“In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On.”
Robert Frost

Thursday, July 5, 2012

The Ultimate Crafters

Joyce McCarthy, 92, left, and Annabelle Dale, 100, create birthday cards for fellow residents.





When I saw this story in our local newspaper, I knew it had to go into my blog. These ladies should have the title of  Ultimate Crafters! They have been doing this independently all their lives. Recently they teamed up and now work together to produce some wonderful and original birthday cards. Not only for friends and relatives, but for other residents in the senior apartment complex where they live.

Annabelle is a poet and Joyce is a water-colorist. Each month they collaborate to create birthday cards for the residents.  Joyce designs a cover birthday greeting on her computer, and then adds an original work of art that reflects the season.  Annabelle writes the interior greeting. The cards reflect the seasons and range from snow and pine trees to bright colored poppies. 

A tiny boat floats on water in another card. Here is the greeting inside -- “If wishes were fishes/And we had a net/We’d gather them all/And then you would get/So many you’d have/A bundle to share/We are sending you some/To show you that we care!” On the back, Joyce includes credit where credit is due: “Greeting by Annabelle Dale. Painted and printed by Joyce McCarthy.” “This is no two-bit operation,” Annabelle says.

I am so inspired by these two ladies. They have found a craft they love and have been enjoying it off and on throughout their lives. I take comfort that there is hope for an occasional crafter like me, that if I never give up, maybe someday I too will be an Ultimate Crafter!



For the article in the Star Tribune click here.  Photos via Star Tribune.

13 comments:

  1. These two ladies are amazing! How lovely that they are combining their skills and producing such beautiful cards. I'd love to receive such a lovely card! Great story.

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  2. 92 and 100 years old? And they're doing all this while looking so good? Wow, amazing. Those cards are lovely. What a sweet story.

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  3. Love this post!!!


    Thanks for stopping by and showing some love, Have a beautiful day!!!

    SwBeautifulLife.blogSpot

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  4. What an incredible inspiration for all of us! This is such a lovely story. How special it must be to get one of these cards.

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  5. That is an amazing story - I'm half their age and I think they have more energy and creativity than me!

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  6. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this story! And I can feel the JOY they have in their creation.
    Like you, this inspires me.
    Thanks so much for sharing it!
    Love,
    KAY

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  7. AWw..what a wonderful spotlight on these lovely ladies..such beautiful souls...
    Fabulous!
    Victoria

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  8. What an uplifting post! These women are true inspirations. I'm certain they bring much joy to many people's lives with their cards.

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  9. What an inspiration - thanks so much for sharing - it just goes to show creating keeps one young at heart. God Bless!

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  10. This meets my craving for cute! How adorable and awesome and inspiring and beautiful! If I could be half the women they are!

    Happy seeing beautiful!
    http://seeabeautifulworld.blogspot.com/

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  11. How very inspiring and encouraging for us artist and crafters! Well done to these two ladies!
    Jess xx

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  12. Those ladies look so happy! Wonderful post, thanks for sharing.

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  13. What sweethearts they are! And the cards they create together are just so pretty! Thank you for sharing this inpiring story. It's really a cute one!
    Erica :)

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