At last, I present photos of my most recently finished bears&boxes project, The Christmas Clock. This time around I think I will let the photos speak for themselves before telling the story at the end. I hope you enjoy it.
The Christmas Clock
A long time ago when clocks were wound at the end of each day with a key, this clock held pride of place on the mantel in the modest home of a generous family. Every year at Christmas, they spent time and money on acts of charity. It might be serving meals to the poor or giving warm coats and shoes to those in need.
In order to be able to give to others, this family refrained from buying gifts for each other. Instead they celebrated Christmas by making a tiny representation of a gift they would give to someone in the family if they had the money. They would place these gifts inside the clock. The father often hung tiny ornaments for his wife because he knew she loved Christmas. The children had big dreams of being able to give their father a house in the country so they created tiny little houses to go inside the clock. Once, the father carved a tiny wooden rocking horse for his youngest child and a little wooden soldier for his son.
One year the mother realized that her children had never had a teddy bear. She thought that “every child should have at least one teddy” so she set out to make them one – even if it was a small one that lived in the Christmas Clock.
In time, the family was able to afford both their charitable efforts and Christmas gifts for each other. Even so, every Christmas eve it remained a tradition to leave a little gift inside the clock and every Christmas morning, they opened the doors to see what new thing had been added.
The key to this clock was lost a long time ago when the family moved to the countryside. And though the clock could no longer be wound, it was placed proudly on the mantel in their new home and opened each Christmas day. The key that hangs inside it now is not the original. It was added the year one of the children decided the Christmas Clock was so much like a member of the family it needed a gift too!
The End
As always, thanks for visiting bearbits!
Oh! How lovely :o)
ReplyDeleteI adore your latest venture. What a lovely idea. All the those cute little things in the clock and the most adorable teddy.
Love it!! :o)
Hi Stitching Noni,
DeleteThank you so much! I am glad that you like it. Being immersed in something for so long, I tend to lose perspective. A different point of view is helpful - either way it goes!
~ginger
What love that clock held. Especially with a tiny bear inside.
ReplyDeleteHi Kay,
DeleteIt is a tiny bear for me - less than 4" tall. It's a pattern I'm going to have to explore some more.
Thank you!
~ginger
So very sweet! I love the story and all of the tiny gifts. And your little bear is just charming. Love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanie,
DeleteThank you! I am glad you like the story too! It's fun for me to see it all come together in the end.
~ginger
Wow what a brilliant piece and a wonderful story, once again you have surpassed yourself!! xx
ReplyDeleteHi Elanor,
DeleteThank you for that - it means a lot. I don't know about surpassing myself but I do feel sometimes surviving myself is an accomplishment! =D
~ginger
A beautiful piece and a wonderful story! Of course, we wouldn't expect anything less. : )
ReplyDeleteHi Karen,
DeleteThat's very kind of you. I appreciate the encouragement!
hugs,
~ginger
It's lovely! Just like Christmas! xx
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Lynda!
ReplyDelete=)
~ginger
What an amazing box, with an adorable bear! Love the story!!
ReplyDeleteHi K. Joy,
DeleteI appreciate it so much. Thank you and I am glad you liked the story!
~ginger
Awww, the perfect Christmassy tale and renditioning of it :o)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Jack, Boo, The Clan & LT
Hi Katy,
DeleteThanks! Nice to see you have safely returned!
~ginger
Great page Ginger and excellent creations! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Tim!
DeleteThanks so much! And thanks for dropping by!
~ginger
Hi Ginger! :) I really-really like your page! So cool! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Brigitta,
DeleteThanks so much! I appreciate it. :)
~ginger
it´s sooooooooooooooo cute!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Nicole
Hi NikZ,
DeleteThank you very very much! :)
~ginger