Here be the second post concerning the presents which I made for this recent Christmas. This post will describe the items which I gave to my elder three sisters.
The first picture depicts a present which I gave to Anna. It is a small wooden box which I made from strips of poplar wood sawn into the correct shapes; I also decorated the top by means of silver paint and carving.
After glueing these pieces together, I then inserted several items into the box.
(The astute reader may guess the implications of this box, and also the contents, for which reason I have put an enlightening picture at the bottom of this post.)
For each of the three previously mentioned sisters, I made a leathern belt-pouch, wherein they may carry useful items.
I fashioned these from a cut-up leather skirt (from my favourite store) as well as from some belts (from the same place).
The insides of these pouches were lined with linen from a linen dress, which I previously had been chopping up.
For the purposes of giving to Mary Rose, I made a Dutch Doll out of some various pieces of wood, stuck together with paper-clip wire.
For Lydia, I made a walking-stick, according to the description in The Two Towers.
I started with a four-foot wooden dowel, which I carved somewhat with my pocket-knife.
I added a leather grip and braided strap, and also a metal shoe, which I occasioned by drilling a hole in the end and putting an oversized nail therein. The head of this nail therefore will keep the staff from becoming worn-down.
To give to Anna, I made an Ashiepattle hat, otherwise known as a youngest son hat.
I based the design off of a hat which I had previously, although I made it somewhat longer i' the brim. By using two layers of fabric, I made the hat stiff enough not to collapse. The outer layer is wool from wool pants, and the inner layer is stiff cotton.
For Mary, I painted a picture of the Blessed Mother, which I did onto a piece of wood.
The paints which I used for this were of the sort that is termed 'acrylic'.
This last present to be mentioned is a small book, which I made for Lydia. I used several pieces of paper, and also a bit of leather for the cover. Previously to sewin' it together, I wrote some elvish letters with pen-and-ink. I then sewed the whole together with the Machine.
In the following picture, Lydia has just received the book, whilst Anna signifies, "Batty. Quite batty."- which quote is from a certain well-known book.
Those who know the Elvish letters may study this picture, and thereby read some of the interesting things which I wrote i' the book.
The final picture of this post reveals the mysterious contents of Anna's Box: a mallorn-seed and some Galadriel-dirt. The decoration on the top of the box is a G-rune.
The seed is actually a cherry-pit, painted silver, and the dirt is some sand as well as some of the contents of a dead tea-bag.
Thus endeth part II of these posts.
