Constitutional Ammendment

It's official! Passed into law today across this great land of ours. No dissenting votes. One hundred percent in favor. A national Paula Clare Day!
Just look at the tags she has made. No two alike because they are made especially for each of us. Our names are on them!
One by one unwrapped from their Christmas green tissue, each cuter than the next.
Don't think I am spoiling your surprise, because the backs of each tag is as cute as the front!
It is so much fun to be the hostess of our swap watching each of our piles grow.
I don't think anything could be better except the thought of each of you experiencing the same joy upon receiving them. But wait, there is more...
Paula has sent me the altered book that I have been gushing over after seeing it on her blog. I can't tell you what a kindness this is.
I can't imagine how she ever parted with all this wonderfulness.
I have visited her blog dozens of times taking in every small detail wanting to create something like this for myself.
Paula instinctively knew that I would need help coloring outside the lines and sent me her treasure to inspire. But wait there is more!
It seems that Paula was in on Jane of Wyldhare's Friendship Garland. How cute is her perfectly perfect paper Scottie dog!
It is right at home along with her beautiful Christmas Book on my shelves that seem to be filling themselves up again.
I am so glad I voted; and I hope you are, too. Horray for Paula Clare and her special day!

NOTE: Please stop by Paul Clare's to read about her Canned Ham adventure while creating our tags. They are always my favorite!

Half and Half

My sister-in-law MaryJo of the House With Glass Door Knobs fame is one of those rare people who possesses exactly half the personality of her father Cy and her mother Ruth. They have amalgamated so perfectly that her parents refused to lay claim to the half they are responsible for creating. The result has been a lifetime of poking fun of Ruth and Cy through the antics of their daughter, completely unawares to them.

Thanksgivings together too many to count. Rotation among siblings, seven in all. Sign up sheets for food to pass, MaryJo making up her own category. Always a new recipe to share for the first time. Always an ingredient missing, a step forgotten.

Thanksgiving Before Marriage, breakfast the morning after. A fabulous new casserole that will feed the minions. A dozen eggs, a pound of cooked sausage, two cups of cheddar cheese, one bag of..... RICE? "It won't make a difference?" she claims, "Hash browns and rice are both white. The store was out of hash browns." Crunchy egg casserole hid beneath napkins on the plate, "Just think of them as nuts." Always the deluded optimist. "Do you know how many starving children in China this casserole could feed?"

Thanksgiving as a Newlywed, breakfast prepared the night before. A fabulous new recipe for the children to help, Monkey Bread for many. Thirteen children each popping their own fresh container of dough, one Bundt pan for the sugary quarters. "Pile them high, we'll have lots to go around." Strength needed to lift the pan.
Long after the children had gone to bed, long after the parents too, layer by layer by layer removed as they rose to the top browning one by one. Dozens of plates filled before the children's wide eyes.

Thanksgiving as a Mother, a home of her own. Turn sideways to move about, she's added her own. Sign up sheet passed, tinfoil greeted at the door, "Just set that on the bed, the beginning of the line." One by one we filed past the head board, a little of this a little of that. Arm rest chairs, floor space aplenty, "Not a bad meal, what did MaryJo make?" A proud mother who never saw a roll she couldn't burn, "MaryJo made rolls, they're in the kitchen. theyarealittleburntontop,shhh."

Tears brought on by laughter are our Thanksgivings with MaryJo. Each half of each parent so perfectly there to see. "I don't know where she leaned to cook." whispers her Mother, "I don't know where she learned to be so funny." whispers her Dad.

Thanksgivings with Children Grown, houses far apart. Sign up sheets are many, traditions passed along with parents who travel far. Bow our heads for blessings drawing close each and every one. "Bless this food we eat, Dear Lord, Bless us all."

Giveaway Coming Along!

A heart is now added to my Christmas Giveaway, but I am not done yet! Today I will be working on Elf peg dolls. Can you feel the holiday spirit in the air?
I do! My little white cabinet added to my tiny crafting desk to begin to add some holiday cheer to my crafting room. A Scottie has scooted in early!

You may notice Wednesday's post is missing. Thank you Jane for a very needed reminder. You see how easily I get carried away! Joyce, there is a CC kit on it's way to you. I just know you will enjoy the photographs. Garage Sale Gal, an address will see your package on it's way.

"Sleepless In Seattle"

Do you remember the scene in "Sleepless In Seattle" where the mailman catches Tom Hanks on his rainy dock just as he is about to enter his boathouse? He hands him a small bundle of mail, Tom Hanks exclaiming that it's quite a bit. "That's not all of it!" responds the mailman as he points to a huge mail sack overflowing with letters.
I adore movies with mail, and today I was lucky enough to have my own "mail moment!" An actual tote filled with the hearts of friends.
It seems Jane of Wyldhare twittered to a few of our mutual Bluebird pals and asked if they would like to send me a heart that they would make.
All the years that my mother and I would sew and send hearts in the mail, we never owned a heart ourselves. What a wonderful gift! Lisa of Craftyless made this adorable cuckoo clock heart! How perfectly cheerful. I love the vintage colors.
My dear sweet Chelsea Ann of Itty Bitty Birdy sent along sunshine which is the essence of who she is to me. "Shine" says the back of her heart.
Vivian of Viv out on a Whim is my crafting hero! I aspire to be as creative and as productive as her. We have actually met each other in person and found kindred hearts over Halloween pincushions immediately!
Her heart rests among pearls. Very fitting, I think!
Laura of Lallee's Cottage took a moment away from her Pet Patrol to make me a heart after my own hope and desire. One day I WILL own a Scottie dog, but until then I can enjoy this heart with it's adorable Scottie button.
Elizabeth of Beth's Bagz! EAK! The Queen of Dimestore Chic sent a heart that is so her - so me! Colorful and fun and just lovely. Note her postcard! What a character! Love her!
Natalie Jo of Piccalilli Days, what can I say? I have long admired her intricately quilted hearts. Sigh. How special.
Lastly today, a heart from Lisa of Barncat - Always Home. A place to "go country!" Can one person ever have too many bluebirds in their life? I don't think so.
A remembered scene again from a favorite movie as Tom Hanks pulls down a classroom United States map while making his son hamburgers for dinner, "Do you know how many states there are between Seattle and Baltimore?.... Well, a lot! That's how many!"

A lot. I have a lot of friends with a lot of talent who live in a lot of different states who sent me a lot of hearts that arrived on my doorstep in a mail tote. Thank you one and all for this happiest of days! Elizabeth

The Cold War

As a child growing up in Turkey during the height of the Cold War, I didn't comprehend the adult philosophies of governmental rule, but I did have fear of one word, Communism.
In my child's mind Communism meant you could not go to church. There may have been many a Sunday I begged to stay home in my warm bed, but the thought that I couldn't go to church if I was Communist was frightening.
Living next door to the East German Embassy was terrifying. Everything about it seemed evil from the imposing black iron fence to the guards and their German Shepards we could spy through the bows of the thick pine grove within.
When my mother traveled with the Girl Scout's to West Germany to meet the father of Anne Frank, I thought for sure she would never return. I can remember vividly begging her not to get too close to the "Iron Curtain" for fear it would come down on the wrong side of her keeping her from me forever.
The ravages of World War II were still very much a part of daily lives in the early Sixties. Countries were not developed, poverty lay naked on the streets of the capitol city, Ankara. Men without limbs on rolling platforms would find their way to our door begging for change. Children should not see the ravages of war, and yet they always do.
Do you think it is coincidence that I should marry a man who has stood in front of my very apartment building and could witness for himself the stark environment that holds my child's heart?
I married a man who traveled behind the Iron Curtain before it was lifted and came home to me each and every time.
I married a man who was there to see the Iron Curtain come down forever. Yesterday was a joyful day in celebration of all of the young children who do not have to live in fear of the Berlin Wall. Still there are still children who should not see the ravages of war, and yet they do. My prayer today is for those children.

These photographs were taken last month by my husband on a business trip to Berlin. He has vivid memories of Check Point Charlie during his time in the military. The sight of the American flag and the soldiers guarding the point of entry were reminders of our freedoms at home.

Back In The Swing!

So many Dear Friends have left comments expressing that I am "Back in the Swing" of things again. They can tell by my posts that my spirit is joyful. I am myself again, but what happens to cause such a meltdown? Insecurity!
During my Block Party days I felt as though I was on a swing behind school on a summer day. My craft room filled with the labors of a year's work, walls hung with the garland of creative women. Happiness wherever I glanced.
And then the yearly visit of my sister-in-law who comes to my small town to compete in Dressage with her beautiful horse. A brilliant and lovely woman, a successful engineer by profession, not a word upon entering my beloved craft room. It was a most horrible moment.
Until I discovered this creative community, I always kept secret my love of crafting. Just as I thought my feet could touch the sky, the ground felt as though it had been pulled out from underneath the swing set.
Ashamed of childish excesses including my shame before my husband, in my mind everything had to go. It is here that I must make apologies to friends I unknowingly have offended. I may have only sold items I created, but I gave away many items I purchased from my favorite crafters. In my mind I wanted the creations I so loved to find good homes. Many of you received items made by the Dutch Sisters, Itty Bitty Birdy, Saturday Finds, She's Sew Pretty, Beth's Bagz, Piccalilli Days, many more, so many more. And most of all, many of you may have received items that I copied from Jenny B. of Allsorts. I am heartily sorry for not realizing at the time that I had no right to give or sell those items.
Those dark days are in the past now, I am back in the swing again; but still my swing has that moment where just as you swing too high, the chains will buckle and bolt you from your seat. During the wedding weekend I was so excited to show our oldest daughter my craft room, and again, not a word.
Hearts in the mail. This beautiful heart comes from my favorite pincushion creator She's Sew Pretty, Betty. She has been saving this little plane with angel just for me! I may not know a single person in my own life that can understand the cuteness of my craft room, but in this community I am forever grateful to be accepted.
My craft shelves will fill again, of this I am now sure,
and I promise solemnly to respect friendship given and the labors of their hearts.
These wonderful tags arrived for our Christmas Tag Swap from Joy's Thoughts and Things. How can you not have a smile on your face at the glittery sparklyness of these! "Reindeer Games", how clever! I love them!
For my Tag Alongs, I have just yellow feathers to glue to my November tags for you! NO you do not have to make one for me, it is just my way of saying hello to new friends and hoping you will participate in future swaps!
A final reminder to include your name and blog name, if applicable, on the back of your tag to identify it as yours!

Well! such a long post. Thank you for listening. I would very much care to hear if any of you have experienced what I have when someone knows you "craft", and what do you do or say to boost your own confidence in such situations. Elizabeth

Production Line Progress

I am simply fascinated by the fact that my mother-in-law Ruth was a secretary in the Detroit automotive factories during World War II. One day you are sending out memos on Holly Carburetors for the family sedan, the next day carburetors for tanks and jeeps.
Ruth's voice always takes on a particular note of pride that can be found in many of her generation who kept in their hearts prayers for loved ones far from home. A united spirit to fulfill and support on the home front keeping alive hope and faith of a returning welcome.
I love to hear the stories of the women who became Ruth's life long friends during this period. Teas and luncheons with collected cups and sandwich plates. Vacation memories taken together, suitcases and shared rooms, late nights and the laughter of women.
These are the thoughts that came to me as I ready my tags on the surface of Ruth's desk for the women who have become my friends.

A post in memory of the service men and women who lost their lives this past week in Texas.