Original Sweet Heart Sale...

Hello Dear friends & Happy New Year ~ I know, I know... it's already February!! That said, I'm popping in for a quick post and update. Next week, I will be releasing a handful of original Hearts & Love Bug folk art characters via Newsletter notice. Included will be a free Valentine Printable, so if you haven't done so, please Join my Mailing List. This will be my first V-Day collection, donning the traditional red and pink palette. I look forward to sharing them with you!

Also, many thanks to those that adopted last month's medley of New Year's Snowmen! What FUN!

Love & Hugs,
~ Johanna

Johanna-Parker-Hearts-&-Love-Bugs-Folk-Art-Sale

Love is in the Air.....

Hi Friends!

It's actually me, here, on my blog! I know, I know.... it's been a while. And by the way, Happy 2016!

I'm just popping in for a very quick update to let you know that I will be hosting a Secret Love Bug Sale for my Mailing List recipients this weekend. It's not scheduled. It's spontaneous because it's a small collection, and I just finished them! I've been juggling this original character set with special orders and several different licensing projects. Therefore, I was uncertain when this collection would be complete. So, setting a scheduled date was a little too scary for me.....eek! Anyway, they are almost ready to release, winged and ready to flit and flutter their way into your hearts. I'm working on their graphics, Secret Links and Newsletter now.

If you are not on my Mailing List, you can simply join HERE. Keep an eye on your inbox over the weekend for my Secret Sale! I will eventually post the sale on my website for all to see, but the sale will debut as an email event via my Newsletter.

Thanks for your loving support!

xoxo,
~ Johanna

Secret-Love-Bug-Sale

Don't forget to follow me on .....

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where I have been posting progress photos and little hints and teasers along the way....




Art from the Heart


Dear Friends,

As a gift of gratitude to you, I just added a PRINT & SHARE web page that offers a growing variety of FREE printable downloads featuring my art! You can also locate the link directly from my website's Home Page. Just in time for Valentine's Day, you can download several project files including a new pair of Love Bug cards! Add some glitter and lace or maybe personalize with a message and share with your loved ones. (NOTE: for optimum printing, please download the file, save it to your computer and then print from your new file) I appreciate your kindness and support, and this is my gift to you. May my art from the heart, spread smiles and cheer at all times of year! Feel free to email me photos of your finished projects. Perhaps I will compile a gallery page of your shared photos...

Happy Creating & ENJOY!


Johanna-Parker-Valentine-Cards

These sweet cards feature my folk art photography. The Love Bugs were from a small collection of sculptures I made and sold for Valentine's Day 2014. Stay tuned for a few more soon to release this week! JOIN my Mailing List in order to catch one soon!

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Have a Heart! Printable Valentine's Project...

Happy month of LOVE! As a special gift of thanks, we want to share our Hearts with You! Below, you will enjoy a sweet DIY project, including a FREE Printable page of hearts that I have designed. Simply click on the link provided below, print the page and let your creativity flow! For a little inspiration, I am also sharing my step-by-step project with you. It's only one of gazillion paths to take, and we look forward to seeing what you do! Please share your finished Heart creations with us by sending us an EMAIL with images of your crafts. You are welcome to share this link and spread the love....

xoxo,
~ Johanna, JP & Jack

Love-Wire-on-Hand

* The inspiration behind this project started with a long piece of 20 gauge wire and the lovely word "Love." I attempted a few by slowly bending the wire and forming the letters, and then I settled on a size and script style that I liked best...

Share-Heart-Template

* My wire "Love" letters needed a backer plate, so I created a simple heart design on the computer. I included 2 additional hearts at a reduced size and added them all to a standard letter-sized piece of paper.
This FREE Printable can be found at our link:  http://www.johannaparkerdesign.com/Share/Johanna's-Valentine-Heart.pdf

Share-Heart-Print-&-Cut

* I printed the PDF on cream colored card stock and starting cutting along the outer dashed line...

Share-Heart-cutouts

* To add more substance and layers to the heart, I found a scrap of vintage teal wool that I had previously stiffened with glue. Using my existing heart as a template, I drew a slightly larger heart on the wool, and cut out that shape...

Share-Heart-backside-glue

* For an extra touch of texture and whimsy, I glued a strand of fringed red string along the outer edge of the backside of the paper heart.

Share-Heart-backside-assemblage

* Once the glue dried, it was time to position my wire lettering on the front side. Using a pencil, I marked two dots to indicate the exit holes for the wire to pass through on each end of the word "Love." A quick prick with an awl, allowed the wire to pass through to the backside, where I trimmed and looped the wire to secure it in place (as seen above).

Share-Heart-on-the-door

* After a little hot glue, the paper heart fused with it's woolen backer! Another piece of wire, woven  through the wool,  became an easy hanger. And, I was off to decorate with my new creation! I hung it on a kitchen cabinet door....

Share-Heart-on-the-shelf

* I hung it on an antique shelf...

Share-Heart-over-the-shelf

* I hung it on the wall..... and on and on and on....

Simple ideas such as this sweet heart, used in combination with scraps of fabric, wire, string, glue, glitter and other found objects in the home can really add a personal touch and create an endearing gift for a loved one. I hope you find inspiration, print our page of Hearts, put on your crafting hat and get creative... And, Please do share your creations via EMAIL or by posting your projects on our Facebook Page!

Hugs & Happy Valentine's Day!


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Going Love-Buggy!...

Hello friends and Happy 2014! I just realized that it has been a whole month since my last post! After the holidays, I took a little time off from blogging as well as sculpting. The break was a nice change of pace after a very busy show season, but I am happy to be back and immersed in my creative bliss! Currently, with Valentine's Day just around the corner, I am working on a handful of original LoveBugs. I snapped a few photos from the work shop, but remember, they are not quite finished yet... They still await more painted details, wire accents, buttons and trims. With just a few of these one of a kinds to offer, I have decided to release them within my next Newsletter which will go out in early February. As it is a spontaneous sale, there is no scheduled sale date. But, it looks like I will have about a week or so to finish this small collection of ladybug inspired characters, photograph and prepare their graphics. So, keep an eye on your inbox, and best wishes to you for a LOVELY new year!

xoxo,
~ Johanna

WIP-LoveBug-Folk-Art-Group

* LoveBug mini busts and ball characters gather around my paint palette and await more details...

WIP-LoveBug-Folk-Art-Back

* A peek at the back side of one of my LoveBugs reveals swirling patterns and spots!

WIP-LoveBug-Folk-Art-Trio

* Black, white and even a green-faced bug are included in the mix...

WIP-LoveBug-Folk-Art

* This LoveBug says "OH, I'm not ready yet!"...... I think he feels a little exposed :)

You can also sneak a peek of their backsides on my FACEBOOK Page....

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