A Little Help, A Little Info, A Little Crafting

I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted.  I have one more vacation and then life will resume to normal I think.  I do have a few cards to share with you today.  First though, I would like to ask a favor.  My friend, Priscilla, contacted me last week asking me to spread the word about a project she is working on.  She is hosting a drive to collect scrapbook supplies/stamps for a woman who lost everything to a tornado a few weeks ago.  Near Toledo, Ohio, several families were devastated to lose their homes to a tornado that came through in the night.  One family was killed.  Priscilla is someone that I tried to raise money for about a year ago. You can read about that HERE.  She has already organized a very successful garage sale to raise money to help pay for household items for these families.

This is part of her email to me:

I'm sure you heard that on June 5th/6th we had horrible tornadoes here nearby.  We actually didn't get any damage from the storm at our house but it hit hard in my hometown and completely destroyed many homes, leaving many with absolutely nothing!  So, I was asked to organize a fundraiser and of course, I was honored and jumped at the opportunity!  I decided to have a huge garage and bake sale and asked for people to donate their unwanted items so we could sell them at the sale.  We had over 100 families donate and made a little over $5500.  It was amazing!  Now, we have been contacting the families who were affected by the storms and asking them to compile a wish list of items that they need right now, as well as items they don't think their insurance is going to cover.  It's so awesome to be able to help, even if in just a small way.  (I'm thrilled to be able to "Pay It Forward" and do something for someone else like you did for me!)

The reason I am telling you all of this is because I wanted to ask for your help!  During my conversations with many of the families it was brought to my attention that one mother had a huge scrapbooking and stamping room dedicated and full of nothing but supplies...she was one of the families who lost everything.  Scrapbooking and stamping are close to my heart and I just couldn't walk away with that information and do nothing...so what I decided to do is contact everyone I know in the scrappin' and stampin' world and ask for help!  I am asking for people to donate any scrappin' or stampin' items that they have just laying around not being used or stamp sets that have been used are retired or have made their way to the bottom of the collection...only to be forgotten about.  Having said all that...would you be interested in helping me collect items to give to this mom?  Her name is Jackie and she has three young children.  Two girls, 4th and 6th grade and one boy age 4.  My goal is to deliver five huge boxes full of cardstock, stamps, adhesives, ribbons, brads, flowers, etc...to her and hopefully help put a smile on her face for the first time in a month.  Not only did she and her family lose everything they own but across the street her in-laws lost their home and everything they own too...in fact, her in-laws are still in the hospital.

I would also love to have help spreading the word!  Any help you can spare would be greatly appreciated! 

She included photos of the area in her email.

 

So what do you say?  Do you have supplies just laying around?  I know I do.  I would love it if you could help out with this Scrapbook drive.  You can either email me ( nikkischmaltz@gmail.com ) or Priscilla
( misscill@yahoo.com ) for the address on where you can send your supplies.

If you live by me I would be happy to take the things to Toledo for you.  Just email me.  Thanks!

 One more thing.....  I recently started another blog that has simple, quick recipes.  I did this for all the busy moms out there who need ideas for surviving football or any other season.  Thought I would share that link for you.  www.vvplanb.blogspot.com  PLAN B.  Thanks to those of you who have submitted recipes.   They will eventually be showing up.  I just thought you may want to pop over for a quick look.  I will be adding recipes each day or so.

Now on to the cards:

 This card is for several challenges.   The Color Throwdown is having a big celebration for their 100th Color Combo.  The colors:  Baja Breeze, Celery, Regal Rose and Red.  This card looks way better IRL.  I also used the Stamptacular Sunday Sketch this week.

This is another card I made for our neighbor boy.  He has been feeding our turtles while we are away.  This is no small task.  They eat a LOT for 2 babies.  He has to come over twice a day to keep them full.  I love this digi image from The DigiStamp Boutique.  I used one of Practicing Creativity's sketches this week.  I'm also entering this into the Hip To Be Square Crazy Challenge.  At Stamp Something they have a recipe challenge: 1 image, 1 DP and 1 ribbon.  I definitely thing this qualifies for the Let's Do Fun and Cute Challenge over at Moxie Fab.  Don't you just want to pinch those cheeks on the turtle?  Ours are not this cute.  The inside of the card says, " You Turtley ROCK!"  I'm also entering this into today's TCP 118 challenge to use twine. 

Gotta go.  Sorry for no details.  Time is not on my side.  I should be back to regular posting after next week.  I think I will have one more card before I leave.

We are finishing up those darn 4 H projects tonight and tomorrow is "SHOW TIME."  Wish us luck!

Vintage Friend

Good Soggy Morning!  It's very wet here and muggy.  I have a brillo pad for hair again today.  Ponytails are a good thing on days like this:D  I did get to do a little crafting before the family got up.  We are just hanging out playing games and watching movies.  I think we may all go down and craft a bit later in the day.  My son's ball game is questionable at the moment.  I'm pretty sure the fields are too wet to play on.  That just means more time for free play.

 I created a card today using up a bunch of scraps.  Yippee!  The paper is from Studio 313 Exclusive Creations.  It's Sweet Thang Vintage paper.  I love this stuff! (Please note that Studio 313 is closed while Shawne goes through a big move:) I used the backside of a tag and stamped some text and then distressed it with inks.  The doily is the other section from THIS card.  My chipboard is from the dollar spot at Joann's.  I painted it a glossy red and added a button tied with vintage string that I got at the same garage sale as the doily.  I wish I had bought the whole bunch that was there, but I didn't.  My typical motto is, " Buy now, think later."  I didn't do that this time and what a bummer that is:(

  I used the sketch from CPS this week along with the recipe over at The Pink Elephant challenge 70. ( Red, scallops and a bow)  I'm also entering this into the Caardvarks June challenge to emboss.  My sentiment is embossed with brown EP.  I'm also entering this into the 365 Day 95~ It's So You.  This card is so me because it has flowers, buttons, RED, polka dots, ruffly ribbon and it's a bit vintage with a lot of worn edges and wonky stitching.  Totally ME!

I'm also entering this into The Crazy Challenge~ Distress It!

Over at Splitcoast the inspiration challenge (IC235) offers up a GREAT online source called Layla Grace.  I used THIS as my inspiration.  Oh I love aprons.  Too bad I hate to cook.  So I picked a child's apron.  My daughter likes to cook.  I can't wait til she is old enough to do it all:)

Well, that's it for me today.  Have a goodie!

Stamps: Great Friend ,Unity KOTM                 

Ink: antique linen, vintage photo, choc chip craft

Paper: Sweet Thang Vintage, cream                 

Other: tag, chipboard, paint, dimensionals,        

crinkle ribbon, twine, button, sewing machine