This was a card that SueB did last week for her 3 for $6. Bev and I had to look up the translation. What it says is.....always wear underwear....LOL . Sorry the inside isn't a good shot.

Peeps

Thought I would show you another page that Donna made. This was James at Easter '08.
He did get his chocolate bunny for Easter '09.

scrapbooking

We have started to scrapbook around the Artfull Hand. The above picture is a page that my newest employee, Donna, has done. Of course the star of the page is my grandson James.

Later in April Donna will be leading a class in peek-a-boo pages. It is a really fun technique that also can be used in card making. Go to www.theartfullhand.com to check out the class and samples.

I've been sick

sorry I haven't posted in a while. In the blogs I follow I get agitated at the owners when they don't post regularly. And now I find myself doing that. Well I do have a good excuse. I've been sick.
On April 5th we flew to Atlanta to meet up with friends and have a family re-union with my son, D-I-L and grandson. We spent several days visiting and enjoying the outdoors. During that time I felt like something was brewing. By the time we came home I knew that something had attacked me. On Easter Sunday I got up and almost immediately went right back to bed, spent the whole day there. Monday and Tuesday was worse. I think it is the flu. This will be the second time I have had it in less then 6 months. I was sick at Christmas too. (Hmmmm, major holidays connection.)
In addition to being sick I was in a tax prep crunch. I am trying to research auto insurances and our health insurance premium notice has gone astray. All big ticket items. Then yesterday I noticed that our dishwasher at home isn't draining. Great - add another problem to the pile.
Okay so now you know where I have been and what I have been doing. In the next entry I will tell you what is happening up at the shop....

Reminder

Just wanted to remind you all that our used stamp sale is tomorrow Saturday March 28th. There is A LOT of really cool stuff all ready. I am expecting more to be brought in today. The doors open promptly at 10 AM. No Early birds. See you then

New face

Since we have so many new faces around the Artfull Hand I thought I would change the face of the blog page.... Hope you like it. Also I have added a new gadget on the left side where you can sign up and follow my blog. Please do so.

late Newsletter

Geeezz... I just realized that I never posted the newsletter for March.
Here it is better late then not at all.

Well now! I have some news for you all. We have a new employee by the name of Barb Helfrich. She used to work at the Elm Street Co. She has been in retail for many many years and is a stamper and a scrapbooker! WWhhooo! Whoo! Come by the shop on most Thursdays and you will probably run into her. She is on March's Calendar for a 3 for $6. Her work is crisp and clean.
Also big more big news!!!! Can you stand it? Our own Sue Brown has agreed to do some classes and 3 for $6s for us. She will be starting this month as well! Plus (there is even more!) Karen Sprick will be a guest instructor this month!
Here goes:
March 7th ATC swap 12:30
March 9th - Night time Stamp Club 7 PM One whole dollar is all that is required. We will be doing backgrounds.
March 11th Sue Brown's 3 for $6 11:30 & 2 PM
March 14th - Karen Sprick - Trophy Card Class 10:30 - $7
March 14th - Sue Brown - Image Transfer Class 1:30 - $15.MOVED to March 21st.
March 17th - Happy St. Patricks Day!
March 17th - Linda's Make 'n Take $1 - 11:30 - 4
March 17th - Bevs 3 for $6, 7 PM, Please RSVP to 636-239-5995
March 20th Sue B Image Transfer Class at 1:00, $15Three different techniques will be taught. [Repeated on March 21st.
March 21st Barb H - 3 for $6, 10:30 and 1:30
March 21th Sue B Image Transfer Class at 1:30, $15
Three different techniques will be taught.
March 24th Linda's 3 for $6 11:30 and 2 PM
March 25th Day Stamp Club 11:30 and 2 PM- $1
March 26th - Absolute deadline for dropping off things for used stamp sale.
March 27th - Dorothy's 3 for $6 11:30 and 2 PM
March 28th Used Stamp Sale Today Only 10:00 am to 5 PM
March 31st Carol's Make 'N Take $1 - 11 - 4

Anything listed as a CLASS MUST be signed up and paid for at least 24 hours in advance. No exceptions. This is a courtesy to the instructor so that she knows how many to prepare.

Orders and March Newsletter

Hi everyone- I am still working on the March Newsletter. I am waiting to hear back on a few details from some people. So as soon as I hear from them I will publish the newsletter.
We made the UPS Man earn his money today! We got in 3 big orders. One of them was the Hero Arts order that we all have been waiting on for some time now. We have a lot of new stuff. Also got several new Easter designs from Art Impressions. And we re-stocked on several must have products like glue dots and red liner tape from Product Performers. Linda and I were working our fingers to the bone to get everything unpacked, checked in and priced.. Whew! But we did so come in and check out all the new stuff...

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!