Fun Filled Crafting Days

I know I am a week late, but I really wanted to blog about our little "Cardmaking Retreat" last week.  I get together with three other gals every month for a day of making cards and fellowship. My husband calls our days the new "sewing circle!"  Those readers who grew up in churches with monthly sewing circles will understand. One of the gals in the group has a cabin in Sullivan County and over the summer we talked about how much fun it would be to go there for a couple of days, just us girls, and craft. So we picked a date and set the plan in motion. A week or so before we went my sister in law Janet got a last minute invite to go with a large group from her church to the Outer Banks so in the end it was only Beckie, Bebe, and I that went.

We left on Tuesday about 1 and headed north. We got to the cabin about 4 and moved all our stuff in and settled in for a couple of days. One of the first things was to have supper, so we went to Forksville General Store and Restaurant and had yummy steak sandwiches for our supper.

After we ate Bebe took us to a nearby covered bridge. The reflections in the water were gorgeous.

We pose for a "selfie!"

Then we headed back to the cabin to begin our card crafting.  We had each brought along one Christmas card idea and one other card idea to share with the group, so on Tuesday evening we each shared and crafted one of our cards. Then we spent the rest of the evening crafting these cute little snowmen favors. Some will be sold at our craft shows and some will be given as gifts. 

Aren't they adorable?  After a late night we headed off to bed, but the next day we were at it again.

In the afternoon we took a break and went up the mountain to a nearby canyon lookout.  It was beautiful although it started to rain a little just as we got there.

 We also took a break in the evening to play a game.

After another late night we did a bit more crafting in the morning before we had to clean up, load up, and head home.

Did we get anything accomplished in those couple of days?  Of course we did. Just look!

Crafting Fun!

Another weekend has come.  I am loving this break from the heat and looking forward to the fall weather.  This past week has been a busy one, working with my card crafting.  I have been creating some more cards and beginning to design and think about Christmas cards. Here are a few cards I made with a beautiful piece of fabric that I purchased at "Farmhouse Memories", one of my favorite craft stores. I really love these cheery birds.

Fall craft show season has begun and my friend Beckie and I did our first one yesterday.  Here we are with our display all set up and ready to go. Unfortunately, it was not a very profitable one. Crowds were light and those who were there were more interested in the yard sale items than in the craft items. We are scheduling a few more shows for the fall here before Christmas. It takes a lot of time to try to figure out the best options, but is all part of the business experience.

The third thing I did this week relating to my cards was to open my own Etsy shop.  Hubby has been encouraging me to do that for quite a while as well as a few other people, so after a lot of research and patience, I finally did it.  You can view my shop here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LorelCardsandMore. Now we'll wait and see whether it will be a profitable venture or not!

This week I am looking forward to a little "Card Crafting Retreat" at a friend's cabin in Sullivan County where we the girls I get together with on a monthly basis will have a few days of fellowship and making cards.  I'm sure I will have some new ones to show when we get back!

Birthday Reflections

Today is my 68th birthday. And while I am not feeling old, birthdays for me are always a time of reflection and anticipation.  Reflection on the past year or years and where I have been and what I have done.  And anticipation of what is ahead and a little bit of goal setting.

We had a great afternoon and evening yesterday celebrating with the family. Hubby made some awesome grilled ribs; the kids all brought side dishes and my son in law Jeff made my favorite pies for dessert - pecan and key lime. Everything was so delicious. Unfortunately, I don't think anybody took any pictures!

But today is my actual birthday. The last year was a good one.  It was the first year of my retirement, of not having to get up and go to work each day.  A time of resting, reading, card crafting, taking care of the house, and enjoying life without the stress and pressures of a job. As I look ahead, I wonder what the coming year will bring. Some days I feel that 68 is old as I am aware of the aches and pains that come with aging; at other times I feel 68 is still young and I have plenty of life to tackle ahead of me.  I struggle with knowing what God wants for me in  the remaining years that He gives me. I continue to look for opportunities to serve Him in whatever way He wants me to. 

For now, I am content to wait on God's timing.  So Happy Birthday to me.  I will enjoy my day.