So who knew that God's eyes (ojos de Dios) would be making a comeback?
Not to brag or anything, but I did.
At least I decided they were back for ME last month, when I re-taught myself the process and started obsessively making them and planning to teach my girls how to make them at camp this summer. I wanted to hang ojos all through my house. Color, color, bursts and blasts of it popping against the great expanse of whiteness I've been painting everywhere. Do you know that I'm even painting my floors white?
I was geared up to go into mass production and present bright happy handmade ojos to all of the 2008 spring crop of babies being harvested by my fertile friends, but I lost my nerve. I think it happened when I gave one to a dear young woman I know and love who was getting married and heading off for a rustic week of honeymooning in the back of a Suburban and then for two months living at a boy scout camp. (Say it with me: WOWWWWW.) Doesn't she seem like the perfect campy candidate for one of my giant eyes? But her response was one of confusion; she was definitely underwhelmed. And lest you think that's because it was the only gift I gave her to get her started down that gravel road to marital bliss, I should say that I also busted my piggy bank for her AND printed her wedding announcements, gratis. "I'm older than Mod Podge," I reminded myself, pointer finger self-waggling. "How can I presume to know anymore what's in? what's fresh? Who really wants a weird God's eye from a ol' lady?" You see how it is when the mean-spirited aging devils decide to pick on you? I for one am too quick to follow their lead.
Was I wrong to doubt myself? Of course! But not because Readymade has just put my latest obsession back on the cool map. But because I AM older than Mod Podge, and so I've been around the crafting block a few times, and so I ought to know a little something about what's timely . . . or find myself scheduled for a lucky guess now and then. But even if ojos de Dios were never of interest to DIYers again, I still love them. I love being reminded by the vibrant eyes of wood and wool and silk and cotton and acrylic that I am watched over, loved, and—probably more often than I could stand to know—chuckled at by the Source of all creativity, delight, and benevolence.
I think I'll collect some sticks and break out my yarn stash again.
So who wants a God's eye now?
12 comments:
I want you to teach MY girl how to make one!
I also want her to learn to do Macrame.....I guess that makes me older than mod podge too?
I don't know if I know what mad podge is, what is it in German please. Our girls are lucky, lucky, lucky...
i'm not much for crafts, but if that's your thing than yarn your little heart right out!
i do like to mod podge, however
Oh my. I remember those. And boondoggle and...
I want to learn how to make those crocheted wash clothes. They are the best!
What does a newly wed really know about anything. I think the whole gift registry thing sets an unhealthy expectation of what is really about to come down the pipe in the first couple years of marriage. I am going to go make my own ojo de Dios today!
"Older than Modge Podge." I love it!
The rhythm of doing that kind of project... so relaxing.
I made sooo many of those with popsicle sticks! You rock, Geo, and I love your interpretation of the ojo. You will be pleased to know that my mother in law never took hers down in the basement and now they are watching over the missionaries who live there!
I'm sorry, but those things creep me out. Who wants that looking at you all day long? Looks like a great place for spiders to nest.
I have a bright/dark pink one that was a baby present (when I was a baby) and it hangs proudly (and prominently) on my Christmas tree every year. I wish I knew who made it for my mom? It sounds like a wonderful girls camp project!
I remember these and lanyards too...so much better than cross stitching!
I'm not surprised. You're either very ahead of things or very behind. I'm pretty sure it's the former.
Also, you should post some pics of the remodel. Or wait and when you're done have a big open house. I'll bring the dip!
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