Return of the Mojo

I finally got my January Change Fresh Slate Mojo! (Turns out it was the Illinois Sales Tax Audit at work that was blocking me. But that log-jam is finally breaking free.)

Some people count sheep when they can't sleep. I rearrange furniture. I've done it 3 times now so it must be my pattern. In my studio, all I did was switch my desk area with my work space area. I say "all" but it took me hours. There weren't all that many pieces to move but I had to deal with a mess on both sides before I could begin to move things.

This all came about because my printer died. Before setting up the new one, I decided to switch the TV with the printer. (The printer is to the left, outside the photo.) I tend to Tivo more stuff than I watch, then I have to delete stuff to record more stuff. So maybe with the TV more centrally located, I'll watch more. Dunno. I like to work in silence too.

I love those 2 units with all the drawers but when I upgraded from smaller units to these you see here, they blocked so much of my window view over the back yard and the neighbor's Christmas tree farm, all I had left was a little 6" x 6" peep hole. Unacceptable! So Sunday morning, while trying to go back to sleep, it dawned on me to switch the two spaces. I love it.

The only downside is the cord from the Groove (located to the right, outside the photo) doesn't reach my laptop gracefully - has to reach across my chair - not good. For now I've been moving my laptop to the workspace when I want to cut something. But I think a longer cord that I can tack up under the MDF counter is definitely in order.

Moving On

This is an older card but it represents that I've got hearts on the brain, working on a new stitching design for Valentine's Day product.

My beloved Epson all-in-one has pooped out on me. I got a message a few weeks ago that some parts inside are nearing the end of their life - please consult the manual. Oddly (ha!) the manual has no mention of this message. So I consulted my usual source, Google. I learned this message means the waste ink pad is full. I found lots of places to download a utility which allows you to reset the printer sensor so it will think the waste pad is not full. But I never really found a satisfactory explanation of how to actually clean the waste pad.

Epson suggests you buy a new printer! Genius!

I asked my favorite go-to-engineer at work about it and though he was not familiar with my particular model, gave me some hints as to where to find the waste pad. I found it, but didn't seem to be able to remove it. I downloaded the utility but that kind of annoyed me - to be able to fool the printer into thinking it was good-to-go, but not really cleaning the waste pad.

Yesterday, the error message became serious - I can no longer print, scan, no nuthin'.

I bought my Epson in 2006 and even the engineer said they aren't built to last forever. Harrumph. So yesterday I looked online, just to see.

And then . . . I bought a new Epson all-in-one. What?? It was only $150 - no tax, no shipping, shipped same day. And they got me hook, line and sinker, by inserting the word "Artisan" in the name of the model. I was powerless. It's not my fault.

Ain't she sweet?

I remember when I went from my previous machine, a Brother, to the Epson, the improvements were mind boggling so I'm expecting some improvements with this new one too. While I hate giving up my current Epson after only 4 years - I really use the heck out of it - printing brochures, postcards, etc. I'll bring it to work to send to our electronics recycler but ultimately, most of it will end up in a landfill, which bothers me - - - but I'm excited about my new machine!

In a nice bit of irony, this morning I stumbled upon a demonstration on You Tube, of how to clean the waste pad. I never thought of looking on You Tube for that. It was a different model than mine but I might have figured mine out. It looked a little more complicated than I thought it would be. And I did consider bringing it to work to have the engineer work on it for me.

Oh well, now I'm stuck with a new machine! It was only $150! It's called an Artisan 710!

Label Finale

Back to Plan A.

I really thought I had talked myself into punching out these labels with a circle punch and layering them on a black scalloped circle. Then I realized the time drain would really be the twice-punching aspect and I don't have time for that now.

Brenda, I did try your idea of layering two scallops, slightly offset - and I like it, but I decided I need to take the simplest route right now. Thanks for the suggestion though, I'll definitely use it in the future sometime.

Then I sorted them by color.

Then I filed them in their proper drawer.

Some day I'll have to show you my entire drawer system. My workspace is too messy at the moment to fully appreciate the grandeur that is lots o' tiny drawers.

We had a rotating tower of these multi-drawer units at work that I've had my eye on for literally years. Back in the day it was filled with small computer parts in the service department. But as long as I've worked there (14 years) it was in storage! Not being used. I did ask about it years ago, but not since. Finally, my day came. We were consolidating our space last year so I asked if I could have it. Sure, was the answer if I disassembled it. I paid Simon to come in and do it for me.

I think it garnered me 23 of these units, all different configurations. I'm a true hoarder in every sense of the word when it comes to these things. One corner of our garage is filled with them. Steve and Simon think I'm totally ridiculous but I love these things more than words can describe. Mom, Dad and Gretchen will tell you, I've always loved little drawers. Always.

I'm not a well person, I know.

I spray painted one turquoise and use it for my jewelry box.

I spray painted two burgundy and used them in my workspace, but I eventually outgrew them. I knew it was time to go big or go home. So now I have two units, each with 60 drawers, supporting a shelf which holds the original two units. They hold all the punched leftovers and things I make in quantity on purpose (dragonflies, turtles, etc.)

It's definitely working as efficiently as I had envisioned - but unfortunately, I've all but blocked my window with the gorgeous view! I literally left myself a hole, about 10" x 10" where I can look outside. I'll re-do this set-up someday. In my free time.

I have given a couple of the drawer units away to other crafters. But only to people I've properly vetted, who I know will truly appreciate them. :-) But even I know I have more than I can use, so if any of my local readers would like one, email me and we'll make arrangements. After I approve your 500 word essay about why you deserve one and how you'll use it. And then of course, there's the home study. Hurry, before I change my mind. :-)

Anybody know of a good 12-step program for multi-drawer unit hoarders?

Feast Your Eyes

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.My Bazzill paper order arrived yesterday, right on schedule. Friends who have been through this with me before know the drill.

Unpack paper, checking against original order.

Leaving pristine paper in cellophane wrapping, stack like colors together.

Gaze adoringly at paper for 3 days minimum.

When one has a nice chunk of time, guaranteed to be interruption-free, unwrap paper and store it by color group in studio racks. Depending on what's already in the racks, this might necessitate an entire overhaul of the paper racks. Oh no, not that.

Enjoy being in the moment, as one with the paper.

Try not to hyperventilate.

Walk back into the studio multiple times throughout the next few days for the sole purpose of staring at all the lovely paper.

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Clean Table

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My table is so rarely clean, I decided to take a picture of it for posterity. That's my Cadillac of paper trimmers on the right. (It's really a Dahle, not a Cadillac.) My old Fiskars trimmer is on the left. I keep a scoring blade in that one. My wall of paper is cool! My stacks of clutter on the other flat surface in the background to the left - not so cool. Note the fan in the upper left - to keep me cool during those middle aged power surges.

The floor is clean and the table is clean but the other surfaces are still too cluttery. Still, I find myself coming into the room again and again, just for the joy of seeing a couple of clean surfaces.

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Remember my dissatisfaction with Applebee's and the 4 small onion rings that were in my to-go dinner? After giving it more thought, I filled out a form online letting them know of the situation. Friday night I received a phone call from the manager of the restaurant, with an apology. She seemed very sincere and gracious. Get this, she said the dinner should come with . . . 5 onion rings. Wow - 5! In fairness she did say they should be 5 large onion rings so I guess there is a big difference between 4 small and 5 large.

She offered me a do-over (my words, not hers). She said we could come in when she was working or she'd be happy to mail me a gift certificate so we could go anytime, which is the option I chose. That was pretty nice - it's what they should do. I sincerely just wanted them to know about the quality of the dinner I received so they could fix it - - but I'll take the gift certificate too.

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I went to Geva Saturday with Lynn & Linda to see Sweeney Todd. It was really, really good. I had to laugh a bit at myself and my short attention span, as so many of us have now, "The plot sure moves slowly in a musical!" It tempts me to rent the Johnny Depp version but I'm not sure I can sit through a Tim Burton movie. I know people love him but his movies are just not my thing. (I did enjoy Edward Scissorhands though.) However, I just watched the trailer and maybe I'd like it.

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Bead Trio

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Are these not scrumptious??

Gretchen gave me these beads with a gift certificate to Let's Bead! The name of the store has that exclamation point - but I would have used it anyway to note my enthusiasm for this gift. :-) I haven't even been over to the store since they expanded. I hope to rectify that shortly. I'm very happy that the store is doing so well that they needed to expand.

If you are a local reader, take a look at their long list of classes. If I had the time, I'd be inclined to take a class on chain maille. Isn't it cool?

Byzantine Chain Maille Bracelet , by Deb Sardina

I use these tiny seed beads for embellishing my Sticky Notes (and other projects). I notice though, that the bigger time crunch I get into, the less I take the time to bead. So my spring Sticky Notes are beaded. Fall? Not so much.

Paper, thread, beads - just another addiction. Beats heroin.

Oh! Speaking of addiction - I watched my first season of Celebrity Rehab this year. I Tivoed it out of curiosity, just for a giggle and was instantly hooked. It was very moving. I was really taken with Dr. Drew Pinsky, who I'd heard of but had no exposure too. I came away with a lot of respect for him.

I still don't understand why anyone would air their problems on TV - ala Dr. Phil and Dr. Drew. But being a lover of the biographical genre, I find myself hooked whenever I watch one of these.

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Photo Shoot

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It wasn't painful, although I'm not sure the look on my face above will attest to that. The photographer, Vasiliy Baziuk, was wonderful. (I would say that even if we didn't exchange blog links!) I checked out his blog after he left - apparently the dude's a good photographer! That gives me hope these will turn out okay, referring to the subject, not the photographer.

It took way longer than I expected - close to an hour. He took dozens of photographs. He started out with photos of my hands doing stuff and then just my artwork, so I thought I was going to escape showing my face. He took a lot of shots of me cutting paper. I just kept slicing the paper into smaller and smaller bits, thinking I am so glad I have my new Cadillac of paper cutters to show off. Like anyone will notice or care, except me. :-)

I'll post the article here when it comes out. I'm even more nervous about it now that all these photos were taken. I know only a very few (one!?) will be used.

Mostly I wish my Etsy shop was chock full of stuff. I just can't get to it. As I told Steve this is the week that begins our 2-3 week of being out of our normal routine.

Monday - took Reggi to the vet

Tuesday - photo shoot

Wednesday - dinner with Kathy, Nancy & Kim

Thursday - massage

Friday - Steve's sister arrives from Colorado Thursday night so not sure if anything is planned for Friday night or not. Steve's taking the day off, I know.

Saturday - breakfast with my family at The Log Cabin, dinner with Steve's family at his brother's house

Sunday - football watching (or stitching, in my case!) with Steve's family

So far, Christmas week only involves spending Christmas Eve with Steve's family and Christmas Day with my family. Steve and I both have to work on Friday.

(Helen - your cards are almost done. You'll notice I'm holding one in the above photos. Your cards will be famous!)

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Hello Dahle!

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Look what I purchased on my lunch hour last Friday! I bought it online so I don't have it yet but I'm very excited about my new paper trimmer. I can't find it now but during my research over the past week, I learned the difference between a paper cutter and a paper trimmer. It almost seemed counter-intuitive to what I would have thought the words meant. But I can't find it now so you'll have to trust me.

I learned if you sort the trimmer/cutters high price to low price that you'll start in the $25,000 range. I learned there are electronic/digital programmable cutters. If that was at all affordable, that would be cool because I do make a lot of the same cuts over and over.

I've been Googling my brains out over this for about a week now and I figured out what features I wanted. I bought this one at MachineRunner.com when I saw they had their Live Chat open. I chatted up Amanda and she helped me narrow down my choices. I asked her which brand is considered the Cadillac of trimmers? She said Dahle is a very reliable brand. (Steve was impressed with this because I'm not usually a top-of-the-line kind of girl.)

I've been using a Fiskars trimmer that is so old I can't find a photo online to show you. (And I'm too lazy to take a photo of mine.) It's actually a unit that Gretchen bought maybe 10 years ago that I borrowed and never gave back. I felt guilty about that for about 5 years but then I got over it. Guess I sure got Gretchen's money's worth out of this trimmer, huh?

I religiously change the surface the blade touches. A couple of months ago I noticed I couldn't cut as many layers as I used to be able to. I bought a new blade which seemed to help, but not for long. I finally figured out that I think the housing that holds the blade is damaged. I'm pretty sure one isn't supposed to cut multiple layers with this unit. My new trimmer will cut 20 pages at a time but I think that's text weight paper so I'm saying it will cut 10 pieces of cardstock at a time. With my current trimmer, the most I could ever cut consistently was 3. And this new blade is self-sharpening. There's a clamp to hold the paper in place.

I'm sure it will arrive sometime this week. Which means I better start now to clear off enough surface on my work table. I'm going to keep my other trimmer to use for scoring. I used to be able to score 3 layers at a time too. But still, it will be nice not to have to change the blades back & forth between cutting and scoring.

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And now on to this week's craft show! Sometimes customers will look at my list of upcoming craft shows and ask if they were to attend one other one, which would I recommend, which one is my favorite. And this is the one I tell them about. It's been my favorite show to attend as a customer for many years, and now it's my favorite show to be in. Last year was my first time - and I sold out of some stuff. So I'm very feverishly working like crazy to make sure I have enough inventory. I'm sure I'll still worry about it - I think every crafter does. When I set up my vacation days for this show season, I scheduled a day off for the day before the show because I knew I'd be getting nerved out about having enough stuff. Busy, busy.

2008 HOLIDAY BAZAAR ARTS & CRAFTS SALE
Sponsored by the RMSC Women's Council

Friday, November 21: 5:00pm–9:00pm
Saturday, November 22: 9:30am–5:00pm
Sunday, November 23: 11:00am–4:00pm

Admission:
$4 one day; $7 two days; children 12 and under FREE.
Friday Night Special for RMSC Members: admission $2 this night only!

More than 180 exhibitors of original art and hand-made crafts fill the museum galleries and Eisenhart Auditorium with thousands of beautiful, unusual items for holiday gifts and decor.

Enjoy food and beverages at the Cunningham House Café, located in the former studio of Rochester artist Kathleen Cunningham, who donated her home to the RMSC. Now part of the science center campus, the building houses administrative offices and is not usually open to the public.

This year's event also features a free raffle, door prizes, and a used book sale.

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Another Reorg

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Yet another reorg of my studio workspace. See those two 3-drawer units in the upper left of the photo? They are the culprits. I punch a decent amount of shapes in trial and error of designing. I've been keeping them in little boxes in each drawer of that color paper but even that's become unwieldy. So I bought these little drawer units - see the shape (or half shape if it was too big) taped to the front of each drawer indicating what's inside? A place for everything and everything in it's place.

But I couldn't for the life of me fit them in to my old workspace arrangement. So yesterday I came up with the above. I was this close to going to Target to buy something (not sure what) to make this work when I steeled myself to make this work somehow. It was then I remembered I had this wooden box in the basement. (I love how that works!) I actually had 3 boxes like this, of varying size, at one time. I didn't see the other two yesterday - wonder if I gave them away?

My biggest problem is always how to make this work, not let the sun shine steadily on the paper, keep stuff handy and most importantly, not block my view out of this big beautiful window. There's another window next to it so it's not like it's my only view, but still. I look out over the neighbor's Christmas tree farm - nothing but nature as far as the eye can see.

As I was putting this stuff together, Verona the Black Cat, curled up in the center space before I put that wood box in there. I seriously considered figuring out how to make it work around her. But really, as much as I liked having her there, she would be very disruptive coming and going from that spot - and most importantly, I can't have her black fur glued into my pieces. That might be a different look altogether but not one I'm going for. I wish I'd taken a picture of her there though - she was adorable.

I'll have to live with this a while to see if it's going to work but I think it is. Now on to the rest of the studio. There are still boxes in there from my last show because I wanted to reorganize them a bit plus photograph the framed pieces for the website plus a couple of bags from vacation.

Btw, I finally found a copy of Studios while on vacation. I really thought I had pre-ordered one online months ago - I'll have to check my MS Money. I checked a couple of stores before I found one, I was afraid I'd missed it on the newsstand. I highly recommend it.

Besides looking at all the cool art studios, from a corner of a room to a full building, I also gleaned an idea for a new product for my art. I have one word for you. Clocks.

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