November 2016

Quick and Easy Vintage Lavender Sachets

flowers, how to's

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When my buddies were coming to town, I wanted to have a welcome gift for each of them, but was extremely short on time. I was just finishing up the mosaic floors, and also planning a dinner party for 10 of my husband's co-workers the day before my friends were due.

The gifties needed to be something quick to make, so I decided to fill some muslin drawstring bags with lavender and decorate them.  Well, actually, the other way around, I decorated them FIRST, then filled them.

The dreaded sewing machine was already out, for another progject, so I attempted to stitch the lace on, but couldn't go across the top, or I'd sew them shut. I could only use the machine on the sides and bottoms.  That lead me to looking through my sparklies cabinet and finding vintage brooches to pin the lace to the bags at the tops.

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After all the lace was attached, and the trinkets pinned on, I glued some old millinery blooms to the bags.

The best part?  Besides being so quick to do, I mean.  That wonderful lavender scent! I can never get enough of that.

Keepsake bracelets for our annual Sister Trip

family, jewelry, tributes

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Three years ago, Bobbie, Sissy, and I met in Siesta Key to spread some of our father's ashes.  Since then, we have been meeting there in October for a sister trip.  Each visit, we bring some special gifts, in sets of three, so we have matching sister presents as mementos of our stay.  

This year, I wanted to share some of the bracelets I've been making, so I used my best, beachy colored beads in amazonite, turquoise, aquamarine, chalcedony, azurite, crystal, and added in moonstones, and pearls, to remind us of moonlit walks on the white sand beach.

But to add a very special touch, I had some blown glass beads made up with our Daddy's ashes.

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I didn't even know this was a thing, until I was at a Montessori fundraiser and bid on a custom piece by Cremation Marbles.  That got me thinking about doing some extremely personal and sentimental additions to the bracelets I'd already made for the 3 of us.

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On Vaughn's ( the artist) website, he asks to have a spoonful of remains mailed to him, but since I am nearby his studio, I asked if I could save postage and drop them by myself.  Not only did I save a few bucks, I was treated to a show and got to watch the whole process.

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He makes a variety of projects, I'd bid on a pendant at the silent auction.  He was kind enough to let me get three beads in place of the piece I'd won.  They were so much fun to watch being made, that I ordered a couple of extras for my boys, to make necklaces for them.

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Here is a colorful one for my son. I'll probably just hang it on a leather cord.  Vaughn made a couple of extra beads as a bonus too, those are a cobalt blue and I'll make a necklace for my grand fairies from those.

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Blown glass colors can come out randomly and change with the heat of the flame and the kiln, so I knew that the beads he made for the sister trip might not be all the same.  But they sure turned out perfect!  I love our Gulf of Mexico Blue beads, the shade is ideal.

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Don't the tones of the glass blend beautifully with the stones?  I'm so pleased with Vaughn's work, and loved meeting his cute little family.  And I hope my sisters love these as much as I do. I smile every time I glance down at my tiny bit of Daddy when I am wearing my own bracelet.

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Close ups of the gallery wall

cottage, family, Hearth Room, photography

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When the new room was finished, I decided I wanted some of my favorite family pictures hung in it.  This one is from our big getaway to Siesta Key a couple of years ago.  I printed it at 8×10, but wanted it to be more prominent to show off the darling, but so fleeting, proof of sisterly love.

So, I framed it in an oval, vintage frame and attached that to the center of an ornate clock frame that I had. I'd taken out the clock and painted over the brass frame, then painted the oval frame to  match.

 

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Recently, I read one of those posts that pop up here and there, you know, those lists of the Top Ten this or thats, often about decor or fashion?  This one was about decorating trends that make your home look dated.  And one of the things listed was having displays of family photos. Their point was that a bunch of pictures was grandmotherly.

Hmmm.

Well, as often as I get sucked into reading all of those lists, they aren't something I believe in our care much about.  They are slightly addictive to me, just like the TV show, Naked and Afraid. I'd NEVER be a survivalist, but I am glued to that series and can't turn away when the bugs start crawling on the starving people who can't build a fire.  I follow those lists just like I follow that show.  They are hardly ever ideas that I use, but I sure am hooked on reading them.

I do like it when I see a photo from my own home pop up in one of the lists, though!  (hopefully on a positive list)

Like here or here.

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So, not caring if my gallery wall made my home look dated according to a very important top ten list on the internet, I went ahead with collaging and framing some of my loved ones.

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This one is not flattering at all to a single member of the group, but I still think it is a great pic.  A photo doesn't have to be perfect.  This one is full of emotions and that beats perfect any day.

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Ryan seems to think I have an over abundance of grand fairy shots.  He could be right.

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Here is how they all look, puzzle pieced together on the wall. The glass block window is the backsplash behind my kitchen stove on the other side of the wall.  This used to be the cottage's exterior, and I liked that window, so we kept it with the remodel.  

The fabric is the silk from the circus apparatus that hangs from the ceiling, and we need a pulley, so it can be fitted into the corner without it swagging as it is now.

All of those photos might be a little busy with so much going on right now, the top of the buffet is full of Halloween decor.  Normally, it is more demur.  At Christmas, it will be fantastically, over the top, so for that, I'll probably take the family pictures down and replace them with a stained glass window or some mirrors.  

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Until I get a pulley for the rope on the silks, this is how we hang them up after use.  Who needs a ladder when you have circus kids? I wonder if she can reach the ceiling fan blades to give them a dusting while she is up there too?

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