Brandy Jesperson
I know it’s cliché, but time flies when you’re having fun. I distinctly remember talking with the Paper Crafts team and dreaming up a blog full of interactive challenges, beautiful pictures and prizes galore! Sure enough, two blinks of an eye and one year later here we are!
One of our goals when we concepted this blog was to encourage people to serve those around them. After all, card making is innately generous. We make cards for our loved ones to celebrate events, give condolences and simply say “hi.”
As I think back over the past 12 months, we’ve not only had the chance to give back, but we’ve also had a lot of fun doing it. So put on your magical time machine hats (you’ve all got one, right?) and join me for a quick trip down memory lane.
Last Fall Kelly joined forces with some crafty friends to crop for Cystic Fibrosis. Not only did all the proceeds go to a great cause, but it was also a chance to meet new people and create into the wee hours of the morning!
Here's Roxanne (Becky's sister), Kelly, Megan, Brenda and Becky.
In November we continued our tradition of decorating and donating a tree (complete with oodles of donations from manufacturers and designers) to the Festival of Trees. All the money raised at this event goes to the patients at Primary Children’s Medical Center, and over the past three years our trees have made more than $5000 for this great cause.
Ta da! What do you think of our finished tree?
Even our Go-to Gals got into the act this year! Ms. Maren shared a delicious assortment of chocolate-covered creations (accompanied by a hearty dose of papery goodness) ideal for teacher gifts. With two former teachers on our team, we love and respect the fine people who teach our children each day.
Switch out the tag and you've got a yummy Valentine's treat!
In December we joined forces with Creating Keepsakes magazine and Creativity Heals. This program encourages people to donate time, creativity or extra crafting supplies towards improving the lives of others. We invited all of you to donate cards to Operation Write Home and were blown away by the generosity you showed on our blog and Facebook pages. We’ve been associated with this charity for years and love their support for our nation’s armed forces. We also donated hundreds of cards to this charity following our World Card Making Day Card Contest in October.
All of these cards were sent in to Operation Write Home.
At each turn we have been struck by the kindness and willingness to give all of you readers have shown. Thanks for making 2009 a year of giving back. As a thank you I’d like to give ONE lucky person two copies of our new special issue Stamp It! Cards, two Fiskars stamp sets and two of our sassy Betty t-shirts. All that I ask is that you keep one prize package for yourself and give the other to a friend. To be eligible to win, please leave a comment telling me how you like to give back to those around you. Perhaps we’ll be able to take something YOU do and work it into 2010. All comments must be received by midnight (MST) on Wednesday, Feb. 3.
Thanks and love,
Brandy
P.S. It’s time to announce the 10 winners from Jennifer’s Sharing the CHA Goodies post and the five winners from Kelly’s January/February I-Spy post!
Jennifer’s winners:
1. Diane S. (Jan. 29, 7:59 p.m.)
2. Carisa (Jan. 28, 3:17 p.m.)
3. Brandy Jarvis (Jan. 28, 2:12 p.m.)
4. Tammy Wisterman (Jan. 28, 8:08 p.m.)
5. Carol (Jan. 28, 3:31 p.m.)
6. Iris Soscia (Jan. 28, 1:48 p.m.)
7. Diana N. (Jan. 28, 6:40 p.m.)
8. Sue B. (Jan. 29, 7:56 p.m.)
9. Letisia Chubbuck (Jan. 28, 6:43 p.m.)
10. Jennifer Hansen (Jan. 28, 11:15 p.m.)
Kelly’s winners:
1. Carol H. (Jan. 29, 9:53 a.m.)
2. cards4ever (Jan. 29, 10:39 p.m.)
3. Wendy M. (Jan. 30, 8:47 a.m.)
4. Kerry A. (Jan. 31, 9:43 a.m.)
5. Mary Ashby (Jan. 29, 8:04 a.m.)
Congrats, winners! Kelly will be contacting you shortly to discuss your prizes and get your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments!
Within the past three months, volunteering at the local food bank has become one of my favourite things to do. I look forward to serving those in my community who truly need looking after. It is a humbling experience to learn of a child’s excitement to get a pudding cup, something they never can afford.
I love working in the community, and the food bank makes me wish to do more. I am also a volunteer at the local animal shelter, and have 2 pets who came from there.
I am giving back by putting together my very own crafty eNewsletter, debuting this Friday!! to all my friends and family.. it will be full of inspiration and information, with a lot of fun surprises… ppl can sign up on my blog here, http://alifeunrehearsed2.blogspot.com
Why not give back to the ppl we care about?
We all find so much inspiration on this big world wide web out there.. it feels good to share all the good things… the good stuff!
hugs fr Fargo, bonnierose
You really are a bunch of giving gals, aren’t you?! I just love the love you share!
Every so often, I will set up a time at the quaint, locally owned coffee shop for “Coffee and Cards.” We stamp cards to donate to a local charity.
KellyJean
kgettelfinger@sbcglobal.net
I would provide the items for the high school auction. We will lose 5 teachers because of the budget deficit so the parents are rallying and are having an auction. We have a bunch of scrapbookers who would love bidding on this. You are folks are terrific and thanks for thinking of us!
I try to help out my neighbors in any way I can. I also crochet bandages for people with leprosy, etc. I’m going to start making menstrual kits for women in Africa so they won’t be confined to their house during that time of month. I can’t even imagine such a thing!
What inspiration precedes my comment! It absolutely makes my day to see the many ways that ordinary people do extraordinary acts of kindness and selfless giving. My applause to you all. My daughter-in-law and I are involved with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers). These ladies quite often don’t have time to turn around much less time to work on a craft or project. My DIL is the craft coordinator and we try to provide something at one meeting a month for the women to “make and take.” The supplies are provided and prepped. It is so heartwarming to see these moms creating and chatting while their children are well-cared for in another room. They are often amazed at the “tools” we use and we are glad our crafting obsession allows us to share.
I’ve been able to go in and help at my childrens’ school twice a week. It’s been a lot of fun, especially when it’s arts and crafts stuff!
My husband and 2 young sons spend our time sorting food at the local food bank and working with seniors at a local nursing home. Our next project with them is in 2 weeks. I’m cutting each of their names with my cricut and they are going to decorate them for their rooms. I think they’ll have fun with this, I hope!
My husband volunteers for the local fire department. Recently they sent a big care package to a unit from our state. We went around to everyone we knew getting donations, and of course it was the perfect opportunity to donate my stash of cards!
I like to give away my cards, special blog candy as often as I can, crafting supplies to our local library, and just send cards to people who need that extra pick me up when I hear about it through the internet.
People still love getting things in the mail. That’s why I love sending handmade cards to all those around me–not just friends and family, but someone I’ve just met. In particular, though, I’m part of a nursing home ministry at our church. Each month I bring something I’ve made for every attender. Some months it’s a card telling them we love them and appreciate them; other times it’s a bookmark, a magnet, or a door hanger–all made from my paper crafting stash. It is great therapy for my cancer. When you do for others, you forget all about yourself. Would love to win this and one for my friend.
In just a simple paper-craft kind of way, I want to give back by doing some RAKs and giveaways on my blog this year. I haven’t done that before, but it’s not like I don’t have enough stuff that I’m not using! Share the love I say!
This year I donated several card sets to my company’s United Way campaign auction. I always volunteer to make the invitations for friend’s baby showers or gift thank you cards to friends and family who need them! It is a great way to craft and then make room to craft some more! And, I know those who receive them appreciate the thought behind the card!
I truly believe in RAK’s. I try to stayed tuned to others who suffer so I can help them someway. Before Christmas I found out about a family that had lost their home in a fire, then it rained on all the possessions they tried to save, then their truck broke down, her mom died, her husband was diagnosed with a terminal illness and she had a stroke…all in a few months. Within days, many of my family & friends sent cards and blessings. I wanted this family to know that The Lord knew them by name! They ended up with a very blessed Christmas! Sometimes, I also like to invite people to craft with me just to cheer them up. Amazing what a piece of cheery paper and a few inks will do to lift someone’s spirit. To me, giving back of the blessings in my life is what it’s all about!
I have some good friends who work at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center in St. Johnsbury, VT… I really had a desire to bless the patients. Papercrafting is my passion so I make cards for the Cancer Center. In turn, the staff sends cards to the patients and their families to help encourange & uplift them! It is a blessing to me! Keep giving everyone!
I love doing random acts of kindness. Last year, I got to make a whole stack of cards for my sister’s church to give to donors of the Advent Conspiracy project there. And I work with children with autism, and each day is like a new adventure helping the children learn socially significant skills.
I have a friend who teaches art to children under the age of10. she joined our stamp club a few years ago to learn new things to teach to the kids. we also learn from her kids. she not only teaches the kids she shares with us what she sees in the children. we donate our handmade cards to several local churches. and when we need to purge, we give the still usable craft items to the children.
I, too, love Operation Write Home and have sent cards to them several times. I hope to send them a package each month in 2010.
Lots of samples and examples and is usually entertaining!
I love GIVING–I also love Operation Write Home…and helping children in the hospitals….the homeless….it feels so good when giving;) For this giveaway–I would probably give the second set to a friend who is having a hard time…who needs to be lifted up…and spend some time just crafting:)
Thanks for the giveaway:)
I keep a ziplock bag in my purse with bookmarks/tags that can hang from the rearview mirror that I hand to military persons that I see in my day to day comings and goings. The tags say thank you for your service and has a lot of stars on them.
I also mentor 2 students in the schools and we make cards for their family for all the holidays and often make cards to send to the troops as well.
Thanks for all the ideas here. I will use some with my mentees in the future.
I love crafting, so I can give to people! For the month of January, I had a Valentine card drive for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, I had such an AMAZING response, that I called Texas Children’s Hospital to see if they would accept card’s too. So after one month, we have collected close to 1,500 cards for the sick children. So amazing to help put a little more love in their hearts and a smile on their faces!
So I would give it to one of the contributors.
What a beautiful blog response–it is great to see people helping others. I love doing RAK–just that little unexpected something when you know someone needs it. I also enjoy contributing to our local food bank and volunteer to teach an arthritis exercise class at our local Senior Center. A women’s church group I belong to recently sent health kits to Haiti–there is always something you can do. Way to go everyone!
The way I give back is making cards for the military through the USO–they use these cards to send back to friends and relatives. I am also part of a card ministry at church that sends cards to shut ins, military and people who just need to know someone cares.
I usually like to give back by random acts of service. It’s the best way and you don’t have to ask the person, you just do something for them that they need.
I volunteer with the PTA and even seved as PTA president for two years. I hope I have been giving back to my community by being an advocate for children and bringing special programs to the schools. I also hope that my children will inherit this sense a volunteerism and find a cause that is equally as important to them.
I love making cards and sharing them with friends and family. Each month, a friend from Church and I divide up that month’s birthdays so that each Church member gets a birthday card from our circle group on his/her birthday. Thanks for a chance to win. Iris Soscia
I like to help out my son’s school when they need help that I can do from home.
Last year I helped out or donated to Relay for Life, Toys for Tots, and sending care packages to service men and women (Operation We Care). I commend everyone who volunteers.
I try daily, if only in my prayers, to give back, in gratitude to God for what he has given me. I spend a day a month at the assisted living home where my sister who has Alzheimers lives. I hope to have a craft day with them this year and maybe scrap a layout or a card. I think the ladies there would really love to dothat-I just need to get supplies together to take.
I give $ to The Salvation Army and The MS Society but what I enjoy giving back the most is teaching children about horses…its what I know and Luv
I believe in Random Acts of Kindness so whether its a bouquet of flowers from the garden, a little card to say hello or a mini treat holder with a piece of chocolate, whenever we give unexpectedly to those around us it gives everyone a great feeling. This year I am also going to host a card party for Operation Write Home. I’m still planning the event but am hoping to make this a two or three times a year event. If I win this prize I’d love to give the second one out as a prize during the event! Thanks so much for your terrific blog!
I know that I really enjoy to receive small gifts, so I try to do that for friends and family! Usually I send cards or letter to say that I was thinking about them, but sometimes I will get a small gift that I think they would enjoy. Sending small gifts and thinking of you cards can really make someones day so much better!
I have given back in the past year by making cards for soldiers at one of our Meet-up crops. I also organized a crop where everyone brought supplies for “Backpack shephards”. My church along with another church fills back packs for needy students so that they will have some food over the weekend.
What a great idea! I like to give back by helping to raise money and awareness for Autism Speaks as well as help other families in my church as much as I can. I have one friend who has blessed my family immensely, so I know exactly who would receive the other half of this amazing prize. Thank you!
Not many of my friends are as into crafts as I am, so I like to host card parties for them to all come over and use my supplies. It uses up my stash and we all have a great time!
I like to give to others, it really makes me happier than getting something for myself to cheer someone else up
I love this article and the cards from WCD on the table are wonderful donations! My favorite donations last year were to an Army Officer I’ve never met. My fiancee is in Iraq and trains her Unit. She has no one at home to send her letters, gifts or packages. She is an Officer without many “girlie” pamperings in the Iraqi desert. So each month I send her handmade soaps, cards, and “girlie” stuff. She LOVES her packages. Just reaching out to someone you’ve never met, but that NEEDS some extra “LOVE” is what we all do best.
I’ve “given back” to the community by offering a scrapbook/card-making night using all my tools/materials at a service auction. The winner was excited to have the guidance of an experienced crafter!
For the last 8 years or so my Mother and I have made everyday care packages (cello bag with toiletries and knitted slippers or dishcloths) and holiday goody bags (mugs filled with hot chocolate or tea, notepads & pens, decks of cards and treats) for one of our local family shelters. We also do special packages up for the children. I attach homemade gift tags with a quote or saying to go with what occasion they are for. This year after I get all of my own cards made, I plan on making extras for the shelter to give out.
I like to give back by making handmade cards and gifts.
Thanks for the giveaway!
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I have a card ministry that I do and send out cards to encourage the hurting . This is important to do and very appreciated.
I like to give friends little gifts for no reason what so ever! And of course smile!!!
I make cards for OWH. I am going to try to get my daughter’s class to write any hero letters.
I give back by doing cards for Operation Write Home also. Since I know first hand about the lonely families deal with when their loved ones are gone I thought I would help make cards for the service members to share with their loved ones.
I also help out with a youth organization called Youth for Understanding. This is a great organization for high school students from other countries. We also once a year make cards. It is fun to see what the teenagers make from different countries.