It's Clean!

My studio is finally clean for the first time in months and months. I'm a huge fan of before and after pictures but I never take before pictures of my stuff - too embarrassing! I thought I'd show you around, mostly for the new readers. I have a number of artsy types reading this and that's one of my favorite things, peeking into other artists' studios.

Those reels of ribbons were on two holders that were part of the craft table but I decided to move them to give me more table space. I wish I could let a little tail of each ribbon hang down, aesthetically speaking, but that would be mega-tempting for little kitties.

Moving left around the room, this is a 10 lb cabinet holding 20 lbs of shit. Aren't those 3 wood drawer units on top amazing? Neatly labeled, you'll notice.

That counter top is just a piece of wood laid across two plastic 6-drawer units. That machine to the left is a scanner, printer, fax, copier - one of those all in one machines. Steve gave it to me last year. He picked it out of the company prize catalog, for reaching some milestone anniversary, I think it was. I didn't think I really wanted it all that much - but of course, now I can't live without it. That little crate holds my QuiKutz tool and dies and that's my Xyron machine to the right of that. A Xyron is a non-electric machine that adheres stuff to paper - whatever cartridge you put in - adhesive, laminate, magnetic. Steve gave me that for my birthday a few years ago. He went into the stamp store and asked them what I would want but would never buy for myself. That was back when I was taking lots of classes there. They directed him to this - and, once again, I can't live without it.

That shelf above the counter is one that Gretchen was throwing away. You can see some of my punches on it - and a couple of cards that Simon gave me that are especially meaningful that I like to look at.

This is obviously my desk, not 100% neat at the moment but it will be. I spray painted the filing cabinet with that stone-look spray a few years ago when I painted my studio. (Like the leaves stamped on the walls?) That paper sorter to the left is 3 across and 8 down - and I could probably use another one, but I have no room for it. Next to that is another of those rolling plastic drawer units - this one has 10 drawers, every one of them full. And labeled. On top is my TV/VCR, tuned to my precious HGTV of course.

When I was downloading the first four pictures I found this one from June 2003, showing how the same shot. Notice I bought a new chair. That's the filing cabinet in it's former brown metal life. That flowered wallpaper was over pink paint, I found out. I'm still very happy with my sagey green walls and the stamped leaves.

I'm glad I got this studio cleaned up so I can try to feel like I had a good day. It's been pouring rain all day and I had to go out 3 times today! They were my choice but I'm really, really sick of the wind and the rain. Simon and I bickered most of the day, so that's always fun. I grocery shopped late in the day but by then I was already mad at the world so it was just a stupid chore to get through. (How mad was I? I impulse-purchased People magazine, that's how mad.) I got home and Steve had gone with his daughter to his mom's house to take down her Christmas tree. Simon was out applying for jobs. So I had to bring the groceries into the house all by myself which thoroughly annoyed the snot out of me. I'm the putter-awayer - they schlep the groceries into the house. I took advantage of no one being home and gave the back door a good slam each time I came in with another load. Yeah, that felt good!

Simon came home while I was still putting groceries away - and after we got mad at each other again - he took the downstairs groceries down and put them away. I didn't know when Steve would be home so I ate my sub in front of my computer, reading journals. Screw 'em both, they lost the privilege of eating dinner with me tonight. (I really did that because I thought Steve was going to watch Final Four basketball at 6:30 but he watched a couple of Perry Mason shows with Lizz instead.)

So I finished cleaning and have been hibernating in my nice, clean hidey hole. I'm going to bed shortly since we spring the clocks ahead tonight. I have to work at Celebration Gifts tomorrow afternoon so I want to at least make the most of my morning. After tomorrow, just two more half-shifts to work!

Hey guess what, everybody? Gretchen turned 46 today! (Gretchen, I intended to call you but thought of it at all the wrong times. Sorry, boo-boo!) So please leave your birthday wishes for Gretchen in the comments. I know you all feel like you know her by now, right?

Happy Birthday, Sweet Sister!