Space Planning: Combination Tip

If you're like me, no matter how much you practice Space Planning, you still have a frozen moment or two in the fast paced 3 hour exercise. In an effort to replace bad habits with good, I've been trying new tricks and strategies. 

I find that maintaining balance while trying to accomplish the following is tough...

• a list of spaces
• square footages for spaces in list
• adjacency requirements for spaces in list
• specific location requirements for spaces in list (i.e. fireplace as a feature in the living room will mean that's the only place for that room, foyer/entry should be AT the main entrance)
• plumbing trench 
• plumbing trench extension limits
• fitting FFE requirements in said spaces
• fitting clearances around and in said spaces
• dimensions
• electric
• notes

{ Challenge }

Meeting square footage requirements with a layout that makes the best use of the space is where I get stuck. AKA, the transition from somewhat-to-scale-but-not-really bubble diagram. I'm guilty of not feeling comfortable until my plan is hard-lined, so I rush this step. I'm then left with a bedroom without a walk-in closet and no choice but to take SF from the bedroom itself. 

TIP: Combine spaces where possible. The walk-in closet is obviously going to be in the bedroom, right? Chances are, the master bath too, right? 

Try adding the bedroom SF + master bath SF + walk-in closet SF together. You might have (1) large rectangle like this:

Let's say your Walk-in Closet is to be 40SF, your Master Bath 120, and your Master Bedroom 240. Add them up:

40 SF + 120 SF + 240 SF = 400 SF

Next, if it helps, draw a rectangle on trace which equals 400 SF. See how the one above is 17'-0" wide? Divide 400 by 17 to get your approx length = 23'-6". Move this around on your plan (as you would in AutoCAD) to find it's best place. TIP: The toilet/shower will need to be on the plumbing trench or an extension. 

TIP: Don't forget to share plumbing walls where possible! Back to back or side by side. 

Other spaces this will help with:

• Kitchen+Break Room
• Workroom+Storage
• Kitchen+Pantry
• Kitchen+Laundry
• Kitchen+Pantry+Laundry (whoa!)
• Accessible Bedroom+Closet+Bathroom
• Public space vs. Private space

Hope this quick tip helps! I plan to practice it tonight with both a commercial exercise and residential. Though from research and experience, I'm confident the space planning with be residential (usually is for Spring). 

Happy prepping!
Carolyn

Sim Day Results: ADA Washroom

ADA Washroom is another easy-breezy section for me. Along with Systems Integration, I find it's less intense than Space Planning, Egress, and Life Safety. It's 30 minutes and it's pretty straightforward. It's always a men's restroom (as we must know urinal clearances) and it almost always has the exact same requirements. Below is a breakdown, not my actual results. Results follow and they're boring because I only missed one dimension.

{ The Deets }

• (1) Accessible min 60 x 60 toilet stall with 36W grab bar behind the toilet, a 42W grab bar beside the toilet, a 60" turning radius, side access, a 36W door, and dimensions/tags of all; door swings out.
• (1-2) Standard toilet stalls 36W by 48D with a 30W min door or a 32W door, dims to center-line of toilet and indication of the width and depth; door swings out.
• (1-2) Standard urinals tagged and dimensioned; TIP: min space between two urinals center-line to center-line is 32".
• (1) Accessible urinal tagged/dimensioned and a 30 x 48 clear wheelchair space.
• A degree of privacy from door sight line, screens between each urinal
• Tag all fixtures
• Fill in fixture schedule provided like this one
• Fill in finish schedule for substrate and finish:
• Cement backer board
• Ceramic tile (if you want to get fancy, glazed ceramic tile or glazed ceramic subway tile are also acceptable)

TIP: My dad's an architect - so I'm often calling him with questions. I was chatting with him about the ADA Washroom exercise and he said (which may be obvious to others and it's how I've been doing it, but still a good reminder!) to start with the ADA toilet stall in the corner and work your way over with the remaining space. 

[ start at wall furthest from door -> 60 x 60 -> 1.5 panel -> 36 x 48 -> 1.5 panel -> 36 x 48 -> 1.5 panel -> 16-18" to cL of urinal -> 1.5 privacy screen -> 16-18" to cL of next urinal -> 1.5 privacy screen -> 16-18" to cL of ADA urinal -> 1.5 privacy screen ]*

*this is just an example. Your actual test requirements for quantities of stalls/urinals may vary. 

I did very well on the 2010 PDP which I used for my Sim Day. However, the test is formatted differently now. All clearances were shown, tags added, and dimensions to fixtures. I saw one example where a candidate didn't tag any of her fixtures, but labeled a few. It was still a passing solution.

Good luck,

Carolyn

Sim Day Results: Millwork

I did not like this exercise!  But despite my personal aversion, I passed. I guess I need to explain why on that first statement... not that it will help you or me pass. This exercise was more of a test in furniture design, rather than millwork. It's not unlike millwork, but this seems to be another part of the test to have evolved since 2010. 

Need inspiration? This is a great piece of student work by a student in Florida (link here), which shows a wide range of detail and ADA compliance. It is NOT an NCIDQ test. Click image for larger view.

Something I didn't know: You can draw more than one elevation if it helps convey your design intent/ADA compliance. However, I've never needed to do this on the newer exams.

{ Room for Improvement }

• I don't know if this is incorrect, but I indicated the 30X48 clearance at the accessible portion of the counter as "side approach". The toe kick and counter height were compliant, but I saw the other solutions literally left room under the surface for knee/foot room - a.k.a. totally open. 
• I missed a few "depth" dimensions in my section (counter and transaction counter). 
• Again, not sure if this is wrong, but I only provided one elevation and it was of the front of the piece (approach/welcome side). It conveyed accessibility, relationship between height of transaction counter and ADA height surface, toe-kick height, counter thickness, materials, and front design (which seemed to be emphasized in the program). I showed the section of this, which as a section should, went into more detail on ADA vs. standard components and construct-ability.

I think this 2010 PDP continues to confuse me more than help me... Sadly. 

Keep Going,

Carolyn

Dimlabelgram!!

It's not a spelling error, friends. It's a word I invented that makes both me and my husband laugh. And sticks in my brain. And it holds a strategy which I think will help anyone avoid mark-downs for "small" errors. Let's say it together now: Dimlabelgram.

... { Meaning }...

Dimlabelgram: (v) [dim-LAY-bull-gram] the act of checking one's Practicum exercises for proper dimensions & clearances, labeled  FFE & mounting heights, and compliance with the provided program.

Example:
Halt! 10 minutes to go! Time to dimlabelgram my solution! Oops... didn't label my mirror. Oops again, forgot a 5'-0" turning circle. 

I found that pretending I'm a grader for the last 10-15 minutes of each exercise forces me to scrutinize the details. This isn't a good time to catch something big and irreversible. This is why it's important to evaluate your plan of attack early on - see one of my strategies "The Three Phases" of Space Planning in this post. To avoid 3 to 4 little mistakes is valuable to me. I have even considered writing it on my test booklet in big red letters. But then again, you hand those booklets back in. And I wouldn't want the graders thinking I've got a few screws loose. Which I suppose is true. Per this post. But whatever it takes to pass... have some fun along the way. 

Should I "Add this to dictionary" per Spellcheck?

Happy DLG-ing,
Carolyn

2 Hours of Organizing Well-Spent!

{ Disorganized }

A week ago, I walked upstairs to my studio to start my day of practice and cringed at the sight of my test materials "neatly" arranged strewn across my pink yoga mat... (glad that's serving its intended purpose! Maybe I NEED to incorporate yoga into my regime. No, really.) There were parts of the 2010 test, the 2011 test, and the 2012 test misplaced The sight alone made my stomach churn. I started to think "Is this how my knowledge is organized? Is this why I lose focus? Why I freeze? Because I'm not orderly!?"

I mean, it wasn't helping. 

{ Organized! }

I pulled one of my empty heavy-duty client binders out and vowed that everything would not only have a place, there would be order. And I could study anywhere I could fit a binder! And that's just what I did.

 Cover page

 A blog post (oooh look! me!)

 A practice test...

A test booklet.

...{ Table of Contents }...

1. All about the NCIDQ
• Important information from the website re: the Practicum
• My test information, registration, and any other documents I found to be useful
2. 2012 Practice Test
• Space Planning Exercise Booklet
• Space Planning Exercise vellum test sheet
• Related blog posts
• Lighting Exercise Booklet
• Lighting Exercise vellum test sheet(s)
• Related blog posts
• Egress Exercise Booklet
• Egress Exercise vellum
• Related blog posts
• Life Safety
• Life Safety Exercise Booklet
• Life Safety Exercise vellum
• Related blog posts
• ADA Washroom
• ADA Washroom Exercise Booklet
• ADA Washroom Exercise vellum
• Related blog posts
• Bobrick ADA Guidelines
• Systems Integration
• Systems Integration Exercise Booklet
• Systems Integration Exercise vellum
• Related blog posts
• Millwork
• Millwork Exercise Booklet
• Millwork Exercise vellum
• Millwork "Guide" Sketch
• Related blog posts
3. 2011 Practice Test
• Same as above
4. 2010 Practice Test
• Same as above

It has shaped up to be a pretty thick binder. Thank goodness I started with a) 4" and b) heavy duty. I love it. Not only is everything in one spot, easily referenced when I need to pull an exercise, but I can take it almost anywhere! 

Stay Organized,
Carolyn

Why I Moved My Test Simulation Day

My simulation test day was supposed to be today. After taking my Space Planning exercise yesterday (sour, sour procrastination... bad, bad fear... oh, and working late this week when I was planning on an after-work 7-10pm Space Planning test post-wedding-weekend), I was exhausted. I realized I would be exhausted for certain after the Test Simulation day. That meant that I wouldn't even want to be in the same room as my testing materials.

Calendar by Terrain

Not wanting to waste a valuable weekend day due to burn-out, I decided to move my test sim to Sunday (tomorrow). That way, I don't have to think about or look at the test on Monday since I'll be at work! Genius! Looking at it Monday night will allow me to get something out of this practice exam with a steady pace. I must remember, I have 21 days left! While this could be perceived as excuses and procrastination, I look at it as better time management. I'm deciding to do what's best for me. Can I do this on April 6th? No. And I know that. Can I move my Test Sim any further into the future. No way!!

The only thing that will differ on actual test day is this:

• 8:00 - 8:30 AM: Proctor reads directions*, **
• 8:30 - 12:30 PM:  Part A
• 12:30 - 1:30 PM: Lunch Break
• 1:30 - 2:00 PM: Directions*, **
• 2:00 - 6:00 PM: Part B, Part C

* Shhh. Sometimes, if the proctor has clearly read the directions (they're routine, but necessary) in only 10-15 minutes, he or she will get you started early. Also, if everyone is back from lunch by 1:15, he or she will make sure every candidate is seated and ready and start early. But every candidate must be there and willing to start! Normally, we just want it to be over! 

** Listen while they're giving directions. Very important. I'm not kidding!

• I'll be starting at 8 AM and finishing Part A at 12
• 12:00 - 1:00 PM break
• 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Part B, Part C

I will then spend the rest of the night eating Rita's water ice and watching re-runs of 30 Rock if I'm feeling happy or Gilmore Girls if I need my mama. Probably the latter with my track record.

{ Things I accomplished today }

• Organized my test supplies (tools, trace, etc.)
• Ordered my drafting board, dots, and fresh pens
• Checked my space planning exercise (so happy I was able to do this! It would have been a waste of a pre-simday learning opportunity if I had not)
• Posted my results here!
• Organized my testing materials (test, test solutions, blog print-outs, etc.)
• Relieved some test-taking angst by identifying bad and good in this post...

Over and out,

Carolyn

A little re-cap (from memory)...

I'm springing a little pop-quiz on myself tonight. 

If you'd like to do this, read through my blog posts to date, let it all gel overnight and tomorrow. Tomorrow night, number a paper (or Word Document) from 1-10. Then write down the (10) tips from my posts that will help you (from memory!!). OR better yet, re-cap from your own test prep!

Directions:

List 10 tips, strategies, and facts that you've identified and retained over the past month. 

1. Lighting: Calculate wattage allowed before going all symbol-crazy on your plan (watts per SF X total SF) and keep track of watts as you add fixtures. 
2. Egress: To determine the travel distance to each stair, remember to add your farthest path traveled within the existing suite to to the common path of travel to each stair. 
3. ADA Restroom: 36H rim std lav, 34H rim ada lav, 15H t.o. seat std toilet, 17H t.o. seat ada toilet, 24H to rim std urinal, 17H to rim ada urinal, 34H t.o. grab bar, 40H to b.o. mirror, 40-44H to operating parts of wall-mounted accessories. Oh, and 30X48 access in front of sink/urinal. 
4. Systems Integration: Pay attention to ceiling height changes with regards to ductwork!
5. Millwork: draw blocking in the wall and OVER-label everything!
6. Egress: use the "grid-block" space planning method to divide your floor into designated spaces (find SF of a grid block and divide each required SF to determine roughly how many grid-blocks). 
7. Life Safety: 1-hour rated walls belong suite-suite, suite-public corridor/lobby, and assembly-suite corridor, should have acoustical properties, and extend to the underside of the deck. 
8. Lighting: Assign DLV (dimmer low voltage) to low-wattage fixtures when laying out switching plan. 
9. Life Safety: You need a Fire Extinguisher both in the shared lobby/corridor AND in the tenant space (usually they'll have a space with enough SF requiring TWO and they should be located no more than 75' from the further occupant. 
10. Space Planning: Pay attention to plumbing trenches, don't forget to locate required electrical outlets/data as required, and highlight the program as you go!

There are more, but these are my faves!

Happy re-capping! 

Carolyn

My Prep Plan

Oh, when did I say I'd share this!? Last week? Oops. 

So, here's my plan of attack. Day by day. Yeah, it seems less daunting when I break it down. Or does it seem more daunting? Either way. I'd rather be water-skiing in Maine, drinking wine in Cape May, fishing in the mountains, snorkeling in Oahu, or eating everything in Italy. Mostly, though, I'd rather be passing this exam. 

THE OFFICIAL PREP SCHEDULE

Feb 1-7 See this post for my Prep-Prep 
Feb 8 OFF
Feb 9 Review Blog 
Feb 10 Lighting Prep, ADA Restroom Prep - review old practice test (6 hours)
Feb 11 Lighting Prep (1 hour)
Feb 12 Take Lighting Exercise (1 hour)
Feb 13 Grade Lighting Exercise, document, review solutions book (2.5 hours)
Feb 14 

• Review Millwork (1 hour)
• Late dinner with my Valentine :) (2 hours)

Feb 15 Review Millwork (1 hour)
Feb 16 

• Review Millwork (1 hour) - Really 2 hours
• Review Space Planning Exercise from old test, corridors, codes, heights, restaurant design, plumbing trenches (3 hours) - Move to Feb 24
• Review Egress (1 hour) - Really 3.5 hours

Feb 17 

• Review Space Planning (continue, 2 hours)  Week of Feb 19-22
• Take Egress Exercise (1) hour
• Grade Egress Exercise and document (2 hours)

Feb 18 (President's day!)

• Take Millwork Exercise (1) hour
• Grade Millwork Exercise, Review, and document (1.5 hour) - Really 4 hours

Feb 19 

Feb 20 OFF / Blog (1 hour)

Feb 21 Review Life Safety (1 hour)

Feb 22 OFF / Blog (1 hour) (Happy birthday Laura Jane!)
Feb 23 

• Take ADA Restroom Exercise (1/2 hour)

Feb 24 

• Take Life Safety Exercise in morning (1 hour)
• Review Systems Integration again (1 hour)
• Grade Life Safety Exercise and document in evening (1.5 hours)

Feb 25 Take Systems Integration Exercise (1 hour)

Feb 26 Grade Systems Integration Exercise & document (1.5 hours)

---------- END PRACTICE TEST #1 ----------

Feb 27 OFF

Feb 28 Review Part A (2 hours)

Mar 1 OFF

Mar 2 

• Review Part B (2 hours)
• Purchase portable drafting table, drafting dots, and any other supplies
• Do mock-lighting plan (1 hour)
• Do mock-egress plan (1 hour)
• Review Blog

Mar 3

• Take Space Planning Exercise (3 hours)
• Grade Space Planning Exercise & document (2.5 hours)
• Review Blog

Mar 4 OFF

Mar 5 Do mock-Millwork plan (1 hour)

Mar 6 Do mock-ADA restroom plan (1 hour)

Mar 7 Symbols Review

Mar 8-10 OFF for Wedding / study Ballast book, articles, and blog in car (6 hours total)

Mar 11-14 Review all of above and blog

Mar 15 Wawa trip for next-morning breakfast

Mar 16 ----- TEST SIMULATION DAY -----

Mar 17 OFF

Mar 18 Grade Space Planning & Document

Mar 19 Grade Lighting & Document

Mar 20 OFF ----Birthday!!----

Mar 21 Grade Egress & Document

Mar 22 OFF
Mar 23 

• Grade Life Safety & Document (1.5 hours)
• Grade Restroom & Document (1.5 hours)
• Grade Systems Integration & Document (1.5 hours)

Mar 24 

• Grade Millwork & Document (1.5 hours)
• Study blog 

Mar 25-30 Study Blog 

Mar 31 OFF ----Happy Easter!!----

Apr 1-2 Study Blog

April 3 OFF (Happy birthday, Julie!)

April 4 OFF

April 5 OFF

April 6

-----TEST DAY-----

April 7 - OFF. No, really. I need a day of recovery and this is non-negotiable. 

Last year, I did NOT do this. Like, any of it. I think I spent about 6 Saturdays practicing. And really, I have no clue what I was actually doing - it was all a blur and I remember hating it. I skipped Andrew's first dirt bike race. And I looked at the solutions before I took the test to "teach myself" what to do. How, in any normal world, does that last part make sense?

I'm actually excited for test simulation day. I'll post about that later on! 

Love and motivation,

Carolyn

Lighting Exercise Tips & Strategies

Below are my tips and strategies for creating a sound lighting plan. I may or may not have had some bit of help from my engineer of a husband. He's so grrrreat! Before we dive in to the technical stuff, an example of a very well-lit kitchen!

Source unknown,  but if you know, please comment!

 { Weight & Time }

It is recommended that you allow (1) hour for this portion. You'll need to keep track of time carefully on Part A of the Practicum:

• Space Planning Exercise (3) hours* 23%
• Lighting Exercise (1) hour 11%

*The Space Planning Exercise is chock full of requirements and can include up to 20 spaces within one 1/4" floor plan (hence why it is the most heavily weighted at 23% of the exam and requires the most time). See lesson learned here under point #2: Bring a watch or small silent clock! TIP: Take the Lighting Section FIRST so you can rest easy once you start your Space Planning. You won't be worrying about Lighting the whole time!

{ Strategy: Be a Math Wiz }

TIP: Before you begin, determine how much wattage you can use throughout the entire space.

Multiply the Energy Allowance noted in the exam booklet by the total Square Footage noted on the plan.

Energy allowance: 1.5 watts/SF

Total SF: 595 SF

1.5 x 595 = 892.5

This is the number of watts allowed for the space. TIP: Round down and aim for 892 or less. 

When selecting light fixtures and quantities, keep in mind that you'll need to take an inventory of these fixtures to multiply the total fixtures by their watts.

For example, if you are using Recessed Down-lighting with 30 W per fixture and you have placed (4) lights in the living space, (2) in the foyer, (1) in the study alcove, and (3) in the kitchen, you will multiply the total of all fixtures by 30(W).

(4) + (2) + (1) + (3) = 10 fixtures

(10) x 30 watts = 300 watts 

Subtract that from your 892 and you have 592 watts left to use in the space. Keep rough track of this as you go, but do not let it eat away your time.

{ Strategy: Know Your Time }

I (from personal practice) find that if you're well-prepared, the 60 minutes should look something like this:

• 3 minutes to read the directions (thoroughly)
• 30-35 minutes to design lighting plan/draw fixtures/switching/dimension
• 10 minutes to work on calculations/fill in the table provided
• Remaining 12-17 minutes to check your work. This last part seems like a lot, but chances are, you might have missed something in the plan below and need to re-work your fixtures and switching and possibly tweak your quantities & calculations. 

{ Strategy: Draw Accurately & Label }

TIP: Be sure to draw the symbols as they're shown in the specifications AND label them. During one of my practice exams, I just drew all circles thinking if I labeled them, they'd be okay. While in architectural world, there may be more fixtures than symbols, you wouldn't use the same circle for a pendant that you would for a recessed down light. The NCIDQ makes it easy for you by providing the symbols so use 'em! In another test, I didn't label the chandelier because it had a distinctive symbol and there was only one. But you'll get docked for that, so keep it real and l-a-b-e-l!

{ Other Tips }

TIP: While vellum is mostly clear, be sure to press down to see architectural details - I missed a sliding (not pocket) door interfering with a wall sconce because my vellum had lifted slightly and I couldn't see the lines below. 

TIP: Pay attention to sloped ceilings. This is the difference between a recessed down light and a recessed down light for sloped ceiling. This is an important distinction we're being tested to know.

TIP: Pay attention to feature walls. Use lowered (drop) track fixtures or wall washers with artwork and more COMPACT track fixtures with shelving. 

TIP: Don't forget required dimensions. Thank goodness they don't make you dimension every fixture, but the NCIDQ will ask you to dimension lighting over islands, feature walls, pieces of furniture, or bar counters.

I could go on and on with lighting rules of thumb, but well, chances are - you're a designer - and you're well-versed in what sort of lighting should be used for each function of a space. You can do it!

Stay bright,
Carolyn

Prep-Prep

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” 

― Benjamin Franklin

I didn't plan my test prep last year. I just dove in (this approach only really works with early morning swim practice). And I ran out of practice material. Before I could order more, it was too late. I also practiced sporadically and took poor inventory of my time. This year, I'm going in with a plan. And I'm stickin' to it. 

Get it? Tape? Stickin' to it? Eh? Anyone?

Slow and Steady. Moderation. Building. Easing. There's a reason Couch to 5K takes 9 weeks. There's a little thing called "burn-out" I'm a wee familiar with...

Here's Prep-Prep Week:

Week 1 (Feb 1-7)

Friday

Stay in. For once. Work out. Then, rest. Get a good night's sleep. Watch an episode of Shark Tank to entertain your inner entrepreneur and motivate your little booty. 

Saturday

Wake up early, clean house (chores don't stop), open Ballast book. Refresh. 2.5 hours. 

Sunday

Identify where I went right/wrong. Find purpose, motivation, accountability, and organization in the form of an unplanned blog. Begin to heal tortured and ignored test-spirit. Research test bundles. Peruse last year's practice test (<-so helpful).

Monday

Order tests (baby steps)

Tuesday - Thursday

Get plan down on paper, Spend 1 hour each night reviewing last years test, gather (1) set of plans from dad (architect) and (1) set of RCP and HVAC plans from engineers who work next door. Refresh knowledge of door closers, locksets, exit sign locations and symbols, HVAC layouts, sprinkler spacing, ADA toilet stall sizes, grab bar sizes, and millwork sections. 

Friday

Off. Rest brain and sanity for a studious weekend. Fill brain with happy place images... like this one of toes in the sand...

Above, I aim to spend one hour each night. So far, since this turns out to be interesting and fun, I actually spent almost 4 hours on Tuesday night. I will try to limit myself, but if I'm on a roll, I will go with it!  

Love and Lists, 
Carolyn

You Get What You Pay For..

$250 and 24 hours later, my practice tests are on my desk! I was a little irked by the $18 shipping cost - the least costly option - but they did arrive mega-fast. I mean, I don't think I could have driven to DC and back between yesterday and today...$18 well-spent, right? And certainly $225+ well-spent.

As posted in my disclaimer, I will not be sharing photos of the test problems themselves, but here's a shot of them happily wrapped up and shiny on my desk (beside an 8pm cup of the strongest coffee I've brewed to date). 

The loot:

- The 2012 PDP Bundle (Practice Test and Solution Booklet) on sale NOW for $100*

- The 2010 PDP Bundle (Practice Test and online access solutions) $125*

*See NCIDQ's website listed in my links for access to the Q Shop and possible (booo) price changes.

Last year I used the Fall 2011 Practice test and took the Spring 2012 Test so those bundles were off-limits. It only took me a solid 20 minutes to figure out which seasons/years I could use. 

I am not sure yet if I prefer the online access or the booklet for the solutions. They both provide a "Passed with Flying Colors," a "Passed by the skin on their chinny chin chin," and a "Failed" solution for each section. I peeked inside the book and they. are. tiny. plans. Holy magnifying glass.  

Pros - Booklet, you can keep forever and ever (no selling or sharing!!). Online - ability to zoom!

Cons - Booklet was written for ants. Online solutions expire after 104 days (in the event of failure, you'll wish you had these to study from, even though you already saw 'em). 

I recommend buying at least one practice exam. I also recommend buying at least two. One (last year) was not enough. Zero would really, really not be enough. I will be breaking into one of them this weekend. (I have some preparing to do in the meantime). 

Time to brush up on something I do often, but still need to practice ... hand drafting. 

Photo: mcmportfolio.com

Check back for:

Prep-Prep: Week 1

& 

My Prep Plan: Week 2 - April 5 (However many weeks that is)

Love and Exit Signs,

Carolyn