Giving Tuesday

 Gratitude has been on my mind lately, not just because it seems to fall into place during this advent season, but how I can share my gratitude into giving.  I am grateful for MANY things and have been VERY blessed to be living the life I imagined!  I set out on a mission to find out how people celebrate this special time in anticipation of Christmas. There are literally thousands of ways people give of their time and gifts.  My favorite ones were the homemade variety.

An advent blessing jar from Vermillion Rules is a great way to include the whole family.  I also love the random acts of Christmas kindness advent calendar by Coffee Cups and Crayons.

 The 1st Tuesday in December has been chosen as "Giving Tuesday"- a global day dedicated to giving back. 

 The idea that charities, families, businesses, community centers and students around the world will come together for one common purpose: to honor generosity and to give - well, that is truly awesome!  So, from global day, an idea has sprung forth to create an advent type - 24 days of giving and to extend it over 12 months.  Each month to have two giving days.  January 2015 will be the start of my "24 Gifts".  Who, what and why am I giving?  I am working on a list of 12 different giving activities and will share them with Douglas and Grant counties in Minnesota.  ( I live in Douglas, but grew up in Grant!)  The list so far includes: Food shelf,  Humane Society, Thrift Store, Library, Sheriff's Dept., and Social Services.  As you can see I need a half dozen more, but that will come as I visit with people/organizations who have charitable needs.  The what I'm giving will consist of food to the food shelf, animal treats to the Humane Society, new books to the library, etc. The why is my gratitude of what I've been given in my life and a pay it forward attitude!  

At the start of  2015, I will pick a Who and Oh Happy Day it will be as I share with you what gifts they will receive- maybe you'd like to be a part of the giving of "24 Gifts" too, the more the merrier! 

Enjoy this special season of sharing and to quote Winston Churchill -"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give".  

-hugs- Julie

The power of the handwritten and handcrafted word!

In this fast paced world we now live in with social media, it is all that more wonderful to receive a card or note in the mail.  Now don't get me wrong, I have absolutely nothing against social media and the instant messaging and the sharing of information, in fact I'm all for it because I am a bit of an impatient person,  but I do believe in the power of the handwritten word that I'm afraid will disappear.  I believe, I'm on what I would call, a revival of the handwritten and handcrafted word!

 Several months ago, I signed up to be a demonstrator for Stampin' Up.  I did this to appease my inner self's desire to get back to paper crafting and I'm always up for saving money, so why not get the demonstrator discount and get my craft groove back?!  I've been having a wonderful time catching up on my scrap booking and creating cards for occasions.  But some part of this "revival" was missing and I realized it was that I wanted to send cards or notes for "just because" reasons, not only for "an occasion".  There are many things to send cards for that I think, would make someone's day so that is what I'm doing, creating cards to give a smile to that someone who would receive a "just because" card and having a fun time with my love of paper crafts!

If you would indulge me, I will be sharing such cards each week through our Kaelly Studio blog before I send them in the mail.  I'm hoping that they inspire you to want to send some cards too!  Maybe you'll get so excited to be a part of this revival, that you'll also decide to join Stampin' Up for the same reasons that I did.  The more the merrier and more smiles will be made!  This week, I'm sharing a few cards that I'm sending out for various "just becauses".  One for my upline in Stampin' Up, who recently attended convention and was rewarded for her desire to send cards and give smiles! (a WOW!  double blessing!, being recognized for something you love to do...umm...sweet!)

Another for a good friend who is battling cancer and will start chemo this week.  I know sending her good thoughts is what I can do right now to tell her that she's not fighting alone!

My "revival" won't always be for "just because" reasons.  I will still create cards for occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and even sharing my sorrow with a grieving family.  

It is very enjoyable to create a card and write a touching sentiment or even just a simple "hi"! to let someone know you care and that there is a smile on the other end!

P.S.  Want to make these cards too?  I'm hosting a "Treat and Eat" party at my house on Tuesday, July 29th at 6:30 pm.  Let's eat some goodies and create these three cards as a treat from me to you.  This will be very casual, flipflop attire -( remember it is summer "finally" after all!)   A get together time to chat and have some fun being crafty!!  Please RSVP to me at rjsatterlie@gctel.net or pm me on facebook by July 28th so I can get everything ready for you.

-hugs- Julie

Finish the Fight!

All I can say about last night was WOW!!  My A.S.K. (standing for Acts of Sincere Kindness) teammates and my family were a part of a very emotional and uplifting experience at our local American Cancer Society Relay for Life event in Alexandria, MN.  We are a small team but we make a difference!  We all joined this team for various reasons, my family joined because we lost our Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa to this horrible disease and the suffering must stop and a cure will be found!

Our granddaughter Parker looking up to Great-Grandpa!!

People who have had or have cancer wear purple shirts to represent that they are survivors.  There were MANY people wearing purple.  Even though we don't want anyone to be wearing purple, the part that is uplifting and joyful is that they are wearing the shirts!!  They have survived, they are here with us!  I'm not sure if there were more people in the crowd from last year wearing purple, but I'm gonna go with the fact that they are more people who are surviving!!! So take that cancer, we will win!!

Hundreds of people ready to FINISH THE FIGHT!

The event was well planned and in a new location which worked quite nicely!  The evening started on a grateful tone as the American flag is saluted and praised. (Our daughter, Katie sang the "Star Spangled Banner" - yes, a proud moment!)

 Each year several cancer survivors are chosen as honorees to share their stories.  This year a caregiver was also chosen as no one has to fight alone!  The survivors in their sea of purple, the caregivers, the teams are all recognized and walk around the track!  Many people walk all night long to signify that cancer can take days, weeks, months, years or lives.... so we can walk a mere 12 hours to raise money to beat this disease!!

2014 Honorees leading the survivors, caregivers and teams walk.

TEAM A.S.K.!! Go team!!

 Many of the teams had booths set up to play games and sell fun things to raise money.  The kids had a blast playing the games, especially at our booth where for a $1 you had the chance to hit "crabby" Jeremy (he really isn't crabby- he's actually one of the nicest people you'd ever meet!) or any other team member for that matter with water balloons.  It was hit! (literally!) The evening was very warm so the water was quite refreshing.  Okay, confession time, I don't know that first hand as I wasn't a target, but I could see from the others who were, that they were actually enjoying it!

Team A.S.K. put together a "Survivor Team" challenge with other teams - GOOD TIME!

Parker getting Jeremy all wet! Sorry you can't see his crab hat (hence - calling him crabby)  but it was pretty cute!

Parker playing games wearing her Grandpa Zona t-shirt (my folks moved to Arizona many years ago, so the grandkids always called them Grandpa and Grandma Zona!

As of this post,  our team is #13 out of 39 teams and we're only $109 away from our goal of $2000.  If'd you be so kind to help us reach our goal you can still do that by CLICKING HERE and donating to the A.S.K. team!  THANKS!!  A special shout out to the top teams, Alex Extrusion over $19,000 raised (our son-in-law Aaron works here!), the Douglas County Hospital over $9,000 raised (our daughter Danielle works here!) and Tastefully Simple over $8,000  raised (of which I'm a consultant) AND a very special shout out to Team A.S.K. - Katie our fearless leader, Michelle, Jordan, Sara, daughter Holly (I told you this was a family affair!), Jeremy, Joe, Erika, Renae, Ahndree, Eli  and Jodi! You guys ROCK!!! AND we will...

FINISH THE FIGHT!!

-Hugs- Julie

Cards for a Cure!

We all know or have someone in our lives that has been affected by cancer and it would be my privilege to have you join a wonderful new program sponsored through Stampin' Up and with our donations "Finish the Fight"!  My goal is that we have 225+ join our "Cards for a Cure" campaign to raise $5000+ HOW SWEET THAT WOULD BE!!! Spread the word, share with your friends and family....as my three year old granddaughter would say "I got this" - how about "We got this!!"  Let's do it!  How you ask?

Many people ask me how life is without the quilt shop.  My answer is that although I don’t miss the business side, I do miss the people very much!  Another thing I miss, is the opportunity to create events where we could help organizations raise awareness and monetary donations for their causes.  As I pondered how I could keep the creative side of me happy along with the promise to “give back”, I realized that I had that same opportunity right in front of me with a home business that I was using only to benefit myself.   Along with my love of quilting, I also possess a passion for paper crafting!

As a Stampin’ Up demonstrator, I could “share” (instead of keeping for me) all the fun things that they have to offer with their great products.  I was having a super time playing with the paper, stamps and embellishments creating my own kits when the company came out with this awesome monthly program called  "Paper Pumpkin".  It allows me to fulfill my creative needs with a pre-designed packet of goodies that takes minutes to put together!!  Yippee!!  (You all know how much I LOVE kits!!)

Now I know you’re asking where does this “share” part come in, well…….in my “Cards for a Cure” campaign, for every person that joins me in the Paper Pumpkin monthly program, I will donate the proceeds to our Relay for Life American Cancer Society team.  Commit to 3 months (April, May and June) at the monthly cost of $19.95 plus $1.37 tax (shipping included).  You will be paying via a credit card directly to Stampin’ Up and $21.32 will be charged upon sign up and in the next two months.  Sign up by March 31st to receive a special bonus gift with your first Paper Pumpkin arrival!  

 At the end of June, I will contact you to see if you wish to continue with the Paper Pumpkin kit.  I will in turn continue to donate to our “Cards for a Cure” in your name each month.   If you decide that you wish to discontinue the Paper Pumpkin kit, we’ll just simply take you off the program!   You can rejoin at anytime in the future if you choose to do so and your name will be added back into to our “Cards for a Cure” donation list!

And now you are are intrigued and asking "How do I sign-up" - very simply....go HERE and click on subscribe, complete the required information.  Click on "I already have a demonstrator"** and type in my information...Julie Satterlie, 23422 Sunny Side Drive NW, Evansville, MN  56326 and my name will pop up on a screen on the right.  Click on "Select" and you will be enrolled in a very quick, easy and fun crafting time AND you will have donated to "Cards for a Cure"  **this fundraising opportunity is only sponsored by me! IF you have a Stampin' Up demonstrator that you work with already - no problem - PLEASE sign up for Paper Pumpkin under them.  Donations won't be made to my "Cards for a Cure"  BUT you will be involved in a great program that you will enjoy and they will be pleased to have you sharing the crafting bug with them too! 

I appreciate your time in visiting this blog and sharing the vision to "Finish the Fight"!!

~~~ Hugs, Julie ~~~

The church bell rang....

In 1965, Zionsborg Lutheran Church held it's last worship service and on July 28th, 2013 fellow parishioners and others gathered outside at the church site to once again share the word of God with the living and the souls of those who are buried in this special place now called Zionsborg Cemetary.

When celebrating a special occasion, one must "spiff" up the place for lack of better wording and that's what several members of the Zionsborg Cemetary Assocation did prior to the beautiful Sunday morning church service.  Power washers were gathered, vinegar bottles ready and the team spent an evening washing away many years of dirt, grime and mold spores that have attacked the gravestones.  As the sun was setting, the stones revealed themselves anew again and shined in the glory.  It was truly a sight to be seen.

Vinegar is sprayed on the gravestones to release as much of the mold as possible and than the power washers take over - the end result is amazing! (This limestone gravestone was almost black and no words could be read)

Hard working, caring souls who spent their night giving back!

Many did take part in the revelation of that sight by joining together and sharing stories of times past spent in the Zionsborg Church.  The last couple to be married in the church was present, along with their daughter and son-in-law.  A very special moment for them and for the rest of us!  Pastor Frykman led the worship service and very appropriately so as many of his family including himself once attended this special church.  Songs were beautifully sung without the aid of any musical instruments, prayers offered and thanks given to those who remembered what life was like back in 1965 and the last time people gathered inside the church.

Past parishioners and neighbors gathered this beautiful Sunday morning

Historical information that will be complied into a book to be released sometime in the spring of 2014 - we'll keep you posted!!!

The bell was rung (with the aid of a hammer) to signify the call to worship

Gathering and praising in His holy name

Cars parked just like back in 1965

All good Lutherans must have lunch.  Coffee and goodies were enjoyed after the service

Neither myself or family nor my husband or family has any ties to this church but our loving brother-in-law is buried in this cemetary and we have rented the land surrounding it for more than 30 years.  It has become our decision to make this our last resting place and to join many others who have made that decision as well.  We are proud to be a part of the Zionsborg Cemetary Association and are grateful for caring souls who wish to keep the memories of not only the church but of the parishioners alive by giving of their time to beautify this everlasting home!

Blessed be the memory of Zionsborg Lutheran Church!

Goodspeed - Julie

An Amazing Evening!

It was a very humbling experience last Friday evening in Alexandria as we celebrated the memories of loved ones who have lost their battles with cancer and honored those who have lived or are living with cancer.  We personally celebrated the lives of my Dad, uncle and two aunts whose lives were taken too early by this horrible disease.  If you've never been to a Relay for Life event, you definitely must go!  The walkers (or in our case runners because we had to keep up with Parker) just kept on going round and round on the track to raise more funds for cancer research.  Surrounding the track were bags of white and brown.  White bags signifying a cancer death and brown bags for survivors.  There were many, many white bags that made our hearts ache and our knees tremble, but there were also many brown bags which bring hope!

Our most missed Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa!

My Godmother and Aunt LaVonne - miss you!

My Dad's younger sister, Mary Ellen - miss you!

My Dad's brother Cally who loved to visit our farm - we miss you too!

A sea of purple - cancer survivors - you guys ROCK!

Balloon release by the cancer survivors - no dry eyes here.

We participated in the event with A.S.K.-Acts of Sincere Kindness (check the out HERE), a new local volunteer organization that participates in all kinds of community events.  We were privileged to not only have our team A.S.K. in the relay,  but we also sponsored a booth.  Many of the sponsors and teams had areas set up to play games, give massages, provide refreshments or just to be supportive.  We had a great time with our musical hula hoop game and the lighted lei's were a big hit!

A.S.K. team walking our first lap around the track.

Our crazy Hawaiian booth where we played games and raised monies by selling pillowcases and lighted lei's.

Our musical hula hoop game - Parker and Katie are practicing.

Walgreen's team played pick a duck for a buck - they had great prizes!!

In the darkness of the evening, the luminaries were lit and the whole track was bathed in a glow of white and brown bags.  A large ribbon and the word HOPE was illuminated in the bleachers providing an inspirational backdrop.

The moment the bags were lit it became just a little more quiet around the track.

"Hope" lit up on the bleachers

Oh just for the record, our team raised a little over $2400.  Our goal was $2000 - what to go team A.S.K!
Thanks to everyone who made this event possible from the organizers to the participants to those who raised monies and those who gave monies.  Let's have the goal be: No white bags only brown!

-Love from our A.S.K. team-

Cases for the Cure!!!

Please join us in raising money to cure cancer!!  We will have these pillowcases - some ready made and some in kit form at the Relay for Life walk this Friday, July 12th in Alexandria, MN.  We also have them posted on our Etsy site (HERE) for those that can't make it to the Relay but would like to purchase one, two or more.  Limited supply available! Kits include a pattern and all fabric for the pillowcase, they are $5 each. Already made pillowcases are $10 each.  Shipping will apply to those who order through our Etsy site.  Thanks in advance!!!

Our team has raised over $1400 but our goal is $2000.  If you'd like to support our team, but have no need for a pillowcase, you can donate directly to our team HERE.  (Our team name is A.S.K. - Acts of Sincere Kindness.)

We have included a great tutorial video by craftygemini.blogspot.com/‎ for creating this pillowcase, find it HERE

Acts of Sincere Kindness

One thing that we love to do is volunteer and donate to charities as often as we can.  We have been blessed in life so we like to do what we can to help.  We have joined forces with a brand new local organization named A.S.K. which stands for Acts of Sincere Kindness.  It was developed by Katie of Kaelly and her friend Jeremy with the help of other active volunteers.  A.S.K. makes it easy for individuals to volunteer.  Sometimes it can be discouraging to volunteer when you have to go by yourself.  We encourage individuals to join our team!

The first event that A.S.K. organized raised money for was Jingles Bells, a local organization that produces a night of entertainment to raise money to give back to local charities, buys toys for children in need, and delivers food baskets to shut ins.  The A.S.K. team put on a "Whobilation".  Their volunteers dressed as Whos from Whoville and went around to area bars and restaurants asking for donations.  They raised over $300.  To see them donating the money at the Jingle Bells event, click HERE.  

The next big event they did was the Polar Plunge benefiting the Special Olympics.  They raised money just by asking their friends and family for donations and raised over $850.  They then jumped into a frozen lake!  We think they are CRAZY, but anything for a good cause!  You can see a video of them jumping HERE.

The next event that A.S.K. will be involved with is the Relay for Life.  We are donating a Dr. Seuss quilt for silent auction and will be helping with other events until the relay this summer.

No matter where you are in your life it is important to give back when you can.  It is good for your soul and for your community.  If you wish to help or donate to A.S.K. you can contact them at actsofsincerekindness@gmail.com or check them out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/actsofsincerekindness.

Warm and fuzzy

Whenever we have the opportunity to help our community, we do!  We, along with A.S.K. (Acts of Sincere Kindness), recently donated a quilt to a benefit to help the cutest little boy, Jack Rollin, and his family.  Jack has fought many battles in his young life.  He spent time at the Children's Hospital and the benefit was to help his family pay for his care.  We donated a quilt to the silent auction and it ended up being the "grand prize".  Pictured below is Heather, Jack's mom, and the winner of the quilt.  Thank you to everyone who came out to support someone from our own community.