Okay this is enough all ready!

Well our fingers at the Artfull Hand have been frost bitten!
This is enough all ready! Where is global warming????
Besides being frostbitten, I've been down and out with the flu(again). Just the regular kind. In mid December I went to North Carolina to help daughter-in-law after she gave birth to Cole, my second grand son. Grandson #1, James had some germs that he gladly shared with his grandma. I came home with an upper respiratory cough. Over Christmas Husband and I flew back to North Carolina to spend Christmas. I again came home with some germs. I don't think I can blame James this time. I probably caught something on the planes. I am feeling much better now. But still have a slight cough.
Had a lot of help on January 1 to do inventory of the store. Everything is counted but I am still crunching numbers.
The girls have delighted in moving the store around. Things are not where you are used to seeing them.
Because of being sick and doing inventory the January newsletter is still not finished. I'm trying.
I do have orders pending from Hero Arts, Rubber Stamp Tapestries and a new company Shirley's 2 Girls.
Also want to let you know that there WILL BE NO STAMP CLUB THIS COMING MONDAY NIGHT,January 11. It is just too cold and nasty to stay out. Try to catch Stamp Club the last Wednesday of the month.
If the nasty weather continues, do call the shop before you make a trip out to see us. There is an off chance that I will tell whom ever is working that day just to go home.
Stay warm.

Baby Cole

I spent a week in North Carolina with Baby Cole, James and Sarah. Baby Cole is doing fine now after a slow start. James is the typical 2 year old, full of piss and vinegar. Makes his grandma laugh at his antics. Sarah is tired as any new mother will be. Just can't help that. My DH and I will be going back over Christmas to spend a few more days. I hope the weather doesn't impact our plans.

Inventory Reduction Sale

We are tired of looking at the same ole stamps and stuff.... So... beginning tomorrow, December 8th and running through December 19th we will take 30% off of your total purchase!!!! The discount does not apply to consigment items or all ready discounted merchandise.

Proud Grandma

I wish I could say that - that is me posing with Cole and Sarah but it is not. It is one of Sarah's delivery nurses.
Cole was born approximately 3:30 EST on 12/5. He weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds, 12.3 oz!!!! His head measured 15 inches. His brother's head was 14 inches. Poor momma! He was 22 inches long. But best of all he has red hair like his brother, uncle Dave and grandma!!!!

I'll get to see and hold him soon.

The December Newsletter

We have a lot of news for you this month.
First off.... We finally got in the core' dinations paper. It is paper that has a color core. We have it in 8 1/2 by 11 and 12 by 12 sizes.
Secondly we have hand made stamp Christmas cards for sale. I know you all can make your own. But send in your non-stamping friends and family. We will be expanding the selection to all occassion cards. Or if you have a specific card request we can work something up for you.
And Third..... We have an inventory reduction sale going on this week. 25% off of your total purchase. The sale does not include consigment items. Nor is it applied to all ready discounted merchandise.......Lastly. We will no longer be open late on Thursday nights effective immediately.
Whew! Now for the regular stuff.
December 2- Donna's Santa Sack pull up card class. $10 1:00
December 5-Christmas Open House 10 am to 5 pm. Snacks, door prizes, make 'n take and discounts continue.
December 5- Angel Slider card and Christmas Tree pop up card class. $9 10:30 & 2pm
December 5 - ATC swap 12:30. We will be selecting new themes for 2010.
December 7 - Stampclub Christmas Gathering 7pm. Bring a stamping related wrap gift and a goodie or a snack of your choice. We play games and maybe sing a song or two.
December 8 - Linda - 2 special Christmas Cards for $6 11:30 & 2 Pm
December 11 - Donna's folding Pointsettia card class. $6 11:30 & 2 PM
December 12 -Lana's 3 for $6 10:30 & 1:30
December 16 - Donna's folding pointsettia card class $6 11:30 & 2 pm
December 24 & 25 CLOSED
December 26 Open again
December 31 close at 3:00

Hurray

Finally the paper from Core' dinations has arrived. We have a wide selection of colors and sizes. This paper has a color core. So when you tear it or run it through your embossing machine the color from the core will show. Some of the paper will have a contrasting color core and others will have a deeper color of the surface. It is really cool. Watch for samples.

We will make your cards

Have you ever wanted to send hand made cards but didn't have the time to make them??? The Artfull Hand will make your cards for you. Need a odd occasion card that Hallmark doesn't meet? It could be something like a Church Secretary retirement or a 93rd birthday for your aunt or uncle. Not that a church secretary or 93rd birthday is odd. It's just that Hallmark is not going to market a card that is that specific. And we'll make it in the colors you chose.
Right now we have a large selection of pre-made hand stamp Christmas Cards. We even have boxed sets that are in a very nicely decorated box tied with a ribbon. It would be great as a hostess gift or a gift for a favorite teacher. Stop by and check it out.

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER


11/5/09 Gobble Gobble Card Class 4:30 to 6:30 PM. $5 Barb will be leading this fun card. The turkey pops up on the inside.

11/7/09 Gobble Gobble Card AND pumpkin card class.

10:30 $8 for both. See the web site for pictures.

11/7/09 ATC Swap 12:30


11/9/09 Night stamp club 7 pm. $1 You are to bring 3 rubber stamps with you. Be sure you have marked your initials on the stamps. Of course bring your basic class kit too. We will put all the stamps in one basket and each person will draw out 3 stamps. You are to make a card using THOSE 3 stamps. There will be no day stamp club this month as that is the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.


11/11/09 Sue's 3 for $6 11:30& 2pm



11/12/09 Beginning Scrapbooking 12 x 12 format. $10

11:30. Donna will start you off right!



11/14/09 Deer Widow's Week-end. Yup Ladies it's deer season once again. For $3 on Saturday night from 6 pm to 9 pm you can have a spot at one of our tables and access to all the classroom supplies. Bring a snack I will supply the drinks(non-adult kind- sorry)

11/15/09 From 11 to 5 on Sunday and $6 will get you a spot at our table, access to the class room supplies, non-adult variety of drinks, deer chili, games, prizes and at least one project. If you attend both times then the price is $8.


11/18/09 Linda's 3 for $6 11:30 & 2 pm


11/19/09 Donna fabric popup card class $10. 11:30


11/20/09 Miniature 2010 calendar class $5 11:30


11/21/09 Barb X-mas tree pop up card and table decoration class. $12 10:30

11/25/09 Come in and make a Christmas Card or Any Occasion Card for the Military and receive 20% off your total purchase that day.

11/26/09Thanksgiving- Closed

11/27/09 Come in and make a Christmas Card or Any Occasion Card for the Military and receive 20% off your total purchase that day.

11/28/09 Donna fabric X-mas pop up card class $10 10:30

Dorothy 3 for $6 1 pm ONLY.

Costumed Customers part two

This is Madame Cindy and her 'pet' Mortimer....!!! Madame was very regal like in her flowing veil that sported additional little pets such as spiders... When she first walked in I really didn't recognize her as Cindy B.
I can't believe that I forgot to photograph myself and Bev.. Geez... What a dufuss I am. I came in my flippers, snorkel and swim mask. We had so much rain that I thought those items would be very appropriate and possibly needed at a moments notice. Miss Beverly came dressed as a lovely Indian Princess.

Costumed Customers

This is Sister Mary Ella better know as Sharon K. She came in last Saturday(Halloween) in costume to claim her discount.

Thanksgiving Day Cards

On November 7th at 10:30 Barb will be doing this wonderful pumpkin card along with the gobble gobble card from the previous post. The cost is $8 for both cards. Come and have some fun with us.

Gobble Gobble

Barb will be doing this wonderful card on November 5th, 4:30 to 6:30 PM. The price is $5. As you can see the turkey pops up! How cool is that????

Stencil class

Here is part of the class that attended the Stencil class last night with Kathy Anderson. Every one's projects turned out wonderful. Kathy taught 3 different techniques using embossing paste, glitter and embossing powder. The girls were a bit apprehensive at first using the embossing paste. But soon got into the swing of things. I think Kathy will be back for more classes in the future.

Monday night stamp club

Last night was stamp club. The girls celebrated my birthday(belatedly) with a pot luck supper. We had everything from pizza to black bean salsa to sweet potato pie to fresh fruit. There was a large variety. Linda lead us in making a really cool sunflower card. You start with the largest scallop circle punch you have. With the circle punch out you fold it in half and in half again. Then fold that in half once more. (Not sure here if there is one more fold in half at this point or not) But then you trim off a sliver of paper from both sides starting at the scalloped edge cutting towards the point.(Do not cut all the way down to the point) Linda instructed us to cut in a curved manner. When I opened my paper to reveal a neat looking flower the sides of each petal were straight. Linda's had a nice rounded edge to them. Well I thought I will try this again as we had two more punched circles to fold and cut. No matter how hard i tried to cut a rounded edge my flower petals all ended up having straight edges. We had two more smaller circles that needed to be folded and cut as well. But when it was all put together it looked pretty darn good! I will try to get a picture of it and post it here.
I do want to thank Linda, Donna, Kathy A, Sandy, Cri, Barbara D.,Patti, Cindy,Karen, Carol and Sue B. I got some really cool birthday cards.....

October Schedule

October 3- ATC Swap 12:30

October 8 - Donna's 3 for $6 11:30 & 2

Open till 7 pm

October 10 - Beaded Spooky Spider Class

$8 1:00

October 12 - Night Stamp Club 7 Pm

October 14 - Linda's 3 for $6 11:30 & 2

October 15 - Open till 7

October 16 - Deadline for Halloween Cards 5 Pm

October 17 - Recipe Book Class $10 11:00

Beginner Stampscape $12 1:30

October 20 -Recipe Book Class $10 7pm

October 22 - Beginner Brayer Class 6PM $8

Two cards

October 23 - Dorothy's 3 for $6 11:30 & 2PM

October 24 - Day of the Dead Shrine Class

10:30 $15

Stampscapes 201 Class $12 1:30

October 27 - Stencil Class 7 PM $15 3 cards

3 techniques

October 28 - Day Stamp Club 11:30 & 2 PM $1

October 29 - Open till 7 PM

October 30 - Beaded Spider Class $8 11:30

October 31 - Halloween Day - 20% off for

Costumed Customers. Must agree

to be photographed.

Card Contest Winners Announced.

Almosst the end of the month

I know - I know. It's almost the end of the month and I haven't posted anything since I post the September Newsletter. I really do want to do better but just don't seem to have the time. I'm running between two places and I am happy to say that business has picked up at both places.
Rock the new puppy is doing well with training. We still have a couple of little mishaps in the house occasionally but they are getting fewer.
I do have some exciting news for the shop. I have lined up a special guest instructor, Kathi Anderson of Debbie Gunion and Associates. She will be teaching a Dreamweaver Stencil technique class on October 27th at 7 pm. I believe the price we set was $15. And the spots are very limited. So it will be first come, first to get a spot. The samples she showed me were really cool. I should have her samples to show you in a few days and a more detailed description of what she is going to do.
I have been melting the credit card again. I got the big plastic boxes reordered finally. There are orders pending from Hampton Arts, River City and Dreamweaver. I have ordered a new line of paper that is going to knock your socks off. I'll announce the name of the line in a week or so. And I am researching some new stamp lines. At least they will be new to the Artfull Hand. I am working on a beaded spider class for the month of October. And we have another stampscapes class scheduled. I have been working on a new-to-me technique using stampscapes.And will be offering it this month as Stampscapes 201, Dorothy's version. Dates and times and prices will be in the newsletter when I get it written.
So see, I have been busy, really!
Also want to remind you of the Halloween Card Contest that we will be hosting in October. And if you come into the shop on Halloween, Saturday Oct.31 in costume and agree to be photographed you will receive 20% off of your total purchase.!!!
I think that is all for now. Sorry for the infrequent posts but hopefully the new merchandise will make up for it....

September Newsletter

September 2009 Newsletter

September 3- Open to 7 PM (Every Thursday now)

September 5 - ATC Swap 12:30
Bev's 3 for $6 10:30 & 1:30

September 9 - Ornament flip Book and Fishing Christmas Card
Class 11:30 & 2 PM. $8. Please sign up in advance

September 10 - Absolute deadline for dropping off items for the
Used Stamp Sale. Items may include any art
related supplies. Not limited to rubberstamps. Open till 7 PM.

September 12- Fall Used Stamp Sale 10:00 to 5 PM ! This is it.
One day only!!!!!

September 14 - Night stamp club. 7pm Still just a buck! Project
to be announced.

September 16 - Linda's 3 for $6 11:30 & 2 PM

September 17 - Open till 7 PM

September 18 - Dorothy's 3 for $6 11:30 & 2 PM

September 19 - Halloween Fabric Pop up card. $8 10:30

September 24 - Donna's 3 for $6. All of these will be stair step
cards. 11:30 & 2 PM

September 30 - Day Stamp Club 11:30 & 2pm $1

Additional Notes

The Halloween Card Contest will be in October once again.

Rules: No entry fee will be collected. However you must use stamps as the dominant image that the Artfull Hand has had in its inventory at one time or another. The image(s) need not be in the inventory at the present time. Dorothy will have the final say on if the submitted card is eligible. No whining if she says no to your card. No exceptions. So you might call the shop or stop by to check with one of us if you have a doubt. One card per customer is allowed. Each card should be identified with the creator's name and contact info on the back of the card. Employees of the Artfull Hand may enter a card but will not be eligible for prizes. There is no age discrimination. Children's cards, if any are submitted, will be judged along side of an adult's. Deadline for submitted cards is October 16th, 5 PM. Again, No Exceptions will be made. Customers of the Artfull Hand will vote on the entries from Oct. 17 to October 31st at NOON. The cards will be put on the web site for voting. The winner(s) will be announced and prizes awarded shortly after noon as we can make the final tally. If there is a tie in any category Dorothy will decide the winner.

Dorothy will also have the option to award additional prize(s) if she deems an entry worthy of special note.
One more Note

October 31st- Halloween - Any customer that comes into the shop on that day in costume and agrees to be photographed will receive a 20% discount on their total sale, excluding all ready discounted and consignments items.

and More Cards

The black and White cats on red card belongs to Linda. On the inside it says, Let Heaven and Nature sing.
The second card with the little penquin fellow belongs to Patti. She used some of LInda's stamps. On the inside it say Joy to the World.
I have a few more cards to upload and post. Everyone did a fantastic job with this challenge. And the comments we received about the challenge were very positive. If I can get the ATCs from the last swap scanned I will post those. The theme was movies and we had some really good cards.

More Christmas Challenge Cards

This is my card that I made using a large stamp of a shell. The little cross piece at the top says "Silver Shells" and on the inside it says "It's Christmas Time in the City."

Why I have been late posting

The above picture is the reason I have been late in posting to the blog. We got the little rascal one week ago today. His name is Rock and is now 7 weeks old. He is from a litter that our son's dog Bull sired in North Carolina.