Block of Mini Alphabet Stamps: The Destiny of Things, Story 191

Block of Mini Alphabet Stamps:  The Destiny of Things, Story 191

An Etsy buyer is having a crafting weekend with these! and I think it's this weekend!

 photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy, block of abc's in a different font, here

I got a little note to ship as soon as possible for a crafting weekend, so I did.  It made it for either weekend!  (Over thinker here, did they mean the weekend it was ordered or the week after?)  How fun!  I love that thick font!

Just a note about ordering and payment:  I get a lot of rush orders and would love to rush them ASAP, however, we do have to wait for credit card payments to clear, which can take from 24-48 hours depending on the business day, so if one really needs a "rush" order, it's best to use Paypal because payment is instant and we package those as soon as we get them.

Also, credit card buyers seem to cancel orders more than paypal purchasers, so now, most of the time I wait for the credit card payments to clear to package for shipping because I've packaged for shipping waiting for the credit card payment to clear and when it does I find the order has been canceled.

We ship on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and get packages ready for shipment the night before, so if an order payment hasn't cleared, we wait now until it does.  We do ship on Tuesday and Thursday upon request, but bear in mind, some days it may not be possible.

Okay, that should go into my shop policies, but it's already here, so oh well.  Back to the story....

 photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy, block of abc's in a different font, here

When I bought these I had the same idea as the Etsy buyer to craft all day long.... to stamp and craft my little heart out with them, however at the time I liked so many different fonts and couldn't settle on a favorite, so I bought one of each!!!!!

And to my dismay, the first block fell apart when I tried to use them, that story is here.  Luckily those went to a patient crafter who didn't mind carefully taking them all apart and gluing them to work properly.  My craft time is limited by space due to my hoard taking over, hence the limited time for me to craft on project days.

One day that will all be in the past and I hope to have different centers or areas set up for my various arts that I can move around from station to station kind of like teaching centered cooperative learning stations!  Remember those?  So much work for the teacher to set up and students to learn to use, but once it was up and running learning was so much more fun!  And even the nay sayers and students who bored quickly would give each station a try because it was only 45 minutes of nay or boredom!

If you are like me, I have to see how the stamp is going to "actually" print, even though it's supposed to look like the print at the top of each block, but that's usually not possible before purchase, so most of mine aren't brand spanking new because I had to see what it was going to look like first!

photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy, block of abc's in a different font, here

Saying Goodbye:  I have a long lost batch of these in a box somewhere and the ones listed are the stragglers that some how got free.  I think I had picked out my favorites to try out.

What I Learned:

1.  I do so love the stamped look on my projects, but stamping out words takes time and patience with lining up each letter carefully, but perhaps I should try to be less careful and more randomly imperfect.  And even more time taking the block apart carefully just to use it!

2.  My stamp collection used to be huge, especially during my teaching days, but it's still pretty big.  Well, it might even be huge, once I find them all in the lost hoard of hoards.  Also, I tend to use the same 5 stamps over and over.  My date stamper, here, my little heart and crown, rounded asterisk and bird, as seen here

 I love stamping little doodads and stickers

Sample of my omiyage "thank you" package that goes out with every order!  Soon to come,

examples of how it's been used by one Etsy buyer, now turned friend!

photo via VintageToGoEasy, available here

3.  I am finding out that learning to stamp takes time and practice.  Other artists make it look so easy and beautiful, but I seem to stamp too lightly and need to stamp on the same area twice which is impossible to stamp exactly on the previous stamped area!  And then there is bi color and tri color stamping and so on!

What have you seen lately that looks so easy, but is not?  Although I love to stamp, I am not a natural born stamper.  No worries, other things do come more naturally.

Thank you Etsy buyer for being so excited about a craft purchase for a weekend of crafting that you sent me a note about it!  Love to be a fly on the wall and see all the different creations!

Thank you Etsy for the continued support towards my Hoarder Rehab in more ways than one!

Thank you US, Poland, Canada, South Korea, Oman, China, Germany, Spain, France, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Hungary and other countries for your visits and supporting my  HoarderRehab and The Destiny of Things!  

Click on the shop names to visit my hoard listed daily: HoarderRehab with 159 items ,  The Destiny of Things-168 items , VintageToGoEasy - 145 items and now JunkDrawerLove - 121 items!  My NEW GOAL is to have 175 items listed on each shop, so I'll be listing at least 1 new item daily on each shop five days a week!  Thanks for looking!  Maybe you'll find something to take home and share your story too!

 

Related Stories:  More about my craft stamp collections!

 

1.  Distressed Block of Alphabet stamps, here

2.  Last Monday's posting about my mechanical date stamper, here

3.  A kindergarten teacher saving time using this date stamper, here!  A "destiny as infinity" story!

 

4.   "Destiny as Infinity":  How I got the idea of "untold destiny" wishes through a mish mash of cluttered thoughts!  

"I can't control my past or change it, but I can change what I can now."---Kit Kat

Scrapbook Projects and Rubber Date Stamper: The Destiny of Things, Story 190

Scrapbook Projects and  Rubber Date Stamper:  The Destiny of Things, Story 190

I love my date stamper because it's a little different and someone else "out there" does too!

 Another nice detail to this stamper is that it has the thumbnail flat side, shown above

which easily indicates the date is right side up

photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy, available here

I originally bought mine 20 years ago because third graders are always forgetting to write their names and dates on papers, so in the beginning of the year to create good habits, I'd let them use this date stamper by passing it around during work time.

Every ten years I'd buy a new one, but around 2007 when I needed a new one  I couldn't find one that didn't cost an arm and a leg!  And hence the good habit of writing names and dates first thing on work assignments kinda plummeted.

And last year 2013, I found them again!  The exact same kind with the date first, then month and lastly year, which isn't the ideal way to write the date, nor the way it's supposed to be taught in school, but at least it's the date and personally I like the way it looks better.

So I bought one for my art projects which I date with this stamper mainly because I like the way this date stamp looks and sometimes I go back and put my art in date order just to see how my art has been evolving.

photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy, available here

Well, an Etsy buyer likes the way it looks too and told me so!  She basically said she loves the awesome impression it leaves on her scrapbooking projects!  Who doesn't love validation!  And I wonder how it looks on her scrapbooks.  I bet just wonderful!

 photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy, available here

That's how it looks stamped on grey construction paper.  I haven't been using the stamp as often on my art projects because I think perhaps others don't want the date stamped on them if they are going to use them as greeting cards or postcards.

Someone from Etsy did ask me why I have so many if I'm a recovering hoarder and well, my only excuse is that I think other teachers and artists will find the price appealing.  

And this is a teacher tool worth having, especially at the beginning of the year!  If I were to make a care package for beginning teachers for the first day of school, this would be the first item in it, besides 60 sharpened pencils, 60 eraser toppers, 60 flag stickers to personalize, 32 boxes of crayons and 32 blank journals!

And I say 32 because even though each class usually has 30 students, the first day through the first week, even month of school can be confusing for everyone and students end up in the wrong class or transfer in and out without reason and every student feels more welcome when they walk in the door and all the tools needed for a successful day are ready and all in one place!

I think I'll always have my teacher feelings!  but now here's some examples of how I use the stamper now.

Front of Butterflies and Bows, available here

Back of Butterflies and Bows, available here

Four days later, still on my butterfly theme, but I can see how it evolved into something more subdued and carefree.

Front of Butterfly Meadows, available here

Back of Butterfly Meadows, available here

This date stamper not only comes in handy for art and scrapbooking, but for classroom office paperwork too, like dating field trip slips before they go home, etc.  And it's easy to get an classroom helper because most kids love to stamp and stamp pad!

Tiny secret:  One of the reasons I became a notary is because I can stamp my little heart out!  And yes, I used to have a huge teacher collection of stamps in English and Spanish that was overflowing out of my caboodle and was probably the only person I knew who kept stamps, instead of make up in mine!

Out of huge classroom stamp collection, the ones I used the most were the date stamper, one with a tiny heart on it (I used in case one forgot to write in their names and used it when I found written sentences I favored), a self inking smiley face that played, "you are my sunshine" and another self inking one which read, 100% percent.  And that was it!

photo via Fourth Grade Nothing

And before Caboodles, I had quite the tackle box collection too, which some held my fishing stuff, another my stain glass tools and one for bead supplies.  Okay, I am digressing.

photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy, available here

Saying Goodbye:   No worries, but as a recovering hoarder, I do possess a small fear that in 9 years when this stamper runs out, I may not find a new one so easily and may have to wait 6 years to find one again?  I know to most people that may not sound reasonable, but as a recovering hoarder the twinge of fear is a reality for me and adds to my hoarding issues.

Maybe now that I've said it out loud, I can work on better accepting my issues and find a way to remedy my twinges of fear so far ahead in the future.  I wonder if that's a common issue with hoarders?

What I Learned:

1.  I have quite the stamp collection and this is the one I use the most.  I love to stamp, but I don't like cleaning them, so I don't use them as often as I'd like.

2.  I may need to work on my teacher mode issues.  I seem to fall into "teacher mode" quite easily when I shop even though it's been many years since I've been in a classroom and I don't miss it.  Although I left teaching years ago, it seems it hasn't left me alone and this summer I will have to face a class action battle from the past.  I really look forward to crossing that off my "To Do" list forever.

3.  Perhaps maybe I've found a way to hoard without hoarding, since many others like this date stamper too!

How do you handle the stress of unfinished business after you thought it was finished?  Not too well over here and I'm not a patient waiter for important dates in the far future.  I seem to fret over them as they approach and when I finally do forget about it, so has the important date!  

Retail therapy used to my answer to stress and waiting, but I'll have to keep with my varying projects and dehoarding!  Plus some of my favorite new shows have returned, like Game of Thrones, Mad Men and the new show, Fargo.

 Mother's day washi tape art cards for my Mom.  She loves to quilt and the Kusa or Japanese grass is

a little reminder to let her know that all those years of Japanese lessons were not lost!

photo via Hoarder Rehab, available here

Thank you kind Etsy buyer for leaving me a short note about the stamper leaving an awesome special impression with your scrapbooking projects.  At least I know you'll have fun with it for the next nine years!

Thank you Etsy for the many connections with happy buyers and sometimes making my connection extra special!

Thank you US, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, France, Ukraine, and other countries for taking part in my  HoarderRehab and The Destiny of Things!  

Click on the shop names to visit my hoard listed daily: HoarderRehab,  The Destiny of Things, VintageToGoEasy and now JunkDrawerLove!  My NEW GOAL is to list 175 items on each shop, so I'll be listing at least 1 new item daily on each shop every business day!  Thanks for looking!  Maybe you'll find something to take home and share your story too!

Related Stories:  Other Date Stamper stories...

1.  A kindergarten teacher saving time using this date stamper, here!  A "destiny as infinity" story!

2.  "Destiny as Infinity":  How I got the idea of "untold destiny" wishes through a mish mash of thoughts! 

3.  My other "must have" teacher tools, I kept close at hand:   Service Bell and Receipt Spike

4.  I received a handwritten snail mail letter with a beautiful personal book marker about someone's story and their date stamper and I can't find it!  I think it's a long lost story I MUST find now!

"Nothing brings you peace, but the triumph of principles."  Boyd Crowder from Justified quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Beginner Jazz Piano Books: The Destiny of Things, Story 189

Beginner Jazz Piano Books:  The Destiny of Things, Story 189

Someone was so excited about jazz piano lessons they left me this note!

photo via The Destiny of Things, more beginner piano music available here

Note from Buyer

Just started piano lessons again at 62 y.o. Love jazz. My teacher is solid into classical. I need material for her to help me. Many thanks. I won't be turning these pages into origami lol!!

photo via The Destiny of Things, more beginner piano music available here

How fun does that sound?  Someone else is taking up piano again.  It's never too late, right?  It's only too late, if you never start!  And I'm thankful these pages won't be turning into origami anytime soon, which is my plan for any sheet music that remains with me.

I too, was hoping to take up piano again when I retired.  Actually before I retired, I even splurged on a full sized piano style Casio keyboard for myself for one of my birthdays when I was in my 30s or was it 40s?

I also had a portable keyboard someone donated for my classroom and I had a difficult time getting used to the smaller keyboard, but it wasn't long before music was replaced in the curriculum for more time with the 3 R's and songs like our National Anthem and other traditionally learned songs in third grade were lost in time!

Before I knew it, I basically forgot everything, even how to read music!  It was like 8 years of piano lessons vanishing into thin air!  A year after I retired I became bedridden sick for over a year and ever since I feel like I've been catching up on lost time and health!  Dehoarding is one of my last ditch efforts for ultimate health!

However during my bedridden time, I continued to hoard and one of the things I collected were the beginner piano books from my childhood as inspiration for when I could move around again.  I was going to be able to exercise my body again and my brain by teaching myself to play again!

I did, I eventually relearn my old favorites and more, like Fur Elise, Moonlight Sonata and Oh When the Saints Go Marching In, etc. however I never regained my finger strength or dexterity of my youth, so many of the songs I mastered and loved were years beyond me.

I mean, how many boogie woogies and rag time songs did I have to learn to play before I could play, Carol King, Simon and Garfunkel or Bye bye Ms American Pie?  Although I was exceptionally happy once I mastered, Mozart's "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star in Variations" with my own added ones.  Listen to his 12 variations, while you continue to read, here on youtube.

photo via The Destiny of Things, more beginner piano music available here

Over a ten year period, I bought a new house every 2-3 years and my piano came along with me... along with the rest of my hoard!  Movers had never seen so much stuff for one person!  Yep, some even said it out loud!  Anyways, by my fourth or fifth move I decided to purge and it was either the sewing machine or the piano.

photo via OldSewinGear

I figured I could easily buy another piano again, but I think it would be much more difficult to replace my Singer Slanto-matic 503 with all the original bells and whistles with all the manuals and in fabo working order, let alone find a sewing machine with all metal parts again.

I was lucky, even on Craig's List the Casio keyboard sold for a pretty penny, however I can not say the same for my flokati rug! but that's another story!

 photo via The Destiny of Things, more beginner piano music available here

Saying Goodbye:  The musician that bought my keyboard smiled politely and declined when I asked if he needed my piano books, but I had to ask, one never knows!  And I thought it highly unlikely that others would want my beginner piano books, but they have!  5 sets have sold so far, so I suppose I should get to relisting more of them!

With each Etsy listing description I usually note my back story under "Hoarder History" or "Side Kick Story" and end it with my hopes of it's "Untold Destiny,"  so this is the one for the Jazz books:

Untold Destiny: I hope someone who's beginning piano lessons knows why jazz boogie woogies will strengthen their piano playing and enjoy all four books! or if use them as paper ephemera for cards, origami or various art projects as I will if they don't find their way to a more purposeful home!

If you 'd like you can read the full description with it's "Hoarder History," it's here.  I am thankful most of my "Untold Destiny" wishes came true!  Actually when I think about it, many of my "Untold Destiny" wishes have come to light.

What I Learned:

1.  The ending quote from a couple of days ago, goes well with this posting.  "It is the job never started that takes the longest to finish." ---TRR Tolkien 

The Tolkien quote helps me to keeping going with my Hoarder Rehab journey.  I must keep going forward, even if I do backslide every once in awhile, like I've been doing lately.  And lately...

2.  Not only have I returned to my comfort zone of retail therapy as stress release, but another kind Etsyian emailed me about one of my blog posts and shared about their diner collections and was wondering if I'd reconsider listing my Russel Wright Disneyland Carnation Cafe plates.  

I'm still in conflict with it for some unknown reasons and I even put them back into the kitchen to use and they end up being on the bottom of pile unused, so I told the person that if I can't resolve my turmoil over them by next week, I'll just list them and see what happens.

And then today, I have full on recovering hoarder seller's remorse!  Not one, but two of my favorite bracelets from my college days sold and I have high anxiety over letting both go!  I can't even wear them anymore due to allergies to metals and they'll provide endless hoards of washi tape and other art supplies, but none of that rational seems to be helping me at this moment.

I've loved Taxco jewelry since college.  I even made one of my dreams come true by spending a day in the little town on a shopping spree!  Photo via The Destiny of Things, see more views of it here

And soon after,  to top it off my WW2 historical Sweetheart bracelet was ordered!  Oh my, that's like eating so much pie it's giving me a sugar rush and stomach ache at the same time!  That's just too much dehoarding for one day!  Be thankful, be thankful! 

I'm trying, I'm trying!  Stay calm and breath!  Just breath!  Move on....  just a little baby step....

 photo via VintageToGoEasy, read about it's noteable history connected to the Enola Gay, here

3.  At least I'm beginning to recognize the emerging pattern of what triggers my hoarding backslides!  What to do about it is still a mystery, but at least I know now and can perhaps some how be better prepared for the next one?

And when seller's remorse kicks in, I remind myself to breath and make a gratitude list.  I am thankful I have the entire weekend to let go.  I am thankful one went to a return buyer who also bought the matching cross. so even without a story I know someone out there must love it enough to return for more!

Maybe I'll get a story from my WW2 bracelet?  Maybe it's going in a museum?  Moving on....

Anyone else "out there" get seller's remorse?  As a recovering hoarder, I get seller's remorse and buyer's remorse!  And I used to get seller's remorse more than not and it is quite painful.  At least I can say that the practice of letting go of over 650 items has dulled and lessened over time, but some things and I never know which ones can still create mayhem with panic and anxiety!

Thank you Etsy buyer from The Destiny of Things for feeling the excitement of learning jazz piano enough to share it with me!  I am so thankful that you and others have found the beginner books I love too!  Thank you for bringing another piece to my puzzle by sending your story!

Thank you Etsy and over 650 Etsy buyers for finding new lives and homes for all my loved loved items, even if it takes me more rational time than I think I should need to let go of them, in the end it's inevitable and I eventually get over it.  Will I remember the bracelet in six months and still feel this way about it?  I know I will not.

Most of all thank you for all the connections made and stories received from people who in more ways than one are helping me declutter my life, home, mind, spirit and truck to improve my health.

Thank you US, Australia, Canada, China, UK, Hungary, Malaysia, Germany, France, Poland and many others who continually support me by stopping by my  HoarderRehab and The Destiny of Things!  

Click on the shop names to visit my hoard listed daily: HoarderRehab,  The Destiny of Things, VintageToGoEasy and now JunkDrawerLove!  There are about 116 items listed on JunkDrawerLove and am adding new listings to each shop daily and will continue to relist 1-2 items at the other shops!  Thanks for looking!  Maybe you'll find something to take home and share your story too!

Related Stories:  Other piano and beginner book stories....

1.  Two sisters who live hundreds a mile a part are practicing the piano to play duets for their parents again, one of them has my Duet book!  Read about it here

2.  A Mother-Daughter Baton Twirling Team using my Baton Twirling book, here.  I'm still not sure why I bought that book, but returning to it has brought me a clue!

3.    My HoarderRehab Melt Down:  I'm battling the feeling, but at least this one will be much smaller.

4.  Retail Therapy as a Stress Relief, part 1, part 2, part 3:  Did my last thrift overload spur another shopping spree?

5.   My Thirfting Overload:  Anyone have any ideas on  how to contain hoarder feelings of going on a buying spree?

Most Read Story of the Week:  Blood Bag Candy Favors, Coroner Name Tags & Fortune Fish:  The Destiny of Things, Story 187

All Time Most Read Story of Month and All Time:  My Louis Vuitton Collection the end of mine for the beginning of someone else.  The last piece of my LV collection, my 80s LV gold cornered wallet is available here at The Destiny of Things!  

 "I know what I have to do now.  I have to keep breathing and tomorrow the sun will rise and who knows what the tide will bring in."---Chuck Noland, Cast Away

Loteria Mexican Bingo Game Wedding Crafts: The Destiny of Things, Story 188

Loteria Mexican Bingo Game Wedding Crafts:  The Destiny of Things, Story 188

An Etsy buyer bought both versions of this popular Mexican Fiesta game!

This is the more updated retro version of the loteria game

photo via The Destiny of Things, available here

Here's the email:

Yes indeedy! For my fiesta theme wedding :) not positive how yet... Thanks!

This is the traditional version with it's well loved graphics

photo via The Destiny of Things, available here

How cool is that!  They will be used in her "Fiesta" themed wedding!  She sent a question asking what the backs of the new version look like and they basically have the fur de lise symbol with striped coloring in green and orange.  So I asked if she was going to craft with these like I do and she sent the short email. 

I like both versions of the loteria Mexican bingo game and have used both versions in my art, but I am partial to the traditional version because I love the riddles on the back of each playing card, even if they are in Spanish and my third grade version of Spanish usually doesn't translate well.  And also because each game board has old fashioned games on the back of them!

This is the traditional version with different games on the back of each game board

and the riddles in Spanish on the back of each card.

photo via The Destiny of Things, available here

Traditionally one would sing out the riddle, instead of using the bingo number, so in the classroom whoever was the host could choose to sing it out or read it.  My third graders that liked to ham it up would sing them out with great fun!  For beginners and my non Spanish learners or English only learners we said the riddle first and then the number in English.  

We also used traditional markers, such as dried pinto beans and/or rocks found at recess.  Later we would grow the pinto beans.  Also in the Spanish version, there are different ways to win.  One way is the same as our American style either a four way line, straight or diagonal and another is a completed tablet, whichever is decided.  Others are four corners and/or any combination of four that forms a square on the board.  Or a different way, which my students loved was to decide on a letter to form, like a Z or N.

 Examples of how to win making letters are shown in the last two boxes with Z and N

photo via The Destiny of Things, game available here

Here are more examples of the ways to win here on wiki and I'll take a photo of how to do the letters this weekend.

Some examples of the most loved classroom riddles are:  

2 El diablito (The Little Devil)

Pórtate bien cuatito, si no te lleva el coloradito.

Behave yourself so that the little red one doesn't carry you off.

33 La araña (The Spider)

Atarántamela a palos, no me la dejes llegar.

Beat it silly, do not let it reach me!

The whole set of riddles can be found in Spanish with English translations here on wiki

This is the more updated retro version of the loteria game

photo via The Destiny of Things, available here

This game originated from Italy in the 15th century and was brought to New Spain, now Mexico in 1769.  In 1886, Don Clemente Jacques started publishing the game in the US and gaining popularity her and in Europe.  So as a disclaimer, some of the cards and riddles are very old fashioned and in this day and age, may not be perceived as politically correct.  Explanations to children may be needed before playing.  Viewer discretion advised to children of all ages!

photo via The Destiny of Things, available here

Saying Goodbye:  I've been using the traditional cards since the 80s as a third grade teaching tool.  Back then my class ratio was 90% Spanish readers with 10% English readers, so we played this game as an example of what it's like to be learning a new language.  I also used this in my art when I used to make little loteria shrine boxes.

I'll have to see if I still have some, but I think I gave them all away to friends that wanted them.  I think I have photos of them some where in the hoard!  I'll have to keep an eye out for them.

What I Learned:

1.  I am happy to hear that there are others "out there" like me who get so excited over finding something cool that they buy it without really having a project in mind!  At least if she doesn't use it in some way as a wedding craft, everyone can play it during her "fiesta" wedding!

 Beautiful unique example of wedding seating arrangement display someone emailed to me.

2.  The stress of this past holiday threw me for a loop and has triggered a small buying spree as retail therapy!  At least this time it was just post stress and not pre, during and post, so hopefully I'll stop soon!  It still is a huge improvement from all my years before I started this Hoarder Rehab journey.

3.  I have been finding other outlets to focus on rather than hoard buying and that has been mending my much loved jeans and favorite gauze shirt, both of which I've worn to threads and are slowly mending and patching up.  I hope to remember to take photos of them this weekend.

The beginning of my jeans mend with photos is here.

Thank you Etsy buyer from The Destiny of Things for sending me the little email that went a long way to help me and my Hoarder Rehab journey!  Best wishes to you and Congratulations to your fiancee!  And I hope both versions of the loteria game bring you and yours many happy new memories towards the start of your new life together!  I am thankful to be a tiny part of it in some tiny way!

Thank you Etsy for your continued support and major outlet for my Hoarder Rehab with over 650 of my hoarded items finding new lives and homes almost everyday!

Thank you US, China, Germany, France, Netherlands, South Africa and other countries for your continued support to by taking part and visiting Hoarder Rehab:  The Destiny of Things!

Click on the shop names to visit my hoard listed daily: HoarderRehab,  The Destiny of Things, VintageToGoEasy and now JunkDrawerLove!  There are about 114 items listed on JunkDrawerLove and relistings to each shops daily and adding new listings weekly to all shops too! Thanks for looking!  Find something to take home and share your story too!

My latest alternative to hoarding....mixed media art collage mexican folk art loteria style:

photo via VintageToGoEasy, available here

"It is only by forgiving that we ourselves are forgiven." ---St. Francis of Assisi

Blood Bag Candy Favors, Toe Tag Stickers & Fortune Fish: The Destiny of Things, Story 187

Blood Bag Candy Favors, Coroner Name Tags & Fortune Fish:  The Destiny of Things, Story 187

Add some Blood Bag Candy, Coroner Toe Tag and Fortune Fish and what does one get?

photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy, City Coroner name tags here, Coroner Toe Tag Drink Marker here

Blood Bag Liquid Candy, sold out!

A Mystery Murder Party!  So these have all gone to a Murder Mystery Party.  And now that my last Bag o' Bloods are gone, I'm getting requests!  I bought these for my mixed media ghoulish vignettes for Halloween and afterwards planned to use them with my antique broken Charlotte doll assemblage shadow box art, but they were too big!

 photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy

They are small, as in big enough for one serving of syrup on ice cream, but not small enough for how I wanted to use them.  I thought they were so cute too and funny.  I even had a few extra to pass out for Halloween, but no one came a knockin!

And if you are Sons of Anarchy fans, well then I'm sure you'll remember how Tara used hers!  Speaking of macabre I also have the murder weapon used on the show of Tara's demise.  Not the exact one used on the show, but one just like it!  A  "Henckels" meat fork I have as a set with a knife sharpener.  It's from the 80s, so let me know and I'll list it, if anyone out there wants it.

photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy, City Coroner name tags here, Coroner Toe Tag Drink Markers here

Red syringe pen, here, other mixed color syringe pens here

I bought these to wall paper my assemblage art.  I was going to type in the dolls information for an interesting background.  I also could have used these when I was teaching for Day of the Dead party activities because not only is one supposed to use the time to honor the dead, but to talk about death.  Some cultures even lie in a coffin, as well as picnic at the cemetery of their loves ones eating their favorite foods telling funny stories and making ofrendas or shrines in their loved ones memories.

Anyways, I think they would also make great easy invitations, guest name place cards, ice breaker name tags for many different occasions and theme parties from Dexter, Hannibal, Sherlock Holmes, Vampire, Boardwalk Empire, Graduation, Retirement or anything to do with murder mysteries and the macabre!

Even games, like write up famous dead people (Dead characters to your theme party, like Walking Dead characters, Dead Poets and Authors, etc) and put all the clues on the coroner tag stickers and put one on the back of each guest and through the night they ask others "yes" and "no" questions until they figure out who they are.  My students loved playing that game with famous people!

And if you are having a Dexter or Hannibal themed party, wouldn't it be just grand to use one of these syringe pens to fill out the information?  And these would stand in quite appropriately for anyone graduating or retiring from the medical field, be it nurse, doctor, dentist, paramedic, technician, pharmacist, etc!

photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy

Red syringe pen, here, other mixed color syringe pens here   

And lastly everyone loves the mystery of the fortune fish because who knows what kind of love will be indicated in the palm of your hand!  These make great party favors for all ages and are retro replicas from the 1930s, so bring back some old memories and make new ones as the luck of the fish lives on!

photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy, Fortune Fish available here

Saying Goodbye:  Nothing I couldn't part with and even though it was the last of my stash of Blood Bags, they were too big for my assemblage art and I still have plenty of Coroner Toe Tags if I decide to go with a macabre mixed media assemblage shadow box.

photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy, City Coroner name tags here, Coroner Toe Tag Drink Marker here

Blood Bag Liquid Candy, sold out!

What I Learned:

1.  Even though I measure out things before I buy them, I still have difficulties with scale!  So these bags ended up the same size as the dolls!  And I don't know if it's Hoarder Inspiration or Hoarder Desperation that these have ended up selling so well.

2.  I figured out why I had a short bender of retail therapy of vintage origami books and kawaii stationery!  It's because I don't do well with holiday and family stress and Easter just rode on by!  I was so focused on not eating fried foods for Lent and staying on a vegan menu, except on Fridays that I forgot about Easter!

It didn't dawn on me until today!  Better late than never...

3.  It's amazing the requests and amounts requested for the Candy Blood Bags around the time they sold.  Also for  the syringe pens.....I've also gotten a request for the Russel Wright Carnation Cafe dishes, so I'm thinking about relisting them again on Hoarder Rehab to see to how well I fair as a recovering hoarder this time over.

How was your Easter weekend?  I'm learning what triggers my retail therapy sprees that turn into hoard and fighting one vice at a time!

Thank you Etsy buyer for letting me know that these are going to be having some fun at your Murder Mystery Party!

Thank you Etsy for finding homes and new lives for over 650 hoarded items and counting!  And for all the positive connections from many of them!  Keep them coming!

Thank you US, UK, AU, Switzerland, Hungary, Philippines, Poland, Taiwan, South Africa and many others who came this weekend to support my HoarderRehab and The Destiny of Things with your visits!  

Click on the shop names to visit my hoard listed daily: HoarderRehab,  The Destiny of Things, VintageToGoEasy and now JunkDrawerLove!  There are about 112 items listed on JunkDrawerLove and relistings to each shops daily and adding new listings weekly to all shops too!  Thanks for looking!  Find something to take home and share your story too!

Another art day project as an alternative to my hoarding ways!

 My Hannibal inspired mixed media assemblage collage art card

 photo via The Destiny of Things, available here

Related Stories:

1.   Syringe Pens:  The Destiny of Things, Story 186

2.  Fortune Fish for Spy Party Favors, here 

"It is the job never started that takes the longest to finish." ---TRR Tolkien

Syringe Pen Props in Art Show: The Destiny of Things, Story 186

Syringe Pen Props in Art Show:  The Destiny of Things, Story 186

 Some of these are going to be props in HELLAstitchy's art show in San Jose, California!

photo via The Destiny of Things, red ink syringe pen available here

and syringe pens in blue, yellow or green in black ink here

I've loved these pens since childhood!  I remember using one at the Doctor's office attached to a clipboard, kept me busy for hours pretending to fill out paperwork!  And my pediatrician always had one in his lab coat pocket.... I can still hear him click it to write!

I also remember him telling me to have three careers in mind for when I grow up.  His were doctor, pilot and teacher.  His plane crashed in stormy weather and he eventually lost sight in one of his eyes, so he became a teacher! I grew up across the street from Meadowlark Airport and now wonder if that's where he flew from.

 photo via VintageEditionBooks

I remember reading this book at in the waiting room of the Doctor's office and eventually my brother and I had one to share at home!  We each had a syringe pen too and kept it in our Doctor's bag of tricks!  which was really a first aid kit with mostly band aids in it!

photo via The Destiny of Things, red ink syringe pen available here

and syringe pens in blue, yellow or green in black ink here

I remember the real shots from the Dentist office.  I could see the needle coming, but my dentist was so good I never felt it or at least I don't remember feeling it.  So many memories from this pen!

Caitlin from Etsy shop, HELLAstitchy sent an email saying the pens work out well in her life since she has a pharmacy background and is majoring in Biology with plans in the medical field and will incorporate these with other medical props in her art show May 21st featuring her embroidery.  How HELLAexciting!

photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy, City Coroner toe tag stickers here 

and syringe pens in blue, yellow or green here

Saying Goodbye:  I have my own stash of these around the house in my various pencil holders in every room and keep one handy in my backpack.  My family has many in the medical field, so these end up being taken home or given away and the little ones love to play Doctor, Nurse, Pharmacist, Paramedic, etc with them and of course, it's a great prop introduction to the book, "Good Drug, Bad Drug."

What I Learned:

1.  I buy a lot of trinkets and nostalgic novelty items from childhood!  I used to have quite the pen and pencil collection and still have my favorites.  My Japanese kawaii stationery is still growing, even though I'm trying to stunt it's growth.  I either need to find a pen pal who enjoys the same stationery or dig up what's left from my teen to college years and list it on Etsy!

2.  As a recovering hoarder, progress in some areas are more pronounced and in other areas very miniscule.  For example, now that I've let go of most of my Taxco and  Native American jewelry because I'm allergic to sterling, I've found I'm not as allergic to it anymore.  I waited over 3 years for my allergy to most metals to fade away, but I find that now that I can tolerate wearing some jewelry again, I am so used to not wearing jewelry that I don't even think about it!

So at least I've gotten over jewelry!  I guess that's a good thing?  Now to figure out the mysteries behind the Japanese kawaii stationery!  Ho-hum!

Is there anything you keep buying even though you don't need it?  There's plenty I still buy without needing it, like kawaii stationery, especially San-x Nyanko, (the older food cats) but I am consciously making slow progress in that arena!

Thank you fellow Etsy shop owner, Caitlin from HELLAstitchy for sharing your story with me to help me with mine.  It seems my memories are lost in things and don't reveal themselves until I write about the item.  I am so thankful the syringe pens are going to add some detail to your art show this May 21st!  I hope it's the best ever!

I found a lot of inspiration, fun and chuckles in her "about" page, here because I could really relate to so much of it.  The day I first read it, I especially could relate to this line, "So I turned my fear over and found a little confidence."  That little line made a big difference for the rest of my days!

So visit HELLAstitchy for some unique handmade embroidery stitched items, like wall decor, patches, and custom orders!  She's an Official Bonafide Sublime Stitcher! Not for the faint of heart or easily offended, don't be shy!  

My favorites are the bird patch here, perfect for the day when a bird has a mind of it's own and hits you with a fly by!  Or this here, when I need a reminder that one treat is NOT enough!  And for the risque and a giggle, "C U Next Tuesday here!  My all time favorite embroidery piece, "Vital Organ" with it's high pop of color, here! and it includes the neon green frame!  Wow!  now I think I can see where the syringe pens will find it's proper place, other than next to the guest book!

And many happy sales to you and your new shop!

Thank you Etsy for more and more stories coming my way that are helping me to solve the mysteries to my hoarding!

Thank you US,  Canada, China, UK, South Korea, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Malaysia and many others for helping take part in my HoarderRehab and The Destiny of Things with your visits!  

Click on the shop names to visit my hoard listed daily: HoarderRehab,  The Destiny of Things, VintageToGoEasy and now JunkDrawerLove!  There are about 111 items listed on JunkDrawerLove and relistings to each shops daily and adding new listings weekly to all shops too!  Thanks for looking!  Find something to take home and share your story too!

 photo via JunkDrawerLoveEtsy, syringe pens in colors above here

All Time Most Read Story of the Week, Month and All Time:  My Louis Vuitton Collection the end of mine for the beginning of someone else.  The last piece of my LV collection, my 80s LV gold cornered wallet is available here at The Destiny of Things!  

"It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” ---Vincent van Gogh  

Thanks for the visit!  Happy Friday!