Walk on the Beach

Ken and I were walking along the beach today talking about our years together and the fact that our kids are grown and that we have grand kids.  The fact that I opened our store the year the kids went to 5th grade and that we moved to California almost 30 years ago.  Time really does fly.  I am so grateful for the friends that I have made since moving here. With no family here I relied on my friends for encouragement and support over the years and without fail you came through for me. Thank you so much for your kindness and love over the years. As Halloween passes Thanksgiving comes up and has a special meaning for me. I hope all of you have a great Halloween filled with many treats, and a few tricks, but mostly I hope as of you look to Thanksgiving that you'll be thankful for who you are and for the people that have influenced your life. I must be getting older to be so emotional from a walk on the beach.

TGIF

TGIF...  The week is finally over and I can now think about crafting this weekend.  I am all jazzed since I did a Cuttlebug/Big Shot two hour demo today.  I just love those machines and what you can do with them.  I have a lot of embossing folders, brass templates, Tim Holtz dies, Sizzix dies, Spellbinders and even my newest addition Memorybox with matching rubber stamps at home in my craft room.  I just want to create with all this stuff.  Thanks to last weeks Saturday organization I not only know where it all is but I have the room on my counters to work.  Yahoo!   Thanks to those that came in for the demo today. You inspired me with all of the what if, and how do you do this questions.  I got some really great ideas from all of you.  It's the shot in the arm I needed for this weekend.   My hubby will most likely work on his car and the yard so I'll be free to work in my room most of the day.  Then when he is done I'll be able to show him all that I created. He is so supportive that I know he will be as excited as I am when we see the finished product.  Time to call it a day, have some dinner and get ready for tomorrow.

Halloween countdown

Another day in paradise.  Can't believe it is a little more than two weeks before Halloween.  I just finished moving the Halloween stamps and paper, again! I decided it's time to put a special Halloween treat on my web site for those of you who are still working on your Halloween art. I'm finally getting into the holiday and can't wait to have some time to make Halloween cards for my grandkids. I'm really liking the new Stampendous Halloween images, so I'll probably use those.  My husband Ken just finished the front window display.  It's complete with an Ironman costume, jack-o-lantern and a very comfortable skeleton.  I must say it is very Halloweenie.  With a very busy weekend coming up I'm just going to have to make time in my newly clean and organised craft room to get those cards done.

Street Parties

I can't believe that it is already Oct 10th.  That means that the Carlsbad Halloween on Elm street party is just around the corner with the Street Faire the following week. Wow! I've got to get ready for these major events.  If you haven't been down to the Halloween activity it is pretty nice. Set aside some time Oct 29th to come downtown and enjoy the festivities.   It is the Village of Carlsbad going all out for family fun.  Saturday, Oct. 29   2 to 7 p.m.
Free Halloween on Elm is back for its second year. Join other pirates, wizards and princesses out in the Village for a day of fun,

Activities include:

•          Halloween-themed carnival games and jump houses

•          Costume contests for people and pets

•          Halloween story telling

•          Safe trick or treat at Village businesses

•          Food

•          Hands-on art making activities

•          Safe costume checks

•          Live music and entertainment

•          Farmers’ market with Halloween activities

•          Haunted House at the Boys & Girls Club

Then there is the street fair all day Nov 6th.  If you come down I would suggest parking at the mall and riding the shuttle. Parking in the village is non-existent. 

Both of these activities are fun and draw a lot of people to the village.  I hope that you'll find time to enjoy the activities.

Wonderful Weekend

Wow! What a wonderful weekend.  I actually had a chance on Saturday to straighten out my craft room and organize.  After 6 hours in the morning I was able to actually have things in there proper places so that I can find what I need when I get the inspiration to create.  Ken and I took a drive to the harbor for a very well deserved break.  If I would have known how beautiful of a day it was outside I probably wouldn't have gotten so much done in my room.  Anyway we walked and enjoyed the fresh air and actually watched the lobster boats unload their catch.  100's of lobster being taken off the boat and put into a container for the truck to take away to your favorite restaurant or market. It just made me hungry so we left and took the coast home.  What a beautiful ride.  When we sat down to dinner I was inspired by the gorgeous sunset.  All of the colors and different lighting. I was in awe and just wanted to recreate what I saw.  One thing lead to another and I didn't get to make my masterpiece.  I was worried that I would not remember the scene but to my amazement we had a repeat today and I just stood there and took it all in. 

We do live in a pretty remarkable place.

Besides all the great classes we have coming up in the store this month and next that I'm excited about, I have signed on for a program that is near and dear to my heart and hopefully yours.
I signed up to help with Operation Christmas Cards and I need your help! I committed Gee Gee's Stamps 'n' Stuff to make 500 Holiday cards by November 12, 2011.  These cards will be sent to soldiers who wouldn't otherwise receive mail during this holiday season. Our military does so much for us, a simple card with a short message is the least that we can do for them.  With two of my  brothers that served in the Navy and many of my friends who have family members serving out of Camp Pendleton I feel a special connection to the military.  I know I signed up for holiday cards but I'm sure Thank You Cards or Note Cards of warm wishes will be greatly appreciated.  I scheduled a special card making day in September which was very well attended and a lot of cards were made.  We need more! So Monday October 10th from 12-5 pm our class room will have everything needed to make holiday cards.  Please come by and make a few cards but if you can't make it to the store on Monday and still want to help, make some cards at home and drop them off anytime before Nov. 12th. Make sure to put a short message in your card and sign it.  I'm sure our soldiers will appreciate your creativity and message.
Hope to see you on Monday.

 

Well its October and everyone is getting ready for the holidays. I just love making cards and gifts for the holiday season.  Most of all I like to receive cards and gifts. I got an early gift when I went to the Vintage Maketplace last month in Rainbow, Ca. That's where I met Julie Nutting. She is the author of Collage Couture, a wonderful magazine.  What a wonderfully talented individual with a warm and friendly personality.  Once we started talking I knew immediately that we were going to be fast friends. We talked art for what seemed like hours according to my wonderful supportive husband. Honestly it was really only about an hour or so.  During our conversation Julie was nice enough to offer to fit us into her very busy schedule. She will be teaching three different classes in our store Nov. 11th & 12th see our web site for more details http://www.geegeestampsnstuff.com/. We have all of the supplies that she will be using in her class in stock including extra copies of her book that she will be happy to sign when she is here.  I can't tell you how excited I am that Julie is coming to our store. I bought a 11 x 14 canvas of her work that I just had to have and hung it in my family room. I can't wait to take the class and make one of my own for my other family room wall.  I never thought I would be drawn to Collage art but I am and it's addictive.