God is Near at All Times!

Back in the fall, one of my online Christian sisters posted a prayer request for a family in Canada whose 14 year old daughter had been murdered. She was walking home one afternoon and was murdered in broad daylight. The daughter's father happens to be a Baptist minister. I remember reading news articles about the incident. I sent a card to the family because this weighed so very heavily on my heart. I've wondered, on and off over the months, how this family was coping. Well, just the other day, my on-line sister posted an update.

Here is a link to another blogger who interviewed the father, Terry Stauffer.

http://www.challies.com/archives/interviews/god-gives-strength-as-needed-an-interview-with-terry-stauffer.php

I wanted to copy and paste part of it here but my silly computer is not letting me do that this a.m. I hope you will take a few minutes to read the interview as it is a moving piece. The article has helped me to see that God is much bigger than me and that He provides strength to those in need. I often wonder how, when tragic things happen in our lives...how one copes? I admit, my life has been pretty easy compared to loosing a child. I know in my heart that God will give strength, His words ring true!!! But, as a mom with kids..I don't know how I would make it on my own without God's strength.

" He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." ~ Isaiah 40:29

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord." ~ Psalms 31:24

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength" ~ Philippians 4:12, 13

All these thoughts this week have reminded me of a card I made up when I was at my mom's. She had just had knee surgery and I was up there helping. She had set out some scrapbook papers, etc, on the bed and said I could create and play and make up a few cards. Well, you know me, I couldn't turn down that offer! So, here is a card I made at that time. I think it fits so well with all these thoughts....when we don't know where God is...or we are so consumed by our pain...He is there and comes and searches out for us!



I hope that no matter what you are going through today, that you will find strength in God's promises and if you can't find Him, that you will let Him find you! He will!

The Train to BONKERS!

I love this stamp set from SU! My mom brought her set down a month or so ago and my 8 yo son LOVED playing with it. So, I ordered it! He didn't know I ordered it though. When Mr. Brown came a few weeks after, he was jumping up..."Did you get the train set, mom? Did you??" YIPPY! He was so excited. So here are two samples using this set. One is a birthday Thank You for our younger son. He turned 6 a few weeks ago and these are Thank You's to send out to his guests. Now, it will probably take us 6 weeks to fill them out, but, hey..it's good for him! :) I made 17 of these yesterday...I felt like I was on the train going to Bonkers!

The other card is for a friend who turned 40 this week. He will love it!

This set is called Choo Choo and can be found on page 83 of the new catty. The train track is a SU wheel and can be found on the same page and is called Right On Track. If you'd like to order this set, contact me, or place an order directly on my SU site by clicking the gold SU catalog on the right side of my blog.

As always, you can order most any cards you see on my blog. Price ranges are from $2.50-$3.50 depending on style, construction and design. OR if you'd like to make similar cards, check out my class offerings or you can hold a class in your home with a few friends. Typically, for in home classes, we will make 3 cards each and you, as the hostess, can earn free Stampin Up! items.

Mr. Brown CAME!!! And Workshop Samples are DONE!

Mr. Brown came!!!! (And you really need to go read the comment on the previous post....Hilarious rhyme from Chef Mama).

Here are the samples for our Stamp-A-Stack that is coming up on the 23rd of this month.

Here are the details of the class. I have room for 10 ladies so sign up now!!!

Stamp-A-Stack of Thank You's

At this workshop we will be stamping a stack of 10 Thank You cards. We will make 5 each of the two samples. These can be used for your personal use or given away as a teacher gift at the beginning of the school year.

Date: Thursday, July 23rd
Time: 7:00-9:00
Fee: $15 for the 10 cards plus a free clear plastic card box. This comes out to ONLY $1.50 a card...can't buy a Hallmark for anywhere near that. (Envelopes not included)

Mr. Brown Has Come to Town!!

Mr. Brown, Mr. Brown

Mr. Brown has come to town.



He should be, he should be,

He should be at my street!



I'm beat, I'm beat

From pacing on my feet!



Where is that Mr. Brown, I say!

My SU box should come TODAY!



I can't wait! I can't wait!

This is supposed to be the date!



Oh where, oh where

Where is my dashing Mr. Brown??



As you can tell, I'm waiting, and pacing and looking out my window and listening to the roaring of the UPS truck buzzing down our street (that I can NOT hear yet). This is the day that a BIG ORDER is supposed to come in. I'm getting ansy, I'm getting loopy, I want my SU order!!! Patience is not one of my virtures! Hoo-hum......is he here yet?????

Blog Award!!!

I got this sweet Blog Award from my friend and sister Dork, Traci. You can see her fantastic blog at http://www.tracimajor.blogspot.com/ Leave her a comment...her stuff is amazing!!! Thank you so much, Traci! I'm honored and humbled by your kindness!!

The idea behind this award is to pass it on to someone else who has a blog that you frequent or that you have newly discovered. My award winners are below.

**Laura Fluke**--Laura is a stamper-scrapper and we met on a swap on Splitcoast a few years back. She's a great gal and I love visiting her blog. Laura also runs a daycare like I do and her blog is mostly about her daycare adventures with a little bit of stampin' and family fun thrown in the mix. We always have said that we wished we could live next door to each other so we could daycare/scrap/stamp/and chat for hours upon end!

Here's Laura's Blog http://www.theflukepeanutgallery.blogspot.com/

**Debra Daam**--Debra has been a long time friend on Splitcoast. Her arts and crafts are amazing! She and I have had the fun opportunity to meet in person and we've had several conversations on the phone. She is a wonderful sister in Christ and one amazing stamper.

Here is Debra's Blog http://www.debrasstamplife.blogspot.com/

Oh, goodness! There are so many more peeps that I could give this too..but then I'd be here most of the day. There are lots of great blogs at the bottom of my page here....check them out!

Freedom Festival Photos!!!

Hello everyone!!!! Just wanted to check in and let you see the fun I had this weekend at the Fishers Freedom Festival. I had a great time...weather was HOT one day and WINDY the next but it wasn't RAIN so I was a happy stampin' chic! Lots of people stopped by the booth (Thanks to those of you reading this that DID pop in..I so appreciate seeing you, meeting you, connecting with you!), lots took business cards and info. and I'm excited to see where this all goes. And, BIG thanks to my sweet friends who helped me at the booth and gave me some good company and coverage for potty breaks! LOL!

As for now, I'm sending in my app for the Christmas in October event here in Fishers. It's a upscale craft show where people who attend have to pay a fee to get in to shop! I'm hoping I can get my foot in the door this year.

Here are a few pics of the weekend!

Zaaaa Booth

A few items, tiles, framed art, scrapbook!

Tiles and Wedding stuffs!

The display and baskets of cards to the right!

Me pretending to be a Price is Right girl!

Class Schedule!

Hi ladies,

I had such a great time at our class this week...so much that I went ahead and planned out the rest of the classes for the year. Hope you can make several of them!

Hartley Handcrafted at Home Stampin Up!
Workshop Schedule
2009

Stamp-A-Stack of Thank You’s: At this workshop we will be stamping a stack of 10 Thank You cards. We will stamp 5 each of two designs. These can be used for your personal use or given away as a teacher gift at the beginning of the school year.
Date: Thursday, July 23rd at 7:00
Fee: $15 for the 10 cards plus a free clear plastic card box
Space for 10 ladies so book NOW!

Tumbled Tile Coasters: At this workshop, you will make a set of 4 tile coasters to keep for yourself or give away as a gift…the holidays are just around the corner.
Date: Thursday, September 17th at 7:00
Fee: $10
Space for 10!

Christmas Card Extravaganza: At this workshop, you will make a variety of 3 Christmas cards.
Date: Thursday, October 22nd at 7:00
Fee: $5
Space for 12!

Stamp-A-Stack of Christmas: At this class you will again make a set of 10 Christmas cards…5 of 2 designs. This will be just in time for you to mail out your cards to family and friends.
Date: Thursday, November 19th at 7:00
Fee: $15
Space for 10!

Host a Stampin’ Up! Workshop in your home for FREE. No charge for you or your guests. Each person will make 2 cards and you, as the hostess, will reap hostess benefits and receive FREE items!