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A Moment of Luminosity

Just why do we put up chandeliers and hang little crystals everywhere anyway? I was going over my daughter's violin lesson this morning, when she said, "Mommy...look!" We have a ceiling fan in our living room on which I hung some flea market crystals and crystal chain pulls. The sun was hitting one of the pulls with it's full strength. The pull magnificently glowed, and spectra lit up the ceiling. It's for moments of luminosity such as this why I and others decorate with sparkling crystals and chandeliers. These moments of beauty may be small and fleeting but are more than worth it.

Flower and Crystal Butterfly Pendant

I found these beads of a most exquisite color in a bead shop last summer. There were only five left--and I can certainly understand why. I couldn't tell you their exact color. They aren't red or yellow or pink or orange. I see from the picture that yellow was pulled out of the glass by the camera, but if I absolutely HAD to put a color on them, I'd say it would be a sunset orange! I have also stitched olivine glass bead "leaves" and a clear Swarovski crystal butterfly complete with antennae and a "flight trail." Enjoy!

When a Waverly Shower Curtain Speaks to You...

I was at a garage sale about 3 years ago and saw this Waverly shower curtain for $5. Did I need a shower curtain? No. Did I really want a shower curtain? No. Is $5 too much to spend on a shower curtain at a garage sale? Definitely. Did I want this shower curtain? Absolutely!! It "spoke" to me, and I bought it for $5. To justify buying it, I told myself I'd resell it on E-Bay. BUT, every time I thought about reselling it...I just couldn't. So, I put it in a plastic tub downstairs waiting for the precise moment in time when I'd have to totally redo my bathroom and be in dire need for a new showercurtain. THEN...sorry, I can't remember which one...I read in a Romantic Country article about someone suggesting turning a shower curtain into a tablecloth. ***LIGHT BULB GOES ON*** Perfect! Well, I finally found my sewing machine and find the one bobbin in the entire house to go with it, snipped, sewed, and, WOW, I now have a beautiful new table cloth! So, the moral of this story is...if a shower curtain (or anything else really) "speaks" to you...get it! You will use and enjoy it eventually.

New Backgrounds...Again!

You might notice that my pictures have once again taken on a different look and feel. It was very nicely suggested by Sadie of Lollishops fame (she really is a remarkable person!) that I update my jewelry settings. So, I did some homework, looked at what other people were doing, and changed the settings. I thought the old books (I just love the look and feel of old books--more on that another time) set off the beautiful colors of the jewelry and gave the jewelry a Victorian/antique feeling. Of course, the fun things that I've been working on specifically for Lollishops as you can see below have been nestled in glass bead "pearls" inside a cupcake liner. What could be more fun or show the spirit of Lollishops more than a cupcake? I'm pleased with the outcome. Thanks for the gentle nudge, Sadie!

Overcome by Negativity?

It is amazing how much negativity there is going on out in the world? In the mail, on the news, from just talking to people--everything is so negative! The economy is terrible; prices for all necessities are going up; people running for election are bashing each other; whoever is elected will take away all of our freedoms and tax us out of all we own; businesses will fail; religious liberties will be gone; crime is up; the weather will be worse than ever this year; the bird flu or cancer will be the demise of our families; etc., etc. Whew! I understand some things are reality and truth, and with information comes power and thus the ability or necessity to act wisely. However, all of the negativity can be just plain overwhelming! It can get us down...then what good are we?
This reminds me of a passage in I Samuel 30. David and his men had been out to battle. When they returned home, they found their wives and children were taken by an enemy, and the whole city had been burned. Oh, and they were exhausted from their battle! They "...lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep." (vs. 4) David's men were so distraught that they were even considering sending David to an early grave. Talk about negativity...talk about being down! Then the Bible says, "...but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God." (vs. 6) There was absolutely nothing else David could do but turn to God for his encouragement and peace. He couldn't even muster up enough oomph within himself to offer hope to his men--he had to turn to God for his strength. The account goes on to say that they were all able with God's direction and help to regain their families and eventually able to rebuild. Nehemiah 8:10 says, "...the joy of the LORD is your strength." There are so many things we can look to as blessings from God--as non-negative things. True there are some days that are so full of negativity that we have to make a conscious effort to count our blessings and be thankful for all of those little things---the beautiful redness of our maple tree; no colds in our family for three weeks; no bills in the mail today; our tummies are satisfied; we have winter coats; etc. And for those who know the Lord as their Saviour...there is the peace and promise of eternal life. Now how can one be full of negativity with that incredible promise!? With God's help and reading the Bible we can be encouraged, find positivity, and find hope to offer others in a such negative world. Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Count your blessings, don't perpetrate negativity, and with the Lord's help have "a merry heart". If we all work on this today, I know it will impact us, our families, and countless others.

Thoughts on Romantic Country's Rachel Ashwell Article

It's funny how you get an idea of something...then read about it or see pictures of it and what you had imagined is NOT what you had imagined at all. I'm speaking of the latest issue of Romantic Country, and their article about Rachel Ashwell's home. It was not what I had expected. She says, "Less is more."and "Avoid anything frilly." These thoughts of hers were quite evident in her home. It seemed stark...almost cold. Other than the chandeliers, bedspread, and a few china pieces, I found her home quite unappealing and unwelcoming. It did not have the pretty elements that I thought her tastes had. Oh, well...it's her home, and as long as she is pleased with it that's what matters. But I confess to being somewhat disappointed. The following article..."Living in a Fairytale" had a bit more of what I had envisioned her tastes were--only not on such a widespread, ultra-pink scale! While the Bishop's home was much, much more feminine than I would ever imagine having (after all, I DO have to live with my guys)...there were some truly pretty attributes and beautiful things...gorgeous things! I especially liked the spray above the dining room chandelier. My sister-in-law did that in her first home. It really adds to the charm. My own dining room is not conducive to such a detail, so I especially appreciate it when I see it. Oh, and while I'm at it...the house in the following article "Tastefully Tuscan" is elegant in every possible way. It is such fun to look at other people's homes and take this and that from what you see and and incorporate it into your own home. Just some thoughts on articles from a fabulous magazine...

Wintry Brooch Now Available

I think...no, no...I KNOW this is my favorite piece so far. I have seriously considered keeping it for myself, but I'd really like someone else to enjoy it. This could be a seasonal brooch--one can wear it for the entire winter season (November through February)--or simply for any time of the year when something pretty and blue is needed. It has frosty blue and cobalt flowers, clear and pearly glass beads, and a clear Swarovski crystal butterfly.

Lollishops Inspiration...

Oh, and by the way...this little brooch (the only thing I've worked on lately while guests have been here) is the direct result of inspiration from Lollishops! I'm thinking of giving it away in honor of Lollishops's Grand Opening...but more on that later...so don't sign up now. Just check back in in November or January when I'll post the details.

Lollishops

There is a great thing happening, and I've been eager to blog about it. You know...there is Etsy, Ebay, eCrater, and others--all venues where people can sell what they make. Some require fees (some pretty big fees!) and others none (eCrater). Some have great exposure (Ebay) and some very little (eCrater). Well, there is a smart gal who is starting a similar venue for the selling of handmade wares called Lollishops (www.lollishops.com). It is an adorable site. It is a juried place for selling quality handcrafted items that are all of somewhat similar themes. The shops are not open yet--only the blog at this point. The opening date is somewhere at the end of November with the grand opening in January. There will be five categories from which to choose a lovely: Elegant Whimsy, Romantic Inspiriation (my section!), Fanciful Creations, Vintage Treasures, and Artistic Elements. I like the fact that you probably won't find ultra weird, contemporary modern, and ugly things in this venue. There are many members, and if you create beautiful things, I'd suggest applying on Lollishops to be approved to sell. I'm still getting the swing of Flickr, what a ning is, how to set up a shop, etc. But I'm getting it slowly. While I'm not allowed to reveal the pay structure, I assure you it is very, very reasonable. Kudos to "Sadie Lou Who" for coming up with this...and thanks for letting me be a part of this.

Getting back to things!

We've had guests for several weeks now--two different sets of guests over a course of four weeks. While it's been fun having them, I have had little time to blog or work on my glass bead hobby. Now that the house is settling back down again and though homeschooling will start up in earnest again, it is time to get back to things! I have been thinking of some new things to stitch and am eager to get going. I had a few moments and stitched a new brooch. More on that in another post.

Elegant Repurposing

My husband and I were in this lovely shop in Boothbay Harbor, Maine years ago. I can't remember the name of the shop, but I do remember all of the elegant and, yes, quite unaffordable things there. Then in the far back of the shop there was the 50% off shelf full of the one-of-a-kinds, soiled, orphaned, and other oddities for whoever was interested enough to take a glance. There I saw this teacup. It's saucer had broken, and so, though being an elegant Wedgwood, it sat on that shelf looking lonely and undesired without it's other half. My husband encouraged me to get it (very kind and sweet)...and so I did! I confess to not needing much coaxing to purchase it, but how does one serve proper tea in a proper teacup without it's saucer? Ah, repurposing! I have a fruit theme in my kitchen (more on that at another time), and this little teacup is now enjoying it's new life not as a teacup to be sipped from but, sitting on the corner of my kitchen sink, as a beautiful dish to hold my scrubby pad. It is used every day. It is seen every day. It is enjoyed every day. How could it wish for any different life than this?

New Banner...Again...and Pretties.

Many, many thanks to Sara of Graphic Pretties. She had a contest on her blog, as she does each month I believe, to win a beautiful graphic creation of hers. I won (thank you again, Sara!), and she created two beautiful banners plus two floral pretties. Take a look at her blog and website if you are in the market for some truly lovely graphic designs.