Read Online Photo, Snap, Shot by Joanna Campbell Slan - Free Book Online
Authors: Joanna Campbell Slan
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remember. That was a very bad time for you.”
I did feel a surge of sympathy for our newcomer. I knew I wasn’t alone in thinking that to lose a child is the worst thing that could ever happen to anyone. I could see the other women’s body stances softening a bit toward Patricia.
“Your tree looks fabulous!” I said cheerily to Ella. Her tags read “Ella, Walter, Frederick, Natalie.” She palmed one empty tag.
I tried to dredge up a compliment for Patricia, too, or a sincere comment of condolence, but I couldn’t find it within myself. Her tree turned out okay, but a bit sloppy.
Her poor outcome amazed me. But that’s how it goes. Oddly enough, I could give the same instructions and products to twenty people and get twenty variations on a theme. A few would always be plug-ugly, no matter what.
“Are you all right?” I asked Ella when I saw her shoulders sagging.
“Just worried about what’s happening in the school. How about you? Is Anya okay?”
It was the proverbial elephant in the living room. No one had mentioned the crime during the crop, and I had purposely compartmentalized my thoughts. But I couldn’t hold back any longer. “Anya’s all right, I guess.”
“What do you mean?” Ella perked up.
I reached up to rub my temples. “Sorry,” I apologized. “Of course, the situation is upsetting.”
“Have you spoken to your detective friend?” asked Bonnie. She knew Detweiler from last year when he’d investigated my husband’s murder.
“Um, he was at the scene.” I didn’t want to say more so I averted my eyes and busied myself picking up stray scraps of paper.
“Thank goodness they have the man in custody,” broke in Patricia.
Ella rustled in her purse for her keys. “I need to get home. Will I see you Tuesday at the mothers’ book club?”
“Oh, yes,” said Dodie. “Kiki is making adorable bookmarks for each of you.”
I tried to smile and seem enthusiastic. While my visit to the book club was ostensibly to pass out bookmarks, these would be tucked into an envelope with class listings. So, attending the book club meeting was a job requirement, not a social event for me.
Dodie continued, “Remember, everyone, we’re doing a special crop with a special homecoming project. Let me show you.” With a ta-dah, she whisked out a layout filled with paper flowers in CALA school colors, royal blue and gold. “Of course, for other schools, the colors will be different, but you can imagine how gorgeous they’ll all be. Kiki will teach you to use punches and inks to create this floral display. I’ll pass around a clipboard and you can sign up now.”
“I can’t wait. I promise you that you’ll enjoy the homecoming project.” And I smiled hard, even though my head split with pain.
How To Make Kiki’s Family Tree
This is an adorable project that you can put on a shelf or tabletop to display. It’s particularly terrific for the spring.
1. Color copy a page from an old book with the word “family” on it several times. (A children’s book is good because of the large type.) Also stamp the word “family” and “love” and “together” in warm brown on a creamy piece of paper or a white piece of paper stained with dark tea.
2. Tear the words apart and glue them to a die cut of a tree with bare branches. (This should be made of brown cardstock, the rougher the paper the better.) Do this on one side only and don’t worry if the words stick out past the die cut. Once the words dry, trim them so they are the same shape as your die cut.
3. When the tree is completely covered, dip it in melted beeswax. You can melt the beeswax in the microwave oven very carefully.
4. Twist together several strands of brown wire. This will go on the back of your tree and function as a stand. Adhere the wire to the tree. (The easiest way is to sew it on with a thread that matches.)
5. Add silk flowers to your tree.
6. Add tiny tags with names of family members.
After our guests left, I
I did feel a surge of sympathy for our newcomer. I knew I wasn’t alone in thinking that to lose a child is the worst thing that could ever happen to anyone. I could see the other women’s body stances softening a bit toward Patricia.
“Your tree looks fabulous!” I said cheerily to Ella. Her tags read “Ella, Walter, Frederick, Natalie.” She palmed one empty tag.
I tried to dredge up a compliment for Patricia, too, or a sincere comment of condolence, but I couldn’t find it within myself. Her tree turned out okay, but a bit sloppy.
Her poor outcome amazed me. But that’s how it goes. Oddly enough, I could give the same instructions and products to twenty people and get twenty variations on a theme. A few would always be plug-ugly, no matter what.
“Are you all right?” I asked Ella when I saw her shoulders sagging.
“Just worried about what’s happening in the school. How about you? Is Anya okay?”
It was the proverbial elephant in the living room. No one had mentioned the crime during the crop, and I had purposely compartmentalized my thoughts. But I couldn’t hold back any longer. “Anya’s all right, I guess.”
“What do you mean?” Ella perked up.
I reached up to rub my temples. “Sorry,” I apologized. “Of course, the situation is upsetting.”
“Have you spoken to your detective friend?” asked Bonnie. She knew Detweiler from last year when he’d investigated my husband’s murder.
“Um, he was at the scene.” I didn’t want to say more so I averted my eyes and busied myself picking up stray scraps of paper.
“Thank goodness they have the man in custody,” broke in Patricia.
Ella rustled in her purse for her keys. “I need to get home. Will I see you Tuesday at the mothers’ book club?”
“Oh, yes,” said Dodie. “Kiki is making adorable bookmarks for each of you.”
I tried to smile and seem enthusiastic. While my visit to the book club was ostensibly to pass out bookmarks, these would be tucked into an envelope with class listings. So, attending the book club meeting was a job requirement, not a social event for me.
Dodie continued, “Remember, everyone, we’re doing a special crop with a special homecoming project. Let me show you.” With a ta-dah, she whisked out a layout filled with paper flowers in CALA school colors, royal blue and gold. “Of course, for other schools, the colors will be different, but you can imagine how gorgeous they’ll all be. Kiki will teach you to use punches and inks to create this floral display. I’ll pass around a clipboard and you can sign up now.”
“I can’t wait. I promise you that you’ll enjoy the homecoming project.” And I smiled hard, even though my head split with pain.
How To Make Kiki’s Family Tree
This is an adorable project that you can put on a shelf or tabletop to display. It’s particularly terrific for the spring.
1. Color copy a page from an old book with the word “family” on it several times. (A children’s book is good because of the large type.) Also stamp the word “family” and “love” and “together” in warm brown on a creamy piece of paper or a white piece of paper stained with dark tea.
2. Tear the words apart and glue them to a die cut of a tree with bare branches. (This should be made of brown cardstock, the rougher the paper the better.) Do this on one side only and don’t worry if the words stick out past the die cut. Once the words dry, trim them so they are the same shape as your die cut.
3. When the tree is completely covered, dip it in melted beeswax. You can melt the beeswax in the microwave oven very carefully.
4. Twist together several strands of brown wire. This will go on the back of your tree and function as a stand. Adhere the wire to the tree. (The easiest way is to sew it on with a thread that matches.)
5. Add silk flowers to your tree.
6. Add tiny tags with names of family members.
After our guests left, I
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