Tuesday, July 30, 2013

~~ " Oh Brother " ~~

                                                  
 This art work was a labor of love..not hard work, not at all. It was so much fun to do, and was inspired by the beautiful works of well known artist Rose Lacefield of bb.flockling fame! http://bbflockling.blogspot.com I am always so inspired by her unique talents, her way of adding true "magic" into her pieces, and her storytelling abilities. I sent Rose a message telling her how she inspires me, and she knows how very much I love everything she creates. Although my work by no means compares to Roses , and I would never try to "copy" another artists work, I hope she smiles when she sees these, and is proud that her work inspires so many of us! I hope that you can feel just a little magic too! Thank you sweet Rose for all you inspire, and the magic you create. ~ Christel








                                                             ~~ "Oh Brother " ~~



It began quite simple enough, a normal summer Saturday morning. Millicent, or "Milli" as she was called, got up, ate breakfast, dressed her two very best "friends, Boo, and Critter, then picked out one of her many favorite snazzy outfits, and out the door she bolted!...and yes, just like every other Saturday, there was her little brother, William, or "Willie" as he was called, begging her, "can I ride your bike?"








Millicent was annoyed. Little Willie was always asking to ride her beautiful bike. He couldn't reach the pedals, could barely reach the handlebars, and had to use an old crate as a step to even get up on it and sit, but still, every Saturday, there he'd be, with those big sad eyes, asking..."can I ride your bike?"..and just like every Saturday Milli would say, "Willie, you are to small to ride my bike, you can't even reach the pedals yet!" "Oh 
Brother"




Although annoyed with Willie at times, Millicent was a good big sister, careful not to make little Willie cry, by telling him, "one day he would be big enough, and then he could ride her bike." A simple little sentence, but a huge dream come true for little Willie! Milli always felt a little sad when she left to ride her bike to grandmas house. Leaving little Willie there on the back porch steps, with his best bear buddy Theodore seemed like the best solution she could provide most days.




So off she went, Milli, Boo and Critter. Next stop grandma Rubys house! It was a journey she knew well. Down the long dirt lane, around the corner, cross Mr.Greens pasture, (being ever so mindful of where that bull might be grazing) pass that rickety old fence,around uncle Wilburs barn,  and yes! grandmas back yard, her pretty flower garden, and we are there, grandmas back porch! Milli could smell the shortbread cookies..mmm. Grandma always sprinkled a little extra sugar on Milli and Willis cookies!




Milli was always a good sister, thinking about poor little Willie, at home on the back porch, waiting for her to return, so she made sure to bring back sugar cookies for him every trip! After they had eaten the cookies, Milli would let Willie help her wash her beautiful bike! It was hand painted, all pretty, tied with bows, and ribbons, painted stripes, and polka dots! ("one can never have too many polka dots!") and the best part, was that Milli had done it all by herself! She had fastened two baskets on the back, one for Boo, and one for Critter, so that they could go along with her!  Long ribbons and streamers trailed along behind them, making their mark as she traveled.




Even though it was a pretty summer day, this Saturday was different. Milli could not get poor little William off of her mind, his sad little eyes looking up at her, and his sweet little voice asking.."can I ride your bike?" Milli felt sad that she always had to leave her brother behind.."Oh Brother"she sighed ..


.

Milli wondered what she could do..could she fastsen another basket to her bike? One big enough to carry little Willie? No, that would never fit..maybe a wagon to pull behind? No, she couldn't possibly pull a wagon and Boo and Critter too!..."oh Brother"  what could she do?




Just then, as she rounded the corner, to go back home, she remembered the little old scooter...the one uncle Wilbur had ridden when he was just a little boy, the one that was still in the corner of his barn! It had been there as long as Milli could remember, and even years before she was a sparkle in her mommas eye! Surely, uncle Wilbur would let her have it for little Willie..and, there was a small wagon in the barn too..it had a hens nest in it, but we could ask her to move..surely she wouldn't mind..aww but Milli forgot, the wagon had a broken wheel! "....Oh Brother"







Milli told uncle Wilbur about poor Willie, and how she was sad to leave him at home every Saturday, and uncle Wilbur was happy to help Milli, he even fixed the broken wheel on the tiny wagon too!Milli cleaned the little scooter as best she could, she even painted some polka dots on it for Willie! ("one can never have too many polka dots!") Milli was so happy, with uncle Wilburs help, she had found a way to make little Willies dream come true! As she strolled into the yard pulling his brand new, old scooter Willies eyes were as big as saucers!! He saw his dream! It was a bike, just for him!





"Oh Milli, is that for me?" My very own bike? " Milli said, "yes Willie, it is your very own scooter, and a wagon so Theodore can ride along too!" "Uncle Wilbur and I  fixed it up just for you!" Unce Wilbur fixed the rusty old wagon wheel, so it rolls good as new, and I painted your handle bars..and just a few polka dots too! ("you know, one can never have too many polka dots!") Without hesitation, little Willie ran to the scooter, carrying Theodore along, placing him in the wagon. Then he ran back over to his big sister Milli, and gave her a big hug, and a big wet kiss on her cheek,and said "oh sister' you are the bestest big sister in the whole wide world!"  then Milli said once again....."Oh Brother" :)




Milli and Willie are available now on ebay! Thanks so much for coming to visit!

 xoxox Christel

14 comments:

b.b.flockling * Rose said...

I have just read Milli and Willie's story to 12 attentive little ears gathered around me. I promised them that if they would immediately go to sleep afterward (!!!) I would read them your story. They were all rooting for Willie to ride their sister's bike...because that is exactly what the boys here would love to do. Ride their older sister's bike! Needless to say, we all LOVE your story and think the ending was PERFECT. Just wonderful, Christel...and the characters are so darling. What an honor to have inspired you to wrap a tender story around the characters borne from your hands and heart...Love you to pieces, your friend Rose

Christel said...

Dear Rose, and Children, thank you all for reading my story! Your family is so wonderful. I am blessed to have you as my dear friends. We share a love of God, and the beauty he helps our hands create. I am so happy you are pleased with what I have done . You all continue to inspire so many, in many ways! Xoxo Christel

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Dear Christel,
What a joy it was to read your heartwarming story.. I felt as though I was standing there right beside Willie, rooting for him.. Go Willie, go! Your art dolls are just adorable! What a treat this was my dear friend.. ( a book in the future maybe?)
I see dear Rose has come by.. You are so right, she has always been such an inspiration and dear friend.
Love and blessings to you, my very talented and dear friend.. I believe this is my favorite!
Love and blessings,
Penny

Christel said...

When I got home from the store, and checked my blog messages, I saw I had received another message, and I knew it was you! Even before I read it, I knew Penny had been here! I am also very blessed to call you friend Penny! You are a wonderful person with unlimited talents of your very own! Thank you so much for always encouraging me, and my little dollies, we all love you, and the darling little personalities you create! xoxo Christel

maddyrose said...

Oh Christel, I did so love reading your wonderfully told tale and seeing the photos of darling little Willie and his older sister Milli. What adorable dolls and what a cute story you came up with. You are so gifted in so many ways my dear friend and you too are an inspiration.
I'm thinking there could be a future for you writing children's books and with photos of your dolls used to illustrate them how can you miss?
Take care and be happy. xoxox Maddy

Christel said...

Hi Maddy, so glad to see you as well. I'm not sure about the story writing, but it was definitely fun. I may try my hand at in again in the future, and who knows, I guess it isn't completely crazy to think I could one day write a childrens short story/book! Thanks so much for the vote of confidence! XOXOX Christel

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

Dearest Christel,
I am so sorry it has taken me so long to get here.. I have been ill since I last posted, but ALL better now...
Thank you so much for the sweet comment you left about my Indian painting.. You are always so encouraging..

I just cannot get over this darling set and story... It is just too sweet for words.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

love and blessings,
Penny

Christel said...

Oh Penny, I am so sorry to hear you have been sick. Nothing serious I pray. If there is anything I can do to help, please say so. XOXOX Christel

Sparky said...

Hi Chris, oh my she is adorable...so much attitude and the details are hard to overlook....ohhh and a bike..I just posted a new missy ....
think of you often.....been one crazy summer..will share some day lol hope this finds you happy

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

You are such a sweetheart! I am fine now..
It just warmed my heart to see your comments for Rosebud and Tinker. What a dear heart you are..
Enjoy your week my dear friend
fondly,
Penny

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Christel,

You all, Rose, Penny, Tita, all of you and many others I am not acquainted with live in a world unknown to my artistic skills. But this is what I love....that we all live under the same grace of the Divine Creator who has given each of us the ability to make beauty, and in return, glorify HIM! Your work is inspired by those who you respect, by GOD himself, and also by your keen sense of putting just the right touches. THIS IS A MARVELOUS BODY OF WORK that you have made over the years! And I am so happy to see you! It has been a wild and busy year, hasn't it? I'm going back to teaching on a permanent basis now, having tried art. It is part of me, but so many other responsibilities have to be addressed, and working is one of them!!!!!!! Writing however, will always be an art I can engage in as I work.

Thank you so much for coming by to visit. LOVE! Anita

Burlap Luxe said...

So creative, I too was rooting for little willi and his ride on big sisters bike all dressed up for a parade.
You amaze the little world of wee one Christle, how do you part with this world you sink yourself into creatively?
I would lock myself in a studio and have a conversation with them all, letting them tell me who they would want me to create next and what big part will they play in each of their lives how you have done here.

It's an amazing world over here and you never stop amazing us. Keep those wee stories coming they inspire a special place to drift away in.

Lots of love to you and your world of wee.
Xoxo
Doré

Burlap Luxe said...

Thank you Christel, for taking the time from watching over all your wee ones to sneak over and and visit me while they waited for your return to the work shop.

I love when I see your visits, putting a smile on my face only a friend can do :)

Have a beautiful weekend my dear friend.

Xx
Doré

Angelsdoor * Penny said...

How sweet are you to come over and meet Matilda and Phoebe.
Thank you dear friend for always being so supportive and kind.
Don't you just love working with cheesecloth?
Bless you!
Penny