Joys of Giving (Wedding Keepsake Box)

Recently, a dear friend of mine was getting married. I asked her if she would like me to do an album or help with any of the planning or activities for the wedding/reception and all entailed. Being a scrapbooker herself and appreciating the time involved in creating a scrapbook, she did say that she would like an album, which I have since begun (and will try to post pics of here when it's finally complete). In the meantime, as the bride was thinking about some of the projects we have done when we scrapbook together, she remembered some of the many keepsake boxes that I have crafted to hold all kinds of memorabilia and albums. As a result, the bride to be requested that I make an altered box to hold the cards on her gift table.

The picture above is the result of my creative ideas about keepsake boxes. The box has a velcro closure and a large tassel connected to the lid. The box is constructed of wood with a wrought iron base. The inside is lined in velvet with the edges in purple satin trim. The outside of the box is a modpodged collection of book pages, tissue paper, and bits of some of my favorite scrapbook papers with some black sewing trimmings. I think she liked her keepsake box to remind her of that wonderful day. For me, the delight came in the giving of a momento of her beautiful day and her comment on her wedding day to her new husband. "Maybe we should do the bedroom in purple…"

Now that the wonderful holiday season is nearly over, I have time to reflect on the joy of giving and how it shouldn't be appreciated just on the day of Christ's birth, but every day. Perhaps this should be a New Year's Resolution for 2014… to make a conscious effort to give something each day...

Christmas Decorating

I just added a few stems I got at the craft store to this plain green plant I had in my living room. I love how festive it looks! Maybe I'll add some white lights….