Cherish

Remember this post from last week or so when I talked about how there's "change in the wind" and I can feel it affecting my creations, as well as the details of my life? If you didn't read that post and want to, you can go here. :)

Well today I finished the first piece made with this fresh wind in my sails! I am so pleased with it. It is just so "me" that I honestly can hardly bear to sell it! But that's part of the process for me, as well as the joy, of creating these days: making things that are authentically ME but with someone else in mind brings me a lot of pleasure.

This piece is called "Cherish" and though I realize it could mean different things to different people, here's what it means to me (this is the description from my eBay auction!):

"I created this heirloom box because lately I've been struck my what feels profound: What I dreamt of as a young, single woman and what I will be remembering wistfully as an elderly woman are the years I am experiencing RIGHT NOW. These days I drag through, just hoping for them to end so that I can sit down and...well just sit down!! :) I live for the evenings, the quiet, the grown-up conversations, losing myself in my embroidery, sipping a cocktail or escaping into a t.v. show plot. But I used to think so longingly about what it would be like to be "grown-up," married and a mama. And someday, I'm told, I will think longingly about being a "young" woman with strength, energy, a handsome husband and beautiful children who want nothing more than my attention. THESE ARE THOSE DAYS.

This box represents THESE DAYS and is the perfect place to keep artifacts from these days...baby shoes, "love notes" in a child's scrawled hand, a dried flower from a loving husband, a binky that someone is too big for or a post-it on which you scratched the "cutest thing" your toddler said that you wouldn't remember otherwise. This is a box that will undoubtedly become an heirloom because of what it will come to mean to you about your own life. This one-of-a-kind box is in great vintage condition. It has the "shabby chic" look we all love so much! The lid and bottom of the box have been lined (not by me) with what looks like vintage wrapping paper. The top of the lid has been lovingly enhanced by me with vintage images printed on fabric, hand-embroidery, vintage trims, chiffon ruffles, buttons, charms and more. The center image of the woman in the hat is by Harrison Fisher and is filled with the very best dried French lavender.

In addition, I would be delighted to add a custom, "personalized" embroidered element to the lid that will make it "yours." Some examples are an initial, a name or a phrase that is personal to you and yours." Well that's it, Friends! I'm listing it on eBay tomorrow morning. I've got so many more fun things in process but I just HAD to show you this one. :)

Hugs to you...now go Cherish your own Sweeties...

Here's the auction, if you're interested! Well...right HERE. :)