This week found He-Who and I heading down to the Niagara Region to run errands (usually this means pay bills), Christmas shop (so we have bills to pay) and visit family (which is hit and miss because we go on days like Tuesday). Our list of “errands” took us into the US which means I get to stop at my baby sister’s in the hopes of seeing her, my hysterical brother-in-law, my beautiful niece and my adorable grandniece. Did I mention it was Tuesday? The brother-in-law was working, my niece (who is about to become a nurse) was doing her clinical and little Ellee was off at her daycare. Luckily, my sister was home so I got to see her.
My sister’s house was decorated for Christmas and she handed me a bag of goodies from Ellee. It seems 3-year-old Ellee has been getting quite crafty and is making a lot of presents for her family. Inside the bag I found all kinds of treasures. These are a couple of my favourites.
As you can see, all of them are fridge worthy. Everything I pulled out of the bag made me smile more. They were all keepers.
Looking around at my sister’s home, I noticed that she still kept the little Angel/Elf I made her years ago when I was still in school. I made them for everyone that year and most of my family still have them. They were the silliest things but they remain one of my favourites.
Over the years I have made many gifts for my friends and family. They all have a Christmas tree with lights from my ceramic phase; they all have a hooked rug from the year I took that on; and they all have a thread painting from the years I studied Japanese thread painting (also known as Bunka). There were dolls, photos, puzzles and knitting. These were the gifts that people chose to keep. In later years when I had a good job and career (I know that’s a bit like a once upon a time fairytale) I bought expensive gifts but I bet neither they nor I can remember what they were. There is a certain magic to something into which you have put time, effort and maybe a drop of blood or two from a needle prick.
This is “Bunka” aka: Japanese Thread Painting
I can go to most of my family’s and a lot of friends’ homes and find something on display that I made for them. When we came home, I realized that a lot of the things I had hanging around were things that friends or family had made for me, or I had made myself. I tell you it is Christmas magic!
I may not see everyone I would like to see as often as I would like to see them. They all, however, have a little bit of me with them all the time, and I a little bit of them, through the things we have made for each other over the years.
The last thing in my bag of goodies from Ellee was this…
I pulled it out of the bag and looked at my sister questioningly. She said, “Oh, that’s your magic wand.” I wish you all could have seen the look on He-Who’s face when I instantly pointed it at him and said, “Disappear!”. It was magic!
Ellee finished her cookies
I can attest, Michelle! I still have and hang the Bunka art you made for us for our wedding 🙂
Wow! You have been married a long time. It has been a very long while since I picked up a bunka needle.
Ahh…this was so heart warming Michelle! I have such a small family. Just one brother and we’re not that close. Only one niece and nephew and one son. As I was typing this, I was thinking be grateful for what you do have. 🙂
Sherry, I have a plethora of family. I mean a lot. An abundance.
Once your son gets started on his family you will have all these wonderful pieces of art for your refrigerator.
He’s been going through a rough time since he was a teenager. He’s getting on the right track…but needs positive thoughts and/or prayers!
Something I can help with…positive thoughts and prayers. Count me in.
Thanks Michelle!
You’re so talented and crafty! Bunka needle? Why don’t I know about that?
What’s your next project? Here’s mine…sooooo easy. Toni
http://www.designsponge.com/2013/12/diy-project-mini-wreath-gift-tags.html
Really, I am not. I know where every mistake is on everything. I realized I sounded like I was so I think my next blog will have to be on the chaos that surrounds me when I take on a project. The only one I am good at (or use to be) is the bunka. I have three certificates in it including the teaching one.
Those tags look like fun. I may have to give it a go.
You have indeed a beautiful family. Hope things are going well for you all. Hugs
Thank you, Java Girl. I hope you and Adventure Boy are doing well. I have been thinking of youl
Thank you. We are doing well. Both of us have coughs. We’re just trying to take care of ourselves and relax these days. Today we got 6 inches of snow. No school for AB tomorrow!
I love this post. How lucky you are with your family!
I was just taking a break from pulling out and putting out my Christmas treasures. With the exception of me at one point in time, no one in my family is terribly crafts-y. But both John and I have collected all of our Christmas memories into boxes and boxes of stuff — each with a story of its own. I hug many things and hold them close as I unpack.
And you know, I really want one of those wands!
I know! The wand is pretty special. The rest of the day He-Who kept laughing and saying, “I can’t believe you said that.” To be honest I didn’t even think about it. It just came out of my mouth. Maybe I can get her to make a few more to share.
I love this post, Michelle. You’ve inspired me. I must make something now! Even if it turns out horribly. I’m hardly crafty, although I do enjoy the process of making things. That is magic, indeed. It comes from the heart. I would like one of those magic wands!
Thanks, Amy.
It would probably be against some child labour law if I put little three year old Ellee on an assembly line to make the wands but there seems to be a demand for them.
Ummm, beautiful … hand made objects woven with memories and love woven back through time to our earlier selves. ‘s wonderful little Ellee is into it too – continuing your family’s tradition. Wave that wand in every direction, Michelle. 🙂
Ellee’s Nana seems to keep her quite content with their “projects”.
Yes, my wand is getting a workout.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Wonderful! And that is how this time of year should be celebrated.
I love the Santa hat on your picture. It was the first thing I noticed. You look positively festive. And the crafts seem like such fun. I remember making Christmas cards with my young son. He drew, painted, and scribbled and we had so much fun.
Scribbling is always fun! It doesn’t have to be Christmas for that. There is something about the way a kid will just go at it with reckless abandon. We grownups could learn a thing or two.
Yours is a crafty clan, Michelle!
Thank you for allowing me to bask in the warmth of your family’s brilliance and generosity.
Merry Christmas, my friend.
Well, some of us are more crafty than others. I’m not that great but I like to try. I get big ideas and watch them turn to mush in front of my eyes wondering what went wrong?
Merry Christmas to you as well, Hook.
I love the Angel/Elf you made for your sister. It’s so cute!
Happy holidays,
Lesley
I’m surprised it hasn’t fallen apart after all these years.
I was surprised to hear about your move back to California. I thought you were quite happy where you were. I hope it is all good.
I LOVE the handcrafted sharing across friends and family – that really adds to the joy of the season. Although if you already bought me diamonds, I’m good with those, too.
I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t say no to diamonds either.
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Great Christmas thoughts. I know it’s all over now, but who wouldn’t want to have a magic wand? Besides I agree with you, there is something very magic to presents into which you have put time. Great post.
I have my “magic wand” up on my fridge so I can use it at a moments notice.
Thanks, Otto.
Nice work michelle. Now we must face the long days of winter and the few sunny days of christmas that you reminded us of will be used as a reminder of love and more. P.S. can you send me Paulsy”s phone number as I no can find?
Hugs, Budder
Thanks Bud.
From what I hear you are in the sunshine right now while we are dealing with -30 up here.
He has a new number and I will email it to you right now as I don’t want to post it here.