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Here is a small glimpse of the latest lampshade I have been working on. It has been a lot of work, but I am pleased with how it is turning out. It features pretty iridescent shells, blue starfish, and, of course, sand--all carefully stitched on. It is a small shade but would be perfect in a bathroom or a cottage home or room that has a beach theme. I should finish it later this week and will post it on my eCrater site. I can't help thinking while browsing through magazines featuring home decor that people should have more decorative
lampshades. I have decorated two in my living room with pretty rose-covered floral fabric (roses, of course!), burgundy trim, and a rose, pink, green, and red beaded fringe--and those shades really "make" the lamps (not to mention enhance the look of my living room)! I'm just trying to find the perfect beads now to go with my bedroom decor to decorate the two plain lampshades there. It is fun having a "quest", and this will be my quest--finding those perfect beads--as I visit new bead shops this summer.
The names are in. I'll tell you, that Roxi is pretty organized. I'm impressed! She mailed me two stickers which I received yesterday on which were the adorable symbol of her swap (little and dolly in a boat). I can in turn put these on the package or elsewhere on the correspondence for the recipient. What a darling idea! My recipient by the way is Lori from Morning Glories and Moonflowers (www.perfectisboring.blogspot.com). Very nice blog! I do hope she likes her summery pendant.
Also, I sent the itty-bitty tins out last week, and Leslie has already responded that she received...and, yes, even liked hers! I'm tickled that she enjoyed it.
Well, the "Itty-bitty Swap" is over, and many thanks to the Rozells for hosting the swap. Three ladies and I have exchanged names and addresses. What fun! I've mailed out the tins full of itty bitty things to them and so hope they enjoy going through them as much as I have had putting them together! I really do like small things and have a printer's drawer and dingbat drawer (I know--very 80's and 90's, but I can't get rid of them) full of small things that I've had fun collecting over the years from around the U.S. and even from different countries.
I'll talk more on little things in another post, but perhaps my favorite small thing was found at a yard sale for $5 several years back. It is the small, complete, leather-bound King James Bible you see here (including a small magnifying glass held in a sleeve in the back cover). Some research indicates that this type of Bible was given out for Sunday School attendance awards years and years ago. However, inside this one is hand written, "Property of M. Alice Washburn, A.M.A., M.A.L.F.P., A.D., Spring Hill School, 1928". One of my favorite yard sale finds for sure!
Spring is officially here--today I saw the first hummingbird at our feeder! While this picture may not be the best because it was taken through our window screen, you can still see the little lady. Isn't she sweet? I have missed "our" hummingbirds and am delighted at their return. Praise be to God for creating such delightful little creatures!
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11)
You know, I really enjoy African violets. They can be beautiful all year long (certainly a pleasure during those long, cold, snowy winters) and come in an array of lovely colors. Their velvety, sometimes glittering petals either smooth edged or ruffly are a delight. I have a large tub next to a frosted window and have had a hard time in the past getting things to grow on the windowsill. I had this wonderful image in my mind of ivy or philodendron growing up a metal fence-like piece to look like a garden. Well, all of the greenery would always look terrible after awhile. I guess a frosted window isn't the best for leafy plants. So, I decided to try some African violets since they like lots of light but not necessarily direct sunlight (the status quo for this window). I certainly do not have my greenery-covered garden-like fence as once imagined, but, alas, those violets are just thriving here (as you can see from the picture)! The colors of the violets match the curtains wonderfully (which unfortunately you cannot see) and are also some of my favorite violet colors. Enjoy!
I've added two new charms to my Ecrater account (www.glassbeadtreasures.ecrater.com). Here is a picture of one of them if you'd like a peak. The inspiration behind this cobalt and copper charm is from a Limoges teacup and saucer I bought in Paris. I couldn't get any better inspiration than from this! I really like the cobalt flower beads--such a rich, deep blue--which are gorgeous held up to the light.
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving
one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven
you." (Ephesians 4:32) "...and be ye thankful." (Colossians 3:15)
One thing my mother drilled into my brother and me growing up was making sure we always wrote our thank you notes every time after we received a gift. Thank you notes were mandatory! At the time, it sure was a drudgery; though I do admit having a positive feeling after all the thank you notes were done and in the stack to mail. Today I see the great value (thanks, Mom!) of that training and am training my own two children to do the same. Sure, one child cannot write and the other barely, but they draw pictures, write what letters and words they can, and the thank you note is done. It shows whoever took the time to pick out their card and/or gift that they are appreciated. It is a person returning the kindness of another. Now, how can you go wrong with that??
There sure aren't many people who are thankful anymore, and it takes such little effort to make a great positive impact. It doesn't take much time and is always worth the effort to be thankful--a simple smile and a "thank you" to someone at the cash register; a quick note to someone who did something nice for you; or perhaps a little gift to show someone your appreciation for their faithful work.
We had a long, snowy, cold, miserable winter here in Wisconsin this past year; yet, our mail carrier was there faithfully every day up and over country roads (which were rarely plowed until hours after the storm) delivering our mail. I can hear it now..."But he/she is PAID to deliver your mail--that is the mail carrier's job!" That is TRUE...but...how could it possibly hurt to thank our carrier for faithful delivery on all of those wintry days? And thank our carrier we will! We bought a candy bar, the kids are in the process of drawing pictures, and we will jot a quick note just to be kind and thankful and hopefully put a spring in the step and smile on the face of our mail carrier.
Now, how about you? Who can you show thankfulness and kindness to today?
As you know...I just love little things. I'll post pictures of my printer's drawer sometime soon just to show how much I enjoy little things (got to dust it off first before any pictures though!). At http://rozells.blogspot.com there is a swap of little bitty things. Check out their blog for all the details, but here are their rules: Rules of Swap: You will be assigned 3 partners that you will send an alltoid size tin filled with little bitty things and you will also receive 3 tins filled with goodies. All of the items need to be able to fit in an alltoid tin or similar size tin. None of the items can be purchased new. The items need to be something you already own, something you find or thrifted. Message me with your name and email by May 15th and I will send you your partners soon after that. Happy Swapping!!!Doesn't this sound like fun? My mind is already whirling about, thinking of all the neat, pretty little things to put in the tins.
Okay, well, I just couldn't wait until the final word from Roxi...too eager to get the word out and a picture of what my swap item is. Below is the list of details about the swap--"A Not Too Shabby {Summer} Swap" hosted by Roxi and Adrienne at www.roxisfriends.blogspot.com.
To the left is the swap item I'll be giving away. I deviated a bit from all crystal or glass beads to including a few sterling silver fish beads with glass beads for the bubbles and sea grass. The pendant setting itself is not sterling. It measures approximately 1" by 3/4". This design is definitely "summery"--how can fish NOT be summery??
Go on ahead to Roxi's blog for all the fun details, but here are their rules: 1. Create a 'Summer Themed' item for the swap valued at $10.00. (All styles are welcome---vintage-inspired, shabby chic, primative, etc. All items also welcome---soap, jewelry, accessories, paper products, etc.)2. Gift wrap the item as pretty as you like! (we all love to open pretty presents),3. We will accept entries until May 15th, 2008 (***If we have not received your mailing address ,via email, by May 15th you will not be able to participate!),
4. Names will be assigned to participants by May 20th, 2008 (shh, don't tell who you got!),5. Packages should be mailed by you no later than May 26th, 2008 (in order for packages to arrive to each participant by June 1st.)6. If you cannot mail your item because of special circumstances, PLEASE let me know!
7. You do not need a blog to participate. Just let me know beforehand (when you post) and you can email me pics of your item and your info.8. Leave a post and then email me your mailing address (listed at right), thanks!
Have fun!
We had a church function tonight to which I needed to bring some sandwiches. I changed around a recipe I had (took out "this" and added "that"), and this is the recipe which met with very positive reviews. These would make excellent tasty and elegant little sandwiches for a tea party.
1 can (12.5 oz) chicken
1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup finely chopped sweetened, dried cranberries
4 oz cream cheese
3 tablespoons salad dressing (I used Miracle Whip Light)
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
Mix all together in a bowl. Cut off crusts from bread slices and cut each slice then in half to make little sandwiches. Spread chicken salad on bread and serve. This made about 18 little rectangular sandwiches.
Enjoy!
There are many pretty magazines out there, but my favorites and I think the most beautiful are Romantic Homes, Teatime, Victoria, and, when on the shelves, Romantic Country. Are any of these your favorites? Romantic Homes was very romantic in the past and had gotten into a "modern romantic" style with it's new editor. However, the past few issues have really been pretty. I love tea and anything relating to it, so Teatime is also a favorite. They have the most beautiful pictures of teacups and teapots and romantic party ideas. Their recipes are fun, yummy, and delightful to look at. I enjoy just about everything in Romantic Country. Their one and only fault is that they don't come out enough! I read in their most recent issue that they plan on having subscriptions which will be wonderful so that I don't miss out on an issue. With Victoria I had been a long-time subscriber and was saddened when they stopped issuing only to be delighted that they had begun again. I just received their May/June 2008 issue in my mailbox, their "blue and white" issue--lovely!
I thought I'd share some of my own blue and white (though more cream than white actually) from one of my bathrooms. It is actually my children's bathroom. Who says children have to always have little duckies and fish in their bathroom? Why not something classy? I had sort of a blank canvas for this bathroom, and thought a toile shower curtain in blue and cream (got it on Ebay); blue accents in the towels and rugs; and hints of antique gold on the shower curtain hooks, a towel, mirror/picture frames, and hand-stamped fern design on the walls would be pretty. What do you think?
You know, I must say a huge "thank you" to Vin at http://betabloggerfordummies.blogspot.com. Without that helpful blog, mine would look...well, to say the least, not very pretty...and probably not function properly. That guy is incredibly helpful, and the "for dummies" part of his title is definitely talking about me when it comes to blogs and codes and such. How nice it is for people to share in clear, easy steps what they know with people who have no clue. Kudos to Vin, and a hearty recommendation to any and all who need info in putting a nice Google blog together!
lampshades. I have decorated two in my living room with pretty rose-covered floral fabric (roses, of course!), burgundy trim, and a rose, pink, green, and red beaded fringe--and those shades really "make" the lamps (not to mention enhance the look of my living room)! I'm just trying to find the perfect beads now to go with my bedroom decor to decorate the two plain lampshades there. It is fun having a "quest", and this will be my quest--finding those perfect beads--as I visit new bead shops this summer.
