Words of Me

I came across an interesting project that is about to start, it is called WORDS OF ME-here's the link to check it out
http://wordsofmeproject.blogspot.com/
I like to keep a journal but I have found it is easier if i follow some kind of daily prompt or workshop_I just finished a 30 day Healing Depression workshop that I thought was pretty good,it gave me quotes, daily affirmations and things to think about throughout the day-some of which would lead to me journaling about the subject for a page or two and some of which I didn't connect with...but I saw it though, I was pretty proud of myself. So I think I will dig around and see if I have a blank journal around-I love the beautiful fancy, handmade journals but I am afraid to write in them for fear of "messing them up"..I like small(5X7 ish) notebooks or small sketchbooks, I prefer spiral bound because I usually sit in bed when I write. And I have a wonderful collection of fabulous pens...its a weakness..I love a good fine tipped pen...they have some at ACMoore's called Le Pen in wonderful colors,those are fun to use but they don't last too long, I really like the new Sharpie pens-the twin pack has black and brown but my current favorite is the new Memento Markers-they have hard fine tip(not felt that get mushed) and a brush tip, I don't use the brush tip much but its nice to have. I am currently using the tuxedo black, rich cocoa and London Fog but I think I will get a few brighter colors for this project since my goal for keeping this depression at bay is THINK POSITIVE,depression is sneaky...it will worm its way into your thought process and convince that things are worse than they are, I have been trying to look on the brighter side of things....
Yes money is tight BUT Mark still has his job and our bills are getting paid.
Yes summer is over BUT we are about to enjoy the riot of color known as Fall.
Yes I am over weight BUT I am healthy.
Yes I had to close my Shop BUT I am still able to work from home.
Yes I miss Jill like crazy everyday BUT she only lives 6 miles away and I am so proud of her for making it on her own.
See I can do this!

a couple of cards

One to send to Jill so she gets something other than the Giant Eagle in her mailbox and one just because I wanted to try a technique I saw on SplitCoast(stamped the dragonflies,created a mask for them then used a circle punch to make a stencil -laid the mask over the dragonfly and sponged the turquoise ink through the stencil-remove the mask and do the other two-kind cool?? I like how graphic it is)

Studio In Progress

Here are some photos of the current state of my studio...still needs a ton of work but since I am in a decluttering and organizing mood it should be a piece of cake..at least i have some empty flat surfaces now!
The first photo is my "cuttlebug station" and my basket of unmounted stamps-there is a sump pump behind this! In the background you can see my flatfiles where all my mounted stamps and inkpads and some paper are stored,also the table is my sit down work space. To the right of this area is my washer and dryer and deep sink.
This is the area that needs the most work...its just too cluttered. Now that i have more drawer space some of this will be moved. The red tubs on top hold ribbon,stickers and I think one is empty right now.
This is a long shot of my new cabinet and at the end is my "Ebay Store". I am keeping my paper cutters on the counter and also a large self healing cutting mat so this can be my CUTTING STATION.


Here is a closer view of my Ebay Store-the counter is where I wrap all the packages, the drawer has my markers,my thank you tags,scissors,etc. Everything ont he wall is currently listed for sale,on the black shelving unit-the bottom shelf is stuff that needs to be listed,next shelf is stuff that is already listed, next shelf is a combination-the Stampin' Up stamps are listed the other stuff is misc. The top two shelves are extra storage. Oh yeah and in the corner is a filing cabinet with photos in it and on top is a basket of Cuttlebug stuff that is listed. My packing supplies are just outside the door...padded envelopes, bubble wrap, boxes,etc
Here is a long shot from over by the Ebay area-still some boxes to go through.
So that's it...not exactly pretty but it sure holds a lot of stuff huh? I know I know- I am working on that...toooo much stuff that I don't use! I need to convince myself to use it or lose it!
I was going to show you a photo of the ENORMOUS spider i killed in here yesterday...it is in the basement afterall...it was HUGE....I took a big heavy book and gracefully tossed it across the room and squashed him, I was too afraid to actually go over and step on him..what if he ran up my pant leg or something?? Seriously I would have had a stroke!

Autumn

I love Fall...this summer was kind of crappy-not just weather -wise either. I am looking forward to enjoying Fall to the fullest...I will take lots of walks, we will have a couple bon fires, I'll decorate the house in the gorgeous colors, I'll make some yummy soups and stews that can sit and simmer all day. And for some reason I am cleaning....organizing,simplifying, donating, tossing and clearing my mind and my home of unwanted clutter! I got a new addition to my studio yesterday...a fabulous vintage metal cabinet full of drawers. My dad was hiding it in his workroom-who knew? My parents are moving and he won't have room for it in the new house. So now I will spend a few days rearranging my collection of art supplies...perhaps it will inspire me to create something.
I promise to post some photos of my creative space soon.
In the meantime..I found an interesting site called Tumblr ( no "e") and I created two accounts-one for creative ideas(cards,collages, art projects) and one for Home ideas....
Check them out...
http://artsyvalentine.tumblr.com/
and here
http://morningsunstudio.tumblr.com/
I add to them as i find amazing photos on-line-so much inspiration out there!