A Resolution Of A Different Kind

They say necessity is the mother of invention and my resolution for 2016 is just that. As I mentioned over the summer my husband and I moved into a small condominium. While we love our condo and the flexibility it allows, we find that space is limited and we need to get very creative with storage. 

It occurred to me that I could empty several shelves in our guest/craft room closet, open up some floor space, and space under the bed if I started using up some of the fabric, batting, and yarn that is stored throughout the room. I began cutting up scraps of cotton into 5.25" squares and piecing the ones that seemed to go well together. Then using the batting I've collected and purchased fabric for the backing I began creating quilts for children. 

To date I have completed 8 children's quilts with enough fabric and batting to make as many more! These quilts are a labor of love. As I make each one I try to image the child who may be the recipient. Also, it's a way for me to give back or pay it forward, whichever way you look at it. Others have helped me when I needed it, and still support me today by being loyal customers and promoters of Cruisin' Creations. This is a way I can pay it forward and help others in need.

The yarn I've collected is used to tuft the quilts and create hats and scarves. Recently 15 hats and 10 scarves have been donated. Our local City Mission has been the recipient of these items. City Mission has been an organization near and dear to my heart for a long time so I like to help them out whenever I can.

My resolution for 2016 is to work toward making this world a better place by sharing my time and talents with others. At this point it is through the creation of hats, scarves, and quilts. Not sure how that will morph as the year rolls on.

 I challenge you to make a resolution of a different kind in 2016 as well. What talents do you have that you can share with others? What is it that you can do to make this world a better place? Volunteer? Make something? Donate to a charity? Hold a door open for someone? Pray?

Yes, we can all make the same resolutions to lose weight, exercise more, be nicer, be more organized, etc. but how successful are we with those resolutions. Perhaps a resolution where we each do something to make the world a better place is one we will keep for a longer period of time.

Please keep me posted on what you are able to do for others. Wouldn't it be great to keep a list so that we can focus on the good happening in the world rather than the bad?

Here are a couple of the quilts I've made so far. Do you think the children will like them?

Free Shipping

Are you looking for something unique to spend your Christmas money on? Your money will go farther at Cruisin' Creations because we are offering free shipping throughout the month of January. And you already know how much fun it is to wear a Cruisin' Creation! Stop by and purchase something today...www.cruisincreations.etsy.com

New Offerings

Cruisin' Creations flowers for the hair are popular among young girls as well as adults so we are now offering these flowers as sets. Purchase pink, yellow, royal, and garnet hair clips in sets of two for only $5.00! Other colors and options are also available.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/261739331/hair-clips-pink-flower-hair-clips-pink?ref=shop_home_active_5

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/261744831/hair-clip-set-hair-clips-yellow-flower?ref=shop_home_active_4

https://www.etsy.com/listing/261848286/hair-clip-set-hair-clips-royal-blue-hair?ref=shop_home_active_1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/261748084/hair-clip-garnet-hair-clip-sets-flower?ref=shop_home_active_9

View all of the flowers that are available at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CruisinCreations?section_id=15407946&ref=shopsection_leftnav_5

Upcoming Events

We are working on our 2016 craft show schedule and will keep you up to date as events are added.

Until Next Time...

Diane

An Honor And A Privilege

There are those moments in life when we are called upon to do something very special for someone else and we accept. Those calls always make us feel warm inside; they give us a purpose. Recently I received such a call.

A few weeks ago Patti called to ask if I would like her deceased mother's yarn stash. Patti had gotten my name from the Shaker Heritage Society Christmas Craft Fair. After several texts back and forth we finally agreed upon a date, time, and meeting place that worked for both of us.

The yarn was well cared for and although it would not work for my current designs I knew it would be perfect for the hats and scarves I make and donate to charity. Patti was tearful as she parted with the yarn. It was a part of her mom, represented who she was, so parting with it was like parting with her mother again. She knew that her mother's yarn would go to a good cause and that brought her some comfort.

After agreeing on the yarn Patti asked if I would make a piece for her and her sister to remember their mother by. She chose 2 yarns and a simple style that would be fairly easy to make up. As I was creating these special scarves all I could think of was that they would be just like a hug from their mom each time the sisters wear their scarves around their necks.

Recently Patti met me to receive the scarves. She was so pleased with the result and was tearful as she tried each one on. After losing both parents and having difficulty parting with many special things I know how hard it was for Patti to part with her mother's yarn, but now she has the best of both worlds. She is no longer storing all of the yarn in her garage, and has a scarf made from her mother's yarn.

Aren't they bright and cheerful?

The older I get the more I realize that life is not about money and things. It is about memories, those special moments we share with the special people in our lives. We carry those special memories with us forever. It is my hope that these scarves will bring Patti and her sister some comfort and help them remember all the wonderful moments they had with their mom.

Thank you, Patti, for the honor of entrusting me with your mother's yarn and the privilege of creating these special pieces for you and your sister.

Where Can I Get A Cruisin' Creation?

While our craft show season is over we are still displaying at the Shaker Heritage Society Craft Fair, 25 Meeting House Road, Albany, NY. This show ends December 19. 

We, also, are always available online at www.cruisincreations.etsy.com.

It's not too late to order a Cruisin' Creation and get it in time for Christmas if you ship Priority mail. Priority orders will be guaranteed until December 19, 2015. We will not guarantee ground shipping or international shipping at this time.

What are our most popular items this year? The 23" and 32" necklet! Versatile pieces that fit all age groups. Wear them as a necklace, ID tag lanyard, attach your favorite pendant to the double split ring, or wear it as a wrap bracelet! View our entire line of necklets at https://www.etsy.com/shop/CruisinCreations?section_id=15485945&ref=shopsection_leftnav_3

https://www.etsy.com/listing/190464342/teal-blue-knitted-beaded-necklace?ref=shop_home_active_23

https://www.etsy.com/listing/190479505/olive-green-necklace-green-knitted-wrap?ref=shop_home_active_4

https://www.etsy.com/listing/190469560/rainbow-necklet-necklace-wrap-bracelet?ref=shop_home_active_8

https://www.etsy.com/listing/190484397/handmade-seafoam-beaded-necklet-knitted?ref=shop_home_active_19

Watch our Upcoming Events section as we add new events for 2016!

We hope you are able to take a moment out of the hustle and bustle to enjoy the last few days of this Christmas season.

Until Next Time...

Diane

A Thanksgiving To Remember

As I sit at my computer this morning deciding on what to write about I can't stop thinking about the very memorable and heartwarming Thanksgiving we had. While many of the players in this event were the same, I was missing some who have not been with us for a very long time. That melancholy went away as the day progressed and new players were added. Overall, Thanksgiving 2015 was a Thanksgiving to remember.

Our daughter and her boyfriend arrived on Wednesday night. We had a very nice visit until we were all unable to keep our eyes open any longer and turned in for the night. The next morning we enjoyed a delicious breakfast prepared by our daughter, watched the Macy's parade, and prepped for Thanksgiving dinner.

Our son and daughter-in-law arrived early for dinner which we were very happy about because this gave them time to get to know our daughter's boyfriend the other guests around. All I did for most of that time was sit back and observe the dynamics of the 4 of them. All seemed to get along very well.

My mother-in-law and brother-in-law were the last to arrive although they also arrived early. Everyone's clock must have been set ahead that day. We did not mind and again enjoyed the different personalities melding together as we visited, shared a delicious meal, and thanked God for all of our blessings.

We went to sleep that night with happy hearts and slept very soundly. It was a very good day!

Holiday Offerings

Red is the color of Christmas so what better gift to give than a red accessory from Cruisin' Creations? Choose from winter scarves, waterfall scarves, necklets, bracelets, and eyeglass holders. Click on the links to choose from a wide variety of colors and styles!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CruisinCreations?section_id=14094484&ref=shopsection_leftnav_4

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CruisinCreations?section_id=11483027&ref=shopsection_leftnav_6

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CruisinCreations?section_id=15485945&ref=shopsection_leftnav_3

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CruisinCreations?section_id=13447590&ref=shopsection_leftnav_8

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CruisinCreations?section_id=13304670&ref=shopsection_leftnav_7

Shipping Deadline

Our international guaranteed shipping date has passed (December 1); however, our domestic shipping deadline is still in effect. Place your orders at www.cruisincreations.etsy.com by December 12 to receive them in time for Christmas using regular domestic ground shipping. It is recommended that Priority shipping be used after that date. 

Upcoming Events

We have one more show for 2015. December 5 we will be at Hamagrael Elementary School, 1 McGuffrey Lane, Delmar, NY. We will be there from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Stop by!

Can't make the show? Don't fret! You can still order your Cruisin' Creations at www.crusincreations.etsy.com.

Until Next Time...

Diane