Thoughts and Prayers: Bunting

Despite Hallmark being used as a bit of a sneer, cards can, in fact, be effective in conveying emotion. “Thoughts and prayers” can be meaningful from the right source. The cards I received in the time after my father’s death did bring comfort: the comfort that comes from knowing you are loved and surrounded by good will.

There came a time though, when the cards needed to come off the mantle. Around then I found another stack, these from my mother-in-law’s passing, and I knew I had enough to make some bunting.

The thing about greeting cards, whatever the occasion, is that they are mostly cheerful in some way: either pretty and soft spoken, quirky and humorous, or just a cacophony of colour. And — wouldn’t you know — bunting looks good as pretty or quirky or just plain old colourful.

The blessing of another snow day in March was the perfect time to cut triangles.

At first I was going to punch holes in the cards and dig out some ribbon or twine to thread through, but in my craft chest of drawers (yes, I really do have one of those) I found a roll of fabric adhesive, an ivory lace that worked perfectly and cost about a euro in Tiger.

Serendipitously, I had just enough triangles to fill the entire roll of lace, and just enough lace to stretch perfectly across my window.

I like the randomness of the words and designs, like half-formed thoughts. But the thoughts for us in our sadness were fully formed and expressed: I love that.