Teasing Spring...

Yay! I finished my collection of spring originals, soon to debut on March 26th! They each posed for the camera last night, and I snapped a few teaser pics to entice you to join me for my Spring Web Sale, later this month. In total, there are 10 little sweeties, and I want to thank all of my collector friends for your little push to make some spring delights this year. It has been a fun diversion :)

* A sweet bunny, painted in chocolatey spring hues, peeks into the frame...



* A creamy-white mouse with rose-colored undertones, smiles amongst a gathering of spring folk art friends...



* Looking up, we see what appears to be a perky rabbit in vintage pinks and greens.... Look at her wee little mouth!



* And an adorable buttery-yellow chick waves a wiry wing and invites you all to take a closer peek on Monday, March 26th, when I will release these unique characters. Please Join my Mailing List for more details, including the start time and more.

Think Spring!
~ Johanna

Spring Muse & Hues...

Ahh, the temperatures are finally beginning to warm, and spring is in the air! A fresh breeze has been wafting through the window of my workshop as I finish up my collection of spring originals for an upcoming Web Sale. More feathered friends have been bathing in the bird bath and celebrating the commencement of spring through song. It feels good to be close to finishing my latest batch of seasonal folk art characters. JP stopped in to snap a few photos of the artistic process as I added the final painterly touches to my pieces. You can see more of the image below on my Facebook Fan Page ~ (and please click the LIKE button once you arrive if wish to stay connected!)  Next, I will add a few touches of glass glitter and trims to these sweet guys. There are 10 in total and include a fun mix of egg cups, kettle cups and ball characters. I would have loved to make more, but I also have a growing list of eager Lucky List recipients that I must tend to as well. (Thank you for your patience :)

* Just a peek at one of several originals I have been creating for spring!  You are welcome to Join my Mailing List for more details on my March 26th Web Sale...

* Here's a close-up perspective on my paint palette for spring. I rarely use colors straight out of the bottle. The bright red, mixed with white and soft yellow create that salmon-pink hue that I prefer for this season. I also apply this color to the cheeks of snowmen when the holidays roll in.

* It's funny as I have been using the same cool whip lid for years upon years to mix my paints on, and I DON'T eat cool whip ~ not for many years at least. But, I am certainly recycling and getting good use out of its container :)  After the layers build up, I peel the whole thing off, sign and date the back, and just store it away ~ for what, I'm not sure, but I just can't bring myself to toss it out as there's an intimiate beauty in those layers of paint, methodically mixed....

* I know, this just looks like blobs of color, but it's art to me... unintentional, but still art.



* I didn't notice how these hues swirled together, forming a flowing pattern until I snapped the subject up close. The movement is captured in time and may soon disappear under another bumpy layer of paints.

* One more perspective of my artist's palette, and then I'll stop for now :) This reminds me of a slightly mountainous landscape, and if I were the size of a pinhead, I would scale those hilly hues!

IMAGINATION ~ I am so grateful for it!

~ Johanna

Spring Welcome...

Happy April 1st to all! The sun is shining and little hints of spring are emerging outdoors. More and more of our feathered friends have been appearing at our feeder as the days warm, and it's always a joy to see them return. Indoors as well, the birds are getting all the attention! In the spirit of spring, I decorated my mantel with a pair of my spring standing birds which I designed for Bethany Lowe. They are new this year, and I really love how sweet they are. The only bummer is that they sold out in January, so I am uncertain where they can be purchased, or if they can be found at this time. It seems only a handful were produced, but I have a feeling that they will be making a come back next year. So, please tell your favorite online vendor or shopkeeper that you'd like to pre-order a set so we can get more of these little tweet-hearts in production! I appreciate it and the birds do too!

Happy Spring,
~ Johanna


* I see that Traditions is accepting your pre-orders for next year! And check with Bayberry Cove too!...


I have my own pair because each designer gets a pair of complimentary samples, but I was too late in placing my spring order. They had ALL been snatched up to my surprise!


* Sorry for the tease, but with your help I know they will be migrating back next year!
~ Thank you!

Tweet News!...

A package for me arrived on this fine Friday afternoon, and I anxiously tore it open to find two copies of the new March/April issue of Cooking with Paula Deen Magazine. Last year, their kind stylist asked me to send some of my spring designs from Bethany Lowe to stock pile for possible shoots. I crossed my fingers, had them sent and kept plugging away. Well, today, I began flipping each page from back to front as I always do, looking and looking for a possible glimpse of one of my creations. I almost gave up, but then decided to peek at the start of the magazine. To my surprise, there it was! In the arms of Paula Deen sits my Spring Chick glass jar tucked into a goodie-filled Easter basket! What FUN! Thanks to all the folks at CwPD magazine for once again including me in your lovely issue. I am very grateful for the recognition :)
~ Johanna


* Judging from Paula's happy grin, I think she approves! hehe!

You can purchase these through Bayberry Cove, Holiday Barn , A Vintage Holiday and Shelley B Home and Holiday! Thank you for shopping my spring goods! :)

Magazine Images, © 2010 Hoffman Media

Spring Fever!....

I don't know about you, but I have spring fever! The days have finally started to warm a bit after an arctic cold snap that seemed to linger for too long. Thinking ahead to warmer days and spring time pleasures, I thought it would be fun to share with you a peek at some of my new spring & summer themed reproductions! I just received my Primitives by Kathy catalog, and I was happy to see my new Garden Goodies included. Our color palette for this collection was a cheery red, cream and soft vintage green. I decorate with these colors throughout the year, so it was a fun project for me, and I look forward to adding a few of these items to my every day decor. Take a peek with me....


* Look! A fun set of Garden Boxes complement this festive nature collection. A sculpted red bird and a watering can spout serve as the whimsical handles for these round containers...
{ Item # 15913 }


* And a happy pair of Garden Serving Trays that double as wall art will certainly add a sweetness to your garden party or wall decor!
{ Item # 15912 }


* And for all of those photographic moments captured in time, frame them in one of my New Boxed Frames! I included my own sentiments to complement the sweet imagery. { Item #s 15705, 15911, 15704, 15700 from left to right }

Looks like all of these garden delights will be available this March. You can pre-order these goods through Primitives by Kathy or one of the various online vendors that offers my products. And, there is a slight chance that I may be offering a few of these signed collectibles this spring, so please join my e-mailing list for notification.
Think Spring!

~ Johanna

* © 2009 Johanna Parker Design *Garden-themed designs & photos are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Scenes from the Spring Fling!...

For those of you who would like a peek at this weekend's festive Spring Fling event here in Denver, I have a treat for you!...JP and I took lots of pictures to document the show and share with you. And how fortunate we were to have a great turnout of spring shoppers eager to see all the latest treasures. Thank you to all who marked your calendars and made a special trip to come by and see us. Luckily, the weather was a delight all weekend, and the warm sun, pouring through the historic Phipps Tennis Pavilion's glass ceiling, kept our cheeks rosy for hours on end. Enjoy the photos below! ~ Johanna

*PS... Online collector friends: Mark your calendars for this coming Saturday March 21st when I will be hosting a Spring Web Sale on my website featuring a fun collection of both my originals and a nice variety of Signed Reproduction Collector's Sets for you to choose from! For specific details on the sale start time and more, please email me to join my mailing list: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com


* A wide image of the left side of my booth displaying a fun assortment of my spring designs...


*A whimsical butterfly clip perches on a sweet feather tree...


* That's me in my spring garb!...


* Sweet bunnies and birds from my new line of Bethany Lowe Spring designs patiently wait to meet their new owners...


* There's my cutie-pie hubby wearing his festive spring shirt...


* Another glance at my spring display. Illustrated candy boxes hang from clothespins on a pink tinsel garland while spring party hats hover atop an old window screen...


* A peek at my new beach line offered through Primitives by Kathy... Papier mache sand pails and sea gulls complement each other...


* A quick snap of me ringing up a sale taken from the Pink Attic Cat's booth next door...


* A view from outside reveals this lovely 1932 structure where we all played store for the weekend! You can see the glass roof peeking up above the barn-like brick structure...


* A delicious lunch, created by the tasteful Erica McNeish who offered a scrumptious variety of edibles for shoppers all weekend!...


* A trio of my spring party hats add a festive flare to the scene!

*ALSO* Keep a look out this week for a few new Collector's Catch pieces to pop up on my website! Good luck & thanks for looking :)
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