One of the Best Gifts I've Ever Received....

came from someone I've never "met". I became acquainted with Cathy Edgar, my guest designer for my March "A Charmed Life" set, online through blogging over the past year and a shared love of Gina K Designs. At the end of that month, a package arrived at my house from Cathy. I thought it might be a card she made with the set; to my complete amazement it was this beautiful charm bracelet she had someone make especially for me as a thank you for having her guest design!

I really cried picking through the charms and seeing so many reminders of my journey illustrating for Gina in this piece of wearable art that she had so carefully, thoughtfully and cleverly chosen: spelling out my name (and I happen to be a huge Scrabble fan!), including animals from my sets (giraffes and zebras to represent "Just So Hippy" and "Jumping for Joy", several of which are decoupaged on the tile backs), a little silver flamingo charm for "Cuddles and Hugs", a wine glass and bottle and die for "A Charmed life" , a shoe for "The Best Things in Life", a rose for "A Year of Flowers", a butterfly for "Little Tees", a little hole keyhole heart charm stamped "Made with Love" and even the Gina K logo, complete with a little piece of trimmed rubber on the side, so inspired!! I can't even capture the beauty of it in one picture because several are hidden under the others or have pictures on the back.

It is one of the most personal and creative presents I've gotten, but a gift just as great was feeling like someone completely "gets me", you know? It was the kind of thing you'd expect to receive from your mom or best friend, and I was SO touched this came from an admirer of my stamps. Thank you Cathy, I will treasure it forever! (I can already imagine grandchildren sitting on my knee as I tell them the stories that each charm represents!) You are so talented and your heart is HUGE, you are as beautiful as your work!

This piece of jewelry was made by artist Lynn Stevens, with Cathy's suggestions. You can see more amazing samples of Lynn's work on her blog here, and if you want to really make someone feel special, maybe you can get her to help design some custom bracelets for you!!

Hope this inspires! Have a beautiful day! Thank you for visiting! and thank you to all of you I "know" through your comments, emails and stories, it is so wonderful to be acqauinted with you this way! :)