Classroom Update

The classroom is aaaallllmooosssttt done. Tamara has been working like a crazy woman to get the classroom done so we can resume our classes. It's been a while since our last class and I think we are all in withdraw.

Here are few pictures of the classroom progress.

This is a view as you enter the classroom area. Check out the flooring... look familiar? It's our old countertop. Recycle-Reuse!

Just in case you haven't stopped by we also installed a similar floor behind the counter and as you approach the gallery and the classroom. We used scrap wood we had at old Zinnia. Paint, stencil, tissue paper and fun makes it a pretty cool floor. I thought I had a few pictures handy but I couldn't find any.

Tamara has also been working on the class schedule for some time and as you know she doesn't have anything else going on... yeah right. So far we have 3 classes scheduled for October; Triptich Book with Kelly Kilmer on the Saturday the10th, Book in a Box with Linda (new teacher) on Sunday the 11th and Animal Spirits (new class) with Gina Armfield on Sunday the 18th. For details go to our website and click on the 'class calendar' tab.

Aside from the classes we have out Grand Re-Opening this Saturday October 3rd, 5pm to 10pm and the 350 Project on the 24th. Oh by-the-way, we will be closing at 3pm on Saturday so Tam and I can go home, feed the pets, freshen up and get pretty. We will return at 5pm, Joey will be there too.

Okay, enough for now. I hope you have a delightful week and hope you can make it in soon.

Suki

Big Shout Out to 7 Gypsies

I want to say Thanks to our friends at 7 Gypsies for the nice words on their blog. http://sevengypsies.blogspot.com/ On their post "in search of Good Junk" on September 25th they gave us huge compliments and said some pretty wonderful things about Zinnia.
After reading it I had to check out my stash of 'tissue'... I was delighted to know that I too, have some of the 7 Gypsies tissue from way back. Yeah.

Thanks to Ginny all the way from Ohio for giving us the heads up.

350 Project

Reminder the 350 Project is only 26 days away. If you have any wood panels out, please drop them off at the store as soon as you can. We asked that they be returned by the 1st of October however, if you can't make that deadline please try to get them to us within the next week. Any panels returned really late run the risk of not being included in the project and we don't want anyone to be left out.

So paste, paint, nail, glue and cut to your heart's delight and get your panels in.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us. You can ask your question as a comment on the blog and I will get back to you. Or, you can call the store.

Here are a few samples of some of the panels that have already been dropped off.

Arrrgggg!

I am officially a space case. I can't figure out how to use Facebook. I have an account set up, Zinnia has an account, my baby sister has one. (S'he's 34 so I guess that's okay) I check it out from time to time but still... I just can't figure the send a message to one person only thing. Is that what writing on someone's wall does? How do I send something to just a few people? Can everyone see what I write all the time. Ya, I can't figure that out. I'll work it out. I'm just saying... aaaarrrg! (Insert Scooby sound here)

I am so excited. The 350.org website is working. Last night I received a request from someone who wanted more information about or project after getting our contact information on the 350 site. Hopefully we can inspire more people to come and be a part of the event.

If it makes anyone feel any better about not getting their panels done yet... Mine are not done either. I am STUCK! I keep staring at my wood panels aaaannnnddd, nothing. I did get one done but I am struggling to translate my thoughts onto the other 5 wood panels. Tamara and I played with the idea of hosting a small workshop where all of us 'stuck' people can create together and get the panels done. Perhaps some time in October. Any thoughts?

Shop Cat

Too cute not to share.

We Are Almost There

I guess Summer is really over. I always get a little sad to see Summer end. I'll get over it. After all I am too busy to mope.

We continue to work on the store and prepare for our upcoming events at the same time. This weekend the gallery area of the store was opened up. We are almost there. Our next push is to have the classroom completed sometime this upcoming weekend. I will keep you posted as I know you are eager to see it and have asked when it will be open. We are almost there and I promise it will be worth the wait. All of our supplies will be directly across from the classroom for easy access. If you recall, classes took place in a wide open space and all of supplies were exposed to everyone. Now when you take a class you will have a space to yourself.

Remember to mark your calendars... Saturday, October 3rd is or "Opening Night" the same night of the South Pasadena ArtFest. 5pm to 10pm. Our gallery will have a show of Joe Carrion's paintings and artwork. Joey is a local artist, teacher at the store as well as other locations around Los Angeles. He also works at Zinnia. His work was recently showcased at Vroman's in Pasadena.

ArtFest Event Highlights:
· The California Art Club South Pasadena Plein Air Paint-out Exhibition
· Art Walk 8 galleries/studios
· Live music & entertainment
· Wine tasting, beer garden & food court

If you haven't had a chance to come to ArtFest you should try to make it as it is great night to become familiar with the galleries located in Sout Pasadena. As promised in a previous post, here is the link for additional information: http://www.southpaschamber.com/

One more reminder that any art panels still out must be returned to the store by the 1st week of October.

Live in COLOR.

Going Out of Business Sale

If you are in the Pasadena or Altadena area you might be familiar with Webster's at the top of Lake Ave. If you haven't heard, the card store is going out of business. This is sad to see happen as Webster's was/is a family owned business that has been there forever. About a year or so ago they they divided the store into 3 separate stores and the card shop was renamed Karen's Hallmark. Yada yada, I know, tell you about the sale.
I think it was Becky who told me about the closing when she stopped by store last week. I was able to stop by yesterday and found that EVERYTHING is on sale. 30% off on most, some at 40% off and deals on everything else. The reason I like this store is because they carry a line of scrap booking 'stuff' aside from papers and embellishments they have tools like crop-o-diles, scissors, glues, art knives, acrylic stamps and more. Although I am not a scrapbook er, I sure love all the tools and the great selection of papers. And it's allon sale.

Of course Zinnia sells tools and papers and stuff we do like to support our fellow small businesses. Unfortunately, their sale can be a great bargain for us.

Altadena-Karen's Hallmark Shop
maps.google.com2450 Lake Ave Altadena, CA 91001-2442(626) 797-1166

Alley Cat Brag Pix

These were taken on Saturday. She spent the day sleeping and looked completely out of it. She was vaccinated in the morning. The truth is that I wanted to curl up next to her and take a nap too.

Here is a picture of Alli and a mouse that we received with the new Bethany Lowe merchandise. I guess Alli knows what a real mouse looks like so she is not to amused with my antics.

Alli with a Suki stray sock kitty... ha ha self promotion. Yes, I made that adorable kitty she is hanging out with. You can get your own Suki's stray sock kitty for about $7.00.

The first week was very exciting but exhausting... and I only work there 2 days. Tamara and the Zinnia crew have been busy painting, cutting and building. This weekend the Gallery area of the store was painted and some of the handmade art was hung.
If you haven't heard; Zinnia will have an opening party on October 3rd. Our opening will take place on the same day of the South Pasadena Art Night. As soon as they update their website I will add a link on the blog for you. Also on October 3rd our very own, one and only Joe (Joey) Carrion will have a show of his paintings and artwork on the night of the opening too. Yeah! Have you seen his work? He was featured at Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena this summer, if you missed it then here is your 2nd chance.
If you haven't stopped by the store you haven't seen all the cool Halloween stuff we have for you. On Saturday I unpacked and priced a Bethany Lowe Designs order that was packed with great collectibles. I will post some pictures later this week. Ya ya, I should post them now. Well... I can't so you will have to be patient... you can do it.
For now, I hope that you all have a delightful Monday and rest of the week.

Suki

UPDATES

Yes, I know where have I been? Well, I didn't have a computer for a month and my computer at work has so many firewalls I can't really do any personal business on it. Damn firewalls. :) I got a new computer today so all is well.
So, it's official we are actually open. One third of the store is ready to be seen and discovered. We are still working on our gallery and the classroom. At this point the classroom still has all of our tools and building materials.
If you go to the website you can see the updated pictures of the store along with our new, hipper and colorful logo. I have to give myself a pat on the back because I took the photos. You will also see a picture of our store kitty who is so awesome.
Now for the party... mark your calendars. Saturday, October 3rd. I am not sure of the times but I know we will be celebrating our re-opening on the same night as South Pasadena's Art Night. If you haven't been to this event you should try to make it. More information will be posted as we get it. Basically, it's an event that the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce organizes to highlight all the ART that South Pas has to offer while enjoying music, yummy treats and tasty cocktails.
And lastly, do not forget to get your wood panels for the 350 Project back to us by October 1st so we can include it for unveiling on October 24th. If you have not picked up your panels yet, please call us and we will put your aside. We have already received a few so if you want a peek for inspiration, just ask. As of this past Sunday we had run out of the panels we had on hand however we hope to have more by the weekend.

Re-Opening Postponed due to Station Fire

Unfortunately, I still do not have a computer that I can access and keep you posted on changes and such.
Some of you might have already heard that due to the Station Fire the re-opening of Zinnia has to be postponed until Friday, September 4t at 11am. Tamara and her family were affected by the mandatory evacuations and she was unable to come down to the store for 3 days. Thankfully, everything turned out okay and her house and neighborhood made it through without incident. She felt awful about having to consider postponing the opening but we had to really think of the Big Picture and make sure she and the family were safe.
I really hope you have not had any crafting crisis and that you can wait until Friday. We are very excited to show you the new store and have all of our friends back.
We have added a new member to the Zinnia Gang, here name is Ally Alley. She is about 6 to 8 months old and is adorable. She is a sweet little kitten that adopted us and moved in with great ease. She actually hasn't tried to take off and keeps us company. I am sure she will cuddle up with you if you let her. The store is still dog-friendly so we hope she will get to know our furry friends.
As you can see we have more than a new location. I will try to post pictures as soon as I can.
You can also stop by on Friday to pick up wood panels for the 350 Project. You still have time to get your in.

We can't wait to see you all.