Kris Holmes
Marlene D’Ambrosio
When I attend the monthly SaddleBrooke Paper Crafters (SBPC) meetings, I sit and marvel at all the talent, artistry, and creativity that so many of our members bring and share with others. As SBPC goes into its 27th year, it got me thinking: How did this happen and how did this club and all of these creative people come together?
I knew there was only one member to ask, and that was Kris Holmes. Kris is the only original member still active in the club, and she continues to be instrumental in the ongoing evolution and longevity of the club. I consider Kris the “Godmother of SBPC.”
Kris told me that in the early days, SaddleBrooke One offered an introductory two-day card making class facilitated by a local owner of a rubber stamp company. Kris and others who took this class were so excited and interested in this hobby that they decided to get together to make some cards with only red-rubber stamps, black ink, and a few colored pencils. They met again in the home of the only lady who had a paper cutter. Sad to say, their enthusiasm faded, and their get-togethers quickly ended.
As time went on, Kris met Carla Dixon, a new resident who was a member of a stamping club at her previous residence in Washington State. Carla gave Kris some ideas and encouragement to start a stamping club here in SaddleBrooke. That was the spark that Kris needed to pursue the idea that SaddleBrooke should have an official SaddleBrooke One-sanctioned stamping club. Kris met with the SaddleBrooke One general manager to find out what she needed to do. After penning the by-laws, advertising in the SaddleBrooke newspaper, and recruiting interested members, the SBPC was born. In the Fall of 1998, with 10 to 12 paper crafters, a board of directors, and Kris Holmes as the club president, the first official meeting was held. The members selected the second Wednesday of the month as the official designated meeting time, because that was Men’s Club day, and most of the husbands were out playing golf. This time slot remains the official meeting time for our group.
Kris Holmes continues to be a member of our club and is always willing to mentor and assist new card makers (including me) with ideas, techniques, and instruction on new products and tools. She actively participates at club meetings, demonstrations, Funshops, and Card-in-a-Box meetings.
As we go into our 27th year as a SaddleBrooke One-sanctioned club, there are more materials, techniques, and creative tools that we use to make wonderful cards and paper projects. We can thank Kris Holmes for her tenacity, patience, and love of a craft that we all share with her. Kris describes our group as “a club with friendly, talented, and sharing members of whom I am very proud.”
If you are interested in learning more about our club, join us on the second Wednesday of each month in the SaddleBrooke One Craft Room (Room 4) at 1 p.m. Visitors are always welcome.