"It's All About Me" Challenge

The lovely Natasha Burns from Artistic Creations by Natasha Burns is hosting an "It's All About Me" Challenge. It was a challenge to complete a project that we have been wanting to do for some time. So, here it is, an inspiration board that I have been wanting to make from a frame I bought at a yard sale 2 years ago! Yes, I know, time does fly. But, Natasha put us up to the challenge and this is my result. I've added a little tutorial below so you all can see just how easy this is. Jut a little time and a little patience.

Get your favorite frame and buy a bulletin board that you can cut to size. The cork tiles didn't seem thick enough, so I opted for the board.

Measure the opening on the frame (notice mine has an inset). Since I am wrapping the cork in fabric, I cut it just a "smidge" smaller (and yes, that is a very technical term - LOL!).

Check it in the frame and trim it as necessary with a razor knife.

Pop it in the frame to make sure it fits. Take your favorite fabric (this is an old curtain panel that reminds me of bark cloth), center on the front, flip it over and hot glue away! Since this was the back (below), I used a small piece of already cut fabric to put in the middle of the back. I didn't want to cut any more of this fabric than was necessary. Hopefully, I can use what is left for another project.

Hot glue it in the frame inset and flip it over. Isn't it gorgeous?!

A while back, I bought this brown ribbon from Andrea of Velvet Strawberries. It was just the right shade of brown to trim the frame. Don't ya just love the ruffles on the edges of this ribbon? So sweet.

So, here it is after the ribbon trim is applied. Again, just hot glued on the edge of the frame. So simple.

So, now, what to put up my "inspirations" with? I was on a "bead kick" not long ago. I bought the pearl top pins very reasonably at a local craft store and put some pretty pins together. My thought is to sell them, but I think these might do the trick for a pretty way to tack things on the board.

Once I was totally done, my mind went to, what will be the very first thing I tack to my board for inspiration. Well, that was a "no brainer" for me. Years ago, my first grandson, Braden, (who is now 15) gave me this sweet little rose pin for Christmas. I've kept it on the edge of my mirror all these years. This is, without a doubt, the first thing I wanted on my board.

So, here it is, the finished product. Love it. I just have to put a wire on the back to hang and tack away.

Thanks for stopping by. I'm so glad I finished this. Thanks to Natasha for the "inspiration" to get this done! Make sure you stop over to her web site to see all the ladies that have joined in the fun....

Blessings to all of you,

Kitty

xox

Rich and Rare were the Gems she Wore, And a Bright Gold Ring on her Wand She Bore...

I was looking around the house the other day and began to notice how many jewelry boxes, containers, holders, etc. that I have. Not a "grand collection", by any means, but jewelry containers near and dear to my heart. Velvets are just the "grandest" of all, aren't they? I had my eye on this sweet pink jewelry case in a local antique shop for quite some time. I'm surprised no one snatched it up! So pink with its little pearl adorned feet. The outside is faded a lighter shade than the inside, but that makes it all the more charming.

The blue velvet box is one of my favorites. Can't you imagine getting a strand of pearls in a box like this? This bracelet was a new find. Love the intricate detail.

And, if I am not mistaken, I believe they refer to these as "jewelry caskets". I guess you can see why. The lining reminds me so much of the satin inside a casket. I hope that's not too depressing, but it seems to be what they call them. I love their molded flowers and designs. So very precious. My heart just goes pitter patter every time I see one, but very few have a nice lining. Most are deteriorated. So, i f you see one in good shape, snatch it up!

This little lucite box was one of my first acquisitions. Beloved "Clara", whom Heather and I have posted about many times had this in her little shop. I just loved the faded plastic, just the right shade to make it look "antique'y". Clara is probably in her 80's and recently has had a stroke. We are watching her close to see how she is doing and have hopes she can reopen her little shop. Please keep Clara in your prayers, I know she would love knowing that.

And this sweet tapestry music box was a gift from my Mother. I will always treasure it. It plays a lovely little waltz. This is storage for all those dear little tags from my pets that have passed on through the years. Memories in a box.

And I found this little daring shell box at a recent sale and just couldn't pass it up. Such a glorious shade of pink and cream. It snaps shut. The dearest little shell.

And I've been looking for one of these boxes for quite some time now. I know these were popular in the 70's and 80's. It is rather hard to find them in good shape. Lady luck must have been with me this yard sale day. $3.00 for this sweet box. I can't wait to fill it up.

Hope you all have good luck in your hunt for "jewels" and "treasures" and for treasure boxes to keep them in! Blessings to all,

Kitty

Title quote by Thomas Moore, "Rich and Rare were the Gems She Wore"