This morning's post was inspired by two events this weekend. First, I found online instructions last week to make Polish Star Christmas ornaments. I'm never in the Christmas spirit until I make a few ornaments, a hold over from growing up with a really crafty grandmother. She made Christmas ornaments year round but production really kicked up in July; the kitchen table was always covered with whatever she was working on plus a healthy sprinkling of glitter, starch (for stiffening her delicate hand crocheted pieces) and dried melted glue. I make ornaments that don't involve glue guns because I've burned myself too frequently. Anyway, Polish Stars don't involve hot glue but they do require a LOT of patience and practice. I chose some gorgeous iridescent blue paper to make the ones I'm actually going to put on the tree and some matching blue ribbon so today's mash up song, "Pretty Paper," was running through my head as I was approaching the check out.
The second event was hearing this version of today's song on the radio. I've loved Randy Travis since the first time I heard him performing on the Grammys in the mid 80s. He released the album Old Time Christmas in 1989, including "Pretty Paper." When the DJ came on between this and the next song he mentioned it was Travis and then said, "It's a shame what happened to him." Uh, what? What's a shame? I Googled it and as it turned out Travis has chronic Lyme disease and for a time it looked like he might permanently lose his voice. He's recovering now and here's hoping it's a full recovery.
"Pretty Paper" was first recorded by Roy Orbison in 1963. I can't find it listed on any album so it's possible that it was released just as a Christmas single and it reached #15 on the Hot 100 in the U.S.
Orbison may have recorded it first but it was written by one of the best and most prolific Country songwriters : Willie Nelson. He's probably most famous for writing Patsy Cline's "Crazy." Covers of THAT could take a week or so of posts. Nelson finally recorded today's song on his Christmas album Pretty Paper released in 1979.
Gorgeous. As for my ornaments...uh, they're coming along. Have a great day!
Wow, those look really complicated!
ReplyDeleteThey look a lot more intimidating than they are. I'm getting the hang of it little by little so I should have some by New Year's at the latest, lol!
ReplyDeleteI've always liked this song no matter who sings it. I didn't realize it was one of Willy's creations. I also didn't know he wrote Crazy! Wow! How did I miss that piece of valuable music trivia!
ReplyDeleteI really like your ornament idea. I may try that too! You should take some pictures of your creations and post them here.
Thanks for the music and craft idea.
You're welcome, phylly3!
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