RFL needs your talents!

I’m volunteering for Relay For Life Long Beach, and I’ve been given the honor of making the Survivor Goody Bags. So I’m looking for a few people who are willing to donate some of their talents!

#1 I’m making 50-75 bags. So I need items to put in there!
Cookies
Jewelry
Cards
Spa items
Chocolate
Etc etc etc
Anything that can be used to pamper them.

#2 I need 3 centerpieces. Floral, anything decorative.

If you can help us out, please email me at heathercrownelson{at}gmail{dot}com to discuss details.

The event is July 30, so it’s coming up soon. THANK YOU!

This supermommy needs YOUR help!

The Long Beach Press Telegram Amazing Women Awards program is looking for Amazing Women to recognize in the following areas:
Arts and culture ~ Education ~ Community Service ~ Health and Wellness ~ Business ~ Family ~ Youth ~ Sports ~ Environment

And I’m actually asking you, my friends, family, and readers, to nominate, but not for reasons you may think 🙂

Getting nominated, not even winning, would bring big publicity and help expand all of my charity work. I’ve donated over $500 to 15 organizations in 2010 alone. I’m a Kids Are Heroes Ambassador, HUGS Program Rep, & Bears On Patrol supporter. I’m also starting the monthly Kids Craft & Charity Corner at the Sunday Market to show kids they can be creative and crafty and volunteer. AND I’m starting the Friends Like Us HUGS Program in collaboration with the LB Depot For Creative Reuse and LB Creative, benefitting Miller Children’s Hospital.

For a mom of three, full time office manager, and someone dealing with health issues, to be able to do all of this is wonderful. Getting nominated would be HUGE because then people would pay more attention. They’d see that you don’t have to be a superwoman to be a volunteer. You can have many outside situations to deal with, AND still make an impact. People would realize even small acts help.

So I’m asking you guys to nominate me, if you’re so inclined. If I’ve helped your organization, if I’ve donated time and/or money, if I’ve inspired you, then please nominate me. If not, at least wish me luck 😉

The url to nominate is http://www.presstelegram.com/women

I thank you in advance 🙂

Kids #Craft and #Charity Corner: Coming To The #LongBeach Sunday Market!

COMING AUGUST 1: Kids Kraft Korner!

Starting on August 1, Brianne’s Basics will be hosting a Kids Kraft Korner at the Long Beach Sunday Market.

Every first Sunday, the Market has an Arts Theme. So for our kick-off event, we’re having the kids make Summer Journals, which are pretty  cute and easy. We’re asking all the kids to bring photos and mementos to make the books. We’re also taking pictures for them to put in the books.

We’re also kicking off monthly charity drives! For August 1, we’re collecting both school supplies and items for the  troops, benefitting Love In The Mirror and Soldier’s Angels. (To see exactly what we’re collecting, click on the links). Each month, we’ll have a different theme and we’ll be collecting different items.

Each craft is a $1-2 donation, depending on the craft.

I am very very excited to be taking on this project for this awesome Sunday Market! It’s a very family-centric place. I have  three kids, and I obviously do a ton of charity work. They say charity  begins at home. So I’m trying to do more in the Long Beach area.

I was also inspired by Kids Are Heroes. Kids can change the world, one event at a time.

If you’d like more information on sponsoring a craft, or having us collect items for your charity, please contact Heather at heathercrownelson {at} gmail.com

Unique recycled toys!

Kaylee is lately obsessed with DVD cases LOL She takes the discs out, lays them next to her, then proceeds to take out the cover art. We’re lucky she hasn’t ruined any discs!

We tried to think of an alternative, tried to distract her with CD cases, no luck. Then I remembered Lisa at the LB Depot For Creative Reuse had DVD cases! So I stopped by today and bought two for her. I got home, gave them to Kaylee, and she was in HEAVEN! Toddler playtime heaven!

When you’re a mom of 3, you gotta get creative 🙂

Today’s @CreativeReuse Finds!

More goodies @ LB Depot For Creative Reuse today!

Got Lamali Lokta paper notebooks.

“For centuries, the people of Nepal and Tibet have inscribed their legal, historical and religious texts on this very same paper.

…..Made from the lokta plant, an unassuming shrub with the ability to regenerate every six years, lokta paper is still produced using time-honored methods passed down from generation to generation.

…..Every step in the production process is done by hand: from the harvesting of the long, sturdy fibers to the careful binding of every journal. Each resulting item is a piece of art, combining elegant design with a rustic yet soft look and feel.”

I also got a new journal. Very Indian inspired. Gold, elephants, etc. Gorgeous.

Lastly I picked up an order from Merry Blues Art. Two upcycled notebooks 🙂 I do love The Depot!

#LongBeach Says Goodbye To Acres Of Books

Most Long Beach residents are familiar with Acres Of Books. It moved here from Ohio in 1934 and was designated a historic landmark in 1960. It closed in 2008, and many many people were saddened by it.

On July 10, they opened their doors for a few hours. Vintage crates were sold for $25 each, and we were able to fill them. It was totally a treasure hunt! Things weren’t too organized, so. We were wandering around the store, just absolutely in awe of the history. Others were running around. Everyone felt like kids.

Very soon, the building will be converted to the new ArtExchange center.

#Support The #Troops: The #Craft Way!

We had a few items out today to raise funds for our adopted soldier from Soldier’s Angels. Our best seller was the foam yellow ribbons! One lady bought 5 to put on her fridge, tree, & desk LOL We raised a few dollars, so we’ll be using that to shop for items for our soldier. We’re sending him a box in a few weeks, so hopefully we can raise even more next week!

#LongBeach Sunday Market

Today, we were a last minute addition to the Long Beach Sunday Market @ Longfellow Elementary in California Heights. I’ve been to the Market quite a few times. Justina from Shortnin Bread is there nearly every week, and Charlene has a booth for the LB Depot For Creative Reuse.

I had a FABULOUS time! It’s a nice market, very family friendly atmosphere. I met lots of great people, some of whom are donating to us!

We were invited to come back next week, July 18. There’s going to be a Pie Contest, Live Jazz Band, & more. Looks for us near the picnic benches!

To learn more about Brianne’s Basics, go to http://briannesbasics.webs.com

To learn more about the Sunday Market, go to http://www.longbeachsundaymarket.com

Friends Like Us HUGS Program Kick-Off

We got AMAZING news today!

Sharreace and Tanya from LB Creative emailed me. At the August 30 mixer, not only will they be showcasing my crafts, but we’re also going to have an area where artists can make cards!

These cards will be donated to local hospitals as part of the Friends Like Us HUGS Program.

In addition, Lisa from the LB Depot For Creative Reuse will be setting up a collection box in her store for cards! So even if you can’t make it to the mixer, you can still donate.

If you’d like more information, please leave a comment.

PHOTOS: 4th Of July Bike Parade

I decided to start my 4th of July off on a different note. I volunteered for the Great American 4th of July Bike Parade, sponsored by Justin Rudd, the C0mmunity Action Team, and Gazettes Newspaper. In addition to the parade and the Bike Decorating Contest, there was also a Patriotic Speech Contest, Patriotic Costume Contest, Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest. I was working the raffle booth, and BOY were we busy! I honestly don’t know how much our booth made, but it was quite a bit.

Justin has been doing absolutely fabulous and inspiring things here in Long Beach. I urge everyone to check out his amazing work, even if you aren’t a Long Beach resident. It’s pretty darn inspiring 🙂

More photos after the jump!