Happy First Day of Winter

 

Today is the first day of winter!  I can't believe how fast the days have been flying by the last month in particular.  I was looking forward to today, not because of the cold temperatures and snow, but because each day moving forward we will be having more sunlight, which is a sign that spring is on its way!

What else is coming up is a special Facebook Event my sister Kathy from Chesapeake, VA and I are hosting for the upcoming Catalog Launch of the new "mini" catalog coming out on January 5th, 2021.  Stayed tuned this week for more sneak peaks and ideas of what we will be doing.

In ONE week we will be opening our new group "2 Sisters Stamping".  If you are on my email list, follow this blog or my Facebook group and Facebook page, you will be invited to join us.  Once you are a member, feel free to invite your crafty friends to join us.  LOTS of videos showing and demonstrating the new products as well as games and a final Zoom Party!  A total of two weeks of fun to keep you busy the first weeks in 2021!  It is going to be a GREAT 2021!

Upcoming Details on New Catalog Launch & Fun Facebook Event

Stampin' Up! has outdone themselves with the upcoming Mini Catalog and SALE a-bration Catalogs. I normally buy a few things from the spring catalog (JMO but way too many flowers!),  and go crazy with the holiday catalog, but WOW, so far there are not too many things in this catalog that I will not purchase.  Just know that flowers are NOT the only items in this catalog that are fantastic!

In order to launch this new catalog, my sister, Kathy, and I are planning a fun Facebook Party for you to celebrate the New Year with us!  We hope you will join the fun, interact with us, and watch our videos where we will demonstrate projects using products from the new catalog.  Here is what you can expect:

December 27

You will be able to join our special group that we created for this event.  (Info will be posted here on my blog, on my Facebook page, and in my Facebook group as the date gets closer.)  

December 28-30

The first few days will be getting to know who has joined us.  We will ask some questions to learn more about you - and give you more details and sneak peeks about what is coming in the new catalog and what to expect during the week.  Each day we will choose a daily winner at random for a Stampin' Up! prizes.  The more you comment - the better chance you have to win a prize. 

December 31 - New Year's Eve

The main event will officially begin on New Year's Eve with a stamping presentation. We won't actually be live - but we hope you will check out the video sometime and accept our New Year's challenge.  

 Jan 1 - Jan 7 

Each day we will have a question for you - a video for you to watch - and a challenge!  If you complete a challenge - you will be entered to win one of two $25 gift certificates for Stampin' Up! merchandise.  The more challenges you accept - the more chances you have to win!  We hope that you will visit our group daily and leave a comment (or two or three or.....) for a chance to win one of the daily prizes.  But if you miss a day or two - you can always go back and see what you missed.  And you can go back and accept any of the challenges through noon on January 8.

Friday January 8  - LIVE ZOOM EVENT

We will have a live zoom event on Friday night - to wrap up the week.  We will have Mystery Stamping, a trivia contest, and the winners of the two gift certificates will be chosen.  More details will be posted in the group.  Just be sure to save the date!  You won't want to miss this fun, free, live event.

We are so excited to give you sneak peeks of some of the products in the new catalog - and beginning on January 5 - YOU CAN BEGIN TO ORDER THEM, TOO!  If you ordered from me in the past 6 months - a catalog is on the way.  If you did not receive one and if you do not currently work with a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I would love the chance to earn your business.  Just let me know and I will send you the new mini catalog and Sale-a-bration brochure. 

Happy Stampin'

Donna

Taking a Break from Funday Friday

This week after introducing my Gift Wrapped Bundle, I decided to take at least this week off from posting a Funday Friday video.  I promise I will make it up to you before the end of November with multiple videos for ideas to use the Gift Wrapped Bundle.

So why the "break"?

After my virtual card class last Saturday I have several left over kits of the fall cards we made.  I started to put them together early this week and at the same time I looked at a flyer I printed off from the Boyertown Multi-Service Center regarding donations for Thanksgiving grocery bags.  Why not email mail them to see if they would like to add a home made card to these bags of groceries?

Within a few hours I received the nicest email back from one of the coordinators who I dealt with before when our D & D Papercrafts supported this charity.  Since we haven't been able to have an event this year due to COVID, I decided this is just a small part I could play in making someone's Thanksgiving extra special.  I was not entirely shocked when she told me they were planning for 200 bags to be made up this year for those less fortunate.  Yikes!  That is ALOT of cards!

Despite her mentioning she didn't expect me to make 200 cards, I email her back and told her I wanted to commit to making 200 cards.  It is the least I could do, and it keeps me busy making cards that can be used for something special, rather than adding to my stash.

Today I am dropping off the first 50 cards.  They are simple, but I feel they will add a personal touch when the recipients are given the bags of groceries.  Here is a picture of some of the 50 cards I am taking over today.  

Happy Crafting!

Fall and Holiday Virtual Classes

 Happy Fall!

These cooler days, blooming mums and the changing of the leaves makes me HAPPY!  I love this time of the year!

The holidays during this season are closing in on us....Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas are right around the corner.

Virtual card making classes and workshops for the last quarter of this year have been designed and kitting, just ready to be mailed or picked up.

If you purchase ALL THREE of these classes for a cost of $30.00 you save $13.00!  October and December we will be making three all occasion cards, each kit costing $10, and November is my annual Holiday Card Workshop where we will make 20 cards for $25!

Seats are limited, and if you are interested in the October class which is scheduled for October 24th, I need payment by PayPal in the next few days in order to ship it out to you so it is received in time.  Here are the samples and class dates.  If you cannot make any date, I will provide instruction at another time that is convenient for both our schedules.  Grab and friend or two and set up a time!

Samples are below.  Again, seats are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis.  Payment cane be made by Paypal or a check (if time permits).  Payments must be received before I send out kits.

Email me if you have any questions!  Thanks!

Happy Crafting!

October 24th 10 AM   $10.00

November 21st  10 AM   $25.00

December 12th   $10.00

Stampin' Up Designer Series Paper Sale

During the month of October, Stampin' Up! is having their Designer Series Paper Sale where select paper packs are on sale for 15% off.  This is a great time to stock up on your favorite designs. I have listed the 15 different packs that are on sale.  You can email me with your order and I can place for you and have it shipped directly to you, or you can log on to stampinup.com and select me as your demonstrator and place your order. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at abolse@yahoo.com and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks!  I always appreciate your business!😀

Artistry Blooms  $9.78

Tis The Season   $9.78

Forever Greenery   $9.78

Poinsettia Place     $9.78

Trimming the Town   $9.78

Plaid Tidings       $9.78

Toile Tidings       $9.78

Peony Gardens      $9.78

Whale of a Time     $9.78

Heartwarming Hugs    $9.78

Magic in This Night     $9.78

Snowflake Splendor    $9.78

Playing with Patterns    $9.78

Playful Pets       $9.78

In Good Taste    $17.85

World Card Making Event - October 3rd BINGO BASH!

 Join me for a fun time celebrating World Card Making Day!

Still a few seats for this fun event coming up on Saturday October 3rd at 10 AM.  Last call for these seats as I need a few days to make sure the post office can get them to you if you are not local for a porch pick up.  All details are below- 

For those of you who have not participated in Virtual Bingo Card Classes, you are missing out on a FUN TIME!  During the virtual class, we will be playing FIVE games of BINGO in between making the three cards in the kit you will receive in the mail.  All products to make the cards will be included in the kit, except the stamps and ink pad you will need for the salutations.  Choose from an assortment of prizes that will be available for each winning BINGO and the final game will be a cover all BINGO where the winner will receive a $25 Stampin' Up! gift certificate. 

 World Card Making Day BINGO BASH!

Saturday October 3, 2020 starting at 10 AM on ZOOM

 Cost:   $15.00  to make three cards and one set of BINGO cards

            $20.00  to make three cards and two sets of BINGO cards

Shipping is included in the above prices

Payment by check or Paypal. 

If you have any questions, please let me know. 

Email me at abolse @ yahoo.com to reserve your “virtual” seat!

 

Here are the samples of the three cards we will make.

Happy Crafting!

September Virtual Card Class

Yesterday was the monthly card class that I have been holding for almost 10 years.  People have come and gone over the years, but yesterday all but one of my core people attended to make the following three cards.

The past several months we have been holding the classes "virtually" through a Zoom meeting, and I believe I can say we all have a good time.  It obviously isn't the same as being in person.  For some people it is easier not to have to travel since we moved to our new 55+ community 3 years ago and are further away from most of my original attendees.  It saves a ton of time as well as gives us the opportunity to wear slippers to craft!

If any of you are interested in card classes, please let me know.  I can work on a time that is convenient for you if Saturday mornings don't work.  Sign ups have started for my next quarter of classes that are planned and already to mail out or to schedule a porch pick up.  Please email me at abolse@yahoo.com with any questions or details of the upcoming classes.

Several seats still remain for the October 3rd World Cardmaking Day BINGO Bash!  Sign up soon so I can get the kits and BINGO cards out to you!

Have a great Sunday!

GO EAGLES!

World Cardmaking Day Event!

 Join me for a fun time celebrating World Card Making Day on Saturday October 3, 2020!

For those of you who have not participated in Virtual Bingo Card Classes, you are missing out on a FUN TIME!  During the virtual class, we will be playing FIVE games of BINGO in between making the three cards in the kit you will receive in the mail.  All products to make the cards will be included in the kit, except the stamps and ink pad you will need for the salutations.  Choose from an assortment of prizes that will be available for each winning BINGO and the final game will be a cover all BINGO where the winner will receive a Stampin' Up! gift certificate. 

World Card Making Day BINGO BASH!

Saturday October 3, 2020 starting at 10 AM on ZOOM 

Cost:   $15.00  to make three cards and one set of BINGO cards

            $20.00  to make three cards and two sets of BINGO cards

Shipping is included in the above prices

Payment by check or Paypal. 

If you have any questions, please let me know. 

*****SEATS ARE LIMITED*****

Email me at abolse @ yahoo.com to reserve your “virtual” seat! 

Here are the samples of the three cards we will make.

 

Saturday Thoughts

 

Having a "Whale of a Time"

 After last Friday's video I couldn't make myself put away the Whale Bundle and stack of Designer Series Paper I had left over so I decided to try another video and created another card.  This card is popular with many bloggers lately, since you can still mail it without any additional postage, as it fits in a business size envelope.  

Join my Facebook Group, "Menagerie of Crafts" to view the video I made demonstrating how simple and easy this card is to make.  Uses all Stampin' Up Products and dimensions are listed in the comments area.

Until the end of September I am offering some specials on these items with reduced shipping costs as well as some cardstock shares.  If you are interested, please let me know I would be more than happy to answer any questions.  ENJOY!

Whale of a Time
September 2020 Special Offer
1.  Suite Collection								Cost
	Includes Whale Done Bundle, Sequins, Designer Series Paper,							$76.25
	Seabed Embossing Folder and Sheer Ribbon
2.  Whale Done Bundle
	Includes Whale Done Stamp Set & Whale Builder Punch							$36.75
3.  Whale Done Stamp Set								$19.75
4.  Whale Builder Punch								$21.00
5.  Whale of a Time Designer Series Paper								$13.50
	Includes  48 sheets 6" x 6"   4 each of 12 double sided designs
*Kit to make 6 cards								$10.00
	Includes cardstock, designer series paper (1 each of 12
	double sided designs), envelops, inside white inserts,
	stamp dimensionals and sequins.  Picture of samples and sheet
	and directions are included.
*Cardstock Selection A (24 pieces 5-1/2" x 8-1/2")								$5.25
*Cardstock Selection B (48 pieces 5-1/2" x 8-1/2")								$10.50
	*Please include your color choices and number of sheets when ordering
Balmy Blue		Blackberry Bliss		Bumblebee		Calypso Coral
Just Jade		Pacific Point		Pool Party		Pretty Peacock
Granny Apple Green				Shaded Spruce
*Designer Series Paper Whale of a Design
	Includes 12 sheets ( 1 each of 12 double sided designs)							$5.00
Please feel to email me at abolse@yahoo.com if you have any questions.
Choose which items you would like to order and I will place all the Stampin' Up! items for you
When I receive the order, I will  add your paper selections to the order
and then ship to you for FREE!
Delivery   should be in about two weeks.  Payment can be make through Paypal or check.
If ordering direct from Stampin' Up! through September, please select me as
your demonstrator and use Hostess Code  QJKFW6WX when ordering
Thank You for your business!

World Card Making BINGO Bash Event

 

Join me for a fun time celebrating World Card Making Day on Saturday October 3, 2020!

For those of you who have not participated in Virtual Bingo Card Classes, you are missing out on a FUN TIME!  During the virtual class, we will be playing FIVE games of BINGO in between making the three cards in the kit you will receive in the mail.  All products to make the cards will be included in the kit, except the stamps and ink pad you will need for the salutations.  Choose from an assortment of prizes that will be available for each winning BINGO and the final game will be a cover all BINGO where the winner will receive a Stampin' Up! gift certificate. 

World Card Making Day BINGO BASH!

Saturday October 3, 2020 starting at 10 AM on ZOOM 

Cost:   $15.00  to make three cards and one set of BINGO cards

            $20.00  to make three cards and two sets of BINGO cards

Shipping is included in the above prices

Payment by check or Paypal. 

If you have any questions, please let me know. 

*****SEATS ARE LIMITED*****

Email me at abolse @ yahoo.com to reserve your “virtual” seat! 

Here are the samples of the three cards we will make.

 

Saturday Thoughts

Stayed tuned for World Cardmaking Day announcement tomorrow!

Have a GREAT Weekend!

 

Whale of a Time

This past week I had a "Whale of a Time" designing six sample cards for my September Stampin' Up! Special.  This is by far my FAVORITE bundle in the Stampin' Up!  BIG catalog.  The samples are basic and simple and can be used for all ages and occasions.  I challenged myself to do a video using this bundle.  My first attempt wasn't bad, but it was 45 minutes long and even though I thought I had my work area front and center, most of the time you could only see half of my sample!  UGH!  

For my second attempt I  just explained the bundle of products and how I made them, taking about 15 minutes.  This one was better, but I still was a little off on the centering and I cracked myself up with all of the times I said "UHM", if that is even a word!😀  Decided to post it as is and work each time I make one to improve.  If you are not a member of my "Menagerie of Crafts" Facebook Group, please ask to join and view my video. Unfortunately the video is too large to imbed in this post.  Here are the samples from that video/

For the month of September I am offering a special if you want to purchase any of the items to make these cards.  Attached is the special explaining the costs and how to order.  Besides the stamp set and punch I am offering a kit to make the above cards as well as several paper share options if you want to purchase papers in lower quantities.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to place an order!  

Whale of a Time
September 2020 Special Offer
1.  Suite Collection								Cost
	Includes Whale Done Bundle, Sequins, Designer Series Paper,							$76.25
	Seabed Embossing Folder and Sheer Ribbon
2.  Whale Done Bundle
	Includes Whale Done Stamp Set & Whale Builder Punch							$36.75
3.  Whale Done Stamp Set								$19.75
4.  Whale Builder Punch								$21.00
5.  Whale of a Time Designer Series Paper								$13.50
	Includes  48 sheets 6" x 6"   4 each of 12 double sided designs
*Kit to make 6 cards								$10.00
	Includes cardstock, designer series paper (1 each of 12
	double sided designs), envelops, inside white inserts,
	stamp dimensionals and sequins.  Picture of samples and sheet
	and directions are included.
*Cardstock Selection A (24 pieces 5-1/2" x 8-1/2")								$5.25
*Cardstock Selection B (48 pieces 5-1/2" x 8-1/2")								$10.50
	*Please include your color choices and number of sheets when ordering
Balmy Blue		Blackberry Bliss		Bumblebee		Calypso Coral
Just Jade		Pacific Point		Pool Party		Pretty Peacock
Granny Apple Green				Shaded Spruce
*Designer Series Paper Whale of a Design
	Includes 12 sheets ( 1 each of 12 double sided designs)							$5.00
Please feel to email me at abolse@yahoo.com if you have any questions.
Choose which items you would like to order and I will place all the Stampin' Up! items for you
When I receive the order, I will  add your paper selections to the order
and then ship to you for FREE!
Delivery should be in about two weeks.  Payment can be make through Paypal or check.
If ordering direct from Stampin' Up! through September, please select me as
your demonstrator and use Hostess Code  QJKFW6WX when ordering
Thank You for your business! Happy Crafting! Donna

Cards for Troops

Today I am sending out a challenge to all of you that love to make homemade cards and anyone else that wants to participate in a great charity opportunity.  During these past months of staying at home during the pandemic, I have created over 300+ cards!  Also due to the pandemic, the opportunities to sell these cards has been limited, so the opportunity below put a smile on my face.  I challenge each of you to follow my lead.

Yesterday on one of my card making Facebook Groups I came across a post with a BIG need for homemade cards through mid September to be collected and send off to our troops.  All kinds of cards are accepted, they just ask to watch the thick embellishments and especially the use of glitter.  

As soon as I post this, I plan to pull out my shoe boxes of completed cards and fill a Flat Rate Priority Mail Envelope to send off to the organization listed below to do my part in this very special "need".  Hope you all will accept my challenge and send some cards before the mid September deadline.  Thanks!

Send homemade cards to:

Yellow Ribbon Girls

4105 River Road

Ellwood, PA   16117

Sneak Peek!

 Can anyone guess what I have been up to the past few days after looking at this picture of my workspace?

If you guessed "prepping kits for the November Virtual Holiday Workshop" you are right!  In the next few days be on the lookout for the details of how you can sign up for my October, November and December Virtual Classes.  Normally we make 3 cards per workshop, but Novembers will include enough product to make 20 cards with envelopes.  Plan to attend and have your Holiday cards made before December!

Happy Crafting!

Donna

Finally Bit the Dust

 It is a very SAD day when you need to say "goodbye" to your favorite paper crafting tool.  In my case, it was my Fiskars Paper Trimmer.

So far this has been my favorite paper trimmer ever, and I am leaning towards replacing it with the same trimmer again.  I probably had it for close to five years, and with prepping for all of my card making classes and the scrapbooking I do, it has probably cut THOUSANDS of pieces of paper.  It was a good trimmer, and I was very fortunate not to have some of the issues other people have had with it, as well as no issues with bad blades.  

So off to research the current price, see if I can find a coupon at Michaels to replace it or decide on trying another companies trimmer......I am by the way a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, so is it time to buy their new and improved model?

What to do you think?  What is YOUR favorite paper trimmer?

Happy Crafting!

Donna

Handmade Cards for Sale

Bundles of handmade cards for all occasions are now available for sale.  During the pandemic  I have been spending a large amount of my time making hundreds of greeting cards, and have a large stock I am offering for sale.  My card making can be YOUR great deal as I am selling these cards at the price of 10 cards for $20.00, shipping included!  All cards are of top quality, envelopes are included and each card is in a protective plastic sleeve to make sure it stays clean.  The attached picture is an example of my work.  Since you cannot peruse through my shoe boxes full of cards, I will select cards for you from the following categories while supplies last.  Just send me your choices (1 birthday, 2 sympathy, etc) and they will be picked and mailed USPS the next business day.  This is a cost to you of $2.00 a card!  Here are the categories:  Anniversary, Baby, Birthday (male or female), Congratulations, Friendship, Get Well, Notecards, Retirement, Sympathy, Thank You, Thinking of You, Wedding, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Please email me your order or any questions to abolse@yahoo.com.

Thanks!

Donna Bolsar

Cards 4 Cents

 Happy Wednesday!

Today is the first Wednesday I am having the "Cards 4 Cents" challenge. Each Wednesday I will post a list of basic cardmaking supplies and tools needed to make a card for under $1.00 based on Stampin' Up! pricing. Pull out the items needed and stop back on Friday! A video will be posted showing you the card I made along with all the step by step directions for you to follow along to complete your card! Here is the list for Friday August 12th. Comment on this post if you have any questions!

Monday Musings

 Another weekend is behind us and a new week has arrived.  Being retired now, it gets harder and harder to keep track of what day it is!  It is even more challenging during this pandemic, since we are not traveling or attending shows and concerts.

Today I reduced the stamp sets that I put on sale Saturday on my "Menagerie of Crafts" Facebook Group.  At least 60% off retail prices so check them out!   Every couple of days I will reduce prices until they are sold. 

 I also still have two seats available for a few more days for my August and September Virtual classes.  These classes were originally $ 10 each, shipping included, but am trying to fill the class, so I am offering both classes for $15.00.  August class is Saturday August 22nd at 10 AM and Septembers will be scheduled shortly.  If you can't make the virtual classes which are held on ZOOM, you can scheduled a time with me later to go over the cards.  All supplies are included to make three cards.  You need basic tools, adhesive, your own salutation stamp sets and black ink.  Payment will be need to be made via Paypal, since I need to ship the kits by the end of the week.  Here are the cards we will be making.  Please email me at abolse@yahoo.com if interested.

Have a Happy Scrappy Day!

Where Have I Been?

I always have BIG plans to keep up with my blog and I do for awhile, but then life gets in the way.  Poor excuse for a retired lady who LOVES crafts and is trying to stay as positive and upbeat as I can during a pandemic.  WHEW!  That was a LONG sentence!

Just recently I purged over 50+ gently used or new stamp sets from my stash.  A few have been selling now and then on EBAY, but recently I thought I would offer them to people who read my blog or follow my Facebook Group, Menagerie of Crafts.  So that ONE thought led me in to coming up with other ways to show people how much I love my crafts.  Over the last month or so I had my first practice "virtual stamp club" with those people who use to come to my home one Saturday a month to make cards.  We had a BLAST and just had our second one a few weeks ago.  

Details for my upcoming Virtual classes will be posted on my Facebook Group if anyone is interested in joining us, seats are limited but I am creating new ones every day as new interest is generated!  I will be also featuring a FREE series calls "Cards 4 Cents" where I will supply you with a list of "ingredients" you will need to create a simple, yet impressive greeting card for the occasion of YOUR choice for around $1.00.  Sure beats the price of Hallmark cards, are much more personalized and come from YOUR heart!💓  Stay tuned for these details......prizes are even involved!

So in sharing a card with you that I made this week, remember to join my Facebook Group, Menagerie of Crafts as I post sales of stamp sets, virtual card classes as well as the series "Cards 4 Cents".

Happy Day!

Donna

PS:  This card uses mostly scraps, but I had to try out the new Stitched Leaves Dies from the new August-December 2020 Stampin' Up! Mini Catalog!  Brand new to order from this week!  Check it out and please select me as your Demonstrator if you do not already have one!  Thanks!

Staying Busy During the Pandemic

With emotions running high I decided to only post positive things to my blog and Facebook page.  It is nice to see so many people trying to be positive in these times with sharing things to do as well as watch on TV.   It is hard not to make negative comments on some posts I see, but it is also my control to "unfriend" these people or scroll past their posts.  I am looking forward to watching a Grand Old Opry Show tonight as well as Hamilton that I just shared earlier this morning.  I also want to watch the virtual tours of the National Parks to decide which ones I must see when we get to plan and experience our cross country trip.

Today I am sharing a simple, easy recipe I tried last night, and for us it is a WINNER! Besides the chicken, it uses mostly staple items that would be in your pantry.  Hope you enjoy it!  Comment if you make it and let me know your thoughts.

Magic Chicken Pie 6 tablespoons butter, cubed                                        3 cups cooked chicken, shredded 2 cups Bisquick baking mix                                           2 cups frozen mixed vegetables 1-1/2 cups milk                                                               ½ white onion, chopped 1-1/2 cups chicken stock                                               1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place butter in the bottom of a 13” x 9” baking dish.  Place dish in oven until butter is melted, then remove.  Meanwhile, whisk together the milk and baking mix in a large bowl.  Set aside. In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken stock and soup.  Set aside. Arrange the casserole in the following layers, but do not stir. First, arrange chicken evenly over melted butter.  Arrange vegetables evening over the chicken, followed by the onion.  Sprinkle cheese evenly over the onion, then pour the Bisquick batter evenly over the top.  Pour the soup/stock mixture over the Bisquick. Bake until top is beginning to brown, 45-50 minutes.  Let rest 10 minutes before serving. Yield:  6-8 servings

Thoughts for the Day

I know what you are thinking......ugh, another post about our current situation.  I don't ever comment or share political posts, but I am writing this post to help ME.  Hoping that if I share some of my thoughts and things we are doing, it might help others as well.

This morning I was up at 5:15 AM to take advantage of the Giant Grocery Store being open for us 60+ people from 6-7 am.  As I drive in to the parking lot, it didn't look too bad, but by the time I got to the registers to check out, it was like shopping on a very busy day.  Shelves were empty in places, no toilet paper, but I was able to find everything I needed or made substitutions for everything except a cucumber!  How odd!  Redner's Market was across the street so I made a quick stop there and got my cucumber.

In a grocery store it is hard to stay 6 ft apart with the small aisles and so many shoppers.  When I went in I took my own disinfectant wipes to wipe the cart, but they had them inside as well.  When I got back in the car, I used my hand sanitizer.  Same was true at Redner's.  When I got home I felt "dirty".  I know I didn't shower before I left, but just knowing I went out with other people that I have no idea of their health situation made me feel that way.  Clothes and jacket went in the laundry and a long hot shower made me feel better.

Moral of the story...…...

I plan to use Walmart's pick up service for most of my groceries.  Yea, they pulled a zucchini for me instead of a cucumber the other day(what is my problem with cucumbers?) but I felt safer when picking up my groceries.  As a note, their service is FREE and when I tried to hand the person who loaded my car a tip, she said they were not allowed to accept them.  

So what else are we doing?

Our clubhouse in our 55+ community is closed, so no gym, no library, no puzzles or DVD's.  We try to walk and get some air each day.  We chat from a distance with other neighbors who are doing the same.  We live in a great community that looks out for each other.  We can laugh, smile and trade stories to know we are ALL in the same situation, just 6 feet apart!

Trying to keep to our "schedule" as much as we can.  YES, retired folks have a schedule too!  I feel so sympathetic for those that need to work from home and handle child care as well, in addition to our healthcare workers and grocery store folks.  I try NOT to sit in front of the TV too much, especially with all the updates on the Coronavirus.  We watch one local news half hour and the National News and that is basically it.  Well we TRY to adhere to this, but it is hard!  

Since we want to stay home as much as possible (grocery shopping and a trip to CVS for prescriptions are the only times we are out) we have decided to try and do what we can to help others.  Since I don't feel comfortable taking groceries over to our local pantry, we are making a donation on line to the Boyertown Multi Service Center.  It makes us feel better, knowing that there are others in need as we have a stocked pantry and food in the refrigerator.

Going to try and cheer someone up each day, whether it be a text, email, card or something else I think of.....and this is why...……...

Amazon dropped off a package yesterday.  Andy went to get it as I am saying "I didn't order anything!"  He comes back in, stating that it is ours, and my name is on it. YIKES!  What did I forget that I purchased?   As I opened it I had no idea what it was or who it was from.  In the box was a 2000 piece puzzle!  The note inside read "Thank you for all you do to foster the craftiness in me.  Stay Healthy".  Thanks 100 times over and over again for the person (who know who you are🌝) who did this for me.  It made my day, made me smile and I even shed a few tears at such thoughtfulness!  

If you are still with me after this long post, try to do something for others.  I promise they will feel good as much as you will feel good for doing it.  I see so many positive things happening during this trying time.  Families are in contact checking up with each other more frequently, people for the most part are polite in the grocery stores I have been in, and communities are coming together to help those in need, just to name a few.  

In closing....

Stay safe, stay home and stay happy!

Small But MIghty

Saturday I held my February stamp class and even though it was a "small" group of ladies, they did a "mighty" fine job creating four all occasion cards.  As they created the cards and selected their own salutations to use it was really nice to hear how they changed them up a little to make them work for the people they planned to send them to.  I read several blogs daily and so many people like their cards so much that they rarely send them.  They are concerned that people don't appreciate them!  I know they take time to make, but most cards can be made for under $1.00 so send them to all your friends and family and don't worry about it...…..sure a lot cheaper than cards you buy in the store, and nicer than the ones from the Dollar Tree🌝

For this class, I selected four card sketches I found on Pinterest.  I probably have at least 200 sketches saved now and even making as many cards as I do for personal use and to sell, I will never use them all.  Here are the four cards we made:

Happy Crafting!

Donna

Ninety Cards & Counting

2020 started off well with my card making completing a total of 90 cards!  I probably have at least 35 more that are prepped to be completed at a scrapbook day crop I am going to on February 22nd.
My plastic shoes containers, where I store my completed cards were a little empty.  I am trying to make sure I have a nice assortment of all occasion cards not only to have ready for the store where we consign them, but for my personal use as well.

Here is one that I completed last Friday.  I found some doilies in my stash and it fit perfectly with the sketch I found on Pinterest and was trying to design.  It is amazing as I make these cards how little patterned paper is needed.  Making cards can not only be therapeutic to make, but also cost effective to make with the cost of postage rising.  Most simple and basic cards like this one can be made for as little as $.50!

So start pulling out your cardstock, scraps and embellishments and create a card to someone!  It is guaranteed to put a smile on your face 😄

Happy Crafting!

Peaceful Poppies

Since it didn't take all day yesterday to finish cutting the last of the die cuts my sister is using in her mini album for the Nashville Train Convention Workshop, I had just enough time to create a card for the sketch for the day.  In the end, I decided to use product from the Peaceful Poppies Bundle and coordinating Designer Series Paper so I could have it do double duty......it is now the Make N Take for the March 28, 2020 D & D Papercraft Event.

When a new Stampin' Up! Catalog is released I always looks for stamp sets and bundles that can create cards for more than one purpose.  I was telling my stamp club on Saturday that I read many years ago that when you buy a non-consumable item, like an expensive machine, the Cricut, or framelits.dies, etc that you should make sure you use the product ALOT.  Each time you use the non-consumable item, you figure it will cost you $1.00.  I use this thought process when I purchase stamps as well.  So if I purchase a stamp set for $23.00, like the Painted Poppies set I used for the flower and leaf in this card, I should use it at least 23 times.  That is fairly easy to do when you are using stamp sets that are primarily salutations, but it occasionally gets boring when you are not creating for stamp clubs or workshops.  

Even though I have way too many flower stamp sets, I couldn't resist this one!  The Designer Series Paper is what sold me on the set, as well as the ton on Pinterest ideas I found using the set.  Since I am using the Painted Poppies Stamp Set, along with the salutation set that coordinates with it, Peaceful Moments for both the workshop and make n take for the March D & D Papercraft Event, I easily kept to the idea of using it more than enough times to justify its cost.  

Not sure what kind of crafting trouble I will get myself in to today!

Happy Crafting!

Donna