May 11,2025 Newsletter

🌸 SF & Garden Odyssey🌸

Hello, Crafty Friends!

Apologies for the delay—this week’s newsletter is landing in your inbox on Wednesday instead of our usual Monday slot. Life has been a whirlwind, and I’m excited to share some of the latest updates with you!

A Burst of Garden Sniffles

There’s been an explosion of new and boundary-breaking activities lately! I love flowers, but I’m not a fan of working in the garden—yet last week, my spring allergies couldn’t stop me from tackling my rose garden, pulling weeds despite the sniffles. It’s been a surprising and rewarding change of pace! Speaking of flowers, I finally saw what a Bird of Paradise flower really looks like in person during our San Francisco trip—its vibrant orange and blue petals are stunning and truly resemble a bird in flight. Now I’m wondering if I should get the Bird of Paradise Metal Craft Die from Spellbinders to recreate it for my projects.

Escape to San Francisco

My husband recently signed up for the Odyssey Swim, a thrilling challenge to swim from Alcatraz to the Golden Gate Bridge. I tagged along to cheer him on, but strong winds forced the event’s cancellation. No worries—we turned it into a fantastic day exploring! We strolled through Pier 39, Chrissy Field, and the Saint Francis Yacht Club, soaking in the stunning views. We fueled up with a delicious breakfast at Cracked & Buttered, and I even found my future new eyeglasses at San Francisco Optics—love them! We’re heading back on June 28th for the rescheduled Odyssey Swim.

Letting Go of Legos, Not Really

I’ve started clearing out a room to transform it into a space for our business—exciting times ahead! The process has been bittersweet, though. I boxed up 12 huge boxes of Legos, which was tough to part with—but that’s only half of what still needs to be packed. For now, they’re headed to storage with a smile—maybe they’ll inspire future projects! :-)

Craft Studio Open for Drop-Ins

Good news for all you craft enthusiasts! My craft studio is now open during weekdays for quick crafting sessions or a cozy tea/coffee escape with a friend. Drop in anytime to get creative or take a break—bring your ideas, and I’ll provide the supplies and good company! Just give me a call or text at 209-627-8989 or email me at hello@craftsandletters.com to let me know you’re coming. Can’t wait to craft with you!

That’s all for this week’s edition. Thanks for joining me on this journey of creativity and discovery. Have your own crafty tales or spring adventures to share? Drop me a line—I’d love to hear from you!

Arlene M