Sondra's Studio/Study

New Sponsor for the Momas Charity Crop

2011-10-04T00:25:00.008-04:00

Craf-T Products and Zum Gali Gali!

Sponsors for Upcoming Charity Crop

2011-09-28T17:46:00.001-04:00

Take a look at the fantastic sponsors so far for our upcoming Momas Crop for Sampson charity crop. At the time of this writing there is only one room left and then only daytime croppers. So if you are thinking about it let us know soon. And keep a check back here for updates to this list.

Scrapbook Creations

Thirty-One

Fiskars

Moxie

Unity Stamps

Technique Tuesday

Stampington

Clearsnap

Stampers Best

Heart & Soul

Crop Chocolate

Vintaj Natural Brass

Momas Charity Crop for Sampson

2011-09-11T17:27:00.002-04:00

This is the big one girls! It's a Weekend Cottage Event with your friends, old or new!

Friday - Sunday October 28th-30th at Scrapbook Creations in Spartanburg SC.

Options to fit any schedule from "the whole shebang" 3day/2night crop/stay including 5 meals, snack, drinks, daily goody bags and hourly prize drawings, free make n takes and reduced rate classes everyday for as little as $75 to one great day out for only $25 lunch and goody bag included and other options in between!

If you don't want to miss out on this one email me for a detailed flyer or to register.
SondraBright@bellsouth.net

Beneficiaries of this event are 63 local soldiers of the SC Army National Guard's 151st Expeditionary Signal Battalion just recently home from a year long deployment in Bagdad, IRAQ.

We Need Volunteer Scrapbookers

2011-09-11T17:08:00.004-04:00

2 Dates 2 Locations 2 Opportunities to serve
Sat. Oct. 22nd 11am - 8pm Cottages at Brushy Creek in Greer and
Sat. Nov. 5th 10am - 9pm Scrapbook Creations in Spartanburg

All materials are provided...Just bring your favorite tools and adhesives.
We are making 63 6x6 Sampson Books for the soldiers of the
SC Army National Guard's 151st Expeditionary Signal Battalion
who recently returned home from a year long deployment in Bagdad, IRAQ.

If you can even give us a couple of hours of your service on either of these days please contact me for more details. SondraBrighg@bellsouth.net

One crop down one more coming...

2011-06-27T00:21:00.002-04:00

Well, we had another successful crop yesterday at Scrapnesia in Spartanburg. Thanks to everyone who joined us and help meet our goals for this event.

And thanks in advance to all those who are already signed up to help us create these M. Bright books for the patients at Greenville Glenn. We almost have a full house but with lots of work to do we would love to have you join us, too, Sat. July 9th to create the books for these residents. We will be there from 11am - 8pm but even if you can only give a couple of hours that would help us to finish all of them in just one day. Just call the store (288-7771) and let us know you are coming.

Momas will provide the books and supplies and even a meal for all volunteers...all you need to bring is your favorite tools to work with and adhesives if you prefer your own. See you there.

Kids say the funniest things...

2011-04-07T20:28:00.002-04:00

I took Haley (our 3 year old granddaughter) with me to run some erands today. Here's how it went..."Grandmother, I want to get married to PawPaw." "You do? That's probably because you love him so much, huh?" "Yep...[pause]...but Grandmother, I am thinking that we are going to have to get rid of you." "Get rid of me! Why?" Haley, "Didn't you get married to PawPaw one time." "Yes, I did get married to PawPaw a long time ago." "Well, I think you can only get married to one person so we are going to have to get rid of you and then I can marry PawPaw."

80 pages in one day!

2011-04-04T14:10:00.002-04:00

Yep, we did it! We created 80 pages with the help of some good friends at Scrapnesia Friday. This week I will deliver them to Let There Be Mom. I know the families that get them in their books will really enjoy them. We had some great scrappers volunteer with us. It was a small group but we even had two new volunteers to Momas this time. I appreciate all of you dearly. And as always, I truly look forward to the next time we are together.

Momas Date Changes

2011-03-17T12:42:00.003-04:00

Please note that there has been a mistake and the two June dates have not been confirmed by the new store. The owner has requested that we remove these dates from the list.

But...you know girls...the party must go on! So, just hang on to yourself a bit longer; I know a lot of you have been ready for another great day with Momas; we have NOT canceled these events. They will just be moved to a new location and possibly new dates. But we will play!

Three New Momas Dates!

2011-03-17T04:58:00.002-04:00

Momas has 3 new upcoming events...

Momas Drop In Crop for Let There Be Mom @ Scrapnesia's new location - Fri. Apr. 1, 11am-11pm. Volunteers needed. Meals provided.

Momas Charity Crop for M. Bright Books @ the new Scrappin' Times in Inman - Sat. Jun. 11, 10am-10pm $40 includes meals, snacks, goody bags, plus more...

Momas Drop In Crop for M. Bright Books @ the new Scrappin' Times in Inman - Sat. Jun. 25, 10am-7pm. Volunteers needed. Meals provided.

Contact me for more information:

Sondra Bright
877-5805
MomasBooks@bellsouth.net

Start Swell for Spring

2011-02-28T14:32:00.003-05:00

Host a Thirty-One party or close a book party by March 16th and in addition to all the benefits the company will give you I am offering your choice of FREE embroidery on 3 items ($18 value) or $16 in FREE products!

If this is a goal you would like to reach contact me at SondraBright@bellsouth.net

Thirty One

2011-02-04T01:55:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone,

I am now selling Thirty-One products. Their totes work wonderfully for stamp and scrap stuff. Take a look at the link below and let me know if you'd like to make an order, have a party, or even start selling with me. Hope to talk with you all soon.

www.mythirtyone.com/sondra

SondraBright@bellsouth.net

2010-11-09T23:16:00.026-05:00

To all who will read this...

...Life IS good in 2010! And nearing the end of this year I can say this will all surity. Early in the year I was diagnosed with breast cancer just two weeks before a close friend lost her battle with cancer. We spent her last night in the hospice center and the next night in the birthing center for an emergency c-section and the birth of our fourth beautiful and healthy granddaughter. Just a few weeks later, the day before going in the hospital for a masectomy, our neice passed away taking most of my family out of state for services the day after my surgery. Shortly after they returned complications from a rare blood disorder reared its ugly head that kept me in the hospital the better part of three months including ICU. Doctors actually gave up on me and asked our pastor to prepare my family for my death but God and I had other plans and here I am. While in ICU our oldest son (father of the newborn) was deployed to Iraq. We are very proud of him but miss him a whole lot and long for the day he is home safely in our arms. Now when I went in the hospital I was the only one in my family with cancer but while still in the hospital my father was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. He has now completed chemo and surgery and is now in the radiation phase of his recovery for which the prognosis is very good. But then just before I got out of the hospital my mother-in-law had a stroke, was put in the hospice hospital, and finally passsed away the week I came home. I was not able to make the trip to her funeral either and my husband barely made it because during that same week he fell and broke a rib at work. His sister was not able to make it because she was in another hospital out of state preparing for a lung transplant. Today my husband is back at work after being out for six weeks and several surgeries later I am home but still not back at work; I still have a couple of more surgeries to go. Both out of work at the same time, minus six months salary and with numerous extra medical expenses when I saw a Life is Good in 2010 t-shirt in the hospital gift shop...I just had to have it. No matter what, I really believe and want to declare to all that Life was good in 2010!

By the grace of God I have beat breast cancer, a blood disorder, obesity, and some say death itself; my husband has his health back; we are the parents of a safe soldier; we have a beautiful new grandchild (with another on the way!); my dad is on his way to health; we still have hope for my sister-in-law; we hold precious memories of our friend, our neice, and our Mom; and...I am the proud owner of a t-shirt that states, "Life is Good in 2010!"

Momas Crop for Li'l Lee

2010-03-30T20:57:00.004-04:00

The dates for our next venture with Momas is set. Momas Crop for Li'l Lee Fundraising Crop will be Saturday, April 10 from 1pm-10pm at Funkie Munkie Scraps in Greer SC. The cost is $20 and includes dinner and snacks. Prizes will be given throughout the day and every cropper will get a welcome gift. There will be an auction and raffles and free make n takes and demos.
Monies raised will go toward creating Li'l Lee Books that will be given to the foster children that live at SC Church of God Home For Children. Our goal is to provide every child in the home a memory book of their own. There are currently 13 children residing in the home. If you are interested in joining us please email me at MomasBooks@bellsouth.net for more details.

It's Fiskars Free Friday again!

2009-08-25T14:30:00.002-04:00

Join me this Friday, August, 28th from 2pm-4pm at Funkie Munkie Scraps in Greer for a free make n take and chances for prizes. It's all free and your project will take under 15 minutes to complete. There will be a drawing from everyone who attends, another drawing from everyone who purchases a Fiskars product (discounted during MnT), and a drawing from those who rsvp here on this blog.

Last month one lady won two prizes! Come and claim yours.

Another Free Fiskars Friday

2009-07-28T13:12:00.003-04:00

It's all free so why not join us this Friday at Funkie Munkie Scraps in Greer for a make n take card and chances for prizes. Since Stephanie and Stephanie are at Fiskars Birthday Party and CHA this week getting all kinds of new ideas I thought we would use up some of the oldie but goodie stuff. We will be using some of Fiskars paper lines to make a great card. It's a drop in from 2-4 and your project will take about 15 min. If you come out and play you will be entered for a prize and if you let me know you are coming you will be entered for another prize. Also if you purchase any Fiskars products that day you will get a great discount from the store and be entered in a drawing for another prize! Yall come...

Free Fiskars Friday at the Funkie Munkie

2009-05-30T13:39:00.002-04:00

Thanks to all who participated and would you believe the same lady won both prizes! Phyllis was the winner of the big prize (a new Fiskars Squeeze Punch!) for a Fiskars purchase and she won the drawing for all who partipated in the free make n take. Congratulations to Phyllis who has been contacted to pick her prizes up at the store. I hope you will join us next month Friday June 26th from 4-6pm.

April's Blog Candy

2009-04-01T20:54:00.003-04:00

You've read about our local charity crop Momas Crop for Marty. You've seen the list of donating vendors so far. You may even be coming. If not, register this week and say you saw it on the blog you will win blog candy. If you are already registered and you refer a friend who registers this week, you both win blog candy! If you can't make it but still refer someone else this week, you both will still get the blog candy! How's that?!

We still have 9 spots left open. Let's fill them up!

March's Blog Candy Winner is...

2009-03-31T02:31:00.003-04:00

Kathy H Congratulations Kathy!
Email me BarefootProf@bellsouth.net with your snail mail addy and I will get your prize right out to you. And thanks to all who have visited Sondra's Studio Study this month and left comments. I have enjoyed reading them all.

The month of April is going to be very busy getting ready for our upcoming charity crop Momas Crop for Marty so I will not be posting daily. But do drop in from time to time to see what might be going on.

Big Blog Candy Mountain Alert!

2009-03-30T15:20:00.003-04:00

This email was sent to me. I haven't been to the links yet, so I hope you all find some great blog candy out there. And don't forget to comment here for entry into this months blog candy!

Arfully Ila (Mar 22)
Life One Layout At a Time (Mar 25)
Scraps for Fun (Mar 31)
Love to Doodle (Mar 27)
Helen’s Craft Haven (Mar 29)
Polly’s Card Heaven (Mar 27)
Cat’s Whiskers (Mar 23)
Card Making Galore (Apr 3)
Pretty Pressings (Apr 1)
Maria’s Studio (Mar 23)
Phoenix Crafts (Apr 12)
Crafters Kitchen (Mar 23)
A Personal Touch (Mar 27)
Enjoying the Journey (Apr 3)
Stamp With Us (Mar 31)
Elizabeth Bell (Apr 5)
The Crafting Adventures of a Left Handed Blonde (Mar 26)
A Crafters Dream (Mar 26)
Olde Country Creations (Mar 31)
My Crafty Stuff (Apr 1)
Glitter Me Silly (Mar 31)
Pyssel Mamman (Mar 31)
Moments in Time (Mar 31)
Imagine, Create, Inspire (Mar 31)

Gratitude List

2009-03-29T01:54:00.002-04:00

Today I want to point you back to an old post that listed the vendors so far who have donated to the upcoming charity crop Momas Crop for Marty here in Greer SC. If you don't know about it but after looking at this list would like to get signed up, email me quickly because we only have 9 spots left open!

I feel very blessed and grateful that we have nearly filled up every seat and have weeks yet to go. We are also abundantly blessed by all the donations that are pouring in and more on the way!
This is "one great day" that you won't want to miss out on.

Photo Tinting Tips and Ideas

2009-03-28T00:09:00.002-04:00

Photo tinting is great for scrapbooking as well as sleek and contemporary greeting cards.

۰ Use with black and white, sepia, or even color photos!
۰ Do not use original photos. Always preserve those.
۰ Must use copy machine toner. Printer ink will not work.
۰ Copy all in black and white for black and white results.
۰ Sepia and color photos usually need to be lightened.
۰ If a sepia photo is the desired result then sepia prints must be color copied.
۰ Photo paper can be used for scrapbook albums. Matte photo paper works best.
۰ Glossy cardstock works fine for greeting cards.
۰ Make extra copies for trial runs.
۰ Use large tip when maximum coverage is desired.
۰ Always brush stroke in the direction indicated by subject.
۰ Use the small tip for accents and details.
۰ Remember only slight pigmentation is the desired effect.
۰ For deeper colors, let dry and re-paint.
۰ Choose a focal point and highlight that.
۰ For most dramatic effects, do not add color to background items.
۰ The least amount of differing subjects colored in a photo the better.
۰ Provide coverage of the large areas first and detail last.
۰ Use the softener/blender pen when even less pigment is desired.
۰ The softener can be used directly on photo to blend colors and soften edges.
۰ Always use softener while color is still wet.
۰ Use short, quick strokes with the softener.
۰ Softener can be used as a brush taking color from other pens. (Great for blush)
۰ Softener will remove some color and repair minor mistakes if caught quickly.
۰ Clean tips by marking on white paper until true color returns.
۰ Allow photos to dry overnight.

Try chalks and photo stamps as alternatives when experimenting with tinting.

Funkie & Free Fiskars Friday Winners

2009-03-27T23:14:00.003-04:00

Today was the day! We had a great time once we got started. First let me apologize for the time mix up. I understand that there were several ladies waiting on me at 2:00 today. That was a misprint on the calendar. There was a corrected email sent out but some got them and some didn't. I really hate that happened.

For the ones that made it back at 4:00 we impressed with the Easy Stamp Press. Everyone made 2 cards this week. And we have 2 winners! We would have had 3 winners but the only rsvp we had to this blog emailed to let me know she would not be able to make it after all and she was the only one in the running for the prize. So remember that in the future; sometimes, all you have to do is show up...and you get a prize!

Now for the winners...Linda Currin won the drawing for participating and Starr Boone won the toss for purchasing Fiskars products! Congratulations to both! Your prizes are waiting at the store for you to pick up on your next visit. Hope to see all of you next month.

Tag, you're it!

2009-03-26T00:58:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, I was tagged by a fellow Fiskateer, Brenda #5151.

Getting tagged means you have to go to the place on your computer where you store all your pictures and open the 4th folder, then open the 4th picture and post that picture with a description of what it is, and then tag 4 more people.

This is our youngest Granddaughter, Haley, trick or treating with her Dad (my ds) this past Halloween. Notice the cutest antennae and stinger her Mommy made for her.

Today, I am tagging 4 more Fiskateers…

#627 Connie
#1867 Michele
#2569 Mardi
#4257 Amy

Tagging must be to someone with a blog, but not necessarily Fiskateers.

Word for the week...My God or yours?

2009-03-25T11:05:00.000-04:00

I recently heard a story about a young man, named Lou, who grew up a Buddhist and was introduced to Jesus Christ as a young adult. Now a Christian, when asked the difference between Jesus Christ and Buddha Lou gives this analogy.

When I was a Buddhist I was drowning in a lake and didn’t know how to swim. I saw Buddha on the shore calling out instructions to teach me to swim. But he said I must make it to shore myself. Struggling to learn but still drowning I looked again and on the shore was Jesus. Jesus dove in the water, swam out to me and saved me. Once we were safely back on the shore Jesus taught me to swim so that I could go back and rescue others.

Christianity is not a religion; it is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Our salvation is not based on what we do but what He did.

Technique Tuesday Tamp a Tile

2009-03-24T01:16:00.002-04:00

Tamp a Tile was one of my favorites in the good old stamp days. Maybe some of you know it but have forgotten about it or maybe this is new to you. I do not have samples to post but click the link to the Blockheads Paper Arts website for some. Here are step by step instructions.

Great for backgrounds as well as the main feature on a card.

۰ Assemble the template on top of cardstock.
۰ Tape the template to the cardstock.
۰ Remove one piece of the tile at a time and stipple on desired color.
۰ Replace the previous tile piece before stippling another section.
۰ When complete, untape the template and slide it away from cardstock.
۰ Embellish artwork as desired.
۰ Remember to clean the tiles before using again.

Blog candy poll

2009-03-23T01:48:00.002-04:00

Well, it is not exactly a poll. I would just like you to talk to me in the comment section about your blog candy preferences. How often would you like to see it offered? What types of blog candy would you like to win? How do you want to enter to win blog candy? How do you find out where blog candy is?

And did you know that right now there are two ways to win blog candy here at Sondra's Studio/Study? The first is the month long drawing from every comment left on all posts in March. And the second is to RSVP here for Funkie Free Fiskars Friday (see a recent Friday post).

The Butterfly Project

2009-03-22T17:11:00.003-04:00

Holocaust Museum Houston is doing The Butterfly Project in hopes of collecting 1.5 million crafted butterflies in memorium to the 1.5 million children lost in the holocaust. Take a look at the link and think of how you would like to create your butterflies to participate in this awesome project.

These are the ones I did. Both of my stamp clubs are making butterflies to send as a group. Maybe you have a group, either online or locally, that would love to take part. Comment here if you plan to create some butterflies of your own.

Weekend stroll through a virtual museum

2009-03-21T01:19:00.004-04:00

Doesn't that sound lovely?
Visit these links to view some inspirational eye candy.

-Ad Access Sales, Advertising, and Marketing History
-America As It Was A Tour of the USA in Vintage Postcards
-Collections Photography
-Family Old Photos Faces and Places of the Past
-Joanne B Kaar Building on Inspiration
-Megan Noel Bead Artist
-Mosaic Mercantile Mosaic Art Gallery
-Opacity Urban Ruins Abandoned Photography
-Patt K Nicol Fine Art Design
-Stuart Weitzman Designer Shoes Food Network's Bid for a Cure

And don't forget to leave comments here to be entered into this month's blog candy drawing!

Funkie & Free Fiskars Friday again!

2009-03-20T00:01:00.002-04:00

It’s Funkie and Free Fiskars Friday time again. Next week, Friday 27th from 4pm-6pm, I will be back at Funkie Munkie Scraps in Greer doing Fiskars demos. There will be prizes and the first one starts here! If you rsvp on this blog post your name will be entered into a drawing for a prize. Anyone who buys a Fiskars product that day (at 20-25% discounts) will be entered into another drawing for a prize. And everyone that comes out to play will be entered into yet another drawing for a prize! So plan to drop by for about 15 min. or so. Oh yea, this week you will be making 2 cards for the same (FREE) price of one! See you there...

Thursday's Thank Yous

2009-03-19T01:28:00.023-04:00

I was just feeling very grateful tonight for all the generous donors to our upcoming charity event Momas Crop for Marty Books. At this point we only have 9 seats left so if you are thinking about it now is the time to sign up! Just reading this list of donors should tip the scales for you.

AlphaStamps
Auntie Amy
Club Scrap
Colorbok
Copic
Creative Memories
Crop Chocolate
Cut at Home
Frantic Stamper
Glue Dots
Heart and Soul Rubber Stamp Company
Judikins
Liquitex
McGill
Peachy Keen Stamps
Provo Craft
Pulsar Paper
Rubber Stamp Madness
Sakura
Score-Pal
Scrap Smart
Stampendous
Stampin' Buddies
Stampin Up
Stampington & Co.
Stampscapes
Studio Calico
Such a Deal Lace & Trim
Unity Stamp Co.
Verses from the Heart

Creative Chaos
Funkie Munkie Scraps
Mainstreet Memories
Scrapbook Supply
Scrapnesia

Stamp Diva Club
several individuals

I also want to thank American Speedy Printing in Greer for all the printing services provided. We want to support our local businesses when we can and certainly the ones that give back to their community like this. So be sure to say thanks when you visit the following Greer stores.

Amazing Threads
Dobson's Hardware
EmbroidMe
GNC
Hallmark
Lady Bugs
Mutual Home
ProMotion
Sara Ann's Undercover World
Sue's Alterations
Tractor Supply Co.
Tupperware

Fatz
Firehouse Subs
Fuddrucker's
Laurenda's
Mythos
Panera Bread
Pizza Hut
Quiznos
Subway
Starbucks

Word of the week

2009-03-18T18:45:00.006-04:00

More thoughts on the foundational topic of marriage.

-Ignorance increases the chance of failure in anything we do. Be teachable on the subject of marriage and seek out wisdom from reliable sources.
-Remember that when parents resolve conflicts and the marriage remains intact, children learn from that. They also learn from divorce.
-Conflict is not the problem, lack of commitment is the problem. When you decide to stay committed and divorce is no longer an option you will be more motivated to work at the relationship.
-Living together outside of marriage doesn't work because it is done from a selfish spirit. It is performance based, not commitment based; a test to see if one can meet the other's needs and if not, they are out of there.
-Marriage is not about me getting my needs met, but about me giving/committing my life to another. Covenant is not made, covenant is cut. God cut covenant with us. It is a blood sacrifice.
-Evil company corrupts good habits according to 1Corinthians 15:33. Watch for those who too easily support divorce. Instead, surround yourself with friends who have a low tolerance for divorce.
-Anything with a weak foundation will easily crumble. We need to look to Jesus, not our spouse, to have our core needs (security, identity, acceptance and purpose) met. Jesus told the lady at the well that she would always thirst unless she drank from His well.
-Fun...research shows that couples that have fun together have marriages that last longer. So grab your mate and go do something together today that makes you both laugh!

Technique Tuesday

2009-03-17T00:56:00.014-04:00

Turn a 6x6 or 8x8 into a 12x12

I have done this out of necessity and as a challenge but it is actually a great idea to try out. Make smaller layouts with a simple design, maybe around a certain photo, and then place onto a larger 12x12 sheet and embellish. This simplifies the design process (rather than trying to fill a 12x12 space) and causes you to think outside the box, usually resulting in a more sleek design aesthetic.

How about a couple of slices of blog candy?

2009-03-16T00:49:00.003-04:00

Life, One layout at a time is giving away, not one but two Slice's! And I would keep my eyes on this blogger because very recently she gave away a Cricut!

Now, my candy is the penny kind compared, but still don't forget to comment daily for your chances at this months blog candy here at Sondra's Studio/Study.

The 29 Day Giving Challenge

2009-03-15T01:41:00.002-04:00

I took this challenge myself in Febuary and although I am a giver by nature (husband says I give everything away) it did make a difference when I focused on it. So I think you should give it a try even if you think of yourself as a big giver. It don't have to be much, some days was a note card that I sent out to someone. The challenge even says that you can give a smile or kind words but I didn't feel that was challenge enough so I did try to give tangible items. And signing up at this site is not a requirement. I just used it as inspiration for myself. But check it out.

The 29 Day Giving Challenge

Fiskars Friday Paisley Punch

2009-03-13T02:55:00.005-04:00

If you love paisleys you will love being able to make your own paisley embellishments with Fiskars tools.

And since there is not a paisley punch in the Fiskars line, just use any size of the Coma Coma Chameleon Squeeze Punch and either size of the Scallop Edgers for the base. Then you can dot with markers and embellish them up as much or as little as you like.

Add a hand made paisley to your card or page designed specifically by you to coordinate with any papers.

The place to be today.

2009-03-12T00:20:00.000-04:00

Why not join me at Funkie Munkie Scraps for a Copic Marker class with Katie Cotton of Paper Makeup Stamps tonight?

And if you are staying in tonight, then join me here in my studio/study for a bit while you read a few posts and leave a few comments. Remember, every day that you leave a comment is another entry into this months blog candy drawing.

Wednesday's Word on Marriage

2009-03-11T00:19:00.003-04:00

First read what the Word says:

"For the hardness of your heart, he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife. And they shall be one flesh so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." Jesus

Read it in its entirety in Mark 10:1-12

Then read:

Sacred Marriage
"What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?"
By Gary Thomas

Lastly, read my studies:

Marriage is the first institution ordained by God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis) and the last institution ordained by Him when Jesus comes for His bride (Revelation). What do you think is first and last on the enemies list to kill, steal, and destroy? Marriage! Don't fight your spouse when your battle is with the enemy. When it comes to our marriages, don't let Satan win.

I pray this is a timely message. Let me hear from you on future studies you would like to see.

Journal Circles

2009-03-10T14:46:00.002-04:00

Journal Circles are similar to round robins. In a circle, a group gets together and exchanges artwork in rotation. You will work on someone elses project at the same time another artist is working on your project. In the end everyone has a completed book or a collection of pages centered around a particular theme.

I have participated in several altered book circles and am about to start a new circle where we will exchange ATC's. The theme this time is about ourselves and the things we love. So every month I will send off a photo of something I love and that artist will create an ATC using the photo for inspiration. At the same time someone will be sending me a photo of something they love and I will be creating a personalized ATC for them. The next month we each send to a different person. When the circle is complete we will all have a collection of 12 ATC's inspired by things we love and created by our fellow artists.

These are very interesting and fun to do. I would encourage you to start your own group. I would love to hear about any you have been in or especially if this inspires you to start your own circle.

It's another big blog candy mountain Monday!

2009-03-09T01:11:00.004-04:00

Welcome back to Sondra's Studio/Study!

Today's big blog candy is a $50 gift certificate for stamps from Created by Courtney!
Or how about this weeks 4 brand new papercraft books from the Scrappy Side of Me?
And then there is this yummy candy; 3 marker sets from Much Ado About Nothing!

And don't forget that all comments on all posts here get included in this month's drawing for blog candy!

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

2009-03-08T00:53:00.004-05:00

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep is an organization that offers bereavment photography services to families suffering the loss of an infant child. I hope you will visit NILMDTS and if you happen to know of a photographer ask them to consider volunteering.

There is no foot so small that it does not leave an imprint on the world.

Artist Trading Cards

2009-03-07T02:06:00.002-05:00

There are a lot of questions about artists' trading cards, called ATCs for short. Artist Trading Cards originated in Switzerland in 1997 with the intention for artists to share their work.

These miniature pieces of art, of any medium, only have two rules: 1) they must always be 2 ½ x 3 ½ inches in size (the size of a standard deck of playing cards and sports trading cards. Some use these as a base for altering ATCs) and 2) they must only be traded or gifted, never sold.

They can be used as an artist’s business or calling card. Paper artists love to swap them online and if you Google Artist Trading Cards you will find many examples. Avid swappers like to store their cards in baseball card sleeve protectors/sheets and altered playing card deck boxes. You can also then use them on your card fronts for quick cards.

You should always sign, number, and date your work on the back and you can put your contact information if you want.

Why don't you try an ATC this weekend and post a comment here to let us know about it. Your comment may be selected as this months blog candy winner!

Fiskars Friday

2009-03-06T00:04:00.006-05:00

Let's talk about inchies today. They seem to be all the new buzz and I just love them! They are quick and inexpensive to make, great on cards and pages, and make good use of your scraps. What they are is 1 inch by 1 in pieces of art that you create any way you like. They can be very detailed or very simple in design. They are tons of fun to trade and then you have a stash of ready made embellishments to add to your paper craft projects.

Pictures here are of an inchie swap I hosted and two sample cards I have made using inchies.

Where does Fiskars come in? Well, they have these fabulous little squeeze punches that are perfect for inchie design. Go to Fiskarscrafts.com and check out the large block party for your base as it punches a 1 inch square. Get the med size block party for a great layer to your inchie. And also try the med brick by brick which is 1 inch by 1/2 inch, also a perfect layer. As is the med round 'n round which is a 1 inch circle to layer onto your inchie base. There are some others you will find available for endless design ideas.

Try your hand at inchies and post a link here in the comment section for all to see. Remember any comments this month gets your name in the drawing for blog candy!

Thursday's Things To Do

2009-03-05T01:09:00.004-05:00

Read and enjoy older posts on Sondra's Studio/Study (music will play approx. 45 min w/o repeats)
Comment on all March posts for more entries into this month's blog candy (don't miss extended slideshow)
Register for charity event Momas Crop for Marty (ask how)
Donate to charity event Momas Crop for Marty (many ways to do this)
Visit the new Funkie Munkie Scraps in Greer SC! (fun, funky, & fabulous)
Join the Fiskateers Go orange!

Time with God even with the kids

2009-03-04T11:25:00.002-05:00

Religion says you need to spend a certain amount of time daily in prayer and Bible study while a relationship with the Father will set you free from law. Prayer is simply a conversation with God and does not have to be formal so just have it ongoing throughout your day. God walked with Adam in the cool of the day.

Proverbs 22:6 says to train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Include your children in your prayer and devotion time. Even the simplest prayers (i.e. Prayer of Jabez) can bring profound revelation and results. And it will be a great illustration of living life with their Creator.

Finally, it is important to have a sanctuary for when you do need that quiet and alone time. Your prayer closet can be a closet, a porch, or even a bathroom. It can also be a set apart time in an ordinary location such as your favorite chair or the kitchen table in the wee hours before the family arises each morning. If the heart’s intention is not out of ritual but rather from the longing to be with your Lord, you will not miss those hours of sleep.

So, in whatever form it takes today, enjoy time spent with God.

Tuesday's Technique

2009-03-03T11:24:00.006-05:00

Handmade copper embellishments for cards, pages, or altered projects.

These are actually very easy to do.

Supplies: copper mesh, outline stickers, scissors and a heat tool.

Watch beautful colors appear as you heat the copper mesh. Stop when desired effect is reached. When cool apply sticker & cut out.

Voila!

Another Big Blog Candy Mountain Monday!

2009-03-02T03:10:00.004-05:00

Or, I should say a "Big Blog Candy Mountain Month." This time around the blog candy will be gathered for the month of March and a winner will be drawn from all comments to posts and announced on Monday, March 30th.

Be sure to read posts and comment daily to have more chances to win. And you must put an email address so that I can notify you of winning. I am still missing one winner from all of the Feb. contests. Gigi, are you out there? You are a winner! I need your address to send your prizes.

Random Acts of Kindness

2009-03-01T11:39:00.004-05:00

A new month has started so I just wanted to take this time to congratulate all the winners so far at Sondra's Studio/Study. Congratulations to:

Rosemary
MaryNSC
Gigi
craftyemb
Christina Liktorias
Pat Kahl and her friend Suzi
Kathy H

We would also like to hear about other Random Acts of Kindness so please leave comments here that may inspire us all to do a little more.

Lollipop Flowers

2009-02-28T01:15:00.002-05:00

The lollipop flower card from yesterday's post was made with Fiskars Ultra Shape Xpress. Although there are numerous templates available to use this tool with (right side up), it works fabulously when used free hand (that's with the orange spacer on). Horizon and large circles were cut free-hand style and the leaf and small circle used a template. It is a super fun tool to play with. Try some lollipop flowers out today and post a link here so that we can see them.

Don't forget today is the last day to get in the running for this week's blog candy!

The First Funkie & Free Fiskars Friday w/Flubs Winners

2009-02-27T23:57:00.005-05:00

My first demo is over and was a success. The best lesson learned is that the Ultra Shape Xpress does not work if you turn the template upside down! After that it was smooth sailing and here is the card we made with lollipop flowers.

**Congratulations to our winners:

Nour Habib won for attendance a packet of Cloud 9 and Heidi Grace Stickers

Christina Liktorias won for rsvp'ing a Fiskars Coastal Craft Mat

Joan Wood won for Fiskars purchase a set of Fiskars Shape Templates

Thanks to everyone who came out and played today!**

Congratulating these winners will put your name in the hat for blog candy this week!

The place to be on April 25th

2009-02-26T01:14:00.002-05:00

Momas Crop for Marty is a charity crop in Greenville SC to raise funds to make memory books for Mom’s who have lost infant children. We hope to raise enough money at this event to provide 50 books to March of Dimes Upstate and Carolina Perinatal Hospice..

If you would like to participate in this event in any capacity please contact me; donations are being accepted. We would first love it if you could attend the event or if you can’t maybe you would consider gifting it to a friend, or just sharing the information with your crafty friends via email or posting the event on your own blog. We also need items donated for goodie bags, door prizes, raffles, and the silent auction. These do not all necessarily need to be crafty items.

Leave your email in the comment section below this post if you want more information so that I can send you all the details. Plus all comments this week goes into a pot for blog candy!

Wednesday's Word

2009-02-25T00:03:00.005-05:00

If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success. Ecclesiastes 10.10 (NASB)

My hope is that, through my personal Bible studies shared with you on this blog, we can both keep our blades sharp. In this season, we never know who we may run into that just need a word of truth shared with them. God may use you to bring a timely word of encouragement to someone or to deliver a word of wisdom to another. Let’s study together and become skilled in the word of God.

Leave any suggestions here on what topic you would like to study more about.

You asked for it...you got it!

2009-02-24T08:42:00.005-05:00

Photos were the number one requested thing that all the poll takers wanted to see. So I am adding a slide show to the sidebar today that I will add to on a regular basis. So be sure to check back on it from time to time.

Remember to leave a comment about the slideshow to be entered for this week's blog candy. Thanks to all of you for a great first week blogging!

Big Blog Candy Mountain Monday! Winner

2009-02-23T00:49:00.002-05:00

Well, last week was great fun with my very first blog and all that candy everyday but this week I want to do it a little differently. Instead of a daily winner, I will save all the candy and give it to just one person whose name I will draw from all posts at the end of the week. So if you visit daily and leave comments then you will have your name in the pot once for each day you posted. Even if you only visit once, you still have that one chance to win it all!

**RandomGenerator.org picked #7 and that is Kathy H! Congratulations Kathy , you have just won all the blog candy for this week! Send me you snail mail info so that I can get your package out to you. Thanks to everyone who commented on all posts this week.**

The Gratitude Campaign

2009-02-22T01:07:00.007-05:00

Have you ever wanted to say “thank you,” but didn’t…
then later wished you had?

Click here to watch the movie.

Have something to say to them now?...leave it here and I will share your comments with a local unit.

One for you, one for me...Winners

2009-02-21T01:05:00.004-05:00

Blog candy that is! Today’s blog candy is double the pleasure, double the fun! Leave a comment here (include an email addy as always) and then send the friends that you want to share with here to Sondra's Studio/Study to leave a comment with their email addy and your name as sent by. I will draw a winner from all visiting friends by midnight Feb. 28th. The winner will earn blog candy for themselves and the friend who sent them.

**Congratulations to Pat Kahl and her friend Suzi who both won today's blog candy! If you notice Pat was the only one to comment on this thread so see how easy it is to win at Sondra's Studio Study! Pat please send me your snail mail info so that I can get these prizes out to you two. And thanks for playing today.**

Funkie & Free Fiskars Friday Winner

2009-02-20T00:25:00.004-05:00

Next Friday Feb. 27th from 2pm - 5pm I will be at Funkie Munkie Scraps doing free demos of Fiskars products. Your card project will take less than 15 min to make so drop by anytime. And in true Fiskars spirit there will be prizes awarded.

In fact, lets start now. If you are planning to come to this event RSVP here and your names will go into a pot for another drawing to be held that day. You do have to attend the event to qualify for these prizes but you don't have to be present at the time of the drawing to win any of the prizes.

**Christina Liktorias won the prize! She rsvp'd via email after seeing the blog entry and then came to the event. She not only won a Fiskars Craft Mat but took home a lovely card. Christina your prize is waiting on you at the store. Thanks to all of you who came.**

Convention is coming to town! Winner

2009-02-19T01:34:00.008-05:00

Stamp Scrap Art Tour is coming to Columbia SC this weekend. A group of Fiskateers and myself are planning on meeting up there. Won't you join us? Afterwards, we are all going to be stopping by Pages From the Heart, A Scrapbook Store, too. So maybe you will catch up with us there.

Help me make my shopping list. Leave a comment here by 7am est Saturday listing the "must haves" and hottest new items to look for. Include your email address and after I get back home I will pick a winner to recieve some blog candy.

**I put names in the random generator and craftyemb came out on top! Congratulations and I will get your prize out to you soon. Thanks for playing everybody.**

The Shack is a must read! Winner

2009-02-18T10:28:00.009-05:00

This book will challenge your religion for sure but it will also surely deepen your love for God. Once you've read it you will want to share it with all your loved ones.

If you have read The Shack by William P. Young please leave your review of this book here in the comment section before next Wednesday. And remember to leave an email address so that I can get one of you today's blog candy.

**Gigi, Congratulations, you are the winner of today's blog candy! Send me your snail mail information to BarefootProf@bellsouth.net and I will get your goodies right out to you. Thanks to all who left comments. We are all winners for having read this book.**

Hello, how can I be of service to you? Winner

2009-02-17T22:28:00.004-05:00

Welcome back folks!

Today, I have posted a poll on the bottom of the page to find out how to make this blog one you want to visit time and again. Thank you for taking the time to take it and if you do, please leave a comment on this thread (including your email addy) so that I can reward one of you with some blog candy.

**Thanks for all the comments. The random winner chosen was MaryNSC! Congratulations Mary, your prize will be on its way to you soon.**

I'm in Funkie Munkie Scraps! Winner!

2009-02-16T15:40:00.010-05:00

Where fun, funkie, and fabulous things happen everyday!

If you've been, plan to visit, or wish you could visit this store in Greer SC leave a comment here with your email addy by midnight Sunday and someone will get my first blog candy!

**Thanks for playing everybody. Rosemary, you are the winner of my first blog candy offered here at Sondra's Studio/Study! I will just give you your candy the next time I see you at FMS!**

Sondra's Studio/Study

New Sponsor for the Momas Charity Crop

Sponsors for Upcoming Charity Crop

Momas Charity Crop for Sampson

We Need Volunteer Scrapbookers

One crop down one more coming...

Kids say the funniest things...

80 pages in one day!

Momas Date Changes

Three New Momas Dates!

Start Swell for Spring

Thirty One

Momas Crop for Li'l Lee

It's Fiskars Free Friday again!

Another Free Fiskars Friday

Free Fiskars Friday at the Funkie Munkie

April's Blog Candy

March's Blog Candy Winner is...

Big Blog Candy Mountain Alert!

Gratitude List

Photo Tinting Tips and Ideas

Funkie & Free Fiskars Friday **Winners**

Tag, you're it!

Word for the week...My God or yours?

Technique Tuesday Tamp a Tile

Blog candy poll

The Butterfly Project

Weekend stroll through a virtual museum

Funkie & Free Fiskars Friday again!

Thursday's Thank Yous

Word of the week

Technique Tuesday

How about a couple of slices of blog candy?

The 29 Day Giving Challenge

Fiskars Friday Paisley Punch

The place to be today.

Wednesday's Word on Marriage

Journal Circles

It's another big blog candy mountain Monday!

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep

Artist Trading Cards

Fiskars Friday

Thursday's Things To Do

Time with God even with the kids

Tuesday's Technique

Another Big Blog Candy Mountain Monday!

Random Acts of Kindness

Lollipop Flowers

The First Funkie & Free Fiskars Friday w/Flubs **Winners**

The place to be on April 25th

Wednesday's Word

You asked for it...you got it!

Big Blog Candy Mountain Monday! **Winner**

The Gratitude Campaign

One for you, one for me...**Winners**

Funkie & Free Fiskars Friday **Winner**

Convention is coming to town! **Winner**

The Shack is a must read! **Winner**

Hello, how can I be of service to you? **Winner**

I'm in Funkie Munkie Scraps! **Winner!**

Funkie & Free Fiskars Friday Winners

The First Funkie & Free Fiskars Friday w/Flubs Winners

Big Blog Candy Mountain Monday! Winner

One for you, one for me...Winners

Funkie & Free Fiskars Friday Winner

Convention is coming to town! Winner

The Shack is a must read! Winner

Hello, how can I be of service to you? Winner

I'm in Funkie Munkie Scraps! Winner!