You as a community not only share in the passion for crafting, for a company that cares, for friendship but also share in the passion of giving and helping.  I see you reaching out to meet others needs . . . those within the community and beyond.  I want to share that it has been lovely to watch this take place and thus I think others saw the need to channel those efforts and provide a place where we can focus on such matters . . . the Charity Fiskamittee. 

January is ‘Poverty in America Awareness Month’ and with that the Fiskateer Charity Fiskamittee is starting 2009 off by focusing on this special cause.  Anyone can share in this new endeavor, vision and help with the efforts . . . in fact we want to encourage all Fiskateers that have a heart for charity to feel free to share their resources, talents and time.  Maybe there is a certain charity or cause that touches your heart in a deeper way that you’d like to help . . . go for it.  So here’s the plan . . . once a month we will feature a cause or charity.  We will provide avenues that you can assist both on line and off line.  As well, as needs arise within the community or outside of it . . . we will intercede as a loving Fiskateer community and play a role as time and resources allow. 

I will help to oversee the Charity Fiskamittee and Melita, Elena, Sudie and Jennifer N. will serve in a leadership role to help coordinate events and efforts.  This committee is yours as a community so hop aboard if this is something that is on your heart!

So we are going to ‘Sock It To Poverty’ and do a Sock Drive for January.  As mentioned, January is “Poverty in America Awareness Month’.  Sudie was kind enough to provide some great facts about socks and how they can help ’sock it to poverty.’ 

• Socks are vital to overall health of those living on the streets.  Socks are often not donated enough and are greatly appreciated by the recipient.
• Most homeless and impovershed people do not own shoes that fit properly or are not in good condition.  This increases the importance of socks.
• Many people suffer from diabetes and other ailments and they could benefit from socks with extra support.
• Not all shelters accept clean used socks so it’s important when collecting that we collect new socks.
• Socks are relatively inexpensive to donate.
• There are men, women and children that live on the streests and all could benefit with a new pair of socks.
• More people are becoming homeless due to the downward spiral of the economy as well as natural disasters.

So with those important factors . . . as a community we would love to do a ’sock drive’ in January.  You can send socks to Sudie, Elena or myself and we will forward them on to a shelter or organization that will get them to the hands (feet) that need them. 

Possibly you might consider spreading the word and collecting socks yourself for the cause and donating them to a place near you.  Be mindful of your safety but there are often many places you can donate to in your area that would take them to the places in need . . . you must might need to do a little research.

So here are some thoughts in spreading the word and helping the cause. 

• Maybe craft a ’sock box’ . . . Sudie had a great idea . . . a laundry basket would be cute to collect them in and create a sign to share where the donations are going and why. 
• Spread the word at your local scrapbook store and set a date to collect them at a crop.  How about a “Sock Hop Crop”.  Maybe your local scrapbook store would go for a crop in honor of collecting socks for those in need.
• How about spreading the word at ladies groups, church, your local rotary club. 

There’s lots of ways to spread the word.  We’d love to keep track of how many pairs of socks are donated by the loving Fiskateer community.  

We’d love to provide a little tag (attached with a safety pin) on each pair of socks maybe with a brief message and from what Fiskateer they are from . . .

i.e. With warmest regards.  Happy New Year . . . Fiskateer #002.  Sudie plans on “Warmest Wishes, Fiskateer #97″.  This will provide a special personal touch but not providing too much information. 

So two ways you can gather socks . . .

1. If you feel passionate about this cause . . . you can collect socks yourself and donate them to the organization yourself.  Please just keep track of the number and let one of us know how many. 
2. If you’d like to purchase and donate a pair of socks yourself . . . you can send them to Sudie, Elena or myself.  You can send them to Sudie by emailing her (through our internal Fiskateer system) . . . here is her profile . . . http://www.fiskateers.com/community/author/97 or you can send them to Elena at the address listed here . . . http://www.scrapbookroyalty.com/contact.html or to myself by emailing me at cheryl@fiskateers.com and I’ll send you my mailing address.

Watch for more details on the message board and updates.

We as a Fiskateer community can make a huge impact and continue to share the Fiskars love and warmth!

I have been trying to catch up on my sleep and get a bit healthier so I took a couple days to recooperate but I’d love to share now.  I shared a few photos but I’d especially like to share some detailed photos of a special little town by the name of Lansing located in Iowa.  It’s where my father in law grew up and it has much significance.  I have seen photos of this little town in it’s day . . . days of old . . . where the river boats would visit it’s banks and when the town was in it’s prime.  You see, it lies along the Mississippi River. 

It’s a beautiful quaint little town and I loved the scenery . . . the churches, the old barns and it’s architecture.  I know as well that it was a place that women crafted quilts.  Speaking of which, Part II is all about a treasure of a quilt store I found in this little town.  Incredible place.

Check out the barn below . . . the wall states a name (possibly Thompson) and the date of 1910 . . . note the horse hitches along the wall.  I found the barn and wall so intriguing I did a little research on the internet.  I think it belongs to the Thompson family of Lansing, Iowa.

Of course we spent some fun time at my Aunt Ginger’s in the small town of New Albin.  We found a big enough hill to provide an afternoon of fun and sledding and even tried our hand at snow boarding with cousins who live in Iowa.

I have already printed some of these photos to scrap and to place in my home.  That’s one of the many reasons we scrapbook isn’t it?  To preserve and capture our family history.  Oh what special memories . . . what special history . . . family history and what special little towns.  Oh Little Town . . .

I went to visit family (my husband’s) in Minnesota and Iowa.  Cell service was scarce and internet service was unavailable in the small town we spent most of our town.  A wonderful small town along the Mississippi River with about 450 residents.  We had a lovely time and miss the snow but it’s also nice to be home.  We just returned.

I can’t wait to share more with you.  I always enjoy sharing with my Fiskafamily.  So I’m able to send Happy New Year’s wishes your way this time around.  From our family to yours we are wishing each of you a happy, healthy and joyous New Year!

Here are a few photos and I can’t wait to share more in the next few days!

Happy New Years Dear Ones.  You are close to my heart.

So here I am at 11:30 p.m. and spending it with you fiskateers.  Late in the evening . . . like Christmas Eve evening. 

So I’d like to share with you a goodie as the Christmas crop comes to a close.  Please tell me when you open up your family Christmas gifts and I’ll choose a random winner tomorrow to win a really fun grab bag.

Good night and a Merry Christmas to all!

P.S. ~ Winners of the Page Kits from My latest post regarding Christmas Giving are . . .

• Amy Lynn ~ “I can help also.” - Baby Page kit (x2 - one for Crystal and one for you)
• Veronica ~ “I’m on it.” - Travel Page Kit (x2 - one for Crystal and one for you)
• Groovy Deborah ~ “Keep the faith Cheryl.” - generic page kit (x2 - one for Crystal and one for you)

Ladies would you please email me at cheryl@fiskateers.com with your mailing address so we can get those out to you? 

What a wonderful and caring community you are Fiskateers!

Christmas to me is so much about my faith.  I am reminded of the greatest gift given at Christmas time and my heart is always touched.  I’m also reminded of the celebration that surrounds Christmas.  Christmas is a birthday party, a family gathering, a joyous time of singing, sharing and giving.  Sometimes there are things that aren’t so joyous however when these events take place around this time of year, it always seems to bring a greater depth of feeling. 

I think of when my grandfather passed away on December 23rd suddenly and unexpectedly.  How we sang ‘Silent Night’ around his bed as he said his goodbyes.  That song holds extra meaning in our hearts.  I remember when I took my baby girl home from the hospital on December 24th.  She was born on the 21st.  Oh what a precious gift.

Well, last night we watched the “Christmas Shoes”.  Many of you may have seen this movie or heard the song.  Oh what a messy one for the whole family (tears).  Wow . . . powerful and it reminded us once again that Christmas is about giving while we are living!

Well, I want to share a story with you about a chance that you have to give.  It’s a little bit of a read but so worth it.  All of you love to craft and a lot of you are passionate about scrapbooking.  Here’s your chance to share your passion and make lasting memories for a family.  Life is short and we never know when our time is up so it’s important to make a lasting impact and to take the opportunity with friends and family when it’s given.  This came across my computer the other day from a gal that I know through scrapbooking but also law enforcement.  She shared that I would want to know.  I have since shared it with others and want to do the same for you Fiskateers.  I think your heart will be touched.  I’m going to shorten some of the email for room’s sake.  A little background . . . being from this area I have met Trish from Scrappin’ Good Times in San Dimas, California.  This is Trish writing . . .

“Crystal is more than my cousin.  She is more like a sister and a best friend.  She is 33 years old and she has a 2 1/2 year old son named Aiden and an eight month old daughter named Rylee.  She is married to Jason who has a 14 year old son named Gaven who Crystal treats as her own.

After many tests, it has been found that Crystal has an extremely rare and extremely aggressive form of cancer.  So rare that her Oncologist has only found one other oncologist in the entire US that has dealt with anything similar to Crystal’s cancer.  There is no protocol for this.  If things go well and Crystal responds well to ongoing chemotherapy and radiation, she could live another two years.  Unfortunately, it could be less.”

Ironically Crystal is an oncology nurse (a special calling).

“Her biggest fear is that her children are so young that they will never know or remember her.  She asked me to create scrapbooks for her children so they would know who their mother is and of course how much she loves them. I think it was in God’s master plan that I would be called to do this one day so He led me to open a scrapbook store.  I don’t think there is a better way to accomplish this task through our passion, our hobby . . . . scrapbooking.

If you do not have time to make any layouts, donations will also be accepted.  Trust funds have been set up for Aiden M. LaGrange, Rylee M. LaGrange and an account has been set for all of Chrystal’s needs in the name of caring for Crystal Foundation.  Crystal has an amazing support system in Denver.  Her coworkers at Kaiser have donated their vacation to her . . . 6 months of vacation has already been donated to her.

I also ask for your personal prayers for Crystal.  If you belong to a church or a prayer group and you are able to add Crystal to the prayer list, I would greatly appreciate it.  I believe in the power of prayer and I believe that there is still a miracle in store for Crystal.

I belong to an amazing sisterhood, a sisterhood of tens of thousands of scrapbookers.  We all scrapbook for the same reason, for the preservation of our memories.  Please help me preserve Crystal’s memories for her children.”

www.caringforcrystal.blogspot.com

So I talked with Trish yesterday (Friday) and asked her some specifics.  The need . . . 12×12 two page layouts especially themed in the areas of babies . . . boys and girls as well as love (wedding, engagement, marriage, togetherness, family time).  Those are the major needs but others include major holidays, snow layouts (they live in Denver), and everyday moments.  On layouts as well please remember she will be journaling so please leave ample space for journaling.  So this is where the greatest need is. 

My challenge to you . . . create some layouts and send them my way.  For anyone offering to help in this way, please make a comment here and mention you are planning on participating in making a layout for Crystal.  I will choose a winner for a baby layout kit, a winner for a travel layout kit and a winner for a generic layout kit.  I will send two of them . . . one for you and one for Crystal that you can put together and send back to me.  For those of you that might not win the layout kit but would like to participate and give feel free to send these layouts to me as soon as possible.  If you’d like to include a note with a word of encouragement and your name and where you are from I think that would be wonderful.  Please send the layouts to:

Cheryl Waters

19655 Orviento Drive

Portola Hills, CA 92679

I think we can help to make a difference in a life and help meet a need.  Christmas is about giving . . . giving of time, resources and yourself.  What a gift.  You fiskateers are a wonderful and compassionate group and I know you can make a difference! 

Just an update ~ There really isn’t any timeline to send these in.  I will send them to her cousin in batches but Crystal’s cousin, Trish will be making scrapbooks of Christmas’ to come, etc.  I think they will all be put to good use if we receive them tomorrow or in months.  Thank you for such an outpouring of love and support for people in the community.  You are one warm hearted group!

The specs . . . the Fiskars chat room at . . . http://www.fiskarscrafts.com/prechat.aspx

Tomorrow evening . . . Tuesday, December 9th at 9 p.m. Eastern time and 6 p.m. Pacific Time.

Well, it’s the beginning of December and I want to inspire you again with Part 2.  We recently took a trip to Knott’s Berry Farm and we saw some awesome sights.  Maybe one of these fun photos would inspire you with their colors, glitter, miniature lights and twinkle, themed ideas, and much more.  So many things around us can inspire us.  So this time I snapped some photos to share. 

The first thing that really inspired me was this Aquatic themed tree.  The tree itself was actually upside down and the colors and ornaments were spectacular.  Especially since I just finished the Queen Mary event . . . I’m all about the aquatic theme.

Then I was thinking with these blocks . . . wouldn’t it be fun to find some wooden blocks and use your extra large scrapbooking letters to spell out a Christmas message . . . i.e.  Joy to the World, Peace on Earth.  And I love minatures . . . always have and one of my favorite places used to be the minature store at Knotts (no longer there).  Each year we go we enjoy viewing the Department 56 villages.  The miniature lights and moving parts.  I have been thinking about moving parts in my scrapbooks . . . how about you?

How about this glitter and the retro ornaments.  Oh my goodness!  The musical tree with a little rock and roll was awesome too.  Lots of glam.  And those cupcakes on that cute tree looked so yummy.  They were extra large.  Imagine . . . extra large cupcakes with glitter and shine!

So I was inspired by the fun candy type colors.  I took a little time on Thanksgiving weekend and created after viewing these beautiful sites at Knotts.  I love Heidi Grace’s new winter line and I was inclined to create this layout after being inspired.  It has some glitter, some shine, so fun winter colors and I love the yummy designs.  You can’t really see but the layout has layer after layer (I love layers) and lots of epoxy and twinkle.  The corner is suppose to be turned up and distressed.  Let is snow.  Heidi Grace has some great clear phrase stickers and this was says “Time goes by so quickly when the snow falls from the sky . . . Each snowflake gently drifting through the winter day and night, Like icy stars they twinkle, dancing lightly to and fro, Oh how I love to spend my days just playing in the snow!”

So with all the glitter and twinkle this season brings . . . how are you inspired?

Share with me a gift project, layout, a handcrafted gift or decoration ideas you created as a result of being inspired here or show me the inspiration and let me know about it at cheryl@fiskateers.com.  Post it in the gallery and send me the link and you will be entered into the ‘Inspiring Minds Want To Know” challenge.  The deadline . . . December 31st.  Promise to be a special and wonderful surprise for someone who shares . . . hint . . . maybe something to do with what you see here . . . fun in the snow.

Twinkle, twinkle.

Just thought I’d share . . . we have made it a tradition the last three years to go to Knott’s Berry Farm on Thanksgiving Day.  We have enjoyed it.  We usually have our Thanksgiving dinner at Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant and it’s wonderful!  You have a choice of a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, Mrs. Knott’s famous chicken dinner and other choices.  We usually try and bring some cheer with us to those that are serving as well. Of course a visit to the candy store near the restaurant was a must.  We have seen some dear friends that do the same thing the last two years.  We saw them again this year with their six girls.  So much fun to see dear friends this time of the year.

One tradition at Knott’s as well is that we watch the Snoopy’s Cool Christmas show on ice.  It’s a wonderful show where the character’s are searching for the ‘real meaning of Christmas’.  The ice skaters are absolutely superb!  The story line is absolutely wonderful and there is fun for the whole family.   There is an all girl store that is so much fun and of course the candy store!  Of course the park was decorated for the season and look at my favorite gift! 

It was another year of fun at Knott’s.

On Friday I cooked a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with family favorites and my mom and dad and sister in law joined us for dinner.  It was a wonderful time and we missed the rest of the family but we get together often.

On Saturday we had a relaxed time and on Sunday we headed to the San Diego Chargers and Atlanta Falcons game.  This was fun as we got to see my cousin who plays for the Falcons.  He looked great.  Here’s my other cousin Ben with some Charger cheerleaders.  Made a little big sign for him.  If my family looks like they have some big genes . . . they do . . . tallest is 6′ 9″ and most are at 6′ 2″ or above (including the ladies).  Big genes and lots of love.  It was a fabulous time with friends and family and a beautiful day in California.

So there you have it . . . a little recap and some things I’m thankful for . . . family, friends, faith, freedom, bosenberry pie, a child’s laugh, this country, service men and women, teachers, my Ipod, music, new beginnings, scrapbooking, finances, good health and fiskateers!

Wishing you a wonderful day!

P.S. ~ The Falcons won.

Here’s a few shots from this year and a link on the how to from yesteryear.

http://www.fiskateers.com/blog/2006/11/23/sweet-turkey-day-preparations/

I want to thank each one of you for the way you enrich my life.  Each of you are special and unique and I’m grateful for each of you.  I am wishing you and your family a warm, memorable and Happy Thanksgiving.  So many blessings to count . . . including YOU!

A few months back I participated in a very special crop.  While I was there I spyed the cutiest planter, tray and birdhouse that Annie Adams had crafted. 

Her husband likes to plant and do landscaping.  He purchased the flowers and she crafted the cute planter.  She used Heidi Grace’s “Little Bird’s Tale” line.  I thought this was darling.  I believe she also coated it with Mod Podge to seal the paper in.  Such a cute project involving gardening and crafting.  A little inspiration to dream up your own project using your green thumb and you scrapbook supplies.