Looking Forward

Look, I made a planner out of a Dollar Tree notebook! I have way too much time on my hands...

Now that my home is in order, I feel like I can move forward. I've applied to five different places for work and have a few more on the list to try if those don't pan out. We're a bit anxious about money, it's pretty expensive down here, and most positions are for part-time work... In the meantime, I'm trying to focus on Scoutaroo, which has been neglected the last few months. I have a few ideas I'm excited about, some new goals, and a clearer direction!

So, you can expect more activity around here, a resurrection of the "Saturday Sketchdumps," regular postings of my incoming and outgoing mail starting on Monday, and lots more Scoutaroo stationery for you to enjoy!! During the next few months I'm really seeking to improve on what I have... any and all suggestions are appreciated! What can Scoutaroo do for you? What would you like to see that other stationers haven't provided? And on that sneaky secret project... I've just begun writing to some of my penpals about it, but it's still very much in the beginning stages and not yet ready for the light of day...

Lastly, a note on the No Internet thing: obviously (I am ashamed to admit), I have gone back to my old ways! Glued to the screen, nothing to show for it but guilt and discontent. This ends tomorrow... back on the horse! I do think that 15 minutes is a bit impossible when I'm trying to run an online business. It served a purpose for a time and I'm glad I limited myself so much, but it's a bit needless and unrealistic for what I'm trying to accomplish. However, I still have the same problems, and I'm still not well equipped to deal with them. It's a work in progress.

I'm looking forward to your ideas and input on current Scoutaroo products and what you hope to see in the future!

♥ Ciara Kay

P.S. Oh, here's a coupon code for $5 off your purchase of $20 or more in the shop: MOVING5. Out with the old, in with the new! :) And don't forget, I have a surprise planned for the 100th sale!

Before We Begin...

by dearlittleredhouse

Our adventure in Santa Cruz starts tomorrow. The place we applied to on Tuesday approved us within hours, and we spend another day driving down to sign the lease and drop off a carfull of our stuff at our new apartment. Today we've been doing nothing but packing and saying goodbyes to a trickle of friends and family who have stopped by throughout the afternoon, and now we're out of boxes! Jamie and his "little" brother (13 years old and already 5'11"!!) are picking up some more, so I'm taking the opportunity to reflect.

I have high hopes with this transition. I like starting new things, having a blank slate, for the same reason I adore new sketchbooks, all of that potential staring back at me from those empty pages, daring me to try something different. We have at least five years to really sink into this community, to get involved, to make friends and grow and learn. I intend to make the most of it. This is as close to a five-year-plan as I will ever get!

Five Things I Will Do With My Time In Santa Cruz

1. Meet people
2. Have dinner parties
3. Quit my day job
4. Draw
5. Watch the sun set over the Pacific

It will be grand.

♥ Ciara Kay

Craft Show Crazies

Ok, quick little update on my craft booth progress! I've taken a few instagram pics (I've decided to get an ipod upgrade so I can use Instagram more; right now I'm using a tablet, which is pretty clunky & inconvenient), and I've made a LIST. My favorite thing!

Here are the bare bones of my booth:

And my "sale" box, haha! All cards (except Mother's Day) half off at the booth!

And my growing pile of upcycled envies, which I will probably start selling in the Etsy shop when all this is over.

Stationery display!

Cute cardboard cloud cut outs I made for my backdrop.

My thrifted fabric banner in progress...

Still to do:

• Finish the banner
• Make a few paper garlands
• MAKE MORE ENVELOPES
• Rest & relax before Saturday!!

I think I can manage all that in the next few days. :) I'm getting excited!!

I'll post about the show on Monday, but I'm not sure if you'll get another blog post out of me until then! On Sunday (Mother's Day) we are going down to Santa Cruz to check out a potential housing situation. I believe I have failed to mention on here that we chose UCSC as Jamie's graduate school and we will be moving there at the end of July! Yay! Today's weather in Chico reminds me of Santa Cruz... cold, misty & overcast! In a word, glorious. ♥

Wish me luck for this weekend!

♥ Ciara Kay