Stamp Sets on Etsy!

I've finally got my act together and have about 30 stamp sets on Etsy!  I have around 100 more to add, but it is one set at a time and I'm excited that I've done this much.  I've, also, already had a few sales and that is encouraging!  Whoopee!

These are all Stampin' Up stamp sets going back to 2006 through 2012 - currently they're all retired sets as I am still officially a SU Demo.  However, I am in pending status, so that means that if I don't have sales of $300 really quick, I will no longer be a Demo.  I probably will be placing a small order for some papers within the next week, so if you have anything you need, please send me a message and I'll add an order for you and it will be the last.  I know I've hinted at this before, but this time I really have to let it go!  They are fabulous stamps and the paper is the best, but I've just changed interests and headed off in so many directions, I just can't focus on stamp clubs and parties.

If you're looking for a particular stamp set, don't hesitate to ask as it just might be waiting to be listed and I'll be happy to send it your way.  The only stamps I'm really hanging on to are the items that make great watercolor designs, background stamps (can be used on fabric and in journals) and sentiments, but that leaves another 3-4 hundred sets that can go!  Ha Ha

I've got lots of retired papers, ink pads and inks and those need to be listed too!  Oh my, so much to do and so little time!

As more and more paint, fabric and fibers move in the more stamps have to move out, so check out my shop and let me know if you have a special stamp, paper color or ink you're looking for - bet it's here! Or if you need a current product before next Friday, January 11, let me know!

I will do a random drawing for this Polka Dot Punches stamp set on Monday - 1/7 - if you want the chance to win leave a comment on this post and you just might be the lucky one!  Reminder this set matches four of the SU punches.

Words Should Always Be Covered In Chocolate!

A very dear friend once told me she always covered her words in chocolate, so if she had to eat them she would enjoy them!  This is very good advice and I'm so glad I listened to her. Thanks, Deb!

What was it, a month ago that I said I've found what I really enjoy and it's not sewing!  Well, what do you think I got at the quilt show?   Yes, I am the proud owner of a Bernina!  Now, it's a baby one - not one of those big multi-thousand $$$$$$ machines, but it is a Bernina.  Why you ask?  Because I've decided I want to make small quilts.  (I know what you're thinking - I just said sewing wasn't my thing) but I've now decided I want to make small wall hangings with both photographs and painted squares and quilt them.  Oh, how good those chocolate covered words taste!  Ha Ha

  Now don't think I've turned my back on those saws, I have not!  I just cut out a new piece for my front door last Sunday.  I have worked on it this week preparing it with colored papers.  I've added a ribbon and bow to the bottom package and will add  more ribbon and bows to the rest of the gifts, and it will be ready for decoration day.

Pattern

Wood Cutout

 Ready for Bows

And, that brings up a whole other topic - Thanksgiving Day.  My sweet husband and I have gone to "Autorama" every Thanksgiving evening for over 20 years and they changed the dates.  There is no Thursday evening show this year - I can't tell you the disappointment that flowed through our house when we discovered this tidbit of information.  But recovery has been quick and we shall use Thursday afternoon to put up our outside decorations, or at least get started. Friday we will do Autorama and Saturday, I will be in a sewing machine class all day!!!!!  Sounds like a great holiday weekend to me, with much to be thankful for this year, as always.

But now back to the reality of today!  What to do with the new machine?  Every inch of my craft room is covered!  Way too many projects going on at once and to be honest, just way too much stuff.  And so my new machine sits on my dining room table as I gut my room and rearrange, redecorate, get rid of much and make a place for this new treasure.  So as much fun as this is, I must stop, get off of my fanny and head back upstairs and face the mess!  The soon to be organized, great to look at and even greater to create in studio!  I mean it's going to be soooo neat and it will deserve the name studio!  Pictures to follow soon.

Pencil Sketches = Relaxation

I love to cover every piece of paper with a little drawing on it.  If I sit down I've got a pen and paper in my hand, well, pencil and paper - I can be in a meeting, church, in front of the TV and I begin to draw.  Now these aren't drawing that will ever make me rich, but they shut down my thoughts!  I can listen better, I hear things differently because I'm just moving my pencil around in the most relaxing manner and my brain can relax.  My mom and daughter knit!  Other friends sew and I guess that's really more productive, but it's not for me.  I don't end the time with something to frame or even give as a gift, but I have a collection of some pretty interesting little drawings.

Sitting in church last week I drew a small picture of most of the sermon - a fish, a net (not a very good net, looked more like a serpent) a palm tree, Jesus feet, some little stick people holding hands and a phone.  Bill didn't go to church last week (sick) and when I got home I could tell him the entire sermon by looking at my little drawings.  Now without my interpretation he probably would have been lost, but for me it brought it back to life. Most of the time it's a flower and they probably all look a lot alike, but I enjoy each one.

And, oh, the phone - it represented hearing Jesus call on my life!  Don't worry, Bill was surprised by that one too. The main message, Jesus called the fisherman, they dropped their nets (immediately), left their boat behind and followed him!  They joined in community and began to spread the word!  How many times have we said,  "I'll just hold on to my net", rather than listen to His call?





Now back to drawing, it's my happy place and I encourage everyone to find that place.  That place where the business of life can just shut down and you can be still and maybe even here His voice.