Table Centerpieces

Ok-ok-ok, to be more specific... Pirate table centerpieces. I've been wanting to jazz up the centerpieces I use for my pirate dinner parties. In the center of each table I usually have a large silver tray with silver goblets and bowls with strands of beads cascading out of them. Nothing permanent and always tossed together really fast before guests arrived. I was wanting something already put together for ease of use. So, I pulled a lot of silver items together and filled the lighter weighted items with some plaster of Paris and then topped them off with some spray Styrofoam to fill each up to a level I could just give the vessels the appearance of being filled completely with pirate treasure.

I have a lot of usable junk jewelry to pull from. I sorted them into different categories like, kinda pretty, extremely pretty, all gold, chains/pearls, gold with centers etc.... I used hot glue to adhere all the items into each silver container. It was slow going-- but hopefully each one will last for many years. *fingers crossed*

Here is a photo of the first layer all glued in place... not looking to cute-- but getting there.

Arrrrggggghhhhh~ now it is looking like pirate loot!

I have a thing for green moss.... I really think the green makes all the colors really pop. I only added moss to a few of the goblets to add some variety.
I like- like colors in the same container... Probably a little "OCDish" but that's how I roll~ Once each container had strands of beads glued into place I added some additional bling then added more strands... each layer being glued in place.

I added rhinestones to each vessel as well.

 I also added coins from countries from all over the world too.

 I never thought I would finish with these, it was a long.long.process. I think these will look fabulous sitting on silver trays on each table. In the mean time I'm putting them all away in a plastic tote waiting for warmer weather! I'm sure when I pull them out to use them I'll glue a few more bits & bobs to them as everything in life is a constant "work in progress" isn't it~

Now, I'm thinking I would like to make some new tablecloths! I have six round tables that I usually use for our parties... six table cloths... sooooooooooo doable!
big hugs,
Cheryl

God's Word

While trying to clean and organize my art studio I came across some holy cards I had purchased a while back. I have an ever growing stash of these little beauties. Little mass cards, prayer cards, cards with pictures of Saints.... yep, I love them all... I am ALWAYS on the hunt for more!

Before tucking my treasures into a drawer where I keep my collection, I decided to create a little something-something for a friend of mine whose sister died due to a hit and run. My friend's sister was walking to a nearby store to grab a gallon of milk for her young son and was struck and left to die in the roadway.....  What can be said? no words are ever adequate-- but God is universal in his words.... so I created a little Religious wall hanging to hopefully give her some solace during this painful time. Here it is in all its glory~To create this piece I used one of those plain cardboard circular ornament blanks that you get from a hobby store for the base. I fussy cut out the center and added a thin piece of cardboard to seal off the opening leaving a little well to create inside of.

I covered the cardboard with thin gold paper that I ran through my embossing machine to give the little shrine some added texture. The gold was extremely bright, so I added some black paint to distress it a little bit. I made the sunburst crown behind the image of Jesus using of all things-- the little topper that is on top of a Christmas ornament. I had bought a huge bag of ornament topper replacement pieces for a few dollars at a second hand store months ago...  just goes to show you I'll buy just about anything. *wink* Easily flattened with my bare hands and then a few whacks with a small hammer and I had the perfect sunburst crown.
 Here you can better see the depth of the little shrine.... I added moss, vintage flowers, vintage Dresden trim and of course some rhinestone pieces. The purple fabric I used is iridescent fabric which turns from purple to a moss green at different angles. Above you can see the purple, and below you can see the green hue showing up... magical.
The blue tinsel around the shrine I had bought at Christmas time not knowing what I would ever use it for.....

 I really like how it all came together, I think I'll continue making more of these. I know a lot of people who could use a little Holy Shrine themselves....

myself included.
 big hugs,
Cheryl

2018

 Wow-ee wow... 2018 already.... 

This past year had been really good, then it seems like everything kinda went down hill towards the end of the year.... So much so, that when I list everything that has happened recently, it appears like I'm making it up because it is All.To.Much.

Take a gander...

 

1.) Having to help with the end of life care for my mother-in-law.... she is 94 and is one mean lady.

2.) The murder of two extended family members.... 

3.) My own medical emergencies that are far from being diagnosed....

4.) And now, my 2 year old Belgian Malinois is sick. She lost about 14 pounds suddenly... $300 bucks later, no diagnosis on her illness- yet. 

That is just a summary of what we are dealing with-- Hours and hours spent on all of the above.. with no end in sight. With that said, 2018 is going to be a GREAT YEAR- life does go forward no matter what gets thrown at you! ......Here is my mantra for the upcoming year...I totally stole if from Wildflower 57's blog-- because it is a good one!

 

"Turn your face to the sun and the shadows will fall behind you"

~Maori proverb

 

Profound huh? Right now I'm going to go sit and "turn my face" towards my little space heater because I'm freezing.... Happy New Year!

big hugs,

Cheryl