On The Road...with Spellbinders

I know it's awhile since I posted, and I am sorry for that. But now I have something new to talk about.
I am a member of the Spellbinders Action Team. We go to stores to do demos for the public, and show the many wonderful things you can do with the products.
Here is my first appearance at Hobby Lobby in Evansville. (I had no idea I have gotten that big, until I saw the photo. Could be the camera??) There is a special on from Spellbinders, while supplies last. If you buy Spellbinders from Hobby Lobby, keep your receipt. Go onto the Spellbinders site to get the address to mail your receipt to them. You will receive a FREE die cut crown. This die will not be sold, only given away...while they last. So hurry in to Hobby Lobby!

Thanks to all my lovely friends who came to support me.

Had to have Jayden's photo bigger. See those eyes. So cute, as he looks to grandma Joy for approval. That is a page in itself !

A new site for ME!

It has been awhile since posting for Make Time To Create, and as many of you know, we are not reopening. It has been a real pleasure meeting and creating with everyone. So many talented and wonderful people we met along the way. So much fun and laughter as well.
 My new site is My Time To Create and although I am still working on it, with help from my daughter, I will not likely be posting as much. However, when I have a class to teach I will let you know the place and time.
 Since I did all the work on this blog (and Mary did the Facebook page and web site), we will not be posting on those pages again as MTTC.
Mary's new site is  marysscrapden.com  and I believe you can get to her other places through that site.
 As many of you know I do hate Facebook, and have not joined as of yet. Several people and artisans are trying to talk me into it. So never say never, you may see me there someday, but only for crafty ideas.
If you had previously tried to contact me through Facebook, I apologize, as I did not use the MTTC site, or even see it (except maybe 3 times).
I am not sure if this blog site just sits, but hopefully we can still access any cards or pages that were posted while we were open.
Thank you Doodlebug in Jasper, for always being so nice to work with and really good friends. Hannah said such lovely, kind words to me recently (and luckily someone saw them on Facebook to let me know about them). Also thanks to Lisa at Creative Dreams, for supporting me through all the stress and sadness of the fire and loss of my dream.
 Thanks to Dale at Scrappy Chic in Owensboro, who also was kind and Roxie at Corner Crop.
There are other stores out there, and perhaps I will see you out there during Shop Hop as well.
Here is my new blog........ Happy Creating and God Bless!  Dolly LaBelle


http://mytimetocreate.blogspot.com

CJ and Autism Awareness month in April

Allison Chapman's son made this poster (which I got from Age of Autism), and I wanted to share it.
  As many of you know I am involved with the Crop-Paper-Scissors Autism Awareness event at the end of the month. It is held at St. Mary's Hospital, for the Center for Children. Since April is Autism Awareness month, I wanted to share my feelings of why I started the crop.
My son, who is now 16 years of age, is my reason for wanting to "do something" in the community. His Asperger's sometimes kept him from some social events as he grew up. It seems we were always at the school trying to sort things out for him, which usually were misunderstandings, because he saw things differently. Although he may appear to be a bully at times, he has the gentlest heart. Eye contact is difficult, but he has grown so much since high school began. He has been in several plays and is really quite a good actor. The reason he told me is, "the script is prepared for me to memorize. I don't have to think of what to say". I'm sure part of his acting ability is because he does not care what people think of him either, he does what the character is told to do. His accents are incredible and I know he likes being someone else even if it's for just a little while.
I guess my point is, that people judge others by their facial expressions or how they hold their head and gaze when being approached. Clothes style pay a part in it too, but my son loves clothes, so he has no set theme and can be grunge one day and dress shirt, vest and bow tie the next. I wish I had his courage to be myself at all costs.
 This is not my son in the photo, he does not like people to "know" he is on the Autism spectrum. But I applaud CJ and his mom for sharing this photo. What a handsome young man he is.
 I love you Ben....MOM

Graphic 45 Card Class

It's exciting to be teaching again, and with the Graphic 45 "Secret Garden", it is pretty easy to design your cards or pages. Each paper is so lovely, and the double side is a plus for any simple layout. Just cut and flip to coordinate your designs.
Along with the paper I have used some die cuts from Spellbinder's, My Favorite Things, Cottage Cutz and Flourishes. The gate punch is a Martha Stewart and scallop is Stampin' Up!
I have been using lots of die cuts lately, as they are quick and easy, yet you get a beautiful card.
The class is Tuesday, April 30th. at 9:30am at Creative Dreams. Cost is $18.00
Call 812 402 3382 to register ( and have your payment ready).

Autism, Crop-Paper-Scissors

The Autism Crop for Center for Children, at St. Mary's Hospital is full. Thank you to everyone who registered. The committee is busy collecting silent auction and door prizes. If you have not received your confirmation letter, please send an email to    maketimetocreate@sigecom.net     and I will check to make sure you are registered. There were several emails that came back, so those will go out snail mail. I'm excited to see you all there, Saturday, April 27th.  Dolly

M&T for Easter

Here is a very simple yet elegant card for Easter. You can make it at Creative Dreams, today and tomorrow for $2.00 Creative Dreams   2171 E. Morgan, Evansville.

The vine die cut is by Memory Box and the decorative opening die cut is by Spellbinders. The greeting is Impression Obsession.

I'm teaching again!

Tuesday, March 26th. is my first class with Creative Dreams. 10am and the cost is $15.00 Here are 3 of the cards we will be making. A 4th. card for Easter is your gift for taking the class.
 I'm excited and a bit nervous. It has been awhile, but now I have a little more time to focus on creating again. Hope you can make it.

We will be using die cuts from Spellbinders and Memory Box and the Easter card is made with a Flourishes stamp. New Darice embossing folder and Country French paper by Graphic 45.

Call Creative Dreams to register and have your payment ready. 812-402-3382

Autism Crop-Paper-Scissors 2013

It is fast approaching and with only 4 days of mail here, there are 28 registered guests already. Please do not wait, get your registration in now.
You can go to St. Mary's Hospital calendar of events and click on April 27th. and then click on the form to print. Doodlebug and Creative Dreams also have the forms. I emailed the forms to anyone on our address list from MTTC. If you did not receive it, send an email to ask for it again.

  Don't miss out, get your registration in today.
$35.00 and it is from 9am to 5pm. Door prizes, M&Ts, classes and lots of sharing!

Deb Head's first year....

There are some rumors about clearing Sharon Place soon (finally), and it makes me think of some of our customers/friends who visited. What we all shared at times were pieces of our lives.  Everyone has a story to share, and I would like to share this one of Debbie Head. She is the lady in pink breast cancer awareness t-shirt. (Sorry you can't see the other ladies to the left of this table).
This Wednesday is the day (1 year ago),  that she found out she had breast cancer. It was a difficult period for her, and her friends rallied for her. So many emotions are shared when ladies are creating together. Here the lovely ladies are rallying for me after the fire, and wanting to show some love. (Thanks again Lisa, and all!)
 Wednesday Feb. 27, from 1:00 to 9:00 pm we will be rallying with Debbie to show support and love for her recovery. Please join us at Lisa's place (my adoptive home now), Creative Dreams on Morgan Ave. if you would like to show some love for Debbie too.

Library Creating Day

I had to share a photo of some of the lovely ladies that were able to come today and create with us.
We are meeting at the Newburgh Central Library (off Bell Rd), the first Saturday of the month, from 9am to 4pm. The next one is scheduled for March 2nd.

Come out and create with us. Bring your current project and supplies to work on it. Lunch is on your own, (although several ladies brought snacks to share), or you can bring your lunch. Hope to see you again!

Some things still amaze me.

I wanted to share another "find" in the ashes of our studio. There were a few things I went for specifically to find first. I knew I wanted to check the drawer that the ATCs were kept in (as some club members had already handed theirs in before the fire). The entire cube thing was black, but I finally asked Mary Pat (Mary's daughter), to check it. As she pulled the drawer out, I could see white. I was amazed at her find. These are the 2 drawers from that small (and cheap) cabinet by front window of studio. So I do have some COPICs to start over with and the ATCs were there as well. Unbelievable!!

 If it hadn't been frozen I am sure we could have gotten to a few other things, but they waited too long to let us in, and we couldn't move much of the burnt lumber pieces. But, I am thankful for small blessings too!



Mary is at CHA in CA and enjoying her classes. I am living vicariously through her cell phone photos. Can't wait to see it all when she returns.
Dolly & Mary

Spellbinders survived the fire...

I was so happy that some things did survive the fire at our studio. Spellbinders were one item I was able to salvage. The books that held them are toast, but the dies look great (except for color). A little soap and water perhaps. The most frustrating part is knowing we could have gotten at more things, if we were allowed in sooner-before the snow and cold weather. Things were frozen and too difficult to lift to look under.

Thank you to all our friends, family and customers who have been praying for us and have had so many nice thoughts. We miss you all!
Dolly & Mary

Merry Christmas! From Dolly & Mary

We hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas Holiday, filled with happiness, family and friends, and blessings!
 I had made my Christmas cards earlier this year (with some help from my sisters), and was quite pleased with myself for being ahead. All those cards were lost in the fire, and I just could not bring myself to redo them. Instead I started working on some Thank You cards to send out. While I am still working on them, I wanted to have something to put on the site. I wanted to say how blessed we are to have so many friends supporting our hope to re-open the studio. This card was a post on Pinterest and Sue Lis ran the saying off for me. The card stock is Bazzil, and the key is from Spellbinders, a company that has been so kind after the fire.
            Thank you Stacy Caron and Ken Oliver for believing in us and offering some comfort.
 We have made candy to sell (with the wonderful help of many friends). On my trip home I will bring back more peanut brittle, if anyone has become addicted to it...lol

Thank You to everyone who has grieved with us and shown so much love and kindness!

Enjoy your family and friends, and don't forget why we celebrate.

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

If you want your e-mail address on our customer list again, please send a note to us and we can pick it up from that.       maketimetocreate@sigecom.net

New Memories with Michelle

We have 1 new memory to hold on to. Michelle Zindorf was here and what a wonderful time we shared. Here are a few of those memories and her lovely cards, and what a great group of ladies too. We admired our cards and I just thought, "wow, I made this!"
Michelle is an incredible teacher and so much fun to be with. Even though we had to relocate to do the class, everyone was so thankful to be part of it. Thank you Michelle, and Good Luck with your "retirement"! We may do a road trip to be with you again.

Michelle Zindorf - this Saturday, Dec. 8th.

We have waited a long time to have Michelle Zindorf with us. She is a master at brayering techniques. There are 2 spots left (as of last week), so don't miss out, as this is her last stop.
You can go to her web site to register, Freedom In Creating.
If you are registered and have not received the address of our event, send an e-mail to  maketimetocreate@sigecom.net

Thank you to everyone who continues to support us. We feel your pain as well. If you want to get back on the e-mail list, then send a note to the above address and I can "pick it up" from that message. Blessings to you all!

Michelle Zindorf is still coming to visit....

Some of you have been anxiously awaiting a visit from Michelle Zindorf. She is an expert in brayer techniques, and has been planning a visit with us for some time. Since the fire I ahve been tryiong to locate a place in Newburgh to hold this event. I finally heard today that we have a place (which is booked through her site, and had 1 spot left yesterday).
If you are registered for the Beginners and/or Advanced Brayer Classes, Michelle will be contacting you shortly. The classes will be held at #11 State St. in Newburgh.
These classes are pre-booked and paid, so we cannot allow any walk-ins. If you are registered with Michelle and do not receive a message, please contact her through her site  "Freedom In Creating".
If you are registered and have been following her work, you may know this is her last stop on her touring, and we would like to make is special for her. If you want to make a card for her, please do and bring it along to share.

I did have the phone forwarded, so you may leave a message or send an e-mail to:  maketimetocreate@sigecom.net

 It will be so nice to see you next Saturday, Dec. 8th. if you are registered.

Things to be thankful for....

I thought it would be appropriate to post some of the happier times we have shared at MTTC. We are clinging to these memories, waiting for some sort of routine to take hold again.
We so appreciate all of our loyal customers and friends, all the people who have poured out their kindness to ALL of the businesses that were lost to the fire.
As I sat in front of our studio with friends, I was reminded of so many wonderful things. It isn't just Mary & I that are wounded, an entire community of women who love to create are also saddened. As they spoke of the friendships they have formed at our studio, it was clear they felt our pain. Some called it their "home away from home". They knew that they could always find comfort there and friendship.
One friend had gone to her final check up (after having radiation for breast cancer), to have another lady she had just met walk in to "be with her".

These ladies have laughed and cried together. They have trusted their lives in stories to others who shared a common love...paper crafting. Women will always find comfort in being together & sharing no matter where they are. But a place such as ours is indeed a gift we miss.
 Your prayers are appreciated, as is your support and kindness. We are able to check our e-mail from home, and I will continue to look each day when time permits. Hugs from Dolly & Mary.....

Thank You for prayers...

I'm not quite sure what to say at this point, as many of you know our studio was destroyed in a fire early this morning. The entire complex is gone, all the businesses are gone.
We just wanted to thank those whom have responded with kind words and prayers, and let you know how much it means to us.
Thank you Hannah & Melanie at Doodlebug for your support and as always, your friendship.
To all our loyal customers and friends, thank you for your prayers and calls of support.
Many of you have asked what you can do, and the one thing we are asking for are recent photos taken inside our studio. Our insurance company would like anything recent. If you made it to our Monday evening event with Ken Oliver, perhaps you have some we could use.

Although it is too soon to know what our plans are, we are grateful for your constant support, prayers and caring!

Hugs to you all........Dolly & Mary

Ken Oliver's Visit

He came, he played, he saw what a great group of ladies we have here, and he left a great impression with all who attended. Lots of toys to use and great demos with embossing plates and die cuts.
If you didn't find the die cut you wanted, let us know and we can order it. Sending out another order tomorrow.

Thank you to all who made it out!

Designer Corner- Melody Poff

Melody has created some lovely last minute summer pages. Then went right to Fall, and then on to Christmas pages.
The summer pages are done with My Minds Eye, The Sweetest Thing. She used Little Yellow Bike for both Fall and Christmas pages, Acorn Hollow, and Dress It Up Holiday collection.

Her beloved "Bee-Gals", as she calls them, are subjects in many of her pages. She also has some fun friends that she "frames" quit often. Her pages reflect the fun they obviously have at all their getaways.