Yes I know it's been a few weeks. I don't think I am asking anything you haven't asked too. Where is the time going? December flew by so freakin' fast it is actually scary. I have been having issues with my computer, Mozilla actually. Then the blog wouldn't let me post for whatever reason so I had to fidget and reload, upload, upgrade, run, save and who know what else. Whatever it is I am finally back.
I sure hope that you have had wonderful holidays so far. If you are in Los Angeles you know that it has been weird cold. I am not a cold weather person so I am very uncomfortable. I am very lucky to have what I need to keep warm, I can't help but think about all those who don't and I wish I can help them all. My friend Linda Offray is the CEO of a The Shepherd's Door a Domestic Violence Resource Center in Pasadena. www.shepherddoor2001.org This year they collected gently used coats for the mother's of the children receiving toys from her program. Often when a woman seeks shelter and help from a domestic violence situation they make sure the kids have their things and mom leaves with the clothes on her back. I found the coat give-away a cause one I had to get involved. I was able to give away a few coats and hope it makes a difference. I imagine coats will be accepted at any time so if you feel so inclined as to want to part with a coat, please contact me via email. sukimoonpie@gmail.com; unfortunately with my computer acting up I was unable to get the word out earlier.
I guess if nothing else I'd like to just share my gratitude for the things I have. I have to tell you, after the fire scare on December 1st I am looking at my material things a little different. Perhaps as 2012 comes barreling in I will sit down and post a few things I am doing differently to be better prepared for emergencies. I did okay for having to evacuate immediately but could do a few things better. Tamara suggested that I share some organizing tips throughout the year. Some of you who know me personally might know that I am a fairly organized person. Tamara wants me to show you pictures of my art room and share my storage ideas to help our fellow artist and friends who are; let’s say ‘clutter friendly or organized challenged. So look for them as the year begins.

Okay friends I’ll catch up with you later.

Whatever you do, do it in color! Suki

Hello friends,

OMG it's almost here. Have you had a chance to stop by the store? It's been pretty busy but that's expected. I will work half day today and then I'm off. I am dreading the crowds I will find at Best Buy. I have been putting off going there because of the chaos I have found in previous years. Aside from that I have been able to find treasures for gifts in the local stores I like so much. Zinnia is always my go to because I like to buy art work as a gift. I also need to finish a few art projects that are just about done.

Zinnia will be open 11am to 6pm on Friday and 10am to 1pm on Saturday. You still have time to stop by and find jsut what you need.

Christmas Crafting... what are you working on?

Hello Friends,
Are you busy with Christmas crafting? I am definitely enjoying it. My post the night that it was super windy turned out to be hectic and kind of put a halt to my creative energy. No worries, I am all better. I feel like I have kept myself so busy that I have not made time for some of things that i am usually on top of, like sending cards and shopping. My job keeps me super busy too. There is a lot going on and I spin a few plates at once all day long. Coming home is a relief and my time to craft.

This year I have a variety of crafts going. I continue to experiment with Shrink Plastic. I made doves that are beautiful ornaments.

I am also making pin cushions...

So what are you making? Please share, I want to know what keeps you busy during the holidays. There is not too much time left for crafting and shopping. Have fun and be safe.
In the meantime, live in color!
Suki

Windstorm Twenty-Eleven

Hello friends, I hope you made it through the windstorm safely. Tamara and several friends of Zinnia were left without power for a few days. There were trees fallen all over the place. There is literally damage to almost every tree on EVERY street in South Pasadena and Pasadena. The San Gabriel Valley was hit hard and I sincerely hope you are getting back to your normal. I personally had my own drama that could have changed my life. I don't want to be overly dramatic but I don't think there is any chilled way to talk about it.
Let me start with the fact that I am fine and so are my fur-children, Sugar, Louie and Chilly. I am fairly organized therefore prepared. I had my flashlight and shoes near the bed. It was just after midnight and I had settled into bed. The winds were blowing like crazy. Suddenly the power goes out. My first thought was, no problem. Then, instantly I heard and saw an amazing explosion of lights. No problem, I thought, let me get up and check it out. BAM!!! All I could see out the window to the back yard was a wall of fire. I AM NOT EXAGGERATING. The wires sparked a fire that caught the bamboo and trees in the far end of my yard on fire. Needless to say that was the biggest Oh @hit moment of my life. There was no time, I HAD to get out. Almost immediately the neighborhood was buzzing. The neighbors came pounding at my door screaming that I needed to get out. They were frantic and with a sense of urgency that can’t be described. The fire was massive and it was in my back yard and only was threatening my house. I opened the front door to let a lady on my porch know I was getting out, they thought I was asleep. I was frantic and every attempt to try to get the harness on Sugar failed. My hands were shaking and my thoughts were all over the place. The woman at the door, who I later learned is Cecilia took Sugar and ran with him. She told me to get going… but my cats, Louie and Chilly had run for cover and I could not find them in the dark. I grabbed the items that I have always filed in my head as the MUST things to grab in a fire. I looked frantically for Louie and Chilly, screaming their names, which I am sure didn’t help. I know I scared them. I tried to calmly call their names but nothing. I was aware that I didn’t have too much time. I grabbed their crates and their food and through them out on the porch. I HAD to go. I left the door open and moved car out of the way so the fire department could get in. I ran back home looking for the cats and grabbing more things filling bags with clothes, medication etc… At some point a group of men came running to the house and asked if I had water back there. I opened the gate and ran past me. They knew I was frantically looking for the cats and told me to keep searching for them. Again I was in the house this time I destroyed my bedroom turning over the bed (their favorite hiding place) but never found them. I had to leave for good now. I left the door open and prayed that they could get out and we could be reunited later. The women in the neighborhood pulled me aside and did their best to comfort me. They got me a chair and some water and said what they could to calm me down. They got me a chair and some water and reminded me to breath. Finally the fire crew arrived and I just got out of the way and hoped that they could put it out. The group of men retreated and I tried to hug each one that came out of the yard. I have no idea who any of them are; there was a man in a suit whose face I never saw. While all this craziness was going on, the wind was destroying the city. I had been able to call my parents who then called my sister who then called Paul and Joey (Zinnia peeps). Paul and Joey and Paul’s brother Mark headed in my direction and arrived with a fire extinguisher and offered hugs and comforting words. My dad had also arrived. After what seemed like forever but turned out to be about two hours a firefighter came out and said it would be okay. By 3:30am I was given the clearance to go in and was able to go back in the house. Chilly emerged soon after I came in but Louie was still in hiding. A few hours later I was able to find him. He was still freaked out, poor baby. It was over but it took me a while to relax. I didn’t sleep again until mid day on Thursday.

Friends I share this with you to share the acts of kindness that I experienced from my neighbors, my community. I have lived here for 11 years and only knew a few of them. Most of them had come running up the hill. Some had buckets, pots and water nozzles. I found a water hose in my yard and don’t know who it belongs to. Paul and Joey, you are my family and it touched me greatly that you came over to offer help. People are good. I am so lucky to be surrounded by people who care.

Please be safe and try to stay warm as we go into winter. Friends that live where it snows… how do you do that? Wow.

Live in color,

Suki

It is a chilly and windy night in L.A. The winds are gusting and stuff is flying all over. It's a good excuse to not go out with Sugar for our walk slash run. Perfect night to CRAFT! Okay, I have to admit that I think I got stung by the Christmas spirit early this year. I have been like Elf (the movie) crafting like a crazy lady. (Since before Thanksgiving, maybe as early as Halloween. Freak) I bought a headband with antlers and wore them all day long along with a stupid cheesy grin. The youth I work with rolled their eyes and laughed, I laughed too. I sincerely hope you are crafting and enjoying your holiday preparations.

Thank you to all of our friends that were able to stop by on Saturday. If this weekend was a sign of what's in store for the holidays then ... Yeah. Zinnia appreciates all of our friends that have supported the store this weekend and every day of the year. We are sincerely grateful for each and every one of you.

I received a comment on the previous post; my list of favorites. Diana added Farrin O' Conner Design Studio in Pasadena. She shared that they have "great jewelry and metalsmithing classes" stone setting and jewelry making supplies. They are located at: 146 West Bellevue Street 626-796-5300 www.farrinoconnerdesigns.com Thanks Diana for the reminder.

Everyone is getting busy with Christmas around the corner... yikes. 31 shopping days left. In my case it's 3o days left to craft and a day to wrap. I try to make it handmade Christmas every year. Like a lot of us 'artisans' I am my biggest critic and sometimes end up making a gift and buying one too. I really need to try not to doubt myself. I've gotten better but I still need to embrace my art. Any hoodle, my point is that I asked the Zinnia gang for a list of their favorite small shops and I didn't get it. Waah! I waited to the last minute being that Shop Small Shops Saturday is tomorrow. I jotted down a few of my favorites below. Try to stop by and check it out if you haven't already. Or check out their websites which I included in the information.


My Favorite Small Business

Lula Mae
100 North Fair Oaks Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91103
626 304 9996
www.lulamae.com
I really like this shop. It's tiny but packed with treasures and unique gifts. They have a cat too. I forgot its name.

The Folk Tree
22 East Union Street
Pasadena, CA 91105
626 795 8733
www.folktree.com
Another shop packed with unusual gifts and treasures. It features handmade crafts from Latin America and Mexico. It has a gallery at the back of the store that hosts local artists. They also are great for Day of the Dead art and nic-nacs for you to make your own. Every corner has something for everyone.

Marz
1512 Mission
South Pasadena, CA 91030
626 799 4032
www.missionmarz.com
This shop is just down the street from us. Unique and whimsical gifts. I've seen things we carry at Zinnia here too however not often. Marz is a sure stop for me for birthdays and Christmas gifting.

San Gabriel Bead Company
375 East Live Oak
Arcadia, CA 91006
626 447 7753
www.bead company.com
This is more of a supply store. I am surprised how many of our customers have never heard of them. They are a bead shop that has EVERYTHING you need to make jewelry. This is like Disneyland for me. I get a little nutty in here and have to take deep yoga breath before entering and say to myself, "Self you have to eat, don't spend all your money here".

What are some of your favorite shops? Tell us so we can support them too.

Stay warm, safe and craft on.
Live in Color!

Suki