Brook’s Summer camp ended about a month ago and we’ve been using these last couple of weeks to gently transition into the new school year. Letting go of Summer isn’t easy.
Before letting go completely, I thought I’d show you a project that I just finished using Brook’s letters from camp. She has been going to the same camp for seven years now and every year our only communication from her is through letters. You can imagine how important these letters are to us. When we get one in the mail, Bill and I wait to read each letter together (confession: sometimes I can’t wait for Bill so I sneak a peak, but I mostly wait). It takes a lot for me to be this patient.
Here’s a look at the originals (one is a letter and one is a birthday card).
And here’s a look at what I made with them.
I made these house shaped ornaments using white sponges (purchased from Whole Foods) as the base.
I used a portion of Brook’s letter to make this one.
And I used a portion of her handmade birthday card to make this one. Inside the card Brook included a photo of the two of us along with some loving words (which I’ve saved for a possible future project). The house base is covered with the letter envelope (inside of envelope showing) along with a small strip cut from the card. I wanted to highlight the letter “M” for Mom, and I added the number 45 to represent my 45th birthday.
Here’s a closer look at both.
And of course I had to include the date on the backs.
If you’d like to make something similar, please keep in mind that I made color photocopies of Brook’s letter and card, and I also shrunk the size. While at the copy machine I made a couple of inverted image copies to be used as gel medium image transfers. I hope to get to these next week and will post the project details if they turn out any good.
BTW, I’m planning to hang the two houses on our Christmas tree. I’ve already been thinking about making Christmas ornaments. So I guess saying goodbye to Summer isn’t so hard after all!
9 Comments, Comment or Ping
As soon as I saw those, I thought of Christmas ornaments! What a sweet way to use the letters. May have to make a trip to Whole Foods to get some of those sponges. Thanks Becky!
September 14th, 2013
Oh Becky, these ornaments are such a touching way to preserve your daughter’s wonderful letters from camp. I love this type of memory keeping.
xo
jeanne
September 14th, 2013
Dear Becky –
What a sweet idea! My elder daughter and I are always doing little projects like this to ‘preserve’ a moment in time that is precious to us. And to see the little ‘works of remembrance’ hanging or sitting somewhere brings back the happy thoughts of another day and reinforces our love for one another. Thanks for sharing these with us!
September 14th, 2013
what a really lovely way to keep those mementos and preserve them so that they will be on display and bring back those loving words each time you see these. You are always so inspiring dear Becky.
September 14th, 2013
Hi Becky, All I can say is “ohhh”, so sweet. You may treasure this now but decades from now your daughter will treasure it too I’m sure. Such a sweet remembrance of an innocent time in her youth. You have shared such a wonderful creative idea with these letters.
September 14th, 2013
This is just the most loving and creative way to remember the special moments of life. How clever of you to use sponge for light-weight hanging capability yet with lots of texture. Brilliant Dear…
September 15th, 2013
You ladies are so lovely…thank you for sharing your sweet words.
September 16th, 2013
what a beautiful way to forever preserve those precious words from your sweet daughter. i adore this! i hope you are well.
September 18th, 2013
I am so uplifted by these pieces of your work! They are elegant in their simplicity. I have been collecting hear -shaped rocks, concrete, terra cotta, pebbles for several years. I never knew there was so much love from The Creator in the world around me. Thank you for sharing your soul with your artistry.
October 18th, 2013
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