It's All About Me! 10/22/09

When Natasha announced this event I was hesitant at first, not for any particular reason other than I'm so busy at this time in my life that I wasn't sure I wanted to take on another "thing or event" to stress me out. But after a few days I thought "why not" and decided to enter. Truly I am not a chick who has a problem doing things for myself. I try to not be egotistical or narcissistic but I think we all are to some degree even if fractionally. I am truly trying to be like my Lord and be humble, submissive and loving as He is though. But I digress from the story.

So I decided to do something I've been wanting to do for a year: make a beautiful cuff that I've seen on Natasha's blog. I hemed and hawed about this for weeks and finally it got down to the wire to the point that I either do it or drop out. So off to WM and Joanns I go to look at their laces. The lace sat around for days before I even took it out of the small bag. When I finally did, I took measurements of my wrist. Okay, now what to do? I've never made one before but I knew that this one wouldn't be given away or sold so that was the toughest part—doing something from my heart because it was mine to keep and to pass to my daughter or granddaughter as a rememberance of me and my taste and hoping they would wear it someday. And if the new great grandbaby is a girl then I sure hope she is froufrou like her great grandmother—me. (Oh, btw, I've decided what I want that baby to call me: GG, standing for great-grandma since my grandkids call me Nana. I selected what I wanted them to call me before the first one was born). That's my privilege. :-)

So here is what I made just for me and my progeny.

My cuff started with lace and I then added a vintage crocheted rose I have been saving for something special.

Then a lovely rhinestone button for its center. Another pink sparkly button on the other side of the wristlet and then some ribbon roses.

Then since I love polka dots I added this cute little fuchsia button.

Then in the back a pretty dark pink button.

It is so funny because I wore this the day after I made it and did I get the looks from people! Not one asked me about it and it is very prominent on my wrist but lots of stares, I tell ya, chicks.

But I decided to go on and make a couple more for just me. This one is another one that I'll never get rid of because that piece of jewelry is precious to me.

Keeping this one also because the rose was given to me by my friend, Bertie. She's fantastic. I used my new sewing machine to do a smocking stitch and then a feather stitch with pink thread. I then added faux pearls and Bertie's rose.
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But as I was making that one for me I also made a couple for the girls of a friend of ours. They are 11 and 9 years old so I think they'll be into froufrou-y stuff by now, right? I sure hope so.



For a friend who is going through a stressful time who will have received it by the time she reads this. Very french looking, don't you think?

These two I made to be given away to the Young Women class I instructed on making aprons.


And this one is for a very special friend of mine who just spoils me when.....well, whenever I least expect it. But then I never ever expect anything tangible from anyone! It's always, always a surprise when I receive anything. She, also, will have received it by the time she reads this.


And this one to a very special "southern belle" chick who adopted me. ;-) I sure hope she receives it by the time this is published. ;-) Surprise!!!!

I really thought I was done and then I had to do this beauty. Reminds me of a Snow Princess with its cool blues and pearls. The recipient will have this one before she sees this also. I love how the new sewing machine lets me embroider the ribbons so beautifully.


Who knows where this one will go? Wherever my heart leads it!

So in the end is it all about me? Maybe and then again maybe not because I get such pleasure from gifting my friends with these things. I did the ones for me first and then I thought how much pleasure the cuffs would bring my friends. And......I couldn't resist! And there will be more to come for some others. And.....maybe even a giveaway.....
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Pink Saturday 2/7/09

Be sure to visit with all the other Pink Saturday posts over on Beverly's blog How Sweet the Sound.
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I've been very busy crafting more little crowns. These are fun to make really. Shabby little paper roses with a vintage scrap of embroidery and seam binding ribbon and rhinestones. This will be for sale on my selling blog, La Maison Rose. Take a peek!

Crown #1

Crown #2

Random Thoughts on Pink Saturday 1/31/09

I want to remind you all to visit Beverly's site How Sweet the Sound and visit all the women who participate in Pink Saturday. You'll love all the PINK!
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A shabby and chic little crown. Not just any crown, my sweet cherubs, but a PRINCESS CHICK CROWN. Yesssssss!!! It isn't very big either - only about 4" across and 5" tall. See my little chick? Hah.... It is painted and glitter sprinkled to look almost like a snow crown. It has roses.....squeeeeeeeeal(!)......and feathers and pearls and rhinestones and tissue paper garland and tulle netting in which the little pink chick rests........oh it's so froufrou-y!

Oh, and if anyone would like to buy it, get in contact with me through my Profile Page here on the blog. My email is listed there. I just try to make it a teensy bit harder for the spammers, chickadees! *Wink*.......... Ooooooh, and nuuuuuuuu, you can't wear it around the house; it's only for show on your shelves. Hah!!

Now on to other things on this glorious saturday morning, my sweet cherubs.
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Some sweet ephemera valentines I received recently. It truly does remind me of when I was a child. These were the kind of valentines we sent and received. Aren't they quite adorable?

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My latest shabby romantic little cottage birdhouse. Ain't she cute?

First of all, let me show you one of my favorite prints by artist, Chuck DeHaan. I think I've shown it before but didn't get a good photo of it because of where it was hanging and I was too lazy to take it down. Well, since we've repainted the walls pink I haven't put it back up yet so I got a pretty good shot of it today in my living room entry.

Most people express surprise because it's more western art than shabby romantic roses cottage but when I see or buy art it has to speak to my heart. Yes, this spoke to my heart when I found it in a little antique shop in Niles area of Fremont, Calif. when we lived there.

I see the Indian looking lovingly and reverently down at the little blue bird in the bottom right corner. It simply tugged at my heart and it has found its place in my home. And I love snow scenes! I hope you enlarge the photo to see it best.

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Why is it that everyone on the road has to be first? They'll whiz by me and I'll see them at the stop light. I call it "hurry up and wait" because that driver has wasted more gas but didn't save one second of time since we're both sitting there waiting for it to change. I try to never hurry while driving. I just let all the nuts and zanies in front of me. That way they won't rear end me. Works for me.
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I heard the other day a famous actor comment on how he and his wife have been married for 30 years and are still together because they don't speak the same language. Literally don't speak the same language. He only speaks english and she only speaks french. I guess they sort of understand each other. How sad. First that he didn't learn her language and second that she didn't learn his language. Sounds prideful to me, not to mention rude and not at all like it should be.

Love Bunny and I have lasted for almost 48 years because we DO speak the same language: love for each other. A novel approach perhaps or a truly humble couple??? Hmmmm........
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There is definitely such a thing as an emergency run to the donut shop or to Michaels or Joanns. Trust me on this one.......please!
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Nagging never seems to work very well for me. I think I should give it up and just deal with hubby doing it on his time frame and save myself the stress of nagging. It doesn't accomplish anything. And if after 40 years you see no progress then maybe it doesn't work like they told me it would. Ahhhhhhhhh, I feel less stressful already........
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My friend called me the other day with this opening line: Wicked witch, how may I torture you. A very novel line I thought. But then she knows me quite well and knew I'd probably need a laugh about that time of day. Plus she needs me; I'm helping to raise her teenagers with my words of wisdom........well, I think they are since my kids are 45 and 46 and doing quite well!!
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I saw a couple waiting at the doctor's office the other day with a baby in a camouflaged baby carrier. Now, can anyone tell me why a teensy baby would need to be in a camouflaged carrier?! I doubt there were any deer or moose lurking at the medical center. But ya never know, right?!
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A person once accused me (lightheartedly) of flattery. I told her I never ever flatter; I only speak truth. If someone is pretty I let them know. I always tell children how gorgeous they are because THEY ARE. (Kid in my house ripping it apart while mum sits idly by is the exception. They are never invited back. That's a firm rule in my home.) But it almost suggests I'm lying. Now, why in the world would I lie by saying you're lovely, gorgeous, pretty or beautiful. I get nothing out of letting someone know they look better than me. Nooooo, I don't flatter, I speak truth when that person is beautiful, lovely, pretty or gorgeous.
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The concept of growing old has never really taken hold with me. Just ask anyone who knows me or chats with me on the phone and hasn't ever met me in person. I'm a 20 year old at heart.......okay, maybe 25, but that's the absolute oldest I'll go! I am the poster chick for "I'm never gonna grow old"!
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I think a study should be done on the effect of testosterone in the presence of power tools.
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Love Bunny and I were chatting one morning and I asked him if he thought there would be food in heaven. He thought not, but wasn't sure. If there is no chocolate, truffles, oriental chicken salad, fish, shrimp, beans and coleslaw, cornbread, french bread with butter or Pepsi, then I'm not sure I'd wanna go.
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Last sunday in Relief Society at church they were doing a "good news" moment. Everyone who has good news just shouts it out. I thought of raising my hand and saying, "I think my anti-wrinkle cream is working finally" but thought better of it. They'd probably throw me out because of either my levity or I'm starting to look pretty darn good, chicks. Hah.........
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Now, if you want to see how truly blessed you are in this life, watch this video below. But you'd better have some tissues ready. This man is astounding and shows the true humility of man and the power of God. He is a blessing to be here on this earth and I praise his loving parents for not aborting him. He has a zest for life I don't see in many people! I, also, love life and never ask "why me?" or "if only" or "what if", I go on and make my happiness the best way I know how. I lead a charmed and blessed life.

Pretty Buttons and Papers!

I did buy more things yesterday just didn't have time to list it all. So here are more goodies.

This little button box is a tin can I found in a shop when we lived in California. I keep lots - hundreds - of buttons in it.

Isn't it cute? I decoupaged that little "connie's buttons" on to it so hubby wouldn't take it for himself; although, with it being pink and purple I doubt he would, but you never know so I'm very cautious. Hah!

These little scrapbook papers are cute too. I think I'm going to incorporate them into a birdhouse. I'm in that mood again to make one. Got a vision, chicks!

Here is a close up of all the buttons. There are buttons I've covered with fabric, buttons of shoes, ballet slippers, bear paws(!), rhinestones, ladies handbags, sparkly ones, old fashioned lady ones, rhinestsones, diamond looking ones, roses, ladybugs, plain, frosted, strawberry - just lots of different ones.

Just another shot of them all. The ones in the jar are frosted. I think I'm going to separate them into colors; although, most of them are pink. But I'm saving my old pickle jars to put the buttons in to make them more visible and "eye candy" and we all know how I feel about "eye candy"! Love it.

Can you see the little flapper one in the left center? She's cute.

In this photo can you see the wooden one with faux diamonds embedded all over it?

My Shabby Birdhouses - Revisited

Someone recently wanted to see my birdhouses and I just didn't feel like doing it but today I do. I'm not sure these are all of them; I might have one or two missing that I gave away but this is pretty much it. I love doing these more than anything in the world, but they didn't sell well for me. Maybe this will spark some interest! Who knows? But I'll continue to make them with the fabulous roses fabrics. I love the ones with icing the most I think. But it is the fabrics that make them so pretty. Only one has my painted roses on it. But they have rhinestones, pearls, ribbons, porcelain roses also, ribbon roses, "frosting or icing on some, silk flowers, lace, mica on the roof of one of them, german glass glitter on one or two and, of course, little birds in their nests.