When a little gratitude goes a long way

As most of you know, at the end of March this year, I hosted a craft show at my son's school. Well, as it is common in life, things don't always go as planned, and a few weeks before the show I found out I was getting laid off from my day job at J.P. Morgan. Needless to say, my stress level sky rocketed at this time. Obviously so close to the show I couldn't cancel it, although truthfully, that's what I wanted to do. When I got the news I would be laid off, I wanted to crawl into a hole. I wanted to crawl into a really deep, large hole. But it's true when they say time heals wounds, because while I have my good days and bad days on how I feel about my new business venture, I am no longer in panic mode.

And in the end, after a few bumps in the road, and a few difficult people, the craft show worked out. From the beginning of the planning, I wanted my intention of profits going to the art department to be a surprise. We raised over $900 for the art department, and I left a note for the art teacher at the end of the school year to let her know about the money. Since then, I haven't really thought about it at all, since this past spring turned out to be a time I didn't want to remember anyway. It actually seems like a long time ago already, because so much has changed in my life in just a few short months.

So a surprise came in the mail today. A thank you note. And a wonderfully written thank you note from the art teacher herself, thanking me for the money we raised. Here it is below:




It warmed my heart to read her kind words and made me feel that I had accomplished something good after all. That while life throws you curves, you persevere and continue going, because it is worthwhile in the end.

And so it made my day.

Another Artisan Sunday

Just a reminder that I will be back down at the North Market tomorrow from 12-5 for Artisan Sunday hawking our wares! Here's a list of what will be on sale tomorrow:

Coasters
Magnets (NEW!)
Cards
T-shirts
The brand new "Caption This" card line (NEW!)
Prints of original photography
Gift tags made of handmade paper
Flour sack towels
Invitations
Recycled paper cards (NEW!)

Most items for sale are not available on the online Etsy shop, so if you live in central Ohio, come down to see me in person! According to the forecast it won't be a pool day, so make it a shopping day!

Hope to see you there tomorrow from 12-5. The North Market is located in downtown Columbus on Spruce Street.

And the winner is...

I would just like to thank the players of what will now become a regular contest from Revelry Press! I received some FANTASTIC entries --- ALL of which were really funny and worthy of their own prizes --- but there was one that seemed totally original and worthy of the first award.

Introducing the first card in the new "Caption This!" card line from Revelry Press:



Caption written by Michael D. Friedman.

The next "Caption This" contest will take place on August 21st. Subscribe to the blog or if you're not already a facebook fan of Revelry Press, click the facebook button to become a fan so you can get a reminder for the next contest. Lots of fun and free prizes! And new loot being added to the shop weekly!

Thanks again, everyone, for playing along!

Yippee! A contest! Win a FREEBIE from the SHOP!

And just because we had fun yesterday... here's another "Caption This!"

This time, the best caption gets a FREE coaster with the image of their choice! We need a great caption to go with this photo for a NEW CARD. Best caption gets featured on the new card that will be for sale online and at the North Market this weekend. A win win for all!

Captions are due by NOON TOMORROW. Free item includes free shipping if you are outside the central Ohio area and will also include the new card.

Here's today's photo:



Good luck!

Caption This!

And now, back by popular demand! (not really, I just thought that sounded cool).

It's "Caption This!". Hmmm, what could this quaint little family from 1972 be praying for? Give it your best humorous try...

Honest S(crap)?

So I got this meme last week from my online friend, Heather, which actually works out to be good timing. Because here I am, staring at a blinking cursor wondering what I need to say to the internet world these days. I haven't got much to say other than I'm working. And being a mommy. Then working again. Then trying to squeeze in a bit of facebook fun like it's some forbidden candy or something. And then, back to work. Artisan Sunday is coming up this week, and if you follow my blog at all or know me in person, you know I'm not a planner. (See: running around like a banshee).

Anyway, this is a great diversion. Just what my readers need. A little more information about Kate. Right? Right.

Here's how the Honest Scrap Award works:

I must thank the person who gave me the award and list their blog and link it.

I must list 10 honest things about myself.

I must put a copy of The Honest Scrap Logo on my blog.

I must select at least 7 other worthy bloggers & list their links (I may not be able to accomplish this one).

I must notify the bloggers of the award and hopefully they will follow the above requirements.

So before I go into the awful truth, thank you Mrs Heather of the lovely Cool Zebras for bestowing upon me this fine award. I'm a little verklempt. *sniff*

10 HONEST THINGS
1. I have an extreme fear of heights.
2. Due to #1, I am extremely afraid of flying. Big time.
3. I love watching shows about cakes. I am amazed at the artwork that goes into pastry design.
4. I have a long list of crafts that I would love to learn if I had the time. Cake decorating being one of them (see #3). And sewing. Definitely sewing.
5. I have a fear of learning how to sew though, as I'm afraid it's the type of craft I may get completely wrapped up in and you'll find me madly sewing in the corner of the room at 2am because I just can't shut the Singer off.
6. I'm a bit obsessive compulsive and understand that now about myself (see above).
7. I miss the beach.
8. I wish I were more patient with my kids.
9. I wish most days I would just let the day take me to wherever it's going.
10. For that matter, I really wish I would just relax and let life itself lead me to where I belong.
10A. But truthfully, I think I've made some progress on this one in the past few years.

Nominees for the next 10 items of truth are:
Three Faces of Fiber Art
Peace Meal

My new toy

My new toy came in the mail today!

My new "brand" for my brand. So now I can brand all my loot without having to print off tags or print the back of invitations anymore.



A totally sweet steal of $11 from rubberstamps.net. Totally worth the work it will save me from spreading the word. Thanks for the speedy shipping rubberstamps.net!