Sleeping Dogs Studio

…OK, I admit, there are LOTS of places in the world I’d like to live.  I envision myself making art in an old crumbling barn in Tuscany…or drawing inspiration from the mountains of Montana…or working to the sound of a trickling stream in Vermont!

But Bloomington, IN and the surrounding area is pretty special too.  I sometimes take it for granted…and then I see a post like this and remember why we’ve lived here for 22 years.

AAA Article regarding Bloomington and Brown County, IN

If you haven’t visited, you really should – the vibrant fall leaves changing are famous all over the country, and Brown County awaits!

…it’s hard for me to believe that this group of soccer players we’ve known since our son was 10 is about to have their last home game and celebrate Senior Night at the local high school.

My husband has coached many of them during the spring travel season as well, so it’s particularly bittersweet to think of how they’ve grown; and of them all heading off to separate colleges and soccer programs next year.

They’ve made a good team and group of kids for so long that it will be weird to not think of them playing together anymore!  And so goes the inevitable passage of time – here’s hoping all will meet with the same success and drive they’ve shown over the last 8 years in their future lives and careers!

Not too long ago I referenced a blog entry about motivation from an organization with a wonderful concept – namely that we all need to ensure that the “Mom and Pop” store around the corner doesn’t disappear.

Its name comes from the concept that if 1/2 of the employed population picked 3 independently-owned local stores per month; then spent $50 in those shops instead of larger, chain stores, over $42.6 billion in revenue would be generated.

Their web site notes:  “For every $100 spent in locally-owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.  If you spend that at a national chain only $43 stays here.  Spend it online, and nothing comes home.”

It’s a very creative and growing movement that’s been noted by CNN, Country Living magazine, the Washsington Post, the Discovery Channel, and FOX news to name a few – so jump on board!

Check out more at their web site:  http://www.the350project.net/home.html

…yes, unfortunately, the Blog was sorely neglected last week as we finished the holiday orders that started to pour in.

As a result, faithful readers, I offer you a special give-away this week.

4" X 6" Frame

 The 4″X 6″ frame above comes in the lively colors that Sleeping Dogs Studio is known for – blues, greens and reds, all in one bright, beautiful combo!

But that’s not all!

4" X 4" Frame

 With the 4″ X 6″ frame comes another, coordinating frame in our most popular 4″ X 4″ size.

The duo makes a great set for showcasing family or friend photos together.

This is a $56 value, so sign up now! 

A winner will be picked at random from readers who enter a comment with the words “Give-away – 10/1″ in the copy prior to 5 p.m. ET on Friday, October 1st.  The dogs and I will pick a winner on Fri. evening and post it then.  Good luck all!

Craft Company No. 6, Rochester, NY: 

It was really two photos on their web site that convinced me that Craft Company No. 6 was the perfect place to potentially show our work: 

 Just check out that store facade!  I’m not kidding when I say I almost booked a flight to Rochester on the spot.  Craft Company No. 6 used to be a firehouse, and has been converted into several levels of fantastic and colorful gift items. 

In addition, they have five – count them FIVE – store dogs!  This one photo of Ernie, however, kind of sums up how they feel about their canine companions (the pillow says “Home is where the dog is”): 

Owners Lynn Allinger and Gary Stam, and Sales Associate Molly Stearns are great people with a great store.  

They are craftsmen themselves, even going so far as to build a log cabin WITHIN the store itself!  No kidding!  Check out the store photos on their site to see more… 

It’s worth a special trip to Rochester just to see it for yourself!  Or, you can catch more of this truly unique gallery on their web site at www.craftcompany.com. 

Twisted Sisters, Indianapolis, IN  

Yes, this great store really IS owned by two sisters, Linda Morgan and Teresa Fahrbach.    To borrow a review from a local blog, their store is probably best described this way: ”Many people would classify Twisted Sisters as an ’Art Fair in a box’. 

If you’ve been by this store:  

Or seen this logo:  

Then you know Twisted Sisters!  

What you may not know is that the inside is just as colorful and whimsical as the outside.  

Or that they have three lovely poodles keeping them on their toes each day while working!  (In order below, they are:  Izzie; Mya; and Nada.)  

Obviously, they are another Sleeping Dogs Studio “fit”, and we are glad to be working with them!

…(see last post!), we seem to be living here non-stop – I’m thinking of buying a home here, actually! 

So let me take our limited time as an opportunity to share with you some of my absolute favorite blog posts from others – hopefully, you will find them as helpful as I do!

I have mentioned Kelly Rae Roberts here before – she is an artist whose work ethic and way of looking at the world I really admire.  And talk about overwhelm – in a week or so, she is due to deliver a beautiful baby boy!  Yet she’s keeping it all in perspective, and ensuring that she pays attention to the things that matter most to her – her upcoming role as mother, her artwork, her family – she does a better job of juggling than most!

"She learned to cup possibility in her hands..." By Kelly Rae Roberts

I particularly liked today’s blog post about apologies – I think there is a lesson there for all of us.  You can find it here:

Kelly Rae Roberts – \”On Apologies\”

Enjoy!