Pom Pom Girl

 I absolutely loved growing up in my hometown of Friendly, Maryland. I lived on Old Allentown Road, the road to take if you were going any place important. It took me upon my bicycle each morning to Friendly Sr. High School, home of the best football team in the county, The Patriots. We were the Bicentennial Class of 76, our school colors; red, white, and blue.

Fridays in the fall were my very favorite days at school when we would be dismissed early to attend home games. I loved everything about Fridays from buying my ticket at lunch to sitting in the stands as close to the Pep Squad as I could. I wanted so badly to join, but this was the last chance group, and I did not want to be a last chance girl.

 I would look longingly at the uniforms of the Pom Pom Girls. These were the most popular and attractive girls in school. They wore short navy blue sleeveless shifts, white short boots with red tassels, and carried over sized red pom poms. They were the Size 5 girls.

There were also the cheerleaders, the band, and leading everyone, our Majorette, Bonnie. She had the straightest, most beautiful honey-colored hair that hung below her waist. She had such a beautiful face. Bonnie was also very heavy through her waist. At each football game she would lead the band in her red sequined costume not at all bothered by her rather egg shaped body and skinny legs. She was a magnificent twirler never missing her high toss. She smiled so beautifully despite taunts from the boys in the crowd about her shape.

Watching Bonnie on Fridays changed my life. If she could be confident enough to present herself in front of an entire school in a leotard, I could muster the courage to join the Pep Squad. I signed the join-up sheet and wrote Size 11 by my name. This was the group for size 11's. Our uniform was a twisty twirl red skirt to the knees, a navy blue sleeveless vest, a white button down shirt, white knee socks, and saddle shoes.

 
I was never so happy than on Fridays. Our school won the State Championship, I was there in my uniform. I thank Bonnie for this.

WISHING YOU A VERY HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

Invitation in Hand

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.

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!

A Pooch Tut for You!

It seems my Poodles in Paris were quite the success. A tutorial for you!

I absolutely adore chenille stem animals because they remind me of my beloved Uncle Howard and the wonderful cherry pipe tobacco scent that always clung to him. A pipe stand by his chair, yellow envelopes of cleaners always missing one or two to shape into animals.

POODLE: One stem is coiled around pen or pencil. The circumference of object determines how large your puppy will be.

A second stem is inserted through coils made. Bend stem at right angle to form tail at one end, neck at the other end. A poodle has a long neck. A backwards "4" is made to create triangle shape base for head coil. Snip cleaner.

"U" shaped lengths of stem are inserted between body coils. Trim legs to desired height. A third stem will be needed.

A pen or pencil is used to form head. Wrap six coils towards point creating shape to taper. Insert "4" triangle inside coils from larger opening.

Ouch! Stem inserted between head coil to form ears. Trim to desired length.

Using small pointed scissors trim away cleaner from metal center at tip of each exposed stem. Insert stems into centers of med. poms for legs, smaller for ears and tail. Trim poms.

Tacky glue is used to place eyes and trims. I usually use seed beads for the eyes. How cute are these canine companions!

By changing small details, you can create different types of dogs. I have bent a second stem and twisted it to create a thicker tail. A shorter neck, a backwards "4".

Flattening the head coils creates a different shape for this puppy.

Thicker legs created by twisting bent stem first.

Or by coiling around leg another stem. I use a candy stick to create these small coils.

Short dogs with long legs, wide dogs with short legs. Ears up, ears down, whiskers or pug nosed. I promise once you make one, you will make another. I now have used my entire supply of pink pipe cleaners making Valentine Pooches!

Speaking of Valentines and pooches, my Twirly Swirly Girl had her First Anniversary dinner table beautifully set waiting Joes return from work. A vase of flowers, petals on the table and floor, candles lit to create a scene. Nahla and Joe's puppy Elan ate all of the petals! Not to worry. Joe arrived with a bouquet of roses and bag full of petals of his own!

Poodles in Paris

Necessities of life I deem "modern" in nature I avoid with every fiber of my being. One of these is getting new eye glasses. The thought of trying on Nine West or Vera Wang on my Golden Girl face leave me feeling anxious from head to toe.

Glasses chewed beyond use by the Big White Puppy left me no other option but to make the dreaded optical appointment with Dr. Needlecore. Ushered into his office my file in hand, he asked me to don my current pair of glasses. "Oh doctor, they are not wearable at all. I can't see through the teeth marks." "It says right here," Dr. Needlecore ignoring my embarrassed countenance, "Reason for glasses SEVEN years ago, DOG ATE GLASSES!" My immediate thought was of being labeled a pet owner who can't train their dog to behave.

As the simple mathematics behind optical bifocals were explained to me while at the same time being asked to determine which was clearer, "Seven or eight, nine or ten, ten or seven" the ever present veil of OCD descended. I couldn't speak for the numbers spiraling through my conscience. Could I be any more mortified.

Dr. Needlecore was not to be deterred from his enthusiastic sales pitch. "Don't you want to be able to see "Up Here" and "Down Here", "Over Here" and "Over There". Don't you want to be able to see clearly?" My immediate thought was to wonder if Sophia Loren still made eye wear.

"NO! Dr. Needlecore." I blurted out. "I prefer my world to be a little fuzzy. It keeps me from counting lint on the carpet!" A quiet came over Dr. Needlecore as he took a seat nearby and picked off Big White Puppy fur from my sleeve. "I absolutely understand. I'm the same way myself."

When my husband travels to Paris, he says nearly every person can be seen with a well behaved dog by their side. This coming from a man with perfect vision.

Scaredy Cat!

Sweet and simple, a garland for my craft room. Two little Scaredy Cats added cute as can be.

I have used slightly fuzzy pipe cleaner stems, but a regular stem will do just as well.

LEGS: One stem bent in half, twist to create thicker stem. Make two, create "U" shape, bend for ankles, cut off excess to create paws.

BODY: One stem wrapped around pen or marker, (using a pencil will create a small cat) trim when desired length is achieved.

TAIL: One stem bent two inches down, twist to make thicker, shape into tail curl.

NECK: Base of tail, bend at right angle. Slip into body coils. Make another right angle to create neck.

HEAD: Bend stem from neck to create "P" shape. Bend stem behind neck bringing back to front of "P".

Wrap remaining length of stem around circular part of "P" to create head.



ASSEMBLY: Slip leg "U" between coils of body. (Do not be afraid to separate coils, reshape, trim or bend stems again to get desired look.)

I know! Up to now you've thought "This is never going to look like a cat!"

FACE: Details are glued in place with Tacky Glue. (CRAFT TIP: Frey Check is a must have supply.) Dot it at the ends of cut ribbon and ends of paws for a neat and finished look.

"OUCH" There is simply no other way!

Halloween Garland complete and ready to hang. I have left room to add trinkets.I just love HALLOWEEN!