jennadesigns

I have had a deep love of art in its many forms since early childhood. My mother is an artist and was an art teacher prior to my birth. After my birth and the subsequent births of my siblings, she became a homemaker, but never stopped creating. I grew up with a strong appreciation for a variety of art.

Although I continued to explore art through formal classes and independent study in high school and college, I eventually graduated with a bachelor's of arts degree in journalism. After working for a decade as a newspaper editor, in the summer of 2008 I left my job to return to school full time, pursuing a degree in nursing.

I am a proud single mommy to my two children - Isaac, age 6, and Hannah, age 5 months. While it's tough doing it all on my own, while being a full-time student, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

I love spending time with my children, whether it's cuddling on the couch and reading books, going for a bike ride and stopping to admire the scenery along the way or strolling the beach with the baby in a front pack ... as long as they're with me, life feels complete.

I also enjoy taking photographs, mainly digital with my SLR camera and sometimes the point-and-shoot. Back in the day, I used to have my own darkroom, but now I'm a digital convert.

I also am slightly obsessed with sewing a wide variety of items ... everything from reversible headbands to quilts, zipper pouches to pot holders. I recently purchased a serger and am learning to make clothing.

For me, fabric falls into two categories - young and old, new and vintage. I'd like to say I love each equally, but I think I might lean towards vintage ... but only become I'm so in love with the idea of giving something old a second chance at a beautiful life.

When it comes to old, I really like vintage sheets ... I've been diligently working this summer to beef up my sheet stash - quite successfully too! I also like old wool suits and turning them into scarves, zipper pouches, notebook covers and more.

When it comes to new, I tend to like a lot of bright, colorful novelty prints. I have a soft spot for all Heather Ross, Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, Joel Dewberry, Lizzy House and Alexander Henry fabrics. I think fat quarters are the perfect size for most of my projects. I also enjoy buying designer fabric scrap bags from sellers and Etsy ... the surprise is great!

:: I am looking for fabrics with TEXT on them ... preferably cottons or linens. I'm looking to make some log cabin style blocks with them, so I don't need large pieces, but a variety would be nice.

:: Cotton/Linen fabrics. Especially like 60's/70's era vintage prints.

:: Designer fabrics. Some of my favorites are Heather Ross, Heather Bailey, Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, Alexander Henry, Joel Dewberry and Denise Schmidt.

:: Cute Japanese fabrics and trims.

:: Dried lavender.

:: Unusual vintage papers, such as old maps, dictionary pages, instructional books, patterns, sheet music, etc. Foreign is even better!

:: Fun buttons - especially large, chunky ones! Wooden ones are great, but hard to find by me.

:: More as I think of what I could use!

Fortunately, there's not much I dislike.

:: One biggie though is jewelry. Just not into it. The only thing I'll wear is sterling silver and very plain. Don't do necklaces (feels like I'm choking!).

:: Licensed characters. I just don't get into the whole Disney scene... same with Hello Kitty and others.

:: Beads. Not that I don't like them, I just don't have a use for them.

:: Cell phone charms. Just don't understand the point!

ISAAC is 6 years old and into all kinds of things now.

:: His favorite subject is math and he's years ahead of his peers. Math trivia/games are enjoyed.

:: He LOVES art supplies. Some include modeling clay, watercolor paint, glue, glitter, acrylic paint, Sculpty clay, small decorations and ephemera to collage, small notebooks and pencils to draw with, markers, crayons and more.

:: He enjoys collecting small coins from foreign countries. He has a bunch of Euros from Italy already, but I'd like to teach him more about other countries as well.

:: He loves buttons, key chains, zipper pulls and small novelty toys (such as jacks, bouncy balls, etc.)

HANNAH is 8 months old and only into what Mom lets her play with. I like to encourage as much self-found play as possible and prefer she have more natural, Montessori-like toys.

:: Small wooden toys (so hard to find here!), but not so small they'd pose a choking hazard.

:: Cloth blocks.

:: Knit hats (I love them, but cannot for the life of me learn how to knit - and not for a lack of trying).