Thursday, May 28, 2009

giving

Your comments this week have meant so much to me. The creative blogging community is so powerful, and the web of support and friendship that has been woven into my daily life continues to take my breath away. This is definitely the case with my sweet friend Karen, of Bee-lieve. We "met" via blog give-aways (both hers and mine), and I instantly knew there was a soul connection. We've had our share of sweet e-mails, but we've also gone one step further and exchanged gift packages in the mail. Karen, so generously picked my girl to be the recipient of her daughter's most beautiful out-growns. Karen's daughter is a year and a half older than mine. It's like having a clothing fairy! We are so lucky to have a couple of clothing fairies in our life. You may have one, too. That special mama with that shares the absolute favorites with your children. This magic of sharing/gifting transcends the clothing to something more... a connection to a big friend. A tangible link to another family. These are my daughters favorite kinds of clothes. This experience is teaching her how to become a clothing fairy, herself. Whenever her very favorite dresses get a bit too tight, she instantly declares them "ready for T.", her two year old buddy. When we befriended a mother to a one year old, my daughter decided to add her to her giving list. I'm sending a big thank you to everyone out there that teaches children about the act of giving through their own generosity.
In response to such kindness, I always want to make a thank you. Big surprise! The above photo is of a lavender sachet stamped with my new hand carved stamp, Miss Blue Bee. It was part of the very belated (some things take time...) package I sent to Karen last week, who has a special love for bees... especially when they're blue! I had so much fun stamping everything in sight. To peek in the box, go give her a visit.

"It is only in the giving of oneself, that we truly live."
-Ethel Percy Andrus


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26 comments:

  1. Maya, you are amazing. See comment on Kathy's blog. And that bee stamp is out of this world :) A belated happy anniversary to you and your husband. That shirt is beautiful. I love the part about you 2 getting married on the top of a mountain in the middle of a meadow.

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  2. Beautiful thoughts here Maya. How lucky you are to have found a kindred spirit.

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  3. You are such a wonderful fiber artist and so very generous with your time and energy. We share so much more than just the fact that we were both married in the middle of meadows in hand made clothing. Hugs:)

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  4. oh, giving! i love that this is becoming second nature for your small daughter! it's wonderful to share things--my mother taught me this as well, and i can't think of a single thing i regret giving away.

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  5. I love the friends I have made over the internet. It is wonderful to find a kindred spirit.

    And I love the bee stamp. My German grandfather grew fields of strawberries and kept bees, and both things remind me of him. I still have a jar of linden honey from the 1970's from his hives--honey doesn't spoil--and every now and then I will taste a tiny bit. I hope it lasts me the rest of my life!

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  6. We love being clothing fairies at our house! Our littler friends seem to enjoy the bags of gently worn treats and it's always fun to see them out and about wearing one of my children's "favorites"!
    ANd I am in LOVE with Miss Blue Bee! JUST gorgeous!
    ~Heather

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  7. Love your new blue bee. Love Karen. You are both so wonderful. I am honored to buzz around you both.

    Oh, sorry. The bee puns go on Karen's blog.

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  8. with my first on the way I am quickly finding out the blessing of being on the receiving and of such generosity. there's nothing more loving than that of service.

    love the stamp as well

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  9. Wow, it sure is in giving that we recieve. I have been reading, and reponding to comments from new friends appearing from here and it is magical.

    It is also magical when my daughter out grows something and either asks or tells me who we will give it too. Children are so impressionable and open-hearted at these young ages. So cheers to all the moms out there who lead by example and to you as well Maya for sharing it all right here!

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  10. Love the bee stamp! Beautiful!!! I have felt nurtured and inspired by the bloggers I have met as well.

    -Amy
    (Crafting by Candlelight)

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  11. What an awesome stamp! I am just delving into stamp carving, and this is inspiring. There's nothing better than putting together a pretty package for someone special.

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  12. such a wonderful post. the handcarved bee is beautyful. i also share all the outgrown clothes of my children. and the blog world is full of lovely people!

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  13. If it weren't for our own "clothing fairies" our girls may have gone nekked a couple days a week! Really it's just one - my sister. They like that their cousin wore something they did - although now they're just one size apart so there is a little trouble when the younger puts on something that the elder remembers as her "favorite" but she gets over it.
    Your carving is beautiful as always!

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  14. Dear Maya,
    I love your blog, your thoughts and crafts are just amazing. Thank you for all this!

    Ula

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  15. Everything in the box is beautiful! We have a few people who have passed clothes on to our daughter and you are right - they seem to be infused with love.
    Love the bee stamp!

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  16. I love having friendships like that! Giving is so wonderful! Speaking of that I am having a Giveaway on my blog! My very first. I am giving away a very cute Whimsy Birdie Bag made with canvas, linen, hand stiching...I think something you would love! Come by and enter! I have been a follower of your blog and love it!

    Hugs to you,
    ~Victoria~

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  17. Really beautiful, Maya, both the thoughts and the wonderful Bee stamp!


    Anyhow, I have tagged you. I hope you don't mind. The tag involves a challenge to reveil 7 random things about yourself...

    Best wishes,
    K.
    PilliPilli Handmade

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  18. yay for giving and instilling it in children. i love your bee prints! beautiful maya as always

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  19. LOVE the bee stamp! Absolutely beautiful! That's one of the things I love about the blogging world--"meeting" special wonderful people that you have so many things in common with.

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  20. Hello,
    Thank you for your honesty and the genuine love you express in and through your blog. I am encouraged and enjoy checking your blog on a regular basis. If I may be so bold as to ask a question? How do you make hand carved stamps? I am a potter and scrapbooking mom and would love to incorporate some of my own work through the use of stamps. I would appreciated any information you may be able to share.
    Blessings to you and your family.

    Audrey Taylor-Faye
    Saskatoon, Sk Canada
    lifeinevverybreath.blogspot.com
    www.riverstonestudios.ca

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  21. Aren't these some of the best connections?!
    I love your bee stamp!
    e.

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  22. I love hearing about all of the other fairies in the world and how we all are making deep connections through this medium. A special thanks to Nadja for her amazing story about her grandfather's honey jar (the fourth comment)

    Audrey you'll find all you need to know for carving right here:http://blogdelanine.blogspot.com/search/label/handcarvedstampstutorial

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  23. How nice Maya. I love to hear about friendship stories. Her blog is so nice that I had to bookmark it.
    Your stamp is gorgeous!
    Hugs,

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  24. That's wonderful! I meet awesome people with my little giveaways too, they aren't as awesome as yours but it's fun anyway. :)

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  25. Congrats on the restoration, beautiful and inspiring work! Enjoy your new space!

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