The { A } List.
Tags:Oh man, I have encountered so many cool things lately! It has been a good last few weeks.
First off, questions about my new computer (no photo yet Cath). It is a G5 and HOLY COW it is so freakin fast. I don't think they are offering the G5's with the intel chip yet (you can get it in the iMac and the new MacBook). In the case of my computer I am happy to not be right on the cutting edge - there are always so many things that need to be worked out and cleaned up on a first release. I used Photoshop this morning and everything was instantaneous. No waiting for it to save or complete actions. I could not be any happier. I also got a tablet for my computer - the one recommended by Rhonna - looking forward to playing with that as well.
And on to the list:
• There is a brand new shopping complex in Lake Oswego (south of Portland) called Bridgeport Village. It is divine (and expensive). Lots of very cool stores there. I stopped to check out a paper store and ended up finding all sorts of cool stores.
• One of the stores I had the pleasure of experiencing is LUCY. Super comfortable exercise/yoga/sports casual clothes. The best thing? They have tops in lengths. This is huge for me. So many tops are just too short. These pants are so, so wonderful. Makes me want to do yoga. Happy pants.
• The paper/gift/stationary store I checked out is Oblation Papers & Press. It was a happy, happy store. Cool sheets of printed papers and lots of cool examples of letter press work they have done on their press in the Pearl. You will probably see some of those papers on layouts soon. Once again, makes me want to move to Portland. There are so many inspiring, wonderful, freakin cool things to experience up there.
• A book that I have been waiting so very long for was finally released at the beginning of this month. Alphabetica by mixed media artist Lynne Perrella is totally inspiring and visually exciting and makes you want to stay up all night to soak it all up. Basically it is the visual story of alphabet circle journals and the resulting awesome books. You know I love alphabets. I am happy.
• It's About Time stamp set from Stampin' Up(on page 10 & 11 in the catalog). Seriously cool. Love the quote stamp that comes with it as well.

• This totally cool artist: Janeen Koconis who creates a line of word + image art goodies called KOCO NY. Cool little article here. If anyone can find out more about this artist can you let me know.
• Brokeback Mountain. Have you seen this yet? You should. It is a powerful film. It hits at the heart of all of our humanity. It is haunting. It is beautiful. It is sad. It is life. See it.
Ok - I have to get back to work. Finishing up a column today, packing up stuff to send down to CA for classes this weekend, and putting all my content into my Week In The Life album. Just a few things to do LOL.
Happy Tuesday!

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42 comments
LOVE Alphabetica!! My copy just arrived and I have been drooling over it! Read that you were going to CHA - right on!! I will be there too!! Happy Tuesday...and congrats on the g5!!!! If only my g4 imac was in need of replacement, sigh...:)
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Ooh - I went to Bridgeport Village with a girlfriend back in October. We just planned to go to Crate & Barrel, and ended up spending the whole day there. I actually had just started emailing you about your class here at that time and I bought a present for you at one of the stores there. Aren't you dying to know what it is? You'll just have to wait until you come in March... tee hee! I also LOVE Portland.
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Sounds like you are enjoying the new computer. Isn't it great when these things make us smile so much?!?
I just ordered that stamp set and am anxious for it to get here as I really want to use it in my circle journal. It looks so cool - can't wait!My journal theme is "simple pleasures", and "time" is one of my entries.
And thanks for the recommendation on the Alphabetical book. I've been looking to my collage books recently and this one looks like it needs to get added to the collection as well.
Have a great Tuesday!
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i love those KOCO cards! i bought that exact one plus about 4 others in a tiny little seaside town back home in australia! if you do find out more about her, let me know as i've tried looking before.
em
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I love Oblation Paper & Press. I love the whole Bridgeport Village experience. I work part-time at The Container Store. :) So wave to me when you see me there okay? I noticed that you had a Kauai Coffee Company poster on that picture. My sister lives in Kauai and we took back some of that coffee. Yum.
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mmm. always a feast to travel through your linkage.
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Ali-
Just googled Janeen!!!! So many hits for her come up. WOW!! She is delightful, inspiring, inviting, and exciting to look at. Check it out!
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Hey Ali! :) I have a set of much loved notecards featuring Janeen Koconis's art. I have tried searching for more info on her -- but there's not a whole lot out there. I will have to scan and share the cards with you. They are really cool. You can see one of them on this really old layout of mine. (that I surprisingly still love. Love it when that happens!) http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=121696
-Shelley
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*i couldn't agree more about "brokeback mountain" - it was such a hauntingly beautiful film!
*hearing about all these yummy stores makes me with i lived far west of wisconsin!
*congrats on the new computer- can't wait to see the creations it helps you imagine!
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oh baby!
a G5!!!!
oohh man...you lucky girl! tell me how you love it, k?
& can't wait to see what you do with that tablet...you'll have so much fun!
I just had someone send me the link to Christine Smith's 52 figments...looks cool! happy to see it on your links!
have a great day, girl!
:)
R
p.s....did you ever get that stuff?
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love the art ali!
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I can't take any more cool Portland references! I'm literally counting down to moving there at the end of June. I absolutely can NOT wait!
Oh, and happy Tuesday to you too! Glad to hear you're enjoying your sweet new Mac. :)
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Thanks for the tip on Alphabetica- I have such a fetish for alphabets. Will have to check this one out.
Great LO, too.
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i love oblation paper! I went there with my mom the last time i was in portland. I loved their ribbon rack and wrapping papers too. Im excited for my next trip to oregon so I can go back.
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Hi Ali! I want to see that movie!!!! Glad you liked it. I've talked to you about this before but wanted to know if you've rented the movie "CRASH" yet?? If not, YOU MUST RENT IT!! It's another MUST SEE!!!
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what an exciting shopping experience - i'm so excited for you! thanks for sharing your {a} list with us too! just added some of those books to my amazon wishlist - will need to drop hints to my hubby again - 'his' bday is in feb. - wonder if he will get ME anything for HIS bday - tee, hee!!!
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I know the owners of Oblation. What a small world.
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hello? are we leading parallel lives or something? well, maybe not lives but weekends at least...we were in portland this weekend, bridgeport, oblation, lucy, we saw brokeback mountain & i drooled over that alphabetica book @ powell's....funny!...(i also have a card set with that KokoNY drawing, did you see her calendar @ oblation? super cool)...we had a awesome weekend, glad to hear that you did too;)...have a lovely day, my friend...
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hi there!
WOw an apple, you lucky girl!!! I just bought myself an wacom tablet too, which one do you have? I haven;t used it yet but they say it works great, can;t wait to play too.
corinnexxx
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Wow! I just bought a tablet today!! I ended up getting it on Ebay for the best price. I can't wait to try it and I can't begin to imagine what you're going to do with yours!
Thanks for the link to the Alphabetica book...I'll have to save that to purchase later.
Have a good day!
Suzanne
(CKU Stamford Recreational Liar)
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