Happy New Year

As I said in the last post James didn't get to stamp at the shop. Between customers, dirty diapers and phone calls we just didn't get around to getting out the paper and the inks. His momma and daddy surprised me at Christmas with some really cool Tee-shirts for the Artfull Hand. You will be seeing the girls and my self sporting them at special functions...
I have bumped up the discounts on numerous items throughout the shop until Dec. 31st. Don't miss out on the big savings. And we will be closing early on New Year's Eve Day. The January newsletter is up on the web site, www.artfullhand.com.

Christmas Fun

We didn't get the chance to stamp at the shop with James. Where does the time go? But I promised you pictures and here is at least one. Great Grandma Charlotte bought him the Santa slippers and the Santa hat. He was/is just adorable. And such a good baby... With all the strange people, sounds and disrupted schedules he has fussed very little...
Well I do have some news about the shop. I am planning some new things for 2008. I all ready have some orders placed for new stamps and a new stamp company. I'm thinking my year end store wide sale will be increased from now to the end of December. You will just have to come in and see how big the discounts have grown!

I need another week

I need another week before Christmas actually gets here. I am so far behind. My back is slowing me down even though I continue to heal. If you don't hear from me for a while you'll know that I am trying my darnest to get all the details taken care of before the kids arrive home on Saturday.
I am so looking forward to seeing Baby James. This will be his first Christmas and first visit to Grandma's House!!!!! Of course he will visit the shop and I hope to post pictures of that... He is so adorable if I may say so even though I am so very biased....
May all of you dear readers have a wonderful Christmas Season with family and friends.

Christmas Get Together

Monday night was the Christmas get together at The Artfull Hand. It had been postpone from the week before because of the weather. We had a good turn out. There was loads of fun and food! Here we have just finished eating and was waiting for Linda to pull her stuff out for the holiday card that we made. I wished I would have remember to save the scan to include here. If I find it I will. Everyone loved it and I have had requests to make more of them.
Do you need at least another week before Christmas like I do? I was up at 3 am this morning wrapping presents..... Geez! There are things in the shop that need to be done too. Maybe I will ask Santa to bring an elf or two to help out...... Here is the Santa Card Scan that we made at the Christmas Get Together. Thanks Carol for sending me the file....This card is made with the Tim Holtz unmounted set. The inside has a third tag with Merry Christmas stamped on it.

Christmas Party postponne

Drats! Drats! Drats!!!!!
We had to postponne the Christmas Get-Together at The Artfull Hand last night. The forecast sounded iffy and we thought it was best to err on the side of caution...We try again next Monday night. But I all ready know that several people won't be able to make that date because of conflicting commitments..... Drats!
We here in Washington, MO have had some icing but haven't suffered like we did last December and January. See those posts!!! However it is slowing down some of my customers. I hope they don't miss out on the wonderful sale that I am running now through the end of the month!
I heard from DIL and they will arrive here for Christmas on the 22nd. Be watching for photos and reports of Baby James stamping at the artfull hand. I am going to have to add his hand print to the bathroom wall.

Part 3 of Doll class

Here is my doll. As far as I have her completed. For some reason this last class period I wasn't able to get much accomplished. The green shiny discs around her waist I sewed on out side of class. I started to give her some beads for hair. It was taking for ever so I went on and tried some other things.... I still have much to do on this doll.

This is the second doll that I started. I just love this fabic. I have all the embellishing to do on her.

This is Sue's Tina. She named her after Tina Turner. Sue was able to do some stamping on her body. She said that she was going to add some beading too. In February we (SueP, Sue B and I with dolls) are going to have a tea party at Sue B's house. That ought to be fun!

Make and Take

On December 7th from 10:30 to 3:30,Carol will show how to make this card. It is what we call a Make and Take.

You Make it and then Take it with you for free.

How cool is that?????

2008

This is a desk calendar kit that I have made up. I must confess that it is not my idea. But from a friend of mine.... I adapted it to the new year from her 2007 calendar. They are ready for sale at $2.25 each. What you get is the year the stamped elements, the calendar and instructions. You color, cut, stamp and assemble. The only thing not provided are the backgrounds IE. clouds, grass and flowers.

ATC Swap

Last Saturday was the ATC swap at the shop. We had a good turn out. We also established the list of themes for 2008. January 2008 will be " In the Beginning". How appropriate!

We swap every first Saturday of the month at 12:30. Come and join us... It is a lot of fun.

I am also thinking about allowing you to swap with us. You will have to have your cards to the shop in time for the monthly swap and you will have to pay for the to and fro shipping. If you would to swap with us just have your cards to us by January 5th, 2008. Mail to :
The Artfull Hand
416 East Fifth St.
Washington, MO 63090

The complete list of Themes for 2008 will be up on the web site shortly.

Doll Class Part Two

Part two of the doll class was yesterday. The picture with the humans in it is where SueP and I were joining our dolls togther. We had parts spread all over the table. The other picture is after we finished joining them. My doll is the darker smaller one and Sue's is the larger one. We have different sizes because of the props that the dolls will be using when we are finished with them. The next step is the embellishment phase. Oh boy, beads and shiny stuff!This is going to be the best part.

Trinket Box Class

The girls made such adorable holiday trinket boxes last Saturday. Bev has led this class several times this past year. Each time I think I am going to be able to take it but never do get the chance. One of these times I am going to do it.....

During the past week several orders came in while I was recuperating. I know another order from Stampscapes came. And I am stocked up on Holly Berry once again. Their poinsettias are really beautifull. And I am restocked on Radiant Rain Sprays from Luminarte. I also got several new colors.....

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday with Family and Friends...

Get Well

I received this get well bouquet and balloon from Terry. My back surgery was last Monday the 19th at 7 am! Which meant we had to be a the hospital in St. Louis at 5 am which meant we had to leave our house at 4 am which meant we had to get up around 3 am. (I had to shower& scrub my back with special soap.) It was one of those times which was hurry up and wait. I know, I know it is a minor thing to bitch about considering the seriousness of the surgery. And it is a BIG hospital and there were 7 other people waiting for outpatient surgery at the same time I was. Of course we all did not have the same doctors, nurses or anesthesia teams.... So the coordinators did have a large job to handle. It's just when you are sitting in bed watching people seemingly aimlessly wandering to and fro that made me anxious. I was ready to get the show on the road to get the thing over with. And in due time I was wheeled into the operating room and then into anesthesia never-never land.

I am happy to report that the surgery seems to have been successful. My sciatica pain is gone. The pain at the lumbar vertebra is almost gone. Just within the last day I can again lay flat on my back. And I drove myself to work today!!!! Four days after surgery. Remarkable! I am gratefull to live in the time I do.

Doll Class

Doll class with Sue Brown was Friday the 16th. In the first picture you see our sewing machines set up on the class room tables. Far different then glue sticks, stamps, ink and paper.

Also in the first picture you see the parts of my doll laid out on the fabric waiting to be sewed. Sue instructed us on how to make the pattern, lay it out and then to sew it. The real tricky part I found was in turning the pieces.... Sue had a cool tool that I want to see if I can find on line. The next step was stuffing. And boy did we STUFF! It is a week later and I still have one arm and the head to go. In the next session Sue is going to show us how to join the parts.

one of mine

My 3 for $3 will be next Saturday. You know me, I can't be too serious for too long.... I saw this word stamp at Custer's Last Stamp and just had to have it. There have been a couple of people in the shop that had to have it explained to them....

Carol's Card

Carol's 3 for $3 will be next Tuesday. I just love this card. So elegantly simple. Check out the newsletter at www.theartfullhand.com to see her other two equally great cards.

Introducing Sally

Here is one of the cards that Sally will be doing at her first 3 for $3 today....She also is doing a card with a large thistle and a Thanksgiving card.
Sally is talented but unsure of herself. She has some wonderful ideas.

James' Halloween card

Finally I got the scanner to work. Don't know why but it finally did. You all are the first ones to see James' card. The inside isn't finished so the recipients haven't received them yet. Didn't I tell you he was talented???? He made the card on Oct 30th when he was only 9 days old.....

Sorry

My scanner seems to have died. So I haven't been able to scan James' Halloween card... I will work on another tactic. His card is just too cute not to share.
I also want to tell you that I have two new stamp companies at the Artfull Hand, Custer's Last Stamp and Victorine Originals. One of my favorite stamps from Custer's Last Stamp is the saying,"Some of my Best friends are Flakes." Another saying from them that I just discovered is, "How's your Aspen?" Pair that with an Aspen leaf and it will make a great card.....Well back to the regular grind.

New grandson

Well here is James with Grandma and Grandpa. He is all decked out in his third Halloween sleeper of the day...He kept peeing in the others. This was right before we left for the airport. The days we spent with him and his parents went to darn fast. How come the days we spend at the office or shop creep by.

Hopefully James will be able to visit the Artfull Hand in December. But I have all ready introduced him to card making. In the next post I will show you his Halloween card. He is very talented.

Halloween Stamps and things that go 'bump' in the night!

Just wanted to let you all know that ALL of the Halloween Stamps are 25% off now and through Oct 31.st.

We are still accepting Halloween card submissions.

Also wanted to remind you that if you come into the Artfull Hand on Wednesday October 31st in costume and agree to be photographed you will get 25% off of your total purchase.....

That same day is stamp club. We are going to have bunches of fun so don't miss it....

I'm a NEW GRANDMA

My new grandson was born on Oct.21 at 6:00 am ET. 8 pounds 10 ounces. 20 1/2 inches long. Can't wait to get my hands on him.

oh my aching back

Well I really don't know exactly what I did do to my back but I did a good job on it. About 2 weeks ago I twisted and heard 'crunch-crunch. The next day I had some pain in the spine and surrounding muscle. The next thing I knew my sciatica was flaring up. I started on mega doses of ibuprofen but really didn't help. So I got a doctor's appointment and he ordered a CT scan. I can't have MRIs. My pain is much lower then what is highlighted in the picture.

I scoot around the Artfull Hand on my wheelie chair from the office. I can't sit, walk or stand too long. Laying down is OK. Of course I got some nice drugs.

Nothing much is new at the Artfull Hand because I have slowed down. But we are looking forward to the Halloween Card submissions and have several now....

Linda's latest 3 for $3 is Tuesday the 23rd. Hope to see you.

Silly-ness

What will they think of next? Skeletal Flamingos.!!! I just had to buy these when I found them in the grocery store. Aren't they a hoot? Those who know me know that I like Flamingos. These are great for Halloween and will make another appearance during the March of the Flamingos Sale in March. Okay enough silliness for for now.... Down to the important stuff. A large order came in today from Product Performers so I am now restocked on the Fantasy Fibers all colors.... Impression Obsession came in today too. We have all of the Christmas Chickadees. They are so sweet. Last Friday brought in an order from Inkadinkadoo with a nice selection of more Christmas Stamps....And finally the Ranger Distress Crackle Paint arrived! We can wait to play with that....Come in and play with us!

Fall

AAAhhhhh....Fall has arrived at the Artfull Hand. Carol caught me while I was decorating the shop for Fall. We have a good collection of Fall stamps and of course Halloween ones too.

We've all ready received several enteries into the Halloween Card Contest.... There's still time to enter. Why don't you stop by and visit for a while. I've got the candy corn out......

Laughing out Loud

We are having a good time laughing as Jane does her little skit. She put on this horrible wig and an apron. In front of her was a table with a bottle of wine, a rubber chicken and a few other things.

As soon as she open her mouth we all knew that she was doing Julia Child. She was instructing us on how to roast a chicken. Her fail safe method was to stuff the chicken with popcorn. When the popcorn blew out of the chicken's rear end then it was done!

Here you see Jane as Julia. She was tieing up the birds legs with hemp rope instead of sewing up the bird's butt. She said that the burning hemp rope gave the bird a smokey flavoring..... You know Julia was very fond of cooking with wine. As you can see on the table so is this version. Through out the demonstration Ms Child would hit the bottle. I never did see her put any wine in or on the bird.

We all laughed so hard that we had tears streaming down our faces.

It was a really good birthday. One that I won't soon forget. PS> Can you imagine what the regular type customers thought as this was going on? Linda waited on a couple while we hysterically carried on.

Lunch

Here the two Sues fill their plates with a wide assortment of delicious salads. I won't bore you with the types but there was everything from greens to pastas.

What was in the box

A Flamingo Santa was what was in the box from Terry. She knows I like Flamingos. This one sings "Santa's coming to Town" as he flaps his wings and his legs stretches several inches higher. He also wiggles his tail feathers and shakes his head. It is a hoot. Of course he will come out at Christmas time. But he will also make a return appearance in March for the March of the Flamingos Sale.

Happy Birthday to me

Yesterday was my birthday. I am well over 50 years.

The girls, Carol, Linda and Jane plus several of my regular customers gave me a salad pot luck lunch. Oh was it fun. And very delicious. We laughed and laughed. Ooohhed and aaahhhhed over the cards that were made for me. And filled up on several different kinds of salads. Plus there was cake and cookies, no ice cream. But that is ok as I am more of a cake girl.

I am so very lucky to have these talented women working for me. And I am even more lucky to have the customers that I do.

Of course non of it would be possible if it weren't for Terry another friend and a relative to boot. In the picture I am opening a box she sent to the shop. The 'card' I am holding is her way of making a birthday card. In the next few post I will show you what was in the box and some of the shenanigans that went on at the shop during lunch.

Bugawumps Class

The Bug-a-Whumps class was a great success. Everyone enjoyed the color theory lessons plus the coloring. Laura(in background) is a good teacher and came well prepared. Some of the ladies were a little confused by analogous and complementary colors. But I believe by the end of the evening they had it figured out.

Here you can see some of the progress made on the worksheets.

Bev received a gold star from the teacher for following directions. There was one or two in the class that struck out on their own and didn't exactly following the directions. But Laura said this challenged her and made teaching this class fun.

Here some of the class members are coloring in their bugs on the worksheet. I believe everyone had a good time. Laura said that this group was some of the best that she has taught. And that reflects well on the Artfull Hand. She is ready to come back next June when she does the Collinsville Convention. We will be glad to have her.....

The Big Sale

Well the used stamp and art supply sale went really well last Saturday. We had 3 - 6 foot tables covered with stamps and stuff, the counter that divides the classroom from the shop and one 4 foot table. After we had set everything out we were a little worried about the turn out. This was the biggest sale thus far. But the customer turn out was equally as large. We thank everyone who came and bought. By late afternoon on Saturday we were down to just two of the 6 foot tables and there was plenty of table top showing through.

The sale continues today, Monday. But as of 5 o'clock we will be packing up was is left, sorting it to return to the owners and doing the final tallies.

We'll have another used stamp and art supply sale late in the Spring. But don't wait that long to come and visit us.

USED STAMP & ART SUPPLY SALE

Just a reminder that the used stamp and art supply sale is this coming Saturday from 10:00 to 5 pm. My office looks like the above picture. We have a lot of stamps to sell... We will only accept cash and checks for the used supplies and stamps. Of course the credit card machine is waiting to be used for regular store purchases.....cash and checks are good there too.

And there are NO road closures this Saturday. So you have no good reason NOT to visit the Artfull Hand. Come and shop to your little heart's content. See you then!

Tour of Missouri

This past Saturday a Tour de France like bike race came through Washington. I was able to catch a picture of the leaders as they sped by the shop. I had hung out my fabric sign on the neighbors fence in hopes that if there was a camera crew following the racers it just might get seen. These guys whizzed by so fast that by the time the shutter clicked they were gone. Following the leaders came several chase cars. Then nine Highway Patrol cars that I counted. I got bored and went back in the store. Bev stayed out side. She saw the rest of the pack come through being followed by 11 more Highway Patrol cars plus several sheriff cars and a few Washington Patrol Cars... I hope there wasn't any accidents on the major interstates that needed to be investigated.
I heard on the radio this morning that this was such a successful event that it is expected to be repeated next year. And that the whole thing was estimated to have added 50 million dollars to the State's pocket book in one week-end. Well I sure didn't see any of that windfall. Fifth Street in front of my shop was shut down for a good forty-five minutes. The whole afternoon I had only two customers to brave the street closures. The bridge over the Missouri was closed too. so that meant no one from across the river could get to me. Sure you could get to me from the back streets but you would have had to be a local to find your way through. If this goes on again next year I hope they find another town to disrupt.

DOA

The shop computer had to be taken in to a repair shop on Saturday. The clerk writing up the work order put DOA on it.. I had to laugh at that. It sure was....

OF course the timing is bad. But is there a good time for things to break down??? No probably not. Day stamp club is this Wednesday instead of the usual fourth Wednesday. Laura from Bugawumps is coming next Wednesday. So I really needed to get the word out about the change. Carol agreed to help out with sending out e-mails.

Water color pencil technique class

Well September is here as well as a bit cooler temps..... On September 26th Laura Jacobs from Bugawumps will be at the Artfull Hand to teach her water color pencil technique. She will do only ONE Class at 6:30 pm. I'd like for her to do more but her schedule does not allow it.....drats! Spaces are limited so you need to stop by the shop or call and give us your credit card number. We are going to fill up quick....

Dreamweaver stencils

The dreamweaver stencils came in today. I am so excited about them. I have some old favorite designs and some new ones.. I also got their Picasso stencil. It is a tool to help the artist in the coloring of their work. It is really versatile. I also got their video. I have watched it repeatedly and learn something new each time..
Stop by the shop and check out all the new stencils.....See ya soon.

New stuff

We got the new Elements from Art Institute Glitter yesterday. They are natural bits and pieces that you can add to your art. And.............most of them have the most delicious aroma.....I know from the picture you can't appreciate the aroma or texture that most of these little jars contain. So you will just have to come into the shop to enjoy them in person. See you soon.

Summer Time Flies

Where Do Dragonflies sleep? by Roseanne Awebry

This is the time of year when dragonflies are plentiful. Flitting about showing off their jeweled colors.... What attracts us to them? Their color? The lacy wings? Their freedom of flight??? I don't have the answers.

We have a number of dragonfly stamps captured at The Artfull Hand for you to take home as your very own.....Yesterday a large shipment of perfect pearls arrived. They are the very thing to colorize your dragonfly stamping....Linda, Jane and I will be happy to show you different methods using the perfect pearls. Stop by the shop and visit a while. Maybe a dragonfly stamp might land in your bag.........

The Handy Stampers

Three of the members of the Handy Stampers got pbulished in the Sept/Oct issue of The Rubberstamper Magazine. Above is the section about us. It is on page 51.The people who were published were Bev Cupp, Sue Finck and Patti Frick. Their cards are left to right. The rest of us are so proud of them. I believe we sent in 7 or 8 cards. It was so long ago I don't remember.

Congratulations to Bev, Sue and Patti!

Whew!

Cartoon by Ralph Hagan

I feel like the witch in the cartoon. Last Sunday at my house two different thermometers registered 106 degrees. That is too damn hot for this part of the Country.
The Anniversary Celebration at the Artfull Hand has been going well. We had a nice turn out last week-end for our special promotions even with the high temperatures.....
I've been working on September's Calendar we have a stampscapes class, more 3 for $3s, Linda's Mosaic Card again and a special guest instructor from one of my favorite companies.... The name will be revealed in September's Newsletter. We will have a fall used stamp and art supply sale too. Down the road a bit we will have a doll making class starting in November. Sue Brown has agreed to teach us her methods of doll construction. I can't wait......
But until then stay coool.

Happy Birthday Artfull Hand

Dorothy and Linda

Wow! It’s our second birthday all ready! It seems like we were just moving displays and products into the store. OH! We have been. He..he..he….
We have a new stamp company called Rubber Soul. They have the cutest(and I hate to use that word)little critters, animals of all kinds. Penny Black and Stampendous have been restocked as well as Art Impressions. We also have new Sticklers Sets. They are peel off shiny stickers that come with either a 3 piece Glaze or Souffle` pens! Real Cool!

We start the month’s activities on Aug. 2 with a Mosaic Card at 10:30 for $5 lead by Linda. Then on Aug 3 Dorothy will be stamping on Dominos at 1pm for $10. August Fourth will be the ATC and Altered Book swap beginning at 12:30. Then at 2pm Dorothy will lead a Beginner’s Class for $10. Aug 6th Linda will do free Make ‘n Takes. On the 7th Linda will have a Free Demo. On Aug 8 Linda will do her 3 for $3. Ellen will teach her Concertina Book Class on Aug 9th at 10:30 for $20. Also on Aug. 9th, 10th and 11th we will have FREE cake and Drinks as well as special discounts.
On the tenth Dorothy will give a watercolor crayon demo. On Aug 11th, Dorothy will lead her Pop up & Out action Card Class at 1pm for $15. On the Thirteenth there will be a free make ’n take. Night Stamp Club is that evening at 7pm. On the 14th Carol will do her 3 for $3. The 15th there is a free Make ‘n take and on the 16th a free demo. On the 17th there is a Free Demo of Dry Embossing and Chalking. The 18th will be Jane’s Butterfly Card at 1pm for $7. The 20th and 21st Carol will be demoing. Beverly will give a free Outlines Demo on the 22nd at 3:30 – 5pm. Dorothy will have her 3 for $3 @ 3pm on the 24th. On the 25th Bev will have her 3 for $3 at 11 am only! On the 27th there is a free make ‘n take. A free demo will be given on the 28th. The 29th is Day Stamp Club at 10:30 and 1:30. On the 30th there is a free demo. And finally on the 31st Dorothy will have a free make ‘ n take with Iris Folding.

Come and Join the fun this month at the Artfull Hand. If you have any questions call the shop at 636-239-5995

New stamp Company

The Artfull Hand is happy to announce that we are stocking a new rubber stamp company called Rubber Soul. They have a wonderful assortment of whimsical critters with appropriate sayings. For example the lively crab as pictured above. Or a happy octopus with the words I can't wait to wrap my arms around you. Or perhaps a cherry chameleon saying I'd go out on a limb for you!

We also have been restocked with Judikins and River City Rubber Works Stamps.

So come in and check out our new supplies!!!!!!

July 4th

Happy Independence Day!

Bev's 3 for $3s

Carol reminded me that she had scanned Bev's cards and sent them to me. thank you Carol. I really wanted you to see the cards. The stamps used were all Hero Arts. Bev did a wonderful design job. I am so lucky to have her, Carol, Linda and Jane.