I wrote a post in March about my love of stars and one of the reasons why. My grandfather started telling me when I was a little girl how I was so special that I had a star on my birth certificate. It was a long time before I realized that it couldn't be true, but that he had given me a little story that made me feel very special.
I thought it would be fun at our beginning-to-summer to spend a little time on things besides school and teaching. I'd like to share another of my star collections. My husband and I have acquired a lot of antiques throughout our marriage, some inherited and some purchased. So I thought of something to collect that would take a little searching and wouldn't be a big investment: star cookie cutters. I have quite a lot, am always on the search, and still find a different one now and then. There happen to be lots of different old ones. I don't buy the new ones. So far, I have 48 stars, and two moons (I couldn't resist). The stars are five and six pointed, and one with only four points. They are mostly metal, some with green or red handles, or red and green plastic. It's been fun looking.
Star light, star bright,
First star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might,
Have the wish I wish tonight.
Do you have a special collection?
I love collections! But living abroad makes it hard to keep one, yesterday I moved for the fourth year in a row. If I were to collect anything it would probably be shoes from different countries (haha sounds weird but my feet are so small it's hard to find adult shoes!).
ReplyDeleteIt would be fun to collect the shoes, cementing a memory of when and where you bought them. Thanks, Melody.
DeleteI was looking closely at your cookie cutters and there are 2 that look like they could be from my Grammie's collection of cookie cutters! There is symbolism here too, as with students, they are what they are, but no 2 are exactly alike and will produce something different each time they go to work...
ReplyDeleteMy most recent collection is building...when I got pregnant with Kam, I got the first piece of my Willow Tree Angels collection...
The Willow Tree figures are so pretty. I have one of a young girl reading a dear friend gave to me. Nice that you are slowly adding to the collection. I like what you said about the differences-beautiful analogy, Amy. Thanks.
DeleteI don't purposefully collect anything. Seeing your collection brought stars to my eyes. I like cookie cutters. I used to have just the christmas shapes for gingerbread cookies, now other shapes have joined the bunch. I use them mostly during Christmas season, so I have giraffe and pumpkin shaped gingerbread cookies during the holidays. The oldest cutter is from my childhood, fortunately that is not antique yet.
ReplyDeleteThinking of a Christmas giraffe makes me smile, Terje. Might be a story there! I'm glad to hear that cutter is not antique yet. Hope you're having a good vacation so far.
DeleteStars in a jar... a poem, indeed! I have a jar of buttons and lots of original art and scrabooks galore...and quilts. And books! But no real theme like this one. (I think I was cured of this by my mom's "cow" collection. While endearing, I never quite understood the need for all the extra things to dust...) Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI understand about the cows-these stars remain in the jar until baking time, so no dusting. We have enough to dust with all the bookshelves. I have a number of quilts too but have given many away to family members. I might have to work on the 'stars in a jar' theme, Irene. Thanks!
DeleteOOh I collect these, too! I especially love the ones with the wooden knobs, they press perfectly. I have spent many a Saturday tag sale-ing on the look out for these, Linda. Isn't it fun to collect big things and small? I love old things with all the stories they hide and invite us to imagine.
ReplyDeleteHow great that you collect them too! I like the little knobs too, & some of the cutters are straight edged while some have fluted edges. Yes, it is fun to think of the hands that have touched these and baked with them with their children. Thanks Tara.
DeleteI collected dreidels for years. Then we moved to PA and believe it or not, I haven't put my dreidels out on display yet. Your post makes me realize that it's time to find them and display them prominently.
ReplyDeleteAnd you've been rather busy, with the writing and with Isabelle! She will love to see the dreidels when she's older. I've made cookies with my grandson with the stars and now I'll do it with Ingrid and then Imogene. Thanks Stacey.
DeleteCollections create memories. Memories of where and when the item was acquired. That makes the collection special. Thanks for sharing the stars in your life.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, Elsie. I don't remember very many of the times we found the cutters, but a few. Thanks for the thought.
DeleteI love that you have this collection of cookie cutters, and you even have them in a special jar. I'm a little bit of a Christmas geek, so for a long time I collected Santas and Byers' carolers. The carolers weren't as special because anyone could buy them, and they start to look the same after awhile. But our collection of Santas is something my husband and I treasure every year when they are placed in various places. It might be the only decorating issue in which he was ever invested. :)
ReplyDeleteLove that you have a collection that ties back to your dad, and is a year-round collection. Lovely!
Thanks Karen. And we too have some Santas. It is fun to get them out each year, but I stopped looking for new ones-too much stuff! It is fun to remember where we found each one.
DeleteWe had a metal star cutter, like the one with the red knobby handle when I was a kid. I remember playing with it constantly, I think it may have made its way into my sandbox. What a lovely memory you triggered. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to hear the memories of everyone, Betsy. I want to tell you too that I noticed all your comments on the #TeachersWrite blog. I'm going to work on my writing for that this afternoon. I'll see you then.
DeleteOkay, after reading your post I had to write about my collection of collections! I took a picture of my own cookie cutter jar. It looked so familiar when I saw your collection that I had to pull out mine and see how many stars I had. Only three - but do you have the shooting star one? And I knew I had one with the same green knob as yours - mine's a heart though. Most of my older ones I inherited from my mom.
ReplyDeleteHow great is that! I'll come looking. And no, I don't think I have a shooting star one. I have one where the points are long & short-that's the only difference. Thanks Donna.
DeleteI can just see you rummaging through old treasures looking for your star cookie cutters. I wonder if the memory of your grandfather's words are with you at those times. I am glad you shared your collection.
ReplyDeleteWhen I do get to an antique shop, I always look, but I think others might be doing the same. they are hard to find. Yes, I think of my grandfather every time.
DeleteAmazing...my school's mascot is the 'star'. I loved the connection to your grandfather's story. You are such a star, Linda. xo nanc
ReplyDeleteOh, lots of things to do with STARS! I imagine your school does too. Do you have a little star mascot drawing? What a fun idea to use stars-fits so well. Thanks!
DeleteLove your collection, Linda. My grandma began a green Depression Glass collection for me and I love it. It's fun to think of memories with each item.
ReplyDeleteI have a few of the gold depression glass from Arvie's grandmother. You're right; they each have a memory, sometimes just sitting on the kitchen tables! Thanks, Katherine!
DeleteYou have lots of great comments here. What a compelling subject for writing. Your collection of stars is not only unique and diverse, it also has a great story with it.
ReplyDeleteI collect crosses. I actually have a cross wall with crosses from everywhere. Each one has its own story. Maybe I'll tell that story someday.
Thanks for spurring on such an interesting conversation.
Isn't it fun what topics are there to be explored, each one unique to the person. I love your idea of crosses. I have a niece who collects angels & we're always on the lookout for her. I hope you do tell your story some time. Thanks, Margaret!
DeleteI love your star collection -- and great idea to put them all in a jar, so efficient and maintenance free. :) I also love the knobby cutters best; you just don't see them around anymore.
ReplyDeleteCollections? Me? Um, well, I've been trying to pare down my things because I'm running out of space and energy to take care of everything. Some of the things I've collected (note past tense): teapots, novelty china and crockery, character wristwatches, dishes with words on them, teddy bears, picture books, cookbooks, shoes, purses, cookie tins, fountain pens,stationery.
I hope you bake some star cookies sometime and share them here :).
I rather figured you had Teddies, at least in photo form. Am inspired that you have these as past collections. I have so much to reduce! Anyway, I did a moon watching unit once with my students & we baked star & moon cookies-much fun. I will do that this summer-great idea, Jama. Thanks!
DeleteMy mom used to joke that I "collected collections" when I was little! I had everything -- pens, pins, pencils, bouncy balls, postcards... I can't even remember them all! Now, my husband and I kind of collect turtles because he loves turtles. We have big and little turtle figurines, stuffed animals, etc. that we've gotten on trips, gotten as gifts, and some that I've given him. We also collect Christmas ornaments from our trips -- whenever we go somewhere, we have to get an ornament. And I guess I collect quotations, although they aren't a physical thing!
ReplyDeleteFun to hear what you have collected. I had quite a few ceramic figurines when I was little, but only one now (which is plenty). Great that you collect turtles-I have a big stone one in my garden! And the ornament idea is really special-will bring back good memories Jennifer. Thanks!
DeleteOne of my favorite parts of the Children's Museum at Navy Pier in Chicago is the little room filled with drawers of collections. It is a collection of collections! Your stars reminded me of all those collections. Each of those star cookie cutters holds stories. I definitely see why they make your eyes sparkle! I am not sure I have an intentional collection of anything quite like those cookie cutters, but you've certainly got me thinking now.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of those at the Pier-haven't been to Chicago in ages! It sounds wonderful. I think collections are fun, if one can keep it under control. I'm amazed at people who say they have hundreds, even thousands of something. Whew. I think it might keep my life too full of things rather than people. Thanks Christy.
DeleteI have collected old basal readers for many years. My first few were from my Grandmother's attic but since then I have added many from flea markets and gifts. While the Spot, Dick and Jane basals are the most famous, there are many other basal series out there. Some of my favorite ones are from the AMerican BOok COmpany by James Baldwin @1900. They interspersed print and cursive in beginning readers so kids would learn to read both! What a novel idea!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful idea for a collection, Anita! I still have my original Dick & Jane readers that I taught when I first began teaching (first grade). I haven't heard about those earlier ones. What a challenge. I wonder what people would say if we tried that today?
DeleteI collect Star Wars items (chuckles) I bet you could find a "Death Star" cookie cutter to add to that collection!
ReplyDeleteHm-m, you are right. More stars I hadn't even considered. Most of my son's toys have long since been given to a younger cousin. Thanks Maria, I'll look on e-bay. Cookie cutters come in all kinds, don't they?
DeleteI used to have smiley faces in my library, but the walls were painted mustard yellow, so I have been gathering tacky owls from the 1970s. The students enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteSuch fun to think about. I bet the students do love them. Any collection to show off is interesting. And people did collect owls at that time. I think my mother had a small collection, including a macrame owl-do you remember? Thanks!
DeleteI have been drawn to stars and collecting books about stars and star poems to share with at my monthly storytelling time at school. I found a twinkle, twinkle little star book with a lovely second verse.
ReplyDeleteTwinkle, twinkle, shining bright
In the velvet darkmof night
Love talking to kids about velvet and darkness and that deep texture
That's terrific, Juliann. There is so much magic there. I'm glad you told me.
DeleteThis was fun- first reading your post and seeing your photos, and then reading the ongoing conversation through all the comments. I have a jar full of cookie cutters, too, though they are all different kinds. The jar has a red plastic lid. I got it a long time ago when we lived in Japan during my husband's Air Force days.
ReplyDeleteI think I have more hearts than any other kind. For many years, I taught conversational English classes, and I always had a party for my international students at Valentine's Day and made lots of heart cookies. (It was such fun to share wedding photos and talk about traditions in different cultures.) One time during the years my husband was an Army chaplain, he sponsored a marriage retreat in February and I made heart cookies for that. I have taken the hearts to school some years and students traced them to make Valentine cards.
I have two recipes I use most often for cut out cookies. One makes thicker cookies that I use with cutters that press a design into the cookie or with frosting. The other makes thin cookies- my mom found the recipe, called Merry Maker cookies, many, many Christmases ago, and it uses confectioner's sugar.
Amazing I've heard of two other red lids now! I think I touched people because of their collections too, like your heart cookie cutters. You have such a good story there about the ways you've made heart cookies. I remember well making them for Valentine's Day with my kids & then for my students-red & pink & white icing, decorated with red hots or other sprinkles. Lots of fun, & those cookies are good! Thanks for sharing about the cookies.
DeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteI love that story about your grandfather. That is so special! How sweet and how interesting how it has impacted a collection that you have.
The metal cookie cutters remind me of my grandmother. Thank you.
Collections? Hmm... I buy (collect) books all the time and I also seem to collect art work in places that I travel. When I go to the beach, I usually pick up one interesting rock or seashell and bring it home with me and put it into a vase. I also collect ticket stubs, emails, love notes, etc. that my boyfriend gives me or from events that we go to and try to use them to create anniversary cards for him on our anniversaries to remember/reflect upon the year.
A Star Collection! How awesome, I love it. And I agree with Jama, the fact that you can put them in one container is kind of neat since it saves space. I am not sure if I really collect any other thing apart from booksbooksbooks, but that's already a given right? Haha. :)
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