We have a New Website!

Hi Friends!

Looks like my last post was in April. At that time, we were only discussing my 14 year old website, it's finicky and rather out-dated nature and options to make some serious forward changes. A couple-plus months later and after much exploration, an endless list of how-to questions and searching through a multitude of folders for photos, we have a new website! You can still find us at www.johannaparkerdesign.com but the experience should be refreshing to say the least :)



Now, you can peruse my Portfolio tab for a gallery sampling of my holiday & seasonal folk art as well as a peek at my Licensed Designs to see what's currently being produced in the industry. I've added an Illustrations area with art samples, organized by Vector Art, Ink & Dye, Mixed Media and even Public Art! Beyond that, enjoy a peek at my Surface Designs and Artful Living photography for inspiration and a look into our art-filled lives. In addition, we now have a Store link that branches out into different areas. Collectors Catch Originals is where collectors will gather for upcoming web sales, and my Signed Reproductions page will offer a peek at what I have ordered for upcoming sales.  Besides dedicated pages to my Spoonflower fabrics and my home furnishings Roostery shop is my Printables Page! For years, I've heard your calls for instant digital downloads of my Halloween hats and other artsy projects, and now I can provide that for you! For a nominal exchange, you can print as many high-res files of my selected art for your own DIY experience! In fact, the cheerful Garden Delights Pennants in the graphic photo in this post is one of my new projects, and one of my faves! I truly hope you enjoy these projects that I've put together for you :) Speaking of printable, don't forget to visit our Print & Share page for growing list of FREE project downloads! We now have a much more thorough Events page and an About page that recognizes our little team.

Phewww! That was a LOT of work... LOL!....

And with a New Website comes a New Blog! That's right, I will be moving my future Blog postings over to the Blog link on my site. As there are so so so many years of posts here on my Blogspot platform, I will keep things as they are so that you can still go back in time and visit past posts for inspiration. Plus, trying to migrate ALL 10 years of blog posts to a new site sounds pretty daunting right now. So, we'll keep things as they are for the time being.

Thanks as always for your support! We hope you ENJOY all the eye candy over at our new Website!

 www.johannaparkerdesign.com

Best Wishes,
~ Johanna

Pattern Pleasures with a Burst of Color!

Hi Friends!

I am excited to share my 2nd round of pattern designs with you! Included in the mix is my new and very colorful "Garden Delights Collection"! I must admit that I do love color, so this group really brought me smiles and joy. The swatches just arrived, and I've been marveling out how close the colors match  my original designs. I also added a medley of accent hues to the doodle patterns that accompany the whimsical hummingbirds in my "Nature's Frolic Collection". I look forward to seeing what lovely projects some of you makers out there will dream up with these designs. And, lastly, I added a couple new Halloween patterns that are oh so fun! You can find all of these designs and more in my JohannaParkerDesign Spoonflower Shop! Hop on over and look around...

Thank you for your support & Happy Creating!

Now, I really feel like we are creating together :)



* That's me holding up my latest sheet of fabric swatches :)



* Then, it was time to slice 'em all up!



* Here's a quick and colorful glance at the swatches of my Garden Delights Collection! It's a wide palette of many colors, but they bridge across each other, offering coordinates for your crafting.



* I just added the two front designs to my Halloween grouping. I designed the Halloween Cat & Owl Checkerboard design to fit just right on a standard 8" x 8" swatch!



* "Nature's Frolic" ~ It's one of my favorite groups... I used the same color palette throughout in order offer coordinates for your projects. Don't forget that these come in gift wrap & wallpaper too. And, the Roostery has lots of pretties over there, just ready to be ordered and made to enjoy!



* Jack played a little hide & seek with the fabric swatches...



* A closer peek at my Halloween checkerboard design shows the depth of detail that is achieved in these prints. Yay! This is the kinda thing that makes an artist sing :)

I hope you enjoyed the peek! I need to take some crisper pics with a decent camera as most were captured with a cell. But, I was anxious to snap some photos!  There will be more to come. I hope you enjoyed the peek. Please feel free to share your feedback, and I hope you'll think of my Spoonflower Shop when dreaming and designing your next projects. I can't wait to see, and I hope you'll share a photo or two.

Happy Creating!
~ Johanna

Halloween Blog Sale Round 2...

Here we go again!.... HAPPY HALLOWEEN dear collector friends!  :) Please scroll down to see the last of of my signed reproduction delights that I am offering this season. Some characters cross over to other sets, so make sure you peek at each image before selecting your fave.

Please EMAIL ME with the name of the set or single you are interested in. We will be preparing your orders and sending out e-invoices after your package has been weighed and measured for a shipping estimate. Boxes will begin to ship out next week!

Many thanks for your interest in my 

Signed Reproduction Collectibles!

~ Johanna ~

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~ Each Signed by the Artist ~ SOLD OUT!

Collect all three Jacks @ $80 plus shipping

~ INCLUDES~

-  1 Jack Box from Johanna's Transpac line.

 Approximately 9" tall

- 1 Glass candy jar with jack /cork lid from Johanna's Transpac line.

Approximately 7.75" tall

- 1 pumpkin scented Candle from Johanna's Aunt Sadie's, 

made in Vermont, candle line

Candle is 4" tall

CLICK image for a larger View!

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~ Each Signed by the Artist ~ Only 1 pair available

Two collectible Owls @ $110 plus shipping

~ INCLUDES~

- 1 Hooty Owl Candy Bowl from Johanna's

 2016 line of Bethany Lowe Designs

Candy Bowl is approximately 7" tall by 4" wide

Rustic fit, handle with care

- 1 Standing Owl figurine from Johanna's 2015  line of 

Bethany Lowe Designs

 approximately 9.25" tall by 8.75" wide

CLICK image for a larger View!

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~ Each Signed by the Artist ~ Order soon! Low on stock...

Choose a single or any combo @ $50 each plus shipping

~ CHOOSE FROM ~

- 5 different  Candy Bowl characters from 

Johanna's 2016 line of Bethany Lowe Designs. 

(Frankie, Bride of Frank, Happy Cat, Hooty Owl & Sweet Jack)

Each is approximately 7" tall by 4" wide

Rustic fit, handle with care

CLICK image for a larger View!

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~ Each Signed by the Artist ~ SOLD OUT!

Collect all four Franken-Love characters @ $125 plus shipping

~ INCLUDES~

- 1 Bride of Frank Candy Bowl & 1 Frank Candy Bowl from Johanna's 

2016 line of Bethany Lowe Designs. 

Each is approximately 7" tall by 4" wide

Rustic fit, handle with care

-  1 Frank Sitter & 1 Bride of Frank Sitter

from Johanna's new "Punkin Peep" Transpac line.

Each approximately 6.5 " tall

CLICK image for a larger View!

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~ Each Signed by the Artist ~ SOLD OUT!

Collect the Purrfect Pair @ $74 plus shipping

~ INCLUDES~

- 1 Black Cat Candy Bowl from Johanna's 2016 line of 

Bethany Lowe Designs. 

Each is approximately 7" tall by 4" wide

Rustic fit, handle with care

-1  Black Cat crepe paper ruffle ornament

(ONLY 6 pairs were made by Primitives by Kathy, and

then the product was discontinued. This is one of the few samples)

Approximately  4.5" wide

CLICK image for a larger View!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

~ Each Signed by the Artist ~ SOLD OUT!

Collect three Jacks @ $88 plus shipping

~ INCLUDES~

-  1 Jack Sitter from Johanna's new "Punkin Peep" Transpac line.

approximately 6.5 " tall

-1  Jack Ball character ornament  from Johanna's

2014 line of Bethany Lowe Designs. 

approximately 5.75" tall including hook

- 1 Jack-o'-lantern Candy Bowl from Johanna's

 2016 line of Bethany Lowe Designs. 

Each is approximately 7" tall by 4" wide

Rustic fit, handle with care

CLICK image for a larger View!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

~ Each Signed by the Artist ~ SOLD OUT!

Collect these festive figures @ $45 plus shipping

~ INCLUDES~

-  1 standing black cat & 1 standing skelly

from Johanna's Transpac line.

Each approximately 7.5 " tall

CLICK image for a larger View!

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Quantities Limited

Collect all Five Illustrated Charmers @ $70 plus shipping

- 3 Fall Scented Candles from Johanna's Aunt Sadie's, 

made in Vermont, candle line

SCENT LIST: 

Black Cat = pumpkin

 Jack o' Lantern = pumpkin

Skelly = Cinnamon Spice

Candles are wrapped in Johanna's whimsical illustrations

 and signed on the underside. Candles are 4" tall

-2 Double-Sided Halloween Ornament Charms

from Johanna's retired line of Primitives by Kathy designs

(featuring an Owl/BOO & Crow/Jack)

Charms are 2" square

CLICK image for a larger View!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

~ Each Signed by the Artist ~ SOLD OUT!

Two collectible Ornaments @ $48 plus shipping

~ INCLUDES~

- 1 Black Cat & 1 Jack crepe paper ruffle ornament

ONLY 6 pairs were made by Primitives by Kathy, and

then the product was discontinued. These were samples.

Approximately  4.5" wide

CLICK image for a larger View!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

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My New Sunny Studio!.......

Our spring cleaning started early this year and right amidst my busy holiday show season. And, as  inspiration often arrives in spontaneous waves, it tosses time and schedules to the wind! So, that's where we found ourselves right after my Halloween birthday. A need for change and organization was in the air, and although I admit that I was reluctant to jump on JP's Project: Home-Overhaul, I am now so glad that I did. If you wondered where I disappeared to during the month of November, well, I was busy sifting through my art supplies, and reshuffling my garage workshop and house!

I distinctly remember a highly intuitive friend of mine pulling me aside in October to share her vision that we would soon be moving, and I would have a sunny studio with lots of natural light. The idea of moving had me puzzled and actually a little sad, so I just stored her vision away. However, within two weeks, JP and I were boxing up our things, carting furniture around and lifting heavy equipment up and down the stairs. It wasn't until after the grand reorganization plan began, that I recalled her words and realized the truth in her vision. I was moving out of my garage workshop space and into our back sunroom, with three walls of windows! Uh-Hah! Although we didn't have to change our physical address to achieve her sunny studio premonition, we pretty much MOVED a lot of stuff. In fact, we are still sifting through this and that, and settling in our changed surroundings, but all feels good and well!

In between this massive stuff-shuffle, as I like to call it, I have been sculpting frosty folk art friends for a December 13th Web Sale. Fortunately, settling in my new creative space came naturally, and I delighted in decorating my artist nook. The vintage red and green hues offered much playful musings while I painted my holiday characters. While it's not quite perfect, it's better and better each day. Here are a few photos of both my new sunny sunroom space and some folk art in the works!

Smiles,
~ Johanna



* That's me in my tattered apron, smiling wide! JP made my beautiful workbench years ago, and finally, it has a chance to be seen! Now, if I can just keep the surface clean.. . .



* My buddy Jack is now my creative partner too! He is excited to see me throughout each day in one of his favorite bird-watching rooms.......

 

* My creative space from a distance is framed by our 1939 kitchen entry arch...



* My workbench is clustered with a variety of projects in the works. I hung a vintage half apron and a  pair of table cloth corners in the lower halves of the windows for partial privacy and good cheer. Of course, Jack can still peek out, so all is good!



* JP snuck up from behind to catch me painting a snowgirl! An old family handmade shelf was dusted off from storage and now serves as my brush keeper. It's a perfect fit! It's almost as if it's been waiting all these years to hang right here . . .



* Here's a peek at some winter characters in the works for my December 13th Web Sale . . . It's just around the corner!



* Eek, JP caught me licking my brush! I bet I'm not the only painter that does this in order to keep the fine bristles to a crisp point. . .



* And look who's now watching me from behind! Jack on a colorful cushion of course! The old kitchen hutch now houses art supplies as well as a few pots and pans :)



Thanks for stopping by to visit me in my new creative space . . . I'll take more photos after the holidays. For now, I'm wishing you much joy and many smiles!

( Jane, you were right! :)

Happy Hallowbaloo...

We're finally back from exhibiting at the Hallowbaloo in Washington! It was a long journey's drive across beautiful mountains and valleys, but we made it to and fro, thanks to JP and his mastery behind the steering wheel! THANKS to ALL my dear collector friends who made their own trek out to see us and adopt some special Halloween folk art characters. It was a pleasure to see you! It was also a treat to reconnect with fellow Halloween artist friends and meet others that I had only chatted with online. Big Hugs to the guys that wove the big Hallowbaloo web and created a memorable day for both artists and collectors alike! And, another big thanks to my parents for hosting us at their lovely home and for letting me borrow all those cool antique props! There's no way we could have stuffed all that into our VW beetle! hehe! As shows are always such a frenzy from A to Z, I did what I could to document the event from behind the camera. Below is a small collection of images along with a couple of photo collages that offer a glimpse of the Halloween magic at the Hallowbaloo. ENJOY....

(And don't forget.... I'll be exhibiting at the 10th Annual Halloween Trunk Show in Denver on October 10th! I hope to see you there!)

* That's me smiling big before the start of the show!



* A trio of jacks with overhead bats topped off my mom's cupcake stand. These guys were popular, and fortunately I made a few more for the Denver show! (I still need to paint them!!)



* More of my Halloween originals were displayed in rustic antique cubbies...



* BOO! An original ball ghost character and other sweet friends awaited collectors...



* An arrangement of my pressed paper illustrated owl ornaments were popular at the show! I made a few more for the Denver show too...



* Here's another peek at my Halloween folk art originals, perched and waiting to meet and greet!



* That's me and mom all decked out for Halloween! She was truly donning the orange and black from head to toe! After all, she's my Halloween Mommy as I was born on October 31st!



* JP sneaks a peek from behind the spooky window!



* More Halloween characters brought smiles and delight!



* Here's one of two collages, depicting fellow Halloween artists and their creations... I sure hope I captured everyone!



* And this second collage captures more of the enchanting creations...



* Lastly, here's a peek from Friday night after we set-up! Mom & Dad, living just minutes away, came to help!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN to all of YOU!






Follow me on FACEBOOK too....

Busy Fingers...

Never take for granted the hands that do our life's work.... It was past midnight last evening as JP snapped these candid photos of my busy fingers. Now that August is here, it's crunch time for me. So, I wheeled in a table of wire, pliers and glue and set out to make several sets of bat wings before I grew too sleepy to continue. (I know, talk about Saturday night fun!) I paid little attention to the experimental camera shots he was taking for I was deep in a crafting trance, counting out wires and forming them into sets. After I completed the steps, he shared the images he had taken - thank goodness not of me! But my hands, in artistic action, were the focus, and I was quite intrigued. I rarely grant these ten, long and skinny soldiers any credit for the work they do. But, without them, I would be lost.....

~ Johanna


* Dimly lit images of my hands pressing and forming wires into whimsical wings...


* Pressing and holding the wings in place while the glue is applied....


* Fingers work together to create whimsical wire art.....


* More glue to keep these little accents intact....

Rediscovering the Garden...

Is it like this for you?... The days fly by, and all of the sudden, it's almost July? For me, it certainly is. My mind has been dizzy with all of the to-do's, decisions on remodeling projects, scheduling this and that, family and friends, my art, and so on. Of course, I want to squeeze it all in and still be able to enjoy a little tranquility here and there. But, I must admit, I am not good at juggling, and some of the things I most cherish have been out of my view. Yesterday, however, I enjoyed a moment of enchantment in between sculpting my art. A black and white flutter caught my eye, and invited me toward the garden. He zipped and darted up and down and then landed right before me with a stillness I rarely know. Luckily, I snapped his photo numerous times and feel fortunate to share it here with you. What an amazing dragonfly, don't you think?....



The delicacy of his wings, the patterns and the beauty this little creature exhibited certainly had my attention, and I was grateful to experience that moment. Looking up from my camera, a blaze of perennial color in full bloom caught me by surprise and lured me in. Oh, I have been too busy lately, and obviously, my flower garden has been growing without me ~ so much so that I could barely find the foot path!



Plants were crowding for space, and everywhere I looked was an overflowing surge of color. How could I have missed this until just now? It's only right out my backdoor, but that tunnel vision has been holding me captive I believe....



Fuzzy Lamb's Ear, rusty-colored clovers, wooly thyme under foot, striped ornamental grasses and tiny yellow flowers atop a lush sea of green baby leaves were certainly inviting, and my rediscovery of the garden was in full force.



Another critter crossed my path, and I couldn't help but pick him up for a closer inspection to marvel at his beauty....



The skies were growing dark as rain clouds marched in, but the colors in the garden only intensified.....



And soon rain drops began to fall, and it was time for me to take cover back to the workshop. But fortunately, my dragonfly friend reminded me to take joy in the wonders of the garden. I think I will be back......

~ Johanna