Joann Stamps

Christmas is a time of joy!

Christmas is such a time of joy!  My heart is filled with not only the blessings that come with celebrating the birth of Jesus, but also the excitement I an feeling that the Retreat on Hearts and Hands to Christ will bring 100 ladies  (that is the maximum number of guests that we will be able to share with) come to celebrate His life and ministry.

The retreat planned for Feb. 5th and 6th will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Alabama and will be a time of "creating", sharing amazing stories through  women of faith  who tell the stories of Jesus so well, an inspiring and creative servant to lead us, and an opportunity to serve for each of us as well!

The retreat cost of $55.00 covers the venue, the cost of the leader, and lunch.  I have stepped out in faith that there will be 100 people that will come to experience God's love in this new way.Several of the classes that will be offered include beginning knitting, creating a fabulous piece of framed art, basket weaving, hand knotting a strand of  pearls, paper crafting a lovely container, counted cross stitch, making a fleece prayer blanket, and several that I will announce next week! Classes will be priced to cover the material cost and prep cost, as this is not a for profit event in any way. When God laid it on my heart to help women connect their love of Him with the passion He has given us to be creative, I knew it was my time to be a willing servant and through much prayer and many affirmations, I have said yes to this calling and know we will all be blessed for having a servant's heart.

You can get the application here.

Joy to the world!

Christmas is coming!

It was a perfect weekend to get into the holiday spirit!  We were so blessed to have spent some time with friends, enjoyed the Fantasy Playhouse production of "A Christmas Carol", worship services, and then last night we attended a wonderful Christmas Concert at a friend's church.  All of that, plus some fabulous college football games! I even got a few gifts made!

I am also getting things finalized for the classes for the Heart & Hands to Christ Retreat.  I did have one person ask me about the cost, and I do want every to know that the cost of the venue, flying out Sam , snacks and supplies (copies, etc.)  and lunch is what is covered, with my goal of 100 guests is what the $55.00 fee covers, and that is with no room to spare.  A step in faith!  But I already feel the grace of God working in this time of planning.  Click on the link above for the application.

Now for a little business!  Starting Friday Stampin"Up! will have a 12 Days of Christmas sale! So watch for notices in your email or visit the SU! website.  And we do still have a card class to look forward to!  It will be next week on Thursday or Friday (you choose your day), and it is a great way to fellowship and perhaps get away from the "busy" that comes with the season.  There are some photos of a few of the current cards that I'll upload tonight.  And we're still designing more!  So please come and play!

Look for some great class announcements in the upcoming newsletter.

Heart and Hands to Christ

You have heard me talk this year of wanting to share a spiritual/creative retreat, and I am so excited to announce that it will be happening on Feb. 5th and 6th!  There will be an opening session on Friday night, with one group project and a special time of music and praise led by along time friend of mine from Kairos Prison Ministries. Sam Kauffman from California is a joy and a blessing and her worship and music is very much interdenominational, so all will be blessed by the way God works through her!

We will begin Saturday with a time of sharing, and then each guest will have several craft classes to choose from!  Each class will be priced by the teacher and will include choices such as hand knotting pearls, basket weaving, counted cross stitch, card making, create a scrapbook in less than 3 hours, framed art work, and several more!!  You will be able to do two craft classes of your choice plus we will jointly do a community service project to share.

Heart & Hands to Christ
Featuring The Ministry & Music of
Sam Kauffman
Presented By First Impressions
Friday & Saturday February 5 & 6, 2010
Trinity United Methodist Church
Retreat Cost: $55.00 ~ Class Fees Extra
For Information Contact Joann Wiemers at:
256-325-2342 or jwemers@knology.net
Registration due to Joann Wiemers
by January 15, 2010

The retreat fee will include lunch and the materials needed for all joint projects.  The additional cost will be whatever craft classes you choose, which will range from $5 to $30 per class.  It is limited registration, so get those registrations in ASAP!   More on the individual classes and cost will be coming later this month.  Please feel free to share the information with your churches, friends, family, etc!!!

Note:  The application will be available early next week.

Happy December!

WOW!  How fast can a year get away!  It is amazing that it is time to seriously get things back and organized for the new year!  If there are any special classes or suggestions you would like to share with me for the coming year, please email or call me!

I do have openings in the following classes:

• Box It Bag It, Tag It this week, Dec. 3, 4 and 5 (Saturday is just till noon!) This is my Holiday Open House and I will have a FABULOUS SPECIAL for those who attend, as well as some Holiday Goodies!  Please come!
• Card Class:  This is everyone's favorite!  It is Dec. 17th or 18th.
• FREE  MY DIGITAL STUDIO!!!!  At last I have my laptop and am excited to present this amazing product to you.  On December 15th, I will have 3 time slots for you to choose from.  Each session is limited, but I know you will be wowed by this fabulous product!  Date: Dec. 15th.  Time slots:  9:00am-10:30, 2:00pm-3:30, 6:00pm-7:30!  Please let me know your time slot!

STAMPIN' UP!'S ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA ... NOW!!

It's a holiday sale ... just for YOU! 

Dates: November 23-30, 2009

Details: For one week only, you can get amazing discounts--up to 50 percent off--on over 40 products and product bundles!

Click here to START SHOPPING!

We're back!

We had a lovely time in the Texas Hill Country as we celebrated the 90th birthday of Jerry's Uncle Elgin.  Those Texas ranchers can teach all of a few lessons about life and longevity!  At 90, he still runs cattle and rides a mean tractor!  And takes his wife of 63 years dancing most Saturday nights!!  Gosh, I want to be like him when I grow up!

Looking at the blessings of a long life and a long marriage is a reminder that everyone should have "a Saturday night" to celebrate the things they enjoy.  For me and for many of you, being creative is where my heart finds much joy!  And the biggest part of the joy is recognizing that creativity is a gift from God and that sharing it with you is my favorite "Saturday night"!

I hope to see you soon at a class or Holiday Boutique soon!

The Holiday Boutique Calendar

Holiday Boutique!!!

Have you ever felt like you take one step forward and 3 steps backwards?  That has been my life these last several months, and I just cannot seem to get as organized or "on time" as I really like to be!  The back surgery and recovery did slow me down, but for longer than I ever anticipated. WHEW!  I am ready to be back to just being me!

I a sorry it has taken so long to get the Boutique items on the blog, but here are some of them!  I have described those that I do not have pictured.  If you have never attended my boutique here is all you need to do:

1. Select the items you want to make (you can do multiples of any of them. Great gifts!)
2. Email or call me 3 days or more in advance and I will have everything ready for you to create and I will help you whenever you need it!  Please pay for your items at that time, either by credit card or drop a check in the mail.
3. Show up during the open hours of the session, and I am offering 4 sessions. (see my calendar)  You can come more than one day if you are making lots!

It is a fabulous fellowship of crafters having a wonderful time!!  Let's celebrate fall together!

Rudolph Red Nose M and M card (perfect stocking stuffer)  2 for $5.00

Faux Crystal candy dish  2 for $5.00

Caroling Reindeer Gift Card Holder 2 for $5.00

Fabric Flower pins and Bag Tags (you will have a selection of fabrics, include holiday fabrics! $7.00 each

Mini Albums (your choice of everyday or holiday) $10.00 each

Boxed Card sets with Multiple Greetings (6 cards and envelopes beautifully packaged) with "add the greeting" options. $12.00 per box

Christmas Apron  $15.00

Delightful magnetic board: $15.00

Not pictured:

4 x 6 framed calendar  $5.00 each

My current class schedule

I've added a lot of classes to my schedule ... download the file here.

Fabric + Big Shot + SU! + a few other accessories = DANGER!!!!

I am getting dangerous!  Just give me some fabric, my Sizzix Big Shot, some of Stampin'Up!'s fabulous dies, some fusible webbing and fabric glue, and check these out these great ideas!

The Fun with Fabrics class was just a blast!  I loved watching my guests put ideas together and what amazing ideas they had to share!

I know many of you are getting anxious to see the"Holiday Boutique" items, and I do promise to put some up in the next week or two!  I will tell you that there will be some "fun with fabric" items for you to choose from to make!   And some wonderful card sets with cool packaging,  jewelry items, and great stocking stuffers!

Be sure to check the SU! Customer website each week for the "special of the week" promotions and give me a call or order online to take advantage of the wonderful deals!

MY DIGITAL STUDIO classes will be announced soon!  I see my doctor next week and hope that I can get his okay to add some more hours to my work time!  Check out my class schedule and come play with me soon!