A Postcard Project

Hubs and I traveled to the east side of Michigan this weekend (we live on the west) and spent some time with my parents - whom I haven't really seen since the holidays.  While we were there, I cleaned out a closet in my old bedroom - finding all kinds of things to donate, keep, throw away, and laugh at!

I also came across this box.  Have any idea what could be inside it?

It was filled with... postcards!  You see, my Grandmother got me started collecting postcards at a young age.  She would send me a postcard wherever she went, and collect art postcards for me to keep.  I hadn't forgotten about these postcards by any means, but I hadn't thought about them for a long time.  You know, out of sight out of mind?

My Grandmother passed away when I was 14, shortly after my parents, brother and I moved from the UK to the US.  She sent me and collected for me postcards up until she died, but with less frequency as she and I both got older.

Looking through all of these postcards brings back such lovely memories of her, and of my time growing up in England as well.  Care to look into the postcard box with me?

There are photo postcards from places in England my Grandma visited...

And some beautiful art cards that tell stories...

Check out the year!  I was 2 when this was mailed.

I love these postcards - they are classic tourist.  Classic English tourist at that.  So much fun!

There's an entire set of Beatrix Potter illustrated cards...

I've always liked the Victoria and Muskie postcard.  My Grandma always called me her "pet" as you can see here...

Classic Winnie the Pooh illustrations...

More illustrations.  Both my Mum and I have always loved the Flower Fairies (right).

And these fairytale postcards are lovely, too.

Some of her postcards talked about her trips, some had just a sentence or two asking how I was doing, and some were just blank or said "for your collection" on them.

I brought the postcard box back home with me - and am determining its future.  My initial thought is that I need some kind of archival album for them - some are already fading and yellowing.  Anyone have any recommendations?

And then, since some of them are just too pretty to be shut up in a book, I am trying to decide what else I can do with them?  Nothing that will cause any damage to them, or permanently cover up either side of course.  I am thinking maybe matting and framing some of them?

Any ideas?

Sale-A-Bration and Weekend Workshop!

I had a fabulous time hosting a workshop this past weekend.  It's always a blast to introduce stamping to those that have never done it before, and demonstrate new products and ideas to those that have. 

As a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, I'm so lucky to have the opportunity to share my love of papercrafting with friends old and new!

Here are the three make and take projects we made on Saturday...

A birthday card using the "Happy Moments" stamp set from the Sale-A-Bration catalog...

A mini Easter card (3x3 inches) to stuff into an Easter basket...

And this darling little bookmark / paperclip using the "Tart & Tangy" stamp set. 

Both the "Happy Moments" and "Tart & Tangy" stamp sets I used in the projects above are available as FREE sets during Sale-A-Bration... but you only have ONE WEEK left to earn them for FREE!

This week is the LAST WEEK of this year's Sale-A-Bration promotion!  Every year Stampin' Up! gives customers, hostesses, and new demonstrators the opportunity to earn fantastic, FREE, limited-edition products they'll enjoy for years to come.

Here's how Sale-A-Bration works:
 
When you spend $50 on Stampin' Up! merchandise, you'll receive a free Sale-A-Bration reward. There's no limit--for every $50 you spend, you can select another FREE Sale-A-Bration reward!

The Sale-A-Bration promotion runs through March 31... don't miss this last opportunity to earn some free stamp sets!  You can view the Sale-A-Bration brochure online to see all of the great products you can earn for free!

So don't wait... head over to my Stampin' Up! website to place your order this week.  Orders must be in by March 31 to be eligible for free products!  If you have any questions or need help placing an order, just drop me a line at joanneroehm@yahoo.com!

Week in Review

Each weekend in my Week in Review post I share with you some of my favorite crafty links I've come across during the week, from all over the blogosphere.  Hope you enjoy... and happy weekend!

Gradient Dyed Scarf by Martha

I don't often catch the Martha show, but my friend Alison e-mailed me this project asking me if I wanted to get a group of girls together and have a scarf dying party.  Heck yeah I do!

Hair Bows at Saucy's Sprinkles

Saucy shows us how to make these darling bows she whipped up for the cheerleading team she coaches.  I can't wait to try making a little girl version!

Butterfly Wreath at Mary Janes and Galoshes

So beautiful, fresh, and springlike!

Button Earrings at Trey and Lucy

These are simple and lovely... I absolutely must give these a try!

Easter Baskets at Urban Comfort

I am officially in love with these teeny tiny baskets.  Another project to add to my to do list before Easter arrives!

Have you stumbled across any fabulous projects this week?  Leave me a link to your find in the comments section!

Work(s) in Progress...

My crafty mojo is back... phew!  I think my problem was that I was never present when I tried to get crafting the past few weeks... I've been so busy and had so much on my mind that I always was thinking about the next thing on the agenda, and mentally adding to my to do's.  I simply couldn't get anything done!

It's a really good thing I'm back... just look at all the projects I have in the works...

I'm working on a super secret stealthy card-making project for Lolly over at Lollychops.  I'll tell you more about it next week...

There's some necklace making in my future... I just love the aqua color of these beads... reminds me of the ocean!

Some hair clips are being made to stuff into a special someone's Easter basket...

Two pairs of cotton PJ's (which have since been cut out) are waiting to be sewn...

Two projects are on the go from this fabulous book... (I have a neat story about this book that I'll share soon!)

I'm working on perfecting a little girl's kerchief pattern / tutorial...

And I'm finally getting the guts to tackle some scrapbooking.  Since I'm *still* too overwhelmed to tackle my wedding scrapbook (I've been married almost two years!) I decided to start out slow and work on a travel scrapbook.  The photos on the left are from our trip to DC a couple of summers ago, and the photos on the right are from a trip with Trav's family to Traverse City back in (gulp!) 2007...

What are YOU working on, dear reader?  Are you a one-at-a-time project type of person, or do you always have multiple things on the go - like me?

Dollar Store Crafts!

I'm a busy, busy bee today but just wanted to pop in and let you know that my bulletin boards were featured on Dollar Store Crafts this morning!  Pretty neat!  You can see the feature HERE.

And in case you've missed anything the past few days...

• Guest post by Caroline of Salsa Pie - Creepy Crawly Fun

• Last minute St. Pat's treats (file them away for next year!)

• Easter Stamp A Stack Wrap Up and card ideas

The sun is shining here and it's a beautiful day!  Have a good one, and I'll see you tomorrow!