Joy ... Simple Joy ... Down in my Heart

I directed the Children's Choirs in my church for nearly 20 years and loved every minute of it.  I had between 20 and 30 in each of my 3 choirs ... ages 2 1/2 through grade 7.  We put on 2 musicals a year and sang in church twice each month, along with having weekly rehearsals for the school age children and Sunday School music times for the little ones and, of course, Bible School in the summer.  It was quite a program.  One of the songs I taught the little ones began: "I have the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart ... down in my heart to stay.  They are simple, and worthy words by which to live.
Here are some of my joys today:
- getting my MIL moved into a smaller apartment in the Congregate at Christian Village in her town.
- getting to see my grandchildren often and getting to be an important part of their lives.
- making birthday cards for our church to send each month --- spreading the joy ...
- knowing the workers are nearing the last week of work in our home.
- playing with my fur babies each day.
- even though we can't really decorate for Christmas this year, enjoying our beautiful neighborhood of gorgeous lights.  They really did an outstanding job this year and I love it.
- teaching my art classes and seeing first hand the joy I can share with others.
- knowing that my 'students' are sharing their cards and projects with others ... spreading the joy ...
- making cards and gifts that I can share with others --- spreading the joy ...
- knowing in my heart that I have the love of God and the peace and joy that brings to me.

I'm sure there are many others, but those are at the top of my list right now.

So ... I had some pieces left from my Santa's Workshop DSP ... and ... I had these 'JOY' wooden letters on hand for quite a while.  I decided to decorate them to coordinate with all my Santa's Workshop projects.  They turned out pretty cute.

Adding snowflakes and ribbons really dressed up my wooden letters.  For the 'O' I wanted to add a large snowflake to the center.  It's double-sided and hangs in the center, suspended by some Baker's Twine.  It's cut from Glimmer Paper, so it's very sparkly.  I also added sparkle to the letter itself.  After attaching the DSP and letting it dry, I added a top coat of clear Gesso and, while it was still wet, I sprinkled Dazzling Diamonds Glitter all over it.  It's very sparkly!

IMPORTANT INFO AND REMINDERS:

Here's the link for the magnetic pad to fit your Stamparatus:
https://www.stampnstorage.com/magnet-pad-for-stamparatus-tm/

--- Dec. 3-31 / Double Class Chips and Rewards Tokens

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--- Dec. 5 - Jan. 2 / Year-End Closeout / While Supplies Last

The Letter of the Day Is ...

We'll be decorating a wooden letter at my upcoming Scraps and Prayers class (March 12) and I'm excited to see how these will look when we're all finished.  If you're planning on signing up, your time is running out.  You'll need to be sure you bring your wooden letter to class with you.
 
For me, the letter of the day is 'H' ... for Horton.  Yes, it's like 'Horton Hears a Who' but I don't live in Whoville.  I have decorated many letters over the past several years.  I've done several versions of H and I've spelled out words --- ART, JOY, SNOW.  They're easy and lots of fun to do.  Basically, you're dressing up a letter in your favorite colors and media materials.   

Here's my latest 'H' project.

This letter was decorated with a base of layers and layers of paints.  Embellishments were added last, once the paints were all dry.

I've also decorated a lot of letters using layers of printed tissue papers or colorful designer papers, attached with clear Gesso or Mod Podge.
The embellishments can be whatever you have in your 'odds and ends' stash.

Please do keep up with my posted classes that I have scheduled.  I'm counting on enjoying a lot of creative times with you.

MARCH HOSTESS CODE:

3DXZ62JF

Click to see info on free class using Stampin' Blends.

Upcoming classes and events:

March 12 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $15.

We'll be doing a Mixed Media project --- decorative wooden letters.  Bring the letter of your choice with you and I'll provide all the remaining supplies.  If you'd like the sides of your letter painted, you should try to do this at home, prior to the class OR drop your letter off and I'll paint it for you.  I'll need your letter ASAP, to have it ready for class.  If you have any special embellishments you'd like to add to your letter, bring those with you.  I'll have various embellishments here, as well.

March 18 / Spring Open House / 2:00-5:00

Come and join in on the fun, see displays and demonstrations of our new Stampin' Blends and Brusho products.   RSVP by March 16, to help me prepare for our super fun party.  Use my March Hostess Code to order along with our party orders.  Online orders placed using my Hostess Code will be sent directly to you!

April 9 / Scraps and Prayers / 5:30-7:30 / $15.

We'll be making some beautiful Spring cards, using some fun coloring techniques on them.  You'll love them!

April 21 / Saturday Stampers / 1:00-4:00 / $20.

Brusho!!!  We'll make a Swatch Book and a couple of beautiful cards using this gorgeous new product.

- Thanks for stopping by my corner of the blogging world.

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.