Daisy Janie

preserving & enjoying kids' artwork.

There are so many times I am completely floored by the artwork Peanutman creates. Not necessarily b/c of any wildly prodigious talent - just b/c it's so darn cool, and I can totally envision it hanging on the wall looking equally as cool. I saved all of his first mottled fingerpaintings where everything turned into big swirls of dark purple - I thought it'd be so fabulous to make 200 copies and tile a wall with them! Never got to that, but I did get to this one! These mod mirror-image cutouts he did with black & white construction paper in 3rd grade have been floating around my studio for a few years, waiting for me to give them their props.

[This is one of 2 artwork "preservation" projects I did this weekend. The other one is much smaller, but I'll share that another day this week.]

I scanned the very faded original artwork (shown below), vectorized it in Illustrator and smoothed it out a bit. I have a gargantuan stack of unused frames in a box; these two 11" x 14" frames were just perfect. I simply printed one, then reversed the colors and printed another. So it's like a mirror image of mirror images...or something like that. I even had him sign his work...cute cursive.

You could easily take a portion of your kids' artwork that you like and do something similar - it doesn't have to be the entire piece. For me, the purpose of preserving the work is to remember that moment in time. Snippets of various art that you cut and frame in a collage of frames would look wonderful - and will really make a nice statement and a sweet tribute to your kiddo! Try it out.

I may offer this and other color variations of this artwork in my shop - with proceeds going partially to charity and partially to Peanutman....I'll let you know.

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I N S P I R A T I O N
I was hooked on the simple, modern look of his mirror-image artwork from the millisecond I saw it - and it quickly became the inspiration for my Lulu fabric in 2007. Lulu looks great in so many applications, and she's available in my etsy shop on organic canvas.

To see another element of inspiration that became a design pattern, visit Inklore. Sam posted about my snowflake cutout today. Thanks for including me, Sam!

pretty handmade wreaths.

fresh boxwood from the keepers house | $13.75

dried hydrangea & pinecones from blossomy | $35

balsam & white fir from woodland wreaths | $43

salal & rosehips from blaithin blair designs | $44.95

sometimes simple is better.

A few weeks ago, I could barely stand the burgundy shade on these waxy azalea leaves! “Can’t stand” as in “Mon Dieu Dear Heart! Have you ever seen such a gorgeous color?” In addition to admiring the blazing colors this time of year, I love peeking at the tiny buds on the flowers and trees - who are patiently waiting for Spring and sitting in direct defiance of the sleepy plant comas all around them.

I wanted to get a bird’s eye view of the leaves and the buds in the center, so I climbed over the railing on my porch, stood on the 6-inch ledge on the other side, held onto one of the wrought-iron posts with my left hand and leeeeeeeaned waaaaay out over the azalea - with my camera arm extended as far as I could reach (extreme crafting never stops here!). I had no way of knowing if my shot was centered – I’d snap one, look at the preview, shake my head, adjust my hand or arm and snap another….repeat, repeat, repeat.

Exasperated b/c I couldn’t hold on any longer and frustrated that this shot was so elusive, I climbed down. I circled around the azalea like a lioness waiting to pounce (or maybe just a weird neighbor lady who's always snapping pics of her plants) and looked for another sneaky shot.

That’s when I saw these two freckle-faced leaves holding hands - I grinned from ear-to-ear as I personified them in my head and made-up their whole life story. Point. Shoot. Done. No need to jump through hoops - sometimes simple is better! I will stick that reminder in my pocket as I muddle through the holiday season!

winner of calendar giveaway

Thank you to you everyone who entered the calendar giveaway this past week. Your comments about the calendar's features as well as the things you do in your lives and jobs with 'thoughtful intention' brought big smiles to my face!

Comment #20 was the random winner! Congratulations to Heather of bebe + alice, who said:

"Okay, well... so many great aspects about this calendar- the large blank blocks for jotting thoughts down on, lists, etc. that in itself is an intentional act, isn't it..choosing to write it down rather than try to remember it...and then following through by intentionally doing the things on the list? something i do intentionally each day: drop everything and sit down with each of my four girls as soon as they arrive home from school and hear about the highlights one on one...absolutely the best intentional act on my part every day! and by the way, the black and white design reminds me of those coloring books with the very detailed geometric shapes that i spent hours on as a child, intentionally coloring each little space so the final result was the most beautiful mosaic i could dream of!"

You said it and you said it, Heather! Drop everything and sit down with your kids. I make a point of doing this everyday when Peanutman walks in the door, too! Critical transition points in kids' days are, um, critical. Recognize, acknowledge, connect, segue = confident, trusting, secure kiddo. Thank you, Heather, for being a good mama! Your kids will thank you for it someday, too!!

repost: how to make a jewelry mirror

This jewelry mirror step-by-step tutorial was originally posted on my blog in Jan. 2008. It's super easy to make and might be a neat idea for someone on your shopping list this holiday season - or you can make one for yourself in anticipation of a handmade necklace or bracelet you might receive!

It's also nice to have handy when you need to hang a beaded hemp choker your kiddo spontaneously made for you (and I do mean 'choker' as it's a bit snug). Makes me happy to display it alongside the other jewels he's bestowed upon me with over the years! That soccer ball whistle comes in handy when I need to call a family meeting to order or break-up doggy chaos!

seeing | what the fuzz is all about

making an effort | modernemotive

'Making an Effort' highlights designers & crafters who use eco-friendly methods and/or materials where possible in creating their products. The entirety of their collections may not be 100% organic or green or recycled, but they're trying and that's the point. They're making an effort. Doing something is better than doing nothing at all. Would you like to be considered for this feature? Email me.

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This week, Adele Miller from modernemotive (Toronto) shares her designs & eco philosophies with us. Adele creates stunningly simple & modern paper goods, which are made primarily with materials using recycled content. She's very selective about every detail throughout her product design process - it definitely shows! p.s. she included an exclusive coupon code for Daisy Janie readers...keep reading! 

What do you create?
Right now, my product line consists of greeting cards, invitations, announcements, personalized stationery and business/calling cards. I have plans to expand my line in 2010 to include notebooks, notepads, folders and more functional paper goods. The list never ends which can sometimes cause great chaos in my already overactive mind. I also have plans to extend beyond paper goods but all in good time.

What materials do you use?
I try to pack as many “eco points” into my materials as possible.

Here’s the current breakdown:
Cover stock + white envelopes
Acid Free, Archival, Certified Processed Chlorine Free, FSC Certified, Green Seal Certified, Lignin Free, Made Using Wind Energy Recyclable, 100% Post Consumer Content

Brown Bag Envelopes
100% Post Consumer Content Colored Envelopes FSC Certified, Acid Free, 100% Recycled, 30% Post Consumer Content

Cello Sleeves
Plant-based (corn) materials, Biodegradable, Compostable

What made you decide to use recycled & other green materials in your products?
Simply put - why not? The options are available (especially in the paper goods industry) so there’s really no reason not to.

Do your customers seek out eco-friendly products?
I certainly think the fact that my products are ecofriendly influences some purchases. However, for the most part, I believe people are just seeking out unique, fresh and modern stationery. Over time, I think the ecofriendly aspects will become a more influencing purchasing factor. But to do that, I think the stationery industry has to make it the norm rather than a “bonus”.

What is the biggest challenge in using green raw materials: sourcing, price, variety, etc?
Pricing is definitely my biggest pain right now. While I am trying to be competitive, I also don’t want to undercut myself just to compete. I truly stand behind the quality of my products, materials and design work. I think my prices reflect that fairly. I am putting my heart and soul into modernemotive and while I do think the market will somewhat determine price points for you, I also think you need to put the breaks on dropping your prices until you know you’ve hit your target market and failed. Of course, there is always room for adjustment, and it’s something I continually monitor.

Do you have plans to incorporate more eco-friendly materials in your products?
I’m always looking at new ways to further my efforts and it’s certainly a deciding factor when I consider adding new products to my line. If I can’t optimize the eco aspects as much as possible, the idea is shelved until such materials become available. For example, I package my products in the bio cellos rather than boxes because my source doesn’t currently offer earth-friendly options. While it may take away from the visual presentation some, for me, this is a small compromise rather than loading landfills with boxes made of plastic. Also, when I start to wholesale, I imagine I’ll have to outsource the printing. When this happens, I will definitely be going the vegetable or soy ink route.

Anything else to add?
As a thank you for sharing my work with your readers, I’d love to extend them a discount code for 15% off* in my shop. Valid from Friday, 20 November thru Sunday, 22 November. Simply add “DJ15” to the notes to seller and I’ll refund you via PayPal. Or it you’d prefer a revised invoice, include that in your notes. *Cannot be used against custom work, items currently on sale or with any other offer.

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Thank you for sharing your ideas & ideals with us, Adele! The effort you're making is commendable and very much appreciated!

modernemotive links:
shop | blog | flickr | twitter

how to say thank you a la peanutman

From this...

To this...

To this...

How do your kids say thank you?

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I saw some funny things along the way. 

This guy...

And these guys...

And this guy...

fabric sighting: pillow in bloom (and a puppy)

photo credit: lisa kelley

Awwwwwwww....a puppy dog! (did you just say it, too?) This cutie patootie is Lola, the newest family member of my friend Lisa {milkshake}'s house. Lisa was also one of my very first fabric customers in 2008, when she purchased bloom and audrey. This pillow in bloom looks great in this setting, as it really brings together the rich reds and mod neutrals in the space. Lisa has great taste, and one of my fave features in her house are sheer, jewel-toned drapes she has hung & tied back in the very high archways between rooms. Makes it feel very romantic and cozy....sort of a Moroccan vibe, too.

Lisa's links: milkshake | sweet inspiration

For anyone who needs a dose of puppy like I always need a dose, here's Lola up close - I want to reach through my screen and nuzzle her up! Lisa says she has a lot, a lot, a lot of energy - guess that's why she needs soft, scrumpy places she can rest her baby bones to rejuvenate herself! Good girl Lola!!

Extreme crafting update:
I did indeed crack a rib on my back when I fell last week. About 2" from my spine. I'm considering myself an extreme crafter who's extremely lucky I landed just as I did b/c it could have been much worse. Nothing one can do other to let time heal it up. My push-up and pull-up goals for my 40th bday in a month will have to wait. Alissa from Mew Paper Arts said her mom calls carrying everything in 1 trip when you should be making 3 trips the "lazy man's load" - LOL!

daisy janie calendar giveaway

Time for a giveaway! My 2010 wall calendar is hot off the press, and I'd like to give one to a good home!

Like last year's calendar, the 2010 version has a lot of cool, unique and functional features (oh, I can come up with more adjectives, too, don't tempt me!). All of the features were selected and executed with thoughtful intention on my part. B/c of this, the final design makes me ridiculously happy, and it seems true for a few others as well:

• Just got my calendar in the mail today!!! LOVE IT!!!! Thanks so much! I also love the little notebook that came with it! Very cute! - Kim D.
• SO beautiful -- exactly what I had hoped for. The quality is superb, and the design is gorgeous. Also, I appreciated that it was shipped flat and well-wrapped -- not a crease or bend! Thank you!!! - Kate P.
• I got the package today! Daughter and daughter-in-law thrilled with the calendars. DIL Sue has this year's calendar and loved it so that's why I ordered 2. Thanks! - Nancy S.

 + + + How to enter + + +

1. Either - Read about the details of the calendar on this blog post or in my etsy listing. Pick an attribute that floats your boat. Leave a comment on this post saying what it is and why you like it.
2. Or - Share a comment about something you do in your business or in your personal life that involves thoughtful intention. Something where your actions are/were very purposeful to yield a positive result.

 + + + Rules  + + +
One (1) entry per person (dupes will be deleted); winner will be chosen at random; winner has 24 hours to claim prize. after that, a new winner will be selected. Contest ends Monday, 11/23 at midnight.

Good luck and thank you for entering!