Jennifer Schaerer
Sometime during the months leading into December, my life becomes one that is characterized by Christmas carols because I start thinking in lyrics. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and it’s definitely the most wonderful time of the year.
Although I love the drama of the decor, the sweet sounds of singing voices and the promise of tasty pastries and other festive holiday foods, it’s the spirit of giving that really helps me dance my way through the season. There’s nothing better than the feeling of helping those who need it most.
In the spirit of giving, the elves in the Paper Crafts workshop have been busy the last few weeks. Monday was decorating day for our donated tree for Utah’s Festival of Trees, and this year’s labor of love is now complete.
This was Holly's very first Festival of the Trees. Judging from that big smile, she really enjoyed herself.
Cath, our moxie fab elf, helped us wire ornaments.
Our chief wire elves Brenda and Kelly whistled while they worked.
Brandy became our chief garland elf and did a great job.
Susan was our chief bag elf since she went around and picked up little bits of trash. After all, every artist needs a clean workspace!
And every artist needs a canvas to paint on. I happily took on the role as chief tree elf. Does it look straight?
Ta da! What do you think of our finished tree?
This event is an annual fundraiser for the patients at Primary Children’s Medical Center in Salt Lake City, and every penny raised at the event goes directly to the children at the hospital who couldn’t otherwise pay for treatment.
Brandy Jesperson, our managing editor, has been involved with this fundraiser for 10 years after being a patient at Primary Children’s as a teenager. She urged us to get involved, and we decorated our first Paper Crafts team tree a few years ago and have been doing it ever since.
Here's last year's "Home for the Holidays" tree.
This year’s tree was auctioned off to the highest bidder and we’re certain that it brought a generous sum for the hospital. All of us at Paper Crafts are grateful to the manufacturers who helped make this tree possible with their heartfelt donations:
- Karen Foster Design
- Clearsnap
- Cornish Heritage Farms
- Marvy Uchida
- BasicGrey
- American Crafts
- Fiskars
- Little Yellow Bicycle
- Hambly Screen Prints
- Doodlebug Design
- Provo Craft
We’d also like to say a very special thanks to all the designers who sent in handmade card sets for us to include with the tree:
- Debbie Olson
- Alicia Thelin
- Kim Hughes
- Cindy Etienne
- Charlene Austin
- Linda Beeson
- Latisha Yoast
- Gretchen McElveen
- Laura O’Donnell
- Lori Roop
- Carolyn King
- Jean Cross
- Becky Olsen
- Melanie Douthit
- Sandy Rollinger
- Jennifer Scull
- Debbie Seyer
- All of our lovely donated cards!
It’s definitely the most wonderful time of the year!
Jennifer
Tags: Alicia Thelin, American Crafts, BasicGrey, Becky Olsen, Brandy Jesperson, Brenda Peterson, Carolyn King, Cath Edvalson, Charlene Austin, Cindy Etienne, Clearsnap, Cornish Heritage Farms, Debbie Olson, Debbie Seyer, Doodlebug Design, Festival of the Trees, Fiskars, Gretchen McElveen, Hambly Screen Prints, Holly Mills, Jean Cross, Jennifer Schaerer, Jennifer Scull, Karen Foster Design, Kim Hughes, Latisha Yoast, Laura O'Donnell, Linda Beeson, Little Yellow Bicycle, Lori Roop, Marvy Uchida, Melanie Douthit, P. Kelly Smith, Paper Crafts Connection, Paper Crafts magazine, Primary Children's Medical Center, Provo Craft, Sandy Rollinger, Susan R. Opel
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how wonderful…..the real spirit of Christmas….
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That’s awesome! What a beautiful tree!!
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This is wonderful- such a pretty tree, a wonderful cause and a general good time for all. Wish I could be there to bid on it (who am I kidding- I could never afford it!). These are the holiday gifts we all should be giving – NO- not the wonderful tools and such (Not that I would mind!) but the spirit of giving, the love to help another and the goodwill that will fill everyone’s heart as they visit the festival and support the cause. Now I feel in the Christmas spirit- thank you!
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What a fun way to get into and demonstrate the Christmas spirit! Beautiful job.
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The trees are amazing! Christmas season is truly the most wonderful time of the year!
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Great job.
Eveline. -
Gorgeous tree!!! Paper Crafts just rocks!! So glad to be a subscriber!
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So pretty! It is such a Blessing to help others! Great job ladies!
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Great tree ladies. I’m sure it brought in some good money for the hospital. Having spent a lot of time there with my baby over the last year, I can tell you it’s a good cause.
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Beautiful job and for a great cause!
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WHat a haul-someone will be very happy!
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How wonderful for Paper Crafts and their sponsors to get involved, and what a beautiful job you all did on that tree!
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Can you imagine waking up on Christmas morning and finding all of that goodness under your tree. I don’t dance, but I would certainly learn the happy dance rather quickly.
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Beautiful tree!! Such a great reason for the season. The generosity is wonderful!
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just thrilled to bits to part of something so special! the tree turned out LOVELY!!!
hope it raised bajillions for the hospital! giggles! -
This years tree is just full of pizazz! I love the hearts….they jump right out at ya! I think it’s perfectly darling!!
Thanks again for allowing me to participate in such a tiny but fun way! I’ll do it any time!
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Ohlala… The tree is sooo gorgeous… Indeed, the generosity is really fantastic.
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Beautiful trees and what a wonderful cause!
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What a gorgeous tree! And, bravo to Paper Crafts for supporting such a worthy cause!
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I’m so sad that we won’t be able to attend “The Festival of the Trees” this year! You guys did a great job! Wish I was there to take a picture.
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beautiful trees and a wonderful cause!
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Loved the tree, and the gifts that were donated. The companies were very generous.
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What a wonderful cause! The tree looks beautiful – as do all the goodies underneath, and the classy ladies behind it. Good job!!
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I sure wish I could have seen the tree up close and personal. It’s a beautiful tree.
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Gorgeous tree!!!! You did an amazing job!!! What a very special group of ladies you are to be so generous with your time and talents!!! That is without a doubt the true meaning of the holiday season!!
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Beautiful. Keep giving—– it always comes back multiplied.
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the tree looks fantastic – you did a great job!
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You all did a wonderful decorating job on this beautiful tree for such a great cause! (clapping my hands, here)
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Your tree is beautiful. Since I live in so. Utah, I won’t get to see it in person, but I enjoyed your pictures. As far as my directions, inside is done, but outside still waiting, if the predicted snow comes (oh, I hope so) then it will just have to wait. Thanks for sharing
Deanna Groke
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Beautiful tree, I love the way it was decorated!!! And love all the goodies under it too!!! Very sweet!!!
Hugs,
Cheryl
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