New People and classes

I have been so busy lining up new people and classes that I haven't had the time to post here. Sorry about that.

Coming in March we will have Four (4) new faces around the shop. I will introduce them as their respective class or session comes up on the calendar.

The first who I want to introduce is Karen S. She is a customer and has done samples for me in the past. She presented me with the suggestion of doing a trophy card class. (See picture that is posted below) You will have a choice of doing one design but the basic design of the card will be the same no matter which theme you pick.

The class is going to be in the first week of March. I don't have my work calendar in front of me at the moment. The cost is going to be $7.

I also want to tell you that our used stamp sale is scheduled for March 28th. Come by the shop and pick up a form if you have any stamps that you want to sell. We will also take any related materials to stamping or art supplies that you no longer need or want.

I don't think the March of Flamingos Sale will happen this March. I just haven't had the time to think about it. So they may stay in the closet this year.

New stamps

WWhhoo-woooo! New stamps have arrived at the Artfull Hand from Stampscapes and Inkadinkado. There are pending orders from 100 Proof Press and Hero Arts. Just haven't gotten around to ordering from anyone else yet.

Super Bowl Sunday StampOUT

These are some of the pictures from Super Bowl Sunday Stamp OUT. Boy oh Boy Did we have fun. Everyone worked on their own projects. But were ready and willing to share, help and loan supplies and ideas. Personally I really didn't get anything accomplished but I did work through a couple of ideas for the next ATC theme which is chocolate. Several of the girls got their ATCs completed, Valentines made, samples done and just random card making. Bev even showed Barb G how to make a treat box.

We only put two people to a table. That way there was plenty of room to spread out. We had tables set up throughout the store. Cri had her own table for a little while as a few of the attendees had church run late.

And did we have the food! I made venison chili. Everyone said it was good. Nobody fell down grabbing their stomach or made a mad dash for the bathroom. So I guess they really liked it. But we also had corn bread, brownies, cookies, assorted cheese and crackers, Twizlers(yum) and apple pie! Oh MY! After I ate all the blood in my body went to my stomach to help digest. My brain just didn't want to work. So I sat and enjoyed the company of my sister stampers. I offered an opinion when asked and sometimes I didn't need to be asked. HE..He..He.

The store even had some walk in business... I couldn't believe it.

I am seriously considering having a stampout night once every couple of months or like Bev suggested once a quarter. Or maybe it could be on a Sunday afternoon. That way people aren't traveling at night... I'll think on it.

If you missed coming you missed a really fun time. We played Stamping bingo. Poor Patty Pulled a Prized from the Prize box that was a repeat of something she picked from another game. NO give backs. She was stuck with it.... Oh well maybe she can pass it on....

Weather

Well the weather has hit us in the face again. After all day yesterday of freezing rain,sleet and snow pellets, somtime after 6 last night it decided to unleash on us. Around my house we got a good 6 inches of snow. It looked in town got that much too. Stamp club was today. We had a few brave souls attend. I am really tired of winter.

spritz stamping

This is a sample of another class that will be offered in Feburary. I call it Spritz Stamping. It is modeled after a Fred B. Mullet technique. Sorry the photo is not the best. The class will be $10. I'm still working on the February Newsletter.

Shrink plastic pin class

This is a sample of the a class that I will be offering in February. At the moment I have forgotten the dates that I am doing the class. I know it will be at least twice. The cost of the class will be $10. Keep checking back for the dates. I'll get them up as soon as I finalize February dates.

Jane's mom

Jane's mom passed away yesterday, Tuesday, 1/13/09. She was 99 years old.

Super Bowl Sunday

I forgot to mention in the newsletter that we will be hosting our annual Super Bowl Sunday Stampout again this year. It will be February 1st. I believe that is Super Bowl Sunday.

If you have never attended. What we do is get together at the shop(we open at 11:00 on that day). I usually supply drinks and maybe this year I will make vension chilli. You bring any or all your projects that you are currently working on and for a small fee you reserve yourself a working spot at one of our spacious tables. We have loads of funs visiting, chatting, playing games and even getting some stamping done. Maybe I will be able to get my '08 Christmas Cards done!!!! We usually pack up around 4 or 5. That still gives you plenty of time to get home to watch the game.

So why don't you come and stamp with us....

Perfect pair

Here is one of Linda's cards for the 3 for $6 that is going to be on Wednesday. Remember there is a time change. We will begin at 11:30 and then repeat at 2:00pm. Come on by.

January Newsletter Finally!

January 10th- ATC Swap 12:30
January 12 - Night time stamp club 7 pm $1. We will be making 3-dimensional snowflakes. Bring scissors snowflakes stamp, dark blue ink pad & glue dots. Yes Monday night.
January 14th Linda 3 for $6 11;30 & 2:00
January 17th Dorothy 3 for $6 11:30 & 2:00
January 20th Bev 3 for $6 & pm. Please RSVP
January 21st Sally 3 for $6 11:30 & 2 Pm
January 28th Day Stamp Club 11:30 & 2:00 pm

I know this isn't much of a schedule but with Jane out and with me still recovering, we are going to take it slow for a little while. Hopefully in a month or two we will be up and running full steam.
If there is anything you would like us to teach call the shop Tuesday through Saturday and let us know. Or stop by. We would be happy for you to visit.

Changing Hours

I really hate to do this but I am going to have to change hours.
Effective immediately the hours will be:
Winter Hours:
MONDAY - CLOSED
Tuesday through Friday
Open at 11:00 am Close at 5pm.
Saturday-
Open at 10:00 am Close at 5pm
Sunday by Appointment or Special Event
Effective January 1, 2009
Summer Hours will be announced.
If you have any questions call the shop at 636-239-5995. We will be flexible for the next couple of weeks.
January Newsletter is still under construction.

New Year -- New Idea

Bev came up with a cute card idea. We are calling it the Card of the Month. If you purchase any or all of the stamps and materials used to make the card you will receive 20 % off of the needed stamps and supplies!

Eve of the New Year

Well here we are the last day of 2008. I hope the year was better for you then it was for me. But then, I know that there are a lot of people in some kind of distress.
Actually the year is ending on a high note. I am pain free. My neck and back surgery was two weeks ago and I am feeling very good. I did suffer from a bout of the flu and an intestinal bug a week after the surgery. But I am once again upright and mobile. I have a Bugawump stamp in the store that says,"Everyday above ground is a bonus." I would agree as long as it is a pain free day.
We suffered through some bumps this year and I am sure there will be a few in the New Year as well.
But I am hoping the new year brings exciting new stamps and products for the Artfull Hand. I am looking forward to placing orders and unpacking them on their arrival. It is like Christmas when a shipment comes in because I forget what I have ordered.
To you and yours, we at the Artfull Hand wish you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. We'll see you soon.
The Artfull Hand girls
Dorothy, Linda, Bev, Jane, Carol, Sally and Kathy(Newest member)

SALE - SALE - SALE

Now down to business.
The Artfull Hand has a huge sale going on.
All holiday stamps are 30 % off. That includes Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. All other holidays are thrown in too.
Regular priced merchandise( all of it) is discounted 15%.
And there still is the sale basket that has stamps in it that have a red dot on them, they are still at 33% discount.
It's gonna get better next week. Stay tuned.

More updates

Well here it is a week after my surgery. I am pain free in my left arm and my lower back and left leg. My left thumb still has a tingle in it. But it reminds me to take it easy.
Last Monday was a nasty weather day around here and we had to travel a ways to get to the hospital. But we made it and DH made it back home. I spent the night in the hospital. They booted me out at 10 the next morning. I wasn't sure I was ready to go but they pushed me out the door. I spent the rest of the day on the couch as well as the next day. On Thursday DH had scheduled a big surgery at the vet office that I had to go and help with. I wasn't happy about it but I did go and that surgery was successful. I went home and crashed in the afternoon.
On Friday I check in at the vet office and then to the store. Kathy H. a friend of many years was helping out. I did a couple of things around the store and headed home to the couch. You'll be seeing her now and again around the shop.
My mom is now home from the hospital as well. Her surgery was successful as well.
Thank you for all of the well wishes and cards.
I am doing pretty good.

Updates

Things have been happening at the Artfull Hand.

Linda' s mom did pass away last Friday. The poor lady was in a lot of pain so now she is at peace. My mom's surgery was reschedule to tomorrow. My surgery is schedule for the 15th.

Last night was our annual holiday get together. Every one brought a snack and a $5 gift. We had a very pleasant evening of Christmas Trivia and rob your neighbor. (Funny name of a game to be playing at a Christmas party).

The Artfull Hand Holiday Open House will be this Friday and Saturday.

On Friday I will be doing the Pointsettia flower $3 and Carol will be leading a free make 'n take. Then on Saturday Linda will be doing her moonlight card $2.50.

Back again

Well I finally got to talk to my doctor. I do have the ruptured disc at L5/S1 again. He told me that I was one of the lucky 8% that have a re-occurrence. Why can't I be that lucky playing the lottery? In addition to that I also have a ruptured disc at C5/6!!! Damn! the good luck!! He asked whether I wanted to do one at a time or do both discs at the same surgery.... Well duh! It's gonna be both at the same time. They have to schedule the surgery but we are looking at the week of the 15th... With a little more luck I should be pretty well on the recovery road by Christmas.
Unfortunately that slows things down at the shop.
I will try my best to get some classes put together. I have one project that is ready to go but will have to find a substitute to lead it.
Linda's mom is not doing at all well. They have brought in hospice so it is just a matter of time for the poor lady. Jane's mom is faring a bit better. She has been able to get rid of the excess water with the new meds. My mom is just waiting for the 9th of December to roll around. That is her surgery date. The long range weather forecast is sounding iffy. But I'm not letting that worry me.Most of the time they can't get a 6 hour forecast right.

December

Where did the rest of November go???
There is so much "stuff" going on with the people associated with the shop and myself.... I haven't had the time to complete the December newsletter. We have a few things happening early in the month. The major reason that I am late is that I have been having back and neck problems again. Yesterday I had a lumbar and cervical myleogram. Let me tell you that is loads of fun. But it wasn't as horrible as I had imagined it...I survived to tell about it. I haven't yet talked to my doctor about the results. I am waiting to hear from him before I committ to too much stuff at the shop...
I feel like the Christmas tree in the above picture. You can actually buy this tree for $600!
As soon as I have more information for you on what's happening and when in the shop. I will post it....But you don't have to wait for me to do something. Come in anyway and visit with us.

Gas Prices

I had a very pleasant experience this morning. I filled my gas tank which was reading only 1/4 full for under $20!!! My word was that nice. I believe I heard on the news that the last time gas has been under $2 a gallon was 3 years ago. The price is $1.44/gallon FYI.
Which is good for the shop because I have been seeing an increase in St. Louis customers. Thank you ladies...
Today is my 3 for $5 at 1:30 sorry I don't have any pictures. I just haven't had the time to do small details like that.
Yesterday I went and saw the doctor who operated on my back last year. He has ordered a myelogram. I can't have MRIs. I don't know when that will be. I call on Monday to find out. Then on Thursday I went with my mom to her surgeon who will be biopsy-ing the lymph nodes in her chest on Dec 9th. The funny thing is at that appointment my mom said maybe we can get in the same room. I told her no way. Well there is a way. My doctor has privileges at the hospital where she will have her biopsy. Oh my! The two of us in the same room recovering. That would be a hoot.

November 19th

How did it get to be November 19th all ready? Where did the days go?
Last week-end was Deer widows Week-end at the shop. We had a small turn out but a fun one. I actually created some Christmas Cards and started working on my ATCs for the swap in December. My DH got two deer. We processed them this morning at Ric's and Sue's. My back is killing me now even after my Vicodin. I see the back surgeon on Friday. I am hoping that he will agree that I need another surgery. My Dh asked me the other day what I wanted for Christmas. I told him back surgery.
Jane will be filling in for Sally tomorrow at the 3 for $5. Sally called in sick. Jane's, Linda's and my mother all have life threatening health issues at the moment. My word I certainly don't need the stress.