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

Spongebob Valentine Card Holder

It's a rainy day today and I haven't been feeling well so I thought I'd do something simple and make Jayden's Valentines for his classmates.

                                    

The idea for these came from Better Homes and  Gardens. If you are not a member of BHG just sign up and then you can get the labels.

Last week I sat with Jayden and we searched the internet for card holder ideas. I had pinned one to my "Be my Valentine" board on Pinterest and that is the one that Jayden got excited about so that became our inspiration photo. And we set out to make one ourselves. I had all the materials needed already in my craft room.

We used a cereal box and covered it with construction paper and construction paper cutouts. An artist I am not, but I think he turned out really cute anyhow. If I were to make another one, I would make the shirt shorter and the shorts higher but Jayden is super happy with the outcome so that's what matters to me!

Have a blessed day everyone!

Not so "Permanent" Marker.

My son's girlfriend was babysitting for a friend and the little boy she was watching was just learning to write. He decided to take a black permanent marker to several items around my house. One of the things he wrote all over was my deep freezer and I have tried many things to get the marker off. To no avail. Another of the items was a plastic drawer container I use to store my grandson's crayons and such. I figured nail polish remover would probably do the trick but I didn't want the acetone to damage any surfaces so I tried alcohol and voila! No more marker on the freezer and no more marker on any thing else either!

I used repurposed dryer sheets with some alcohol and all the marker came off! It took a bit more alcohol and more elbow grease to remove it from the freezer but it was a success. The next step is to cover the drawers using the inspiration I got from Kinder-Craze.

I'll be sure to post the after pics when I'm finished.

I hope your days are as blessed as mine!

Change is good! and Lisa's Jewelry.

So I have been really concentrating on the change that I wanted to make. I'll be having a birthday in a couple of months: the big five-o. I have come to the conclusion that this a huge factor in my recent need to make so many changes in my life. But I am finding that change is good! I don't think the people in my immediate circle are thinking so but I sure am. I have found I am much happier now that I have clear goals. Another thing I'm finding is that I don't really have to worry about how I'm going to reach my goals because the challenge of figuring that all out has become part of what makes me so giddy! Strange I know but still so very true.

On another note: my friend Lisa has been crafting jewelry lately and I wanted to share some of her creations.

Lisa is new at the art of jewelry making but I think she's doing a fabulous job! She has also started to get requests for custom made pieces. If anyone is interested let me know!