WE'RE GOING TO NEW BRAUNFELS!!

Joyce and I had the BEST day trip to New Braunfels and San Antonio. Our stamps were well received by all and Scrapbook Haus booked us to teach a class on March 1st. We are waiting for call backs from Stamp Antonio and Scrapbook Heaven, whose owners were at CHA.

And, of course, I had to do a little shopping while there. I found this paper and matching letters by piggy tales for Kenny's "Battle of the Bands" (February 22nd) scrap pages.

A Time to Retreat

January has been a retreat month for me. I've been staying home reading, watching some TV (totally hooked on Battlestar Galactica and thanks to Net Flix I can watch several episodes at at time) and basically enjoying some much needed down time. I love snuggling under quilts in my recliner with a cup of tea and a good book!

Tomorrow, I will be taking a day trip with Joyce Meyers to several scrapbooking stores in the San Antonio area to discuss the possibility of teaching some classes with our stamp line. Wish us luck!!

A friend of mine ask if I could make her some Valentine tiles for her niece and include her initials. This is the design she liked.

Have a great day! Stay warm!

GREAT NEWS FROM TEXANA DESIGNS!

I'm sure some of you have heard the name Joyce Meyer and JAM'n Stamps. If not, you stampers will definitely recognize some of her stamp designs. JAM'n Stamps was in business from 2000-2005. In 2006, Joyce wanted to devote more time to her art and spend more time with her family. For those of you who know Joyce, I'm thankful to report that her eyes are improving!!

She is one of the sweetest spirits I have ever met. Her passion for art and enthusiasm for life is totally infectious and I've had the best time getting to know her. At one time, Joyce had her line of stamps in 33 Texas stores. Well, Texana Designs is adding some of Joyce's designs to the catalog and sending them out to our "reps". We are going to start small with only 4 of her designs, but no doubt that number will increase at a very fast pace.

Joyce has her BFA in Art and MA in Art Education. She taught art in the Texas Public Schools for 21 years! She has been an artist all her life and loves drawing, painting, photography and LOVES TEXAS. She is first and foremost a teacher. AND, we begin our second new venture in a few weeks by taking two days trips to some scrapbooking stores to talk about teaching classes. I know I'm going to learn so much from Joyce. She is a true PRO!!

Here are the 4 of her designs!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm looking forward to 2009 and want to be "present" for each day! I started the new year:

• eating healthier,
  
• practicing more positive thinking,
  
• reading good books to help start my day with a great attitude, and
  
• staying in the moment.

Easier said that done!! But, being intentional and practicing awareness will help.

2009 is the year of many changes:

• taking the next step with Texana Designs by having a "rep" to help promote our stamp line.
  
• Kenny,my youngest, will graduate from McNeil High School and leave for UNT Denton in August.
  
• Tom and I become empty nesters
• My nephew (my sister's son who is no longer with us) is getting married on the land he just purchased in Vermont. We will spend 3 days in a cottage on the lake celebrating his marriage
• Maggie has decided to get a double major anthropology/biology and will be at U.T. until completion (I get to have her around a little longer!!!)

And this is just what I know now! Who knows what tomorrow will bring! I better catch up on last year's scrapping because there will be lots to do in 2009!

My wish for each of you:

• may you make time for yourself and do what you enjoy doing
• may you have a healthy and happy year
• may you spend many moments in good conversation with family and friends
• may you create new projects and complete the projects that are important to you
• may you "live, laugh, and love" and
• may it be a year of peace for all!