A Black & White Birthday

I couldn't sleep last night so decided to play with the new colors that came in the order I received Friday.  The Neutrals Designer Series Paper is fantastic!  I know most people associate the black with one of those "big" birthdays but I think it is just elegant.  Here is the card I created last night.

Simple but Beautiful

Today saw the launch of my card ministry and below you will find the cards I designed today.  It has long been on my heart to send cards to those who need love and encouragement.  Now that I make my own cards, it is such a blessing to share them with others.  I pray over each card and ask that a special blessing be given to the recipient.  God is so good!

 

Good Morning!

Another day has begun and it is a fully loaded busy one.  I've already been out shopping.  You know you just can't make good coffee without distilled water!  My philosophy, here Marsha's Coffee Pot Cafe is, if you are going to make coffee you might as well make it the best it can be.  I love the smell of fresh brewed coffee!
 
Okay, while I wait for that coffee to brew, I'll share with you my newest card design.  It was intended for a card swap I had hoped to be part of but unfortunately, that hasn’t worked out as planned. 
 
The stamp I used is from the God's Blessings Stamp Set.  It was exactly the sentiment I wanted to share.  Without further comment, here is the card I designed.

Two Very Special Cards!

It took a while but I finally finished the cards for the two young girls I sponsor from Cien Feugo Children's Center.  It is near Santiago, Dominican Republic.  Sulennes has a birthday next month and I wanted to get her card done so the group going down the first of next month can take it to her.  The other card is for Jahely, who is the first little girl I sponsored.  It is such a privilege and honor to be able to help these little ones.  They are all so precious.  They are both truly 'gifts from God!'

I just got the Two-Step Owl Punch and I think it is going to become a favorite.  It is so much fun making these little critters.  And, there are other uses for it than just making owls.

The first card is for Jahely.  She is six.  If there was some way to give her a hug long distance, she would have many.

This next card is for Sulennes, who will be nine in March.   She is a very precious little girl.  Some day I may be able to make a trip to see them.

February Stamp Club

Today was my first ever Stamp Club.  Several of the cards we made were patterned after those I learned to make at my upline's club last month.  We had so much fun.  We are all looking forward to getting together next month.  So, here they are, this month's creative endeavors.  Be sure to check out the last card.  I had a very special helper for it.

My seven year old granddaughter, Mariah, spent the weekend with me.  I was trying to decide what to do for the last card of the group.  She wanted to help so I let her pick the colors and this is what she came up with.  She is so beautiful!

Day Is Done For This Not So Young But Not so Old Spring Chicken!

It's been a long day but a productive one.  I was so excited to get my most recent Stampin' Up! order.  It was all there and no damages except to the box which I took a picture of should I need it.  I didn't so it's been deleted from the camera.  Sorry, it's late and I tend to ramble when it's late.  Oh, I'm excited all over again for tomorrow as I have another order to be delivered.

I have my first ever Stamp Club starting Sunday and I needed everything that has arrived and will be arriving.  I finished up one of the five cards we will be making.  It's so simple but so pretty.  It's all Very Vanilla and Early Espresso.  (Hmmm?  Coffee term again!)  Once I get them all made, I'll take photos and post them here and in Stampin' Connection which is the place I hang out with other Stampin' Up! demonstrators.  It's so much fun.

Okay, I'm really done and done in so I'll see you back here in the next day or two.


Blessings from Marsha

I Love To Stamp Bag

Today my new tote bag arrived.  I ordered it from Vistaprint to match my business cards.  I'm so pleased with it.  Now I'll have a bag to carry all of my Stampin' Up! goodies with me wherever I go.  Here is what it looks like.

The Inspiration for Marsha’s Coffee Pot Cafe

I'm sure some of you are all wondering how I came up with the name for my blog and my Etsy Shop, right?  Well, I am more than happy to tell you.

My hometown is a small agriculture community in north central Iowa by the name of Iowa Falls.  It was a great place to grow up back in the 50s and 60s.  One of my favorite memories, although a vague one, is of a restaurant once located on Highway 65 on the south side of Iowa Falls.  I don’t remember ever being inside it but I do remember it.  This restaurant was shaped in the form of a coffee pot.  Yes, that’s right, a coffee pot.  So unique but unfortunately, torn down many years ago.  What a shame!

While taking a writing course, the idea dawned to write a mystery series.  Two favorite authors are Dee Henderson and Terri Blackstock who both write series.  I pondered a name for the series but it wasn’t until I came across an old photo, given to my dad, that the light bulb went off and “The Coffee Pot Mystery Series” was born.  I have two novels started with titles and ideas for two others.  The series is based on my hometown and, yes, you guessed it, the restaurant shaped like a coffee pot.  Below is the picture given to Dad that will soon find its way onto a canvas to hang on my wall as continued inspiration.

While I am still writing and working on the novels, my love for paper crafting has taken center stage through my Stampin’ Up! business.  I love creating new cards and projects and teaching others.

So, there you have the story behind Marsha’s Coffee Pot Café.  Of course, my love of coffee played a role as well.  There is nothing like the fragrance of a freshly brewed pot of coffee!

Woo! Hoo!

Today I received confirmation from Compliance at Stampin' Up! that my business card was approved. I'm so excited!  Here's what the little beauty looks like. 

It's a Workshop in Progress!

It’s time to get started and what better way than letting everyone know about the great things going on at Stampin’ Up! 

DeeDee is using the Big Shots to emboss the front of her card.  Natalie is attentively watching as her turn is next.

Below you have the embossed front of our card.  We used the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder from Stampin’ Up!

Natalie and DeeDee putting some special touches on their cards.

Jennifer is having just so much fun!  We all had a fine time.

One more step and our project is complete.

So pretty and so full of love!

 

And there you have it, our finished friendship card.

I wasn’t going to add this one but if I didn’t I know my photographer would have had something to say about it.  Do you get the feeling I don’t like having my picture taken?

What you see is the beginning of a card I designed especially for my Hostess.

Jennifer, thank you so much for opening your home to us for a Workshop.

Forever Fishing

My oldest son Wayne's text message to me on the day J.D. passed away was, "Dad's forever fishing." For Christmas gifts to my three sons, I did a photo transfer canvas of Dad's last catch.

Blessings from Marsha

My Favorite Coffee Mug!

They Are Finished!

As you can see, I just can't stay away from here today.  I just added new items to my Etsy Store and wanted to show them off here as well.  The photo transfer canvases are one of my favorite projects.  My friend, Angela, taught a class on the photo transfer technique.  I can't begin to tell you just how much I appreciate knowing how to do this technique.  My first one was of a photo I took of my mother.  The angel you see in the picture is one she did.  She did several ceramic pieces and became quite good at them.  
A year ago, my boys' dad passed away.  For Christmas, I did the photo transfer of his last big catch.  He did so enjoy fishing. I need to take a better photo of this one before posting it here.
Okay, one more photo and I'm out of here for the night.


Blessings from Marsha

My Sweet Mother.

Thank You Card Designed For My First Stampin' Up Open House

It's Official

My Etsy Store is now up and running!  I have the a coaster set as well as two sets of handmade cards for sale.  It has been so much fun getting things done and in the store.  With the blizzard keeping me home, it was a great time to finish up some projects.  I have one more step to my photo transfer canvases then, they will be added to the store.  They are beautiful, even if I do say so myself.
Okay, time to fix some supper.  Tuesday is the only night I devote to sitting in front of the TV.
Blessings from Marsha