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Easy Handmade Gift Idea

As an artist sometimes I look at the lightweight cardboard divider from a box of tea bags and a handful of brightly colored foil candy wrappers and see a bookmark.

cw bookmark materials — Candy wrapper bookmark materials
Copyright 2011 by R.A. Robbins

Any fancy foil, paper or ribbon scraps would work just as well. I simply arranged the candy wrappers till I came up with a pleasing pattern, then taped them to the cardboard base. All I had at the time was tape, glue would work just as well if you have it on hand. Simple as that. No rules, no right or wrong, no complicated instructions. This is what I came up with.

cw bookmark — Candy wrapper bookmark
Copyright 2011 by R.A. Robbins

Have fun making your own bookmark!

Thought for Today

“The season of Advent means there is something on the horizon the likes of which we have never seen before… What is possible is to not see it, to miss it, to turn just as it brushes past you. And you begin to grasp what it was you missed, like Moses in the cleft of the rock, watching God’s [back] fade in the distance. So stay. Sit. Linger. Tarry. Ponder. Wait. Behold. Wonder. There will be time enough for running. For rushing. For worrying. For pushing. For now, stay. Wait. Something is on the horizon.” — Jan L. Richardson, Night Visions: Searching the Shadows of Advent and Christmas

Spreading the Light #10

Sing, laugh, dance, pray, say “hello” to complete strangers and…

LET THERE BE LIGHT!

Let’s all join together in singing the closing hymn 🙂

Now go take that light out into the world!

Thought for Today

“At this time of year, when the sun is most hidden, the holiday of Hanukkah celebrates the rays of hope and light. Indeed, the physical darkness of this time of year can be a metaphor for the darkness that often envelops us at times of illness and loss of a loved one, when the world sometimes feels dark and cold. At such times, we yearn for the sun, and the light and warmth that it provides. Often it is through simple and unrecognized miracles that we are able to feel the warmth of hope and light.” — Rabbi Rafael Goldstein

Spreading the Light #9

A collection of lit candles on ornate candlesticks (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Agree to set aside differences for the holidays. Give the political, financial, moral and religious arguments a rest. Focus on the person, not their politics and you might just learn something.

Thought for Today

“We light candles in testament that faith makes miracles possible.” — Nachum Braverman

Please join me in renewing our commitment to not let the light go out as we watch Peter Paul and Mary perform Light One Candle.

Spreading the Light #8

Holiday Excitement (Photo credit: BenedictFrancis)

See the world through the eyes of a child. See the wonder, sense the sacred and bring light to the world through the light in your eyes.

Thought for Today

hanukkah candles (Photo credit: woodleywonderworks)

“As long as Hanukkah is studied and remembered, Jews will not surrender to the night. The proper response, as Hanukkah teaches, is not to curse the darkness but to light a candle.” — Irving Greenberg

Spreading the Light #7

Pfefferneuse holiday cookies. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If one of your holiday traditions has been making goodies and you no longer have anyone to bake for go ahead and make them anyway. Donate the fruits of your efforts to a homeless shelter, share them with your neighbors and co-workers and don’t forget the soldiers far away from home at the holidays. There are groups that would appreciate your baked goods to include in care packages for members of the military.