Creative Breathing

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-01-25T13:45:00.000-05:00

Creative Breathing is no longer an active blog, but I do hope you enjoy browsing through past Valentine's Day crafts made by clicking on the images on the sidebar. There is always a holiday to be found in progress, always Cute as Can Be characters waiting to be made by you!

Happy Valentine's Day, Elizabeth

Welcome to Creative Breathing!

2011-12-02T21:23:00.002-05:00

Empty Nest Days needing to be filled. A community of women looking to be found. Posy Gets Cozy a journey begun, cute as can be crafts in my own place to be.

A lifetime love of thread and needle finds an audience to appreciate, unexpected friendships made to last a lifetime.

A love of writing discovered, many stories to tell.

Creative Breathing, a place to share.

BLOG NOTE: This is no longer an active blog, but I do hope you will enjoy the many creative ideas to be found here inspired and shared by the most amazing women it has been my privilege to know. There will not be any new content to this blog; however, the photographs on the sidebar will change to help access current holiday crafts.

Thank you for the time of my life. Love, Elizabeth

The Cupboard Tour

2011-12-02T21:21:00.002-05:00

A visit to a favorite antique mall here in the Heart of Ohio had nearly come to an end when the glimpse of a red heart caught my eye hidden behind stacks of Mid-Centruy Modern.

Squeezing only the top half of my body behind the obstructions, I felt my own heart leap to my ears. The pounding of it was deafening in a most happy way.

It could not be a coincidence that my Wedding Anniversary should fall this very month that I should discover such a treasure. "Sweetheart, please I beg you...." A vintage Hoosier came home with me.

Imagine my delight to discover the side cabinets which I could not open in the store contained shelf after shelf to hold all of my favorite things.

There isn't a day that goes by I don't peek into my creative space to to look at this wonderful piece of art. The smile that it always places within my heart lasts all of the day.

Senior Citizen Crafts

2011-11-16T18:34:00.006-05:00

EAK! Just the though of Senior Citizen Crafts when I was a newlywed was enough to send me anywhere than close to the senior who had drawn me near to gush over their latest craft made at, of course, their Senior Citizen's Center.

Aunt Dorothy was just such a senior, her home filled with handmade items on every surface able to hold, hang, or attach her latest proud creation. Crocheted butterfly magnets, soap dispenser dresses, pot holders with smiling plastic doll faces. There were Bingo card carriers and juice box pocketbooks, laminated place mats and coffee cup cozies. With each compliment I gave, I secretly vowed never ever to make Senior Citizen Crafts.

And then I discovered blogging.

Where once I scrambled to discover where I had hidden away Aunt Dorothy's latest popcorn afghan as she knocked outside my door, I now find myself drooling over Ripples and Grannies on a daily basis.

Where once I bemoaned the plethora of Christmas Card Senior Citizen Crafts that came my way, I now find myself making them myself. Oh how Dorothy loved to crochet her received cards into baskets to hold hard candies.

Crisp white tags catching my eye at JoAnn's brought the memories of Aunt Dorothy's Christmas card crafts to mind, and I could not help but think what cute house ornaments the tags could become. Three tags are needed to make each house. Six houses can be made from one purchased package.

I have also made a template for you if tags are not available.

Aunt Dorothy would make coasters and place mats from her Christmas cards as well as ornaments made by cutting circles out and gluing their bent edges together. Here I have traced my templates onto my chosen card with a mind towards color more than the subject of the card. I want a red house with a white roof.

Glue stick cut out shapes to templates. I have added a ridge of scallops to the roof line.

A beading of hot glue along the edges, your house is nearly complete!

And so I find long before I am a Senior Citizen, a passion for the most simplest of crafts that express the holidays to me.

Aunt Dorothy was a woman who lived each day of her life to serve the Lord. Sitting in her parish church it's pews filled with the witnesses of her faith, I wept to see each one of her 18 grandchildren form a procession line to pay their final respect, each one carrying a handmade item made especially for them. Each one a Senior Citizen's Craft.

CRAFT ROOM NOTE:
I have been asked many times where I purchased the cute paper organizer that can be seen in the above photo. It is available once again at Michaels for $39.95. Be sure and use your half off coupon!

Christmas Revisited

2011-11-14T18:54:00.006-05:00

I absolutely love a day spent opening boxes of Christmas decorations. Unlike any other holiday the memory is unexpectedly awakened with each forgotten treasure unwrapped from it's tissue.

The smallest of things tucked away at the end of one year reveal themselves as though seen for the very first time. What a fun time I had joining Vivian's, Viv's Whimsy, ornament swap last year. Her snowman is just too cute!

My contribution was my ice skating girl who wears baby blue the color of my skating dress worn the day I met my future husband.

Another ornament from the swap was this frosty Putz house with it's little red door. A very favorite figurine, this little snow angel boy is the inspiration behind my Peppermint Christmas Characters. I'm so happy to see my oh so fat snowman again. Is it my imagination, or have his legs gotten shorter?

Truly, I nearly cried to find I have kept a set of Peppermint Elves. Their hopeful faces are so sweet to me. My son gave me the little Santa shakers in my stocking last year. He knows how much I love red.

As I unwrap each handmade item, I am reminded of the wonderful creativity and inspiration to be found in this community. For me vintage Christmas has Diane's, Saturday Finds, name emblazoned across the sky with silver tinsel. I did not know I loved vintage until I discovered Diane's art.

Or Laurie, Magpie Ethel's art. Where would my lovelorn Stanley be without her adorable spun head creations? It seems they will be decorating their side of my craft room in red and green!

Everything I touch seems to remind me of someone I have come to care about here. Holly's, Cutie Pie Cottage, ball garland compliments the host of this holiday, Mr. Santa himself!

Remember all the little Big White Puppies I made for last year's tag swap? It seems I have saved one aside to be found again this year.

Every year on the day Christmas is first revisited is such a wonderful day to me.

Invitation to Friendship

2011-11-13T10:43:00.008-05:00

There simply has not been anything I have enjoyed more about this special Place to Be than the sharing of creativity and the opportunity to be inspired by others.

I have always been very shy about visiting others blogs and am always so happy when comments are left because to me they are invitations. It has been through these invitations that I have made unexpected friendships that have added so much joy to my life. Cindy of Prarie's Edge Farm left just such an invitation for me.

Cindy's happy ripples have inspired a What's on Hand craft cute as can be. A Gingerbread Tree Lot with candy colored trees for sale. Too too sweet and oh so easy to make.

Found in Michael's Christmas craft section for $1.00 apiece, unpainted wooden finger puppets that I snipped apart from their bases, hot glued back together, and painted with craft paint using white to highlight glitter after two coats of craft varnish have been applied. The very last of my October Afternoon Christmas paper pieced and glue sticked to the box, clear buttons equal SNOW! You do know that I love SNOW!

I do believe I will have to make Cindy's ripple afghan for my Make Over Room. It says "happy, happy, happy" to me with each colorful wave. Something new in the MOR? I know! Who could not come home with a red roofed dollhouse as wonderfully constructed as this one.

Some invitations don't lead to blogs at all but friendships through the mail. Tammy sent me a wonderful red and white round pot holder that needed it's own Place to Be. A vintage trellis brought to the ground by the Big White Puppy in Joe's yard had this MIL pleading for it to come home with me.

Perfectly perfect for displaying my vintage photograph greeting cards and favorite tags made by friends.

Perhaps you are shy as well and have come to this community to make a friend or two. I know my life has been blessed here, and I hope yours will be as well.

Elizabeth of 1,000 Days

2011-10-29T02:30:00.002-04:00

The very first day I spent in my craft room (not yet beloved), my husband sat in my big white comfy rocking chair and watched as I made my very first craft seen on Alica Paulson's Posy Gets Cozy Blog. I had found very sturdy wire in the garage and wire cutters to make one of her fanciful Cagelets. When I finished making it, I remember distinctly saying to my husband, "Can you believe how cute this is!"

I have now said these very words to him more than 1,000 times as I have made more than 1,000 things that have definitely needed proclamation out loud as to just how cute they have been.

I wish to publicly thank the two artist who have most influenced my time here, Alicia Paulson who traverses her life by embracing every moment of every day with an open and adventurous heart, and Jenny Harris of Allsorts who truly set the standard I have tried so hard to achieve myself through her delightful illustrations and exacting attention she gives to the quality of everything she touches.

I have never been one to care about the counting of things; but in this my second to last post, I hope you don't mind my sharing them with you as I have loved my blog so very much.

I have written more than 1,000 words in just as many posts. More than 1,000 people visited my blog just yesterday. More than 30,000 people visited my blog last month, 400,000 people have visited my blog over each year it has existed. I have never before looked at the page that keeps track of these things, and am humbled more than I can say.

There are nearly 1,000 of you who have chosen to Follow my blog and spend a moment of your day with me. From these I have chosen INA as the GIVEAWAY WINNER of my Creative Breathing Circus. She is representative to me of the many women who have written the most heartfelt letters expressing what my blog has meant to them. They have all meant so much to me.

There are no more crafts for me to make or stories to tell. My craft room is now beloved by many. I can finally leave it behind for others to enjoy knowing I have shared all there is to share about myself. For more than 1,000 days of being in this special Place to Be, I have memories to last the rest of my life. Thank you Dear Friends. Love, Elizabeth

NEXT AND FINAL POST WILL BE DECEMBER'S CHRISTMAS TAG SWAP Please mail tags to Elizabeth Andrus, 112 Gibraltar Ct, Delaware OH 43015

The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis

2011-10-27T19:33:00.005-04:00

I am filled with joy today. How one small craft room and very few supplies have created so much happiness for me is just, well, astonishing!

These craft room characters of mine seem to come about of their own volition. I don't know who they will be when I sit down at my beloved craft desk; but step by step they reveal themselves to me, and I smile. I simply smile. I ask you, could a paper snowman be more adorable?

He nearly wasn't created at all. Michael's no longer carries the easy to use paper clay I have always purchased. Bringing home their replacement product resulted in such disappointment, I threw the package in the trash! After work today I gave it one more go, and I will share my tips with you. 1. Kneed a small amount until it becomes soft and pliable. Pick out any hard lumps of paper. 2. Flatten as thin as possible and position on your Styrofoam shape. 3. Use forefinger to press paper into surface. It will be slightly sticky. (Note the paper on my fingers.) 4. Repeat until surface is covered.

Smiling here! Tip: Keep a lookout for for vintage buttons that are flat such as these. They are my very favorite to use in crafting. There is just something special about them.

There are several complete tutorials on my sidebar for the steps to my paper clay snowmen. If you do happen to make one; and if you happen to have a spare belt buckle waiting to be used,

you just have to make a Snornament! Stanley has gone all out for his last appearance here. He is all about self-confidence as his own special holiday draws near.

With this advertisement, True Love is sure to find him!

Last evening my husband and I took our Twirly Swirly Girl and her Joe out for their First Month Anniversary to the very restaurant where Joe asked for her hand in marriage. They are both so shy, it is as though God is letting my husband and I watch ourselves falling in love all over again.

The Heart of Ohio, it has hung over my shoulder all of my time here. My days have been blessed since coming to this place. I am more thankful than I can express.

For the Love of Red

2011-10-26T17:45:00.003-04:00

A dear blogging friend has recently lost her father. She has expressed so eloquently about the process of grief and how after a time, those closest to you hope that you will "cheer up" and carry on. It is at this moment you are left more alone than is nearly bearable.

When I posted my first story here about my parents, I made the conscious decision to strip away all that may have been difficult leaving behind only what was good and funny, kind and caring. In the process I was able to view my parents through an adult's heart and understand their human frailties. I found myself falling in love.

I am so happy that my friend found much needed solace for her grief in a group setting with individuals going through the same emotions. They are celebrating their last day together with a party honoring their loved ones.

As I wind down my time here in this special Place to Be, please know that my characters tell the stories of my life. For every time I have crafted with red, I have sent an "I love you." to my father.

CRAFT NOTE: This adorable crisp red and white snowman use my Cupid's Arrow pattern pieces, his hat is Tom Turkey's!

A Christmasy Monday

2011-10-24T16:31:00.002-04:00

Welcome Christmas Tag Swappers! Have you begun to make your tags? Is there glitter on your craft room floor? There is on mine as I set my goal of making a few tags a day until they are all done. They can be quite time consuming, but oh so fun!

The sun is streaming through my craft room window here in the Heart of Ohio. Charlie has come by my side more than once hoping I will step away to walk him around the block.

Charlie actually knows the words now by heart, "Just one more minute!" as yet another Cute as Can Be idea pops into my head that I just must attend to.

Such as these scenery spools. Oh my gosh do I love to make these! They absolutely recall to mind hand crafts made during World War II when every inch of string and wrapping paper was kept to use for making ornaments for the tree.

A secret I will share when purchasing vintage greeting cards is to look for ones with doors or outdoor scenes on the front. The true treasure always waits inside where smaller versions are perfectly perfect for making shadowboxes or spool scenes such as these.

For our new tag participants, a tip for making your tags is using what I call the "Sandwich Method". Cut your tag shape out of card stock, and then layer your printed papers on both sides. This will make your tag nice and sturdy and help to keep it from bowing over time. (Cricket users would not use this method as their card stock is sturdy enough)

Sigh, I love paper art, and I love the coming of the holidays.

And I thank you for letting me celebrate them early with you!

MAIL TAGS TO: Elizabeth Andrus, 112 Gibraltar Ct, Delaware OH 43015 by December 12th

The Face of a Choir Boy

2011-10-22T16:40:00.001-04:00

If you haven't guessed by now, the dark haired characters that inhabit my craft room are modeled after my brother John. A choir boy's appearance from the earliest of ages, a heart for mischief hidden behind his angelic eyes.

My brother's senior year of High School came shortly after the passing of our father. I was a newlywed just moved from our parents home, there was no one to console my brother's grief.

Having successfully performed with his High School's Honor Choir at the Kennedy Center at Christmastime, an invitation was extended to perform in London. My mother thought this opportunity would be the perfect distraction for John. Necessary travel documents, a round trip ticket purchased, a permission slip signed.

My mother kissed John on the cheek as she dropped him off at the airport with a new black performing suit. She did not see that he did not meet up with his school group.

Unbeknown to my mother, my brother had told the choir teacher his recently widowed mother could not afford the trip. He told the airline that he was with the choir group; but because he was still grieving, could he please sit at the back of the plane.

For the next two months my brother traveled all over Europe, alone!

He spent the first month sailing with a French couple he met in London setting sail to the coast of France. He told them he knew how to sail. He learned on the job! He visits them to this day. To earn money once dropped off in France, he would go into night clubs and ask to sit in with the house band and play the piano. He was a kid not old enough to even drink, but he was persistent returning night after night until he wore them down. He was such a success, he formed a following from town to town. An easy supply of money for the second month as he traveled back towards London.

My mother would never know the truth behind my brother's summer in Europe although she did ask how he managed to get so tanned.

I would only discover the truth myself when I started my blog and began to tell the stories of my magical childhood so many involving this special brother of mine.

CRAFT NOTE: All of my characters are formed as I have pictured here. It was my intention from the beginning to create patterns that were simple enough for anyone to make and enjoy. (I made a mistake cutting out my sleeves! The sleeves are correct in the pattern. Collar - position slightly forward, a dab of Tacky Glue underneath front and back to hold in place. Tack Stitch head in place through collar.)

Hard Headed

2011-10-20T01:31:00.004-04:00

My pom pom characters in particular have the personalities of beloved real life relatives in my family. This oh so fat Tom Turkey with his long legs and fine feathers reminds me of my father who, if you asked my mother, could only be described as Hard Headed.

Case in point, Thanksgiving 1969. The year my brother and I fondly recall as the year we nearly were arrested due to my father's Hard Headed ways.

We had just settled into the Neighborhood with the Hills from our overseas assignment. Thanksgiving dinner too much for my mother having just set up house, my father decided we would eat at the Mess Hall on the naval installation on Bowling Air Force Base in Washington, DC. Despite my mother's pleading we eat at a restaurant, my father insisted he wanted to eat with his fellow men in uniform. Even my brother and I knew what this really meant was we could eat there free as Dependents.

To get to the Navy Mess Hall, we had to go around the long air strip to the other side of the base. Being that is was Thanksgiving, there wasn't any activity on base, no planes in site on the RUNWAY! My father drove us right across the middle of the runway in our White Behemoth!

Sirens drawing close, "Sir, Please step out of the car." For all the times I was so embarrassed by my father's imposing height and bearing, this was one time I wasn't. I could see the small white uniform looking up, up, up at my Dad's black one with all the gold braid. My father spoke in his deep baritone, "Thank you for coming to escort us to the mess."

My brother and I giggled in the backseat of our car all the way home as my mother's commentary about our father's Hard Headed ways filled the space about us. "If they can put a man on the moon, you would think we could have a Thanksgiving meal like any normal family!"

TAIL FEATHERS: Tacky glue white feather to red feather. Tacky glue tip of brown feather to white feather. Place feather section on top of back tail piece and button stitch up both sides. Outline stitch detail. Repeat with each feather section. I have slipped a length of pipe stem into center section to .....

Well, you get the point!

Christmas Tag Swap!

2011-10-19T15:23:00.042-04:00

Thank you all so very much for participating in this last tag swap with me. I can't wait for you to hold in hand all of the lovingly made paper art. Each person has expressed in their own creative voice what the season means to them.

Elizabeth, Creative Breathing

Betty, She's Sew Pretty

Michele

Michelle and Ashley

Nancy, My Crafty Little Page

Lynn, Life on the Wienee Ranch

Jennifer

Nan, Retired in Alaska

Cindy, Praries Edge Farm

Debby, Cozy Blanket

Evelyn 3 Cat Creations

Linda, Linda Ruthie's Aprons

Tammy Nodland

Paula, Palace of Altered Art

Cheryl, Artsy Fartsy

Renee, My Vintage Mending

Shirley, Zetta's Aprons

Vivian, Vivs Whimsy

It won't be long now before I mail out our tags, there are just a few more to arrive. Colorful and cheery and wintry and fun! I have so enjoyed choosing the perfect tag to send to each person. Of course, they have all been perfectly perfect, and I thank you for that!

Merry Christmas to All! Elizabeth

MAIL TAGS TO: Elizabeth Andrus, 112 Gibraltar Ct, Delaware OH 43015 by DECEMBER 12th. My e-mail if you need to contact me is, elizabeth.andrus@yahoo.com

TAGS ALL MAILED 12/13/11

Getting Ready on a Dotty Tuesday

2011-10-18T01:49:00.004-04:00

My sweetest of friends Vivian, Viv out on a Whim, left me a message on a recent post saying that she was gathering things together in anticipation of beginning her holiday craft projects. I adore Vivian; and if she says it's time to start gathering, it truly is!

I could not believe my good fortune yesterday at the antique mall in finding the third curvy wooden container I have been looking for. White house paint on hand for the outside, red craft paint on hand for the inside, Polka Dots all around. The raised center panel was perfect to Modge Podge vintage Santa images cut from a sheet of scrapbook paper made by Reminisce and found at Hobby Lobby. A final coat of craft varnish, and my tray is ready to hold things to inspire my holiday crafting.

I have a collection of doorway images that I wish to make wintry paper scenes on top of saved cardboard ribbon spools. Snow and trees, pipe cleaner bunnies and deer hoping to be let inside where it is warm.

I am simply passionate about vintage photo greeting cards. The scenes are just so charming. Don't laugh at me; but while sitting the Big White Puppy, she pulled from Joe's yard a small sized vintage trellis in the shape of a fan. I have placed it the garage in the hopes he will let his new Mother-in-Law take it home with her. I can already picture it painted white, my collection of cards strung from red rick rack. (Fingers crossed, please!)

I am excited to see where my felt crafting will take me this year. I am still enamored with the colors of my most favorite keeper of time, Mr. New Year himself. My window needs a garland for sure, a good place to begin.

Vivian gave me such a giggle when she wrote she had a few Thanksgiving crafts stirring about in her mind to attend to before her Christmas crafting begins. I wrote her back that I too had a few in mind but was afraid pilgrims and turkeys were just too too kitschy even for die-hard crafters like ourselves; but if it's a go with her, it's a go with me! (I hope to frame the inside of this sweet Christmas card for my Make-over Room.)

I know, I know! I should be called the Mary Poppins of blogdom. "Spit Spot, everything in it's Spot". A gentleman came to our house this past week to appraise it's value and made the comment to my husband that our home was "unusually" neat. Hmmmmm.......

Look! My paper clay Santas now have their button snow. More Polka Dots to share with Holly at Cutie Pie Cottage. Snowmen made using the same technique are in my future. RED HATS! They must have red hats!

Don't worry, the characters of my craft room are still very busy with their Halloween festivities just over my shoulder.

But at my beloved craft desk, I am awaiting new characters to reveal themselves to me!

Oh My!

2011-10-17T16:09:00.003-04:00

I can't possibly express in words how truly magical the experience of an Heart of Ohio Antique Mall visit truly is; but I do hope that these slightly blurry photographs make your heart sigh with delight as mine did today.

If there is something special that you love to collect, you will find not just one or two selections to choose from but dozens upon dozens. In fact, you might not be able to choose at all for fear the one you have left behind is possibly the one you should have chosen instead.

I have loved head vases since I was a young girl and my mother took me to a florist supply shop tucked away amidst a group of seemingly all the same buildings that didn't draw any attention to itself at all. I can't recall now why my mother visited this place so often, but I know her time there took overlong leaving me to wander the rows upon rows of tables filled with head vases of every sort.

So many of these vases I recall from my visits to the supply store, that I am immediately transported to that time and place and am filled with the same "Oh My!" as I was then.

As you can see by the price tags, you can spend a lot of money or a lot a lot of money in building your own collection.

I have held on to my Kitty Bartholomew's Decorating Style book for such a long time now with the hope of one day having a collection of head vases and displaying them as she charminly has done in her own spare bedroom. Sweet Dreams, a must!

For now I must be content to press my camera against the glass case of this fantastical display and whisper to myself, "Oh My!" and hope that you will have enjoyed them as well!

Seasonally Challenged

2011-10-16T16:46:00.002-04:00

Are you someone who has a difficult time adjusting to the change of seasons? I certainly am as Indian Summer weather falls away leaving morning chill confusing my choice of clothes to wear for the day.

My body comfortable with the memory of it's lightweight summer wear resisting any new choices that now feels burdensome and strange.

It seems I am this way about my crafting as well. One last visit to warm weather crafting with a character that just could not wait until next year's summer sun.

Of course there had to be a whale among my Cape Cod Cuties. Don't you just love his spout of spouting water? You can just catch his fluke over his left shoulder, that is if whales do have shoulders.

My little whale uses the same pattern as Louie the Lobster. This is one of my more simple patterns to make and can easily be completed in several hours.

And so until next season, these fair weather characters will winter within the doors of my wonderful Hoosier. I don't think there could be a Cuter Place to Be!

A glimpse at the flour sifter nestled to the left of the shelves. What an efficient system homemakers could count on in years past. I just love it! Well, dressed in warm weather wear, I am nearly ready to begin crafting all things wintry.

Big Brother, Little Sister

2011-10-14T21:21:00.004-04:00

My Twirly Swirly Girl loves marshmallows. She always has. In fact she loves them so much, my newlywed son has said the best thing about being married is having cereal with marshmallows in them. They were never there in his childhood spent with his sister.

It has been such fun to witness an older brother and younger sister redefine their relationship with each other now that they are both married. Kellye's husband being one year older than her brother has put her on a nearly even playing field.

My husband and son went together to a hockey game one evening this week, and my son called during a break in the game to be sure and pass on his love to Kellye next I spoke with her. He said they would have to double date sometime in the near future. My heart nearly melted.

This past month on my birthday, my son gave me a card with more than just his usual scrawled name script. "Mom, Thank you for giving me the most wonderful childhood anyone could ever ask for. I wouldn't have it any other way except maybe my allowance job was ONLY recycling and Kellye's was EVERYTHING ELSE." Love you, Chris.

Well, some things never change!

DIRECTIONS: Cut two 1 1/2" circles (one can be tan). Cut 2" strip, length slightly longer than circumference of circle. Fold length in half to find center, stitch face. Place short edge of side strip directly opposite face center on circle piece. Using small, shallow button stitches, stitch circle to side strip with wrong side facing you. Trim excess side strip when short ends meet. IMPORTANT Use a running stitch piercing each stitch already made so that there is a stitch seen on both sides of circle. (French seam) This step will allow the felt to be turned to the right side without stitches being seen. LEAVING SHORT EDGE OPEN stitch second circle to side edge. Turn marshmallow right side out. Stuff with fiberfill, tack stitch opening closed. Pierce felt to insert arm and leg pipe stems. (OPTIONAL finishing touch. With a single strand of floss, insert needle in seam created between circle and side strip on marshmallow top, bring needle out in bottom seam of marshmallow. Continue around seam from top to bottom, bottom to top slightly pulling thread as you go.)

Hold That Ghost!

2011-10-13T14:24:00.006-04:00

I can't imagine what greeting card companies were thinking when they decided to depict GHOSTS in their Valentines offered, but I am so very glad they did. I absolutely love them. They are my favorite ones of all.

Wanting to make a Halloween banner for my craft room with only supplies on hand, I had to be extra creative to eek out my SPOOKY offering.

Because I only like Halloween to be Cute as Can Be, I have played up the Valentine aspect of these wonderful images more so than their GHOSTLINESS.

Good old cereal boxes have been cut into my banner shapes, printed papers "sandwiched" on both sides, layers of "whatever I could find" add the sturdiness necessary to keep these in good shape for years to come. No "O's" remaining in my sticky letters, buttons take their place.

Learned from my years at Gooseberry Patch, it truly doesn't matter what patterns you combine as long as there is one cohesive element to tie them together. I have used black as the color to balance the unexpected cheery pallet of my banner.

I have used every last element included in my Vintage Street Market Halloween ephemera kit. I can't say enough to recommend this wonderful company. The grouped like items truly stretch your creative imagination. I trimmed the Jack-o-lantern from included tissue paper, the black trim as well. Who would have thought there would be a use for a vintage orange coaster, but trimmed in buttons it becomes a full moon.

You do know I love a good mystery. Including unexpected things to discover is so much fun. Did you notice there is no "O" in GHOST? Did you notice the typewriter keys seem to have a life of their own? Did you guess I used white letters to mimic my TRANSPARENT theme?

My craft room is now ready for it's holiday characters to celebrate their own very special day.

It seems GHOSTLY couples are very welcomed!

"Yes. We Have No More Peanuts"!

2011-10-12T13:41:00.004-04:00

I just give up! There is to be no more introspective pondering about why on earth I am compelled to make things that really haven't any reason to be made other than their cuteness needing to be revealed.

No more obsessing over reasons to explain why a grown adult woman would spend her time making such child like things. No more pondering if Mary Englebreit has relatives who just don't understand her need for cute.

Creativity seems to have a mind of it's own in whatever form it takes. Like this elephant, it is persistent beyond reason. "Yes! We have no more peanuts"!

I am secretly proud at having filled an entire binder with patterns I have created on my own.

I am beyond excited when others will tell me they were thrilled to find one of my characters come to life in their own hands.

My new attitude is "If you can't find peanuts one place, look someplace else"!

I declare this blog to be ME! (thereI'vesaiditoutloud)

If you are looking for peanuts. This is the Place to Be!

Invitation in Hand

2011-10-10T15:50:00.005-04:00

Whenever I am invited to an occasion, I always have my invitation in hand when I arrive. It's not that I think the hosts will have forgotten they invited me, but it is a chance to acknowledge the thought they have put into the invitation sent.

These little party goers are leaving nothing to chance as they arrive at the festivities appearing on my craft room shelves. An easy as can be craft needing very few supplies. You must make a few for yourself!

Each character consists of purchased pre-painted wooden beads for the head, (I painted hair on this one) pipe stems for the body. A paper base allows the characters to stand.

This little witch's dress is made with pinked pleated crepe hot glued in place.

Tag along brothers appear ready for fun in their Cute as can Be costumes.

Pinked strips of orange crepe are Mod Podged directly to a small sized Styrofoam ball after inserting pipe stems for head, arms, and legs.

Leaves are cut from several layers of crepe, vine from twisting crepe between fingers.

I have a penchant for Red Devil costumes but only if the are as Cute as Can Be. EAKS! Fashion Police Alert! Two Red Devils at one party! My little red bird seems to be processing this information.

One bent pipe stem is inserted into head bead to create body base and legs. Body: coil stem around a pen, cut with wire cutters, slip over legs to form body. Arms: length of stem is slipped between body coils. Sleeves are formed by coiling stem around candy stick. Cut and slip over arms. Pants: same as sleeves.

Hat: Two inch circle of felt is folded in half, cut widows peak. Hot glue from center of circle to edge, pinch with fingers until sides adhere. Fit to head and trim back of hat.

Hot glue length of ribbon to back of head bead at an angle. This secures ribbon in order to tie a bow. Hot glue hat in place. Hot glue horns.

I absolutely adore crafts made with pipe stems. They speak to me of my Uncle Howard who smoked a pipe, the smell of cherry tobacco filling a room.

You haven't an invitation, you say?

That's okay! We know a party goer when we spot one!

SPECIAL THANKS to batsinthehouse for her vintage ghostly Valentine. A banner to follow that's too too SPOOKY for words.

Indian Summer in the Heart of Ohio

2011-10-09T16:26:00.002-04:00

I have loved Indian Summers since reading the opening words of a favorite novel, Peyton Place. "Indian Summer is like a woman. Ripe, hotly passionate, but fickle, she comes and goes as she pleases so that one is never sure whether she will come at all, nor for how long she will stay.

My Dear Friend and I discussed just this as we enjoyed the rolling hills passing by our car windows as we drove through the countryside. It had gotten so cold here in the Heart of Ohio we didn't think Indian Summer would come at all.

But it did making this a perfect day for a trip to the Velvet Ice Cream Company in Utica, Ohio. My husband and I discovered by accident this gem of a spot on our return trip from our Honeymoon Neighbor's wedding.

This family owned business has been selling their creamy confection for more than 100 years in grocery stores from the Mississippi to the Atlantic Ocean. I am giggling because both my Dear Friend and myself are unable to eat ice cream! We did enjoy a lunch though in the charming mill and gazed longingly at customers with cones.

These next weeks will find me unusually busy with work assignments and puppy babysitting. My TSG is Home Alone for longer than she can bare. A chance to be together, I think I will take with me my copy of Peyton Place.

Lawn Couples

2011-10-09T02:17:00.004-04:00

Saturday's are the day my husband and I spend out of doors working in our yard. I love to think that passersby who have seen us over the years have come to expect if they see one of us they will see the other. There was a couple such as this in the Neighborhood with the Hills, and I can't imagine them any other way. They were a Lawn Couple.

My parents were not a Lawn Couple.They hired our next door neighbors The Greys to care for our lawn as they were in the Lawn Service business. This was very novel in the early 1970's, and I can remember wondering how on earth they supported themselves just by cutting grass. Very well, I'll tell you. Mrs. Grey drove a brand new Cadillac every year of her life.

There is a camaraderie among Lawn Couples in our neighborhood, and it is not unexpected to stop curbside to chat about the amount of watering that was needed over the summer in relationship to the amount of rain that fell. We might not know anything else about the couple, but still we look forward to their friendly waves of greeting when seen together in their yard.

Content as could be after my day spent with my husband, I found a few hours to add to the circus characters that have been appearing in recent posts. The thought occurred to me that they appear as though I already know them. Oh my gosh! I do know them! They are so reminiscent of my brother's very first childhood toy, the 1962 Fisher Price Circus Train. Just look at that seal and ringmaster; and the elephant's shape is just as I wanted my Rosie to be. The monkey! No wonder my characters often wear uniforms. I have been in love with them always!

And do send in the clown. This one is full of mischief. Where other characters are always photographed to my left, this one insisted his features were best viewed from the right. A chance to see what there is over my other shoulder!

EAK! His and Hers Lawn Couple attire. Just kidding!

But tomorrow is our Date Night. PJ's by the fireplace, chairs pulled side by side, Amazing Race unfolding before our eager eyes. We may be predictable, but we are very much in love!

CRAFT NOTE: Clown uses my Valentine Cupid pattern pieces. Hat is from Halloween Witch.

Rosie on a Pink Saturday

2011-10-08T12:49:00.004-04:00

I haven't always liked elephants. In fact as a child I avoided at all cost any reference to the wrinkly pachyderms for fear the connection would be made, "E" for Elephant, "E" for Elizabeth by classmate's wandering attention from the teacher to the alphabet picture chart above her head.

Thank goodness my persistent yearly pervalence to my mother to officially change my name was met with the same decline. I now adore elephants with their long memories and old souls.

A Rosie elephant of my own to reside in my beloved craft room was just the perfectly perfect craft to make in celebration of Pink Saturday.

That there just happens to be a Circus in progress on my desk top is just the best coincidence ever!

Who wouldn't extend a "Join Us!" invitation to someone who can carry their own baggage.

Well maybe "some" need a little more convincing ...

when you are likely to become the star of the Big Top.

But even Vernon knows a circus is like a big family, and there is always room for one more.

Step 1. Leg Gusset: Button Stitch (BS) two leg gussets together down center seam. Step 2. Place one body piece on gusset and BS where back leg gusset begins ending where front leg gusset begins. Repeat with second body piece. Step 3. Lightly stuff legs with fiberfill. Step 4. Trunk: Beginning at front leg gusset, BS around neck, and trunk, lighting stuffing as you go. Tie off thread where "X" appears on pattern. Step 5. Head Gusset: BS each side of gusset to corresponding side of body tying off thread when done. Lightly stuff head. Step 6. Tail: Enclose small cut lengths of embroidery floss at end of tail with small stitches that will be hidden by tail bow. Step 7. Body: BS body pieces together beginning at back leg gusset catching tail within seam. Step 8. BS along back of body stuffing to desired firmness as you go. Step 9. Ears: BS two ear circles together, tack to head. Step 10. Blanket: BS smooth cut piece to pinked piece. Tack stitch to body. Step 11. Hat: Cone card stock edges are hot glued together. Use glue stick to adhere patterned paper to cone. Hot glue hat to head.

Truly, this Pink Saturday could not have a Rosier ending!

Night Owl Heredity

2011-10-07T02:04:00.001-04:00

I confess. I am a night owl. I believe this is from having a mother who was one as well. There was something very comforting as a child knowing I could steal down the stairs in the middle of the night to my mothers art studio and find her contentedly entranced by the brush strokes to her canvas.

There is something about the sound of the late night that is so appealing to me. I love to craft in this quiet.

It lets me remember things I was just about to forget. My son and daughter-in-law's second wedding anniversary will soon be here. I had the idea to create for them a shadow box they can hang each year on their Christmas tree.

How much fun would it be to depict their lives as they go about their years. My newlywed neighbor Travis told my husband that his newlywed wife Rachel gets up in the morning to fix him breakfast. Oh my gosh how sweet these days are. (Print 4 X 6)

I have taken apart the box lid of my K&Co chipboard letters and traced patterned paper for both sides. An image of a cottage (found on Flickr) is sandwiched behind the opening of the lid. The sunshine I have cut from the greeting card above and slipped behind the background trees.

I used pop dots to lift the breakfast couple away from the window scene. The box bottom is covered in paper and hot glued to scalloped base. I love the fonts used in vintage greeting cards and think they are wonderful to express a sentiment.

I am always on the lookout now for vintage images that have a window opening in them to create this dreamy effect. Twyla and Lindsey of Two Crazy Crafters sent me this image and wishes on my birthday. They truly are the epitome of Pink Girls!

Well Dear Mom in Heaven, the time has come for me to close my eyes. Of all your wonderful qualities I am so glad I inherited your night owl tendencies. It's when I think of you most.

"Toodle Oooh! I'm Back!"

2011-10-06T15:01:00.001-04:00

I will say to my husband on so many occasions, "I don't know how you live with me!" He will say, "I don't either, but I love you anyway!"

Expecting me home directly after work this morning, my husband wasn't surprised at all to get a call from me informing him I had a Side Stop to make because the leaves on the trees are beginning to fall which reminds me that winter will soon be here which reminds me the inhabitants of the Little Red House will be leaving for their Florida home for the winter and I need to wish them safe travel.

They don't seem at all surprised to see me as I have yet to actually knock on their door. They always spot me camera in hand photographing their adorable cottage and welcome me inside to catch up on news.

Clancey and Hollyberry greet me as an old friend now and give lots of slobbery kisses. I have yet to get a close-up photo of Hollyberry that is in focus. She is so wiggly!

Gail is just too sweet about my visits to her home. She will say to her husband, "Her readers have been asking for another tour." Gail led me into her basement to show me her latest vintage finds. OMGoodness! If she ever has a moving sale ......

She never lets me leave empty handed. Tomato red Scottie coasters for my vintage Hoosier. I asked did Hollyberry and Clancey wear little plaid coats in the winter. She said no as they also winter in Florida.

I'm glad for this as I don't think I could stand any more cuteness.

I do live in my own "Elizabeth" world where everything is rose colored and Side Stops can always be expected, and I am so grateful that those I love tolerate this about me.

Please be sure and take the spring tour located on my sidebar. One visit is never enough. Toodle Oooh!

The Countdown Begins!

2011-10-05T14:42:00.002-04:00

It can't be held back any longer, the season of All Things Spooky has arrived here at Creative Breathing; and if you know anything about the characters inhabiting my craft room, you know party preparations are afoot!

I feel as though I have been in my own Stephen King novel as I have heard the constant chanting over my shoulder, "RICK RACK, RICK RACK" coming from one character in particular. Stanley Snornament! He spotted orange rick rack that came within my Halloween crafting package from Vintage Street Market and has not stopped about a new belt to wear to the party.

You do know this shy little character has such a crush on Laurie's, Magpie Ethel, Spun Head Miss. Stanley has made himself a BONUS prize in the Cake Walk in hopes of finally catching her attention.

What do you think? Laurie's Spun Head Misses are quite sure of themselves, but Stanley's belt is pretty darn cute.

I have had the most fun creating these paper clay characters, I do hope you will give them a try yourself. The paper clay can be purchased at Michaels for about $7.00. Many projects can be made from the packet that will look so small to you. A basic tutorial for making my paper clay characters can be found on my sidebar.

A new crafting tip I am just crazy about is using vintage greeting cards to create favorite cone shaped hats. Make a cone from card stock, using hot glue. Apply glue stick to the back of vintage card cut in a rectangular shape large enough to cover cone. Angle paper on the cone and wrap, there will be overhang in all directions! Use pinking scissors to trim long edge as it meets with starting point. Use straight scissors to trim brim overhang and cone point.

What a challenge to use only the items found in the vintage kit to create my characters. (My last late night CC purchase! I am a COC now. Cash Only Crafter!)

Bingo cards were used as bases, printed book pages for bottoms. Vintage crepe ruffles were wrangled into shape by trimming and folding in half to create fullness. "Boo" was formed from two BINGO's. Never in my life did I ever imagine I would be someone who would actually run out of pipe cleaner stems. I am now out of orange!

Vintage Trick or Treat bags included in kit were Modge Podged onto cardboard container costing $1.00 at either JoAnn's or Michaels. PS I love my little Red Devil pom pom bird. He is not very old and likes to stay in the background out of the way of party preparations.

And so the Countdown Begins, the excitement can be felt in the air all about me.

Cute as can be Halloween has come to the Heart of Ohio!

BREAKING NEWS ......

It seems there is an unexpected guest to the Halloween preparations in my craft room.

Stanley seems to be enjoying his new found confidence.

Whooooo will he choose? The romance continues......

THANK YOU LAURIE FOR YOUR ART WHICH ALWAYS BRINGS SUCH A SMILE!

The Boundaries of Faith

2011-10-03T19:19:00.006-04:00

How extraordinary that my across the street neighbors in the Neighborhood with the Hills being Mormon, Christian Scientist, Jehovah Witness, Pentecostal Apostolic, Jewish, and Baptist would have the profound result of creating in me an unwavering curiosity about the Boundaries of Faith.

Rules of separation meant to keep me away only increased my desire to have a better understanding of why the Purcells had so many children? Why would the Kennedy's not go to the hospital. How did the Smith's speak in tongues and why did the Greenwalts go to church on Saturday?

As an adult I have been drawn to individuals whose faith shines through their very demeanor. I immediately feel as I did as a child wanting to know about the differences that keep their friendship with me at arms length.

God must have known this about me in his sending Joe to find my Twirly Swirly Girl. Of all the faiths Joe's family could be, it is one with many boundaries.

Thirty-two acres of rolling Ohio landscape, not another house to be seen. A driveway cresting atop a ridge to reveal a home built to hold a very large family. Garage door entrance, remove your shoes, dozens upon dozens already lined neatly in a row. Handshakes only, one after the other, skirts to the floor, hair that has never been cut. Voices so sweet from faces made all the more beautiful unadorned, overwhelming curiosity trying to take it all in.

My daughter who has been through so much in her young life could only be loved by someone who understands what it is like to be so different from others.

It can't be by accident that the Boundaries of Faith have brought two mother's children together, one of whom wishes to embrace their differences. Wedding Picnic, a very special day!

CRAFT NOTE:
I have made my own pattern of Bella Dia adorable mushroom house. It is for personal crafting purposes only. The red and white polka dotted fabric can be found at JoAnn's Fabric. The circle mushroom cap should be a 12" circle. (I have made mine 10" so that it will fit on my cute as can be gnome shelf.)

"Step Right Up! Get Your Thank You Here!"

2011-09-30T04:24:00.003-04:00

Thank you so very much for all the lovely birthday wishes! I had such a wonderful day with my husband who surprised me with a cake, a beautiful card, and a dozen red roses.

You will not believe AGAIN I have gotten a year younger. All year I have thought I was turning 54, and wouldn't you know ..... I am 53 today. I tell you there are some advantages to being clueless! Just look at the expression on Peanut Vendor Vernon's face. He looks a little wary about this craft room's mistress.

It truly is a three-ring circus here at Creative Breathing as I work to finish last minute crafts I am excited to show my sisters-in-law. They have never seen my craft room before.

It is late at night here in the Heart of Ohio as I make mental lists of all that I need to do in preparation of our wedding picnic on Saturday. It is such a funny thing to live with a man who is a flight attendant and is used to ordering scads of food. He will throw into our cart what I call "Airplane Food" such as shrimp cocktail and red curly lettuce for lining our food trays. "Hon! We're having hamburgers!" I say to him.

Don't even get me started on the breakfast he has planed for Sunday morning. "We don't need fruit trays! A few bananas will do!" Can you just hear us in the grocery store?

When Joe's Mom called me this evening to ask what I am bringing to the picnic, I replied, "Baked Beans". I was too embarrassed to mention all that my husband will be bringing.

Again, thank you for letting this Creative Breather pick herself up again and again.

Birthday Wishes

2011-09-28T23:25:00.004-04:00

Hello, It's me Elizabeth drawn once again to this place where the light shining through the characters I create is so wonderful to me. I absolutely can't wait for the Publish Post moment that allows the light to shine.

Tomorrow is my birthday, and I love that it is. I simply adore birthdays in general. I love white cake with beautiful roses and getting the piece with the largest one.

In my life birthdays are also my chance to make a wish once again to change the things about myself that cause me the most heartache. Setting boundaries for myself has always been my most difficult struggle. No one asks anything of me here in this special place, and yet I am always overwhelmed with the anxiety of disappointing.

I get myself into trouble with my beloved husband when I try to "not disappoint". I purchase too many things at the Poorbaby Store and supplies to make crafts that are only for my own enjoyment. I will worry endlessly over the fear of not being able to think of something new to share at Halloween or Christmas let alone another Valentine's Day.

Are you allowed to whine the day before your birthday about such unimportant things in the grand scheme of life? I hope so. My craft room shelves are nearly overflowing once again, and my Dear Friends know this is like waving an SOS flag from a sinking ship.

But the light, oh how I love the light. My husband has come to my aide once again by not yelling at me at all about the late night expenses that appear on his credit card. This humbles me more than I can say, he truly knows the worst about me and loves me still.

I will not be hosting my Christmas Tag swap this year and perhaps I will not have anything new to share next Valentine's Day, but I will share what I create with "What's on Hand" and perhaps I do have a story or two left to share. No more Giveaways, no more postage, no more credit late at night. I have made this promise to the person I love the most.

There, my heart feels so much better. I will save a rose for you!

Curves on a ME Monday Giveaway!

2011-09-26T19:51:00.003-04:00

It is nearly impossible to believe I have been on the look out for nearly a year for another curvy wooden container to paint as inspired by ones found in my beloved ME Home Companion.

Many visits down the desperately sad basket isle of my local thrift store finally rewarded me with just the curves I have been looking for.

Oh my gosh! What a cute red inside/white outside container this has become. The curves lend themselves perfectly to very simple dot painted designs. The search continues for a curvy flat tray whose insides I wish to Modge Podge with vintage Christmas card images.

I am light at heart today as I continue to model Donna Reed's eating habits. I've got my apron and my cute as can be house, I'm eating breakfast, lunch and dinner but still struggling with the long evening hours. My 1950's "Never Gain a Pound" husband doesn't eat in the evenings. It could be his early to bed routine is the final step I need to take, but the night owl in me is still in denial.

It is in the evening hours with my day's work done that I sit and craft and watch Donna Reed. And worry! Do you know we are taking a second stab at hosting a Wedding Picnic for the Newlyweds? My daughter called me arriving home from work her first day home from Hawaii in a panic to tell me her new Mother-in-Law was standing in her driveway. Yeeps!

A frantic call made to my own Rescue Rangers will find my sisters-in-law on their way to Ohio this Saturday to help assure a wonderful celebration and introduction to Joe's large family.

So in celebration of learning to love one's own curves and the hopefulness of this mother's acceptance in her daughter's new family, TWO Gnomes and their woodland friends need TWO Places to Be. If it's your craft room, please let me know, I will pick their new homes!

Vintage curves on a ME Monday, now that's a Good Thing!

GARAGE SALE GAL AND LAVENDER DREAMS, A PEGDOLL IS HEADED YOUR WAY!

If Blogging Has Made mE Fat, Can Donna Reed Make mE Thin?

2011-09-25T11:50:00.001-04:00

As always, I seem to be the last person to know you can watch television on your computer. This I accidentally discovered when closing the page on my last post as I vowed to step away from the computer to address health issues regarding weight. I have yet to step away as I have spent this last week watching Donna Reed.

As I have watched the exploits of the fictional characters of the Stone family residing in their quintessentially Mid western home of Hillsdale, I can't help but notice, no one is fat!

I have watched Donna and her family sit down to breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert in every episode, and I have yet to see any exercising going on unless you consider vacuuming in heels to be a workout. Donna says to her husband Dr. Alex as she prepares for the visit of a childhood classmate, "Well at least I have kept my figure."

Could the answer to my weight issues be found in the relationship individuals of this generation have with food?

Luckily for me I have my own 1950's specimen living under my rooftop. I have spent this past week scrutinizing my "Never Gain a Pound" beloved husband. Breakfast, check. Lunch, check. Dinner and dessert, double check. No in-between meal snacking or late night grazing. I think I am on to something here!

"B"elieve me when I tell you how incredibly difficult it has been this last week to eat like Donna Reed when I can easily substitute a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts for an entire day's worth of calories. To purposefully eat the way TV Land intended is no small thing!

I am most humbly grateful for those who have shared their own health struggles with me. I am always surprised to find I am not alone in things that I find so embarrassing and make me wish to withdraw. I may never be thin again in my life, but I am hopeful everyday, and I love Donna Reed.

CRAFT NOTE: I am working to remake favorite characters that need their Place to Be, my craft room. The Tall Gnome uses my 4th of July Miss Liberty pattern, Clancey the Mailman's pattern can be found on a sidebar tutorial for pom pom birds.

Day 8

2011-09-19T14:38:00.007-04:00

All was going well with the Big White Puppy and her Partner in Crime. The maze of baby gates that had become my home to protect my new carpet while a little confusing as to whose freedom was being restricted, was working out rather splendidly. Our sliding glass door left open, curtains hanging over the opening, their own dogie door to the great beyond otherwise known as "My Husband's Yard". And then came Day eight...

A chilly September day, the sky as blue as can be, leaves just beginning to turn on all the ...... "Hon, there are trees missing from our yard!" Where there once were five, there are now only three. How is it possible for dog to eat a tree? There are no signs of branches or roots or a single colored leaf. Gone, I tell you, gone. But this was only the beginning ....

I should have known better than to leave the puppies unattended in the yard over long. A call to come brought the white puppy encased in mud from head to toe, her cohort trailing close behind ever so clean. It seem Elan the German Shephard, aka "The Nose", had scouted out a scent underneath our shed. There was a hole the size of Nahala the Samoyed, aka "The Digger"! I tell you I nearly had a nervous breakdown! Just try bathing a white dog whose hair will not get wet!

When TSG called to tell her father she and Joe were on their way to pick up the pups, he responded they would be waiting curbside with all their belongings. It has taken me an entire day to Spic and Span my home. I'm a little wistful about my ten puppy sitting days... Well at least the first Eight!

Lake Ann

2011-09-16T19:12:00.004-04:00

Of all the craft room characters I make, my "little" pom pom birds are my very favorite. This fall feathered friend tells the story of my very first home as a new bride in Lake Ann, Michigan, whose claim to fame was a tornado touching down in the center of town, and a sighting of Big Foot.

Being a city girl from Washington, DC where such things didn't happen, I always kept one eye on the sky and one eye on the woods that passed by my car window while driving through town. Lake Ann consisted of a bait store where you could also purchase a tank of gas, and a post office where a key was needed to open a little door with a glass window giving glimpse of your mail within.

Our 700 sq ft cottage was nestled within a thick forest of trees on the far side of Lake Ann, the river feeding the lake winding it's way through my yard. We hadn't any neighbors as surrounding cottages were only occupied in the summer months. It was a quiet and restful place, perfectly perfect for someone like me.

On the weekends my husband and I loved to walk through the woods that enclosed us in a quiet darkness that was all our own. The sound of leaves rustling when scuffled through a favorite sound to this day.

Each morning my husband and I would drive together into the city to our places of work. I loved this time together as the car heater slowly warmed our bodies our talk reflective on how grateful we were to live in such a place.

And how grateful I was never to have spotted Big Foot!

Primrose Lane

2011-09-15T15:24:00.001-04:00

Puppy Patrol nearly over, days spent close to home giving me the opportunity to make a last few pages for the Rolodex that tells the story of my craft room. What fun for me to to revisit early crafts made like this Allsorts Dolly Pop. I made 17 of them for Ralph's little girl's fifth birthday party. (Ralph is a very handsome Labradoodle)

All things Tilda led to my love of felt as this was the available medium for me to make her wonderful patterns. I did not have a sewing machine at the time. Words on my crafts became my very own style. This little fall squirrel has found his Place to Be with Beth's Bagz.

Two Dutch Sisters far from home friends captured as oh so sweet Pegdolls. I will visit their blogs just to view tulips, their very favorite flowers. I must make these again!

Stories to tell. Did you know I met my husband ice skating? He was a rink guard who admired my legs in my skating costume. I was very modest and would only wear jumpers I had hemmed short enough to skate, but long enough to be very Peggy Flemming.

Room enough for a Fourth Anniversary theme, a style of my own I am so proud to share.

If my blog has been about anything, it is about my joy for life. From my very small spot on this planet I have relished in the smallest of details and have tucked them all away in the hopes they will journey with me when I am called Home.

Primrose Lane? Life is truly like a melody!

OH GEESE, OH PEESE!

2011-09-14T14:10:00.022-04:00

When I am standing in line at my bank, I know I will have to address once again the issue of on-line banking with the teller that is assisting me. "Mrs. Andrus, do you know how easy it is to pay your bills on line?"

"I do." I reply, "But my husband's hobby is paying bills, and he simply won't be deprived of the enjoyment he gets by doing this by mail."

I am beyond embarrassed to say that my husband simply will not let me sign up for the Pay Pal fees ($20.00 mo.) required to have an Etsy shop. What can I say? He is unmovable on this subject. My sails are windless at the moment.

On a brighter note, I do have lots of Giveaways now. In fact I have THREE! I will just call them my Birthday Giveaways and will choose Three winners to be announced on my very own special day, September 29th.So please leave a note if you would like to be entered. At the end of your comment type, Yellow, Green, or Orange for the different characters. Each colored garland hanger will come with one of these adorable peg dolls for your fall craft room decorating.

Thank you so much for understanding husbands.

Oscar

2011-09-13T12:08:00.002-04:00

The enthusiasm of my own Newlywed Days matched the excitement in my heart of having my very first job as a receptionist in the Trust Department of the Traverse City State Bank. Honeymoon Wardrobe carefully selected each day to make the best impression. Appreciative glances from the customers I would usher into the offices of the department's lawyers.

Lunch hour of my own, I loved to window shop along Front Street, the turquoise waters of Traverse Bay glimpsed between buildings, paycheck hoped fors changing with each new something that caught my eye. A sidewalk bench overlooking the view became the place to eat my sack lunch and admire other passersby.

This was how I came to know Oscar. A simple open face that had never known a frown, a gentle soul who found joy in making others smile. Bib overalls his daily uniform, a cap with ear flaps folded up on sunny days, a grocery sack rolled down many times always carried in his hands. With each person Oscar would greet, he would unroll his sack and offer a piece of candy. Wishes for a wonderful day, Oscar would be on his way.

Reception Desk typing, phone answering, client ushering, busy to near distraction, there was Oscar sitting in my waiting area his rolled sack on the floor by his feet. Oscar greeted me with his now familiar smile and said, "I have an appointment."

For all the days I would work at Traverse City State Bank, I too would become one of the many individuals who looked out for the welfare of Oscar. Siblings eager to leave their humble farm origins and the care of Oscar to their aging parents now wanted Oscar committed to the city's mental institution thereby giving them control of all that had been left to Oscar. It seems the mineral rights of the vast acreage of the farm had made Oscar a very wealthy man. For all of Oscar's days, his every need would be provided for, his rolled down sack never empty of candy.

Please join Holly at Cutie Pie Cottage (Side Bar) for DOTTY DAYS if you have a love of all things POLKA DOTTED! She would love for you to share them with her!

Under Construction!

2011-09-12T13:29:00.005-04:00

Do you notice Creative Breathing seems a little striped to the bare bones lately? Pictures appearing and disappearing, Places to Be here one minute and gone the next?

There are goings on afoot in the creative space I call my Beloved Craft Room that I am very excited to share with you.

A rare space of confidence has come upon me most recently with my first attempt at trying to fulfill orders for individuals who have asked so graciously to own a character from my craft room. The experience was very joyful knowing that a bit of myself was headed to craft rooms far from home.

I learned so much from the experience about what would work for me and what would not. Special orders are not in my near future as I would be making my cute as can be birthday cake every day of my life. I know he is cute, but his tiny stitches can be very fatiguing when done repetitively.

I also discovered that it embarrasses me to no end to "talk" about selling things I have made. It's just an "E" thing; so in this post only I will say there will soon be an Etsy shop on my sidebar that I will never make reference to again. It will just be there as though you have come across a new found discovery.

This would not at all even be a thought to me if it weren't for the encouraging words from so many who have taken a moment of their day to visit me. I am very grateful for this in my very quiet life.

So look for the New and Improved Creative Breathing in the very near future as it is now in the hands of a very talented artist who is helping me make my blog what has always been in my secret place of hoped for possibilities.

Busy, busy days are soon to follow, and I am having such a fun time watching it unfold before my eyes!

TSG Gets Married!

2011-09-11T13:10:00.004-04:00

I have so wanted to share with you before my last day of blogging, the photographs from Joe and Kellye's wedding.

If my blog has been about anything, it has been about the Tenure of Motherhood and the gossamer threads that hold mother and daughter together when it seems friendship is not a possibility.

These joyous photographs are tangible proof to me of God's willingness to answer our prayers if we will only open our heart to all He promises.

"Kellye, can you hear God calling?" He was calling me.

And so I learned from my daughter that God calls each of us to him in his own time. I know in my heart she will one day hear his call as well.

Perhaps, when she has a daughter of her own.

Who loves to twirl and who asks her mother, "Is there someone special just for me?"

And who will answer just as her mother did to her, "Yes sweetheart, there is someone very special waiting just for you."

These are such sweet days for me, and I thank you so much for letting me share them with you. I thank you for the many well wishes that have been given to me to pass along to Joe and Kellye.

Every mother's story should have an ending as happy as this.

Always, Elizabeth

Joe and Kellye Sauder 9/10/11

Traditional Hawaiian wedding rings, Mother of Pearl and diamonds.

SEPTEMBER!

2011-09-10T12:00:00.000-04:00

Do you love a month more than other months because it is your birth month? I do, I absolutely love the month of September. I love that the air begins to cool, and the sky becomes the bluest it will be all year before the greyness of winter hides it away from view.

I love that the leaves of trees I have enjoyed all summer long wait until my favorite month of September to celebrate their explosion of color to be admired by all.

I also love when Cute as Can Be can't wait a single next day without being shared with others. Oh my gosh are these Fall Garland Hangers ever going to be cute when all their colors have been completed. There is still a darker green, orange, red, and brown to be made. The colors of changing leaves. I love that!

Are you admiring Carol's "Fun" card in the background? I know! It's wonderful! The little box in this scene contains memory cards of tag swaps I have hosted in the past and the names of the creative women who tagged along with me. I will be hosting my annual Christmas Tag Swap again this year, still thinking on my theme!

Oh my, I can't wait to make all of the fall characters that have been mulling about in my mind all summer long. I promise to offer some for sale when they are all completed. I will be very busy this month of September, and I just love that!

GUILTY on a Poorbaby Payday or Confessions of a Desparate Housewife

2011-09-08T11:25:00.004-04:00

I'm in a mood today; and I always say, "If you're in a mood, you are guilty about something!" I have been caught red handed on a Poorbaby Payday!

My husband is someone who never seems to buy anything new. I think he is morally opposed to it. I have deduced this over the years by the scowl that always seems to greet me on return trips that have caused my wallet to lighten.

To avoid this tension filled moment I try to avoid it all together. In fact, I try to avoid him! Poorbaby Paydays always coincide on the one day of the week I know he will be away at work. The window of opportunity carefully constructed to PERUSE, PURCHASE, and PUT AWAY, before he next lays eyes on me! The Jersey Shore housemates have nothing on me with their GYM, TAN, WASH routine.

But on this Poorbaby Payday I have been SUBMARINED by my own Dear Friend! With only moments to spare before my husband's return from work, I pull into my neighborhood court only to find my Dear Friend's car blocking my driveway path to the garage.

Garage door opener used, my husband's space taken, back door entry, one foot on the stairs to my craft room, who should I see driving into the court???? Time stands still! I have been caught! (Renee, I got this vintage ceramic clock for you, Made in Japan, if you would like it)

I am ashamed of myself, but apparently not so much as to keep me from dispersing my treasures throughout my home in this way for years and years. "The truth shall set you free?" We'll see!

Rationale for my actions? Oh I have a defensive list ready.... "But I never go anywhere!", "I color my own hair, what else do I have to spend my money on?" "These are supplies!" and the very best, "I only spent a few dollars!"

The Dance of Buyers Remorse is very short lived as my husband knows the things I say to him are true. He will say to me he is at his most happy when he knows I am happy.

And I am very happy on this Poorbaby Payday!

Puppies and Paper (Happy Homemaker Tag Along)

2011-09-07T16:11:00.004-04:00

What could possibly go together more perfectly than Puppies and Paper as I await the arrival of Nahala and Elan this evening who will be Home Alone with me while Joe and Kellye travel to Hawaii to exchange their wedding vows.

I have been the most remiss hostess to my year long Tag Along; but a visit to Patti's, Paint N' Patti, and Rene's, My Vintage Vintage Mending and seeing their tags so faithfully made displayed in their craft rooms, has lit the creative fire in my heart to catch up my own.

I particularly like this June tag depicting Father's Day.

I have a secret to reveal about Nahala. She has a crush on Newlywed Groom Travis' dog Crash who unfortunately is only interested in chasing Chipmunk Sam. Nahala will pine the day away sitting in the corner of our connecting fences hoping for any sign of change in Crash's attitude.

When all of my tags are completed, I will hang them as a garland from a shelf in my craft room. Toy trinkets have been hot glued to each hanging ribbon to add a sense of fun.

And fun is exactly what I plan to have with Joe and Kellye's two big puppies! (Shadowbox made using a wonderful greeting card found on Two Crazy Crafters blog. Thank you Lindsey and Twyla!)

Please do share ANY tag or paper art you have made this month. I would love to see!

Thoughts at Four Years (GIVEAWAY WINNERS!)

2011-09-06T20:44:00.000-04:00

The most wonderful personal letters I receive are from individuals who express how much they enjoy reading my blog and the expression of hope in beginning their own. It's not an easy thing at all to "take the plunge". The fear of no one visiting can be discouraging.

I cluelessly assumed the 17,000 views of my husband's vintage organizer on my Flickr photostream would mean I would have 17,000 readers of my blog. For two years I eagerly would scroll to the bottom of a written post in anticipation that I had gotten one reader closer to my goal of ten hoped for visitors. (I had lowered my expectations by then.)

It was not until I became brave enough to host a tag swap did my blog have any chance of surviving to see year three. I was so nervous that anyone would even want to join that I came up with the idea of making a block with your blog's name if you would make me one also with your blog's name. I was too timid to ever imagining sending anyone anything with my own blog name on it.

The Block Party was an absolute success. Friends made then are still my most favorite bloggers to this day. My blog began to flourish. Popularity was the rarefied air I had never known before in my life.

I spent my days happily crafting things to share with my readers. The encouraging comments left were so heartfelt and inspiring to me.

A "Give the reader what YOU think they want" mentality seemed to take over my blog. At this point I should have renamed it, Fast and Furious! Something had to give.

That somEthing was mE! Depression and anxiety consumed my hours before falling asleep at night. The self imposed pressure to have a new story to tell, or a new tag swap to host, or a new craft to make made me want it all to go away. And everything did.

This fourth year has been the most incredibly difficult year of blogging for me. I have tried everything to recapture the "new blog" spark that fueled my early years. Dr. Phil's mantra "Fake it Till You Make It" could have been my blog title until very recently.

How very fitting that the hoped for readers and their comments on my blog would also be the saving grace to lift my burden of darkness and direct my path back to creative happiness at the beginning of my fifth year. It seems I am most happy crafting just for myself and giving things I make away to those who have become so dear to me.

EVELYN You knew that Phil was a Room Renting, Truck Driving, Elvis Impersonator who loved to play Jeopardy! A set of ornaments to you. (elizabeth.andrus@yahoo.com)

SHEAN You also remembered that Phil's father worked for the CIA! A set of ornaments to you. (elizabeth.andrus@yahoo.com)

I love my blog, I love my readers, I am very happy this day. Elizabeth

Have Truck, Will Move Blogaversary Giveaway!

2011-09-06T11:51:00.002-04:00

At the time my father passed away and my mother became a Room Renter, she also began working as a bookkeeper for Gosnel's Gardens. A place to purchase all your gardening needs. During the winter months when the company's truck would make it's long trek to Plant City, Florida, for Christmas poinsettias, an advertisement would go out in the local newspaper offering to move Snowbird Furniture at a reasonable price in the going south empty tractor trailer.

Phil, one of my mother's Room Renters, was the driver for the long haul. A HANDSOME young MAN in his twenties, Phil was also someone who kept to a tight schedule when transporting perishable plants. Home for the Holidays, it was decided my brother John would ride along as help to earn money for college.

The ad to move Snowbird Furniture was answered by a recent college graduate of Georgetown University Law. The always punctual Phil expected the student with his belongings to be ready for a 7am pick-up. The student would also be making the trip with his furniture. No one on the curb, the boys were astonished at the sight of a clearly hungover graduate rather rotund and in his boxers answering their persistent knocking on his apartment door.

Not at all contrite the student arrogantly asked the fellas if they would help load his belongings into their truck for $20.00 apiece. "For $100.00 here and $100.00 in Florida, we will. Now lets get moving!" The decision having already been made by Phil.

The truck nearly filled, all that remained was a heavy as can be solid oak government issued desk that would not fit through the door of the apartment. "Use your tools to take the desk apart." ordered the student. "We haven't got any tools!" replied Phil. "Lets lower it over the balcony!" my ever resourceful brother offered.

The truck backed underneath the one-story apartment, my brother holding onto the legs of the desk began to lower it over the balcony railing to the outstretched arms of the student. "Have you got it?" yelled my brother. "Just a little lower!" replied the student, "A little more, a little more!" One to many "little mores" and gravity got the better of the situation. The legs of the desk were all that remained in my brother's hands.

The desk in pieces lay before the student. "Load it up, Move it out!" could be heard from Phil over the starting engine. They were not even at the end of the street before the student asked could they stop for a restroom and breakfast break as he had not had the chance to attend to either. "We'll stop when we get gas." Phil called out over the ROCKABILLY music he would SING to for the next 22 hours.

The truck didn't need refilling until North Carolina.

Destination Florida in the dark morning hours, it seemed the student's Snowbird parents were not yet at their winter home. The student said he would walk to the gas station around the corner and call them to see how much longer they would be, could they wait to help move his things into the house. The second $100.00 paid, the student barely out of sight, the boys unloaded at record speed box after box and one broken desk onto the driveway. As they drove pass the stunned student in the telephone booth, Phil tooted the truck's air horn and called out his window, "I'm on a schedule!"

I absolutely love when my brother shares one of his childhood stories with me. They are as big as his personality and always make me laugh. We both adored Room Renting, Truck Driver Phil who had another very unique attribute about his personality I have featured before in stories I have shared about him.

On this my Fourth Blogaversary, there is "A WHOLE LOT'O LOVING TO DO" as my heart overflows with the warmness of friendship found in this most special place to be.

If you can name Phil's unique attribute using the clue's provided in this post, you will be eligible to win a set of Peppermint Elf Christmas Ornaments. (One elf, one snowbird, one reindeer, two mushrooms, two wreaths) I will randomly choose Two Winners from all the correct answers.

The Countdown Begins!

2011-09-05T09:58:00.002-04:00

The vestiges of summer days nearly gone, the excitement of Newlywed Love it's own climate here in the Heart of Ohio. Puppy Babysitting begins tomorrow leaving a final day for the bride and groom to pack for their excursion to Hawaii where they will be married.

My husband and I dropped off TSG's very twirly wedding dress and shoes at Joe's house warning him not to peek while Kellye is at work. Grining from ear to ear, we could tell Joe was eager to share the itinerary of the Wedding Party. Joe's oldest sister and youngest sister will be accompanying them to Hawaii.

Joe gleefully produced for us a map of Maui to peruse as he said these words to the Mother-of-the-Bride, "I'm a little worried about Kellye handling the 3,000 ft descent into the volcano."

Suddenly the list of pre-wedding shopping items my daughter ticked off to me begins to make sense. Cargo pants that unzip, Indiana Joes fedora, heavy duty sunscreen ...... "VOLCANO!!!!!" I exclaimed. "You are hiking into a volcano the day BEFORE you get married????"

I swear to you Joe's grin became wider. "It says in the guide book the temperatures can be extreme. From sudden heat bursts over 100* to torrential downpours. I'm trying to decide if we should choose the SEVEN mile hike or the TEN mile hike." At this point visions of "Joe VS the Volcano" are flashing through my mind with my daughter as the virginal sacrifice to the volcano gods.

"We're going to be camping out overnight!" continues Joe. "There's a hotel at the bottom of the volcano?" I hopefully ask as Joe unrolls before me a rubber mat. Apparently not hearing me he responds, "I've got one for each of us. They're nice and cushy!"

As my husband helped me get into our car to drive away, I was already mentally making a list of questions to ask my daughter about her upcoming nuptials, "Do you have hiking boots and band aids?"

"Aloha!" Joe and Kellye. We love you with all our hearts! Mom and Dad

Dreamcycle Wedding

2011-09-03T23:59:00.002-04:00

Travis was the type of young man afraid of commitment. A divorced and absentee father leaving a distrust of ever lasting love, Travis just could not quite bring himself to ask for Rachel's hand in marriage. Rachel's father, a minister, found Travis to have a chip on his shoulder. Travis told him it was none of his business.

And then my husband offered to mow his lawn as Travis' police officer hours never had him seeing the light of day. Week after week a lawn mowed, a thank you given in passing. Extras at dinner and baked goods found there way from my kitchen to his. Empty Nest parents happy to make a fuss.

And then one day Travis met me as I was getting my mail and said he might not be so afraid of asking Rachel to marry him if he was sure he would have a marriage as long lasting as my husband's and mine.

I explained to him that True Love never changes from the very first moment you know you have found it. Day one of marriage is exactly the same as day 3,000. It fills every molecule of your being leaving no room for doubt.

When the minister today asked Travis if he would love, honor and cherish Rachel he replied enthusiastically, "I will today, tomorrow, and for every day thereafter."

When the minister said he could kiss his bride, Travis swooped Rachel off of her feet and kissed her as I know he will for the rest of their lives together.

My husband and I think we are the luckiest neighbors ever to have young Newlyweds living next door with an endless number of days to witness their love remain just as it is on this special day.

Note: We have watched Travis build from the ground up this special car just for his wedding day. Truly this was a Dreamcycle Wedding!

Elves and Mushrooms and Screen Savers

2011-09-02T17:20:00.096-04:00

I adore screen savers! They play a huge part in my own creative process. A certain composition of colors in a photograph will greet me with each visit to my blog as I mull over how to interpret what I am seeing into a craft.

From Paper Dolly's kitchen composition, the thought came to me that certain things just go together naturally. Every cake has it's cake plate, every whisk it's mixing bowl.

Elves and their go-togethers has become the thought process behind Christmas ornaments. Elves and mushrooms, Elves and reindeer, Elves and wreaths.... you get the screen saver!

I absolutely adore screen savers and save them in a special file to reference. I will often call my husband close to me to show him the latest; and I will say something like, "I'm going to do a whole vintage camping series of crafts!" He says, "Nice screen saver." and leaves the room.

I am busily making easy as can be Peppermint Elves. I have basted the three main body pieces together before using the button stitch to join them together.

"To hang or not to hang..." I always fold under the tip of any pointed hat before catching my hanger inside. Stuff your elf as you go along. Note the color of thread changes with the color of felt. Make slits in sides of body for pipe stem to slip through for arms. Continue stuffing and closing with button stitches, don't cut thread.

Button stitch base in place. Pierce base with the tips of pointy scissors to create leg openings. Insert pipe stems, bend to create ankles and feet, trim stems.

Make sleeves and slip onto arm stems. I use a few tacking stitches going from side to side to secure. Nearly done, make your shoes and slip them on stem feet.

Oh my gosh! Are these ever cute Elves!

They are so tiny, and dare I say CUTE once again!

And personality! They are filled with personality! There is not such a thing as a shy Elf. This must be why I adore them so.

So I do hope you give your screen saver another thought to see what it is saying to you creatively. If it's a good one, be sure and share it with me!

Learning Disabilities on a Poorbaby Payday

2011-09-01T21:08:00.000-04:00

I am sure you have heard of reading disabilities, but did you know there are also learning disabilities regarding numbers? Today I promptly showed up at my place of work for a seminar on how a person on the Spectrum (Autism) processes information in the workplace. I was a week early and an hour late!

I have had the most remarkable opportunity to work with a client on the Spectrum many years now directly in her workspace each time that she works. She is the sunshine of my life. She uses words such as "Butterfingers", and will ask me, "Beth, did you leave your brain in your sock drawer?" She will prepare me a cup of diet soda and then remind me that I have promised to give it up. "It's bad for your bones, Beth!"

The restaurant where she works has decided to change their usual table set up of one rolled silverware setting at each place setting to two and two on opposite corners of the table, the condiments in the middle. Directional verbal prompts are very frustrating for someone who needs concrete pictures to process information. We are working to correct ending up with 12 silverware at each table of four or six silverware in the shape of a triangle!

My client knows all about Kellye's upcoming wedding. She knows that Joe is handsome and comes from a very strict religious background as does she.

She longs to have a boyfriend of her own, but is not allowed. When asked what she will do on her vacation to Florida, she will reply, "Look at cute boys on the beach!"

And so on this day after working with my most favorite person in the world and showing up for a seminar that my own brain was unable to compute was not today, I spent the time instead at my town's antique mall. The black Swanky Swig I have been looking to replace for years, found! A white bluebird as seen in my ME magazine used in my bathroom, found! A tomato red cup and saucer longed for forever, found! And a blue condiment jar with a cute as can be red Bakelite knob needed just because!

On this day I am so glad I left my brain home in my sock drawer, and I am so glad that it doesn't matter at all to someone who calls me Beth on a Poorbaby Payday.

In Search of Elves!

2011-09-01T16:46:00.003-04:00

It seems I will be babysitting the puppies here at my own home while TSG and Joe are on their Honeymoon to make things easier on myself. I am so grateful for this as I tend to cause mischief at their place when left to my own devices. Better put, I clean!

Joe purchased his home from an older couple who left many of their belongings right where they had been for decades. Joe is a procrastinator. The older couple's items have now been right where they have lain for decades plus the three years he has lived there. (Knock Knocking)

On my first baby sitting assignment, I reorganized Joe's entire kitchen. Who keeps spices in the cupboard by the refridgerator and paper towels above the oven? Apparently the Lady of the House who no longer lives here. Joe has only now found where I relegated his water bottles.

This past baby sitting assignment, Joe again out of town, I didn't even make it through the garage entrance door. I don't know what came over me as I gazed at a garage that hadn't seen a broom since the 1960's plus three years. (Full of Bliss)

Oh my gosh did I ever sweat bullets worrying what Joe would think of his soon to be mother-in-law wading through years of dirt and grime that wasn't mine to wade through. I could barely look him in the eye at our going away dinner.

Wouldn't you just know my husband would lean across me to say to Joe, "So Joe, what do you think about your garage?"

I have learned my lesson, I tell you I have! I will be spending my babysitting time this go around making cute as can be Elf ornaments on mushrooms and reindeer and wreathes and anything else that will expend my endless supply of energy.

If there is any reporting of suspicious cleaning going on, I will say, "Search for Elves!"

Christina Vicki Barcelona

2011-08-30T21:53:00.001-04:00

For most of my young adult hood, I didn't like my mother. I was physically repelled by her. Her every habit seemed to grate on my nerves adding to the list of qualities I hoped to never assume. It was a mystery to me that I seemed to be the only one who was able to see her true self, aloof in her superiority of intelligence and the need to always be right. She was my enemy.

A gathering to send Joe and Kellye off on their wedding trip, House of Japan a new experience for me. Boy, girl, boy, girl, mother, father seating; a low murmuring beginning, "Joe ....." a taciturn look captured from the corner of my eye. TSG was in a mood.

"Joe and Kellye, I've never seen you kiss in public or even hold hands. Come to think about it Chris, I've never seen you or Tammy kiss in public either. Do you?"

A smile and a kiss. Laughter around the table. Murmuring begun again, an undercurrent at this special occasion. "Kellye, it doesn't matter if you have had a long day and are tired. This is a special day for your parents. Participate!"

Seats abruptly changed. "I'm not sitting by her Joe!"

On the day my mother and I met to choose invitations for my own wedding, I became so enraged with her statement that a wedding was for the parents to present their daughter to society, and that it was she who should choose the invitation had me leaving the store vowing never to speak to her again. There was no admonishment on the long car ride home, the quiet space of truce easing us back to servility. Mint green invitations, a young girls choice folded and addressed across the dinning room table.

Seats changed again before the show before us began, the quiet space of truce easing us back to servility. Father toast and spending money given, parking lot farewells both glad and sad at the same time. A long held hug between mother and daughter, "I love you Mom", "I love you sweetheart." "I love you!" said once again.

I never allowed the space between my mother and I to lessen for even one moment, fear of her embrace perhaps taking something away that made me who I was. I can't bare the longing I must have created in my mother who always had only kind words for me. I am thankful more than I can say to have a daughter who can't abide a space between anyone lasting more than a moment.

Here's Home

2011-08-26T10:56:00.000-04:00

It has been quite a long since time since I last made an embroidered heart. They are my most favorite thing of all to make. They are not at all like my little characters that have been thought about and doodled and come about just as my mind's eye pictures them. My hearts reveal themselves to me with each stitch taken, their stories slowly taking shape.

Something I absolutely adore getting a glimpse of when in the homes of the women I love, is their address books. These mundane, every day items hold within their covers the lives of families whose every days are cherished.

My mother-in-law Ruth's was so worn with age, it's covers filled with the tuck ins of graduation and birth announcements, that it needed two rubber bands to hold it all together and then a zip lock bag to further insure it's valuable contents. A page under "B" for Jimmy and Ornella, childhood friends for 75 years.

My own mother's address book was just as her personality, matter of fact and able to weather all emergencies. It's pages reached by sliding a red metal arrow down it's side to the alphabet letter needed at the moment. Every page filled from top to bottom in her beautiful handwriting with a lifetime of friends she never lost touch with.

To catch a glimpse of my own address book is to know what has meant the most to my life. A husband who has given me the gift of a family of my own.

To glimpse my address book is to know that I am loved.

A letter in the mail from from Mary of Here's Home spoke of her enjoyment of reading my blog and the pleasure she has in sharing her own creativity with her grand-daughter. A cute as can be Smurf's cottage you must visit her to see. (blog list, sidebar) A heart made with chipmunks who represent my children, a bluebird for my happiness, and flowers just like the very first my mother taught me to stitch.

What does your address book say about you? Mine says, "Here's Home".

Ahoy There Again! (Giveaway Winner)

2011-08-22T12:30:00.003-04:00

Now this is one darn cute prize for the headaches I'm sure you all got after scrolling up and down between my header and the individual letter banners. Thank you to the wonderful Jenny of Allsorts for her most adorable Scottie pattern which I have garbed in sailor gear for our Giveaway.

Boy did you ever have to be an Eagle Eye to spot the SEVEN differences in the banners. They were:

"C" Red Clothes Pin, Blue Cracker Jack Parrot, Blue Tiddly Wink, the letters "COD"
"A" Blue Flower
"P" Blue Flower, silver letters "Freedom"
"E" No differences!

TERESA came the closest; so I will be mailing her these Cape Cod note cards and the cute as can be Scottie!

A last thought as our summer days come to an end is to share this most wonderful vintage genre book by the very witty writer Elinor Lipman.

"It's 1962 and all across America barriers are collapsing. But when Natalie Marx's mother inquires about summer accommodations in Vermont, she gets the following reply: The Inn at Lake Devine is a family-owned resort which has been in continuous operation since 1922. Our guests who feel most comfortable here, and return year after year, are Gentiles. For twelve-year-old Natalie, who has a stubborn sense of justice, the words are not a rebuff but an infuriating, irresistible challange."

You will adore the scenes that will recall your own childhoods first Boy Crush and be wishing for the film version of the romantic ending as you reluctantly finish the last page.

It is the most beautiful day here in the Heart of Ohio. I am awaiting the arrival of TSG and her Big White Puppy. Thank you again for playing along, and have a wonderful day!

Ahoy There! (Giveaway Puzzle)

2011-08-21T18:54:00.002-04:00

Have you ever caught yourself while in the dentist's office looking over the shoulder of a little one sitting in the chair next to you busily lost in concentration, their Highlights turned to "Can you spot what's different?"

I love that game, but not in my real life. I like things to always be the same. I guess this comes from having a father who only let my mother purchase a household full of very fine furniture once expecting it to last a lifetime.

My brother and I both can describe in the smallest of detail every last item contained within the rooms of our childhood. There is a comfort we share in the familiar I believe because we lost our parents at such young ages.

This is always why a visit to my blog finds the same header and background month after month, year after year. But Ahoy There just a minute. New papers from October Afternoon begged a banner to be made, and the thought occurred to me that perhaps I could keep my craft room cupboard header but change the banner for different seasons.

And so my friends, I propose a GIVEAWAY PUZZLE CONTEST for a very cute character as yet to be made.

Can you spot the differences between the C A P E banners I have shared in this post and the banner in my blog header. All correct participants are eligible to win, NO peeking at each others answers!

Thank you so much for sharing these Cape Cod days with me and sharing your own remembrances. I adore hearing the stories from other peoples lives.

And so for today from a life that has at least added one change, I wish you a wonderful week ahead; and I will be seeing you soon!

Forever Young

2011-08-20T18:06:00.005-04:00

By now you know my brother is quite the character. It is why so many of my cute as can be creations are of the male persuasion and why some of them have black hair. My brother has an abundance of black hair.

His vacation in Cape Cod at an end on Sunday, his first day of school begun on Monday. I asked didn't he need time to make bulletin boards in his classroom. His story to tell was classic, "My Brother".

Mrs. Smith corners my brother every year at the end of the school session to remind him to remove his bulletin boards so the room can be painted.
"Mrs. Smith", my brother begins his yearly diatribe, "I use the same bulletin boards every year. I have much better things to do with my time than take them down only to put them back up again. I cover them with brown paper, and remove it the day class begins again."
To which Mrs. Smith harrumphs and toddles off to find teachers fearful of her imagined superiority.

And so on the day he should have been stapling his always familiar music charts, he was instead walking hand in hand with his long time girlfriend Ann and her little seven year old boy down the furthermost beach of Cape Cod to view the evening's sunset.

Far in the distance Ann's young son spotted a man walking alone on the beach in what seemed to him to be his birthday suit.
"No Branch, the man just has on a white bathing suit." My brother offered.
(Sue Loves Cherries made this wonderful postcard for me!)

Well, That's all it took for Branch to run and see for himself. Catching the man completely by surprise, Branch stopped steps ahead of the man and turned to yell back at my brother and his mom. "He's naked! I told you he was naked!" The man "covered" himself and beat a hasty retreat into the dune grasses.

Unbeknown to the vacationing trio, they had wandered onto a nudist beach! John is ready for another vacation, his bulletin boards are as well!

M I A or "What I will be doing while TSG is on her Honeymoon!"

2011-08-19T11:20:00.015-04:00

It has always been my intention on my blog to share my excitement in the absolute astonishment that comes upon completion of some felt creation to hold it before my husband and say, "I can't believe I made this!" just to hear his same reply, "You amaze me, Hon!" Hence my patterns for you to impress your own family.

But I am often left the comment, "Elizabeth, I don't sew! Would you please make me one of your cute as can be characters for my own craft room."

It seems I will be babysitter for TSG and Joe's big puppies in their home while they are exploring all the great state of Hawaii has to offer. Their home is basically, 1 couch, 2 dogs, no TV; so the perfect opportunity lays before me to let dogs in and out and stitch a character for you.

I believe I can make one characters a day as that is about how long each takes to make because they are completely sewn by hand.

Sandy of 521 Lake Street has asked me to make my Cape Cod Duck. A MEDIUM SINGLE character like this is $17.00 which includes shipping.

A LARGE sized character is $25.00 which includes shipping as well as DOUBLE characters.

A SMALL sized character is $12.00 including shipping. This new little Halloween Moon is available now as I have made one for myself and one extra!

My Clocks are the only characters you may choose your colors. Clocks (without birds) are SMALL characters $12.00 including shipping.

So celebrate Joe's and Kellye's Honeymoon Days with me as I stitch to my heart's content! Visit my Flickr photostream found on sidebar to easily see the different characters I have created. I will not send any of the characters out until they have all been made.

Characters:
1. Cape Cod Duck, Sandy 521 Lake Street $17.00
2. Craft Room Clock, E in TN $12.00
3. Moon, Ina $12.00
4. Moon, Kathy, Creative Home Expressions, $12.00
5. Pumpkin Twins, Susan, Susan Mary Sunshine, $25.00
6. Gingerbread Boy and Gumdrop, Betty, She's Sew Pretty, $25.00
7. Cape Cod Duck, Pat in Colorodo, $17.00
8. Birthday Cake, Kim, My Favorite Things, $12.00
9. Yellow Birthday Cake, Carol, The Polka Dot Chicken, $12.00
10. Santa, Sharon, My Vintage Studio, $25.00

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ORDERS. STITCHING TO KEEP ME BUSY FOR A TIME. I WILL POST ALL ITEMS MADE AND LET YOU KNOW WHEN TO MAIL YOUR CHECKS. I WILL MAIL ALL THE ITEMS AT THE SAME TIME. (so less confusing for me, thank you!)

A check or money order can be sent at time of shipping to: Elizabeth Andrus 112 Gibraltar Ct. Delaware, OH 43015. Thank you so much for your order! Elizabeth

Value your Assets!

2011-08-16T23:35:00.003-04:00

One of the adventures Only Girl and I took during our Blueberry Summer in Maine was a day boat excursion to Nova Scotia. For two girls just entering their teens, this day of independence away from the watchful eyes of parents held the anticipation of a glimpse into adulthood.

We felt brazen in our choice to sit on the top level of the boat and slide into the bench seats close to the edge we were assured would get us the most wet. We were alone to giggle and assume manners we would otherwise be reprimanded for by Only Girl's school teacher mother.

As the turbo engines roared to life, the bow of the boat rising into the blue summer sky, our hearts soared with the possibilities of adult freedom. Boothbay Harbor's familiar clapboard cottages faded as the ocean before us deepened it's blue color, a final island drew our attention. A speaker voice came to us from somewhere below, "To the right you will see the mansion belonging to actress Jane Russell. It is called, 'The House that Playtex Built.' Jane may not have been known for her acting, but her assets served her well."

As the ripple of adult laughter filled the boat, Only Girl and I looked at each other completely confused but with a certainty of understanding that left to ourselves, we were nowhere near ready to become adults.

Blueberry Summer Revisited

2011-08-15T11:08:00.001-04:00

These adorable salty characters from the cold North Atlantic waters so remind me of the sweetest summer of my young life. The summer spent with Only Child Bobwhite and her parents in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

Knotty pine walls, twin beds with chenille coverlets, a nightstand between to hold our latest mystery. Grey clapboard, screened in porch, pine trees casting us in shade all through the day. Pedal bikes with baskets, lunches in brown sacks, red Keds and swim suits, pine forest thick at the edges with wild blueberry bushes, a red rag tacked to a tree marking the path we needed to take. Bright green ferns tickling our ankles, clear blue up ahead, the Magdalena Hagdalena waiting in our very own cove. A light house nestled on ancient boulders that were the shore line. Lobster men could be seen through their wooden traps, colorful red and white buoys tossed to one side.

Our days were wonderfully slow and overlong. Talk of our futures filling our every moments. Who would we love, who would love us.

Fisherman's Wharf our dinner destination every evening, the same window table, the same favorite meals ordered, the same cute busboy who visited my dreams with romantic kisses as I drifted off to sleep each night. Blond hair, blue eyed, lanky and tan. A shy smile my only offering. A summer's end with First Love pining in my heart.

Home again, summer nearly at an end, a letter sent to Fisherman's Wharf, a note on the outside of the envelope, "Would you please give the enclosed letter to the cute busboy with blond hair."

Summer long over, leaves beginning to fall, Blueberry Summer fading from memory. "Hello, I got your letter! I thought you were a really cute girl. I didn't write sooner because I've been getting settled into my college dorm. Hey, you are a really special girl, but my girlfriend says I can't write to you. Well, I gotta go now, hit the books.... Always, Your Busboy, Dan."

Blueberry Summer always remembered.

Ye Ole Cape Cod

2011-08-13T12:44:00.004-04:00

My brother called to tell me these remaining days before his return to school that he decided to take a last minute vacation to Cape Cod. This is SO my brother! He returns tomorrow, school for him starts Monday!
My first thought was, when will you do your vacation laundry?????

John loves to swim as much as I do, but I am not an ocean swimmer. He said many beaches on the Cape are closed due to an abundance of Great Whites spotted there to feed on the population of seals. Swimming in eight feet of crystal clear cold water, a seal swam right underneath him! He said it looked like a telephone pole zipping by. "ZIPPING BY!" I nearly yelled into the receiver, "Did you look to see if it was being chased by a SHARK!!!!!"

The seed was planted by this phone call to make characters that depicted a vacation to Cape Cod. "Where Women Create" provided the perfect inspiration.

To my utter delight a first introduction to Jody Battaglia was in store for me within the covers of this magazine. "Jody, where have you been all my life!" Her wonderful creations are just like the ones I see in my own imagination. Faces sweet enough to love with their wonderment of something new discovered.

Jody has been designing for 31 years and began as a teddy bear creator. This year I have struggled so with blogging in part due to wondering "Why"? Seeing this studio filled with Jody's creations that she has come to love as friends is a revelation to me.

As my characters become a little more detailed, I realize this is just a part of the growing process. My own vision is to always create a pattern that anyone with very basic sewing skills can accomplish for themselves at very little expense.

I can't wait for Thread Candy Studio to make kits available this fall with all the supplies needed to make your own Craftroom Creation.

By chance on this day of my brother's call and reading this article, I found all of the doors opened to my craft room cupboard. My husband was the one who opened them. He told me he was so proud of all that I had created.

So in the days to come, you will see Cape Cod characters inspired by Jody come to life in my own voice; and craft room shelves filled with purposeful determination by someone who is finally realizing their own worth.

CRAFTING TIPS:
HAT: A running stitch along the outside edge of hat circle is gathered to form a yo yo. Tacky glue a strip of blue felt to the cardboard from a paper towel center cut about 1/4" in width. Hot glue yo you to cardboard base.
BILL: Trick I used to give shape to beak was to first make one slightly smaller than pattern, tack stitching it to head. I applied Tacky Glue to top lip and positioned larger bill piece over it. As it dried, I gave it shape.
BODY: Yellow body pieces are Button Stitched and stuffed. Blue pants are assembled and then "slipped on" to body. Little buttons hold it in place. Sharp pointy scissors cut through all layers to make opening for tail and let holes.
COLLAR: Outline stitch red lines on shirt, Tacky Glue to V-collar opening. Button Stitch to side strip piece remaining from having made pants. BS back collar. Outline Stitch white trim. Tacky Glue collar in place.

The Help

2011-08-11T07:38:00.004-04:00

Did I tell you I had the opportunity to speak with my Aunt Karen just a day ago? She is my father's only living sibling. She was born and raised in New Orleans. A Southern Lady thru and thru.

Upon telling her about my daughter's upcoming marriage in September, her reply was, "Alizabeth, Septemba is a busy munth for us now isn't it? Ma birthda falls on the tenth, and yours lata in the munth. I wull be turning 70 this yea." When I told her her birthday is on the same day as Kellye's wedding, she exclaimed, "Well that makes it ol the mor special."

I then went on to ask her how her daughter Laura and my Uncle Donald are doing all of whom live together in a two story walk up just a sidewalk away from San Francisco Bay. "Well! Your Uncle Donald works in the yad and drives his ca. He has a lady who tells him where to go in the ca with him. I neva took to drivin myself, but Laura has taken to drivin. She drove clea up the coast by haself to visit a friend. She has a lady in her ca as well."

What I loved the most about The Help was the "sound" of it. Loved ones so many, all gone to me now visited through the voices of the characters on the screen before me. The people and places of my young life were so clearly illustrated in this beautifully visual film. When I have written about my Camelot Days in the past, these are the images in my mind.

Oh please do treat yourself to a movie evening of vintage background splendor from Block Optic Depression Glass to decal canisters and pine paneled living spaces. Every frame of this movie will settle you into another time and pace of life where front porch sitting was the only place to be on a hot summer's evening. Let the character's stories slowly wash over you with each subtle gesture. What is not said is it's own character that will stay with you as walk away from this special presentation already planning to visit again.

August Happy Homemaker Tag Along

2011-08-10T11:35:00.001-04:00

If you were to ask my neighbors what they thought my husband's favorite hobby was, they would reply, "Mowing the lawn."; and they would be partially right. My husband would answer, "Eating cherry tomatoes from my garden WHILE mowing the lawn." Herein lies the problem:

Can you have too many cherry tomatoes? I can only eat so many salads in one day. I began at the start of the season by slicing the little red jewels in half to "make them stretch" but am now stretching the lettuce. Well, pretty much we are down to having just cherry tomato salads.

And so my tag this month reflects my new persona, Rebecca of Gibraltar Court hoping for answers in the mail as to what to do with all these cherry tomatoes or at least news on when they will stop growing! (Image courtesy of Two Crazy Crafters)

Please be sure and stop by our other August tags to see how their summers are going. Thank you so much for Tagging Along!

Do You Know This Doll?

2011-08-09T18:29:00.003-04:00

I know that you know I don't get about the neighborhood much, but that I seem to have an uncanny way of having the neighborhood knock on my door with the most wonderful things to share.

When I recently posted my Atlas Rubber blue cat toy and was looking for a group to post within on Flickr, I had no idea at all that there were individuals who actually collected rubber toys. I didn't even know such a thing even was!

But there was a little comment left on my kitty saying how cute it was with a thumbnail photo of Paper Dolly.
An immediate visit was, well..... immediate.

I am now on a mission that I sincerely hope you will join me in. We must get this lovely mother with a shop called Fine and Dandy of her own in Cornwall, England, and an Etsy shop to begin a blog where she can tell us about these wonderful items to collect.

Do you not agree that we must know more about a person who uses the word "haberdashery"?

Please do stop by her photostream and enjoy her wonderfully titled photo groups such as "Bought on a Wednesday", "Paperdolly Brights", and "Queen and Country". If you already know this lovely place to be, why did you not tell me!!! and if you are discovering her for the first time as I am, join in the Happy Dance of Paper Dolly!

Knock, Knock!

2011-08-09T17:56:00.001-04:00

Do all my craft room characters look slightly shy to you? Slightly hopeful they will be invited to the party of their holiday?

It seems I stitch my own character into each and every one. Oh my goodness, why on earth did I get partnered with Joe for an evening of card playing with my Twirly Swirly Girl? He would play a card, and I would play the totally wrong card knowing as soon as I layed it down I had made the wrong move. Worse still was the absolute kindness of Joe's comforting words, "That's okay." I was mortified to have to give the poor kid a hug as they left for the evening. I wanted to call on the phone before they had even rounded the corner, "I'll practice before the next time, I promise!"

Did my own mother feel this pressure to make a good impression on my soon to be husband? My husband has said he nearly didn't survive the endless Chef Pierre's Apple Dumplings he had to eat every time he called once my mother had discovered they were made in his home town.

Knock, Knock. Who's there? Orange you glad it's your Mother-In-Law!

When Roy Met Dorothy

2011-08-05T10:20:00.001-04:00

When we traveled home this summer for vacation, I begged my husband to take me to the part of town where the World War II Honeymoon Homes were, 13th and Division. Here, one after the other were the homes built for returning Veterans and their young wives.

It was almost impossible to imagine Roy as a newlywed due to his irrascable nature. It seemed to me he barked more than spoke. How on earth did he ever woo a young Dorothy to become his life's companion. I had only ever witnessed him giving orders and Dorothy carrying them out.

Dorothy always had a cheerful disposition for every day greeted, a "Hello there!" called through her kitchen window before you could even ring the door bell. A promise to return at the end of a visit before her embrace would end. A well being that would stay with you for the rest of the day.

Roy would pass away first, Dorothy began an immediate decline and would soon join her husband. It was this I would recall as I looked at their Honeymoon Home so tiny you couldn't possibly be anything but close. I couldn't imagine Roy without Dorothy or Dorothy without Roy, and I knew in my heart that True Love had found it's only home within the the two of them.

"Step by Step"

2011-07-30T20:28:00.008-04:00

By now it is probably obvious I love to craft using wool felt. Today I have officially filled an entire large sized craft binder with page after page of patterns of cute as can be Craft Room Characters. They are so very easy to make because they are a craft, and ANYONE can CRAFT.

I usually cut out my felt pieces and then put on a favorite television show to watch to assemble them. A short little stool holds my threads and pointy scissors, my television stand holds my iced tea and Tacky Glue. A bag of fiber fill tucked next to my chair, and I have every thing I need to create these cute as can be characters. (Print Preview, Choose %, Print)

Step 1. Cut out clock face opening.
Step 2. Tacky Glue edge of opening to a second cut out background piece.
Step 3. Tacky Glue pinked edges to inside and outside of circle.
Step 4. Position nose button (don't sew) for cheek Outline Stitch (OS) placement - 2 strands floss.
Stitching Tip: Sew Right cheek first, turn piece upside down so that you are stitching a "smile" again from left to right.

Step 5. Eyes: OS-2 strands L Eye, R Eye (Assures even sized eyes). Satin Stitch (SS)-3 strands eye centers.
Step 6. Mouth: OS-2 strands. (Corners of mouth under center of eyes). SS-3 strands tounge
Step 7. Clock Hands: OS-2 strands.
Step 8. Heart: OS-2 strands heart outline, SS fill-in. 2 strands Lazy Daisy and French Knot.

Step 9. Nose: attach with 2 strands.
Step 10. Trim clock face felt from back. NOTE: You only see thread from where I have attached button. When stitching on wool felt, your needle only pierces the top layer. Threads are hidden within felt.

Step 11. Clock Sides: 1" strips of felt are Button Stitched (BS) to clock face.
Step 12. Arms and Leg Openings: made with pointy scissors in side strips.
Step 13. Cardstock clock shape (cut slightly smaller) is fitted against clock face.
Step 14. Arms: 1 red/1white pipe stem twisted tog. Insert in arm opening, trim 2 inches. Legs: 2 red/1white pipe stems twisted tog, bend in half and cut with wire craft cutters. Hook each over arm stem and bend to secure. Bend bottom of stems to form feet.
Step 15. Fiberfill: small amount underneath pipe stems.

Step 16. BS clock back beginning at edge of roof (white area). Slip in second cardstock shape. Stuff clock with fiberfill between card stock. Stitch roof with matching colored thread.
Step 17. Hands/Feet: BS and slip onto pipe stems.

Oh my gosh, I just love this little clock! He will be such a cute mascot for my craft room.

Instant friends, Step by Step.

Life at the Plaza

2011-07-29T20:43:00.010-04:00

To own a book in my childhood years was a very special thing. I didn't have many, but the ones I did have can be recalled as though remembering the scent of a favorite aunt long after she had left your personal space. A lingering of familiarity that never leaves you.

My third book owned and most favorite book was published the year of my birth in 1958, Eloise at Christmastime. My mother did not read the words to me at this young age, but would tell me her own stories to accompany the pink and red drawings inside.

I would fall to sleep at night imagining myself sitting on a window seat glimpsing falling snow by lamp light lining the bustling streets of New York City while fathers and mothers hurried to and fro. Christmas packages stacked high in their arms. I wanted to be Eloise more than anything.

My mother told me I was Eloise by character, and I truly believed her. When my family lived in an apartment building for several years, I made a point of meeting every single unique tenant of our building and even began a newspaper detailing the day to day goings on behind each numbered door.

My brother even had a pet turtle named Bupsie who tagged along on all our adventures. He was smuggled back into America on the USS Constitution . Zig here, Zag there.

To this day I will ask my husband if we can have one Hotel Stay when we travel on vacation. My family will see the sights leaving me behind to sit in the lobby to read. If there is patterned carpet, I simply am in heaven! Oh if only there were still bellhops.

You now know where my love of red originates and the inspiration for last year's Peppermint Christmas theme. How about you? Has life at the Plaza been an inspiration to your life? Paging all Eloises!

The Stars Align on a Poorbaby Payday

2011-07-27T18:22:00.002-04:00

I absolutely love when that rare triangulation of events occur that makes possible the unfolding of a magical day. Today was such a day for me; and I hope you enjoy it as well.

I have been feeling sorry for myself this past week. Due to my utter lack of guile in communicating with Mothers-to-be, (you do know I am Clueless), Joe and Kellye's bridal picnic has been called off in favor of the wedding couple themselves hosting a get together when they return from their honeymoon.

Home Alone with a paycheck from a busy work schedule and the need for vintage inspiration, I decided this morning to drive to my very favorite antique mall in the Heart of Ohio in search of "Three Color" planters to add to my collection. Did you know that petunias picked and put in water will stay open for a week!

Abundant fields of corn, vegetable stands by the side of the highway, a cloudless blue sky only found in summer months, the drive alone lifting my spirits. With no one but myself to care for, every single display shelf was calling my name. Tomato red and polka dots on tin easily caught my attention.

I am usually so quick to put the very first thing I see in my basket, and be out of money and out the door before you know it; but today I told myself to wait and see if something better was just ahead.

And there it was just waiting for me. That rush of adrenaline that comes when you have found something you just can't wait to share. How could I not think of all of you with the little buttercup needle holder and mushroom pincushion? And don't you just love the beaded handle!

I simply could not wait to get home and photograph my finds.

Happy, happy! This Atlas rubber kitten makes me think of my Pink Girl blogging friends.

Toothbrush cleaning, terry towel drying, the perfect spot found for each new treasure.

Joy in sharing my good fortune, a set of pink holiday cutters simply must find their way to Holiday Jenny. She is the queen of all sweet things on the New Jersey Shore. A little bird has told me she has been on the look out for a pink birthday cake cutter for ages.

My Home Alone Charlie will guard them until Friday.

The stars did align for me today, and I have forgotten all about.... well not quite yet; but that is a story for another day.

For now it's time to grab a cold soda and head for my front porch to read. Is there such a thing as a Blogger's Book Club? More on that for another post.....

Inspiration found on a Poorbaby Payday!

The Lady in the Vault

2011-07-26T12:55:00.000-04:00

I loved working at the bank during my earliest of Honeymoon Days. It was the first time as a young person to be in a community of women with a like minded purpose. A paycheck on Fridays. Conversations during our lunch hour revolved around the direct deposit time, layaway payments to be made, and Christmas Club deposits marked in little blue books provided by our employers.

Our lunch room was in the basement of the bank. Brown paper sacks lined the shelves of an ancient refrigerator, the crinkle of wax paper was the soothing background to our familiar routine. Sandwiches cut on the diagonal, an apple or an orange, a Tab or Fresca to quench our thirst.

Our lunch room was many floors underneath the lobby of the bank and could only be reached by the same elevator customers used to visit their safe deposit box in the bank's vault. Watching customers come and go during my lunch hour, my curiosity to see the vault for myself got the better of me.

A long hallway and several turns ended at two steps that led to small landing that could be seen through imposing black iron gates. A desk just like my own receptionist's desk was pushed into one corner where the most striking woman rose to greet me. Tall and slender, elegant in our navy blue bank uniform; she had jet black hair piled high above her head in a fashion I was too young to recall having ever seen before. A beehive. Her eyes were heavily lined with black mascara, her lips fire engine red to match her long finger nails, her voice asking if she could help me was familiar to someone with parents both from the South. It seems time had stood perfectly still in this place.

Visiting the lady in the vault became a part of my daily lunch routine. Homespun advice from another era was mesmerizing coming from someone who looked as she did. It seems her husband met her in the 1950's at a street race when she was only 15 and fell in love with her velvety black hair. He loved it to this day now 25 years married and three children nearly grown. Her husband was a very successful owner of several eye glass manufacturing companies.

I know now I would not be where I am today in life it were not for The Lady in the Vault. My daily visits to say hello led to an invitation to dinner for my husband and myself. In conversation about my husband's working for his relative's moving company and not being happy led to an offer of employment on the spot to manufacture eye glasses. The opportunity to leave the family business gave him the needed confidence to stand on his own and re-enlist in the military which was his true calling.

For me, curiosity has always been the quality about myself I like the most. Getting to know people in the most unlikely of places can lead to the most wonderful things happening. I feel this way about the friends I have made blogging. A craft room cuckoo clock will find it's way to a place I am so glad I visited, Renee's, My Vintage Mending, craft room!

Bobwhite Spend the Nights

2011-07-19T19:54:00.003-04:00

I believe in every group of friends there is a natural assignment of position that defines your importance to the group. It is what allows girls to set aside their tendencies to be self centered in favor of "One for all, all for one."

My roll as oldest Bobwhite was that of organizing our activities for our Spend the Nights. From Living Room Olympics to Murder in the Dark, Telephone to Light as a Feather, I could be counted on to fill our every spare moment with some form of adventure that always dissolved into fits of laughter.

Tall Skinny Sister and her Short Skinny Sister could be counted on for Food and Boy Updates respectively. We didn't know how much food we could eat if not encouraged by Liz and her ability to cook like a mother. No Cheeze Curls for this group, she was making Nachos before they even had a name! Ginny, the most social of our group and popular in school, new who was seen holding hands with whom in the hallways of our school. We looked to her for expert assessment of situations that had the potential of resulting in actual kissing.

Only Child Girl was the serious one in our group who made us care about the world in which we lived. It is because of her that we all participated in our country's first ever Earth Day hauling my brother's wagon door to door collecting newspaper for recycling. She kept us updated on all the endangered species of the world and didn't rest until we each wore copper bracelets of a missing Vietnam Veteran.

I often will make my little craft room characters in groups of four or five as a reminder of the bond of friendship that became the touchstone of my own being. It is remarkable to me that we truly did stay true to our assigned positions determined on our Bobwhite Spend the Nights.

Pancakes on Saturday

2011-07-18T16:13:00.006-04:00

I don't think there can be anything more worrisome for a young bride than hoping your new parents-in-law will accept you as their daughter. Loving their son with all your heart isn't always your golden ticket when long held tenants of faith outweigh your goodness of character.

Stern features and taciturn manners, I was simply terrified in the company of my new father-in-law. Barked questions from across a room never seemed to satisfy. "Do you go to church on Sunday?" "Yes, Dad." to which he would reply, "Grunt, mumble, mumble." underneath his breath. "You gotta go to church!"

My father-in-law most often could be found in his favorite recliner watching baseball on television at decibels only neighbors several door down could truly appreciate. "Do you like baseball?" he would nearly shout across the room to me. "Yes, Dad." to which he would reply, "What??? I can't hear you. You gotta speak up!"

Mealtimes were simply the worst. My father-in-law seemed to be on a time table completely off schedule from the actual goings on around him. An authoritative, "Let's Eat!" followed by the immediate saying of Grace, "Bless us Oh, Lord..... Do you like rutabaga?." as serving bowls were hurriedly filled and transferred from kitchen to table as though a fire brigade had been called into action. I couldn't imagine how on earth I would ever learn to love my husband's father as I would never find the courage to be myself. "Yes, Dad. I like rutabaga." I fibbed.

And then early one Saturday morning, I entered the kitchen still in my dressing gown and slippers to find my father-in-law quietly tucked into the corner made by the stove and sink. Lit only by the under shelf lighting, he held a large batter bowl, his elbow making quick circular motions with a whisk. He raised his head to make eye contact and softly whispered, "Do you like pancakes? Come close, I'll share my special recipe with you."

As light began to slip under still closed window blinds, the back door began opening again and again to admit one brother and their family, one sister and her family, another and another. The children wrapped themselves around my father-in-law's legs, his spatula held waiting for the perfect flipping moment. "Whose pancakes do you like best?" was answered by a chorus of "Grandpa's!"

It seems my Kellye is about to have a mother-in-law whose tenants of faith outweigh my daughter's good character, and she is terribly worried she will never be accepted for the very things Joe loves most about her. I have told her to watch her with her grandchildren to glimpse her heart unawares and imagine she is always this way.

It seems Joe will only make pancakes the way his mother makes them. Kellye says they are terribly rubbery and nearly not edible; but she loves Joe, and she loves pancakes, and she will learn to love them.

Count Your Buttons and Eat Cake, Too!

2011-07-16T16:54:00.001-04:00

I believe I do not get up at the crack of dawn Saturday mornings to attend the many summer yard sales in my beloved town because I can not haggle.

I am more likely to say if the price of something calling to me is $10.00, "Here, let me give you $15.00" This could be why my husband always says Friday nights, "Go ahead and sleep in tomorrow."

But on this morning at the crack of dawn, my Dear Friend called me to say I had to come to the yard sale just down from my house and see all the vintage buttons for sale.

Such a rare thing to find in my corner of these United States, I could not believe my good fortune to find thousands of buttons all mine for the price of $25.00. I truly felt they were worth $30.00; so I threw in a few extra items to come close.

I have learned from my mother that a generous heart reaps rewards when least expected. On this day this was especially true.

Happily distracted with thoughts of white buttons for my Santas, I told the Lady of the House I enjoyed crafting vintage things, and her buttons would certainly find a good home with me. Without hesitation I found myself invited into her home to see her crafting studio.

As if this morning could not get any better, I found myself in the cutest ever craft room filled top to bottom with all things Mary Englebreit!

With containers now filled as happily as can be with vintage buttons, I just have to share my good fortune with someone who would enjoy my celebration cake and his little cupcake of vintage buttons. Please let me know if these need to come to your home.

Around the World - Bavaria

2011-07-15T14:50:00.001-04:00

I have been asked several times by readers, "Whatever has happened to your Around the World Christmas Ornaments?" Since summer is my favorite time to create for the winter holidays, I thought I would share a new pattern each week with you.

By the end of summer you will have traveled the world with me through cute as can be representations of cultural costumes and stories from my childhood.

Each ornament will be made from the same basic shapes. Additional pieces will be added to create the various costumes. (Print Preview, Choose % size close to 3" across oval, Print)

FACE: Position bangs, eyes and cheeks. Using two strands floss, tack stitch eye highlights (I cut eyes by hand). Tack stitch cheeks. Outline stitch nose and mouth. Button stitch face front and back beginning by catching ear (Cheeks and ears are always same circle) Stuff with fiberfill before last stitches are taken.

Outline stitch center part on hair back. Braids are created with 1/8" strips of felt, tack at one end, braid, tack again, tie with ribbon. Button stitch back hair to back face piece (catch braids on girl), catch bang edge on face front.

HAT: Cut 2 ovals for hat brim, button stitch together. Cut 2 hat crown pieces, button stitch together catching hanging cord at top center, leave flat edge open, (Don't cut thread) stuff. Position hat crown on brim, tack stitch in place. Position hat band, tack stitch at side seam. Pink cheek pattern for feather rosette, tack stitch feather in place. Tack stitch hat to hair hiding stitches under hat band.

The inspiration for these ornaments is as old as I am and pays tribute to my father. Any time spent together was an opportunity to learn. Favorite matching games were always played while driving in our White Behemoth. Between lurches and stops he might ask of my brother and me, "Where do Polar Bears live?" or "Where would you live if you wore lederhosen?"

It didn't matter that we begged to play a game whose answers were learned the first time playing, we felt such pride in remembering anything taught to us by our father we loved so much. I can still hear his voice clearly, "Lizzie, it's your turn...."

Next week: In what country will you find Geisha?

Goody, Goody Gum Drops!

2011-07-10T21:19:00.001-04:00

Something I adore about taking a vacation is having my mail held at the post office. I love the opportunity to visit postal workers who now call me by name and will ask about days they have not seen me. I especially like the moment they will bring to the counter all of the mail that is awaiting my attention. It's like Christmas!

Expecting ordered felt to be in my delivery, I was excitedly surprised to find the publication that will be featuring my felt patterns, Thread Candy Studio.

Even more surprising was finding my little Fourth of July "Star" larger than life among the candy colored pages. I was expecting perhaps a little corner, not a three page feature. Wow!

My Opener of Windows Beth did such a fantastic job making the instructions as easy as can be for anyone to follow. A lot of hard work goes into writing patterns, and I am so appreciative of her efforts. The most fun news to be shared in October will be the first edition of Felt Candy which will feature more of my work and also offer kits complete with felt and all supplies should you wish to make your own holiday characters.

The wonderful candy colored pages of this issue inspired my parade of garland hangers with their gumdrop hues.

Truly, there is a Happy Dance going on inside my heart. If you wish to learn more about this publication, you may click on the button on my sidebar. For all of those who have encouraged me with your kind words these past years, please know my patterns are always here for you to find.

Getting Ready to Go on Vacation

2011-06-27T21:39:00.003-04:00

Do you have a routine for getting ready to go on vacation?

As I leave this Friday to celebrate with my husband's large family on the shores of Lake Michigan, I have already begun my preparations.

I have washed and packed all of our clothes including new underwear and socks. It never fails that one of my many sister-in-laws will have kindly done our laundry while we are out for the day. I don't want to be embarrassed. We will wear our old socks and underwear and whatever clothes are left in our drawers until Friday.

Today I made a trip to Khols to buy a fashionable accessory in the anticipation of giving hope to the fashionistas who are my loved ones. I wore Capi pants to a standing ovation last year. I did, however, make a side trip "Thank you Dear Lord" to purchase a shiny white pair of the Ked like sneakers I am known for.

I have also been on a mission to empty my fridge. This serves two purposes. By Friday I should have lost enough weight to fit more comfortably into my new Khols outfit. We are down to eating chicken leftovers and lettuce. Secondly my husband will be taking me out to dinner giving our near to exhausted dishwasher a well needed rest. She will be ordering chicken and lettuce.

I have readied enough car snacks for a trip across country, packed decks of cards and games, emptied the grocery store shelves of all summer pot boilers, and have recharged my camera one last time.

All of the beds have been stripped and remade. I love coming home to my house after vacation and feeling as though I am entering a Model Home.

As I dust my way out my garage entrance door, I will leave with the security of knowing any fingerprints found on my return will belong to a house robber, and he won't get away!

So do please enjoy your own 4th of July celebrations. I can't wait to get back and share my family adventures as well as visit to read about your own.

"Why Santas?", you ask. Christmas in July, of course! I do hope you enjoy these very easy to make vintage inspired cuties. I plan to surround my Santas with white buttons for snow. Ah snow! You do know I love snow!

Time Slipping By Days

2011-06-21T19:06:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was Joe and Kellye's sixth anniversary. Joe suggested they celebrate this milestone by preparing a Hawaiian meal for their dinner. He drove Kellye to the store to purchase ingredients needed to make Macadamia Encrusted Chicken and Fruit Pilaf, recipes chosen from her favorite cookbook from the Hali'imaili restaurant on the island of Maui. After numerous ingredients were chopped to perfection, dinner was served at 10pm. Kellye called me at 11pm to tell me Joe loved the meal and that her wedding dress had arrived, would I meet her to choose her shoes the next day.

Arriving at DSW first, I was so surprised to see my daughter struggling to carry in a large, flat shipping box. "Mom, I have to match the dress to the shoes!" I was not surprised at all to see her remove from the box a simple cotton strapless short dress with underskirt. Perfectly perfect for a young girl getting married on a beach.

When she stepped into her dress right there in the store, pulling off her first layer of clothes and slipping her gold lacquered toes into her strapy sandals, I wasn't surprised at all to see her give a twirl in front of the full length mirror. Of course my Twirly Swirly Girl had found a twirly swirly dress!

As she fell into my arms to thank me for her dress and shoes, I was awash with the knowing that these are our Time Slipping By Days. The very days at the end of one chapter of a life just before the beginning of a new one. You can already see the moments as they will be recalled in the future. They are swift and fleeting, and oh so tenderly sweet. You are not able to hold on to them to make them last because everyone knows the next chapter will be even better than what came before.

CRAFT NOTE: Pattern found on side bar under Things You Are Looking For - Miscellaneous or by clicking on matching photograph.

There are those times.....

2011-06-20T09:50:00.000-04:00

How do you know there truly are angels? They keep you from dropping your little children off at the New Mommy Store when you are sure you can't survive one more day of motherhood.

Having just sold my childhood home in the Neighborhood with Hills, while awaiting an available unit on the military base, my small family with our nearly two-year-old son moved into the basement of my mother's home at the top of the neighborhood. Still in a crib, Christopher slept in a little alcove hiding his parents from view.

Having made the mistake the first night of laying him down with lots of kisses and the endearment, "Nite nite, Buster Brown." he spent the remaining night time hours calling out to us in the darkened room, "Ni Ni Bum Brown." giggling with each repetition. Night after night, hour after hour this little routine would occur no matter what we did. Exhausted beyond belief, I would have given him away to the first mother available. Is it any wonder we are now both Night Owls!