Today was quite a day at Art 'n Soul. Susie had her hands full with customers and other activities throughout the entire morning and afternoon, from opening to closing. And that's how we love it at Art 'n Soul . . . the hum, buzz and roar of customers and activity. Let's keep it going . . . please!


The Memory Box order came in; there are extra dies available for you to look through. The 8x8 paper paks went out the door before I could even inventory them, so there are 3 left . . . and the 12x12 sheets of the Christmas Carols and Poinsettia Birds are out. Unfortunately, the 12x12's of the Candy Canes are out of stock; we'll have to check back with them later. Also with the Memory Box order were several sets of the 10-pak of cards with matching envelopes.


Unbeknownst to us yesterday, the Magenta order included new stamps that are images used in their new paper collection, Color Me Softly. A very unique and new way to artistically bring both the Magenta papers and stamps to life.

Stamps from Magenta

Look at the paper graphics and see which ones you
can match up with the Magenta stamps! There is an immediate
flurry of ideas and thoughts of what you could do with
these winnng combinations of Magenta paper and Magenta stamps!

Journal Club participants were busy in a variety of ways.

Judy was busy drawing a bird from a picture
she saw in a book. I don't know if you realize that
most of Judy's journal art is truly Judy's art . . . works
that she has hand-drawn herself!

Sam was busy putting more memorabilia from days-gone-by
into her new SMASH* Journal. Judy commented that the SMASH*
Journals are a good way to introduce art journaling to someone
who hasn't ventured into it yet because the pages are already there
with a 'start' of something artistic or thought-provoking. And we
all talked about coming up with our own version of a SMASH*
Journal after the first of the year!

One of Sam's pages from her SMASH* Journal. She
has found a 'home' for many bits and pieces of memorabilia
from a lifetime of fond memories, people, places . . .
even her old driver's licenses.

Sam's Canvas Journal . . . the start. She gesso'd, she painted, she did all
sorts of good tuff here. The dragon fly on the left side is from the
"hole" that was left from Magenta's dragon fly chipboard cut-out.
The bird was an old stamp she had. And yesterday, I told you the leaf
on the right was an actual leaf from her yard that she stained
onto the canvas. Can't wait to see more of what she'll be doing.

Cindy and Gail spent a lot of time
going through the new The Artful Stamper catalog . . .
it's 'open' catalog and the images are ones you're
really going to like! You should stop in and take a few
minutes to go through the catalog. We think you'll be
pleasantly surprised! Notice Cindy's pink sheet next to the
catalog, and the pen in her hand!

A new customer came in late this afternoon, and we dubbed them "couple of the year", and her husband "the man of the hour". While Michelle browsed through the stamps and products at the store, asking questions along the way, and making purchases, her husband, Jason, waited patiently without a wayward look or comment. I commented on 'whadda great guy' he must be and wished that he would pass his admirable traits in patience to other husbands. It was then Jason confessed that his wait now would be rewarded with a day of football from the sofa tomorrow. Aha! Whatever it takes to let the customers find their creative outlet at Art 'n Soul!

Michelle & Jason Callahan

Marj was so excited about the Cheery Lynn and Marianne Designs' dies that arrived yesterday, she went home after a long day at the store to play all night. Marj was especially taken with the Cheery Lynn A2 Frame Die (FRM 115 Lattice #2). She said it worked like a dream in the Grand Caliber, even with the Stardream metallic paper.

by Marj Marion
She used the new Dreamweaver Color Selection
Alcohol Inks over the stencil paste on the leaves.

by Marj Marion
Look how clever Marj was in using the
square punch-outs from the lattice design
for the 'mosaic' centerpiece!

by Marj Marion

by Marj Marion

by Marj Marion
I'm sure this photo is one of the many beautiful
photographs taken by Marj.



by Marj Marion

Marj thinks there might be a couple extra of these dies at the store; however, now that several folks saw these samples this afternoon, I don't know . . . you better hurry in and check! As you can see, there are numerous and endless possibilities with just this one die.




From Elizabeth Craft Designs, again . . . I found this older posting and asked myself, 'how did I miss that one?"

I think I did share my enthusiasm about the new Tim Holtz ornament die already :) but wanted to share this picture with you. It will be another choice for the Christmas Ornaments class at the Collins group event! The colors I used are the Limited Editions Classic Elegance and the branch is green metallic Shimmer Sheetz. Have to stop now, too many choices :)! So much looking forward to next weekend! -- by Els

Tomorrow is John Peterson's book class . . . that is Anticipation with a capital A!