Puff Paint Memories
I am from a very creative family, as you may already know. And one thing is for sure - puff paint and working hot glue guns with ease are a language you must be able to speak fluently. Puff paint - yes one of the most fun and most frustrating art supplies ever created has its’ moment of glory at Christmas time in my family.
My paternal grandmother, we all called Memaw, would make stockings for all of the grandchildren every year. And at one point or another we probably all got a chance to help her write our cousin’s names on the stockings. I have this very vivid memory of trying to write a name in puff paint and feeling so frustrated and unsuccessful because the name became a puff paint mess. You could start the name beautifully and then at any random time the paint would come out in large blobs or the paint would have air bubbles that caused the letters to have parts missing. It was so frustrating and yet one of my most fond memories with my Memaw. She loved making those stockings every year!
You know how memories go. At some point in time, the memory changed from a frustrating “why would you make these stockings” to a fond “let’s recall this memory and keep it going”. So several years ago, I decided to create them for my family and friends. It has been a lovely tradition that I look forward to each year.
I can say the puff paint has gotten a little easier over the years. Now, as I write every name or family name…I almost feel like it is a prayer for them in some small way. My own creative way to pray for my loved ones.
So for this last blog post of 2022, I wanted to share the ways we celebrate stockings in my family. First, I want to share how I create my stockings with directions on how to decorate with puff paint and what I fill my stockings with each year. Then I want to share my Dad’s wooden stockings he started making for us kids in 1983! This is a tradition he started himself after a leg injury had him down just before Christmas time way back when. You just never know when something special will have its’ beginning.
Creating your own Stockings
If this is a tradition you would want to start in your family..here is a way to get started:
Things to purchase:
Stockings - I use the stockings sold at the big box store.
Puff paint - This is also sold at the big box store. The colors I keep on hand are: red, green, silver, gold, black and white.
Directions for the puff paint:
Write the name and year large on the top section of the stocking.
Then using the puff paint, add some holly or candy canes. Keep the decorations simple. But as you see in the photos below - I started out with the names only for a few years.
***You can practice your skills on a piece of paper or scrap fabric***
****They will need time to dry overnight****
Ideas for what to add in your stockings:
Fruit - apples, oranges, grapefruit, pomegranates (I try to use fruits that don’t spoil quickly.)
Nuts - some years can be easier to find these bags of nuts (Look at your grocery store or big box store.)
Lots of Holiday candy! (I get the holiday candy at the big box store - it’s so fun to pick out all the different kinds and flavors!)
Candy canes
Fruits and nuts are a very traditional thing to add to your stockings.
Next, I enjoy adding some things like the following list as this is what Memaw would fill our stockings with. I always loved getting my notebook and pen each year!
Small notebooks
Pens and or pencils
Small flashlights
Small set of colored pencils or crayons
Small cars or toys
Yo-yo’s
Holiday tea bags
Holiday K-cups
Filling the stockings
Once the puff paint has dried, begin adding the fruit and nuts. Then add a large variety of candy. Add a little more fruit and all the small items - notebook, pen, small toy and holiday drink items. Hang the candy cane out the top and it is ready for delivery!
Wooden Stockings
These are the stockings my Dad began creating in 1983 after his leg injury. We would all agree they have become an ornament treasure for each of us and our spouses and children too. My Dad loves to create one each time we have a new member join the family.
How my Dad creates his wooden stockings:
Traces his own stocking pattern onto wood
Cuts out each stocking with a band saw
Does a little sanding
Paints with oil based paints
You can see in the pictures above the paint adds all the necessary details to show the stockings are filled. Thank you Dad for sharing your creative gifts and love each Christmas with us in this way!
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Wishing you peace this Holiday season.
Thank you for sharing this year long blogging journey with me of 2022. I hope you enjoyed the coloring pages and creative meanderings shared. I look forward to continuing this blogging experience in 2023.
Stay Creative~
Hannah