Hold On To Your Earrings!

Tonight, on the way home from work, I stopped at the grocery store for a couple of items. When I got out of my car I was stunned by the power of the wind! It was crazy! I could FEEL my earrings trying to sail off without me! We've lived here for 10 years and I am still amazed by the freakishly wild Wyoming winds.

My earrings came from my Grandma Rose, very precious to me. So, I had to do the man-with-a-hat-walk. Do you know what I mean? It is that walk that men do when they are wearing hats that want to blow off. I know I've seen Mike do that walk so I knew how to handle it. I turned a bit sideways and tipped the crown of my head into the wind. That way, the direction of the wind encouraged the earrings to stay in their piercings rather than rip out of my ears.

Anyway, I made it without loss of earrings. See? They are pretty, aren't they?

After I left the grocery store I saw a flashing sign that the highway department had set up. It was warning of 70 mph wind gusts! Good grief! Oh well. Me and my Grandma Rose earrings are safely home and still intact. 

Mixing It Up a Bit

I was rushing around, hurrying to get out the door and head to church.  I had set out two pairs of earrings earlier in the morning, undecided as to which pair I would be wearing.

Both pairs were actually made by my Grandma Rose.  She always wore dangling earrings and when I wear them, I like thinking of her.  She was so creative, always making things.  That is why our Etsy store, Wyoming Rose Boutique, was named after her.

Anyway...  just as I was leaving the bathroom I glanced in the mirror as I was tucking my hair behind my ears.  What I saw made me chuckle at myself.  I had picked up one earring from each pair.  Of course, I had to get my camera.  That seems pretty dumb but any blogger who tries to post daily knows that EVERYTHING seems like a potential post.  

There once was a time when I would not have even considered putting such a weird photo of myself on the fireplace mantel, much less on the internet.  Oh well, pride isn't always a good thing so maybe this is progress.  The point is, I was wearing a mismatched pair of earrings and I'd nearly headed off to church that way.  

A few minutes later, just before I pulled out of the driveway, I realized I still had NOT TAKEN OFF THE MISMATCHED PAIR! I was running late so I just took them out and headed on down the road.

THEN, I thought about a new fad I've seen many times now... mismatched but coordinating socks.  Have you seen that?  You can even buy a pair of mismatched socks!  Now, that is a fashion statement that seems kind of sensible to me.  We all lose socks, right? Well, now you can just pair up the left-over singles.  It is practical AND cool.


Well, I asked myself, "Why not?"  I put on the mismatched earrings and went on in to church.  I have to say, I did feel kind of cool all morning.  As far as I know, only one person even noticed but I'm hoping it will catch on.

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.

  

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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...

Wyoming Rose - Vintage Oval Earrings

Today I am featuring one of our vintage finds.  Maria and I are often out hunting for the quaint, the delightful, the beautiful or the fun.  Cordelia is our apprentice!

These Vintage Oval Earrings are really pretty.  Maria spotted them with her artistic eye.  She has good instincts, doesn't she?

...and we have a WINNER!

Thank-you to everyone who entered my latest give-away via comments, FB sharing, etc.  As per the rules, some names were entered multiple times to match the different aspects of entering the give-away.  I'll just tell the story through the pictures:

I laughed that AKM got 1st, 2nd and 3rd place!

AKM,  this covered round box and a pair of Russian Jade earrings will be shipped soon.  I do have your address from your last order from Wyoming Rose.  I will hold off a few days so if your address has changed please e-mail me at onlythemanager@yahoo.com. 

Also, I so appreciated all your entries I decided to throw in a pair of cross earrings as well!  You've made comments that let me know you are a Christian so I thought you might like them.  If your address has changed since your last order, please let me know. 

Things that Grow

This is a picture of Sam planting a little treein 2004 or 2005.

Tomorrow, I will show you that tree and Sam now.

Also, we will be drawing today for a winner for our earring give-away.

Watch for the announcement tomorrow!