abby try again

this weekend

 

 

 

 

(please excuse these janky photos-it's dark in my house and my digital point and shoot is on its last leg)

Hello out there.

Gosh, thanks for all the great music suggestions yesterday.

There are so many comments I'd like to answer-but the clock is ticking over here-and for now-can I just say a big giant collective "thank you"?!

This will be my last post until next week because my house is like a little photo factory right now.

Why-you ask...

I'm selling my goods at Crafty Wonderland this weekend!

Since we got the news this week that we will be moving to Austin-I am bringing all of my shop goods and every single print will be on sale! All my 5"x7" prints that can be as high as $12.95 will be $10 (some clearance ones for $5 or less) all my 8'x10" and 8"x12" which can be as high as $27 will all be $15-$20.

I will also have stickers, cards and bookmarks (including some brand new ones).

I hope that if you are in Portland you will come say "hi". I am ***stoked*** about my table, it's gonna be cute. I can't wait to see some other artists there, too like Kiki and Polly, Jill Bliss, My House Party, Amy Olson Jewelry and so, SO many more.

For those of you who are much too far away-I will put everything leftover on sale in my online shop next week and then I will close up shop until June so we can focus on our big move.

Have a great weekend everyone and I hope to see many of you soon!!

plans...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning.

Thank you for all of the comments yesterday.

We couldn't be more happy about our big move! I'm a sun lover at heart and although Portland is near and dear to me-I feel like Austin will be a great new home for us.

In about three weeks we plan on putting just a few of our most prized possessions in a truck and slowly weaving our way to Texas. We plan on stopping to see some friends and family along the way as well as some fun places, too.

I going to get rid of most of my stuff; it feels nice just thinking about purging. There are funny loose ends to tie up like who gets our CSA share and bicycles...but other than that we are ready.

I do have a favor to ask of you all. We are going to be in that truck for several days and I'd love to have hours of good music with us. Can you tell me a few of your favorite road trip albums/songs? Thanks!

* * * * *

See you back here tomorrow...

daydreaming

Last night James was in Texas and me-well I was home alone here in Portland.

I find it hard to sleep when I'm all alone.

So, I tackled my "archives" and stayed up practically all night sorting through photos.

I found these shots of one of our summer time adventures and couldn't help but daydream about the water, the sun and fun.

>>>>And I have a little news to share with you->we are moving to Austin, Texas!

monday morning bits

 

 

 

 

Hello out there.

Happy Monday.

I hope you all enjoyed the weekend.

I sat down to write a post this morning and realized I had a bunch of little things to mention-so here goes in no particular order:

-the winner of the Bliss in a Teacup giveaway is Maggie! Thanks to everyone for playing along, and Maggie-we'll be contacting you shortly.

-this weekend I'll be selling my photos, cards, stickers and bookmarks at the Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Spring Sale. I'll be there on Saturday and Sunday from 11am-5pm along with 200 other vendors! It is going to be an indie wonderland. If you are in Portland-you should totally come and say "hi". All my prints will be on sale for special prices and I'll have some new goodies, too. I am stoked to be in a booth right by the entrance and back to back with my pals from My House Party.

-if you want to place a special order to be pick up at the Crafty Wonderland-let me know! That way you can save some $$ on shipping and receive the special prices. Email at abbytryagain@gmail(dot)com if you are interested.

-if you'd like to place an order from my shop for a gift for Mother's Day (the US holiday) I ask that you place your order by May 1 in order to make it to your Mom in time. I can gift wrap and include a note in the package for you-just ask! Enter the code "Mom" at checkout and get 10% off your order.

Okay, I think that's all the news for now.

* * * *

Thank you for the playing along with five senses last week. I plan on checking out your posts today, I'm a bit behind.

And thank you to all of those who donated and spread the word about Liam-you guys are awesome!

Be back soon...

(ah yes...in case you are wondering...those lovely forks and knives are from my sponsor, Kim-check out her shop here)

five senses friday and happy birthday, Liam!

 

 

 

 

 

Good Morning!

Thanks to all of you for playing along with unofficial flower week.

It's been fun to follow all the links and see what spring (or fall) looks like around the world.

For those of you who are new readers (or maybe never understood what I was blabbing about) five senses friday was started years ago by my friend, Shari Altman. I use it weekly as way to sit down and reflect on what the past days have been like for me.

I would love it if you played along-you can leave your own version in the comments or on your blog.

Hearing:

this amazing cover (found via sosser)

Tasting:

home made chicken tikka masala

Seeing:

my friend's first short film project

Smelling:

I think I said lilacs last week, but I've been smelling them all this week, too

Feeling:

incredibly excited for the future

* * * *

And today another special announcement:

 


Today is Liam's birthday-Happy Birthday, Liam!

Liam is a rad little boy and he needs a hand. You can read more about his story over here.

I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing giveaway that will hopefully help raise the funds that Liam needs.

I know these aren't the best economic times-but if we all just gave a small donation-we could easily make this guy's life a little easier.

(and shoot-with these 50 artists and crafters donating goods-you can also win some fabulous prizes)

Thanks, guys!

unofficial flower week: rhododendron

 

 

 

 

 

Ok, I'll admit it.

I've never been a fan of rhododendron.

To me, they were the flowers of institutions, schools- the dated specimen flourishing in cheesey subdivisions...

They reminded me of the early 1980's, couldn't really tell you why-just something about them seemed...unfinished, over finished, maybe?

Perhaps it's strange to have such strong feelings about this flowering shrub-but it's true.

Now that I'm living my sixth spring here in Portland, I've come around. I am actually beginning to like rhododendron. In a town where daytime can sometimes be just a cloudy shade of gray; the gigantic burst of color they provide brings a smile to my face.

Now, if I could just shake that yucky vibe I get when I see a gerbera daisy...nah.

Not gonna happen ;D

* * *

Be sure to leave a link in the comments if you have some flowers you'd like to share!

* * *

and p.s.

did you see these?

 

new sticker sets up in my shop.

Thanks for stopping by!

unofficial flower week

 

 

 

So, I'm looking back at the past two rolls of film I shot, and pretty much all the photos are of flowers.

I'm gonna declare this unofficial flower week.

You wanna play along?

Post some pretty flowers pictures and leave a link in the comments.

See? It's easy.

Okay-let unofficial flower week begin!

(oh yeah-and at about 10am PST-I'm gonna be updating my shop with a few new goodies)

a bit of blue

 

 

 

 

During my childhood, there was a short period of time during which I had my own room.

We painted the walls a lovely pale blue color.

At first I insisted the walls be red; but my wise Mother told me that red would make my small room feel even smaller.

I think she was right.

My fiery preadolescent self absolutely needed the serenity of those pale periwinkle walls.

* * * * *

I am completely fascinated by color and how it makes me feel.

It is definitely a huge part of my life.

Lately I am loving Color Collective , a gorgeous color focused blog.

* * * *

What's your favorite color? Do you have any colors you dislike? Hm...I kinda think that I like all colors, but they have to be in the right context...

(p.s. After being annoyed and stupidly deleting my twitter last week-I've started another one. I got several emails from some of you and realized it was how many of you kept up with my blog. I decided that it will be focused on blog/shop updates. If you'd like, you can follow me here.)

all in one

 

 

 

 

Hello out there.

I hope you all had a lovely weekend.

We had one of those weekends where it felt like we experienced every single season. We had heavy rains, thunder, wind, a chilly morning and hot sun.

Spring time in Portland is always unpredictable.

James and I spent a lot of time outdoors which included us getting soaked to the bone and sun burnt!

I also spent time working on some new goodies that I can't wait to share.

Thank you all for the very kind birthday wishes :)

Happy Monday!

(oh and don't forget to enter the giveaway this week!)

sponsor spotlight and a giveaway: Bliss in a Teacup

 

 

(My blog sponsors  are paid advertisers who help me pay for all my film and developing-basically-they make this blog possible. A huge thanks to all of them! If you are interested in becoming a sponsor in May, I am now booking spots- please email me at abbytryagain@gmail(dot)com. The ad spots are there on the sidebar and are available for indie businesses. Thanks! All photos in "sponsor spotlight" post belong to the sponsor featured.)

Today I am very happy to introduce my next sponsor, Bliss in a Teacup. 

Bliss in a Teacup's etsy shop is run by husband and wife team; Becka and Richard. The shop features a collection of treasures with everything from customized reclaimed wooden bunting, to handmade clocks, to magnets featuring vintage ephemera. They even make beautiful guitar picks which I think are a perfect gift for that musician in your life (seems like we all have one).

Becka also writes the adorable blog of the same name.

I have to say, I don't usually get personal with these sponsor spotlight posts; but Becka is just one of those kind souls. Once I was having a sort of down day and just a few days later-a nice little gift of her beautiful bookmarks arrived at my doorstep. Not only were they adorable and well made-I could tell they were sent with love and I am happy to be able to host shop owners like that here on my blog.

Anyway, Becka and Richard are giving away two bookmarks from their shop. Just leave a comment with the two you like best and I will pick a winner on Friday, April 23.

And for the rest of April, they are offering 20% off in their shop for readers of this blog. Type in "spring" at checkout and Becka will send you a revised invoice.

Thanks, guys!