Do You Craft?

Do you craft? Any kind of craft. Making cards, sewing, jewelry making, wood working, wreath making, knitting, painting...anything at all! We are looking for donations. To be sold at our Love for Blue Fundraiser. And if they're not sold there, to be added to our Etsy Shop on May 1, 2016.

What kind of items are we looking for? Anything. Honestly. As long as it's some shade of blue. To go towards our Love For Blue project. Or anything in purple. To benefit our Caring for the Caregivers project. Here are a few examples, of what we're looking for. But honestly, we'll accept any donation.

Tutus of any style, are always a good thing. I'm yet to meet a little girl, who doesn't want to dress up. And they really are fun items.  In the past, I've made similar items. As well, as the ones you stuff with petals, pom poms, and bells.

 

Hair bows. I can't tell you, how many times I'm asked for these. And I have no clue, how to make them. I guess I could look up a Youtube video. But I am by no means a "Bow Master." Do you know of anyone who makes bows? I'd even be happy, to buy some!

Headbands. Oh, headbands...how the masses love you! I make the ones with flowers. And my Mom crochets different appliques for them too. But I know, there are "Master Headband" makers out there. Again, I'd totally be willing to buy some...

 

Do you sew? Do you know how much I struggle, to find little boy items to sell? I'd love something like this! I once, made two very similar items. For my friends' sons. But a gal, can't do it all on her own....

Aprons, oh how I love thee! And so do, many of our customers. I'm ALWAYS asked for aprons. Full aprons, half aprons, kid aprons...they want it all! Do you sew?

Jewelry is ALWAYS a big seller. Something I've wanted to learn how to make. For a long time. But do I really have those kinds of skills? I don't know. Do you make jewelry. Of any kind. We could definitely use some! We have the cancer jewelry, that was donated. But lots of people are looking for handmade baubles.

 

Do you crochet? Would you like to donate a little item. A hat, stuffed toy, or maybe a baby blanket. We'd take it all! I know my Mom and I eat, sleep, and do everything else...with a crochet hook in our hands. But even we, can only make so many items!

 

Honestly, anything you can think of, we'd accept. Embroidered towels, crochet purses, bow holders, painted boxes, handmade dresses. Whatever your talent is, we'd love to have a piece of you handcrafted goods...to add to our shop.

 

If you'd like to make a donation leave me a comment, send me an e-mail (LoveForBlue2015@aol.com), or contact me on Facebook. Also, if you'd like to donate materials, we'd happily accept them too! ❤❤❤

 



Future of Love for Blue

I get a ton of questions, concerning our foundation. And our upcoming fundraiser. So I thought, today would be a good day, to address them.

Where do I see our foundation going? I see it growing. Slowly, but surely. Like a little bird. My Dad always enforced that. "Things take time. And nurturing. And loving." That's how I see this foundation. It's not a job for me. It's something I work on, because I'm passionate about it. I see my Dad's vision. What he wanted. And what he believed in. We talked a lot about it, before his death. And I know exactly, how he wanted his foundation to look.

Short term goals, are simple. Keep moving forward. This year's fundraiser, I'm hoping is more successful than last year's. I don't know how it will go. I just have hopes. I hope there are a few more faces there. I hope we raise a bit more money. And I hope, it continues to grow. Slowly, I think word of mouth will spread. I've contacted news and radio stations. Put up flyers. Advertised on social media. And I hope each year, gets a little bit bigger.

But no one can be certain. Heck, I just talked to some friends of my Dad. They had no clue, that he had past away. And honestly, it happens more than you'd think. So many people, 13 months later, still don't know. So as far as the growth of our fundraiser, I think it will be a slow process.

Another short term goal would be, to reopen our Etsy shop in May. I've put it on "vacation," while we prepare for our fundraiser. But I do hope, to get it back up. And make it a success. It's a ton of work! And mostly, I have items on there, for local people to look at. Then I hand deliver our items. It helps with the bottom line.

I want to grow our Fun Mail and Caring for the Caregiver projects. Both take money, time, and donations. I would like to be able to send more mail, to patients. And to be able to send some sort of package, to a caregiver...every week. Instead of once a month. I have a stack, of people who have been nominated for both.

The Grower's Market is another goal of mine. I'm anxious, to get that going again. We did really well, last season. It's a ton of work. Lots of commitment. And means I'm busy selling, twice a week. Spending the rest of the week, creating items to sell. And for this year, we have more items. Stocked up. I'm also having T-shirts, tote bags, and caps made. Anything to sell. And help us grow our foundation.

As far as long term goals, it's mostly to grow what we've started. Hopefully, getting more sponsors. Either for materials, fees for permits, items like our T-shirts...things like that. I've already been talking to people about next year's fundraiser. Local businesses and such. And surprisingly enough, I've got more donations lined up for next year, than I do for this year. :)

Another long term goal, would be to grow our scholarship fund. There is such a NEED for it! And we hope, to grow our Ernest T. "Blue" Sena Jr. Memorial Scholarship, to $1000. For the 2016-2017 school year. I'm also hopeful, that we can raise enough money, to grow our Field Trip Scholarship. To $1000 a semester. So many of the schools we serviced, still call me....

I'd also like to add, some online sales. I've talked with a few companies. And hope to start successful partnerships soon. A little hint...there will be jewelry, bags, and some makeup. But that's the only hint you get. Until I can solidify some more details.

Eventually, we'd like to completely pay, for a family to attend the Cancer Services of New Mexico retreat. Twice a year. We were given the chance to go...although my Dad was hospitalized. And we ended up, not attending. It's such a GREAT event! And this is a goal, that I'm working towards. I'd also like, to be able to make some substantial donations, towards colon cancer research. I'm so passionate about that!

Overall, we're a "grassroots" type of group. It's all about pounding the pavement, doing the hard work, and slowly growing our foundation. There are lots of big goals, that I have. But it's the little steps, that will get us there. Lots of hard work, sweat, and love...is poured into Love for Blue! ❤❤❤

Looking for Jewels

We're gathering our items, donations, and supplies...for our 2nd Annual Memorial Love for Blue 5K Run/Walk. I've been posting about it, all month. And will continue, until April. You may have also noticed, our new tab, on the top of the page. At anytime, click on it, to see what we're looking for. Maybe you can help us out.

Other than our walk, we are also planning to sell food, have a Car Show, a raffle, sell some homemade items, and sell donated items. We are also sticking to our plan, of having blue items. We want people to remember, our reasons, for our fundraiser. Ultimately, we want to be a part, of the cure of colon cancer.

There are many things, that my Mom and I create. We crochet, sew, and do other crafts. One thing neither of us do, is make jewelry. And I know, people are always looking at jewelry. I know I am! And we'd like to have a few handmade, blue pieces, to sell at our Love for Blue 5K Run/Walk.

If you are a jewelry maker, and would like to donate something, please let me know. Either on the blog, via e-mail (LoveForBlue2015@aol.com), or on Facebook. And please share this, with as many people as you can!

Here are a few pieces, that I came across on Etsy. And just adore! But honestly, we'll be happy, with any and all donations!

I like the simplicity of this necklace. And the color is stunning! I found it here, for $21. I'm serious when I say, this necklace, almost makes me want to learn, how to make jewelry!

This necklace is selling for $25. And honestly, it is so beautiful! It has just enough detail, with the lace. But it's simple. Something that can be worn daily.

I came across this bracelet, and it's perfect for so many reasons! This bracelet is $20.50. And I know, someone like my Mom would enjoy it. I'm actually thinking, of asking the seller, to make me one with "Love" or "Blue." For my Mom.

The second I laid eyes, on this bracelet, I was in love! I'm not lying. It's just a stunning piece. For $39.95, you honestly can't go wrong. The lapis is beautiful. The design is simple. It's a gorgeous piece!

These are also gorgeous. For $25.99, you can own these earrings. I like the design. The wrapped wire, reminds me of a bird's nest. And the beads, make these earrings, simple enough...to wear daily. That's my kind of earring!

For $10.50, these are some cute earrings! Something I like to wear every single day. Small, but with a little whimsy. They'd also be perfect, for the little lady in your life!

For $24.99, this would be the perfect box, to keep all your baubles. Actually, I've begun making, a few jewelry boxes. For our sale. This one, just speaks to me!

So if you are a jewelry maker, or know one, would you consider a small donation? We are continuing to raise funds, to support other cancer patients in New Mexico, to help find a cure for colon cancer, and to continue giving back to our community.

I hope you'll take a minute, to consider a donation. Nothing is too small. We're all working, towards making our world, a better place. If you would like to contact me...you can always leave a message on our blog, contact me via e-mail (LoveForBlue2015@aol.com), or on Facebook. Happy Wednesday! ❤❤❤

Blue Round Ripple Blanket

I want to start showing a few of the items, that we have for sale. Of course, they are all blue. But we also welcome, any other orders. Our profits, go back to our foundation. To donate to the Presbyterian Cancer Center, the Cancer Services of  New Mexico, and for colon cancer research.

This is a round ripple blanket. The size is between a large baby blanket, and lap blanket. Definitely large enough, to snuggle up on the couch with. We're asking $45. You can read more about it, and find other items of ours, in our Etsy Shop.

If you are local, and are interested in purchasing something, feel free to contact me. You can leave me a message on the blog, send me an e-mail (LoveForBlue2015@aol.com), or contact me on Facebook. And I can work with you. I have to increase our prices, slightly, to cover the costs of Etsy. And shipping. Happy Friday! ❤❤❤