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