No, I am not jumping the gun on Valentine’s day…

I am celebrating our anniversary.  Our 20th anniversary.  It is not a “silver” or “gold” one; yet, to me it matters.  It is a big thing.  Some days have been great and some not-so-great.  We had great years and not-so-great years.  We have even seen some “you-have-to-be-kidding-me!” years.  However, I always try to celebrate it, even when I may not feel like it to begin with.  Why?  Because we both put in a lot of work here, alive and kicking, and working out life, marriage, and parenthood still.  I believe that deserves celebrating, acknowledging.  I believe it focuses me on what I do have, and increases my gratitude for the imperfect-yet-good guy I married who deals with imperfect me and my antics. 

I was not impressed with V-Day, even early on.  However, our anniversary arrives 2 weeks before, so I use the timing as an excuse to decorate in January (as soon as possible), and keep up “that loving feeling” clear through February.  Now, it may just be one more thing to do, and a lot of extra “clutter” to some people, but I like the reason to celebrate and the excuse for some additional deep-winter brightness.  I usually involve my children in the crafting and preparation because our Anniversary is important to them, too.  We do not exchange gifts or go on trips, although those are lovely options for celebration; so, my decorating and trying to find little ways to spoil my husband and make the time special is important to me.

If you caught my post last year, some of this contains some repeat, but I think I’ve mixed things up in a fun way this time around.  I should, after all this is 20 years we’re talking about.  This year, I did the same thing I did for Christmas:  I made an inspiration board on Pinterest (feel free to check it out here: http://pinterest.com/dragonflywingz/20th-anniversary/) and I compared what I found with what I have on-hand and what I may create.

Here is what I have going on so far:  I saw some adorable burlap wreaths on Pinterest and wanted to make one for the center of my hearth.  I used burlap left-over from my Christmas decor and some heavy gauge wire.  The process was easy:  I doubled a huge section of the wire and twisted it around itself.  Then I grabbed one end of the burlap and “stitched” through it with the folded end of the wire, gathering it tightly so I could maximize the length of the burlap.  This project could use burlap fabric, cut into strips, or burlap ribbon.  If you opt for the ribbon, I suggest watching Hobby Lobby’s sales on wedding supplies and ribbon.  If purchased at 50% off, a 15-yard costs $2.50 to $5.00 depending on the width and style.  I spent somewhere between 30-60 minutes gathering the wreath while listening to a documentary with my children.  Once I completed the length of the wire, I bent it into the heart shape with the wire connecting at the top and twisted the ends together.  I did not think of it at the time, but you could dot the end with a glob of hot glue to make it less pokey.  The last step was adding another loop of burlap as a hanger, which I finished off with another giant bow.  [Free]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I liked it so well I decided to try another burlap wreath, this one wrapped instead of gathered:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I made this one with a heart-shaped metal wreath form (less than $2 at Hobby Lobby using their 40% off coupon).  I began at the top and just wrapped the burlap.  It took about five minutes.  This one hangs by an assortment of silky ribbons and tulle.  I topped of the wreath hanger with one of my glitter hearts.  I like the combination of rustic burlap and soft, feminine ribbons.  Totally girly!  [About $2, using a coupon]

 

Most of my Mantel decor is the same as was on display at Christmas.  I added some sheer “champagne” ribbon as a garland and mercury glass hearts, which are strung on a crushed, white ribbon.  [Free]  One of my favorite cast iron pieces is a small vase.  I put it to work in the center to hold a glass glitter “20.”

Here are some close-ups:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found the chalk I could not find at Christmas and scrolled “#20” on my chalkboard tray. [Free]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found this “LOVE BUG” printable via Pinterest last year.  The word, “Love,” was in red; however, my printer only does black, so I took a little time to bling it up a bit with some fine, crimson red glass glitter.  The trick was working it into my frame without knocking off all the glitter once the glue dried.  I made the print just below the “LOVE Bug” using WORDLE.COM.  It features the lyrics to the song, Happy Together by the Turtles.  When I finished with the Wordle, I printed it on photo paper, and both prints went into the same frames I used for the faux chalkboard art prints I had out during Christmas.  I love versatile frames.  [By the way, if you do not know the song, take it as a sign that you are young.  Yea for you!  However, it is so cute.  Although it is WAY OLDER THAN I AM, I love it.]  Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2qmiyzo9Ws&feature=player_detailpage [Both projects free]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love candles.  I treated my favorite candlesticks to some white ribbon (matching the one stringing my hearts along the mantel) and one of my glitter hearts.  [Free]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I moved this ADORABLE “happily ever after” sign under our family portrait.  Our tale is not over, but we’ve had a wild and crazy start, which always makes for the most awesome, dramatic fairy tale climaxes, don’t they?   [I found this at Hobby Lobby on 1/2 off, so I was happy with its $5 price tag.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had so much fun with my gathering of mercury glass I did not want to put it away after Christmas.  So, I switched out the sheet of moss for a scrap of left-over gold tulle, scattered in some broken bling (some earring jewels and pieces I will use for some upcycled jewelry eventually), and added a mini-garland “XO’.  [A while back I purchased a set of letter disks by designer Wendy Addison-one of my favorites- and the disks are reusable, so I change them up to create garlands for any occasion.  About $9.00, but you’ll see I used them in several places in other snapshots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The left-side bookcase has a familiar setup.  I replaced my JOY with a giant 20- again, I have not decided on a desired finish, so I left them plain.  These were ordered through http://www.etsy.com/people/buildacrossjacob , who did a beautiful job.  I just did not have the energy to cut them out of plywood this time; however, these are 2′ tall, smooth, and perfect. ($8.95 each, total under $30 with S&H- they are heavy.)

In this arangement: a picture of us, a family picture, and a print of the place we were married, the Jordan River Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; a print of a Dr. Suess quote, which says, “We are all a little weird, and Life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love;”   a small, pewter bud vase; a cast iron “frog prince” statue; a wood sign, saying, “AS YOU WISH” (from the movie The Princess Bride); and, some glittery hearts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I figured out a fix for the “my hearth dwarfs my arched mirror above it” dilemma.  I found two, rectangular mirrors on clearance.  The white color on the frames did not work with the arch’s taupe one and I wanted them to look built-in.  So, I did some tricky measuring.  Then I pulled out my white paint, applied a fresh coat to the area above the mantle, which was sort of a bold tan.  I painted all three frams so they would be the same shade of white, and I hung them with anchors so they slightly overlapped.  I am having so much fun with this upgrade.  The white brightens up the wall, as does the additional reflective light from the mirrors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The right-side bookcase is a work-in-progress still.  The “MARRY ME” banner is from the same Wendy Addison disk set I used for the XO on the other side.  I have yet to make my Prince Charming statue to go with the queen of hearts, but I will SOMEDAY.  The “FOR LIKE EVER” is a humorous nod to my Southern California upbringing in the 80’s. [I know the grammar is off, but I laugh anyway.]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Pinterest find I am enjoying is this “We go together” printable.  I framed it, and we have a dry erase marker next to it.  I made a game out of it in an attempt to involve my husband in the celebrating.  We alternate days.  So far, we have used, “peanut butter and jelly,”  “bread and butter,” biscuits and gravy,” and “peas and carrots.”  We are not limited by food options.  I want to use “Jodhaa & Akbar,” ‘Romeo& Juliet,” “Veer& Zaara,” “rubber&road,” needle&thread,” “paper&pen,” and many more.  I wonder how long we can make it go.  What should the prize for the last to contribute be, I wonder….hmmm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have other play going on elsewhere in the house, yet this new mantel arrangement is my favorite because I’m keeping it:

I will post again, as soon as I have more to share.  Until then, if you would like more decorating inspiration, crafting and gifting ideas,  or links to printables, check out my  Pin Boards, especially http://pinterest.com/dragonflywingz/20th-anniversary/ and http://pinterest.com/dragonflywingz/Romance.

Until then,

I love Hobby Lobby and Dear Lizzie is a Paradise; but, my favorite place to shop is my own home

Crazy holidays!  Christmas was wonderful, yet just as everyone else in the family wrapped up their respective terms for a glorious winter break, I began a new term.  Balancing that with Christmas sewing and projecting, gifting, and mothering, etc. I never had a change to post this:

I love Hobby Lobby and Dear Lizzie is a Paradise; but, my favorite place to shop is my own home.

I am a crafter, quilter, embroiderer, artist, and romantic.  I love celebrating and I love using celebrations as an excuse to change-up my space and make everything brighter.  I love candles and twinkle lights; and, I adore real glitter made of glass.  If I were a millionaire, I would boost the economy by furthering the immortal philosophy of Dolly Levi’s dearly departed husband, and (freely, with both hands) spread sparkles and coziness everywhere by supporting booming  chic boutique/ crafting markets [Hello, Dolly!, 1969).  Well, almost.  I have other, more sustainable goals for serving humanity, which rank higher on my list of life goals; however, I believe “bling” holds a very important role in the betterment of society.  It makes {most} women happy!  My kind of bling is simple, meaningful, and makes me glad when I look at it.

I have learned from good  and not-so-good times that I need, crave, and respond well to a little whimsy and brightness; especially when my body temperature is plummeting and the sky outside is a constant, drab gray.  I tackle do-it-yourself projects fearlessly; so, I love the splurge I experience when I sneak away occasionally for a few minutes of creative “what if”…. and I may take advantage of a 40% off coupon at Hobby Lobby, even if my savings is a whopping 85 cents.  I love walking into a twinkly, cheerful boutique full of softness and glitz, and strolling to the strains of Pachelbel’s Canon or a quirky french bistro accordian-accompanied tune. So where do I shop when my pennies are otherwise engaged?  I shop my own home.

This Christmas, my picture window sports a panoramic view of brown, grey, and concrete. Ugh.  I decided I needed some green!  Wishing for a few minutes, I thought of going crazy on home decor and live plants.  (Boy, would I pay for that?  Nope!)  Well, I dug through my basement storage bins for my artificial greenery.  My children helped put up our Christmas tree.  I took a long, virtual ecursion via Pinterest, and found some scenescapes I loved.  Taking elements from several and modifying them to use what I already had in various rooms of my home, and to fit my quirky 70’s era space, I got to work with some glitter, glue, ribbons, and latex paint- all stuff I had on-hand. My front room came together with inspiration, which I gathered in my 2012 Christas Theme Pin board.  (My personal theme for this season is “Joy.”)  I welcome everyone; so, stop by Pinterest and check it out if the “crafty decorating bug” has struck you, too.

Here are a couple of my favorite elements and how I pulled them together from my favorite inspirations:

The Butler Family:

@http://radiobutlers.blogspot.com/2011

/12/christmas-decorations-living-room.html,

(from theshabbycreekcottage.com).

Both of these blogs feature mini Christmas trees over the fireplace creating gasp-worthy cuteness.  I have two little artificial trees; unfortunately, my ceiling is low and I have a raised fireplace; so, my space  is not tall enough to acommodate that.  I found my own spin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First, my fireplace and mantel are freshly-painted with paint leftover from another project; so, the inside, though vacuumed, bothered me.  It was like a black hole in the middle of all that white.  Instead of spending money on a new fire screen, which I would have loved, I grabbed  our skill saw and one of the pallets I reclaimed when we had our new roof put on in August.  I sanded the front and top and painted it over with the same paint used on the rest.  It reminds me of a little picket fence.  The best part is that although I may cover up that black hole and hang a wreath over it, the fence allows me access to the fireplace when we want or need it. (Project cost: $0; Time: about 2 hours)

Second, my evergreen garlands took their traditional places over the arch, on the mantel, windows, and doorways.  I purchased all my garlands 50-75% off during post-Christmas clearance sales. (Although it involves planning ahead, I think it pays to shop off-season!)  My two mini-trees sit down on the hearth, one on each side.  The pots were Christmas red originally; however, I repainted them with some pearly cream paint so they would blend with everything else.  Some mini-mercury glass bulbs and my tiniest paper and German glass glitter stars go with them.

*I DID buy three tiny, live Norfolk Island Pines at the hardware store, which rest right in the middle of the hearth among more finials and vintage cast iron pots.  Although I love them, the trees were about $18 total.  The good news is that I get to keep them and watch them grow year-round.  I borrowed the pots from a display I had over my kitchen cupboards.

My pictures do not do justice for the twinkly lights.  I adore turning off all the main lights to bask in the glow of all the twinkly lights.  (Insert happy sigh here.)  During the day, while I have the lights off, the small glitter stars scattered through the evergreens and hanging from my chandelier sparkle enough to keep up the ambience.

Third, more sparkle: candles in mercury glass vases alternate with creamy, cast iron finials along the mantel, and vintage silver beads and my DIY glitter and paper stars hang along my built-in stocking hangers (we put stockings up for Christmas Eve only, a left-over protection mechanism for handmade stockings I used when my children were all tiny ones).

*When I first built my book cases and mantel, I saved up for those gorgeous stocking holders; yet even lightweight stockings pulled them over, which worried me with dentable wood floors and little ones below.  After a year or two, I decided they weren’t practical.  I bought a 1/2″ diameter dowel at Walmart (for less than $1) chopped it into little stubs, and drilled holes into my mantel.  Painted white, they mostly blend into the mantel, yet I love the excuse to have something up most of the year anyway.  They create an easy way to drape garlands for every holiday.

Fourth, I wanted to focus on “JOY” this season, so I have “JOY” written everywhere to remind me where I need my priorities focused.

1)I had some cheapy chipboard “JOYS”  (poorly glittered, the dear things), so I gave them a coat of spray adhesive and dipped them in the good stuff (silver glass glitter)!  I hung one over a burlap ribbon, another in the middle of one of my evergreen wreaths, and the last over my newly chalkboard-surfaced silver tray. I could not find any chalk in the house, although I know it is here somewhere, so what else to use in its place?  Glitter. [Note: the silver tray is one I rarely used, and the Rustoleum chalkboard paint was a leftover from another project, so this one did not cost a thing either.]

2)Another giant JOY adds a backdrop to one of my main shelves on the left side bookcase (pictured a couple of rows above).  It is made of plywood.  I planned on glamming it up; however, I decided to cover it in plain, brown craft paper.  Now it matches the color of the burlap ribbons and our brown paper packages under the tree. (Yay!)

 

3) I needed to do a little repair on my paper star wreath from last year, so I added a new “Joy” label while I was at it.

4)I had another idea to mimic the foil-edged pendants I love so much.  I found this whimsical font in MicroSoft Word and printed JOY faintly on a piece of scrapbooking paper.  I used a toothpick and a Q-tip to spread a light coat of school glue over the printed letters before sprinkling them with German glass glitter.   Once it dried well, I framed it with a $1 picture frame.  I taped the edges with masking tape instead of foil, then painted well with one coat of black and one coat of silver acrillic craft paint to simulate leading.  (Minus the flash from the camera in the middle of the O, it looks darn cute hanging on my wall, if I do say so myself.)

Fifth, I had more faux mercury glass balls than I needed on the tree, thanks to my mega project last year. I decided to use them on my shelves.  I scattered a few on other silver trays, lined with a sheet of moss intended for the woodland Christmas village I planned, and paired the ornaments with small, mercury glass votive holders containing battery-operated tealight candles.  Did you know Dollar tree sells them 6/$1.00?  I did not, until mid-December.  (Another, “yay!)  More mercury glass balls hung from ribbons.  I think placing the ornaments and candles in various locations tied the room together nicely, especially with the rest of my decor mixing styles and mediums.

  My tree this year is a combination of a couple of theme trees (e.g. stars, woodland elements, etc.) I have created in the past; so, while new, it boasts a comforting traditional appeal for my young ones.  I made most of my ornaments.  (My Pinterest page contains links to tutorials for my glitter glass stars and the faux mercury glass balls. ) Twelve wooden birdhouses have weathered through twelve years of little children’s Christmas seasons fairly well.  I bought them unfinished for less than a dollar each right after Christmas one year. (What a fun find that was.  Painting them is a happy memory.)  I found several bird nest ornaments the same day.  (“Yay” number three is for post-holiday clearance sales. )

I spent a bit of time on sewing Christmas dresses and gifts for my children this season. Although most of our gifts were simple, I wanted a nice presentation and I did not want to spend any money on wrapping.  I almost succeeded.   I became a little desperate one afternoon when I realized I did not have any wrapping paper on hand.  Because I have quite a few bits of burlap in my Christmas decor, wreaths, wide burlap ribbon on the tree, etc., I wanted to stick with cream, brown, and green.  All I could find was my stash of packing boxes. (I have only one “pack rat” tendency: I collect a moderate stash of tiny-to-mid-sized boxes in my garage for gifting and mailing because I hate buying empty boxes.)  Of course, the boxes sported packing labels and printed bleck; so, I took them apart at the seams and used hot glue to put them back together inside out.  I wrapped the boxes in burlap ribbon, which I can reuse on something else later on, followed by repurposed ribbons and tulle from past

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tree decor or packaging.  One fun side benefit was that my children began singing the chorus, “brown paper packages tied up with string….these are a  few  of my favorite things…” (We heard that a few times over the two weeks prior to Christmas and it was more than ok with me.)  I wrapped a few packages up in burlap or cotton broadcloth from my sewing fabric boxes.  I eventually found some oddly shaped packages like dollar store coloring books, which would not easily work in a box, so I spent $4 on brown wrapping paper; however,  I used only one roll, so I am all set for next year.

My requirements were 1)What would increase a sense of warmth, love, and joy in my atmosphere? and 2)What would make others glad without taking my joy from me?  The result: We had a warm, lovely Christmas.  What I chose to work on was purposeful and I avoided driving myself nuts on the typical holiday list of “shoulds” and “supposed to.” It was fun.

What I liked: I had stars and twinkle lights everywhere, which cheered up my shadowy, North-facing rooms.

What I would like to improve:  I still need more light and the larger arch of the fireplace dwarfs arched mirror above it.

The moral of this past-due tale: a little thought and rearranging can create some fun, relaxed, and familiar surroundings without spending a lot of money (or, dare I say, any); so when in creative mode, shop your own home first.

My next post highlights what I am doing this month to transition from Christmas to Anniversary/Valentine’s Day decor.  Until then,

Truth

I must admit that I began this post on 21 January, 2012.  Yes, my life filled with ups, downs, demands, children, exams, and illness for a bit.  Since 1 May, I have had the goal of finalizing my drafted posts and becoming more regular with this blog, yet I am finally doing so now.  I am saying this with gratitude, which is an improvement, as I have shown extreme impatience with myself in the past.  The last six months have been good months, tough months, physically challenging months; yet, rewarding months, as well.

I must also admit that I do not recall the reason why I began collecting these musings on the topic of truth; however, I am following through and posting them anyway.  I love the words of truth, advice, or perspective of those who surround me, or came before me.  I always feel I know the world a little better after hearing someone else’s view of it.  So, without further ado,

Perspectives on Truth:

It is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know that you would lie if you were in his place.  ~Henry Louis Mencken, A Little Book in C Major, 1916

If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.  ~Mark Twain

Who lies for you will lie against you.  ~Bosnian Proverb

No man has a good enough memory to make a successful liar.  ~Abraham Lincoln

Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure there is one less rascal in the world.  ~Thomas Carlyle

A half truth is a whole lie.  ~Yiddish Proverb

A lie will easily get you out of a scrape, and yet, strangely and beautifully, rapture possesses you when you have taken the scrape and left out the lie.  ~Charles Edward Montague, Disenchantment

Those who think it is permissible to tell white lies soon grow color-blind.  ~Austin O’Malley

A truth that’s told with bad intent beats all the lies you can invent.  ~William Blake, “Auguries of Innocence,” Poems from the Pickering Manuscript

The least initial deviation from the truth is multiplied later a thousandfold.  ~Aristotle

 

Hearts, glitter, and whimsy

I am having a lot of fun as I continue in my preparation for my anniversary with some crafty projects and with finding more quotes to inspire me.  I love pulling out my boxes of decorations after a year has passed!  I love the tradition of decorating (just like I do for Thanksgiving and Christmas) because it sets apart the time of year with visual reminders.  I like the familiarity of seeing old things, the novelty of things I haven’t seen in a while, and the mental shift that gets me thinking, “Yay, I get to celebrate my marriage!”

Several years ago, I made a garland to hang in my front room.  I used lots of glass glitter (it is shinier and prettier than regular glitter), cardstock, crepe paper, paper valentine doilies, glue, a grommet kit, heavy craft wire, and some vintage pictures out of a book I had on hand.  Its showing its age and I am in the process of remaking it.  I don’t know if I’ll finish it on time for my anniversary, but definitely before V-Day.  Just in case, I want to share this now.  If I get the new one done, I’ll post that, too.

I made this back in 2002. I love the red glass glitter and the vintage pictures. I definitely want to remake this, and I will make my new one more durable.

This is probably my favorite heart! I used the red glass glitter, two sizes of paper heart doilies- one metallic, one matte, some printed scrapbook paper, and some cream-colored cardstock, on which I printed the "ooh, la la!" I punched a hole in each side, and used a grommet kit to make them sturdy. Heavy gauge craft wire in black connected each heart. I wrapped each end around a pencil several times to make them curly cued.

I used the same basic method for each heart and just changed out the embellishments. This one- Eternal Courtship- I think is a cute idea. I have decided that I will replace the white glitter with silver in my new one though-- the white doesn't stay as sparkly over time as the silver will.

This one- Be still me heart- is a little different. I used smaller hearts, and overlapped them over the banner, which I printed and lined with ruffled crepe paper. Crepe paper can be found online in sheets, but I just cut a roll of party crepe paper in half, gathered it, and stitched it. The stitching isn't required, but I thought it made gathering it around the edges of the paper easier for me.

This "Sweetheart" heart is pretty cute! I used scalloped scissors to ruffle the white layer and crepe paper, again, behind that.

One mistake I made was I used cardstock for the hearts.  Cardstock isn’t sturdy enough and the glue warps the paper, so I will use chipboard when I remake it.  The grommets were a great idea, and in chipboard, they’s last forever.  (Eventually, two of them pulled out of the cardstock.)  Maybe my attachment to something made of paper and glue is a bit silly, but my joy, creativity, and celebration went into making it, and every time I put it up, I remember that.  I think that feeling is what the attachment is all about….

Next, I made some glitter hearts.  I had the idea at Christmas when I figured out 3-D star ornaments for my tree.  I did not post them!  I just ran out of time, but I’ll put up a separate post for them with how-to’s.

Each 3-D heart has a solid heart at the back (left) and a second heart at the right. I used the scoring blade on my paper cutter to make my fold lines straight. I made one fold right down the middle, folding right sides together, and one fold on each side (back sides together) along the dotted lines. Across each of the curves at the top of the heart, I made a fold (back sides together), and made a small snip into the heart where the bold lines are. The snips allow one side of the snip to overlap the other (held with hot glue), which made the curve 3-dimensional. Once the two top points were glued, I set that aside and clipped a piece of wire about eight inches long. I made a loop by twisting the edges together. I hot glued my heart (folded in an accordian-like manner) to the flat heart with the connected edges of the wire attached right in the middle between the two layers. The folded heart is a little smaller, so I let the hot glue set, and trimmed the edges. A good, even coat of craft glue and then one of glass glitter, and the heart was finished.  This is a real “close-up,” yet this star is about 2″ wide and 3″ tall.

I love to reuse things! I knew I wanted lots of small glitter stars, and since I can't buy much right now, I used my "thrifty gene"- My family loves using drink packets, and the boxes make great layers for my stars.

This is a template for the silver star above. I just free-handed a heart and played around until I got it.

Deep red glitter heart! This is just a larger version of the other one. It is about seven inches in width. I used a box from a recent book shipment. The deep red glitter is really bold, I think.

When I'm on a roll, I want to get whatever I can out of getting messy!

I made five 3-D hearts, then I decided to make some slightly larger flat hearts.  I used the same sized boxes as before, but made the hearts longer.  (I made about 15 of those.)  I could assemble the flat hearts much more quickly, so I don’t know which ones I like better.  For the flat ones, I inserted my wire loop between two layers, hot glued,and made a seal around the edge.  Smoothing off the edge allows the glitter to coat the edge without defining the line between the papers.  I only glittered the front (because I want to make my glitter stretch), but both sides could be glittered if the hearts would hang and be seen from both sides.  I also used the bottom of a candy box that my band was given at christmas.  The material was just as thick as craft store chipboard, so I like its sturdiness.  I cut one dramatically long, thin heart (picture above) from the center, and I found that the two angles left over were enough to give me a matching heart with a little hot glue splicing.  I have one hanging on each side of my mantle, which is still a work in progress.   I really love the silver glass glitter!

I believe I have mentioned previously that I adore ribbon…well, I do!  I hang ribbon every chance I get.  Autumn, Christmas, Anniversary, Spring, and Independence Day-  coordinating ribbons everywhere!  Even on the dining room chandelier.  I want to recover the shades, and if I get around to it, I’ll share, but for now- my fixture sports red and white polka dot ribbons, red grossgrain ribbon knots, and miniature heart ornaments.

My dining room is north-facing, so it doesn't receive a lot of natural light. I brighten it up with extra color. Silly? I know! 🙂

My favorite heart ornaments are vintage ones I've had for years- they're glass, deep red, and have a sprinkling of glass glitter just on the top, but these are just cheapy ones I picked up a couple years ago from Walmart or Target. They are plastic, so I don't need to worry about them being bumped off and breaking. They're still cute and shiny.

I have several projects to go; a couple are digital, and a couple hands-on!  The next I’ll start, even before redoing my banner is to make a Prince Charming for my Queen of Hearts!

Queen of Hearts by Nicole Sayre (2006) Retired.

I bought her back in 2006.  She was designed by Nicole Sayer and I think she’s great; however, she needs a man!  I had the idea three years ago, but I just couldn’t do it then.  My imagination has him patterened similarly to the Disney Prince Charming- black hair and blue eyes (that’s Steven) sash across the suit, etc., but all I have so far are some rough sketches.  I think I’ll make him of cold porcelain over a wire frame.   This may be my Friday night splurge, since I am all caught up on my studies….hmm!

Well, until I have more to share,

Eternal Marriage- F. Burton Howard

If its forever, treat it differently

Copyright: Ginger Wiltbank @ The Amateur Writer: http://www.theamateurwriter.com/2011/10/marriage.html

I wanted to share this with you since I wrote the Remembering Romance post.  Thanks to Ginger at The Amateur Writer, I can!  The address by F. Burton Howard, from which this was taken, touched my heart when I heard it originally.  I am glad for an opportunity to share it with you.

(Technical error with encoding:  the video is in the next post.)

I watched a film a couple of nights ago whose main character was a young man who didn’t believe in marriage.  His claim is a common claim these days:  once a couple marries, they begin taking one another for granted, lose the spark of romance between them, and life becomes drudgery.  After nearly losing the love of his life, he realized that giving the relationship the definition of marriage was worth the risks because the bond it creates is stronger than a couple’s bond may be otherwise.  The definition gives each person a right over and a say with the other’s life.  Modern people may say this isn’t necessary, or even degrading, but I don’t believe that.  I believe marriage provides a witness to my life, a sounding board, a protection, a complement to my strengths, and grace for my weaknesses.

My lunch break is over and my children and I need to pursue the rest of our studies for the day, so until next time…

Remembering Romance, continued: Hugs and Kisses!

  Hello, everyone!  Yesterday (Sunday, supposed to be relaxing and joyful, was definitely not!) offered me several challenging opportunities for practicing remembering love and romance.  I’d like to offer you a jumbled rainbow of my archived quotes.  Perhaps one will make you smile, strengthen your resolve, soften your heart, or give courage to your spirit, as rereading these this morning did for me.  I hope you enjoy! 

 happiness is like a kiss-

In order to get any good out of it

you have to give it to somebody else.

-anonymous

Don’t worry, be happy!  -Bobby McFerrin

A hug is like a boomerang – you get it back right away. ~Bil Keane, “Family Circus“

Everybody needs a hug. It changes your metabolism. ~Leo Buscaglia

You can’t wrap love in a box, but you can wrap a person in a hug. ~Author Unknown

Hug Department: Always Open ~Author Unknown

I love hugging. I wish I was an octopus, so I could hug ten people at a time. ~Drew Barrymore

No matter how hard you hug your money, it never hugs back. ~Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

I will not play at tug o’ war
I’d rather play at hug o’ war,
Where everyone hugs
Instead of tugs….
~Shel Silverstein

Arm ourselves for war? No! All the arms we need are for hugging. ~Author Unknown

A hug is a handshake from the heart. ~Author Unknown

You can’t give a hug without getting a hug. ~Author Unknown

A hug delights and warms and charms,
 that must be why God gave us arms.
~Author Unknown

Hugs are the universal medicine. ~Author Unknown

A hug is a great gift – one size fits all, and it’s easy to exchange. ~Author Unknown

A kiss without a hug is like a flower without the fragrance. ~Proverb

If you’re angry at a loved one, hug that person. And mean it. You may not want to hug – which is all the more reason to do so. It’s hard to stay angry when someone shows they love you, and that’s precisely what happens when we hug each other. ~Walter Anderson, The Confidence Course, 1997

Hugs grease the wheels of the world. ~Author Unknown

A hug is two hearts wrapped in arms. ~Author Unknown

I don’t discriminate – I’m an equal-opportunity hugger. ~Author Unknown

A hug is a smile with arms, a laugh with a stronger grip. ~The Quote Garden

Hugging has no unpleasant side effects and is all natural. There are no batteries to replace, it’s inflation-proof and non-fattening with no monthly payments. It’s non-taxable, non-polluting, and is, of course, fully refundable. ~Author Unknown

Never wait until tomorrow to hug someone you could hug today,
because when you give one, you get one right back your way.
~Author Unknown

Sometimes it’s better to put love into hugs than to put it into words. ~Author Unknown

Be a love pharmacist: dispense hugs like medicine – they are! ~The Quote Garden

A hug is the shortest distance between friends. ~Author Unknown

Hugs can do great amounts of good – especially for children.
Princess Diana

They invented hugs to let people know you love them without saying anything  -Bil Keane

We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.
 Virginia Satir

Millions and millions of years would still not give me half enough time to describe that tiny instant of all eternity when you put your arms around me and I put my arms around you. ~Jacques Prévert

The secret to having it all  . . . is believing you already do!

“In my ninety-plus years, I have learned a secret. I have learned that when good men and good women face challenges with optimism, things will always work out! Truly, things always work out!”
~ President Gordon B. Hinckley

Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.  Look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.  Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best.  Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.  Live on the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you!                                                                                                                                           –Christian D. Larson

(context for including this in my love quotes:  I think to myself, “what am I bringing to my relationships?  what am my creating?  do I hold my spouse in smallness, flaws, and mistakes of the past; or, do I wake up allowing him the opportunity to grow and change, do I recognize that he is a different person today than he was yesterday- just as I am?”)

“BE the change you wish to see in the world.”  Gandhi

                                                                                                                       

i carry your heart with me

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
 my heart) i am never without it (anywhere i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
 by only me is your doing, my darling)

i fear
 no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

e.e. cummings

  I’ll be back to share more soon!  This month is such a big one, I’ll have lots to share, including some of the projects, gifts, children’s crafts, and decorating I have planned. 

 

Remembering Romance

At the end of the month, my husband and I will celebrate our 19th anniversary.  We’ve had our ups and downs; we’ve had rough days and rough years, yet we’re in this for the long haul.  We believe in eternity!  Marriage isn’t easy, nor is it meant to be a walk in the park.  It is meant to teach, protect, and strengthen.  Some moments feel more like teaching, testing moments, yet for me that’s ok.

For the past week, I’ve gathered more quotes and ideas for celebrating.  I’ll be posting some of them under my love tag, but there are more on my Pinterest Romance board.  Check those out if you like.

Shifting mental gears; bear with me:  I have never been very impressed with Valentine’s day.  For me, it isn’t a religious holiday; it seems over-hyped by retailers; and, most of all, can present perfect opportunities for people (women especially) to adopt an attitude of dissatisfaction.  However, years ago, I wanted to decorate, and I decided that I would decorate in mid-January and make my anniversary a month-long focus instead.  Now, my anniversary date resides right in the middle of that month, and Valentine’s day is right at the end.  I find having something big to celebrate brightens up the bleak, cold months of January and February.  So, we’ll have a lot of lovey-dovey stuff going on around my house.  I like to draw my children into it, because our marriage was the beginning of it all.

I want to remember: I want to remember where my husband and I are headed, why we chose each other, and all the great moments, sweet moments, strong moments.  I choose to remember the romance.

So, here are a couple of my favorite quotes, which I journaled long ago that bring a smile.

      ” 12 February, 1840

Already the 2nd day since our marriage; his love and gentleness is beyond everything, and to kiss that dear cheek, to press my lips to his, is heavenly bliss.  I feel a purer more unearthly feel than I ever did.  Oh! Was ever woman so blessed as I am.                             -from the journal of Queen Victoria”

Although I conquer all the earth,

Yet for me there is only one city.

In that city there is for me only one house;

And in that house, one room only;

And in that room, a bed.

And one woman sleeps there,

The shining joy and jewel of all my kingdom. 

-Anonymous

       Sonnet XVII

Who will believe my verse in time to come,

If it were fill’d with your most high deserts?

Though yet, Heaven knows, it is but as a tomb

Which hides your life, and shows not half your parts.

If I could write the beauty of your eyes,

And in fresh numbers number all your graces,

The age to come would say, this poet lies,

Such heavenly touches ne’er touch’d earthly faces.

So should my papers, yellow’d with their age,

Be scorn’d, like old men of less truth than tongue;

And your true rights be term’d a poet’s rage,

And stretched metre of an antique song:

But were some child of yours alive that time,

You should live twice;- in it, and in my rhyme. 

  -William Shakespeare

(Steven always teases me about my love of Shakespeare’s sonnets and their abundance of beautiful eyes 🙂  But I still love them- Hence, two of my children’s names:  William and Sonnet.)

Well, I will be back with more about love, marriage, romance, etc. soon.  Until then,

Mastering life

A person who is a master in the art of living
makes little distinction
between their work and their play, their labor and their leisure, their mind and
their body, their education and their recreation, their love and their religion.
They hardly know which is which and simply pursue their vision of excellence and
grace, whatever they do, leaving others to decide whether they are working or
playing. To them they are always doing both.  -Zen poet

At this very moment, I have the start of about 25 posts in my head, where they have kept each other company for more than a month.  Life is moving so quickly, I have not taken time to sort them out and post them.  So, I am starting with this one.  I like this idea- to me, I think it is about being real and living in integrity.  If I were to live, mastering the art of life, I would be in harmony.  My actions and responses would create it, reinforce it, and honor it- while honoring me, too.  So, before I make a crazy-long list of goals for 2012, I am spending some time reflecting on what I will master and make some decisions based on creating: play as work, leisure out of labor, strengthening my mind and my body by honoring my wholeness, rejuvenate and relax through learning and growing, and drawing love into every every-day situation and action.  Wow!  I feel more balanced already!

Blossoming

I love the idea of being well-read, although I do not consider myself “there yet.”  So, I do not know a great deal about the writer Anais Nin.  I came across a quote of hers that speaks to me today and I must share:”And the time came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” 

Part of my over-intense, highly idealistic personality is making the most of everything moment, resource, every breath.  Lately, I have struggled with the conflict between who I am and what I am not; all the small things that drain my energy, my spirit, and my time.  I have looked around me and seen how much I judge my value by the actions, choices, or even judgments, of other people  (e.g. if I cannot affect change for a loved one, I have failed; and, while I am busy failing, I let go of goals or aspects of myself that would be treasured components of “me” if I let them). 

So again, I am at a crossroads.  I have so much I want to wash away so I have the room to feel and be and experience the life I hunger for.  And, I cannot afford to allow fear of failure or the unknown to cloud my perception of who I am.  I can no longer afford not to take this risk!     I am taking on fitness, health, love, relaxation, proper sleep habits, and exploring some things I have always wanted to learn.  I am going to take some time and have some fun.  Let the games begin. 

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:6–7.)