Heartfelt Gratitude and DIY Craft

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul. ~Henry Ward Beecher

Do you have a favorite flower that just feels your soul? My first flowers from RB were in the form of a yellow rose corsage. I was fifteen and invited to his high school senior banquet. Do you remember the lime green and yellow combination (not to mention the polyester of it all) of the 70s? So when I see yellow roses I smile -- remembering that first date.

But RB knows that my favorite flowers are wild flowers. I'm not a perfectly-arranged-fresh-flow-er sort of girl. I like the abandonment of flowers tucked in every which way. I like the varying shapes and colors of God's creation. My Creator thought of putting thorns on roses and pompom centers on black-eyed susans. The same Creator that thought of peonies whose presence brings elegance to a home, and the tiny purple crocus that pokes its head through the snow as a promise that spring is coming.

And then, this same Creator took dozens of tiny flowers and put them together to form one large ball of beauty -- none other than the hydrangea -- definitely another favorite. Whether growing outside, fresh cut from the florist, or dried and put in an antique basket (like my sister has) -- these flowers show off the handiwork of God. The whites, creams, blues, purples, mauves and pinks of their dramatic show speak to something in my soul.

Hydrangea bark has been used in medicinal purposes such as easing muscle sprains and burns -- it's even used today in as a tonic herb in alternative medicine. And, according to folklore, if a witch put a curse on someone, the hydrangea could be used to break the curse. (can't vouch for the validity of that one!)


They are big, they are showy, but they convey the message of Heartfelt Gratitude. First of all, their showy flowers point us to the Creator of all things, the One to whom we should be filled with gratitude for. Look around at the flowers today and thank God for their colors and variety. Thank Him for the sunshine that helps them grow and the soil that feeds them. Thank God for the times He tilts His watering can and sprinkles them with the water they need.

And then, pick up a sheltering bouquet of hydrangeas to express gratitude to someone who has blessed you.  Wrap some white blooms in tissue and present to a friend who helped make your life more simple.  Pink symbolizes gentleness.  Green hydrangeas can express to a friend that you appreciate the hope and peace she gave you or the patience she showed.  Your compassionate and caring friend needs the blue hydrangea while the lavender flowers should go to the lively, creative and witty.  The deeper purple blooms signify riches and can be given to a friend who helped you in a financial way.


Sometimes we just need to shelter the shelter-er. The one who sacrificed their time to bless you, the one who prayed for your need, or the shared their garden bounty. Scribble your heartfelt gratitude on a note (explaining the color-coded significance) to present with it. You, the sheltered, can be the shelter-er.

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Hydrangea Balls

I found these balls on Jenn's blog, Clean and Scentsible. I couldn't find the hydrangea punch but I thought the flower punch I already had would work.  And it did...but I didn't consider the difference in size.  Pinning those babies on took forever.  So when I was at a Michaels and saw Martha's punch there, I decided to try it.  So much quicker! I think they are both pretty, but the hydrangea punch made them look more hydrangea-y.  

Joanns carries the pearl paper which I love -- the sheen makes them dressier.  Check Jenn's blog for the exact directions.  No need for me to redo what she already has done.  And when you're there, leave a message and tell her Pamela from the Sheltering Tree sent you.