“The RoseBouquet”

My neighbours, Joe and Penny, like to go down to the States for Christmas or any other opportunity that presents. It saves parking expenses with their vehicle if I get up early and take them to the airport. I have no problem with that either, as they do many favours for me too.

They wanted to leave by 5 am, so I set my alarm for 4:30. I rarely ever have to get up during the night, but about 4:20 I woke with a strong feeling that I was going to have to go to the bathroom soon. I swung my feet out, and sure enough, before I was dressed I had to trot off. I had my boots and big coat on when I had to go again. Then again when I was hunting for my stray glove.

I began to get concerned that I wouldn’t get them to the airport in time. I hurried out to the car, and rather than waiting for it to warm up, backed out of my gate, and drove around to their front door. I scraped the windows while Joe was loading the luggage.

We could see that it was going to be a beautiful day for photography as there were thick, furry coats of hoar-frost on everything. But I got them there about 5 am.

I was just putting the key in my back door, coming home, when I heard the phone ring. It had stopped by the time I got to the phone, but I saw that there were 11 messages on the answering machine. What? There had been only 2 or 3 last night which I had not deleted yet. While I was trying to hear them, the phone rang again. It was Penny, begging me to come back and get Joe’s gun. They were not allowed to take it along because it had no lock on the case.

(We went through this once before when Joe’s cell phone had slid out of his pocket in my car, and I had to drive back to the airport to deliver it to him).

I spun around for a minute or two looking for my keys until I realized they were still hanging in the door lock. Away I hurried so that they would not be delayed from boarding their flight. I timed myself, and using the short-cut that I prefer I was there in ten minutes.

Joe was standing outside waiting for me, and as I pushed the button to open the trunk, he was already sliding the case into it. He opened the door for a few words and then he was off.

These early morning runs give me the advantage of an extra long soak in the bathtub. But after that, I found my head getting heavier, so I had my prayer time in the recliner, where I confess, I did doze off for a few minutes.

I am happy to say that I think my Christmas mail, that is the paper/printed edition has gone out. This time I managed to squeak it all in by yesterday without having to give up too much priority business time or steal time from clients’ hours. There are still a few that I will hand out in person, and I may send out another one or two, depending on surprises in my incoming mail this week.

Yesterday I managed to finish up the gifts and send off the parcels for my sisters. They will likely not arrive in time for Christmas, but at least I got them done!

I have one more gift to finish making for my dear prayer sister, and maybe some baking - IF I can get it done. If not, I’ll skip it.

So now there is just the digital or e-edition of my Christmas letter and my card/booklet to get out. That is ready and uploaded too, I just need to go over my mailing list and get that announcement email out to all those people later today.

As for you - yes, YOU may read it too! Right here and now is your announcement and instructions for how to get the two parts.

Now the booklet (this year, not fiction), an article on giving gifts like gold, myrrh and frankincense - and an introduction to some friends of mine internationally that need such gifts has come to 16 pages. (Yes, postage stamps were a minimum of a $1/each!) So to send all that as luggage on an email is not so smart. Instead, I’ll give you the download links, and you can have them on your computer in minute or two. Or, simply open them up and read them in your browser.

e-Christmas-letter.pdf
Christmas Gifts from a Different Basket ebook.
(links are tested!)

There is, of course, a risk in doing it this way. I have no way of knowing how many people really read them, or don’t know how to open PDF files online, or for various other reasons - they may not get my Christmas message. (Sigh!) I wish the convenience came with more predictability.

Because there is contact information in these documents that could get certain people into trouble, I will only leave these links up until after Christmas and then for their security, I will take them down. If you are reading this later on and find the links don’t work, then just email me, and ask for them to be sent to you as email add-ons.

I’m going to wrap up my series of articles on card-making today, although I can think of much more to say on the subject. Today I’ll show you some of my efforts.

Also, the RoseBouquet will take a publishing holiday next week. (I expect to be busy painting and papering a bathroom at the office). But we should all be recovered from our celebratory activities the first week of January, and you can expect to see the RoseBouquet again then.

May you and your family and friends have a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!

You know, I’ve been thinking of how much I have always loved to get a new book for Christmas. I can still recall how on some Christmas days (thinking of one when I was 12), when I got a new book, and went and threw myself across the guest bed at my Gra’ma’s house, and read it all in one day, crying and laughing with the characters all the way through.

Suppose you have someone you could bless with a gift of a book? I know you couldn’t get my novel in time for giving this holiday weekend, but if you ordered it and gave a small card promising the arrival of it in the mail within a week, I know it would be a big hit with someone who can really get inside a book emotionally.

Want to check it out again? Look here; Ruthe’s Secret Roses - at Booklocker
Read the first 8 chapters - Ruthe’s Secret Roses - sample chapters

I wish now that I had saved and better organized a sample of the Christmas cards I have made every year for the past 27 years. (If I had time to scrounge through a lot of boxes in my basement I should be able to come up with a few more).

There is so much scope for creativity, that even though I work mostly with things I find for free and don’t spend money on card-making supplies, I have often come up with more ideas in my planning stage than I could use. Usually I picked the one that would go with the mood of my greeting and my new Christmas story or photo story, and that would be easiest to mass produce. (When you are making up to 100 or more cards, you really need to streamline your repetitive steps).

When I first moved back to my parents’ house in 1983 to care for them in their old age, I had no salary, and had to learn to trust God for any resources, and snap up free stuff like card-stock and wall paper samples, and bits of lace or fabric. At first I thought it would be an exercise in resourcefulness and creativity for a year or two. But the years ticked away, and my role as live-in caregiver with very little income lasted 23 1/2 years.

Chrismon - card cover 2006 I’m not proud of every card I made, but “my necessity was the mother of invention,” proverb that I often quoted to friends, and having to make do forced me to think more resourcefully and . . . .

[You can find the whole article including some photos and graphics of my card designs here;
Creative Christmas Cards ]

Some months ago, I discovered that some friends in certain African countries, or in Asian places like Pakistan, could not open a PayPal account. This makes it awkward for them to do any financial transactions online.
While trying to find some alternatives for them, I discovered a Canadian company, called Alert Pay which seems like a good alternative. I signed up, but didn’t have time to promote or to start using it.

Then, this week, I discovered that someone from another ministry, was telling people that I would collect funds for them via my PayPal account and forward the funds to them. Huh? I don’t recall making an agreement like that with this particular group. (I have for a few others). When I checked, they were not able to apply for a PayPal account of their own.

So I went to look at Alert Pay again. I was surprised at how it has grown and appears so much easier to use. And sure enough, the people from these countries, held off by PayPal, are allowed to have a full and free account at Alert Pay. It appears that I should sing their praises much more, and encourage others to sign up.

Get your FREE account with AlertPay

Send and receive money online with AlertPay

Yes, I’m still busy making booklets (my Christmas cards) and getting my mail out. Some evenings I use my supper period to make covers for the booklets, and the next I’ve got things lined up and I’m addressing the letter, writing a P.S., and making an envelope, then, putting it altogether and addressing them.

My friend Shannon had a chance to observe this process on Sunday afternoon. She had taken me out for lunch, and we had come to my place to wait until 3 pm when I would pack up my hot stew in the crockpot and head over to the church where I had promised to help with the kitchen crew as we prepared for the Christmas Potluck supper before the Sunday School Christmas program.

So for about an hour and a half, Shannon got to watch while worked on preparing my Christmas mail.

1. pick up my pre-printed letter, address it, and turn it over for the P.S. Fold it in thirds.

2. Slip the letter into the booklet that I picked up next.

3. Pick up a sheet of computer paper (the old tractor-feed kind, with the side-strips with the holes torn away)

4. Pickup a strip of pre-cut Christmas wrapping paper to cover the ends of the card as I wrapped it in the computer paper and turned the combination into an envelope with a glue stick. (Again this year, my cover stock on the booklets does not fit a conventional envelope).

5. Peeling two labels from some sheets my sister left behind, I seal off the ends for my booklet is as long as the sheet is wide. The gift-wrap still shows, so that adds to the design.

6. Stick on a return address label. I received two batches in the mail for free, but I have to cross off the “rs” in Mrs.

7. Look up the correct address in my address card file, and copy it onto the envelope. Mark on the card that I have sent them sometime again this Dec.

8. Drop that one on the outgoing pile and pick up the next letter.

On the way to the Potluck supper I dropped another bundle of ready Christmas mail in a red postal box.

So far I believe I have about 60 mailed or given away. The postage for this weighty package is $1.00 each for those in Canada. Any going further cost more.

Fortunately, at church we have a mailbox system in the east foyer, so I was able to mail a batch there on Sunday morning, without stamps. I also handed out a batch on Wednesday at the mission when we had our staff Christmas party.

All this to say I’m making progress with this publication project. When I feel I have those out that I need to mail via Canada Post, I will prepare the digital version, upload that and send out an email with the links for downloading the letter and booklet. I trust I’ll be able to give you those links too, in this RoseBouquet next week. Watch for it!

As I said last week, I have a new client, but it turned out I had to put in some extra hours to get it ready to use for them. Now they are too busy with their Christmas preparations, so it hiding in silence for now.

I’m still working on my www.online-shopping-guides.com site, but i have a sinking feeling that I’m not going to get much about Christmas shopping up there in time to help anyone.

That is actually motivating me to plan ahead better for next year. When I have my prayer and planning retreat days over the holidays I want to seriously consider plotting ways to keep a number of sites updated on a regular, or at least a rotating basis. I have neglected most of my other sites for this one new one, and though I know it still needs a lot of building and more good content pages, the others need a boost too.

Where there’s a will there’s a way, Mom used to say. I might add, that there is always a way to improve things if you but take time to think it all through carefully.

Today’s article is about creating your own Christmas cards. Because I get so many ideas, this is likely to get too long, so I’ll try to wrap it up next week.

If you are concerned that you don’t have time to do all this for this Christmas season, don’t worry. Just work out a plan and start it early in January. By next December you will either have a huge quantity of unique cards or you’ll be selling some, - or simply have them set aside since around Valentines or Easter, and can feel satisfied that you should not be under pressure in December of 2011.

In fact, you’ll probably end up busy with some other project.

A new affiliate link I’ve discovered is Apples of God, which sells lovely jewelry but based around the Bible verse in Proverbs 25:11, which is about how an appropriate word is as beautiful as apples of gold in picture frames of silver.

I had just signed up for them, when I got an email about a contest they are having. The prize is a ladies sterling silver watch and it is worth $1125. What do you have to do to win it?

Simple. Find them on Facebook, and click the “Like” button. http://www.facebook.com/applesofgoldjewelry
Do it BY Dec/31.

I considered not mentioning this to keep the base of people who have a chance really small (for my sake) - but then thought better of it. Maybe someone else needs it far more than I do.

Just watching people’s positive reactions when they open a creative Christmas card will lure you to try it again. What impresses you in a card, is likely to go over well with others too, but you can learn to shine with certain types of homemade Christmas cards.

For that matter, they don’t have to look homemade. There are many artists and creative people who are happy to design them for you, if you don’t have the skills or time. There is a movement, loosely connected to the scrapbooking culture, that loves to make greeting cards that are works of art. These can be prints of a painting, or very unique photography, or built up with layers of attachments, and textures to make the Christmas card two and three-dimensional; inviting to feel and touch.

If you want the labour-intensive, “every card is a work of art” kind of creative Christmas card, you should plan on preparing them months in advance. Especially if you have a long mailing/giving list for your creative Christmas cards.

Should you want something just above the usual boxed Christmas cards, you can make some with a lot less bother, but will still go over as creative Christmas cards.

Here’s a few options;
1. Paint a picture, take a photo, or beg permission to use someone else’s artwork. Work your cover greeting into this digital graphic on your computer. Decide on size and quality of paper, and print, or have printed, your batch of cards.

There are other artistic things you can do without having to paint a perfect picture or use a prize-winning photo. I have often complained that I missed out on an art education, so I have to fool people by using artsy kinds of tricks.

2. A colourful swatch of gift wrap paper glued onto the card stock front at an artful angle, and then another Christmasy picture or graphic cutout glued on top of that at an opposite rakish angle provides a 3-D texture. Since my handwriting is not as consistent and attractive as I wish, I usually work the title message into that second graphic which is my last layer – or, I find a home printer that will accept my card-stock and print those words on the front.

(By the way, if you ask nicely at a professional print shop you can often get a box of assorted card stock cuttings from their production floor for nothing. The cuttings are just headed to the recycling bin anyway).

3. Lay a Christmas design stencil from a craft store on the paper, and paint in the gaps and holes. I’ve done a stylized Christmas rose that way. There are many more at the craft store!

4. Make some marbled paper by swirling 2 to 3 melted wax crayons in a tinfoil pie plate over a warm stove element, and quickly laying down and picking up some squares of paper in the hot wax. You’ll get some beautiful impressions! Trim them afterward to fit onto your card stock like a piece of modern art. Now create a red poinsettia with crochet cotton on a daisy winder, and glue that on a corner of the marbled wax art piece. It may not need any words. (Or, attach buttons or any other attractive do-dads for a two or three dimensional look).

5. Get an out of date wallpaper sample book from a store (sometimes free), and cut pretty strips of wallpaper to glue down one side of your card front. Use the space beside for your Christmas greeting in careful calligraphy. Or perhaps, have the card stock printed with the message before you add the trim.

6. The same idea works with suitable ribbons or laces instead of the wallpaper.

7. If you won’t be mailing the cards, you might even glue on three-dimensional things like seashells in the shape of a wreath. These are best when you will be handing the card over in person.

Watch for more creative Christmas card ideas next week. I’ll include some photos then.]

I must remember to ask for advice here again! Last week I shared my frustration with my frozen car doors. Wow! I got a number of helpful tips from people who had suggestions. One sent a link to a car tips website where two men offer up advice with a generous serving of humour. (CarTalk)

After checking out that site and considering all the other tips, the generous consensus was that I should go to an auto parts place, and ask for a silicone spray. I did, and my drivers side door is opening much better now.

The salesman told me that it was what locksmiths use to make sure a lock will operate smoothly without sticking of metal to metal. However, wrestling the cap off that can is somethin’ else!

Yesterday when I got home, it was already getting dark, and when the back door opened with difficulty I decided to spray it again. However, the cap on the silicone can was even more resistant.

In frustration I knocked the cap against the latch of the open back door. That cracked the cap so that with my left hand I could force the cap to give way and I got it off at last with extra effort.

Unfortunately, then the tip that you press down to spray with had disappeared. In the dim yard lights of the restaurant across the alley, I was not able to find it.

And guess what, when I went out tot he car this morning I forgot to look for it on the snowy ground. I hope i didn’t back over it and grind it into the snow!

That can (oh yes, I recall the name now; Kleen-Slip) cost me $12. I’d hate for the rest of its contents to be inaccessible to me.

Anyway, that is a minor detail now to my efforts to get my Christmas mail out. I got it written up and polished and the layout done, and on Saturday late afternoon, went back to the office to print a batch.

I just took the first batch out to the post office this morning. Whoa! My letter and booklet with the article in it is all so heavy that it is costing me $1.00 for each printed package I send out. I think more people are going to end up on my email list and have to download the PDF files with that information.

Still, I bought another 100 stamps, so I’m going to be pressing myself hard to get more batches out as I get them assembled, signed and addressed.

I’ll talk more about making Christmas cards in this issue and the next two. That’s my focus this month.