turquoise + teardrops.

 Hello lovelies, so where did that week go?!

Somewhere in that blur I managed to bead up some new jewellery:

 I like my own personal creations to have a real eclectic vibe... a funky mix of various beads.

Of course, turquoise pops of colour are my real weakness.

Left: I included my friend Lynn's pottered turquoise button to loop this bracelet around.

 Right: this 'stacking' bracelet has two beaded strands attached together... and I love it!

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 On a much more sentimental side of jewellery making: my sister recently brought me this pendant.

It had belonged to our Gram'y.

She passed away many years ago now... but my heart still holds such a tender spot for her - (and my late Grampy).  Gosh we loved them.

They drove us to school every morning.

Grampy would create a silly song or rhyme for us... always calling me "Miss Mew" or "Mewtilda".

Gramy would shake her head and grin at Gramp's teasings... and do this hilarious 'Elvis' lip snarl every time we requested it of her.

I can still feel.hear.smell what their home was like.

The smooth linoleum steps to the cool basement, the kitchen counter of glass jars with candy, the powder puff in the bathroom, the wicker seats in the sun room, the hockey game playing across the couches, the backyard sweeping down into our favourite woods.

We spent so much time with them.  Their home was my second home.

The teardrops always come so easily when I think of these sweet souls.

How much I wish they could have seen their great-grandkids ~ our babies.

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Losing a loved one never loses it's impact on your heart.

Time doesn't erase their memory.

Grief is a mirror of the love we hold for them.

How I loved those two: John + June.

So I wear this special memento close to my heart.

I attached it to a double strand of antique bronze chain.

I already had this ring from Gram's collection.. and have loved it always.

Small things, really.

But they hold something much larger.

The memory. the love. the creative style.. of someone I miss deeply.

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Do you have keepsakes, mementos close to your heart?

Mel ;o)