Hello Dear Readers!
Today you will see how I created a box of memories
of a summer past
for the sweetest little girl who finds beauty
in the most imperfect things
and treasures them as many who would not.
Welcome to Monday Morning Blooms, when I join
my dear flower friends, Lidy, Mary and Pam
to present to you wonderful floral inspiration.
Their beautiful images and links are at the end of this post.
Our common theme today is “Shells”
Please sit back and enjoy Seashells, Flowers and Wabi-Sabi
Now seashells and flowers are pretty self explanatory,
but “wabi-sabi”? Why wabi-sabi?
According to Wikipedia:
“In traditional Japanese aesthetics,
wabi-sabi is a world view centered on the acceptance
of transience and imperfection.
The aesthetic is sometimes described as
one of beauty that is “imperfect” impermanent and incomplete.”
The Japanese philosophy of a perfectly imperfect life.
Again, why wabi-sabi?
It’s about shells and a little girl (My Sweetie).
But first, let’s re-wind and see how the project started.
I searched in the storage abyss and found some shells
from a beach trip with our Sweetie when she was 6 years old.
I had forgotten about them and was saving them for her.
With glue gun in hand, I proceeded to cover the box
purchased from Michael’s, mainly with shells
gathered by my Sweetie from that beach trip.
The majority of those shells were broken . . . imperfect.
I asked her why she picked up those shells.
She said it was because no one wants broken shells and
they are still beautiful and I will give them a home . .
and these two look like hearts!
(See them in the upper and middle part of the photo above.
And there is one that looks like wings.
Let’s pause the story to show you how
I prepared the box for the flowers.
I placed wet floral foam in a plastic container
and a skewer to hold the lid open.
The flowers in the arrangement are:
Mini Calla Lilies
White Bell flowers (Campanula)
White Spray Roses
White Alstroemeria
Seeded Eucalyptus for filler
I totally forgot to take a photo
of the completed box covered with shells.
Above is an image of the back of the box.
Among the not so perfect shells left behind on the beach
was this “conch like” shell that was also imperfect;
however, a great find for this excited little girl.
I had to include it in this vignette of shells,
so I placed some floral foam in the cavity
and filled it with flowers.
Imperfectly beautiful I say.
I must admit, I have been obsessing a bit over
making the right decisions on the house.
Wanting things to be perfect.
However, after doing this arrangement/post,
I have decided that perfect is boring . . . embrace wabi-sabi!!
When the flowers have faded away,
the shell covered box will be given to my Sweetie
as it is covered with the shells she rescued and gave
them a home as she said so many years ago.
I cannot believe that it is already August!
For some, it’s the last month of summer vacation
and for others, either the new school year has already begun
or close to beginning.
My Sweetie will be going to a new school
after being at the same school since Kindergarten.
It will truly be a new and great experience for her,
making new friends, acclimating to a new school.
She was accepted to the School of Arts
where she will pursue her passion for art, music and theater.
I love creating things especially when it involves
treasured memories of the caring and love of a little girl
who sees the beauty of imperfection and has a beautiful
heart and soul filled with compassion and caring.
Hope you enjoyed my floral creation with perfectly imperfect
shells. Wabi-sabi at its best!
Now it is time to see the beautiful shell inspired floral creations
of my wonderfully talented flower friends.
The links to their posts
are below their beautiful images.
Mary ~ Home Is Where The Boat Is
Pam ~ Everyday Living
Lidy ~ FrenchGardenHouse
And ME ~ Housepitality Designs
I wish you all a most beautiful day.
Stay tuned for another Hickory Cottage Update.
Shirley, I love that you created a box of memories for your Sweetie! What a treasure and beautiful vessel for flowers or other keepsakes when the flowers have faded. When I saw your image, I assumed you had picked up this box in your travels, but how wonderful that you created it with a collection of shells your granddaughter saved from a beach trip.
So wise for someone so young to see the beauty in the less than perfect. We should all embrace the wabi-sabi philosophy (how I feel about my shabby collection of transferware. 😉 Congrats to her for being accepted to the School of Arts. I know you must be bursting with pride. Thank you for sharing this philosophy and your beautiful blooms. ♥
Thank you so very much Mary….you inspire me!
I love your arrangement. Your sweety is going to love her shell box.
Thank you Penny…she does love it! Have a wonderful day!
Shirley, I am most impressed that you made your fabulous shell box…that took much time and patience! Your Sweetie now has a precious memory box that she will treasure forever. You wove such a lovely story throughout all of your beautiful photos…the arrangement is stunning! Congrats to your Sweetie for being accepted to the School of Arts. I wish her a most wonderful new year pursuing her passions. It is always a joy to join you for MMB with our friends. Happy Monday and enjoy the time with your Sweetie!
Thank you Pam! It is always a joy to be a part of MMB with you! Your creations are an inspiration to all of us!
You are so creative, Shirley
Aww..thank you Terri….Have a most wonderful week!!
Shirley, this is the prettiest arrangement I have seen in a long time! So beautiful with a variety of white flowers not to mention the stunning box you created! Fantastic. I bet your daughter will treasure such a beautiful gift. Thank you for sharing with us. ?
Thank you so very much Sharon…my Sweetie is my granddaughter and she loved the shell box.
I wish you a most beautiful week!
Shirley this brought a sentimental tear to my eye. Hearing a 6 year old realize imperfect is a gift and treasures hit my heart. Your sweetie is wise and it’s true things don’t have to be perfect. These shells are beautiful imperfection and all. I noticed the heart shaped right away
Cindy
Thank you Cindy…she has a heart of gold with such compassion. Have a beautiful day!
Oh how sweet, such a precious box and the flowers are gorgeous.
Thank you Marty!! Just an FYI, I am still unable to comment on your posts due to the change in “Blogger” commenting
configuration…but still following your adventures!
That is so beautiful and so is the story. Congrats on her acceptance into that new school. I’m sure she will do well! She will love and cherish that box that her grandmother created for her with her collected shells from years ago.
Thanks Kim…we are excited about her acceptance and it is always a pleasure to do things for her especially when it involves making memories….Have a great day!!!
a precious story, Shirley. The shell box is beautiful, such a wonderful keepsake for your little sweetie!
Thank you Debra!! Have a wonderful week!
What a wonderful story as are the flowers in the lovely box.
Great idea. Just like you I embraced the art of Wabi Sabi
Such a great philosophy right Anja?!! Thanks for visiting and have a beautiful week!
Oh, what beautiful memories you have made for your Sweetie! For a little girl to love imperfection is a true Sweetie!! I just bet she got that from Nana….congrats on her new school!
Thanks Nancy…she has a lot of great mentors in her life and she has always been such a compassionate person!
What a beautiful post and Wabi Sabi inspiration! I love the story, arrangement and imperfection! Thank you Shirley!
Thank you so very much Linda!!! Have a great week!!!
This is such a beautiful story, Shirley. What a sweet and beautiful girl, and how proud you must be. I know she will treasure that pretty box and the special memories that go along with it. Your vignette and floral arrangement are stunning!
Thank you Shannon!…and must say that I love your new kitchen!
Shirley, what a sweet story! I love that all these shells have the special memories associated with them for you and your sweetie. She is growing up so fast! She can put the box in her new bedroom at your forever home….your sweetie has the same heart as you, grandmama, kind, caring and loving. Two peas in a pod. As usual, it is a blessing to be part of our Monday Morning Blooms together. xo Lidy
Thanks dear sweet Lidy! May you have a most wonderful vacation with your family!
Shirley, I love the concept of wabi sabi, and your shell box / floral arrangement turned out beautifully. I’m so happy for your Sweetie to have been accepted into the School of Arts, and I really look forward to seeing her grow her passion. I feel certain she will treasure this little box for many years.
I hope you soon find peace in your decision-making process and that it all comes together, leaving you with a continued peaceful living feeling.
Hi Rita! This week my attitude has changed and I am embracing the “wabi-sabi” philosophy…Have a fun week Rita!
Hope you are having fun in your new home!
Such loveliness in a gorgeous box that you can call your own! Because you made it!
I also loved the arrangement in the conch shell… and then you styled it so beautifully!
But this post is also special because of your sweet story.
Your sweetie sounds quite special… to love the broken shells as well…that’s very special!
~Nancy
Thanks Nancy…she is a special girl! Have a great week!
Beautiful arrangement and shell box that I know your sweetie will always cherish. Big congrats on her acceptance to the art school.
Thanks Bobbi…It will definitely be a year of new beginnings!
Oh Shirley, you shell covered box is simply beautiful!! Imperfections are what make things special and keeps life interesting, yay for wabi-sabi! Stunning arrangement, your Little Sweetie is going to cherish it!
Dear Jenna…as you so well know, like is not perfect…and things too…and we all need to embrace that and make the best of it…I truly admire you and your inspiration!
Oh wow…you took a memory and made it tangible. It’s not only beautiful, it’s filled with memories and love. I’m sure she will treasure it always. What a Grandma! 😉
Aww…thanks so very much dear Donnamae!!! Have a beautiful week!
Hi Shirley,
All of you did a beautiful job with your flowers and sea shells. So pretty. Happy New Week.
Hugs,
Kris
Shirley,
Your floral bouquet is stunning! The story behind the shell box makes the arrangement even more beautiful. Congratulations to your daughter for her acceptance into the School of Arts. She must have inherited some of your artistic talents.
Judith
How inspiring and elegant!I wish your sweet girl happiness at the new school.Best wishes!
Shirley,
What a beautiful creation with shells collected over the years and then filled with the most perfect flowers. You really have a gift in telling a story. Your granddaughter was wise beyond her years. Have you read the book “My Beautiful Broken Shell? If our world were only filled with perfect shells, we would miss some of life’s most important lessons along the way. Wabi-sabi! Thank your beautiful “Sweetie” and congratulations to her.
The story behind your creation makes this even better! Thanks so much for sharing, and continue to create!