Giving Tree giving me ulcer
The first year I carefully hand crafted the cards in felt, furry fabric for angel's wings, gold trim for halos, fiber filled the stockings to give them 3-D apperance, glittered or hand sewed on sequings and seed beads for added panache. Each card was shaped to fit the design and all the writing inside; names, etc was done by hand in caligraphy. I must admit they were adorable, but there were only 50 to do. All I heard was "How lovely, are there more?" People were keeping the cards for themselves and just scribbling some card to attach to the present for the kids. So next year I made 80, most the same patterns and materials but glue taking over the hand stitching, good by seed beads, you are too tiny. I decided computer font was fine caligraphy but that meant running card stock through the computer......moving it from the wall to get to the back port. ICKY dust bunnies. All I heard was, "How lovely, are their more?" A few less cards were kept. The next year I had 115 cards to do. The felt designs became less detailed, glue became more prevalent. Printer now using regular paper but now having trouble with glue crinkling the paper. Plus I was having trouble getting all the inserts cut squarely even with a paper cutter. Fewer "How lovelies" and no cards were being kept. The next year I had 130 cards to do. I discovered Costco and their gift tags! Ah ha! Cute designs, large enough so they got glued onto felt for the cards. Paper inserts: names or codes (for people in domestic abuse shelters) and gift requests still not lining up properly, but I care less. This year.......Costco tags, not really caring the glue doesn't adhere well to felt with metal flakes, sequins and metal trim non existent, only 2 hand cut felt designs...just for practice, and frankly the paper edges still give me grief. When I ran out I started using really ugly foam holiday cutouts. No amount of glitter makes an ugly foam design look good. I hate the way Elmer's glue wrinkles thin paper ndd noticed some card stock not very hefty....must have run out. I could care. 160 cards and frankly I don't care if they aren't cute, I just want them DONE before Sunday........now I need to scrape the Elmer's glue off my hands, pick up all the paper cutter shreds from the floor, yell at Jack for knocking over my card stand...again..and go get some ribbon or chenille sticks for the *&^%$! hangers. |
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Oh Susan....  You poor thing!!  I'm at work, having a med reaction were I feel like red fire ants are eating my palms and soles of my feet....you just made my day!!   I'm sure I'll be properly remorseful once the benedryl Todd bought and brought to me kicks in...either that or I'll be sleeping...  |
| susan, ya feel any better now???? i hope, very nice of you to do that. |
| yikes dawn, red fire ants???????? hope the benadryl has kicked in.  |
Hmmmm Sounds like it just about time to bestow this great honor on the next unsuspecting victim  I'm sure many people appreciate the effort you do put into in   |
| That is a lot of work especially if the cards weren't going to the people they were suppose to. I can fully understand how every year it got to be more stress on you and laughed how it got pared down. It is time to pass it on. They had probably been thru it and figured you wouldn't know what you were getting into. |
got sheep wrote: Oh Susan.... You poor thing!! I'm at work, having a med reaction were I feel like red fire ants are eating my palms and soles of my feet....you just made my day!! I'm sure I'll be properly remorseful once the benedryl Todd bought and brought to me kicks in...either that or I'll be sleeping... I had the same thing when down by my daughter in October, only mine had little blisters that broke and my hands and feet were cracking and itching and the skin was peeling. Finally went to the dr. and she figures it's a type of eczema that's caused by stress. The symptoms sound right but I've got a lot less stress in my life than I've had in years past and never had this before. Finally after some very strong salve and a fortune in cortizone and fungal creams I seem to be getting better. My feet are really peeling and the skin feels like plastic or paper as it peels off. |
| It was fine when smaller but I'm now up to 165 in the last few hours, "do you think we can do some more for..........." 60 is was fine. FORTUNATELY I have some ornaments from Oriental Traders that can be sewn onto felt and still have some ugly foam or a few Costco tags. It's just my numbering system is all fouled up now. Having to fill in with A and B.......sigh. If I didn't have to run out and make a delivery and attend a meeting at 5:30, I'd pour a few......well, just one...big one. People have offered to help but I haven't found a way or time for all to get together.........my fault, i guess. But then I'd have to transfer all this crap around me. As it is everything is an arm, chair twirl, or step away........ As for the rash..........be grateful it isn't shingles........  At least we hope it isn't!!! Time of year for strees. |
| I'm sorry, but.... AAAAAAAAAAHAHAHahahahahahhaahahaaaaa! What a great story you write! This is a perfect example and description of something going from a labor of love to an onerous task. Thank you for sharing the story and I really do feel for you and your situation! |
| What is that expression? No good deed goes unpunished? The older I get, the more true that seems. Having said that, thank heavens for people like you who do these kinds of things that enrich so many lives. |
| I say next year invite 3 or 4 people over to you house for 1 day of card making and finish it off with a nice glass of wine to celebrate! |
| I've thought of that too. But help with what? There's a bunch of steps. As it was going through them to put on hangers I found several cards which were done backwards. Forget upside down, people can turn them over, but at least 2 needed to be redone. Something about mind going numb with repetitive activity? Still, it is worth thinking about. Everything is done except for some record keeping paper work.........and vacuuming up a thousand bits of paper. Had to ask DH for help at end or get a nuclear powered paper punch for next year. Going through paper, felt and cloth with a hand punch seriously bruised my hand. I'd take photo of results for y'all but I'm not emptying that box until Sunday morning! I don't want to look at them again. After Sunday my end is over. Then it is up to my co chair to get them back and delivered!! Last year she organized the teenagers to deliver the gifts! It is good for them to see how others live. I remember when DH and I delivered gifts, it was an eye opener even for me! One family lived in a garage! Several kids will receive their gifts at school this year because they never know from day to day where they will be living: motel, with friends or shelter. It is still an honor to be asked and I'm happy to do it........except while I'm doing it, |
| I agree with that statement "Thank heavens for people like you". |
That cheered me up. Oops I mean, sorry for your misfortune  I simply wouldn't have the patience for all that.Dawn, I hope your ants get sorted  |
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