I'm Out of Town...

Just a few for your choosing!

I'll be back to open the shop toward the end of the week.  I'll post and let you know when the shop reopens.  Don't forget that this Friday is First Friday on the Avenue.  We'll be celebrating the Oscars!!  Don't miss it!

Shop Closed Today

I apologize for the inconvenience, but the shop is closed today, January 25th due to illness.

Chicken Scratch

Joyce's Chicken Scratch

Joyce has done it again!  Tuesday evening, January 24th @ 6:30 she will be teaching us the art of "chicken scratch".  This is a beautiful Valentine for anyone in your heart.  For only $15.00 she will walk you through this wonderful technique and give you two more patterns for your enjoyment!  Call to sign up today. 

If you can't make Tuesday evening, she will be offering this again on Wednesday, February 1st @ 12:30 p.m.  Don't miss this one!

Terri's Box for All Occasions

The shop reopens tomorrow after a wonderful winter vacation.       I can't wait to see everyone!  And look at one of the classes coming up!  Terri's Box for All Occasions. 
At 6:30 on January 18th, for only $25.00 you will make this awesome box and all the stuff to fill it up.  This has a Valentine theme, but Terri will show you have you can change it up for any occasion.  Just think, birthdays, anniversaries, showers, the list is endless.  So call and sign up right away because you don't want to miss this one!  Don't forget, Terri always throws in a little extra something for you.

You never know...

     For the past 2 1/2 days I have been cleaning my office.  This is not my studio, but my office which is in one of the bedrooms.  This is also where I do my altered art.  So...it took all this time to clean it because I had really not done any work in there for quite a while and let's just say it had gotten out of control. (That's putting it mildly)  This afternoon, I sat down at my desktop computer (which I haven't used in months) and was so pleased that my desk was clean, the floor was clean, drawers were labeled, (you get the idea), that I decided to go online.  Now let me ask you a question.  Have you ever googled yourself?  Me either.  But for some reason, I decided to google C-Shore Creations and Your Stamping Cottage.  I was really surprised by what I found.  There are two amazing comments about Your Stamping Cottage on YELP.com and one amazing comment for C-Shore Creations on Yellowbook.com. 
     Now for those of you who don't know, my shop was originally called C-Shore Creations, inc. I then filed papers with the state changing the name to C-Shore Creations, inc dba Your Stamping Cottage.  Thus two names. 
     I knew you could comment on businesses on YELP, but didn't know about Yellowbook.  The following is what I found on www.yellowbook.com through google.

"Great Place and Customer Service
by Mia R
I went to Bellevue earlier this week looking for keepsake gifts for a bachelorette party I'm throwing. They have a couple of cute and unique shops that you can use for everyday gifts or use, but not quite what I was looking for. The more I walked down the street, I came upon Crone Cottage/C-Shore Creations. I walked in and Mrs. Ramona (C-shore Creations) couldn't have been more helpful. She was an absolute delightful lady. I told her my idea of what I was looking for and her assistance was remarkable. She also showed me the store in the back (Crone Cottage), which has cute and unique gifts, but not what I was looking for. Me and Mrs. Ramona sat down and talked; she gave me ideas on how to create my gift on my own and what materials and products I needed to buy to achieve it. She also showed me how to write with the paint. Her caring, knowledge, and all around great personality was really appreciated. She is the definition of Customer Service. Unfortunately, I didn't find anything in her store that I needed that day, but the knowledge she gave me for my gift idea was a wealth! The store has many stamps and they specialize in scrapbooking and cards. They even have classes. When I finish my gift creation, I look forward to going back and learning some art with Mrs. Ramona. Thanks C-Shore Creations "

     What's so cool is I remember Mia perfectly.  Adorable.  She came in and we had a great time!  We talked about what they were going to do for the bachelorette party and the wedding and she was a doll. So a word to the wise, always be yourself, 'cause you never know...

Full House

My Conner - 10 years old

 All my kids home for Christmas except my girl in Colorado.   Four of the seven are back home safe and sound tonight. 

Daughter's Lily - 9 months

My Jo Jo - about 7 years old

Daughter's Dante - 2 years old

Son-in-law, daughter and son (missing youngest daughter)

Happy 2012

New Year's Card From 2009

Happy New Year to each and every one of you!  As I sat with the hubby last night talking about 2011 and making plans for 2012, I couldn't help but think about each of you.  Those of you that I see often and those that I only see occasionally.  If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be doing what I love.  So thank you.

I have lots of plans for the coming year and you are at the heart of those plans.  I am going to do my best to post every day of 2012.  The website is under way.  E-mails are starting again.  Please make sure that ramonabonita@fuse.net is in your email address book so that you don't miss out on all the news.  If you don't recieve any e-mails from me, then check here as I will post each week's e-mail on the blog.  That way you'll always be in the loop. 

As always, the shop is YOUR Stamping Cottage.  If there is something that you would like to see or a class you would like to have, please let me know.  All Christmas stamps will be packed away next week.  The shop re-opens on the 10th with a Mouse in the House class.  E-mail me or call my cell phone to sign up for classes while the shop is closed this week.

Life news:  The oldest daughter and her husband were home for a couple of days after Christmas, along with their two dogs.  OMgosh!  We had a wonderful time, but with a total of four dogs running around, to say it was wild is an understatement.  My two dogs are 15 lbs and 50 lbs.  Very docile, laid back, both are older dogs.  Daughter's two dogs are 92 lbs and 25 pounds.  Both VERY active.  The larger is 2 years old, the smaller is 9 months.  My dogs are worn out!  We had a blast though.  We went to the Festival of Lights which I had never done before and made a trip to Knit Happens on Monmouth in Newport.  Daughter thought she had died and gone to Heaven.  I have never seen so much yarn in all my life!  She's self-taught, amazingly talented crocheter (not sure if this is a word), and is now teaching herself to knit.  Son-in-law is making a rug for their porch out of rope.  My son is home for the spring semester while he does his student teaching.  So the trombone will constantly be playing. Youngest daughter is doing great in Colorado, making a life for herself, and staying very busy.  She did say she is getting a tattoo on Tuesday.  Of course that was last night as she was out with friends having drinks, ringing in the New Year.  She knows I am not a fan, but she's an adult, what are you going to do.  She's awesome!  Very strong and determined to make her dreams a reality.   Life is good at the Croushore home and I hope it is at your home as well.  I wish you a healthy and happy New Year.