Portland Day 4: Return to Collage + murals in Alberta Arts District

TC was excited to go this craft shop again...

I remember we had fun shopping for tiny jewelry findings back in 2012...

Portland Day 4 - Crafty Wunderland + Case Study Coffee

We took the Trimet back to downtown...

where TC spotted this craft store on our walk back...

My Halloween Costume - The "Stranger Things" Alphabet Wall

It's almost Halloween and I've had the dilemma of trying to figure out which costume I wanted to wear...

I originally wanted to be two other characters...

Making the The Man Eating Wreath from "Nightmare Before Christmas"

Tim Burton's "Nightmare Before Christmas" is one of my favorite movies...

I recently saw a tutorial how to make this...

Studio Maureen & The Gallery Next Door

The last full fledged day of my winter break was spent with Mi Firme Heina (MFH)...

We were back in South Park for lunch, but before doing so, wanted to check out this little shop on Beech St.

All the red in the window display attracted me as well as a tiny glimpse of what lay within...

Collage

After our lunch, we headed up the street where this Malcolm X mural caught my eye...

The mural was on the side of the House of Umoja building on the corner of 17th and Alberta Street. Umoja is Swahili for "unity" and is also one of the seven  guiding principles of Kwanzaa.  I found out later that the House of Umoja was a non profit organization and mentorhsip program aimed at helping former gangmembers with job and life skills, assist with addiction treatments and job opportunities. Very admirable.

Across the street from House of Umoja was a store that caught our eye.

You don't have to be a star, baby...

A few weeks ago we went to the PASACAT Parol Festival, held once again at the Jacobs Center at Market Street Plaza.  Many colorful star lanters were on display as well as for sale. This multicolored one made with capiz shell was going for a couple hundred dollars!

The festival also had a parol contest which had many interesting and worthy entries this year...

Happy Easter

Happy Easter to those who celebrate it!

This year, Bert and TC did the decorating honors...

They had fun using string and rubber bands...

I have no creative name for this post...

Remember the cutting boards post when I mentioned Bert's old woodshop project?

Gosh, he's so proud of this project. I remember having a choice and picking the easiest one to do (and even then I didn't even get an A on it).

Cutting boards

Does this give you memories of shop class in junior high?

Nothing beats the smell of wood shavings, sawdust, and lacquer!

A sneak peek

Here's my "Ugly Sweater" thrift store find! I spent $4.99 on this!  Looks pretty damn patriotic now...

But when I'm through "customizing" this vest, it will be a hideously over the top Christmas sweater, you know, the kind that crazy Aunt Gretchen likes to wear! (Okay, I picked that name randomly, but you know what I mean!)

There's an ugly sweater party tonight so Bert, TC and I will be dressed for that.

More pics to come of our sweaters and the other party guests.

Stay tuned for the "AFTER" photo!

Cake Stands...

Although I made these about a year ago, I hesitated in posting them but that fear was irrational since many of the gift recipients are not blog readers or bloggers. So, I feel safe in posting them now. Last summer I read a post by WC (listed at the end) where she made homemade cupcake/cake stands from vintage plates and candlestick holders. I thought I'd give it a go.  After pillaging various thrift stores for plates and candlestick holders, I stockpiled enough to make homemade gifts for Christmas as well as birthdays for friends.

Here are some of the cake stands I made last year and subsequently gave away. The plate had a beautiful pattern (I don't rememember the maker)...

Lillian's and more driving around Manitoulin Island...

Okay, this post is out of order but I'm too lazy to redo my posts to make it chronological. And if you know how anal I normally am, this is saying a lot!

This post should have been on our way back from the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation before lunch at the greasy spoon known as Carol and Earl's (sorry, no offense to those Manitoulin locals).

On our way back, we checked out Lillian's Museum, which is in the same building as Lillian's Crafts. The other day, I was able to meet Lillian (the owner) through C. She was such a friendly lady and delighted to have visitors from the U.S. come by. During the first visit, I bought several beaded bracelets (gifts and a few for me) as well as a few pairs of handmade beaded earrings. We didn't have a chance to check out the museum the first time so that's why we decided to pay another visit.

The museum in Lillian's featured Porcupine Quill baskets. I didn't take any photos since cameras inside the museum (actually a little side room located in the store) and I didn't want to get in trouble.  The baskets were quite intricate and it was amazing to see the creativity and the skill it takes to makes these crafts. Turns out that making baskets with porcupine quills is a dying art. Many of the more elaborate pieces are sought after by collectors from afar. All of the museum exhibits were encased in glass. I wish I had some photos to share. Click here for more info on the baskets and a few photos as well from another source...

We snacked on a few of these spicy chips on the way back..

We planned to see this place tomorrow before leaving Manitoulin.

Signs off the 6 Highway...

Here are some photos of the jewelry I bought from Lillian's:

Porcupine quill earrings modeled by one of my favorite cartoon and comic characters, the Tick (model, "Bounding Tick" circa 1994 by Bandai). There is a lever on his back and when you press it down, he "jumps" (or "bounds" or whatever). One of his antenna is already broken off. Background books are my vintage books about the Philippines (a few are over a century old).

Close up of the beaded detail. The long white part are the porcupine quills.

Another pair of porcupine quill earrings, this time with green beads. Bounding Tick is there again but this time on my Sylvia Plath shelf.

Close up of the porcupine quills. Instead of being solid ivory, they are grey tipped.

Here's a pair of red and white beaded spiral earrings. I also bought a blue and yellow beaded pair but gave one away as a gift.

I thought these were really unique and unusual. They're a bit long for me, but I can pull off the look.

I also bought a spring green and aqua blue beaded bracelet. What I liked was the "twist" detail.

Love the colors and the workmanship...

There was another black bugle beaded bracelet I bought which looked like a delicate lace pattern. Unfortuately, I lost it - the clasp didn't fasten as tightly as it could have and so the bracelet (sob) is floating around somewhere.

Next up...Foodland!

The Grove

[Marathon post alert! Four new posts from today!]

Right next to The Daily Scoop is The Grove, a shop that sells "books, yarns, art, clothing and home furnishings". It's on the corner of Juniper and 30th. We saw it as we were going to Rebecca's and figured we'd check it out before we went back home.

Sorry for the blurry photos - I was trying to take these on the sly. The store is divided into different areas. There are several sections for women's clothing, another for children's clothing, jewelry, as well as half of the store devoted to yarns and other knitting and sewing accoutrements (fabrics, zippers, thread, etc). KD was excited because she saw a really cool scarf pattern (it's kind of a floppy ruffle - very cute!).

The downer was that the yarn used for the sample was silk and cost $16.50 a skein. That's pretty expensive and that particular scarf (which wasn't even long) used about two skeins of that yarn. She ended up buying the pattern but will use a different type of yarn for that project which I hope I get for Christmas later this year! If you're reading this KD, please make mine eggplant or some dark shade of purple! I wish I knew how to sew. That 7th grade Home Ec class didn't really help me. C'mon, who really needs a fkg tote bag with a draw string? Plus, the fabric my mom bought me for that project was some horrid mustard burlappy material that looked like it belonged in some drugged out tiki-enthusiast's living room.

They also sold stationary, paintings, artwork, home decor, and lots of handcrafted items. Such a cute place! They had something for everyone it seemed.

While KD got her scarf pattern, TORC got a small haiku book and I bought a SALE item. This is a pleather bomber style jacket with ruffle detailing that was on sale for $36 (down from $78, not that it was really worth $78). It's by a brand called "RYU". Even though I'm not large, this was a size "L" because the "M" seemed to be cut for much smaller people. Like, WTF, not everyone is a size 0 you know.  The "L" was comfortable and I didn't feel like a damn sausage when I zipped up the front.

It's got vertical ruffles from front to back and no collar. It's also cropped and looks more so because the bottom band is knitted as is the v-neckline and the cuffed sleeves. I like how it makes my waist look longer (also because I'm wearing a black shirt underneath, thus continuing the monochromatic look)! The black leather belt with brushed metal buckle is men's Banana Republic; the buckle has a metal tab that goes over the belt holes. Ugh, Bert wasn't home to take a photo of me so this is me in our downstairs bathroom. 

The jacket has that '80's vibe to it. Kind of Michael Jackson'ish but more feminine because of the ruffle. If it was red, it would totally look like something Pat Benatar would have worn.

Hey, it was just payday and I, uh, needed wanted a new lightweight jacket anyways! So there...

I wore my new black peeptoe Bandolino wedges today with my skinny jeans and a sleeveless black shirt with little ruffles at the shoulders. Yes, I broke out with the sleeveless again because damn, it was 80+ degrees today! Can't complain though! Better sun than snow!

What I like about these wedges are that the wedge itself is black. Most wedges I've seen are not the same color as the shoe and I don't really like the "wooden" look. These wedges aren't really that high. They are only 3" high. And no platform either. I like how the black "wedge" grounds the look. If I wore stilettos with skinny jeans, it would kind of give of a whorish vibe, like how Olivia Newton-John looked at the end of "Grease".

Not that there's anything wrong with that (although I'd never wear that myself), but I think these are a bit more dressy. Trivia - those are Red Candies that Olivia was wearing, circa 1978. One of my younger aunts had about four different pairs of those wooden heeled shoes. Very hooker like.  Uh huh.

I also love the leather flower detail at the toe...

I need to stop going to DSW...

In all, a really fun day with TORC and KD! Wished D could have been there but she will definitely join us next month for our next planned outing...my birthday!

The Make Good and more...

Before walking back to our car, I was attracted by this sign to this store, the Make Good.

They sell all kinds of handmade items such as jewelry, scarves, totes, bags, accessories, toys, clothing and more. Really cute stuff too.

What really caught my eye was this sculpture, which I recognized from fellow SD foodbloger's site, Michael Olin Hammond; his foodblog is Foodopolis. If you click on his site, click on Gallery 1 and you can see "El Pato Libre" in all of his glory! Check out his creations - they are quite interesting and unique! I really likes how he incorporates found vintage objects and makes them into something entirely functional and whimsical.

Here is the view of "El Pato Libre" from the window, and yes, he IS for sale! :)

Some street art on the back of a sign...

More street art...I believe the sticker of the Asian Man is by Obey.

I didn't walk out of Make Good empty handed. After being tempted by some earrings and necklaces and figuring, nah, I could make them better, I saw a lone rack of gently used dresses. This pleated black dress with black lace overlay and nude foundation caught my eye. I also saw it was only $30!!! I wasn't sure if it would fit me but lo and behold, it fit perfectly. Well, I might have to get those shoulder straps taken in a smidge (because they kind of slip off) but otherwise, it looks quite nice. I'm not 25 anymore and can't get away with those really "out there" fashions. I think this dress is both naughty and nice.

I looked up the designer online, Adrianna Papell. Her dresses usually go for at least $150 or more, so $30 was a huuuge bargain. Ever since my operation two years ago, I've been super self-conscious of what I can wear and can't wear. Not like I ever wore really low cut stuff before, but I like how this dress does NOT show any cleavage yet still looks elegant and hopefully not farty or matronlike. I also liked the wide straps and the alternating black fabric with the lace overlay. It goes to about knee length.

Paired with a pair of pointy toed black heels, this dress is ready to go!

Since we're on the subject of dresses, I went crazy last month at Marshall's, of all places, on this dress by Calvin Klein. I normally don't get my clothes here. I was there just to look for serving plates for my Christmas cookies but also ended up with this new frock, which was clearanced at $49. Not bad since a dress like this normally goes for more than $100.

It's a charcoal grey knit sheath with an edgy zipper edge rosette detail around the neckline. A bit rock and roll but a twee bit conservative. The bottom of the skirt hits me right at my knee, but it may be above the knee on taller women (I'm 5'5").I love it. I feel like those swanky chicks in "Mad Men".

(sucking it in!!!)

Ha ha, this was taken in our downstairs bathroom. Bert thought it would be funny to hoist TC and carry her. I took a photo of them by the tree and she was touching the star on the top..

Yeah, we're weird like that!  It's too bad you can't fully see the maniacal look in their eyes ("their" not "my").

Back to Manitoulin Island! M-Chigeeng - Lillian's

Finally, back to Canada or more specifically, Manitoulin Island!

The last post I did was the Manitoulin Chocolate Works...This post should have been BEFORE that. But that's besides the point now, eh.

Looking at my old photos, we went here, to Lillian's, a First Nations crafts place and gift store). This was right after breakfast and BEFORE Bridal Veil Falls. Lillian's is in the small town of M'Chigeeng.

We were all jammed into C's mini van with one person, TCS (The college student) without a seat belt! Shhh! Don't tell!

I didn't take any photos inside but there were a lot of leather items (clothing, shoes), beaded items (jewelry and clothing), moccasins, feathers, beads and kits for making dreamcatchers. There was also a back room which served as an exhibit for these rare porcupine quill baskets as well as dolls. One of the main tribes on the island is the Ojibwe.

There was a Tipi outside with a totem pole.

Bert, TC and I ended up going here a few days later...

After checking out Lillians and buying some earrings (beaded spirals and porcupine quill drops), we went to Bridal Veil Falls in Kagawong, and the Manitoulin Chocolate Works (also in Kagawong). The next stop on our day long adventure was Gore Bay...