400th Anniversary of the King James Bible

I will be away from my computer for a little while and unable to post, so I thought I'd write this today. May 2 is the 400th anniversary of the King James Version of the Bible. Most people think, "Big deal", but it IS a big deal. Unfortunately I do not have the time nor space to tell of the history of the Bible. I will say that people--many people--could not read the Bible in their native tongue. Only the "religious leaders" could read it and, thus, had control of it and it's precepts. The common person could not read it in their language--including the English speaking people. People like Martin Luther, John Wycliffe, and William Tyndale were historically instrumental in the process of getting our KJV to us today. Thankfully King James the I of England was a godly man who saw the need to put the Bible--an accurate translation of the Bible--into the hands of the common, English-speaking person. His translation team was varied...his team was not made up of many of a particular religious persuasion. A passage that was translated had to be checked for accuracy in translation many times by different teams so that people's opinions, persuasions, and religious affiliations did not affect the final draft. He was extremely particular about accuracy. AND, most importantly, the KJV was translated from the correct text--the Textus Receptus. Of course, the original texts were no longer around--they had been read and read and reread until they fell apart, then people copied those "original" writings so that they could be read and read...then on and on it went through history. There are other texts--the Siniaticus and Vaticanus--which have been "corrupted" in that they leave out passages, change passages, etc. All of the modern translations are from these texts. Compare your KJV with all the other "Bibles" out there--meanings are changed, words are different, words are left out, words are added, the deity of Christ is watered down (like I John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. ...the great passage proving the Trinity exists is changed in all other versions)...and they are all copywrited!!! Only the KJV is not copywrited and is free for all to read and write and sell. It has the power that the other translations don't have. It is archaic and hard to read?? Ha! Hardly! It has a lower grade level of reading than other translations. The "thee's" and "thou's" are there for a reason contrary to the word "you" which has many interpretations in the English language. The KJV has power and authority. God promised to preserve His Word, and He did in the KJV. Psa 12:6,7 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. I challenge those who do not agree with me to study--really study--these things out for yourself. I know most people blindly use other versions and do not know there is an issue--but there IS an issue...an important one. Many thanks to the Lord for having King James give us a clear, accurate translation in the English language. I know I have God's Word, and I know it is right with nothing changed, left out, or added. The Bible gives comfort, encouragement, instruction, direction, and because of it I have learned how to go to heaven and live for the Lord. Praise the Lord for His Holy Word.

Nothing like a Wedding...

...and a royal one too! While I got up too late to see the actual ceremony (got up at 5:20 a.m.), I was able to look back at what had already happened and then saw William and Kate leave the church...the carriage procession (gorgeous carriage and Kate looked absolutely radiant)...the dress (love all the lace, but I thought it was a little distasteful in that it was too low--not to mention Pippa's!!)...the jewels (that sparkling crown!)...that wonderful balcony kiss (TWO of them--how wonderful!). The kiss could have been a bit *longer*...but that's just me! I thought the queen looked absolutely fabulous. She is just all class, and the "True Lover's Knot" brooch was a nice touch. I'm truly happy for the couple, and they look like they are beaming and soooo happy. It's great that this has been a wonderful day for them.

Speckled Egg Petite Inspiration Swap Boxes from Me

Heather at the Speckled Egg hosted a fabulous swap recently. We were to decorate matchboxes (the larger size) and fill it with little inspirational wonders--all with a spring theme. My two partners are Becky of Me & Mine and Kathy of Country Chintz. They have received theirs now. I have not received theirs yet (though one is on its way) but will post with what they send when they arrive. This was such a fun project. I had a great time roaming antique malls scouting for little springtime wonders. I have never decorated a match box before, so this was new to me.
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I first painted the boxes white inside and out then put the pink paper on the top, opening side, and inside. A birds' next with turquoise birds, bee stickers with turquoise glitter trails, and plenty of apple blossom flowers decorated the top.

I had exactly two of these pretty glass buttons with rhinestone centers--they made the perfect knobs for each box.
I wanted to find pink toile paper but couldn't. So this was the next best thing.
Everything fit snugly into the boxes. There was glitter and ribbon and lace included.

Here is all that was in the boxes. They both had pretty much the same things except for a few slight differences.
This is a close up of a lot of the little inspirational things included in the box--a bird cake topper, canary feathers, Victorian cut outs, a crystal chandelier drop, vintage jewelry, little birds, spring flowers postage stamps, and a box of spring time flower beads and jewelry.

Some more detail of what was inside--a Victorian calling card and some foreign language vocabulary cards.

This is a close up of the little vintage tally cards. I thought the girls were adorable and each was in her garden or outside--perfect for spring. This was a fun swap. Many thanks to Heather for having such a great idea and for hosting this.

Mother's Day Vintage Brooch Swap from Me

As a continuation of the post above....here is what I sent across the pond to Jan. My box doesn't look nearly as pretty as hers....but I had a great amount of fun decorating and embellishing it. I found some rich-looking paper that coordinated with the colors of the brooch and covered the top of the box and lined the inside.

I embellished the top with vintage butterfly papers and vintage jewelry pieces. The butterfly trails were in pink glitter. Oh, and don't forget the little bumble bee sticker I found.

I put coordinating purple shreds inside and nestled the brooch in it.

I really liked this old brooch with its blue-hued rhinestone aurora borealis flowers and gold tone leaves.

I'm thankful it arrived in England safe and sound and that Jan was pleased.

Mother's Day Vintage Brooch Swap from Jan

Linda at A Swap for All Seasons hosted a wonderful swap, the Mother's Day Vintage Brooch Swap. We were to swap a vintage brooch wrapped in a beautiful package. My partner was Jan of Jan's Arty Journey. Jan certainly renewed my faith in swappers! Not only did she hold up her end of the swap but did so amazingly and beautifully. She is kind and wonderful in every way...and very talented. She wrapped everything in pretty paper tied with lovely ribbon and included a pretty card.
The brooch she chose is absolutely perfect. It is exactly as I would choose and like--you know how I like flowers and rhinestones. I shall wear it an enjoy it.She put the brooch in this amazingly beautiful book box that she embellished with all sorts of pretties--inside and out! I love the Parisian theme.
Many thanks to Jan for this wonderful brooch and box and to Linda for hosting such a fabulous swap.

Double Lolli Charm/Clip

It was fun making this little charm/clip (available in my shop) with iridescent coral lollipops on golden sticks.

Speckled Egg Spring Inspiration Swap Teaser

This is a teaser for Becky and Kathy! I finished my spring inspiration swap boxes for them as part of Heather's (of Speckled Egg fame) swap. They were shipped off today. I have more pictures but don't want to spoil the surprise for Becky and Kathy. ; )

Some of my Favorite Brooches

I failed to show you what some of my favorite brooches are. As part of Linda's (A Swap for all Seasons) Mother's Day Brooch Swap, we were suggested to post our favorite brooches on Flickr. I did that but didn't post on here. So, here are some of mine. Many beautiful brooches have passed through my hands and into my shop and on to a good home. I wish I could keep them all (some were hard to sell)...but a person can only have so many brooches. Those in this picture are old, and I haven't yet been able to give them up. The little circle one is actually a picture frame. The long, narrow white one is enamel. I love the crown one with its purple and clear rhinestones. The little blue bird one is sweet and such a vivid shade of blue. The large flower one is from Portugal, and my grandfather brought it back to my grandmother when he came home from WWII. Of course, the sterling silver teapot pin is a favorite. Enjoy!

Teaser for the Mother's Day Brooch Swap

The talented Jan of Jan's Arty Journey is my swap partner in the A Swap for All Seasons Mother's Day Brooch Swap. We are to send a vintage brooch packaged very prettily. Well, here is Jan's teaser--it is part of the pretty packaging. We'll have to wait for another post to reveal the entire pictures--don't want to spoil Jan's fun. I will be shipping her package off to England on Monday. Thank you, Linda, for the great fun this has been and to, Jan, for being such a nice partner.

New Bottles Listed

It has been a busy week for us, but in between things I was able to finish and list a few new bottles. This green one was sort of an experiment. It is not a perfume bottle but rather just a craft bottle turned into a decorative boudoir-type bottle. The green is pretty, and green is a difficult color to get as a perfume bottle. The pretty guilloche plate looks perfect on it, and the porcelain roses and little bird with a nest full of faux pearls made for a pretty, spring-like piece. This "blushing rose" bottle has a sweet, ever-so-light pink rose flanked by two white flowers. I think it looks soft and pretty. This tea roses one is one someone asked me to do. She saw the one I had done with similar pieces on Flickr and asked if I could do one for her. Thankfully (and rarely) I did have some pieces left to embellish this.

Forget TV...

...THIS is entertainment! I'm only putting the link because I don't want anyone to have any computer problems...but this is a worth go-to (you'll have to put up with an advertisement when you first get on). It is a live, streaming video of an eagle's nest in Iowa. We have had such fun watching them. There is the mom and dad, of course. Two of the little chicks have hatched and one will hatch eventually, we hope. The babies are so fuzzy and sweet--my kids just love them. We saw one eagle bring some food, and the other eagle feed the babies several times....and it's live...real. Yes, there is plenty of time during the day when one eagle or the other just sits on the nest keeping the little ones safe and warm, but it is worth keeping an eye on during the day. This has been not only educational but fun. Enjoy! Decora Eagles-Ustream

Finally Listed My Hand Beaded Lamp Shades

Yes, I've had these for awhile. To be honest, I didn't want to list them because I am concerned about how to safely ship them and the cost involved with that. After much thought I think I've figure out how to ship them so that they arrive to their destinations, if and when they sell, clean, economically, and safely. I did put a good deal of work into hand beading each one. It was fun, and I like how they look. Hopefully others will like them too.

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This fun little chandelier shade has glass bead "sand", iridescent shells, and light blue "starfish".

This one has a cottage/shabby chic look with light green vines and leaves and milky pink glass flowers.

This one is elegant with glass bead flower clusters in various colors.

A Royal Treasury

Inspired by Heidi's swap, I put together and Etsy treasury entitled "A Royal Wedding for William and Kate". I thought it would be fun. Here is a picture of it, but to see all the details you may click HERE to go to the actual treasury. P.S. I just LOVE the little gold and jewel embellished carriage!