Saturday, January 12, 2013

Memories & Thanks Blog Hop


I'm very lucky to have a mom who, despite the trying times I've put her through growing up, is still one of my best friends, if not THE best friend...I mean, after all, friends may come and go... but mom's are kinda stuck dealing with our crazy butts, now aren't they ;)

My first piece is for my mom. Not surprising, since some of my favorite ( and biggest ) 'art projects'...( or attempts >.<) have been for her :)

Background ... my mom LOVES frogs... especially Kermit the Frog and those red eyed tree frogs. so needless to say, My eyes have become programmed to spotting 'frog' or 'Kermit' stuff across a busy store with no problem... despite my having to squint to make out the sign four feet away...I can see that frog keychain hanging on the tent pole ten yards away, past two or three dozen people moving past ;) lol  When my mom got a dark green pick up truck one year...I painted a giant Kermit the Frog head on her tailgate... and made a patching one for the back of her jacket. Everyone LOVED it... she was known as ' Mrs. Kermit' all over town :D

And of course I've made her plenty of frog jewelry. Every time I find a cute frog bead or pendant, I make something for her. My dad, however, is NOT a frog fan, so she doesn't get to wear the cutesy frog earrings when they go out, because 'they're embarrassing'. I did make her a pair that she wears with his okay, because the frogs are itty bitty images on itty bitty brass 'coins'... so you can't tell they're frogs until you're up really close >.< Bored of making earrings she 'can't' wear, I decided to make her something that would fit with just about every 'dressy' outfit she had, as well as most of her casual stuff, that contains her precious frogs, but not in such an obvious way that dad would grumble.

Four simple silver frog charms that 'blend in' with the silver chain,  four little green Czech Glass beads, and one little charm that says simply 'mom'.
Mom's a big fan of black and silver for her dressier outfits. For several years, every dressy outfit she had.. was black and silver. Seriously... she wore black to my wedding... although I really can't fault her on that one ;) *L*
The monochrome wardrobe is something we've tried to break her of by introducing other colours into her wardrobe that she likes, but not matter what colour she ends up wearing, you can usually find black and silver being teamed up with it. Usually in the form of a beautiful black velvet jacket decorated with a silver frog pin 'climbing' up the front .. so the bracelet is a win-win ;)

My second piece is for HER mom. My Gram doesn't love frogs... or Kermit. No... she loves Tweety Bird and dolphins ;) She's pretty much told us 'no Christmas gifts' her reason is that she has too much stuff already. Personally I think she just doesn't want to feel like she has to get us something in return... so I always bypass that by sending her something for her birthday instead... which is just four days before Christmas ;)

This year was not a good one, and her birthday was far from happy as news arrived that my cousin, George, had been lost at sea. By the time I learned of this, I already had this made, but  it oddly enough kinda makes me think of him, as well as her... I don't know if she feels the same, but I heard she did love it.


 Silver, black and dark & light blue... simple, understated, but very pretty at the same time, I think. the darker colours I think are what make me think of George.. A silver heart toggle that hangs in front over her heart... and a black dolphin - rather fitting to commemorate a death at sea... Not done intentionally. Like I said, I already had this finished, photographed and boxed up when I heard about it.

So two pieces of jewelry made as 'thanks' to two wonderful women in my life... and inadvertently in memory of a man I  really didn't know at all, since the last time I saw him he was still pretty much a boy.

Alright, now you've seen my pieces, and maybe someone of you have put a tissue or two to use over the last piece... so off you go to use up the rest of that kleenex box while you visit the rest of these blogs!

You can use the main list on Lori's blog 


25 comments:

  1. Such a touchingly appropriate tribute. Am sure both you mom and grams with treasure them both.

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  2. Your mom and grandma sound like such fun ladies :) Now I know where you get your good nature from. Both pieces are so cute

    Sad to hear about your cousin :(

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    1. Thanks for sharing your inspirations...and the unintentional tribute. Frogs and dolphins seem like such happy creatures, just like the intended inspirations for your pieces.

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  3. Well, you made me smile and then sideswipped me with a tearjerker! But, it shows the power of art and memories very well.

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  4. lovely tributes and I think your mum should be allowed to have frog days where she can enjoy wearing her favourite pieces

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  5. Oh, Sandra - the bracelet is gorgeous, I hope your dad will be OK with it. My mom loves owls - I should start making her owl things :)
    I am sorry to hear about your cousin - I followed the story back during Christmas for a little bit, but then I lost touch with the world while being sick. I believe your necklace is a fitting tribute for a sea man - and I hope your grandma loves it too!
    Back to the Kleenex box - this blog hop is a hard one to go through, that's for sure...

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  6. Wonderful creations that really honor your Mom and Grandma. I love that you focused on their favorite things, combined with something you love to do.

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  7. Wonderful stories, and beautiful pieces. I love the frogs :) Thankyou for sharing.

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  8. I'm sorry to hear the news of your cousin George. I agree that the bracelet is very fitting.

    It's always so interesting to hear what items or objects people are drawn to collect.

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  9. Two wonderful tribute pieces. The jewelry becomes more interesting when you hear the story behind it. Thanx for sharing.

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  10. What wonderful pieces both but I really love the bracelet. Hopefully your father won't be able to nix it.

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  11. Oh my, that's certainly a bittersweetness to the second one. Sorry for your family's loss. It's sweet how committed to frogs your mum is probably at least in part since it irks your dad - I mean I'm guessing if your mum is like you :)

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  12. Lovely tribute to your loved ones...sorry for your loss. The jewelry is really nice!

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  13. Lovely tribute to those you love. The jewelry is very nice!

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  14. How nice that you can use your creativity to share your passions with the people you love by picking up on their interests! I loved the story of your mom and the frog jacket. So sorry for the loss of your cousin George. Thank you for sharing your story and your creation. Enjoy the day! Erin

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  15. Such personalized pieces..your Mom and Gram are sure to enjoy wearing them. Sorry to hear about your cousin. My heart goes out to you and the family. Thanks for sharing your touching story. I hope you enjoyed the hop. I'm still making my way through the list. :)
    Hugs
    Terri G.

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  16. Beautiful pieces for the beautiful woman in you life, I love both pieces but I am a bit partial to frogs myself.

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  17. Love the froggy bracelet. I've a friend who is nuts about frogs too, and your piece has inspired me to make something for her. The necklace for your grandmother is just as beautiful, and carries so much meaning, especially in the face of your recent loss. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

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  18. Thank you for sharing your story. I am so sorry for the recent loss. Your creations are such lovely and meaningful tributes to the two special ladies in your life.

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  19. I am sure your dad won't mind your mom wearing her newest frog creations. Lovely design.

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  20. Lovely pieces for your Mom and Gram! I'm sorry to hear about your cousin - thank you for sharing your story!

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  21. Thank you for sharing. Love your pieces. ..

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  22. They are both beautiful - your work is lovely.

    ~cryssT

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