"Wine lovers age better"
Now that my husband and I have started our own family we are constantly trying to evaluate and incorporate traditions from both sides of the family. It's a lot easier said than done! Traditions are what help make family events special and create those unforgettable memories that you can't wait to carry on with your own children. Who wants to give up a tradition they have done their whole life? One that I remember, and my husband has now experienced, is the White Elephant Gift Exchange on my mom's side of the family that we do every Christmas. You have never met a truly competitive natured family until you meet mine. There's strategy and alliances and secrets...gosh it sounds like some reality game shows out there! Who knew a White Elephant Gift Exchange could be such a competitive sport?! But I love it. After getting tired of the same tin full of pine-cones being passed around every year, someone suggested that we do things that are handmade by ourselves. Well, the first year was a huge success and now the competition is truly on to see who can make the greatest and most extravagant handmade gift for the exchange. I really believe some family members spend the whole year brainstorming, planning, and creating. But its worth it because some of the things my family members have created have been absolutely beautiful.
The Wine Cork Corkboard is what I walked away with from the first handmade gift exchange. My Uncle took an existing corkboard or frame and started applying the wine corks with glue. And you just keep going and going. And yes, these are all from my Aunt and Uncle's wine collection. Oh the stories all those corks could tell! I'm sure my parents were included in many of those and its probably better that I don't know the stories exchanged. It was the first Christmas after my grandfather passed away so my uncle wrote my grandpa's name with the corks in the design. Do you see it?
I then took some ribbon and applied it to the back to hang it. Its now my own inspiration board and I will post quotes and pictures of things that inspire my projects. If you want to try this project, but aren't wino's like my family then check out Ebay. I've seen large quantities of wine corks sold for really cheap. Enjoy!
Be inspired, get creative, and have fun!
