I've been counting and recounting the number of posts I've written because I just can't believe this is my 100th! This has got to be the epitome of "time flies when you're having fun". When my sister, the "other" Kim, of Savannah Gourmet, first suggested I start a blog, my intention was simply to keep a running record of all of the ludicrous, bizarre, unbelievable things that could only happen to me. While there has been a bit of that, my blog has evolved into the place where all of the wacky, eclectic components of my personality (and my life) converge to paint a picture of my world. The coloring is definitely outside of the lines...and sometimes goes right off the paper!
This journey has been amazing, though. I can look back and see where I've wandered off the beaten path and, all along the way, there was one (or more) of you to 1.) walk alongside of me or 2.) gently pull me back onto the trail. Odd though it may seem, to "outsiders", the friendships I have formed with my blog-buddies are as significant as any I have formed in my "real" life. What astounds me, on a daily basis, is how intertwined our lives become and how familiar we are with the details of each others daily routines.
I'm so grateful, to each and every one of you, who has reached out to me and allowed me to be a small part of your world!
Now for the give-away part: initially, it was my plan to assemble (what I'd hoped would be) a wonderful collection of my handmade creations for the winner. This afternoon, I switched gears a bit. Yes, the give-away does include some handmade goodies, but the "theme" is: "These are a few of my favorite things". For those of you who don't know me well enough yet, here are some hints...
I love...the beach, fairy tales, all things Victorian, whimsical sillies, girly bath products, jewelry, photographs, accessories, things that simplify my chaotic life, miniatures, sparkles, comfy cozies...and surprises! So, that's what I'm going to do: surprise the winner with some of my favorite things, which will, hopefully, be some of her favorite things. Please leave a comment, if you would like to be entered, and one of my kids will randomly choose a name on Monday. Why Monday? Why not?
My wonderful new friend, Sharon of SharDonExclusives, has rendered me positively speechless. Since I discovered her amazingly, fantastically stunning jewelry, I have been transfixed by her talent and imagination. She, who turns a piece from a broken stained glass, church window, into a pendant that is truly a work of art. Who, beside Sharon, could even imagine such a metamorphosis? I posted earlier that Sharon and I instantly "clicked", via email, followed by a phone chat that confirmed (to me at least) that we were just meant to be friends. I had sent Sharon some beaded jewelry that I knew she could transform into something far lovelier than it was. She seemed pleased with her new goodies and let me know that a little "love gift" was on its way to me. I wasn't expecting the package until tomorrow, but was THRILLED when it arrived a day early. "Little love gift" my.....eye! The main gift was the most gorgeous necklace I could imagine and exactly what I would have chosen for myself. How did she know? She also made me a beautiful pin cushion (such a misnomer for this lovely piece). I don't have a pin cushion. I store my pins/ needles in an empty film canister and prick my finger EVERY time I open it. How did she know? Then there was one of her fabulous eye glass cases. I just got a pair of reading glasses and have been carrying them, in my purse, wrapped in a paper towel because I didn't have a glasses case. How did she know?
When you make a true heart connection with another person, you just know. Thank you, Sharon, for....well, you know :-)
I am very unhappy with the quality of the pictures. I tried to snap them before the sun went down. I also had my son attempt to take some pictures of me wearing the necklace, but they didn't turn out well. We'll try again.
I am holding off on sharing the cards Sharon made me for another post as I have to attend to my Gretel. The puppy has had a bit of a rough day. Back to the vet to get hers pain meds changed (they were causing some...ummm..."plumbing" issues) and have her checked over. Everything looks good, according to the vet, but the healing process is a bit harder now that her initial excitement, over being home, is over.
The winner of my "Bits and Bobs" jewelry give-away is... Whispering Poppies! My son picked the name, although he clearly didn't understand or appreciate the significance of a blog give-away. If "Whispering" would kindly email me with your name/ address, your goodies will be on their way. Thank you to everyone who entered. Keep checking back as I'm on a spring cleaning roll (in spite of the winter weather) and I suspect another give-away id right around the corner :-)
Spring surely must be right around the corner, because I have that distinctive itch to organize & de-clutter. Even after my wonderful swap, with Monica, I have more bits & pieces of beautiful jewelry than one person needs or can use for crafty projects. So ladies, you know the routine: please leave a comment, if you are interested in being entered, and I will have my son pick the winner on Tuesday, March 3. The photograph contains just a portion of what the give-away package will include...I'm still sorting :-)
I hope she won't mind, but I am borrowing an idea from Theresa (Time Worn Interiors). If you are thoughtful enough to mention my give-away, on your blog, your name will be entered twice.
I was trying to find some quick (and ridiculously) easy ways to use some of the vintage jewelry I have. I wasn't feeling like digging into a major project, though. Here are some of the short-cut pieces I made, which I'm going to put in my etsy shop. Speaking of which...here I go, off on another tangent...I've decided to wait until I have a fairly sizable number of items with which to stock my store. Rather than doing it piecemeal, and having visitors asking: "Is that all?" Any thoughts on doing it the way I'm suggesting?
Back to the jewelry: I bought a batch of vintage, goldtone chains (necklaces & bracelets) at a thrift store ages ago. I thought maybe I could jazz them up a bit with some of my singleton earrings or a pin. Et voila! The turquoise necklace was a screw-back earring. I removed the screw part and bent the remaining wire down, to form a loop. Now I can put it on any chain. The other two necklaces are simply vintage pins. I discovered, the hard way, that it's a good idea to file down the pointed end before you try to wear it. OUCH! For the bracelet, I took apart a pair of rhinestone earrings and a single clip-on, removed the backs and glued them to a goldtone bracelet. Fast, fun & easy...just the kind of projects I had in mind.
