How to Make a Memory Box

A couple of months ago I purchased a wooden box at an estate sale.  I thought it might be a large recipe box because it was 9" x 6 1/2" x 6 1/2".   I didn't know what I was going to do with it, but I bought it, tossed it on a shelf and kept running ideas through my mind.

Last week I finally had an idea and thought I'd try making a Memory Box out of it.  You know, to hold concert tickets, movie stubs, flower petals....that sort of thing.  First I cleaned it up and gave it a light sanding....

And then I gave it a quick coat of white acrylic paint inside and out....

And then I painted the entire thing with 2 coats of lavender and distressed it afterwards.   I took a couple of sheets of rose paper and used polycyclic to adhere them to the inside of the box...

I also printed out a saying about making memories onto a piece of rainbow paper and lightly burned the edges.  I then used polycyclic to attach it to the top of the box and applied polycyclic to the entire outside of the box as well.

Then I went to work on the outside of the box with various pieces of vintage lace from my stash, lacy flowers, buttons and pearls....

And remember that ring I bought last weekend at a garage sale?  The one with the stretchy band that I cut off?  I used it here.....

All finished, except I may go back and add a lock and key to the front of it.  This Memory Box was easy to make and it's going to be a Christmas present for someone special in my family.  I hope she likes it.

Linking up with....
Salvaged Junk Treasures # 258
Make it Monday # 3
Craft Frenzy # 58
Catch as Catch Can # 181
Thrifty Things Friday # 19

Sunny Simple Blog Hop # 19

Thrifty Life Thursday # 36

A Gift from Cris

Today I got a special gift that was sent to me all the way from Spain.   Meet my friend Cris, from Here and There and Everywhere.

Cris was giving  me a lesson on Christmas customs of Spain and she said that they have 3 things:  a Belen (nativity), cava (champagne) and turron (the candy).

First, she sent me 2 boxes of el lobo Turron candy, which is a specialty of Alicante, Spain.  I asked her about the name, because I knew that el lobo meant wolf.   She gave me this great explanation and history of the candy - You're right, "el lobo" means the wolf!  Doesn't mean anything in terms of turrón though, it's one of many brands that can be found here (but it is one I frequently get). More important is the fact that it's the real mcCoy, at least "legally speaking", as it's one of the brands that's still made here in nearby Jijona (there's a turrón museum there I have to visit some day). It's a typical sweet from the cities of Alicante (the hard stuff) and Jijona (the soft stuff, that became popular throughout Spain who knows how long ago, and now a lot of the production is done by big sweets companies elsewhere in the country. But only the stuff made here gets the label and can be called "Turrón de Jijona" or "Turrón de Alicante". Although in common terminology most people just refer to it as turrón duro (hard) and turrón bland (soft). Both are made from the same ingredients - almonds and honey - it's just in one the almonds have been crushed! 

Turrón is the MUST HAVE dessert after all the meals during the Christmas holiday period. My mom always said it didn't feel like Christmas if there wasn't any turrón, even if she just ate a few pieces! 

 

So here's what it looks like and let me tell you - it's really good!  I've only eaten the hard one so far, but it reminds me a lot of peanut brittle, which I love anyway, so this is fab! 

 
Cris told me I was on my own as far as the champagne went.  LOL!

And finally she sent me this adorable thimble with a nativity scene on it. She said she purchased it for me when she was in Granada last year and was saving it to send to me for Christmas.


 

The thimble is so pretty and delicate.  I have it on my book shelf where I can admire it.

Be sure to visit the post that Cris wrote where she explains about the custom of Kings Day in Spain.  In it she tells the story of the 3 Kings, their journey to Bethlehem, and what they have to do with the Belen.  For more on this subject, read Cris' post here.

Cris - thank you again for such a lovely and thoughtful gift.  It was so much fun to get an unexpected present from half way around the world. 

 

 

Meet Carey with Style

I'd like you to meet my friend Carey and show her some support on her new business venture.  Carey recently became a rep for "Thirty-One Gifts."  It's a company that sells personalized items like purses, bags, totes, organizers, umbrellas, stationary and thermals.  Thirty-One Gifts has dozens of products that are perfect for on-the-go or at home. 

Carey's website is: www.mythirtyone.com/careytaylor if you want to have a look and her business email is careywithstyle@gmail.com.  She has her own party going on there right now and if you click on "My Parties" it's called Carey's Christmas in July and anyone can purchase on it between now and July 25.  She's having a drawing with that party, and one person will win a free gift.  Plus, anyone that is willing to host online parties with $200 in sales can get a minimum of $25 in hostess credit, a half price item with half price embroidery, and the chance to purchase a discounted hostess exclusive. The more money the party generates, the higher the hostess rewards.

If anyone is interested, Carey could add you to her monthly 31 email with the special sales and her private FB group page for 31.   And she promised me - no spamming.  This way you can also just go and shop directly through her website or she can set you up to host an online catalog party...to qualify as a party, there has to be $200 in sales.  

Check out some of the cute bags Carey designed herself.   She designed 3 large bags just for taking to the Islands. One has a flip flop one that says "Just Beachy,"  there's a blue and green one that says "Turtle Tracks," and a beautiful Island Damask that says "Love2Shell."

One more thing - Carey just found out yesterday that there's going to be a big outlet sale starting Thursday July 18th with prices up to 70% off.  They only do it once or twice a year...but it's by email invitation only. If anyone wants to shop the sale, they'll need to email Carey asap at careywithstyle@gmail.com and she will add you to her 31 email and make sure they get the invitation on Thursday. Then you can start shopping as soon as you receive the email. The sale runs through 3am ET on Saturday, July 20th.

If you need a special gift item - check them out.  Looking for a home solution?  Check them out.  Go visit Carey's website - check them out!  She's a sweetheart and I know she'll appreciate you stopping by. 

Dels Shells for Valentine's Day

Hey, Valentine's Day is only 2 WEEKS away.  Hurry over to Del's Shells and buy the perfect gift for the perfect person in your life!

Del has a fantastic selection of chokers......

 Bracelets....

Necklaces....

Wine charms - how cute would these be with a bottle of wine and 2 glasses??

 

Don't wait, time is getting short.  Go over to Dels Etsy Shop right away.  And guess what else - use coupon code, HEARTDAY for FREE Shipping in the US until Valentine's Day! You can't beat that.

Hangin' with my Gnomies

How cute is this???

I have been truly blessed with some of the best blogger friends!  Yesterday a package arrived from Cathy over at Stitchfork Designs.   A lot of you are familiar with her blog and her beautiful work.  She also did a cute guest blog for me here.  When I opened the package I found this totally unexpected gift - a hand towel with this adorable little gnome on it and my initials.  Isn't Cathy creative?

We have lots of holidays on the horizon - Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.  Now's the time to start thinking about unique gifts and Cathy has the creative mind to design something for everyone.  Visit her website and her FB page.  I can promise you that you will fall in love with her products.

Cathy even posted this photo on her blog of my towel with a pair of hiking boots - how well does she know me??  Cathy, thank you again for such a lovely gift - I love it!

(photo courtesy of Stitchfok Designs.  Do not use without permission)

                        LIGHTLOAD TOWEL GIVEAWAY IN PROGRESS!!

Lightload towels is sponsoring another giveaway of their amazing towels.  Click on this link to leave comments under the original giveaway post to be entered.  The giveaway runs thru Saturday August 4th and you have multiple chances to enter and win!

Mothers Day is Just Around the Corner

Mother's Day is just around the corner and I know you don't want to wait until the last minute to pick out a special present for mom.  How about a beautiful piece of hand crafted jewelry by Del over at Dells Shells?  And the best part is that a lot of the pieces can be customized with colored beads to signify the special occasions in your life.

For example, Della created this beautiful keepsake for me.  She added a birth month bead for each of my children.  Isn't this pretty?  You can't really see it clearly, but there is also a small heart attached to the beads.

Or how about a Mother's Brooch?

Do you like something with a nautical theme?

Musical?

Something to keep your loved one from losing her way?

How about a hair pin?

Or a ring?

Maybe you'd like to give her your heart?

Something to decorate her ears?

Or her wrist?

Or how about one of these beauties to dangle from her neck?

No matter which one you choose, I promise you will love it.   Della wraps everything you order in gorgeous packaging.....

Any woman would love one of these hand crafted pieces.  It will be a gift she will treasure.  And don't forget, Del welcomes custom orders.  Feel free to email her through her blog.  Go check out her Etsy shop.   Place your orders now so you get them in time for Mother's Day.  And get this...  follow her blog and you will get a 20% discount off her Esty items by entering coupon code BLOG 20.

I just want to add that Della does do pieces with sterling silver as well, and she also can do pieces without shells if desired.  Shoot her off an email with what you're looking for, and she will try to accommodate you.  


Pssssttttt........  Mothers Day is May 13th!