Necklace Display for LeeLee's Jewelry

As I've mentioned in previous posts, my friend Lisa has been creating some really beautiful jewelry. I kind of confiscated a piece of particle board from her during a little visit one day last week; and came up with this display for her necklaces.

This is the back, I prettied it up just to for the fun of it. The whole display was made using only components that I had in my craft room or my husband had in his work shed.

Here is a shot with one of my necklaces on it. I can't wait to see it with one of Lisa's new creations!!

I hope she likes it; I sure do!

You can check out Lisa's jewelry at jewelrybyleelee.blogspot.com

I know you'll love it as much as I do.

Happy Easter everyone. May your troubles be few and your blessings be many.

MEL

Reflections

For several months now I have been in a state of anxiety or unease about turning fifty. It isn't the number per say that I have an issue with so much as what the past fifty years have held for me. As I've been reflecting on this it came to me that it isn't the past fifty years that I'm caught up in but the next fifty or however many God sees fit to give me. Taking stock in my life: where I've been and what I've done; where I'm going and what I still want to do - this has taken a lot of mental energy, but I finally have a grasp on reality: I can't change the past and I can't control the future so I'll just live in the "here and now."

I am truly a very blessed woman. God has been gracious to me, to say the least. He has given me more chances in my life to "get it right" then I can count so I'll go on each day making sure I keep it right!! I have the most amazing man in the world who loves me completely and a hundred percent without condition. I have 6 absolutely beautiful children who have taught me so much about who I am, grandchildren who keep me young and a best friend who really "gets me."

When I was a little girl my mother often listened to a song by Doris Day and I can't help but hear those words now:


When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be pretty, will I be rich
Here's what she said to me.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

When I grew up, I fell in love
I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead
Will we have rainbows, day after day
Here's what my sweetheart said.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

Now I have children of my own
They ask their mother, what will I be
Will I be handsome, will I be rich
I tell them tenderly.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

So until the next time folks: May your troubles be few and your blessings be many.

Que Sera, Sera.
Mel

Necklace display

My bestie has a birthday coming up and after much brain racking I came up with this hand-crafted gift for her. She has recently gotten into making jewelry and she has mentioned trying her hat at selling her wares at a craft show. So I came up with this necklace display I created out of a plastic quart milk jug and the sides of a half gallon bleach bottle. I really love the end result. I am making several of these for her and I am making displays for her bracelets and earrings as well. I think she's going to like them. I know I do.

The bracelet display is from the heavy duty cardboard tube that my husband's screen comes on (He builds screen rooms and pool enclosures so he always has those tubes) I had him saw just a bit off the round so that it would sit flat and then I covered it in batted fabric. The ends are made from plastic lids covered in batted fabric. I also made a black one to match the necklace displays. I like the way these came out as well.

As I've mentioned in previous posts, I am trying to use up things I've got on hand and use as much recycled materials as possible so this project was especially fun for me because I didn't have to buy a thing! Yay for my wallet!

May your troubles be few and your blessings be many!

MEL

Getting crafty with Grandma's dress

Hello folks, I am extremely pleased with the way everything is going right now. The kids have been moved out for a couple weeks now so I got to take all my craft/sewing/scrapbooking supplies out of the closet and into my new craft studio. It's been a lot like Christmas as I've been upacking things and getting them organized into my new room: I had forgotten about so much of what I had and I feel like a giddy little girl as I find things I haven't seen in such a long time. I love the rediscovery of my creative mind.

My goal has been to create all I can using items I already have on hand. I did buy a rotary cutter from Hobby Lobby because I plan to sew a couple quilts soon. I've never made a quilt before so I'm sure it will be fun learning the ins and outs of quilting. But until then...

...This little jar made the cutest pin cushion I was lucky enough to have received some home canned hot sauce in this little jar, and with a little soaking in some baking soda water it took that smell right out; so I was excited about another recycle. And the best part is that I have been holding on to a dress that my grandmother wore. I always knew I wanted to create some special items for myself with the dress and I made this little pin cushion jar to hold my pins using a small part of the dress. I am also going to make a nice little fabric covered trinket holder using the same fabric and a few other items to send to my sisters and my cousins so that we each have a little part of the dress.

May your troubles be few and your blessings be many,

MEL