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! 

Mama Monday - Christmas in July

It is July ... for a couple more days. 

My shop has items on a "Christmas in July" sale ... for a couple more days. 

Christmas (as well as Hannukah and other winter holidays) are all about 6 months away. 

Time to get ready! 

I would be going gangbusters on this right now and would be, if I wasn't pretty darn sure I caught my daughter's stomach bug. 

But before crawling into bed, I did manage to create a few holiday themed images I hope to turn into photo card sets, signs, maybe canvas possibilities and other fun new ideas as well. 

Are you an early holiday shopper or do you wait until the last minute? 

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!

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. 

Thankful Thursday - The End of School

It is Thursday and there is just one day left of this school year. Amazing. 

Today I am thankful for all the teacher's and school personnel who help my children and honestly all children every day -- to learn, to grow, to become who they are meant to be.

And in that spirit, I am going to share my process in making yesterday's wonderful tutorial which I am making for my kids' teachers and the school secretaries. 

Thanks again to Design Mom for the terrific idea and tutorial which you can find here:

 

And now without further ado, is my version (it was fun): 

1. Printed out the templates

2. I colored mine. 

3. Cut 'em out. 

4. Score & fold where indicated.

5. I glued the side tab first. 

6. I used the glue bottle to hold the bottom tabs together when I glued them. 

 

7. Fill with goodies. 

 

8. Ready for gifting on the last day of school! 

Ciao for now, 

Mama Zuzi

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? 

Things I'm Liking Sunday - May 19, 2013 Edition

I can barely believe that May is nearly over - can you? 

This time next month, the kids will be out of school and every thing will be different until we get back to it again in the fall. 

You would think that I'd be liking summer goodies right about now, but I'm just not there yet. So what am I liking? Let me fill you in... 

For a while I was all about the British TV show "Doc Martin" and to be honest, I still am. I managed to watch every single episode for the total of it's five seasons thus far. I hear rumor that the series is filming Season 6 this year and I can't wait to see it. In the meantime I've been looking around for other shows I enjoy as much. 

Psych's characters Shawn Spencer and Burton Guster

And then we found "Psych!"  We don't have cable so we never even knew it existed until this year even though the show is currently in it's 7th season! That is my first LIKE for this week... the family found "Psych" Season 7 on Hulu and we are overjoyed! 

You can find "Psych" on the USA Network if you are a paid up cable kinda person. 

When I'm not watching Shawn and Gus thwarting criminals after getting into mucho messes, I'm usually working on some aspect of my Etsy Shop.

This weekend I'm working up some Kids Personalized Scrabble Pieces Name Sign and already have a a few orders! Totally fun to make these babies. I started with my daughter's name as an example and I'm also working up a possible boy version as well. There will be more. 


And last but definitely not least, I've been liking the art of my good friend, Tom Webb, aka Sir Grapefellow. His Etsy Shop is here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Webbitup and it is filled amazingly illustrated monsters, pirates, dogs, cats, rabbits and even a snake! 

I find myself most partial to the pugs and the cats. 

And one more thing. I am liking the awesome folks who have actually entered by birthday blog contest by adding a comment (it can be to any post on my blog). The rules are easy and they are here: http://mamapicturethis.blogspot.com/2013/05/blog-birthday-comment-contest.html. And I've just added a NEW rule... the more times you comment, the more times you are entered to win! Right now the entrants have a 50/50 chance of winning. I think YOU should give 'em a run for their money (or t-shirts and card sets)! 

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

Up-cycled Personalized Special Order

 

 

Thinking ahead

Even though Mother's Day is this coming weekend, I'm already thinking beyond. 

If you are a procrastinator with regards to gifts, then this post may be a tad early for you. 

If however, you are someone who plans ahead (about a month in this case), then it may be just what you need. 

If your Dad is a fan of photography, the old west or even cars, you just might be able to find a gift for your Dad at Mama Picture This! 

Photo Prints: 

There is Wagon Wheel for the rustic-ly inclined. 

There are several other print options from the Shaniko, Oregon Ghost Town collection. You can find them here: 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MamaPictureThis?section_id=13522786

Can't make up your mind? No problem, you can special order the Shaniko Collection Collage Print (seen here -- to the right). 

"Any man can be a father. It takes someone special to be a Dad."

                              ~ Unknown 

Ah the old days... when I was so young

Can't find what you are looking for at Mama Picture This? 

Check out other Etsy shops for handmade gifts for the father in your life: 

https://www.etsy.com/search?q=father%20day%20gift&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US

Oh and speaking of Dads... Happy Birthday to Tom Petersson of Cheap Trick (I just realized your big day is today!) 

Ciao for now, 

Mama Zuzi 

Things I'm Liking Sunday - Cinco de Mayo Edition

It's that time again. I know you've been counting the days. It's time for "Things I'm Liking" Sunday! 

To tell you the truth, the #1 thing I'm liking today is the gloriously windy and warm Portland weather. I know it is at least 85 degrees outside at 5 pm. This weather is going to make it VERY hard to go back to the office tomorrow. I'm also liking the fact that it appears our dopey puppy Olivia has yet again beat the odds and seems to be back to her old self -- as bouncy as ever. Go figure. I'm starting to call her "Super Dog." No better canine play mate for Bat Penny than Super Dog! 


It also just happens to be Cinco de Mayo and in honor of the day, I bring you my most favorite of items that marks the occasion with a great message (wish I had one right now): 

I didn't find it in time for this year, but maybe I can order and have it ready for next year! You can see more fun signs by the maker of this great one at: Kickstandsupsignco.

And speaking of celebrations, I'm trying to think of just how to celebrate my birthday which is coming up next month. Maybe I should call up Prince and ask him what he's gonna do, since we share the day ;-) Of course I'm kidding. I don't have his phone number. I do need to figure out what I want to do to mark my big day. If I was gonna have a party (which I don't really want to do), I'd  buy myself this gorgeous dish and serve something in it! Gosh help me, I have fallen in love with a bowl.

If you are into vintage, such as this beautiful bowl, and don't have the time to go out and scour the yard and estate sales for yourself, give a look at this fun Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RinnovatoVintage?ref=seller_info.

Last but not least, I'm madly in love with the process of re-taking photos for my note card listings in my shop. I went to Paper Source on 23rd in NW Portland and the reviews were all true. The staff was totally nice and helpful and I finally found gorgeous card stock and envelopes and other goodies that I needed. I'll likely post a photo essay on my process tomorrow but for today, let me just leave you with this teaser... 

To see more, just hop over to the shop. You can also see more images and get more information by following Mama Picture This on Facebook! And if you are more a twitter kinda person, there's always https://twitter.com/mamazuzi.