Super Good Art Stuff

I received some bummer inducing news earlier this week, my application for Kickstarter was denied.

I have been debating about what to do. The reason behind a Kickstarter campaign was to allow the friends and family and random strangers to donate a few bucks, in a legitimate way. [Please don't hand me $3 cash, I will probably end up at a froyo shop.]
Moving forward I think the best thing to do will be to place info on this blog and FaceBook, set up like a Kickstarter page.

The Down Low:
I am opening a small art supplies store in the Tennyson Art District in Denver, CO. My dream is for this to be a warm, fun, community  friendly store, carrying student and professional grade art supplies. I plan to run classes for children through adults- think Painting With Your Pet, Graphic Novel Illustration or Macaroni Snow Flakes. I cant wait to participate in Tennyson First Friday shenanigans.

What I Need:
I need $63,000 to make this happen. That seems like a lot of money, and it is. But fear not, at this time I have raised $38,000 through a grant, gifts and a generous private loan. At this time I am researching SBA type loans.

I NEED $25,000

How Your Contribution Helps:
SBA type loans have very high interest rates. The less I have to pay back, the easier it is for me to financially run a successful business.
The money collected will go toward working capital, fixtures, office equipment  like computers and printers, and inventory.
I have heard a lot of support from friends and family. People telling me that they would like to help me out- if you have $2 to donate, that's fantastic. If you have $100 to donate that's fantastic. If you are broke and want to send well wishes, I would love to hear from you!
If You Contribute:
$1- $25: A heaping spoon of gratitude and an invitation to our grand opening.
$26- $50: Store logo bumper sticker
$51- $75: 4 post cards designed for this project
$100 and up: 1 piece of original art work

CONTRIBUTE

You are making a contribution to ME. This is not a charity, or a non-profit. The money collected will go toward working capital, fixtures, office things like computers and printers, and inventory. A contribution does not make you a shareholder, or in anyway involved with the business. No money will be returned or payed back. You are not guaranteed anything, except the contribution "prizes" as stated above.

I didn't get x-mas cards out this year, so I figured I would go for Happy New Year cards.

 

In 2011 we:
Bought a tent with our REI dividend. On one of the trips an animal stole one of my shoes, in the night. I have now happily replaced them.

Went to NYC for a dear friend's wedding. It was pretty fabulous.

Insulated the crawl space of out house. The floors are much warmer now.

I was able to get new hearing aids, and sent my old ones one to someone who was desperate to have anything. I hope they are serving him well.

Our cats are still cats.

In 2012 we:

Look forward to more home improvement projects.

Getting my store up and running.

Attending a wedding in Madison, WI over St. Patrick's Day.

And, having more camping adventures.

Denver County Fair 2012

The poster for the Denver County Fair 2012 was just realease. I. Love. It.

I am planning to have booth this year and I hope to get a copy of this poster for my self.

ups and downs

Today was a bad day... mainly I discovered that I set some things up incorrectly and trying to correct the situation left me in a temper tantrum aimed at the computer. I think things can be sorted out, but not in the mood I was in today.

On a better note, my husband has decided to start training for a 200 mile relay that is planned for this summer- with a team of equally geeky and out of [running] shape, friends. His usual exercising interests are not of the gym going sort, so the shift to running is new. He is starting with "couch to 5k" and then going from there. I am proud of him for trying something new, committing to this race and recruiting a large number of people for the team.
With the store opening soon, I just cannot commit to this race planned for July. But I am sure it will be great fun.

in other news I have almost 2/3rds of the founding I need to open shop!

New Year- 2012

I woke up this morning feeling like I should do a 2011 reflection post. I realize that this is about the most common thing being blogged right now, but then, this blog is more for me than for my "readers".

In a nut shell: had an epiphany, started working on a projects, went to San Francisco, went to Arcata, got an awesome job that never materialized, Mr. got a new job, played in the garden, went camping- learned I'm not a bad shot, went camping- lost a shoe, lost unemployment, insulated the crawl space, got new hearing aids, finished business plan, started rewriting business plan, went to Long Island for a dear friends wedding, picked up seasonal job, writing, writing, writing, had a really great birthday, had a pretty good and very family filled xmas and New Years.  Now? I'm as I have been saying for weeks, desperately trying to wrap up the second business plan. The end result will be a large grant, and hopefully something solid that will get me a bank loan.

Overall 2011 was a poor year for us. However, it was  a happy year, for me, mentally. I think because for the first time, in a long time I have something I want and am working towards it. I have been more focused on my goal of starting a small business than I have been of just about anything else in my life. It feels right and I know that it is going to work out. I have tons to learn, and will for quite some time. I am excited and terrified.
The next steps? Secure all funding and find a location to lease.

Resolutions from 2011? One of them was to make a bigger effort to capitalize the beginning of sentences. I was spoiled using Word early on, it auto caps a lot of things. However nothing else does and since I'm closer to 30 than 25, it seems like  I should get my typing shit together. I am still working on this, but it is very slowly becoming more second nature again.
The others? Well, I believe there were some half success' and some un-expected things that technically count, sorta.
All in all 2011 was a pretty happy year for me, I found purpose in my adult life, I learned a lot and I'm quite proud of myself.

I cant wait to see what 2012 brings!  


[probably a lot of stress]

Tree

Finally got my xmas tree up this weekend.  It is a cute little tree, and I only had to move 1 chair. ha. :)

Put up lit garlands on the other side of the room, over the pass through. Looking very festive now.  Falkor has decided that he really likes the pine flavored water. Maybe because it doesn't have Kabuki cooties.

Cheers!

Roller Derby Nationals pt. 2

I took a few photos at Nationals with my point and shoot Cannon, as well as a few from the first Team USA practice and scrimmage.

My cheering mates

Fight Club warms up

FC vs Gotham

Team USA practice

Team USA first group photo op

In case you weren't paying attention: Nationals was a bit disappointing, Gotham took the title. World Cup Team USA over powered everyone else in the world. literately.

Birthday Round Up

I had a particularly great birthday week.

It Started with a First Friday where I met some local business people, made connections and networked like an adult.

I spent the weekend in Kearney, Nebraska going junking, and helping my aunt with a little bit of xmas decorating.

The week rolled out Birthday shopping with my mother, where I scored some fab MAC lipstick [Rebel- a purplish berry color that seems a bit like the bad ass version of the color Scully wore a lot.] and a scooter ornament. A trip to the zoo and frozen yogurt with my husband, a 6 coarse dinner party and ended with Dim sum at Star Kitchen on Sunday.
It was quite fabulous.


I am working away on projects and carving out some time this weekend to do some xmas decorating of my own.

Its That Time of Year...

What I REALLY want for my Birthday/ Christmas is to find retail space and all the founding I need to open my store.


What I have learned over the years, is that people like lists, and you are more likely to get what you want because of them. Also, this was fun to make.


 The list I made back in March, still holds true as well.
Other ideas: Vespa anything, Gnomes, bird bath or house for the garden, vintage table cloths, ?

Of course there are some other over priced gadgets that I lust after, but none that I actually need *ahem* ipad2, nook, patagonia down sweater, cannon rebel, wing back chairs, scooter chrome, etc, etc.

further rambling about Nationals.

[from g+]

Hello Derby Weekend!

Its like a 3 day xmas here. We are that excited. Nationals is in Denver this year and our team is defending its claim to #1.

Why?  well, its a weekend full of roller derby. Really good roller derby. It has been part of our lives for almost 3 years now. Its a hard to play, high action sport. Its growing in numbers at an unbleaveable rate, it is so new that rule changes are being made yearly to account for loop holes that have been found and new situations that arise. Its a bunch of women who dedicate between 20 and 40 hours a week to practice, bouts and running the league. Some have never played organized sports in their lives. They wear booty shorts and fish nets, because its fun- and ideal for speed skating in packs, but don't judge them as slutty, they work their asses off- or on, because there is some seriously impressive derby ass out there.

But also, Tim has gotten into it. Its the one sport we both enjoy watching, so his excitement about this weekend is equal to mine.

General admission tickets are still available, the action starts today. If you want to watch online, go to the WFTDA web site, there will be a streaming link.

Roller Derby Nationals 2011

Roller Derby Nationals 2011.

Thats right. They are in our back yard this weekend. Well, Broomfield anyway. We have tickets for all 3 days. Our team is defending its title of number 1.
This is going to be an amazing weekend. It feels like a 3 day Christmas. On top of that we have party plans with non derby friends to fill our evenings.
On top of that Team USA is scrimmaging at RMRGs war*house on Monday, and I'm NSOing.

To kick off the weekend, I woke to this cute card from my husband and mimosa makings in the fridge. <3

Stuffed Animal Project

A friend commissioned stuffed animals from me, as gifts for... people he knows, I expect.

I found patterns on line, and made adjustments. For the most part I feel that this project went well, especially since stuffed animals are hard, and I haven't attempted making one since I was about 7 or 8.

 Elephant- found the pattern here. The directions are a little sketchy. I actually inserted some wire Us in the legs, as they ended up splayed strait out, on their own.

 

Penguins. There was originally supposed to be a frog, but the sample one turned out bad, and frankly there is a serious lack of cute frog patterns out there. So we went with two penguins. I made my own pattern but the idea was originated here. (ok, i can no longer find the site where this originated, i will correct the link if I do. Also the origin of the panda, below.) Super easy, and way cute, this pattern is a win.

 There was a request that the panda have wings. So it does. I do not recommend trying this with corduroy as I did.

Pumpkins!

I only got 3 of 6 pumpkins carved this year. Maybe I will cook the others down for food stuffs- even though they are the wrong kind.

world pop

Yesterday- Halloween 2011, the world population officially reached 7 billion people.

Dia De Los Muetros

A storm is rolling in. We are supposed to see up to 6" of snow in Denver tomorrow. The fall colors are really vibrant right now as the gray clouds roll in. I wish I were spending tomorrow carving my giant pumpkins, but instead I am spending it writing.  Maybe I can get them moved inside anyway.
 Not sure what I want to carve this year. I didn't do any last year, due to the neighbor kids breaking them before i could do anything with them.

As an adult I find myself looking forward to Dia De Los Muetros more than Halloween. Why? I don't know, I don't really celebrate it. Some years I make a small shrine, but at this point in life I don't have many old photos- they still reside with my parents. I think, I just really like the symbolism of the holiday and the celebration. Don't get me wrong, I freakin love Halloween, but this is bigger somehow.

As I said, we have a snow storm moving in. One of my giant marigolds was quite successful this year and is- or was, still blooming away out there. This afternoon I cut all the flowers and strung them into a garland, adding in pretty pink roses. I made a little shrine in the living room. I may only have 2 photos to add to it, but when I look at it, I think about all of the friends and relatives who touched my life in one way or another and are no longer with us.

Pumpkins. I actually have 6. One is out of the shot. Should I do a series? Ideas? Anyone desperately want a giant pumpkin of their own?

RIP Uncle Bill

William Chilvers 1921- 2011

Zombie Crawl 2011

da yard 2011

Every year I like to take spring and fall photos of my yard. Usually in May and September.

2011:

 Spring! I spent a couple weeks cleaning out my garden. I prefer to let the vegetation sit and rot er... compost... through the winter. Two reasons, 1. I am lazy, and tired of working on the yard by late fall. and 2. It it is natural composting for the soil, and gives me something to do in the spring when I am ready to get going and excited about working in the garden again.

 All cleaned out. Old fire pit. Added doors found in the alley and fencing, that I hoped would work as a climbing trellis.

 Shade garden. Added some $1 plants [hosta's, shown here] from the local green house, hopefully I can keep them wet enough.

 Perennial geraniums and quince. unfortunately right behind them is a viscous, invasive shrub, that I am trying desperately to kill. So for now there is a bare patch where I cant plant anything.

 Tulips looking good, before the lavender gets big. Love my evergreen Yugo Pine [below]

 Shade garden is... still alive [above]. New fire pit going in... slowly, and everything up front is looking great. Can you believe this is only the second year for the plants in the front yard? Plants in the back are all from seed.

 September! I always feel that our gardens look best  July through early October, here in Denver.

 Giant pumpkins. A love from childhood. I have 5 out there this year. trying to decided what to carve and if i should give a few away.

The cosmos are a great burst of  end of the year color. They have appeared in light pink, dark pink and white.

Next up:
I am planting purple and pink tulips. I picked up a bag of 50 at  [I am ashamed to say] Home Depot. Money is tight, so that is what I can afford to do right now. I am hoping to add a little bit more spring color to the front garden.
Also, mulching the shade garden for winter. Hopefully the leaves falling off of my giant snowball bush will do it for me.

Steve Jobs

Yesterday we lost Steve Jobs, Apple tycoon, age 56, pancreas cancer.

Market Research Surveys

If you Live in North Denver I would appreciate if you would take a couple minuets to fill out a survey. Thanks.

Art Students

Professional Artist

Hobbyist Artist/ Parents with children

Salida, CO

Last weekend I headed down to Salida with some Roller Derby folks, to ref a bout between RMRG Kill Scouts and Ark Vally.
It was both a fun and horrible trip. Coming off of a cold, I found that congestion + altitude change = complete deafness. it was a bit scary, and I was with a group of quiet talkers who just didn't really "get it." I also suffered my first ever migraine following the bout. My friend Amy came to the rescue with Excedrin and good company. But I had fun sardined into a car with 4 other people for the road trip, meeting new people and having some amazing green chili at the Boat House in Salida.

Looking South over Salida from the "S"

Looking West over Salida from the "S"

A cute blue house with a yellow roof

Stiff Peg Pete with with a Party Boat sized drink

A pretty window box, still in full bloom outside Amica's Wood Fired Pizza