Thursday, January 17, 2013

Trickle Down Theory


One year as my brother John surveyed his classroom in preparation for the upcoming Valentine's Day party, he noticed that it's contents were the result of the Trickle Down Theory. All the essential necessaries going to the High School first, cast offs trickling down to the elementary schools.


Students busy with their art projects, construction hearts and tissue squares littering the floor, a child's raised hand caught his attention. "Mr. K. what did you do for Valentine's Day when you were a kid if you liked a girl?"


"I would put five Valentines in her mailbox on her desk;" began my brother "so that she would know I liked her more than any of the other boys in our class." Children stopped mid-paste, to hear this revelation from their teacher. "What would happen if you gave a girl five Valentines?" they wanted to know. "I would get to sit by her when it was time to watch the film strip on the day of our class party." John's words had everyone's attention. They didn't know what a film strip was. The story continued.


"When I was in Mrs. Lewiky's Fifth Grade class, I really like Sarah McClay; and I did what every boy did when he liked a girl, I wrote her name on the whitewall of my high tops for her to see. But I saw that two other boys in our class had her name on their sneakers, too. I had to find a way to let her to know I liked her the most. (Holly's Cute as Can Be pattern, found here.)



"The next time my Mom took me with her to the Mall, I bought Sarah a little gold heart necklace with my allowance money."


"Then instead of taking the bus home, I followed Sarah who was a Walker, to see which house was hers in the neighborhood right next to the school. When Saturday came I rode my bike to her house, and put the necklace in her mailbox. I waited on the recess ground of our school and peeked through the shrubs to make sure she found the necklace."


Arts and crafts completely forgotten, John's students wanted to know the end of the story. "I got to sit next to Sarah during the filmstrip!"


John surprised his students the day of their Valentine's Party by procuring from deep within the school's library stacks, a film strip reader and the very film he had watched so many years ago. One student was chosen to turn the wheel of the reader, another to feed the film. Lights dimmed, "Sit wherever you would like." John noticed the many Boy/Girl pairings as a result of the Trickle Down Theory.


My Valentine's on their way for Debby's, Cozy Blanket, swap.



32 comments:

Terra said...

What a fun Valentine's story; you could post it again on Valentines Day. The 5 Valentines to that special girl is a good tip.

Sonia Tatum said...

You tell the best stories! Thank you the smile.

Musings from Kim K. said...

I adore your stories and the visuals are such an added bonus. What a sweet little house with the white window treatments and flowers...swoon! I spy a dollhouse!

RetroSandie said...

That is a very nice story about your brother. I think he is a wonderful teacher!! Your Valentines are just beautiful and your wrappings gorgeous as ever!! The dollhouse is so cute, too! I love the way you've decorated it for the Special Day. Makes me wish I had more room to have things "out". I guess that's why I have so many shadow boxes!!
Hugs,
Sandie XO

Holly said...

What a great Valentine's Day story. I remember film strips in school too. Wish I had one of those old projectors along with some of those films. Fun times! Your doll house is so cute. I love the way you fancied it up. Your bunny couldn't be cuter. I love his hat. What beautiful work you did on the felt hearts! I am now making some of your Valentine Classroom Kids. They dried overnight and I am now painting them. So cute! Have a wonderful day, Holly

Kristen King said...

I absolutely love those hearts you have made and are those tiny little blue birds on them? I've been wanting to make some hearts like that and now I have just the inspiration to do it. Your stories are just wonderful to read. :)

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

What a cute story! Your Valentine hearts look sensational! So beautifully done and packaged! CUTE doll house!! Those little windows with those flower boxes are darling!!! :) Happy day!! xo Holly

Anonymous said...

Hi Elizabeth! Oh, I'm so honored you would comment on my little blog. You are my inspiration for making little felt thingies for my little grand daughter's seasonal tree! Oh, you have a little hutch like mine!?! It took me a few years to convince my hubby it looked dated. Now he loves it! I'm so impressed with your wonderful talent and your workroom just makes me smile! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Anonymous said...

Ohhhhh I love this story, and I love your valentine pictures, too. I just love everything you do. Every single thing!

NanE said...

What a sweet story and brings back great memories. Ahh the days of making your Valentine box, I can still smell that white paste that came in a jar with a brush attached to the lid! And I'm coveting your little yellow dollhouse, is it new? Hugs and Blessings, Nan

E said...

E the details on your hearts are wonderful love the blue birds and tiny animals soooo cute how lucky these swap partners are !

Debby said...

You are amazing. You had a story about five Vaentines to go with this swap. You probably got my email that the lovelies arrived. I love that little doll house. It's a ranch, hah, instead of a two story. Love it.

Debby said...

I forgot. I think you and Holly are twins.

Unknown said...

Lovely story!! And I am pretty happy that I'm in Debby's swap..... I have a 50/50 chance of receiving one of these amazing hearts by E!

chris

Linda said...

such a cute story, thanks for sharing.

Sally Annie Magundy said...

Oh Elizabeth! I could kick myself from here to Timbuktu for not joining your ornament swap WAH! CUTENESS! I wish I could see your darling hearts better - do I spy a little black dog on one? Gave me a big smile. Your recipients are going to be so happy and giggly with joy when the mail arrives.

Thank you for sharing your talent with us, so very inspiring and brightens up my day.

Happy almost long holiday weekend! xo

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Oh my gosh ~ I remember film strips, Elizabeth! I also remember how exciting it was to prepare Valentine's for friends and classmates and especially "the crush". Your swap goodies are wrapped up so prettily!

Cindy said...

What a great story! When I read your stories it makes me remember my past and just makes me smile. Thank you!

Pieceful Bits said...

Awww..that is an awesome story!

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

I wish I could remember more of my childhood!!!
LOVE the hearts you made for Debby's swap my talented friend!
Warmly,
deb

Laura said...

Your hearts are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!

Laura said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
vintage grey said...

Such a sweet story and I love your cute house!! Beautiful hearts and your Valentines are wrapped so sweetly! xo Heather

Tammy's in Love said...

Fun story, E, I had totally forgotten about FILM STRIPS! Yikes, right back in the same memory file as movies that had the countdown numbers with big circles around them at the end of the film.

Celestial Charms said...

Such a sweet story, told masterfully of course. Love your window dressings on the dollhouse. ADORABLE!
Maureen

Teresa said...

So sweet! How I loved (and still love) Valentine's Day as a child. I still remember decorating a shoebox into a beloved Valentine mailbox, such simple, fun times. I love how you decorated your dollhouse for Valentine's Day! Hope you have a fantastic weekend!

craftyles said...

Love this story. How cute about the film strip pairings. Your brother seems like a very special guy!

Anonymous said...

Yup! I can hear the ticking of the film strip and smell the paste!

I Love your pretty hearts, Elizabeth! and i love you, too! You're such a special part of my life. ♥

Ina said...

What a beautiful story! ;p

Keri F said...

Luv your story. Thx for sharing and I am swooning over your embroidered hearts. Is there a tutorial for them anywhere? Happy Friday!

voyance gratuite par mail said...

Helpful info. Lucky me I discovered your website by chance, and I’m shocked why this twist of fate didn’t took place earlier! I bookmarked it.

Cindy said...

Wondering if there is a pattern that I could get for the valentines from you?