JB's Arts & Crafts

[JBtheExplorer]

Another one finished. You may notice something different about this one compared to others. (Not the yarn - which I'm still experimenting with, I may wrap it differently before all is said and done.)

I brought a blank piece of wood over to my grandma last week. She is, of course, up there in age. Her health is not what it once was, and her vision is getting worse all the time. I asked her if she'd write "Merry Christmas" for me and if she wanted to do more than that she could. She decided to do holly. So I gave her a pencil and she created it. Later on, my mom looked at it and said "you're going to touch it up, right?" Nope. I want it exactly as she drew it.

So, from there I brought it home and used my wood burner to engrave the entire thing. Every letter, every imperfection, and every oddity. I then painted the holly so it at least somewhat looked like that's what it's supposed to be. I also asked my grandma what color I should paint the background, and she said to leave it bare wood, so that's exactly what I'm doing.

For many years, it was tradition that she would buy me a christmas ornament every year. It was obviously a tradition that started when I was young, but even as I grew up, she'd still get me one many years. Eventually as she got out less and less the tradition came to an end. In a way, this revisits that tradition one more time. And it's no doubt my favorite of them all. Made by her, with a little help from me.

 

[j.w]

Another one finished. You may notice something different about this one compared to others. (Not the yarn - which I'm still experimenting with, I may wrap it differently before all is said and done.)

I brought a blank piece of wood over to my grandma last week. She is, of course, up there in age. Her health is not what it once was, and her vision is getting worse all the time. I asked her if she'd write "Merry Christmas" for me and if she wanted to do more than that she could. She decided to do holly. So I gave her a pencil and she created it. Later on, my mom looked at it and said "you're going to touch it up, right?" Nope. I want it exactly as she drew it.

So, from there I brought it home and used my wood burner to engrave the entire thing. Every letter, every imperfection, and every oddity. I then painted the holly so it at least somewhat looked like that's what it's supposed to be. I also asked my grandma what color I should paint the background, and she said to leave it bare wood, so that's exactly what I'm doing.

For many years, it was tradition that she would buy me a christmas ornament every year. It was obviously a tradition that started when I was young, but even as I grew up, she'd still get me one many years. Eventually as she got out less and less the tradition came to an end. In a way, this revisits that tradition one more time. And it's no doubt my favorite of them all. Made by her, with a little help from me.

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I so love what you did w/your grandma and it turned out beautiful and you can cherish it forever

 

[SarahT]

Another one finished. You may notice something different about this one compared to others. (Not the yarn - which I'm still experimenting with, I may wrap it differently before all is said and done.)

I brought a blank piece of wood over to my grandma last week. She is, of course, up there in age. Her health is not what it once was, and her vision is getting worse all the time. I asked her if she'd write "Merry Christmas" for me and if she wanted to do more than that she could. She decided to do holly. So I gave her a pencil and she created it. Later on, my mom looked at it and said "you're going to touch it up, right?" Nope. I want it exactly as she drew it.

So, from there I brought it home and used my wood burner to engrave the entire thing. Every letter, every imperfection, and every oddity. I then painted the holly so it at least somewhat looked like that's what it's supposed to be. I also asked my grandma what color I should paint the background, and she said to leave it bare wood, so that's exactly what I'm doing.

For many years, it was tradition that she would buy me a christmas ornament every year. It was obviously a tradition that started when I was young, but even as I grew up, she'd still get me one many years. Eventually as she got out less and less the tradition came to an end. In a way, this revisits that tradition one more time. And it's no doubt my favorite of them all. Made by her, with a little help from me.

View attachment 166608

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My #1 favorite story of this holiday season. Good job by both Grandma and you in the spirit of the season. Thank you for telling us.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

I'll tell ya, I was never more nervous using my woodburner than I was doing that one. It was important to me that I burned it exactly as it was. I was so concerned about accidentally straying off line. But it worked out in the end! I'm glad I came up with the idea, and its definitely something I'd recommend to others.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

I referenced the covered bridge painting I made a few years ago and made a wood burned ornament out of it.

I also experimented with making a dogwood twig star. I cut the stems back in October. No idea if they are dry enough or will continue to shrink, but at least for now it turned out ok.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Just wanted to give an update. Pardon me while I derail this thread for a moment.

My grandma passed away on December 21st. I didn't know or expect it at the time, but the day I brought this ornament idea over to her turned out to be the last time I'd see her. She never got to see the finished product. I'm so thankful that I remembered to bring that piece of wood over that day. I nearly forgot it on my way out the door.

As you can imagine, this made Christmas a lot different than expected. But it was ok. There was no doubt that it was her time to go and that does make it easier to accept. She was one of the most important people in my life. Not only was she a big part of my childhood and tied to so many of my favorite memories growing up, I've also visited her every week for the past 16 years. We'd have dinner together at the table. We'd talk about whatever was new. I'd show her the photos that I've taken - she always looked forward to seeing them. I helped take care of her gardens for awhile after she couldn't anymore.

Like me, she was also into craft making, although what she made was a lot different than what I do. A lot of the crafts I've made over recent years were for her, and she always enjoyed receiving them. And everything you've seen in this thread that I painted was made with her paint. When she realized her craft making days were over, she gave me all her paint and brushes - and she had a ton of it.

Even though she didn't get to enjoy one more christmas day, she did get to enjoy her christmas decorations this year. We put her tree up just before Thanksgiving in a different spot this year and she absolutely loved it. The thing about dementia - you knew when she really liked something because she couldn't stop telling you how much she liked it. And I agree with her. Her skinny tree did look really good in this corner this year.

She lived a long, full life and I'm thankful she was apart of mine for so long.

 

[j.w]

Just wanted to give an update. Pardon me while I derail this thread for a moment.

View attachment 166753

My grandma passed away on December 21st. I didn't know or expect it at the time, but the day I brought this ornament idea over to her turned out to be the last time I'd see her. She never got to see the finished product. I'm so thankful that I remembered to bring that piece of wood over that day. I nearly forgot it on my way out the door.

As you can imagine, this made Christmas a lot different than expected. But it was ok. There was no doubt that it was her time to go and that does make it easier to accept. She was one of the most important people in my life. Not only was she a big part of my childhood and tied to so many of my favorite memories growing up, I've also visited her every week for the past 16 years. We'd have dinner together at the table. We'd talk about whatever was new. I'd show her the photos that I've taken - she always looked forward to seeing them. I helped take care of her gardens for awhile after she couldn't anymore.

Like me, she was also into craft making, although what she made was a lot different than what I do. A lot of the crafts I've made over recent years were for her, and she always enjoyed receiving them. And everything you've seen in this thread that I painted was made with her paint. When she realized her craft making days were over, she gave me all her paint and brushes - and she had a ton of it.

Even though she didn't get to enjoy one more christmas day, she did get to enjoy her christmas decorations this year. We put her tree up just before Thanksgiving in a different spot this year and she absolutely loved it. The thing about dementia - you knew when she really liked something because she couldn't stop telling you how much she liked it. And I agree with her. Her skinny tree did look really good in this corner this year.

View attachment 166756

She lived a long, full life and I'm thankful she was apart of mine for so long.
View attachment 166754

So very sorry to hear of your grandma's passing. You showed how much you loved her in all that you did and said here w/your decorations and many comments on how much she meant to you. Remember all the good times and keep on w/your crafting and enjoying life to it's fullest

 

[BKHpondcritters]

OH, JB, I'm so very sorry to hear that your Grandma passed - especially this close to Christmas. The love you showed her will be carried in *both* your hearts for ever more.

I never had a close relationship with any of my grandparents. You are so blessed to have had her as an important & influential person in your life. (((Hugs))) to you during what is assuredly a most difficult time.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Made a couple more things.

Gave my mom this caribou for christmas.

And I made this mini picture frame ornament on christmas eve. I put one of my northern lights photos in it. I kinda like the mini frame idea and I might do more with that in the future.

 

[SarahT]

Just wanted to give an update. Pardon me while I derail this thread for a moment.

View attachment 166753

My grandma passed away on December 21st. I didn't know or expect it at the time, but the day I brought this ornament idea over to her turned out to be the last time I'd see her. She never got to see the finished product. I'm so thankful that I remembered to bring that piece of wood over that day. I nearly forgot it on my way out the door.

As you can imagine, this made Christmas a lot different than expected. But it was ok. There was no doubt that it was her time to go and that does make it easier to accept. She was one of the most important people in my life. Not only was she a big part of my childhood and tied to so many of my favorite memories growing up, I've also visited her every week for the past 16 years. We'd have dinner together at the table. We'd talk about whatever was new. I'd show her the photos that I've taken - she always looked forward to seeing them. I helped take care of her gardens for awhile after she couldn't anymore.

Like me, she was also into craft making, although what she made was a lot different than what I do. A lot of the crafts I've made over recent years were for her, and she always enjoyed receiving them. And everything you've seen in this thread that I painted was made with her paint. When she realized her craft making days were over, she gave me all her paint and brushes - and she had a ton of it.

Even though she didn't get to enjoy one more christmas day, she did get to enjoy her christmas decorations this year. We put her tree up just before Thanksgiving in a different spot this year and she absolutely loved it. The thing about dementia - you knew when she really liked something because she couldn't stop telling you how much she liked it. And I agree with her. Her skinny tree did look really good in this corner this year.

View attachment 166756

She lived a long, full life and I'm thankful she was apart of mine for so long.
View attachment 166754

I am so sorry to hear of your loss, and what a lovely and loving written post. May peace be with you.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

Oh, I almost forgot to share the Blue Angel & Thunderbird coaster I made for my dad. We always go to the airshows together so I thought this would be a good one for him.