A Real Keeper…

A Real Keeper…

Hi there,

Thanks for popping in.

I’ve been wrapping presents and generally preparing for Christmas. You know, unwrapping the ornaments, getting all those lovely candle holders out, those beautiful things which only come out in December.

I came across this little box, carefully and lovingly wrapped, waiting patiently to be brought out again. It’s been in the Gray’s Christmas treasure chest for years.

Starting with the lid, each side sports one of the Twas the Night stamps.

And when you lift the lid off,

… the sides fall open, to reveal a secret wood.

And inside the woodland, there are loads of little snowmen!

You know that fusible fibre we were using yesterday? Well, here in the inside of the box,  you can see the film being used.

What a beautiful keeper, eh? I am not even sure of the maker, but I have a hunch it was Jane Telford who made this beauty. Are you the artist, Jane? Pray do tell!

 One thing’s for certain. This wonderful gift comes out to play every year.

It sits in the living room, waiting for somebody to open the lid…

All hail to the crafting community! We make beautiful things, and we truly appreciate the time and skill involved in making these beautiful things. The house is full of gifts from arty friends. I never throw them away. Got boxes of cards too! Just can’t bear to part with them, because I KNOW how much time and love have gone into them.

Time to go make a few cards and gift tags myself !! Thank heavens for the Fresh Cut Dies! For a chick in a spin, that’s the closest to handmade it’s going to get this year!

Love & Hugs,

Barb

xxx

26 thoughts on “A Real Keeper…

  1. How beautiful. Being the kind and generous person you are would you mind if I attempt to make something similar for next Christmas? We have our first great-daughter due in February, it would make such a lovely keepsake for her.

  2. What a beautiful treasure. So many hours of caring and love have gone into it. To me, that is what Christmas is all about. Our tree has ornaments as old as me, others that I bought as a child, including a glittered bird and nativity which I re-glitter every so often. They are memories I treasure. xxx. Maggie

  3. Thanks for the pine tree stencil came in very handy for some of my gift cards when I ran out of ideas, plus all my Christmas cards were made with fresh cut dies,
    Merry Christmas to you all.

  4. A treasure indeed. I will certainly be using my collection to make a gift for my newest Great Niece. It will be next year now when she is old enough to appreciate the poem. Just about to go out to dinner with #2 son and his girlfriend as they arrived home late last night.

  5. What a wonderful gift to your family – thank you for sharing it with us.
    Since we moved here four years ago Christmas has not been the same for many reasons, but this year I was determined to make it as near perfect for us as I could. EVERYTHING was finished by Tuesday last week, cards posted, trees up, shopping done and all I have to do now is collect the turkey etc. and fresh fruit and veg.
    Been thinking about starting Valentine and Easter cards
    as soon as the holiday is over. Time goes by so fast we dare not delay!!!
    Have a good evening. 🍒

  6. A beautiful box – I wouldn’t know where to start ! A blog on that would be great – Jane if it’s you !! X. I’ve just made a couple of small boxes this afternoon to put the kids’ cheques in, amongst their wrap up pressies – which I’ve finished this afternoon. I have a couple of cards still to do but the fresh cut dies will be great for that ! I need to do a few gift tags too as I’ve just run out ! X

  7. What a beautiful box and no surprise that you treasure it. I agree that the best things are those made with love. I have a pin box with a pincushion lid, which my daughter made for me when she was 9 years old. I still use it constantly and my daughter is now 44. Treasured memories indeed.
    I made a great big blooper today 🤪 I have been keeping a list for the treasure hunt in a draft document, which I update daily. Well today, I meant to move it and pressed SEND by mistake!! Aargh! It only had 15 products on it – how stupid am I?
    I know that I am a complete technophobe, so should have written the list and then typed the e mail, but I thought that I would be clever. It didn’t work!
    No wonder I still have a dumb phone and not a smart one, as it would be much smarter than me. Hugs Annette x

  8. Hi Barbara.
    It’s a beautiful box but I was not the one to make it!!! It’s fantastic!
    I love getting the family treasures out at Christmas… Mostly things that Amy made at primary school…. But also special things that people have gifted me come out too!!!
    So your mystery continues. Maybe whoever made it might just see it and claim it as their amazing artwork!
    Love and hugs! Xxxx

  9. Beautiful little box remember making a few of those few years ago but what good idea with those wonderful stamps show casing them all in there in there beauty. Of to our church carol concert soon make us feel more like Christmas still struggle a bit this time of year. Have to carry on though love Joy x

  10. What a beautiful little box – could it be a Dee special?? It is nice to have special decorations to bring out each year, lovely family heirlooms to treasure. I can’t wait to have the grandchildren over on boxing day and watch their excitement as they open their presents. Enjoy your evening. Xxx

  11. my daughter has just finished ‘an exploding box’ using the twas the night Groovi plates for a friends little girl. We can put details up when it has been given if anyone wants them.

  12. Hello Barbara
    What a beautiful box. I hope the very talented creator puts their hand up. Something I would like to do for next year.
    Love
    Roz xxx

  13. Hi Barb,
    What a lovely little box. I’m not surprised that it is a family treasure. I have baubles that were bought for me when I was a little girl ( many years ago), that are lovingly put on the tree each year and then carefully wrapped again for the next year. They are so delicate being made out of glass. A couple are broken in places but I can’t bear to part with them. I have to say I made all of my cards using dies this year apart from one for Dave and one for my sister that were Groovi. Love and hugs,Alison xxx

  14. Hi Barb,
    What a gorgeous little box – I’m not surprised that it is a family treasure. I have to say that I have some baubles that were bought for me when I was a little girl ( many years ago). They are unwrapped carefully each year and hung on the tree and then very carefully wrapped again ready for the next year. Some of them are broken being made out of delicate glass, but I can’t bear to part with them. I made all of my Christmas cards using dies this year apart from one for Dave and one for my sister that were Groovi. Have to say, it was so much quicker! Love and hugs,Alison xxx

    1. Hi bloggy friends,
      Hope weather has improved wherever you are – much better here today. Spent a lovely day at my Groovi class with Linda Page at Aycliffe CC. Actually almost finished my card today! Love and hugsAlison xxx

  15. What a fabulous gift and no wonder you keep it and bring it out every year Barbara as a lot of love, time and effort has gone into the making. I hope you find out who it was that made it too. x

  16. Isn’t that just the best feeling when you open the Christmas dec boxes full of love and traditions. Love the box, you have many special friends don’t you Barbara? 👩‍❤️‍👩👩‍❤️‍👩👩‍❤️‍👩
    This is our first christmas since both kids left home but thankfully they’re both coming home on christmas eve/day so the christmas eve treasure hunt & christmas morning treats & traditions will still live on, thankfully. So long as the Queen remembers to turn up too. 👸🏼

  17. Have just got back from an
    ” early Christmas ”
    With some of the family as due to work commitments unable to be with them. It was fantastic 14 of us sat down to Christmas dinner last night reminiscing of Christmas past, such fun.
    They all loved their Groovi cards, almost as much as the money inside !!!
    It is so lovely keeping up family traditions.

  18. That’s what I love about Christmas, the memories that come flooding back as I hang the special decorations on the tree. Some from relatives overseas, some bought for the children when they were small & others that I have bought from holidays abroad. Your exploding box is beautiful & a gift to treasure.

  19. What a beautiful box. I love getting out my tree decorations and remembering all the places I’ve visited where I’ve collected them from. Enjoy your special memories and time with your precious family X

  20. Absolutely beautiful, a gorgeous present made with love. What a treasure to bring out yearly. Nothing but rain here most of the day, think we’ll be needing web feet if this goes on. xxx

  21. Hi Barbara, it is a beautiful box and rightly treasured. Unfortunately I don’t have the stamps but I do have the full set of Groovi plates. So I set to work and made my two youngest grandchildren a book using all the plates. I also added extra little mice hidden throughout the pages and asked the children to see how many they could find on each page ( the answers are on a page at the back of the book). I hope it is as loved and treasured as much as your box Barbara;- maybe even passed down as an heirloom! xx

  22. Hello Barb, a beautiful item to treasure, really lovely work. I hope you find out who made it. We have many ornaments and decorations, that we have gathered from all over, which get packed in their own boxes or storage cases when it is all over. I hope my children cherish them when we are gone one day. Take care all. Bx

  23. Hi Barbara,

    The box is mine that I made for you in 2013.
    I thought it was mine but wanted to make sure.
    I found it on your December 2013 blog.
    It was a pure pleasure to make it for you but at the time did knot think it was very good.
    I wish you all at Clarity and your family a very happy and healthy new year.
    Love Nadia x

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