Mom - Crafts for the Church Bazaar

Tuesday - November 3, 2009

I want to share a post that has a happier overtone than my last posting!! The church that Mom attends is having its first ever Christmas Bazaar with most of the proceeds going towards the youth program. Mom has always made items for Christmas - usually crocheting gifts. I remember when we were in grade school, she would always crochet dollies for our teachers. The recipients were always thrilled with the gifts. It was not until I was older that I realized why they were so thrilled with the gifts - they were homemade!!! When Dad started working with wood and making small things, Mom would find a pattern she thought he would enjoy making, and between the two of them they would make, decorate, paint, stain, and then give them away as presents!!

Mom's eyesight has been slowly leaving her. She can crochet some patterns which now makes those gifts even more special. We always teased her saying she could crochet with her eyes closed!!! She wanted so badly to help make something for the Church's Bazaar. So, we came up with some plans on things she would be able to help make. She loved the reindeer necklace which was given to me years ago by a former colleague. She loved it so much I gave it to her. She asked me if I thought we could make some of these necklaces! She was able to stain the clothespins. I later painted the nose on each deer as well as glued the wiggly eyes on each. Then we both strung the clothespins, beads, and bells on the ribbon to make the necklace. She had a blast and whistled all day while we worked on these! This made all the hard work worth it!!!

Hope you enjoy the pictures of the progression of going from little clothespins to a reindeer necklace - by the way - she has already given at least three away! :):) This means we will be making more for the bazaar!!!!

Mom showing how I drilled the holes in the clothespins using my craft tool!

Mom staining the clothespins - she wore plastic gloves to keep from staining her hands! :):)

She concentrated so hard to make sure she covered every inch on the clothespin!

Making sure each was perfect!

. . . and she did a great job . . .

. . . all the clothespins stained and ready to be strung . . .

. . . Santa Red paint for the nose . . .

. . . Rudolf would be so proud . . .

. . . all now have a red nose . . .

. . . now the tedious job of gluing the wiggly eyes in place . . .

. . . "I see you!" . . .

. . . actually, they all see you . . .

. . . organization of the materials made the job of stringing the ribbons a lot easier . . .

. . . we used red and green ribbon . . .

. . . two of the finished necklaces . . .

Even though Mom did not make these completely by herself, she did enough to feel she has made a contribution to the bazaar! This has made her happy anad useful!!!