My Lately, through Instagram

Do you Instagram? It's been my new obsession, since I got an iPhone (finally.) My username is just my first name, JONAHLIZA. Come find me, so we can be "insta-buddies"!

firsts

   I threw my first "proper" dinner party, last night. Even though I was running back and forth the first half, it was still lots of fun. I bake for friends and family all the time, but hosting a party is a lot more work. Plenty of practice for planning "The Wedding." I am hosting another one, for all my colleagues, in a couple of days. The attendance will be bigger, and I'm excited! 


   Some tips I learned: Organize all the decor and pretty dishes a few days ahead of time. Do not lounge around and watch the baseball game the morning of. Carry my camera the whole night. Prep, prep, prep! 

Closing time.

Long time, no blog.

Time has really flown by. Sorry, for my lack of posts. I've lost a bit of blogging and crafting inspiration, lately. I was kinda bummed I didn't make any holiday cards this year (sorry, to my usual Christmas card giftees!) And Pinterest has taken over most of my "web browsing" life. It's just so darn easy to save favorites there. Working longer hours at my day job didn't help, either. Needless to say,  it's a new year. Happy, happy 2012! With that said, a bit of good news.


Last month, I got engaged (yay!) and have been knee deep in planning a happy, colorful and very budget-friendly wedding. It's pretty fun, and definitely not the oddball, quickie Vegas wedding I wanted 10 years ago. Eek. Any-who, there's also a few new items I've been working on for the shoppe. Promise, to keep ya posted. Have a great rest of the week! Cheers <3


(photo via paper tastebuds)

My chair was getting cold...

So, I gave him some socks.

s l o w l y

 

Hello, friends.. I am adding new items to the shoppe all month long, and offering free gift with purchase. It's quite exciting having a little online space, showcasing TreeCookies! You don't know how long I have been wanting to do this! See this post.
   
In the meantime, check out the sweetest little story on where one of my cards ended up. Thanks, Lorea (of Lo Cirque)! 


I'll also be sending out the first shoppe newsletter. I would love it if you joined <3 Have a great weekend! 

Subscribe to the TreeCookies mailing list

Hart's Craft Fair

   Some quick shots of my TreeCookies display, at the fair last Sunday. I wish I took more photos, but had lots of fun. Hart's Fabric is quite an amazing fabric store. So happy they decided to throw this little fair in the parking lot, and will have to go back (to shop) sometime, real soon.

Below, some of my friend, Lorea's, awesome goods. Check out her new blog- Lo Cirque <3 And I can't thank Amy enough, for having me join her booth to sell some TreeCookies. Can't wait for the next one! 

P.S. You can call it a "soft opening", but I've finally added 2 things to my Etsy Shoppe. More to come within the next few weeks. I am offering free goodies with purchase all September & October. And I also have a TreeCookies Facebook page. So please check these out. I appreciate all the love and support. Thank you!

late night crafting

   My BF was representing his school at a music production conference last weekend, and was looking for some of the old business cards I had made him, awhile back. I wanted to update his info, so I offered to make him new cards. It took a little longer, than expected, but this is what I made.

   I used my handy customizable stamp set and knew I wanted to incorporate a stamp from my collection, as well. It took me a minute or two because I thought it would be cool to use one of my hand carved blocks. They were just way too "cutesy." Then, I knew exactly which one to use. 
   BF and I are based out of the SF Bay Area, so I thought the (Golden Gate) Bridge would be perfect. And, it was! I can''t recommend Yellow Owl Workshop, enough. See here, here and here. I love all their awesome products. I am only half way through Print Workshop, and have a ton of bookmarked projects, already. If you haven't seen the book, or any of the projects circulating the internet, you gotta check it out. Not only is there tons of amazing DIY's, but the book is extremely informative. Especially for someone like me, who loves printing by hand.
   The Bridge adds a nice touch, to the cards, and works well since we are also big SF Giants fans. 
   Have you ever made your own business cards before?

500 Days of Summer

 I hope you all are enjoying your summer <3 How has it been? long?

   Where have I been this whole time? The kitchen, mostly. I have also been making TreeCookies like crazy for a little fair I am participating in, soon. Hoping to open my Etsy shoppe around the same time. Seriously, time has FLIED. If you're in the Santa Cruz, CA area on the 28th, come check out TreeCookies, at the "Everything but the Kitchen Sink" booth. There I will be selling with some other crafty ladies. Be back, soon. Promise!

Lost in Translation

New banner (look above)

   What do yah think? I've been wanting to take that shot for awhile, and I'm happy to finally get it done. It was a beautiful week, here in San Jose. I enjoyed it for every one of you stuck in the middle of snow.

"I got nothin."

   Hi, everyone! OMG-this is an un-posted post, I wrote on March 9, 2009.


_____________________________________________________________


   I titled it, "my February stamp suite".. One of my first BIG card projects. Japanese pop art was the inspiration for the cute girl and having a cute saying. That last shot has been my blog banner since I started helloTreecookies. It's almost time to change it up.
   Oh, finished up a business plan, and printed with a cute tree stamp (see here.) I feel really motivated. Ready, and busy..in a great way of course! My January was rejuvenating. How was yours?

Had to share...

   I found this amazing video, over at HonestlyWTF, and just had to share with you. It takes crochet bombing to a whole new level. Isn't artist, Olek, too cute!? I really want to learn to crochet and/or knit sometime. Does anyone find one better than the other?


OLEK AND THE CHARGING BULL ON WALL STREET from olek on Vimeo.

Gah!

   I PROMISE to be back, soon! Hope you enjoyed your December. I started Project 365. Check it out HERE. I've made way too many resolutions.. I'm trying to find the right balance for everything (including opening an Etsy shoppe.) Have an awesome week! Love you ALL <3


hearts and hearts, Jo

some shots of my December

Wow-did this holiday season fly. I'm glad today is going slower than usual. It is Christmas after all. 


Below, holiday cards I designed when the Giants were in the playoffs..

I didn't have the right ribbon color for my first gift, so I went straight for my big bag-o-yarn! And used pieces throughout the season. Noel gift tags from Eat Drink Chic and some cute Camilla Engman tags, all free to download.  

I heart gift wrapping, seriously.

Christmas morning at the Creek..Time to take it easy and enjoy being with loved ones.

Wishing you and yours a happy Christmas.. 

i love Bettig.

  The latest "We Are Not Two We are One" screen print from Christopher Bettig is so beautiful. I've been in love with this illustration forever. And I'm really diggin this new square and minty green ink edition. *swoon. This print is limited to 50, so get it while it's hot. I'd love it on the wall next to bed. Below are two favorite photos from my recent TreeCookies tumbl-log.

christopher bettig print


sweet wedding balloons, via A Cup of Jo; a fantastic fox & friends print by the lovely Sarah McNeil.






Any plans for Thanksgiving?? I'll be attempting my very first pie (pumpkin!) Wish me luck? 


Have a good one, friends <3 hearts and hearts..

eggo's & ice cream

Some late night dessert, while watching 500 Days of Summer. A killer movie starring two of the hippest actors, I think, out there. Case in point: She and Him`s super cute music video, below. BF didn't like the ending, of the film, as much as I loved it. It had some sentimental value, as this was the very first movie I watched, in a theater, all by myself. I treated myself for my birthday, last year. Needless to say, I've been on a few more "alone" movie dates, after that. It's kinda fun.

happy fall

   How's it goin? My fall is going good. I've missed the colder weather and am embracing the rain. My workspace is back, from recent home renovations. I'm all better, from a light cold.  The Giants won the World Series! And it's almost time for one of my most favorite holidays (Thanksgiving). I love to cook and bake, and that holiday is a lovely start towards cozy December and New Year's. Gosh, I can't believe it's just around the corner. I've been having a hard time thinking up Christmas card ideas. Just snapping shots for inspiration. Hopefully, "it" comes to me soon.

Hope you enjoy these little bits of my fall. Any plans coming up for your Winter?

happy birthday, sis

   My kid sister (who isn't really a kid, but I call her that anyways) turned 21 over the weekend. Although, I'm treating her to breakfast, shopping and a sewing class, here, in a couple weeks.. doesn't mean I can get away without making a few little TreeCookies, too. I played with this paper doll kit, and made a "mini Theresa", and then had the BEST idea! Who is one of her favorites?

Totoro! All I did, was trace an image from the web, transfer it to colored card stock and cut, cut, cut and glue away. I had so much fun making him, parading him around my desk for little bit, until it was time to go in the envelope. Along with a Marvy LePen (which are just lovely and oh so colorful.)

I couldn't forget the leaf. Paper Totoro says, "Have a great week!" Maybe, you can try to make your own paper creatures, too? The end result can be quite satisfying.


p.s. striking print-> Big Sister, Little Sister by PeachPatrol. It's perfect.

Bunny and the Bull

A lovely, lovely film trailer. I think its just how imaginative and home-made it looks, that reminds me a little of one of my ultimate favorites, by the amazing Michel Gondry. Not to mention the fact that Bunny and the Bull is directed by Paul King, writer and director of The Mighty Boosh. The film (which stars two of the Boosh stars) is a road trip of sorts, that kinda just takes place in a London flat? Yeah, awesome, I know. Enjoy the trailer.. and the start of fall. I've missed you cold weather. It's been too long.





I've got a new work space, that still needs some organizing, and decorating. I promise to get back to blogging more. And, hopefully I'll have more shop news, by the end of the month.


Hearts and hearts, Jo

thank you

... to everyone out there. Friends and family, near and far. Stay positive <3

I made some thank you cards, for some great people who helped celebrate my birthday with me. The Golden Gate Bridge and home stamp is a set from Yellow Owl Workshop (whom I just adore. See here and here.) I picked it up as my souvenir at DeYoung. I also used one of my carved heart blocks and a stamp kit I got at the local office store. Love the orange. Go Giants!