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I've so fully enjoyed everyone's posts, especially the Christmas card story! I figure I'm around $500/card, give or take, when you figure in tools and supplies. (And I got into this thinking I'd be saving time and money ... still cracks me up!)
__________________ If you don't want your tax dollars to help the poor, then stop saying you want a country based on Christian values, because you don't. ~ Jimmy Carter
krystie lee said " My favorite that I've heard many times, and I'm sure you have, too:
"Your cards are really good! I'm serious, you could SELL these! I would totally pay $1.00 for these!"
I would be ever so tempted to say, "Well you could buy them in a gift shop for 8.00 because that's what they sell for..."
And smile brightly when you say it, as if you aren't aware that they have just insulted you.
Ahh, I'm such a troublemaker.
This thread is too funny! Loved the story about the $127 card for the puppy! L'dOL and when DH heard I had to explain -- it gave him a laugh too! Stamping really is therapy - creative therapy. Everyone loves what I make and they think (hahahahaha) that I am really really talented. Little do they know that stamping is so simple anyone can do it -- but I am glad they don't so I can do it for them!
This thread is too funny! Loved the story about the $127 card for the puppy! L'dOL and when DH heard I had to explain -- it gave him a laugh too! Stamping really is therapy - creative therapy. Everyone loves what I make and they think (hahahahaha) that I am really really talented. Little do they know that stamping is so simple anyone can do it -- but I am glad they don't so I can do it for them!
You said it!! My family and friends think I am talented, but that's only because they DON'T stamp, or make cards or ATC's, or paint t-shirts or sew or make jewelry. I occasionally teach a few family members who have learned that all you need ( most of the time) is to have someone SHOW you how to do something. Of course, you then have to go out and buy the millions of $$ worth of supplies. Heh heh.
What people don't get is that I didn't just go out and buy all this stuff YESTERDAY- I have been collecting stamps for over 25 years, and yes, I have spent a lot of money on it, BUT, I don't go to movies any more- I'd much rather buy that stamp I saw last week- than pay $12-15 to see a movie that isn't anywhere as good as some of the old black and whites on TV which are free...
I consider stamping/crafting my entertainment, and I really enjoy coming up with something new or using a different technique- that's FUN!
You said it!! My family and friends think I am talented, but that's only because they DON'T stamp, or make cards or ATC's, or paint t-shirts or sew or make jewelry. I occasionally teach a few family members who have learned that all you need ( most of the time) is to have someone SHOW you how to do something. Of course, you then have to go out and buy the millions of $$ worth of supplies. Heh heh.
What people don't get is that I didn't just go out and buy all this stuff YESTERDAY- I have been collecting stamps for over 25 years, and yes, I have spent a lot of money on it, BUT, I don't go to movies any more- I'd much rather buy that stamp I saw last week- than pay $12-15 to see a movie that isn't anywhere as good as some of the old black and whites on TV which are free...
I consider stamping/crafting my entertainment, and I really enjoy coming up with something new or using a different technique- that's FUN!
AMEN! Not to mention the TIME wasted at a totally forgettable movie vs. what I could be creating at home in my stamp studio! Many of my work friends have been impressed that I can find the time to make so many cards...but one of my best friends commented that it's really just therapy being put to good use. Wise woman. This is where I escape all my daily worries and clear my head of frustration. I've also found that I can do with much less than I thought I had to have....heck, I think I could supply my LSS with more paper than they have on display!! All collected over probably 15 years.
My stock answer when DH collects yet another box from our UPS guy (I think they're on a first name basis now!) is a pointed glance at his guitar collection (which also includes two or three amps, various pedal bars, music out the wazoo, etc.). He doesn't say a word.......he knows all about GAS ('guitar acquisition syndrome'). Maybe we have CCS ('card creation syndrome')!
Blessings,
Kat
__________________ "Be Still and Know That I Am God" Ps. 46:10
Ha, I have loved reading all these posts. Great sayings and sooooo true, all of them. My favorite: Den of Addiction - with a little bit of Glitter, may have to scrap lift that for my blog name!!!
Also it struck me like the post of Den of Addiction mentioned, we all probably do need to call our homeowners insurance and get a rider to our policy incase something terrible was to happen to our "STUFF". What a tradegy!!
And stamping is good Physical Therapy. I broke my left ankle and right wrist in a horse accident in April. I couldn't do much at all for about a month. I needed 4 graduation cards and a wedding card though. I found I could stamp left handed and run the Big Shot. I could not color, tie a bow or even a knot and even sponging edges was hard but I was NOT going to break down and buy cards when I have THOUSANDS of dollars in stamping stuff sitting there. So they were pretty plain, mono-chromatic cards. And my DH thought good therapy when I could finally use my right hand a little. So everytime I was stamping he said it was therapy. I will not argue with that. Oh and a wedding card I made my niece ended up getting it's own closeup and on the wedding album on facebook. No other card had that honor. What really sucked was being off work for 5 weeks and only being able to stamp, limited stamping for a week. Think of all the time that was wasted! (and my DH having to burn 4 weeks vacation to take care of me!)
krystie lee said " My favorite that I've heard many times, and I'm sure you have, too:
"Your cards are really good! I'm serious, you could SELL these! I would totally pay $1.00 for these!"
I would be ever so tempted to say, "Well you could buy them in a gift shop for 8.00 because that's what they sell for..."
And smile brightly when you say it, as if you aren't aware that they have just insulted you.
Ahh, I'm such a troublemaker.
We can be in trouble together then, becuase that is totally along the lines of what I've said :cool:
This is priceless! And how I feel when I receive a "homemade" card. I once made a card for a nurse I work with for her birthday and she told me how nice it was and then I found out she was telling everyone how CHEAP I was that I could not even buy her a card but had to make one. Some people!!!
If I had seen your homemade card, I probably would have passed it around for the entire staff to gawk over! Some people just don't get it. I agree, I don't understand the people we give homemade cards to who can't/won't acknowledge it or even say "thank you". Those are the ones who will most likely get the .50 or .99 cent cards I can find at my local Target.
Handmade cards must be catching on; two large independent card retail stores have recently closed. I'd rather make my cards than buy them.
Even though we had a short work week, mine was not fun. And I have to work tomorrow and Sunday, so when I got home tonight, I decided to catch up on SCS. This thread has been therepy for me!! SO many laughs.... For me, stamping is therepy too. And, when my husband asks how much things cost, I just smile and say about the same as golf. And I have tools that keep on giving, unlike golf. You play and your money is gone. LOL ~ thank you everyone for a wonderful end to this crappy week! :-)
__________________ Luanne Ford
"Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of someone else.� Judy Garland
And stamping is good Physical Therapy. I broke my left ankle and right wrist in a horse accident in April. I couldn't do much at all for about a month. I needed 4 graduation cards and a wedding card though. I found I could stamp left handed and run the Big Shot. I could not color, tie a bow or even a knot and even sponging edges was hard but I was NOT going to break down and buy cards when I have THOUSANDS of dollars in stamping stuff sitting there. So they were pretty plain, mono-chromatic cards. And my DH thought good therapy when I could finally use my right hand a little. So everytime I was stamping he said it was therapy. I will not argue with that. Oh and a wedding card I made my niece ended up getting it's own closeup and on the wedding album on facebook. No other card had that honor. What really sucked was being off work for 5 weeks and only being able to stamp, limited stamping for a week. Think of all the time that was wasted! (and my DH having to burn 4 weeks vacation to take care of me!)
Betty, what an inspiring story ... so appreciated it!
__________________ If you don't want your tax dollars to help the poor, then stop saying you want a country based on Christian values, because you don't. ~ Jimmy Carter
When I was working I gave packets of cards as birthday gifts to my friends at work and one lady said she had to think long and hard to decide if the recipient of the card she was going to send was "Karen worthy", she wasn't going to send my cards to just anyone.
I also got a huge thrill the other day when I gave a card to a friend and after she read the message, she turned it over and it had my name on the back. She was really impressed!
And one more thing, the day I retired, the local Hallmark store closed. My daughter said they must have found out I was retiring and would be devoting myself to cardmaking.
Many years ago, when I was still working, I used to make miniature cards for some of the employees for their birthdays- these were people I has known for a long time. My last year there I decided I was going to make a mini-card
for EVERYONE, so every week I would make about 8 cards a weeks and put them in with their paychecks every other week. This was roughly 350-400 cards in that one year. As I was the payroll clerk I had no problem slipping them in the envelopes and I had access to their birthdates for insurance and benefit purposes.
Several people told me that they had FRAMED :shock: the cards!! One woman came in and had tears in her eyes- this was the first birthday card she had ever received.
And they thought I was doing something special for them - hey, I was having fun making them .
I really save my MIL money because she said she will not buy another card since mine are so beautiful, lol. She just puts money in plain envelopes for everyone. ha ha ha.
And don't you think, then, that for the folk who don't appreciate our cards or don't 'get it' as far as time and materials to say nothing of the love and creative spirit ... for those folk: so what? we'll send our packets of love elsewhere. I have a stash of Hallmark & Shoebox cards for my friends and family who don't get it. No hard feelings, but I'm not spending my time making a card for someone who will see it as a cheap way to give a card.
My favorite 'I get it' story: My dad (now passed away) sent me a BD card, store bought of course, but one of the first 'looks like handmade' types. Inside, along with his good wishes, he added 'look, I can stamp, too!' He was so tickled and proud of his find, and I was so touched.
__________________ If you don't want your tax dollars to help the poor, then stop saying you want a country based on Christian values, because you don't. ~ Jimmy Carter
Last edited by jeaniebean55; 09-11-2010 at 02:54 AM..
I have loved reading all these responses and knowing that I am not the only one buying way too many supplies (but loving every minute of it). I spend a lot of time with each card and also with the words on them. I keep a small notebook with saying ideas that I read in books and magazines. I do enjoy hearing positive responses but the most enjoyment comes from the work I put into them. If you are selling cards there is no way you could charge for the time put into them. Those who don't craft would never understand.
Other than my insane crafting obsession, I am a thrifty person. I can't think about the cost of the finished product vs what I could buy it for. I consider this my recreation, the physical items that result are just a byproduct that my husband's golf or fantasy football doesn't have. BUT that being said, I think sending a handmade card to each of my child's teacher to start the year off has an effect that a storebought notecard would not - people (other women especially) have feelings about quality items made for them that they do not about things that are purchased.
__________________ Kelly "Pray,hope, & don't worry"~Padre Pio
I have a daughter that is a Special-Ed teacher and another that is a Principal. They don't get many handmade cards or gifts but their aides and teachers do. I love making the items for them to give and like you say it is enjoyment as well as therapy. My husband is a golfer and plays a lot all summer and I don't mind at all because I have plenty of "things" to keep me busy. This keeps us both happy. We spend the winter in Florida and the only thing that keeps me from being homesick is taking tons of card making supplies.
Other than my insane crafting obsession, I am a thrifty person. I can't think about the cost of the finished product vs what I could buy it for. I consider this my recreation, the physical items that result are just a byproduct that my husband's golf or fantasy football doesn't have. BUT that being said, I think sending a handmade card to each of my child's teacher to start the year off has an effect that a storebought notecard would not - people (other women especially) have feelings about quality items made for them that they do not about things that are purchased.
That's a great way of thinking about it - I compare my crafting to my hubby's hunting (do you have any idea what a coon hunting light thingie costs?!) and golfing. But maybe we should think about the value of the finished product instead - something made with your own two hands out of love and your own creativity is PRICELESS.
That's a great way of thinking about it - I compare my crafting to my hubby's hunting (do you have any idea what a coon hunting light thingie costs?!) and golfing. But maybe we should think about the value of the finished product instead - something made with your own two hands out of love and your own creativity is PRICELESS.
meeyore151~
thanks for that validation you are absolutely right!! i do scrapbooking too and i feel that i would have given almost anything if there had been scrapbooks from my grandparents/parents generations to hold in my hands now! the things we create for those we love cannot be valued the same way as storebought cards etc.
kelly
__________________ Kelly "Pray,hope, & don't worry"~Padre Pio
Many years ago, when I was still working, I used to make miniature cards for some of the employees for their birthdays- these were people I has known for a long time. My last year there I decided I was going to make a mini-card
for EVERYONE, so every week I would make about 8 cards a weeks and put them in with their paychecks every other week. This was roughly 350-400 cards in that one year. As I was the payroll clerk I had no problem slipping them in the envelopes and I had access to their birthdates for insurance and benefit purposes.
Several people told me that they had FRAMED :shock: the cards!! One woman came in and had tears in her eyes- this was the first birthday card she had ever received.
And they thought I was doing something special for them - hey, I was having fun making them .
This brought tears to my eyes, thanks for sharing. You just never know how your efforts will touch someone and this story has inspired me to start sending out more of my cards instead of making them and storing them in a drawer :rolleyes:
__________________ -- Bridget
Everyone smiles in the same language!
Many years ago, when I was still working, I used to make miniature cards for some of the employees for their birthdays- these were people I has known for a long time. My last year there I decided I was going to make a mini-card
for EVERYONE, so every week I would make about 8 cards a weeks and put them in with their paychecks every other week. This was roughly 350-400 cards in that one year. As I was the payroll clerk I had no problem slipping them in the envelopes and I had access to their birthdates for insurance and benefit purposes.
Several people told me that they had FRAMED :shock: the cards!! One woman came in and had tears in her eyes- this was the first birthday card she had ever received.
And they thought I was doing something special for them - hey, I was having fun making them .
How sweet! I'm terrible about actually sending my cards, but you've inspired me to make more of an effort. How very nice of you!
When I originally got into card making I talked my husband into it by telling him how much money it would save us on buying cards, since we were living overseas at the time. LOL. Now I have so much stuff that I need it insured! He never saw it coming. ha ha...
- hey, I was having fun making them
