Tomorrow, some gracious Marthas are coming to help me sort and ship 32 x 32 ornaments. Do you know how many 32 times 32 is? I used to, but I don't anymore. It's about a gajillion. I know, because I have roughly a gajillion handmade ornaments from all over the country in my home right now.
I also have 26 flat rate boxes, and 60 gallon size baggies, and the case of packing tape from Costco. No, I didn't buy the packing tape special for this event. I like packing tape. I ship lots of stuff and I like to reinforce folders and paperback spines. It's the librarian in me.
Kudos to St. Anthony for not letting me lose anything, not money, not ornaments, not emails, not addresses. I've had a couple close calls, the Great Becky Mix-Up gave me palpitations, but it's all good now.
Every single ornament is special. No, seriously! There is such a variety of materials and mediums. Clay, fabric, metal, wood, glass, paper, shell, yarn, and even walnut. And glitter. I've had "glitter face" for at least a week, with a fresh glitter shipment today. These sets are priceless.
It was no surprise to learn that many of the crafters prayed for their recipients during the process. However, I was surprised to see how many of the ornaments symbolizing pieces of Christ's lineage actually foreshadow His Passion. You'll see. I don't want to give everything away.
If you want to see pictures of what I've received so far, "like" Housewifespices on Facebook. It's all there.
I've had such fun doing this. I hope the Grand Finale goes smoothly tomorrow, and I especially hope my mail carrier shows up with the last two packages of ornaments.
Did you get ours? We mailed from California on Monday.
ReplyDelete(I've been forbidden from looking at the ornaments on Facebook by my daughter who is insisting that the contents of the box be a surprise. I'm thinking she is not going to want to know the gender of her babies from the ultrasound results.) =)
ReplyDeleteI'm not on Facebook, so the ornaments will be a surprise to me!!! :) I have had nightmares that my ornaments never got to you, I hope this is not the reality. I think I would cry...thank you again for organizing this, it truly is a labor of love! I will be thinking and praying for you tomorrow as you and your helpers sort through the bazillion ornaments and get things ready to be shipped. All I have to say is that I'm glad I'm not in charge at this point, my one year old would have probably destroyed everything and if not her, then definitely the cat!! :)
ReplyDeleteAngi :0)
Every DAY my girls ask me if the ornaments have arrived. DAILY! They don't care that they haven't been sent yet, no ma'am. Do not care. "Did they come,mom????"
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy you invited me to do this. Thank you!!!!
Cool! Can't wait to see them!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous of you all. I didn't sign up to be a part because I already have a Jesse tree set that a friend organized. I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't even make something for her exchange because I had just had a baby at the time. (She gave me an extra set out of pity.) Now I look at what you beautiful women have done and I'm in awe and wonder. Your homes and your children are going to be so blessed by this project! Congratulations to you all on doing something so beautiful and special for this season!
ReplyDeleteI am a total moron. I got into the basement to finally get out all of our Advent stuff last night, so we'd be ready to go. I was so excited about our Jesse tree, so imagine my surprise and mortification when I opened the box this morning and it's a JESUS tree for Lent! Aargh! I love the set, but had completely forgotten which season it was for. I COULD have done this fabulous swap with all of you! Well now I am truly inspired. I have a whole year to gather friends and make ornaments! Enjoy your trees, ladies!
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