Etiquette and Decoupage

Those two things have nothing in common but their french sounding origins, just in case you were hoping for a deeper connection. But I have both on the brain, so I'm going to launch into this french themed post without further delay.

First, let's begin with etiquette. My brother-in-law got married this weekend, and being immersed in all the wedding minutiae reminded me that I'm not a great one for etiquette. Not that I don't like it or think it's nice, it's just not that important to me, and I know that lack of importance makes me a frequent violator. I'm fairly sure that sometimes I violate without even being aware of it, and then at other times I break etiquette simply because it slips my mind to do something I'm aware that I should be doing. Does that make sense? In other words, I don't frequently do something that will intentionally break etiquette, but since it's not something that ranks high on my priority list, I just forget about it. For example, I know that it is always good etiquette to write a thank you note for a gift, even if you received it in person and already thanked the person. I do it because I want someone to know I'm grateful and I don't want them to be offended, but I know without a doubt that there are times I've missed a note here and there. Last Christmas, for example, I found all the thank you cards I had written tucked away in a drawer, awaiting to be stamped and addressed. It was early February when I found them. But flip the coin, and I can honestly tell you that it is not important to me to receive a thank you card for something we've given. I always enjoy getting one and appreciate the thought behind it, but I never keep up with whether I've gotten one or not. It's just not that big of a deal.

What's most important to me is that I don't offend people to whom etiquette is more important. I never want to hurt feelings or irritate someone because I did not place enough importance on doing something correctly. At the same time I don't want to let etiquette rule my life or be the driving force behind why I do what I do. What do you think? Where is the healthy balance?

Now to the second, and completely unrelated except for the french origin, part of the post. My sister, Rachel, is now a stay at home mom, and the time at home has been the perfect breeding ground for her creative genius to flourish. She comes up with new projects and crafty creations just about every week. This week's, as you can probably guess, was decoupage. I have never dabbled in decoupage before, but having now completed two frames, I am sold! I loved it. I was able to make frames with scrapbook paper, a little paint, and glue. That's it! I have got to say that I'm really happy with how it turned out!! I can't show you one because it's a birthday present for someone who cannot have a sneak peak at her present, but I will show you the one I made for Marianna's room.

Rachel is interested in selling some of the stuff she is making at a crafts fair closer to Christmas, and I told her she needed a name for the business. I suggested E.L.K. Expressions, with the E.L.K. standing for all of our last names (my mom included). I was outvoted =). Some how that didn't have the ring they were looking for. Instead, I believe the new moniker will be Graceful Gifts. Simple, cute, and according to Nathan, more appealing on every level.