Stringing Memories

When I was wrapping a gift for my daughter, I wanted the outside to match the sentiment of the inside.
My family n' I have been called "snowbirds"-people from the North who temporarily reside in a warmer climate. My husband, son and myself are all from New England.  My daughter has always felt like she was the odd bird, out.  She was born in the south, in Florida, the only one with blonde hair, and she is a south paw.  Being a military family means temporary roots. Being bird like, we are always moving and building a new nest. We have been fortunate, to be here in North Carolina, for 9 years. We normally move every 3 years.  This is the gift, in case you are curious. Lana of Keoni Designs has many unique selections.  I wanted to wrap the gift, to symbolize her being part of our nest. We have told her she is. She knows she is ours and how much she means to us!   I thought she would treasure this unique locket.  You might remember I recently did a string challenge and made a nest. I wanted this version to be reflective of our family, our history. 

I used Buffalo Snow Flake sprinkles, about 1/4 c. and a tablespoon of Aleene's Tacky Glue. The snow flakes are shredded polyester fibers, think sheer iridescent gift wrap and more. I mixed it all together and shaped it into a ball. Then I pushed the center to form a nest. I let it dry on wax paper, overnight.  I added 3 pearls, representing the snowbirds. You can add a dot of glue on the bottom of nest to hold the pearls in place.  Then added touches of string.  I used burlap to wrap it and added some Martha Stewart yarn.  I used double stick tape to hold the burlap to the gift box.  i glued on the nest with the crafter's glue.




I hope she will love it!   Have you given or received gifts with sentiment?  How does it make you feel?

Laurie of Imaginary Garden wanted us to do a 5 minute poetry prompt using the word ecstasy.



Random bits in world’s window
shine like iridescent gems
go collect life’s pearls
some tarnished, some shiny, some chipped n’ dull
string your memories
like molecular stars
collect
the
ecstasy 
of 
your
reflective
joy











Comments

Laurie Kolp said…
I love the necklace and beautiful "bow"... I'm sure your daughter will love it.

Thanks for participating. The poem carries over your joy of giving such a thoughtful gift.

Merry Christmas!
Ella said…
Merry Christmas Laurie! Thank you, I think she will be pleased~
Kay L. Davies said…
You are SO talented. I love the whole idea, the nest, the snowbirds, the burlap, and the poem. Wow.
I hope your Christmas season continues to be this beautiful, and the warmth in your hearts continues throughout the coming year.
Luv, K
Sherry Blue Sky said…
Beautiful, Ellie. Gift, poem and package. Just lovely. Have a great Christmas.
Janet Martin said…
This whole gift is simply beautiful..she will cherish it more and more as time passes...Gifts like this can't help but be that way.

Ella, I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, with all your friends and loved ones near!

My hubby will make it home for Christmas Eve:)
Liza said…
The effort demonstrated by you wrapping is evidence of your love. Beautiful!
Fireblossom said…
That snowman header is the cutest thing ever.
Carol Kilgore said…
So pretty. I'm sure she's going to love it.

Merry Christmas!
Janet Martin said…
Ella,(quick reply) I am so happy I found your blog! You are a very gifted woman. Thank-you for everything...
Kerry O'Connor said…
I found this whole post to be so spiritually uplifting. Thank you for sharing your special joy with us, Ella.
Doctor FTSE said…
Your post and poem made my Christmas Eve.
All the very best.
Mary said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mary said…
I love sentimental gifts, those that have meaning to both the giver and the receiver. I am sure that this one will be treasured for years to come. It gave me chills really to read really...

And in your poem, I loved the idea of collecting life's pearls and stringing them into ecstasy. Beautifully written.

Have a Merry Christmas, Ella.
Martha Stewart has nothing on you, Ella! You are beyond creative.
Merry Christmas!!
I'm sure the gift will be greatly appreciated. Thanks for sharing this with us and that lovely poem

Happy Christmas Ella.

Yvonne.
Kristin said…
SO BEAUTIFUL!!! So elegant and etherial - I just love it! And your words are as lovely as always ;)
I just wanted to wish you and your family a very merry and bright Christmas! xoxo
Unknown said…
This nest is very beautiful. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Scarlett Clay said…
What a perfectly elegant winter nest! I love the sparkle of the snow and shimmer of the pearls, so so lovely!!! You know I love tiny things so I think this is just about the sweetest package ever!! Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

~Scarlett
Anonymous said…
It is beautiful, Ella - absolutely beautiful!
Marian said…
i love everything about this post. did your daughter like it??
Jules said…
I sure could have used you Christmas! My presents always look like they have been in war. :)

Hope you had a great holiday my friend.
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow
Ella said…
Jules-You are funny! Nothing wrong with that, it is the thought that counts ;D Hope your holidays were wonderful! Belated Wishes to you n' yours~

Marian-Thank you; she loved it! She also informed us, she sees us in the mirror, now and doesn't feel odd. She likes being different(I'm so thrilled, our differences are what set us apart). She has worn it everyday, so I know she loves it~ The nest is in her room, in a special spot!

Turtlememoir-Thank you; yes, I think she gasped, when she saw it.

Scarlett-Thank you, I think she loved the idea of it being snow and it sparkled! She loves little items, so I knew she would be pleased; she was! I didn't know that, but now I do ;D

Janelle-I hope yours was wonderful and filled with the magic of the season! Thank you~

Kristen-You are so sweet; thank you! I hope you n' yours had a wonderful day! I loved the photos of your daughter, so enchanting!

Yvonne-I hope yours was happy, too! Thank you!

Alex-You always make me smile! You are so fun~ In my dreams, but one can always keep trying ;D


Thank you Mary; I hope you and yours had a magical day~ Thanks for letting me interview you :D

Doctor FTSE-No, you made mine! Thank you, so much~

Kerry-Thank you,I so enjoyed giving this gift. It was my Christmas magic moment~

Janet-I feel the same way about you! I can't wait to read more of your work in the next year :D

Carol-Thank you, she did! I hope your day was so special!

Fireblossom-I love snowmen and all their charm; thank you!

Liza-I love your name, that was suppose to be my name ;D
Thank you, it didn't take long to make, but time to connect the dots.

Janet-I was so happy to read your comment and know this, a true gift to have him home! Enjoy your family and the season!

Sherry-Thank you, I had fun remembering all of the snow bird chatter. I hope your day was special, too~

Kay-Your words are beautiful! A true gift, thank you so much~
The warmth was felt, I wish for you the same! I hope that magic movie was a gift you received ;D
xo
uplifting is exactly the word I'd use here - you put so much into your blogs, it's great to read through them, and find that gem of a poem at the bottom - nicely done Ella :)
Ella said…
OT-Thank you and so kind of you to stop by! I will visit you soon~ :D
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