Sweet Tooth: Holiday Baking
Traditionally, I do a bit of baking for a few relatives, friends, & neighbors. The added challenge this year? A newborn & very little sleep! However, I really do enjoy it, so I made time…& carried the baby in his Bjorn carrier while I rolled dough & sprinkled sprinkles!
Creative recovery project: Holiday Baking
On the menu:
-Shortbread Kiss Cookies
-Molasses Gingersnaps
-Sugar Cookies with Red Sugar Sprinkles
Happy holidays & merry moments of creativity 😉
Chapters (Week 52)
I’m home now a week from the hospital, adjusting to a new life with a child. I won’t lie and say all is bliss or some miracle mother’s intuition kicks in & I suddenly have all the answers. No, but the mess is lovely & organic & challenges me to live one step at a time, one day at a time, to listen to my body & my baby, to treasure the joys & patiently wade through the difficulties. I strive toward kindness toward myself, my baby, my husband, my dog. While rest eludes me in this stage, I find strength in the Higher Power of my understanding & in taking a moment to breathe, pause, smile, & recall all I have to be grateful for & how far I’ve come already.
This week’s creative project: Capturing the moment
I have completed my creative recovery goal, posting a creative project each week for a year. As this chapter closes, & a new one opens, I look back over a year of the fulfillment of creating with my hands and finding encouragement all along the way. Though my posts will be less frequent this coming year, I look forward to continuing to share my creative journey of recovery with you.
My Beloved is Born (Week 51)
This week, my post is simple. There is no more astounding, no more complex, no more artful a creation than a child. I am humbled & grateful to share with you this week as I introduce my son.
This week’s creative miracle: Asher
Halloween & Pregnant (Week 50)
Lots of fun & excitement gearing up for my baby’s arrival in a week. So, naturally, I wanted to take advantage of my round belly on the closest holiday to his birth–Halloween! I typically don’t have occasion to dress up & celebrate this holiday, but good friends in recovery invited us to a party, so my husband & I decided to attend & the pregnancy costume ideas began stewing!
This week’s creative project: Pregnancy costume, Wilson the Volleyball from “Castaway”
Easy as pie, I used a paper plate, craft paint, & raffia to create my Wilson volleyball. I used elastic craft line to tie him comfortably around my stomach. My husband was a team player & accompanied me as Tom Hanks’ character. It was a fun way to celebrate recovery with friends, creativity in costume, & silly excitement for my pregnancy figure (that isn’t always something I can enjoy or take or take pride in).
Hope you all had a happy & safe Halloween!
Wooden Quotation Boxes (Week 49)
Making gifts for others throughout this year in “creative recovery” has been one of the greatest joys of this endeavor. Recently, a number of my dearest friends blessed me with 2 baby showers to celebrate my son, who is a true gift of my recovery. Without God, my program of recovery, & the loving, safe support of these incredible friends, I’m confident this pregnancy could not have taken place.
To attempt to thank them & express my deep gratitude, I created for them some special & personalized gifts.
This week’s creative project: Wooden Quotation Boxes
I purchased unpainted wooden shadow boxes. After painting them, I gathered twigs to fit each one, printed meaningful quotations on canvas, & added hangers to each box. Using hot glue and small copper tacks, I affixed the twigs & quotations in each box.
For my friends who received these, I hope you know even a fraction of what you mean to me & how deeply you’ve blessed me and little Asher 🙂
Ink Stamp Thank-You Cards (Week 48)
In the midst of family illness, pregnancy complications, and general emotional strain, I am finding I have MUCH to be grateful for these days. In this deep place of gratitude, I was finding a need to express my thanks to many.
This week’s creative project: Ink Stamp Thank-You Cards
A simple project to be sure, I purchased some blank stationary at Michael’s (on sale, yay!), a fun stamp, and an ink pad.
First, I tested the ink & stamp. With full coverage, I set to stamping a handful of blank cards with a fun, typewriter stamp. When dry, I added a simple, handwritten “Thanks!” to each one.
Done & done 🙂
Greeting Card (Week 47)
My sister is pregnant with a baby girl, & to accompany some baby gifts, I wanted to make her a special, custom greeting card.
This week’s creative project: Baby Greeting Card
I recently picked up some blank card stock & envelopes from Michaels. I then gathered up other fun supplies from my craft shelves: floral paper, twine, colored pencils, mini clothespins (aren’t these just too cute!).
I trimmed out a tiny onesie from the floral paper, strung the twine through as a clothesline, then pinned the onesie in place using the wooden pins. Super easy & now I can add a unique touch to my sister’s gifts 🙂
