Art Store Adventures

Bailey loves new art supplies.
And cookies held by photographers.

So we had an earthquake... and then we had a hurricane. Needless to say, it's been a week. Luckily yesterday was fairly sunny so we decided to take a trip up to A.C. Moore. We were looking for frames for a few pieces including my cow picture and a print I got from Jessica Swift's Kickstarter project. I also wanted to find some basic linoleum block printing supplies to play with. I came home with none of those things. I just picked up some basics that were on sale. Boo A.C. Moore. They rarely actually have what I want.

I bought this basic Speedball block printing
kit. You can also get it from Blick. 

But it's ok because the story gets better! That is when we re-discovered our lovely neighborhood art store! I was honestly so in love with this store. They had exactly what I wanted plus lots more at reasonable prices. I will no longer be driving 30+ minutes to go to A.C. Moore or Michael's for art supplies. Plaza Art Store is literally a five minute walk and I'm pretty sure they are my new BFFs. That's not creepy right? It was one of those moments where you are like, "uugghhugh, why have I been wasting my time when I could have just walked down the street." Duh.

So needless to say, one of our short term goals is to get a little more screen-printing practice and try out block printing. I think this might be one way I can make cool, hand-made prints to sell/give-away to friends/have just for me. Here's an example of a linocut print I got in Portland earlier this year. I will definitely be sharing as I figure it out! Anyone have any linoleum tips that don't include scrubbing gross stains off 1980's-orange flooring (you could share that too I guess, I'm not picky)?

For the love of pen and paper

It's not like I'm surprising anyone here, but I am addicted to two things: new markers and blank notebooks. Seriously dangerous stuff, I know. So in order to reinvigorate my creative motivation I decided a trip to Michael's was needed. When I was a kid, a trip to Michael's was like a trip to Disney World. I'm pretty sure there was lots of begging, followed by pee-my-pants excitement, followed by running like a sugar-induced-lunatic around the store. I'm sure the teenage store clerks just thought I was so cute.

Mmmm... these fine Staedtler pens are are so lovely aren't they? I'm a strong believer that having the right tools will make me more creative just like how owning running shoes and cute running clothes makes me motivated to go running... uh, kinda. The Snarky Beagle was so excited she decided to take a nap on the notebook I got. This is what she looked like when I woke her up as I was taking the picture.

She was also very unhappy because on our trip to Michael's we also went to Petco where an adoption event was taking place. This look says, "I know you were petting other dogs..."