“The RoseBouquet”

I’ve got boxes and greeting cards strewn all over my living room last week and this - well, until tomorrow night. Then I hope to get it all cleaned up and put away.

Who am I kidding? I still have to get around to making my own big batch of Christmas cards and gifts. All this has been in preparation for a Craft Party tomorrow night, as a Halloween alternative.

A few weeks ago, Arnold Stobbe, the director and I were talking at our Western Tract Mission offices. I mentioned that I had not had the heart to throw out 4-6 boxes of old greeting cards in my move, and now I was trying to use up a bunch for my Christmas gifts and mailing. He pulled a shopping bag full of cards up from behind his desk, and asked what to do about those. Oh my! I suggested a craft party to get others in on using them up. Arnold loved the idea. “Go for it!” he said. “You can even use the large meeting room downstairs.”

So I’ve been making invitations and handing out whenever I get a chance, and I’ve managed to sort through three generations and several families’ old greeting cards. I pulled out all those that had notes that might help me with family history, and that were personal in nature, and now I have four boxes of cards ready to offer up. Hundreds!

I also asked the printing company where we get our WTM printing done for cuttings. I got 3 boxes full! I’m well stocked up.

Basically, I’ll show them how I make pretty gift boxes with the cards, and a few other quick things, like booklet covers, bookmarks, and so forth, (maybe even a laced up basket). Then I’ll circulate around the room and help those who need help, or who want to chat.

I’ve also made a batch of Prachakuchen (begger’s cookies) and need to finish making a chocolate berry flan. I’ve no idea how many will actually show up, but I’ll have some food to offer.

I’ve already promised one subscriber a photo story of this project next week, so you’ll get to attend vicariously. You might be able to throw a craft party at your house too.