EP Designs

Lest We Forget

Posted on April 25, 2008 by ElenaMay 28, 2015

Anzac Day, the day we remember our fallen soldiers…… The day we remember their sacrifice, the great price they paid to ensure our freedom today. Sadly, it also reminds us of the tragedies of war, scenes orhestrated by the powers at hand & commanders & played out in a brutal furnace ……a sad waste. Yet, we reflect and pray that lives would not be wasted like this again. Do we learn from history?

To glorify war is wrong …. but to remember the fallen is respectful, and an honourable thing to do; and hopefully a reminder that we must work towards peace.

The Ode

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

The Ode comes from For the Fallen, a poem by the English poet and writer Laurence Binyon and was published in London in The Winnowing Fan: Poems of the Great War in 1914. This verse, which became the Ode for the Returned and Services League, has been used in association with commemoration services in Australia since 1921.

Lest We Forget.

Compote or Jewellery Keeper

Posted on April 23, 2008 by ElenaMay 28, 2015

After browsing a number of sites owned by talented jewellery artists I decided to bring out another of my recreated treasures. This cute little design is finished in soft pink, pale green & pale gold. I wanted to keep it soft because of the detail in its design.

My first thoughts go to chocolates – The pink compote would look so elegant serving a selection of handmade chocolates but after browsing through Annette Piper’s blog Under The Loupe and seeing some creative jewellery designs I’m now thinking this compote could look gorgeous with a beautiful green, pink & mauve pearl strands
draped over it; add to it a purple bracelet and a rose quartz charm bracelet ; top it off with a pale pink & frosted necklace . A mix of gorgeous beads, pearls & gemstones would sit pretty in the compote and add a sweet little feaure on a dresser or corner table.

I’d love to be able to photograph this compote with all those gorgeous pieces of jewellery. The compote has a satin finish and would set off the shine and luminous sheen of the jewellery beautifully.

Beautiful Gifts for Mum

Posted on April 18, 2008 by ElenaMay 28, 2015

When I’m not recreating items I’m selling decorative home wares on eBay. I simply love beautiful things and enjoy my ‘shopping’ at the Trade Shows. These gorgeous decor items for the home are also a nice idea as a gift for mum …… for Mother’s Day or any occasion.

Here are some of the products you will find and are currently listed.
CLASSIC PINK ROSES BLOCK PANEL PRINT Chic & Gorgeous
Clasic Pink Roses Block Panel Print

SHABBY FRENCH PROVINCIAL FRAMED MIRROR Elegant Charm
Shabby French Provincial Style Framed Mirror

BEAUTIFUL GREEN MILK GLASS VASE Nostalgic Collectable
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If decorative home wares are not your preference I’ve come across a mix of gift ideas from other sites. My New Shiny Shoes being one of them. There are gift ‘finds’ here for everyone. The team at My New Shiny Shoes do the searching and bring to you their ‘finds’, all of which are chosen for the Australian market.

Here is one of My New Shiny Shoes ‘Friday’s Find’……..

And here’s something for a business mum……..

and here’s a gorgeous piece for any mum……..

Enjoy browsing through my eBay listings or My New Shiny Shoes.

Ciao for now, Elena

Keepsake Boxes

Posted on April 12, 2008 by ElenaMay 28, 2015

I started thinking about my keepsake boxes after writing my previous post on keepsakes. We all tend to collect little keepsakes along the way in life. Sometimes we don’t keep them but sometimes there are special things we just can’t throw away. I believe that little keepsakes are lovely ‘memoir’ tokens which are a gorgeous hand-me-down gift to a loved one. There are the usual keepsakes for baby, Christenings, weddings etc, but it’s the non-occasion ones that can also be extra special. At the moment I’m thinking of hand made items…. and usually when I think of ‘hand made’ I think of something that grandmother made, an aunt, great aunt or special ‘someone’.

A while back I created some keepsake boxes to sell during my Christmas Exhibition & Sales. These decorative little boxes were purely decorative, and for storing little keepsakes…. possibly small, delicate or precious things.

These type of boxes are not difficult to make. Any crafty person could easily get together their materials and be creaive with it. These boxes could also become a keepsake themselves – a special keepsake secretly storing lots of treasures.

The boxes seen here are simply paper mache boxes (fairly sturdy ones); each given a painted finish & sealed; lined inside on the base with felt; with a lid decorated using padding, crushed panne material, braid or tassel fringing, feathers and fabric glitter paint. most of these materials used were found in remnant bins at various fabric stores or during stock take sales or from opp shops.

An easy weekend project – you could also have more than one on the go. They’re a fabulous gift idea and a gorgeous keepsake in themselves.

Keepsakes

Posted on April 11, 2008 by ElenaMay 28, 2015

I started thinking about keepsakes after reading a post at The Tall Poppy titled ‘The Lost Art of Tatting’. Not a common craft these days but I don’t think it’s a dying art as there are always a few talented people around demonstrating their craft at events like The Stitches and Craft Show. I’m always amazed at the talents of other crafters and some of the beautiful items they create. It also makes me think about the many hours spent by ladies of days gone by, creating beautiful items, most of which were made because there was a need. These beautiful items were eventually handed down to daughters or other family members or friends.

I treasure anything handmade that’s been handed down to me from my grandmother & great grandmother. Things like a handwoven linen teatowel, hand embroidered linens, lace ….. some of these would be classed as antique linens but I wouldn’t part with them.