Yeah, new magazines-slash-porn to go through and oooh and aaah. I may or may not have arranged the pictures in the order of my preference. I actually can't decide but I am leaning towards Studio. Call the store if you want us to stash a few for you. 626.441.2181.

Big high-five for the super cool man who made Alley's day on Saturday. This past Saturday I was playing with Alley throwing the ball and watching her enthusiastically chase it and then consider bringing back. Somehow her ball went out the door and I have no idea how, but the little foam ball ended up across the street. Holy moly. The man in the picture said he would go get it for her. I was alone at the store and without his random act of kindness, Alley would have lost her ball. He walked down the street and using the crosswalk to retrieve the ball. Safety first, right? What a nice guy.

Big high-five for the super cool man who made Alley's day on Saturday. This past Saturday I was playing with Alley throwing the ball and watching her enthusiastically chase it and then consider bringing back. Somehow her ball went out the door and I have no idea how, but the little foam ball ended up across the street. Holy Moly. The man in the picture said he would go get it for her. I was alone at the store and without his random act of kindness; Alley would have lost her ball. He walked down the street and using the crosswalk to retrieve the ball. Safety first, right? What a nice guy.

Hello friends,

I've been missing in action. I had a few plates spinning at the same time and had to stay away for short time. I had a car accident... no big I got side swiped by a crazy lady that called the cops on herself and was cited for not having insurance. Three words friends... "uninsured driver's insurance", I am so glad I have it.

I found a dog under a car one night on my way home from work and took a two week stay-cation.

As for the doggy I found; turns out the little guy was most likely abandoned on the hill I live on. I've lived here for 11 years and am familiar with the dogs in the area and I had never seen this one. He was filthy and starving. I took him to the vet and the he said that the doggy is about two and half years old and had never been groomed. He is Spaniel mix mutt, his hair/coat was really long and he had dried concrete through out his hair which was matted and had dreds all over. Here's the crappy part, who ever had him had duc-taped his harness on him and it was not on correctly so it rubbed into his skin. The doc said that he was most likely abandoned after the owner realized that he was high maintenance.

I went to the city animal control and was able to adopt him. He is wonderful and happy and gets along with my two cats Louie and Chilly. His name is Sugar-Roo.

I brought him into my yard, he was exhausted and starving.

After a few meals and rinse off he already looks happy.

I think it looks like he is smiling.

Very distinguished, I cold hardly recognize him.

And this is just him. Happy, silly, energetic and loving.

Enough about me. Things at Zinnia are ever changing. We (Tam) had a wall at the back of the store taken out to have a larger classroom and a better tool work space. I promise to follow up with pictures. Things back there have been a little crazy but eventually everything will have a place. If you have ever taken a class at the store you know how tight the space could get, not anymore. Be sure to stop by and take a peek.



I hope to be able to keep you posted better... more to follow.



Live in color,

Suki

New Magazines Arrived This Week

I have been gone for a week so I have not had a chance to sit and look through each magazine page by page, yet. At the store, Tamara, Joey and I can sit around and talk about our favorite things in each magazine for hours. Tam and I affectionately refer to the magazines as 'our porn'. Tee hee hee. The magazines we got in are listed below along with my 2cents. Enjoy.

Where Women Create... classic, love it, green with envy that my 'where I create' is not as cool as the ones featured in every issue.

Artful Blogging... always has gorgeous images and tons of inspirations

Somerset HOME... love all the cool ideas, in fact this issue has 'over 100 ideas to bring HOME'

Green Craft... soothes the hippie in me and provides lots of great ideas so I too can craft green.

Art Doll... always filled with the coolest creepy dolls sure to inspire the doll maker in all of us.

a litlle Friday inspiration....Vivian Maier

My brother is a big photographer. I realized once while going through family pics that he has been taking the majority of the pictures since the age of 10. He was good at age 10 - annoying.
Anyway, he sent me this link a little while back, and I found it absolutely AMAZING. Vivian Maier, a nanny, a hobbyist photographer who's work has recently been discovered and who is being touted as one of the most important street photographers in the 2oth century.
Take a few minutes and check it out- it is a great story.
http://www.wimp.com/photographernanny/

http://vivianmaier.blogspot.com/




She did loads of self portraits- these are just 2. Now get inspired, get your camera, get out and start seeing!

Michael DeMeng at Zinnia

Technical difficulties... this was suppose to have posted earlier in the week.

Whether you have stopped by the store, visited the website or received our weekly emails, you are aware that Michael DeMeng was in town this past weekend. What a nice human. It was wonderful to have his energy and the buzz it created at the store this weekend. Tamara and Joey joined the class on Saturday and created their Lonely Hearts. I on the other hand spent the day with Paul who filled in for Tamara. That was fun because he makes me laugh and since we go way back (over 20 something years) most of the laughs were from us reminiscing about our shenanigans over the many years. I captured a few pictures of the one of Michael's classes in progress and a few of some of his very special pieces of art he had available and for sale.
Thanks to Tyn for hosting a cozy dinner gathering to share with Michael and a few friends. When she said "shrimp boil" and added that she was just going to dump in in the middle of the table, she was not kidding. Freaked me out a little, since I honestly had never heard of it, yummy nonetheless. Thanks Tyn

Who knew? Now I know what to do with my old and tattered paint brushes.