THE SHIRT OFF HER BACK...

...is now the apron around her waist.  My friend, Jackie, and I ran across a darling apron idea in a magazine last week, repurposed from a man's shirt.  Telling me she had an old shirt that no longer fit her, I was gifted with it the following evening, after an impromptu Friday night of drinks and laughter.  Not thinking she wanted me to actually wear it, as it was about 80 sizes too small (she definitely needs to grow a body), I took it home and tore into it.  A soft, white, pinwale corduroy it is...the ruffle (made from the corduroy on the back of the shirt) was added to give it some width, and I added a loop at the waist, to accommodate a hand towel for keeping hand prints off her pretty white apron.

Finished just in time to join in on White Wednesday fun, at Faded Charm.

And, every once in awhile I finish up a piece that I feel like keeping for myself (or it's so obnoxious that I know no one else wants it).  I actually finished a piece a few weeks ago, as the precursor to the Rhinestone Cowgirl necklaces (one of which I am giving away next week - see how to enter above), and knew it was destined for my own jewelry box.

My very own "Rhinestone Cowgirl Godfather Necklace"...the disembodied horse heads were given to me some years back, having come from a vintage conch belt.  The necklace sports a large, 2" crystal with cowgirl and cowgirl definition (ripped from my dictionary, much to my daughter's horror), underneath; a beautiful vintage rhinestone earring; hand-formed silver loops, turquoise; red fire-polish beads; a stunning, antique, aqua rhinestone button; more crystals; and sterling silver wire and components.  The three strand crystal necklace belonged to my Mom, in high school.

The Key to Her Heart necklace was headed to the shop until my daughter got ahold of it, and I offered it up as restitution for desecrating the dictionary - fashioned from discarded, vintage jewelry pieces - a 1-3/8" gold plated heart hangs beneath a gold tone mesh bow; gold metal rose with a sparking rhinestone is another old jewelry piece; 2-3/4" antique skeleton key; and various crystals, fire polish beads and vintage rhinestone buttons join up with hand formed loops and brass chain - Happy Valentine's Day, Jaci.

Entry for the Rhinestone Cowgirl Crackerjack Necklace Giveaway ends February 18th, with the winner announced on the 19th.  Have a wonderful week...stay creative - and warm, to my family back in Denver.