San Diego & Denver

Howdy!
Wow! It's been almost a month since I posted. Where does the time go? Oh, I know. BUSY! I finally have time to tell you about my trip to meet the parents and my mini vaca to Denver to spend time with the man.

It was a wonderful few days in San Diego with Rod, seeing where he grew up and hearing how it has changed. His mom's birthday party was very nice, filled with lots of family and friends. I met everyone and I think I passed the test. Yes! I was included in the family pictures, too. That makes me very happy!

We left Sunday, but first we enjoyed breakfast at Du-par's. Can you say best pancake ever?

I forgot to take a picture before I had consumed so much of it. It was so good, it didn't need syrup. I'm not a syrup gal but these were moist and fluffy. Am I going on about pancakes? Yep! This is a must have again when we're ever in SD again!

After the whirlwind weekend in SD, we flew home to Denver for a few nights. I was spoiled for my birthday. Well, it was also Christmas and our anniversary but let's just say I am spoiled!

I think my man should get extra points for selecting this gift bag on his own! Yes, I am still a kid. 

We spent time window shopping in different areas around Denver. We had to stop at Larimer Square to get the frosting from his mom's birthday cake cleaned out of my ring. Well, I had gotten it clean but I also wanted to have it checked too. We walked around the area a bit and I love this entry display at a hat shop:

Love it! We didn't stop and shop but they know how to make it welcoming! We also went down to Cherry Creek to check out a glass art gallery that had some Chihuly pieces on display. Breathtaking art throughout this two story gallery, so be sure to check it out when you're in the area!

After lunch at The Hawt Dog & Sausage Eatery, we wondered down the street to Paper Source. I love their stores, but check out this workshop area:

Love it! Metal table top, cool stools and industrial lights! Then check out this paper wall behind it:

Envelopes, paper, card stock, note cards... all color organized and I just wanted to pet it all! Yes, that far wall is neutral colors of the same stuff. Isn't it just drooly?! 

Up next... a home improvement project. Stay tuned!

Studio Spaces

It's true. The first blog post seems to be the hardest one to write. It will set the tone for future posts. Um, no. I can change things up when I want to. It will be the one that cause folks to decide if they want to continue reading or to follow my blog. Well, folks come and go all the time in blog-land. What if I sound like a dork? Ya, so what if I do? No big deal because sometimes that's just who I am!

So, welcome to the first post of my blog. Bear with me as I master my photography skills and find my blogging voice. I know I rarely have a hard time finding a way to say things but I'm a conversational writer so sometimes it may read weird. I'll try to keep that in check.

This first post is supposed to be about studio spaces, so here goes...

Rod sent me the dimensions for my studio space in his house and I've been learning a new-to-me software called SketchUp to plan what goes where instead of moving the heavy furniture many times when I get there. I know there's at least one heavy lifting assistant out there who appreciates things planned out ahead!

With dimensions in hand of the room and the furniture I want to take with me, I came up with this:

The entry door is marked near the center of the "wall" closest to the viewer. The workbench to the left of the entry is already there and will be my stamping zone. The white table in the upper right corner is my beading zone. The door on the far left wall goes into an unfinished storage area. Yes, this is a basement space and yes, that storage space will be organized!

Of course part of moving to a new studio means I'm cleaning out my current studio. Wow. Is that overwhelming! I have amazing collections of cool stuff! I'm sure none of you relate. Hahaha! I went into my studio on Sunday to do some sorting (keep, sell, donate, toss). Ranger of course wanted to be in the room with me but just wasn't happy sitting on the floor and my beading table is covered with a creative mess so I shoved some stuff around and made a space her.

Yep, she sat there for quite a long time and listened to me talk to myself while I cleaned out pens and markers and various assorted stamping supplies.

I even lit a candle for the occasion. Ok, I knew I'd be home for quite a while and I'm rarely in my studio to enjoy the lit candle so I took advantage of it! I got a fair amount of sorting done but there's still a lot to go. My stamp cabinet is looking ominous, so I guess I'll just have to dig in and get that done soon. And then there's the beading collection... oh my!