Sunny Saturday

It is a gorgeously sunny Saturday here in Portland. Wish I was feeling up to more than I am. Suddenly feeling as though one of the many things that are going around just might have caught up with me. I want to feel up to going for a hike, or going out to take some pictures or thoroughly cleaning and reorganizing at least one room in my house. I'll be lucky if I get to and through my self-defense course I'm scheduled for today and then bed. 

I have managed to muster enough energy to snap a few pictures of what things are like around our house today. Give you all a small glimpse into my world. Trust me, you probably don't want a big glimpse. Too wide an angle on this camera and you'd get to see all the piles of clothes and things that need de-cluttering! 

See if you do it just right (careful of the angle and all), you'll see a lovely and pretty clean looking living room: 

I do however want to hang that leaves photo on that space of yellow wall soon rather than "leaving" it (get it) on the mantel. 

Otherwise, however from this photo, things are looking good. 

Yes it is very typical to find random Nerf guns without a proper home -- taking up space in a laundry basket, which is in turn living on a chair (who needs to sit down). You have no idea how many surfaces we can cover in a day thereby forcing us to sit anywhere else other than actually on the chairs in our living room. 

Of course there are several ways to think 
this. Who needs to worry about how comfortable a chair may be when it will house various backpacks, Nerf toys and clothing? 

All these chairs normally have to do it look good and be prepared to hold up various accoutrements of daily life! 

I guess I'd like them to be actual chairs that we sit in more often but probably not so much today except the one in the top photo -- it is ready to go unless of course we figure out something to clutter it with. 

And despite the fact that it is 11:00 a.m., I am still in my robe! I may not be on my game today, but check out Olivia, the ever vigilant guard dog looking for anyone or anything she can use as an excuse to bark. 

And yes that's me outside in my front yard in the glorious autumn sun ... in my bathrobe ... snapping the pic! 

Frankly the we both look a bit ghostly in this particular shot. 

Watch out Kim Kardashian! I'm making a fashion statement on this laid back Saturday -- or NOT! 

And last but not least in this glimpse of our world today, is this photo that seems to show not only some semblance of tidiness (but if you look super close also clutter), but more importantly an empty wall! This wall normally holds our Advent calendars when we get to that point but of course it is too early for that. For now, I believe it needs a little something to spice it up and I have an idea. 

For now it will remain an idea because I'm feeling frumpy but I'm hoping by posting this to motivate myself to create something for that spot to share with you soon (maybe tomorrow on Studio Sunday)!? 

What would you put in this spot if you were decorating? Do tell ... share a comment. 

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

Self Improvement Saturday - 10 Things to Improve Your Life Right Now!

Saturdays always seem like a great day to get everything done, until of course I run out of time. Maybe if I was more organized or purposeful or made a list of "some" of the things that need to be done and commit to doing them before Sunday, maybe that would work. 

Saturdays also seem like a perfect day to try to do better to improve on myself as it were.  Now I just let you in on the fact that despite by best attempts, I pretty much never get everything that "should" get done on Saturday actually done - on Saturday (sometimes not even on Sunday). Knowing this, I am spending a few minutes searching the Internet for some ideas to help me (and you if you'd like) improve my life and my self -- well right away! 

Here's a few of the things that I have found: 

Things to Improve Your Life Right Now! 

1. Have a set place where you ALWAYS put your keys (and your cell phone).
     I hang my keys on a hook and use my cell phone as my alarm clock - it helps!

2. Leave work at work 
     I need to work on this one - no work email at home. I like to be helpful and efficient 
     at work but need to remember to safeguard my home time too. 

3. Clean off your desk or work space. 
Although it is often hard to find the time for those of us who weren't born with the 
naturally fastidious and organized genes, finding a way to keep things clean and tidy 
at your home and/or work space does make you feel better and work better too.     
Every once in awhile, just take a few minutes and give it a try. There are some great ideas on the best ways to set up and organize your desk at Life Hacker. 

4. Create a morning routine. 
    This is less important right now with Summer break upon us, but for my family it is 
     going to be imperative come fall if we want to be successful. We have a school year
     routine in the mornings, just not a good one. I am committing to working on this bit-
     by-bit to make improvements and a plan to implement when the time comes. Making
     my meals the night before and showering then too would be major improvements. 

5. Laugh more and often (and right now for no reason).
    I just did it and you can too! I was afraid to laugh out loud as a teenager for fear my 
    laugh would be the funny thing. But these days, one of the benefits of gaining wisdom
    with age... I laugh a lot more and a lot louder. Who cares what others think. I know
    laughing (as long as it isn't at some one's expense) is a great thing to do! Great article 
    on the importance of humor here by Dr. Terry Gordon. 

6. Keep on dreaming. 
    I have been in the same job for over 11 years now and I enjoy it but I also enjoy and 
    feel revitalized by my dream of having my own business creating and selling my photo 
    art. I think it is the thing that is truly making me happy and feeling alive these days.
    You can still live the life you are living but have some dreams to reach for too! 

7. Stay connected.

    Whether you are partial to phone calls or emails, hand written letters, note cards 

    or social networking -- find and remember the people you care about. It is easy to 
    brighten your day and someone elses by picking up the phone or sending a card to let 
    them know you are thinking about them in the mail. 

8. Hug someone - often. 

    I hug my kids regularly throughout the day and plan to continue doing so until they just 

    won't allow it. I admit my hubby and I used to hug at the end of the work day with a 

    special lift me off the ground kinda hug. Just now thinking we should get back to it. 

9. Single-task once in awhile.

    Take the time to slow down and really concentrate on whatever task is at hand every 

    so often. Really focus on washing those dishes, or mowing that grass. Get into the 

    rhythm of what you are doing and stay purposefully focused. You don't have to multi-

    task all the time. 

10. Try to embrace yourself as you are as well as how you wish to be. 

      Do whatever helps you to love yourself. It is important for you and for those around

      you too. And you don't have to accept that you will always be just as you are. You 

      can also embrace that you are a work of art that is evolving and ever changing. 

Mama Zuzi

Tutorial Tuesday - Photo Light Switch Cover

1. Select your photo and size it to the size of your your switch cover. 

2. Tape either a sheet of tissue or other soft nubbly paper to an 8.5 " x 11 " paper to help it go through your printer and print.

3. Cut out your image just slightly larger than your image. 

4. Glue down your image onto the switch plate cover.
I used a spray adhesive. 

5. Paint over your image carefully with a layer of Hodge Podge.

 

6. Using a natural sponge, I like to add a soft white (or other color) border. 

And now ... unlike on television cooking shows ... my switch plate must dry. Visit tomorrow for the big reveal. Sorry if this tutorial feels a little "thrown together" but I have been busy and finding it hard to not only find a tutorial to share but do it and photograph it too! 

In the mean time, you may want to check out this fun DIY switch plate cover with splattered paint. Don't forget the drop cloth! 

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/splat-light-switch-cover

Ciao for now, 
Mama Zuzi 

Self-Improvement Saturday - Summer Sanity?

Today is the first Saturday after the last day of school for the year. Today there were parental trips to the store and Home Depot for home improvement projects, there was some cleaning and I updated the back deck furniture a bit. 

The kids spent the majority of their day on Minecraft. Trust me it won't be this way for long. Tomorrow is Father's Day and we have a few things planned. Then starting on Monday, they will have their summer nanny for 5 hours a day and they are not allowed any computers during her time with them. 

My self-improvement Saturday is looking for and preparing to try out a few ideas for keeping my sanity (and maybe theirs) during the dog days of summer. 

The Peaceful Mom (at http://www.thepeacefulmom.com) offers up a Summer Sanity Daily Planner to keep track of daily activities such as personal care, daily duties (chores), enrichment (say what?) and entertainment. 

Over at Simple Mom's blog, she has a list of 200+ summertime activities for bored kids. I may be referring to this (or print it out and post it on the fridge) often. Check out the list: http://thesimplemom.com/2007/05/27/200-summertime-ideas-for-bored-kids/. A few of the suggestions include: 

• write in your journal
• find an ant colony and spill some food and watch what happens
• play charades
• make up a story by drawing pictures
• draw a cartoon strip
• make a map of your bedroom, house or neighborhood
• call a friend
• cut pictures from old magazines and write a story
  *** and don't forget taking photos & crafting *** 
  
  
  Last but not least is the idea of giving your kids a daily checklist (similar to the first idea but different). 
  
  
  I may not be Catholic, or anywhere near it, but over on the Catholic Mom blog, Jennifer Fitz has some thoughts and suggestions on allowing for screen time but within a reasonable schedule, including things that also need to get done and other activities as well. 
  
  
  Since screen time, particularly computer use, is an issue in our home, I am thinking of trying something similar. First I need to see just when the kids wake up on their own in the next week or so. I have to make sure I am ready to go to work by 10:00 a.m. 4 days a week. I want to plan some fun family activities on my days off. I want to add a couple of daily chores to the kids weekly ones. I would like to have my own version of a sanity schedule in place by a week from today ... 
  
  
  and somewhere in this schedule I hope to have time to do my Etsy activities and some down time too. Right now that down time includes watching "New Tricks". 
  
  
  Wishing you a sane and wonderful summer!
  
  
  Ciao for now, 
  Mama Zuzi

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

Mama Monday

It's Mama Monday. It is the last Monday of my daughter's 4th and my son's 7th grade years which is so very hard to believe but oh so true. 

I have to say that I am ready for the last Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to be done and gone. I am ready for the kids to be out of school. I can't handle one more request for donations, one more field study form to be signed, one more item to be brought to school or one more reminder for my kids to do their danged homework. Here's what I have to say about this school year... I'm d - o - n - e DONE! 


Today I had to have a meeting with my son's math teacher and we came up with a plan for him to study just 2 hours a week this summer (with 3 weeks off) just to get him up to snuff in time for 8th grade math this fall. But despite being nice for the teachers (albeit completely not engaged), as soon as we left school he said pretty much, "despite whatever I said in there 'No!'" I realize it is frustrating to try harder and do better and for it not to be enough but life is life and it isn't always free time and roses all summer long. 

I'm not really dealing with it today however. I'm saving that for another day after school is out. 

Then there is my daughter who has begun to push her homework closer and closer to her bedtime and I can't stand it. Again, despite grumbling at her quite a bit tonight, I'm done with it. Things are gonna evolve over the summer and we are doing things differently come fall. 

As far as my shop, I'm excited to finish up my first wedding sign ... which only needs a trip to the craft store for some appropriate ribbon to be complete! 

And now this Mama has to go and attempt to figure out what we are gonna do for Father's Day this weekend. 

Ciao for now, 
Mama Zuzi

Studio Sunday - Birthday Weekend Edition

Thankful to everyone who made my birthday special this weekend! You all rock and I love ya! 

You may have noticed that I managed to miss a post yesterday. Sorry about that but I figured I was allowed a break the day after my big celebration. 

Now it is Sunday and I've got a list a mile long of things to do regarding the kids, our house, chores, friends and of course the shop/studio. 

As to what is in my studio today, here's a quick shot: 

In the upper right is Quinn's bedroom door sign. Since taking the picture, I have wrapped it up neatly and it is ready to be purchased in the shop and delivered (hopefully during this last week of school)!  

To the upper left, is a photo for my BFF Lisa. I just need to mount it on it's board and figure out with her the hanging options, and it will be ready to deliver to her -- again -- finally! Thanks for your patience Lisa Schmisa. 

In the center is a soon-to-be wedding sign and you may notice the wedding date! The sign is for the reception at the end of the month but they just got hitched yesterday! Congrats to Mintra, Paul & Paul's Mama Valerie too! 

Since it is a gorgeous day out and I have so much to do, I'm going to leave you for now. But tomorrow is another day. Back at 'cha then. 

Ciao for now, 
Mama Zuzi

PS... Happy 50th Birthday to Johnny Depp! 

Missed Mama Monday

OK so I missed Mama Monday. I had my reasons. But I'm making up for it now. AND there will be a Tutorial Tuesday today (Tuesday) -- just a tad bit later today. 

So yesterday was Mama Monday. Getting the kids ready and myself, making some breakfast and doing our routine when suddenly my daughter says, "Mom! Today is the Astoria Trip!" It doesn't sink in at first. In a few beats however, we both realize that she was supposed to be at school on a bus AN HOUR AGO! Has anyone else read the Mama End of Year Rant that has been all over the internet!? This is one of those moments. "... you expect me on June 3rd to get my kid to school an hour early and on a Monday no less after the weekend and with NO REMINDER! Ain't gonna happen! Oy. In May maybe or October, but not in June!"

For those of you who haven't read the rant, here it is: Worst End of School Year Mom Ever. It is definitely worth a read!

Back at our house, it is just a good thing I had made a sale in the Etsy shop to keep me in good spirits. I scrambled to find a babysitter and once that was set, head off to my office. 

As to my Mama studio, let's just say it is a major mess after fulfilling these adorable orders: 

Three of these are on their way to California and I'm delivering one to an sweet 3rd grader today! The last one should head to it's new home soon. While these are looking good, my studio is looking like this: 

As you can imagine, I'll be doing a little cleaning and reorganizing this afternoon before I get to work on my order for Quinn (soccer sign) and my latest (first really) wedding sign! More later today. Happy Tutorial Tuesday! 

Oh I almost forgot... There are only 3 days left to get your name in the Birthday Blog Comment Contest! It is easy peasy to enter. Just comment on any post in my blog (anonymous is easiest but you'll need to add your name into the body of the post or I won't know who you are) and then share that post anywhere... Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest - you choose! I'll be picking winners on my birthday - this Friday! So get to it! I just know you are a winner - I can feel it.

Mama Zuzi

Anyone think I just might start seeing scrabble tiles in my sleep? 

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

All in the family

While I admit that Mama Picture This is my shop and to-date sells only items made by me or my own photos, I am getting a little help from my family. 

The hubby and I headed over to Home Depot last night to purchase some hard board for making my wedding (and maybe other) signs and we also got him a new drill bit set so that he can drill holes for my kid bedroom signs and I can add lovely gauze ribbons and/or jute for those who want them. I had earlier gone on my own to Joann's to purchase the ribbon, jute and a good hole punch too! Is it sad that this stuff is fun and exciting to me? ;-) I am also excited that my husband may be helping me by making recycled picture frames to sell in the shop along with my photos! It is fun having projects together and a great excuse to spend quality time together too. 

Working on ideas for bridal signs

As for my daughter, you may recall me sharing some pics of her hot pink duct tape handbag recently. I have offered to try to sell a few of her uber-creative projects, but she wants to have HER OWN shop and HER OWN blog etc. So for now... you guessed it ... she's on HER OWN!

So I was a little more than surprised (pleasantly) when I asked my 13-year old son to help me imagine what a younger boy might like to use to hang up his door sign if he was going to have one for his bedroom. He actually offered up either some sort of metal chain or twine (ended up with jute cause it is a bit thicker/sturdier)! Of course later when I told his Dad that he was helping me as my consultant, I think he said something along the lines of "meh huh wha? na relly..." or something like that. 

Tonight is made for crafting

Regardless of what he said (as if it could be translated), he did help me out and it was awesome. These days I really relish actual conversations with my boy because they don't happen as often as I'd like. 

Still a ways to go, but hanging photos make the space nicer

Something else that isn't happening as often as I'd like is comments on this blog. Come on people... my Blog Birthday Comment Contest will be over in one week's time!

The rules are easy: 
1. Comment on the Mama Picture This blog between now and June 6th
2. Share the post that includes your comment ... on Facebook, Twitter, etc.
3. You are automatically entered in a random drawing on June 7th (my bday)
4. Winner receives a t-shirt & 4-pack of photo cards (you choose the photos)
5. 2 Runners up win an 8x10 (or 8x8) photo print of their choosing! 

*** In addition, I will donate 5% of every sale in my shop between now and my birthday to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (in honor of my Dad). 

For those of you whose name I will recognize, feel free to comment anonymously but just include your name and last name initial in the body of your comment! 

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

10 Ways to Celebrate a Big Birthday without Breaking the Bank

If you are having a big birthday and want to celebrate without breaking the bank, there are still some great things you can do to mark the occasion. 

1.  Get a tattoo 

While a large or elaborate tattoo can set you back hundreds of dollars, you can often get a smaller one for under $100. 

2. Pierce something

Never gotten your ears pierced? Do it now. Looking for something more adventurous, consider your upper ear or nose. I got my nose pierced just last year and it cost about $50 including jewelry. 

3. Manicure/Pedicure

        Want to go wild and spend a bit more? You can do
        both manicure and pedicure together. Save money 
        and just pick the one that makes you feel extra 
        special. 

4. Cut & Color

If you are anything like me, you don't cut your hair as often as you might like. A good hair cut can make you feel great so go for it. If you can spend a little extra go for some color. I always color my own hair but this year am splurging for both a new cut and a little fun color -- something I don't normally do. 

5. Shopping

The nice thing about taking yourself shopping (in stores or online) is that you are in charge and you can buy anything from a whole new outfit to a new piece of jewelry at the local resale shop or even some sparkly new nail polish to do your own nails. 

I know I'd like to spend my next birthday on an island in the Pacific or in Europe but this year it isn't going to happen. And that's o.k. My birthday celebration (and yours as well) can be special even on a budget. 

Happy Birthday to You! Make sure you find a way to honor just how wonderful you are even if it can't be elaborate. And while you are at it... consider figuring out ways to celebrate all year long throughout the year. You deserve it!