Hello there, everyone! Well, as you all may have noticed, things are quite strange and difficult in the world right now. First of all I want to say that I hope that you all are safe and healthy and getting through all of this as best you can. Ryan and I are doing alright.
I want to also say that I am sorry that it has been so long since I have been out here, digitally. I have been sort of avoiding social media for a while. I will go into more detail later...I plan on doing some sort of livestream Q&A thing soon...but for now, to make a long story short...well, let's just say things have been very bad for me over the last several months...basically since September/October of last year. I have been struggling, and not just with my CRPS condition. I hit a wall with all the constant pain and, I guess, ten years of suffering through that and also other things in my personal life...it all finally caught up with me, I guess, and I broke a little. Got to a point where I just wanted to hide under the blankets.
And then a few months ago, I guess the world kinda broke a little too...and now we are all kinda hiding under the blankets, or at least, in our houses. Strange times. Dark times. And there is no easy answer. But I have always believed in magic and miracles and the power of love and kindness and, with those things, the inevitability of a happily ever after. I believe in fairytales, and in every fairytale there are dark days and struggle and strife and heartache and loss and sacrifice, but there is also courage and beauty and perseverance and the ability to overcome any obstacle through faith and hope and love! And so I know that we will make it through these dark days together!
And in the meantime, to help us get through the day to day and to document what is a very strange and interesting part of the story that we all currently find ourselves in, I have created this beautiful collection for you, called "Dreams Do Come True." I started this collection back at the end of December/beginning of January, back when I had started to realize that I really needed help with my own personal struggle. I wanted to create a collection that reflected my own desire to return to hope and to my faith in the idea that dreams can come true. Despite my sadness, I knew I still believed in happily ever after and wanted to focus on that feeling and share it. So I thought of Cinderella. I was inspired by her. I was inspired by her story, by her courage and her kindness and also by her song, "no matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dreams that you wish can come true".
As things changed quickly in the world, it became clear that this collection, its inspiration, theme and message were apropos to how a lot of us are feeling now because of this historical situation. I am sorry it took so long to make and get out to you, but, as I said, I wasn't doing well. So that, coupled with the current situation…well, that caused quite a bit of a delay. I think that you will find it was worth it, though, and I am so excited to now share this sneak peek of "Dreams Do Come True" with you!
If you are a subscriber, your kit is either already delivered to your door or on its way! And if you are not, please purchase or subscribe today! I have some awesome new surprises heading your way so stay tuned here for more! I will be sharing the full reveal very soon! Also coming soon is a new class which I am super excited about, and also a hint at the next collection after this one, some fun new videos, an announcement about what we are going to do for National Scrapbook Day...plus more! It's all coming your way, and I can't wait! There is so much cool stuff coming to help you and me get through these tough times over the next month or two or three...who knows how long this will go on, but for however long it does, I plan on some really cool scrap therapy, happy planning, and fun crafting and other magical surprises to help us all pass the time! I hope you all will join in! Thank you all for being our customers, our fans, our friends, and supporters, and for being a part of our Fairytale Club! May all your dreams and wishes come true! Just remember to keep on believing, keep living your life as a fairytale, with magic and joy even in the little things....because happily ever after is around the corner...we just need to get through this difficult journey, and I know we can do it together! Hugs and Prayers to all of you!
Andrea Bethke — Founder, Owner, Creator, Designer
The Fairytale Club