change....

wow ... 2011 is over and it is now 2012. a lot has happened including finding a job outside the home and putting the card business on the shelf for awhile. it was a tough decision but am now feeling good about it. some days i feel like a bit of a failure but most days i realize i just didn't have time and that is ok. i love my job and am happy to consistently contribute to my household. it was a juggling act at first but it is going well and am thriving in the new environment. hope your 2012 is starting off well and am hoping to dive into different creative endeavors periodically. thanks.

hoppy easter!

have a great easter weekend!

treasures from traveling

we were blessed to have an amazing long vacation in Germany and the UK and found some goodies throughout our travels. there were a lot of clothespins over there and found a few that i had to bring home. loving the chalkboard paint on the three and the gingham daisy was perfect!

have a daisy of a day and enjoy! more to follow and remember to send a card today!

upcycled wallpaper for cards!

found a GREAT collection of vintage wallpaper at MECCA in eugene and loving the cards it makes! if you're cleaning out your attic and find some old paper let me know! remember to send a card to someone today!

happy heart day!

hope your day is filled with love and good wishes. xxoo

weekend sale!

come and join us on Saturday! hope to see you there!

upcycled burlap from coffee bags for cards

valentine's day is close and this painted burlap heart should brighten someone's mailbox!

the winter cold & flu season is brutal so here's a band aid get well card, again with painted burlap

if you can't be there to buy the birthday person a cone in person ... here's a fun one to send!

upcycled snarky card

looking to do a snarky line and starting with this to describe our feelings after UO lost last night. the words are hand done on a venetian blind and the cartoon bubble makes it super fun! hope your day is great and let me know if you have any fun things for a snarky line!

go ducks!!

my alma mater is playing for the national championship tonight and here is a token of my support! we're all quacking here and hoping the ducks win the day!!!

happy new year and product redevelopment!

so the new year is bringing a burst of creativity and potential redesign of my cards. although these pieces aren't officially on a card yet i love them! i found some old paint sample books, an old stamp set, and of course the typewriter and voila! here are some new ideas! i am predicting the use of old things such as burlap, paint samples, and other hardware will soon be gracing clothespin cards!

here are other new designs! the heart on the top right sample is cut out of an old venetian blind! loving the upcycling! hope you are celebrating 2011 with some new creativity!

digging in!

digging in for the holiday craft season! it's that time of year and it's busy! check the list and see if you can make it to one of the great local artisan fairs!

St. Pius X Bazaar
1280 NW Saltzman, Portland
November 6-7
Saturday 9-7 pm
Sunday 8-2:30

Trinity Artisan Invitational Fair
147 NW 19th Avenue, Portland
November 13-14
Saturday 10-4
Sunday 9-2:30

French American International School
Holiday Market 2010
8500 NW Johnson Street, Portland
November 3-4
Friday 3-6
Saturday 9-4

Buy local and enjoy the holiday spirit!

october sales!

it's that time of year again! busy busy busy! sales are starting and here is the list of sales for october!

friday & saturday, october 8-9th
the pumpkin patch on sauvie island
9-5 both days

saturday, october 16th
scappoose library
52469 se 2nd street
scappoose
3-8 pm

friday, saturday & sunday, october 22-24
art in the burbs
alberta rider elementary school
14850 sw 132nd terrace
tigard
friday, 3-9
saturday, 10-5
sunday, 11-5

hope to see you at some of these great shows with amazing artisans! buy local and celebrate creativity!

happy birthday to michael and me!

our son was born on my birthday so there is a double celebration every year in our house! it's also the perfect time to get fun mail in our mailbox! this is the card that michael received from his friends, mia and avery in north carolina! isn't is fabulous? celebrate your day!

new addition to our house!

michael's early birthday present who is darn cute but keeping me from some serious inventory making for fall/winter sales! his official name is King of the West. he is a dear but oh so busy!

there is a place ..

there is a place ... it's called black butte ranch and there is a great art festival this weekend there! it's outside of sisters and the fair is friday, september 3rd 4-7 and saturday, september 4th 10-4. come enjoy central oregon, local artists, and these views. photo courtesy of my dad - isn't it great?

an apple a day!

today is applesauce day! we have oodles of plums that i froze as well so one batch will be regular applesauce while the other will be plum-applesauce. yummy! it will taste so good in the winter when it's cold and rainy outside!

yum!

it's supposed to be hot in portland this weekend...doesn't a juicy piece of watermelon sound divine? enjoy your summer!

lots o' lavender!

harvested lavender today in anticipation of the lavender festival this weekend at the blue heron herbary on sauvie island. in addition to great goodies made from lavender they have plants, gift items and a heck of a view! there will be an artisan fair there as well with clothespin cards, paintings, purses for kids, tutus and hair barrettes, glass, and some others to be determined! hope to see you there on sunday, july 11 from 10-5. address is 27731 nw reeder road, sauvie island.

garden card giveaway!

it's finally summer (hopefully!) here in the northwest and it seemed appropriate for a garden card giveaway! these 10 cards can be yours - all you need to do is send me your favorite with some of the ingredients on these cards or a favorite summer memory! winner will be picked thursday, july 1st at 5 pm DST. good luck and can't wait for some new recipe ideas!

clothespin cards at farm chicks

the back of the booth with a great backdrop courtesy of the booth behind us!

the hand stamped pots were a big hit - thanks Blue Heron Herbary!

isn't it great! my grandfather's antlers were super popular ... glad i didn't intend to sell them!

the front of the booth - what a GREAT experience and super thanks to my dear friend quimby for all her hard work for my business!!