Snowflakes and Dogheads

When I woke up this morning and I knew we had gotten at least a couple of inches of snow. Normally by this time of the year I have had enough of the snow. I think I blogged about winter ennui this same time last year. But today is different. There are patches of sunny from time to time and when my neighbors turn off their snowblowers, I can hear a cardinal singing.

The dogs are loving it. I mean LOVING it! I forget that winter is hard on them too. They're bored. So a new layer fresh snow was a welcome surprise when they went out this morning. They've been running in and out all day, bringing cold air in on their fur; ears and noses are bright red and dogheads are smiling. To commemorate all the glorious snow days we've had in 2010, I complied this short movie of Johnny and June frolicking. please to enjoy, xoxo jenni

Instant Fun will be with you in a moment...

So Poloroid is releasing a new instant that's due out "later in the year". When I saw it I instantly fell in love.


The look is retro-inspired but it has a nice soft ergonomic shape. It comes in the wood grain shown above as well as a couple of metallic finishes. But seriously, if there's wood grain, who cares about metallic finishes. I would have done a wood grain series. Birch, cherry, plywood.

I haven't seen any examples of the photos it produces, or even what the size format is, but it's still early. Here's the pertinent info from Polaroid press...

"Supported by a strategic relationship with Summit Global Group, a longtime Polaroid partner, and The Impossible Project, the manufacturer of classic film for Polaroid film cameras, Polaroid will offer a completely redesigned, modern version of the Polaroid OneStep camera, the PIC 1000. The PIC 1000 will be available in a range of fun colors and use classic Polaroid Color 600 Instant Film to produce the brand’s classic white border instant pictures. The Polaroid Color 600 Instant Film will work with both classic and new Polaroid cameras and will be offered in packs of 10 pictures. The new classic PIC 1000 camera and instant color film will be available at national retailers in 2010. " -Polaroid Press Release

off topic rant: have you seen the new nissan cube? adorable. love the wrap around back window!

The next instant on my comparison list is the Fuji Instax Mini Instant Camera.


This one is super cute, compact, very affordable, and available now. And the photos look great. I love the vintagey look with the smaller credit card sized format. And did I mention affordable? It's listing for $90 on photojojo for the camera alone or $115 for camera and film.

Courtesy of photojojo ...
It prints credit card-sized photos on bold Fuji film, but retains a classic instant film look that everyone loves. Plus, you've got more control when you're shooting: four exposure settings for indoor/outdoor shooting, a built-in flash, and a sweeping wide angle.

No USB cables, no memory cards, and no computer. Just a few basic chemical reactions that develop in the palm of your hand.

Mini prints develop instantly Easy-loading Fuji film cartridges still in production Exposure settings for cloudy/indoors/outdoors Built-in flash Runs on four AA batteries Wide angle lens 5" x 5" x 2.5"

Mini prints develop instantly
Easy-loading Fuji film cartridges still in production
Exposure settings for cloudy/indoors/outdoors
Built-in flash
Runs on four AA batteries
Wide angle lens
5" x 5" x 2.5"

I figure for these prices, why choose, I should get them both. xoxo - jenni

Look What I Made!

I've been wanting to make a bright and busy duvet cover ever since I saw this photo 2 years ago...

Courtesy of the wildly creative and talented Scrumdillydilly

After a whirlwind weekend of crafting I finally got around to stitching up a fabulous duvet cover using an Amy Butler layer cake and a few yards of her pods fabric for some contrast. I was so taken with the finished results that I decided to whip up a couple pairs of pillow cases from some vintage sheets I've been hanging on to with that purpose in mind.

more photos at my flickr

It feels good to cross a few things off the crafty list. Now what's next? Stay tuned... xoxo jenni

ps: scrumdillydilly, I'm totally stealing your making the bed set idea! Love it. You're my idol.

For the Birds

I just finished the final touches on a hand-sewn bird mobile for Elkey's sweet little nursery. I'm thrilled with how it turned out, so I'm here to brag and show off the results. I have already made a list of 3 more versions I want to create, so I'm thinking I'll put these up on Etsy.

more photos at my flickr

I was inspired by the bird mobile project posted on the Spool Sewing blog. You can check out their version here: Spool Sewing

PS: I just finished a wonderful Amy Butler patchwork duvet cover that I'll be posting pictures of later. xoxo - jenni

When things are the saddest, try to find a little happy.

Dear friends of mine are losing a loved one to cancer and it's been very sad. I know that sadness is just one of many emotions they are experiencing, but it's the one that has me thinking tonight.

It's made me think about sadness in general. How many precious memories are tinged with sadness, but it's just that emotion that makes them stand out in mind. The bittersweet moments alongside the happy ones are equal in weight and just as welcome.

I wouldn't want a blissfully happy life. I wouldn't want everyday to be sunny. Not just because I look forward to the occasional gray day, but because too much of a good thing can be bad. Sadness and pain are parts of life just like comfort and joy. They coexist and occasionally commingle. The important thing is to focus on the ride and when things are at their saddest, try to find a little happy.

Here are some of my "happys". xoxo — jenni

1. IMG_0169, 2. وأنا أعشقك عشق المَطر للصّحاري, 3. 2009:12:29__13:40:11, 4. My Golden Boy, 5. Monkey Madness IX, 6. Untitled, 7. sock yarn salad, 8. Freaky Eyed Vulture, 9. san francisco twins... by request :), 10. Transfer, 11. swoon worthy, 12. HELP!!, 13. Me + Mister at City Museum, 14. Knitted hat by Aunt Nancy, 15. Sweet Schwinn, 16. June Carter-Cash Votes for Obama, 17. Blessed Buddah at a Rock-Bottom Price, 18. Anniversary Souvenir , 19. Untitled, 20. to spookydaddy love, tom :)(brad's tattoo), 21. flower2, 22. sugar skull couple, 23. wednesday: orange, 24. Vintage Scene, 25. Aaron and Angels wedding cake!

It's been a little over week since natural disaster struck Haiti and thousands of people are still without food, drinking water, shelter or medical care. Don't let them lose hope too. Please donate to the Haiti Relief fund or organization of your choice.

Not sure which one to give to? Click here for a list of charities benefiting the survivors of this terrible tragedy. You can also text "Haiti" to 90999, to automatically donate $10 to Red Cross. You will receive a "thank you" confirmation text.

please remember, if you can't afford to send money, prayers are always free.

Polyvore!

It's hard to put into words what makes Polyvore so totally addictive, but I am going to try.

First I'll try to explain what Polyvore is, for those of you that may not be familiar. Here's what Wikipedia has to say about Polyvore:

"Polyvore Is The Greatest Website Ever. Polyvore is a very easy-to-use web-based application that allows its users to mix and match pictures from all over the web to create very creative, unique, stylish and artistic sets. It is a lively community for creative people".

The sets can be in fashion, interior design or artistic expression. You gather 'your items' by searching through the well-categorized database of images. Since user submissions are encouraged, it's kind of like flickr, in that the database is constantly being updated with new images. Your items are saved in a library so you can use them to create new sets.

Above is an example of my fashion items.

Another thing I really like about Polyvore is that my design ideas aren't limited by time or budget. This is online daydreaming. Like designing your engagement ring online or shopping for rims at tirerack.com. (yes, I day dream about rims) I am creating source material, so I can dream big. However, if the day ever does come when I find myself with an excess of time and funds, I can go back to my sets and find out exactly where to purchase any of the items in my library. So it also works like an interactive catalog as well. Are you beginning to see the evil genius of Polyvore?

So while the snow is falling outside, I sit in my office, with the lights dimmed, flipping through page after page of mid-century inspired housewares and smoky topaz jewelry. I'm comforted by the knowledge that the holidays are behind us and a New Year lies ahead.

Now please to enjoy my dreamy outfits. xoxo - jenni

Knotty Girl by Ms Atomic

Boho Chic by Ms Atomic

Michigan & State by Ms Atomic

Modern Day Love Child by Ms Atomic