Craft Night

“You know what we should do?” My sister’s eyes twinkled. “We should have a craft night!”

She practically choked on the last word as our mum and the two of us burst out laughing. That innocent line had been our mantra, and cause for much mirth over many years.

There were some fine craft shows in the three months leading up to Christmas. Most years we were able to attend at least one.

Snowmen and Santas. Angels and stars. Shepherds and crèches.

Wreaths and bells. Teddies and dollies. Trucks and trains.

Wood and wool. Wire and wheels. Fabric and lace. Stuffing and string.

It made one giddy to see all that selection and choice.

“Mum, look! Isn’t it sweet? And, it’s sooo soft!”

“Oh, my goodness! How can anyone charge that much for that bit of stuffing and fur?”

“But…”

“Denise, I’m sure we could make something even better and for much less. We should have a craft night.”

Over the years the same scenario was played out hundreds of times. We didn’t even have to say the words out loud! “We should have a craft night!”

And “craft” we did. Between us, my mum, sister and I made teddies and teddy clothes, dollies and dolly clothes, various and varied Christmas ornaments and decorations, knitted and crocheted sweaters and cardigans, vests, afghans, pillow covers, baby booties, mitts and socks.

We sewed Halloween costumes, toys, pillows, pillow covers, clothes, clothes and more clothes. We embroidered and cross-stitched and tatted and painted.

We baked everything from Christmas fruit cakes made in October so they could set and taste just right, to candy and cookies, play-doh, clay and shrink plastic.

We didn’t always live close to each other and made many things on our own. Then there were the fun times when we had our “craft nights” and afternoons and days and worked our hands raw preparing enough “stuff” for our own table at a craft and/or bake sale.

Were our attempts always perfect? Did everything always sell? Was our quality superb? Well…of course! How can you even ask such questions?

Even today wandering alone through the gift shops or enjoying a local craft sale I still hear my mum say, “We should have a craft night!”

Let’s journey together.

© 2009 Denise Budd Rumble

Little Flower Garden

I stayed in the house far too much yesterday. I have something that needs to be done really soon, so I stayed in to work on it. As I began making a late supper I realized I had almost entirely missed a glorious summer’s day. So, I picked up my camera and went outside to enjoy the waning of the day.

Our little flower garden drew me, as it always does. Bobbing heads and colours mingling with the sundry shades of green.

Each flower so different.

Each flower so detailed.

Intricate patterns painted on such a fragile canvas.

Multitudinous petals fashioned to make one little flower head clustering with many others to form a soft carpet of beauty.

Sturdy stalks display familiar orange tiger lilies – familiar, yet far from common.

Bright sunny yellows, sunset orange, fragile white and pink, deep reds and soft lavender – these colours fill my senses.

Such creativity in these few flowers, such diversity of shape and colour and size and design. So lovely. So fleeting.

If God grants such detailing and beauty to a wee flower whose lifespan is measured in days, surely He grants the same to us.

Creativity, beauty, intricate detailing and careful planning have gone into our design.

Some days we may feel like a design run amuck. but we have a Creator who made us with love and cares for us with understanding and compassion. Regardless of how we feel, in His eyes we are precious. We are beautiful.

© 2008 Denise Budd Rumble