Tutorial Tuesday - Cute!

To be honest, I was trying to think of a tutorial and there are a few I could do but I just didn't have enough time today. When I got home from work and picking up the kids, I went into the shop and finished this wedding sign! 

I also paid bills and did a craft run at Joann's. I got some more white paint, ribbon, this fun "something blue" wedding backdrop fabric and some fun Steam Punk letters for experimenting. 

And so the Tuesday tutorial today is one I sooooooooo want to make rather than one I already know how to make! I have a new favorite blog written by Gabrielle Blair, mother of six, who lives in the French countryside blogging about the intersection of design and motherhood! Check out her Design Mom blog and her awesome tutorial on The Perfect Gift: School House Gift Box. 

Gosh knows I only have 3 more days to get it done and delivered to school teachers and administrators, but I can sure try! Don't you love it... so cute: 

And speaking of cute, I just hare to share the most adorable pictures sent to me today by the Mama of two of my favorite customer (and a favorite customer herself), Ruth and Quinn! They look SO happy with their door signs -- it makes me happy! 

Ciao for now, 

Mama Zuzi

Studio Sunday - Plus 5 Things I'm Liking too!

It is Sunday and according to my new schedule, that should mean Studio Sunday. To be honest, given that I've just completed five orders, my studio is only one thing -- a mess. 

With three more signs to do soon along with a magnet order, I will need to spend tomorrow afternoon on a quick clean up. Then it will be time to stock up on a few supplies and get going again. 

With that said, I am wanting to share a few things I'm liking (being Sunday and all). 

1)  Jurassic Park - watching it with the fam. Man that scene when the when the water cups start shaking. OMG. 

2) The SlyFox shop on Etsy for jewelry. A little more than I regularly spend but it sure looks worth it. Just everything looks gorgeous. I know these earrings are basic but that may be why I love them. 

3) This great (and easy) idea for hanging up paper rolls and ribbon: 

Even I could probably manage to put these up all by myself. I found it on Pinterest and on this blog: http://www.armelleblog.com/2011/12/my-studio-closet.html

4) This or something like it for one of the walls in our "family" room. I could make the Family sign with scrabble pieces or freehand, then make sure there are pics of all four of us and either each of our initials or our last. I hate to admit that for a person who makes and sell home decor, I have lots of empty space on my wall. I need to commit to doing something about that and including it on this blog. Now the question is which room to start with... living room, family room, master bedroom, or what? 

5) Repurposing golf tees! It's been ages since I've played golf (and remarkably I did letter in the sport) -- but using them to stop up your toothpaste, to hold your corn cob, or stake a helium balloon in the ground are all brilliant and fun. Thank you Martha Stewart for featuring this idea in the latest issue of REAL SIMPLE magazine! It made my night!

Well now it is time for me to finish watching "Pirates of the Carribean" -- can't get much better than Johnny Depp AND Orlando Bloom in the same movie! 

Ciao for now, 
Mama Zuzi

New blog features

Just wanted to let folks know that for now I'm going to be focussing on particular themes on particular days. Check it out: 

SUNDAY:  Studio Sunday -- organization, things to includes, supplies, design and more

MONDAY:  Mama Monday -- anything related to being a mama, mama picture this

TUESDAY:  Tutorial Tuesday -- Mine, yours, ours. DIY it baby!

WEDNESDAY:  What a shot Wednesday -- photos and more photos

THURSDAY:  Thankful Thursday -- Things I'm thankful for & appreciations

FRIDAY:  Nearly Famous Friday (moving my blog posts here) 

SATURDAY:  Self Improvement Saturday - we all do it and I'm gonna share about it

I'll start up this schedule tomorrow... my first self-improvement Saturday. Guess I better get thinking about what I am gonna do ;-) 

And if you are someone with a studio, a mama with your own blog, someone who does tutorials or just interested in contacting me, please contact me! I would love to hear your thoughts! 

Ciao for now, 

Mama Zuzi

Studio Space Evolution - In the Beginning...

So in the last blog post I showed you a couple of the many awesome studio spaces that I covet. Here's one of them: 

Color coordinated, loads of organized paper, personal style represented... ahhh that would make me happy. 

I'm not sure just what they are storing in the jars and spice bottles or the cute multi-color shelving on the wall but it looks gorgeous! It also appears to be missing the part of the room where they actually craft -- maybe a desk or work table. 

But alas, my little studio space in our basement is sad in comparison. Here it is even with a few organizational tools to help it get better: 

As you may or may not be able to tell, there are a few things that need to go away (sewing machine) and I have added a couple of organizational pieces: 

Calendar to keep track or orders

Cool photo organizer 

A file organizer + more

We are testing to see if our walls are waterproofed. Then we'll decide whether to paint or dry wall and then paint. I am contemplating various organizational pieces of furniture and want to get a new chair. Suggestions are more than welcome ... or pinterest ideas. By the way, all of these new items in my studio space were purchased in the store at www.storeables.com. I may have to go back! I hear Ikea has some good solutions although they very best one I have seen is apparently discontinued. Argh. 

Well ... since it is 8 a.m. on the West Coast and I have to get my munchkins moving on this rainy Monday-ish Tuesday, I'll be going for now.

Ciao, 
Mama Zuzi

Things I'm Liking Sunday - Memorial Day Weekend Edition

1:   I'm really liking organizational tools for crafting studios. Mine is a stuffy hole in the basement with a giant desk with loads of potential but in need of some serious design, planning, organization and love. 

Pinterest is bursting with ideas for organizing a crafting space. There are tons of images pinned there that I would be thrilled to emulate in my studio such as these: 


















2: I am also in love with the fact that the British TV Series "Doc Martin" is going to start running from the very beginning on my local PBS channel every Saturday Night. What a perfect excuse to get caught up before the next season airs! I just love watching this show set in Port Isaac, England (which doubles as the imaginary Port Wen)... it's gorgeous.

3:  This wedding blue color (I need to get some craft paint in this shade and ribbon too) for bridal signs. 

& 4:  I'm also pleased and liking the newest sign I'll be adding to my shop for boys' (and girls') bedroom doors: 

Available in the shop now, just click HERE!

Happy Memorial Day weekend and please remember the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. 

Ciao for now, 
Mama Zuzi

Cool ways to hang photos

Anyone can take a photo print down to the framing shop and go for the standard frame with or without a matte. That can get dull pretty quickly. 

The cool thing about the internet is that there are tons of clever and unique ideas out there to spice up your family photos or art prints for your home. 

A few photos of different members of your family, shots from a particular event or thematically-connected art prints can come together beautifully with the help of an old or antique window. This idea comes from the cottageinstincts blog which can be found at: http://cottageinstincts.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-to-do-with-old-windows.html.

I can totally see my Shaniko photo collection in a 4-pane window. 

I also found a great and easy way to connect several photos, possibly in a hallway or above a table, by using a curtain rod. 

The rod can be as modern and sleek or fancy and intricate as your style dictates. A little ribbon or wire and your photos framed as you like, and you've got a terrific look. 

More images of this idea and details can be found at the Wingledings blog: 

http://wingledings.blogspot.com/2010/09/i-love-good-challenge.html

If you have some old shutters laying around, 2 Friends & 2 Cities have a great idea of how to refinish them and turn them into a beautiful display for your photos. 

Check out their before and after tutorial at their blog here: 

http://221vision.com/2011/02/17/before-after-shutters/

I love all of these ideas and given how many bare walls we have in our house, my photo decorating wheels are turning. 

I for sure want to try both the window and the curtain rod idea. What ideas are you inspired by? 

Ciao for now. 

Mama Zuzi

Things I'm Liking Sunday - Mother's Day Edition

Happy Mother's Day!

I am enjoying my day after a lovely brunch out with my family. I have taken a nap and been working on the shop. A lovely way to spend the day, especially since the weather has turned and it feels as though it could rain at any time. 

In honor of the day, I'm happy to say a couple of my "likes" come from my very own children! Apparently the apple doesn't fall that far from the tree when it comes to creativity. 

The other day, my daughter decided she just had to have a new bag to carry along on her field trip and within no time at all she had created this fabulous duck tape bag complete with strap, two pockets and a close-able latch! LOVE IT! Trying to convince her to sell some in my shop! 

My style is just a bit less hot pink than my girl's purse. I myself am a big fan of small bags and am always on the lookout for ones I like. If I was buying one this week, I'd go for this lovely little jewel from janinekingdesigns on Etsy!

My daughter isn't the only creative one around here. For Teacher Appreciation Week (albeit a little late), my son is making a card featuring one of his signature dragons: 

The red dragon theme would look terrific in his bedroom (maybe I'll frame a copy) but not really anywhere else in our house. I've been thinking a lot lately about our empty walls and therefore exploring home decor. I think this painting set by NathalieVan would look gorgeous in our bedroom: 

On the other hand, I may just go for a framed enlargement of this photo instead: 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/65199230/beach-grass-8-x-10-digital-art-photo?ref=shop_home_active

Hope your Mother's Day is terrific. More soon! 

Mama Zuzi (Sue) 

Up-cycled Personalized Special Order

 

 

Something borrowed, something blue & something Etsy!

So much for a quiet Sunday. I have been busily doing promotion for my Etsy shop online! 

I have also been developing some great friendships including Lisa from Minnesota. Her Etsy Shop can be found at: belou492 Thoughtfully repurposed items with a shabby chic touch♥. Just click on the link to check out her great wedding and other themed items such as a few of my personal favorites: 

great for the kitchen or dining room

great for a little one's bedroom

I love that the items are re-purposed. Still trying out just how I might do that with Mama Picture That items... maybe someday soon. The creative juices they are a'flowin... 

She and I have been discussing various ideas and I am unveiling one of them here. The latest listing in my shop and the first in what may hopefully become a line of Wedding Themed PIY (Print it yourself) Digital Photo Images personalized as Save the Dates, Wedding announcements and more... Please go check it out and pass it along to anyone you know who may have a wedding (and all that planning) in their future. I'm sure I could make at least some of it easier on them ;-) 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/130040309/rustic-pink-flowers-personalized-save?ref=shop_home_feat

PS... check back regularly as I am thinking about making Sunday's on the blog be "Some Things I Am Liking" Sundays -- recommendations from me to YOU! 

Making the photo canvas

Prepping the canvas

1. For this version of a photo on canvas, I used a pre-made canvas and painted the sides black. I also carried the paint onto the front of the canvas just about 1/4 inch. 

Adding the photo

2. After the paint dried (left it for a day or two), I cut the image down to be just smaller all the way around than the canvas. 

3. I attached the digital photo onto the canvas with an adhesive spray. 

Sealing/Texturing

4. After an hour or so, I applied hodge podge to the sides of the image and the image itself. In this case, I used a paint roller to give it a bit of texture. I let that dry for a few hours before doing a 2nd coat. 

and voila!

5. Last but not least, after all was dry I added a bit more black to the front edges to blend the photo edges with the canvas. 

You can purchase this very piece online now at:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/129394094/purple-power-flowers-canvas?ref=shop_home_active.

To DIY, you can also purchase most of these items at a Joann's Fabrics near you or any local craft store and the Purple Power (flowers) print at Mama Picture This here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/102793659/purple-blaze-digital-art-print-not? (the listing is for an 11"x11" print but happy to special order 8"x8" or other sizes, just contact me. 

Perk up a room

I am certain that just the right photo can perk up a room in no time and for not a lot of cost. That is part of my thinking often times when I look at my own photos. Funny thing is that I've been so busy that I haven't really decorated any of my own walls with photos since the ones I took of my kids that are in our bathroom (and that's been awhile). 

I had a couple of my photos (from last year's Fizz show) up in our living room but honestly I need something bigger there and framed to fend off the misc. Nerf things that zoom through our air! There are certainly plenty of possibilities such as the orange tulip or even something from the ghost town pictures. 
My daughter took another smaller photo from the show and put it on her bedroom wall and it did look lovely until she had a tantrum at bedtime and all the pretty things on that wall ... well ended up not on the wall any longer. 

One of my goals for the year, along with reinvigorating both this blog and my Etsy shop, is to get more decorating done in my house and to that end, if I promise to share it here with you, then I just might actually do it this time! We have painted both kid rooms and the "family" room and our bedroom but we need to decorate more, especially the walls. 

Funny thing is that the very first image I want to frame and put on our bedroom wall is our daughter's art. The minute she drew this image, I knew it would look great against our calm green bedroom walls. 

I am committing to framing it and putting it up in our bedroom. The next question is just where it shall be placed. 

I hope to get more creative with our family photos and my own images, kid creations and other ideas so I hope you will stay tuned. 

How do you decorate your walls, if at all? 

Beat the Heat

It is a quiet house this morning at 11:00 a.m. and I'm trying to decided just what we/I should do. While the rest of the country (mostly) is roasting with temps above 100 degrees, we are supposed to have our first 90 degree one.


I had been hoping to hang in my basement studio working away on necklaces, canvases, cards and magnets but there have been a few glitches in the supply chain to be worked through. Likely I'll be working on shop items on Tuesday (my first day off all Summer)! 


I should exercise before the heat sets in and make up my daily smoothie, but then what? 


I need to prepare my clothes and other goodies for work in advance as I am definitely not used to getting up at 6 am anymore and leaving the house at 7 am nor am I used to working an 8-hour day! Should be interesting. 


Hung another one of my larger photos in our family room yesterday. Liking the way it looks other than the reminder that we truly need to paint all of our walls after years of living in this house! 


I may take some pics (in the cool basement) and post "Eye Candy" show pieces to Etsy shop today but otherwise we may need to go to a movie or some other indoor (with air conditioning) activity. What are you doing to stay cool if you need to? 

For the 4th

Happy 4th of July to America! Happy belated Canada Day to our friends to the North... and just have a great day for every one else out there! 

Our 4th of July has been incredibly low key. We did a few fireworks at a friends last night and thus far today have cleaned house, moved a computer into our living room, washed our dogs and I did this: 

 

Thought both "Shine" and "Orange Tulip" would compliment the colors in our living room... which are currently bland, so bland. We need and want to color our walls in this room to be a golden yellow with orange undertones. Hopefully we can do that sooner than later. Other pieces from the show will start showing up in the Etsy shop soon but if you have one in mind you would like for your own, feel free to let me know at mamazuzi@hotmail.com.

But for now, the living room is bland (a wee less with these photos up) and it is the 4th of July at 5 p.m. Pacific Coast time. Soon we will heat up the BBQ, have dinner, watch some movies, eat ice cream and make some-mores! 

Every country could use a bit of improvement somewhere or somehow, and America is no exception. For today, however I celebrate our country's birth! Happy 4th of July. 

Tomorrow we'll celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary. 

And so it goes... 

Mama Zuzi 

Feeling Purple

Today I'm feeling pretty purple. What might that mean? 

Purple is royalty. A mysterious color, it is associated with both nobility and spirituality. The opposites of hot red and cool blue combine to create this intriguing color.

Purple has a special, almost sacred place in nature: lavender, orchid, lilac, and violet flowers are often delicate and considered precious. Because it is derived from the mixing of a strong warm and strong cool color it has both warm and cool properties. A purple room can boost a child's imagination or an artist's creativity. Too much though, like blue, could result in moodiness.*

It has been a good month. My photo show, my birthday, my hubby finally getting a great job he deserves! 


I feel too as though I'm finally allowing myself to feel good enough to prioritize my own creativity and to move forward and that feels royal and spiritual and well... purple. 


Maybe I'm connecting to this image because it has boosted my imagination or my creativity. 


It is not too red nor too blue. It is perfectly purple... 'tis true!


And it is in my "Eye Candy" show and now in my Etsy Shop too. If you love purple, this just may be the print for you! 

June - What a Wonderful Month!

This month has been a whirlwind of activity for me. Despite having reached an age that I cannot believe I actually am, I have had a great month.

And what is so great, you might ask. Well, I'll
tell you what. 

1) School is out and we found a great nanny to watch the kids one day a week (big sister of school mates).

2) I got to celebrate my birthday not once, but TWICE this year at Fizz Soda Pop & Candy Shop (Thank you Sarah)!

3) I had (and the photos are still up) my FIRST EVER photo show at Fizz called "Eye Candy." (Thanks so much to Thomas Webb my wonderful painter friend for helping me through the process! The show isn't over yet... runs through the end of the month (or a day or 2 shy).

4) I sold 4 images from the show thus far (see photo collage): Shine Exposure (upper left), Tulip Trail (upper right), NH Dragons (middle) and Shine (bottom)!

5) If you like my Mama Picture This Facebook page in June, you will be eligible to win one of my "Eye Candy" pieces through a random drawing in early July... don't miss out. Like Mama Picture This today! 

6) I am beginning to list the images from the "Eye Candy" show in the Mama Picture This Etsy Shop.

7) I am open to any of my photos being made available for special order or by request in the shop. Just email me.

And not only are there 7 great things about this month so far, but my birthday is on the 7 th and  7  is my favorite number. Rock on my peeps! Thanks to everyone who has made this a month to remember.