Magazines!

Oh my goodness do I have a lot of new and wonderful magazines. For those of you who have been waiting they are here (Stuffed, Handcrafted, Studio, Life) For those of you who have been looking you search is over. I carry almost all of Stampingtons magazines and they are all here in one location!

Summer is starting to heat up and it is time for outdoor cooking, swimming pools, and lots of watermelon spitting contests. I love summer. There will be a few days that the shop will be closed so that I can spend some time with Noah the prince of boys. I have promised him some Lake days and a camping trip. This shop has always been about friends, neighbors, family and community. Nothing is more important than spending time with a nine year old.

There are a few small but good changes coming soon that I am excited about, I am going to keep them secret for just a little while longer but they will be worth the wait.

I know I am not alone when I say that there is nothing like a copy of Where Women Create, a bubble bath, and a piece of chocolate cake. I love taking a peek into those beautiful studios I drool and dream of a perfect studio with great lighting and treasures in all the right places. Many of my good friends have been featured so it makes it extra exciting to see what they have created in print.

I also have a few friends who have studios that are just as important and just as beautiful in their own way. Not all of us have lofts, barns, spare rooms, or even garages that can be done over. Many of us have carved out a corner somewhere in the house or simply use the dining room table. One person I know uses her laundry room as a workspace, she has a plywood "Table" she sets up on the washer and dryer when she is working. It is the prettiest laundry room I have ever seen! Another friend uses her guest bathroom as a darkroom. It smells like chemicals and there are clothes lines everywhere with prints hanging to dry (yes some people are still photo purists and I love them).

I want to celebrate the women who may not have color coordinated chase lounge for lounging with a sketch pad or a wall full of windows that face a garden. I want to celebrate women who find a ways to create no matter where they are no matter what they have.

Send me your studio pix, even if that means it's a suitcase full of craft supplies, or a two drawers in the linen closet. Beauty and good ideas can be found in the most unexpected places. Tell me a little bit about your space and what you do and I will post them on a special page on the website elevenmorningstangerine.com

Make some iced-tea, find a drippy ice cream cone and enjoy this wonderful season.

Make Art=Be Happy

Candy...

The lovely Lisa Guerin stopped by last night. I opened the shop up for her so we could have a little play date. Paper is Lisa's second skin, scissors a fifth appendage. We had a very nice time sitting around making stuff and chatting. I got a sneak peek at her proofs for WWC. Her studio is bright, simple, organized and inviting. I get a little jealous when I see such tidy work spaces!

It has been a little quiet at Tangerine, school is getting out, there are graduations, summer camps to prep for etc. The down time has given me an opportunity to think of some new idea's make some cute birdies and play a little.

I have all these new Stampington magazines to read and I can't wait to dig in.

Michael Demengs classes are starting to fill up, October is too far away! I bought a case of old doll parts that I just finished sorting and will be putting out in the shop. I have all kinds of creepy ideas for the Demented toys class; big heads, small bodies and arms that are different sizes, maybe wheels for legs and eyes that do more than just blink.

I am dieting and that makes me grouchy but many of you understand the middle aged muffin top dilemma most of us face at some point in our life. I have chosen Sparkpeople an online diet plan, support group, one stop everything. I love it. It is a networking sight for people who are trying to take back healthy bodies by eating well and moving around a little more. The tools are free, simple, and eye opening. I am at day three.

I don't need to live to be 100 but I would like the years I have here to be healthy and productive. I don't believe in lose it quick scams, diet drugs, or anything that turns your life upside down. It is easy to make a few better choices, go for a walk a couple days a week, and drink more water.

As artists we do a whole lot of sitting and snacking. Getting outside, walking, and clearing your head improves creativity and helps prevent all that stiffness we get from working hunched over our workbench all day.

I don't need to look like Barbie but I do need a healthy heart and a Strong body.

I may be eliminating the candy in the store. I know, I know, it is wonderful but I could use that space to stock up on some really cute stuff, and great ephemera. I may have a big fat candy sale!

Lisa Guerins motto is "Think good thoughts" How can go wrong doing that! So think good thoughts, Make art, be happy, get outside today and take in the color all around you.

All that Hot Air!

Thought I would let you see what Iva's class will be making on June 27th!

These are a few of the lovely hardworking ladies who were in Iva's Private workshop, they rocked the place apart! It was a great day.

This is going to be a terrific workshop, there are a few spaces left.