After discovering the camera in my hands, she wanted nothing to do with me--haha.

And then she changed her mind.

Ahh, it's the simple things in life.

xo,

Pamela

YES!  Of course!  They're kiddos!  Besides, what fun would a playroom be if you couldn't play in it?! :)

Perhaps I should post more pictures of the messes and real life situations on this blog, because the last thing I want to do is try to paint this picture that my life is perfect, and that my children are always perfect, never throwing any sort of fit or aren't annoying to the point I'm ready to lock them up in their room for the night just to get some quiet time!

(Because those blogs and those type of people seriously make me want to gag myself with a spoon.)

Take Miss J for example.   See this look?  Yeah, she's currently in this stage where I get this look a lot lately.

Little stinker.

But seriously.  I'm real.  I get fed up sometimes.  I lose it sometimes.  And sometimes our house is just downright messy.  And, I'm trying to do better about not apologizing for the messy status of our house when friends come over.  (Anyone else have a problem of doing that?! lol) Afterall, with 3 littles living in this house I want them to do just that--to live, to be creative, to not feel like I'm constantly on them to keep it in tip top shape (though I honestly do love a clean house).  Which reminds me, have any of you seen this mom's brilliant idea of how to help train their kiddos to clean up after themselves?  Brilliant, I tell you!

But I will also let you know that I also don't like to dwell on the negative, I'm naturally a pretty upbeat person (most of the time), and I like pretty things, so I guess that's what you'll mostly see here.

So there you have it.  That was one long answer to your short question if our playroom ever gets dirty. 

xo,

Pamela, a mama who likes to keep it real

Many thanks to all of you who entered the giveaway and for the many thoughtful things you had to say about me and my creations.  I swear, sometimes your kind words are what helps prod me along in my creative jewelry journey, so thank you!!

(Okay, I tried and tried to figure out how to crop a closeup of the picture of the winner but CANNOT figure out how to, so sorry about the huge screenshot.  I swear that itty bitty number is a 9! lol)

Many thanks to all of you!!

Big xo's,

Pamela

Oh, if you could've smelled the sweet, fragrant iris we found there.  I swear it took me back to my childhood. 

Then little Miss Avery wanted a picture of her mommy and daddy, so she had some fun on her daddy's iphone.  Why not mine?  Because I don't have one.  Don't want one either, except to take pictures on. (Portable internet to constantly distract me? No thanks.  But I'm glad Aaron has one--that gps sure does come in handy.  Go ahead--call me old fashioned.  I don't mind.)  Man, that phone can take a great picture.  It's also fun trying out the different filters on instagram. 

Then Miss Avery showed me a new hiding spot she found--right in the middle of a bush! 

After playing awhile we headed back home, with Jane pedaling as fast as she could to keep up with Avery, and then with Clara, too.

xo,

Pamela

The first gift is a dozen pinwheel cupcake toppers...

So colorful and happy!

The 2nd gift is one of my acorn bookmarks.  I love using these!

And the 3rd... a Knots and Gems necklace!  This gold-filled chain features a Labradorite and Moonstone gem.  Such pretty gems, too.  They both emit such a gorgeous glow.  It was hard getting the right angle to show the iridescent shine of the Labradorite, but take a look at the moonstone.  Purdy purdy!

You can't really see the glow in this picture, but at least you'll know how the necklace is supposed to look on your neck. :)

So, who wants them??

To enter the giveaway, please leave ONE comment on this post telling me what types of jewelry (or specific designs) you'd like to see when I'm ready to open my shop up again.  I've received a few emails in the last little while requesting specific designs, and I'd like to see which other ones you'd like as well!  You can go HERE to view the pieces (and different gifts) I've sold in the past. 

The winner will be announced next Wednesday, June 5th. The giveaway is now closed!  Thanks to those who entered!! :)

(And can I just say I'm so excited for June?!  I can't believe today is the last day of May!  Bring on the summer, will ya?!)

Thanks so much and good luck!!

xo,

Pamela

And here he is with his pretty mama.

She's as pretty in the inside and she is on the outside.  Visiting their family is always a treat. And it was fun using my 50mm lens on them... I need to plop it on my camera more often.  If you have a DSLR camera and don't have a 50mm yet... get one.  You won't regret it!

Hope you're all well!

xo,

Pamela

Here's the entrance to the room...

(peacock print from Jennifer Lommers, an Oregon artist)

I love the fireplace!  The bunting is from my sister's wedding reception. :)

I wanted a colorful place for the girls to play...

and this vintage quilt is the perfect addition!  I initially bought it to hang on the wall but discovered it fit the back of the couch perfectly.  All I did was tuck the edges of the quilt into the creases of the couch.

Isn't it a gorgeous quilt?  I mean, how long did it take the lady who made it to make it?!  I think it's from the 30's.  I'm so happy I found it.

I'm also happy I found this cute hand-embroidered pillow at Camas Antiques in Camas, WA.  $6!  Score.

Our Strawberry Shortcake house is happy in its new spot!

And so are the dolls.  And the kitchen we've had for 6 years!

Yep, we still have the felted cookies!  Going on 4 years. Not too shabby, eh?  :)

These bookshelves were already here when we bought the house.  LOVE.

Our books needed these shelves!

So did the Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly. :)  (Yes, she is a puppet and stores all the little animals in her tummy.  I found her in Ashland, Oregon about 6 years so.  The girls love her!)

These 'life cycle' creatures were purchased at Michael's.  I'm really happy with their quality.

See the ABC paintings?  My mom made them for me when I was a baby.  Awwww.

A great little toy/game shelf...

You know how we love acorns and squirrels, right?  When I spotted this little oak tree growing in our backyard I dug it up and planted it for our room.

I hope you've enjoyed seeing our little playroom!  Many giggles and smiles are born in this happy room. 

Thanks for taking a look!

xo,

Pamela

~Praying for all those affected by the storm in Oklahoma~

xo,

Pamela

but then the beautiful flowers and buzzing bumblebees sucked me into their world and I just couldn't stop snapping pictures. Such a gorgeous evening here in Portland, Oregon!

This bumblebee is enjoying the blue blossoms of this California Lilac...

And here is our first poppy already sleeping the evening away...

This fairy house was what I treated myself to from the OPA (Oregon Pottery Association) show last month...

Perhaps it's supposed to be a bird house, but it is the perfect fairy house for our fairy garden, if you ask me!

Another bumblebee happily doing what bumblebees do...

Yes, the Spanish Lavendar is quite the popular attraction these days with these little guys!

Chives in full blossom...

and our carrots are growing!

At this point during my walk everything in the garden looked beautiful to me--even the grass growing against the raised beds. :)

A strawberry!  Those darn slugs better not get this one tonight... it is allllmost ready to pick!  Thanks to those on facebook who gave me the tip to surround my strawberries with crushed eggshells to prevent the slugs from getting to the strawberries--I'm hoping it works. :)

And here's what I've been worked on today--making teepees out of my Dad's apple branch prunings for our beans and peas to grow on.  (The bigger teepee on the far left was made using bamboo sticks purchased from Fred Meyers.)

I'm pretty pleased with how they turned out. :)

Grow peas and beans, groooow!

Oh, and I couldn't leave the garden without taking a picture of Miss A's "army of pinecones" that she surrounded her pinecone fairy house with.

Our little fairy seems to not mind them much...

Happy Monday night to you all!

xo,

Pamela, a gal who's happy to have her nails dirty with dirt right now after a long day's work in her garden

(post edit: After a long day spent outside, I am just now reading the news of the devastating tornado that killed so many in Oklahoma today.  So incredibly sad--those poor children, poor families.  My heart aches for and with you.  Big prayers to you.)

baby grapes! 

Annnnnnd...

baby blueberries!

I love being able to capture them at all the different stages, from the blossoms to the green berries. 

I would've even had a red, ripe strawberry to enjoy by now if it wasn't for the darn slugs.  But believe you me, I've got enough slug killer out there now to kill an army of 'em!  Slimy little suckers.

Now, if only I can muster up some energy to spend some time in my house working on some projects!  I'm very excited about some new fabric I recently got from Hawthorne Threads.  Our new grey couches are just waiting for me to sew up their new pillows...

maybe tomorrow??

Maybe.  We'll see.

xo,

Pamela, a gal who is still madly in love with her new house and garden

p.s. sorry I didn't get on here to wish all you mamas out there a Happy Mother's Day.  To be completely honest, I was in a bit of a funk on Sunday, but am feeling better now.  But I hope you had a great day celebrating with the ones you love.