It's getting printerlicious in this studio

Listening to Lily Allen right now via Pandora. Her music never fails to put me in a sarcastically upbeat mood. Writing this intermittently as I'm trying to find an unobtrusive spot in my ever-evolving home studio for the newest electro-mechanical device to be inducted into my service.

The benefit of being forced to turn my workstation/closet inside-out to make room for printer is that I can maybe probably finally figure out what organizational tools, exactly, I need to--well--organize my crap. Dude! Ace of Base totally just started playing--"Don't Turn Around," to be specific. It almost brings me back to my twelfth year of life, seventh grade. And The Sign was, like, the first CD I ever owned. Still have it, in fact. Not really feeling the need to use first-person subject pronouns.

Back to my crap: I have lots of it, and despite my natural inclination toward neatly containing stuff, it is all simply stacked and stashed in makeshift organizational tools, like a disused dish drainer and one of those monitor-elevating/ CDs-and-other-crap-holding/ keyboard-stashing devices, turned upside down--for what reason I chose to turn it upside-down, I cannot say.

Anyway, making room for Neville--as I have christened my brand-spankin' new printer--is just the thing I have been needing to do for a long time, but would prefer to avoid, as it will inevitably mean having to go out and purchase folders, and sorters and boxes, which means going into the section with all the organizational thingies. This is generally bad for my pocketbook and very boring for Keith, who usually gets dragged along, because--being a neurotic perfectionist--I am a little obsessed with organizational thingies, and tend to shop the organizational thingies aisle the same way I shop the ice cream aisle: First, I'll walk up and down the entire section, taking quick mental inventory of the size and scope of the stock. I usually have an idea of what I'm looking for, so I'll check out what's available that will suit my specific momentary need. And then I'll scan everything again, more carefully, just in case there's something else that might work better. Or might be useful in the future. Or looks delicious. And, as I say, it always takes too long and costs too much. But it feels sooooo gooooood.

That's what came out of my closet. Amazing, right?! And yet there's still more. I think I might need help. Or a hip 30' x 20' attic studio.

So, while we're waiting for Neville's drivers to finish installing, why don't we take a look at what other pretty things arrived at my doorstep today?!

First, I received these awesome screen printed napkins by Michelle Brusegaard, which I purchased from her Etsy shop. I wish I could screen print. Well, okay, I have all the tools to screen print, or at least to get started--silk screen, ink, drawing fluid, diazo, squeegee, et cetera; I'm just too chicken to do it. Can't explain why. I was planning to give the green set away as a gift (the yellow ones are MINE ALL MINE), although when I took them out of the envelope I was inevitably seduced and thought about keeping them, but thought I'd be good anyway and give them as I'd originally intended. But then Keith saw them and was also seduced and demanded that we keep them for ourselves. And then The Lord chased the man and woman out of the garden.

She also included her super-cool business card, which I'm going to keep forever and ever and ever in my inspiration file. Because I dig that design element in the top right corner. And I'm really, really into yellow and gray right now. And yellow/beige/brown/black. Who else out there puts together color schemes for fun and enjoyment? Please? Anyone?

I also received this Stockholm Floral Apron from Anthropologie, which I've been coveting for a while, and since I was ordering a wedding gift from them anyway... It looks good on me, non?

And though he may shake his head at my semi-impulsiveness and weak justification, I'm certain Keith will attest to the fact that I seriously need the apron. And not just to ease my insatiable lust for all things beautiful, or yellow, or beautiful *and* yellow. I need it because I'm like a flour magnet in the kitchen, particularly when I have the misfortune of wearing a black sweater or jeans. And if I'm wearing both black sweater and jeans, pfff, just go ahead and dump the bag over my head. In reality, I really probably need something with a bit more coverage, like this:

But the apron'll do for now. (I also wear an apron, albeit not as pretty--but wait 'til I bust out with the serigraphy--when I'm printing because, yes, I make a mess of myself doing that, too. And painting.)
* * * * *
Another busy weekend ahead, and unfortunately--once again--none of it involves anything paperlicious, although it does involve driving to Baltimore and back twice (gasalicious), crocheting a blanket (yarnalicious), a 50th birthday (birthdaylicious), Father's Day (dadtastic), and a 5K run for the American Red Cross (runalicious). They call it the "Out for Blood" run. Which has nothing to do with why I signed up. Nothing. at. all.

Looks like Neville's all set with his software and registration and all. Ahh, Norah Jones duetting with Ray Charles. What a lovely way to finish. I'll start hazing Neville tomorrow morning perhaps, you know, testing his mettle before officially inducting him into the studio. A printer's gotta earn his place.

And with that, I bid you adieu.