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

Give Thanks for a Box of Good Stories…

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

Thanks

A Cup of Thanks

Thinking of You rain or shine