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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--- Available to Customers Now / Stamparatus Bag
     Keep your Stamparatus protected and all your accessories for it organized.

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

A Cute Little 4 X 4 Canvas

I have another artist canvas project for you today.  I created this one to coordinate and display with the 8 X 8 canvas I shared here.  Remember, we'll be making the 8 X 8 canvas at our October 9 Scraps and Prayers class.  I love how the two projects look when displayed together.

I fussy cut all the leaves and flowers from the Whole Lot of Lovely DSP.  They are attached using clear, matte Gesso.

Texture and dimension are added by sponging the edges of the canvas.  I loved creating this project.

Remaining classes / events for 2017:
October Classes:
October 9 -- Scraps and Prayers
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Home Decor Project on Canvas
October 21 -- Saturday Stampers
     1:00-4:00 / $20.00 / 5-6 Cards -Fall AND Christmas

November Classes / Events:
November 5 -- Open House Christmas Party / 2:00-5:00
November 13 -- Scraps and Prayers
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Home Decor Project for Christmas
November 18 -- Christmas Retreat
     10:00-3:00 / $45.00 / 18 Cards: 6 Designs - 3 Cards Each
     Fee includes materials, light lunch, and a ton of fun. 

December 11 Scraps and Prayers Class:
     5:30-7:30 / $15.00 / Christmas Cards and Tags
This will be my only event for December.

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

- Come back often for more creative inspiration.

- Let's create something beautiful today.

How Can I Use my Artist Canvas Photo Holder?

We're making a photo holder from an artist canvas at my next Scraps and Prayers class.  I thought I'd share a few ways that I'm using mine and see if it sparks even more ideas for you.

I'm using the one on the left to display my 2016 calendar cards.  (My cards are from Taylored Expressions.)  I made a calendar card for each month and am displaying them a month at a time on one of my photo holders.  The one on the right shows a couple of photo frames I cut from retired framelits.  One is cut from black CS and the other is cut from a silver foil sheet.  You can clip a photo behind the frames.

Other ideas for using your photo holder:
1.  Display scripture passages.
2.  Display inspirational quotes.
3.  Display hand made cards.
4.  Display your 'To Do' list.
5.  Display your grocery list.
6.  Display a list of this month's birthdays.
7.  Display a reminder list.

Because anything you display is just placed under the clip, you can easily change your display items and enjoy something new whenever you'd like a new look.  It's fun and easy to create your own photo holder.
If you have other ideas for my list, please leave a comment.  I'd love to hear from you. 

NOTE:
Our next Scraps and Prayers group meets on February 8 / 5:30-7:30.  Pay to register ($15.) by noon on Saturday, February 6.  We have a brief devotion and prayer, sharing time, and then create our project for the evening.  Everyone is welcome.

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

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or look on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration. 

Artist Canvas Photo Holder Project

Let's talk a little about my photo holder project.  This project was inspired by my Stampin' Up! Demonstrator friend, Janet Wakeland.  We'll be making this project at our October 12 Scraps and Prayers class. 

Above, I'm showing 3 different versions of the project... all the same except for your DSP choice.

The sample in the photo above shows how you can use it with a favorite photo.  I've cut two photo 'frames' to place over it.  One is cut from Basic Black CS and the other is cut from one of our Silver Foil Sheets.  

I think these would be fun to use for seasonal decor, too, by displaying a stamped image on it.  You could change it out with the seasons.

If you live in the area, I hope you'll join us for some creative fun with this project.  If you do not live in the area, go to your local hobby store and purchase an artist canvas and some Gesso, get out some scrap ribbon and/or embellishments of your choice, and join in on the fun... long distance.

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

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or look on the left for sneak peeks. 

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.

Eggs Please ... Wooden Eggs, That Is

I love, love, love creating new seasonal decor that you can enjoy again and again, with the change of each season.  It refreshes my home and it refreshes my soul.  I've had these wooden eggs around for 2 or 3 years now and decided that, this year, I'd better get cracking on them... pun intended:)
I love how they turned out!

First, I painted my eggs with a couple of coats of White Gesso.  Then, after they dried, I covered them with tiny, torn pieces of Tim Holtz Tissue Wrap, using a Clear Gesso.  This is really messy, but well worth it.  These eggs did have a flat bottom, so that made it a lot easier to stand them up to dry between coats. 

Once all the papers were dry, I added bits and pieces of left-over buttons and laces from some of our Artisan Embellishment Kits.  I placed my eggs in a bed of grassy goodness and displayed them in an old vintage scale.  I love this scale and it's so much fun to find something that looks really good in it for adding to my decor displays.

My younger grandson did mention to me that:  "I'm not sure why you have that table, Nanna.  You don't really use it except for displays and decorations."  See, he's already thinking like a man:)  He did say that all my eggs were beautiful, so I guess I'll keep him.  Love my little guy.

- Click on the tab at the top of the page to see my class schedules and registration policies or click on the left for sneak peeks. 

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

- Come back soon and come back often for more creative inspiration.