Posted Thursday, December 21, 2006

The Birthday Project -- Finally!
For all of you who have been waiting to see how Julie used your crabs -- and for all who have no idea what I'm talking about -- click the article title to see Julie's birthday project come alive in St. Augustine.

You've heard the old saying, "if life gives you lemons, make lemonade"? Well, how about turning your 50th birthday into a creative project for your family, friends and long-time customers? That's what Julie did a year ago when she reached the big 50.

Born at the end of June, Julie is a Cancer -- the crab. (Those of us who know her laugh at how apt her sign is. No, she's not crabby, but she does move through life sideways!) To commemorate her birthday, Julie silk-screened a crab design onto 12 mesh canvas and sent it to 50 friends, family and customers with only two "rules" attached: return a completed piece of needlepoint by September 30, and put your name or initials in black somewhere on the canvas.

Well, those of us who rely on Julie to tell us what to do were a little panicky initially. What colors? What yarn? Should the crab be blue (the color of the design on the canvas)? After we all calmed down, we started to stitch...and the resulting variety was spectacular.

Julie and I had a great summer/fall, as each day's mail brought another birthday present. Now, what to do with them all. Julie's solution was to create crab banners to run up the wall of her beach house in St. Augustine. The look is stunning and the memories created will last well into the next half-century of Julie's life.

Give some thought to using Julie's idea to commemorate an important event in your life. It's great fun for all involved. (Even Julie's brothers stitched crabs!)