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!

Mama Picture This Does Last Thursday - First Time Ever!

Yes - we see you.

The crowd gets bigger.

It gets dark and the crow gets bigger still
(but I didn't remember to change to night setting on my camera).

It ends with LOVE!

Thankful Thursday - Last Thursday Edition

I know, I know... I have been remiss in posting this week. I meant to post just about every day and had ideas but just got either too tired or too busy. 

Busy with what you might ask. You may well know but if not, I'll tell you what. I am for the first time ever going to have a "booth" (more like a card table) at a local street art fair tonight. The event is called Last Thursday and it is here in Portland, Oregon. 

On their website, organizers describe the event this way: 

"...Last Thursday, the monthly Alberta Arts District festival, is now in its 15th season. Artists, musicians and performers line the street from 15th through 30th Avenues, galleries hold their monthly openings and restaurants and bars hang new artwork for sale. Last Thursday is the largest art event in Portland as well as the most entertaining place to buy local art..."

I am decidedly excited and nervous.  If you'd like more information, you can find it on the FOLT (Friends of Last Thursday) Website.

I have my smart phone and my Square, ready to take credit/debit card purchases, I have a card table (need to pack a chair), I have business cards and of course my wares. Here's some of what I'm bringing: 

• Photo Cards:

• Mounted Photo Prints: 

• Photo Magnets:

My partner in crafting crime who was supposed to be selling with me tonight can't make it but I want to give a shout out to her awesome hand made hot pads and her adorable shop Little Breadcrumb. Hopefully you will see both of us selling our wares at July's Last Thursday on July 25th! 

If you come to Last Thursday, please try to swing by my table and say "Hi!" 

Ciao for now, 

Mama Zuzi

Studio Sunday - What's in the studio now?

The studio is filling up with things this week as I prepare for my first ever attempt to sell at a street fair. 

Portland, Oregon has a tradition of a fairly formal First Friday which kicks off art exhibits throughout the studios of our fair city. In contrast, the funky and far less traditional Last Thursday in NE Portland combines some art gallery openings along with street art and food vendors. 

I am taking several of my mounted art photo pieces which only needed to be priced and bagged. I'm not taking the larger prints just for ease of set up. 

In addition, I have made photo light switch covers and am in process with a handful of double-thick glass magnets. The floral images were a given, but Bat Penny -- now that is something new -- in magnet form. 
Check out the magnet making tutorial here.

I'm currently working on printing out and putting together a selection of photo cards for Thursday as well. I am printing out some that are already in the shop and a few that have never been. Come to Last Thursday and maybe you can see them for yourself!

And when I'm done with all that, here is my stack of wood for wedding signs. I have 6 5x10's to make as well as a couple of larger ones that can be used during ceremonies. 

Now that you've seen what's in my studio tonight, I thought I'd share a few other artists and what is in their studio too. I love checking out what others are doing -- it is inspirational and fun. Here is a peek into the studio of Cheryl Grant, an illustrator in Virginia.  Check out what's in her studio currently by clicking on the link below:

Illustrated by Cheryl Blog

And for a change of pace, check out the website of local Portland, Oregon artist (and Mama) Jolyn Fry: http://www.jolynfry.com/.  This may not be her studio but you can get a feel for the beautiful art she creates. Check out these artists and maybe, just maybe stop by Last Thursday. We'd love to see you! And last but not least... 

Here's something going in my house, but not my studio. Poor kitty is trying to adjust to the loss of her beloved couch (replaced by two leather chairs), but somehow I think she'll make it! 

Ciao for now, 

Mama Zuzi