I watched the Republican debate last night. I am not what I consider a very political person. But I am a citizen and I do vote. So I am starting to pay closer attention to what is going on. I want my choice in November to be an informed one. I have no loyalty to either political party. I vote where my conscience and logic lead me. Unfortunately this election year I want to run away.

A debate is meant to be an intellectual discussion of differences. But this was a televised brawl. Rudeness has reached a new level in politics. I am not impressed with clever jibes, constant insults and inflated bragging. Rudeness tells me you think you're the only one who is important. All eyes in the room must be on you. Your power is fed at the expense of others. This thinking is the antithesis of leadership. It is a cheap shot at attention, not the skillful movement of a person filling a leadership role. Rudeness is a sucker punch aimed at others to drag them down with you. So much of what I saw made me want to turn away.

But I kept on watching. And a quote kept ringing in my head: "rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." So I watched the imitators. But I am on the lookout for the strong. No matter what party you vote with I hope you are looking with me.

Let me introduce you to a few friends of mine! These are the Wistful Grandmas, primitive dolls crafted by yours truly. They will be available at The Wistful Grandma booth at the Whitnall Park Rotary Club Craft Fair on March 12th.

These ladies are doing all those things your grandma did. From shopping to gardening. From teaching to enjoying each holiday. Even getting into trouble or mischief. Just like grandma...you never know what's next.

Do you have an idea for an activity for one of my dolls? Do you have a favorite memory with grandma or was that special lady known for a distinctive activity? Let me know...maybe one of these lucky ladies will be found to be just like your grandma.

Keep checking my blog each Tuesday as I preview more products for you.

For Christmas my friend gave me a pretty box. Inscribed on the lid are the words "start something beautiful." She told me "you are always making things, this made me think of you." As I get ready for spring craft shows I am inspired to make "something beautiful."

But what makes something beautiful? Is it shape or color? Is it a pleasure to look at and touch? Does it evoke a memory or make us smile? In the end beauty is a very personal thing. So when you create and craft you can't worry if people will think what you do is beautiful. Or clever. Or perfect. If you make only what you think people will buy you have really missed the point. You've made it. And that is enough to make it beautiful.

So at the end of the day, when I store my needles and thread in my box I never worry anymore. I have spent the day following that intangible thing called creativity and I know that I have "started something beautiful."

Sometimes in the course of a day an answer to a problem occurs in a seemingly random way. I'm in the midst of designing primitive "grandma" dolls for my craft line and was wondering how to sign or mark the dolls before sale. While attaching legs to one of the doll bodies the trunk picked up a scrap of red wool from the table. I use scrap pieces of wool from my rug-making to stuff the dolls. I guess a small bit was on the table. It landed exactly where a heart should be.

It looked perfect there. Maybe that's what I need to do? How about a heart and the words to my hashtag line? I tried it out. Perfect!

We always need to be open to those random moments in each day. Create and an answer will reveal itself. And...#AlwaysBeWistful!