I am back! I missed being with you last week. Mr. RWS and I once again joined family at the home of the Atlanta son and his family for the granddaughter’s Confirmation. Since it was Lauren’s big day, she chose to forego the traditional Thanksgiving dinner and opted for a Mexican fiesta for about thirty friends and family.
It was a lovely ceremony, a lovely fiesta and perfect fall weather for the ride to and from.
Once we returned home, there was enough time to shop for and prepare our traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Although it was just the two of us, I set a pretty table complete with candles. It was relaxing and we were thankful.
Now, back to working on Christmas cards. Since it is now too late to be early getting those cards made, I hope there are a few quick and easy ideas here to help you.
The Winter Joy transparent set includes this lovely poinsettia image which I’ve stamped with VersaMark and heat embossed with gold. Christmas is a time to take advantage of using classic colors of gold, red and green. The Winter Joy set also includes a lovely bird on a branch image and a classic sentiment. You could make a variety of Christmas cards using just this set; oh, and of course a die for your sentiment.
It seems there is no end to the possible ways to use the O Holy Night die. Here I’ve combined it with a Chapel and added stars that I cut using the tiny die in the Pillow Box die set. That die is a little treasure! Dies are awesome for making quick but lovely cards.
The Snow Much Fun transparent set is more than snowmen. This little fox with the birdie on his tail is part of that set. He and his birdie friend are enjoying some time in the woods together.
2521K Snowy
Snowy’s Story or There’s no Business Like Snow Business (Continued)
See Part One HERE
When we left Snowy, it was the middle of the night in Ornskoldsvik, Sweden and he was making his way to the harbor, hoping to catch a freighter to the United States where he hoped to make something of himself before returning to claim Alma’s heart and hand.
The night was cold, the moon was bright and the streets were icy; perfect conditions for Snowy to slide his way to the harbor. Snowy hadn’t spent much time near the harbor and was amazed at the sight of the huge ships docked there. The enormity of his undertaking began to sink in and in spite of the cold, he broke out into a sweat.
Oh, no! Sweating is dangerous when you are a snowman! Snowy quickly calmed down and began the task of seeking work on one of the mammoth ships.
One by one, he was refused employment on each ship he approached. There was no work available for a snowman. Finally, tired and discouraged, he made one last effort. Much to his surprise the Captain of that freighter knew Snowy’s father; he had hired him as a decoration for the freighter’s company Christmas party one year. He told Snowy he could join his crew working in the kitchen’s walk in freezer, stacking and organizing provisions. Snowy would be allowed to sleep there, too, assuring he would reach the United States, safe and sound.
After two weeks of hard work and some seasickness issues, Snowy landed in the United States. At last! The Captain put Snowy in touch with the management of Rockefeller Center in New York City who hired Snowy to make the children laugh and play while skating in that magnificent skating rink.
Well, one thing led to another as they often do, and soon Snowy was a very popular and loved feature at Rockefeller Center. However, in New York City winter does not last forever and Snowy wondered what he would do after the rink closed.
Snowy had become so popular and well known that he was approached by an agent who assured Snowy that he cold find him work in the entertainment industry. And so began Snowy’s career in snow business. After a couple of years in the movie industry, advising and consulting with Frosty the Snowman, Snowy realized it was time to think about winding down his career in the United States and returning to Ornskoldsvik and lovely Alma.
But it seemed Snowy had received one more offer of employment that he accepted, thinking it would be short term, lasting until winter arrived in Ornskoldsvik and it would be safe to return home. His employer? Penny Black, Inc. It seems the Penny Black Stamp Company was looking for the perfect model for a woodblock snowman stamp. They had interviewed hundreds of snowmen for the position, but their standards were very high and no snowman was cute enough or appealing enough to be part of the Penny Black stamp collection. That is, until Snowy’s agent sent them Snowy’s photo.
After his two years of work at Rockefeller Center and another year in the film industry as snowman consultant, it was his work at Penny Black that made Snowy the most famous and provided him with the most satisfaction. His image became very popular at Penny Black and Snowy was delighted to see that woodblock stamp being used to make Christmas and winter time cards that would be sent all over the world, bringing smiles to every recipient. Indeed, this was noble work.
Finally, and at last, Snowy returned to Ornskoldvik, head held high, proud of his accomplishments and proud that he had brought such fun and joy to so many.
After a quick visit with his parents and reassurance that Alma still lived next door and was not promised to anyone, Snowy went to Alma’s home. His heart was pounding in his frosty little chest, his button eyes were wide with excitement, and his scarf was in disarray as he knocked on Alma’s door.
To his shock and dismay, it was Alma’s father who answered the door and he did not look happy. It seems his plans for Alma’s future still included a snow doctor or snow lawyer; members of a noble profession.
Snowy could see Alma, standing a bit behind her father and his determination became even stronger. He began to explain to Alma’s father about the work he had done in the United States. He told him how he made the children laugh and play. He told him how his image was on thousands and thousands of cards that brought smiles to the people who received them. He told him how he was now a member of the Penny Black family in the United States.
There was silence. And then Alma’s father broke into a huge smile and welcomed Snowy into the house. “Snowy”, he said, “I can think of no more noble work than bringing happiness and joy and smiles into the lives of others. You are more than worthy to marry my daughter, Alma”.
And so they were married. Alma and Snowy returned to the United States where he continues his career with Penny Black. They have been blessed with a son Lucas and a daughter Elsa.
And how did Birgit come to do their family portrait? Well, each winter Snowy and his family return to Ornskoldvik to visit family. One day this winter Alma took the children to Birgit’s home (Birgit is famous for her amazing art) and they posed for the portrait that we saw on Facebook. It is to be a surprise for Snowy’s Christmas.
And that, dear Readers, is the story of Snowy and his family and how Birgit had a portrait of Alma and the children even as we all thought Snowy was a bachelor. And they all lived happily ever after.
The End
How fun to include a bookmark with your Christmas wishes. Here I’ve decorated the Bookmark with the ornaments from the Merry Jingle transparent set. I added Glossy Accents for shine. Untie that bow and the bookmark sports streamers to help mark your place. I could not have made it through the Christmas card making season without the many sentiments found in the Holiday Snippets transparent set. It is a lifetime keeper.
This sweet snoozing canine is an image from the Wintertime Cheer transparent set. He is staking out his place near the Xmas Tree, stocking at the ready. I really enjoy combining images and dies to create happy little scenes.
And here is Snowy, posing for his Snowman Hall of Fame portrait! Snowy has been recognized for his work with Frosty the Snowman, bringing laughter and joy to children of all ages over many years. Frosty could not be Frosty without Snowy’s faithful devotion and assistance. If I have counted correctly, this is Snowy number 14, only a few more to go. Checking my records, I discovered I made the first Snowy card this year on August 20th and made the “Snowy every week” promise on August 27th.
This is Cooper at Lake Guntersville courtesy of the family we board him with while we are out of town. This helps explain why he did not want to get in the car and go home with us. He kept tugging on his leash to go back inside the home where he stays!
And now a quick good-by and assurances I have safely stowed the scissors. Please share your Penny Black work in the Penny Circle Flickr Gallery for all of us to admire. Thank you sincerely for the kind comments and encouragement you leave each week.
Shop for today’s featured Penny Black supplies
Card No. 1: 30-374 Winter Joy, 51-174 Greetings
Card No. 2: 51-258 Chapels, 51-259 O Holy Night, 51-210 Pillow Box
Card No. 3: 30-307 Holiday Snippets, 30-388 Snow Much Fun, 51-027 Triple Banners, 51-270 Beneath the Birches
Card No. 4: 30-307 Holiday Snippets, 30-375 Merry Jingle, 51-195 Bookmark, 80-013 Holiday Trimming
Card No. 5: 30-386 Wintertime Cheer, 51-248 Merry Christmas, 51-261 Xmas Tree
Card No. 6: 2521K Snowy, 51-264 Conifer, 51-266 Frosty/Snow Mates, 80-012 Wintertime