Journal Cover Competition from Nestle and Soar Studio

Redhead Journal

May I have your feedback? I'm placing cover art for my upcoming series of journals on this post and it is my hope is you will look at them all. The feedback I need is simple! As a comment posted to this blog, please tell me your top 3 favorites in order, beginning with the journal you'd love to have in your hands right now! On March 3rd I will tally everyone's opinions and post again with the results. A prize from my Nestle and Soar Studio of a free journal is up for grabs! Let me know your opinion and I will put your name in a random drawing. Fun? I'm having fun just looking at these images, and I hope you will, too!
Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne

Standing Sentry Journal

Freckled Egg Journal

Sweetheart Owl Journal

Penguin Family is my new "Cover Girls"

This charming photo will grace the front of a new line of journals I am creating for my Nestle and Soar Internet shop. When I came across this image, I had that female "Awww" response. The care shown by the adult (and it may not be the mom, by the way) is so tender. Dad penguins spend the coldest part of the year sitting on the eggs to protect them while the mom seeks food. It is a real family nurturing community. The looks on the faces of the two babies is what got my Awww going really good!

I remember thinking that penguins are mammals, but they are not. They are aquatic, flightless birds and live almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere, especially in Antarctia.  I will share some of my other journal covers with you in the days ahead. I'd love to hear quick votes on which image is your favorite! You can start now by telling me if you like this one. Awww!


Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne

Trees teach us and comfort us

Coexist, Georgianne Holland, 2010

"I am a tree of the field, and I honor that about me. I have been planted here in the earth to nourish, give comfort, and shelter other forms. I am a vital expression of support and supply." Paraphrased from Science of the Mind, January, 2011.

I often look for tree inspiration and these words speak to me today. When trees are a part of my life, I think it enhances my daily living. If I were to live on the tundra or any other treeless landscape, I would feel at a loss, even "un-comfort-able". Perhaps that is why I relate to the suggestion that trees offer comfort.

Many of my friends and family live in places that are currently being hard-hit by winter weather, with a few complaints about it all coming to the surface. When I am in a long stretch of snow and cold at this time of year, I think about how trees are quite active, or soon will be, running sap and preparing to move into the green part of the year. Not long from now, as time marches by quickly, the leaves will be unfurling and the days will begin stretching longer with light. Trees teach me to relax and rejuvenate in the winter--to stay inside and sleep a little longer. I do feel right about being a tree-like personality in this world, or at least, I aspire to this ideal. How about you?

Raspberry Walls, and Floor, and Counter, and Shirt...

Raspberry wool roving in my studio this morning

Two raspberry moments to pass along today, which is just what you were wishing for but didn't know it!

First raspberry experience involves the new operating rule for blenders here at Nestle and Soar Studios... and yes ...raspberry walls are involved. Here's the tip: when making a raspberry protein shake in your blender, take the canister off of the base while you fill it with yummy goodness. Only place the filled canister on the base AFTER you've firmly attached the lid to said canister. I learned this important rule/tip the hard way when I accidentally touched the start button in the process of adding my frozen raspberries. Yes, my face was covered in raspberry sweetness and so was most of the rest of the vicinity. I'm glad I was able to laugh! Laughing is as important as nutritious beverages!

Examples of my Nestle and Soar Studio note cards.

The second and more tidy raspberry moment happened for me today with wool roving in my studio. I am preparing to make a line of Spring-themed wall felts and decided it would be inspirational to pull out a few gentle colors. What do you think would be the ideal subject matter for this pink/red/orange combination of wool with a Spring theme? Reply with your comment and all respondents will receive one Nestle and Soar Studio note card to use and enjoy! Freebie good while supplies last...tell your friends...I want lots of opinions!

Happy Blending and enjoy thinking about Spring with me today. I will get a variety of my wonderful note cards ready to mail; one card of my choice for each published comment :)

Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne

Men vs. Women at the Bowling Alley



Photo from Etsy seller PenguinPalace

Here is a personal revelation about yours truly...I love to bowl. I came to this realization late in life, as I wouldn't have taken the time to bowl before; I even thought it was a little silly. Now, I actually take time to go to my local lanes by myself to practice. I don't always bowl alone, however. This all started two years ago when I was asked to join a friendly ladies league. It was brave of them to invite the gal who hadn't bowled for 20 years to join in. Women bowlers, at least some of them, seem to be like that. I may be different...I'm afraid I am getting way too serious about my bowling...let me explain.

I think I like a little competition with myself. I like knowing that there is a definable skill set and that with practice, I can see improvement. My score gets higher, I have more fun, it is a great sport for my over-achieving personality. I am on a team, and I like that sometimes our team is in the number one spot, but mostly, I like watching my average grow.

Here's a little bowling observation for you, if you are still reading along.
There is a real difference between men and women at the bowling alley (perhaps in other places, too.)

This past Thursday, I had a large group of women using 4 lanes to my left. I was next to them with my coach, in lane 34, practicing how I'm supposed to keep my wrist position locked into place (I have it bad...did I mention that?) To my right there were 2 lanes of men bowling.

• Here's what I heard from the women whenever their friend missed  picking up a spare, "Awwwwww. Too bad." I don't mean that one woman said this. The group of women said it in unison. I couldn't help but overhear them.
• Here's what I heard when a man missed picking up a spare, "Slacker!" One loud guy would yell this...the rest of the men would just quietly laugh.

It kind of went over my head the first time I heard the differences of the sexes reacting to the same situation. Then, I realized that the women appeared to be having more fun. They were high-fiving, laughing, and stayed in close quarters with one another. The guys would wander off to fetch another beer, sit quietly and punch each other on occasion. The men were louder! Their pins would crash together with the force and speed of their bowling ball. And they kept giving each other grief. The women were patting each other's backs and making plans for lunch. "It's okay, we'll go to Olive Garden and have some lunch." Guess which group said that!

I am trying to decide which group I'd rather have bowled with, and after some consideration, I think I would have joined in with the guys. It isn't that I don't love a good Olive Garden bread stick, it's just that I think I would have been motivated to bring out my A-game with the guys. I would have wanted more to avoid the punch in the arm. With the ladies, I wouldn't have felt bad about the gutter ball...I would have felt loved.

Before anyone shows this to a psychiatrist and decides I need help, I'll leave it right there. Bowling is not my life, but it is a fun way to take a break from my sewing table :)

Thanks for stopping by, and give me a call if you want to go bowling. I promise a trip to Olive Garden afterwards,
Georgianne





Naked Trees bring Winter Beauty

Trees without leaves used to be ugly to me. Living in Colorado all my life, I have always had the four seasons, each with their unique benefits. I used to feel blue when the leaves started falling from the trees in our big backyard. It seemed to signal the ugly part of the year, and I much preferred the nine months of green, growing, deciduous trees.

When I ran across this picture of a winter tree, it made me realize how drastically my thoughts have changed regarding a leafless tree! I think it is absolutely beautiful. If this tree were covered with leaves, we wouldn't be able to see its whole majesty...the leaves would block our view.

When I try to capture such an image in my Nestle and Soar Studio, I make sure to save plenty of time for the hand embroidery of the most delicate branches...the ones that almost melt away. The big gnarly branches are poetically plump, but the halo of tiny, forked branches at the tip of each larger limb are my favorite! I have placed this photo in my studio and will use it as inspiration for my next series of tree pillows. I can hardly wait to get started!

What is your favorite season of the year?

Thanks for stopping by,
Georgianne