Thankful Thursday

Good morning to the last day of my 40's! This morning despite being inexorably sleepy, I am very thankful for so much and grateful to so many. 

First off, a big thanks to everyone who has participated (so far -- LAST DAY TO COMMENT) in my birthday blog comment contest: 

molly, judi, laurann, tina, belinda, lisa, cathy, sean, desiree, anna, bess, shulamit, sofie & celia

There is still time to enter & WIN but not much. Today IS THE VERY LAST DAY to enter. It's easy... comment on any post in the blog and you will be entered to win. I will draw winners tomorrow on my birthday!  

I am also so very thankful to my the wonderful folks who ordered from Mama Picture This in May: 

lindy, molly (& ruth & quinn), elizabeth, daren, laurie, amanda jane, valerie, sierra & bonnie! 

You helped to make it a wonderful month!

Ciao for now, 
Mama Zuzi

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 

Blog Birthday Comment Contest

As you may know, or may have noticed, I have a big birthday coming up. Despite my best attempts to hate this particular birthday year, I am actively working at ways to make it great. 

I don't know about you, but I feel WAY younger than I am. And while age is just a number, they can wreak havoc with our emotional state until we adjust. If we allow them to, they can even send us into a deep depressionary spiral and ruin our year. But we are the only ones who can choose whether to wallow in self-pity or to celebrate ourselves in all our glory at whatever age we happen to be. 

What is life without celebrations? 

We all know just what life is if we aren't getting older. 

And on a somewhat somber note, those of us celebrating big birthdays should remember that not every one is so lucky to get the chance. 

And so ... despite how much it pains me to type these words, I am actively working toward being FABULOUSLY FIFTY! Can it be? Not me! But alas tis true. 

In honor of this momentous occasion that is coming all too soon (see my birthday countdown calendar to the right of your screen), I am having a Blog Birthday Comment Contest! 


The rules are easy: 

1. Comment on the Mama Picture This blog between now and June 6th
2. Share the blog post that includes your comment ... on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
3. You are automatically entered in a random drawing on my birthday (June 7th) 
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). 

Happy Big Birthday to Me... and to you too! 

Help me to make it a great one! 

I am counting on all of you (you know who you are) who read the blog but rarely if ever comment to comment and spread the word far and wide! Without your help, this contest will fizzle... but with your help it will be FABULOUS! 

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!

New Beginnings

Today I have been thinking about beginnings. 

I know two women who are past their due dates and soon to meet their new babies. 

At my office, we have been interviewing and are soon to add a new person to our development team. 

My husband has been interviewing and is likely to be starting a new position soon as well. 

Summer is just weeks away and that means a new nanny and a new season and a new schedule. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151121579/kids-personalized-sign-custom-name?ref=shop_home_active

New seems to be on the agenda. 
I am also trying out some new items for the shop. 

Today I posted a special order listing -- an upcycled sign for a teen girl's bedroom door -- personalized just for her! Considering offering as a regular listing. I am also trying to come up with one or more potential versions that might be more popular with young guys. 

And when it comes to new beginnings, what better than a wedding or civil ceremony? 

Add caption

Continuing the scrabble motif, I've been thinking about the possibilities of a similar treatment for bridal/wedding ceremony signs. It seems all the rage these days to include signs for your ceremony, such as Mr. and Mrs., The Bride and The Groom, Here Comes the Bride and Happily Ever After. 

Are you a bride to be? A member of an upcoming wedding? Mother of the bride? I'd love to get feedback as I move along in this process. And speaking of feedback and moving forward, I spent a little time today making and

packaging up my latest photo note card order and they are ready to head out for California tomorrow! Thanks to Amanda Jayne for the order. Check out her adorable crocheted items in her Etsy shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MsAmandaJayne. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/73027099/blank-photo-card-set-4-x-5-white-wonder?ref=shop_home_active

I think I'm making it an early night tonight! More tomorrow. 

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. 

Some Things I Like Sunday

I can hardly believe it is already Sunday again, but here we are! This past week has been hectic at Mama Picture This 1) because Mama had some sick kiddos on her hands and 2) because I have really started working to improve my shop and promotion of it too! I am truly hoping to find those customers who like what I do and provide photo items that they will love. 

Today as much as I want to be in my shop making up photo card sets and other fun things, I'm stretched on the coach, drinking tea, eating soup and hoping to get rid of the cold I no doubt caught from my kids. 

I have been keeping up with what is going on on Etsy today however and I have noticed that there are LOTS of new listings that happen on Saturdays. So there have been many many things for me to covet for my Sunday blog posting. 

And truly, besides looking at Etsy and laying on the couch, about the only thing I've got the strength to do is read a book. I haven't yet today (snafu with my daughter but I digress) but I probably will before I go to bed. 

One of the great things about shopping online and especially on Etsy, is you get great handmade things - yes, but also you can find something for just about anyone. Today's theme for me is perfect gifts for people who love to read. 


If you or someone you know is a fan of Edgar Allen Poe, as I have been on occasion, they may enjoy wearing this beautiful necklace from TerraNovaJewelry featuring the image of a raven and the words of Poe himself. 

"“Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development, invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears.” 

― Edgar Allan Poe

For the lover of words -- all words, each and every word -- you may enjoy this simple and charming black and white image printed right on to the page of a dictionary to make it extra special. 

The collageOrama shop has many different images of all different styles -- some black and white, some in full color -- to choose from!  



If music notes are more your style, there are options for you too. A great gift for a lover or performer of music, might be this gorgeous butterfly print on a piece of vintage sheet music by CirquedeArt

I have been pondering the printing of some of my images on to the printed page and am currently thinking about just which images and which printed pages might work best. I'll keep you up-to-date on my thoughts, process and any products that come from this particular creative process. In the meantime, enjoy a good book or a good piece of art printed on the pages of one! 

Mama Zuzi

Prep work

Prepping a canvas this week. I can't wait to continue the process but need the paint to be completely dry. Having to stop myself from going out to purchase tons of supplies. 

The creative process certainly is a mysterious thing, especially as an artistic person who is also the parent to two kids, a 4th and a 7th grader. Between periods of single parenting (when my husband travels on business), working with the kids to do their chores and their homework, shuttling them to and from play dates and other activities, it is hard to have the quiet time needed just to be silent and hear the voice of inspiration. I'm having to figure out other ways to get energized and get the creative juices flowing. 

I did notice that seeing what other artists are doing at the Sidestreet Gallery show last week was an inspiration. So many great ideas out there that have never occurred to me. They may or may not be anything I need to pursue, but they get ideas flowing nonetheless.

What gets your creativity flowing? 

PS - if you are following along, I still haven't managed to go get a frame for and hang up my daughter's flower picture. My current excuse is that I may not be able to control myself  and may come home with bags and bags of goodies! Could be fun but expensive! 

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? 

Happy Easter Peeps!

Happy Easter! Enjoy the day, whether as a religious celebration or a day that bunny's bring you chocolate or even as a beautiful sign of spring and summer to come. As so often happens with holiday cards and photo images... I took this yesterday of an egg we made for the Easter Bunny to hide. Of course, now it is Easter and tomorrow it is over for yet another year. So... maybe next year this will be a card in the shop. I suppose it could also just be an image for Spring without the Happy Easter parts or it could be both. Regardless, I enjoyed making the egg and the image and so I am sharing it with you! I hope you have a wonderful day today, no matter what you choose to do. 

Shiny irony

Usually, I'm looking for the beauty in every day.

Today I found some beauty in this antique car. 

Beautiful and shiny too. 

And in that shine, there was a  bit of irony. 

Do you see what I see? 

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! 

New Work

I have been taking a bit of a break from Mama Picture This, both the Etsy Shop and the blog. Winter finds me usually more into knitting and just dealing with the kids and school and this year doing some contract work in communications and marketing. 

However, as the spring flowers begin their blooming and the trees start to come back to life, we took a short family trip to the Oregon desert for our boy's birthday and I took along my camera. 

There are a couple of shots I'm considering framing for at home or for posting in the Etsy shop... as prints or maybe as card collections.  A few shots of Shaniko, a well-know (slightly inhabited - 25 residents) ghost town not far from Antelope, Oregon are the ones that have first struck my fancy. 

What do you think? Do you know anyone who might enjoy these types of pics? 

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? 

So smooth

Morning and night lately, I find that I crave two things. 

1) A sale in my shop & 

2) Smoothies! 

Around the same time that I added my newest photos (from the Fizz show) into my Etsy shop, I tried Dr Oz's (or Dr. Fuhrman's) supposedly great healthy crash diet. Well crash it did. I lost all of 1 pound and have in the Etsy shop made all of 1 sale - but I'll take it! 

Have a 1-day sale, make a sale. It works! 

Even my daughter is getting into it... advising me what to do or think about my shop and regularly requesting her own smoothies. 

This morning, the girl had mango/strawberry smoothie while I had banana/raspberry/pomegranate/strawberry/peanut butter/kale! Sounds truly atrocious when you get to the kale but it is delicious! 

It even looks good... I should have shot the mango one because the color was sublime and the texture perfection... but alas I did not. But here in all it's glory, is my smoothie and my sale. 

I'm hoping with enough of each I just might lose more than 1 pound by the end of the summer and be able to pay my nanny bill too! 

Now I'm going to spend some time thinking about other ways to display my photos... such as small wood blocks (ready to hang), necklaces or on canvas. Thinking, thinking, thinking... 

More soon.

Falling in love with pictures

I find that I fall in love with pictures. It doesn't take much and I never know just when it will be, but I do it pretty regularly.

This is the picture I am in love with today. I took it this evening. Points to Portlanders if you can tell me where I took it and just what's going on in that orb.

I am in love with the color and the shapes and the reflections.

I am in love with this photo and with taking photos. I don't love all photos, not even all my own photos. Sometimes I hate 'em.

But tonight, I am in love with this photo. So glad I thought to take it when I did.

Do you fall in love with photos?

Should this photo be more than just a blog post? When you fall in love with a photo or an image, must you have it? If you must, in what form?

Fall in love when you can... even if it is with a photo or art. Fall in love often and hard. Life is worth it and so are you!

Seeking Zen

Despite the glorious fall weather, I have been feeling and expressing increased irritability which seems to compound itself daily. Some of you "not as young as we used to be" women may understand. I think this recent bout of crankiness may be why I stopped in my tracks when I saw the arrangement (above) at a local garden center. It spoke to me with it's zen-ness. I call it Zen Pine Cones. It may surface as part of a "Seeking Zen" card set... if you also enjoy the zen-adoo of the above... let me know. I'd love to know if it speaks to anyone else. May you find zen today! 

A typical day in SE Portland

The sun will come out tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow... there'll be school! 

 

What the purple blooms are saying...

If you have followed this blog for awhile, then you will know what these purple blooms signify. 

It is indeed that time of year again - back to school time. 

This year the blooms, and time of year, bring a mixture of emotions for me. I am sad to see the freedom of summer go but not the costs of regular weekly childcare and the heat. I am going to miss my regular 4-day weekends and time spent reading in the sun with a glass of wine. 

I am at the same time looking forward to seeing people from school more frequently and getting into a routine. I am looking forward to a cool down to less hot weather. I will be thankful not be be told a zillion times a day that I MUST get into the backyard pool with my daughter (it will be taken down in a few days time). 

I am excited for the possibilities that middle school (OMG is he really there already) and 3rd grade bring to my children. I am hoping it will be an amazing year of growth, learning and fun for them both and for us as a family. 

Happy Back to School People. It is time! The purple flowers tell me so. :-)