I'm Angie Allen, Reno (NV) girl, stationer and mom to Jack and Kate. This blog is a peek inside my studio. From my love of paper and design to kids coloring on the studio floor, share the triumphs, frustrations and inspirations of a family-run stationery studio. I hope to inspire you to follow your own passion through art, photography and family joy... (more)
Phew! My oldest began first grade today. After a summer of swimming, hiking, traveling and unstructured chaos, I welcome the school year and relish returning to a normal work schedule.
Technically I should review last month’s goals before moving on to September’s goals. However, I was a complete disaster when it came to staying on track. My accomplishments include a terrific family vacation, keeping on top of orders and a greater understanding of my camera. Looking back, I don’t think I could ask for anything more.
My goals for September look light, but are quite an undertaking. The holidays are fast approaching and I need to be 100% ready by September 15th. After that date, I plan to promote and create.
{September Goals}
1. Design: Children’s Carnival Invitation
2. Prep: Photograph, edit, post holiday designs
3. Complete: Website/Blog face lift
4. Market: Purchase ad spot on three blogs
5. Continue: Blog three times per week
To learn more about the Monthy Goal Meetup please visit Jena at Modish Biz Tips. Here’s to a productive and rewarding September!
{Interesting Factoid}
First graders cannot smile and look at the camera simultaneously.
Our whirlwind vacation to Santa Cruz has come to an end. It was fantastic. My only complaint is we should have stayed two more days. There was so much to do we never took a moment to kick our feet up and relax.
That being said, here are a handful of my favorite moments. A list of suggestions if you are lucky enough to spend a week on the beautiful Monterey Bay.
10. Eating at Gayle’s Bakery in Capitola. My apricot hazelnut muffin was to die for.
9. Practicing my photography skills
8.Kids learning to identify Brown Pelicans
7. Killer Eggplant Parmesan Sandwich from Zocolli’s Deli in downtown Santa Cruz
Awestruck is the best word to describe the wave of emotion that flows over me every time I step foot in the Monterey Bay Aquarium. We have visited countless times and each time I walk away with greater passion for the MBA’s mission to save our oceans.
This year I went with the goal of capturing the essence of the aquarium on film. Of course that’s not possible, but I’m happy with the photos I was able to capture while chasing a husband and two kids. I used my Nikon D70 with 50 mm and 85 mm lenses. I shot exclusively in manual with manual focus and no flash. Boy, what a difference it made! The only editing I’ve done is cropping to fit this blog space and some minor noise reduction to temper the graininess caused by my ISO setting of 1600.
Clockwise, here are the details of each of the above photos:
Afternoon Kelp Forest Feeding
Sea Nettle Jellyfish
Introduction of the fifth Great White Shark to the Outer Bay tank (Learn more)
Mackerel
My sweet husband as a contestant on the gameshow, “You Otter Know”
Every visit we learn and experience something new and inspirational. It always feels like the first time, which is incredible in our media-filled, short-attention-span world. The highlight of yesterday’s visit was viewing the introduction of the aquarium’s fifth Great White Shark into the Outer Bay tank. She is a 5 foot, 3 inch shark collected by the Aquarium staff off the coast of Malibu on August 12th. She will stay in the Outer Bay tank for several months then be released back into the Pacific. The aquarium’s goal is “to change public attitudes and promote protection for this magnificent and much-maligned ocean predator.” If you have a chance to visit her, take it. She is simply spectacular.
Monterey Bay Aquarium‘s footage of Great White Shark’s transfer into the Outer Bay tank.
Santa Cruz is known for its laid back attitude, open mindedness and healthy lifestyle. I appreciate all that, but what I love is the surfing. You know the age old question asking, if reality was not an issue, what would you do for a living? Well, I’ve always answered orchestra conductor. Today I realized the honest answer is Surfer. I’m a desert rat with minimal coordination and sketchy swim skills, but deep down I know I’m a surfer. Dude.
You can’t beat the excitement of the first day of a family vacation. It’s a feeling that rivals Christmas Eve or the first day of ski season. This morning we bottled the energy of two kids and two parents into a minivan packed to the brim with beach essentials. Our family prefers a road to trip to fighting the stresses of an airport, but today’s commute was a bit trying. After two stops just to get out of town, we hit bumper to bumper traffic beginning at Floriston. Yeah, yeah I know there is always summer traffic through the Sierra, but it didn’t let up until we reached U.C.Davis.
After an 8 hour drive (should have been 4 hours) I’m happy to report, we finally arrived in Santa Cruz with enough time to devour a pizza and hit the pool. While Pete and the kids splashed and flipped and laughed and played I enjoyed this oh-so therapeutic sunset. It’s officially time to unwind.
Summer is quickly winding down. For our family, that means it’s time to close shop and set out for an iconic family vacation.
We’ll be piling into Poppy’s minivan with our bikes, swim noodles and hiking boots, heading to the California Coast. We visit Monterey Bay almost every year. Monterey, Salinas, Gilroy, Watsonville. This year we are exploring new territory: Santa Cruz.
Our number one goal? Toes in the sand. We also plan to hike the Redwoods, search for banana slugs, fly kites, roast ‘smores on the beach and play on the boardwalk. If we don’t return, you’ll know why.
The studio will be closed Saturday, August 22nd through Friday, August 28th. All orders will be processed and shipped the following Monday. We plan to check email sporadically, but if we are struck with a case of surfer-itis, we’ll get back to you when we return.
I spent the afternoon buying school supplies with the kids. A bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils is the first sign of summer winding down. While it’s been a terrific few months, I am ready to get down to business. During our summer break, I was able to focus on new designs to add to our portfolio. Over the next two weeks I will be adding our newest creations to our website and our Etsy Shop.
Above is a sampling of what’s to come. I will keep you posted as each comes available in our shops. In the meantime, enjoy the closing of summer. We plan to squeeze in some Shakespeare at Lake Tahoe, a road trip to Santa Cruz and several more trips to the pool. A perfect end to a perfect summer.
The Handmade Highway is a living, dynamic directory of handmade sellers giving users 1-click access to handmade shops, products, pictures, location, seller contact info, and availability for wholesale, consignment, bulk discounts, custom work and availability for blog features and giveaways. The goal of Handmade Highway is to give buyers and sellers a reliable place to find what they’re looking for.
The directory is the brain child of Lori, a blogger and jewelry artist. Lori also runs the wildly successful Etsy Shop Risky Beads. Be sure to stop by her blog and show your support for the wonderful world of homemade artisans.
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Phew! My oldest began first grade today. After a summer of swimming, hiking, traveling and unstructured chaos, I welcome the school year and relish returning to a normal work schedule.
Our whirlwind vacation to Santa Cruz has come to an end. It was fantastic. My only complaint is we should have stayed two more days. There was so much to do we never took a moment to kick our feet up and relax.
I’m really happy I read that 
I spent the afternoon buying school supplies with the kids. A bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils is the first sign of summer winding down. While it’s been a terrific few months, I am ready to get down to business. During our summer break, I was able to focus on new designs to add to our portfolio. Over the next two weeks I will be adding our newest creations to our website and our 