Help [ME] Ronda

who turned up the heat?

Yes you read that correctly.  That's 120 Fahrenheit.  Andrew tells me it get's hotter in July & August.  Two months you won't find me in Doha.  We have been settling into life here with Andrew.  The gulf coast beach called Sealine was beckoning us to come forward for a visit, especially with the high temps.  It's just south of Doha where the giant desert sand dunes meet the beach.  You can ride camels & atvs or take your jeep out for a stroll on the huge dunes.  We opted to spend time under umbrellas on the beach and near the pools.  Anthony had fun photographing the crabs in the water and building a sand castle.  It was fun watching him just be a kid.  Andrew & i took to reading especially after Andrew spotted a jellyfish in the water.  Here's a look at our day at Sealine.

In the Desert

We made it safely to Doha, Qatar a couple days ago.  Honestly with the jet lag and time zone changes, it's hard for me to keep track of days.  Andrew always says Day 2 is the worse and i would have to agree.  Anthony & I both were having issues staying awake and being coherent.  We are extremely happy to have time together with Andrew and blessed that he has a few days off with us at the beginning. 

This time around things feel a bit easier.  Maybe it's because i know what to expect.  The unknown is always hard.  Our first few days are always about getting acclimated again so we just do casual jaunts around Doha until the jet lag subsides a bit.  The first night upon arrival we did visit the Villagio Mall.  We are shocked & saddened by the recent fire that happened some 14 hours later. We are heartbroken for those families who lost loved ones.

Our first day we drove around downtown after breakfast at one of Andrew's favorite places. We were checking out potential future apartments since he lives pretty far out from the city center.  We also had to stock up on some groceries since his cupboards were, shall we say, lacking.  This requires a trip to the mall were most of the grocery stores are located.  Grocery carts in the malls still fascinate me.  Andrew also scouted out an Art Supply store for me and wanted to share it with me.  Gosh i love that man.  We also visited the Souq Waqif one night for dinner.  It's such a cool area where you can purchase all kinds of unique items along with some very generic tourist items.  Here's a pictorial diary of our journey so far. 

typesetting sorts

Remember this post with the vintage bottles?  These are another one of the awesome vintage finds my mom & dad brought home to me.  These Altoid tins are filled with metal sorts used in typesetting during the letterpress era.  In truth, these are my absolute favorite finds.  My dad knew he scored big not only on hunting down the perfect item for me but the price was a steal.  $6.  No not for each individual sort which honestly would be cheap but for both tins.  I have lots of ideas for using these typesetting sorts but i just need to find the right outlet.  I want to use them in some creative pieces as well.  Here are few detail shots so you can see just how cool these really are.

For the love of Vintage

Aren't these just so sweet?  Let me to tell you the story behind these beauties.  You see my parents were going on a road trip across the US to my niece's wedding.  It was a leisurely trip. I asked if they would be stopping at any flea markets or antique stores along the way knowing their love & appreciation for these kinds of places.  Of course they were.  I asked them if they could do some hunting for me and they immediately said yes.  Little did they know how large my list would be.  Actually i think they enjoyed the search almost as much as i enjoyed unpacking each of their finds.  These vintage little jars & bottles are one of the many awesome pieces they collected for me.  They range in size from about 4 inches tall and smaller.  I have lots of ideas for them in my artsy endeavors.  I have to admit that the ink well to the left just may be my favorite.  i can see a big quill sticking out of the ink or even dip pen.  But the others do have a special place in my heart.  My parents scored big time for me and i cannot wait to find the perfect project for these stellar pieces.

Once in a lifetime

Say you got to go to Ranger U with 23 other incredibly talented women in the industry, would you think it could get any better than that?  How about if you got to add dinner with Suze Weinberg in her house with her wonderful husband Lenny and your friends?  Suze picked up Lisa Pace, Carolyn Ross, Aurea Estelle, and myself up from the hotel and brought us back to dinner at her house.  They welcomed us with open arms.  As i sit here typing this, i still cannot believe it.  I remember the first time i picked up UTEE and fell in love.  Never did i think in a million years i would have this opportunity.  Her house was stunning.  I mean stunning.  Like the kind you would see in a design magazine.  Suze took us on a tour while Lenny cooked us dinner.  There were so many amazing pieces in her collection and she told us the stories behind them.  I have to say that my favorite pieces were hers.  Her melt art pieces are just incredible.  We then sat down to dinner and wonderful conversation.  What you see what you get with Suze.  She is honest and generous.  I was truly blessed to get to spend the evening with my friends.  Take a look at her pieces and a few of her other art pieces.

Ranger U, Day 3

Yesterday was the final day at Ranger U.  I am heading home to Denver today after a fabulous weekend at Ranger ink.  I will say it again, i am thoroughly impressed.  It was jammed packed with lots of information and creativity.  The team at Ranger put together an incredible, informative event and i am leaving feeling so very INSPIRED and ready to create.  I was blessed to be seated next to old friends and new friends.  I thoroughly enjoyed my seat mates and the entire atmosphere.  Tammy Tutterow was to my left and Lisa Pace & Carolyn Ross to my right.  Sweet Patti Euler and Christie Hund were across from Tammy & I.  Our last evening there was filled with a special treat.  A dinner with Suze Weinberg at her house.  I have much to say about that but i think that deserves a post all on it's own. Here's a look into Day 3 that included Distress, Dylusions, Colorwash and a whole lot of fun.

Ranger U Day 2

Yesterday was my second day at Ranger U.  I cannot even begin to tell you how much fun i am having.  Someone made the comment about how quiet i have been and then i realized i was.  I am just soaking it all in.  My brain is just swirling.  I love the "chemistry" behind it all and just trying to absorb it all.  We busted through paints with Claudine, dye inks, pigment inks, stickles, liquid pearls, and alcohol inks.  I was really giddy with it all especially getting messy.  It was kind of funny sitting next to Lisa.  My space was completely messy with my hands covered.  Lisa's space was nice & clean and quite impressive.  Her hands though weren't always clean.  Every now and then we would turn to each other with huge eyes when something really sparked our attention.  It's been just completely amazing.  Here's a look at day two.

Good times at Ranger U

Thursday i made my way to New Jersey to participate in Ranger U at Ranger Ink.  I have been looking forward to these days for weeks.  Even better knowing Lisa Pace, Carolyn Ross, and Tammy Tutterow were going to be there too.  I am a technique junkie and learning nerd so this is HEAVEN.  Yesterday was day one of three.  It began with a tour of the facility which was just amazing.  Then we dove into techniques with Tim Holtz leading us with his vast knowledge and hilarious phrases.  He really knows products and i am super impressed not only with him but the entire team.  Here's a little peek into day 1.

and this photo that just cracks me up. Looks like i found friends in Dorkapolis:

3 weeks

This exchange program isn't your typical exchange program.  You know the ones that one kid comes over for 6 months to a year.  This one is more of a community exchange.  A cooperation between two schools, one in the USA and one in Germany.  17 German students came over with their English teachers to stay for three weeks with host families.  They went to school with the host students, went on field trips and site seeing tours. They visited middle schools & elementary schools.  And they just hung out being part of our family for those three weeks. 

Moo was our German.  He was a perfect match for Anthony and a great fit for our family.  We thoroughly enjoyed having him here in our home.  He knows he is welcomed back anytime.  He really opened up and quickly became part of our family.  He makes us laugh very much.   In July 14 of our students will stay with the same kids and go to school with them.  I am so excited he gets to spend more time with Moo and see his life over there.  It is building a true friendship that i hope will last a lifetime.  Plus it is great for these kids to be fully emerged into each others cultures. 

This past Thursday, the German students flew home.  Some were ready to go, some were ready to stay but they all had a great experience.  Tears were flowing at the airport and it made me weepy in such a good way.  So happy this opportunity build bonds and had such a positive effect on all the kids.  Anthony is really looking forward to his trip their in a couple months for he knows his friends are there.  The last photo says it all.

Q&A: Organization

On a previous blog post you graciously asked questions about me & my art.  I am still going through them and putting posts together.  I lumped them into categories that made sense to me so i could answer them easier.  Today's post is about organization. 

I was wondering whether you set aside some time specifically for scrapbooking, journaling, and etc..?

Yes & No.  I admit organizing my time is one of my weaker areas.  I am getting better at it and have really tried to keep track of my time.  What i like to do is plan out my week.  I see what deadlines are coming up and then plan accordingly.  I do need to add in a specific day for scrapbooking but haven't done so yet.  I do set aside time to art journaling because it's for me.  If i don't, i won't.  I have to put me time on my list. 

how do you stay so organized?

Keep in mind to me organization is different from tidy.  I am not always tidy but i do feel organized.  So let's talk about organization.  You have to find something that works for you.  I purposely used open shelving so i could see what i have and use it.  I do have lots of drawers and they are organized by product.  I am also willing to change something if it just isn't working.  At one time I had my paper organized by manufacture in a 12 x 12 drawer.  It just wasn't working for me.  So I switched it to sitting on my counter, organizing it by color.  Perfect for me and i haven't looked back.  I am willing to try out new things too.  I still pin ideas and inspiration onto my "Studio ideas" board.  I am currently hunting down the perfect way to store my pens.  They really should be on their sides and not up & down.  I don't want them tucked in a drawer and would prefer to have them on my desk without taking up too much space.

I want to know if you prefer to create in the silence of your studio or with music?

I rarely create in silence.  I actually notice it when it's too quite.  I usually have music playing.  I have created a variety of playlists to match my moods and whims.  For example i have my easy going playlist, moody playlist, current music, pump me up music (sometimes i dance & create), etc.  Sometimes i will play a Pandora station.  Occasionally i have the tv on with movies or shows i have seen more than once so it's more like background noise but still entertains me.  Mostly though it's my music. 

How big/small is your space?

It is rather large.  I started out on the dining room table when i first started scrapbooking, pulling out stuff and then packing it all away.  My house now has a dedicated "studio" or "craftroom."  It has lots of shelving and a 14 ft desk to me to share with the kids, the hubby, or friends.  Emily can be found sitting there quite often.  I also am blessed to have a sink in the room.  I cannot even begin to tell you how useful that plumbing is.  I designed the layout and type of cabinets while Andy and my father-in-law Phil built it all.  This come after years of many different types of organization and spaces.  I am truly blessed to create in such a space.

how do you keep it so tidy?

It's not always tidy.  Trust Me.  I start creating and pull out lots of supplies and products.  i make a mess.  i shove things aside and sometimes fail to put things back in their places.  and then i get a bit cranky.  See this post about my messy desk. When the room/desk becomes too messy, i have to stop and clean.  Otherwise it impedes on my creativity.  I have gotten better about letting the mess get too big.  I have actually made myself clean up every week.  it's amazing how much more effect that has been for me to keep my room clean. 

what time of day you can work better? Morning, night, afternoon?

I like mid-morning.  I've had my cup of tea.  I have done some computer work.  I have answered emails and printed off pictures i need.  it's seems to be the perfect time to create.  However i work from about 8 - 5 during the week.  Of course household stuff happens throughout my day, laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, errands.  But i try to stick to my schedule so that i have my evenings free.  I have a teen boy who still needs shuttling from here to there.  We both need that time together especially with Andy gone.  Anthony is sometimes gone on weekend nights so i will create then as well. 

Also what day of the week is your favorite if you have one that is.

Strangely enough i do. I like tuesdays.  It's not a monday which always seems like catch-up day.  I have my game plan for the week and the rest of the week holds so much possibility that i don't feel stressed to "get it all done."  Tuesdays!

I wondered if you designate specific times to creating art journal pages vs. mini albums and scrapbooking or do you just sit down and have fun and see what inspires you. I have so many different paper craft areas that sometimes its hard to decide what I feel like doing. 

i've partially answered this question above but would like to take a look at the other part of this question/statement.  First off having so many different ideas is such a blessing.  I usually write down my ideas so i don't forget.  If you are having a hard time deciding what to do, then schedule yourself.  Sometimes we need that motivation to just start creating.  There is nothing saying it is set it stone but you might find it helpful to get going on something rather than nothing.

Do you do the painting, spraying, & messy things in your studio or do you go to another room where messy is easier to clean up?

I do almost everything in my room.  I have pizza boxes from Cocoa Daisy that sit under my desk.  I discovered using these for mists a long time ago and completely love them.  I will add in paper towels to soak up the spray ink.  Those even get used in other creations.  See this post about using them in art journals.  The paint splatters i do in the box as well.  These boxes are also great for travel.  I take them along when i go cropping with my friends.  I recently added a white desk pad to my area to help when i create & paint.  I have this cool Chai tea jar on my table with water in it for my brushes.  When it gets too murky i rinse it out in the sink that's across the room.  (See the above picture with it on the table)  The only thing i won't do in my room is spray paint.  It needs a well ventilated area so i go outside when i use spray paints.