.: Creative Inspiration :.

.:Please take a moment to read the two posts under this one if you have not already:.

.: A photo of Kelly and her mom Susan creating together at a ceramic studio :.

I asked Joy to help me with a creative list of items as a starting point to give us ideas of what we can create for Kelly's son Ari and husband Matt.  

.: Kelly and Matt's son Ari playing with a pillow that Kelly had made for him :.

Ari will be turning two at the end of June.  I appreciate this creating we are doing for him, for his father Matt and for these ideas Joy has shared here. Joy also helped me in the start of The Wellness Tree for Kelly when she created the knit garland for all of the ornaments.

 

.: Kelly had emailed me these next two photos of her and Matt opening the first package of ornaments from the efforts of The Wellness Tree. She told me she had also saved every ribbon and paper that had wrapped each ornament because everything was so precious to them both :.

.: Kelly had shared with me how emotional it was for both her and her husband to receive these gifts :.

In hopes of giving inspiration and ideas for possible gifts you could create,  here is a list from Joy:

Knitting - hat, mittens, socks for warmth - small animals for comfort or play - food for play - small objects like a heart or flowers for comfort and good wishes

Sewing - soft book for play - pillowcase for comfort and good wishes - doll for comfort for play - art supplies holder for play - placemat for play or warmth - quilted square for comfort

Felting - seasonal object for comfort or play - small object like heart or star for comfort or play - small scene for warmth and beauty

Embroidery - memory items, like handkerchief or pillowcase for comfort- placemat for comfort or good wishes.

.: Kelly quilted this inspiration board complete with buttons to hang some of the Wellness Tree ornaments as well as inspiration cards I had sent to her :.

 

.: Kelly created many creative spots like these wreaths to hold the precious inspiration, support and love from our ornaments to surround her and her family in their home :.

I also asked Suzanne who also was there in the beginning when The Wellness Tree first started for Kelly to create a list of inspiration and ideas for possible gifts we can create for Kelly's son and husband.

Knitted clothing: (For next Winter) homemade cardigan , long knitted pants , a scarf, gloves , a knitted hat and socks .

Knitted toys:  farm animals,( horse, pigs, chickens, ducks, etc)  knitted bird and nest, knitted boy doll, knitted fruit and vegetables

 

Felt toys:  felt animals, felt bag to hold his toys in, felt play mat, felt mobile, felt puppets.

 

Sewing:  cloth book, pillowcase, boys apron for baking, pencil/crayon bag,  laundry bag ,  bathroom bag for his tooth brush and tooth paste. A bag  for his marbles.

               Car bag filled with traveling treasures. Beanbags.

 

Crafting:  Window stars ( that special one for his room), aroma therapy play dough,  wooden toys.., aroma therapy oils for night time or upset time., a mystery treasure jar ( goodies placed in a jar filled with rice), bees wax crayons, homemade paper, play silks.

 

Music:  Lullaby music, jolly music, bake time music...musical instruments

 

The Seasonal table ( Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter) Tell Matt how wonderful it is for children to have a seasonal nature table.  All those blog Moms who felt could make lovely nature table goodies.  Even make up bags for each Season with everything in it.

 

 .: A photo of Kelly sewing her son Ari's Halloween outfit :.

 

Ideas For Matt shared by Suzanne:

Knitted tea cup or coffee mug wrap.

knitted socks

scarf

gloves

If you live close by, baking goods..cookies.  Muffin mixes etc.

A list of good books that we have all read to our children and where he could purchase them.

Knit face-cloths for Matt and Ari

.: A photo of Kelly sewing Christmas stockings for her family :.

As mentioned, these are only suggestions to bring inspiration to our creating.  I appreciate those who have signed up already. I think this will be a lovely way to honor Kelly as well as share continued support with her son and husband.  I can imagine these gifts for Ari would be something beautiful for Matt to share with his son on holidays, birthdays or just because from all of us mama's who knew Kelly in these spaces.

Please share in your comment or through an email with me that you will join this project!

Comments

[grace]

Will be starting my gift tonight or tomorrow. I'm making a quote journal for Matt to record all those funny little things Ari is already saying or is bound to say. I love writing down the funny, hopeful, witty, smart and crazy things my kids say that I don't want to forget. Hope that will work.

[Sarah]

You've got so many ideas here, Nicole. I will be sure to contribute, but need some time to think about what would be best. The photos you share here are very sweet and incredibly heartbreaking.

[Garden Mama]

Thank you Sarah, I appreciate your support and contribution.

[Garden Mama]

I love this idea so very much Grace.
I would love to see more ideas like this!
I appreciate the thought and love you are putting in. xoxo

[Kristen]

This sounds like a lovely thing to do.

Bless her and her family.

[Kristi]

I would love to create something for Kelly's son. What a lovely way to help support this family.

[cat]

I have some little toys knit up that i am stuffing tonight for Ari. I will be starting a couple other things to put into the box as well and am still thinking of an idea for Matt...

these suggestions are very helpful. my girls want to do some things as well...so we will hopefully have a box of things to send you in a couple weeks...

thank you again nicole..those photos are so heartwarming.

xoxoxo

[Valarie Budayr]

I feel so sad about this. It's taken me a couple of days before I could come to this space. It's such a comforting thing to be able to continue creating for this family. I love Suzanne's idea about gathering books. I would like to create a book bag filled with family favorites. Thank you Nicole for all that you do. Big hugs and blessings.

[Garden Mama]

Dear Valarie,
I appreciate the strength it took you to come to this space.
A book bag filled with family favorites is very, very beautiful.
Thank you dearly xoxo

[Garden Mama]

Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart xoxoxo

[Karen]

I have a hat ready to go. I am on a mission to use up my leftover balls of yarn and just finished a hat last week for no one in particular. Until now that is.
Could you let me know what I should do next?

[Garden Mama]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart Karen.
I will email you with the mailing address for The Wellness Tree.

[Amber]

With news like this it is often worsened by not being able to DO anything and feeling disconnected. Thank you for bringing us together so that we may give our handmade offerings showing support. Please email me with the address to send, I have some ideas in mind.

[renee ~ heirloom seasons]

I'm sure you have noticed that I have not been sharing words here, I just get stuck...
but of course I would love to contribute, don't know what or when but I will let you know.
Sending so much love to Kelly's family xo

[Garden Mama]

I know Renee, it takes time to find words... mostly, there are no words.
I appreciate your love and support you sent today and am so thankful you will be a part of this.
I see your heart ornament in Kellys photo here : ) xoxo

[Tracy]

I am honored to make something for Kelly's son. I am going to make a birthday name banner that can be hung for his big day and many other birthdays to follow. Just tell me where to send it and I will start making it ASAP.
Again I am so sorry for your loss.

[Katherine]

You are doing a good thing Nicole by giving people a sphere with which to express their grief. So many people do not know what to say or do, but through this project you are helping them still help. The book "Living When a Loved One Has Died" helped me after my husband passed away. It is an easy read that lets you know that you are not alone, when that is all that you feel. "Tear Soup" by Chuck DeKlyen & Pat Schwiebert is a sweet book as well (geared towards young teens, but appropriate for any age). Good luck with your projects and may you find comfort in your grief.

[Garden Mama]

Thank you Katherine, I appreciate these book titles you have shared.
I realize you are very aware of this situation through your own husbands passing.

[kyndale]

I will definitely be thinking of what I can contribute!

[Mousy Brown]

I'd love to knit a hat for next winter Nicole - thank you for organizing this xxx

[Garden Mama]

Thank you for sharing this love, I am deeply grateful and will write you down!

[Nicola@Which Name?]

I would like to make and contribute a gift. Thank you,
Nicola

[Laura]

Nicole,
I am going to participate and make a toy for Ari. I spoke to my sister who is an artist and she would like to paint a watercolor portrait of Kelly for Matt. Please ask Joy if she can email me a high quality photo attachment, perhaps even multiple ones, that she thinks would make a nice painting. I love that picture of Kelly carrying Ari on her back. She was a beautiful and inspiring woman and I am so grateful to be able to create something in her honor, as is my sister. Blessings and love,
Laura

[Angelina]

I would like to send some books if I may. Please let me know where to send it. Words cannot express my deep sadness of hearing the news of Kelly's passing.

[Rae Grant]

Nicole-Very sorry to read about Kelly passing. I'd like to send the family the trilogy of my books. Please also send me the address...