I Love the story my mother (Mutti) tells about her childhood Christmas’ in Germany…going out in the snowy forest with her father to cut down a pine tree…bringing it home by sled…a sweet table top tree that would twinkle with the glow of real candles on Christmas Eve…
the challenge theme over at Wednesday Stamper this week is “candles”...
amazing how a scent…an object or word can spark memories and stories…
I made a hanging ornament out of a playing card…sanded lightly with the lining of a beautiful envelope glued on for the background…
the image of the child and tree is from a Christmas card I sent out many years ago…I had just two cards left…one was sent to a special friend…I like keeping one copy of the store bought cards I’ve sent over the years…
I used the Cherry Pie rubber stamp “Health, Peace, and sweet content be yours ~ Shakespeare” …
the bits of greenery were found blowing around a parking lot on a blustery day…
the last detail was to write the date on the back…
I am always amazed at how quickly time passes…
having dates on things can come in handy down the road…
inside the original greeting card it said:
“Wishing you Peace and Joy”
…my wish exactly for each of you today and always…
“Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” ~ Chinese Proverb
Magpie's Nest ~*~ Patty Szymkowicz 
These are also my childhood memories … real candles on the Christmas tree in my Grandmother’s house and in church for the Christmas Eve service and the nice and warm feeling when looking at the candles and their glow in expectation of the arrival of the Christkind and the presents …. Your ornament captures this spirit so nicely, have a wonderful time.
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This is so beautiful and meaningful Patty. Thanks for sharing this. I love what your ornament symbolizes.
Peace and Joy to you my friend! xxoo Marilyn
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A darling image…I’ve never seen any playing cards so endearing. I’ve been keeping envelopes with inside designs and will think of using them now. I’d thought of using some for Iris folding.
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Very nice, Miss Patty!
What a great story from your mom. And I really liked the shiny bright box!
xo
lynn
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A beautiful story, and it reminds me of a Christmas many years ago in Cyprus.
We were discussing the differences in celebrations with our Cypriot land-lord, and explained that we were sad not to have a Christmas tree (it’s not part of their Christmas customs). Next day, there was a knock on the door and there stood our landlord and his brother, with a chainsaw and a 14′ tree! They had taken a trip up to the mountains and ‘acquired’ a tree for us 🙂
We took the top 5′, then removed all the remaining branches and passed them on to the other army families.
I can smell pine tree as I type this – thank you 🙂
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Just Lovely Patty. So happy I dropped by to visit this morning!
A Merry Christmas to All!
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What wonderful memories you dear, sweet Mutti has of her childhood, Patty. Thank you for sharing them with us. I can picture a sled filled with the expectation of a beautiful Christmas tree coming through the snowy woods.
Thank you, too, for your lovely ornament. Warm wishes to you and your beautiful family for a Christmas filled with love and happy memories and a very healthy, Happy New Year!!! Holiday hugs, Terri xoxox
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Oh yes Patty this is a lovely story.
My Family and cut down a pine tree every year.
This is a great tradition.
The fragrance is wonderful.
Your candle creation is awesome. Really lovely.
My dear friend Patty,
I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful brand new 2011 New Year my friend!! Enjoy your family!! HUGS
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I love your Chrismas story Patti, and your gorgeous symblolic card!
Have a beautiful holiday!
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I too love your story and the ornament you have created! Wishes for you are so numerous I can’t begin to list them. BUT, to begin with Merry Merry Christmas. You have been such and inspiration and comfort to me this past year, thoughts cannot express my gratitude to you! Hugs,
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Wonderful post, Patty! I love the smells of candles these days! They bring back lots of memories…especially the Christmas smells!
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Its absolutely gorgeous and I love the story. Dear Patty, a very Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones. o glad I met you through blogging and I hope 2011 will be a happy, healthy and creative year for you. Happy holidays!
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I’m back again, I meant to comment on Nigel’s comments, oh what a prefectly Lovely Christmas message your comments bring to all who read it! Thank you Patty and Nigel!! and a Very Merry Christmas to All!
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I love how special all your artwork is, the elements all have some story and that’s wonderful : )
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such a lovely ornament you created, with a wonderful story! you are in the singing mood, fits my cd music 🙂 deck the halls … wish an elf would come and clean up haha
may you have a magical christmas with family and friends, and the lights twinkle brightly at your house. may your heart continue to be filled with love and kindness.
all the best for a festive family holiday and may 2011 bring plenty of creativity!!
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Yes, It is amazing how a scent…an object or word can spark memories and stories. 🙂
Your festive piece of Art is adorable!
Thanks for sharing!
Wishing you and yours a Happy Christmas time!!
Hugs!
Jan x
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You should send Mutti out into the Virginia woods to get you your Christmas tree:)…..no way!!!! She loves the turquoise one tooooo!
I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas and all the best for 2011 Patty. I am so glad I got to know you this year!! Looking forward to what 2011 will bring. Take care dear one……………..jingle all the way………
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and to you and yours too dear Patty….beautiful ATC and I have always wanted to spend Christmas in winter wonderland…..someday…. :))
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So, so dear, Miss Patty!
I love the girl and her tree and even the dark outline and adore hearing about Mutti!!!
Love you,
Suz
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What a wonderful memory…lucky you. Lovely piece too!
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This is so beautiful Patty ~ I wish you and your family many Christmas Blessings. When I count mine this year ~ I am especially grateful for making such a dear friend in you! You inspire me every day by your messages, your kindness, your creativeness, your love and care for others. I am sending you a big hug across the miles and hope your feel a warm cozy squeeze from Missouri, I truly love you Patty. Always ~ Katie
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Ah, what a great idea to save a card from each set you send each year (and of course, DATE them!). At first I thought you had altered an old Shiney Brite ornament box (using the wondow as a frame). Then I scrolled down… hahaha.
I hope you write down your Mutti’s “Christmas stories”. I would like a copy of the book. 😉
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It never occurred to me until I read this, that saving one card would be such a good idea. But, I can tell this one was perfect for the challenge. Memories are so meaningful, whether it’s a scent, a sound, or a face. Your post was so poignant, and so wonderfully personal. I really enjoyed reading it.
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How lovely your grandmother’s thoughts and memories are incorporated in your art. This is a simply beautiful post, beautifully illustrated. (I thought the same as Natalie — a Shiny Brite shrine! Not a bad idea, but yours was better!)
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