31 May 2021

Bookmarks That Say Thank You

I celebrated my birthday in April, my second one in quarantine, but I didn't really mind because I feel more connected to old friends from across the globe because of technology. I get text greetings and we are able to hang out on video conferencing platforms. 

arts and crafts, birthday blah to TADA, artwork

This year, a group of my dearest friends surprised me with a virtual birthday card. The theme was "arts and crafts" (they know me so well)! 

Each one of them made a craft, showed it off in a photo, and they wrote me wishes that really lifted me up and are giving me a boost of confidence. The crafts ranged from hand lettering, painting on canvas, coloring pages, poetry, drawing, decorating gift bags, and flower arranging. I hope that as they created they felt a sense of calm and a feeling of pride when they finished. 

I got so tickled with their masterpieces! As a thank you, I made them these bookmarks:

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
They are hand-painted and hand lettered with watercolors and the concept is a like a jigsaw puzzle where each person perfectly fits into a bigger picture. 

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
I started with a blank watercolor sheet, a paint brush, and my reliable watercolor palette.

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
I decided on a repeating pattern, choosing happy colors like yellow.

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
Two kinds of yellow! Because these friends are sunshine and positivity. We always have a good time. We laugh at the corniest jokes. We also offer encouragement when some of us are having a rough season. We pray for each other.

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
A blue moon because real friends are rare and must be treasured. 

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
Some tears, both happy and sad, that we've all shared together.

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
And a final touch of rosy pink. This is the backdrop I painted, symbolic of our friendship...TADA!

According to an article I read recently, this is what is described as meditative painting: "being mindful and present while putting paint on paper."

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
I marked the painting into 12 equal parts.

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
Then cut out the pieces.

watercolor painting, Prang watercolor, water brush, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
I painted the name of each friend, saying a prayer for them as I did it: "Dear God, thank you for Lisa and our years of friendship. Please give her good health and strength, bless her family, and please meet her needs."

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, water brush, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
I did the same for each name that I wrote. I sent a photo of their bookmark to the recipient and promised to give it to them personally when it's safe to see each other.

watercolor painting, hand lettering, brush lettering, calligraphy, watercolors, thank you cards, names, friends, handmade gifts, blah to TADA
We're scattered all over the world and yet our bond remains strong.  We are different but we've proven that we go so well together. 

That's why today, I celebrate friendship and all the rewards that come with it, including receiving the most thoughtful birthday surprise. Friends definitely transform life from "blah to TADA!"

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