Cool Like That

I had a big weekend. First there was the hair extension; this was followed by a new jewelry acquisition. Yeah, I'm cool like that.  How was your weekend?

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there, especially mine; he's always been cool.

It has to be genetic~
Life is Good!

Charms Of A Different Variety

I've been sharing charms lately, fabric charms; today I'm sharing charms of a different variety: have a look at these treasured silver charms. My sweet mother-in-law has been going through her jewelry and giving pieces away. Our daughter had expressed an interest in this charm bracelet of her grandmother's; she remembered wearing it many years ago when she would stay after Sunday dinner at Grandma and Grandpa's house to play dress-up. Grandma would let her wear some of her special jewelry and she'd dress up in layers of Grandma's tops and scarves, she was, maybe three or four years old. Marcia remembered that Grandma told her: "someday, when you're grown up, that bracelet will be yours".  Grandma remembered that too, she gave it us a few weeks ago to deliver to our daughter in the Capital City. The story behind the bracelet is that my mother in law wore it when she was in high school; in the late 1930's to 1940. The heart charms were all gifts from friends and family, most of them are engraved with names or initials. Look carefully at the puffed heart in the center of the close-up, "Daddy" is engraved there. I never knew my husband's grandfather, but this touched my heart. There is also a charm from "Mother" as well as one from my father-in-law when he was but a teen too, so many memories... so much love.

I polished it up as best as I could before giving it to our daughter. Some of the enamel-faced hearts were already worn, I believe that only adds to the value. I know that our daughter will cherish this gift, as she does the precious relationship with her grandmother. The best part of the transfer of ownership of this bracelet is this: Grandma knows that the love goes on... from one generation to the next, to the next... this pretty bracelet full of hearts is only a symbol; someday our daughter can pass it down too, the bracelet is now a family heirloom. 

My heart is smiling.

Life is Good!

One Word Wednesday

Defining~

Life is Good!

A Thin Quarter

We all know about fat quarters (for any non-quilters out there, a fat quarter is one quarter of a yard of 44" wide fabric cut into 18" X 22" segments). One of the souvenirs I brought home from Alaska was a thin quarter; a very thin one, in fact! While visiting a jewelry store in Skagway I fell in love with these pendants made from silver (pre-1965) quarters, created by the skilled hand of Jim Stamper. These 90% silver coins have been flattened first, and still retain the original milled edge of the coin on the finished pieces. He creates the designs by hand piercing the flattened coins with a jeweler's saw. My husband told me to pick one out for myself, that was the HARD part; among the offerings were numerous Alaskan wildflowers and animal motifs, each and every one was stunning. I finally settled on this bear, mountain and moon design after much careful deliberation, it reminded me the most of all that we had seen and experienced in Alaska. That's the story of how one thin quarter came to live among this quiltmaker's house-full of fat ones! I could easily be convinced to become Jim's spokesperson and jewelry model, I don't require cash; I'd happily work for his entire collection! Hmm, I wonder if he's listening?

Life is Good!