What We See...

I lost one of my favourite earrings.  Boo!  A real gem of a pair I picked up at the Forks in Winnipeg.  I made a beeline for the local beadery and created a new one to replace it. Original earring is at the right above.

I used bookshelves to divide my bedroom into different spaces.  These shelves separate my study from my bedroom.  Of course they look fine on the open side, where I can see and access my books but what about the plain backside? By affixing small nails to the underside of the top shelf of the middle set, I was able to hook chains to the nails and run them over the top of shelves and down the backside.  I looped the chains around the hanging wire of a large framed piece of art which now dresses up the back of the shelves which form one of the walls of my bedroom.

I like layering and this includes jewelry.  For this outfit, I started with a brown beaded dress from Le Chateau and added a long string of gold chain and beads looped once around my neck, a multi-strand body chain from Ardene and a pocket watch on its chain which was just long enough to go around my neck.  A black shrug with tie front finishes the look.

To add interest to my photo collection I have grouped several multi-frames (from the Dollarstore) and hung a sari as a border.   I affixed removable wall hooks (Home Depot) to the wall near the ceiling and hung a bracelet from each.  I then threaded the sari through the bracelets, adjusting the swoop of fabric between them and letting the rest hang down the wall.   It makes an attractive border for my pictures.

My favourite spot in my new digs.  This is where I read, watch movies, listen to music, sit and think.  My hideaway. I have used bookcases to outline the space.  The cases on the far side separate my reading nook from my sleeping area.  I do not like open concept, at least not for my personal space. I was allowed to paint the room before moving in - previously it was white.  I chose two shades of peach and layered the darker shade over the lighter with a rag to create depth.  It provides a warm, cheerful background for my framed photos and other decorative touches.   The hangings on the back wall are two cushion covers safety pinned together and hung from removable, adhesive hooks. The gold and green circular tray in the foreground is from Pier 1 Imports as is the fringed throw and cushion on the tub chair. The vintage look string lights are from Canadian Tire.

I picked up this lovely purple print fabric in Malawi over 20 years ago.  It has gotten worn over time but I didn't want to just dispose of it.   To make this keepsake I bought a dinner plate from the dollarstore and used decoupage glue to adhere the fabric to the plate.  I used epoxy to afix a large paper clip to the back to serve as a hanger but the plate can also be displayed using a plate holder.

I lived in India for five months in 2008 as part of a program run by Youth With A Mission .   Left to right:  at our program graduation celebrating the annual Hindu harvest festival "Onam" on our way to church