Talented People: Sean Boggs of Jackson Howard Photography

It is no secret that I love Portland. Lots of people do including my friend Sean who takes beautiful photographs of the city (and many other things). I could talk him up but I think I should just show off some of his pictures so you can decide for yourself. Check it out and tell me what you think.
I was excited to find out that he had taken some pictures of some of my sewing materials that were sitting around my apartment. This is one of those photos.










You can check out some of his other photographs at his website: jacksonhowardpdx.com or on Etsy

Free Box the Magazine - 3rd issue now available

Keep your eyes out for the 3rd issue of Free Box the Magazine in a free box near you. Included in this issue are interviews about international free box experiences, a comic by Bryce Flint-Somerville, and a scavenger hunt (to name a few.)

Send any thoughts on free boxes or ideas for future issues to freeboxthezine@gmail.com

Beautiful Seascape......a gallery show

I wanted everyone to know about my friend Sayuri's show a Alma chocolates on NE 28th near Davis. She has created an underwater scene with coral and jelly fish. The opening has already happened but you can still go check out her installation and eat some delicious chocolate. Sayuri also has some other super cute creations that can be found for sale in her etsy shop, Shamui.

Here is a picture of the pickle family that my roommate and I got from her. They are crazy cute. The little one is mine. She is my new Pickle Things mascot.

Bombs Bursting in Air....

I have to admit that I am not that big on fireworks. They are alright but I do not get super jazzed about that. This year my roommate and I went and sat on the Hawthorne bridge to watch the fireworks display. It was pretty nice actually. I liked all the people, bikes, cars and bus cruising by on the bridge as we watched. Here are some of the pictures that I took.

Crafty Wonderland

I am going to one of the vendors at Crafty Wonderland this Sunday at the Doug Fir from 11-4. This is my first time at Crafty Wonderland and I am totally excited. Currently, my life revolves around prepping for this event. If you have time, come out and see all the wares for sale. You can go to Crafty Wonderland's website to see all the other vendors who will be there. Come and shop till you drop.

Last Thursday....a few days later.

I thought I would post some of the photos I took of my Last Thursday adventure. For those of you who are not from Portland, Last Thursday is a monthly event with food, street performers, craft vendors and artists who set up all along Alberta Street. They close of the street for a night so everyone can roam and enjoy all the activities. I got some pictures of March Forth Marching Band playing on the street and some stilt walkers performing. I was lucky enough to be able to just sit back in my booth and watch all the different street performers as they went by me.

A bunch of my friends set up tables next to each other to sell our various wares. I had my normal felt food and pouches. Bece and Cory both had some of their creations near my table.

Kylie (Trilliumbrella) was selling some of her paintings. Check out the tall white painting behind her. It was totally amazing. I was totally tempted to buy that one myself. Angie was selling her jewelry and feather head pieces.Unfortunately this picture does not show off her jewerly very well so check out her stuff at her web page, ASA custom jewelry. This picture also captured one of the unusual moments when I am holding a cell phone. This only happens a few times a year so enjoy this rare sight.

Bece got to perform the saw on one of the main stages. The backdrop was this amazing old bus.

Free Box the Magazine - Fashion Issue

As I have mentioned before my roommate has a zine that she makes all about the free stuff that can be found around Portland. Here are the photos of me and my friends around town showing off some of the free clothing that we have acquired. Yes, you heard me correctly... FREE!!!! (Another reason that you have to love Portland.) Let me know what you think of all our different outfits. I particularly like Bece's sweater with the geese on the front. It takes a strong woman to rock that sweater.

Support Our Schools: Arleta Craft Fair!!!!

On friday, I will have a booth at the Arleta Craft Fair. 20% of the proceeds go to support Arleta Elementary School. If you are in the neighborhood, come check it out.

SCRAP Happy

I am excited to report that I just got a new job. It is at SCRAP (the School and Community Reuse Action Project). It is a super awesome non-profit that collects art supplies and office materials that would have gone into the landfill and makes them available to teachers, artists and the general community. I will be working in the store where you can find all of the fabulous goodies at a fraction of the price you would pay for new supplies. There is all your normal art supplies like paints, mat board, fabric, markers and paper (to name a few) but also random cool stuff like violin cases, fencing masks, and holographic sheets. Anything that could be used in an art project. I have been volunteering at SCRAP for about 2 years and so I am really excited to now be part of the staff. SCRAP includes everything I love; art supplies, cheap stuff, and reducing waste. I am one happy girl.
If you live in the Portland area, you should check it out on:
2915 NE MLK Jr. Blvd.
We are open Weds 11-7, Thurs-Sat 11-6 and Sun 11-5

SCRAP was just featured on KATU our local news station if you want to check it out click on the picture below.

Pretty Posies

Right now the weather here in Portland is beautiful. 70s and sunny. In a few minutes, I am going to ride my bike to Laurelhurst park so I can sew in the great outdoors instead of my house. Before I left I thought that I would post some pictures have I have been snapping around town of all the spring finery.

Furnishing Your Home with Freedom

I live in a house full of people who love free stuff. Luckily, we live in portland where free stuff can be found everywhere and by this I mean on the side of the road in boxes or bags marked with the word "Free". To celebrate this, my house (ok, mostly Bece) has decided to make our own zine called Free Box the Magazine. Our first issue can currently be found for free in free boxes around town. Some of the things we discuss include free box ettiquette, great finds, and where to go for the good stuff. The next issue will be our fashion issue and I have actually been talked into doing some of the modeling. I let you know when the new issue hits the streets.

Spring is here....and it is not raining!!!!

The weather here has been so nice the last couple days that I have been neglecting my computer for the sunshine. Soon it will start raining again and I will return to crafting and posting but for now that will have to wait. Here is a picture that I took today in my backyard of our willow tree's swelling buds. Soon we will have glorious greenery. I can't wait.

Tender Loving Empire

I am excited to report that my felt food is being sold in a store in Portland, Tender Loving Empire. It is a small shop in one of the active spaces between the Pearl and the 21st/23rd area of NW. (corner of NW 18th and Lovejoy) They have a lot of interesting stuff going on that you can check out that their web page: www.tenderlovingempire.com. I personally recommend going and checking out the store.....and buy some felt food while your at it.

Talented People: Bece Kidder, woman with a saw

I am very proud to say that I have some extremely talented friends. I really excited to use my blog to showcase some of their talents. I thought that I would start close to home with my roommates. The first installment is the musical adventures of my roommate Bece. Her band is the Amazing Maelstrom. Bece is a woman of many interesting and odd talents, one of these talents is that she plays the saw. Yes, you read that correctly, she plays the saw. How cool is that? She can be seen around Portland playing with her band mate (who plays the accordion). They are frequently out during first and last Thursday when Portland has open galleries around town. I am extra lucky because I get to be part of special performances like a holiday party sing-a-long with her playing her saw. Next time that she has a gig, I will make sure to post it if anyone is interested in seeing her. Also, if you have a chance, check out some of her photography at www.jpgmag.com/people/FemmeSole

Recommendation: KEN'S ARTISAN PIZZA

I would not call myself a crazy pizza lover. I like pizza but it is not my favorite. Having said that, I really love Ken's artisan pizza. For anyone with a hunger for pizza in the Portland area, this is the place to go. Ken's pizza is baked in a brick oven so the thin crust is amazing. This is not a mix and match your own toppings kind of place but you should be able to find something on the menu that you like. Go check it out at on SE 28th and Pine. Go early because you will probably have to wait.

I moved to portland to get away from the snow

I am happy to report that after almost 2 weeks of living in a winter wonderland, the snow is finally melting. I know that many people deal with snow all the time but this city (Portland OR) is not prepared for snow. No one shovels their walks, many streets are not plowed and most businesses shut down. A big pain to say the least. It was nice to get out in the world today without having snow filled shoes (I do not own snow gear anymore), waiting forever for a bus, or digging out my car. It was not even worth thinking about biking. Now that the ordeal is over I will try to remember it fondly. These are some pictures that my roommate Bece took of Portland covered in snow. I particularly like the snow buddha at the temple near my house.