March photo challenge 3/25 . . . Healthy

I thought for awhile about what to take a photo of for this prompt.  I do all kinds of things that are healthy for me.  I walk and run, I play tennis, I try to eat right, I meditate and journal, I drink plenty of water . . . take my vitamins and necessary meds.  I spend time with the people I love and "try" to get enough sleep.  I pray . . . I think I try to take care of mind, body, and spirit.  I looked down at my arm yesterday and noticed my melanoma bracelet . . . and decided on that for a photo.  

It has been a little over three years since I was diagnosed with melanoma.  It came at sort of a stressful time of my life - but life is like that.  

I was just at my oncologist's office this week for a check up - which always makes me feel lucky and because I have to have a scan next week - also a little apprehensive.  It's nothing to worry about - more being over cautious than anything . . . but I always think a little more about it until I get the results back.  I also believe life is way to short to be anything but happy . . . so I choose to do that everyday.  It works!

"Health is the greatest gift,

contentment the greatest wealth,

faithfulness the best relationship."

                                             ~  Buddah

Lily creates . . .

I have to show off the new bracelet that Lily made for me.  She was so proud of it . . . little girls really are wonderful little creatures!



find joy in the small stuff

I was going to do another Flashback Friday, but forgot the photos at home.  I will have to save that for next week.  (I have a picture you will like Amy.)

So . . . a different post.

Something I have learned is important, is to find joy in the small stuff . . . and the small stuff is all around us everyday.  Silly girls is glasses . . .

 . . . and I wish I could share her laugh . . . more of a squeal really.  I can't help but smile and laugh myself.  I seem to be saying that a lot lately.  I made up my mind to be happy some time ago, but I believe that there is a difference between being happy and being happy because you are at peace.  This is not always easy with some of the junk that life throws at you, and it is probably something I was forced into doing . . . and that I am still working on.  So when it's a good day - enjoy! 

. . . I like my combination of bracelets today.  Nothing new . . . I just like them.  This week has been so busy at work and at home that I haven't made much time to create anything new.  So I have to dig out some old stuff I like.

Charlotte is wearing this bib for her birthday party.  I can't believe she is going to be a year old already.  Luke and Abbie are throwing an Ice Cream Social for her birthday party . . . so Abbie was excited when she found this bib. 

. . . and this one . . . Richard e-mails me different things he finds on the internet - of course he would send me this one.  :)

Peace Love Baseball

I had to buy this yarn . . . it is the exact same color as a tennis ball and gave me an idea for a Shabby Charlotte tennis doll . . . I can't wait to start her, but have to finish the dolls I have started first.  I had hoped to get them done today, but spent the day with family and friends for an early Father's Day barbecue.  What a great way to spend a Saturday.

Peace ~ Love ~ Baseball

PINK Baseball Bracelet

I made another baseball bracelet - using an old pin that I picked up a few years ago on clearance. I love when I hold onto something for years - and then finally can use it for a fun project. I love these baseball bracelets - enough to make a few more I bet. I have been so busy - and have been bad about blogging . . . that happens. Taxes are almost done, work has settled down . . . things should get better. I have to go out into the garage and find some more old baseballs.

baseball cuff

I finally got one of these baseball cuffs made.  I just used a simple latch jewelry hook in the back (I suppose I should have taken a picture of that too.)  I used just what I could find real quick today - but I want to make a few more and maybe bling them up a little bit.  When I cut the baseball apart - it cut the stitching so I took red floss and restitched the lacing . . . so this could be done in any color.  I used red because I wanted it to look like the classic baseball - but I think it would be cute to use other colors - and I have seen them with pearls around the edge, the leather dyed pink, and with lots of bling.  Easy and fun to make . . . and I have a whole bucket of baseballs in my garage. 

It has been such a crazy week . . . my time has been spent on other things than my dolls - tomorrow I play with dolls and get a couple of Shabby Charlottes done.

Frozen Charlotte

It was back to work yesterday.  Each year on our first day back we have have a business support charge for all of the business support staff in our school district.  It usually involves a motivational speaker, a continental  breakfast, and a group of vendors  . . . they welcome us back and let us shop.  Each year I treat myself to something.  This year I chose this necklace.  There were other necklaces that I liked - but when I was talking to Holly about her jewelry - she mentioned the little china doll on this necklace was called a "frozen Charlotte".  (that name seems to be popping up everywhere these days.)   There is sort of a weird little story behind them - but then I tend to like weird little stories.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frozen_Charlotte_(doll)

I also bought this baby bracelet for Charlotte.  Luke seemed to think it was a ridiculous purchase.  "Mom - she's a baby - she doesn't need accessories and she will choke on it." 

I can see his point - but how cute would this be in one of her newborn pictures.  OK - maybe I am getting a little carried away with this grandma thing . . . but the bracelet is so dainty, and cute. 

If you want to check out Holly's jewelry - here is the link to her Etsy shop

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tuscanroad?ref=seller_info

I kept my promise to myself - and worked on a project last night.  Abbie wanted me to make her a bath apron out of a towel.  I had never seen one - but you take a bath towel and turn it into an apron to use when giving a baby a bath . . . Great idea! . . . and so simple to make.  I would have gotten it done - but I ran out of thread.  So after work it is a quick stop at the fabric store and then home to finish sewing.   

braided bracelets

These bracelets are so fun and easy to make that I had to make a few more last night.  I find myself wanting to cut up my clothes in order to have some fun colors to work with.

Now that I have a bunch of t-shirt strips cut I would also like to try crocheting with it.  All kinds of ideas swirling around in my head . . . 

a couple more . . .

I made a couple more bracelets at lunch . . . my kind of projects these days (when time seems to be an issue.)   They take only a few minutes to make - and funny how I can get satisfaction out of making something so small and simple.  I need more colors . . . I now regret throwing all the left over pieces away after making my t-shirt quilts.  It may be time to clean out closets.

recycled t-shirt bracelet

I made this bracelet out of strips of t-shirts.  I had hoped to make some more before posting a photo - but it was late, I was tired, and it has been so long since I posted about something I made - that I wanted to get it on here.  Simple - but thought it was fun. 

I cut the strips about an inch wide - then stretched them.  I am going to try cutting some strips a little bit wider for a thicker bracelet.  After I braided them - I cut off the ends and sewed the two ends together making sure I caught all the loose ends.  Then I tied another piece of t-shirt in a knot over where I had stitched the bracelet together - then simply trimmed the ends.  Now I have to see what t-shirts I can cut up for some different colored bracelets.

 . . . notice the Melanoma awareness bracelet - please take the time to watch "Dear 16 year old Me" on my side bar.

Monday Morning

I cleaned my house like a crazy woman this weekend - rearranging my bedroom and organizing. But I did have some time to get some beads out and make a couple of simple bracelets and a pair of earrings. I hadn't messed with beads in such a long time until last week - I forget how much fun it is.
A friend wanted some earrings in blue and gold to wear to her son's baseball games.

And today's mug. I woke up Saturday morning and this was sitting by the coffee maker. Richard had gotten in for me - I think to cheer me up. (I had had a terrible day on Friday).

My friend Marcia gave me a bracelet that came in this cute little silky bag. It is so fun!

"Be pleasant until ten o'clock in the morning and the rest of the day will take care of itself." ~Elbert Hubbard

Bracelets

Richard cut out some more baseball bracelets. I have so many people notice this bracelet when I wear it. I think I need him to make about twenty of them - so I can give them to everyone who wants one.
I had the strangest day yesterday - I just felt off all day. I am not sure what it was. At the end of the day I noticed I had not put earrings in - so I will blame it on that. I'm sure it was hormonal - but the earring thing sounds a little more whacky and I like it better.
"The other sports are just sports. Baseball is a love." ~ Bryant Gumbel