Tag Archives: breast cancer

Mary Middendorf’s Card Art and Generosity…

27 Jan

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!

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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...

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

18 Jan
Cathy Douglas and her youngest grandchild.

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

Greetings from Estes Park, Colorado!

9 Jan

Hello all,

Today I received a package from Jan Bruzewski who lives in the cold gorgeousness of Estes Park. Thanks Jan!!!

Estes Park deer

Estes Park deer

Here are just a few of the adorable styles included in her package…

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These cards are from one of Jan’s previous packages…

Some of these cards are from Stampin' Up's Paper Pumpkin monthly subscription where a box of supplies arrive at your doorstep to give you a complete crafting treat.

Some of these cards are from Stampin’ Up’s Paper Pumpkin monthly subscription where a box of supplies arrive at your doorstep to give you a complete crafting treat.  Jan makes the most of every one and the good folks at the cancer center benefit.

This has to be another short blog (are you cheering?) because I’m playing catch-up and have tons to do.  Did you read my “stampinfrommyhousetoyours.com” post where I confessed to having a two month hiatus for romance?  That was my latest excuse for having dropped the blog ball.

Sending sunny hugs from Colorado, where it was nearly 50 degrees today.

Sonja

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local lake we walked around today

 

Alan and Sonja, too bright to open our eyes.  Love Colorado!

Alan and Sonja, too bright to open our eyes. Love Colorado!

Merry, Merry Marla…

30 Dec

…or maybe we should call her “Marla Merry” or “Christmas Marla” or just “Marla Mykleby”, which is her real name.  The reason why I want to give Marla a “Merry” nick name is because she spent weeks making Christmas & Hanukkah cards and didn’t stop until she had a box of over 300 adorable cards for cancer patients to use for their holidays.  Marla makes and donates cards to Project Give Thanks often.  Thanks to her everyone who wanted to send a cute Halloween card had adorable free cards waiting for them in the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center’s chemo room.  But wait!  That’s not all.

Marla and one of her two pugs

Marla and one of her two pugs

Marla lives with two, sweet as pie, pugs and she supports the pug rescue center in Denver by making and selling toys, treats and cards.  If you have some Pug stamps to spare send them to me and Marla will turn them into cards/donations for pug rescue services.  Isn’t is wonderful that our love of paper art can help others in so many ways!!!

Marla selling cards and crafts for the pug rescue center

Marla selling cards and crafts for the pug rescue center

Marla's Christmas package for Project Give Thanks

Marla’s Christmas package for Project Give Thanks

Alan helps me put an envelope with each card

Alan helps me put an envelope with each card

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After envelopes are included there are almost 3 boxes of beautiful Christmas and Hanukkah cards for cancer patients to use.

After all of the envelopes are included there are almost 3 boxes of beautiful Christmas and Hanukkah cards for cancer patients to use.

Thanks Again Marla! Hugs, Sonja

Give Thanks for a Box of Good Stories…

26 Feb
perfect mailing box

perfect mailing box

Sometimes I just can’t believe what arrives along with your beautiful cards!  Theresa Quintana, who lives just a few towns over from me, in Arvada, CO, had a stamping class recently.  She hosted 13 artists ranging in age from 7 to 60.  They each made 4 different cards styles, 52 cards, for the folks fighting cancer at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Center.  As if that was not enough, they also sent a $35.00 donation!  That was so unexpected because donating time, materials, creativity and postage is very generous in and of itself.  I thank Theresa, her stamping class and all of you for your loving support.

There were some other things in Theresa’s card box: stories.

Story #1 Big Eyes and a Good Laugh:  Bodhi, my 4 yr. old grandson, helped me open the box and the personal letter Theresa enclosed.  I read the letter aloud and showed him the cash donation and his eyes about popped out of his lil’ fuzzy head, “quick Oma open all of those cards to get the money” he said.  I had to show him several of the cards before he was convinced they were empty.  Of course most cards he receives have money in them so why wouldn’t he expect to find money in all 52 cards?  😉

Story #2  A Box of Solutions:  I’ve been thinking about the Wednesday afternoon get-togethers hosted at the Rocky Mt. Cancer Center for patients feeling well enough to attend; I enjoyed them during my fight.  RMCC brings in musicians, speakers, jewelry makers, makeup artists and more.  It’s a fun, relaxing time for people to chat and compare stories and information.  A real morale booster.  So, I was thinking about expanding PGT to include occasional Wednesday afternoon card making events at RMCC.  Perhaps people would enjoy making some of their own thank you cards.  I wasn’t sure how to go about this because I’d need more tools and supplies to share.  Also, I couldn’t decide how to organize the class.  Well,  this cash donation will buy another paper cutter, paper and glue and Theresa’s class has given me a clue about organization.  She ( I assume) had 4 card “patterns” made and several choices of coordinating paper, ink, stamps and bling for individual creativity.  It worked great!  These cards are similar but so unique!  Now, I think I have what it takes to host a fun, manageable card party.  Wish me luck.

Story #3  Dropped It :   A dear friend, Beth, gave me blueish-purple, sparkly, dangling earrings a few years ago. Like Beth herself, I adore them.   Unfortunately, I didn’t get some of those little plastic earring stoppers for the backs.  Taking a gamble, I wore them anyway and lost one.  Ugh!  I was sooo bummed.  Then a few days ago Beth returned from Santiago Chile and brought me another amazing pair of earrings.   Double Ugh.  I felt so unworthy.   Well…  One the Theresa’s cards dropped out of my hands and landed pointing right at that lost earring hiding in the fringe of a multicolor rug.  WooHoo!  As soon as I get those earring backs, I’m going to wear the heck out of both pairs.

Story time is over, now take a look at some of the beautiful cards PGT received.  Our snow will stop tomorrow and I will happily deliver them.

Listen, everyone, for my story filled hugs comin’ your way,

Sonja

For You

For You

Thanks

Thanks

A Cup of Thanks

A Cup of Thanks

Thinking of You rain or shine

Thinking of You rain or shine