Gift Giver

 

I'm blessed to have people in my life who are gift givers.  They are people who give unselfishly without any expectation of receiving.  It always surprises and delights me.  Wife Whisperer is one of those.  He gives to me on a daily basis...love, respect, adoration...it's good.  My dear friend in Louisiana is on of those.  I can drop into her home after not seeing her for years and she has dinner ready for my whole family...and it's like we never parted.

   

card by Mija Andrade

My list could grow quite long if I continue so I'll limit it for now and tell you about my sweet friend Mija Andrade in Oregon.  I received a huge envelope on Christmas Eve, from Mija.  I'll tell you, I don't know where Mija gathers the treasures that she collects but she has some fabulous sources!

 

Mija has a knack for knowing exactly the kind of thing I like.  For instance, she made a lovely little pillow box from an old Christmas card.  I don't think Mija knew this but, I love this particular saying "Wise men still seek Him."  And, inside the box was another surprise:

 

pussy willows.  When I was a kid, the neighbors had the most glorious pussy willow bushes in their back yard.  I loved when the fuzzy little buds emerged in early spring.  Since then, I've never lived in a place where pussy willows grow so I've missed them.  How could Mija know that??

 

In amongst the furry little "cats" was tucked this gorgeous, felted acorn.  Acorns are another favorite nature element of mine.

 

I'm sure Mija crafted these herself.  Not only is she generous but a very talented artist.

 

Here are a few things I can't wait to use in jewelry making; a vintage silvered, glass (yes, glass!)buckle and a tiny magnifying glass.

 

Maybe I'll pair them with some of these awesome beads...

 

...or this beautiful, big, fat, faceted briolette in my favorite green.  How does Mija know these things??!  And, what are those cool brass metal thingys?  There were several of them in the package, each embossed with a date.  They'll be perfect to work into jewelry pieces.

  

Mija included some collage sheets of vintage prayer cards and genuine joss papers.  I bet she has a huge collection of prayer cards.  It just seems like something she'd collect.

 

I believe this one depicts the archangel Michael in battle with Satan...throwing him out of heaven.

 

More jewelry making ecstasy happened when I found this little metal thingy.  I'm not sure what it is but it caused quite a stir with me when I saw it!  Oh, and you can see a few vintage religious medals (yum!) as well.

 

Speaking of a stir, look at this sweet, old medallion.  It's grungy goodness makes my heart race.

 

Oh...and there was this strange and interesting finger gadget.  It looks like some kind of faux fingernail...maybe if you have a really bad itch?  Or, maybe if you need to tap your kid on the head to get his attention?  Ok, so, nonsense aside, I think I've figured out how Mija does it.  How she knows the perfect lovelies to send...she cares.  She observes, she ponders, she digs through her treasure trove and finds the very things she knows I like.  She is a loving friend and Mija, I thank you for that most of all.

Comments

[Kim Gibson]

Wonderful things here, as always. I have enjoyed following your blog this year, and love my earrings! I wish you and your family the very best in the coming year.

[Lorraine George]

Mija does have such an incredibly giving heart. She is really a special person and we are so lucky to have her in our lives....

Happy New Year Deryn! I hope your '2009 is filled with many blessings!

Lorraine

[Mary Beth Shaw]

What a feast for the eyes! I absolutely love those pussy willows, isn't it funny the things that we remember and enjoy? Sweet and incredible gifts, you lucky girl.
Wishing you the best for the coming year - peace and joy and love - and many many smiles :-)

[julie collings]

oh, that felted acorn has my number!
such a lovely collection from the heart of the giver.
happiest new year wishes, julie

[robin dudley-howes]

Came by for inspiration and as usual was not disapointed. What lovely treasures. Congratulations on your Belly Armoire submission.
robin

[PJ]

a surprise of pussy willows...that is adorable...love the little trinket gifts. hmmm, I'm thinking if you turn around the 'finger tip' thing you may find it would protect your middle finger under cloth as you would hand quilt...as you would be feeling for the needle coming through as you quickly make those tiny quilting stitches :) (I have a plastic one, but that may be an antique one!)

[LaRinda]

What a fabulous gift! May God bless the giver greatly, as you were blessed by it and we are blessed by your sharing. :-)

I would love to see what you do with the little card depicting Michael conquering Satan. I have one just like it from a friend stashed away. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! --LaRinda

[Tina Wright]

What wonderful goodies you received..and the faux rusty finger nail is a Bango pick..my hub has several of them..lol.. I can't wait to see what you make of all that neat stuff!

[Ken Mueller]

I agree with Ms Snelling, the finger scoop is for cocaine.

[Paula]

The rusty strange finger gadget is a quitar/stringed instrument finger pick.

[Angie Platten]

Wow Deryn, you really struck gold in that package! Lots of cool stuff! And hey, that finger thingy looks sorta' like a banjo picker to me.. or something. Or maybe it is for a really bad itch! I would like to borrow it for some head thumpin' though... that's the most practical use in my household! LOL!

[Sherry Peck]

What a treasure of a friend and a treasure to Him as well...in the spanish/mexican language "my daughter"...is "mi hija"(the h is silent)....when I hear my many Mexican friends call their wife or daughter...young and old...."Mi Hija"....they say it with an endearing affection....(like if the Lord said to you...."my daughter..."and it sounds like "Mija" when they say it in their "rapido" language....what a wonderful name! The things she sent are precious treasures...can't wait to see what you do in your creation of something...Happy New Year...sherry

[kelly snelling]

i wish i had an ounce of her goodness in me! i have good intentions but terrible mailing tendencies. she always sends the very best and most beautiful gifts. she does magically seem to know just what we need before we even dream that it exists. and she did indeed make those lovely acorn ornies. i have some on my tree, too. lucky us!

[maigirlz]

She is truly amazing! I'll share my goodies in the next day or so.
I think the finger thingy is an old snorting tool. I'm not sure what the drug was at the time (perhaps cocaine?).
Wicked cool!
She really does know our hearts and desires, doesn't she. I love Mija!

[Mija]

Awww, Deryn, you are too kind! I'm so very glad you enjoyed these treasures and my little creations. I think how I "knew" about the things you'd love must be a kindred spirit connection. :-D
As they're things that whisper or straight up shout to me as well.

I was told the little brass date thingies are from some piece of old library equipment. And the rusty metal pointy finger thing, i was told, was used by secretaries to flip through files and such. I thought it would make an interesting crown of sorts.

You are right about the prayer cards. I do collect them as they remind me of my Nana. She's 87 and very spiritual. One of my fave memories as a child is staying with my Nana and waking early every day to find her sitting quietly, praying while she went through all her prayer cards. I would just curl up in the quiet with her and feel so completely peaceful. She would let me go through her box of prayer cards, worn from daily touch, and look at all the pictures and read the prayers. Oh, what a deliscious memory!

Well dear Deryn, I'm most thrilled to see how these trinkets and treasure might inspire your art! I can only imagine. I still love how sweet Tanya Peacock called her gift giving "supporting your ministry". I agree whole heartedly, as it's apparent to me that your awe inspiring creations stir the spirits of many.

love,
Mija

[Dale]

It is wonderful to have such great friends such as Mija. It really brigtens things up. She chose such lovely presents for you! I especially love the charming acorn necklace. How lovely!

[Mija]

and just so you know, the pic of the feet on the card is one i took at a cemetary in Prescott, AZ. When I saw this, a thought came to mind... while all else was gone, His footsteps still remained.