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Joyce’s birthday
I had the MOST fun last week…. my beloved sister-in-law, Joyce, was born the same day (different year) than my hubby. It makes remembering birthdates easier! And best friend Marie was born two days later… all late May. Ya think I collect Geminis? Well, I had NO idea what to get Joyce. You see, I have known her for 44 years…. since I was 6 (or thereabouts). Yet we have never lived in the same town. We have always gotten to know each other through letters (the old fashioned written kind), then after I was grown up, through occasional phone calls and now e-mail (a lot). But when you aren’t near someone, you don’t always know how they spend their days, what they have in their house, or their favorite clothes. Add to that the fact that her passions are her garden, her dog, and my late brother. Hmmm….. hard to send plants via the mail…..
Then I had a lightbulb moment! Joyce has worked for Toyota headquarters for 30 years and is contemplating retirement. And I have been having a good time delving into the several mountains of accumulated magazines and books (the last year hasn’t been a good one for staying anywhere NEAR caught up on reading). One book is The Decorated Page by Gwen Diehn (click on the title to see the book at Amazon). SO…. I thought Joyce might like a new thing to do in retirement, or at least a notebook in which to make lists…. so here’s what I made for her:
I made her the bag not quite big enough to fit the book, but you could squeeze a magazine in, and definitely big enough to hold the notebook and stuff! I sent a copy of The Decorated Page, a 5 x 8 sketchbook (with a batik fabric fused to the cover to make it prettier) into which I drew a few things, a set of sketching pencils, Neocolor II water-soluble sticks–like a pastel, nicer than a crayon, easy to use, a waterbrush (think fountain pen meets paintbrush… fill the handle with water, squeeze and it drips out the felt tip allowing you to paint), a glue stick, an eraser, and some laminated cards to use with the notebook.
Here is what Joyce found when she opened the notebook:
and
Since Joyce might never have used some of these things, I told her about the book I’d enclosed:
Following Diehn’s advice, it is sometimes easier to begin when the page isn’t blank, so I decorated a few for her here and there through the journal:
… and I showed her what each of the items does:
And finally, I have her a few ideas about what to do in the book…after all, all those blank white pages can be intimidating!
I can’t remember having such fun with a putting together a gift….. best of all, she really enjoyed receiving it!
June 12th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
What a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing.
June 12th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
What a lovely idea. I am so pleased that Joyce liked her present!
June 12th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Sarah – What a fabulous gift! I enjoyed reading every single bit of what you included, from the bag, to the notebook, to the art supplies (I love the Neocolors as well and the waterbrush – too fun!). I’ve been trying to think of a gift for one of my best friend’s birthday and was coming up blank (she has everything already). I’m making a list of the top 55 Reasons She’s Such a Great Friend (because she’s turning 55), and now I’ll include some of your other goodies as well. Thanks for sharing!
June 13th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Delightful! You are so generous and creative. (I would have tossed in a chocolate kiss or two, just for sustainance!)
June 13th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
What a great gift! Sarah, where do you get this fabulous ideas? Thanks for sharing.
June 14th, 2008 at 9:37 am
What a delicious read you gave me this day! The journal, the shutters, the shop, and the hints on bad shop ettiquette. Thank you – I’ll be back.
Oh, and the beach salad goodies? I thought it WAS a quilt! LOL
June 17th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Sarah, You are such an well spring of inspiration! I check your blog almost daily and you inspire me so much! I’m ordering the Decorated Page book now! Sounds like super summer fun! Thanks for being you!
June 17th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
One question – As I went to Amazon to order, I found the other book, Decorated Journal. I’m wondering if you’ve seen that one and what the difference in the two would be, is there an overlap of information? Just curious what the “Sarah Ann Smith Book Club” has to say about that one? Thanks Sarah!