Valentine's Day Gift Idea - Sweet!

by Mare Ball at ADVENTURES in the BALLPARK

Valentines Day is around the corner, and I have a cute craft to show you.  You can make it for your hubby, his office, your office, your child's teacher, a doctor's office, anybody to whom you'd like to say "I love you" or "I appreciate you."  I saw one in my dentist's office yesterday.   I finished my own tonight.  It's that easy and quick.

This sweet candy jar is made from a Terracotta flower pot with saucer and a glass bowl I got at the dollar store - for a dollar.  The flower pot was 59 cents, the saucer 77 cents, both at Home Depot.  The top knob was three dollars.  I used paint and ribbons I had on hand, so my total for this was $5.36.

Here's the back side, which exhibits a smaller bow, if that's what you prefer. 

As this is not a craft blog, I demonstrate how to make this candy jar on my blog here: DIY CANDY DISH.  Check it out if you're looking for something fun and easy and sweet for Valentine's Day.   I'm already working on another one.  By changing the ribbon and the type of candy inside, this little gem can be used all year 'round.

I won't be posting until after Valentine's Day, so I'm hoping you are blessed on the 14th.  I hope you get some hugs and some chocolate and maybe some surprises.  There's nothing wrong with a holiday that forces us to be thoughtful and kind for a day.

I thank God that He first loved us.  Without His investment in the human heart, we would never know what love truly is.

 

Green Friday

by Mare Ball

In the world of retail, today is Black Friday.   My husband, who is a manager for Home Depot, went to work at 3 a.m.  My son, who works for Gucci, headed to work at midnight last night.  Me, not in retail, I snuggled in my bed until eight this morning.  I felt absolutely gluttonous.

I'm not a Black Friday girl.  Shopping is burdensome enough to me, let alone shopping with everyone else on the planet.   I did some baking today and pulled out some Christmas crafts.  I worked on THE BOOK, and I made this.

It's a fire-proof advent wreath. 

Advent starts Sunday and marks the four Sundays approaching Christmas.  It's a time of preparation.  Not for Santa, but for the Christ child.  Every Sunday, a candle is lit.  The candle can burn throughout a meal, or during a time of devotional prayer; then, it's distinguished.  On the second Sunday, the first candle is re-lit, and a second candle is lit.  This little ceremony is repeated every week, eventually lighting all four candles.

We always had an advent wreath when I was growing up.  Now that my parents are in assisted living, they can no longer have a wreath because they can't have fire in their suite.  This makes sense, of course, but they miss this tradition.

So, I made a cardboard/construction paper wreath they can hang on their door.  It has Velcro "fire" stars they can apply to the appropriate candle/s when needed.  It warmed my heart to be able to create something that enables them to still celebrate advent in a tangible and familiar way.

As I cut and pasted green leaves, I enjoyed the peace of my own home.  I was grateful we'd had a nice Thanksgiving, and I was looking forward to Christmas.  I was happy I was not circling the mall parking lot looking for a parking space, or standing in a winding line waiting to check out.

When the wreath was done, I savored a cup of green tea and ate some homemade biscotti.  Then, I took a nap.   So far, it's been a lovely day.

What color is your 'black' Friday?

(If you'd like to see how I made this wreath, click HERE.)