2012

Monday, December 31, 2012

2012

I can't believe we are already at the end of 2012.  Can you? The world didn't end.  There was no major apocalypse... no zombies attacking the planet. but here are a few things that happened to me this year!  

The big one- I had a baby! I still can't believe that I am a mommy.  Seriously- it's such a major milestone in anyones life becoming a parent. My daughter gives me so much love and joy- I can't even express how much my heart just swells with mush.  It still surprises me how much I enjoy being a mother and will try very hard to be the best one I can be. 

I quit caffeine.  Well.. I quit caffeine because it made me sick in my first trimester of pregnancy.  I was completely addicted to coffee and had several cups every day and when I got pregnant the smell made me sick. I have tried to quit caffeine before but never was able to go longer than a week with out it. I haven't had any caffeine in over a year and am so proud that I kicked the habit.  I do miss a delicious cup of coffee but I'm doing my best to not go back to my caffeinated ways.

I took lots of photos.  I got a couple of new lenses this year and felt extra fancy snapping photos.  I learned and am learning a lot about photography and feel a little like I am on an adventure with documenting my life journey with photos.  

I painted and painted and painted.. This year more than ever I fell in love with painting and realized how important making art is to me.  Painting keeps me happy and when I don't paint.. I miss it.  

My parents sold their house and moved to the beach.  I am born and raised in Portland, Oregon and for the first time in my life I can't just swing by my parents house.  I had to help my mom go through the house and memories.  My parent's old house will always hold so many memories- I had my wedding in their back yard.  All of my highschool memories- proms.. listening to records.. bleaching and dying my hair.. sneaking out and going dancing :).

I can't wait for 2013.. Have a safe and sparkling New Years! We are having a couple of friends over, ordering take out and watching tacky 90's movies :)

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Christmas 2012: Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Christmas 2012: Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas

We had such a special Christmas visiting family.  I was totally spoiled with hanging out with my mom, two sisters, all of my nieces and nephews.  I don't get to see my whole entire family all too often since everyone lives in different states but we some how always connect at Christmas time.  

My mom cut a tree from her backyard and did her very best to give it a Christmas manicure. :)

 Yes, Santa did come and visit and left presents even for the pugs. (Big Ham Bones)  They squealed and twirled with delight. 

Nora loving all the Christmas excitement!

After opening presents we took the pugs out for a walk and flew kites.  

How was your Christmas?

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Hey Santa

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Hey Santa

On my December to do list was to take Nora to see Santa. Tim and I were taking bets if she would freeze or cry.  My bet was cry because I completely cried in my first Santa photo when I was a baby.  I was a little nervous that she would freak out because who likes a screaming baby? but I realized most babies do cry when meeting Santa for the first time.  We walk up and and get in line for Santa and we saw very some very excited kids or crying little babies. :)

As you could tell from her pose, Nora just froze.  Santa was a little on the creepy side and his helpers the elves even creepier.  The head elf had this laugh a little like Krusty the Clown from the Simpsons.  Overall it was an interesting experience- but someday Santa will be magic for her.

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Happy Holidays

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays! I just wanted to wish you a very special holiday! I am hanging out with my family and we're watching old Christmas movies and attempting to bake.. Yes I said it.. bake and not from a box! The cookies look a little like hockey pucks but it's the thought that counts right? We are going to try and do cupcakes next and hopefully they will maybe be a little edible but thank goodness my sisters kids will eat just about anything.  

My little nugget giving grandma a big hug in her bunny suit :).  I can't believe this time last year we were just starting to share the news that we were having a baby and now we are celebrating Nora's first Christmas.  I love just making new memories.

Have a wonderful holiday! 

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Last Minute Gift Guide

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Last Minute Gift Guide

1/2/3/4/5
Eek! I am still working on finishing my last minute Christmas shopping.  I can't believe Christmas is just a few days away.

Have you finished your Christmas shopping?

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Wordless Wednesday

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Wordless Wednesday

I love my furry pug monster :).

Linking up with The Paper Mama

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Firmoo Giveaway!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Firmoo Giveaway!

I'm teaming up with Firmoo in an awesome giveaway.  We will be giving 25 lucky readers a $20 credit  to go towards a pair of Firmoo glasses.  Can you believe it? 25 readers! This giveaway is also international. :)

Lets get down to business!

Here are the official rules:
1.  Leave a comment with your favorite pair of glasses and please include your email address.
2.  Like Firmoo on Facebook.
3.  Giveaway ends on Christmas- December 25th at midnight.

Goodluck :)

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Some thoughts

Monday, December 17, 2012

Some thoughts

Today I want to remember in my thoughts and little prayers the people that lost their lives last week in the Connecticut elementary school shooting and in the Oregon mall shooting.  The Oregon mall shooting happened about 30 minutes from my home, and I even got a panicked call from my mother that day to see if I was at the mall that day.  My parents live in another state. It's scary.  Being a new mother, and knowing my daughter will be going to kindergarten in a few short years and knowing I won't be able to be there to protect her every moment.  It's scary.

I hope that we remember the victims in all of this and hope for something good to come out of something so horrible. These tragedies make me heavy hearted and my mother will get an extra big hug next time I see her and  my little girl will be held extra close.

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The Weekend & a Special Birthday

Friday, December 14, 2012

The Weekend & a Special Birthday

This weekend it's Tim's birthday! and we have a couple of special dinners planned and I have a few surprises lined up.  I did catch him snooping in a few closets but I think he might be pretty surprised since I was able to wait until his actual birthday to give him his gifts.  This is us in New York City.    

I can't believe it's already mid December and we are almost in the new year.  Around this time I start working on making goals for the coming year.  I love making a list and then looking back this time next year and see what I was able to accomplish and it's amazing what can happen with a goal when one says it out loud.  This time last year I was pregnant and in hibernation and was just hoping I would make it and guess what I did make it :).  

What are you up to this weekend? I hope it's a terrific one.  

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Christmas Time is Here

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Christmas Time is Here

This is my first Christmas that Tim and I decided to go and chop down a tree.  Well.. at least this is the first year I decided we were going to chop down a tree. I promised Tim a big home made breakfast and nice big cup of hot coco if he would at least attempt to chop down a tree.  We go out to the Christmas tree farm and pick out the tree and they help you chop it down.. then have a machine that shakes the tree of water and then another machine that wraps the tree in plastic.  I don't remember getting a Christmas tree being this easy.  When I was a kid I remember having to go out which seemed like the wilderness and chop down a tree and carry the muddy thing back to the car.    

I have to admit my Christmas tree makes me so happy. I turn on the lights and the pugs snooze right next to it.  I am actually really surprised they aren't freaked out by it, since they get freaked out by hats and pillows. :) 

Have you gotten your Christmas tree yet?

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Crafty Wonderland Colossal Sale

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Crafty Wonderland Colossal Sale

The Crafty Wonderland Colossal Sale hands down is the biggest and best craft sale in Portland.   They do have a store located downtown Portland but the Colossale Sale is huge. It gets bigger every year and the goody bag is well worth waiting in line. I went with a couple of special gal pals Leah and Spencer. I was so nervous about getting there early enough to get a good spot in line, and when we finally got there.. Guess what?  We were first in line! Woohoo!

Betty Turbo  :) All of her artwork- makes me laugh just thinking about it.  I got this print for Tim's little brother, who next to my husband is one of the funniest people I know.

The Paper Mama.  I saw this little guy and had to have him.  Doesn't he look handsome on my tree?  I really need to stop buying Christmas presents for myself :)

Three Bad Seeds.  I got this in the goodie bag and just adore it.  Nora tested and approved.

We had so much fun at Crafty Wonderland this year and can't wait to go next year. 

Portland Series: I am born and raised in the ever beautiful and completely strange Portland, Oregon.  I get emails from readers coming to visit Portland and they want to know "Where are the best places to stay, eat, drink and be merry!" I decided to start this series- all about Portland.  So I seriously highly recommend trying these places and I want to hear all about it if you go!

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Eleanor- 5 months

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Eleanor- 5 months

My little nugget is 5 months old today! I can't believe how big she has gotten already.  I look at her little face and I still can't believe I made her.  It's sort of amazing.

Weight: 15 lbs

Size: She is starting to wear 6 months clothes. :( Frowny face due io she is getting so big and time is just going to darn fast! She still fits into 3 months pants but it's a bit of a stretch. For the most part she doesn't like to wear pants anyway and loves to stick her toes in her mouth.

Eat: She is a breakfast girl and does oatmeal in the morning and this week it's pears and sweet potatoes for dinner. She gets really excited for breakfast and opens her mouth really wide and raises her arms.  The food that doesn't get swallowed ends up anywhere and everywhere- in her hair and all over her cloths. Makes me smile just thinking it.

Snooze: She has a pretty strict bed time of 7 p.m. and then wakes up maybe 1-2 times a night and then wakes up to start the day around 8 a.m.  I have to say sleep training was the hardest and the most rewarding experience, since now she gets tired around 6:30 and is fast asleep by 7 pm in her crib.

Baby Milestones: Pretty awesome at tummy time and rolls onto her tummy and sometimes rolls to her back. She is starting to be fascinated with her guard pugs.  Her babbling has gotten into full sentences of babbling and now wakes up at 4 am to practice for about 15 minutes and then goes back to sleep.  Oh and did I mention its high pitched?

Loves: She loves breakfast. Nap time with Momma and or Daddy. Tickling her tummy and if you blow a kiss on her tummy she laughs so hard and then grabs your hair with all of her might.  Loves to bite and has just started hugging.  The hugging warms my heart every time.  She put her arm around Daddy's neck a couple of weeks ago and now she can't stop giving her daddy little bear hugs.

Hates: Strangers- She is a shy bunny.  Startling sounds, she does fine in busy places but cries when a loud noise comes out of no where in a quiet room.

I love being a mommy :)

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Christmas Music Playlist

Monday, December 10, 2012

Christmas Music Playlist

One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is to make a Christmas music playlist.  As soon as Thanksgiving is over, I immediately start to have Christmas music on the brain.  One of my earliest Christmas memories was  my mom playing Christmas records in one of those humongous record stereos.  They had this big fat cat named Bimbo and he would hide in the speakers and then howl or should I saw mew to the music. I just love making a list that combines more classic Christmas with new Christmas music.   

George Michael "Last Christmas"

Judy Garland "Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas"

David Bowie and Bing Crosby "Little Drummer Boy"

The Beach Boys "Little Saint Nick"

Madonna "Santa Baby"

Rush Coil- 8 bit Christmas "Deck the Halls"

Andy Williams "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year:

Jason Mraz "Winter Wonderland"

Elvis Presley and Martina McBride "Blue Christmas"

The Carpenters "Merry Christmas"

Michael Buble "All I want for Christmas is you"

What are you listening to this Christmas?

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The weekend-

Friday, December 7, 2012

The weekend-

Yah! It's Friday- This weekend is going to be a busy one between going to Crafty Wonderland Colossal Sale and going to the art opening of the Big 300.  Tim is planning on being on daddy duty to our daughter and pugs, so he is going to have his hands full.  Nora has been eating her cereal in the morning and her newest game is swatting the spoon and as soon as the food hits the floor- she laughs like it's the funniest thing ever! Thank goodness the pugs are around and extremely eager to be little cleaner uppers.

What are you up to this weekend? Are you ready for Christmas?

Details: 
The Big 300 is an annual event that over 300 amazing artists paint 10 panels and they are all 8X8 and every piece goes for only $40.  This is a cash and carry show- which means you can take the work off the wall and then take it home right then and there! There is a very long line to get into this amazing event- so come early.  
Date: December 8th 2:00 pm-9:00 pm- show runs until January 13th
Place: Peoples Art of Portland
700 SW Fifth (3rd floor) People’s is Suite 4005
Pioneer Square Mall, downtown Portland

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More for the Big 300

Thursday, December 6, 2012

More for the Big 300

Here is more of my work for the big 300! I did a couple of vintage still life paintings.  I do so love to thrift and find so much inspiration from my treasure collecting, even though Tim calls it my junk collecting. When I was pregnant I went and completely did a huge purge of my house but have the itch to start collecting again.  

Vintage fan- 8x8 oil on wood.  I think painting the square plug was the best part.

A couple of Jaz clocks.  I'm not sure why but painting clocks always makes me happy. :)
  
Details: 
The Big 300 is an annual event that over 300 amazing artists paint 10 panels and they are all 8X8 and every piece goes for only $40.  This is a cash and carry show- which means you can take the work off the wall and then take it home right then and there! There is a very long line to get into this amazing event- so come early.  
Date: December 8th 2:00 pm-9:00 pm- show runs until January 13th
Place: Peoples Art of Portland
700 SW Fifth (3rd floor) People’s is Suite 4005
Pioneer Square Mall, downtown Portland

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Need: Gift Guide for the Creative

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Need: Gift Guide for the Creative

A few gift ideas for the creative soul. :) I love giving a gift that can inspire someone and spark their creativity!
1 - Always looking for a new way to organize my arts and crafts!
2 - One can never go wrong with this limited edition moleskin.
3 - I have had my eye on one of these forever! It helps an artist learn to draw portraits and the structure of the face.
4 - I think having palette knives are so extremely inspirational and you just want to pick them up and paint.
5 - Putty for making molds. The possibilities are endless!

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December ToDos!

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

December ToDos!

Go and chop town a Christmas tree- being born and raised from Oregon- there are a ton of pine trees.. everywhere and lots of tree farms.  When I was little I remember my family and I trudging out in the mud and rain going out into the middle of no where looking for that perfect tree and being miserable and cold.  I remember thinking about that dreamy cup of hot chocolate and big breakfast my mom would be making for my family once we got our special tree and the pain of getting the tree would be long forgotten.  Then we would light a fire, play old Christmas records and start decorating the tree and my mother is known for decorating an extremely gaudy tree- every single ornament and strand of lights we owned and then a nice thick coat of silver tinsel. Since this is my daughter's very first Christmas- I can't wait to make those same type of memories with her.
Camp Crafty Wonderland Colossal Sale-   This is the best craft show and sell in Portland for the holiday season.  I go almost every year and go early because their goody bag to the first 150 costumers is AMAZING.  I love doing my holiday shopping here and supporting local businesses and especially love handmade.  I'm going with a couple of Portland Bloggers- (Leah and Spencer -woohoo!)
Don't cheat Christmas. I know what your thinking! Don't Cheat Christmas- What does that mean?  It means exactly how it sounds.  I remember growing up and looking in every single little nook and cranny in my parents home and searching tirelessly for my Christmas presents... and was known to unwrap and rewrap all her presents.  Since getting married- I am no better- Tim and I end up negotiating with one another around the first couple of days after Thanksgiving about giving each others Christmas gifts early.  We never wait! This year- I am waiting until Christmas.  I can do it! I know I can!  I've already caught Tim snooping in closets.. but no we are not cheating Christmas.
Take a family photo.  me, 1 husband, 1 baby, and 2 pugs. :)  Tim has the week off for Christmas and am planning on torturing him by doing a family photo shoot. Well it's not total torture but I know his patience might wear thin because the pugs get a little rambunctious when something exciting is happening!
Make and mail surprise Christmas presents.  Not another peep about this one.  No cheating Christmas! lol.

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The Big 300

Monday, December 3, 2012

The Big 300

It's that time of year again, it's time for my all time favorite art show of the year.. I am talking about the Big 300!  The Big 300 is an art show that is near and dear to my heart because I have been participating  in the show since it began.  It's a show that has all different types of artists and artists of all different stages in their career.  All the artwork is the same size and the same price $40 and it's cash and carry- which means you take the art work home with you that day.  This show also gets larger and larger every year which means people start camping out for the show earlier and earlier every year. When the show opens there is a mad rush in and people start ripping art off the wall... It's pretty crazy but an awesome show, and art makes the perfect Christmas gift.

8X8 oil painting on wood. Stumptown Coffee- probably one of the most delicious roasts in Portland :)

Details:

Date: December 8th- 2 p.m. and runs until January 13th.

Location:  Peoples Art of Portland Gallery

700 SW Fifth (3rd floor) People's is Suite 4005, Portland, Oregon

Facebook Invite

Want to see my work from years past? 2011  2010/2009

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