I know that this newsletter is going out late. Very late. I apologize. I could write paragraphs about why this is late, probably could bore you to tears with all the stuff I could write. (sometimes I even bore myself thinking about how busy I am , and all the things going on around here. Same story, new day). The Midmonth came right around the time that we had our Super Sale and Garden Crop. Which we knew would take a lot of prep time and even clean up time. We had no idea how much time it would really take the do the inventory and clean up from the sale. That was crazy.

It was really fantastic having the crop with all the Garden Girls that traveled to Wisconsin. They are such a great group of people, fun, creative and exciting. Their kind, patient and generous souls were so wonderful to have here, participating and interacting with the crop attendees. They make things so fun. I am so glad that they were here. They have no problems with the busy interaction with other people like that, they are gracious and kind to everyone and love to walk around and talk to the attendees. People really liked having the Garden Girls accessible like that, able to talk, and interact. They had a job to do, and they all took their jobs very seriously, and I am so grateful to them for doing that for me. It was a really busy and stressful day for me personally. I wanted everything to go well, even though I knew before hand that there were things that would not go as we had hoped they would. We handled each problem as best as we could that day and overall it went well. Of course, there are things we would change. But I think the crop was a good thing, and I think we will talk about doing it again in the next year. I will let everyone know with a lot more time in advance for the next one, so people can plan to attend. Join us for the fun. This time we did a few fun things, like the circle journals, Garden Girl made prizes and other cool things. I have included a couple of photos of the special Circle Journals that I made for the event. and some photos of the super cool tags I was awarded at the end of the night!

There are so many different styles of interior design out there----I wonder if there are even really categories for this anymore. That’s a dumb comment, I am sure that there are. But so many people just go so eclectic, and what do you call that? Regardless, it reminds me very much of how a person scrapbooks. There is a style category for that as well. And like your interior design, does it reflect who you are as the other does? And does it match the other styles in your life? Do all of your styles match and coordinate---your interior design, your clothing, your lifestyle and your scrapbooking? How much of you is reflected in your scrapbooking? Even though this question is intriguing to me, that was not what I really intended for the theme of Interior Design. What I wanted was for people to create their projects/layout to reflect a chosen interior design style. Obviously, there are so many---some obvious: Modern Contemporary. Classic. French Country. Etc. and then some not so obvious, like those eclectic people I was referring to earlier. Not all of the layouts had to be reflective of the same style, but to in some way refer to a style. As always, I leave the interpretation of the assignment to the ones who create. Some of the Garden Girls used this in exactly the way I had described it, while others used pieces of interior design as their inspiration for part or the whole of a project---the fabric of a chair, pillow or sofa. The artwork on the wall. Etc. and as always, it is so interesting to me to see how each person interprets the assignment. I love to see the diversity of their creations and styles. Its so cool. I am so inspired by these girls.

my studio at a glance...*dreamy*

{1} close up...

I've got the walls painted a flamingo pink..except the far walll which I did a 'venetian plaster' paint technique...kind of giving it an artsy-painted-canvas-feel.

black bookshelves, armoire, silver accessories.

that white table is an antique 'ice box' that has an enamel top that's great to cut on & do whatever else on.

love it.

The art quote on the left wall is one of my faves. can't see the whole thing here...but, it's so inspirational to me, i love it.

"Art is the only way to run away without leaving home."

{2}this is my 'mantra' hanging over my computer desk.

it's an altered board..once again, painted with chalkboard paint..then I just had fun with chalk, paint, paper, stamps, & other sb supplies. Lots of transparencies of my digital stuff printed out & adhered...my kids helped me with this..we had so much fun!

{3} computer hub...desk with shelves & tons of CD/DVD storage for my digital kits, cds, photo disks, etc. scanner, printer, idea books, papers, all right there for quick access.

{4} organizational tools: one of my fave pieces of 'organization'...

it's an old bread box..metal...very old, but it keeps my

paper scraps, so I can just go through them quickly & easily to find what I need...

yea, i have paper scraps!

{5} more organizational tools...

white drawer thingy has rubons, tags, stickers, flowers, ribbons, etc...

the big white board is my DEADLINE board... a must have to keep me in line!

{6} art quote & art books: I have TONS of art books that fill these shelves. Love that they are at my finger tips & I can reach for them anytime...tons of inspiration.

{7} chalkboard: ... just a big board painted with chalkboard paint, then I staple gunned the ribbons...those are a few ATCs from my various swaps {lots of PEAS on there! can you see your ATC is being loved? thanks so much!), some photos, other doo dads, & then some doodling with chalk.. so much fun.

**That's it. I have dreamed of a studio for years..wanted one that I would make me smile, foster creativity, encourage experimentation & have a SOUL to it...

I think I've finally got it!

TFS this with me...:)

R