Sunday, March 7, 2010

The Claddagh, a Card, Sugary Green Cookies...and "The Quiet Man"



Good evening, everyone!

Hope it's been a lovely weekend!  We've had a great one, and just about to sit down to a movie with the family...I love Sunday nights!

Just one card to share with you tonight...I love this new set from Flourishes!  



I've been in love with the Claddagh symbol for as long as I can remember, and when I saw this set announced, I just HAD to have it!  Here's the card I made today:


I love the beautiful bouquet of shamrocks, and decided to put the Claddagh symbol on top of it.  Love, Friendship and Loyalty--that's what the Claddagh stands for...pretty good things to represent, I think!




...lots of glitter, of course, and a green crystal rhinestone on the crown...I love this image!  I did all paper-piecing here.  Call me crazy, but I really enjoy cutting out the little pieces and putting them together--I love the dimension and deep colors it gives an image.

Here's a little history of the Claddagh...there are many legends on how it originated...who knows the actual truth?  I would imagine it's a bit of all of them combined.  All legends have their basis in fact, they say!  Here's the story I like the best, and it's possibly the most plausible...

"The most common - and most believable - tale of Claddagh history begins with a young man from Galway by the name of Richard Joyce leaving his true love to make his fortune in the West Indies. As he sailed toward his goal, his ship was captured by a band of pirates and he was sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith.



Through the many years of service to the goldsmith, Richard perfected the art of jewelry making himself, eventually becoming a master craftsman and earning the respect and admiration of his master. When King William III negotiated the freedom of the slaves in 1689, the Moor offered Richard the hand of his daughter and a healthy dowry on top of that. But Richard refused....for his heart still lay in Ireland.

Returning to Galway, Richard found that his sweetheart had remained true to him through all those years. In a fitting tribute to his true love, he fashioned the Claddagh ring. The two hands represented their friendship. The crown signified their loyalty. The heart symbolized their love. Richard wedded his beloved and presented the first Claddagh to her as her wedding ring. And the two lived happily ever after....never to be apart again.

This legend of Claddagh history is not entirely without basis. Indeed, the earliest examples of Claddagh rings bear Richard Joyce's initials. So it makes sense that most scholars and everyday people believe the legend of Mr. Joyce to be the true origin of Claddagh history. "  (Taken from this site.)

Custom also dictates how the ring should be worn...here's a great image I found that explains it...


I also love this custom, taken from the same site as above...

"Throughout Claddagh history, the ring has been handed down from mother to daughter with the saying, 'With these hands I give you my heart and I crown it with my love.' There is no traditional age when the ring is supposed to be handed down. Each mother determines when her own daughter is ready for this special family heirloom."



I've been wanting to get reaquainted with a favorite old movie...and tonight was the night!


What a wonderful film!  Full of old Irish folk songs, beautiful scenery, and John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara--doesn't get much better than that!  This was my daughters' first time to watch it, and they absolutely loved it! 




Re-visiting this charming film was the perfect ending to a lovely weekend!

And now for something sweet!  I took one of our favorite sugar cookie recipes (thank-you, Mrs. Fields!) and gave it a little St. Patty's Day twist...



I intended for them to just be a subtle green, but my daughter Annie would have none of that!  Drop after drop of green was added to the dough....and this is what we got!

Here's the recipe:

Mrs. Fields' Sugar Cookies

2 cups flour
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup butter, softened

Cream the butter and sugar.  Add the rest of the ingredients, adding flour last.  Do not overmix.  If cutting them out with cookie cutters, refrigerate for 1 hour.  I just did mine as drop cookies, so didn't refrigerate at all. 

I added (Annie did!) green food coloring and white chocolate chunk chips.

Bake at 325 degrees for 13-15 minutes...don't let them brown!  Much better soft and chewy.



Enjoy! 

Hope you have a wonderful evening, and I'll see you very soon with something new...

Sweet dreams!

31 comments:

  1. Beautiful card! Thanks for sharing the story:)
    Have a wonderful and creative week!
    Hugs Hanne

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just love how you used these stamps. Cookies look yummy, too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Julie!
    Wow girl, I loved the story of the ring! I didn't know that and I always love learning something new. This was so sweet!!!! And the card you made was even sweeter!!! I love how you popped the claddagh up and added the crown...just love it!
    Aren't family movie nights sooooo cool????
    ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for the Irish History ... what fun! I should investigate it more since my DH is of Irish decent!! Your card is beautiful and what a lovely job with your focus bouquet!!
    Tell Annie I like her idea of "more green" in the cookies ... very festive!!!
    Thanks for another wonderful posting! Hugs to ya!!
    P.S. We had a WOnDERFUL weekend ... I'll have to call and tell you all about it!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonderful post, Julie! Lord willing, we're planning a trip back to the Emerald Isle when the kiddos are a bit older. In the meantime, I content myself with such images, Irish tea, scones, and such.

    Hugs for your day!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Such a wonderful card.Thanks for sharing all the great information on the Claddah symbol.Have a wonderful day!!Cat

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love the card you made... I can see the time that went into it. Thanks for the info on the ring.. a romantic story indeed.
    Blessings!
    Gwen

    ReplyDelete
  8. That card is so pretty, love how you color the stamp! Thanks for the history, love reading more!

    ReplyDelete
  9. What a sweet story about the ring. That would make a great movie!! Such a touching story :)

    Lovely cookies, I may have to try those.

    And the Quiet Man. Oh how I adore that movie. My daughter and I watched "My Favorite Wife" with Cary Grant and Irene Dunne Saturday night. They sure don't make them like they used to.

    Glad you had a great weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. This is such a great post Julie! Chock full of St. Patty's Day goodies! I've loved The Quiet Man since I was a kid. And I never knew of the tradition of a mother giving her daughter a claddagh ring, but I did gave my daughter one many years ago, and she wears it all the time!
    I love the card you made, using the claddagh symbol. It's simply stunning!
    And of course you can use the Mother card that I shared on my blog! Whatever you do with it, I know it will be amazing!
    Happy Monday!
    Carol

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love the QUIET MAN (or maybe it's John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara I love). Love your bit of the green, Julie!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have never seen the Quiet Man. Can you believe that. In fact I have never even heard of it either. lol
    Those cookies look wonderful! LOVED your comment on my blog about nothing I eat that has to do with my birthday has any calories! I think I am running with that one!!
    Hugs~

    ReplyDelete
  13. Lovely post, Julie. I am very familiar with the Claddah ring, but I've never had one of my own. I'm thinking of giving one to my daughter when she turns 10 in 2011. I hope she will give it to her daughter one day. Such a pretty card you made, love the way you embellished the heart. The Quiet Man is one of my all time favorite movies, and I love to watch it at this time of the year too. Have a great week.
    Maureen

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh I love all the goodies on this post, so cute! I love the claddagh symbol, I had it on my wedding rings from my first marriage. I have allot of jewelry with it as well. The cookies look yummy might have to give it a whirl. :) have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I have had lots of fun catching up on all the posts I missed while I was away Julie. How beautiful all of your cards are. I loved seeing the Easter pictures of you when you were a wee one and of course all of the cards and delicious looking baked goodies!! It is good to be back online. Whew!! I miss hearing from you each day and seeing what you were up to! Love and hugs!! xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  16. gets me excited for next week!! It was a big day when my brother's (Irish) girlfriend turned her ring when they started dating, turned it again when they were engaged and now sports some diamonds with it as a married woman!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Julie: thanks for stopping by my place and leaving such sweet comments. I love your Irish post. someday I will go there (with OR without the hubby) lol! happy Spring and hugs! Chris

    ReplyDelete
  18. thank you for coming by for a vistit!! I love your blog...oh, and that movie is a good one.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Very pretty card & unique post! You did a great job with those Flourishes stamps! Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. My hubby and I have Claddagh wedding rings and I love what it represents! Your green cookies look perfect for St. Patty's Day :)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Julie what a great post. Love all the history! And the ring is beautiful! The green cookies are a hoot! But, you card is wonderful indeed. I can't believe you cut such TINY pieces. Thank you for stopping by today to see the necklace I made at ADORN ME! It was soooooooo much fun! HUGS! Charlene

    ReplyDelete
  22. This was such an interesting post. The stamp set is so pretty-the nicest Irish themed set I've seen, and I love the card you made. I am familiar with the history of the Claddagh ring but do not have one myself. I am not Irish but I am married to a "Gleason"...we watch The Quiet Man every St. Patrick's Day and eat Irish soda bread!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love the claddagh too, it was the very first promise ring I ever got from a boy. :-)

    Your cards are always just perfect, and this one is no exception!

    Have a wonderful Tuesday,
    Anne

    ReplyDelete
  24. What an awesome post! Love the Claddagh too, my family is Irish so we love anything 'green' lol. I got my first ring when I was 10, my step Mom brought it back from Ireland. I've had the pleasure of spending 15 days in that fantasy world! We drove around the whole country, what beautiful warm people the Irish are. I love the collage you did with the claddagh, my step Mommy would love it! Lisa
    PS What swap are you in? I just signed up for the Speckled Egg's new one.

    ReplyDelete
  25. What a wonderful, informative, post! I love that movie, "The Quiet Man"--Maureen O'Hara has always been one of my favorite actresses. I will have to try those sugar cookies--thanks for always sharing your great recipes! My mother wears one of those beautiful gold rings--my father bought it for her on a visit to Ireland many years ago. Oh, and your card? Just gorgeous, as always!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Good morning, Julie,

    You have been given the Beautiful Blogger Award!! Please check my post today for more information. http://homeswheremyheartis.blogspot.com/2010/03/and-award-goes-to.html

    Hope you're having a great day!!

    :) Erin

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is such a beautiful card Julie!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Julie,
    Beautiful card and great post..can you believe I've never seen this symbol?? Cookies look delish!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. thank you for the lovely 'claddagh' history.

    the cookies look amazing.

    best hollywood pair: maureen o'hara and john wayne!

    your card? gorgeous!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Oh Julie your card is so lovely and the history to go with it how wonderful!

    Thank you for the cookie recipe it will go in my recipe file and maybe over spring break I will have my grandchildren help make them:)
    XXX
    becky

    ReplyDelete
  31. Interesting history! I have a ring just like that, without the crown -- just hands holding a heart, that my husband gave me many years ago. Your cards are always inspiring. And those cookies sound yummy but look like they should be in a Dr. Seuss story. HA! Hope you are having a most wonderful day. Many blessings, Tammy

    ReplyDelete