Birthday Card

I'm back from Seattle....interesting....quirky....I guess you could say somewhat of a success...no complaints on the business we wrote/brought home for us....we are busy through Valentines Day now....just not like it once was....the times have changed, and along with that...we are too....I can say, I picked up quite a few new customers, which is good! The show was A LOT smaller than normal....what used to be 5 healthy rows of food vendors shrunk to TWO!!! Not sure how to digest all of that (no pun intended)....like I said...quirky, strange, interesting...and HARD....this was a hard show this year....

In the meantime, my Mom needed a card to send to my aunt for her birthday...so, I brought my stash from the past for her to pick from....this is the one she chose. It includes a packet of cocoa inside...I purchase cocoa packets from one of my friends who is the Mktg Director for a fun company that packages TONS of themed cocoas in packets and tins. I've gotten to know them quite well over the last 20+ years of doing the Giftshows....and am in the process of getting my order together right now! I managed to take a quick picture of my cocoa card before we shipped it away with a gift!

Trudi

Seattle Here I Come

I'm not even close to being ready for the show...it is what it is....as usual, I'm flying by the seat of my pant on this one...I'll catch up next week!

This is I think last years pic....I don't even like to think about my tomorrow...this is not fast, fun or easy to set up...BUT...Saturday morning, all spiffed up (me) and ready to go...it will be fun. I like doing the shows...just not the prep or afterstuff!

Trudi

Been A Little Teeny Sidetracked

I've had an interesting social life lately, it sort of put me out of whack...some heavy emotional stuff....but, I'm getting back on track. I have only one little task to do, and my cards will be finished...out in the mail, will post pictures then!

In the meantime, I've been faithfully working on my brochure for the Seattle Giftshow, which is next week...for me, my Christmas has started, I even am 95% certain of my first volume order today....(3000 units)....time flies....

I got a kick out of this...can you believe I have to start planning Valentines Day? I took this picture today...our "Cookie Poppers"...FUN STUFF!

Trudi

Tinsel Cord

I like having my inspiration back....my cards are progressing nicely :)

Yesterday, while working on my cards at my daughter's piano lesson....it occurred to me that I was using an awful lot of my retired commodity...gold (non stretchy) cord. I remember when this became retired a few years ago (SU) and at the time....it really didn't bother me....afterall, ribbon is a huge part of my chocolate business and I have suppliers all over that I probably could find it if I tried hard....

So, yesterday....I thought...wow...I see the cardboard...my never ending roll of nonstretchy metallic gold cord will be gone after I finish what I'm working on....This morning, I squeezed in 1/2 hour of time....big smile on face...I don't know why I'm "happy" when I use something up. My smile turned into a FROWN. You see, I like my project (sorry RAK group, I'm going turtle slow...) and plan on bringing my supplies to Seattle (I'm there on business for 5 days or so in the next few weeks...I want to have stuff to do at night!) and make even more of these for a Christmas gift for one of my sisters, who does not craft. (I won't elaborate...but will after I post a picture of the completed card)....I did NOT want to run out of my supply!!!!!!!!! So....I did a quick a roo-ie and found an alternative "look".

I'm sitting at my workdesk right now....and thought I'd browse through one of my supplier's catalogues (30 pages of nothing but ribbon!).....it took about 30 seconds to find what I was looking for.... WHEW .... (and we order from this company pretty much weekly....)

So, my craft world will not stop spinning for today, I can use up my roll of gold nonstretchy cord...now that I did the substitute on a few of my cards....I'm not sure what version I like better, I may like my alternative better than my original...I can say, it was a lot less work too....

A little teaser picture here....cord version vs fancy ribbon version on my card element ....(I really really LUV this ribbon...can't wait to get a chocolate project to use it on....this is really cool stuff...)

Toodles....Trudi

Time In My Studio!

Good news, bad news....first the good....I got motivated and finished the design of the card I'm working on. After the design is finished....it's easy from there. I am making multiples though, so, I may not be finished by tomorrow. I am taking things to work on during my daughter's piano lesson late this afternoon...I'm really excited to get this one done and photographed! I've wanted to play with this set for SO LONG now....and I have to admit, my original "vision" did not happen, but looking at what I ended up with....I KNOW my original "vision" would not have worked for me.

Now, the bad news.....I have a special hiding spot in my studio for my treats....I literally lost oodles of weight on WW by having my stash of WW treats in my special drawer.....Well, it's been a long long long time since I've actually spent TIME in my room. I've only dabbled a bit here and a bit there....and I have not really even sat in my chair in there let alone dig into my treats....it's probably been about 6 months....

No worries, somebody else found my treats....aka...a MOUSE. I admit, we had a little creature in our daylight basement awhile ago....my husband trapped the poor little guy .... he's now in a place where our former house kitties can chase and play with him. (We lost our beloved kitties about 9 years ago...they were very well taken care of...ages 16 and 15...previous farm kittens, given a charmed life).....I was HORRIFIED seeing my treats all shred up to pieces....with rubber gloves....I took the drawer AWAY today.....I've thoroughly inspected my craft studio for any other kind of evidence....and I'm fairly confident...Mickey is gone....BUT...that being said....with our next batch of farm kittens....I plan to have a house kitty in our future!

You are probably wondering what this picture has to do with anything? It's sort of a clue! You'll see in the next few days!

Bye for now!

Trudi