I know, it's been awhile since my last post. For those of you who don't know, since Sharon's passing I technically do not work for the store. However, I felt keeping the blog going was something I could do to help out the family. I had no inside knowledge of what Mark and the girls decided or planned for the store. Several months ago I spoke to Lori who was still working at the store and I knew of her wish to buy the store from the family. Information and updates since then were few and far between until yesterday. 

Here is the message Jessica, Kaitlin and Mark posted to Facebook.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting not only this business, but our family, for so many years. We will never forget it.

After reading this post I stopped into the store this afternoon to see Lori and say hello and see if I could get an update on the re-opening. Apparently, there are several challenges to navigate before a definite opening can be scheduled. Please keep in mind that even after all the paperwork is signed and made official there may be a period of time that will be needed for ordering and restocking.

I know this has been a difficult time for the family, especially for Mark but I believe it's a necessary and important step in the grieving and healing process. I echo Jessica's words above about the 'store family' being so supportive and loving through this difficult transition. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I know Sharon would have wanted the store to go on and I believe Lori is poised make it happen. BSS will be the same but different and that's how it should be. No one can replace Sharon but we can continue to support her vision, her kindness, her talent and her love for this art we all love so much.

I hope to be able to post Lori's journey as she makes this transition and to help her how ever best I can. Sharon will always be in our hearts and memories and I know we will always think of her with each card, scrapbook page and paper project we create but it's time for a new chapter and I truly believe it is what she would want for us all.

Hope to see you all soon, DM

   

 First, my condolences to the Bills Mafia… What a game, what a game.

The store will be CLOSED  Monday, January 19, AND Tuesday, January 20 due to inclement weather. The store will re-open Thursday and Saturday of this week, regular hours apply. If the weather is a question, please call before you come. The store discount will be 60% on regular stock and 30% on machines. Regular exclusions will apply.

Next up is a message from Jessica and the girls: 

Adalyn and Brianna are raising money once again for the Kids Heart Challenge in support of the American Heart Association, in loving memory of their late grandmother, who passed away in January of last year. This cause is very close to their hearts, and honoring her means so much to them. With the incredible love and generosity of friends and family, they were proud to be top fundraisers at their school last year. This year, they’ve set their goals even higher and are excited to see how far they can go. We know their grandmother is so proud of them, cheering them on and watching over them as they work hard to make a difference. Thank you to everyone who supports, donates, and encourages them along the way—it truly means the world.

If you’re like me, you are planning your Valentine’s Day cards. I know Lori has pulled all our valentines paper, stamps, dies, and stencils and placed them at the front of the store. Personally, I’m also trying to create a Chinese New Year’s card for our other Chinese daughter and her family. Several years ago, I bought Mama Elephant’s lion dance stamp set, and I’ve been having fun coloring the lion images.

Stay warm everybody enjoy this weather that is perfect for crafting and card making and we’ll see the bills next year in their brand. New stadium. Perfect place to hold next year’s Super Bowl winner, the Buffalo Bills!

   

Save 50% off in store this week, and 20% off machines!

It's a new dawn, a new day, and a new year to paraphrase the song. This is the sale post on Facebook this morning so I thought I'd pass it along.

We had a fun, family filled holiday in my house with a few blips... My daughter, home for Christmas week, had what we thought was a simple cold until it morphed into gastritis and we spent the day after Christmas waiting 6 hours in the emergency room to find out she had the nasty new flu that's been going around. With meds and hydration she was able to travel back to NYC so she could leave for Rome for New Year's! What a life!

She may have passed it on to me because I had some kind of stomach distress all New Year's Eve day and night, not fun, not fun at all...

Safely into the first full week of the New Year I'm making more lists, checking them twice, three times and watching a LOT of football.  I have Chinese New Year's cards to make for our "other" Chinese daughter and our new, honorary grand baby, Luca. We're hoping to arrange a trip to New England later this year to visit. 

I received Volume 1 and Volume 2 of Sara Renae Clarks Color Cubes. Matter of fact I received two sets due to miscommunication between by husband and my daughter. I need to double check with Lex because she said something about the site not having a return option. If they don't, I have a second set I'd be willing to sell. I'll let you know. You can always email, text or DM me if you are interested.

Like I said there's been a lot of football in our house. All three of our teams won on Sunday, the Browns, the Bills and the Patriots. I know it's a conflict of interest Pats/Bills - but it is what it is. We'll let the playoffs sort it all out. 

Lastly, I know how hard both Lori and Janet have been working at the store. As we approach the one year anniversary of Sharon's passing, future plans for the store are still up in the air. I can't help but admire how determined and thoughtful Lori espcially has been in keeping Sharon's dream alive. I'm hoping for some new, good news as we start the new year. Please help us keep the dream alive and continue to support the store as these decisions and plans evolve. 

For now I wish you all a happy, healthy and crafty new year.  GO BILLS!

   

 A quick post listing the hours the store will be open this weekend and Christmas week.

Saturday, December 20th 10-3

Monday, December 21st 10-3

Tuesday, December 22nd CLOSED

Wednesday, December 23rd CLOSED

Thursday, December 24th CLOSED

Friday, December 25th CLOSED

Saturday, December 27th 10-3

Shop in-store and receive 50% off your entire purchase (regular exclusions apply).

Save 25% off all machines! (in-stock items only, while supplies last)

I'd like to wish you all a joyous holiday season. Everyone stay safe and sending my sincere wishes for a joyous holiday and a happy new year. DM

   

 I've been MIA but not AWOL the past month or so but I'm back for the holiday season. First off a huge thank you to everyone who visited the store on Small Business Saturday Thanksgiving weekend. Lori and Janet have been working very hard keeping up with, maintaining the store, and preparing for the new year and the store's future. We've always had big sales at the end of the year as we get ready for inventory. To that end we are having our biggest sale yet.

Starting tomorrow, until the end of the year, all items will be 50% off! Valid in-store only and for in-stock items. Regular exclusions apply.

Save 20% off on in-stock machines, too! 

I hadn't been in the store for quite a while until last Saturday. In early November my husband, daughter and I traveled to Spain for week. My daughter is now our CLO - Chief Logistical Officer. In other words I've given up travel and trip planning completely to Alexa's superior skills. We spent several days in Seville, a lovely 'old style' city and then we traveled to Barcelona, a more cosmopolitan city for the remainder of our visit. A couple of observations; Seville had a definite old world feel and a slower pace. Prepare to eat dinner AFTER 8:30pm in Spain. Many restaurants don't open til after 8-8:30, and Iberian Ham is AWESOME! I think I had this delicious, fine shaved ham at every meal I ate, especially with pan tomato (bread with tomato) except breakfast. 

We didn't have a bad meal the entire trip. There was also an attraction in Seville called Setas de Seville. A metal installation that looked like a grid combination of waves and mushrooms. You could walk on top of the Setas and at night it was lit up with rotating colored lights, absolutely gorgeous!

In Barcelona the Sagrada Familia Cathedral is a must see experience. 

Park Guell is also a highlight but be prepared to walk up hill! It was our first visit to Seville and our second to Barcelona and Alexa's third. In Barcelona went to a private home and made paella! We were a group of about 12 people from all over, Orlando, California, Houston and Australia!

As soon as we came home we both got sick which kept me away from the store and Thanksgiving followed quickly. Next came my Christmas cards which were way more time consuming than I anticipated. Finally, decorating the house and putting up our tree, whew!! 

I hoped you enjoyed my little travelogue. I hope the ladies will see you at the store too. I'll be back now and again with more updates as we head toward Christmas and the new year. Stay Safe everyone and GO BILLS!