Den10studio

Art & Running - Found in Two New Places...

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Sun, 03 Feb 2013 16:27:00 +0000

[den10studio.com]

[runningtome.blogspot.com]

New Running Blog

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 19:39:00 +0000

Running To Me Blog

[here]

New Blog

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:43:00 +0000

Isn't it exciting?

A brand new year?

A fresh start?

A clean slate?

As you know, I have a brand new website (here) with new art (here)
and a new blog (here).

This will be my last post on this blog.

It is my 600th post! Can you believe it? A nice even number.

As I mentioned in a earlier post (here), I have been thinking about a more consistent theme for my blog. I loved hearing every one's input! Interestingly, the majority said my blog was me and thought the content should stay as it is.

To tell you the truth, I'm still trying to figure it out! (along with wordpress, ugh. which is taking a bit of passion out of it, but did I ever mention I love a challenge?)

So, please stay tuned... this is the link to my new blog...

http://www.den10studio.com/blog/

...there are a few kinks I'm still working out :)

Thank you to all who have followed me, I hope that I was able to inspire and motivate and I hope to continue to do so in 2013!

Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 16:48:00 +0000

Running Log

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Sun, 23 Dec 2012 16:20:00 +0000

Last week: 27 total miles

What day is it?

Christmas on a Tuesday this year is throwing me off. Everyday is feeling like a Friday.
Partly why I am writing my blog on a Sunday.

And why is it when you go out on a Friday night, the weekend seems so much longer?

Friday night we went to a Christmas party! So many friends and lots of fun. I wore these super cute wedge boots...

and the next morning ran 7 miles...

and that afternoon, walked around the mall for a few hours in flats...

My feet still hurt.

I ran a few extra days this week, which may be a contributing factor as well.

So this is where I'm at today...

We are making cookies today, sitting down.

Happy Sunday!

Quote of The Day

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 15:06:00 +0000

My Website is Live

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:46:00 +0000

Den10studio.com is live!

Please click on over and check it out.

Feel free to "like" on FB :)

Happy Friday!

Any Day Now...

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 22:44:00 +0000

[new colors! - den10studio print on etsy]

My website is ..a..l..m..o..s..t.. there.

The website is sitting, waiting to go live. And when it does, you will be the first to know. I promise!

It's my blog that hit a small snag.

Because attached to the new website will be a new blog.

I have struggled with the theme of my blog for some time.

Am I an artist?

Am I a runner?

A mom?

A music fan?

A vintage-lover?

A chair refinisher?

A budding screen printer?

A graphic designer?

I am all of the above.

But, consistency makes for a good blog.

What should be my blog theme?

{thinking openly}

I enjoy blogging about running.
My training for the Boston marathon starts in a few weeks. You could follow my training program and watch my miles go up! I could tell you what running gear I use and wear and why I love it! I could post creative photos from my workouts and tell you what I eat!

I enjoy posting hand lettered quotes.
A quote a week? A day? Something inspirational. Something hand lettered in a font style I made up...Oh the pressure!

I enjoy sharing my hot projects.
However random they seem, they really do fit into two or three categories...Maybe I should do a step-by-step tutorial of how to refinish a chair I found on the curb. Or a tutorial of what not to do when screen printing :)

I enjoy sharing my artwork.
Because after all, that is what I make and think about all the time. I could post weekly steps of a print coming to life from sketch to finished piece...hmmm. That's an idea...

I enjoy blogging about my kids.
Who doesn't like talking about their kids? I could talk about how wonderful I think they are and post their beautiful faces. I could touch on topics like their teenage attitudes and curfews and how they leave their towels on the floor! My daughter is going to start driving. Now that could be interesting!

Well, the bottom line is that I would like to make a personal connection with my readers and my readers will become my readers if they connect with me too.

Sounds like a win-win to me!

What are your favorite blogs?

Here are some of mine:

geninne's art blog

oh joy

kasey buick

jeanne oliver

Everything Is More Fun...

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:56:00 +0000

...when Lisa is in town!

This is my sister.

She is visiting from AZ. We always have the best time when we are all together.

Lots of laughs.

This is our mini photo shoot that came about when I was trying to get a photo of the kids for our Christmas card. Yes, it's December 5th and I haven't designed cards yet. I may be sending out a Happy New Year's card instead. Either way...

Good times!

[Christmas card photo attempt #28.]

Running Log

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 13:16:00 +0000

Last week: 13.5 total miles

Run For Pie 3.14 was on Thanksgiving.

It's a local race that started last year with 1000 people — this year's registration was 2600. The race is a little more than a 5k — hence "pie" 3.14 miles.

And everyone gets a pumpkin pie!

So much fun to go to a race and meet up with your people! Warm up with them, start with them, run with them, see them at the end...positive energy, supportive through and through.

My time was 21:49, I finished 2nd in my age group, 16th for women.

One of my goals is to, one day, run a 5k under 20 minutes (hey, I'm even shooting for 19:59) before my age gets the best of me. ;)

Happy Running, everyone!

Christkindlmarket - Daley Plaza, Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 14:20:00 +0000

We had a full holiday weekend! The lights are on the house—it's still November—that's a first for us.

Annie and I went shopping at midnight on Thanksgiving, kicking off Black Friday—another first!

On Saturday, we took the train into the city, walked around downtown, and went to dinner. It's becoming a tradition to stop by the Christkindlmarket. This year Annie's boyfriend came with :)

We had a great Thanksgiving break and the kids are super excited for Christmas!

It's official. Both my kids are taller than me...

Christkindlmarket - Daley Plaza, Chicago

[photo creds - annie]

Feeling Lots of Love

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 19:26:00 +0000

[photo creds: annie]

We are celebrating Thanksgiving today. I am really looking forward to spending the day with my family and eating lots of good food!

Our Thanksgiving party is going to be fairly small, but will be rich with personality. My sister and cousins, and their families, live out of state and will be missed. Our days of sabotaging each other's milk with a pieces of corn or a green bean will not be forgotten! Good times.

Feeling love and thanks.
xo

Running Log

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 15:11:00 +0000

Saturday was the Navy Pier Perfect 10. Our neighborhood group dwindled a little bit from last year (click here for a recap), but it was fun nonetheless! It is truly a pretty race, running south along the lake front from Navy Pier and back.

As Lisa, coach extraordinaire predicted, I did surprise myself! I didn't run as fast as last year — close, but more importantly, my splits were very consistent — I maintained about the same pace for 10 miles and didn't slow down. My finishing time was 1:18:26 (only 1:30 slower than last year!). I'll take it considering all the grief my pf has been giving me.

All four of us ran strong - Renee, Sweat-Sister Rachel, Jen (not to mention a bunch of friends from our running group!). What a great feeling afterwards to say "We did it!"

Sunday was the Run for Kelli. The event is to remember Kelli Joy O'Laughlin who was a Freshman last October 27, 2011 when her life was taken when she arrived home, from a burglar. The funds raised go to the Kelli Joy O'Laughlin Memorial Fund to give children the opportunity to develop their greatest potential.

The 5k was held at the high school and my daughter's CC team volunteered.

A tragedy that brings community together. Very moving morning.

(The story was on the news last night click here.)

Annie and I reversed roles — she watched me run her home course. Boy, is it tough to run on grass. Annie makes it look so easy!

Sneak Peek - Home Page

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:47:00 +0000

Den10studio's website is almost complete! Above is a screen capture of the home page. I'm finishing up the product descriptions and a few other details.

The original launch date has passed for good reason. Last week was crazy busy preparing all Den10studio's art for a local show, called Gypsy Chicks Fall Market.

My girlfriend and I coordinated the event bringing together lots of talent and many friends. It was a success, so much so that people are asking to be included next year. Honestly, we were uncertain if there would be a next year, but there was a big turnout and the feedback has been encouraging.

On a side note, I got the hang of screen printing and put chair illustrations on tea towels, jotters and totes.

The thing I love about an event like this, is that it gives me the opportunity to display my goods in an interesting sort of order – a vignette – where all the pieces come together.

Which has me dreaming of opening up my own shop...one day.

But before I get carried away, I will get this online shop launched!

Running Log

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 07:19:00 +0000

Last week: 23 total miles

The time change has us running in the dark once again. Tuesday night was cold and rainy but meeting up with the group makes it all worthwhile. Good people!

My workout was 4 miles, last mile at a 7:50 pace. Glad to gain some speed back since my plantar fasciitis is gone...well, barely there.

Seriously, raise your hand if you have ever had this persistent little (swear word) of an injury.

I've had pf for so long that it's very strange to be going about the day (walking down stairs) and realizing nothing hurts!

Wow. Have I reached that point in adulthood noticing what doesn't hurt? Or, is it that I'm a runner...either way...it's almost gone!

On Saturday, I'll be running the Navy Pier Perfect 10 (miles). A bunch of us ran last year and a few of us will run it again this year.

Last year, I placed 4th in my age group with a 7:38 pace. This year, I'm coming off this darn injury and it's killing me not to be in as good of shape as last time.

Lisa, coach extraordinaire, said I may surprise myself, but warned not to start out too fast. I haven't run more than 8 miles since early September.

We will see, right?

Did I ever mention I love a challenge?

Den10studio Makeover

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 18:27:00 +0000

My website is almost there...we are still shooting for a November 9th launch — this Friday.

It has taken a while, but it is worth the wait and work. Lots of different pieces are coming together, contributing to a newly designed site with new items and a shopping cart!

Along with the website getting a new look, I updated the logo as well:

Which color is your favorite?

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 11:50:00 +0000

[photo by annie]

Background Color

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 13:03:00 +0000

Good, Monday, Morning!

My website design is coming a long fabulously! Finally.

I have been working on the product images for a few days now. Last week I posted about using texture as the background for my work (click here), but decided on solids. I think it's a better fit for my style, don't you?

So, I picked some colors that complement the colors found in my cards and prints...

I was able to take some good shots...

Introducing the new color palette for Den10studio...

These colors make me smile :)

The many bits and pieces of Den10studio are starting to come together. The launch date for the new website is scheduled for November 9th and I still have lots to do. But seeing the progress is exciting - it keeps me moving forward.

Make it a great day!

Running Log - My True Love

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 12:50:00 +0000

[mizuno wave rider 15]

At the beginning of this month, I bought a new pair of running shoes...Adidas Supernova's (click here to see). Because I had been running in Mizunos for so long and was contending with plantar fasciitis,

(I am most certain that the plantar fasciitis was caused by my change in form that tightened my calf muscles -the shin bone's connected to the ankle bone, the ankle bone's connected to the foot bone...),

I thought it best to change brands and see if that would help expedite the healing process.

The Adidas actually created more problems. My achilles started to hurt along with the top of my feet, not to mention my knees. Do not want to go down that road again!

So, I went back to my true love, the Mizuno Wave Rider.

Last week I ran in them and they felt like "home."

Well worth the additional money spent. Who knows, maybe I'll wear the Adidas when I ride the bike at the gym. Or not.

Last week: 19.25 total miles

Anyone running any races this weekend?

Yesterday...One of Those Days

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:23:00 +0000

Have you ever felt as though you are in the ocean, land in sight, but however hard you swim, you just can't get there?

What do you do?

Well, yesterday was one of those days.

I get weekly emails from decor8 (click here) which is inspiring and discouraging at the same time — everything is photographed so beautifully and the creativity is humbling.

In one of Holly's posts 12 Blogs I'm Reading she links to breathtaking blogs which I had to check out. From there, I clicked away and ended up on Pinterest (click here), which is not hard to do...and stumbled upon papernstitch the blog! and saw this:

[papernstitch the blog! - click here]

This was exactly what I needed to read. I love Secrets to Success of all kinds! I am looking forward to Brittni's posts. For starters, she suggests to remember the "good" of the day. That is so important!

So, looking back at my day yesterday, it wasn't so bad. Actually, Monday was great — I lucked out with lighting and took photos of my prints for my website. Tuesday was great — I designed 4 new holiday cards (soon to be photographed when I luck out on lighting again :)

The thing is I know I can do this. I'm a strong believer in success, whatever it may be, if you put your mind to it.

Just keep swimming...Or, wait (I'm making a connection here)...In my case, running a marathon. All that training and hitting those upper 20 miles...I can't give up then! I tell myself, just keep running...and I know I will get there.

Remember the "good" of your day!

Textures

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 12:46:00 +0000

One of my favorite things to do to fill my creative bucket, is to look through antique shops. Here, I can find so much in one place when I stop and look and take it all in. The variety of items of the same kind gets the ideas flowing.

As a part of reworking my website, I thought to photograph everything on a similar background to tie in my variety of print and card designs. I had originally shot everything on a white background, but the site was looking too stark and unexciting.

So I started with the idea of texture as a background. And this is what I found...

[photos by den10studio]

Running Log

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:47:00 +0000

Saturday Morning.

The day starts out like this...

Wake up at 5 am.

Drive Annie to school to catch bus for Cross Country meet.

Come home.
Have coffee and a banana.
Mmmm.

Get ready for a run.

Here I go...

A little cool. Perfect combo of long sleeves and shorts.

Got the KT tape on...(p.s. not loving these shoes)

Rainy, gloomy weather. Feels earlier than it is...

Surprise RFM with a picture...Good Morning!

Run 6 miles. Then head to Annie's Conference Meet...

Get there just in time to see her run the last 1/4 mile to a strong finish, ending the season happy. She won the bounty hunter award for taking out the most girls.

I am overcome with emotion every time I see my kids run, mixed in with my own experiences as a runner, I have to refrain from bawling with pure joy. It's really quite awkward. But wouldn't have it any other way!

Gotta admire these Cross Country runners...

...and home by 10:30 am.

Last week: 19 miles

(I'm getting back up there — the KT tape is doing wonders! I don't believe I could be kicking this darn plantar fasciitis without it.)

Happy running!

Sacred Art - Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 14:19:00 +0000

Welcome to Sacred Art, a fabulous art shop in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. It is one of those feel-good shops — when you walk in you need to catch your breath. Displayed beautifully are prints, notecards, ceramics, canvas bags, jewelry...

The special thing about Sacred Art is that all the items are original and handmade. Not only that, but by local artists in the Chicagoland area. They carry work from over 100 independent artisans — one-of-a-kind paintings, photography, prints, custom clothing...

Sacred Art's goal is to support independent artists and provide a relaxed environment to browse and buy original artwork.

I am proud to say I am a part of this incredible collection of work. Sacred Art has carried my art for about three years now. Recently, I dropped off a stack of new prints.

If you are in the area, stop by!

hours:
sun & mon: 11-5
tues-fri: 11-7
sat: 11-6

4619 n. lincoln ave
chicago, il 60625
(773) 728-2803

Also, Lincoln Square has a Farmer's Market on Tuesdays from 7:00 am-1:00 pm and on Thursday nights from 3:00 pm-7:00 pm.

sacredartstore.com

lincolnsquare.org/pages/FarmersMarket/

Another Beautiful Fall Day

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 15:34:00 +0000

We picked our pumpkins for Halloween at Jonamac Orchard and enjoyed an Indian Summer day surrounded by the cornfields of DeKalb. Because of our dry summer, there were no apples left to pick. So we ate apple donuts instead!

Lots of college memories at good ol' NIU. Sad to see there is no longer an Alpha Phi house. The campus does have new residential housing (dorms) that looks spectacular. NIU's football team isn't doing too bad either (so I hear :).

We stopped for lunch at Fatty's Bar & Grill and answered all the questions the kids had about living in the dorms and what it's like to join a frat or sorority. What a riot. They were amazed at the thought of living on their own at school. Me too.

Time flies...

What a sweetie.

Have a great weekend!

Running Log

noreply@blogger.com (karyn) — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 11:30:00 +0000

...now all I have to do is get rid of this dreaded plantar fasciitis once and for all. For starters, I got new shoes...

They are Adidas Supernovas. I have never bought Adidas running shoes, ever. They are not my favorite looking shoe. In fact they don't look cool at all. Although they are a neutral shoe, they aren't neon or a funky design — they look a tiny bit orthopedic, don't they?

Also, I'm seeing a chiropractor who is a runner. She actually told me to keep running ! so we can figure out what's working and what isn't. Love that. Love the KT tape as well. So, as ugly as my new shoes are, running in them felt good. Something is working! (not to mention all the rolling and icing...)

This is the path on our Saturday morning runs. Peaceful.

Last weekend we saw 11 deer.

It is perfect running weather.

Last week: 10 total miles - better than 0 miles :)

Training for the Boston Marathon will start at the beginning of December...I'm very excited!