
In January I got together with some friends from grade school and made Valentine’s. We had such a great time together that we’ve made it into a regular event, calling it “Craft & Flash.” Our last get-together was about a month ago. Ladies: we need to schedule our next gathering.

I was making a stack of birthday cards and recycling old greeting cards, maps and calendars in the process, inspired by crafting while on vacation.

I’d saved a pretty card with rows of different colored butterflies on a glittery green background. I’ve had it for a few years and recycled it into new cards.
An old calendar from Paper Source provided artwork for a bird card. I love the artwork on my wall all year long – they’re beautiful calendars and beautiful resources for crafting cards.

Carefully cutting out the Blue Jay and adding a little glitter plus stamping a greeting on the inside and the card was done.
My friend Shook gave me some pretty place cards she’d bought and never used. I’m delighted to be the recipient when someone gives me something they think I might use in my crafting. The cards add a nice detail when stamped with a message and glued inside the card.

For this one I used a scrap of the glittery green birthday card and some washi tape. Another benefit of crafting with friends is expanded your supplies. Everyone was generous and happy to share their goodies.
We had a variety of projects happening around the table. Creativity was flowing and I enjoyed seeing projects old and new.


Besides the production of birthday cards, an Art Journal was being expanded, tags and beautiful wrappings were being created for a series of birthday gifts, jewelry was being crafted and chocolate was being consumed.

All the best crafting events include chocolate.
As usual, the table was in creative chaos.

Or was that just my mess?
Glitter was spilled.

I got to try this ballpoint glue pen from Martha Stewart. I will pick a few up next time I’m at Michael’s. It is very fine, great for glitter and other detail work. Like Dianne Dots.
The last time I was at Craft Gym at Once Around in Mill Valley, my friend Margaret gave me the gift of a little shopping spree. Amongst the goodies I came home with was a package of cute paper embellishments. This butterfly is from that package.

More glitter and an adhesive jewel, a few stamped flowers and paper from both an old textbook and an old bus schedule complete this card.
I’ve made a few of these cards with an old map and a bicycle stamp, but for this one I got a bicycle cutout from another of the Craft and Flash ladies. I spent awhile coloring it. I love this card!

We crafted and chatted and laughed and ate. It was lovely.
The dogs were happy sitting in the sunshine.

Phoenicia made delicious chili, another great dish without a recipe. If I recall correctly, it had beef, pork and sausage, and it was full of different veggies. Write it down, Phoenicia!

One last card I did that afternoon was from a 5-minute collage I’d made. A little extra embellishment and another card done.

Sitting and chatting with my friends while crafting is the best therapy in the world for me.
It has been a very tough month since then with my brother spending more time in the hospital then out. He was in ICU but is back in the regular ward and we expect him to be discharged in the next few days. He has started dialysis and faces a host of challenges. The support and love we have all shared and received has helped make a really difficult situation survivable.
At first, spending long, anxious hours with other family members at the the hospital, I was too worried and upset to focus on anything more than mindless games on the computer. Long days and nights of interrupted sleep meant I missed getting to the gym and I didn’t have the energy or inspiration to craft.
With some improvement in his condition, I’m returning to some of the things that have been on hold. A trip to the library and new reading material I’m finally able to absorb. I was able to spend time cooking together with Rem who has been a rock, taking good care of me. And yes, pulling out the craft supplies and crafting. I’m finishing up some cute cards and will share them soon.
Thank you for being here.