Saturday, January 19, 2013

Angels Among Us


One of my favorite things about the virtual world of blogging,  is the very real friendships that blossom.

One such friendship I have enjoyed is with Marsha of Marsha's Creekside Creations. Our friendship began the way many blog friendships do - by admiring a style, an object, etc. and leaving a comment about it. 


Honestly, I can't remember who made the initial contact.  I do know I was impressed by the warmth, intelligence and humor I read between the lines of Marsha's emails. 

I have to say, Marsha is a better friend to me than I am to her. Plus, she's got an i-phone, so she'll email me photos of things like mercury glass on sale, or maybe something she has baked. She's an excellent cook! I have made her blue cheese dressing recipe, and it's the best I've EVER tasted. Ever. One reason I'd consider getting an i-phone is to use it to communicate better with Marsha.


A week or so ago, she asked if she might have my address. She said she wanted to send me something. I was hoping for a dozen of her chocolate chip cookies, maybe.

But last night, I came home to find a package, neatly wrapped in brown paper. I ripped open the brown paper like a kid on Christmas! To my surprise, I found a beautiful painting of an angel - in my current neutral color scheme! You see, I've admired MARSHA'S angel paintings for a while now. See hers HERE.

She'd commissioned a neutral angel from the artist, who just so happens to be her sister-in-law! I LOVE my painting, and I love the friendship Marsha and I are growing. Marsha's SIL signs all her paintings with a little heart. Perfect. I'm so glad she kept it red, too. 


My package still had some heft to it, so I started digging deeper, only to find another treasure! TWO quart-sized ziploc bags of fresh-shelled PECANS! They're my favorite nut, though I never buy them since they're very costly these days. I've received food gifts before, and I really think they're one of the most touching gifts ever. Every time you eat a bite of them, you remember the person who gave them to you. 

Seriously, when I began blogging, I never expected anything like this to happen. There are half a dozen bloggers with whom I feel really close. I'd love nothing better than to go out to dinner, get a cup of coffee, even go to thrift shops together! And no, we'd never argue over who got what, even though we might both like the same item. I'd gladly forego any junk treasure for the gift of spending face-time with you. 

Meanwhile, I'm happy we have email and blog posts. You make me laugh, cry, hold me accountable, pray for me and inspire me to be a better person. Isn't that what all true friends do for each other?

Now, I'm going to rummage around to see if I can find a frame that will suit this little angel! I'm gonna name her Marsha.

Word for the Day:
Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Linking With

Sunday

Sunday’s Best
Creative Bloggers Party Hop
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
Sunday Show-off Link Party
Monday

Metamorphosis Monday
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Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday

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Cowgirl Up!
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Cowgirl Up!
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Blissfully White Wednesday
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Thursday

Under $100 Link Party
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Friday

Feathered Nest Friday
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Saturday

Saturday Nite Special
Get Schooled Saturday





Wednesday, January 16, 2013

SEVEN THINGS TO DO WITH A CANDLESTICK


1. Use it to elevate a moss ball - add some green to a mantel scape. These candlesticks were purchased as-is, except for ribbon and flowers that were hot-glued to them. I like them plain much better.


2. Unite a wall vignette with a table vignette - Position it inside an empty frame. The two compositions will instantly relate to each other.


3. Use it (or three) as a pedestal for a small object
Pumpkins, small cloches, pine cones, gourds, etc. Get creative with your small things! Putting them on a candlestick elevates their interest and importance - literally!


4. Turn a large candlestick into a side table. By adding a larger top, you can have a great table to use anywhere for very little effort. Link to the tutorial above the photo.


5. Add some panache to your kitchen sink area!
Cute bottles are a great thing, but this project brings the whole area up another notch! Link to the tutorial above the photo.


6. Use one or several, stacking plates on top
to make a server for cupcakes, candy, a display for ornaments, etc. There are several variations of this out there - cake stands to multi-tiered examples like this one. I love the way she used mis-matched plates and candlesticks to create this one!



7. Mount a cheese dome on top to create a great-looking cloche! Lauren shows before and after (above) in her tutorial. Believe me, they looked nothing like the final product. Link to her tutorial above the photo.

This is first in a series of SEVEN THINGS or SEVEN WAYS - a new thing for 2013. I hope to show my own new projects along with some older ones, and great examples I find on Pinterest as well.  I've created a folder in Pinterest with ideas, since there are so many clever folks out there! (The world is so much more fun with Pinterest in it!)

For today, and for a project like this, it's OK to not put your light on a stand, and to do something different with it. But after that, please remember to let your light shine!

Word for the Day:
Mark 4:21
And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket, or under a bed, and not on a stand?
Linking With

Sunday

Sunday’s Best
Creative Bloggers Party Hop
Sunday Show-off Link Party
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Thrifty Treasures
Monday

Metamorphosis Monday
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The More the Merrier Monday
Manic Monday
Just a party with my peeps!
Make it Pretty Monday
Tuesday

Vintage Inspiration Tuesday
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Cowgirl Up!
Cowgirl Up!
All Star Block Party
Be Inspired
Wednesday

Blissfully White Wednesday
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Restored it Wednesday
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Penny Pinching Party
What’s it Wednesday

Thursday

Under $100 Link Party
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Feathered Nest Friday
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Weekend
Saturday

Saturday Nite Special
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Show and Tell Saturday