My sister asked me to come up with a table top decoration for a party she is in charge of at her daughter’s school. Their theme is a turn-of-the-century fair. My first thought was that I wanted to make a carousel.
When you went to the county fair as a child, didn’t the carousel seem magical? Even as an adult, I still love carousels!
Last year my parents and I met up with my sister to spend the day in St. Louis. We were celebrating Mom’s birthday. We headed to the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House at Faust Park, a truly magical place. When we saw that they also had a carousel in the park, we walked over to see it.
It is a magnificent carousel, built around 1920 with 60 exquisitely hand-carved horses and deer. I fell in love and wanted to ride. Even though I pleaded like a little girl, no one else wanted to ride and I felt a little foolish riding by myself, so I did what little girls do, I kept at it until I could wear them down and they would give in and ride with me!
I remarked to my Mother that this carousel had originally been at the Forest Park Highlands Amusement Park. I told her how the amusement park was destroyed by fire in 1963, but that the carousel was rescued. Then I explained how the Faust Cultural Heritage Foundation restored the carousel and now it delights carousel lovers of all ages in Faust Park…and that I really, REALLY wanted to ride it, please, please, pretty please!!!
My Mother got all teary-eyed, then told my Dad that they had to ride it with me, for this is the same carousel that they rode while on their honeymoon in St. Louis in 1954!!!
Riding that carousel with my Mom & Dad was one of the most magical days of my life!!!
Aren’t they just the cutest couple?!?! This September will be their 60th Wedding Anniversary!!!
I hope that you will let the little girl inside of you out to play and that you’ll have a magical day!!! Leave a comment below and share what brings out the little girl in your soul.
Peace, Love and Joy,
Joyce
SUPPLY LIST FOR CAROUSEL
- All supplies are from Stampin’ Up! and can be ordered online at joycefisher.stampinup.net
- Card Stock: Whisper White, Real Red, Gumball Green, Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Primrose Petals, Pumpkin Pie
- 3/4″ Chevron Ribbon, Cherry Cobbler
- Adhesives: I used Glue Dots, Tombow Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue and Sticky Strip.
- Carousel Horse hexagon box by Samantha Walker
- Available at Silhouette Online Store, Design ID #49865
- Approximately 7″ at it’s widest point. and can fit a baby shower like baby clothes. It is the perfect size for a baby shower gift, like baby clothes, or it can fit 3 or 4 cupcakes.
- Samantha’s “hexi box tutorial” is quite easy to follow, http://samanthaleewalker.blogspot.com/2013/10/hexi-box-silhouette-tutorial.html
- The only thing I did differently was I used Sticky Strip to assemble the box instead of liquid glue. I was in a hurry and didn’t have time to allow the glue to dry, plus I didn’t have any of her cute little clips!
Joyce,
I’ve seen this design many times but have not made it. You did a beautiful job on this and what a wonderful story to go with it. I tell my husband all the time we need to make lots of memories to enjoy when we get older. We’ve only had 36 years together so far.
Hi Kate,
Thank you! It was actually much easier to make than I anticipated.
I’m tickled that you liked my family story! Congratulations on your 36 years of marriage, I hope you get to celebrate 60 years like my Mom & Dad. My husband and I will be celebrating our 30th Anniversary next month.
Peace, Love and Joy,
Joyce
Such sweet memories…I love that you don’t feel you are to old to whine and get your way! LOL
~ Shelley
Hi Shelley,
Uhmmmm….was I supposed to grow up and quit whining to get my way at some point?!?! Haha!!!
Peace, Love and Joy,
Joyce
Joyce,
You are doing such awesome projects even though you’ve only had you Silhouette for such a short time. I’ll bet it’s opened up such a lot of new direction for you in your cardmaking.
The Carousel is just georgeous, but I just love the story of your Mum & Dad.
Hi Pam,
Oh my, your comment made me sooooo happy!!! You’re right, there will be so many new cards I can make with my Silhouette! I’m having fun learning how to use this cool machine. (Thanks again Santa a/k/a my generous husband!!!) I love that you loved the story of my Mom & Dad. Their love inspires me every day!
Peace, Love and Joy,
Joyce
This carousel is amazing! I have met Samantha Walker before and she is super nice.
Hi Kelly,
Oh my gosh, I would LOVE to meet Samantha Walker! I love her designs! Actually, her designs were one of the big reasons I asked Santa, a/k/a/ my generous hubby, for a Silhouette Cameo for Christmas! Thanks for making such a sweet comment on my version of her carousel. You made my day!
Peace, Love and Joy,
Joyce