Wednesday, November 29, 2017

The Coffee Warm-up (and Small Business Saturday)


 I'm once again joining Chris from PearShapedCrafting, this month's host at Art Journal Journey with her theme of 101 Ways to Stay Warm.

What better way to warm our insides than with a cup of steaming hot coffee!

Not only does coffee warm me inside, it also gives me the energy I need to face the day.

Of course, I might prefer a cappuccino (left) or latte (right).  Either way, they will give me both warmth and energy.

For this page, I created a simple background using watercolor crayons.  When dry, I added the two cups I cut from a McDonald's ad I received in the mail.  I added a strip of washi tape and hand wrote the sentiment using a brown metallic Gelly Roll pen.  The sentiment reads:
Warm me inside
and give me energy.

This is Day 29 of AEDM and I created a spread in my Challenges altered book.   I'm also linking to Art Journal Journey.  Hope to see you both places.   I am grateful beyond belief that you visited today.   Just one more day and this month of art every day will be over.  I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have.


And for those of you who would like to see what I did on Small Business Saturday, here are a few photos of the day.  This was my friend Sally's idea, so I went along for the ride.

We first stopped at this shopping center built around a bunch of houses.




I admit it was a cute concept, but there was nothing there, except a few specialty shops and restaurants.  Sally decided there was nothing she wanted to see, so we were off to the next location.

This place may have sold items on consignment, but they were far too high end for either Sally or me.  We enjoyed the walk-through, but it felt wrong trying to take a photo in there.

The proprietor of this place was informative, telling us about Lester Raymer, who, although now dead, has a studio and museum in Lindsborg, KS.  I didn't take any photos here, because I got caught up in the Raymer story.

There was no place to park here, or anywhere near here, so we decided to skip this place.

Sally wanted to stop at Heart's Desire, a cross stitch and framing shop.  At least there was parking in the rear.

Sally was getting prices for frames, but decided this was not the place to buy them.

I decided I wanted to go here

after I saw it was the Docking Drug, the store that held peaceful sit-ins back in the late 1950s.

The soda counter was gone, and apparently had been for years, but the remains of the building were still there.

Directly next door was a garden shop, but it wasn't open.

Next it was off to Monica's Bundt Cake.

Sally went in, and I spent time taking photos of the sign outside.

It's too bad any store was closed on Small Business Saturday, but I was on a mission, and I think you can see where it is.  Yes, I was headed to the Spice Merchant.

Of course, I had to stop off for a visit to the Tea Shop that used to be part of The Spice Merchant.  You'll have to wait till Tuesday to see photos, though.

Now it was time to put Small Business Saturday behind, and head for Joann's.  I had a HUGE book of savings, and I took this photo of the beautiful cardinals while waiting in line to pay for my purchases.

Remember my budget of $60.00 (USD) a year for craft supplies?  I'm just glad it was nearly the end of the year.   I had already spent $15.21 (USD, before taxes) back in early January and $26.92 (USD), including tax in mid-February for a total of over $43.00, which also included a gift for my friend Kathy. 

Here you see embossing folders for the die cutter.  They were 3/$5.00 (USD) and I am now ready for Christmas, Valentine's Day, and everyday art.

I also bought two packs of heavy card stock (65 lb).  One was all black, the other pastels.  I'm already thinking spring with these.  Some two sided Basics called my name, as did three washi tapes.  I thought I bought three spools of variegated thread, but when I got home, I only found two.

Two fat quarters were a steal at $0.79 (USD) each.  I purchased the red fabric for a specific project and added some very, very expensive glitter tulle.  I only got four inches of it, since it was so expensive, even on sale.

I also purchased four yards of Pellon, a product that "glues" two pieces of fabric together with the use of your iron.

Speaking of tulle, this was NOT expensive.  I got a yard of each of these colors and can't wait to use some in my current projects.

So how much did I spend?  You can see the results of my shopping spree at JoAnn's.  I'm fairly certain they paid me to shop there on Saturday.  And since I had only spent about $43.00 (USD) the rest of the year, I was exactly on budget with $60.00 if you include taxes and several items I purchased for my friend Kathy in February.  So, it IS possible to stick to a rigid craft budget and not go over it.  Now if my budget was unlimited, I could . . . . . . .

If you made it this far, I appreciate your sticking with me.  Thanks again, because you are the BEST.

16 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Your coffee page is fun, and for me definitely the best way to keep warm and alert. Some of the businesses you toured looked very interesting, I especially liked the look of the Dockum drugs place, and its history. You got some great goodies, too, have fun using them! Hugs, Valerie

froebelsternchen said...

A fantastic page Elizabeth! Just having a cup of black decaf standing in front of me.Thank you for all the support for AJJ again.
I forgot to mention and to send you an email that the post is ready meanwhile. You may have a look at it, if you want to.
Gorgeous buildings you showed- thank you for sharing the photos- it's very interesting for me to see how different your shops are to mine here and your haul was just super - this was really a bargain! Only the four yards of Pellon would have nearly cost the whole you spent for all the stuff if I had bought it here at my little crafters store. I purchase nearly all my crafty needs online - much cheaper for me. Have fun with your new items my friend!
oxo Susi

My name is Erika. said...

I love your cup page. The coffee would sure keep you warm. I really like that washi tape. I've never seen periodic table tape but I would have to have that if I came across it shopping. :) And I do really like seeing your small business FRiday shopping. That is a great idea for a little shopping center and saving some olderr homes. And the drug store looks interesting. I'm glad the building is still around. There is so many times they would have torn it down to put up something so much less interesting. happy Wednesday. Hugs-Erika

Kate Yetter said...

Haha! I love everything you said about your craft budget. What we all could do with a unlimited budget...sounds nice. You did a great job of staying in budget for the year! I have a $0 craft budget for the year much to my dismay.
Loved the pictures of your adventures on small business Saturday. Looks like a lot of fun shops. I am looking forward to the pictures of the spice/tea shop.
Have a great Wednesday!
Kate

CJ Kennedy said...

Tea is warm and fueling, too. (-; I enjoyed the drive around town. The little house shops look a little like Olde Mystic Village where Red and I go. Overpriced but a fun place to window shop. The architecture on the Dockum Drug building is beautiful. They don't build 'em like that anymore. The cardinal candles were very pretty. And kudos to you for staying on your craft budget. You have more willpower than I do. Looking forward to the tea and spice shop post.

Meggymay said...

Your coffee page with the words you added is a warming page. Said she, with a mug of tea close by.
The small shops looked lovely, but as you said they tend to be a bit more expensive here as well.
You got some lovely goodies to use and they seem good prices, we would pay more for the materials. Good for you for sticking to your budget.
I look forward to Tuesdays photos.
Yvonne xx

Sami said...

Not a coffee drinker, but I liked your shopping story Elizabeth.
Loved the framing shop that reminded me of the framing/art shop I had in Portugal, good memories. Also loved the tealight holders with the cardinal birds.
Wow, you managed to stick to your craft budget and you got some beautiful stuff for your projects.

Divers and Sundry said...

Our sales tax here in Memphis is almost 10%! Y'all look good!

I didn't do any shopping at all over this past week-end, but I enjoyed the virtual trip with you. I like the small local shops, and I'd have been tempted by those frames. I look forward to seeing what you do with your JoAnn's haul.

I've been surprised by McDonald's coffee. Better than Starbucks, I think.

carol l mckenna said...

Very creative journal and what a wonderful time you had on Small Business Sat and fun photos ~ love all the colors at JoAnn's and great budgeting too!

Happy Week to you,
A ShutterBug Explores
aka (A Creative Harbor)

garrisonjames said...

Coffee is our friend. Really like the coffee page. Looks like you had quite a journey, and did really well with the bargains, which is always good news. That mosaic ad for the pharmacy/drug company was interesting. Don't see much of that thing any more.

pearshapedcrafting said...

I love this latest page for AJJ and my theme - loVe that washi tape!! The handwritten sentiment is one which I agree with wholeheartedly! Not sure about McDonald's coffee - though it may have improved by now - it's years since we went to a MaccyD's!
I am so pleased you got out on Small Business Saturday - and a visit to Joann's for goodies too! I am almost ashamed that I spend so much on craft items over the year when I see you keeping to your budget! The Drug store looks an interesting place to visit - very decorative on the outside! Big hugs to you and the boys! Chrisx

Sandra Cox said...

Ooh, ooh, I want someone to pay me to shop at their store:) Grin. Looks like you two had a blast. When I lived in IN, there was a town called Little Nashville that was made up predominantly of shops: crafts, gardening, jewelry, food, etc, mainly found in houses that had been converted into shops. All kinds of fun.

Loved the piece and the sentiment. Perfect for all of us coffee/latte drinkers.

Have a day filled with sparkle, dear Elizabeth.

Cappuccinoandartjournal.blogspot.com said...

I want a cappuccino -- and some of Monica's Bundt cake! So exotic to me -- you'd never see a place like that here in SF and I really want to go inside.....how fun...

Let's Art Journal said...

Wonderful coffee page and you really celebrated Small Business Day in style 😁. I enjoyed visiting them with you and the 1950s drugstore building caught my eye, it looks so amazing with all the beautiful tile work. Wow, you got a lot of craft goodies for your money too; the fabrics are lovely and I can't wait to see what you do with them all 😀. Well done for hitting your budget too! Happy Thursday! J 😊

Rita said...

What a lot of wonderful small shops! Too bad they were mostly too high priced. You did make a haul at Joann's, though. You will have lots of fun with all your new toys. :)

Marfi-topia said...

cute coffee page! I like how they stand out:)
looks like there was a lot of walking around on small business Saturday
for you two.
How was your free mini bundt cake?
Love all the goodies you purchased at joann's
especially the tulle! I don't know what it is about tulle that I just love...I like using a heat gun on it..
such an interesting texture it makes.
congrats on staying within your budget too!