Just a bowl of ...

 
I don't like to be the one to raise the alarm, but many of you have been so caught up in the Valentines Day whirl that you probably have not planned adequately for the next big holiday: Yes, Presidents Day is Monday. Have you decorated? Shopped? Gotten your cards out in the mail?

 
Cherries are a traditional Presidents Day motif. When I was in elementary school, back when Lincoln's Birthday and Washington's Birthday were celebrated separately, but neither with an official holiday, we made construction-paper stovepipe hats in honor of Lincoln and something cherry-tree related in honor of Washington. I don't think kids learn about Washington confessing to chopping down a cherry tree any more, and it's sad to see that little bit of folklore slip away. On the other hand, my daughter got a really good grade on her living-history portrayal of Andrew Jackson in her AP US History class, so I probably shouldn't worry that she doesn't know a bit of historical trivia that's probably not even true.

 
Since cherries are one of my favorite motifs, though, I'll do my best to keep tradition alive. The towel on the left is vintage, and the towel on the right is one I made, adapting the cherry design. The little corner of patchwork on top is a little mat that was a gift from Amy, who ...

 
used an adorable cherry print fabric on the back.

 
A few weeks ago, I foolishly promised to share some directions from this book for making decorative objects from gumdrops. As is the case in so many ventures in my life, this proved less interesting than I expected. While I had no intention of recreating The Father of Our Country in sugar-coated candies, I did think I could manage to make a gumdrop cherry tree like the one in the lower left corner.

 
And, in fact, I did. To do this, you need, obviously, gumdrops, as well as cinnamon candies, lollipop sticks, a sharp knife and a rolling pin. Flatten the green gumdrops with the rolling pin. Use the tip of the knife to make a little hollow for the cinnamon-candy cherries (they'll stick better that way), and press the cherries into place. Pop in the lollipop stick, and then pop it into the base.

 
I wish I could make it sound more complicated, but it's not. I recommend using the traditional sugary gumdrops and not the spice drops. The spice drops look the same, but they are delicious and might not last long enough to reach the craft stage.

 
While you've got the gumdrops and the rolling pin out, wondering how a life that began with so much promise ended up with making odd crafts out of candy, you might as well go whole-hog and make a gumdrop cherry decoration. Spearmint gumdrop leaves, flattened red gumdrops, a little piece of white gumdrop for highlight and some licorice Twizzlers. I bet you can figure it out from there.

Comments

[freckled hen]

Any holiday you can celebrate by making a cherry tree out of gum drops and displaying beautiful cherry themed linens should be of upmost priority.
Love those canisters!

[Tina]

I recall one year having one of those huge teacher calendars on the bulletin board and marking each day off with a brown construction paper ax for the month of February. We must have been a naughty class! :)

[Janelle]

Oh my gosh, you made me laugh with this: "...wondering how a life that began with so much promise ended up with making odd crafts out of candy..." It's truly amazing how we end up spending our days, but I totally enjoyed your efforts so it's all worthwhile!

I have a cherry-patterned valance in my kitchen that I've had for years and still adore. Also cherry-patterned ceramic crocks for my utensils, courtesy of Target clearance ages ago. Those cherry towels and tins of yours are to die for!

[Lena]

Well, as a matter of fact, I have been thinking about President's Day and cherries. I made heart shaped cherry pies recently, to practice up on making little hand sized pies, and I found George and Martha silhoettes to cut.

I love all your cherry things. It is a favorite motif of mine too.

Wouldn't those gumdrop cherries look pretty on a cake frosted with fluffy white frosting?

You know, I think little silly things made to delight people can be fun from time to time. I can just imagine the smiles on the faces of little children at the sight of these.

[LiLi M.]

Mmm I can see one of the down sides of monarchy reading your post.

[Kathy]

This post brought back memories of a Project Management seminar I attended a while back. They had a break out session where each team had to build a high rise from gum drops and spaghetti noodles. As the day worn on each one slowly leaned over and finally collapsed. The moral? Go ahead and eat the gum drops because they are a less than stable building material.
Love your cherry gum drop decorations, though!!

[Mary Ellen]

My daughter had to do a report on a figure in history when she was in middle school. She chose Lizzie Borden. The costume she came up with was something to see!

[Carol @ Old Glory Cottage]

I've never wanted to eat a tree until now! And only someone with a truly artistic mind would think to add highlights to her gumdrop cherries. You are awesome, Barbara!

[nanette]

Cherries! My little neighborhood store always decorated for Washington's birthday. We had candy cherries and photos of presidents decorating the window. You've brought back good memories. As always.

[Mecky]

Those are so cute. I will have to try that. Thanks for sharing.

[Melony]

Another cherry-lover here...my car is even named the Cherry Cherry Bang Bang. I can now serve the appropriate educational snack as we go down the road! :)

[laurie mapgie ethel]

Glad you got the crafting going with the gumdrops...you truly have put me in the holiday mood for Monday...unfortunately no bins of decorations to pull out for this one...altho I believe I can muster a spun head for Lincoln and one for Mr. Washington. Great post!

[black eyed susans kitchen]

Yup, cherries...the next big holiday symbol coming before the shamrocks and the bunnies and eggs. If my kids were still little, I would have made these trees for them! I love that you are in the spirit...now I need to get there.

[tammyCA]

I love cherries, esp. vintage cherries anything. The gumdrops are too cute...that would be neat on a cake.

[Joy]

All that cherry stuff is so adorable. The kids at work are making paper cherry trees this week with crumpled pink tissue paper.

[Into Vintage]

In an odd coincidence, my dream job is to be assigned to create a craft book for projects made entirely from candy! Or better yet (although trickier), ice cream! I'd like to imagine the gumdrop craft book author felt the same way.

And thank you for the cherry-lovin' shout out.

[marion]

Wow my favorite fruit! I really love cherries! These is so amazing post. Thanks for sharing!