This month’s Designer Challenge is about Journaling, if only I had enough time to sit and capture the moments, I’d have something fabulous to show you. However, the past few months I have been working hard to start and finish a number of projects and portfolio pages for the upcoming Craft and Hobby Association show. I’ll be exhibiting again this year (both 1839 if you are attending also).

So this time around, I don’t have a fabulous project to show you. Although I do have this wonderful picture my youngest drew, I don’t know who it’s supposed to be – glad to know the belly button was not forgotten. Once you’re finished here, please do take a moment to check out the rest of the sites in the hop and you’ll discover all kinds of wonderful things.

Child drawing of a person

What is Journaling?

I’m not sure what the proper definition is, but to me, journaling is memory keeping that you share with others. Instead of putting pictures in an album and calling it finished, you add notes, poetry, and other writings to help capture the memory. Share perspectives, stories, quotes and other comments that the photo can’t share to help create the full “picture” of a given event or moment in time.

Because I love collage so much, my style of journaling includes hand written comments along with scraps, pieces and parts of various thing all put together into a single piece to share what the moment ment to me.

Add some new accents to your journal creations, check out my digital stamps. There are new designs added all the time!

Example of Digital stamps by Jen Goode available at LilGoodies.com

I’d like to hear what you think… What is journaling to you?

Journaling, a Designer Connection Challenge is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

I joined in with a new challenge… make a sock monkey with the help of Ana and Megan Araujo from When Creativity Knocks. They’ve put together a fantastic video tutorial called  Sock Monkey’s Go BanAnas.  It’s a fun, step by step how to build your sock monkey DVD plus printed patterns using the Original Rockford Red Heeled Socks! I’ve never made a sock monkey, so I was excited to see how difficult it would be. It wasn’t hard at all and only took a couple hours.

Sock Monkey and penguin by Jen Goode

Of course, because penguins seem to pop up everywhere around here, I had to make a penguin out of the sock scraps. I had a great time making this projects! It wasn’t difficult once I checked out the video.  Once my sock monkey was created, I started noticing a ton of sock monkeys everywhere I went. Did they really just pop up or had I not noticed until now? I had no idea they were becoming so popular again – crazy fun!

Sock Monkey Penguin and accessories by Jen Goode

There are basic instructions for making a sock monkey that include the sewing, adding eyes and a mouth along with little nostrils for the nose. To add my own personal touch, I included eyebrows and a belly button. I also stitched up a cute hat and a scarf that says “I heart penguins”, all created from felt scraps.

My sock monkey package also included a sock monkey stamp. I started to make a keychain by stamping some polymer clay, but I haven’t finished it just yet…

Rit Dye is a sponsor of this challenge as well, however, I love the brown of the socks so I chose not to dye anything this time.

There’s a contest you can enter until December 19th to win a sock monkey package worth over $40.oo!

Prize pack includes:

• DVD “Sock Monkeys Go BanAnas
• 1 pair of Rockford Red Heeled Socks
• Sewing kit, including: needle, button eyes, floss and stuffing
• Plus 1 pre-sewn sock monkey

Here’s how to enter:

1. Go to the When Creativity Knocks website.
2. In the Member Login box click Create An Account.
3. Enter the code: Sock Monkey

 Special thanks to the sponsors of this challenge:

• When Creativity Knocks
• Rockford Red Heeled Socks
• Rit® Brand Dye
• Judikins

To see more fun sock monkey creations, click on the Designer Connections links to the right. Happy Hopping!

Making Sock Monkeys and Penguins is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

This week I participated in a challenge using the Flip Pal™ mobile scanner. I’m in holiday gift making mode right now and I love to create things with my kids’ art for others in the family to enjoy. So, I combined the two and came up with hand made greeting cards featuring kid’s art. This is a great project to do at home with your own kids or, with the ease of use offered by the Flip Pal, this project could easily be created in a classroom as well.

Handmade cards featuring kids art scanned with a Flip Pal mobile scanner

How cool do these look!? From the photo, they look like layers of paper to make each card, but really it’s a scan, printed out and then placed on top of a plain colored background paper (just for added interest) and then little glitter sparkly things added. Such an easy and fun project! Here’s a close up of the tree card – the paper tree was made as a colored paper collage. I then scanned it, printed it and then added the little sequins. This one is definitely my favorite.

Kids art greeting card close-up

My original project idea was to create a Mother’s charm bracelet featuring kids art. I changed direction when I remembered, not everyone has photo editing and graphics programs nor the time or patience to spend the hours creating like I do. So instead I thought a set of 6 greeting cards would be the perfect hand made gift item everyone could make. Best of all, you can make it with your kids that created the art you are using!

Scanning the images with the Flip Pal brings out a lot of little details you might not get from flat art and a camera. The neat edges of layered paper, crayon textures and even glitter sparkles show up very nicely with this tool. I tried scanning a wide variety of surfaces and textures with my Flip Pal. I removed the cover and literally flipped it over so I could see where I was placing the scanning window which makes it really easy to get an exact crop on an image.

Kids art we scanned to make greeting cards

Scanning art is easy with the Flip Pal

The scanning size of the Flip Pal is 6×4″, which is perfect for making a standard sized card.All you need to do is scan the art, download to your computer, print and create! My 4 year old helped me in the entire process… I used her art, she helped me scan and then made cards and embellished with glitter and sparkly gems and sequins. We had a ton of fun together and now I’m excited we have a pretty set of cards to give as a gift this holiday season.

There’s more… Other designers are participating in this Designer Connection Challenge today, check out their creative Flip Pal creations for more inspiration by looking for the Designer Crafts Connection widget
on the right side of my site (over there —>)!

Disclaimer: I received a Flip Pal™ to review and use in this project. The opinions are 100% my own.

Flip Pal challenge and kids art creations is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

If you’re thinking about making your own holiday cards, gift tags or other seasonal crafty creations, I have a lovely selection of holiday themed digital stamps now available. There are poinsettias, gingerbread men, carolers and even a cute penguin. You can create a wide variety of paper crafts and mix media projects using these images. I’m adding more designs regularly and love to hear your suggestions so please feel free to drop me a note with your requests.

Handmade notecards featuring art by Jen Goode

Take a look at these holiday examples featuring JGoode Designs digital stamps. I mixed the stamps with other paper patterns, card stock and glitter. Simple and easy to make cards featuring super cute art! (Yes, I’m a little biased.)

Handmade notecard featuring gingerbread man digital stamp art by Jen Goode

Handmade notecard featuring penguin digital stamp art by Jen Goode

Handmade notecard featuring Poinsettia digital stamp art by Jen Goode

Handmade notecard featuring Christmas Tree and Gifts digital stamp art by Jen Goode

Handmade notecard featuring Holiday Caroler digital stamp art by Jen Goode

What is a digital stamp? Digital stamps are printable art you color yourself. You download the art, print it at the desired size and then color or paint it however you like to use in your own handmade creations. These are all the designs I wanted to show you, so I printed them all out, colored them using colored pencils and design markers and then cut them out. You can find all my digital stamp designs at LilGoodies.com

Holiday digital stamp designs by Jen Goode cut out and colored

What fun creations do you have planned for the holiday season?

DIY notecards with Digital Holiday Stamps designed by Jen Goode is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

Here’s a new product challenge from Eileen Hull. This project features her new Caddy die by Sizzix embellished with custom shapes from Epiphany Crafts. I love this caddy shape and the countless uses for this particular die. When I first saw it I immediately thought flower pots. The shape is not too big, so it’s perfect for a little wall hanging herb garden right by the kitchen window!

Clay wall hanging flower pot by Jen Goode

I hadn’t used the Sizzix dies with clay, but a couple friends have been telling me the work well together so I thought this was the perfect project to try it. The clay would allow me to plant real plants in the flower pots. The clay also offers opportunities for adding some great texture and hand carved designs to any piece you make. I used a pattern design by Eileen as well to add some neat accents and texture to each pot. I then painted the pots with 2 types of spray paint to give it a ceramic look and then hand painted with a dry brush to finish the color.

Details on clay wall hanging flower pot

For this challenge I also received a fantastic package of goodies from Epiphany Crafts which included a cool tool to make your own little custom shapes to add personalized embellishments to any piece you’d like. I decided to use the Round 14 shape tool and a couple of small metal flower style pendants to make name labels for each pot.

I’m not going to give you a step by step tutorial today, but I’ll give you a little run down…

Materials you need:

• Clay, pasta machine, Sizzix Big Kick machine, paint (spray and brush on), parchment paper, scrap cardboard, ribbon or fabric trim, hot glue/gun and scissors
• Epiphany Round 14 shape tool and coordinating bubble caps along with metal pendants and DecoArt no-prep metal paint
• Eileen Hull’s Caddy die by Sizzix along with Lace Set embossing folders

Some of the steps to make the clay wall hanging flower pot

Quick instruction over view to make these flower pots:

1. Cut out and emboss Caddy pieces using clay
2. Build Caddy and bake according to clay instructions
3. Seal edges with hot glue
4. Attach clay flower embellishments
5. Paint as desired
6. Make custom shape with Epiphany tools and attach as desired
7. Plant herbs
8. Hang and enjoy

Clay wall hanging flower pot by Jen Goode using Eileen Hull's Caddy die by Sizzix

Before you go…

• Check more great project ideas using this Fresh Vintage Caddy Sizzix die by Eileen Hull.
• You can also enter to win a fantastic giveaway by visiting the Oh My Craft blog.
• Take a look at all the cool tools and accessories from Epiphany Crafts.
• Take a look at all the beautiful products in the Fresh Vintage collection by Eileen Hull at Sizzix

Clay wall hanging flower pots is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

I was interviewed for the food column of my community paper earlier this month. The article talks about the book, It’s All About the Cookies… and pies and cake, a cookbook I designed the cover for earlier this summer. The article also ties in the Breast Cancer Awareness fundraising of the book and shares two recipes. Special thanks to my friend Lisa Crockett for the interview opportunity!

Jen Goode in a local paper

More yummy goodies to check out:

• Buy It’s All About the Cookies
• Read more about the All About the Cookies project
• Get fun cupcake art and other sweet treats to use in your own personal handmade creations.

I’m in the community paper as a neighbor to know is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

In the December 2011 issue of Crafts ‘n Things magazine, my penguin is showing is smiley face on a cute apron set designed by Roxi Phillips, professional designer extraordinaire. How cute is that!? You can get a hold of the penguin stencil used in this project at LilGoodies.com.

Penguin stenciled on an apron in Crafts 'n Things magazine December 2011

The penguin makes an appearance in Crafts ‘n Things magazine is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

Here’s another challenge, what would you make using The Duck Brand® Duct Tape, VELCRO® fasteners and Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools? In the spirit of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Westcott has sponsored this fun pink filled creative challenge while also joining forces with CharityWings.com to host an auction of some of the design creations from this challenge. Read below to find out how to enter a giveaway of some of the fabulous pink Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools!

I was sent products from all 3 companies to use and make whatever I wanted. It took a bit of brainstorming, but once I got going, I couldn’t stop!

I’ve seen a ton of duct tape creations over the years, but now there are tons of fun and colorful patterns to choose from instead of the standard gray I grew up with. I received The Duck Brand® Patterned Duct Tape Rolls in a metallic gold, hot pink, hot pink and black tiger/zebra stripe and super cute hot pink Hello Kitty tape. I also received VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back Hook and Loop Fasteners in black, white and pink along with great collection of Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools (all in pink!) including, a cutting mat and craft knife (more about that later).

The Duck Brand® Patterned Duct Tape Rolls

VELCRO® Brand

My preschooler LOVES Hello Kitty, so I decided I’d make something for her. A sunhat was the first thing that came to mind, so off I went. Unfortunately, I tried making the hat without my daughter nearby the entire time so my measuring was off. I ended up going to the store, buying a whole new roll of tape and starting over! The second hat turned out perfectly.

I also added a little flower to the hat. Originally I was thinking I’d use VELCRO® brand fasteners so the flower could be changed, however the pink VELCRO® Brand Hook and Loop Fasteners I had aren’t ment for super strong holds and I thought the black or white would stand out too much. So I opted for taping the flower in place with more pink tape.

I had so much fun making the hat that I cut down the first hat to make it a little smaller and it now fits my daughter’s 18″ doll. I created a little doll sundress with the remaining tape and used the VELCRO® brand as fasteners on the back of the dress. We now have a second dress in the works made out of the gold.

Matching hats and doll dress made with The Duck Brand® Duct Tape and VELCRO® brand

The official sponsor of this challenge is:

These scissors are a perfect tool for cutting whatever your craft project requires. The Westcott Brand® Titanium Bonded Non Stick Scissors make cutting things like tape so much easier, making your project happiness that much more fun!

Where to go from here – share and TWO giveways to enter:

• Check out the other designer projects in this challenge at the Westcott Brand® website.
• Find out more about the charity auction hosted by CharityWings.com and Westcott featuring some of the designer creations from this challenge.
• Enter to win a bundle of pink Westcott Brand® Cutting Tools valued over $75! (ends 10/7/2011)
  
• Read the tutorial to learn how to make this cute sun hat
• Find out how to make this cut doll outfit (coming soon).
• Enter the Westcott Brand® giveaway  on the Westcott Blog (ends November 1, 2011).

Disclaimer: Although the supplies in this project were given to me, all opinions are 100% my own.

Fun crafting with duct tape and Westcott Brand® giveaway is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

I’m jumping in on another challenge, this time with Eileen Hull’s new Sizzix collection and her Fresh Vintage Album die along with Die Cuts with a View paper packs. The products compliment each other beautifully! I’ve always loved the vintage style designs. I love Steam Punk and classic textures mixed with rough, raw materials. So combining the materials I received with this project and the upcoming Halloween season, I thought I’d make some new decor to add to my own home. I’m so excited about this piece!

Happy Halloween wall decor by Jen Goode

Eileen’s album die design is so fabulously versatile and because it’s a Sizzix Big die cut design it will cut through thick materials and even fabric. The DCWV paper pack I received for this project is called Tattered Time and is filled with warm and weathered vintage style images including gears, rules, tickets, two alphabet sets and a whole slew of wonderful patterns and designs.

Eileen Hull Sizzix Album die and DCWV Tattered Time paper

I used scalloped portion of the die to cut paper from the DCWV pack as well as some balsa wood. I couldn’t be happier with how the die cut the wood. I then took an exact-o knife to trim some of the cut pieces to fit my project design.  I colored the wood by dying with Rit dye and adding painted accents using DecoArt craft paints.

Balsa wood cut with Sizzix die

To include my own personal JGoode touch, I added my own Halloween art accents to this piece. The cat, pumpkin and witch are all Jen Goode original designs you can purchase as digital stamps from Lil’ Goodies.

Halloween Digital stamps by Jen Goode at LilGoodies.com

Here are more pictures of the process to make this Happy Halloween wall decor… I had so much fun!

Making Happy Halloween wall decor

Details on my Happy Halloween wall decor

I’d love to see what fun you can create with these amazing products! Check out Eileen Hull’s website to see more great project ideas using her new Fresh Vintage collection of Sizzix dies!

Happy Halloween wall decor is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

The October 2011 issue of Crafts ‘n Things has hit the news stands. I was fortunate enough to have a craft project submission included in this issue and I couldn’t be happier! The project is a glass fish bowl pumpkin, complete lid and glowing lights. You can use a variety of items to create the same collage style look. Make a pile of these pumpkins to decorate your table or place around the house this fall!

Glass pumpkin project published in Oct 2011 Crafts 'n Things Magazine

Glass pumpkin by Jen Goode published in October 2011 Crafts 'n Things magazine

Glass pumpkin by Jen Goode

The tutorial for this project is available in the October 2011 issue of Crafts ‘n Things, available in printed copy through various retailers or as a subscription. You can also subscribe to this magazine in digital format.

Subscribe to Crafts ‘n Things

Glass pumpkin craft – my first magazine project tutorial is a post from: The art of Jen Goode