How Out of the Blue Delivered was created

During the twelve years that I spent treating cancer patients, I saw that there were no good gifts available for delivery to a cancer patient in the hospital. What do you send a patient that can't have flowers, cookies or fruit?

As a radiation therapist, I got to know my patients very well during their weeks of treatment. I began to see that there was a disconnect that often happened between the patient and the friends who wanted to help but didn't know what to do or say.

I decided to find a solution to bridge the gap between patients and loved ones, to offer friends a way to help, and to make the patient feel loved and appreciated. Thus, Out of the Blue Delivered was born.

In creating Out of the Blue Delivered, I wanted to take the concept one step further and offer gifts for ALL the difficult life events. Therefore, on our website you will find gifts for all the tough stuff in life (as well as for the celebratory moments).

I absolutely LOVE this company because it gives on so many levels- It helps the customer give a gift that is truly unique and/or useful - It helps the recipient to feel special by receiving a gift that was personally chosen just for them - It helps friends and loved ones communicate during difficult times such as diagnosis/treatment of cancer (a time where there is often a gap because people don't know what to do or say when a friend is confronted with this disease) - It gives the artists the freedom to create and an outlet to share that with others - It helps our economy because we only sell goods made (or altered) in the USA (plus a few made in Canada) - and lastly, Out of the Blue Delivered allows me to continue to help others.

Timeline: In January 2008, I decided to go for it and make my dream into a reality. I began assembling artists and products. In March, I started doing events and getting the word out. In May the website was up and in trial mode. By the end of July we were fully functional.

Thank you to all of you who supported us along the way...to our wonderful clients who return again and again and who tell others about us... to those of you whose spirits have been uplifted by gifts you've received... and of course, to our artists because without you none of this would be possible!

Now that you know how we came to be, isn't it about time you sent someone a gift "Out of the Blue"?

Thanks for stopping by!

What a Cancer Patient Needs

During my 12 years working as a radiation therapist (administering radiation therapy to cancer patients) I witnessed patients in all stages of their journey in their fight against cancer. One issue that many patients faced was the disconnect with friends. When someone is diagnosed with cancer their friends either close in around them, support them, uplift them and get them through...or they don't know what to do or say and they stay away because of the awkwardness of the situation.

All too often it was the latter that happened and it left the patient feeling lonely and abandoned. I honestly don't think the friends meant to abandon the patients in their time of need; I think they just didn't know what to do or say...so they did nothing.

We all think we must have the perfect thing to say in these impossible situations. I promise you that your friend will appreciate it so much if you just have the guts to talk honestly. Say "I have no idea what I'm supposed to do or say to you right now. But, I want you to know that I'm here for you no matter what you need or what time of the day or night you need me. I'm going to support you in any way that you need in this fight against cancer!"

The other thing I saw relating to the emotional well-being of the patients was that their friends rallied at the beginning but then faded as time went on and their lives got busy. When someone is diagnosed with cancer it is the start of a long, tough battle. Depending on the type of cancer, surgery can just be the beginning. Chemotherapy often lasts for months and radiation therapy is another couple months from start to finish.

The best thing you can do as the friend of a newly diagnosed cancer patient is plan to be in support mode for at least a year. Pace yourself accordingly. Figure out where help and support are needed most. Keep in mind that the battle is also difficult on the family/loved ones/caregivers. Where is help needed: getting to treatments? with the kids? meals? cleaning house? etc.
Next, rally a group of friends and set up a support schedule. It's amazing how everyone giving a little can add up to be so much and not drain anyone completely in the process. And that way you always have more to give because of course, you are always "on call" for those emergencies (physical and emotional) when your friend will be having a "down" day and will need you!

That is what I witnessed and my words of advice to those of you who have close friends taking on this battle against cancer.

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of attending several Ovarian Cancer support and awareness groups. Among the amazing ovarian cancer patients and survivors was Kia Riddick...another inspiring young woman. This post from her blog about what a patient needs is the best list I've ever seen. You've got to check it out!

Breast Cancer and you

Today I got to meet (via telephone) Maimah Karmo. What an amazing woman she is! The worst thing most 32 year old moms of toddlers confront daily is temper tantrums. Imagine battling breast cancer at 32. Maimah not only battled and won, but she has turned her journey into a mission to educate and empower young women about their bodies and breast cancer. She founded the Tigerlily Foundation (www.tigerlilyfoundation.com) and is accomplishing great things... be sure to check out her story and the inspiring stories of other young women who are fighting this disease. Under the media section, you can read how she is working alongside Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz to support and promote the Early Act - which will make it possible for younger women to get screening/testing for early detection. Awesome!!!

Oh and be sure to tell someone (or everyone) close to you how much you love and appreciate them today. And take a moment to be thankful...because no matter what you are dealing with in your life today, if you are not battling cancer then it is a good day and you have reason to celebrate your life!!

Making men look good!

Yep, that's what we're about...making men look good (and helping them give fabulous gifts to the awesome women in their lives). Imagine shopping on-line when you have a couple spare minutes and then having the gift delivered to you so that you can take it home and be the hero!

Well, today I had the pleasure of helping Roy assemble a gift box that is going to thrill his wife! In a matter of minutes (between client meetings) he was able to pick out several items that show thoughtfulness and creativity and I left it boxed and bowed and ready to take home! I only wish i could be there when she opens it!!

My favorite item he chose... one of our GORGEOUS handmade leather journals! Seriously, these journals by Teresa are by far the most stunning journals I have ever laid eyes on. (which is why we offer them at Out of the Blue Delivered. We want to bring you the best quality out there!)

These journals are a bit pricey, but TOTALLY worth it! Not only is each one truly a one-of-a-kind, but each one is handmade from start to finish... artist Teresa chooses the leather, cuts it to size, binds it to her handmade paper (how does one even make paper??? my fav paper of hers has dill in it) then adds the leather strap and coin or stone accent. These journals ooze character!

You have to check them out on our site! Anyone who journals or aspires to journal will love them. They are the kind of journal that will make anyone think they can write great things. And if you're looking for something special for an artist, well look no more! The watercolor journals have archival watercolor paper inside and will have the artist in your life singing the "Hallelujah Chorus"!

Seriously, no one will remember the flowers you sent or the gift card you mailed, but anyone who receives one of these journals will think about you for the rest of their lives - every time they look at this one-of-a-kind journal!

That's the beauty of a gift that lasts!! Roy is the hero today! Can't wait to hear how Lisa loved it all!!

What do men REALLY want???

Today I'm questing to find new and exciting things that men want/need/will use/that won't end up stuffed in a drawer somewhere...i realize that if i figure this out ALL women will thank me for it is our constant battle coming up with new, useful, exciting, intriguing things for the men in our lives. Why is that? Why are they so difficult???

And how many ties can one guy really own? And do they even wear them?

At Out of the Blue Delivered, we carry gifts by artisans (which eliminates the techie stuff). I get lost trying to figure all that out anyway. And let's face it, we have the geek squad over at Best Buy for help in that area...or in my case, my good friend Courtney Barnette (see www.CommXperts.com) whom I call for answers to ALL my techie questions...he knows about all that crap and he doesn't give me that "I can't believe how stupid you are!" look that I get from the kids at BB. But I digress...

Hmmm, gifts for guys... With today's metrosexual man, we can now give men great body products. (Did you see our Boch Bier soap? It's so cool!)
Maybe we should combine the techie and the handmade...stay tuned for more on that.

So I'm off on this new quest...stay tuned as I find and share great guy gifts for Father's Day, Bdays and every day!

So tired of flowers...

I look at the flowers wilting on the counter, a nice thoughtful gesture by my husband for my birthday. They were beautiful, bold, colorful when he brought them home but now they are wilted, petals falling off, sad and i need to put them in the trash...
Some women LOVE to get flowers. I'm not one of those women. It always seem such a huge expense for something that is so fleeting...such a waste of life and beauty.

So, i'm off on a quest to find the truly unique gifts in life...the ones that will bring joy and laughter- not only on the day they are received but long after...

I'm excited by what I will discover and I look forward to sharing them with you!