New Beginnings . . . A New You

It is a new month. First off, Happy May Day. I do not have a project this year for May Day. Although, the kids and I made simple baskets with pre-made silk flowers to secretly drop at our friend's and neighbor's doors. Still loving May Day but had to take the easy route this year.

With the start of a new month, comes the reveal of a new creation for the "made with love (and paper)" Design Team. We have been having a lot of fun on this DT! Rachelle comes up with great parameters for us to work with. made with love consists of a group of gals that love paper-crafting! Each month we challenge ourselves to complete projects with specific requirements. Please stop by and join us!! You are always welcome to submit your creations to the challenges.

Rachelle dropped a doosie on us this time! She has really challenged us. Rachelle said create a project with the following guidelines:
theme: "new beginnings"
requirements: something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue

Wow! I cannot wait to see Rachelle's creation. I wonder if she had something in mind when she picked the challenge? The "something borrowed" is going to be the trickiest. "Excuse, may I please borrow your XXX for a craft project that I am going to glue up and possibly make permanent?" So, as always, I gave it some thought.

You are going to love this!! But, first, a story. You know I like telling stories.

Something Old
I was determined on the project that came to my mind. I was not open to changing. This, of course, brought me to the last minute. The first thing I needed was an old, hand held mirror. You would think such an item would be over flowing the shelves of the thrift stores. Nope. Then last week (cutting it close), I found an amazing old mirror . . . without a mirror. Look at the gorgeous detail on the back side of the mirror.

glass side--no mirror

decorative side

detail of decorative side

I had been to so many places for this project as well as running errands. I did not want to run anymore. I told a woman in the store my plan. Not five minutes later, she rounds the corner and hands me a decorative mirror. I could easily disassemble this mirror and use the "glass" for my old mirror. It was almost perfect. However, the glass was a tad small. No problem, I knew my plan would succeed!

cheap plastic mirror

back

easy enough to disassemble

I cut a green circle to back the small glass that will replace the missing glass. The "glass" is really cheap--it's plastic and scratched, but I had to use it. Doesn't look too bad.

easy access

a new beginning

Something Blue
As I was planning to surround the glass with paper flowers, the gap between the glass & mirror edge was fine. This is where the paper crafting comes in. Core'dnatiosn cardstock is the best for making this type of spiral paper flower. The tearing and the colored core of the paper give a natural look to the flowers. As I mentioned, I was done running around town. So I had to work with the paper that I had on hand. I did not have two pieces of paper of any one blue. Anyway, I think the flowers will look nicer with a mix. I chose my colors. I was hoping to use just two blues, but had to bring in a third as there were not enough flowers to go around the mirror. I pulled out a spray of the very first spiral flowers I had ever made for inspiration and guidance (reds).

Then, I got busy making flowers and adhering them to the mirror. I used hot glue.

Something New
The easy part of this project was the decorative ribbons. I carried through on the blue. But I also added the green and the white to compliment those same colors that I added to the flowers around the mirror.

I am really happy with the way the mirror turned out.

front

back

Something Borrowed
Oh wait! I almost forgot the borrowed piece! That is where YOU come in to this creation. I am going to borrow your reflection. Only for a brief moment--for you are forever changing. And is rightly so.
One of my favorite Bible verses is this promise from God:
"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, she is a new creature; The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17
Through Christ we are given new life. Again and Again. God doesn't care how many times you have to start over.
My hope is that, when feeling beaten down, unsure of oneself, the beholder of this story book mirror, will gaze upon herself, surrounded by beauty, and truly know that she herself is a beautiful creation and is welcome to start anew.