Will things get back to normal?

This is how I feel I've handled everything in our lives currently.  

I AM hanging in there, though, and that's what counts.

I  got Bill home from the hospital yesterday afternoon.  The furry babies were certainly glad to see him.  Our 'pack' isn't totally at peace unless the entire pack is here and that includes both of us.  Bill's foot is better but we'll need to check in at the Wound Clinic at least once a week.  This has been a very scary time for us. 

Our new kitchen flooring is going in Thursday --- yay!  Monday, the new carpeting is going in our living room, hallway and steps leading to my new studio --- YAY!  After that, we may get things put back together.  Of course, we will have to get some garage door repairs (or replacements) because I kind of ran into my door yesterday.  I'm just not as put together as you may think:)

With Bill in the hospital, I've had little time for being in my studio and, for that, I suffer.  I need to create or my very being is not right.  It's like a piece of my soul is missing.
We've had a lot of real winter weather lately.  It kind of looks like this old photo of our transfer house downtown.  This is a famous landmark here in central Illinois.

Isn't that pretty?  I love it.

I love Shel Silverstein.

By the way ... here's a definition of 'normal' that works for me:)

SAVE THE DATE:
March 17 --- Open House Party
                         Grand Re-Opening of my Studio / 2:00-5:00

2019 CLASSES:
Click to see what I have planned for 2019.

SUPER IMPORTANT: 
Contact me to pick up a catalog.

• SAB (Sale-A-Bration) Catalog
• Paper Pumpkin Flyer
• Occasions Catalog
• Annual Catalog  

Class Kits for January 'Class on the Go' Scraps and Prayers

In spite of all we've had going on here lately and then my husband ending up in the hospital, I've managed to finish all the class kits for our January Scraps and Prayers 'class on the go' kits.  It's a good thing I went with the 'class on the go' since I'd have had to cancel it anyway with Bill in the hospital.  He's getting better, but it's a slow process.  Here's a peek at the kits, as well as more info on this 'class on the go' kit.  The kits are $15.  and then the class fees for the remainder of 2019 will be $18.

These gorgeous papers are from our Sale-A-Bration (SAB) Catalog and are called Botanical Butterfly.  One side of each is in color and the other side is black and white.  They are gorgeous!

Believe it or not, my printer decided not to work today (GRRRR!!!) so I decided to add the directions right here.  Refer to these 3 easy peasy steps to complete your kits.  Enjoy!

Remember that the DSP is double-sided, so you can choose which side of your papers you want to use in creating your cards.

Decorate your tin any way you'd like.  This is just one possible way to do it.

I'll be posting/sharing some ideas for how to use the card kits in the next day or two, so come back for more ideas.

I realize that these posts are mostly for my local customers, but perhaps other demonstrators can use the ideas for their own 'class on the go' kits.  Everyone can use the ideas for the gift bags, as well as the card ideas I'll share next.  I hope you enjoy them and get some inspiration from them. 

SPECIAL NOTE:
I've been working on my 2019 schedule and have posted classes and events for January - June of 2019.  Check it out here!

SAVE THE DATE:
March 17 --- Open House Party
                         Grand Re-Opening of my Studio / 2:00-5:00


SUPER IMPORTANT: 
I have catalogs available.  Contact me to pick up yours.
Here's what I have available for you:

• SAB (Sale-A-Bration) Catalog
• Paper Pumpkin Flyer
• Occasions Catalog
• Annual Catalog 

A Message For My Local Customers

Unfortunately, I have lost access to my email account and am trying to get it straightened out.  In the meantime, I probably have a thousand emails piled up waiting for me.  If you have emailed me and I have not answered, please contact me by phone if you need me.  If you wish to pick up a class kit (see available pick-up dates below) please contact me by phone until I get my account reset.

For our January Scraps and Prayers, I am not able to hold classes yet here in my home.  We're about to install kitchen flooring and new carpet (living room, hallway and steps leading to my studio) and I am still cleaning.  However ... I don't want us to miss a month of creating and I've already based our February class on having completed the January project, so I've come up with a way to have it all.

 Here's the scoop

• The project is a decorated tin and 2 cards (using embossing folders).
• I will have 7 available tins and card kits.
• I will make up the cards and supplies to decorate the tin as a class kit.
• Each kit will be $15.  (Scraps and Prayers fees will be raised to $18. in February ... for the remainder of 2019.)
• Arrange a time with me to pick up your kit.
• Pick up your kit any time from January 14-19, while supplies last.
• Pay your fee when you pick up your kit.
• Read the directions on my next post and complete your kit.
• Bring your kit to class in February.
• All those bringing their kit to class will receive a special surprise.
• 2019 will be our year to really get creative, so let your creative juices flow!
• I can't wait to see everyone's completed projects!!!

SPECIAL NOTE:
I've been working on my 2019 schedule and have posted classes and events for January - June of 2019.  Check it out here!

SUPER IMPORTANT: 
I have catalogs available.  Contact me to pick up yours.
Here's what I have available for you:

• SAB (Sale-A-Bration) Catalog
• Paper Pumpkin Flyer
• Occasions Catalog
• Annual Catalog 

January Scraps And Prayers / Studio Update

Greetings, fellow stampers, paper crafters, and scrappers.  I hope your weekend is off to a great start.  I'm making great progress in my storage room.  My studio is finished being cleaned except for the insides of 2 end tables and a tiny upper cabinet.  I'm on the last leg of cleaning the storage room.  Yikes, this has been a messy journey.  I can't wait to be finished!!!  I have some special projects in mind to decorate my 'new' studio and hope to start those later this week.  That will be fun!

For our January Scraps and Prayers, I am not able to hold classes yet here in my home.  We're about to install kitchen flooring and new carpet (living room, hallway and steps leading to my studio) and I am still cleaning.  However ... I don't want us to miss a month of creating and I've already based our February class on having completed the January project, so I've come up with a way to have it all.

 Here's the scoop

• The project is a decorated tin and 2 cards (using embossing folders).
• I will have 7 available tins and card kits.
• I will make up the cards and supplies to decorate the tin as a class kit.
• Each kit will be $15.  (Scraps and Prayers fees will be raised to $18. in February ... for the remainder of 2019.)
• Arrange a time with me to pick up your kit.
• Pick up your kit any time from January 14-19, while supplies last.
• Pay your fee when you pick up your kit.
• Read the message inside and complete your kit.
• Bring your kit to class in February.
• All those bringing their kit to class will receive a special surprise.
• 2019 will be our year to really get creative, so let your creative juices flow!
• I can't wait to see everyone's completed projects!!!

SPECIAL NOTE:
I've been working on my 2019 schedule and have posted classes and events for January - June of 2019.  Check it out here!

SUPER IMPORTANT: 
I have catalogs available.  Contact me to pick up yours.
Here's what I have available for you:

• SAB (Sale-A-Bration) Catalog
• Paper Pumpkin Flyer
• Occasions Catalog
• Annual Catalog 

More Good Christmas Reads and More Studio Progress

In case you'd like more book ideas ... to continue the Christmas spirit ... I have more good Christmas reads for you today, as well as an update on the continued progress I've made in my studio.  The first two books are books for children, but adults will enjoy them as well.  They're really great for the entire family.  If you don't want to read them now, tuck this idea away for next Christmas.  The art work is absolutely stunning!

The Christmas Candle tells a message about the true meaning of Christmas.  One year, for our children's worship service on Christmas Eve, my husband took a lantern (We hunted through several antique stores to find it.  How fun!) and told the entire story (from memory!) to all the children as they gathered on the steps at the front of our Sanctuary.  It was really special.

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey tells the story of how a child warms the previously cold heart of a sad man who suffers from the loss of his wife and child and helps him find joy once again as he carves an entire Nativity set from wood.  Both of these children's books would warm the heart of any reader and both have such beautiful art work and stories that they're worth reading again and again.  I highly recommend both books.

Most readers must have read a book by Fannie Flagg somewhere along the way.  Her story of A Redbird Christmas is one of the most charming stories I've ever read.  I try to read it again most every Christmas. 

Another book, for which I did not take a photo, that I love is A Christmas Story, by Jean Shepherd.  If you've seen the movie, you should read the book, too.

Now, I'll bet you're wishing I'd show a sneak peek of my studio.  No way!  Not yet!  I'm suffering greatly from all the plaster dust clean-up and can't wait to be finished.  I've completely emptied and cleaned all the upper cabinets on the back bar, as well as the 8 drawers on the back bar.  The first drawer, the hardest one, took 2 hours to clean!  It had multiple open containers of embellishments that were covered with plaster dust.  I put them in a veggie keeper that had a plastic mesh insert and washed them like that.  I wanted to do the hardest drawer first, to get it over, knowing the rest would be easier. 
Now, to do all the lower cabinets on the back bar.  Each day, I've also cleaned part of the storage room.  It is just horrible.  I need to finish all the storage room before we can get the furnace ducts all cleaned.  Can't wait to be finished.  I've had lots of moments of discouragement and near meltdowns, but know I have to just keep plugging away.  Some day, when it's all finished, I will be so glad.  I have about 6 more boxes to take down from the upstairs (from my temporary studio in our dining room) and then all can be put away once the cabinets and drawers are cleaned out and room made for them.  Ugh!
I'll give another update soon, as well as more creative inspiration.  Be sure to check back soon.

SPECIAL NOTE:
I've been working on my 2019 schedule and have posted classes and events for January - June of 2019.  Check it out here!