40 ways to say happy birthday

This morning, we celebrated a friend's birthday with a brunch at my house.  It was a simple meal, organic vanilla yogurt, fresh fruit salad, and Rhodes cinnamon rolls hot out of the the oven, with a birthday candle stuck in them.

Since she was turning 40, a group of her friends came up with 40 charms for me to make into a bracelet for her.  We've done this for a couple of other pals in our circle on their 40th too.

Since 8 different people bought, or made the pieces, it really looked like a charm bracelet full of tidbits collected over a lifetime.  Some had special meaning, like her kid's photos, a coffee pot (to symbolize our regular coffee gatherings), a bowling pin (from bowling dates together), her initials, etc.  But some were just cute little things that were "filler". 

Since she owns two dorkie pups from one of my dog's litters, I really tried to find a Yorky charm for her.  But, one of her dogs is a giant, king sized terrier, that I swear is half golden retriever (we had goldens at the time too, so I really think that is possible...), so I figured that this over-sized blue dog looked enough
like him to work.

To make the charms with her kid's photos:

 I bought frame charms from the craft store, and cut out at plain bit of green paper to fit them (her favorite color).

Then, I found photos of her kids on my computer, edited them to black and white, and emailed them to the copy store with instructions to reduce them so that the faces were just under 3/4" inches.

Color photo copies seem to work better under paper glaze than the pictures I make with my own printer. The ink never runs with photo copies.

I cut out the faces and glued those to the green paper, and covered it all with a layer of paper glaze. Love that stuff! It is self leveling, so you don't have to be perfect with it. You do need to watch it as it dries, though and pop any bubbles that form. (use a pin)

After it was all assembled, I wrapped the bracelet in a green, vintage hankie and put it into a decorated cone.  The Dollar Tree store was selling packages of these gold or silver cones 6 for a dollar!

They were pretty as is, and make great favor wraps, or small gift packages.  I added a medallion with her initial, and then pinned some festive ribbons to the bottom with vintage brooch that she can take off and wear on her jacket.

This photo is a bit redundant, since I've already shown you the bracelet, but hey, look at my new lady!!  She is from Rusty Chandelier
one of the BEST antique malls, EVER.  She isn't named yet, or finished. I am thinking about covering her in old French ephemera like I did the hand that Robin gave to me.

Especially since this gift just came in the mail!  Zita sent these French Canadian books to me and the pages are just perfect for redoing the face of my new lady, huh?

 

She'll be wonderful for selling hats and necklaces, plus will class up my booth a bit!

Before I get to work on her, I need to go and tidy up after the brunch.  I never mind the after party mess, its usually a time to think about who said what and what funny things came up, and to enjoy the pretty dishes and bowls as I am washing them up. 

Just like picking up after Sugarwings.  Her leavings often give my heart a little tug, like this pile of her favorites set on the stairs waiting to be carried up to her room.

Comments

[Bunny Rose Cottage]

What a sweet post Karla! I think the birthday brunch sounds wonderful. What yummy foods :) The charm bracelet is such a beautiful, heartfelt gift! I bet your frined just loved it.

Look at those pretty little girl toys of Sugarwings, sigh. I would love to pick those up too :)

Hugs,
Amy

[Grace]

What wonderful friends to have a birthday brunch and love the bracelet!! xoxoxox Grace

[Rachael]

Lovely bracelet, lovely idea. I leave things at the bottom of the stairs to take up when I go and things at the top to take down - guess its universal! Rachaelxo

[sandy]

What a thoughtful friend you are. I bet she really loved the bracelet, put together with such love!
Sandy

[Cindy Is Crafty]

Karla, what a fabulous gift! What a great group of ladies. wish I live close so I could play, too! :O)

[Jean Eakin]

What a great birthday gift. I am so glad the wondering doggie is back. It worries you to death, doesn't it. You have a great day.
Jean in virginia

[Debra Ganas]

That is a fabulous bracelet. I actually typed "braglet" That would work too. LOL

I really need to get busy making some jewelry. You have inspired me. I'm having surgery later this month. I think I will get together some projects I can do in bed when I'm recovering.

Note to self...... have more simple gatherings with friends. I tend to overdo it when I have friends over.

[Tara]

Hi Karla

Any brunch you put together would be so special! What a nice idea for your pal!

[michelle]

Love the bracelet, thanks for the tips. That would make a great Christmas idea too. LOVE the Dorothy dolls sweet face too.

[Alison Gibbs]

What a wonderful gift - with love from friends. So special
Alison

[Soarenth]

A charm bracelet made by many friends sounds like the best gift ever! What a wonderful way to have a collection of memories.

Do you have a recipe for the vanilla yogurt? I would love to try something that would make me think of you.

And I like the idea of a birthday candle in cinnamon rolls. Maybe I'll also do one of those for an un-birthday celebration. ;->

But let's not forget the gifts of love you receive, then lovingly in turn share with all of us. Thank you for the smiles!

[Laura]

Hey Karla! What a cool idea the birthday bracelet is. I'm sure the birthday girl will treasure that -

I do the same thing making piles on the stairs to carry up next time I pass by...then I tell our kids not to leave their things on the stairs cause it's dangerous, someone could trip, you know? haha. That's where the phrase "do as I say, not as I do" comes in handy :)

Laura

[Kelee Katillac]

Love the bracelet idea Karla!

Can't wait to see your post for the Pet Parade! The party is ON NOW--go see the video...and I heard you won something.

love, kelee & oliver

[Janis]

Hi Karla,
What a great birthday gift and birthday
celebration!! I'm sure your friend truly
appreciated the special gift and brunch.
I know I would. :)
The way you wrapped the bracelet is pretty
also. Love it!!!!
I hope all is going well with your sweet
Twinkle. Did she participate in the birthday brunch?

Hugs,
Janis
P.S. The little pumpkin is adorable.
Do you make individual ones to sell?

[Elaine L.]

I love the bracelet!

What a precious comment about Sugarwings. You need to let us know how she likes school.

~elaine~

[Gwyn]

I love that bracelet!

[Kerryanne English]

Gosh Karla... I've missed the last few posts but have caught up with all your news now.

So glad twinkle is back and little Dorothy has her Toto. What a great idea the 40th bracelet was - I bet your friend appreciated it too.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne

[Zita - Mlle Magpie]

What a lovely birthday brunch, Karla. The charm bracelet is such a thoughtful and special gift idea. p.s. My vintage paper prize ribbon from you arrived and I adore it - thanks so much!

[sadie]

I know what you mean. I just love finding Humbug's little stash of Important Things To Her that she's left somewhere for Cinderella here to pick up. Makes me smile :o)

I love the bd pressie you made. What a gorgeous, and incredibly thoughtful pressie.

:o)
xx

[Marilyn]

Love the way the charm bracelet turned out--very fun!!

[joyce]

Glad you had fun at the birthday party. It should be interesting to see how she looks decked out in french ephemera with her strong features. I like what you said there at the end of your post about cleaning the pretty dishes while thinking back over the time just spent. Happy happies.

[Laurie]

Oh, I would've loved a bracelet like that for my 40th! Maybe for 50! I do the same thing: pile my son's (and my!) stuff at the bottom of the stairs for the next trip up...YOUR stairs, however, are gorgeous!

[sally]

hi Karla,i wud really like ur advice...my friend is turning 18 and i dont knw what to get her on her b-day....and she's a very specail and close friend...she means alot to me!!!...plzzzzz help me!...as soon as possible...thank u:D