Hi Friends!
It was the perfect, little getaway… and I had been looking forward to going for many weeks! Packing required a great deal of thought. I wanted to bring everything I might need: a paper trimmer, watercolor paper, watercolor markers, stamps, paintbrushes, a big bottle of water… and of course, my camera!
It was my very first papercrafting Crop Day, and I was truly excited! Although I didn’t really know what to expect, I knew that I would meet kindred spirits there. I knew it would be the perfect place to connect with other papercrafters, share creative ideas, and celebrate this special passion we have for sharing handmade kindness.
Entering the large meeting room at our public library, I found long tables, great music playing, the library’s collection of die cutting tools and stamps… and some of my favorite papercrafting friends. Smiles and hugs started the day off right! Of course, we started moving the long work tables close together, so that we could share, and welcomed the familiar faces as they arrived.
Twelve ‘happy crafters’ gathered for six wonderful hours, making time to work on our hobbies together. Everyone brought their own supplies and ideas for their projects. Within moments, we were all busily working on handmade treasures. Our creative crafters worked on beautiful birthday banners, colorful cards, special bunting, and the most amazing scrapbooks and mini albums.
It was also a perfect time to spread out and organize photos,
while making plans for new scrapbooking projects.
I worked on small, stamped watercolor paintings,
blissfully happy to be ‘blossoming’ in new ways!
While we worked, we talked and listened, shared ideas and supplies,
helped and encouraged one another,
and laughed a lot.
⚛⚛⚛
As we worked with our hands and hearts,
using simple tools,
my thoughts wandered back to simpler ‘thymes’
when women gathered for quilting bees and sewing circles.
It’s so important to connect with a community of kindreds,
who can share, encourage, support, and
inspire one another.
Although we began working quietly,
before long happy chatter filled the room.
Wonderful new friendships grew that day.
Our six hours together flew by much too quickly!
⚛⚛⚛
As we shared our projects and began to pack up our supplies,
we all had the very same thoughts…
“Wouldn’t it be amazing to have another Crop Day at the library?”
So, we each wrote our ideas and dropped our notes off at the ‘Compliments’ desk.
(That’s what I call the friendly, Welcome desk
where I often stop to write happy compliments about the incredible people who work at our library!)
I’m delighted to report that another Crop Day is planned for March 5th!
We can hardly wait!
We hope that even more papercrafters will join us
for another day of memory keeping and memory making!
⚛⚛⚛
February is the perfect month to celebrate friendship!
So, I’ve been spending many happy hours in my little Paper Garden creating tiny Valentines.
My papercrafting friends might be curious about the I supplies used:
Paper: Canson Watercolor paper, Recollections cardstock
Ink: Marvy Le Plume II watercolor markers, water, #4 round paintbrush, Versafine Onyx Black ink, Colorbox Gold pigment ink
Stamps: Art Impressions watercolor sets ~ Flower set, Foliage set, WC Containers set; sentiment ~ Honey Bee Stamps
Dies: Papertrey Ink Tag Sale: Quilted Die
Adhesives: ATG, Tombow Mono Multi
Twine ~ K & Company
Listening to: Great Oldies on the radio
Feeling: Blessed by so many dear friendships!
There is nothing like ‘gardening’ indoors on a cold winter’s day!
The sweetest moments for me, as always,
are mailing off my cards,
sharing handmade kindness
with family and friends,
near and far.
♡♡
Do you gather with others to share your hobbies?
Hope you will share…
Sending paper hugs!
♡ Dawn
Petals. Paper. Simple Thymes 
What a wonderful day! I simply love the outcome! You need an Etsy store – maybe you already have one???Gathering with kindred spirits is the best. I have been fortunate to find a new book group and a stitching group, and would be bereft without that connection!
Thank you for your very kind words, Jayne! It takes me so long to make each card! I really enjoy thinking about the recipient while I make each card. It always feels like a little ‘visit’ each time I make a card! So, I probably won’t ever have an Etsy shop. ❤
Gathering with kindreds is the most wonderful thing! I am so glad that you are part of such special groups, Jayne. I know it has helped to make your new city feel like home! I have really enjoyed gathering with kindreds since I retired and have time to pursue exciting, new interests. Our public library has provided wonderful opportunities! Have a super weekend, Jayne! Thank you so much for stopping to visit today! ♡
Oh Dawn, what a wonderful time you enjoyed at your amazing library! Your water colored cards are beautiful! Such pretty pots of gorgeous blossoms! I love the colors you have chosen for your art. You are so talented and just one of the sweetest spirits!
Years ago I remember gathering with friends to sew, make ceramics, make jewelry, decorate cakes and review books. You are so right, it’s like quilting bees of long ago. ♥
You are so sweet, Martha Ellen! I’m still a beginner, but it’s such fun to ‘design’ little container gardens. I hope the tiny paintings will brighten everyone’s days! We really do need these kind of gatherings. Although people can easily connect via social media, real connections with kindreds are always the best! We can support and inspire one another in so many ways! I’m so happy to hear that you have felt the same joy in so many gatherings! Hope you are having a super day! We will spend the afternoon walking through the peace and quiet of the arboretum. Sending hugs, dear one! ♡
Looks and sounds like you had a wonderful day!
Oh, thank you, Ginnie! It was a very simple gathering that brought everyone such joy! It is so important to find kindreds to share connections with. Ginnie, I am really looking forward to our grand gathering in May! It will be an amazing group of kindred spirits celebrating our dear Susan Branch! Can’t wait to see you again, dear Ginnie! ♡
What a fun and productive day! I loved seeing your watercolour stamps, so pretty and so originally *you* ~~~I would love to attend such a gathering of like minded kindreds, for it seems I am a lone crafter where I live, or have yet to connect with others. I guess it is a price I pay for living in a rural idyll?
Don’t you think it is amazing the progress made with stamping? The end results these days are more mini works of art than they every used to be.
~~~Deb xoxo
Heartfelt thanks, dear Deb! Each little watercolor took me about one hour to complete. But I truly love playing with watercolors and stamps to create these little works of ‘heart.’ It’s such fun to garden in the midst of winter! ❤
I really do wish you could connect with another papercrafter in the village. Perhaps you can begin to spread the word! I wonder if there is another card maker nearby that you haven't met? Until then, we will always be able to share our crafty conversations Across The Pond. I just love that! 🙂
Oh, yes! Each month, more and more wonderful stamps are designed that inspire us in so many new, creative ways. Hope you have some crafty time today, dear Deb! Warm hugs! ♡
I absolutely love all the cards and, in particular, the one with the blue blossoms on the ground near the pot. I sat in several actual quilting bees while consulting in North Carolina years ago. The same sense and feelings you experienced were felt in those get-togethers. Hugs.
You are so sweet, Anne! I’ve been enjoying painting the little container gardens for the past two weeks. I’m hoping to do a bit more ‘gardening’ this week, too! ❤ It's so relaxing… and no two look alike. It must have been so wonderful to sit in on quilting bees, Anne. I would really love that experience! It’s a true joy to find gatherings of kindreds pursuing shared passions. Hope you are enjoying a super day! We just returned from a long walk at the arboretum. There is such peace and solace when walking in nature. Sending huge hugs, dear friend! ♡
What a remarkable sisterhood you have helped form and been part of, Dawn. I hope it continues to blossom for many years to come. Here’s to many more Crop Days. 🙂 I think when women gather, use their hands and hearts in common interests, good spirits always arise.
I love your little cards. You have a “good eye” for color and placement and these would make wonderful bookmarks as well.
Yes. I suppose I do gather; with my book discussion group (27 years), my garden club . . . thanks for asking.
Penny, we have such a friendly group of creatives who have all connected through activities at our wonderful library! We hope to continue our gatherings there. As local scrapbooking stores close, the opportunities for papercrafters to gather seem few and far between. We hope our numbers will grow as the word spreads through town! More exciting opportunities for creatives will be coming to the library soon!
Many thanks for your kind words, Penny! I’m hoping that the might use their Valentines as bookmarks! 🙂 Great minds think alike! I thought of your garden club as I was writing. Your book club has an amazing history!! What amazing bonds you have formed over the years… with both books and friendships!
Penny, we took a lovely walk at the Arb this afternoon. My heart needed quiet time in nature. When we found your ‘strength’ bench, there were tears in my eyes. It was just what I needed today. Heartfelt thanks for sharing so many important things with me, dear friend. Sending big hugs! ♡
Oh, Dawn, how sweet of you to let me know that you found the strength bench. I’m so glad you did. Even though it is out in the open, it can be elusive, depending on the angle you approach. Wasn’t it a good afternoon for a walk?
When one door closes (the closing of scrapbooking stores) another opens (the library). Libraries are such a resource for so many. I am thrilled for you and your fellow creatives that you have a place to meet.
Penny, it was a wonderful moment of serendipity! My husband knew that I really wanted to see your ‘strength’ bench, and he spotted it as we drove slowly. The late afternoon sun rays were shining right on the bench! It was a moment!! 🙂 I’m going to see if I can find it again on a snowy day. We drove to find the ‘Joy Path.’ I have heard about it from three different friends. I’m planning to return to the Arboretum very soon to walk along the ‘Joy Path.’ It feels like something that I must do…
I know how much you love our library! Although our building is quite new, the library will celebrate its 100th birthday this year! When the festivities are announced, I will definitely let you know. You must come to celebrate, Penny! ♡
beautiful work Dawn and what a lovely day 🙂
Many thanks, Jodi! Wouldn’t it be fun to share a crafty afternoon together? Papercrafters are such kind, sharing people. Wishing you a good week ahead! ♡
I’ve always wanted to do that but never have. How great you have a group to work with!
Hi Brenda! We are so fortunate that our library supports gatherings like our Crop Day! There is a sewing club, cooking club, book club, blogging group, mindfulness group, and even conversational groups to practice different foreign languages. ❤ It's so wonderful that kindred spirits of all kinds can connect there! It's so nice to be retired, with so many opportunities blossom and grow at the library! Thank you so much for visiting today, Brenda! Wishing you a nice week ahead! ♡
That’s awesome!!
Dawn,
That sounds like the best day. What fun. Your watercolor valentines are so lovely. I love them! I’m always inspired after seeing the creative ideas you come up with, thank you. Can’t wait to see what develops in March. 🙂
xo,
Karen
Hi, Karen! What sweet things to say! ❤ I'm so inspired to learn to watercolor! Someday, perhaps I will take watercolor classes. In the meantime, I will just keep taking tiny steps to help me grow and blossom. I feel the same way, just wondering what I will be learning in March!:) So happy that our blogging friendship has blossomed, too, dear Karen! Wishing you a wonderful week ahead! Thanks so much for visiting today! ♡
What a wonderful kind of indoor gardening! I’m in love with your beautiful cards… wish I had the eye hand coordination and patience to do that!
Heartfelt thanks, Michele! It’s the perfect way to ‘garden’ through the winter ~ no weeds, no sore back, just lots of color! I begin with stamps of individual blossoms and leaves, and am learning to ‘design’ little containers! Next I will add a picket fence (in white like ours, and natural wood, like yours)! 🙂 Can’t wait to expand these little watercolor gardens! Your Arizona trip sounded amazing!! It’s so tempting… with snow in our forecast, too! Enjoy many happy hours with a cup of tea and your seed catalogs. So glad that you stopped to visit today, Michele! ♡
What you do is amazing! I am enjoying this time of year, snow and all… your posts really reinforce the specialness of it! I’m so glad you are too! Watch for more Arizona in the next day or so… I’m going to emphasize that AZ is not for people who are avoiding snow! xoxo
Oh,thank you, Michele! We woke up to a light snowfall this morning. It looks so pretty with a blanket of white covering the garden! People in Arizona know just where to go to ski and play in the snow! 🙂 Can’t wait to follow your travels! ♡
Have never heard of a Crop Day. My Stampin Up distributor is having her first Coffee and Cards on Thursday morning. I’m looking forward to that one.
Hi, Marcia! Several times a year, scrapbooking stores and some hotels in our area host Crop Weekends. I’ve never gone to one though. I was so delighted when our library planned this first Crop Day! We enjoyed six hours of time together working on our own papercrafts… and it was so wonderful! I’m sure that you will enjoy ‘Coffee and Cards.’ Papercrafters are such friendly, happy people, who just love to share and help one another. 🙂 Thursday sounds like great fun, Marcia! ♡
Your cards are so soft and beautiful and just say spring. You always amaze me with your creations. I have a friend who is very involved in paper projects but different than yours. It is always good to have hobbies that make your heart sing. 🙂
Oh, thank you, Judy! It’s such fun to have a creative challenge. You must feel the very same way about your quilting projects! We are both so fortunate to have found hobbies that we love. They keep us busy while our gardens are sleeping! Happy stitching, Judy! ♡
Dawn, how wonderful to have a dedicated day to paper craft, and at your library no less. I used to attend scrapbooking weekends, and they were very much like quilting bees, too. It’s wonderful gathering to create with kindred spirits.
Your watercolor tags are beautiful. Right up my alley so to speak. I’m glad you enjoyed your day *and* that you have another one up and coming. Enjoy.
We are so very fortunate, Alys! Our library is always very responsive to requests from the community. It’s such a wonderful place to meet kindred spirits, too! Your scrapbooking weekends must have been so much fun! Aren’t papercrafters the friendliest, most helpful people ever? Thank you so much for stopping to visit today, Alys! Your kind words always warm my heart! ♡
Thank you, Dawn! I love your upbeat, creative posts. They’re inspiring. xo
Heartfelt thanks for your sweet words, Alys! Wishing you a very Happy Valentine’s Day! ♡
You must have had a very enjoyable day. Your little stamped watercolor paintings are so cute and would give anyone a smile.
Oh, thank you, Karen! It was a great feeling to spend the day surrounded by others with a passion for papercrafting! We are delighted that another Crop Day has already been planned. Thanks for taking the time to visit today, Karen! Warm hugs! ♡
My pleasure, Dawn. 🙂
Wishing you a wonderful weekend, Karen! ♡
DAWN!!!!!!!! These are magnificent memories! Doesn’t the work of our hands bring such pleasure? Creativity has always been a gateway to joy, no matter how frequent, big, small or experimental the project.These tags are DIVINE! Oh watercolour; that is a medium I have yet to explore. Lovely work dearest and it was a joy to see your comment today! Happy February and March on! Anita Castles Crowns and Cottages
Oh, Anita! I am so happy that you came to visit! Thank you so much for your kind words. I think I will always be a ‘beginner,’ but paper has been a lifelong passion. Card making brings me such joy while creating, and then again while sharing handmade kindness with family and friends! I was just delighted to come across your work published in a magazine a few months back.:) Your words and images are truly wonderful, dear Anita! Warm hugs! ♡
Hi Dawn! First of all, what a lovely group of blog “girlfriends” you have here! I love reading everyone’s sweet comments. Kindreds, for certain! You make friends wherever you go and your Crop Day group is sure to become another treasured circle of sweet gals getting together to share their creativity. I love your little watercolored cards! Such visions of Spring in this cold winter wonderland that we are in right now. Keep the pictures coming! I love to see what you’re up to! xo
Hi Karen! You have been here right from the start, when this little blog was just an ‘idea’ floating around in my heart. Reading everyone’s comments is my very favorite part of blogging! ❤ It's the sharing of thoughts among kindred spirits that makes my heart sing! ❤ Thank you for your sweet words, Karen. You must have even more snow than us. Stay warm and cozy inside! ♡