A few week’s ago my 3 year old accidentally popped off the head of her new princess doll. She was trying to take the poor girl’s hair off. Of course the shiney yellow hair helmet was glued on, so her head came completely off in the struggle. The don’t make dolls like they used to, especially these tiny Polly Pocket sized divas. So the headless dollie sat on my desk for over a week waiting for me to decide it’s fate.

Lucky for the doll I collect all sorts of tools and supplies. With a little help from my jewelry pliers and some The Ultimate glue, I was able to reunite her noggin with her out of proportion body. She was dressed with a new chic green scarf during the healing process to make sure her head stayed attached while the glue dried.

yet another reason crafting is happiness!

A little glue fixes anything is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

It’s been quite a while since I’ve had some time to participate in Illustration Friday, but since I’m trying this new concept of slowing down and focusing, I thought I’d stop for a bit today and just draw. It’s been a while since I’ve drawn just for the sake of happy doodleness, so of course today’s image had to have a smiley face.

This week’s Illustration Friday topic is Muddy – remember those days of jumping in the mud puddles with your favorite rain boots on? Ever stop to wonder if they cared for the mud you loved?

Just a little muddy is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

We’re starting off with a little geek this year… or egghead as the doodle below implies.

Over the last few days we (my husband and despite their resistance, children) have been cleaning out nooks and crannies of the house. I am a wanna-be serial packrat so every cranny and nook and nook’s cranny has some kind of “stuff” stashed because I’m sure I can recycle it into something fabulous.

Well with 2010, I’m changing my perspective. If I really have no intention of using for anything ever again and it really reallllly won’t make some fantastic new art piece someone else might want to purchase for their own coffee table, then I am getting rid of it. This is an extremely difficult task for me as I’m also a craft-o-holic (in my free time) so really just about anything can be turned into something else. The key in the new and improved thought process is “that someone else would buy”. It doesn’t mean everything I create is only for the purpose of selling. It does, however, mean that is no one else on the planet would dare want the thing I just made, then it’s probably not that swell and I shouldn’t dream of spending time making it.

Don’t critique the logic… it’s working for me today and my husband will be sorely disappointed if you convince me into keeping the following books because they’ll make great gift wrap!

So today’s give away is… ta dah: old code books.

Yes, that’s right, I’m giving away free code books.
I love to code, it’s actually rather relaxing for me to be able to shut off the giggles of coloring and think logic and rational variables. Over the years I have purchased these books to help me along the way. I now tend to use some favorite resource sites more and the books are only collecting dust and using bookshelf space that could be more handy for things like my Leonardo Da Vinci coffee table books when they need to be out of reach of the neighborhood preschoolers.

Some of these books are still valid, some are good for theory but are outdated, and a few are just plain old but maybe you want to make gift wrap. If you would like one or all of these books, or know someone else who would enjoy them, give me a holler. First come first served is how this will work. Plus, you must be willing to pay for shipping as I am only giving away the books, not my postage stamps.

I would greatly appreciate your taking in this matter as it’s easier for me to get rid of things knowing it’s not going in the trash but rather going to good use.

Specifics: These are books only, no CDs. Most all the books are in like new condition with a few exceptions. These are also books I highly recommend, so if you really just want a code reading list, here’s one to start with.

By the way, because there is an image I made I’m counting this as my image for the day… pretend it’s interesting.

Starting the year with a little geek – free books! is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

Merry Christmas from JGoode and the Penguins is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

Happy Christmas Eve! Gather your friends and family and celebrate all that is wonderful. Gather around that ol’ tree and share a grin with those you love. Penguin happiness for all!

Family penguins

I hope your Holiday is filled with Happiness!

A Penguin a day until Christmas – gather around the tree is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

The holiday season brings out the charitable spirit in everyone. Yet many give to others all year round.

The penguins are activists in many areas, supporting good causes and positive efforts all over the place. From reading, recycling or American pride, the penguins are here to lend a helping hand and a little extra support.

Since the penguins were born, they’ve also been very involved in Breast Cancer Awareness efforts. In 2008 the Pink Ribbon Penguin website was built as a hub to support the ongoing efforts worldwide.

No matter your cause interests, the penguins are here to help you do good!

I’m always striving to try to be a better person. Some days are definitely more difficult than others. Here are 5 things I stand for to help me remember to do good every day.

A Penguin a day until Christmas – do some good is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

More work related penguins here!

My thoughts on work…
we spend so much time doing it, we should probably love it.
It’s not just about paying the bills, it’s about providing for those we love.
So, loving what we do creates that much more happiness out of the whole thing.

Do you love what YOU do?

A penguin a day until Christmas – working hard or hard at work penguins is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

Due to all the last minute overnight free shipping 50% off deals around the universe, the elves are putting in double time to make your gifts – I sure hope you’ve been good!

(otherwise that’s a lot of overtime our taxes are paying for just for a few lousy lumps-o-coal)
These elves are sold separately – accessories not sold at all. Sorry, lots of budget cuts around these parts.
Holiday elf penguin and Christmas elf penguin – get your jolly going!

A penguin a day until Christmas – the elves are working hard! is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

Today is my wedding anniversary, so what better way to celebrate than to show off the happiest couple around – Bride and Groom penguin!

Bride and Groom Penguin

My husband and I are working our way towards this happy waddling-ness, we’re a carb lovin’ couple and that will hopefully never change. But no way we’ll ever be as cute as these happy birds. I’m very honored to be able to say that these wedding penguins have been a part of that Big Day for a number of happy penguin loving couples. I hope they’re a part of many more!

As for me and my better half… I’m so glad he’s stuck around and put up with me this long. I’m a pretty lucky girl. @davidpgoode -> Noodles!

A penguin a day until Christmas – celebrating wedding happines is a post from: The art of Jen Goode

I remember, when I was young, we used to sit around and draw on the walls (or so they’ve said). Living in the middle of a blueberry patch, the only color of paint I had was blue…
Here’s a reproduction of that very first ever penguin I painted in a cave long long ago:

Yeah, ok, that was dumb. But really, why are all the cave paintings usually of bison and Egyptian Gods? I’d like to think someone out there loved penguins too – don’t you?

Oh yes, you can! There are definitely t-shirts and posters and stickers and such of this fabulously fun cave painting penguin.

A penguin a day until Christmas – the cave drawings is a post from: The art of Jen Goode