Romance in War Times - A look back at WWII

Okay, I'm a sucker for romance, vintage items, random history and reading. Many years ago, in one of my antiquing jaunts I came across three boxes of love letters written during WWII.
It was a no brainer -
I had to have these letters.
They provided me with many months of entertainment.

It's been awhile since I've poured over the words of these young lovers from Fort Wayne, Indiana. In honor of the weeks leading up to Valentines day and for romance across the globe I will share some of these gems. The following is a letter from Helen (warming up the home fire in Indiana) to Harry her husband, experiencing military life at Ft. Miles, Delaware. This letter was written exactly 63 years ago.

___
January 29, 1946
My darling,
First of all thanks for the two wonderful letters and the lovely package your sent me. The hankies are lovely dear and needless to say, I'll enjoy the Hersheys and chewing gum. The large hankie was especially nice, I liked it best. Daddy was pleased with his razor and said "much obliged". If you can get anymore gum, better do so as it isn't available here. Also some film.

Tonight I had to work - left there at just 10:00. We're taking inventory. It's been a headache for sure. Makes me sorta tired. Irene doesn't have to even work. It gripes me in a way. Oh well. (note: Helen works at a jewelry store and is highly resentful of most of her fellow workers, a point she mentions often)

Jim and Margaret were in to see me today. They are swell kids. There were happy about your discharge news too. Wilma was also in and she had the good news that her "Ray" was supposed to land today. She was expecting a phone call soon. She hasn't seen him for 17 months and she's tickled pink.

Adelines plant is going out on strike again. I believe around Feb. 7, so she'll have some spare time again. Asked her what she was hearing from Elmer - same old thing, "nothing". Soon I shall stop asking.

I love you very much Harry. Just think, it won't be long until I can tell you that personally. I'm wondering now if you'll have patience with me in my ignorance on cooking and keeping house since I'm so out of practice. I want to make you happy and shall try my best to make you more than glad that you married me. You are everything to me and have always been a wonderful husband and sweetheart.

Good night darling. Love me always? Devotedly, Helen
----
Maybe you should consider taking a moment to write an old fashioned love letter to your sweetheart. On real paper. Okay, at least send a text message.

DIY or a Professional - or somewhere in between

With all the bridal shows swirling about, I've been in touch with my fellow vendors. And we've been talking. In any business you have obstacles and challenges that make you think outside the box. One of the considerations of Sara Paper is the "DIYers". The Do It Yourself Brides.

Let me start out by saying that I am a frugal person. It may not seem like it because I like expensive lipstick, dinners out and I'm pretty fussy about using nice paper for everything. Still, I like to cut corners when I can. So I respect the DIY Brides. Especially these days when you don't know if it will take $11 to fill your gas tank or $20. Especially if you have the challenge of planning the most beautiful day of your life - and then paying for it on a shoestring budget.

Let's face it. It's expensive when you're first starting out. Maybe you don't have the dream job yet. Probably you have student loans. Or you've just purchased a now home and have to fill it with the essentials. It's hard to shell out a bunch of money for printed paper when you really would rather buy a set of matching dishes. "I'll just make them myself," you think to yourself. But wait, this isn't only about spending money. It's about finding value in the services you need.

Wouldn't I love it if all my brides picked out the dream invite? The one with pockets, layers, ribbons and sparkly things and thick shimmery paper. But the reality is that many brides need to exercise frugality. That is why I want to urge all DIY Brides to consider the value of working with a professional before they take on a project themselves.

First off, I don't want to upset my fellow professional vendors. Some vendors might think it's a waste of time to meet with DIY Brides. But I view each free consultation I offer not as a waste of time, but as an opportunity to serve. I understand that not every gal can afford the elaborate, sparkly invite. I can even accept that not every woman even WANTS the elaborate, sparkly invite. (you crazy, nutty people). And that is why I strive to provide a wide variety of products for all tastes and budgets.

This spring I will carry a line of products specifically geared towards the DIY Brides. The Carlson Craft Album is aptly called D.I.Y. I haven't seen the book yet but I think it's going to be a hit.

Another reason to contact me before you do your own invitations is because I would love to show you all the other products I offer. A DIY Bride cannot make her own wine glasses. (Well, if she can I'll be very impressed) but I can offer her beautiful personalized wine glasses at a 20% discount. A DIY Bride can't foil stamp her own personalized napkins but I can let her flip through pages and pages of cute, fun designs that she can order from.

A DIY Bride can cut her own paper when she's making her own programs. Sure, it will be free but it might take her several nights to do it. Or a DIY Bride can wisely decide to pay me $10 and I'll cut it in a couple swoops of my cutter. There's a value in paying $10 to save hours and hours of time.

Some things you can't put a price tag on is advice. Professional vendors are pros because they know the ins and outs of their business.

My point is, doing it yourself is a great thing. While there is a certain satisfaction in taking on projects and saving money there is also true value in shopping around and letting a professional help you. Especially when it's such an important event. Give me a call and see if I can help!

Lots of Brides - but barely any cake.

Okay, Lima Bride 2009 was craaazy! Really fun. Tons of women (and a few guys) braved the weather and came to the Civic Center for a good time. Normally I have time at these shows to mingle a bit and chat with other vendors. Not Lima Bride - it was a madhouse. Still, my trusty mom managed to wrangle a bit of cake from Angie's Cakes from Elida. 419-234-7565. Excellent orange cake. Moist, flavorful and great frosting.

Crystal Lee Ann photograpy is a friend and she was there. http://www.crystalleeann.com/ Crystal and her husband are running the Greenville Bridal show in Feb. More details to follow.

Kellie Keck, Pearls and a Black Dress makeup artisty was a friend present. She famously did the makeup for Governor Sarah Palin for the cover of Newsweek magazine and People magazine. http://pearlsandablackdress.com/Makeup_Artist.html

All the local ladies at Emmy's Bridal showed face as well. http://www.emmysbridal.com/

I made new friends with The Savvy Bride. They do wedding planning out of Lima, Ohio. 419-296-2593. They were just nice, nice, nice all day.

Thanks to all who stopped by my booth. I hope you found some great ideas and will consider giving me a call. I'd love to meet one on one with you!

Bridal Shows - A fun place for almost everyone.

I'm saying "almost everyone" because you can't dispute the fact that some people would pretty much rather do anything other than attend a bridal show. Well, I'll be presenting my wares at three show this year and I'm inviting you all to grab a bride and attend.

This Sunday I will be at the Veterans' Memorial Civic & Convention Center in Lima, Ohio. The show runs from noon-5:00. I've never been to this particular show but I hear it's a nice one. I can't drag everything to my booth but I will be showing all my custom design work and a selection of albums. Not to mention Programs, Thank You cards and all sorts of other fun stuff.

My favorite things about Bridal Shows

- Free Cake!!! Not just any cake. Really good wedding cake. The cake vendors are generous and happy to feed the masses. Buttercream frosting, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting, filled layers and usually a decent selection of Grooms Cakes that includes German Chocolate Cake.

- Free Stuff. Stuff like a chance to win a free limo rental, a weekend getaway. Most of the times these free drawings and door prizes extends to not only the bride but everyone else in attendance.

- Free Food. Let's not forget about all the little appetizers, meatballs, chicken wings, candies and sometimes even wine. All free. Normally I have my mom in tow and she helps with the set up and passing out information. Last year my husband tagged along to one of the shows and boy was he thrilled to find out that OUR BOOTH was located directly across from a caterer passing out COCKTAIL SHRIMP. That is probably his most favorite party food (other than anything wrapped in bacon). I made him practice restraint and wait until the end of the show and he was rewarded. Those nice ladies were more than happy to lighten their load and serve him all the extras.

- Beautiful decor options, fashion shows, good looking guys in tuxedos, it's all good. You'll see a lot and you'll get tons of great ideas.

Check this link out for more info

http://www.limaohio.com/articles/bride_31559___article.html/lima_.html

When I have more details I'll fill you in on the two shows held in February. Have a great weekend! Stay warm!!

New Years Resolutions

I don't consider it to be the begining of the new year until the Monday of the first full week in January. This gives me an extra couple days to be lazy, eat what I want and generally gear up for the New Years Resolutions list I draw up. I'm not going to list all my efforts at self improvement but I will share a few.

First, like many others I intend to be much more organized this year. Sara of Sara Paper didn't mail her Christmas cards until Dec. 23. Probably not a big deal but still. I sort of feel I could have been more on top of that. This year I will have a lot more to offer Brides and I don't want to miss out on any opportunity to help someone.

Secondly, I want to do a better job of posting on this blog. I enjoy writing the entries but the weeks zoom by and I miss chances to post all the fun stuff going on.

Thirdly, I'm going to curtail the amount of time I spend online checking my email. I am a terrible cell phone user. I never hear my ringer, voicemails will sit there for a day or two before I think to retrieve them. But email is my vice. And I intend to stop check ing my email in the evening and spend more time focused on family and friends. So rest assured that I will welcome your emails but I will wait to read them in the morning.

Now onto other things. Today I was pleased to get two deliveries of flowers. One was a beatiful bouquet from a special bride. The second was a new Carlson Craft album entitled "Flowers". Occasionally the Carlson Craft company will send me a new album if my sales have been especially good and they arrive without any warning. I now offer 10 albums as well as countless custom design. It's fun to get these and I found this book to be especially great.

I love doing custom design and really that is the bulk of my business. However, the fact remains that some people aren't interested in a custom design and would rather pick something from an album. For those people I am posting some pictures of some of the newest, hottest designs.

Isn't this beautiful? An elegant damask look with hot color accent.

You can change the ink color and liner to whatever you wish.

Yellow! I knew they'd start showing yellow.

A "Seal and Send" invite. The RSVP postcard is perforatted and can be detached and mail back. No envelopes needed. A cost effective (and "green") route for any bride.

Another one with a bold, clean graphic.