Barbies! Legos! House!
Here’s a snap to show you how proud I was. Check out that bighearted smile.

Sometimes I wonder what my life would be without my sister.

I wouldn’t have a shoulder to cry on, I wouldn’t have someone to listen to me, I wouldn’t have someone to wipe my tears.

Vise-versa.

I wouldn’t have to block my room’s doorway with my Sesame Street footstool so she couldn’t crawl in & mess with my stuffed animal set-up.

I wouldn’t have someone that I could hook up to the sled & see how far our dog, Chelsea could transport… not realizing how dangerous 27th Street was.

Nor would there be someone I could play an April Fool’s joke on by drawing huge spiders on paper & cutting them out & using clear tape to attach them to her bedroom ceiling in the corner.

I am thankful for having that younger shadow following me whenever I needed her. Best friends have changed with time. But my sister has been the best friend that has stayed my best friend forever.

I love you Sis. Wishing you a very sweet birthday!

Took a drive out to Suburbia to visit my favorite beauty store to browse nail polish, Ulta. I picked out this charming color called Turquoise & Caicos made by Essie. I love any good shade of seafoam green. I don’t know if you have ever noticed. Ha!

Kicked back for hours on end reading All About Lulu, a novel by Jonathan Evison. Bought this book over a year ago on a whim at Powell’s, read a third way through. I decided to pick it up again. And I’m glad I did!

Took a stroll to a cute local pet shop, Furever Pets. I couldn’t of come home empty handed! I surprised Yoshimi with a new mylar ball, her favorite toy of all time. They seem to disappear in this household.

We couldn’t have picked a better day to visit. There were not very many others out that day surprisingly. Walking through the fields and sun shining down makes you really feel at ease. We took our time picking blackberries, marionberries, and boysenberries.  It was hard to resist nibbling them right then and there. So sweet, so tart!

Now the time has come to share!

I’m so thrilled to share with you a new necklace created by me.
And it’s available in the shop!

“The Berry Picker’s Heart” – necklace

The pendant’s face is composed of 2 elements. The top is a slightly domed, vintage lucite cabochon with a burgundy raspberry shade in the craters. The bottom element is a Patikan wood square pendant made in the Philippines that measures 35mm in width & height. The woodgrain may vary slightly from the one pictured since it’s real wood. Patikan wood display a rich and distinctive grain that makes each unique.

Each necklace is completed with an antique brass-finish chain. The necklace is a 3mm chain, 20″ in length, finished with a lobster clasp finding.

Necklaces are shipped in an adorable box, ready to give as a gift. I pay special attention to the packaging to make it special for you or your recipient. It’s a lovely gift to give a friend, family member, co-worker, or partner.

I’m looking forward to revisting Sauvie at least once more before the summer season ends. Any of you readers out there do share if you have any favorite spots on the island. I would love to hear about them!

Metallic Champagne flip flops & Matte Merlot Nail polish: Gap

We brought our favorite picnic blanket and pillows, packed club sandwiches, and sweet sugary beverages.

Leaf picnic blanket, pillows: Target. Black bear canvas tote bag: Crafty Wonderland Shop

It was so nice to just kick back, hear the birds a chirpin’ and get lost in our thoughts. Above our heads… leaves were getting along swimmingly with the bright blue skies and sunshine.

Red shades: Be*Mused Boutique. PDX Represent t-shirt: Tender Loving Empire

I’m currently reading Area 51 by Annie Jacobsen. It’s a bit overwhelming just looking at it’s thickness! I found out about the book on the Daily Show with John Stewart. I normally read fiction but hearing about it really intrigued me. Hopefully I make it to the end. Only 2 hundy and some odd numbers to go. Eep.

Of course some drawin’ in the Moleskine had to be had. I love the post lanterns that line the paths paved around the park. I don’t know much about the history of Laurelhurst, but I bet there is some rich history among these grassy rolling hills… and all the homes that sit amidst.

Grass resin necklace : Fernworks / Faryn Davis

In the center of the park there is a pond. The blue green water is mesmerizing! I can picture little boats floating in the calm waters around the ducklings and bubbly springs.

It feels good to get back into writing. I know I’ve been a stranger for the past few months or so. My plate sure has been full this summer. And lengthy visit back to the Midwest was done.

It’s a brand new week lovelies. I hope you have a good one.  xoxo, Alissa.

This is the second year that the Spring Sale has been held at the Oregon Convention Center. This year it was also just for one day only.

(via craftywonderland)

Rad goodie bags were given to the first 200 shoppers in line.

(via craftywonderland)

There were book signings of some crafty talented authors, Cathy Callahan, Heidi Kenney, and Susan Beal.

(via craftywonderland)

There were free craft workshops for visitors, like glittered bird pins. Put a bird on it, FTW

(via craftywonderland)

Some snaps of my booth!

A new Crafty Wonderland mascot has been released! It was created by the witty, Ryan Berkley.

(via craftywonderland)

I treated myself and purchased my very own ‘Dolls for Friends’! I’ve been wanting one for a very long time now. My cat looks thrilled.

Thanks to all that help make this one of Portland’s best craft events!

I can’t wait for the next Crafty Wonderland, December 10th and 11th. Mark your calendars!

I want to thank you all that came out to the Lewis Elementary Garden Fair on Saturday to support the school’s garden educational program!

For those who couldn’t attend I thought I would share some video & photos with you.

I loved the music program performed by Lewis students…

Alea’s groovy Garden Fair ensemble

Tea & cupcake, bake sale goodness

My booth…

More photos from the event here… http://www.flickr.com/photos/lewiselementary/sets/72157626560423180/

Goodies that I got to take home!

This will be my 2nd year as an art vendor!

“Meriwether Lewis Elementary School’s Garden Fair is a family-friendly plant sale and garden-inspired art market of handmade goods by local artists. We invite the entire community to enjoy a fun-filled day of plants, art and music!”

“This event will feature live entertainment, a bake sale and student-led tours of the Lewis Learning Gardens. Check out the master plan for our gardens and learn how Lewis is becoming a  leader in Portland’s “green” school initiatives. Lewis Elementary is located in the Woodstock neighborhood of Southeast Portland. Proceeds from the Garden Fair will support Lewis Learning Gardens, our outdoor educational program that teaches students, grades K-5, about gardening and sustainability practices, including garden care and planning, recycling, composting and water management and more.”

Over the weekend I created my very first desert terrarium. And I believe that this is just the beginning of something awesome! Learning to make terrariums has been on my lengthy mental to-do list for a long time.

It was so meditating for the mind. I really enjoyed arranging the pebbles, dirt, sand, and succulents. It took a few attempts to place them to be pleasing the eye. It’s an art form. Collaging in a sense. One thing I learned is that you really have to be patient when creating a terrarium. Kinda in a nerdy bonsai trimming way. I used two adorable succulents, on the left “Babies Toes”,  my favorite new succulent discovery. Too funny. And I added a few souvenirs from trips to Oregon’s ocean beaches.

For the longest time I’ve been fascinated with nature being encapsulated within a structure. I probably first became aware of concept (on a much larger scale) as a child, from The BioSphere 2 in Tucson, Arizona in the early 90′s. Then in yearly visits to the immaculate Lied Jungle & Desert Dome at Omaha’s Zoo.

Some of you out there may have pondered the idea of making your own terrarium. Maybe wondering how to go about it. Well I began by reading a post on Indie Bliss for wedding centerpieces. The photos on there are fantastic and inspirational. I do recommend reading the responses at the bottom of the article. There are some great tips in there.

I also discovered this video on Martha Stewart’s site that is worth watching. Arrested Development fans will get a kick out of watching Jeffrey Tambor side kickin’ it with Martha. Click on the image above to redirected to the video.

Fixed Cerulean Stare – earrings

These earrings are inspired by my silly & affectionate cerulean-eyed Ragdoll cat. These vintage deep blue glass cabochons from West Germany are set in antique brass plated bezel settings. The studs are approximately 10 mm in diameter and have a light weight to them.

View listing on Etsy here!