<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140050.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-6677" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140050-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>I am not a "crafts person".  My mom is very crafty, but I didn't inherit her craftiness.

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When I was recently in Portland, I came across a whimsical paper store with all sort of eclectic gifties and all-in-one craft kits.  A facilitated craft project!  Now <em>that</em> I can handle!

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I chose the Birthday Card Facilitation because you can never have too many birthday cards on hand, right?  (The paper flowers were lovely, but I'm not a fan of "dust collectors".)

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When I opened the package on Day 291, the project wasn't as turn-key as I thought it would be.  The four folded cards didn't necessarily color blend with the envelopes.  I wasn't sure what to do with the extra paper.  (I did turn one piece into a card, as that garish orange card they wanted me to use was hideous.)

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Facilitated Shmacilitated.  Necessary tools and glue were not included.  This project was not as turn-key as I originally anticipated. Luckily, I have a fully stocked former teacher closet.

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[caption id="attachment_6665" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="I had to call out the big guns. No one wants to receive a lopsided birthday card."]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-6665" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140065-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>[/caption]

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The finished project seemed dreadfully dull.

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<img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-6664" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P7140069-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" />

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And then there was the turtle.   Because nothing screams HAPPY BIRTHDAY louder than a turtle.  ???

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<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-6666" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/P71400691-300x283.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="283" /></a>

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I apologize in advance to all friends/family members who will receive my facilitated-craft-gone-bad-(and-boring) this year.

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If anyone wants to volunteer to take The Turtle Card off of my hands, please send me your birthday and snail mail address.