Jangely Jewelry

Looking though my recent photos I realized I'd left another loose end out there. Remember the day I said I was going to make some jewelry? I'm kind of going through a jangely necklace stage so here's what I came up with...

I kind of like how it turned out so I think you'll

be seeing it at Wyoming Rose Boutique soon.

Discount Time!

We have some new listings at Wyoming Rose Boutique.

Here are a few...

Maria and I decided to offer a discount that is available only to the readers of our blogs.

If you are making a purchase at Wyoming Rose Boutique use the coupon code:

ROSIE

This code will automatically give you a 15% discount on any of our items, 

including the brand new ones.  

Maybe you will find some good ideas for Christmas Gifts!

Better to Give

You may be surprised (not!) To know I am proud of my granddaughters. Well, Cordelia gave me another opportunity to admire her sweet little self. No, she is not perfect, but that little girl truly has a giving heart.

Saturday I picked up some crafty things to go do with her. Right away she chose to make two necklaces, one for her Momma and one for me. I told her she wouldn't have enough supplies to then make one for herself. Her answer, "That's OK. I have wots of udder necklaces."

Maria wore her's to church Sunday. I treasure mine and will wear it often!

Commercial Break

Mother's day is coming up and we have just put a bunch of new items up on Wyoming Rose Boutique!

Stay tuned for your regularly scheduled blog...

Reminder's Cross

I had such a lovely surprise at work yesteday! A former patient, one I first met when I was working as an oncology nurse, dropped by. I received word that I was needed at the front desk and when I looked out there, I saw a familiar face.

Last time I saw this kind lady, she was in for a procedure at my current place of employment. We'd had a fun time reconnecting. At some point she commented on the cross necklace I was wearing that day and mentioned a necklace she'd like for me to have, made by someone here in Wyoming. Truthfully, I'd forgotten about that...until she showed up today with this:

Isn't that cool? It came with a card that told me it was a "Reminder's Cross". The artisans name is Rob Wemmer. Below are the words on that little card.

"This is your Hand Made Reminder's Cross. Every Element of this Cross is a Reminder of the events at the Crucifixion of Jesus. The Nails remind of the Spikes used to place Him on the Cross. The wire reminds of our Faith, which binds us to our Christianity. It can also remind of the Crown of Thorns placed upon His head. The leather cord reminds us of the Whips used to Beat Jesus. Look at the knots. They are wrapped in the Fisherman's Knot, for Jesus said, "Come Follow Me, and I will make you Fishers of Men (Mat 4:16A Mk 1:17)-Also, the knots are wrapped 3 times for in 3 days, Jesus Rose! All of the elements combined make up your Reminder's Cross. "Hope that you wear it with all reverences and Respect to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior."

When I wear it, I will also be reminded of, and grateful for, the remarkably thoughtful and kind people I have met in my life. 

If you are interested in a Reminder's Cross, there is a contact email address listed on the card as well: robwemmer@hotmail.com

Why the Cross?

This is me getting ready for work Wednesday morning.

There are certain things I need to accomplish before I am ready to head out the door:

• Secure my hair so I don't drop DNA on my patients.
• Find my name tag from my purse so I don't have to write my name on a piece of tape (not classy).
• Turn the sound off on my cell phone.
• Load my pockets with a pen, my key used at work, my cell phone and maybe some lip gloss that I won't remember is in my pocket until I'm heading back home.  I have a weird little system of putting work things like the pen and key in my right pocket and my personal items in my left pocket.  
• Choose a cross necklace for the day.

That last bullet point is very important to me.  I will give you an example of why.

Awhile back I entered a room to get a patient ready for a procedure.  I'd not met him before and knew only his name, his physician's name and what procedure he was to have that day.  Not long after I started filling out his paperwork with him he began telling me a lot of things about his past.  He had a criminal background, family troubles and a lot of other stories.  After quite awhile of talking he suddenly stopped and said, "Why am I telling you all this?  I never tell people anything about myself!"  I said some things to put him at ease.  He told me more things.  After starting his IV I had my hand on the doorknob when I turned and asked him if he'd like me to pray for him.  He just seemed so frightened and alone. He was eager for my prayer, so I prayed, leaving the room soon after the prayer.

Later, I peeked in to see how he was doing.  I was telling him that I don't always ask patients if they want me to say a prayer but that something told me he would appreciate it.  He then told me that he knew why I was prompted to pray for him.  He went on to say that before he came in for his procedure, he had a strong feeling that he was going to die that day.  After the prayer, he told me that feeling was gone.  Oh my!

My patient later told me he figured out why he told me his life story like he'd done.  He said it was because I was wearing a cross.

I'm a God Fan!

When I was at Walmart last week, ready to check out, I was perusing the check-out lanes.  Like everyone, I wanted to go through the quickest line.  As I looked around, though, I saw a line that was moving rather slowly.  The checker wasn't smiling and she wasn't moving quickly.  I don't know why but I thought maybe I should take that aisle.  Although I often just bumble along through my days, sometimes I fancy that I'm being directed by God or the Holy Spirit to do something in particular.  I don't really know but this felt like one of those times.  I figured it was my challenge at that moment to maybe try to cheer her up.  I thought maybe she was new or frustrated or both.

Just as I approached for my turn to check out, they had a changing of the guards.  The checker who was my target for cheering was going off and another checker was coming on.  The new checker was smiley and jovial.  Hmmmm... maybe I'd misunderstood my mission of the moment.

As the smiley checker was efficiently scanning my items I noticed she was wearing a really pretty cross necklace, similiar to this one of mine.

  I said, "I like your necklace."  She responded, "Thanks.  Are you a Steelers fan?"  Confused, I responded, "No.  I'm a God fan."  She laughed, realizing her error, just as I noticed she was wearing a Pittsburgh Steelers lanyard with her name tag attached.  She then went on to tell me she was a God fan, loved God so much, didn't know what she'd do without him, etc.

THEN, the smile left her face and she spoke of her son.  He was in some kind of trouble.  He was denying the existence of God, he'd committed a crime, and his future was a mess.  She told me he was being evaluated for mental health issues but then was likely going on to prison.  I did not ask her about his crime but I did ask her his first name.  She told me his name is Nick.  I told her I'd pray for him.  The look of astonishment on her face was amazing.  She thanked me over and over for volunteering to pray for him.  It was such a small thing, my honor, really, but it meant so much to her.

I don't know if that chance encounter between me and the checker was really directed and planned by God or the Holy Spirit.  I maybe just get these high falutin' ideas on my own.  I don't really think so, though.  I left that moment feeling better and I think she did as well.  I think two women, for those few moments, needed to connect.  I needed to feel I was making a difference and she needed to know someone cared about her son.

So, if you are the praying kind, I invite you to pray for her son, Nick, as well.  I don't know his story and can't tell you how to direct your prayers, but I am certain God will know of whom you are speaking.  He's hurting and he needs to feel God's presence in his life.  

Paper Clip Necklace

Yes, I did it.  I made a necklace out of paper clips.  Is that too weird?  Well, take a look.  These were not ordinary paper clips but very COOL paper clips!  I bought them, not having a clue what I'd do with them.  One day I found my inspiration, creamy thread and a tiny crochet hook.

I picked them all up and went to work...

I used a chain stitch and hooked through each 

clip at two different places so that it wouldn't 

accidentally slip out the open side.  I just kept 

going until I felt happy with the result.  

I tied it off, added a droplet of 

super glue to the end knot and... 

Twa La!

I thought it turned out very pretty.

It has kind of a fun and funky look I think.

Then, I decided I may as well make some paper clip earrings.

They look lovely on my tomato plant so hopefully they will look nice on someone's ears.

I put it all together and felt mighty happy with myself.

Feel free to copy this idea.  Let me know what you come up with!

I'm so happy with it I am thinking of going to an 

office supply store to see what else 

I might want to crochet together!  

Or maybe a hardware store!   

Auto parts?

As your reward for following all the way through this tutorial 

I'd like to offer a discount to you 

today at Wyoming Rose Boutique at Etsy.  

When ordering, simply type the word DISCOUNT in all caps 

and you will receive a 10% discount on your entire order.

  

 .  

Starting Traditions

I have become more and more aware of how precious tradition can be to the story of a family.  As such, I've got a few traditions I started when Cordelia was born; things I want to do for my grandchildren.

As I mentioned before, one thing I want to do is give each child some piece of jewelry that is mine but that they will inherit someday.  It doesn't need to be an expensive piece of jewelry.  I just wanted something that they see me wear, see in photos from the day of their birth, and something that represents what is important in my life.  I chose a ring with a cross on it for Cordelia's birth.

I made certain that I was photographed, holding newborn Cordy, with the ring in view.  I wear it frequently so that someday, when it is her's, she will remember it being mine.

This is what I have chosen for this next baby girl:

I've got it on and I am ready to go!  I think it will be soon! 

Celia's Link to My Grandaughters

I am getting excited!  Maria and Eric will be welcoming their new daughter next month!  That little baby is quite definitely HERE now.  Maria is looking "full of life" and she's at the point where we can even see when that new little grandaughter has the hiccups!

When we were waiting for Cordelia's birth I remember feeling like my arms just needed to hold her, just as I felt as I waited for the births of my own babies.  I'm starting to get that feeling again!

One of the things I did before Cordelia was born was that I chose a piece of my jewelry that would someday be her's.  I know that seems rather premature but my plan was to be wearing it in photos taken the day she was born.  I'm particularly proud of that idea.  I chose a cross ring given to me by my friend, Celia.  I wear it often and I hope that for Cordy it is something she will remember having seen on me. For some reason the photo cuts off the bottom but trust me, I was wearing the ring in this photo.

For this new little person I want to do the same thing, only different.  I want both girls to feel special and to know they are individually precious.  I am narrowing it down.  I am thinking about a cross necklace, also from Celia, that I will give to this new baby.  

I didn't know it at the time of Cordelia's birth but there is another link to this tradition.  When Cordy was about a year and a half old, Maria and Eric purchased the house where my friend, Celia, grew up!  So, those girls will always have a link to Celia as well.  Cool, huh?

Mother's Day Gift Ideas Day 1

I am not always that great at coming up with good gift ideas.  I procrastinate and frustrate myself.  However, I have received some really wonderful gifts from my children over the years for Mother's Day as well as birthdays and Christmas.  I have three children so for the next three days I am going to tell you of some ways they have gifted me.

Sam is our youngest, turning 19 this Summer.  He has always been a sensitive kid.  Even as a preschooler he was a child who quietly watched people, really noticing them.  I know that he paid attention to me because at a really young age he noticed how much I enjoyed wearing cross necklaces.  So, he often finds pretty ones to give me.   Paying attention to what is important to another, rather than giving a gift that YOU'd like, is a sign of thoughtful gift-giving.   I think that's always a way to make a person feel noticed and loved.

When I wear cross necklaces it helps remind me of God's son, as well as one of my own.  

So, if you are stalled out on ideas for your Mom, think about what she really likes.  Does she like to sew?  How about starting a charm bracelet with a charm of a sewing machine?  Does she love the color green?  Maybe she needs a new green scarf.  Is she a walker or runner?  Maybe a gift card to her favorite shoe store.  I don't think mothers are wanting lavish gifts, just gifts that show you notice her as a person.  Lucky for me, my children are really good at that.

 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And now, I want to apologize to Darla Q.  When I did my tutorial/giveaway I said that I'd count Facebook entries as well, since some folks add their comments there.  Well, I think Darla was actually the very first to enter.  I knew it...time passed... I forgot.  I'm sorry Darla!  Send me your address and I will send to you another gift, these earrings that I made...