Category Archives: Alaskan Stuffies

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Rene, Friendship, and Blaines Art Supply

For those of you who don’t know…my dear friend, and owner of Blaines Art Supply, and my wonderful boss, Rene Haag, passed away on June 24th, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was the most positive, bravest, kindest, giving, generous, loving person and was so loved and respected by so many in the community. She devoted 30 years to Blaines Art Supply, giving us high quality art supplies and most of all a place for us to meet as a community of artists and friends. She was always eager to help anyone, especially small businesses. Rene was the one who encouraged me to become a CZT and asked me to work at Blaines Art. I especially loved teaching Zentangle® Workshops on Saturdays because she was there, usually in her office, and she always had time to chat. She meant so much to me and I miss her! To read more about Rene visit: www.blainesart.com and www.facebook.com/blainesart

A “Celebration of Life” for Rene will be held at First United Methodist Church 725 West 9th Avenue on July 22nd at 2:00pm. Donations may be made to The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Preferred florist is Hummel’s Flowers.

P.S. Please give Blaines Art’s staff big hugs! They all need to know they are loved and appreciated! ❤

Blaines-30th

Rene at her 30th year Anniversary at Blaines Art

Alaskan Stuffies at Blaines Art Supply

Here I am at Blaines Art showing my “Alaskan Stuffies” (a long time ago). I stayed up all night sewing!

One year at the Blaines Art–“Make it & Take it” Event, we donated our truck and the “Spray Paint Class” gave our old truck a MAKEOVER! Jake loved that truck and proudly drove it for years! And of course on the sides it says “Blaines Art”.

One of my most favorite photos of Rene & Dave, Jake & me! We always had so much fun!!

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Blaines Art Supply is the only art store in Anchorage. It’s a beautiful store with every art supply you can imagine. Rene started there as the manager and eventually bought the business and later built this brand new gorgeous store. The store will continue on and I will continue to teach Zentangle® at Blaines Art and celebrate Rene’s life!

❤️ Donna

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July 2, 2017 · 12:59 am
March 10, 2011 · 5:14 pm

First Stuffie

Hi!  For those of you who don’t know, last Christmas I received the BEST gift ever!! Shaunna and Matt bought me a ticket to fly to Colorado for a week to spend time with Joseph. He was about 9 months old.  I had the best time ever, soaking up all the “Joseph time” I could get.  It was so awesome to hang out with my daughter and her baby (yes, my first grandchild!).  It was a strange but a wonderful feeling, something you cannot put into words.  They are such good parents.  I will treasure every memory forever! I sure miss them!

I was able to meet up with my first stuffie I had made and a bunch of others I had given to Joseph, Shaunna, and Matt.  I took photos because I didn’t have one of my first stuffie.  I made it before Joseph was born, not knowing if they were going to have a boy or a girl.  There are also a lot of “Steelers” stuffies in their home because Matt is a big fan and Joseph I know will be a fan too (Go Seahawks!).  Anyway, that purple stuffie was the start of it all and it was so cool to see Joseph loving it!

My First Stuffie

My First Stuffie

Joseph

Joseph organizing his stuffies

“Stuffie”=a soft, cuddly, crazy, cute, stuffed creature that makes you laugh and smile (straight from my dictionary!)  Some have pockets for treasures, some have crocheted beanie caps, but all have hearts!

Love, Donna

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February 8, 2011 · 6:53 pm

Stuffies In Stores

Hi!  For those who haven’t met “Ivars”, here is a photo of him.  He has long arms you can tie in front that lay on his tummy.  He looks just like I do when I watch football with Jake.

Jake's Alaskan Stuffie

Jake's Alaskan Stuffie

Jake posted some photos of my Alaskan Stuffies on facebook and WOW they just took off!  A very cool store called the Artic Rose Gallery, Anchorage, Alaska, saw the photos and bought 10 stuffies!  Awesome!! They were having a “First Friday” that week and I got them there just in time.  Here is a photo of some of them.

Alaskan Stuffies at Artic Rose Gallery

Alaskan Stuffies at Artic Rose Gallery

And then  our dear friend, Rene, who we saw on New Years Eve, bought 12 Alaskan Stuffies for her store, Blaines Art Supply, Anchorage, Alaska!  What a surprise! But I didn’t have any left and I was leaving for 1-1/2 weeks to visit Joseph!  So being the sweet person that she is, she said no worries I could make them when I got back.  So needless to say when I got back from my trip I had to make 12 in one week!  I worked literally day and night!!  Blaine’s was having a “Last Friday” of the month and I got them there in the nick of time.  I stayed for the  party and had so much fun watching people smile and laugh at my stuffies.  Such silly little critters that bring so much joy!!

Alaskan Stuffies at Blaines Art Supply

Alaskan Stuffies at Blaines Art Supply

Yes, I look pretty tired!!

“First Fridays”  and “Last Fridays” in Anchorage are the first or last fridays of every month when the shops & gallerys open their doors that evening and display featured art and artists.  People hop from place to place and check out the art and feast on wonderful food! It is very fun! Jake has been featured numerous times and his paintings will be featured again at Stephan’s Fine Art Gallery, the first friday of April 2011.

Love,  Donna

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December 30, 2010 · 5:58 pm

Alaskan Stuffies!

Hi!  It’s been a long time since the last! I have been busy crocheting,  as I had two big Holiday Shows in November. I made lots of  matching scarflette & hat sets and big Christmas stockings!  And I made a whole lot of locker hooking books too! I did real well this year at the shows!

I’ve been making Alaskan Stuffies, which are soft, cute, colorful, crazy stuffed creatures. They make you smile and laugh and are fun having around! They are about the size of a small pillow. Alaskan Stuffies have a pocket for wishes and treasures and they all have a heart. And each one has a “Made In Alaska” tag I sew on their little bottoms, so you know for sure they are handmade in Alaska, by an Alaskan! You have to qualify for a permit in order to use the tags.

Alaskan Stuffies

Alaskan Stuffies

It all started when my daughter asked me to make a stuffie for Joseph, my new grandbaby, and they just kept coming!  That was even before he was born and I had no idea what she was talking about!  I make each one freehand and they are machine washable and safe for all ages! Adults love them too and some collect them. A friend bought a pretty stuffie as she enjoys painting dolls, along with lots of other cool subjects.  I can’t wait to see her painting!  I made several for Joseph for Christmas gifts and got them off on time (which is hard for me!).  Jake loves them too and for Christmas he asked for his own Seahawks stuffie and so “Ivars” was born……that’s what he named him, after Ivars Seafood in Seattle (absolutely the best!). He wanted one so he can yell at it (with it?) during the games! Jake has already scared the dog away but now he won’t be alone!

Love, Donna

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