Spring is Finally Here (For Real, This Time)

After weeks of non-stop rain, the sun finally came out today here in Washington. Lunch at The French Bakery and a trip to the park were definitely in order.

His and hers lattes.

Tulips at the mall.

Zara at the park (underneath the play structure).

Happy Zara at the park.

Flowers for Daddy

Instagram Love

Since my vacation to Hawaii last month, I've been loving Instagram again! Here are my latest Instagram pics from the past few weeks....

Let me know your username in the comments. I'd love to follow you back!

Blog Tip: I used Ink361 to create this gallery for the blog. It also offers tool to display your Instagrams on your Facebook and Twitter too!

our kauai holiday (part 2)

(Or How I Spent the Morning of My 40th Birthday)

I had a few stolen minutes to myself on the morning of my 40th birthday.  The beach was pretty much my own as I strolled the sand on that windy morning. I took dozens of photos, trying to capture that beautiful soul-stirring light. I found a perfect shell - unbroken. One that you might expect to find in a shell store, like the one we went to the day before. I wet my feet in the ocean waves - unintentionally. I was too slow when a the water rushed onto the sand. I breathed in the salty air, filling up on the peacefulness of the moment. On the way back to the hotel, I saw one of the many chickens wandering the hotel grounds. Usually they scamper when I approach, but this one did not move.....Until I got even closer. Then she "stood up" and 7 baby chicks were revealed.

What a beautiful way to start my day!

(What I Ate On My 40th)

Birthday Breakfast and Lunch at Java Kai; Birthday Dinner at Eastside.

Why I take so many shots. A single frame can make all the difference! (I actually like both shots ;)

Wouldn't it be great if I could go to Hawaii on every birthday? (A girl can dream.....)

(To read more about my Kauai trip, go here.)

our kauai holiday (part 1)

1. cloudy skies + rain showers made for some dramatic skies 2. self-portrait on a wind-swept afternoon in poipu 3. orchid seen in orchid alley in kapa'a  4. heart made of kokui nuts, bits of driftwood, rocks and shells on waimea beach at sunset on valentine's day 5. zara playing at the beach

I've been dreaming about a Hawaiian vacation since the last time Jamie and I went to Oahu, one month after 9-11. (We had planned the trip weeks before.) Even though were a bit nervous about flying (the airports were all but deserted), it turned out to be THE best vacation I've ever had in my adult life. It was everything a vacation should be: relaxing, leisurely, no-pressure, fun (I surfed!), good eats (highly recommend the omakase at sushi sasabune), beautiful views (we climbed Diamond Head Crater!).  Even though we were living in sunny Los Angeles at the time, we couldn't wait to get to Hawaii.

Fast-forward 12 years. 

Two kids later.This time around it would be a family vacation. But I still wanted all the sun, fun and relaxation of our first Hawaii holiday. Kauai was just what I needed during this gloomy February in Washington! Not only did we celebrate Valentine's Day on the Garden Isle, but my 40th birthday as well!

Windy and overcast on our first afternoon at the beach.

We took shelter next to some bushes, while the girls played in the sand. It was that cold!

Good food, do-nothing-but-enjoy-the-sights-and-sounds-and-feel-of-the-beach days, long scenic drives around the island, plenty of sleep, and lots of family time pretty much sums up our 9-day, 8-night Hawaiian adventure.

The wind didn't bother Sofia.

My oldest daughter, Sofia snorkeled for the first time. We collected beach glass on Glass Beach. Jamie body-surfed. Zara buried herself in the sand.

Luckily, the days warmed up for our next day at the beach.

We got used to having sand between our toes. I toted my camera everywhere and snapped photos almost non-stop.We ate out almost every meal (until we wised up and bought some cereal and milk to eat in the mornings).

Lydgate Beach

finding treasures on glass beach

Beautiful views.

We enjoyed happy hour at our hotel a few nights: shirley temples, margarita and mai tai.

And those are just some of my favorite photos....I'll be back in another post with more adventures: including a trip to a fabric store, our favorite eats and how I spent my 40th. 

Aloha!

Visiting Crafty Wonderland in Portland

On the way home from a snow-dusted Christmas in the hills of Ashland, Oregon, my family and made a wonderful detour in Portland.

A glimpse of our Christmas in Ashland, Oregon: snowball making, gingerbread house-decorating + heart-shaped bokeh fun.

The detour was not to take in the usual tourist attractions one might find in this beautiful Pacific Northwest city known for its beautiful roses. It wasn't a rose garden or museum or even an opportunity to grab some coffee during our long road trip home.

It was this place. Crafty Wonderland, self-proclaimed arts and crafts extravaganza!  And it was well worth it, even if we had to kill some time in the cafe next door sipping lattes and hot chocolate (so I guess we did get our caffeine fix anyway).

More beautiful things that caught my eye at Crafty Wonderland

What started as a pop-up shop for the beloved Crafty Wonderland craft fair has become a permanent fixture in downtown Portland. What I most loved about the shop, was how it felt like the most artfully arranged craft fair I've ever been too - without the crowds. On each shelf, there was something to touch and admire and coo over. And I loved that everything was hand-made by Portland artists.

The girls were drawn to these stuffed cats by chet and dot (we took two home!) and this felt cat in its own sleeping bag.

I could easily have spent hours in the shop - taking photos and soaking up the creative inspiration. I love the eye-candy displays and the "artist of the month" wall.

And more adorable items. I love that log magnet set! So cute.

To see more of the vendors shown in this post and at the shop, please check out the Crafty Wonderland's website. If you happen to be in the Portland area, Crafty Wonderland is a must-see!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Just wanted to pop in and wish you a.....

Digital elements: Glitter letters, washi tape, paint swash by Sahlin Studio. Polka dot tape by Sara Gleason. Bingo card by Jen Barrette. Sequins by Allison Pennington. Kraft paper by Becca Bonneville. Love and Grace Collaboration Kit.

Etsy Love: Bluebird Lab

Long before I opened my Etsy shop for business, I was (and still am) an Etsy buyer. I love Etsy!

I often turn to Etsy for my felt supplies, vintage items, gifts for my family and friends and yes, those just for me items.I'd love to share some of my favorite shops and purchases with you!

Because I know how much creativity, time and attention to detail goes into each item sold - from the photographs you see in the shop to the packaging - I am delighted when I receive an item that is lovingly made and packaged.

I fell in love with this geometric wooden necklace from BlueBirdLab. It is colorful, light and boho. The natural mix of wood and leather cording appealed to me. I was intrigued by the packaging as well. The triangle stamps not only stand for BlueBird, but echo the geometric motif in Juste's jewelry! The simple packaging (kraft paper bag, with a strip of stamped paper and "thank you" tag) was stylish and unique. I love it!

When I wore it to a recent craft conference, I got several compliments on it. The shape and feel of the wooden beads are very tactile. I found myself playing with beads while I wore them (kinda like worry stones on a string!). And it added some needed pops of color to my outfit.

There are several other color variations on this necklace in her shop. Loving this one and this as well!

via BlueBirdLab

She also has some newer designs using brass elements. Lovely!

via BlueBirdLab

You can read more about BlueBirdLab here. Or visit her blog or Facebook page.

I hope you enjoyed this post!  I love the Etsy community and enjoy supporting my fellow creatives whenever I can. I plan on posting more about my Etsy finds and loves in the future, so please stay tuned!

I Did It!: etsyRAIN Handmade Holiday Show 2012 recap

With my very first craft show behind me, all I can keep saying to myself (and aloud to my family) is: 

The etsyRAIN Handmade Holiday Show at the gorgeous, window-lit space of the McCaw Hall at Seattle Center (home of the Seattle Opera) was amazing! From the location to the organizers to the customers to the fellow vendors to the drama-free-ness of the event (except for one pre-show melt-down by me), it was all pretty awesome.

Photo by Jonathon Colman

From the moment I got the go-ahead to be included among the 100+ vendors of handmade, the show organizers have run a smooth operation. The organizers were friendly and supportive and so encouraging of the artists and crafters.

One of the etsyRAIN ads for the show

Of course, I had my reservations about doing the show. I thought it would be too big for my debut as a craft vendor.  I was a bit intimidated by the number of vendors and even the high-profile venue. Would I be able to pull it off? Make enough inventory? Design a interesting booth? Be able to be friendly and greet customers? And what about the logistics of loading in and out. What if I didn't sell a single item?

But it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down. It seemed like the logical next step in running a craft business.

Not only as a chance to sell items, but to:

*Promote my business to those who don't know my business or who don't even shop on Etsy.

*Meet potential customers in person and get feedback face to face.

*Get press attention as one of the vendors (the show itself got many press mentions in the local media)

*Meet other crafters

*Just to check it off my list of things I want to do

My booth at etsyRAIN Handmade Holiday Show Nov. 23-34 at McCaw Hall, Seattle Center.
Photo by Hannah Danforth (my awesome booth buddy!)

And I'm happy to say, I met and surpassed my own personal goals for the show. 

Not only did I get TONS of smiling faces and happy positive feedback from customers and fellow sellers, I even made back my booth fee on the first day. The second day, I had even more sales (in number, but not actual dollar amount) and even more positive feedback.

Yes, it was scary to put myself out there.

It was scary to try a new thing.

But I learned so much. And yes, I'm glad I did it.

Future Posts About My First Craft Show Experience

I have so much more to share about the show! I'll share more in future posts including: 

• a detailed look at my booth and display
• what I did to prepare including links/resources I used 
• what I would do differently/what I would do exactly the same

Hope you will come back and read more about my first craft show experience!

Zara's First Hair Cut

Zara took a pair of scissors to her hair several months ago (one of the perils of living in a crafty household is having a dozen pair of scissors in the house and kids who know how to use them!). She has been growing out the uneven layers slowly but surely. I have given her a trim here and there, but this was her first hair cut at a little kids salon. 

She had seen her big sis get a haircut (and the great fun she had  - playing with a treasure box of little toys, watching tv, getting free barrettes and a super-cute braided hairstyle. So, a few days later I brought Zara back for her own haircut.

Sofia's heart-shaped braid and glitter hairspray, oh my! This was only Sofia's SECOND haircut in her life.

We shared a frozen hot chocolate from Grendelsweets (highly recommended!) before her appointment. This pic shows her uneven layers.

mid-cut: she is kept happy with a box of small toys on her lap and a kids movie playing overhead.

And her before and after

There were no tears, no anxiety about the haircut. (And did I mention the big purple balloon she got?) She can't wait to go back! 

And to commemorate the occasion, how about a digital scrapbook page?! I used Sahlin Studio's Retro Mod Digital Kit. (I LOVE that yellow embroidery hoop included in the kit!)

Zara's First Haircut | Retro Mod Digital Kit by Sahlin Studio

 Thanks so much for stopping by today!