12th Blogiversary, Coffee Lover's Blog Hop, and A Challenge

Welcome, cafe friends!

Today is the first day of the Coffee Lover's Fall/Winter Blog Hop! Woo hoo!

It also happens to be my 12th anniversary of the Mary Rose's Cafe Blog!

Wow. Twelve years!? I can't believe it! You've been with me as I moved from St. Louis to Indiana, and then to Pittsburgh, and then to Chicago, and then to Michigan! Just think of all those houses we flipped together! You've seen my sons graduate from kindergarten and high school and college. You've seen me at work at retail and preschool and now at my writing once again. You've been there in my sickness and in my health. I love you, cafe regulars!

Today, I made a fast coffee card that was inspired by you! Coffee and friends make the perfect blend!

{Today's Brew: stamps from Simon Says Stamp, Echo Park Coffee Papers, PTI card stock and felt, Lawn Fawn die cuts, SU enamel heart}

And now, here's the challenge.

I have been thinking a lot about this craft. I have enjoyed paper crafting for twenty years. One thing is pretty obvious...this can be a spendy, consumer-driven hobby. It's only gotten worse as time goes by. More companies, more monthly releases, more must-have products showcased on Facebook and Instagram and Pinterest. More, more, more.

I've been pretty spendy this year. I told myself that I was mostly buying products from the buy/sell forum. I was giving old neglected products a new home. And at the same time, I was selling things that I was no longer using. But after a while, it just felt like I was on a gerbil wheel of shopping.

My craft became more about shopping and acquiring than it did about actually creating.

I have decided to give myself a new craft budget this year: $12 a month.

Why $12? Well, I figured it would coincide with the 12th blogiversary. Twelve months in a year. An even dozen.

How will I manage?

For starters, I'm going to have to unsubscribe to a lot of companies. Those new releases are just too tempting. I will probably have to unfollow some groups on Facebook, too. Coupons? Sales? You will not have power over me! I will only go to a store with a list in hand. And if I really really want to spend more than $12? Fine. I will just have to save up for a few months to make it happen.

I will keep you all updated on my progress with posts. I'm counting on you to keep me honest here! And if you want to join me in the $12 challenge, that'd be awesome! I will set up links here on the blog so that we can track our progress together.

I am really excited about this challenge. I want to love and use the products I have, all while finding creative solutions when a "need" arises.

Oh, one more thing.

On the 12th of every month, I plan on having a giveaway. Expect good things, my cafe friends! Will there be stamps...or dies...or papers? Will there be coffee... or tea... or hot cocoa? Yes, yes and yes.

Thank you, cafe friends! You (and coffee) warm my heart!