Sunday, December 31, 2017

The Loss of a Friend

Volume 15 Issue 1, January 2018

What's New in January?

We are heartbroken here at BME with the loss of our wonderful Blu. He was just shy of 15 years old and has always been under my feet, so this is a loss that has been hard to take. We took some time off to go away and remember his sweet, smelly self with love. He had a good life and he sealed all of the orders with his paw print of approval. He was a mountain climber, a swimmer in the Atlantic Ocean, and a frequent visitor to Yellowstone where he barked at bison. He is so loved and so missed.

BPbadhair

Bracelets: I have gone charm bracelet crazy and have introduced bangle bracelets to the mix because they are fun. I am also working on designing new charms for sale.

Keyrings: 6 new key chains are now available!

Thimbles: New hummingbird thimbles.

You will find all of my beads, canes and finished jewelry on my website. www.bluemorningexpressions.com

Until next month,

Julie

Things to Look Forward To:

New Products:

Hot rod mugs: More hot rod mugs have been put in the shop, and I have a lot of other print items on the burner.

Necklaces: Since I have gotten some techniques under control, my designing has taken a new direction. I am working on new necklace designs.

Charms: I am working on developing a line of charms for bracelets, necklaces and earrings.

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

The Passage of Time and Best Laid Plans

It’s always sad when we get to the end. I don’t know why, but it seems like something is gone or over. As we look back on this year, may we all enjoy the positive moments and move forward into the next year with hope and renewed energy. May we all “face unafraid the plans that we laid”.

This song is another that is “newer”, if you can call 1934 newer. This song was penned by Richard B. Smith, and the music was written by Felix Bernard. It has AT LEAST 200 known recordings and probably a whole lot more that are not being counted because the singers were not so well known.

I know that ALL of us have sung it at some point or another, even if by default while grocery shopping. I was humming it the other day and apparently dancing with my shopping cart until someone said, “you look very happy.” You cannot NOT be happy when you hear this song.

This song didn’t have such a fun start. Back in the early 1900s, “they” called it consumption. It was really just a polite word for tuberculosis. If you have ever been in or around one of the old tuberculosis sanitariums, you know what I mean when I say that these have to be the spookiest and depressing places on the planet. My theatre group used to perform at one in the Peoria area. I don’t know why anyone thought THAT was a good idea.

Anyway, that was the setting for Mr. Smith when he was sitting and writing the words to this next song. He was writing about a lovely little park by the name of Central Park in his hometown of Honesdale, PA. He was being treated in the West Mountain Sanitarium for tuberculous. If you look at the photos of the now closed West Mountain Sanitarium, it has a creep factor of a bazillion on a 1 to 10 scale. Not to mention that it gets a thumbs up for the paranormal activity.

It was in this sad place that we learned about hope and plans. The song was originally recorded by Richard Himber with his Hotel Ritz-Carlton Orchestra on RCA Bluebird. He was already making a record and had a little extra space, so he plunked this tune down as part of the studio session. It included his amazing orchestra, which consisted of people like Artie Shaw. Here is the link to his version of this cheerful song. https://youtu.be/YpHH7OBlRiY

It went on from there to be a favorite of Guy Lombardo and Johnny Mercer took it to #4 on the Billboard charts in 1946. While Christmas is NEVER mentioned, this song is considered a traditional holiday tune. It includes Parson Brown in one verse and then the snowman becomes a circus clown in another.

We all know this song from start to finish and you will be singing it before we are through with the countdown. Smile

Winter Wonderland

Sleigh bells ring
are you listening
in the lane
snow is glistening
A beautiful sight
we're happy tonight
walking in a winter wonderland


Gone away is the bluebird
here to stay is a new bird
He sings a love song
as we go along
walking in a winter wonderland


In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say: Are you married?
we'll say: No man
But you can do the job
when you're in town


Later on
we'll conspire
as we dream by the fire
To face unafraid
the plans that we've made
walking in a winter wonderland


In the meadow we can build a snowman
and pretend that he's a circus clown
We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman
until the all the other kids knock him down


When it snows
ain't it thrilling
Though your nose gets a chilling
We'll frolic and play
the Eskimo way
walking in a winter wonderland


Walking in a winter wonderland
walking in a winter wonderland

Now, to really show my age and sentimental side, here is a rendition that I normally would have passed over were it not for the death of my favorite heart throb, David Cassidy. He had the most awesome hair! I will leave it at that.

Let’s skip on over to these great handmade artists and get those last minute gifts for everyone on our gift lists.

Hand Knit Holiday Tree All Cotton Picture Dishcloth or Washcloth

HollyKnitterCreation 

Snowman Charm Bracelet

Treasures of Jewels 

Christmas Jewelry Set

Pretty Gonzo 

Christmas Stripes and Dots Dog Scrunchie Neck Ruffle

SewAmazin 

Classic Beauty In Technicolor Vintage Car Photograph

Butterfly in the Attic 

Long Winter Crochet Scarf - Wine Red Clusters on Pine Green - 63 Inches

RSSDesignsinFiber 


Fiddlehead Fern Giclee Print From Original Painting

MarciaMcKinzieArt 

Crocheted Scarf Cashmere Wine Ivory ArtYarn

 Magdalene Knits 


Yellow and Green Beaded Hoop Women's Earrings

LadyGreenEyesJewelry 


Red Earrings for Women

Blonde Peach Jewelry 

Santa Christmas Key Chain, Holiday Key Ring

Blue Morning Expressions 

Merry Christmas Holiday Gift Tags with Red and Green Ribbon

Adore by Nat 

Dark Teal and Gold Hamsa, Swarovski Red Coral Pearl Dangle Earrings

KatsAllThat 

Embroidered HO HO HO Texas Kitchen Dish Towel

SimpleEmbroiderySew 

Red or Green Glass Snowflake Christmas Ornament

Resetar Glass Art             

Sage Green Lampwork Beads Frosted Handmade Sea Glass Etched Round

Covergirl Beads 

Swarovski Crystal Santa Christmas Earrings

Shadow Dog Designs 

Tree of Life Earrings

LinorStore 

Tibetan Silver Red Crystal Bracelet

The Singing Beader 

Round Faceted Green Glass and Gold Beaded Holiday Christmas Bracelet

Diane’s Dangles 


Don’t see what you are looking for? Maybe you will find it in some of the following showcases or ask one of our talented artists to design something special for you. It might not be too late to get something custom designed in time for Christmas delivery.


Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12

Here are more shopping opportunities for you:


O Holy Night
The First Noel
Silver Bells
Jingle Bells
O’ Come all Ye Faithful
Angels from the Realms of Glory
While the Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
O Come O Come Emanuel
Angels We have Heard on High
It’s Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas


Hurry because handmade sells out fast, and when they are gone, they are gone! Buy now.
Enjoy!
Julie

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Rumor Has It

Since no one can actually pin down what inspired it, there are two popular beliefs around this song’s beginning. After three years of Christmas carol origins, we are now moving into more recent writings, and this is one of them.

In 1951, Meredith Wilson wrote this song, and the rumor is that it was written while staying in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia in the Yarmouth Grand Hotel. The line … tree in the Grand Hotel, one in the park as well … is believed to reference Frost Park, which is right across the street from the hotel.

The other school of thought is that the Grand Hotel mentioned is the Historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City, IA, which is Wilson’s hometown. It is the last remaining hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and overlooks Mason City’s central park.

This song was later added to a  pre-Broadway version of Here’s Love and can be heard on the cast recording. Alvin and the Chipmunks covered the song in 1961 and Big Bird sang it in 1975.

Everyone loves this song, and if you spend any time walking through the malls during the holiday season, you may find yourself humming right along, if not bursting out into song. It also might be the first thing you think when you see the first snowfall of the season.

While we may never know the real inspiration for this song, we do know what this song means to us.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
Take a look in the Five and Ten
Glistening once again
With candy canes and silver lanes aglow


It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Toys in every store
But the prettiest sight to see
Is the holly that will be
On your own front door


A pair of Hop-a-long boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Bonny and Ben
Dolls that will talk and go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jenn
And mom and dad can hardly wait
For school to start again


It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Everywhere you go
There's a tree in the Grand Hotel
One in the park as well
The sturdy kind that doesn't mind the snow


It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Soon the bells will start
And the thing that will make them ring
Is the Carol that you sing
Right within your heart


A pair of Hop-a-long boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Bonny and Ben
Dolls that will talk and go for a walk
Is the hope of Janice and Jenn
And mom and dad can hardly wait
For school to start again


It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Soon the bells will start
And the thing that will make them ring
Is the Carol that you sing
Right within your heart, right within your heart

I know you youngstersWinking smile won’t get this, but it’s just not Christmas until Uncle Bing sings.


You have to admit, in some places, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Here to help you with your Christmas shopping are our own handmade helpers. Shop now and shop soon or miss out on some amazing handmade gifts.

Handmade Pocket Prayer Cloth

SimpleEmbroiderySew 

Leaf Earrings For Her

SolanaKaiDesigns 

Blue Multi Tweed Cowl

RSS Designs in Fiber 

Purple Textured Art Glass Plate with Gold Mica Accents,

Resetar Glass Art 

Checkered Plaid Dog Scrunchie Neck Ruffle

SewAmazin 

Purple Flower Dangle Earrings with Chains and Swarovski Crystals

Blue Morning Expressions 

Deep Violet Purple African Daisy Photograph

Butterfly in the Attic 

Purple Swarovski Pink Beaded Dangle Women's Earrings

LadyGreenEyesJewelry 

Amethyst Heart Earrings

Treasures of Jewels


Violet Purple Glass Lampwork Beads Handmade Shiny Opaque

Covergirl Beads 

Art Party Invitations for Boys and Girls Birthday

AdorebyNat 

Purple Floral Abstract Original Watercolor Batik Painting on Rice Paper

MarciaMcKinzieArt 

One-of-a-Kind Dichroic Dangle Earrings

2GlassThumbs 

Crocheted Infant Slouchy Hat

Magdalene Knits 

Peace Symbol Earrings

Pretty Gonzo 

Short Beaded Pendant Necklace Purple Pearl Mosaic Magnesite Gemstone

The Singing Beader 

Genuine Amethyst and Chain with Niobium Ear Wire Handmade Earrings

Kats All That 

Butterfly Arrowheads and Purple Amethyst Lampwork Earrings

Shadow Dog Designs 

Heart Shaped Earrings

Blonde Peach Jewelry 

Unique Maple Exotic Wood Dangle Earrings

ExoticWoodJewelryAnd 

Amethyst Spike Necklace and Earrings Set

LinorStore 

Amethyst Gemstone Nugget White Freshwater Pearl Long Necklace 41 Inch

Diane’s Dangles 

Don’t see what you are looking for? Maybe you will find it in some of the following showcases or ask one of our talented artists to design something special for you.
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11

Here are more shopping opportunities for you:
O Holy Night
The First Noel
Silver Bells
Jingle Bells
O’ Come all Ye Faithful
Angels from the Realms of Glory
While the Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
O Come O Come Emanuel
Angels We have Heard on High

Hurry because handmade sells out fast, and when they are gone, they are gone! Buy now.
Enjoy!
Julie