oh when it rains it pours.. seriously..

hey lovely friends..

okay.. so I am just goin to come right out and say it.. I want to scream, cry.. wake up from a bad dream.. and more today.. I swear when it rains it pours.

first off.. thank you for all the well wishes about my Brother In law.  He found out a week and half ago that he had 2 weeks to live and passed away the day before thanksgiving.. of cancer. So SO very sad. We were in Boise attending his funeral yesterday. His kids are all young (in their 20's) and I just remember what it felt like 2 years ago to loose my dad at such a young age. I just wanted to hug my niece and nephews and tell them all of the things they will experience over the next year.. and that it is OKAY.. to cry whenever they want.. to be upset whenever they want.. to stay in bed when they want to.. as time will heal all and gradually you will start to see tiny miracles and blessing from it all. This past year has been an especially hard one for me and I can say that I actually have been SO grateful for my dad's passing.. as I know if he was here I probably would not have confided in his as much... but this year I found myself talking with him SO SO many times.. in prayer and other ways.. asking for help and guidance.. and I KNOW that was a tender mercy from my Father IN Heaven.

So we are home.. and last week we had a huge black friday sale.. and this morning, I started getting emails from all the people who purchased the workshops while I was gone. That they hadn't received their links. Then after doing some digging.. I found out that paypal had a major glitch through black friday and over 200 transactions.. from people purchasing the workshops on sale.. DID NOT go through on my end. SO on their end.. it shows as unclaimed.. and now paypal is denying all of those payments and those 200 people have to resign back up again! oh what a headache!  SO if that is you.. YES you still need to resign up even if paypal has taken it from your credit card OR bank account. It still will be refuned and will not go through. AND they are not giving me the emails of those 200 people who signed up.. originally.. so I have to send out a mass email to everyone on my newsletter list.. announcing it and asking every one who purchased a "sale" workshop items.. to check their paypal account and if they see it as unclaimed.. they have to resign back up. Seriously what a pain? My poor customers are going to hate me after last week's sale! Not only are their payments being denied and they have to do it again.. but they have been waiting all week for the log-in details to the workshop and now they have to wait some more! 

AND PLEASE READ:  THIS IS FOR SALE CLASSES ONLY.. if you paid for the new 2012 Artsy Ornament workshop, the Winter Whimsy Workshop, PUmpkins and cider, Wild Art 2 Bless this mess. OR artsy Bangles workshop.. then YES IT DID go through)

it was only on the other classes that were on the sale page. (not my regular website)

(so if you are one of those people who signed up for my workshop SALES.. sorry.. you will have to do it again.. and you will see a refund back to your account by the end of the day for the first payment made) 

someday I just HATE paypal.. makes me want to cry. seriously.

that is not what I needed today.. coming home to a messy house.. (we left the kids home for the funeral).. got home at midnight last night and my three youngest were still up playing xbox?? what they heck??? it was a school night! Dang kids? talk about being grounded for the next week..

I have a million and one emails to answer back.. lol.. and a video I have to shoot for the winter whimsy workshop, a video to shoot for the november Mixed media kit..

I just didn't have the patience or the time for this huge paypal mess.

so I think right now I will make myself a cup of hot milk.. and cry for a minute.. and then put my big girl panties on and go on with my day.. lol

alright. Enough Complaing! I am done. I should look for the positive in this.. :) so grateful for family.. for the knowledge of eternal families. For the Gospel. Grateful for my customers who support me in my sales.. even when there are glitches.. AND SO grateful I have a business that allows me to stay home. Problems and all. Now.. I am still not so grateful for kids who destroy a house while I am gone, stay up late on a school night thinking we won't be home until later.. BUT i am grateful for my kids.. so I guess that counts. lol

anyhow.. so should we talk about something more positive?

How about art?  Lately I have been in the "christmas" winter creating mood and go to create a lot of new art for my winter whimsy workshop.. I wanted to show you some of the pieces I have been working on..

is that okay? maybe it will brighten my day to see  it :)

 

this one is one of my favorites.. a cute little bear.. with a red stripe stomach..

 

 

 

This mr. Moose.. I just had to do.. in the classic navy and red.. and argyle christmas wool sweater.. hes so fun!

 

This girl is totally inspired by a globe I saw at the store the other day.. it was a snowmen with a globe inside his belly! I thought how fun it would be to do a SHe art girl with a globe inside her dress!

 

 

This little guy is a Reindeer.. one of my newest obsessions..

 

 

and of course a penguin. I have been painting penguins for over 18 years.. hes fun too!

 

So anyhow.. thanks for letting me share! That workshop was SOO fun to do! I am excited to make even more.. thinking I will do a bunch of reindeer ornaments for my tree this year!

oh and yes.. you can still take this class. its called the Whimsy Winter Workshop..

.. I have had several people ask me.. you can take any of my workshops at anytime..

 

AND speaking of workshops and ornaments..

2012 ARtsy Ornaments of Christmas starts Tuesday!!

We have had some more sneak peeks come in.. gonna share those on thursday! so check back :)

okay.. see just looking at creative stuff has already calmed me down a bit.. ahh.. maybe I don't need that cry after all.. talking to you guys always makes me feel better.. so thank you!!

 

xoxoxo

Happy Tuesday..

 

 

 

Comments

[SHELLY MITCHELL]

It's all good..hugs! The workshop is delightful and SO inspiring - signed up for 2 more....!

[Peggy Lee]

oh my Christy, hugs my friend!!!! with all that wow your art is so inspiring and beautiful!!!!

saying prayers for you and your family.

Peggy Lee

[Colleen Rhoads]

Oh Dear girl, all that and you are here for us. My heart goes out to you and yours, it's devastating to hear that 'C' word, to have no time to prepare, the holidays......
{{{XO}}} off to re-sign up!

[Melanni Partridge]

Oh no, just what you needed when you got home! I hope it all works out in the end...it usually does :-)

I absolutely love all of your winter wimsey artwork. These would look great as Christmas cards!

[Sherri]

Oh you have had quite the time of it - hugs to you ... I am glad a friend put me on to the classes ... and as well let me know about the gliche ... just checked my paypal account and on the way to re-sign up ... Take care :)

[Kim Woods]

Hang in there Christy! Everyone will have patience as these things happen. I'm sorry to hear about your BIL. I too have a lingering black cloud over Thanksgiving because of two very tragic deaths and two more this year. It just makes me really focus in on my day to day and slow down, finding blessings. But it is sad too. And like you said, it is ok to be sad, mad, cry...it is a cleanse for the blessings to flow in.
hugs to you!

[KatieK.]

Christy - you give and do 200% all the time. All your blog readers and customers know that. They will be gracious and patient. Those that aren't - well the Lord is still working on our hearts are entire lives. Keep walking the path you outlined in the words you wrote above - that is the stuff that really matters. Family, Friends and Relationships.

[Patty]

So sorry your having all this trouble. I thought it was out of the norm not to hear from you. Yes it does say that it is unclaimed on pay pal but they have taken the money out of my checking already?

[Lynn Shokoples]

Just wanted to give you a huge cyber hug!! Keep the faith and hang on Christy, it's going to be ok!

[Grandma Shelley]

Oh Christy...don't sweat the small things (like crazy PAYPAL)...as long as you and your family are happy (and I bet those kids were happy while you were gone...lol) and healthy that's all that really matters. I am in love with all of your art and workshops and I have been having so much fun...thanks for all of your inspiration!

[Christine Sawvell]

Hang in their! WE need you and your inspiring ways! Things will turn around for you! Hugs! :) Christine

[annheidel]

Oh my goodness, I am so relieved! I thought I did something wrong and was so disappointed it was refused. So I need to redo the whole process? I'm glad to have a second chance since these workshops are part of my goals to stretch myself next year. Give yourself a big old hug, have a good cry, and don't worry about things out of your control. (I know, easier said than done) I'll try again!

[Susie LaFond]

I've been readin' your blog the past few months and all I can say is hang in there sweet woman. I've had weeks like that, in fact the last 2 months have felt like that...like looking up at the big, wide open sky and wondering when 'another house would fall from the sky and land on me' and also moments of 'what did I ever do to deserve this? life throws curve balls sometimes and all we can do is hang on and keep the faith, there is still light in there shining from your soul and if I can see it, if others see it too then know you are in good hands, in the best hands and things will fall back into place, subtle shifts might happen but you will be ok. And lastly LOVE all of your newest creations, especially the she art girl n globe..I heart her so very much. {{{hug}}}

[Libbi]

Just resigned up for the workshops and it wasn't a hassle at all. I am sooooo sorry that this all happened at such a horrible time. Feel my hugs and gratitude for all you do! ((hugs))

[Adrea]

Love to you.

[Marysu]

Miss Christy, {{hug}} That is for any time you need it! Nobody is going to go over a cliff about the Paypal screw-up. We love you so much and are always wishing for your best. Deaths can be so difficult, and you just deal the way you deal. Sometimes it's very unexpected, too, and comes out in some strange ways and times. I smiled at your talking to your Dad because he always lived in your heart anyway and he's not ever gone from there. Just know we all understand and will understand because we're family, too! Much, much love, hugs, and a big shoulder, too!

[Barbara Frazier]

We love you all the more because you are REAL !

[Audrey Meijs]

Love them all!

[kristin]

Chin up friend! Your doing the best you can :) I love all that you do and can't wait for more. All these bumps in the road just mean smooth sailing ahead.

[Lynn Biermann]

So sorry for you & your family at this time. We all should take the time to appreciate little things that make our normally busy chaotic lives worth living- My heart goes out to you & yours. No worries about resigning for your workshop!

[Wendy A]

I was wondering why I hadn't heard but thought you were just busy. no worries here. I signed up again. can't wait to get started.

[Fay]

I have so felt for you, what a nightmare. You deserve a good cry! Hope tomorrow's a better day x

[Jeannine]

I signed up again... looks like it went through this time.. wishing you the best and looking forward to getting started on these workshops!

[Erin]

Love and hugs from me!! You know I love you and feel for your family at this sad time. Paypal was out of your control and those of us who are avid followers will just sign up again and be happy to have the chance to take more of your classes. Hug Ben and those kids. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

[Cassandra]

Big hug to you hun. At the end of this rain will be a rainbow.

Today is going to be a better day.

Thank you for all that you do.