Like your Freedom? You owe 60 seconds to thank a soldier!

Sixty seconds, that is all that is asked of each and every American.

Just 60 little seconds. Hard to believe isn't it?

60 little seconds of silence to say thanks

 for helping to keep us safe while we slept soundly in our beds at night 

and for rights we take for granted each and every day.

Please stop at 3:00 p.m. on Memorial Day 

and observe a National Moment of Remembrance 

They died for it..

It's the least you can do.

60 little seconds of silence.

(without sending or receiving a text message either)

Read more about Memorial Day at the links below.

How to observe Memorial Day

Help Restore the Tradition of Memorial Day

United States American Flag Code

photo courtesy of Arlington National Cemetery

Giveaway enter to win Give Back No.2 in honor of World Ocean's Day June 8, 2011. You act I give.

A summertime giveaway in honor of World Ocean's Day celebrated on June 8th of each year. Some of you might remember my giveback last year as I called it shortly after the BP oil spill.

So much marine life is affected and suffers by the careless disposal of trash.  
Our oceans need your help to protect and conserve them.
 

Recycled, re-purposed, re-claimed, re-useable can help trash from reaching our waterways. 

It's not a requirement of entry to blog, mention it on Facebook or twitter about it but, I would truly love your help spreading the word. 
 

First up something fun.

Big My ice cream; Your ice cream (tm) vintage silver plated
ice cream spoon set as seen in Stuff Boston Magazine.

Two hand stamped aluminum bracelets with sea side sayings.

These are the easier to make flat version.

Featured in Etsy's Father's Day Finds on May 19. 2011
A set of six vintage silver plated "rustic" cheese markers for

your summertime soiree's. 

Plus,...two newer creations.

Aluminum hand stamped herb marker trio with an anchor motif

and so your table cloth is more likely to stay put.

 Set of four silver plated table cloth weights.

These work best on solid tables instead of mesh
unless you have two (2) in each corner.

All put into this jute cotton lined summertime tote measuring
16.5" wide x 4" deep x 14" high. Great beach bag or market tote.
This is the non USA non handmade item.

 

Rules of Engagement ~ a little different this year.

 1) Open to residents of USA only this time 

(this is because last year's give back was a shipping nightmare)

Not a follower?
2) This year to enter please become a follower

 Still easy peasy because I know most of you do or have done this.

AND 

3) Leave a comment about an item you have
recycled or re-purposed into something new.

OR

What environmentally friendly things do you do.
Environment friendly cleansers, low VOC paints, solar panels
coastal cleanups, ride a bike to work etc.

4) The Fine Print:  Understand and agree any taxes which may be due on prizes are the responsibility of the winner. Designs shown handmade or otherwise are or may be subject to U.S. Copyright and Trademarks.

Each of us is "response-able"

We can, together, make a difference.

Thank you everyone.

ENDS JUNE 8th, 2011
at 11:59 pm eastern time

Ut oh! Don't try this at home.

Ever have a party and you have a lovely buffet set up only to have your tablecloth flapping in the breeze?

Me and my ideas of what can I do with this = torn rotator cuff.  I like the result but not the four (4) plus weeks of pain that seems to have no end in sight.....surgery isn't appealing.
.

Imagine this conversation. Well you see doctor, I like to make stuff from other stuff and I had an abundance of some stuff. For a year I thought about making new stuff with that pile of abundant stuff. I had so many I donated dozens to a local charity thrift shop.  After failed attempts at the idea I tried something different. I just went for it; big time. I was so excited that I didn't pay attention to the first tinge of pain. My deluded brain equated it to sore muscles from being a major lazy bones.  My idea of exercise which was once super regimented at 4-5 days a week at 6:00 am has turned into strolling down the stairs to the kitchen.

It's nothing.  It will go away in a few days.~ Reminder to self get off the chair and go for a walk in this lifetime.

 It was these in particular and I am keeping them.

It wouldn't be so bad except brushing my hair or zipping up a dress which I do with my right arm has me doing that sucking in air while clenching my teeth thing and yes, I admit a few yelps have expounded out as well.  Now, since the doctors I have actually been to can't figure out what is going on with my entire left side maybe, it's not a good idea to be working with hammers or any other type of equipment.

Instead of the typical weights, these will add some flair to your
table cloths. From gingham to beaded.

One client wrote she be using them at her wedding with burlap table runners.  

She will be putting three on each end.

Doesn't that sound lovely?

You could also hang these in windows or use as ornaments.

I think a few of these on some sturdy white branches would be fun.

I am still working on fan and light pulls.

These weights work best on solid tables 

mesh or open tables need two (2) weights in each corner.

Now if your thinking I have a ton of knives I don't use and I'm going to make some myself

Stainless varies in gauge the lower the gauge the harder it is to cut.
I wasn't using anything like tin snips either.

Oh! Did I forget to mention I tore my rotator cuff in the process of making these?

So who every wins my give back giveaway coming up which includes
a set of four. I really hope you love them.

This years Pottery Barn coastal favorites

I've had a navy and white bedroom for as long as I can remember

so these beauties would be perfect.

A little change for the table. Last year we got Pottery Barn's map plates.

I love this pillow!

An indoor outdoor rug - perfect to cover up ho hom patio squares like we have

and a bonus if you have dogs.

I want to be sitting right here

So, I saw this photo on Marie's blog Sally Lee by the sea. I tried to find out who took it and was led to another blog but couldn't find the actual post with the photo.

I don't know who took it to give credit to.  

and I wonder what other glorious photos they took the same day.

It sure is swoon worthy isn't it?

Wouldn't you love to be sitting there for just a minute?

A Mother's day rose for you.

To all the Mom's Happy Mother's Day.