146 down, 854 to go...

yes, i am still folding cranes.  you probably thought i was kidding when i said i was going to fold a thousand.  but the truth is, i am really enjoying this.  it's fun searching for paper to use.  you'll notice most of mine are folded out of book pages.  i also have quite a few out of brown kraft wrap.  some silver from the wrappers of Hershey Cookies and Cream bars (love those).  and bits of color here and there from some nice asian papers that i have.  right now i have them stacked up on a tray in my foyer, but very soon i am going to have to string them or something.  i've noticed that if i bring some with me when i have to wait for my kids at their various activities, it makes the time go faster.  and at the end of a stressful day, if i fold for a half hour or so, all my troubles melt away.  who knew?  i call it "crane therapy".  and it's free.

a new favorite...

i recently acquired a really big pile of leather.  all different.  all wonderful.  a bit overwhelming.  so many possibilities.  where to begin?  this is the first book that i made from a gorgeous rustic piece with a hole in it.  i am in love with this book.  it is filled with thick hand torn watercolor paper.  the little calendar peeking out of the hole is my favorite part.  it came from one of those vintage tea towel calendars from a pile my mom gave me.  thanks mom. 

random snapshot .05

"Hope is the thing with feathers

That perches in the soul

And sings the tune without the words

And never stops at all."

-Emily Dickinson-

what does cheer and joy look like?

something like this...

a little box of hope and love...

in a moment of inspiration, i took this empty little trinket box, folded some tiny cranes, stitched some little hearts (leaving the "heartstrings" attached), printed up a hopeful poem and transformed it into a little box of hope and love...available for purchase in my etsy shop.

random snapshot .04

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.

- Albert Camus-

random snapshot .03

Everyday holds the possibility of a miracle.

-Elizabeth David-

there are no words...

we attended a 9/11 memorial service last night.  cassidy played her tuba with a few other members of the marching band.  there were bagpipes that played Amazing Grace - it was so beautiful.  Taps on the bugle - chilling.  the above quote really says all there is to say...

random snapshot .02

Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow.
-Alice M. Swaim-

random snapshot .01

I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world.
-Sadako Sasaki-

...have you ever read the story about the little Japanese girl, Sadako Sasaki? she became ill from radiation caused by the bombing of Hiroshima and she tried to fold a thousand cranes before she died... my kids told me i should read the story, since i've been folding so many cranes lately. i cried my eyes out. it was both heartbreaking and heartwarming, if such a thing is possible. i am feeling inspired to fold a thousand. only 934 to go...