A Tea Leaf Blog
Cinnamon print :: 8” x 10” :: View in Etsy Shop
"Cinnamon, the bark of a tree, is one of the oldest known spices. Arab traders brought it from China in 1700 B.C. Its sweet, warm flavor makes it the most important baking spice."
Just drawing this made my mouth water for Apple Crisp. Mmmm! I think I might try this recipe on Martha Stewart.
(Click on the image below to be taken to it.)
"CocoRosie are two American-born sisters, Sierra and Bianca, who started making music together in Paris in 2003. Their first album, La Maison de Mon Rêve, was released in 2004 and their second album, Noah's Ark, followed in 2005. Their third and, to now, most recent album, The Adventures of Ghosthorse and Stillborn, came out in 2007. All three of these albums were released worldwide on Touch and Go Records and earned critical acclaim both overseas and at home. The nomadic duo (currently and temporarily residing in New Mexico) spent much of 2008 writing and recording in Buenos Aires, Melbourne, Berlin, New York, and Paris, finding amazing and diverse musicians to collaborate along the way. The result is their eleven song Sub Pop debut, Grey Oceans." -via Insound.com
Last week I discovered that one of my top 10 favorite bands, CocoRosie is releasing a new album this May! AND you can pre-order the LP from Insound.com! In college/dial-up days I used to regularly surf Insound, I feel a lil' nostalgic for the first days of exploring all the bands out there. Epitonic was another favorite site. Hmm... I wonder if they are still up and running. I'm really really really looking forward to putting some new vinyl on the turntable!
And then yesterday while flipping through the Portland Mercury a friend and I found out that CocoRosie is performing here in Portland on June 26th! I have never been to one of their shows. Their music is pretty wild... very unique. Their genre is kinda indie... folk... experimental... and a little bit electronic. In a few of their songs you can also hear children's toys playing in the background. I first heard their music back in Nebraska on UNL's radio station, KRNU.
A few interesting facts that I found out about CocoRosie...
• The name CocoRosie comes from their nicknames from their mother. "Rosie" is Sierra's and "Coco" is Bianca's. • Both of their parents have Native American ties which influences their music. • Sierra & Bianca lost contact for about 5 years. Sierra wanted to be an opera singer and moved to France to pursue her interest. Bianca had an interest in visual arts & writing. Off she went to New York. They reunited in 2003 to begin making music together.
Lastly, I leave you with some of my favorite tunes of theirs. Enjoy and have a great weekend.
What a BEAU-TI-FUL morning we have here in Stumptown. I enjoyed the sunshine on my way over to Crema. I thought I would share some of the rays that are shining in the office.
I signed up for a DailyBooth account the other day. Do feel free to add me as a friend on there. In the past I've been kinda hesitant to sign-up but after moseying around a lil' bit and viewing other users silly faces I was persuaded. DailyBooth is basically like a visual journal. It's a place where you can upload and share portraits of yourself on a daily basis. Pretty fun concept, eh??
The last three days I have been blaring (at least twice a day) the new She And Him album, 'Volume Two'. My husband would say he can vouch for this. He doesn't have the nerdy obsession for Zooey as I do. And hey that's okay. The album is not released yet– won't be until March 23rd. Thanks to NPR's website you can stream it! Take a gander here.
Wait, wait! Don't leave yet. I know, you're about to think... tl, dr. BUT I have some very thrilling news.
I was accepted into Crafty Wonderland's Super Colossal Spring Show! It will be at the Oregon Convention Center on May 1st and 2nd. Be sure to mark your Google Calendar, iCal, Moleskine, etc. It's going to be glorious... 200 vendors with their handmade goodness. Keep posted on Crafty Wonderland's site.
Last but not least... I have drawn a new kitchen herb. May I present Nutmeg.
Nutmeg print :: 8” x 10” :: View in Etsy Shop
"Nutmeg is usually associated with sweet, spicy dishes — pies, puddings, custards, cookies and spice cakes. It combines well with many cheeses, and is included in soufflés and cheese sauces. In soups it works with tomatoes, split pea, chicken or black beans. It complements egg dishes and vegetables like cabbage, spinach, broccoli, beans, onions, and eggplant."
I found a photo of the actual fruit. I'm amazed of the dried "lacy" reddish covering of the seed... I see a resemblance to human capillaries.
The month of February has flown by. One single post won't even cover half of what I have been up to this month. Hopefully next month I will be better about updating more often. Cluster o' items...
I love cameras. I've been giving my digital Rebel some attention this month. I'm sorry to say that in the past 6 months it has taken the backseat. I kinda forgot about it and have been distracted with a convenient digital point & shoot that can be easily slipped into my pocket. I started missing the quality of Sir Rebel, so this month I made it a priority to snap photos left and right with it. Actually all the photos posted on this entry are taken with it. I've been thinking about getting back into photography. I've had my eyes on another camera too... ever since I saw Zooey with her jogging camera club crew in Griffith Park in the flick, Yes Man. I did some research earlier this month and discovered that they use a Fujifilm Instax mini7. I can't wait to get my lil' hands on one of these some day.
I love Thursdays. In fact every Thursday morning of this month I've had coffee+drawing club with some lovely friends. To be exact, I have drawn 7 herbs in my sketchbook to be included in my Herb Series. Most of which haven't made it yet from the sketchbook... to the scanner... to the Illustrator. Thus far, rosemary is the only one that has gone through the steps.
Rosemary print :: 8" x 10" :: View in Etsy Shop
"Primarily a meat herb, as used on the roast of beef, rosemary is the leaf of an evergreen shrub and shaped like a curved pine needle. It has a fresh, sweet flavor, is better fresh from the garden than when dried. It is excellent with lamb, fish, and poultry."
I love Spark Cards. I'm thrilled to announce that my greeting cards are on their sleek shelves, ready to be snagged by the nearest set of hands. Spark Cards features greeting cards created by local artists. Many are printed using artisanal methods — letterpress, screenprint, lino block, and hand assembled one-of-a-kind collage.
Spark Cards :: 4430 SE Hawthorne Blvd :: Portland, Oregon
Herb Series & Standard Movement Series greeting cards
I love earrings. I handmade a bunch of new earrings over the month. They will appear in some upcoming craft shows this spring in the Stumptown area. Some will gradually be listed into the Etsy shop.
Little Beavers, Little Tree Stumps v. 2 :: earrings :: View in Etsy Shop
I thought I'd end with some bulleted miscellaneous items that I have discovered & hearted over the month.
• Calimyrna Figs from Trader Joe's • Design Milk article on Wayne Coyne's (of The Flaming Lips) bathroom (more info...) • Happy Sparrow on Belmont • Community meeting about Last Thursday on Alberta (more info...) • Snapple Green Tea Mango • WEST exhibit at Land Gallery on Mississippi (more info...)
A week or two ago I was pondering the idea of creating a new avatar for my Flickr, Twitter, and every other social networking website that is linked to A Tea Leaf. I mean it's a new year, that should mean a new avatar, right? I'm a lil' sad to leave behind the "I Can Has Plum" pic; it sure was a silly one. This year's avatar includes a pretty sweet coffee mug that was just filled to the brim with Yerba Mate. I love this white glass mug, it's fantastic. It has a lot of sentimental value to me; it use to be my grandmother's. I remember when I was a wee one, watching her pour coffee into it and thinking to myself, 'why would anyone drink coffee', blergh. Obviously, in present time at the ripe ol' age of 27, my taste buds have changed. As many of you know, not only am I a bit obsessed with Hello Kitty and Norwich Terriers, but hot beverages as well. Mmm... Yerba Mate.
I've been hyped up this week. It sure has been a productive one. Sometimes I wish I had my own chopper on the roof, though, so I could get to point A to point B uber fast and be so much more productive. I decided that I'd try something new in the sketchbook. Since I love documenting and all, I doodled Tuesday's accomplishments. I used one of my favorite mediums too... Gelly Roll Moonlight opaque pens. (Click on image to view larger.)
I had a ball drawing this. I'm definitely up for another one in the next month or two.
Poster created by Matt Jones of London.
Yes, that's right. 2010. Let's make things. Let's do things.
In fact, my '10 resolution is related to this inspiring poster. As I sit here sipping my chai latte, I'm getting excited for a brand new year. I want to share my art with the Portland community, be it in a coffee shop, a boutique, or a gallery. I have decided on another way that I will be giving back to Portland as well. For the year 2010 I will be donating 5% of my Etsy sales to the Portland Rescue Mission. Almost everyday I see homelessness around Portland. I really want to help give hope to those men, women, and children.
Year two in Portland has been life changing. I met lots of peachy creatives, either crafty, design, or technical. I submerged myself into the Portland creative community. With these new friends of mine, we planned a few graphic design meet-ups. We did happy hours. We had crafting afternoons & evenings. We went to coffee shops and doodled in our sketchbooks. We geeked out over art supplies at art stores. We also did street fairs. We did craft shows. I did my very first Crafty Wonderland craft show... and a second one, the very last monthly Crafty Wonderland in November. And even the monstrous Crafty Wonderland Colossal Holiday Sale. 2009 was the year I started this blog, February 14th. In 2009 I also started making necklaces, earrings, Herb drawings, and lest we not forget the monthly documentary video shorts.
I hope everyone has found the Holiday Season enchanting. I hope you were able to create memorable moments with close friends and family even if you were snowed in and unable to be with them in person. I am personally thankful for Skype & webcams. I do hope this blog post finds you well.
I will leave you with this mosaic. The first mosaic I have ever made. It's filled with photos from 2009 of the things that inspired me.
Passing along some 2009 inspiration bliss, enjoy!
Click on mosaic to view more details.
Attention Portlanders out there!
Stop by the Tinymeat store on North Williams to find local handmade gifts! It's a great place to pick out those last minute gifts, treat yourself to something sweet, or chit chat with Tinymeat owner, Michael! My handmade goodies are there, as well as a dozen other local artists' & crafters' work.
Tinymeat's address is 3808 N. Williams, Portland, OR - Located in the same building as Cha Cha Cha & Ristretto Roasters.
Just this weekend was Crafty Wonderland's Super Colossal Holiday Sale. Not only was I a shopper this year, but I was also a vendor. This was my first time ever vending at the holiday sale. Last year I & Chelsea Ann aka Itty Bitty Birdy came to the event as shoppers. We had a ball, so we decided to make it a goal to be vendors this year. I had oh so much fun Sunday. I met so many wonderful people– Crafters, Artists, and appreciators alike. I wanted to give a huge shout out to those who came, all 7,500 of you who supported handmade. I am so graciously thankful to have had the opportunity to be involved! I'm definitely doing the next, and the next, and the next... I took a bunch of snaps from that day. Click on the pics below to see larger & more details. Enjoy!
Our booth!
My booth!
My friend Chelsea Ann aka Itty Bitty Birdy's booth!
My new acquaintance Suki aka Bird's Eye View Studio and her booth!
My friend Cate Anevski and her booth!
One of my favorite Artists, Rachel Ann Austin & her booth!
I even got to meet one of my favorite Artists, Kate Bingaman-Burt aka Obsessive Consumption!
I wish I could have taken more photos of all the others. It felt like the whole day flew by!
Well... I better get to creating my holiday card for this year. Eep! Check back tomorrow... I will have some news for you Stumptown locals out there.
Sale! * SALE! * Sale! * SALE! * Sale! * SALE! * Sale! * SALE! *
Perfect for those last minute Christmas gifts!
I'm having a Holiday SALE for a limited time! SALE ends this Friday, Dec. 18th. Click on the link below to check out all the handmade goodies.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ATeaLeaf?section_id=6068942
Rural Oregon photographs
Weeping Willow vinyl wallets
Standard Movement Series necklaces
Standard Movement Series Greeting Cards
Sale! * SALE! * Sale! * SALE! * Sale! * SALE! * Sale! * SALE! *
Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!
Standard Movement Series $10 print sale ends TONIGHT at 11pm PST!
(Click image below or here to be redirected to the shop.)
Standard Movement Series prints were $18, now $10! Act fast, holiday sale ends next Tuesday, December 8th at 11pm pst.
Drinkin' some Yerba Mate & packing up for today & tomorrow's holiday market. Wish me luck! www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=159217149791&index=1
Congrats to Nancy! She won the Herb print giveaway!
Also, thanks all for the lovely comments. :)
My first ever giveaway is getting a lil' bit sweeter. Now you can win 2 prints of mine– Coriander & Poppy Seed!
I'm also extending it. The winner will be now contacted and announced on Monday, November 9th.
To win all you have to do is write a comment below, along with your name and an email address!
Oh my! I haven't written a blog post since October 12th! Here's a quick run-through of the latest.
New Earrings... October Nights and Black Kitten's Green Eyes are available for purchase in my Etsy Shop.
My Dill drawing of my Herb Series is featured in an Etsy Treasury called Dill or Sweet. They can't be beat! Click here to view.
On Sunday, November 8th I will be selling my art and jewelry at Crafty Wonderland. More info here!
I'm doing my very first give-away on here! I will be giving away an 8" x 10" print of my Poppy Seed drawing!
There are 2 ways to win:
The winner will be contacted and announced on Friday, November 6th.
I promised that I would post snaps of my most recent doodles and sketches... and here they are!September & October of 2009 sketchbooks:
(Click on images to make them larger.)
No matter how hard I try, my "Keith Haring" flair comes through.
I'm looking forward to this brand new week. I have a few custom orders to do! Oh, I didn't forget about creating my September video, don't you worry. I'll be working on that soon. Also, I've been thinking about raffling off one of the items in my Etsy Shop. I've never done one before. I'm thinking sometime next week. Stay tuned!
It's Friday! Woo-hoo!
Well it's just about over with, isn't it? I'm staying home this evening due to feeling a bit under the weather. Hopefully things turnaround with the help from hot tea. I mean come on, who wants to be sick over the weekend? Surely not I.
I don't know if you noticed but 2 new sets of earrings made their way into my Etsy shop yesterday. I'm having so much fun using these little twig beads that I acquired awhile ago.
Float on Clouds - Earrings - View in Etsy Shop
One More Song - Earrings - View in Etsy Shop
Lastly, a new plant is added to my Herb Series! I've been pretty anxious to post this one.
Mint - 8" x 10" Print - View in Etsy Shop
Well that's all for now. I'm gonna kick back with a steamy cup of Chamomile tea, snuggle with my cat, and watch a movie borrowed from a friend. Hope all you lovelies have good weekend and enjoy that crisp Autumn air.
