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 2020 was a year of challenges and a time to try new things. People did more cooking at home including baking bread. Not a bag of flour nor a package of yeast could be found for weeks. We felt like we had won the lottery when we found either. And we all know the toilet paper situation.

Cruisin' Creations tried some new things as well. New basket bases were used, new basket designs were created, and new charms were used in our ornaments.

One thing we tried that was very popular was free shipping. Because of the popularity of our free shipping trial we have decided to offer free shipping on all orders of $35.00 or more in our Etsy shop.

It doesn't matter whether you purchase one basket worth $35.00 or more, or any combination of baskets, basket supplies, ornaments, jewelry display covers, and face masks. If your order totals $35.00 or more it will ship for free.

So do a little virtual shopping in our Etsy shop to pick up: 

~ one of a kind gifts

~ one of a kind items to enhance your decor

~ display covers for your jewelry displays

~ pine needle basket supplies to make your own one of a kind pine needle designs

~ cloth face masks to add to your collection

Where can you find all of these things? cruisincreations.etsy.com 

Check back often as new items are added frequently. 

What's New?

Here are a few new pieces we've been working on!

You'll find these baskets and more at cruisincreations.etsy.com

Santa Snacks Update

As many of you know, Santa sells his delicious gourmet seasoned pretzels at many of the same events that I am at. Over the years you've enjoyed his cinnamon- sugar (Prancer's Pieces), garlic-dill (Blitzen's Bits) and Southwest (Rudolph's Red) pretzels. Did you know that Santa has a new flavor for 2021? He's developed his own version of Honey-Mustard (Comet's Crunch). It is wonderful! Look for Santa at the booth next to Cruisin' Creations at our events.

Upcoming Events

We are working on our events schedule and are hoping to see many of you in 2021. You can keep up with our events schedule by checking the upcoming events section on the right side of our blog.

Current scheduled events are:

July 16 - 18 - Northville Rotary, Northville NY

August 12 - Speculator, NY 

You can also shop local at The Schenectady Trading Company, 609 Union St, Schenectady, NY or visit our website, cruisincreations.etsy.com

Until Next Time ...

Diane

Your Help Supports Those In Need

Each year, Cruisin' Creations selects a local charity to donate a portion of its sales to. In 2020, your purchases helped support The Quest For Grace Foundation. The Quest for Grace Foundation has provided clothing, and other items to foster children in the Capital Region. 

As we begin 2021, we continue to help those in need. This year, we will be donating a portion of our sales to the Albany Housing Coalition, Inc. The Albany Housing Coalition provides housing and supportive services to more than 100 homeless veterans in the Capital District.

 

We wish you and yours a happy, safe and rewarding 2021. We hope to see you soon!

Until Next Time...

Diane

Giving Back To The Quest for Grace

Each year Cruisin' Creations selects an organization to sponsor. Throughout the year a portion of sales is set aside for the chosen organization. In December of each year a donation is made to the organization based on annual sales. 

The organizations that we select are local and serve a population that needs much support. The mission of The Quest for Grace struck a chord with us; we knew that it was the perfect organization to sponsor in 2020.

From their website:

"Since 2005, The Quest for Grace Foundation has provided clothing, and other items to foster children in the Capital Region. The Foundation operates solely on donations and good will. Every item is free and nothing is sold.

Founded on the premise that "every child is a gift," we seek to make a positive difference in the lives of these children. We hope that our efforts help lighten the burden of neglect, indifference and abuse and let foster children know that someone cares for them."

While they are unable to accept tangible goods this year, and their fundraising events have been greatly curtailed, monetary donations are always appreciated.

You can learn more about this worthy organization at http://www.questforgrace.com/about-us/

Won't you consider making a donation to The Quest for Grace? Any amount is appreciated.

Until Next Time...

Diane

Suffering From Craft Show Withdrawal?

Are you a self described craft show junkie? Are you suffering from withdrawal because most craft shows have been canceled for 2020? 

There is a solution!

Craft shows have gone virtual. Imagine shopping from the comfort of your own home, not having to battle crowds or jockey for position at a booth. You won't have to worry about social distancing, mask wearing, hand sanitizing, air purifying. Sounds heavenly, doesn't it? An added bonus in shopping these virtual shows is that you are purchasing some very special gifts while supporting small businesses who have been hit very hard this year because their main sources of income have been canceled.

Cruisin' Creations and many other very talented artists are participating in the following virtual shows. Please visit by copying and pasting the web address into your web browser.

~ The SUNY Oneonta Virtual Craft Show 2020 from Oct 2 - Oct 23 at https://www.facebook.com/events/1101440323522978/?active_tab=discussion                                      

~ 45th Saratoga Springs Virtual Holiday Marketplace Craft Show from Nov 14 - Nov 28 at http://saratogacraft.org

~ Of course, Cruisin' Creations is always open at cruisincreations.etsy.com and Facebook.com/cruisincreations12!                                                                

I know, it's not the same as visiting a show and touching the merchandise; however, there are a couple of options for you do just that as well!

~ Vine & Branches Gallery, 441 Main St, Bennington, VT 05201 Open Tues - Sat 11:00 am - 6:00 pm, over 40 artists display their wares in this adorable little gift shop.

~ The Shaker Heritage Society Holiday Market, 25 Meeting House Rd, Albany, NY 12211 Open Wed - Sat 11:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sun 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm, 80 artists have their handcrafted designs available for purchase. The Holiday Market is open from Oct 7 - Dec 19.

Here's a sampling of what can be found at Vine & Branches Gallery, The Shaker Heritage Society, and our Etsy shop.

Choose from our Adirondack Series of birch bark baskets, wildlife baskets, walnut slice baskets, fluid art baskets, seaside baskets, and ornaments with pineapples, pigs, patriotic images, flip flops, and many more. Key rings are available at Vine and Branches Gallery and The Shaker Heritage Society. Please message me if you would like a key ring shipped to you.

While not the same shopping experience you can still shop your favorite artists and pick up some very special gifts for your loved ones as well as yourself.

Until Next Time...

Diane

Making The Best Of It

While others have bemoaned the order to shelter in place, I have reveled in it. Why? Because I have so many craft projects to work on and now I have the time to do them without distraction. That's like heaven for a crafter like me!

What have I been working on?

- Masks for protection

- Hats for those in need

- A counted cross stitch piece I haven't touched in decades.

- And, naturally, pine needle baskets. These and many others are available for sale.

Measuring 4.5 x 1.5 inches the swirls remind me of the swan's feet moving beneath the water line.
$30.00

Stitched with lavender variegated nylon thread.
Measures 7 x 6.5 x 1.5 inches
$45.00

Measuring 6.5 x 1.5 inches the black and white glass seed beads give the illusion of music swirling around you.
$40.00

Measuring 5.5 x 1 inch it's perfect for mom!
The swirls simulate rose petals.
$30.00

Perfect for bread, fruit, or vegetables! Or just for display!
9 x 8 x 2.5 inches
$70.00

This base was an Easter gift from my husband.
Measuring 9 x 2 inches the glass seed beads and nylon thread bring out the many shades of gold and brown in the base.
$75.00

These are just a few of the any pine needle baskets are being handcrafted daily! Watch for new additions to be posted on our Facebook page - facebook.com/cruisincreations12

Please share what have you been doing.

Upcoming Events

While craft show participation is uncertain for this year, you can still purchase unusual gifts for your loved ones. Simply check out our Facebook page - facebook.com/cruisincreations12 to view the many baskets we have available for sale. Then simply message me on Facebook of email me at dbabin731@gmail.com.

Until Next Time...

Diane

The Pause

We can't help thinking of this Easter Sunday as, "The Pause." We are pausing from the hustle and bustle of the season. There was no shopping for a new outfit. No shopping for a big meal. No shopping for gifts to fill Easter baskets. No decorating the house. No elaborate preparations. No hustle and bustle of getting the house ready for a big crowd.

Instead, we paused. We relaxed and reflected. We prayed. We sorted out all of the clutter to realize what is really important in our lives. We reached out to others in the only ways we could - phone, email, social media. We realized how much we need others. 

We wish you a blessed and holy Easter Sunday.

May we live a new, more considerate life once this is all over.

Until Next Time...

Diane

Obsession

Obsession can be a dangerous activity. It can rob the soul while cluttering the mind.

Many year ago my doctor gave me a diagnosis of carpel tunnel syndrome. I was doing an over abundance of hand sewing and was experiencing much pain and some numbness in my hand and wrist. Classic signs. I found myself obsessing over this condition which only made it worse.

Each time I would pick up a needle I would think about the proper way to hold the needle, the need to push it through the fabric with little force so as not to cause pain. What actually happened. I experienced more pain than I would have felt if I hadn't thought about any of it at all.

At that time TV watching while crafting was a nightly activity in our home. We had our favorite shows, but there were nights where we channel surfed until we found something interesting. One night we caught a show where Dr. John E. Sarno, MD was speaking. He had written a book, Healing Back Pain, The Mind-Body Connection, which I found interesting. I thought perhaps this book could help me with my wrist pain.

I purchased the book and felt relief within the first few pages. Why? The basic message of this book is, if you focus on or obsess about pain you are going to continually feel that pain. Focusing on other things rather than the pain will help the pain go away. This is an over simplified explanation, but one that works for me. I stopped reminding myself of the proper way to hold a needle, cut with a pair of scissors, lift something, etc and began focusing on other things and the pain did go away. Did I still feel pain. Occasionally. When I did feel it, I acknowledged it and forgot about it.

This book's philosophy is why I am now able to put my hands through the grueling task of making pine needle baskets. Making baskets puts a lot of stress on the hands. By not obsessing about the pain I am able to move past it and create works of art.

While Dr. Sarno focuses on back pain, I believe this book's premise can help those suffering from a wide range of chronic issues including social, emotional, and physical pain. This book doesn't remove the condition it simply changes the response to the condition providing a better quality of life.

What's New?

January through June is inventory building time. That inventory includes supplies as well as baskets. I've found a few new basket base suppliers who have provided me with some awesome bases. I've collected bases from a few whose work is consistent and enjoyable to look at. And, I'm experimenting with some new ideas of my own for bases and embellishment. Below are a few photos of baskets that will appear at shows beginning in July. Which ones do you like the best?

Eleven black walnut slices make up this unique basket.
While a beautiful display piece because it has been sealed with polyurethane
it can also be used for any of your basket needs.
Measuring 10.5 x 9.25 x 2.25 inches, $85.00.

A simple piece of wood and a leaf sticker combine to create this adorable little basket.
Burnt orange and gold thread bring out the colors in the leaf. Measuring 5.75 x 5 x .75 inches, $30.00

Always a favorite! Gear buttons, pine needles, and nylon thread were used to create another fun basket.
Measuring 8.5 x 2 inches, $55.00

My daughter has a great eye for picking out items to use for basket bases and this one is proof of that.
Measuring 3.5 x 1 inch it is the perfect basket for holding jewelry, loose change, keys, etc. $25.00

Don't you just love this darling little basket? It's perfect for a camp or home in the woods!
The uneven shape of the basket base creates a different shaped basket and the barrel beads in the handles add a different look as well. Measuring 4.75 x 4 x 1.5 inches, $35.00

Another trinket basket stitched with turquoise thread. Measuring 3.5 x .75 inches $25.00

The design of this basket mimics the flower in the center. Brown wrapping is patterned after the center of the flower.
Ivory thread brings out the ivory flower and random V stitches in brown represent the brown markings on the flower.
Measuring 5.5 x 1.25 inches, $40.00

This is one of those fun basket bases I just couldn't pass up! I think it came out quite well. Do you agree?
Red stitching represents the red in the watermelon, small black wraps represent the seeds, and the white and green wrapped rows at the top represent the white and green of the skin.
Measuring 7 x 1 inch, $45.00

Would you like to purchase one of these baskets? Please message me on Facebook/cruisincreations12 or dbabin731@gmail.com.

Upcoming Events

We are developing our schedule for 2020. Our first show will be in July in Northville, NY. Keep checking our events list to keep up to date on upcoming events.

Until Next Time...

Diane