The Pacific Ocean

Oregon from West to East

The weather has just been unbelievable!  Last week the temperature was in the mid 60's on the Oregon Coast and in Central Oregon!! 
A trip was immediately planned to go from West to East across the state! 
Walking on the Oregon Coast and placing your feet in the sand in January is rare
...however not unusual.




Starting off at the Yaquina Head Lighthouse (located outside of Newport)....
 we then headed through the Willamette Valley and over the beautiful Cascade Mountains! 

"Yaquina Lighthouse T-Shirt" ~ Available in the "Celebrating Oregon Store"

"Central Oregon"~"Ponderosa Forest".

The Central Oregon forest are filled with Douglas Fir, Aspen, Tamarack, and Noble Fir.
 The most shocking tree is the magnificent Ponderosa and its red bark and size.  The stark contrast between the green needles, snow and red bark can be just startling!  A dreamers paradise.
These trees encompass vast miles and acreage throughout most of the Cascade Mountain range.
Large tracks of a variety of firs surround Oregon's only National Park "Crater Lake".

"Crater Lake National Park" T-Shirt ~ Located in the "Celebrating Oregon" Store

"The Painted Hills"

When you leave Central Oregon and head east you arrive in the "Oregon Outback".
The "Outback" provides scenic vistas and geological formations that date back billions of years ago.
Tourist come from all over the world each year to visit the "John Day" fossil beds that cover thousands of acres.
 You can view Petroglyphs, fossils and unusual ancient riverbeds including  prehistoric fossil forests.
To the north the famous "Lewis and Clark Trail" can be found in the
 "Columbia Gorge National Historical Scenic Byway".
The many years I have lived in Oregon...I have yet to finish all there is to see in the
Columbia Gorge.

"Travel Tote Bag" is located in the "Celebrating Oregon Store" 

""The Strawberry Mountains" ~ Prairie City ~ Oregon

The landscape begins to change as you drive through the peaks of the Ochoco Mountains.
 You soon arrive in the valley of John Day and Prairie City.
Directly to the south, the "Strawberry Mountains" instantly capture your breath.
They tower over the valley and the prairie that rests at their base.
  It is an endless landscape of beauty.
You begin to climb again and head to the "Eagle Cap Wilderness" and the "Wallowa Mountains".
The area is filled with history from Gold and Silver Mining, to the Oregon Trail, and Home to the "Nez Perce Native Americans".

"The Nez Perce Puzzle" available in the "Wild Wild West" Store

The "Vast Prairie of Eastern Oregon"

The "Historic City of Pendleton Oregon" ~ Tile Box
Located in the " Wild Wild West" Store

Two of the most historic cities in northeast Oregon are "Baker City" and "Pendleton".
Both have been designated by the National Historic Trust as cities that have an architectural, and significant story to the development of the west.
Oregon Museums are vast and have a variety of stories to tell you.
So the next time your looking for that unusual few days off or your next "Major" vacation come visit
"Beautiful Oregon"
From
 "EAST to WEST" or "WEST to EAST"
In the mean time enjoy all the stores on this BLOG & Take your own tour through my
 "World of ART"!
Have a Wonderful Day!
Your Artist Friend,
Jennifer Lake

Celebrating Oregon Store

Crafting with "MY" Products

Recently I purchased some of my products to use for crafting projects.

  I am really looking forward to starting these. 

  The Smith Rock, Oregon book I ordered to keep track of the craft projects.

 I will use it to develop the directions and take notes for NEW ideas. 

The Smith Rock sticker below I will use for the cover of blank note cards.

         

Rocky Valentine Stationary
The "Ms. Elizabeth Store" has many Stationary pieces that can be used for scrap booking purposes and other paper projects.
 The wrapping paper below can be used for so many crafting projects.
 Cut up the images and use them on the front of blank note cards, in decoupage and and a variety of wood projects!

"Catching Valentines" located in the "Ms. Elizabeth Store"

The Note Pads can be used for a variety of collage projects, decoupage, abstract...cut them up ..pullout the single images and use your imagination. 

Heceta Lighthouse Notepads ~" Located in the Celebrating Oregon Store"

The "Stellar Jay" note card can be cut out and used on the image of "Sparks Lake"....Create a collage using some of my outdoor images.  All the bird images are located in the "Love of Birds" store.  All the lake images are located in the "Jennifer Lake Art Store"
I will be loading images of some of my completed projects shortly.
 I would love to see photos of what all of you create!
Have fun CRAFTING!
Have a WONDERFUL Day!

Your Artist Friend,
Jennifer Lake

Altoid Valentine

The Altoid Valentine

I don't know how many of you are Pinterest Fans but boy am I! What a remarkable site. 
 If you haven't checked out my Pinterest page look on the lower left of this Blog and the Link will take you to my page.

I found this darling mouse project using an Altoid can.  I have now made several of these for my favorite  very "little" people I know for Valentines Day.!

I first made a little pattern for the mouse and cut it out of felt.  I sewed the body and then turned it inside out.  I cut the legs and arms also out of felt and hand stitched them on.
  I also stitched around the edges so the arms and legs can move into positions.

Altoid  Mouse

Using pink felt I cut out two ears.  I folded them together at the bottom.
 I stitched them together and then added them to the back of the head.

I added embroidered eyes and a little heart ....just in time for Valentines Day.
 I then made the bedding and the pillow out of coordinated fabric.

Hello...Hug Me Valentine!

Use any fabrics of your choice.
 However, I did like the way the thicker felt worked for the form of the bunny and the durability of his arms and legs.
Tuck your little mouse into its bed and shut the lid.  Wrap with a bow and make your little friends
 VERY HAPPY on Valentines Day!
Pinterest.... what a Wonderful Creation!
Have a Wonderful Day Friends!
Your Artist Friend,
Jennifer Lake

"Lillian Lilacs" T-Shirt

New Products for Spring 2015

Wow! As usual time just flies by!  Once again we are already entering a new spring!

I recently created and posted NEW products within all the stores on this BLOG.

I really enjoy creating them for you and its fun to see how I can manipulate the paintings.

I will be adding products weekly all year. 

Here are just a few of the 400 new ones...so sit back and enjoy!

"The Jungles of Tikal" Note Card

The use of the bright blue color surrounding the image on the card made the "Quetzal Birds" really stand out!
Artwork is also on the back of the card.
I leave the interior of the cards blank so that YOU can add your own message.
 That is what I like about all these stores...you can also create using my images!

"Lillian's Lilacs" Commuter Bag

What can I say!! I ordered one for me!! I just love this commuter bag and I am such a fan of lilacs!!
The lilacs came from the original painting called "Lillian's Lilacs".
When I travel this bag holds everything!
One of my favorite products in my stores.

" I am in Love with the Wizard"

The "New" ...."Wizard on the Metolius River" line...is selling well!
 One day when I was hiking in the area I took this photo of "Wizard Falls" it just hit me!
Who is the "Wizard"...those lucky fly fishing men?
Those hikers that take in all the beautiful scenery?
I knew a place this beautiful place has to have a "Wizard" to protect it!
Are you in love with him also?

"Chickadee in Apple Blossoms" Bath Accessories

I am very excited about all the "New" home accessories that will be released throughout this year!
I love decorating my house seasonally so these products fit me perfectly!
You will find pillows, blankets, bath accessories and late this year shower curtains!
All the stores will carry some portion of the home decor items.
I plan on mix and matching a few for Me!

"The Wizard" on the Metolius River

Ok ladies....here he is ....................The "Wizard"
Cute huh?

I hope you will enjoy the new items in the stores and enjoy shopping!
Please let me know your thoughts and if you don't see yet a product of your favorite painting of mine.... just let me know!
 Once again I would like to THANK-YOU all for collecting my art over 30+ Years!
Your Artist Friend,
Jennifer Lake

Have a WONDERFUL DAY!

"The Jungles of Guatemala" Mug

"Be Mine" Candy Dish

Jennifer Lake headed for winter camp!

Snow Camping ~ My Way

One of my favorite things to do in the winter is to Snow Camp.  You gather all of your supplies that includes everything from wood, tent, sleeping bags, shovel....etc.  

You then find a a great location to camp!!

One of my favorite places is at Walton Lake in the Ochoco Mountains in eastern Oregon.

For years I would drag my son Easton out and we would camp.

I would always make my famous Black Bean Chili and bring that along.

Several people have asked me for the recipe over the years so here it is:

Jennifer Lake's Black Bean Chili

2 tablespoons veg. oil ~ 2 minced onions ~ 2 minced red bell peppers ~ 2 jalapeno chiles stemmed~ 7 garlic cloves minced ~ 2 tablespoons chili powder ~  1 tablespoon ground cumin ~ 1 tablespoon oregano ~ 1 can vegetable broth ~ 1/2 cup red wine ~ 2 cups water ~ 1 pound dried black beans rinsed ~ 2 bay leaves ~ 1 28 ounce can HUNTS tomatoes drained  ~ 1 cup frozen corn ~ salt and pepper 

1) Heat oil in skillet over med heat ...add onions, bell peppers, jalapenos, garlic, chili powder, oregano, 1/2 cup red wine, and cook until vegetables are soft.  Stir in one cup broth scraping up any brown bits. Add to bottom of a slow cooker.

2) Stir water, beans mushrooms and remaining broth and bay leaves into slow cooker until beans are tender 6 hours on high should do it.

3) Remove bay leaves.  Add tomatoes and corn ....reheat.  Sir in salt and pepper.  

I always pack enough food for several days. 

 The"Chili" really breaks the cold air and really warms you up! . I re-heat it in a camp pot right over the coals of the fire.  I bake corn bread to bring along.

Of course topped off by a VERY GOOD SMORE!!!

Below is a photo of my son home for the holidays during college break. 

 He really camps in style!  Pendleton blankets and china!! 

Life before an Executive Chef graduates!!

Easton enjoys his Moms Chili

I prepare the dessert....YUMMM SMORES!
So if your looking for a new tradition with your family ...get out and Snow Camp!
Remember to check the weather and be prepared for extreme conditions.
 Tell people you know where you are going!
The experiences that I have had snow camping are wonderful!
Get out and enjoy the SNOW!
Your Artist Friend,
Jennifer Lake

The base of the Ms. Elizabeth Dollhouse

 The "Ms. Elizabeth Dollhouse" Begins!

The "Ms. Elizabeth" dollhouse begins! 

 A month ago I started the prototype of the dollhouse for the "Ms. Elizabeth" collection.

 I have designed the house to be a natural place where a chipmunk like "Ms. Elizabeth" would live.  

The prototype is made out of basic pine and an extremely simple design.

I painted the exterior to look like logs...the detail has not been added yet.  I am currently cutting the roofs shingles out of rough chips of pine.  I have collected birch bark to line the interior walls of the house.

The bark pieces are then ironed piece by piece.
 The pieces are then glued to the interior walls with wood glue.  Each piece is then varnished into place.

Wood floors being installed.

I cut strips of red ceder for the wood floor.  Yes ...I own a miniature jigsaw and lathe!
The attic walls are covered using the back side of the birch giving it a beige earthy look.
 I think "Ms. Elizabeth" will enjoy this look!

Attic Walls

The project has been a lot of fun so far...I will post updates as it continues!

Have a Wonderful Day!
Your Artist Friend,
Jennifer Lake  

Anna Bates ~ Happy Home Portrait Owner

American Home Portrait Client Anna Bates!

I just recently completed a "Home Portrait" for the "Bates Family" here in Oregon.
They built their home last year and wanted to have me paint a painting that depicts their entire family!
I have more fun painting these types of paintings because it really is the clients story.  
Capturing all the little details from lawn ornaments to the family dog 
is like painting a  tapestry of someones life.
Anna wanted her family shown doing what each loves to do.
Below you can see one of her sons family members camping along the creek behind the house.
  I have included fish in the water, roasting marshmallows and even the tent.

Below you can see her other son with his wife preparing to go ride bikes.
 They even have their cat in the basket with them.  The last photo is of Anna and her husband Greg.
 Greg is playing his guitar and Anna is quilting.
Their dog Enzo is happily watching me paint at the entry to the house.
A Bald Eagle soars overhead and the Bluebirds delight with songs in the trees.
"Home Portraits" come in all shapes and sizes.  They tell "Your" story.
Not one is identical and each life story is unique...providing me an endless joy!
Have a Wonderful Afternoon!
And REMEMBER
 "There is No Place Like Home"
Your Artist Friend
Jennifer Lake
For more information on Home Portraits ...Email me through this site.

"I am Collecting Valentines"

The Season of Love ~ Valentines Day!

I have always loved Valentines Day! 

 Growing up in Michigan, Valentines Day added so much to the long drawn out winters.

  The week before Valentines Day we would buy our box of Valentines and spend hours cutting each one out, carefully.  I would try and match each Valentine to that special friend I had in class!

I would write notes on the back of each one.

 On Valentines Day you would take your bag of notes to school and place each Valentine in bags that were decorated by each student. 

The bags were attached to the front of each desk. The bags made the room look like a party for a week!

The day was filled with sharing, games and food.  Everyone brought something homemade from home.

Cookies, cupcakes, cakes, and candies were everywhere. 

 My favorite Valentine candy is the hearts with the words all over them!  I still buy these every year!

"LOVE ME..ME..ME!" T-Shirt from the Ms. Elizabeth Boutique on this BLOG. 

As the years went by my own family still "Celebrates" Valentines Day!
 We all exchange Valentines through the mail or e-mail.
 I still bake fancy cupcakes and cookies for family members.
 I make and deliver Valentines in a pretty art bag to neighbors!
The memories that started in childhood will always remain with me as long as I keep them alive!
Comment below about your favorite memories and traditions on Valentines Day!
 I would love to hear them!
Check out the "Ms Elizabeth Day Off Boutique" for a variety of gift ideas.
Some are shown here!

"Rocky the Raccoon" says "Be Mine"

Place all your Valentines in this adorable bag!

There are a variety of " Candy Dishes" to select from!

Wonderful Valentine Clothing in the Ms. Elizabeth Boutique on this BLOG!

Happy Valentines Day!
I wish you LOVE and HAPPINESS!
Your Artist Friend,
Jennifer Lake