Who’s this?
Someone poised for a long postal journey to California . . .
Bearing a little heart and a message. He even has a matching card!
(He’s an owl, by the way; even though I know he looks kind of like a penguin with ears. I misjudged the shape of the face this time heh). I was originally going to send my new little friend off with a packet of cookies, but snow prevented me from getting to the grocery store on time that week, so my messenger went solo (well, except for his card). He’s made from a singleton, felted wool sock, acrylic craft felt, and stuffed with fabric scraps (including much of the rest of the sock) and rice in the butt to keep him sitting upright. I say “him” but I guess it could really be a “her,” too. I left the gender up to D to decide upon receipt. I’m pleased with my handiwork, though I could definitely have done a better job with making him look more like an owl. Thankfully the card looked a little more recognizably like an owl than the original; D did say he was a bit confused at first, but the reference drawing and verbal hints inside helped! [Update: D has informed me that the owl is a boy, and that his name is “Glimfeather,” after the owl who helped Eustace and Jill in The Silver Chair].
And look what I received in return! (Well, actually, his gift arrived first)
Orchids, D told me, not just for Valentine’s Day, but also for Chinese New Year’s day, which coincided with Valentine’s this year. I loved that he thought to send me something a little different than the standard roses. The orchids were beautiful and delicate and are only just now (a week later) beginning to droop. Speaking of Chinese New Year, since I always like to do a little something for my girl friends on Valentine’s Day, this year I made my roommates hybrid valentine-hong bao cards that consisted of little yellow cards with tigers on them inside little handmade red paper envelopes, and served them up with a big New Year’s dinner of dumplings and fried noodles. I eventually wrote their names on the origami hearts, but that wasn’t until after I’d already taken the picture:
Last but not least, a little Wonderland whimsy; one of my classmates’ birthdays is on the 14th of February, so someone hosted a Wonderland-themed tea party for her. I went dressed as the white rabbit (unfortunately I haven’t got a picture of my costume but I was pretty proud of it, since — with the exception of paper ears, white gloves, and a felt heart pin — I put it together almost entirely from things that were already in my closet), and brought the birthday girl (whom they dressed up as Alice) a little corsage of white paper roses painted red:
Unfortunately, the stem portion proved to be a little too scratchy and the curling ribbon would not hold the heavy corsage fast to her wrist. If I were to attempt this craft again, I think I’d use fabric (jersey from old t-shirts for the roses, perhaps, felt for the leaves, and satin ribbon for the tie) instead of stiff paper and tape!
You have been one creative lady! This is an impressive amount of crafting for just two months into the year.
Of course, all these being gifts, I enjoyed the thought you put into each one and the stories behind them. Your owl is finished very professionally!
Thanks, Charissa! I was in a hurry to get out the door before the post office closed when I sent the owl, or I would have taken a picture of the wrapping — it was very simple (white tissue paper tied with twine and a tiny red paper heart as a tag) but I was pleased that I got it to match the owl’s necktag. 🙂 I am sending another package later this week, so I’ll definitely take photos of the wrapping for that before I stick it in the mail. It just occurred to me that a lime-y theme might be appropriate (your fruit-inspired package helped). Your posts are so inspirational!
I like your description of the wrapping. I can definitely relate to the pleasure that comes from making tiny, coordinating red hearts (not from direct experience per se, but I think you know that part of me well enough from my posts)!
Thanks for your kind words. I enjoy sharing gift wrapping enthusiasm w/ you!
your owl *does* look like an owl – and incredibly cute too! you should post a tutorial someday on how to make one – it sounds so easy 🙂
Heehee. Thanks for the reassurance! I worried about it while it was in the mail and then my fears were partially assuaged when D called and said, “Your package arrived . . . thanks so much for the . . . it’s an owl, right?” I guess it helped that we’d had a conversation about his appreciation for owls earlier in the week. 🙂
Tutorial sounds like fun. Maybe someday if I have the time. I need to acquire another singleton wool sock first, though (which I’m hoping won’t happen anytime soon, but probably will since the sock monster in the dryer really likes eating my clothes . . .)
Super!!!!!! I like your owl!!!! I’m going to do it)))) Thanks a lot for idea!!!
From Russia with love))))
[…] Oak” Wood Pen with Copper Features NewEverything about all the bricks you can think ofValentine’s & Chinese New Year Crafts 2010 body { background-color: #f7fef9; […]