Monthly Invite Reminder... (Oct)

Hey Ladies...
A group of my friends and I get together on the fourth Thursday of every month around 7:00 pm and we just stamp, scrapbook, share ideas, eat, talk, chat, visit eat and visit some more. (Get the idea!:mrgreen: ) I have a huge family room with three long tables that we stamp at so there is plenty of room, we can add more tables to if we need to. So, I thought I would post it out there for anyone interested in joining us. There is no selling going on, we just kind of bring and do our own thing. Right now most of us are working on finishing up our Christmas cards. I make my stamps, paper and supplies available for anyone you needs it. So, If anyone is interested in joining us... We will be stamping at my house on Oct. 25th starting at 7:00 pm. This is also our Halloween party "Bed & Breakfast". Come dressed in your favorite PJs and bring a box of your favorite Breakfast cereal for a fun and easy Halloween treat that we will be making. I live in West Hartford and No registration is required but you can RSVP me for my address and directions, if you would like by a PM or at my email address... anamarproductions@yahoo.com. A small fee of $2.00 is welcome to help cover the cost of paper goods for the treats we eat and also the drinks. (No alcohol). We would love to have you join us. So, put us on your calender. Check my calender often for updates and schedule for the upcoming holiday months. Thanks, Anavon (aka... Annie's Pantry)

Brushed with Gold (IC98 at SCS)

Several people has asked me for a copy of the story that I placed on the inside of my accordian book / card that I completed for the Inspirational Challenge today. So here it is...

"The Cracked Pot"

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole, which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer? "What are you ashamed of?” “I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your masters house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts." The pot said. The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the masters house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the Pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pots side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my masters table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."

MORAL: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We’re all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Fathers table. In Gods great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.

New Changes...

The boys tried to convince me that I need to get with the fad and blog everyday. Well... No, I don't have time to blog everyday... But I do enjoy Stamping everyday so I created a slide show so that I could share more of what I do best (besides homeschool of course). So check it out.. here are some of my favorite cards that I have made in the past month or so... Also, I picked my favorite challenge for the week. (See the Wooden Pumpkin Party)

What An Awesome Day!

What an awesome day, today was. I attended the "Time Out For Women" event the was held here in Hartford. We were spiritually fed, emotionally uplifted and musically filled with the spirit of the Lord. It was great to see old friends from far away, as well as reunite with some local sisters that I hadn't seen for a while. What a great way to end my week and start again. Thank You! to all whom made this day possible for so many us .

Cards for the Cure! (October - Breast Cancer Awarness)

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I posted a new thread this morning at SCS in "Need a Lift?", after having a great walk down memory lane while putting together my pages for yesterday's scrapbook challenge, (Check it out my oldest son turns 20 soon...,(Oh Baby! - Happy Birthday)) I thought more and more about my workshop ahead and how I had taken the time to combine "World Card Making Day" and Help "Stamp" out Breast Cancer into a Stamp a Stack event. I was excited and I knew several of the people that were planning on being there. Anyway, I posted my scrapbook pages and left for my workshop. And as I got to my friend's house who was hosting the event for me, she pulled me aside to share with me that she had just found out that she has breast cancer... My Heart sank! I, myself, being a Breast Cancer survivor knows the turmoil and uphill battle she faces, but she is strong and she has a great family who loves her and stands behind her always. Upon hearing her news, I knew then in my heart I definitely was coming home to post my card to all and challenge all to join me in this post... (Keywords for your cards that you post to the thread at SCS would be For the Cure!) So here's to all who have survived!!! (Survived in one form or another)

"Bloomin in Pink"

****Thanks to Smitty 2004 for her awesome card I CASEd.
IC96 Have a Joyful Birthday
When I saw it, I fell absolutely in love with it and I could see it "Bloomin in Pink" for my workshop last night.
"Thanks Smitty2004...I hope You Don't Mind"

New Day...

I am back for day two, (made a few changes, added a few updates). Things got off to a slow start this morning at my house but the challenge at SCS was great fun. This was my card for today's Challenge (LSC136) entitled "Early Christmas". You can check out my entries to other challenges in my gallery at www.splitcoaststampers.com.

Getting Started...

My boys convinced me that blogging was a way to keep all my friends and family informed... so after much poking and prodding (kind of like an old mule) I thought that I would give it a shot.