Holiday 2008

Prior to working with Creative Woodworks & Crafts, I edited a general crafts magazine. One of our designers was a very dear woman who created fabric craft projects. Upon the birth of my first child, she presented me with a beautiful country-style fabric guardian angel to hang over my baby's crib, and that same angel kept watch over the years as my two other children slept peacefully in their cribs.

The belief that we have angels watching over us is one that can provide enormous comfort during times when taking care of loved ones, or even ourselves, may seem overwhelming. My three "babies" are now venturing further into their own worlds. At 15, my oldest son has navigated his first year of high school; my middle son will be facing the challenges of junior high this fall; and my "little" girl will finally get the elementary school all to herself as she begins 5th grade. My husband and I send them out each day with a kiss and a hug, and the silent prayer that those same angels we relied upon in their infancy to watch and keep them safe will remain with them through the turbulent times of their teenage years and beyond.

It's nice to have reminders of these trusted angels around us, and many of our designers have picked up on that theme in this special holiday issue. Sue Mey has provided us with a beautiful rendering of an angel “schwibbogen,” which is a double arch design enhanced by miniature lights set into the interior. Dirk and Karen Boelman, Sheila Bergner-Landry, and Sue Mey shared versions of angel-themed ornaments that can be used with your holiday decorating. And Wayne and Jacob Fowler graced the pages of this issue with “New Arrival,” their stunning image of an angel holding the Christ child.

We hope you are inspired with this collection of holiday projects, both angelic and otherwise! It seems a little strange to be offering holiday wishes in August, but we like to release this issue well before the actual holiday season in order to provide you with enough time to make the projects. So, perhaps instead of saying “Happy Holidays,” we'll simply close with “May Angels Continue to Watch Over You.”

Sincerely,

Debbie McGowan