Working in my field I know that I'm not performing miracles (or brain surgery).  At the end of the day there are far more important things in this world than a super cute design, or providing the chicest "look" for a bridal invitation.  Still, it's my work and I do love it.  Especially since I get to be a part of other peoples lives in a unique way.

"Sara Paper . . . for Life and It's Special Moments" My tagline makes you think of happy wonderful events like weddings, graduations, golden anniversaries.  I've been blessed to work with people and experience their excitement over their wedding plans.  I've sat and chatted with couples who are planning their Golden Anniversary and enjoyed special stories of their wedding day.  I've been priviledged to know the name and sex of several babies before they've been born - just waiting for the official birth so I could print the announcement.  And I've sweated over not spilling the beans of said news.

Oh yes, I've kept my share of secrets regarding surprise parties, surprise announcements, special gifts.  On the flip side I've shared some sorrows.  Prayer cards for a local funeral home are always a sad job, especially when it's the death of a peer or someone who was taken too soon.  I've lent support to brides having a difficult time or have called off their wedding entirely.  

But a recent job invoked a new feeling - bittersweet.  I was honored to be asked to design an invitation for the ribbon cutting of The Sunshine Playground here in New Bremen.  You can (and should) read the whole story here.

In a nutshell a sweet little girl passed away.  But it was more than that.  Camryn Nicole Murgatroyd from Blacklick, Ohio lost her battle with special needs on May 8th, 2009 at the age of five.  Camryn is the niece of a New Bremen New Knoxville Rotarian, who was inspired daily by Camryn’s strength and love.  When Camryn passed her aunt promised that she would continue her fight for other children. That promise, and the fight of one little girl is how the Sunshine Project was developed.  

And this is where the bittersweet arrives.

Of course it's tragic that a little girl had to suffer from special needs and then in the end lose her life.  That is the bitter.  The sweet arrives later. Not necessarily in the form of a fancy new playground but in the love that made it all possible.

Love is an incredible motivator.  The absence of love creates holes in our lives and leave us bitter.  But the presence of love makes any holes overflow and beautiful things happen even in the midst of pain.  This is what we call the bittersweet.

. . . . . 

It was love that put the idea of a handicap accessible playground into Camryns' aunts mind.
It was love that inspired so many people to donate and help raise $250,000.00 to fund the playground.
It was love that made so many people believe in the cause and work together to make this happen.

. . . . .

And love will bring children off all abilities play together.  Gosh it makes me tear up right now to think of how a special needs child will get to play on a playground just like all the other kids.  Parents of special needs children will be able to have the simple pleasure of taking their kid to the park.  

And to think it was all done because of the love of a little girl.  If everyone transformed their pain like Camryns aunt the world would be a lot less bitter and much more sweet. 

I'm sure the Village of New Bremen and the New Bremen-New Knoxville Rotary would love to see as many people as possible attend their ribbon cutting on

Saturday, June 16, 2012 at 10:00 am.
at the Bremenfest Park.  

Kudos to the New Bremen New Knoxville Rotary for making it happen!

Photo of treasures below.  In random order.  
Today I can't figure out how to rearrange.

. . . . . 

{ A lovely stack of vintage hankies.  They measure 8ish inches high }

I said, "can you believe they only cost $5 for all of them?"
Adam says "Great, we'll save a ton of money with you using these
instead of buying tissues"  Gross. 

. . . . . 

{ Probably my Best Score. }  

Huge box of vintage Christmas ornaments.  
These plus about 75 more still in their original packaging.  
Total cost?  $8.00.  The box also contained some vintage fabric.

. . . . .

{ A Favorite Hanky }

. . . . .

{ The Not So Pretty Hankies  }

The stack of hankies held plenty of variety.  I had fancy lace trimed, elaborately embroidered, every day serviceable fabrics, mens, monogram.  The one with the pink flowered was heavily stained.  Even looked like black ink.  Still - it was washed and probably still used again and again.  Not thrown away.  I was also amused to find a paper towel folded like a hankie and tucked in with the rest.

. . . . . 

{ Todays Coffee Cup }

A vintage cup, featuring a popular damask patten and my lipstick.
Cost - $0.25

. . . . . 

{ A Random Collection } 

These are cleaned up, and piled neatly, ready to find their new home in our life.  Because of a "end of the day, $1 per box" sale I would estimate that I probably only spent around $25 for everything.  This includes a nice antiquey table.

. . . . .

{ Another Favorite - Hand Embroidered I'm Sure }

. . . . . 

{ Nice Collection of Vintage Wrapping Paper }

. . . . .

{ Books! }

Included in the mix, childrens classics, modern day health, sci-fi, cookbooks, and even a Sweet Valley Twins.

. . . . . 

{ Bow Ties }

Again, because of the $1 a box sale I probably only spent $0.02 each for these bowties, this fun rattan belt and crystal tray.

. . . . .

While Iwo Jima happened in Japan, our brave Harry was fighting in Germany.  Important and terrible events were happening all over.  It sort of blows my mind that during WWII there was no internet, the television was just introduced into the United States.  The nation only had the radio and the newspapers to tell them everything.  Still the American public lived and breathed the war.  

On the Today show this morning Tom Brokaw made a comment about how the majority of the public are not immediately affected by todays war wheras during WWII they all pulled and contributed.  Woman worked the factories and learned how to take care of their homes without a man.  Children were taugh how to act in the event of an air raid.  Victory gardens and meat rationing changed their diets.  

Thanks for the reminder brother Dave.  It's easy to forget how truely lucky we are as civilians.  It's good to take moments to realize that not everyone has the basic luxuries I enjoyed this morning.  A warm shower, pulling on clean clothes, fixing a breakfast with fresh food and coffee.  Leaving my home to errands all the while expecting and getting safety.  Maybe that isn't luck.  Maybe it's a gift from thousands of service men and women who risk their lives. 

March 26, 1945
Somewhere in Germany

Hello Darling,

I am writing this on captured or looted stationery.  Mine at the present is packed away in a box under a bunch of bedrolls.  May not have time to finished this one.

I haven't received any mail for a day or two.  According to the radio things are happening pretty fast over here.  Might just be a rat race from here in.  We are pretty helpless in a fast moving situation.  I am feeling fine.  A little homesick.  I hope to have that cured before too awfully long.  My letters home might be a bit irregular now.  It's not that I don't want to write, but simply don't have the opportunity.

Today I had the honor of escorting a bunch of German P.W. to an enclosure.  They are giving up by the dozens, all the fight seems to have left them.  We had one a  tech sgt. who really was a typical Nazi.  He wouldn't tell anything or answer any questions except his name, rank and serial number.  I was hoping some of them would take off.  I'd like a chance or an excuse to plug one of them.  Bill W saw some G.I.s who had just been liberated from a German prison camp.  They had been prisoners since North Africa.  They were in rather deplorable condition.  Thin, shaky, emanciated and really needing smokes.  A lot of these boys want to shoot the P.W.s.  Can't say I blame them any.  They really burn me up.

There are plenty of deer around this position.  So far i haven't been within shooting distance of any.

The rifle should be in the states within the next two weeks.  I'm afraid you will not think it terribly exciting but it is about all I could find.  I am hot on the trail of a Nazi flag and a few other items.  Guess I am not a good looter.  Don't know if its my conscience or lack of interest.  Be careful of the small parts.  Maybe Pops would be interested in polishing it up.  If anyone fires the foolish thing be sure it is fired into a dirt bank or a real heavy log because it really carries a long way.

Seems like the Germans are using lots of horses.  We saw 15-20 of em dead in about a mile.  Looks as if they are using them to pull their artillery.  Believe me darling, the foolish war over here is about over.  All news is blacked out on the 1st and 3rd armies.  Maybe Patton is in Moscow by now.  Hope the Russians and us meet soon.

Well honey there hasn't been any mail issued so I don't have a letter to answer.  Just always remember that I think I am the luckiest guy in the world.  I'll love you always.  I admire your courage and spirit.  Just keep up the courage and this mess will soon be over.  

Goodnight sweetheart - Harry

Also new are multi-colored napkins.
They have some options such as

and

or you can get your photo printed on them

Also new are the filagree lined inner envelopes.  

Very Pretty

{ The Pocket }
A deep black pocket with a diamond embellishment.

{ The Inside }

{ The Invite }

{ The Response Card }
RSVP Postcards are a steamlined way to go. 

Happy Friday to All!

"Hey, Sara - this is Ashley.  Can you change the ceremony time on my invites to 2:30?"

"Um, Ashley who?"  (sounds rude, doesn't it.)

I had no choice but to pull a teacher trick and make up my own names.  Below are examples from the invites for "Miss Ashley P"

{ Invite }
Printed on a pretty shimmer cardstock.

Ignore my camera.  My new phone is better than my old camera.  
Santa didn't bring a new camera, or a cricut machine - but whatever.

{ The Wedding Schedule }
A popular way to let your destination wedding guests
know what the heck is going on.

{ The Return Address }
Another elegant way to tie it all together.

{ The Front of the Mailing Envelope }
Nice and simple.  I just love the "please deliver to:"  
Probably makes the post carrier feel a part of the big day.  

{ My Dog }
Junior looking especially cute today.
 

Today I'm going to post a recent design that I really like.  I love this design because you could use pretty much any sort of color combo and it will look elegant and lovely.

{ The Invite }

{ The Return Address on the Envelope }
I'm really loving ways to make the back
of the envelope as cute and as inviting as the invite itself.

{ The Front of the Mailing Envelope. }
Cute, clean and pretty.
And you save yourself from hand cramps
if you let me do the addressing. 

Hope you enjoy!

{My posted "available hours" are now}
Monday - 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Tuesday - Closed
Wednesday - 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Thursday - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday - 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday - Flexible Appointment Only
Sunday - Day of Rest 

Today is Tuesday so I was closed (sorta).  I'm easing into the new year and had to do a little work.  Still I was able to get away and
"do lunch" with a blast-from-the-past friend.  I sold shoes under Patti's watchful eye about a million years ago.  We both love dogs, Elvis, crab rangoons, and shoes (of course).  

There is something so nice about an old friend.  They remember stuff about yourself that you totally forgot about.  And sometimes, even when years have passed you can sort of pretend that you are still 22 years old, pushing Moda Espana pumps and trying to get enough hours in to pay for your Childhood Education textbooks at the nearby community college.  (yup, I started my college career in an Early Childhood Education program - yikes.)

After lunch I made a deposit at the Goodwill store.  Of course I had to go in and shop as well.  Now, I'm not a clothing snob but I'm also not one to dig in the clothing for those gems that CAN be found at Goodwill.  I'm just too picky about how clothes fit and don't have the patience to try on random clothes. But I usually check out the purses to see if there are any vintage steals.  Then I move on to the housewares and books to find treasures.  

Today I scored . . .

- a second edition of Ernest Hemmingways "The Sun Also Rises"
- a old date stamp that I might be able to use for something
- an "antique to me" bowl with cute little pink & black birds
{I think those little guys will be adorable on an invite.}

Looking forward to working tomorrow!

Still, above all, we recognize the Magic of Christmas and the grace of God that pulls us through difficult years such as this.

I'm looking forward to a year of postitive changes, greater balance in life, fun designs, updating my website and more blogging.  Lots of big moments in store for 2012 and guess what - it's the small moments that shine and turn into big moments.  Hope you all will enjoy a happy year regardless of what is on your plate.

Our manger - given to us on our wedding day in November 2002

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

France
August 3, 1945

Hello Darling,

Your hubby is still here, sweating out a boat.  I thought by now we would be loading but as yet still no action.  Our orders remain the same.  Guest the delay is all part of the army general SNAFU system which always works wonders.

I haven't written because we felt everyday would be our last here.  So if you have stopped writing you might scratch a few lines once in awhile.  The mail reaches us in very good time here.  I recieved your July 25 letter on July 31st.

You have found out about my trip home and seemed quite excited.  So am I.  This waiting here surely isn't good for the nervous system.  I'll be a bundle of them if we don't move soon.  As far as we are concerned (you and I) if would probably be better for us if I didn't sail until August 15 or so.  It depends on the type of ship we get, how long we will be out at sea.  The slowest would be about 10-12 days.  The fastest 5-6 days.

According to the Stars & Stripes the Japs are really taking one terrific parting.  Looks to me that they would be smart to surrender unconditionally and salvage what they have left.

We do absolutely nothing except eat and sleep and play an occasional game of softball.  I am like you, I am so excited at the prospect of coming home.  I can hardly contain myself.  I try to imagine what it will be like to see the skyline of New York again.  This time having it meeting us instead of leaving us.  I believe the last I saw of the US was southern New Jersey.

It is indeed a chore for me to sit still long enough to write a decent letter.  So please forgive me.  I'll make up for it when I see you.  I believe you will not escape my sight once I see you.  You mean so much to me darling.  I lay on my cot and think of how much I love you and how I long to have you near me.  I doubt if I will ever be able to express my feelings in words.  So just let it suffice for me to simply say, I love you Helen and I always will.  So until I see you.

Devotedly and Eternally Yous, Harry