Patriotic Salute to Summer

My son enlisted four months after 9/11 because he felt called to be part of another great generation.  He entered the Air Force after his graduation in 2002.   I remember standing for the anthem at a high school game and tears streamed down my cheeks.  I took so much for granted until freedom required something from me, my son. 

I told him, "You're a good kid!  You don't need the military to straighten you out."  He asked me who I would rather have serving our country. 

When he went in the service I started planting my yard as a Victory Garden with red, white and blue flowers in all the beds.  It's been almost 10 years and he has been promoted early  and risen quickly; his rank is now Technical Sgt.   Of course I'm proud!  

Seeing this piece at the great big thrift store,  the wheels in my noggin started spinning.  I really loved the printers drawer that 7 Gypsies had but wouldn't splurge on myself...  

I wanted a patriotic theme for my craft room too.  As we approach our summer of patriotic holidays Memorial Day, Flag Day and the 4th of July, maybe you too, will add some patriotic touches to your indoor and outdoor decorations.

I admit that I got stuck and while I had the graphics, I just couldn't get the box garnished the way I wanted it at first.  I spend more time putzing than making the thing in the first place!

Porkys is the Drive-In that my family used to go to in Dad's '57 Chevy.  No, Dad's BelAir didn't look like this one!  I ordered the Kiddie Special, a burger, fries and small chocolate malt with a special toy tucked underneath the burger.  That was 'eating out' on Saturday nights in my childhood.

The pictures are a mix of graphics from Imagimeri, and some from old books and cards,  see the Dick and Jane illustration?   I'm a swinger, I loved this little gal flying off the corner.  I used to test potential boyfriends by whether or not they could swing.  In case you're wondering, Mr. Wonderful was a swinger too in 1977!

Summer road trips in my '57 might include a trip to a Carousel.  I love the hand carved beauties and there is a gorgeous one in St. Paul at the Como Park Zoo.  In the corner on the right I tucked in a cottage and three playful little ones, just like my three.  We're heading to the nursery this weekend to buy annuals, can you guess what colors I'll choose?  

The Three Bears Tag Book

Once upon a time, there was a storybook that had some signs of being well loved, and  folded, spindled and mutilated.  It wanted to be read in a new way.  And so, I cut it.  Now I am very sorry, all you collectors of Tell a Tale books, I would be needing CPR if you confessed to cutting up a Little Golden Book that I don't have.  But honestly, the spine was broken off, the pages were ripped, I mean it was loved to death.  There are paper crafters who scan everything, then print the scans and cut; given the cost of color printer ink, I am not one of those people.  

For this tag book I cut the shape I had drawn free hand using a cereal box cardboard and sandwiched it between my layers of paper on each side.  

Using the same four pages of scrapbook paper from The Stack 7, you'll see that when a paper is used on one page, the accent color is the main color on the next tag page.  I learned this from Elizabeth, http://creativebreathing.blogspot.com/ my  mentor at Creative Breathing.  It really does carry your eye to the next page and give cohesion to your project.

I loved this Isabel Bloom statue the minute I saw it in 2000 on a trip to Galena, Illinois.

As Goldielocks enters into the next room I changed the "wall paper".  I also cut out pieces from the next element of the story and tuck them into the corner.  Do you see Goldielocks sitting on a chair in the page where she is eating the porridge? 

See why I loved the statue?  Here is a picture I took in 1985 of my two oldest kids!

In this page I cut the illustrations from several pages and put them together.  Papa Bear's bed, Mama Bear's bed  were two pages, and then the pictures on the wall came from other places in the book along with the trunk at the foot of the bed.  

Again multiple pages cut out and put together for one page in my tag book.  

"Someone's been eating MY porridge and it's ALL GONE!"

The last page, and Goldie is discovered and she's outta here!  Having heard this story at his house, my grandson loved picture-reading this tag book to me. Is there anything better than a five year old in your lap?  I think not.   The cardboard layer makes it nice and firm for little people. 

I've said it before, I can't draw but I can cut and I'm a whiz with a glue stick!  This is my kinda fun, you can see, I'm easily entertained!  

May Day! May Day!

There's a little touch of Holland happening at my house this spring.  This wooden shoe found at the great big thrift store is the perfect place for a tulip bouquet.  What flower says Amsterdam more than a tulip?

Playtime for me the day I cut the little Dutch boy and girl out and Mod Podged them on the red button jar, remember, CUTE COUNTS!  The little three color planter holds a few more silk flowers to cheer up my happy place while I work on crafts.

This little pair has been with me for 50 years, another gift from Great Grandma Gina.  The chalkware is in perfect shape and the box they were in states that the set was also part of that trip to President Grant's home in Galena, Illinois.  It must have been a very important vacation to that Great Grandma, she saved her souvenirs and gave them to me in 1961.  

Now, my latest Pyrex purchase, not Dutch but this Friendship pattern looks like tulips to me.  Found at the thrift store, I scooped them up for $ 7.00, less than the cost of a bouquet.  So on this May 1st, I am enjoying these colorful tulips on my table.  Now, do you spose anyone will ring my doorbell and leave me a May Day basket??