Maternity :: 37 weeks

Well life seemed to be dragging for the last 8 months, but now that we've hit that final month......time is just flying (i'll be 38 weeks tomorrow....which means 2 weeks to go - or any day/time now really! yippy + yikes!)
I finished up work a few weeks back, my loverly beau is now at home for the next 6 weeks + my supa awesome parents will be arriving from Australia next week.......so all i have to do now is sit back, relax and have a baby ::: giggle!!

Sparky Snippets - Oregon Coastline! (part 2)

 Really glad we decided to come here!!

 jj + the coast = a lotta flyaways!!!

 my beau entitled this one the girl + her dog

 sunset + shadows

 the kidlets

 This is a view of our National Forest campsite!! (crazy, i know its completely hidden!!)

From the beach, we just had to meander over some sandy hills, thru some humungous native grasses, and down amongst the trees is where our bright blue truck/camper was hiding!

a view of our campsite's backyard, and some gourmet smokies for supper, cooked by my very own boy scout!!!

Sparky Snippets :: Oregon Bound (part 1)

A freaky storm in OmaK country

(first hour into the trip!)

Thought we'd have a light snack preggers style, in our fav Omak Cafe

The Breadline
to wait out the storm !!

Hit up some National Forests for some fresh air + scenery

(love the signs hence the photo!)

Spooky old man trees

my Mr + a majestic photo op

Big trees, cliffs + waterfalls

all part of the reason i love roadtrippin'!!!

bye bye for now : lil jj

To the coast we go

So we are heading to the coast...not just any coast....but the Oregon Coastline down in the States!!! Yeppers i'm using my last few days of holidays (freedom), we are packing up the truck + camper, the dogs and hitting the road...i heart road trippin'!!!

(if you can't tell i'm excited, really excited)

We kinda decided it was the perfect way to celebrate our 2nd year anniversary + might be our last dash of freedom for a while before the babe arrives ::giggle!

And just a snippet of gorgeous fabric that i can't wait to turn into something even more fantabulous, one of these days !!

bye bye for now :: lil jj

new resident

Well we have a new lil friend living in our house.....he is small, ever so cute, moves like a ninja + parties in our abode when no one is looking.

We have named him Monty!!!

Monty the Mouse

Unfortunately for Monty he made me a lil upset - when he left a million lil poopsicles in my baking trays under the oven, so thats when i decided that i needed to take some action, that he simply couldn't stay any longer!!So i opened the draw under the oven to start cleaning up his mess + set a trap...and there he was just staring at me.....

i think we both let out an ..ekkkkkkkk!!!!

So i called for back up.....Indie our white fuzzy mutt was all to eager to help.

Indie managed to squeeze himself under the oven + scoop Monty up in his jaws

we all walked outside

Nervously waiting to see what would happen next.

Monty was released on command.

And there he lay

in the sunshine + his little toes in the air.

Not one drop of blood was spilled

but lil Monty had succumb to heart failure from the whole ordeal

photo + shop credit :: Atelier Pompadour

a shoppe of gorgeous felted goodies to warm your soul!!

Not really a happy ending, but it was quick + painless for everyone involved

and a cute way of showing you an etsy shop i just adore!!

bye bye for now :: lil jj

life lesson # 269:: don't poop where you eat!!!







Maternity :: 24 weeks

Thought you might like to have a lil glimpse of la belly!

Sparky Snippets

1.   A gorgeous vintage apron + the real deal original smiley mugs :: a gift from my supa sweet sista in-law
2.    Retail therapy :: the perfect score...a vintage lookin' sign thats goin look great in our mini hallway
3.  Polenta :: i'm trying out a new recipe...Polenta Lasagna !! yumo gluten-free goodness
4.  La driveway in all its glory (daisy's are one of my fav's)
5.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh the rustic garden at the back of the shed - grapes and snapdragons :)
6.  The only flowers left standing at my back door, after a pesky deer munched all my roses in the night
7.  Fresh laundry on the line

Bye bye for now :: lil jj

Time out + a Tour

Whilst the creatin' of a lil babe is the most amazing experience a person could ever go thru...

it can also leave you feeling + looking like a sack of potatoes!!!

(ummm i am definitely minus the 'pregnancy glow' gene!)

So today i'm officially surfing the net, on a crumb filled couch, in my jammies...+ its the afternoon,

 yeppers i'm letting the chores.. and the 'to do' list take a backseat!!

and i've been finding some wonderful treats + eye candy...so i'll take you on a mini tour!

follow me::

first stop:: Kinfolk

Okay from what i gather ...this site is a magaziney/ journal type place that has been created by artists that has the most interesting articles, findings and exciting lil snippets of delightful handmade goodies....and for moi ::

totally inspiring and will be on my blog/website stalking list for sure !!

second stop:: Folklore

Which i found thru Kinfolk (of course!)

Now this lil shoppe is in London, England...which is probably a good thing, coz i'd be standing with my face pressed against the window on a daily basis if i lived in the vicinity!

You can however look + shop online at their scrumptious goodies

which is where i found this:

The coolest wallpaper ever!!!

They have 8 different designs to choose from but this one is my fav

(Can't you just see a bright coloured Sparky character sitting on the white chair - i wonder if you can claim wallpaper as a business expense...mmmmm??)

And its probably time i shared my latest blog crush ::

Third stop:: Yvestown

I while back i had mentioned that if i had a grown up house...it would be all white with brightly coloured accessories + accents

And it just so happened that i stumbled across this blog a while back and fell in love

She's an artist, and has a lil shopfront, is also renovating an old house.

Yvonne Eijkenduijn lives in Belgium and i love the way that she writes as she is quite sparky + things seem to get a bit lost in translation which makes it even more blunt, quirky and funny.

have a snoop here at my dream house

Righto - well the sun is still shining, so i should probably venture outside sometime soon!!

I'll be adding the sites of my tour over on the righthand side of the page for easy access....

so you got any blog crushes that should be shared ???

bye bye for now:: lil jj

The Water Closet

Well with the deadline fast approaching....the things that need to be done are really adding up!

One of the biggest tasks was a complete bathroom makeover!

We have a tiny tiny b-room, that was filled with periwinkle coloured everything...bathtub, toilet and tiles (unfortunately we forgot to take before n' afters).  Now for a retro lover like myself - i didn't actually mind the kitchy colouring, but if we were ever to re-sell...well ......i'm sure the site would make most peeps toes would curl with uneasiness

So in went the clawfoot tub, new flooring, toilet, plumbing + my favourite part....accessories!!!

Just have to complete all the finishing touches.....but if i have a toilet + shower....well...i think its okay to take some time off! (Notice the mag - its the Aussie Country Style!!! Which i pretty much drool over every month - hello shabby chic delight !!!)

and the new faucet, which i haven't quite mastered!!! The walls/windows/shower curtain are awfully clean tho!!!

Next thing on the hit list :: mini vacation...think we'll have to take advantage of the warmer weather + camper..and hit up some lakes!!!

Hope all is well with your new adventures

bye bye for now :: Lil jj





Black + Whites

Hello hello my friends....well LOTS has been going on here in the last few months, but i feel like i can share my lil secret now (I think some of you know anyways but.....)

Sparky Jones is expecting!!!!!

Yeppers - earlier in the year when i was taking some time out to revamp Sparky, ie; working on a spectacular new business plan, fantabulous new designs, new outlook on running a biz .....well......

i guess it was also the most perfectly imperfect time to get knocked up !!!

All giggles aside..me + the mister are supa excited, as it was in the cards for us, we just didn't expect it to happen so fast as we are no spring chickens if you know what i mean!!!

Thank my lucky stars i didn't get 'the sickness' -  but i knew something was up when::

- i would fall asleep on my sewing machine, cutting table, ironing board(not so safe)..pretty much anywhere i could rest my head.

- when i could sew, i'd have to stop all of a sudden, run to the nearest cafe + yell 'gimme gimme' and inhale cookies like the cookie monster

- i had thoughts of just having one job!! (this is really weird for me as...i can't remember the last time i didn't have 3 jobs on go, and a full weekend of pleasant nothingness!)

Anyways we are currently at the halfway point...20 weeks into the journey infact, so we just had our black + whites done...yeppers little pictures of blobs and shading n' shadows that make up a baby...and apparently all is looking positive!!



I decided to go back to work full time, and just to work that one job....have my weekends to spend with my sweet, take some time to smell the roses and enjoy a summer of freedom + sleep. 

So alas, Sparky had to take a back seat...but its been good to have a break, really step back, actually research and think with a clear mind (instead of with the heart::which i have realized does not run a successful business...a fullfilled one but not successful!)

So i hope you will enjoy the journey in the meantime, as the Sparks will return...!!!.

bye bye for now :: lil jj

ps:  i guess the names Sparky + Jones are out for baby names...any suggestions???

whilst on sabbatical

Well for those who are not Sparky followers on the  FaceBook, and for peeps i haven't told yet.....I decided that i just really needed some time out from the Sparks, a sabbatical some might say!.  I mean you can love love love what you do +  want to do it 24/7, but there comes a time when you may have an unhealthy imbalance within yourself + your lifestyle choices....and thats when you need to take a step back, to re-evaluate pretty much everything !!

Its kind of an exciting process, bit scarey + really really hard.  To actually be honest with yourself what sort of lifestyle you want to have, whats most important and where you can see yourself going - well for moi, that seems to change on a daily basis at the moment.....and thats why i figure i might take as much time as i need (i've given myself a week to do this task before:: i didn't really get very far - giggle!!)

So what have I done so far :

1) well i have packed up + moved outta the Sparky HQ's (very sad times, but had to be done so i would really have to stop sewing, creating + buying vintage goodies)

2) Cut down on my internet use big time...which means i have way more time for reality

3) Gone back to work full time :: which means hello steady income + goodbye stress

4) taking baby steps towards this chilling out business, and not feeling like i have to cram pack every hour of everyday with something

5) trying to re-teach myself how to cook + enjoy it again...seriously i have become a very lazy mealtime person

And funny enough i have come across a few snippets from other people lives....that have made me feel completely + utterly normal, everyone seems to be on overload these days - my we are such funny creatures !!!

So check out ::

Brooke + Mish's blog (and  their most beautiful photos)

Tara's post

Things i'm afraid to tell you over at Creature Comforts (kinda long but a fantastic read!)

So thats about what i've been up too.  I was thinking i might post a few things here + there, coz even if i'm taking a break - cool things + fantabulous peeps seem to enter my world, and well thats worth a writing about!!
Anyways hope you are all good + happy

bye bye for now
lil jj

weather

sorry guys...a touch under the weather at the momento....so i'm hoping to get lots of R + R today...so i'll be full of beans tomorrow for posting lots of goodies in the Sparky BigCartel shoppe!!

bye bye for now :: lil jj

guilty

Okay so i have been posting Sparky goodies everyday in the Sparky BigCartel shop...of which there is only.....6 days left!! Yikes!

anyways, i've been totally obsessed with watching 'Dexter' right now...like i just keep going..oh just one more episode, one more episode, just one more....and then lil jj is too sleepy to write a coherant blogpost: giggle!! Its weird coz the show kinda irritates me - like seriously its about a serial killer that knocks off the bad guys and gets away with it, and its graphic blood and guts and everything i can't stand.....and thats why i keep having to watch it!!! ahhhhhhhh

So have a look to the righthand side of this page, where is says....Sparky Jones @ BigCartel, click on that link...and then TA DA you can see all the new delicious characters i have added!!

Yes thats called cheating...but i call it inventive!!!
goodnight ya'll...just have to watch one more episode before bed.....
You guys like that with any shows??

What could it be??

DAY 19 uses these........

Interested ??....look here::

bye bye for now :: lil jj
ps....me + my new cameruka love taking snaps of close ups..can you tell??
(oh one last thing...the Sparky 'PoP Up' shop is only open for 10 more days!!!)

Gettin' a lil Busy

Sorry peeps - i managed to have a snooze on the couch before i could post DAY 18!! Opps...anyways, 'Levi + Coal' is a randomly retro and absolutely gorgeous!! This lil number is in shades of coal and apricot...with a brown polkadot appliqued cross, handstitching and a snippet of the label that once belonged to Levi's jeans(his long legs really helped in making the strap + body of this Busy!)

what i love about making Busy Jones ...is putting in welt pocket on the strap. I love love love making it a complete feature...a splash of random colour...the totally unexpected pocket!!! This pocket is lined in a kitschy koo koo giggling cabbages upcycled cotton
Appliqued or handstitched X's are definitely the Sparky signature(Ya'll don't be fooled by immitations!!)...they kinda remind me of a handmade stitch + OXO's...so ultimately you know that this lil character has been handmade + with a lotta love!!!
And i had to share a morsel of the coolest apricot curtain i have ever laid my hands on!!!...

Righto hope you all had a fantabulous weekend, mine was filled with lots of napping, so i would have more than enough energy for the next few weeks...its gonna be BUSY!!
So don't forget....the Sparky etsy store will be shut for a month..but the 'pop up' Sparky BigCartel shop is still open...until the 29th feb!!!
bye bye for now :: lil jj

Sparky goodness

All in the name::
So Sparky Jones is like my sparky alter ego (which i'm pretty sure lies within most of us, especially the creative peeps!) So when i get fired up about something...watch out - i turn into this little firecracker, i gear it up to mission mode + i don't stop 'Sparkying' until i'm done......and in the end getting into this sparky-crazed zone/coma...usually helps me to achieve much goodness!!!!
So what got me all fired up this time??
Well i went to post a package of 3 earrings (currently available here) and with the cost of the shipping....well i'd be making a $2 profit...which infact wouldn't even able me to put that money back into making some more earrings. So what was my response??? 'You've got to be kidding!'....so i snatched my package up and started busying on making a bomb proof box of perfect dimensions ! So when i was finished, i marched back down to the P.O and when i got to the counter.....'all i want to know..is this going to fit through the magic slot'(the magic slot are these dimensions that are the bain of most online sellers exsistance!) She slid it through no problems....and i think we both cheered and i walked out as one happy camper - maybe even skipping!!
But the funny thing was...to make this most perfect box..i actually pulled out my Art school supplies and had a blast. So i think this perfect package of goodies will be going into my new Spring Collection!! But i think i might post some here as a special treat for DAY 16 +DAY 17.....yeppers they might be a few extra bucks than the other ones....but you get a classy lil handmade by moi box....and free shipping. This package would be the perfect lil gift or back-up pressie for the friend/sista that has everything!!

bye bye for now ::lil jj

Banshee Thursday

So what is 'Banshee Thursday'?? well that would be me today !!!
Yeppers right about now- i'm exhausted!!! and why...coz i feel like i have been yelling + screaming all day at ONE WHITE fuzzy mutt, actually today i thought...well i bet i know what its like to have naughty little triplet boys...'no don't do that, stop pulling at me, get that outta your mouth,put that down, stop attacking that dog, NO NO NO....WHY ISN'T ANYONE F&%# ing LISTENING TO ME!!!!
Infact this is the precise meaning of the word ::
ban·shee =
(in Irish folklore) a spirit in the form of a wailing woman who appears to or is heard by members of a family as a sign that one of them is about to die.
Which actually made me giggle A LOT!!! So when my beau called, i was frazzled to say the least....until he told me to look in secret spot coz Indie (fuzzy satan) had written me a card to say he was sorry + he really did love me!!!
And speaking of cute...here's a sneaky look at DAY 15:: You know what, i've got to say, she is oddly gorgeous...peeps in the real that have seen her...are like ' Oh thats not the hat for me!' until they try her on....'oh well actually i look pretty good in this hat' a little gem in disguise!!!anyways i'm thinking its going to be a good day tomorrow...so happy blissful friday everybodies!!! bye bye for now :: lil jj

Big day for the Okanagan

Holy diner was there ever a buzz around the Okanagan today!! well probably all over BC, infact probably all over Canada!! Everybody's excited and tuned in the the 'Ellen Show' @ 11 am. I had to scoot over my my besties to watch (we don't have a TV which is great is so many ways, and makes it a supa big thing to watch the vision box on special occasions)
You see this crazy loveable kid we know, 8 years back had the most terrible accident doing what he loved, and as a result, is now a paraplegic. But he is one of those rare few people who chose to shine and achieve much goodness + greatness after such adversity. So watch the link below, and you'll understand what i mean!!

Vernon Morning Star - Vernon Paralympian Josh Dueck to appear on Ellen show

and meet the juicy lil character DAY14:: Bubblegum + Mint
A quick snap shot of my morning!! Goodmorning sunshine i love what you do to me::giggle!!
bye bye for now ::lil jj

a day for the loved!!

Ahhhh Valentines day - not just a day for couples i say!! A day for the LOVED!! and lucky for each + everyone of us...thats applicable (i mean it could be your dog, your neighbour, your kid, even your bank/creditors - something out there loves you and thats GREAT so lets eat chocolate!!!)
So before my beau went away - he stocked me up with some V day goodies.....i think there are some crumbs left at the bottom of the box as of today....i couldn't help myself, they were calling my name - it was torture...and hells chocolate taste great with your morning coffee what can i say!!

So what did i do on this international day of being loved..well i bought some totally vintage fabric which i think i should totally make old fashion hankies out of ! Ate some chocolate, read a Martha magazine ( note:: this addition has great recipes and good crafty stuff), got myself a burger, and me and the dogs watched a chick flick!!!! A totally romantic night although it was sans beau!
And hey have a look at Day 13!!! Ain't they both loveable!!

Righto thanks everybodies for sending some comments and thoughts...its been a great help + thought provoking!!! thumbs up to you guys!!!

happy v day!!

bye bye for now :: lil jj

Sparky update + forecast 2012

Righto - well i have had a million things going on in my head for the last few months, so i thought it was about time leak some informations out!!
First of all - gots to say not much has been going on in my Etsy shop of late due to my trying to work on designing new some new goodies + working on the Sparky business plan , so sorry about that...but i thought that january/february would be a great time for doing that stuff, as its usually pretty quiet
Second on the list of news, is i decided to open up a 'Pop Up' shop with BigCartel for a whole month...just as i like to live on the edge:::giggle....have a bit of fun, have a crazy assignment for a month (giving yourself assignments is a great way of getting out of the february blues - which i always seem to suffer from...ahhhh gloomy winter!) I'd also wanted to take BigCartel for a test drive too...its pretty cool actually, shows a lot of information about #visits to your shop and products - and its supa easy to use...so if ya not a techno geek like me, thumbs up!!

Anyways to concentrate on what i need to for the year ahead - i'll be closing my ETSY SHOP this SUNDAY 19th FEB....so in like 6 days - for a whole month!! The 'POP UP' shop will still be open, as ....well i need to make some room in the Sparky HQ's for some new goodies, and what better way to do that than have a sale!!

And lastly i want to tell you about the Sparky forecast...i'm giving myself a goal of one year and at the end of the year i will either keep the Spark alive, or have complete satisfaction that i gave my dream a shot + tick it off my bucket list (life is really too short ain't it!). Being in business i'm going to be honest, is bloody hard!! To be creative when you are stressed out is not so easy, to beat yourself up comes quite naturally(mentally that is!), to do things the hardway many times before you learn the better way is frequent and to compare yourself/products to others is a daily thought!! (i love etsy, but etsy is really bad for that!) So why am i telling you all of this...well i think its really important to show people that you are actually human !!

So as i am giving myself one year to have 'here's a great product' and turn it into a better fantabulous flourishing business (think i want to be better than great, like kinda famous, but not pompus and arrogant like)...
but i might need to some help - so tell me what ::
-you think could be done to achieve that
-what works for your business
-what you see could be fine tuned a bit
-is there anything missing
-what products you love most

and most of all....be honest!!...if you don't want t0 leave a comment on my blog..you can always send me some mail me over at :: jemima@sparkyjones.ca

righto sorry about the long long post...i told ya i had a lot on my mind!!!
bye bye for now:: lil jj
ps:: its really late now...might have to post a goody in the 'POP UP' shop tomorrow - opps!!!

'Little Euca'

ahhh 'Little Euca', a little wallet named after the splendiferous Eucalyptus...or more commonly known as the australian gum tree!!! Funny how every time i go home to Australia, thats the thing i notice most is the trees, where as peeps there probably don't even look twice at em'!
Guess you appreciate things a lot more when you don't have em right!!!
anyways do be sure to check out the Sparky BigCartel shop, as it will only be open for the month of february!!! (i just wanted to open like a POP UP Store that had awesome little goodies for a pretty nice price! - might do it again, its kinda fun!)

Anyways make sure you visit my blog tomorrow...there is going to be some NEWS and updates and gossip and i want you to leave some comments!!! okay!!
bye bye for now :: lil jj

take a Tour... on DAY 10

How fabulous is the colour CITRON !! Mmmm i love that its so so vibrant and so fresh you can almost taste it (and very spring like....come on spring come to mama - imma ready for you !!!). And another thing i am totally ready for is a good bike ride - to get the heart rate up, the legs a pumpin and the fresh air into my stale wintery brain cells. I've been trying to ride Nelly (my old fashioned cruiser, in none other than my favourite colour of course - to the HQ's but skinny tires and icey roads have proven not to be a good combination). So instead i simply must drive my beau's nice clean + um fancy to me vehicle whilst he's away....YiPpy !!! My car is currently called the death trap or scrap metal - but thats another story!! So back to the hat.....'Tour de Paris'...inspired by...i'll give you a clue...tour de .....rhymes with pants....yeppers you got it FRANCE!! I had been wanting to make a biking looking hat for a while, so all i needed was the perfect colour that evoked energy + adrenalin, a racing stripe of course and a touch of kitsch to give it the Sparky flare....and voila!!
righto better go..its saturday night and i have a hot date with my PJ's!! enjoy your relaxing sunday everybodies!!
bye bye for now ::: lil jj

Sweet thing

Well my supa sweet Mr has left for work again....can't believe he was home for 2 weeks, just seemed to fly! But the pressure is really on for when he comes home next...coz its going to be his birthday month + i have to top what he did for mine - as he only gets a real birthday every 4 years ... which means planning, a lot of thought and making coffee every single morning! errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Anyways also on the topic of sweet things is DAY 9:: Turf + Teals.....yeah she was in the etsy shop a while back...but she's got a face lift (ie.random and gorgeous total kitsch purple button!) and she's on for a real steal!!
She is lined in an upcycled floral cotton in a beautiful ' retro royale' colour...whats that colour you ask?? Well it seems to be becoming one of my newest favourite colours and i needed a catchy classy name for it + what else is great about it :: IT's an all season colour - (enter cost effectiveness and thoughtfulness for consumers ..i've been learning a lot about fast fashion lately and Sparky, thanks goodness does not fall into this catergory and inspires me to make more and more conscious decisions about my production + products
EXIT rant = anyways this colour is totally unexpected for moi as blue is not one that attracts me easily, but perhaps i'm entering a new phase of life or something

So happy weekending everybodies!!
bye bye for now :: lil jj