Oddfellow Creations

10/12/2026

What do you think of when someone says "bittersweet"? Chocolate? Vinegar? Something both good and bad? Tarry woodsmoke? For me, it was my last day of the Port Orchard Farmers Market yesterday. We're settling into the rainy season and rain and paper don't mix so I've tipped my hat to the season and will be back next year with more cards and silliness. It was hard walking away from the friendships renewed and new friends made, hard to admit that I both needed to and didn't want to pack up and drive away.

This year saw the creation of the Wednesday Market, the addition of great new vendors to the Saturday Market, and plenty of opportunities to encourage people to reach out with the magic of greeting cards instead of emails. There were some who weren't interested but even more who confessed how much they enjoyed sending a special card to that special someone. I may not be the best cardmaker in the world, yet I'm the only one who can make the cards I make and over the years I've come to appreciate that special truth.

Anyway, now it's time to gear up for my three holiday shows in November: the North Kitsap Highschool Holiday Show the first weekend of the month; Meals on Wheels JingleFest Nov. 14th & 15th at the Fairgrounds President's Hall; the Soroptimists Christmas fair at the South Kitsap Mall Thanksgiving Weekend. Cue the stock panic! Do you have any particular preparation plans for the coming holiday season?

10/10/2026

And from the paper crafter's den there was heard a familiar cry:
"I JUST HAD IT!" 😡

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10/07/2026

Hiho, Kermit the Fro-

Um...never mind.

Anyway, how goes things with you guys. As you can tell by the pictures below, I've been busy. 46 cards in 3 days. These were made using the anonymous gifting of a card class kit (so frustrating!) that explored sloppy watercolor painting, a style I thought I was good at. Now I'm not so sure, but I do like the cards. I'm gearing up for my three holiday shows in November (gulp!) and am convinced I won't sell anything while selling out of everything. Don't ask. I don't understand it, either. It's hard to explain how making cards can take so much time for such a seemingly small reward. I mean...it's paper! Trust me, it does.

Life continues apace. Our car died so I am scrambling to find hauling transport to the Market Saturday. This may be my final market depending on the weather. Rain and paper do not get along, definitely a toxic relationship with paper coming out worse for wear.

Onward! What do you have planned for the week?

09/26/2026

Feeling vaguely homicidal today so instead I'll celebrate the cards I made yesterday. Better than calling the police and I look lousy in orange.

09/22/2026

Despite my best intentions, life and laundry continue ever onward. There have been plenty of ups and downs of late but in general I'm doing well because of the support around me from family, friends, customers, and followers. The incomplete phrase "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" has been on my mind ("Why can not a man lift himself by pulling up on his bootstraps?"). Many crafters will say they 'do it all themselves' while overlooking the support and assistance they've received from the people in their lives. So, without further ado I offer you...

* Faith, my wife, partner, and best friend who reminds me that my compassion may be broken but still has a place in my life

* Ian, my oldest son, staunch bulk die-cutter, and gym partner

*Ashley, housemate extraordinaire and generous supplier of "Go, Xander!" cheers

* Jill Wetzel of Waderpaw Acres, staunch supporter, giggle maker, and angel of sugar-free hot cocoa

* Donna Strep, my Craft Daddy (in my mind, at least) whose generosity has allowed me the freedom to explore even more of my creativity, the purveyor of fine crafting memes and food, and more creative than she gives herself credit for

* Schelie Hoynes, giver of many things and snickering geek right along side me

*Sandi Fleury of Sandi's Sourdough, baker and staunch enthusiast

* Barbara Mourer, kind, sharp of wit and eye, and generous to a fault

* Hetty Westcott, sponsor, ally, and encouraging presence

* Lynn Plummer, such an inspiration (seriously, what she can do with paper and inks. . .

09/13/2026

I took a mental health day yesterday and spent the day at a crop rather than splitting it between Market and crop (don't worry, I'll be back.) I'm glad I did. I'd spent most of the week prepping and cutting things to assemble and while it's easy to be frustrated while doing the prep it makes the assembly so much easier. * looks at previous sentence and sighs in writerly disgust *

The tiny aliens were an unexpected bonus. I complimented one of the attendees on her alien die and she offered to let me use it. Another woman had a small die cut machine (a moment for the silence for the one I worked into the ground - need to save up to get a new one) so I spent the better part of an hour cutting and gluing the little guys. James's favorite movie growing up was TOY STORY and the pile of them made me smile. "The Claw. The Claw chooses."

Today I will finish up the pieces I didn't get to yesterday, do chores around the house, then it's back to cards. What have you been up to this weekend?

09/11/2026

Pictures of life!
Or something like it.

09/06/2026

Had a really good day at the Port Orchard Farmers Market. Wonderful weather, great crowd, and so many doggos! I admit that I only make cards so I have an excuse to sell at the Market and fawn over the dogs.

With the holidays just around the corner I've started focusing on Halloween and Christmas cards and kits. It would be easier if I didn't jump headfirst into the Pit of Panic but I'm not one to take the easy way out. Gimmee chocolate and back away slowly.

Jill Wetzel of Wanderpaw Acres stopped by the Market today, a great friend with more knowledge about plants in her little finger than I have in the rest of my body. Sandi Fleury from Sandi's Sourdough sold out, always a good Market day when that happens. I came home and promptly snuggled under a blanket for a much needed nap.

My focus for the coming week will be on making card kits and die cutting as much as I can so I have things to work on at the coming crop next Saturday. Normally I would go to the crop after the Market but I want to give myself a chance to focus on making so I can continue to create the bestest cards I can. (looks at previous sentences, shakes head in exhaustion)

What do you have planned for the week?

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09/02/2026

Rain rain
Please do stay
Leave the heat
Another day!

The splattered watercolors are using Distress paints and leaving them in the rain. Trying to trust the process.

And I was accepted into JingleFest in November, giving me three holiday shows! Cue excited panic. . .3. . .2. . .1. . .

08/30/2026

Checking in. Had a decent market day. It rained for an hour in the morning and then the sky cleared and out came the hideous day star. Went to the fair this evening and wandered until it got too dark for me to see. I hate being night blind.

Forgot to take pics of some of the other cards from the week. Please take a moment to imagine such exquisite creations and laud me accordingly.