Choir Boy

Mom had patterns and other designs that she would place in wooden frames to hold the material tight, like a needle-point frame, and then used acrylic paint pens to make the patterns come alive. They were tubes of paint with a little roller point. I remember she had a special container of all sorts of various paint pens. I think I even recall a sales person that stopped by the house to make sure she always was stocked.

I was in my single digits seeing her work to create an entire collection. Pilgrims, turkeys, choir boys, angels, Christmas trees, stars .... it went on and on. I was jealous. Nothing I colored ever looked that good.

The Sis and I helped Mom clean the front picture window using a water and vinegar mixture and newspaper. Then we'd gently tape the different items to the window. We had the same routine in our old two-story home too, but with more windows! It was part of our holiday decorating tradition.

A couple years back I saw some of the collection at Mom's. I asked her if I could have something. This choir boy was my gift. Each year, he now receives a place of honor on my Christmas tree. Easily 30 or more years old, he looks just as special as the first day he received his color.