"It Might As Well Be Spring"

I often hope that I am not alone in having my personality traits greatly influenced by ritualistic viewing of the Golden Age of Motion Pictures. I speak of the two-hour matinee absorbed through every molecule of my being while perched on the furthermost corner of our living room sofa closest to our fireplace mantle that held our tiny Black and White.

With after-school parents away providing for the "roof over our heads", a brother once noticed and immediately forgotten, a house blissfully silent but for melodic tones of dialogue, I was left to catalog the person I wanted to become. (Holly's wonderful shaker patterns found here!)

I wanted to become Jeanne Crain. I wanted to be plucky like her Ernestine in "Cheaper By the Dozen", and in love with William Holden just as her Margie would be, and most of all I wanted to be beautifully melancholy as her Margy in "State Fair", hopeful that spring would bring with it True Love.

Musical scores known by heart, I would dance my way around our furniture as graceful as any movie actress only to quickly reclaim my place when Jeanne Crain would speak her next line. I didn't want to miss a moment that I hadn't noticed before.

The thought never occurred to me that Jeanne Crain might be anything other than the characters she portrayed in my favorite films or that I would be setting myself apart from my peers by taking on her demeanor. I just knew that I wanted to be wholesome and kind and someone who was plucky enough to end up with the handsome leading man.

And I am happy to say, I am all of these things; and I did end up with someone who was looking for just those qualities.

 Thank you, Jeanne Crain!

Pattern for ant. Please do not Pin pattern on Pinterest

STATE FAIR

My husband is on a trip this week to Santa Barbara, California. He is lodged at The Fess Parker Hilton, a stone's throw from the Pacific Ocean. He called me poolside to tell me he wished I was there.

He also called to tell me that his pilot, who is female, just had the same knee surgery I will be having, one week ago. As I listened to him tell me this, my mind shifted from my Last Supper preparation mentality to an image of flying a jet plane. I said to my husband, "But I live in a two story house, she doesn't have to use her knees to fly the plane!"

With this new found revelation of mobility, I dressed, donned my makeup, curled my hair, and headed to the one place that minimizes the pain in my knee to joy in my heart, Michaels. I felt like I was going to the State Fair. (Thank you Susan for my Cute As Can Be duck!)

May I tell you that Sandy's Easter Swap has created quite the stir in our community. A conversation with her on the phone led to brainstorming about a future swap inspired by the wonderful Susan who was my partner.

The supplies she sent me both in her Valentine's Day Box and her Easter basket have inspired so many of my recent projects. Wouldn't it be wonderful to receive a box filled with fabulous supplies yourself! The lovely quilt blocks Susan sent me have set the color pallet for a new cast of characters.

I tell you I will Bite the Bullet leading up to my surgery day as I craft my State Fair characters and gather together my VERY BEST SUPPLIES I would like to swap with the person Sandy will match me up with. (after Easter) OH MY Goodness! This little ladybug has been assigned to the Agriculture Exhibit.

"This way please." to the homegrown offerings. Aren't these crocheted flowers absolutely fabulous? They are also presently in Michaels $1.00 bin.

So as I await the dreaded day, I will hold close the well wishes you have left for me and take them with me into the surgery suite along with excited anticipation of Sandy's swap in MAY. Find a cigar sized box to decorate and start collecting YOUR VERY BEST NEW AND VINTAGE CRAFTING SUPPLIES. This swap will be like a day at the State Fair for sure!