Friday, September 21, 2007

Hand MAde Love

Talk not of wasted affection; Affection never was wasted.- H.W. Longfellow

I gave this painting to a friend.

I've never done something like that before.....I mean, give a gift made by my own hands. Through the years I've thought of doing so but would always hesitate. Instead, I'd buy a book or a pen or a flowery bowl or a plate or a set of drinking glasses or a bottle of wine...but nope..never dared give away anything hand made.The most I really creatively do is wrap the gift in whatever paper is around.

Yes..I do that....or used to do that. I'd tear a colorful striking page off from an old magazine and use it as a gift wrapper. I'd even scour for leaves and odd twigs and twirl something up to resemble a ribbon for accent.

One day it dawned on me that my personally wrapped gifts probably look corny..or worse..weird!

Thought that because as soon as I give my gift away I'd get back something wrapped so professionally. Made me cringe.....kinda' embarrassed...silly me to have handed out something that didn't have the distinctive mark of a department store.

Soon enough I built on the notion that the older I get the more sophisticated my gifts should be. Meaning, they should come from the right store, with the right branded tag, and should definitely be a certain price range. Luxie doesn't want to be known as a cheap gift giver. Foolish (older) gal'...

Ah'..but now..I think Luxie has come full circle.

You see, when I did this humble cascade of flowers, I truly had my friend R in mind. I thought of the 22 years of friendship we shared, and how "through thick an' thin" was our motto, and how we will always be friends through the years to come.Thing is....the more I thought about her the more the flowers bloomed...The more the flowers bloomed..the lighter I felt...

I admit...at one point I thought of dumping this for a retro flower vase instead. This painting wasn't good enough. What if she laughs..what if she doesn't like it..what..what..what...lots ov' whats! Well..I was tired of whats...( and pressed for time to shop) so I closed my eyes and finally just gave the flowery painting to her..The other night she sent me a message saying she liked it....I'm glad.

I'm glad because this coming December instead of buying anything I'm going to give away stuff I made with my own two hands. It doesn't matter if the recipient likes it or not ( but of course I'm banking that they'll do..)....that's not the point.

The point is.....

whatever I create will have my love wrapped with it as well..

And I'm thinking....that...a glass will break and jewelry can be stolen...but love I make and wrap and give away .... personally...

well....

will also be twice the gift coming back to me.

14 comments:

HLiza said...

I have always like to get hand-made gifts or cards..I can imagine how much love and efforts had been put into that. Also because I remember a tremendous sadness I felt when somebody I love just throw away the nicest card I painfully made at the age of 8! And that person didn't bother to check if I might see her doing that..

butterflygirl said...

Hand made gifts are always the best.

jac said...

Did anyone tell you that you are a peach?

That painting is beautiful luxie!

Who ever receives that gift is lucky... not because it is beautiful but because it is laced with your love for her.

I am looking forward to someone giving me a gift like that.LOL

Maithri said...

A beautiful painting - wrapped in love.

What more could anyone ask for?

Peace and light,

Maithri

Merisi said...

You are such a sweet soul, I am sure your handmade treasures will be received with love, too. :-)

Helene said...

I love it!!

I started giving my girlfriends paintings for each of their 40th birthdays... by that point, what do you really need? Having a personal gift is soooo much nicer! I would LOVE to get something that someone made just for me! I think that is why it was so exciting to me that /t. did a picture about my blog!

Anyway, you are a great friend!

Have a great weekend!

Synchronicity said...

i think this is a wonderful idea. i would almost always love and appreciate a home made gift as opposed to a store bought one. your painting is beautiful!

Amber Cargile said...

Oooh, can I get on your gift recipient list? ;-) I love your painting...you are so very talented! And I do agree...handmade gifts are always the best!

Graciel said...

First of all, beautiful painting, beautiful color choices. Second of all, your comments on my blog posts have really touched me. I'm honored. And it makes ME feel so wonderul to know someone so far away is living a similar season. I'd love to know what brought you to Manila and well, your life story. I noticed the 7 Spiritual Laws of Success in a photo in your home..I listen to a tape of that over and over. Isn't it wonderful that distance has nothing to do with common threads?

Lady Prism said...

hliza: That has happened to me as a kid as well:<

Butterfly: I love recieving them too!

Jac: A peach?..Aw'..I luv' peach..he!..thanks JAc.

MAithri: I'm thinking here of y kids...I don't think they'd appreciate apainting from me..he! he!..They have lots to ask for...but you are right..if a gift is wrapped in love..what else could anyone possibly want..

merisi: Thank you :)

Merylme: Thank you very much :>

Amber: Why of course! :>...thanks for the sweet comment.

Graciel : I bought the book from our local bookstore last year and it is a treasure...It always amazes me to find people who share similar cycles of life with me...will drop by your bloggy soon.:>

Vineeta said...

:) that painting was absolutely gorgeous!!! I would have given anything to get it! jokes apart. I laways tend to value handmade gifts over storebought stuff- cause when u make somethig for me, what u are giving me is a bit of your time, your energy, your spirit, all of which is very precious to me.

exskindiver said...

nice painting.

sandy said...

aaaahhh gorgeous painting and wonderful post!!!! Okay, you can put me on your list of handmade gifts..hahahaha...just kidding but you do great stuff.

sandy

sandy said...

can't wait or more time to come back and browse, by the way...

love your blog.