This “Yes We Can” banner with hand prints as the Obama logo was hanging in the Portland, Ore. Obama headquarters.Thanks to PoliticsforMisfits for sharing this one.

Yes We Can!

Byabpryor created this paperwight using blocks spelling out “Obama” and a cigar box as the base.

Yes We Can!

My friend Yolin developed this recipe for “Celebration Cookies” to commemorate Barack Obama’s election. (Funny note: Yolin and I went to high school together, hadn’t seen each other in 12 years and have ended up living just blocks away from each other as adults–in a different town than we grew up in, which we didn’t know until earlier this year.) She’s graciously provided the Obama Craft Project with her recipe:

Ingredients:
1 package of Pepperidge Farms pastry sheets.
1 Can, blueberry pie filling
Raspberry Jam
All-purpose flour (for your work surface)

Tools:
1. Set of Round Biscuit/Cookie Cutter
2. Metal Apple corer
3. Tin Foil
4. Any old baking pan

Please read all the instructions before you begin. It’s easier to make one cookie at a time, rather than an assembly-line style.

Instructions:
Set puff pastry out on the counter. It will take 40 minutes to de-frost. Pre-Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Dough Template:
Roll out a pastry sheet. Take the circular cookie cutter and cut out your base. Take your apple coring tool and cut a smaller dough circle for the middle. Gently place the small dough circle in the center the larger one (do not apply pressure!) Use your cookie cutter to mark a subtle indent where the top of your stripes will cross the bottom of your cookie. This line should cut through the center of your small circle of dough. Remove the small circle of dough, and use your cookie cutter to make a clean cut upon the indent. Put this newly cut crescent aside.

Make the stripes:
Cut another large round piece of dough with the cookie cutter. From the top of that circular piece, cut an arch-like sliver about 1/4 inch from the top. Make another arching stripe. You can get several stripes from one circle before the stripes become too short. You’ll only need 2 stripes for this cookie.

Assemble for Baking:
Return to your large, round piece of dough and pinch a small lip up around the diameter. This will give you a ‘mini-pie crust’ which will keep any fruit juices from spilling over. Fill in the top half of your mini pie crust with blueberry pie filling. Just a spoonful will do. Fill the bottom half with raspberry jam. Now, add the little dough half-moon crescent in the center. Then, add two stripes, carefully attaching the ends to your pie crust. Line your baking pan with tin foil. Add cookies to tinfoil lined tray and bake for 11-15 minutes.

Recipe makes 9-12 cookies.

Yes We Can!

In honor of election day, we’ve long planned on posting this story of a 95 year-old crafter from Virginia, Charles Edwards, a former coal miner and farmer, who traveled for three-and-a-half hours to attend the launch of Barack Obama’s general election campaign early this summer and present the candidate with a special gift–a hand carved maple walking stick. From a press account of this moment,

Edwards spent more than half his life suffering the indignity of discrimination. Speaking after Obama’s speech, Edwards recalled coming off a nightshift in the coal mines of West Virginia and ordering ham and eggs in a restaurant. “The waitress said she did not serve coloureds in the restaurant and told me to eat in the kitchen. I said ‘keep the food’ and walked out,” he said.

That is why he traveled to see Obama, why he was so delighted when he won the Democratic nomination against Hillary Clinton on Tuesday night and why he hopes to see him make it to the White House.
Politicians do not like spontaneity. But Obama showed in Bristol he can handle it. It was Edwards who inadvertently tested him. His daughter stood to say her father was 95 and had traveled a long way to see him. Edwards then rose to his feet, went to the podium and gave Obama his walking stick, which he had made himself, as a present.

Obama was initially unsure. He said how well Edwards looked for his age. He looked at the stick, and described it as beautiful. Still struggling, he mumbled about how it looked like maple. And then he found the poise that may yet see him win. He waved the stick about, dancing about. If members of Congress tried to block his healthcare bill, he would take the stick to them, he shouted. “I’ll whoop em! That’s right. I’ll have that stick,” he said.

When Josh and I first read this story in The Guardian several months ago, we both were moved to tears. After a bit of searching, we found an amateur video of this moment on YouTube.

This Obama Craft Project election day post is dedicated to Charles.

Yes We Can!

This amazing yard mural also appeared on the Obama HQ blog. Wowee! Thanks to a35mmlife for this pic.

Yes We Can!

Flickr user jerkytourniquet spotted this piece in Minneapolis.

Yes We Can!

This felted ball, embellished by needle-felting the “O” logo, was created by flickr user feltcafe.

Yes We Can!

From the artist Andy Magee’s Flickr photo description:

Change is a timely portrait of Barack Obama made from circulated coins. Beyond the visual pun, the work evokes a sense of historical significance. Although the piece is made entirely of coins, it could be considered a portrait made from portraits. Each coin is carefully arranged with the presidential portrait facing out. This subtle detial suggests that Obama is made from the same qualities as Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington, and Roosevelt. Like Obama’s grassroots fundraising campaign, all of the coins for this sculpture were generously donated by friends and colleagues – who emptied their pockets and coin jars for me.

This piece is up for auction, click on the photo to be taken to the flickr photo page for more information.

Yes We Can!

Flickr user bridiemurphy made this piece from found items. Click on the photo for more info.

Yes We Can!

Mischiefmari‘s poster was actually inspired by a cookie (which, by the way looks extraordinarily yummy). You can read about the concept on her blog, cha no ma-ri.

Yes We Can!