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