Thursday, May 31, 2012

Operation Write Home

Imagine yourself a member of our armed forces, stationed away from your family. Wouldn't you appreciate some handmade cards to send home to them for special occasions or just to say "I'm thinking of you"?

That is what Operation Write Home is all about.

We will be having workshops & demonstrations, but also tools & supplies available for you to join us in making the lives of these men & women easier in one small but important way.
If you are unable to join us at the store, we are a drop-off location so we can send a nice package of handmade cards to the regional shipping location of Operation Write Home. (No loose glitter please, it is dangerous for the troops - it shows up on night vision goggles!)

For more detailed information about OWH, please visit www.OperationWriteHome.org

For more information about our event, please call the store.

Thank you for giving back to the men & women of our armed forces.

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

A Quick Visit...

Terri is coming along nicely in her recovery & plans to stop by the store for a bit (maybe a half-hour to an hour, depending on how she's feeling) tomorrow morning after her staples are removed. Her appointment is 9-ish so she should be here at opening time.
Stop by to see her & let her know you read it here on the blog.

Monday, May 28, 2012

BENIGN

I missed posting it here - oooops!

The pathology on Terri's cystic tumor came back and it is benign.  She has an MRI in a few weeks & they will determine if the small piece left will need waiting & watching or radiation.

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Operation Write Home Event


From Friday, June 1 through Friday, June 8, The Mercantile will be hosting creative workshops & card making to benefit Operation Write Home.  (www.OperationWriteHome.org )

Operation Write Home’s mission is simply “Supporting our nation’s armed forces by sending them blank handmade greeting cards to write home on, as well as ‘AnyHero’ cards of gratitude to encourage them.”

There will be tools & supplies available for use or you are welcome to bring your own.

Workshop hours will be: Friday, June 1 & 8 from 11 – 3, Saturday, June 2 from 10 – 4 and Monday, June 4 through Thursday, June 7 from 1 – 4.

For more information on our hours and location, please visit www.TheMercantileStore.com.

I will post more information as I get it ready!  This looks like it will be a great time for all!

If anyone wishes to reserve EITHER Tuesday, June5, OR Thursday, June 7 evening (7 - 9PM) to work on OWH, I would be glad to accommodate.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Sorry it's a little late... She's Home!!!

Terri came home (well... to our house) on Thursday.
She is getting plenty of rest & plenty of spoiling from all of the wonderful people that know & love her.
The pathology report is due tomorrow, and her follow-up with the surgeon is late Tuesday morning.  We will know more then, hopefully.
Yesterday she conserved her energy so she could go with us to our usual Saturday night restaurant, New York Pizza, in Anderson, SC.  The owner & staff are like family to us & she wanted to be able to show them she is doing well... (and, enjoy their awesome pizza!).
We sure have good luck, Karma, angels, God, good spirits or what-have-you on our side.  This has been such a whirlwind couple of weeks & our true friends have emerged once again to give us support, love & assistance.  We could not ask for more (well, that she never had the tumor might be one request, but we learn from adversity...and we cannot change what was).
(I guess it makes me feel a bit like a wimp with migraines... LOL)
Friends have offered to help at the store & refuse payment, one thought I should not have given her a discount when she bought her items at the end of the day, another said she would be insulted if we even offered to pay.  But their help is worth a lot to us all. To Terri so she can feel less stress about the coverage at the store, & Dad and I so we can at least take a few hours off each.
Dad is a real trooper, he has worked just about every day (except Sunday) for 2 weeks.  I am grateful to Phyllis for helping me watch the shop yesterday so he could have a break.  I was able to get a couple of hours off Friday morning thanks to Mary for being an extra set of eyes at the store & a real help for anyone looking at the stamping supplies.
I have tried to keep up with updating everyone about Terri's progress, but it is not always easy to find the time when I have the energy.  Please forgive me if I missed anyone, it was not intentional.
Yes, this post will be cross-posted to the store's blog...

If anyone wants to help out at the store, please email the store ( mercantinc@aol.com ) with days & times so we can have a written list.  A few of you have told me days, but I for some reason cannot remember when they are...

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Wednesday morning update

Right from our super-woman patient's facebook post!

Terri Earl Brooks
Dr came. Taking me off of iv fluids. Pathology went to musc and results may not be in until monday. Keeping me one more day for pt and shower. Home tomorrow. Another MRI after pathology in. yipee
Unlike · · 9 minutes ago via mobile ·

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

This morning's update

Terri is sitting up and doing well.
We, unfortunately had no phone or internet at the store this morning.  But the best news is that she is already posting on facebook herself!  You know she is doing well!
I will be going with Dad this evening to visit her.
She is in ICU as a precautionary measure until tomorrow with release planned for Thursday.

Cindy

Last night's visit

Good morning everyone!
I was too physically exhausted to go visit Terri along with Dad & Ben & our neighbor Luke.
Dad reports that she was doing very well & in good spirits.
She was still in ICU (regular protocol) but should move to a regular room today.
I will update more when I hear more.
Thank you all for your concerns, healing thoughts, prayers & offers of help.  They are all appreciated.
Cindy

Monday, May 14, 2012

4:00 PM update

Terri is resting comfortable in ICU.
Dad (Bill) & Ben are going to visit her tonight - I am exhausted & will go tomorrow night.
I will let you know when I know more.
Cindy

As of 2:48 PM

Terri did well in Surgery.
Rodney will tell us more later after taking notes...
Cindy

As of 1:12 PM

Rodney sent a message that the surgery was going well.
I will update when I know more.

Cindy

Sunday, May 13, 2012

When Life Gives You Limes - Make Pie

The title of the post is a quote from my nephew Ben.  I like it!

As some of you already know, Terri is having surgery tomorrow morning at 11.

The store will remain open.

Please check her note on our web site www.The MercantileStore.com  She explains why she is having surgery & what you can do to help out.

I will be posting updates here as I can.  But, if there isn't anything up here yet, call the store for details. 

Her surgery is scheduled to last nearly 3 hours.  And that being said, I do not know yet what time we will know anything.  Her husband Rodney will be at the hospital & will let us know as soon as he can, but his first priority is Terri.

Thank you all for being such wonderful people, friends & family.  Your support has been wonderful.

Cindy


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Heeeeere's Mary!

    What a privilege it is to be added to this blog.  I hope to bring some tips on card making, some sample projects and a few surprises and fun along the way.  I would like to start out with a reminder for Mother's Day next Sunday, May 13th.  Here is a card from Penny Black.  I will be at The Mercantile on Friday for drop in demos.  If you would like to make this card contact The Mercantile and I will have the supplies to make it.  
It is colored with Copic Markers.  Copic Markers not your thing?  This can be done also with Prisma Colored pencils and Gamsol.  If you would like to try either of these mediums come into The Mercantile for a quick tutorial..... And "Happy" Mother's Day!

For You

Recipe:
Stamp:  Penny Black Slapstick “For You”  40-042
Ink:  Momento Tuxedo Black
Spellbinders : Classic Scalloped Rectangles Large
Copic Markers:
Skin:  E0000, E01, R02
Hair:  YR15, YR23
Sweater:  E30, YR24
Slingshot:  E19, E13
Overalls:  B24, B23, B21
Hat, Shoes, etc.:  R24, R29
Patches: YR24, YR23
Flowers:  YR24, YR20, YR24, YR15, R24, R20, G21

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

A new writer for our blog

I am happy to announce that we have added Mary Witter as one of our blog writers here at The Mercantile.
Mary is an avid crafter, and especially adept with the Copic Markers (she has her Intermediate Certification) & is an Art Impressions Design Team alum, with a love of their watercolor technique.  Tim Holtz is one of her favorite designers & she is a new member of the Oozak Design Team.  If it is made with paper & color, Mary is interested!  Stamps, punches, inks, embossers...
And, most of all, Mary has a bit more time than we do to be able to post about techniques & goings on.  Terri & I will still contribute to the blog as we can.
Please feel free to ask questions and comment on any of the posts.  That is how we learn from our customers & followers.
Thank you Mary for agreeing to help us keep up to date on the blog!