Creative Weekend!

Wow... What a busy weekend and I'm tired.. (Yawn). I wanted to share some pics of some very creative people! These amazing women were creating till midnight and I am impressed with all their talent. As always, when I think of myself as an artist, I am humbled in the presence of truly artistic individuals.  Enjoy!
BTW.... They brought the best food and shared with me!!! Thank you. YUM....

Howdy Cowgirls!!! June Classes are Here!

Again, I want to thank everyone for all your support. Although May was a little slow.... I get it. We are all gearing up for weddings, graduations, summer sports and vacations. That being said..... Now you all probably have a ton of pictures that you need to get creative with.

If you would like to be on the mailing list for the class schedules and haven't been into the store to sign up, just drop me a email @ lazycowgirls@gmail.com and I'll get you set up. Remember we do have a Facebook page. Please be sure to "Like" that. I get most of my info out on FB @ Lazy Cowgirl Crafting and this blog.

I'm really excited that I have a few designers joining me this month. You may know them from Green Tangerines in Rocklin. Although Kelly has left to be with her family in Colorado, you still can get some great instructions and classes from some of her best teachers.
Mary Rude is teaching a mixed media card class  on June 8th. Here are the samples. These are beautiful!!!!

And Laura Clark will be teaching A Travel Journal book on June 15th featuring Teresa Collins Designs. It's an amazing book that can be adapted to any destination. I always suggest people take their travel journal with them on vacation and a few "tools" and add your mementos while on vacation and then put the finishing touches on when you get home.

 

We have a number of other classes so check out the calendar and give me a call to sign up. FYI.... I only have 1 (maybe 2) spots left for the Cigar Box class so if you're thinking about it, dont wait. :)
Hey Everyone......Enjoy your crafty day!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Hello All.
I hope you're having a wonderful start to the day. I'll be spending the day with my mother since I have been neglecting her throughout this journey of mine. I'm looking forward to just relaxing!!!
I wanted to share this coming week's classes with everyone.  May 14th and May 28th - 6pm to 8pm. Class Cost: $25.00 per session
One Time Material Fee: $14.00 for Mixed Media Journal
I'm over the top excited about Nancy's Art Journaling class. This is an ongoing class will be held twice a month where you'll explore different mediums and your own thoughts. Of course this is a "free style" class where everyone will create their own perspectives! :) I might just join in.
Here's a few samples:

 

And... Beginning Card Making Class.... May 16th - 6pm to 8ish $20.00.

Again, our continued series of card classes. I'm teaching this class using Teresa Collins' Timeless line. Beautiful Pinks, blacks and greys (not fifty though). I loved creating these "Soft" cards with various folds. Woohoo! I WAS ABLE TO CREATE AGAIN!

 

and yes, Life is Beautiful. Happy Trails!

 

 

New May Classes

Hi Everyone!, It's me, Pearl. :) I'm finished with the pity party and now we're onto May. As most of you know tomorrow is National Scrapbooking Day and I see all over the web, everyone is gearing up to get creative. We have the Barn set up for our own Crazy Cowgirl Craft and Crop and I can't wait to host my first event. AND..... we sold out! Wish me luck!
I've schedule all the May classes and I'm so excited to have new product coming in the store weekly. But I can't lie..... I'm tired. A good tired. A good feeling. A good sense of energy. The weather is beautiful and I'm moving forward with my dream.

Live

Love

Laugh

Scrap!!!!!

 

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

 

Reflection

Wow.... As I sit here alone in the dark at 3am (No, I don't sleep much anymore), I'm reflecting on the past six weeks and what I loved, lost,forgotten, failed at and succeeded at since I started this journey. I've cried alot, I've neglected alot, I've learned alot and boy have I made mistakes. But through it all, I've had great support from my friends and family and I thank them dearly. I had a complete breakdown last night over personal stuff and my best friend, Marla was there. Even though she is going through her own life issues, she didn't hesitate to come to the Barn and just listen. I love you for that, Marla!
I don't get to see my mother much and I know she feels it. She visits the Barn as much as she can but has some physical issues we all get from aging and that stops her sometimes.
There are many things I've neglected and I'm trying to find a good life/work/hobby business balance in this craziness. But I'm trying.
On the brighter side (yes there is one), I've met some amazing creative people. They have come into the Barn and have been so supportive, friendly, and forgiving. I treasure you all (even though I can't remember everyone's name) and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
To my friends at my regular job (the one that pays the bills).... I had no idea how excited you all were for me and how you came out to support me. My work has suffered too through this (shhhh, don't tell) and I'm getting back on track now.
I still love it, It's getting busier as the weeks pass. I realize I can't do it all and I have to learn what can wait and what can't (I'm not good at that either). And I've learned I can't please everyone. There's always those who wish me to fail for their own personal reasons and I can feel that from them but Teresa Collins (ya, I just name dropped) told me "Failure is not an option" and I believed her! But sheeesh, I'm tired.
I know this sounds like a pity party but that which doesn't kill us, makes us stronger! I don't regret opening the Barn at all! It's been crazy fun!
I'm learning which hands to shake and which hands to hold in this journey.
Love to you all from Poor Pitiful Pearl! :)

Overwhelmed with Gratitude

I'm using (stealing) my dear friend Sandee's format for her blog.  Her blog is In the Hills of North Carolina. She has become a wonderful friend and a HUGE supporter thoughout this journey. Thank you Sandee!

Definition of GRATITUDE

: the state of being grateful : thankfulness

 

I am so grateful to everyone who came out to support me on March 16th! We had a great day and I met so many friendly peeps. I hope you all enjoyed the make n' takes. I totally bought way too much salt water taffy sooooo.... We'll have a candy dish in the studio for months.

Again, No pictures, No announcements, No classes, Just Plain THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

Truth and Trust!

LOVE YOU ALL!

Grand Opening

Hi Everyone:

Thanks for following along with my dream. I opened the doors on Marth 16, 2013! I had so many friends and family stop by but even more amazing is that I had a few people waiting at the store when I opened. So blessed!!!! I'm not going to say much..... Just sharing the pics. Thank you all for your support!

Are you still with me????? I'll be posting all this week of the new classes and projects. Come by and say howdy!

 

An Awesome Beginning!

Hi Friends! Old and New!
This morning I'm reflecting on what a wonderful day I had. The store opened and I really did have people waiting at the door. How exciting is that? I can't thank my family and friends enough for being there to support me. I could never have done this without all of them! Rick, Barie, Marla, Mike, Kathryn, Nick, Dena, Jan,Gwenda, Paula, Ted, Jim, Chris, Linda, Lori, Barbie, Mom (who was so sick she couldn't come), Donnie, and everyone else who came and visited.

 

Those of you who are local. We started Friday off with a segment of Good Day Sacramento and Julissa Ortiz. She was so much fun AND a crafter. We had a blast and you can watch the segments here and here and here

My Crafty friends Marla and Dena who got up at the crack of dawn. Ok, Dena doesn't think she's a crafter but look at her tiles!

Jan and her beautiful Quilling

Paula... Having an awesome time!!!!

Our Camera Man Scott, who was sooooo into the craftiness (NOT)!

THANK YOU EVERYONE! I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU!

I'll post more pics from the Grand Opening tonight...... I have to go to work! :)



If you're in the area......

Come on down for a visit. I'll have the coffee on and donuts waiting. Ok, Maybe I'm not starting off so healthy with the donuts but I'm sure I'll need the sugar high!
 I finished (with the help of my friends and family) cleaning and shining everything and guess what I forgot? An "Open" sign. Kinda need that huh? That's the beauty of having a studio, I'll make one when I get there. Here's a few pics of the Barn. Thank you all for your support!

Mixed Media

The register area needs a bit of work

WOW

My Dear Friend Janet made this for me. Beautiful!

So Far Behind....

in posting and I'm sorry. Holy C....... This has been a ride! I'll try to catch up and not spend a ton of time writing (so you don't have to read). Most everything in the store is "used" except the tables and chairs in the studio area. I visited a retail outlet store and picked up some great items but, they had to be painted...... Ok, I love the spray gun, took me about 4 hours to spray these items.

 
These are in the store now and full of merchandise. More pics to come.... I gotta catch up!
BTW....I'm overwhelmed by everyone's support. It's been amazing how many people are excited about my adventure. I love my friends, family, co-workers (yes, I have a full time job) and total strangers who say "Go For It!"
I appreciate all of you!!!!!!!!!! I swear I do! The "Barn" will be open this weekend March 9th!

Tired!

I know I've been missing in action and I haven't had a chance to create (I really miss that). I come home and crash after working at the barn but I'm on schedule for a soft opening on March 2nd and grand opening on March 15th. Woohoo! Even though I am really tired, I'm so excited to fulfill this dream. Again.... I do miss creating.

Sooooo..... I'm really proud to say that almost everything in my shop is 'used" or repurposed. The only new stuff I have are the tables and chairs in the studio area.  Sorry about the terrible quality.... The sun was shining everywhere.

OK, I'd be lying if I didn't say I LOVE this area.

I went to a gi-normas used retail warehouse in Sacramento and picked up some less than perfect fixtures. All it took was a little flat black paint and a spray gun and I was happy.

I couldn't resist putting some paper in the rack just to see what it looks like. Both these racks were white.

Yea, I don't like the blue carpet but replacing it was a little too pricey. I keep telling myself, do I want carpet or product? There are a lot of those dilemas I run into these days. Just like getting the whole "Quickbooks" package. $2300 for the entire package (register, barcode maker and scanner and software) and it would make my life easier but sheeeesh, that's a huge amount right now. Product or Quickbooks? Product. I'm going with the $250 Quickbooks software and hopefully, I'll be able to upgrade in the future!

Ok Friends, thanks for stickin' with me. Nighty night!

Painting Painting and Painting

I have been at the Barn (that's what I'm calling it) every day this week trying to get this party started.
We are in full blown painting (not the creative kind) mode of the shop. My family has shown up with enthusiasm to help. My brother calls it "his" scrapbook store and is a stickler for perfection. I'm so thankful for everyone's help. Friends are making coat racks and my SIL loves painting black trim!

This was the first thing we put up after painting. My brother picked this out and brought it to me as "store warming" gift!

Here are a few pics of the classroom area before and after. I'm not crazy about the carpet and I'm hoping the owners will pitch in with a little allowance otherwise I'll have to live with it for a while. :)

 Before and After of the retail area and my brother working hard!

I am so thankful for my family! More to come!