Today I'm honored to be one of Amanda's guests in her heartfelt series: Soulful Mothering. Thank you Amanda and congratulations to all of the Soules as they welcome in their littlest- Annabel. Hello to any new friends visiting. If you enjoy and admire Soule Mama, we already have one thing in common, don't we! When she first wrote to me about her series, I thought of sharing something that was a part of our daily ritual- love notes . You can read about them right here.
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I created something with similar intent for a recent trip. At the beginning of June, I traveled away from my family to teach at Squam Art Retreats. Even though this is my third time, and although my children do get older each year (and my husband's "special daddy adventures" grow more elaborate!)... the separation is still quite hard. I wrote new love notes for each day... and made these. Because of course, making something always eases an ache.
I carved a tiny heart rubber stamp and printed love on small lake stones. Each one was kissed and left with a letter on individual pillows for their first night. Since there were a bunch, I hid them in different spots throughout the house for surprise"mama kisses" that could then be tucked into pockets. Doing this was as much for me as it was for them... maybe more so.
Now, a jar of heart stones sits next to the one of love notes on our counter.
Yes! Simple and lovely, thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteOh I can imagine that. My boy is almost 7 months and I'm so glad that I can be with him all the time.
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas. They are so heartworming.
All the best.
Katharina
Just beautiful! (new follower via SouleMama :))
ReplyDeleteI collect heart shaped rocks, but I think I love these even more. What a great idea. :)
ReplyDeleteo, so sweet, Maya!
ReplyDeletewhen mine were very little, I left scavenger hunts for every day I was gone. must have slept through every away moment- insanely exhausting prep just to leave. could never pull that off now.
this is perfect!
what a sweet idea!
ReplyDeleteGreat post over at soulemama's! I love these little lake stones! Especially the one that fits so perfectly on the top of the jar, things like that make me smile!
ReplyDelete~ joey ~
Yes Maya wonderful, just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove the stamped rocks. Charming and a sweet project for little hands.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely! I am all teary-eyed, looking at these. What a simple and beautiful idea [you are always so inspiring!!]
ReplyDeleteabsolutely the sweetest! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis is my first visit to your blog. I found it via Soulful Mothering. I love the idea about the heart stamps on stones. I think I might just copy you but, I think I'm going to have my 2 year old help me and we can decorate our front flower bed with them.
ReplyDeleteso sweet! you're awesome!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable idea..I love this!
ReplyDeleteVery creative and wonderful idea. I love it!
ReplyDeletebeautiful...I'm going to be away this weekend...perfect time to make my own little love rocks! Thanks for this beautiful idea.
ReplyDeleteThat is lovely Maya. Simple, heartfelt. Your children are blessed to have you as their mother.
ReplyDeleteso lovely
ReplyDeleteCan you tell me what sort of ink you used that would stay on stones and not stay wet or rub off
thanks
hillme71@gmail.com
Sweet and lovely little stone hearts... I'm going to try making some of those!
ReplyDeletelove it (te he!!)
ReplyDeleteBrought back memories of my children's years at church youth camp. When my son was twelve, it was my first experience of him being gone for 10days. I always tucked notes into various spots in their clothes. It sort of caught on and I would also do it for my husband if was going out of town, then he started doing it for me.
ReplyDeleteThe most fun manifestation of note writing fun was when I took a dozen of my chickie girl eggs for a weekend getaway. When I opened the carton to fix my friend's breakfast, several eggs had notes and faces written on them in pencil-cracked me up (pun intended).
I love the idea of saving them, such sweetnees.
I loved your post on Soule Mama, Maya. The love notes and stones are a sweet way of saying hi to your children when you aren't physically present. Love those stones!
ReplyDeleteThese heart stones are a great idea. Thanks for the post (and pictures).
ReplyDeleteI loved this idea and included a link to your post on my blog today...all about Father's Day crafting...I even made my own. I took the easy way and just used a red sharpie! http://kitchencounterchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/06/fathers-day-crafts-galore.html
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your wonderful thoughts and stories!
ReplyDeleteMichele- I used a pigment ink (colorbox), but had to let it dry overnight or it would have smeared.
KitchenCounterChronicles just linked above to her version with a red sharpie.
Enjoy!
I completely agree with you when you say this ritual is as much for you as for your children. My 6 year old daughter recently had a big day that we were both very nervous about. I made her "a pocketful of love" - 2 little felt kisses and 2 little felt hugs, to take with her - a little tangible sign of my love. She loved them and I truly believe it eased some of her worries. It was also a great feeling for me that I could send her out into the big wide world with something made by me. In some odd way, it made me feel like I was with her, even though I couldn't be.
ReplyDeleteMaya, as usual, it is the sweet little touches you add to things that make it so special and heartfelt. Love this.
ReplyDelete