What a shot Wednesday

Today's post is short and simple. 

Several years ago, I actually got to be eye to eye with a beautiful and amazing pelican on the Oregon Coast. I adore pelicans and this was one of the most special moments ever at the coast. 
                                
This may not be the world's most amazing photo, but it is a gorgeous bird. Thank you for letting me into your life for a few minutes, my Pelican friend. 

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!

Nearly Famous Friday - Born in Bourne

We all have those stories we tell that have been passed down to us, told so many times, we barely remember where or when we learned them. We rarely question their validity. 

One of the first such stories in my life is that I was born in Bourne. I love saying it. I always have. I can't even imagine being born in Evanston or St. Louis, Pittsburgh or even Boston. Being born in Bourne certainly has a ring to it and alliteration as well. 

Beautiful beach cottage rental in Bourne, MA

Just in case you don't already know, Bourne is a town in Massachusetts, wherein lies (or did way back when) Otis Air Force Base and its military hospital. And according to our family mythlore that is where I was born, destined to be defined for a long time by my self-imposed "Air Force Brat" status. With the base closure in 1973, the hospital too was closed and eventually was torn down. 

And again a brush with fame and fortune, but just a brush. Turns out that someone famous was born at the same dang hospital on the same dang air force base -- just two months after my entry into the world. While my birth was barely noticed, other than by my own family and close friends on the base, the world more than noticed this other baby's entrance and mourned his loss too soon. 

President Barack Obama and his family arriving at the Cape Cod
 Coast Guard Air Station in Bourne, Massachusettsin 2009 Photo: EPA 

According to wikipedia.org, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy was born five and a half weeks early by emergency caesarean section at the Otis Air Force Base Hospital in Bourne, Massachusetts. Born premature, he was transferred right after his birth to Boston Children's Hospital, where he died just two days later of hyaline membrane disease (HMD). Interestingly, my own son was born by emergency c-section but he survived and is now thriving into his teen years. 

Part of my personal story has always been that I was delivered by the same doctor as JFK's son. I hadn't realized which son until just now when I looked up my "story" for authentication purposes. I didn't even remember they'd had a third child, actually a fourth. 1963 was a very sad year indeed for the Kennedy clan. 

And so shortly after my birth, as the story goes, I was in an odd way connected with John F. Kennedy, delivered by the same doctor in the same hospital as his 2nd son. It would not be our last connection to the President. 

Finding the hidden beauty in every day

Spring Break has sprung. Doing this by seat of our pants. At least I have 2 days to be at work to think about some ideas before it is my turn to be in charge of the kids. I'm thinking a movie, maybe a trip for a hike or to the trampoline place for some jumping and maybe even a short jaunt to the gorgeous Oregon Coast in honor of my boy turning into a TEEN-ager! 

And in the midst of spending some time with my girl this weekend, we came across this beauty tucked in and easily missed by most. Wishing I'd had my better camera (not just my phone) but alas this is what we got. Still beautiful and simple. Here's hoping you find some beauty tucked in to your day and your week and the end of March 2013! 

We were thrilled to find zillions of these star fish and other sea life down at the far south end of Seaside... we'd never been that far at low tide before. We also had some fun with scads of tiny and large crabs there too. 

We enjoyed the expected and the unexpected things we found at the coast this year. I am hoping for more good news but finding myself feeling worried and uncomfortable and starting to lean toward the negative. I am trying to remember that even if the unexpected happens and it isn't what we thought we wanted, there may be a reason and something else unexpected in a positive way may be just around the corner. 

How do you deal with hoping for one outcome but worrying about another? 

School's Out for Summer Blog!

School's out for summer. In an attempt to make the most of our summer adventure this go-around, we've decided to "take over" the Mama Picture This blog (at least temporarily) and present: The Kids Summer Blog! 

Each day you may see 1, 2 or even 3 photos. The girl's choice, the boy's or even mine once in a while. We are going to try to illustrate what we are up to and have a little more fun by doing it. 

And so, here we go... 

First full day of Summer Break... 

The boy was playing with friends and is now home but fighting with a nasty head cold. Poor guy. As you can imagine, he's not really into the spirit of this thing - yet. The girl and I had a girls' night last night and hung out together (including for a nap and an awards ceremony) 

    

Featured on the Heart Handmade Blog!

I am so honored and excited to have been featured on this wonderful blog, Heart Handmade. Thank you to it's author, Mandie! She rocks! 

I hope you will check out the feature on me and Mama Picture This (there are a few interesting tidbits about me and my life that you may not already know) and the rest of her blog as well! Spread the word. Share with others! 

Crafting rocks!

Best, 

Mama Zuzi

Sometimes we aren't sure just where this path is taking us, but we take it anyway.

Mama Picture This ... a Facebook Page!

For those of you on Facebook, come on over to the Mama Picture This Facebook Page and "Like". Once you have liked the page, post what images say Easter to you and what images say Spring (before the end of the day Friday, March 25th) and be entered for a chance to win a special mini flower card set.

Or head directly over to the Mama Picture This Etsy Shop where you can get a 10% discount if you've ever ordered before and/or FREE SHIPPING within the U.S. on orders over $20.00 while it lasts. Both discounts are in honor of Spring! 

And last but not least... stay tuned and check back daily to the blog ... because there will be a special announcement soon ONLY ON THE BLOG for blog readers exclusively! 

Yarn Sale = Good!

Latest project

Gonna have to count stitches for this one.

New Items in the Shop

I don't know about you... but I am SOOO wishing I was at the Oregon Coast on a warm summer day... I may not be able to be, but this card set makes it feel almost real: 

Oregon Coast Photo Card Mini Set