Always Keep an Open Mind

A while back I was at an estate sale rummaging through some boxes. I came across some finds in a box full of miscellaneous items. I excitedly brought my finds to the man running the sale. He knew exactly which box I had pulled my items from and proceeded to try and sell me the entire box as he was eager to clean things out. I really didn't want the other items in the box but he kept insisting. My husband knew the man running the sale so I felt that I should just take the entire box and be on my way. Immediately I had buyers regret. Why did I let myself get pushed into buying things I didn't want?

Well long story short, I held onto the box of "junk" and put it into the great abyss that was my creative space. Last week, my sister came over to help me organize the abyss into some sense of a workspace - I'll be posting the results later this week - as we were cleaning, low and behold - here is that box of junk again! I sifted through it and with now fresh eyes decided that many things were worth keeping and could be reinvented. The picture frame above was one of the items. It is a nice enough frame, I just didn't need it or have a space for it (or so I had originally thought!). The other day I came across the frame again and decided that a little glitter might help...

Here are the results! I couldn't be happier with it. I removed the worn magazine clipping that was in the frame, added some vintage sheet music and coated the frame in silver glitter. I added a pearlized vintage earring to glam it up a bit more. I thought it needed just a little something more. I've had this vintage key that I just love - I can't put my finger on why exactly, maybe it is the shape, maybe it is the number 136 etched on its top (though those particular numbers mean nothing to me) but I will never giveaway or sell this particular key. I'm kind of liking it jauntily resting at the corner of the frame.

So this frame that I so haughtily had dismissed has found new life and a new home in my now clean and organized creative space. It will provide me with inspiration and a reminder to not be so quick to judge...

Have a great day.

Happy Birthday Hubby!

Happy Birthday to my kid at heart whom I love very much.

Have fun playing with your new toy!

And the Winner Is...

Kari & Kijsa! Girls, e-mail me your address when you have a chance and I'll get your goodies in the mail. Thank you to everyone for all of your warm and kind words and for indulging me in my first giveaway!

We had our families over for Jeff's birthday (actual day is tomorrow!). We have the Wii game system - this is a video game system I can get behind. You have to actually move to get it to work! Jeff's nephews and niece were playing and I had to share the below video clip - they get so into it! It was a riot. My sister is also playing, you can see she wasn't quite as animated LOL!




Hugs,

A Few of My Favorite Things

Coca Cola Classic - my all time favorite beverage! I never got into diet sodas (K & K 's Diet Coke is safe around me!). I do not like the taste, give me the full sugar version anyday! I love to drink it ice cold in a frosty glass. I found this glass on a flea market trip. As soon as I poor the soda in, it starts to freeze and makes a yummy slush on top. Yum!

Jeff and I were married almost three years ago (in June). My now 11 year-old cousin Bethany served as a junior bridesmaid. Recently she was given a school assignment of writing a memoir. She chose to write about the wedding and how special she felt and how much fun she had. This past weekend was her birthday and imagine my surprise when she presented me with a gift at her party! She typed up her memoir in a fancy font, added a picture and bound it with ribbon bows. It is such a precious piece that I will treasure always.

What are some of your favorite things?

**Reminder - A giveaway winner will be picked on Sunday. There is still time to enter. Just leave a comment on the post below.

Have a great day!

Sugar Bear's First Giveaway!

I'm very happy to offer my first giveaway! This is post number 122 so as you can see, I let 100 come and go. I had a good excuse though - it happened sometime during the crazy holiday rush when I didn't know up from down. Now that life has calmed down a bit and I've gotten myself organized (yes - you read that right - I finally cleaned and organized my creative space. That will be a whole post in itself. I do need to send a big shout out to my sister Shelley for the major help and motivation!) I can finally sort through things and I pulled out some gems for your pleasure. First up is the above book Glue Gun Decor. This book is chock full of ideas and inspiration for creating custom lampshades, tables, frames, couches (yes I said couches!) and more. I knew the glue gun was versatile but wow this opened my eyes even further!

I'm also giving away some vintage jewelry. This gold and pearl choker style necklace, green and gold rhinestone pin, and two little red flower pins - the perfect color for Valentine's Day. All you need to do is leave me a comment on this post and tell me your favorite use for your glue gun. I'll have hubby pick a winner on Sunday. Thanks for entering and feel free to spread the word!

A Great Man

I remember first learning about Martin Luther King, Jr. in elementary school. I was so in awe of this great man and I could not (still cannot) believe that someone would be so cowardly as to take this great person's life. Even though his life was cut short, he accomplished so much and put this country on a path to equality - a path I hope we will someday be able to say has been fully fulfilled. This weekend, I pause to remember a great man. I hope you will too.

More Goodies!

I went to one of my favorite stores - Target! Look at a few of the goodies I found - these glitter hearts were in the $1 bins! They even came with pink ribbon hangers. This frame came from IKEA. I have it hanging on the back of the front door. I'm thinking I will change the display within the frame with the holiday/season.

Target also started displaying some Easter goodies. Couldn't pass up this bargain pink glass bunny container. She looks perfect with my cupcakes from Natasha and my pink depression glass cake plate.

These fabulous Valentine's items came from Heidi. I've been receiving many compliments on the heart felt brooch and the paper tag is a perfect addition to my holiday decor.

I couldn't resist this little number from Chet and Dot. It is an ipod cozy. Love the colors and the sweet little ribbon flower.

A few posts back I mentioned Suzi Finer's new venture, iamadiva.com and the addition of Diva Glitter Fairy. Well I'm happy to announce that Suzi also extended the diva invite to me! I can now be found at this site as well where I currently have a piece up about handcrafted African jewelry.
Lastly, I want to say a big thank you to Rachael for the You Make My Day Award. I'm so honored and I thank you very much! When I started this little blog almost a year ago, I didn't even know if I'd have two readers let alone make someones day! I would like to pass this award on to Laura at All About Pretty. As I mentioned a few posts back, she has a lovely new space and is a wonderful, kind person full of creativity.

Ta ta for now!

Valentines Now Available at Sugar Bear

My shop was looking a little sad and empty so I had a creative marathon and came up with some Valentine's treats and some new jewelry pieces. I also managed to get all of my swap stuff created, packed, and shipped. I'm never usually this far ahead!

This little guy is very lovesick. He is looking for his soul mate and is ready to give his heart!

I love Valentine's Day. It is fun to celebrate love and to be able to decorate with hearts and candy!

I've been wanting to use this heart in a piece for a while now. I knew it would make the perfect Valentine's necklace!

I love big vintage rhinestone brooches. The possibilities for them are truly endless.

Another vintage brooch turned into a necklace.

This is an adorable bracelet that came to me through an estate cleaning. In the spirit of not hoarding the good stuff, I've decided to part with it.

It feels like Valentine's Day is here but I just looked at the calendar and realized it is still several weeks away! I'm coming up with some new ideas for gifts for Jeff and for family. I like to give all the parents and my sister a little something special as well as of course doing something special for Jeff. I'd share some of the gifts I've already gotten but too many family members read this blog! What are you planning for Valentine's Day?

xo,

Here's to Fabulous Beginnings!

I wanted to make the divine Jenn & Jacqui a little something for their new nest. Now that I can confirm they've received it (and in one piece none the less!) I can show you some photos. It is pretty hot down in Australia so hopefully the winter theme will keep the girls cool - at least in their minds!

I had this bird paper for quite a while. I picked it up during an NYC shopping trip and wasn't sure what I would do with it. Well, this seemed like the perfect project! I'm quite honored - the Ladies J even put this piece on their sidebar! Thanks girls!

I am quite honored to have a designer gal by Jacqui and she sent along another! This time featuring my sister Shelley and Margot against my favorite backdrop - Cape Cod!

Thanks so much Jenn & Jacqui! I hope you are loving your new nest and I wish you every peace and happiness in your new home!

Disney Princesses

Look at what my sweet sister Shelley found at the Disney Store! These fantastic Disney Princess dolls. She surprised me this weekend with Belle, my favorite.

Her favorite is Princess Aurora.
Who is your favorite Disney Princess?

P.S. I apologize for the bad photo quality. It was nighttime and I can't stand using the flash!

Sweet Treats & More Sweets

I've been a busy bee working on my swap projects. I'm in Karla & Beth's Sweet Treats Recipe Swap and Jenn & Cheryl's Secret Admirer Swap. Above is the recipe card I've come up with for Karla & Beth's swap.

Each of Karla & Beth's swap participants are also asked to make a gift tag with a rose theme - here is a photo of mine.

Check out these darling divas! Are they not the cutest? These little ladies are the fabulous Betsy ornaments that Sadie Lou so lovingly creates. They are one of my absolute favorite things! And speaking of divas have you heard about Suzi Finer's new venture iamadiva.com? The mission, taken directly from the site: "iamadiva.com is an exciting new website dedicated to connecting and empowering fabulous Divas throughout the world. Read what other respected Divas recommend for leading a positive, powerful, creative and successful life. We are connecting you to the hottest networking blogs on the Internet." Go to their Divas list to see some familiar faces including my favorite diva, Miss Glitter Fairy herself.

I also wanted to mention the fantastic Hope Jars that are a creation of Joy's. I recently gave the Grief jar to a friend and she has found it to be a great comfort to her. The jars come in many varieties including Pregnancy, Friendship, Marriage, Heartbreak, and Grief. Each is filled with inspirational cards that can be read once a day or more. This is a wonderful gift when you just don't know what to give and especially in a time of grief or heartbreak when it is sometimes so difficult to determine the best way to comfort.

On an inspirational note, I subscribe to Rev Run's Words of Wisdom (yes, I know he may seem like an unlikely inspirational source but he comes up with good stuff!). Each day an inspirational quote is sent to me via e-mail. Today's is especially meaningful and I wanted to share it with you.

"If the things around you don't change, change the things you're around... (Remember this!!!!!) Insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting new results!"

Lights of Hope

Tonight is a very special night in my small town. Tonight we remember and honor three beautiful woman that were so cruelly taken from us during a tragic home invasion last July. Our community of just under 30,000 (I know that is small to some and large to others!) has come together for a wonderful event called Lights of Hope. Over the course of the last several months, luminary kits were purchased by just about everyone in our community. The money raised went directly to a fund in the Petit Family name. Tonight is the night we place our luminaries along our streets and light the night with hope. It is truly a breathtaking and hope filled thing to witness. I took a walk along several streets and Jeff and I just came back from driving around town. It is truly a site to see. My limited photography skills do not begin to capture this amazing site. If you are interested in more information, visit this link.
This is my neighbor lighting his luminaries.

Dusk begins to fall and the true beauty begins to take shape.

This is a really bad shot as we were driving but it is a beautiful display of lights spelling out HOPE. It is best viewed from the sky so we'll have to watch the news tonight to catch a glimpse!
More action shots as we were driving. The Town green is lined with light and the church was ringing its bells in remembrance.

Our Town Christmas tree is still shining bright.

I think I was drunk when I took this crooked photo - just kidding! We have three candles in our window in memory of Jennifer, Hayley, and Michaela.

As darkness sets in, all of the streets are lined with hope.

To the Petit Family - we will always support and love you. To Jennifer, Hayley, and Michaela - we will never forget and we will honor you always.

With Peace,