Jenny Doh

WITH ROOM FOR YARN

One person who understands about my yarn obsession is my good friend, Susan Tuttle, who recently gifted me with this oh-so-clever yarn dispenser made from a Starbucks cup. 

Yup. She took a standard cup from Starbucks to which she adhered sheet music and added some other yummy embellishments to the cup's sleeve. Soooo clever. Soooo cute.

The needles can be tucked between the cup and the sleeve and of course the skein of yarn that you work on can be nicely tucked within the cup, with the end threaded through the hole on the lid. 

It's actually a perfect gift idea for the knitter in your life. Thanks, Susan.

Happy knitting. :)

 

EMBRACING CHANGE

Thought it was about time to change my profile photo. What do you think?

 

Here's the full photo from which the profile photo was cropped. It was taken on my red sofa in my living room. Yup. I have a red sofa. Hope you like it. :)

EDIT: Yes indeed, my clothes and shoes have started to make their way into the living room. Many thanks to my family who fully support and embrace this evolution. More peeks of shoes on the grand piano, yarn raining from the light fixture, and artwear displayed near windows to come in future posts ... change is good. 

BLACK, WHITE, DENIM & JANA RED

I love days when unbeknownst to all of your associates, everyone dresses in the same color palette. Even doll artist Nicol Sayre got the memo about synchronizing our attire before stopping by to visit with me, Senior Managing Editor Christen Olivarez, Managing Editor Jennifer Jackson ...

and the adorable Jana who obviously didn't get the memo so that she could add a refreshing splash of red to the mix. Cause she knows how much I love Black, White and Red. :)
 

 

THREE GOOF BALLS & ONE EDITOR

You may remember the recent adventure I recently had with these three goof balls.

Thought I'd share these fun photos that we took when we got together one night to prepare for the event. 
 
 
 Here's a version where Pam isn't flexing her muscles. Such fun times with such women of creativity and passion. :)

HEAVY MIRRORS

A few weeks ago, I was at the Long Beach flea market with sweet Amy and Pam and Heather. I love this photo because you can see Pam's head in my mirror and the rest of Pam in Amy's mirror. Funny how mirrors can do that.

 

Amy and I each ended up getting our mirrors from a dealer whose name I forget. A really nice guy who imports items from France. The frames on these mirrors were painted by him with a mixture that includes joint compound, and chalkboard paint. 

 

Here's a shot of that mirror in my living room-turned-dressing room. (Yes, my clothes and shoes have invaded my living room. More about that in future posts.) 

I'm so glad that Pam and Amy and Heather encouraged me to get the mirror as they listened to me whine about how heavy it was. It was heavy. But totally worth it. I love it.

THE ACCIDENTAL SPELL

It's always great fun when Ruth Rae and Kristen Robinson stop by the office.

But during their recent visit, the fun multiplied as we added The Accidental Crafter into the mix.

So much fun we had goofing around together. 

And after the shots, we were able to get deep into the mind of The Accidental Crafter as he revealed how he creates with resin, how his words resonate, and how he wishes his editor would leave his words alone. 

BethDay ARRIVES EARLY

Hmmm ... I wonder why Beth is wearing her pink tiara again ... because BethDay isn't until December. (You might remember last year's BethDay from here.)

Actually, BethDay seems to have arrived a tad bit early this year, as Beth and one of the magazines that she manages — Altered Couture — have caught the eye of Alison Feldmann and all the good people at Etsy. It's no surprise ... because everyone at Stampington headquarters {hearts} Etsy.

Beth Livesay, Managing Editor of Altered Couture, has been invited to be Guest Curator for Etsy's official blog. As Guest Curator, Beth will write a post that includes her 12 picks of her favorite items on Etsy ... which I'm sure will reflect the totally hot style that Altered Couture is known for. Check out Beth's official blog post on Wednesday, November 11th by clicking here. (That's the day after tomorrow.) 

Major props to Beth for working hard, and for always working with great style.

EDIT: This just in. Beth would like everyone to remember her upcoming submission deadline for Altered Couture, which is December 15th. If you want to join in on the Altered Couture fun, you gotta get your altered items here by the deadline. If you have any questions or want to bounce ideas, Beth welcomes your e-mails at blivesay@stampington.com.

WE CAME, WE SHOPPED, WE CONQUERED

We came (and became fast friends) ...

We shopped (with great-looking carts) ...

We conquered (the Rose Bowl flea market) ...

... and had a whole lot of fun in the process. More details to come but I wanted to send a quick thank-you to everyone who came out and also a special shout-out to Heather, Pam, and Amy to say: "Yipee, we did it!"

Stay tuned as we think up ideas for more fun in the future. :)

BEST DAYS

To prepare for the upcoming special event at the Rose Bowl flea market with Pam, Heather, and Amy, I've been busy making my contribution to the limited number of goody bags that we are preparing for the first people to greet us at the front gates ... crocheted wreath necklaces.

Here's how they look individually packaged with a little touch of Doohdles stamped on a shipping tag.

So fun, don't you think? If you want the full tutorial on how to make these necklaces, you'll want to tune into our new publication titled All Things String. 

Earlier tonight, I had great fun working with Pam, Amy, and Heather as we assembled the goody bags and surprises in anticipation for our Sunday event. After coming home tonight, I dug up this fun photo (one of my favorites) of me and Amy and Pam from a few years back when we took a road trip together. 

 

And here's a photo of me and my Monica when we attended Heather's lovely holiday event.

Road trips, special events, flea markets, crocheted necklaces. Surely and undoubtedly, these are the best days of our lives. Hope to see you on Sunday as we create memories from what will most certainly be remembered as one of the best days of our lives.

DREAMING OF SQUAM

When I went to Squam Art Workshops this past September, I took with me this totally cool, totally hot journal designed by Sabrina Ward Harrison for Anahata Katkin's Papaya! line of products. It's hard to explain how fabulous the journal is. The paper is super thick, the outer and inner covers are drenched with the colors and designs of Sabrina's amazing work.

The book is what I used to gather memories and warm regards from new friends that I met at Squam.

 

Including of course the creative genius behind the event: Elizabeth MacCrellish.

 

Here's a page that was marked up by the talented hands of Karen Cole.

And here's a page by the lovely Christine Mason Miller.

 

And some gorgeous leaves that I keep tucked in one spread, to remind me of the beauty of Squam.

The final page has this photo that Elizabeth attached — of a scene that seems so far from me ... but it was a scene that I enjoyed just weeks ago ... a scene where I met lots of friends, shared my story, laughed out loud, and made so many new discoveries. 

The image is juxtaposed with a deceptively simple message ... one that suggests that the incredible elements that created this magical experience could possibly convene again. But I do believe that if there's anywhere on earth that such magic could happen again and again, it would be at this wondrous place called Squam.