Seaside on a Sunday

I often share things that are happening in my little basement studio on Sundays. There are a couple of things beginning to brew down there but they aren't really at a place where I feel like sharing -- yet. 

Part of the reason I am running behind on my projects is that I was away at the Seaside for a short birthday trip for my hubby. Of course, I felt compelled to take a few pictures. In lieu of what's happening in my studio (or for that matter in my life right now), I'm going to share a couple of my favorite shots from the coast. 

Sometimes, including today, I wonder just why I take photos. Then I remember that they make me happy. I hope they make a few of you happy too. 

None of these are currently available in the shop, but as usual they could be. 

And... the first person who can let me know where we were today (what city)... and posts the correct answer in the comments, can have their choice of an 8" x 10" print of any of the photos I am sharing in this post today. 

Be well. Do well. Stay well. 

Please don't forget to check out the shop and share it too! There will be new items between now and the end of the year... semi-regularly I hope. 

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. 

It's Studio Sunday Again

Here's what has been in my studio most recently (as in today and yesterday): 

This is the latest bedroom door sign I've gotten to do. This time for Adam. It is on it's way to California. 

I took one of the leaf photos from yesterday's blog post and played with it, adding a phrase I remember a friend of ours sending to her then boyfriend (now husband) with a note and a leaf... and added it to the shop. Planning to hang it in our golden yellow living room soon. Here's hoping both leaves and love are in the air this autumn.

Next up should be pendants. I got chains to go with them but they are 24" long and that just seems too low to wear with most outfits. Someone tell me if I'm wrong. I'm hoping to return for shorter chains but for now I may just sell the pendants, allowing folks to add to chains they already own or going out and finding ones they love to go with my pendants. 

Hopefully 3rd time is the charm. I've had two attempts so far following a tutorial. First time didn't work well at all but I figured out that I needed to work on wax paper and hadn't been told to cut the photo quite a bit larger than the glass and cut down later. 

Second time was better but I found that the way the tutorial told me to trim the photos didn't turn out as well as I liked. Luckily, I experimented and got one good pendant (Country Door) and figured out to use my matte knife rather than scissors or nail clips for my trimming. Wish me luck. If they work out, a handful of pendants just may show up in the shop this week. 

Ciao for now, 

Mama Zuzi 

Ode to Autumn

It is a gorgeous autumn day in the NW. Sunshine and 71 degrees. I am busy but still wanted to snap a couple shots that remind me of this time of year. I want to go out in search of a lot of differing colored leaves but for now I found these on our in-need-of-repair back deck:

 

And then there's Penny, our rescue dog. Something about her Golden Retriever color just always says autumn to me... but especially when she is falling asleep on the deck in the October sunshine. 

Hope you are enjoying a nice fall nap or some time in the outdoors. 

Ciao for now, 

Mama Zuzi 

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!

What a Shot Wednesday - Late Start Edition

Hey there peeps, 

I have gotten out of the every day blogging habit and for that I apologize. I am trying to post more regularly but am not sure just how quickly I can get back to almost every day. 

Luckily today is a "Late Start" day for my children at school which allows me a little extra time at home this morning. It's not only late start Wednesday, but also "What a Shot!" So here is my own "What a Shot": 

Taken in Florence, Oregon recently, it is one corner of our motel room's deck. I just love finding the beauty in ordinary places and objects. Here a simple wood deck becomes a vision of contrast and warmth, texture and geometric shapes. 

As for other photos I'm loving this week, look at this one I found on Stumbleupon: 
'

It is so serene and gorgeous, I want to be in that boat. 

And check out this shot from Arizona: 

See more amazing shots like this at: http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/eco-tourism/stories/too-beautiful-to-be-real-16-surreal-landscapes-found-on-earth

Happy Wednesday! Keep finding the beauty that is all around us. 

Happy Monday & A Contest

Please go check out the wonderful My Sweet Savannah blog this week! Today's post includes a giveaway of a Scrabble Tile sign from Mama Picture This! 

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

Pin it to WIN it contest!

Are you on Pinterest? 

Do you like to win prizes? 

This could be your day (or maybe your week)! 

Mama Picture This is having a Pin it to Win it contest on Pinterest. 

#Repin it to #Win it! Happily Ever After wedding sign for gifting, wedding receptions, photo prop. Winner pulled Friday, August 23, 2013:: 1 entry for each like, comment, and repin. Good luck ♥ #weddings #wedding reception #wedding photo prop #bridal gift

Check it out here:  http://pinterest.com/pin/234820568044291118/

Like it, comment on it, repin it... spread the word. 

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.