constantly tries to bite my hands and feet which is getting old fast [and his cute little puppy bites freakin' hurt!], and fingers crossed, I think we've finally gotten rid of his sarcoptic mange [Yuck, I know. He came with it.]


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Rainbow Swirlz.

Since all of my shipping requires only a working internet connection rather than trips to the post office, I often completely overlook where my clients live. Well what do you know, my client Mendy is also an Oklahoman! Her shop, Rainbow Swirlz, is full of fun graphic designs printed on tees and bags.

That cute giraffe is just calling my name!


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Shanna Teague.

Shanna is another Tulsa artist who is just waiting to be discovered on Etsy. I think you guys should show her some love, because her work is simply stunning.The Army Ants are definitely my fave.


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Love For Locals.

One of my favorite features on Etsy is Shop Local. I think it's a great way to support local artists and view the variety of talent you never knew was so close to home.

I hadn't browsed it in awhile, so I did a quick click through Tulsa sellers and found so many great shops I'd never seen. I also discovered a few familiar favorites are closer to me than I realized.

I plan to share some of these Tulsa treasures throughout the week, starting with pointblankdesign. I'm really drawn to the eye-catching graphic nature of this artist's paintings. I also love the bold colors.

Shown above:
1. The Beatles Print
2. Woody Guthrie Print
3. Elvis Print
4. Johnny Cash Print

[Fun fact: pbd graduated from TU with a graphic design degree, just like me!]


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Think In Pictures.

Love this blog and the inspiration behind it:

"we think in pictures. we all have desires and dreams. we all feel discouraged sometimes. what better way to lift our spirits and bring our dreams into being than through pictures? this blog is for that. it's for me and for you, so we can paint and draw and photograph and collage our abundant reality!"

Image and quote from pecannoot.


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Please Control Your Drool.

StumbledUpon these fifteen heavenly cheesecake recipes.

Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake or Mango, Lime & Ginger sound delish to me. But then again, I've never met a cheesecake I didn't like.

Which one sounds the best to you?


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Farrah Dragon Silver Poppy.

Gorgeous.

Get it here.


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TriLei Winner.

Congrats to Stacie!! She has won the TriLei earring giveaway and gets to keep those colorful beauties.

I can't thank you all enough for entering! We'll have another giveaway next weekend from featherbyfeather, so check back at the end of the week for that.

Happy Monday everyone!


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TriLei Giveaway.

Hope you're all pumped for yet another giveaway! I think this is becoming a fabulous trend thanks to so many generous Etsy friends and all of you blog readers who participate every week.

This week's giveaway comes from my absolute best client ever. I honestly love all of my clients, but Tricia was one of my first Etsy clients, and lucky me, she just keeps coming back to me! She is always a pleasure to work with and I now consider her a friend thanks to Etsy. She makes some really fun jewelry, so check out her shop at TriLei Designs.

Leave a comment through Sunday for your chance to win these pretty Spectrum Earrings. Winner will be announced Monday!


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I Heart You [Even When You Eat The Couch].

I just now checked out the Pets section of Etsy for the first time ever. And found these, which look better than many people cookies I've seen. Can you believe they are for dogs?!

Crap, I am turning into a crazy dog lady already..

The little furry dude has taken over my life [and sleep schedule] whether I want him to or not. Someone should have warned me that it's not all rainbows and puppy kisses. Or maybe I should have listened when Randy tried to tell me? He is so cute, I can't ever stay mad for long, but gosh is he a little troublemaker at times. This morning he tackled the baby gate, escaped from the kitchen, and plopped his wet self up on the couch while I was in my room for two minutes. He is not a fan of baths.

Treats from DivaDogBakery.


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Simple Inspiration.

A little encouragement from your notepad. I know sometimes I need to be reminded..

From edessedesigns.


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Aviary Wristlet.

Love. Love. Love.

[Cute coat too.]

From DrikaB.


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You're A Dreamboat.

I've always been a fan of stelabird's darling handmade plushies. Well Estela has opened a new accessories shop now too, called You're A Dreamboat. How fun is that feathered headband?!


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Will You Be Mine?

Such a sweet little illustration from jenzet.


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Bobbie Jordan Winner.

Congrats Judi! I will let Molly know so she can send your necklace to you!

Thanks again for participating everyone!!


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So sorry...

...for the lack of posting this week. I've been a wee bit distracted...


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Bobbi Jordan Giveaway.

Lucky you, we are having another giveaway this week! Molly Cross of the shop bobbi jordan has agreed to send one of these gorgeous nest necklaces to this week's winner. Just leave a comment on this post for your chance to win. Entries will close Sunday night and the winner will be announced Monday. Love doing these giveaways, so thanks to everyone for participating!

I worked with Molly several months ago and she sent me a little piece of her jewelry as a token of thanks. You should definitely check out her shop if you know any brides-to-be. She sells beautiful wedding jewelry and accessories and has many great vintage pieces too.


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Meet Chomper.

He is seven weeks old. Twelve pounds. The biggest of his litter of five. Looks like a black lab. Vet says he's part golden retriever, part shar pei. That explains the scrunchy nose wrinkles.

I got him on Monday from my friend's sister who rescued Chomper's mother. Don't know what his dad looks like. Here is his mom:


And here are his siblings:


My friend's nephew Zane named him Chomper after this guy. I thought long and hard about what to change his name to when I got him. I went through the entire alphabet here and narrowed it down to forty names I loved, asked everyone I know for input, and at the end of the day I still couldn't call him anything but Chomper. I got his tag made yesterday. It's official. Chomper it is. He has about fifty nicknames though, so it's really no surprise he doesn't come when called.


He loves to sleep, scratch himself, watch tv, explore, be carried everywhere, sleep some more, try to bite the fur on my slippers that may remind him of his tan siblings, hide in his little cave under the built-in desk in the kitchen, sound exactly like a squeaky toy when he cries, get puppy hiccups, and cuddle on the couch, in my lap, in his bed, or anywhere else he can possibly fall asleep. He is a big, lazy mama's boy and I already love him to death.


He does not like stairs, the backyard at night, or the neighbor's noisy basset hounds. He is very calm and well-behaved, even when surrounded by a classroom full of first-graders when we went to pick up Grant while babysitting yesterday. He is doing very well with house training. His only accidents have been at night because he gets so freaked out by the dark and the dogs nextdoor he doesn't want to go before bed, but he's getting better. Hopefully he doesn't destroy our really fancy furniture... hah!


[Yes, I am that freak who just posted fifty pictures of her dog and can't shut up about him. No, I'm not apologizing.]


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