Cool Collage Cards from Cool, California

As promised, here is a few more of Mary Middendorf’s great cards.  Enjoy!  Oh, BTW, I forgot to mention that Mary also sent two packs of Stampin’ Up paper for PGT to use.  We really needed it. Thanks again Mary!

 

I hope they made you smile too!

Sonja

Mary Middendorf’s Card Art and Generosity…

Hello Everyone!

Been missing’ ya but, I didn’t post last week because I had sad news, in short, No Cards! The boxes at the cancer center were empty and my card production was but a trickle. Little did I know, all of that was about to change BIG TIME!

Stampin’ Up Demonstrator, Mary Middendorf of Cool, California (95614 if you’ve never heard of “Cool”) sent a box of well over 250 cards!!! Every single one was unique and spectacular in it’s own way. Don’t have to take my word for it, look at a small sample here…

Along with these beauties there were cards for every holiday and season. Mary made them to teach others how to create handmade cards. There were cards from as far back as 2009. I know this because Mary dates her cards. They were in pristine condition because she stores each one in clear envelopes. Some even had the instructions posted on the back. These are things I aspire to. Mary isn’t only a generous, caring person she’s also a darn good demonstrator role model!

Tomorrow, I’ll show you Mary’s collage & vintage cards which I particularly love and hope to make one day. Then, on Wednesday, I’ll show you what arrived in this box…

Lee Mae Elkins’ box of 160 cards arrived yesterday! Show ya later…

PGT has gone from Famine to Feast! Thank you Mary and Lee Mae. Your heartwarming generosity arrived just in time. Rocky Mountain Cancer patients and I already are experiencing joy from your art. That goes for each and every one of you who have put your precious art into the hands of folks who are experiencing uncertain, painful, and often lonely times. You are helping them stay connected to the people who love them and are there for them. Bravo!

A Feast of Hugs comin’ your way,
Sonja

Meet Project Give Thanks contributor Cathy Douglas

Cathy Douglas and her youngest granddaughter

Hello Everyone.  I’d like you to meet one of PGT’s most dedicated contributors, Cathy Douglas of Boulder County, CO.  I asked Cathy if she would tell us about herself, family and love of stamping.  Here’s the wonderful reply I received.

“About my stamping….

        I probably started back in the dark ages…24+ years ago…before computers, and internet were mainstream in homes. My husband was in the Air Force for 20 years, and I’d see a few stamps at craft shows, etc. It depended on where we were stationed as to what was available craft-wise. My 3 kids and I would “make” thank you notes, etc. for fun. Occasionally, I’d find a book…like those by Dee Gruenig! Exciting! Don’t remember ever seeing cardstock available…we used large unlined index cards. Nice to have so more stamps and papers to use today…cards look a whole lot nicer too! 🙂

    Stamps and products have evolved and now, I’m sure I have way too much. It’s a type of therapy too, right?  Since moving back home to Colorado (we grew up here), I joined 2 stamp groups. One group makes trading cards, which I have saved for many years. I have been using many of the traders to make cards. I thought someone else might as well be enjoying them. These two clubs have served as a source of inspiration and learning, as we share our knowledge, our trials and triumphs! Plus, it’s great time to visit with friends.

    I find lots inspiration on the internet, blogs, Pinterest, demonstrators, and Splitcoast Stampers. Seems that most of the magazines are disappearing. There are so many talented card makers out there, so it’s easy to find ideas. I really like watercolor, so hope it stays around a long time.

    I have way too many hobbies, and not enough time…stained glass, crafting, sewing and quilting, gardening, photography, paper crafting, etc. There are still so many things to learn and try. We are lucky to have 2 of our 3 children close by, and 2 fun grand daughters! We also love to hike, ski, and ride our bikes.

  …Thank you for taking your time to do this service for cancer patients. I’m sure you will never know the full impact of your service! Take care and have a good weekend! Go Broncos!  Cathy”

These photos are of Cathy’s latest card donations and every one of them is a beauty!

Thank you Cathy and Thank you to all of YOU!  Project Give Thanks depends on generous people like you and Cathy to keep uplifting the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center’s cancer patients.

To each of you I’m sending my hugs of gratitude,

Sonja

Take a Peek…

… at what Project Give Thanks delivered to the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center a few hours ago.

Back when I worked in the plant world we called photos of gorgeous plants and gardens “plant porn” and it gave us a little chuckle. Can’t do that with cards “card porn” might get me arrested. This morning, I thought a bit about this as I sat, camera in hand, in the front seat of my car, fabric draped over the steering wheel, taking pictures of the card in my lap! Good grief! What were passers-by thinking?  🙂  Here are those hastily taken photos which do not give justice to these beautiful cards!

Cards up to this point were made by Cathy Douglas.

 

 

Now that you’ve looked at a lot of cards, I hope you feel the joy that our cancer fighting friends feel when they look in to a box of YOUR handmade, heart-made, cards!  Were you distracted from your concerns for just a little while?  Did you relax?  Open your imagination?  You probably saw a card that would be perfect for your special someone and maybe it helped you to remember why they are so special. That’s just some of the Project Give Thanks magic that all of YOU bring by making and donating these gorgeous, funny, serious, love filled cards.

Gratitude and Thanks are in the air and in the hugs I’m sending you now,

Sonja

PS  My apologies for not keeping up with your names and cards.  I work on PGT at odd moments and often not at home.  Sometimes we can only do what we can do and falling short of perfection should never stop us!

 

Give Thanks for Card Ministries…

My Sister shocked me recently.  This wasn’t the kind of static electric shock we used to zap each other with, it was a shocking comment.  Michelle wrote on my last post that I should keep up my card ministry.  Wow!  The word ministry seemed a bit grandiose for Project Give Thanks’ simple mission of supplying creative homemade cards to cancer patients.  I’d always thought of ministry as a religious trek to a far off land…  But, my Sis is right, WE are tending to the needs of others and that’s what ministering is all about.  Yay Us!  Oh, but we’re not the only one’s using cards to minister.  Check this out…

The folks at Whimseybox in Boulder, CO did some card ministry too… “We dove right into the glitter and glue and by the end of the night we had almost 200 cards for Meels on Wheels of Boulder along with some generous donations.

We had a great turnout and made some new friends as well. It’s amazing the fun that ensues when a bunch of crafty folks congregate. Becky Hensley and Anne Davidson are cofounders of Share Denver. Becky also runs an group called Denver Craft Ninjas which is a monthly meet up of women who are diehard DIYers. These ladies are passionate about cultivating a community of learning, sharing and crafting. We love them for that!

Meals on Wheels of Boulder will take all of our card creations and distribute them, along with nutritious meals, to members of the community to promote independent, healthy living. We hope to spread some cheer this holiday season and what better way to bring good tidings than with a handmade card with a special note inside.”

In addition to confirming our belief that cards are tools of healing, this story reminds us that working in groups is fun and super productive.  Let’s do it!  Gather round some friends and family to make cards or card fronts and share them with people who are fighting for their lives and good health.

Group Hugs everyone!

Sonja

Thanks to David Roederer for sending this story to me.  Mmmwah!

Give Thanks for cards sent from far and near…

Hawaiian chocolate beans.

Give Thanks for cards sent from far and near…  

A couple of months ago, I heard an NPR story on Hawaiian chocolate.  They just raved about how good it is so I wrote on the inside cover of my journal “try Hawaiian chocolates.”  About 10 days later I received Hawaiian chocolates in large box of cards from Lori Ikehara-Lyman!!!  Talk about the universe (and Lori) responding to what I “put out there.”  I asked for cards (I always do) and chocolate; they arrived via USP!

Well, Lori’s done it again!  A few weeks ago she sent another large box of beautiful cards and Hawaiian chocolates.  While I love the former, I need the latter to keep Project Give Thanks going.   The good folks at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center always remark that it’s so cool to get cards from people in other cities & states.  Thank you Lori!  Also, in advance, I thank all of you wonderful card artists, where ever you are,  for making PGT cards this winter.  I look forward to receiving your donations.

Lori sends cards from Honolulu.

New, improved 2013 Hugs on their way,Sonja

PS!  THIS POST WAS SCHEDULED FOR LATE DECEMBER ’12 .  I JUST DISCOVERED THAT IT DIDN’T APPEAR.  SORRY LORI!  ALL OF YOUR CARDS WERE ENJOYED AND APPRECIATED BY CHEMO PATIENTS AT RMCC.  Mmmwah!

Give Thanks for your consumer power!

Give Thanks for your consumer power!

Hey there all of you wonderful card artists and cancer survivors.  Today, I’m reminding you that money is power and you have money-power.  “Me?” you say.  Yes, YOU!  Buying organic food is using your money-power to send a message: You want and deserve chemical free food!

Here is a fun video to watch and the “dirty dozen” list.  That’s a list of the 12 most chemical laden produce and the 12 cleanest ones.  This list has been around for many years and as far as I can tell no one  disputes it.  My tattered copy never leaves my wallet.    Food for though, y’all !

Check this out, the kids will like it too:  http://youtu.be/SCA6P9lsEfw

Squeaky clean hugs for sale at my produce booth, use your power-money and buy ya’s some.  Oh, shoot!  Save your money, for you they’re free!  Sonja