Gifts and giving

This summer has been another summer of weddings.  With weddings came knitting.  Since both my husband and I are makers, wedding gifts are mostly things that we make.  I was inspired by Sailor Jerry’s tattoos for these pieces.

This my version of a 3D tattoo.  I knitted two little sparrows and made little Fimo beaks.  Found some paper that I pulled out of a recycling bin a few years ago for a background and the clouds.  The hearts are a little larger version of Mochimochi’s heart pattern.  I hand stitched the happy couples names on a piece of wool felt from the fabric stash I inherited from my grandmother.

The boxes I found at Packaging Specialties.  The ladies there are so nice.  There are so many reasons to go to that store.  Amazing packaging, ideas, inspiration and friendly people.  

I love giving and receiving hand made gifts from people.  As someone who makes things, it is wonderful to get something that some one has hand crafted.  The time, thoughtfulness and talent all wrapped up in a bow.  I also try to make time at least once a month to send out a few packages filled with surprises to unsuspecting friends.  Yesterday I sent out a package to our artist friends in Staunton, Virginia.  The package contained a bag of Stumptown Yirga Chaffe coffee (one of my favorites), a box of Adrian Tomine‘s prints on postcards, a few little surprises and a note just to let them know I have been thinking about them.  Who doesn’t like getting something in the mail?  Especially if it is not a bill but a box filled with things that you may like.  Try it out some time.  I bet that it will make you happy and the person or people that you send it to.