Sunday 15 November 2009

More Pressies

It's well into November and getting to the point where I'm producing Christmas presents in earnest. Having spent so much on crafting this year I have to ustify the expenditure by using my stash to make presents for everyone instead of spending more money on shop bought items. In truth it's something we have done since we were children and I love making special presents for the special people in my life.

This pressy is a Diary for my son Richard. He has a lot of pretty life threatening illness which he battles with every day so although this is a diary to help him remember his appointments (He has short term memery loss) it is also to help him record special moments in time every day.  I have been reading up on cognitive behavioral psychology and was struck by the idea that it is possible to change one's attitude towards a difficult life by changing the focus of your thoughts, instead of being focused on the negative things in your life, every day find one beautiful moment to be thankful for and record that moment so that on reading back through the diary in difficult times, one has a bank of positive memories to gain pleasure from.  Hope it helps him, might make one for me too!!

So here it is



It's a Poundland special again covered with copy paper and PVA left to dry then painted with gesso and acrylic paint put on with a baby wipe, stamped with some inspirational text n such and then given a good coat of spray varnish.

The tags I made earlier in the year using the same paints and thought they just finished it off.

Also made this little beauty which Janet showed us at the last craft class, I think it's a project she found on Splitcoast Stampers but it's a lovely little stocking filler

 
It's picture mountboard covered with paper and punched with the bind-it-all then decorated a touch and tied with ribbon.







Inside I've stamped a flower from Woodware Art Deco Set and coloured with SU inks and the calender was produced using a PrintCal program which is a freebie with a link on the Splitcoast blog


I've enjoyed the messy play, now I'm off to do some more. Hope you're all having fun and finding special moments in time.
x Michelle

12 comments:

Fiona said...

Stunning work Michelle, who would guess the diary started out in Poundland? The calendar is beautiful too. Wish I didn't have to go to work and could do more of this.
Fiona x

Sally H said...

Wonderful work, Michelle! Richard's diary is absolutely stunning and I love the calendar idea! I'm going to try my best to make a few more gifts this year, too. It eases the guilt!!!

lisa said...

You are so good making your own pressies Michelle. I think we all need to take a leaf out of your book. Your diary is just beautiful and I love the positive thoughts thing. Might have to try that one myself. Even when we don't have any problems it's all to easy to forget the good things in life isn't it!
Your calander is beautiful too.
Enjoy your week and thank you for your lovely comments as always.

Lisax

The Stamp Man said...

They are both beautiful presents Michelle, both will be so useful throughout the year too.

Jill x

Chris said...

Wonderful pressies Michelle, you really are getting so many done which is brilliant! Love the diary for your son, I think the idea behind it is superb and I'm sure he'll enjoy writing down his nice moments in something as lovely as this. Love the little calendar too. Chris x

Donna said...

Wow Michelle, two absolutely stunning projects and such great Christmas presents, I really do love the little calendar :) Donna x

CFLanger said...

Wow! Beautiful projects! I love the diary and I think it's a wonderful idea for all of us!

Question of Identity said...

These will make fantastic presents Michelle!

"was struck by the idea that it is possible to change one's attitude towards a difficult life by changing the focus of your thoughts, instead of being focused on the negative things in your life, every day find one beautiful moment to be thankful"

Of course such advice is totally insensitive! It's also very Biblical (but God can seem to be insensitive sometimes!)

"Sing O Barren women sing,
you who have never born a child
burst into song, shout for joy" Isaiah 54:1

No doubt you will remember a song we used to sing at Ecclesfield church:

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Refrain

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

Refrain

Bee and Dee said...

Lovely pressies Bee

PatR said...

Fabulous gift Michelle love the diary idea for Richard.
Pat xx

Kim Dellow said...

All such gorgeous presents and wonderful ideas, I think they are going to be much loved. Kim

Isabelle Norris said...

This is stunning !!! lucky him !
isax