Creative Woodworks & Crafts Holiday 2012 Issue

from the editor

Holiday 2012

in this issue

Ornaments:
Letter Tile Ornaments
Pincushion Ornaments
Keepsake Dated Ornaments
Starstruck Ornaments
Santa and Crew Ornaments
Ball Ornaments
Word Art Ornaments
Give Thanks Ornaments
Snow Day Fun Ornaments
Fabric-Backed Ornaments
Raining Cats (and Dog!) Ornaments
Filigree Angel Ornaments
Elegant Bell Ornaments
2012: A Year to Remember Ornaments

Scrolling Projects:
Merry Christmas!
Time for Santa Clock
Joy, Joy, Joy
Snowflake Balls
Countdown to Christmas
Chanukah Menorah
Holiday Plaques

Intarsia and Segmentation Projects:
Chippy’s Surprise

Features:
Scrolling Metal
(with Bonus Snowflake Patterns!)
Adding Interest to Your Projects
Using Texture
Coming Next Issue

see project photos from this issue

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My family and I traveled to New Hampshire last weekend to celebrate my mother-in-law’s 85th birthday on June 23rd. The party was held in the backyard of my sister-in-law’s house, where she had set up a tent decorated with beautiful greenery, billowing white curtains, and…ladybugs. (My mother-in-law, June, is nicknamed “June bug.” The consensus was that ladybugs are certainly “close enough” to June bugs, especially because it is much easier to find ladybug-themed items at party stores!) With the thermometer threatening to climb into the 90s, there were concerns that the day could turn into a scorcher, but luckily it became cooler as the afternoon went on, and it was absolutely lovely. My mother-in-law was surrounded by her four children, their spouses, her ten grandchildren (plus one grandson’s new wife!), her sister, and friends.

Gram with her 10 grandchildren

All sorts of events took place during the course of the party, including a cut-throat wiffle ball game, a bagpiper playing Happy Birthday, a lobster and clam bake, more food and drink than we could possibly consume in a day, and rounds of “June Bug Jeopardy” and “Family Feud!” We returned home on Sunday night, and Monday morning I sat down to write the editorial for this Holiday issue. I had all the usual comments in mind, about how it didn’t feel like Christmas when store ads are full of 4th of July party items rather than Christmas decorations, my son is working at the local fruit stand rather than at the Christmas tree farm, and the sound of kids splashing in pools fills the air, rather than Christmas carols.
  I was also thinking of that phrase we hear uttered every Christmastime, about wishing the spirit of the season could be kept alive all year…and that’s when it hit me. Although we were almost six months off to the day (June 23rd vs. December 25th), this weekend’s party was a clear sign that the spirit of Christmas can be kept alive all year long. For of course the spirit of Christmas is not about the decorations, the presents, or Santa—it’s about love, kindness, and family.
  It’s evidenced in things such as a 30-year-old grandson taking a 3:00 a.m. train from Washington DC to Boston after his flight has been cancelled so he can make his Grammy’s party on time. It’s clear when ten grandchildren willingly pile into a limo that probably would hold six of them comfortably so they can surprise their grandmother when picking her up for her party. It’s apparent when Grammy hugs and kisses her children before being taken home late that night, telling each one “I love you.”
  The Christmas spirit truly is alive all year long—we just need to know

Countdown to Christmas

where to look for it. Whether you find it with members of your traditional family, or with your family of friends, rest assured that Christmas love is present. And hopefully as you flip through the pages of the magazine, and visions of sugarplums start dancing in your head, you’ll be reminded of the many ways in which we are blessed every day throughout the year.

Merry Christmas (and Happy Birthday, Gram)!

Sincerely,

Debbie McGowan


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