Love Letters w/SUJI

Tomorrow at 12:30, join Susan Thompson as she shows us how to make these beautiful boxes out of envelopes.  These would be perfect for a gift card or small gift.  We have a couple of spots left, just give me a call on my cell 859-466-2164 to let me know if you're coming.  You will need to bring an exacto knife, cutting mat, red line tape and two sided adhesive.  If you haven't taken one of Susan's classes, you don't know what you're missing.  Check out her gallery on SplitCoast under SUJI!

My heart is broken...

Conner Cougar Croushore
May? 2002 - May 7, 2012

Oct. 2002 - I picked up Sara at Conner High School one afternoon and a girl had a beautiful dog with a bandana on it sitting in the lobby.  She had found it a few days before tied up to the fence at the Humane Society, dirty, hungry, cold, scared.  She took it home and bathed it and was told she couldn't keep it.  She was looking for a good home for it.  Sara was begging me, I was having no part of it.  I was trying to take care of a blended family of 6 and it was chaotic to say the least.  Mary Sargent - Asst. Principal at CHS told me I needed this dog, Sara was pleading, so I finally said "ask Paul and see what he says".  Knowing good and well he would say NO.  That evening, Sara, in her sweetest voice said, "Pauuullll, can we have a dog?"  His response, "Sure, honey.  Anything you want."  Ugh!  I had lost this battle.  Sara and I went to the girl's home the next day and brought "Conner" home.  This was one of the absolute BEST things to ever happen in my life.  Without a doubt.  We called her Conner Cougar Croushore after the high school.  I thought she was just a puppy and when we took her to the vet, Dr. Greenfield said she was 7 - 10 months old.  We got her shots, got her fixed and settled in. 

I remember Kimmy H. saying her son would say are we talking about Jacob Sarah or Conner Doggie Sara?  People may not know our names, but they would know Conners'. She loved everybody!  The most easy disposition you ever saw in a dog.  She loved all the kids on the street and the attention they gave her.  She loved her walks with Paul every evening, coming into the office at 5:00, looking at him as if to say "what's the deal?  it's time for me."  She loved it when Justin would pick her up (all 50 pounds of her) and fly her around the house and up the stairs so she didn't have to walk up them. (She had severe hip dysplasia)  She loved to climb into Laura's bed and snuggle with her and listen to her secrets.  She loved to snuggle with Sara and tolerated her and Natalie dressing her up in the latest styles.  She loved it when Dennis would come over and lay on the floor beside her and rub her.  She loved all the "kids" (now adults) who came in and out of our house and would just sit and let them pet her forever.  She loved having the Ink or Dye girls come over once a month and would take her turns at being petted by each.  (Her black coat would often sparkle with glitter). She has tolerated Jo Jo coming to live with us.  She's run more with Jo and played more, Jojo has been a blessing to Conner as she's gotten older.  She would always be by my side when I'm home, laying right in the middle of whatever project I would be doing.  She was all of our best friend! 

We've known for a long time that she was not feeling "young".  Last night she wouldn't get up to go to bed.  Justin went to pick her up and "fly" her away, and she screamed in pain.  I petted her and she screamed again.  Paul called Dr. Greenfield and he came right over.  After taking a good look at her, he said we needed to go to the animal urgent care and of course, we didn't hesitate.  They took x-rays and wanted to operate immediately.  We chose to wait until today and see what Dr. Jeff had to say.  We took her in at 8 before his surgeries began.  The news wasn't good.  She had a large mass.  She was in a lot of pain.  We had no choice.  We could not let her suffer anymore.  Paul, Jeff, and I, all three, crying.  Horrible.  Sad.  Hurts so bad.   She has no more pain.  She's running around in God's garden chasing the birds and letting them know that it's her yard. 

I love you Conner Cougar Croushore and I always will.  Thank you God for bringing her into our lives.

Resist with SUJI

  

Absolutely GORGEOUS cards!  Susan Thompson, one of our new teachers at the Cottage has done an amazing job designing these cards to teach you some basics of the Resist Technique.  You don't want to miss this class! May 9th at both 12:30 and 6:30 she will be teaching this these cards.  Remember you must call me and sign up in order to guarantee yourself a seat!

Zentangle 101

If you haven't tried the art of Zentangle, then you don't know what you're missing!  Lisa Jameson, Certified Zentangle Instructor, taught this class at the Cottage today

 and I was fortunate enough to take it along with several others.  These are samples of what we made.  What an awesome art form and amazingly relaxing way to spend your time.  Lisa will be offering Zentangle 101 again at the Cottage.  This is a prerequisite for any of the other Zentangle classes.  I can testify that these classes are wonderful and I highly encourage you to take at least the first one, to see if you like it.  I'm pretty sure you'll be surprised!!

Garden Glass at the Cottage

 The past several months I have been "playing" with pieces of old glass that I've collected over the last year.  The results are, even if I do say so myself, pretty cool! 

I've made birdbaths, feeders, and garden art that I have for sale at the Cottage.  Seven of these have already sold and the garden won't even be officially open until next Saturday!  Several are in the front window and the sun shines off them like diamonds. 

 I really have enjoyed playing with this medium and have more pieces to make!  It's amazing what an old light shade and decanter can become when merged together! 

Beth is picking up the new concrete for the Cottage tomorrow and the yard will be alive with all kinds of animals!  Stop by and see us to get your garden "dressed" for the season. 

Stamping with Jackie

Jackie is busy preparing her monochromatic "tree" themed card class for Wednesday, April 25th at both 12:30 and 6:30!  Everyone loved her Easter card class and we can't wait to take more of her classes!!  Jackie has several classes in the works for us, including another adorable punch card class featuring a panda, a monkey and a hippo; along with a gift card and holder class and much more!!!  We're excited to have Jackie join us at Your Stamping Cottage.  Call and sign up for her classes today!

Perfect Pearls w/Suji

We're excited to have Susan Thompson join our team of instructors this month!  Known as Suji on Splitcoast, she has created these cards using Perfect Pearls with three different techniques.  Call and sign up for Susan's class asap as they are filling up fast.  This Thursday, April 5th, 6:30 p.m. and then again on April 24th at 12:30 and 6:30 p.m.  you can join us at the Cottage for $18.00 and learn these awesome techniques.  Susan will be giving you some perfect pearls to take home with you to continue to play.  These cards do NOT do justice to the beauty of these cards.  Run by the shop and see for yourself!

Amazing Day!

Thank you so much to everyone who came out and celebrated our second anniversary today!  A special thank you to Toni and Stephanie for blowing up all the balloons (with Frank's help); to Kathleen and Linda for taking care of the make-n-takes; to Patty and Beth for helping get all the food out and the table set up; to Kathleen and Linda for the wonderful cookies; to Linda, Kathleen, and Tim B. for helping to clean up after and to the most wonderful husband in the world for his love and support and for giving me the opportunity to "play" every day!

The cards, the wishes, the hugs all mean so much to me.  I thank God for each and every one of you, for making my life so full.  I am truly blessed.

Many of you left the shop today with a FREE gift after reaching into the grab bag of goodies.  But now I must tell you who won the big prizes today:  the winner of ONE FREE class taught by me between April 1st and June 30th is Cindy Mauer; the winner of THREE FREE classes taught by me between April 1st and October 31st is Star Alexander; and the Grand Prize winner of SIX FREE classes taught by me to be used before our next anniversary celebration is..................Lynn Freeman!!  Congratulations to all our winners and again thank you for an amazing two years!

Happy Anniversary Celebrating Two Years!

Join us Saturday, March 31st, for our Second Anniversary Celebration!  From 2:00 until 5:00, we will have prizes, food, make n takes, and you might even get a chance to reach into the Grab Bag of Prizes!  Thank you to each of you for making the past two years so much fun!  Here's to many more!

Zentangle has come to Your Stamping Cottage

Zentangle^® Workshops now at Your Stamping Cottage

Zentangle is an easy to learn and relaxing method of creating beautiful images from repetitive patterns that will     help you:

·         increase focus and creativity

      ·         reduce stress
      ·         provide artistic satisfaction
      ·         increase a sense of personal well-being

 Certified Zentangle teacher Lisa Jameson invites you to join her for a series of workshops to learn this accessible, mindful, and meditative process of art-making that anyone can do! Included in the fee is a mini-kit of high-quality supplies that you’ll use to create at least one complete, uniquely-your-own tangled tile.

Classes are limited to 8 participants

Zentangle 101-The Basics: Saturday April 14, 2:00. Fee: $35.00

    This 2-2.5 hour workshop will introduce you to the history, terminology and basic practices of zentangle.

     Learn 8 “tangles”, two “strings” and shading techniques. Warning-may be habit forming!

Zentangle 202-Beyond the Basics: Saturday April 28, 2:00 p.m. Fee: $30.00

    (Please note: Zentangle 101 is a prerequisite for this class.)

     Explore more!  This 2-2.5 hour workshop will introduce you to more advanced tangles and for even more fun- white patterns on black tiles!  Students should bring their mini-kit provided in Zentangle 101, or you may

purchase materials separately.  Black tiles and white pens and pencils included in fee.

Zendalas!: Saturday, May 12, 2:00 p.m. Fee: $30.00

    Mandalas are an ancient art-form used to connect with one’s inner world.  In this 2-2.5 hour workshop you will create a beautiful mandala using Zentangle techniques on the new round tiles. WOW! Students should bring their black Sakura Micron pen provided in Zentangle 101, or you may purchase one for $3. All other materials included in fee.

Pre-registration required.  No walk-ins, please.  Please call Ramona at (859) 581-0690.  Space is limited, so register TODAY!

Meet your instructor: Lisa Jameson, MFA, Certified Zentangle Teacher

    Lisa Jameson is the coordinator of the art education program at Northern Kentucky University. She received her MFA in drawing and MA in art education from the University of Cincinnati. In addition, Lisa is a visual artist who has been exhibiting for over 20 years. Her work is included in many collections, including the Cincinnati Art Museum. Lisa completed her Zentangle certification with Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts in May 2011.

The Zentangle^® art form and method was created by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas and is copyrighted.  Zentangle^® is a registered trademark of Zentangle, Inc. Learn more at zentangle.com  or contact Lisa Jameson: LisabJameson@gmail.com

New Happenings at the Cottage

We have added two more teachers to our staff!  Things are popping at the Cottage and you don't want to miss out!  In addition to Jackie, Susan Thompson and Lisa Jameson have joined out team.  There are lots of cool classes coming your way and you don't want to miss any of them.  Remember that next Wednesday is Easter cards with Jackie and you must call to sign up and reserve a seat if you want to get in to this class.  The photo is listed in the post below.  Absolutely adorable!! 

Easter with Jackie - Adorable!

We have a new teacher with us!!  Jackie Waebel is going to be offering classes each month!  She will be joining a team of extrememly talented teachers who truly want to share their love of paper crafts with everyone they meet.  Jackie has been a Stampin' Up demonstrator for a very long time.  She will bring her love of stamping and all things paper to YOUR Stamping Cottage beginning the first week of April! 

Call the shop and sign up for Stamping with Jackie on April 4th.  For YOUR convenience, she's offering the class shown here at 12:30 and 6:30 for only $15.00!  And don't forget, next Saturday, the 24th of March, Lisa will be sharing her love of stamping with the adorable Easter cards below.  There is no reason for you not to send out Easter cards this year, as I will be having my Easter card class on March 29th!  YOU ask and YOUR Stamping Cottage will do everything we can to deliver!! Call me and get in these classes asap, before there's no more room! 

While YOU'RE here, online, don't forget to check us out on YELP.com and "like" us on Facebook!  YOUR Stamping Cottage can be found in many places, YOU should be found at YOUR Stamping Cottage !! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day this Saturday!

Make plans now to head down to Historic Bellevue and stroll the avenue this Saturday and celebrate St. Patrick's Day!  From 11 until 5 you can scour the Avenue for one of three pots of gold located in three of the shops on the Avenue. 

Discreetly let the shop owner know you found it and your name will be entered  to win $75.00 in Bellevue Bucks which can be used at any of the participating shops or restaurants on the Avenue.  If you find all three pots of gold, then your chances are increased to win the $75.00 Bellevue Bucks.  The shops will have clues as to where you'll find the pots of gold, so visit all of  the participating businesses to make it easier to find them.  From the 200 block to the 700 block, you never know where your luck will happen! (even if you're not Irish)  Be sure to wear green and get 10% off all new items in Your Stamping Cottage as well as some of the other businesses on the Avenue!

Easter Cards with Lisa

Color Me Happy by Lisa Henke

Lisa has done it again!  Join her on Saturday, March 24th at 3:00 and make three Easter cards.  Here are two of them.  These are awesome!  Lisa will be using My Favorite Things, Unity and Cats Pajamas.  Lisa is extremely talented and if you haven't taken one of her classes you don't know what you're missing.  Call the shop and sign up!

Some bunny loves you by Lisa Henke

Inside of Some bunny loves you by Lisa

A Beautiful Day

Bakers Dozen Sympathy Card
(outside)

What a gorgeous day it was today!  Many friends stopping by the shop and browsing.  Flowers, flowers, flowers everywhere!  The classroom shelves are full of them.  I'm anxious for spring and ready for all the colors that come with it.   There are lots of classes on the calendar below.  Check it out and sign up soon.  The Dirty Dozen filled up immediately and I have scheduled a second one on the 22nd.  Call the shop and sign up!

Now for something totally personal...my oldest daughter and her husband are expecting!  I'm so excited!  Our first grandchild!  I ask for prayers for her and the baby...for a safe, healthy pregnancy and birth.  I'm so glad I have you to share this with.  Life is wonderful!  See you at the shop!