Fabric of My Life with Shelley Graham Turner

Monday, February 3, 2014

Last Minute Baby Shower ....and I DO mean last minute!

This is a LONG post so if you get tired reading be SURE to scroll to the bottom for TWO very exciting announcements!

My youngest daughter, Alycia, has a close friend who is having a baby! Alycia is going to be the Godmother - she is sooo excited. Well we all know that one of the GM's duties is to host a baby shower. Since this was her first she elicited my help.

The theme she picked out was zoo animals, with a blue and green color palette. We started out by buying a digital package online from a favorite vendor - JessicaSprague.com . This collection included both papers and elements. Using my new Silhouette Portrait it was really easy to throw together a few things. Good thing too; she only gave me a couple days to get it done.

We started with the invitations -

I used several different techniques including window cutouts, embellishing with glitter and Glossy Accents, and of course, machine stitching. (I've said it before, and I will say it again - I LOVE dimension!)

Next she needed some decor, so I made some pinwheels to use along with the balloons as centerpieces on the tabletops. While I was at it, I decided to whip out a small banner too!

Alycia even tried her hand at diaper creations! Aren't they cute?

Lastly, I made a few party favors. Just little pouches which we filled with M&M's.

The party was yesterday and guess what happened this morning?

Godmother Alycia with Nehemiah

Nehemiah was born at 8:40am. He weighs 6 lbs 12 oz and he is 20.5 inches long.

Congratulations Ty!

In addition to a new baby it's also
my 100th post so I am having a
****GIVEAWAY***

The prize is a set of beautiful handmade notecards with a Spring theme. Made by me, of course!

Notecards will be SIMILAR but with a different design/palette

PLUS for my beady friends I have decided to add a small collection of TORI SOPHIA beads too!

Winner will receive these exact beads

Contest runs through midnight, February 7th with the winner being announced on Saturday, February 8. Enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, February 2, 2014

JUMP STARTING my Blog!

It's been like forever since I posted to my blog soooo, to give it a jump start I am going to challenge myself for the month of February.

I found this 'photo-a-day' challenge on Pinterest - quick and easy!

Today I need to post TWO photos to catch up!

The First's photo prompt is "dinner". Well last night I had dinner in the Empire Lounge in the Marriott Hotel at LaGuardia Airport. On my way from a wonderfully hysterical girls' trip. Anyways...we (my friend Suzanne and I) shared a appetizer - meatballs and garlic bread - with a side salad. Plus a tasty beverage. Unfortunately the photo didn't come out (could it have been because of the tasty beverage aka Rum & Coke?!)

Oh no matter, I will show a photo of Suzanne's plate from the other night. We ate at Tony's Asian Fusion, in Westhampton, NY. Look at this cute bird that she received with her meal - it's a carrot sculpture! My other friend got a turtle! I am taking them home with me (I know - weirdo! LOL).

The prompt for the 2nd is RED!

Okay this one is sorta reaching but it is RED! It's a beautiful lamp which is in our hotel room...

I have to go now..GOT to get to the airport! Will do better in the future. Promise!

XxoOh! ~ Shelley

Friday, November 15, 2013

Charm Exchange and Benefit for Beads of Courage®

Again this year I joined in on the Art Charm Benefit for Beads of Courage® hosted by Jennifer Cameron of Glass Additions.

Here's how it worked: Bead Artists were challenged to create a charm using this year's theme of "Love". We were broken up into groups of ten artists and asked to each make 11 charms. Ten of the charms were to be exchanged with other members of our assigned group. Jennifer's goal was for us to have fun and get miniature pieces of art from fellow artists. A lovely idea.

But her plan for that one remaining charm is the most important part of the challenge. Each of these charms will be auctioned off with all proceeds to benefit Beads of Courage®.

According to their website - "The Beads of Courage® Program is designed to support and strengthen children and families coping with serious illness. Through the program children tell their story using colored beads as meaningful symbols of courage that commemorate milestones they have achieved along their unique treatment path."

Meet one of these beautiful children -

This is Ryley. Ryley is the grandson of fellow artist Jean Peter. He is three years old. His condition is called Hypo-plastic left heart syndrome. Ryley has had three open heart surgeries, his first when he was only one week old. This photo was taken after his second, when he was around 2 years old. His third surgery was June 2012 and was hopefully his last.

Here is the charm I created. I made it using a black heart shaped bezel. I filled it with a mix of pink seed beads and glitter and encased it in 3D Crystal Lacquer . I added a dangle of waterpearl and silver bead cap.

Now that you know more about this great event I hope you will join us at the online auction beginning TODAY! ALL proceeds to benefit Beads of Courage® . CLICK HERE to support this effort - and please be generous!

Beads of Courage, Inc. is an approved public charity under I.R.S. Code Section 501(c)(3), based in Tucson, Arizona.

Check out all the great artists and their designs by visiting their blogs:

Jen Cameron: http://glassaddictions.com/blog/

Toltec Jewels: http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com

Vanessa Gilkes: http://culturezine.com/blog/

Caroline Dewison: http://blueberribeads.co.uk

Lesley Watt: http://www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.com

Susan Kennedy: http://www.suebeads.blogspot.com

Nancy Dale : http://www.nedbeads.blogspot.com

Alicia Marinache: http://www.allprettythings.ca

Cassi Paslick: http://cassisbeads.blogspot.com

Alenka Obid: http://www.pepita-handmade.blogspot.com