(21) Connecticut

Capitol: Hartford

As this project progresses the ideas get harder and harder. I decided to knock out some of the small states, just to up my numbers. Researched a bunch of states, and settled on Connecticut.

I spent a weekend in CT once, visiting my college sweetheart's family. Had a nice time. I remember it looking a lot like NY. I think we went to see a Jai Alai match? Needless to say, not much to work with... and then there is the size! So, more research.

Did you know that PEZ Candy headquarters is in Orange, CT. I LOVE PEZ! I remember trying to stuff those little rectangle candies in a dispenser, it seemed to take forever. Then it took about 30 seconds to eat them all! The wrapper around the candies when I was little was red, yellow and orange striped, soooo... now my CT pin is a package of PEZ candies! YUM!

(20) Ohio

Capitol: Columbus

Ohio currently holds a special place in my heart because of my dad's heart. A few years ago it was determined that dad needed heart surgery. We checked with the local hospitals in Rochester, NY, and their success rate with this surgery and a man of my fathers age was about 70%. Checked with the Cleveland Clinic, 96%. Decision made. Off to Cleveland.

I spent 10 days in Cleveland, most of it in my dad's hospital room at the Cleveland Clinic. What an amazing place. Everyone from the doctors down to the people who cleaned the bathroom were wonderful. Our experience at that place was phenomenal. If I ever need heart surgery, off to Cleveland. Nuff said.

Again, size posed a challenge. I decided to go with the Cleveland Clinic logo. Research led me to the following info: The old logo of the Cleveland Clinic was developed in 1984 and was a gold square sitting atop of four green squares. Each square represents one of the Clinics four founders. The four squares also represent each of the major areas of the Foundation: Inpatient care, Outpatient care, Research, and Education.

The new logo is a white square sitting atop of four blue and green squares. In addition, the hospital changed its name from "Cleveland Clinic Foundation" to the shorter "Cleveland Clinic".

No information on why the colors of the squares changed.

The dot close to the center is not part of the logo, it is the capitol of Ohio, Columbus.

(19) Idaho

Capitol: Boise

For some reason I decided to bead Idaho 19th. Idaho may be one of the few states I have never been to. Looks like there is a road trip in my future!

I did a little research, and learned that Idaho's nickname is the "Gem State", because nearly every known type of gemstone has been found there. Cool. Additionally, Idaho is sometimes called the "Potato State", owing to its popular crop. Armed with these facts, and the fact that this is the 60th anniversary of Mr. PotatoHead, I tried to come up with a cool design involving Mr. PotatoHead and gems. No luck. Mr PotatoHead turned out to be too difficult in this scale. Darn. So I decide to run with the whole "Gem State" thing.

A little more research led me to "Gemstones from Heaven". I found the following info: "Terry Clark of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho claims that he witnessed gemstone's falling into his yard from heaven. In addition, Terry claimed that on several occasions he received gems as the result of angelic visitation. His church, The Gateway Fellowship of Coeur d'Alene Idaho, has identified this particular angel as "Emma" and noted that she is associated with prosperity." Wow. Gemstones and angels!!! Decided not to use this, but still found it worth sharing.

I decided the best way to pay tribute to the "Gem State" was to cover it with various gemstones. I like it. Hope you do.