Wednesdays are my favourite day of the week. It's the one day a week I try to let go of my to-do list, my stress, my anxiety and I try to rest.
It's a practice called Sabbath Keeping. I started about 4 years ago and I can honestly say that it has been a lifesaver emotionally and spiritually.
It's a time to remember that God is in control and I am not.
It's a time to remember that I was created to have gratitude, rest and freedom.
It's a time to remember that I need to let go of my To-Do list for one day because God is more than capable of working while I rest.
I have learned and enjoyed so much because of my weekly rest day. (Check out this old blog post from 2016 where I shared another Sabbath rest experience)
Let me know if you ever want to have a virtual coffee to talk about Sabbath keeping. I love sharing about it because it has changed my life!
I started the day with my South African French tutor. I love speaking and hearing French so my one hour french session is always delightful!
I then puttered around the kitchen cleaning up and shovelled the snow outside, had lunch with the kids and then got to the main activity I had planned to do today.
I wanted to make a curly paper wreath.
I have wanted to try making this type of wreath for at least 5 years. Sad right?
Thank goodness for sabbath rest days when I can have no other plan except to delight in crafting for the sheer enjoyment of it. This craft was not for an upcoming class or a swap. I just really wanted to try making one and today was the day!
What do you think of the outcome? It only took about 1.5 hours to make I think. I had to make it upstairs in the kitchen because the craft cave was sooooo messy I absolutely could not work there and being in the craft cave felt too much like work instead of rest.
I personally am super impressed with myself. After I made it I right away hung it on the inside of our front door.
I used the poinsettia place dsp and the poinsettia dies. (By the way the paper is part of the year end closeout and is discounted!!! Only while supplies last)
Considering it was my first time making such a wreath I was very happy with the outcome.
The interesting thing is that when I first started attaching the first few curls of paper, I thought it looked awful. I thought I had to be doing something wrong. It just looked a mess. Even my daughter saw me working on it and said "it looks like a strange curly head"
I contemplated quitting but you know...I've wanted to do this project for five years so it seemed wrong to stop so early in the project. I had the sense that I should "stay the course"
(aside: this is a phrase that has been coming to my mind a lot lately as I tire of the pandemic and the strange pandemic life and I want to just lie in bed and wait for things to get back to normal. I keep getting the sense that I should "stay the course")
I also didn't have any other big plans for my sabbath day (except maybe to read some French children books) so I carried on.
When I finally finished, I was really glad I didn't quit early on because, as I said, I was super impressed with myself and the outcome.
I know I've seen photos of other curly paper wreaths and they seem much more neat and tidy. Mine still has that messy look but I still felt it was very acceptable to hang on my door.
All in all I felt very pleased with my wreath making experience. I loved my finished wreath but even more, I loved the life lesson I learned making the wreath. Don't quit too early!
A particular bible verse came to mind:
"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns" Phil 1: 6
I know I have lots to learn and a lot of room for personal growth. I just need to keep staying the course, not give up and let God continue his work in me.
hmmm, it seems like this blog post became a sharing of my spiritual thoughts. Don't worry if you were hoping for crafty inspiration, I'll share the supply list and instructions on how to make the wreath below.
Thanks for dropping in!
How to make a Curly Paper Wreath:
Supplies needed
6 sheets of beautiful Stampin' Up! 12X12 designer series paper. (Poinsettia Place used today)
10" Foam wreath (purchased from dollar tree)
A lot of straight push pins
Instructions:
Cut paper into 12" x 1/2" strips
Hold paper strip in the centre and using a bone folder curl paper on both sides
Push pin through center of the paper and through the wreath.
Start applying the curled paper at the top of the wreath, go around and then fill in under the first row continuing until the wreath appears full and complete.
Decorate as desired. I used the Poinsettia dies and sponged the edges using Soft suede ink and curled the petals down a bit using the bone folder.
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Get a free class in the mail! Receive all the precut cardstock, embellishments and envelopes to make 4 cards when your online order in December is $60 or more!
Make sure to use host code: A24NRTXT
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