What a Shot Wednesday - Gift Ideas Edition

I can't believe it has been a week since I posted last. Life has gotten very busy with school back in session and holidays around the corner. I am gonna throw out a few shots today that I think could make nice gifts and/or a great way to decorate certain rooms in your home. 

KITCHEN:

Who doesn't love coffee? Not in the shop yet but could be.

FAMILY ROOM: 

Scrabble tiles photographed on a wooden photo sign. 

Surround this plaque with favorite family photos on your wall or a shelf or mantel. 

Perfect compliment to your beloved pictures. 

Take your family photos to a whole new level!

KID BEDROOM: 

Bedroom door sign

BABY's ROOM: 

New parents will love this sign. 

And Gifts: 

For him: 

Shaniko, Oregon Ghost Town Collage Photo Print

For her: 

Glacine Snowflake Photo Pendant

For the newlyweds:

Personalized wedding/engagement sign

For everyone: 

Your favorite photo as a canvas! 

You can check out all the options... and there will be more regularly here at the Mama Picture This shop! 

What a Shot Wednesday - Thursday Edition

Today my "What a Shot Wednesday" shot of my own happens to be six shots recently taken in Florence, Oregon. I am debating which, if any, to put in my shop. I am thinking I might put some "collections" in there such as the Florence, Oregon collection and sell them individually and/or in a set (although six seems too many for a set to me). 

Happy for your feedback on this idea and/or which photo you'd like to see for sale in the shop, if you have an opinion. 

As for other great shots to share today, I stumbled across this gorgeous autumn leaf photo by French photographer Kiki Plumier:

http://www.evasionk.be/

Kiki's photo reminds me a bit of this one I took in my office parking lot a while back but different. Water is a never ending source of great reflection photos. And now since this What a Shot Wednesday posting is actually happening on a Thursday (my girl needed great comfort from Mama for an upset stomach), ENJOY! And if you love my autumnal leaf reflection, it will be available in the shop again shortly in this section: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MamaPictureThis?section_id=13522786

Tutorial Tuesday - How to turn a photo into a photo canvas

There are tons of ways to turn a beloved photo into a photo canvas. Do a quick google search or two and just see how many you find. My current preferred method is photo transfer and I thought I'd share the process with you one more time since it is TUTORIAL TUESDAY! 

I have searched and tried a few different methods but found my favorite on the "Come on Ilene" blog. I will outline my process here but you may also want to check out here wonderfully simple tutorial here: Make Your Own Canvas Prints.


So far I have made 2" x 3" up to 8" x 10". I'm planning on trying larger canvas sizes but would suggest starting small and moving up in size as you get more comfortable with the process and your results. 

You will need: 

• Blank canvas
• Photo printed with a laser printer on regular paper (not photo paper)
• Gel medium
• Water spray bottle
• Foam paint brush

If you aren't a fan of mess, then you should probably cover your work space with a garbage bag (as Ilene suggests) or newspaper or wax paper. Then take your canvas and give it a thick coating of gel medium (I got mine at a local art store called Blick). I would say thick but not TOO thick otherwise in my brief experience, I end up with more air bubbles to push out and glue oozing out the sides. 

Make sure you have cut your image down to the size of your canvas (or maybe just a bit smaller on all sides). When you print, maybe SURE you reverse your image if you want it to appear correctly once you've transferred it to canvas. Of course you may not have to depending on your image, but remember this if you have any wording in your picture or it will be obvious what you did! 

Gently place your image photo side down onto the gel on the canvas and then carefully push out all air bubbles and make sure your image is flat on your canvas. 

Let your project dry for 5 hours to overnight. Then the fun begins! 

Fill your spray bottle with water. Spray your canvas until the paper is saturated and give it a few minutes to soak in. Then you want to start gently rubbing the paper off with your fingers. Be especially careful around key elements of your image so that they don't get rubbed off -- such as faces. You will probably have to do this step multiple times until your image is completely paper free. 

When you are satisfied with your image (and lack of paper on it), allow your canvas to dry thoroughly. Give it a final coat of gel medium and voila -- you have a gorgeous photo canvas! 

 This one just so happens to be a mini-canvas and is available in my shop 

Floral Mini Canvas - Image of Deep Bright Purple Daisies - Photo Transfer. 

Ready to Ship (FREE) Saturday!

Hey y'all!

I am in a generous mood today - could it be the weather?

Either way, I realize I have several items in my shop that are "ready to ship" and I'm ready to ship them to YOU for FREE!

Just use the coupon code BLOGCOUPON at check out when you purchase any of the following items and you won't have to pay ANY SHIPPING! For my local friends, just use the FRIENDSFAMILY2013 coupon code AND the BLOGCOUPON code too... to get free shipping (you are in Portland right) and 10% off your purchase. This is a limited time offer and only I know how long... so don't wait! Just make sure whatever item in the shop you want says READY TO SHIP!

Studio Sunday

There are a few things in the studio as you can see. I have been working on this chicken wire frame display for selling at street fairs and such (thanks to hubby for the help) but unfortunately haven't gotten to use it yet. 

I finally replenished my card and envelope stock and am starting to complete Tammy's order for 14 cards. Considering we drove all the way to Tigard to get to Paper Source (with a parking lot), I should have doubled what I bought -- live and learn. 

The other item in my studio that I need to finish post-haste is a new plaque/sign. Considering adding a few of these (maybe able to be personalized with a photo). This one is Family, but others could be Friendship, Happiness, Believe and the like. What sign would you actually put on your mantel or above your desk? 

I have to complete it and get photos to Melaine over at My Sweet Savannah blog! She'll be giving it away on her blog on the 16th! So mosey on over there and check it out. Maybe you could be the winner! 

More later. Zuzi

Signs of Sunday

Amazingly my 3 day weekend is all but gone. I did manage some house cleaning, grocery shopping and to cart my children around to today's birthday parties too. 

In between I've been playing with signs. I re-did my wedding sign (The Bride & The Groom) listing here: Shabby Chic Wedding Decorations - Shabby Chic Sign Set Victorian Vintage Wedding Reception Sign Set Scrabble

I also finished the first of my Halloween signs today which is now available in the shop and ready to ship: Halloween Decor - Spooky Home Decor Sign - Scrabble - 8"x10"

And last but not least, my current personal favorite that is not yet available in the shop (but could be by special order) -- it is a photo transfer image on a wooden sign board, ready to hang. Could be used at a small business, as home decor or maybe even an intimate wedding: 

And that is what's happening on Sunday for me and "in my shop" too. I hope you had a fabulous weekend. Feel free to fill us in on it by commenting below. Oh and if you are on Pinterest, follow me there! I'll follow you back! I've got a contest going on and I'll fill you in on details tomorrow but you may be able to find it for yourself... a little like a scavenger hunt. 

It's Tuesday - Without a Tutorial

Once again it is Tutorial Tuesday and despite being in process on a sign-making tutorial, I am not able to share it with you quite yet. 

As I sit here on my couch watching "Mary Tyler Moore" and "Rhoda", I was trying to think what I could share with you tonight. What I have decided is to share a couple of my favorite folks I've found on Etsy. 

First off is a friend of mine who has creative overflowing... she is a talented photographer and jewelry maker too. One of her recent project is bejeweled book marks - just gorgeous!

Check 'em out at her Etsy Shop Storm Shade Designs. 

Another new Etsy friend is David over at SoffittaUSA. They make such creative and useful items. Who needs a table or desk when they can have a great hand crafted solid wood lap desk or sofa tray. 

I LOVE this idea. Perfect for a space where you have no room for a table but want to safely set down your drink. Love, love, love! Check out all their options in their shop. 

Well now I need to finish icing my knee (tweaked it at work today) and work toward getting the kids and myself to bed. I am looking forward to making more progress on these signs each night and then some major headway with a 3 day weekend. 

Enjoy your week and I'll keep you posted on all things Mama Picture This. Oh and by the way, for anyone who was waiting for the outcome of my great photo transfer experiment (on porcelain plate and glass)... it was an unequivocal fail! I have another option to try but it will probably be a little while before I can get back on track in that direction. 

Good night!
Mama Zuzi

Mama Monday - A Day Behind

The good thing about Summer is all the fun there is to have and all the places to go. We have had a week at the Oregon Coast and this last weekend several days in Bend, Oregon. The problem is however, it throws you right off your normal schedule. 

I have lost my rhythm when it comes to blog posts -- working on getting it back. I hope you will be patient while I get back up to speed. 

The good news about this weekend, besides having fun, was that I got some terrific images that I hope to turn into canvases some time soon. Although at this point they are behind Halloween signs, an order of cards and a wedding sign plus possibly a special custom order. 

Here is a sampling of our Bend experience: 

Of course all good things come to an end and so too will this summer. We still have a few more weeks but as happens every year, I know school is coming when I notice the first purple blooms on what I call the "Back to School" flower ... and look what's in bloom!

What fun have you still got planned?

Whatever it is, enjoy! 

Ciao for now, 
Mama Zuzi (Sue)

Waiting on a Wednesday

You may have noticed that I didn't post a tutorial yesterday. Sorry about that but I realized I couldn't actually complete my The Groom and The Bride signs because I needed holes drilled and that is my hubby's job. Hopefully next week will be good to go. 

So now I'm working on some photo transfer projects but here's the thing. First I had to wait to receive my glass and ceramic tile primer. Then I had to wait to get some prints made (my home printer doesn't cut the muster for photo transfers). Then I got a short break when I got to spread a thick layer of the primer on my ceramic plate (see photo) and on a glass plate which goes in a recycled shabby chic photo frame I found the other day at one of my favorite resale shops. 

But guess what? Now I have to wait 24 hours from the time I applied my photo images with a nice layer of gel medium on them to each project... that means I can't start peeling off the paper on my Christmas plate until tomorrow morning right before I go to work AND not until tomorrow evening on the piece of glass. I HATE WAITING!                                                                                                                                        

And so now I'm trying to figure out if I can antique a piece of wood and then photo transfer my Country Door photo onto it (or not)? 

So... while you wait to find out if my projects work, I'm going to go and try to figure out this latest photo transfer question and of course go to bed! 

Ciao for now, 

Mama Zuzi 

Thankful Thursday - Last Thursday Redux Edition

I am thankful for many things this Thursday. Of course I am thankful for my family and friends and for getting through the rough spots and moving forward. 

I am also thankful to have a good job and the ability to pursue my creative passions too. I am thankful for being able to do Last Thursday in Portland for a second time and this time with my co-worker Dana! 

Check out her cute items on Etsy:  

https://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleBreadcrumbPdx

Stop by and see us if you can tonight! This morning I'm having to pack up for tonight's event as I won't have time to come home first... table (in van), chair and sale items, square, smart phone... what else? Hmmm... maybe I should make a checklist for this sort of thing. 

I will be doing "the reveal" of my mini canvas pieces as they are ready. They are all places in Oregon. Here is Shaniko: 

So tiny! Loving it. Now I'm gonna go attempt to get ready for work AND possibly finish up one or more of my tiny little canvas babies! Ciao for now.

Studio Sunday - Post Vacation Edition

What's in my studio today? 

The better question to ask might just be, "What ISN'T in my studio today?" 

Whatever you do however, just don't ask this question to my tween daughter, because she will quickly explain with an annoying tone that of course there are plenty of things not in my studio, such as the President, a tree, the kitchen sink, etc. So helpful in correcting me lately, she is (channeling my best Yoda there). 

I apologize to my faithful readers for letting you down over the past couple of weeks, but my mother came to visit and then we were away at the coast for a week... gosh I miss this view:  

Once we returned to "real life" I kept getting stuck in horrible traffic after work. 

Honestly I couldn't find "my creative" after two hours in bumper-to-bumper driving! 

Now I am getting back into the blogging groove (or at least working in that direction). 

But back to my studio... 

In various stages of completion are the following: 

• a card order to complete so I can ship tomorrow

• a mini-flower magnet set

• two tiny pendant necklaces 

• three cute little canvases

• a wedding sign

• a miniature framed photo

The little things are all for a show next month (hopefully) at Side Street Gallery in Portland. 

One of the photo images in the studio was taken on this year's beach vacation, can you guess which one? 

And while this isn't exactly her studio, check out what the lovely friends of Melaine over at My Sweet Savannah blog created recently: 

She also did something similar to this with mugs... so amazing. I am totally going to do this. Let me know if you wanna join me for a crafting night some time! 

You can check out more cool plates that were created over at her blog. And while you are checking out her blog, please notice the lovely advertisement near the upper left hand corner of the blog... Mama Picture This would appreciate it! 

Here at Mama Picture This, I love to share what other friends have happening in their studios as well. 

To that end, check out this awesome up-cycled chicken wire display frame by Tina over at Belou492: 

And last but by no means least, Brandy from MyEclecticCache shared with me what she's working on right now and it's gorgeous! You should check out the other items in these ladies shops. They have both been busy making pretty things lately! 

And now that I've finished my blog post for today and taken a nap, I'm going to try to channel whatever energy I have left into completing a few more projects down in my cool basement shop. Happy Sunday!