These days I find myself tuning in to Pandora when I’m up late and working on the computer. Like right now I’m enjoying a little retro flashback with The Psychedelic Furs and I’m transported back to the early 5 years of when we lived in Germany – sigh (such great times).
This week I had a great time at Angela’s Happy Stamper taking a beginning stamping class with Jeanette. I can’t believe I’ve been wanting to do this for a year and finally it worked out with my schedule. I know it’s been a year because I went back to find the post about my cool stamping book – and I found it last October! My stamper extraordinaire friend, Maureen, created a stamping practice book for me, which I took to class and filled with notes. I know, many of you know inks like the back of your hand….but we newbies have to start somewhere! I can see how hanging out in a stamp store can be dangerous….so many cool stamps, pens, powders….and latest issues of Stampington magazines to tempt me! The last thing I need is a new interest, but today I couldn’t help myself. I embossed a few thank-you cards, and ended up with glitter everywhere!
Samples at Angela's Happy Stamper
I love surprises. And I couldn’t be happier that the mailman has brought me quite a few lately. Can I show them off here? They are from blog friends. First I want to show you some absolutely stunning seed bead earrings by Nancy Peterson of Beading from the Heart. A little while ago she featured a set in her Elspeth series. I loved the earrings and inquired about ordering a custom pair… could she make them in a black/neutral color scheme? Nancy was happy to oblige and emailed photos of color variations as she made them to be sure they were what I had in mind. I couldn’t be happier with them! And she even sent me an additional pair as a huge surprise! And fyi, if you work with seed beads, Nancy is offering a discount right now on her patterns.
Going back to last October again, back then I offered a blog give away and Boot-C of Mama’s Got to Doodle won. Coincidentally I recently won a give away on her blog. She sent me a sweet beaded fairy, a little handmade box full of beads, and – so touching – a mixed metal heart she made with the sheet metal and stamps she won in my give away. Now that was really nice to see!
Tiny fairy by Boot-C
Boot-C's surprise
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
WOW CINDY, ALL THESE ITEMS ARE BEAUTIFUL. I MUST SAY I THINK I AM REALLY LOVING THE SEED BEAD ITEMS. BEAUTIFUL WORK. I WILL HAVE TO SHOW THOSE TO ELIZABETH, I AM SERIOUS SHE LOVES THIS SITE AT THE AGE OF 4.
Hi Cindy – what a nice post. And thank you for the heart-felt welcome back. I was very happy to have so many comments even though I did not really have something to say. These earrings are stunning. Does she have an etsy store? I did not find the link on her blog to where I can get the tutorials? Must have overlooked it.
Hi Cindy! Wow you are one lucky girl! Congrats on all the fun pretties in the mail!
And the Psych Furs? Love them. I was listening to the 80’s station on my XM radio in the car yesterday and I heard ‘Heartbreak Beat’ and it brought back so many awesome memories. Ah, nostalgia! 🙂
Oh I just LOVE going to the post office and finding goodies waiting for me too! These are all very cool and the lampworked beads by Cassie are beautiful, love the colors! Can’t wait to see what you make with them! Have fun with your new addiction…. um , I mean stamping!
Love all the goodies you received – lucky you!
I bet you and Jeanette had great fun at the stamping class…I enjoyed doing the “make and take” at ArtBliss and would like to do some more of that as well.
Whoa! Your mailman must be super busy this week. Love, love, love those earrings!
Oh congrats Cindy, they are all wonderful! Lucky girl you. Big hug, Riki
Lucky girl – all that great stuff:-)
Stamps are amazing and so addicting! I stamp on metal, but I just love it! It is great you got to do something you have been putting off…I bet it will be something fun to do with the kids too!
Mailbox surprises are the best! You have some sweet surprises!
My ma used to be a stamper-It really IS quite addicting if I do say so myself! We still have remnants of stamps and ink and paper strewn about downstairs. LOL
Boy, aren’t you a lucky, lucky lady! You got some pretty amazing surprises-I’m quite envious over here 🙂
Enjoy all your goodies!!
You are one lucky lady Cindy, but deservedly so! I am loving those seed bead earrings….so gorgeous! They are all beautiful, and I am sure that you will put everything to good use!
Gosh it was fun to see my little fairy pop up! I’m so glad you liked your charm & goodies. If you are ever in the mood for blues my pandora station is called Big Legs Tight Skirt it has everything from old bluesmen to Bonnie Raitt.
Hey Cindy- I look forward to “talking ink” with you. I loved your notes. I forgot about all the kinds of embossing powders there were! Thanks for sharing that. I love Pandora too and have a couple of stations set up– one I play for my older students in the morning while they write their “Do Nows” (a warm up to the lesson). They whined and begged for hiphop at first but now tap their feet to “my stuff”. It’s great to customize a station like that. Whew! But I digress. What I wanted to share with you is that IF you’re not already hooked up into an amazing sound system, you should consider getting yourself a pair of Tweakers. I’ll try to post a pic, but you might have to google it . They’re adorable, compact and offer a great computer sound boost. And husband says to add that they’re cheap!
PS- I’m lovin’ the earrings lots! Wear them in good health…
Cindy, I found this really touching. First of all, that you would talk about being a relative beginner in the area of stamping (we are all beginners somewhere). Secondly, that you have so many people in this blog world who have gifted you…and often because you gifted them and even made it possible to learn a new skill. I agree, there is nothing like meeting blog friends in person. Some of us find kindred spirits here that we don’t find in real life. It was a lovely post! Suz/Katsui
Surprises in the mail are just wonderful, aren’t they? You did get some great goodies.
So you have finally jumped into stamping – I love the way I can use it in my jewelry work. I look forward to seeing how you express yourself.
Cindy, Thank you for stopping by! It was a beautiful adventure. I love Europe. I just connected who you were! I read your blog maybe a year ago (start to finish) and you have several boys, right? (the Wimmer boys) and were involved in setting up Art Bliss (and were in class with wonderful Amy Powers). So good to connect. I would love to go to Art Bliss. This is my second year at Silver Bella but i do need something to just stretch my jewelry skills. I have a pain disorder so I have been a little careful in what I do. I think I am gradually imrproving so hopefully one of these years. That’s a huge job…good for you!!!!…Suz
I’m a Pandora bug too! Joe Purdy radio….Love him! Thanks for stopping by my blog…The mini mini journals were so fun! I can see your metal working with them! Michaels has a nice selection of scraps for cheap!
i LOVE your blog! tah dah, i found you! i am in awe of your beautiful work and have to tell you that i love the top left piece in your banner. beautiful!! will you be making more pieces for your etsy shop soon?
yes, it is always a treat to get a surprise in the mail. your earrings are beautiful. she sure put a lot of time in the beading.
have to tell you i took my first metal stamping class this week at the junior college. it is not as easy as it looks and i have a new appreciation for artists who stamp!
have a lovely day,
becky
LOVE Cassie Donlen. LOVE. Her beads are among my favs. You got some great things in your mailbox!!!!
BTW, I love the Psychedelic Furs — thought I was the only one!
I am so glad that you like your earrings. That is a wonderful photo you took of them. I was so happy to make them for you. Thanks for the shout out. I love good mail days! Like last week when both of my boys received a surprise LEGO kit in the mail. We were one happy household!!
Wonderful cards and Beautiful earrings! ive had company from out of town..time to catch up on blogs!