A Fond Farewell

Yes, it's sad, but true. I'm closing The Craft's Meow at the end of this year. Believe me, this is one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. I love The Craft's Meow. I've put my heart and soul into this company for the past nearly three years, and it's been an awesome ride. However, things change, and huge changes are happening for me and my family.

For one, I'm resuming my career in corporate real estate management. I left in April of 2010, when I was afforded the opportunity to become a SAHM and focus on home and family for the first time in my marriage.This was a gift, and one I've treasured! However, some wonderful opportunities have come up for me to return to work. After weighing the situation from all sides, I've decided it's time to jump back in.

I've been working part time since July while still operating The Craft's Meow. When I increase my hours to full time, it will leave no time for TCM without me completely losing my mind and burning out. My family still needs me, and I need to have a life apart from work. So this is the only alternative. God is leading me, and I am trusting Him.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. Jeremiah 29:11-14

So, while one door closes, another opens. I am at peace.

I have so many people to thank for this wonderful journey I've been on with The Craft's Meow. I hate to start naming names, because I'm afraid of leaving someone out. However, I do want to acknowledge and thank Claire Brennan of Waltzingmouse Stamps, Taylor Van Bruggen of Taylored Expressions, and Korin Sutherland of Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps for their advice and encouragement. Clare even designed three of the first stamp sets I released! These are all ladies I admire and tried to emulate as a business owner. I'm so lucky to call them friends.

And what would The Craft's Meow be without its fabulous stamp illustrators? I've been so very fortunate to have worked with many talented designers, including Karen Baker, Mindy Baxter, Michelle Bertuzzi, Clare Buswell, Elizabeta Kushner, Kaitlyn Ord Long, Mabelle Ramirez-Ortiz, Angelica Suarez, Jenny Suchin, Maree Truelove, and Amy Wanford. Each has contributed her own special style and made TCM the place to go for a wide variety of stamp designs... something for everyone!

But the person who has contributed the most to TCM is the very talented and lovely Nina Brackett. I can honestly say that TCM would not have existed if it weren't for Nina. She's been with me from the beginning. The first stamp set she designed for TCM was Butterfly Kisses. I remember it took my breath away. Her designs have continued to take my breath away and delight me...and countless others...ever since. She has stood by my side through thick and thin, always ready with a listening ear, sage advice, support and prayers. I owe her so much. Thank you, Nina, from the bottom of my heart.

And what would The Craft's Meow be without designers, both past and present, to create with our stamps and showcase them in such spectacular ways? I am so very proud of my ladies, and I am humbled that each and every one of them agreed to be a part of the TCM team. This includes all the guest designers we've enjoyed over the years. I am so grateful and awed by their talent. They truly made TCM stamps come alive!

Many of our past designers and stamp illustrators have graciously agreed to join with our current design team help celebrate The Craft's Meow with a farewell blog hop. This is a hop that you won't want to miss! I hope you'll take the time to stop by each of their blogs and show them the love they so richly deserve.

But before you hop, I have a few announcements about the closing of the store. Starting today, EVERYTHING in the store is marked down from 25% to 75%! Stock is limited, especially for several of the stamp sets, so I recommend that you shop early for the best selection. Nothing will be restocked, so once it's gone, it's gone forever!

All US orders will ship for the flat rate of $3.00. All International orders will ship for the flat rate of $12.00. 

Every order of $25 or more will receive a free Little Frieda stamp set. There's nothing you need to do; we will automatically enclose a free Little Frieda stamp set with every qualifying order. If you want to choose between Little Frieda Mischief, Little Frieda's Flowers, and Little Frieda's Daisy, please leave a note with your order (you'll see a place to leave a note during the check-out process). I will do my best to fulfill your choice, but I may have to substitute for another set if one or more runs out. Edited to add: I've run out of Little Friedas, so I can no longer offer one as a gift with purchase.

If you have a gift certificate to spend, please do so now. They will expire once the doors close...there is no cash value to those which were given as prizes.

The Gallery will stay open until on or about March 6, 2014. Our Pinterest boards and Facebook page will stay up indefinitely, so be sure to refer to them whenever you need inspiration for your TCM stamp sets.

We'll be posting the store blog periodically with updates and cards for inspiration, so please stay tuned!

Finally, I want to thank each and every one of you who patronized The Craft's Meow over these past three years. I've said it before, but it bears repeating... we know you have lots of choices about where to spend your crafting dollars, and we are so very grateful and humbled that you chose to spend some of them with us. Thank you also for your kind words... each comment was read and appreciated by me, more than you know.

Now, for our gift to you... a blog hop celebrating The Craft's Meow! Each blog will link to the next, although we've included the entire link list just in case there's a break along the way. Enjoy!!!

Karen Baker

Sharri Seffens

Amy Wanford

Debbie Pamment

Alice Wertz

Mabelle Ramirez-Ortiz

Amy Crockett

Lindsay Amrhein

Nina Brackett

Larissa Heskett

Gayatri Murali

Jen Cuthbertson

Jessica Fick

Lin Brandyberry

Angelica Suarez

Iwona Palamountain

Jennie Harper

Michelle Bertuzzi

Jinny Newlin

Deborah Nolan

Elizabeta Kushner

Clare Buswell

Amy Tsuruta

Sarah Martina Parker

Stacey Schafer 

Love and hugs to all,