Gayla's Magazine

Unique Home Decor

Yes it's what you think it is - one solid gorgeous polished piece of marble as a sink, with an ultra modern faucet.  This is a beautiful work of art here at the Yosemite Store.

Check out this granite sink and stand - you won't find this at any local home builders store. 

Tell me you wouldn't love to wash your hands in this sink?

mmmm mmmmm pretty!

And now for the greatest bathtub of all - one made of solid granite. 

Isn't this the prettiest commode you have ever seen?

I could go on and on .... let me say that if you are looking for something that is unique, special and one of a kind this is the store for you. www.yosemitehomedecor.com

You just gotta see this..

You just need to see some of the unusual things in the Yosemite Store.  I want to remember some of these pieces for future use. www.yosemitehomedecor.com


Ceilings are decorated above ones heads that are beautiful to look up at.

Fountains that are unique.

Designer Janice Minor handmade napkin rings to die for! I love these!

Crystal glass accent lights drip down like glittering  jewels for little corners.


And look at this - I can't resist showing you! Shower designs for kids!



More to show you tomorrow - I have to hurry and post this on my way....

A Special Christmas Table Setting

 

Creating a special Christmas table is simple to put together,  but takes pre-planning for full effect. These are snowflake Christmas tree ornaments.  They lay flat and can create interest without adding bulk to the table.

 

These little glasses are used for a single peppermint striped ornament to set in.  (I painted  these glasses a long time ago and use them some way every Christmas) Just set 4 of them down the middle of the table for a special decoration that describes the theme. 

 

These frosted glasses are perfect for a peppermint themed table.  I just tucked an red and white plastic ribbon ornament inside ready to serve as the stirrer for a special frosty type smoothie drink. I left these on the table for decorations only and used others for the actual Brunch.  These are also great for Eggnog later in the holidays.

 

Use a twist of red/white striped wire ribbon for a napkin ring and the entire table put together is great! Make it twist up high off the plate for added effect for your guests.

 

I love how sugarplums are dancing in my families eyes when they set down to eat a special Christmas meal!  I want them to feel special and loved from the sight of the table, to the presentations and tastes of all the foods served.

No holiday meal should be unplanned - it's a wonderful gift you can give to them!!

How to update old store racks

I have had an idea to try at our Role Models of America store for a while now, but not the time to actually put it into use and see if it's a useful tool.  So yesterday I took the time and spent the day setting all of it up.... want to see the results? The store has metal clothing racks with no ends on them, just open sides.  So I took some grid work that has been in the store  and took it apart added some cable ties and 'wired' one to the end of a rack.  (Don't worry I did not lift a thing!  Our worthy CS workers did all the physical carrying)

Now I have two sides to use for decorating and presentations. 

Once I had it up in place it was easy to put matching items together with clothing mannequins. 

Here is a 3 piece career set that will work well for someone trying to update their wardrobe for work.  And on the other side is a casual tan top with different matching leopard print purses and shoes. 

And on this one is a travel set complete with two different looks, jean skirt and a freshly starched pair of jeans.  A pair of comfortable boots and a nice belt makes this ensemble very attractive for sale.  A little travel case and suit bag  with  couple of great paperback books - which is not in the picture.  And on the other side is a great place for all of our black purses for display.

Now the areas are much more defined and the staff has proper deco rational areas for presentations. Their confidence goes up when they see how they can have great displays even in a thrift store!!

I am happy with the results .... doing things like this is pure fun for me.  It makes for a 10 hour day, but I don't even feel it I have had so much enjoyment!! It's a good tired!  

And watching quietly from the sidelines how our customers and clients react to  the changes enthusiastically  is all the thanks I need.It's been a good day for this pastor's wife.  Now I will just watch for some more of this metal grid to use on the men's side...... I am patient ..... it will come in

Have you seen the Role Models of America on line site?  It's full of insightful and real articles for women concerning different challenges in life.  This ministry comes from real women who went through their own life changing problems and now offer on line support. Go see.... Articles are published weekly on a variety of subjects.

www.rolemodelsofamerica.org

And have you visited the RMA Ebay store?  All proceeds from it go towards taking care of the actual RMA store, and our mission operations.Shop here, you never know what treasure you might find!  And while you buy the treasure, you are helping to support the great cause of caring for the needs of others like single parents, senior citizens, handicapped and hard working families who are struggling to make ends meet. Go see....   

http://stores.ebay.com/RMA-Super-Thrift-Store-and-Toys   

Ice Anyone?

Recently a challenge was given to me to figure out a solution.  The Ice Bucket Project.  In the Community Center, up in the Palace Theater we have a Grand Foyer that serves as a Reception area as well as a gathering place for different functions.  The staff decided that they would like to have a different scenario for serving refreshments there.  They ask for a larger container for ice to be served out of.  One that would hold alot of ice and be easy to drain the melted water from. 

So our Maintenance Department was called in, and our own 'McGyver'  created the way for an igloo ice bucket to 'set' down in the table by cutting the tables and having the igloo become part of the table.  This way the drain would be below the table and water could be emptied easily without having to remove the entire bucket.  Then the project was presented to me to see if I can come up with a idea to 'dress' it up.  Hmmmmmmm......  maybe a God Idea will help me with a  creative thought here!

So let's dress the table first - so I make a new tablecloth.  This one is 20 feet long.  Easy, just one very long tablecloth to make.  Then as the fabric drapes over the ice bucket I can see where the cuts need to start.

 

  Make the cuts diagonally across the lid.  Then carefully slide the fabric down the sides until it fits snugly around the tub.  Then slip it off and take the entire tablecloth to the sewing machine and hem the cut edges for a smooth finish.  Then the tablecloth itself is complete and ready for the final layout.

Then measure the bucket and cut a double length of the same fabric, and gather and sew the fabric to make a 'skirting' out of it. 

I always keep scraps of pretty trimming and now this one might come in handy.  And as you would know it, this length is just right! 

Don't you just love it when things come together right?  It makes me smile while I work.  Sew it all together and voila! We are ready to put this baby together. 

I love Velcro.  It's the best invention and it's many uses so helpful. On this project, the sticky side gets put on the igloo.  And the other side of it, gets sewn on the skirt.

Then it's time for the first fitting.  The skirting looks pretty good, with a little hemming needed.  But the lime green will have to go.........let's see how do we get rid of this un-elegant looking rim. This just won't do, any ideas?

Yes of course!  That's it - the perfect idea! I will run to the store and be right back!

Finding some paint that is for plastics and safe for children's toys should work perfectly.  So it gets a nice coat of black paint and while it dries, the skirting gets its little hem.

Now look at this..... it's coming together nicely.  The colors look good in this beautiful room and this deep ice bucket will serve fresh ice all day long without any problem. Would you like to see the final results?  Drum roll please.....

This looks good and fits our decor perfectly. No one would guess that is a bright green rather ugly igloo under everything!  And as I finish, the happy sounds of arriving guests for another function that is happening downstairs. Let's get this done, and these sewing things loaded up and gone before anyone sees me.  And Monday  when the next rental is being served their food here, they will enjoy the results, and the staff's work will be a little easier - and that makes me happy. 

Ice Anyone?    

I'm a Scrapper!

A very special treat today for my daughter and I!  We got to spend a little time together enjoying a trip to The Scrap and Stamp Convention.  More than the hobby craft which we both love doing - it's the time together which these days is rare and hard to come by.

The scrapper's in our area are as avid as we are, and slowly we walked around amongst all the ladies with the same ideas. So many different creative things here to look at - it's easy to get inspired and ready to create something beautiful for our families.

Something funny happened while we were strolling around.  The Security man guarding everyone came by.  And we wanted to know if these ladies were dangerous with their glue sticks and glue guns!  He was good natured about being nearly the only man in the whole place, and let us take his picture.  We did feel safe around all these middle aged women!

So much to see - we enjoyed the different crafts of scrap-booking.  What is it you ask?  It's colored textured papers and different textiles, a huge amount of theme styled stickers and lace, buttons, eyelets, bottle caps, paints and glitter, colored glues and ribbons. Cutting machines and letter styled presses. All kinds of feathers, cloth and mountable jewels, and inks and techniques to use it all together in beautiful creative ways.  Oh yes - and the huge variety of stamps with all it's details and water colors, molds and glass, and the latest trends for creating special books of family photos and unique hand made custom cards.    

Our time together is spent in learning a new way to display our family pictures, and we can't wait to get a little time later to put together some new picture pages.  My daughter is very gifted and her pages are the best!  She always gives me ideas to try out. She loves the scrapping and I am trying out the newest form of embellishments and molds for making jewelry pieces for our scrapbooks.   

Finally..... a little mother daughter time that was needed by us both. Time goes too fast and we have to return from our mini retreat as we both have responsibilities in the ministry today.  But the 2 hours were wonderful!  And we both treasure the time dearly.       

Setting the Perfect Table

It's time for a Birthday Celebration with some of my local leaders.  Together once a year we celebrate all of our birthdays - although no one ever feels like we are getting older at all! This year it's being held here so I am getting prepared to change things around and decorate for the Birthday Bash. 

Since Spring is in the air and we are all ready for some warm weather I will decorate with some Spring colors. So I have chosen my antique white linen tablecloth with the hand appliqued roses, and my silk pink rose napkin rings.  Together with the matching white napkins this should look pretty.  When deciding what to make a table scape with - always think of the seasons outside and the upcoming special event at hand. It always adds a little specialness to sometimes an otherwise usual look.  Today I will use pinks and whites with gold and crystal.  Fresh but elegant and feminine.

Making a choice of dishes is important as dishes and table lines need to go together.  So I have a choice.  I can use my beaded round place mats or my oversize gold ones. Since I am going to use my golden crystal plates I think the gold ones will look the best.  My plates are clear, with a grape design and gold accents through out.  Very special for very special ladies.

A simple golden silk scarf laid down the center of the table gives a relaxed feel to the fancy table.  And the layer upon layer effect gives the eyes something to see beyond the flat surface of the table.  I have gold flatware and using it here will make each lady feel like a queen.  Each special meal together needs to be memorable, and details do matter. 

Creating the perfect centerpiece is easy.  Just gather up crystal candlesticks and several oversize crystal dishes. Place the dishes upside down and center the candlesticks on top.  Vary the sizes and styles and the levels of all of them -this will  make a interesting grouping to look at.  Add tall white taper candles and voile!  A beautiful centerpiece finishes off the table and it is ready to receive my guests. It's little things that can add so much.   I believe guests should feel special at my table.  If they have taken their time to spend it with me - I want it to be a good memory made and one they would like to repeat at my table often!

This group is varied in ages and are everything from young moms to grandmothers.  But we have done many projects together through the years and we have made many good memories together.  Each of these ladies are great leaders with unique talents and skills. I am honored to be working with each of them.  We have great plans for the future.......... Happy Birthday to my readers! May this year be the best one yet for you!    

Tablecloths for 40 Please.

After a good breakfast of almonds, dates and apricots, I am going to take care of a need - so I visit the fabric department of our stockrooms and find the right fabric to use to make seminar tablecloths.  Each of these lengths will need to be  8 yards long - so I need a large amount of washable, non-wrinkling professional  looking material. I think I'll choose a neutral Champaign color and call it - 'Creme Brulee' which happens to be my favorite dessert! And a good choice of color for this golden burgundy colored Palace that has a cream colored Italian Marble stage. 

Each length is so long that I am going to use the floor in this very room.  This is the Palace Theater - one of the beautiful rooms here at New Life.  This large room is used for teaching seminars, watching surround sound movies for our matinees for kids, or the usual teen functions called LIT.  Or on occasion we show Christian movies for adults.  Or we have Banquets, or ladies functions in here. Also the Marriage class is in here. It's used every week for verious functions.

And the Palace Theater is rented out to outside businesses also.  It so happens that we have one coming up next week, and I want to change the look of their setup.  So I have brought my trusty sewing machine and my iron and board.  I am ready to get going. The place is quiet and I am looking forward to creating something beautiful for this special room. 

The seamstress's best friend - straight pins!  Let's see....... I need 8 yards per table length and we have 6 seminar style table setups, plus 2 more lengths for the foyer and reception room buffet tables.  So I will need about 40 yards.

Having solitude while I sew is wonderful for me,  I get time to think and pray for people, places and things.  I am remembering the great time we just had in Mexico and all the precious people there.  Sewing is relaxing to me and I enjoy the time alone.  No one is here to talk so I will simply take my time and do a good job. 

  Oops I have to change the bobbin again.  This reminds me of life.  Sometimes we all have to stop and 'change the bobbin'.  Without thread in the bobbin, the top thread has nothing to connect to on the bottom, So thread cannot be made.  We are like this bobbin.  Our thread of connection can get broken, or simply run out.   Things get out of balance and the fast pace we are running on causes us difficulty in staying connected to people well.  So the things in life that connect us to others has to be rewound, or renewed every so often.  What connects us to others?  Simple loving communication, or actions that show we care.  So one has to stop once in a while and rewind, and renew the efforts of human kindness.  Hmmmm..... sounds like a sermon going on in my heart. 

  No woman should be without a good iron.  This baby has had many a workout making large projects.  And she still works good! Of course I feed her good purified water so she has no excuse.  Pressing down the seams and corners makes for smooth edges.  Sometimes I need a pressing to get the wrinkles out of me too. (like my attitude or unwise words or actions)  I use the Bible to do that for me - it always changes my spirit.

At last this part of the  project is done and I am happy with the results in here. Tomorrow I will finish the buffet tables.  I will know I did a good job if no one says anything and doesn't seem to notice.  It's one of those hidden things that is supposed to be.  Sometime the Bishop's wife is the one who does the unseen and invisible, which allows others to shine and makes all things run smoothly.  Well done the Lord and I whisper to each other, and share a secret smile.   

Spring is here!

Yesterday was a very productive day. I started by time spent in one of our stores. It's time to begin the change-over from winter to spring.  And it takes arranging the logistics of moving entire departments to make room for the incoming stock.  It's always a lift to see the dark colors of winter clothing start moving out and being replaced with the light pastels and bright summer colors.  Something about it brings brightness into this store. Everybody is happy to see me again - from the staff to our volunteers! So together let's get started - we have alot to do and short time to get everything done I would like to.

Giving the staff the colors for the windows and deciding on the clothing for the windows I show them how I would like spring to be in the show windows.  Sometimes just adding special accessories to a window display sets it off just right.  The right purse, or a bright scarf can add so much. 

Sometimes people ask me, 'how do you know what to put together'.  I guess it's an inner eye for color.  But I enjoy arranging and designing so much that to me, it's just pure fun!  As I am working with different items they are like puzzle pieces that 'fit' well together. 

The colors of spring are so light and cheery. this store has already received their plans from me for the month so they know in advance what we are going to be changing out. And today by bringing light greens into the store I want to say - 'okay winter be gone, we are ready for some warm days!'  St Patrick's Day coming and I want the store to be ready dressed in greens.  I have a little Irish blood in my background, so I like to  promote the day in our stores

So I spend time changing out the store displays gathering items from all over the store to bring together eye catching collections.  It's an extra challenge (which I like) to find things to go together in a thrift store.  But there are so many great things here that it's easy!

What could be better than bright orange to change out the winter look.  Now it will be interesting to see how long my displays last.  But the staff knows what I am looking for in our Spring Collections so they will refill with other like items as things sell.

Time is running out and there are other areas I need to attend to.  Like the boys and girls departments.  And also the baby area which is very big.  But today I have the windows and exteriors done - and I will come back to work with the staff on interior changes for spring. There's never enough time when you are having fun! 

But for now I need to go entertain with my husband our guests.  One set of guests are here for lunch and another set of people will be here for supper.  So I've got to stop here and start on other areas of my life.  This store will do just fine until I can get back to oversee other areas.