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!

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More Fun with In Colors

Yesterday was such a terrible day that I don't even want to burden you with it all.  In a nutshell, hospitals need to hire someone to be a coordinator between departments so that everyone is aware of what everyone else is doing!  Not having such a person to coordinate results in a family member not knowing where a loved one is for an entire day!  I would not wish that on anyone.... ever!!!

On a happier note, before all this happened, I had been playing around with our new In Colors and made a set of note cards using them.  I must say, I am really enjoying our new In Colors.  I guess I'm a regals kind of person, because these colors just seem rich and beautiful to me.
Here's what I made:

The inspiration came from our Stampin' Up! website for demonstrators.  Of course, I changed them a bit... because that's what I do:)  I like how they turned out.  I stamped each envelope to coordinate with the card.

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- 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. 

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Jumping Back In... my Gorgeous Winter Wreath

After the very unexpected death of my husband's sister and the events following that, it's hard to know where to begin, so I'll just jump right in and start by showing you the gorgeous Winter Wreath I made just before all these events.  I absolutely love it.  It's based on the one in our big catalog.  Of course, I had to put my own take on it, to make it truly mine.

I added lots more ribbon because I just love ribbon.  I added subtle sponging and lots of silver glimmer paper.  I also changed out the Soft Sky (used on the wreath in our big catalog) for Pool Party.  The reason I did this is so that it would coordinate with the Joy Banner we'll be making at my Christmas Retreat --- on November 16 (10:00-4:00) or November 17 (2:00-8:00).  They will look great decorating your home for Christmas.

So, what do you think?  You'd be amazed at how easy it is to make it.  We'll be making this one at my November Stamp Club on November 4.  The beauty of doing something like this in a class is that I prepare everything for you and you just show up and dig in.  You'll have a beautiful wreath for the holidays by the end of the class.  It involves a lot of materials but, by sharing them in a club, it cuts down on the expense for each person and you don't have to worry if you don't have a tool or die needed to make the project.

- 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 click on the left for sneak peeks. 

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