Today is my dear Grandma's Birthday! What a great occasion to play with so many colors. We had felt, felt, felt and more felt strewn out across the floor while planning how this would all go together. I must say, each year my helpers grow more opinionated. With their growing opinions, grows both excitement in me, and the necessary amount of time to complete each project. I am finding that the success of our working together is directly related to how many tasks there are to be done, real tasks, not made up busy work tasks. So lots of labels are made, lots of different layouts are considered, and all hands are busy.
The vibrant colored felt is a wool rayon mix, found here. It is incredibly easy to work with and makes a fun banner with relatively little sewing. I hand appliqued the letters to add a bit more color and texture then attached the flags to a strand of jumbo ric-rac, no need for sewing edges, lining, turning etc.
Taking the time to craft handmade gifts for those that are dear to us offers such a sweet time of reflection. Through the crafting day I found myself telling little stories about my Grandma, as they popped into my mind. My Grandma comes off as such a gentle and sweet woman, and she is, but what I also know about her is that she is brave, adventurous and strong. She has lived so much of life it is astonishing and aw-inspiring. No, I don't mean much in relation to years, though that helps in the acquisition of so many experiences and wisdom, but I mean much as in the fullness. It seems to me that my Grandma is a woman who does not shy away from living this life in the best way possible, with a smile on her face, love in her heart, gentle hands, steady guidance (in a quiet way), authenticity, and simply by embracing the grandeur of a good life, in an amazing world.
Happy Birthday, Grandma. Thank you for the countless gifts you have given me, over my life time. Thank you for your gentle caring, sweet smile, happy laughter, sincere listening, unconditional love, and encouragement. We love you.
Singin' ...... Happy Birthday, Happy Happy Birthday...
We're in LOVE with you...
May happiness be near throughout the coming year,
and all the best to you...
So keep on smiling every day,
and may your troubles fade away and may you never, ever, ever be blue,
So happy birthday, happy, happy birthday to you!!!
