Wedding Dress Saga 2

Below is the pattern for my new dress. I've taken the liberty of putting two patterns together. The top and skirt will be the same color, cocoa. It looks the color of cocoa mix before water is added. The collar, sleeves, and a border at the bottom of the blouse will be a sheer chiffon of a slightly darker color.

Jennifer is working hard at this project! She is such a sweet friend.

So, of course I needed to make a new set of jewelry to go with the new dress. Again, I've used the new wire wrapping techniques that I have been enjoying. The necklace has a smoky quartz oval in the middle. The gold-filled frame has Swarovski pearls and crystals wrapped onto it. I've named it "Romantic Dream Necklace."

To complete the set I made earrings, a two stranded bracelet, and even tried my hand at making a ring! This ring is the third one I made. The other two are still great, but not quite the look I was wanting. The ring is shown on the fabric swatches from the fabric of my dress. I hadn't made rings before, but it's so much fun. I'm sure you'll be seeing more rings from me!

Just two more weeks until Jonathan and Johanna will tie the knot! May God richly bless them with His joy, love, and peace.

Wedding Dress Saga

I thought I had a wedding dress all picked to wear to our son's wedding. So, I made the necklace shown here. I had so much fun making the necklace. It is Cubic Zirconia, Pearls and Gold-filled wire. I made the frame from wire, hammered it and then wired all the CZs and pearls to it. It really shimmers!

But, then I had Philip take photos of me in the dress. I made a decision. Pink is definitely not my color. I knew that. But was settling for this dress anyway. It's not easy finding a dress that fits when you are almost 6 feet tall!

Thankfully, I am being rescued by my dear friend, Jennifer. She is a wonderful seamstress and has offered to make a custom fit dress for me to wear to the wedding! So, while she is doing that, I'll be designing some new jewelry. Guess I'll offer the pink one for sale.

I returned the pink dress today! I will NOT be a big pink blob!

Our Marine

He's done it! Jeremy has graduated from Marine boot camp. I am so proud of him. He graduated as a Private First Class because he was promoted meritoriously. His Senior Drill Instructor told us that he was a joy to work with! Seems that he excelled in all areas at boot camp. Oooh Rah!

When we arrived home from South Carolina, we were greeted by our wonderful neighbors and friends. They decorated the whole cul-de-sac! And they had a great cake for us. Jeremy felt so loved! Thank you all!

Yesterday was Memorial Day. I must admit that I got even more choked up than normal. Being a mom of a Marine will do that! I'm proud that he is willing to serve our country in this way. But, I do ask for prayers for his safety as he serves.

Well, he left for boot camp as a sweet, rascally son and guess what? He is still that sweet rascal, but he does have a lot of bearing. I'm quite sure that he will serve our country well. Thank you, Lord.

The Beauty of Custom Designs

A dear man once emailed me and asked if I would make a custom design for him. His lovely girlfriend had just lost her mother. He wanted to do something special for her. Could I make a hummingbird pendant? Her mother had loved hummingbirds and he wanted this pendant to commemorate her life.

Well, I had not done any custom pendants before. And I had never done a hummingbird. But I was willing to try! I was so nervous as I sat in my studio and began the hummingbird. I actually prayed, "Lord, this man wants to have something special for this friend of his that is grieving. Please help me."

This picture shows the results! I was pleased and surprised, and know that the Lord gave me the vision and the ability for the piece. My customer was pleased as well!

So, custom work....I used to be reluctant to do it. But now, if you have an idea, run it by me. Who knows what will come of it!

Who Me?

Look what we found on the sidewalk at the Wal*Mart in Frederick! I decided to take Philip's picture by it and while we were standing there, a woman from Wal*Mart came up to us and asked if we were the ones that parked the Wienermobile there! After telling her no, she said, "I guess the Oscar Mayer people just dropped off the Wienermobile and left." I must ask you, do I look like someone who would drive that?!

Wirework and Crystal Pendant

Here's my latest creation. I'm having a hard time knowing if it was better before I oxidized it or after. The first picture shows it all shiny, before oxidizing. When I tried it on it was just a bright shininess that didn't really show any detail. So, I went ahead and used liver of sulfur on it. That makes it totally black. Then I had to work pretty hard to make it shiny again.

Now the Swarovski crystals really pop and the weaving shows up. I like it much better. But Philip, my son, liked it better bright. I'd love to hear your opinion. Wish you could see it in person. Not sure if you can tell from the photos. Here's a picture of me in the necklace and the matching earrings. Somehow, I always need earrings to match! I think I've almost got this new wirework technique learned to the point where I could make things for sale. Sure having fun!

Pink Dogwood Petals and Driving

My poor car! It's been so neglected this week. My Nissan Altima is covered with pollen and now pink dogwood petals. It hasn't been driven all week! But I couldn't resist sharing this picture. The colors are so beautiful. Even though it was raining today, God's lovely colors came through and brightened up the day!

So, why hasn't my car gone anywhere? Well, our youngest son, Philip has his driver's permit. Now we go everywhere in his car with him driving. I get to go do all my errands riding in his VW Passat. Here he is as he chauffeurs me around town. I think I could get used to being treated like an important person being driven everywhere. But, my favorite car might not be recognizable soon!