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| OHCC LIVING | FEBRUARY 2023 | 35 It's February already — The month of Love. Valentine's Day is fast approaching and, for many of us, one of the top five days for which we make cards. In the card-making industry, Valentine's cards are second only to Christmas cards, based on the numbers! Over 145 million Valentine's Cards are sent each year and over $20 billion dollars is said to be spent on just cards alone! (Flowers, chocolate, dinners, and jewelry are extra.) And although Valentine's Day has been celebrated since the Middle Ages, sending cards didn't catch on until around 1870, when a lady in Massachusetts put her talents and business savvy to use by mass producing Valentine's Day cards to sell to the masses. She's called the Mother of the American Valentine. Her name, Esther Howland; a successful career woman well before her time. I hope each of you gets a wonderful card from someone you love this Valentines' Day. Our clubs on a roll having had a successful Do Dues Day. We have our Newbie group that's getting ready to start their six-month journey into the card-making world. At this writing, we don't know much about them yet so stay tuned for updates. But they will be learning tons of techniques and fun tips about card making that will make them true artists in just a few months. We're so happy to have so many wonderful members; over 70 now, since the new recruits joined. We are blessed with very talented mentors that continue to grow their skills and share them with others. If you missed Do Dues Day and really have a desire to learn how to make your own cards, contact our Membership Chair, Karin Barnes, and maybe she can get you into our new group. Please enjoy the accompanying pictures of what some of our members have been up to lately. To our members celebrating birthdays this month, we hope you have your best birthday ever! This is a big month for our Amethyst birthstone group; two big celebrations to enjoy. I hope you're all showered with cards, chocolate, and flowers on both your birthday and Valentine's Day. Irma Ojeda, Jim Gularte, and Rhonda Anchiles, have yourselves a wonderful time! If you'd like to see some gorgeous cards and papercrafting (besides what our club has on display in the Clubhouse), go to Pinterest and search handmade cards… the more specific you are, the more you'll be able to see and drool over. For example, try narrowing your search to butterfly, flower, watercolor, bird, animal or children cards. If you're a golf, RV, tennis, photography, sailing, music, travel, fishing, wine, or pet enthusiast, there's a card on Pinterest waiting to charm you! To learn more about what else is being celebrated in February and what might require a card or two, look no further than: February 2023 holidays, observances and special dates (goodhousekeeping.com) OR https://nationaltoday.com/ february-holidays/ Have a fantastic month and remember, everyone cherishes a handmade card! ~ Debbie Cea Papercrafting Club Lighted shadowbox from TOTES class Paper napkin cards