Posts Tagged: "sentimental"

Pillow Talk Celebrates How Couple Met

Queen Darlene - February 13, 2019 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Wedding

Where did your love story begin? Have a “pillow talk” that celebrates the start of something special.

I was 13 years old when I met my future husband. He was 16 years old and rode a Yamaha 55 motorcycle. (The motors were small back then).

pillow-talk-couple-valentines-anniversary-gift — Celebrate the Beginning of a Couple’s Love Story

He was visiting his cousin and gave all the boys on our block a ride on his motorcycle while I watched from my front porch.

I decided I wanted a ride too so I walked across the street and asked if he gave girls a ride on his motorcycle.

He, of course, said, “Yes!”

When we returned from our ride all of the boys including my two brothers were complaining Randy gave me a longer ride.

What Randy said next made me swoon. “She’s prettier than any of you!”

That was in 1967. We married in 1971 and will celebrate our 48^th wedding anniversary this year.

Personalized Pillow for Valentine’s Day and Anniversary Gifts

Personal Creations will personalize a pillow that brings back sweet memories of how a couple met.

Our pillow reads…

Finding New Homes for Old Photos, Post Cards, Letters & Mementos

Queen Darlene - July 13, 2017 - $20 or Less, Family

When people pass away, they leave behind their possessions which include old photos, post cards, letters and mementos. When it’s you who has to sort through it all after a parent, grandparent or siblings dies, it can be overwhelming.

My mother-in-law broke her hip and we had to move her to a memory care nursing center. I am going through her keepsake photos and some of them she has kept for 70+ years.

I’ve done this before with my grandmother’s, mother’s and brother’s things after they passed away. It’s definitely hard and emotional.

I felt if they held on to it for so many years, then it must have been a sweet memory or a special place in their heart. I just couldn’t throw them in the trash! Continue Reading

Holding Hands Photos | Sentimental Gift

Queen Darlene - April 13, 2017 - $20 or Less, Anniversary, Birthday, Family, Father's Day, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day

I’ve known my friend, Sherry, for years and have had the privilege of meeting her parents on many occasions. When I recently attended a reception honoring their daughter’s achievement, I noticed they were holding hands across the table.

I asked if I could take a picture of them holding hands. Her parents smiled and agreed. I thought it was so precious and wanted to capture the sweet, tender embrace for Sherry.

Sherry’s parents are her biggest supporters. Their hands have held her, guided her, hugged her, loved her, and clapped for her and her awesome accomplishments. Continue Reading

Framed Sentimental Keepsakes

Queen Darlene - December 8, 2016 - Birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, Mother's Day

Ever wonder what to do with keepsakes?

My mother was extremely creative. She was also very sentimental and rarely threw anything away. One of my favorite keepsakes she framed were my grandfather’s personal items like his old straight blade razor, shaving brush, hair clippers and coin purse.

Yes, coin purse. He didn’t like having loose change in the pockets of his overalls.

I have fond memories hearing the “ding ding” of the ice cream truck coming down the street. When I asked him for money, he would pull out his coin purse while my brothers chased the ice cream man to stop. We were a great team to pull that feat off no matter where we were in the neighborhood.

My grandfather always had the biggest smile after seeing the three of us walk up to his front porch with our favorite ice cream in hand.

When loved ones pass away, it’s nice to have something of theirs to help keep the memories alive.

Jewelry With Special Meaning

Princess Diana - November 5, 2016 - Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas, Congratulations, Father's Day, Graduation, Kids, Mother's Day, Retirement, Valentine's Day, Wedding

It’s that feeling you get every time you touch the pendant around your neck or glance down at a bracelet, and you’re reminded of its special meaning.

A piece of jewelry with special meaning tells a sentimental story of who gave it to you and why.

It’s not just a fashion accessory. It symbolizes a relationship, a feeling, an event or a memory.

For my mother’s birthday, I wanted to surprise her with a new piece of jewelry since it’s not something she often buys for herself. I decided to browse on the Rustic Cuff website since it’s an Oklahoma company.

I came across this beautiful gold and silver cuff. The center is a gold hexagon with a smaller, silver hexagon inside it. Immediately, this thought popped into my head.

The six sides of the gold hexagon represent her six children. She is the silver hexagon in the middle because she is our center that holds us together. The other special meaning is her influence on us and the people we’ve become. We became a hexagon because she is a hexagon.

It’s what I will tell my mother when I give her the bracelet. Every time she wears it, I hope she thinks of her six children and how much we love her. Continue Reading

Home State Friendship Bracelet Gift Idea

Queen Darlene - October 27, 2016 - $20 or Less, Birthday, Business, Christmas, Graduation, Retirement, Teacher Gifts

For a unique gift, use your home state for a memorable friendship bracelet.

I’ve kept in touch with wonderful girlfriends I met while living out of state and friends who have moved away and live all across the country. Several of us have been exchanging birthday or Christmas gifts for 50+ years!

Our gifts are not expensive. Some are handmade crafts, homemade baked goods or something that reminds us of each other.

Through the years, we’ve exchanged gifts by mail or when friends have returned to visit family in our home state of Oklahoma.

My girlfriends and I all love to wear bracelets. My mission: Find just the right bracelet for each friend.

I came across designs of Oklahoma bracelets. That’s when the thoughtful twist came to mind, and I decided to give each of my girlfriends an Oklahoma bracelet. Continue Reading

Stuffed Animals Displayed as Art

Queen Darlene - September 1, 2016 - Baby Shower, Birthday, Christmas, Kids

Most of us have grown up with teddy bears or other beloved stuffed animals. Many of us still have them.

They are tucked away forgotten until we come across them stored away in the attic or closet. Oh… that warm fuzzy feeling of seeing your childhood companion!

I have a beautiful gift idea to display the lovable teddy bear and other favorite huggable animals.

Place the stuffed animal in a picture frame to look like art!

You can purchase frames, use frames you have around the house or look for frames at garage and estate sales at bargain prices. If you don’t like the color of the frame, simply paint over it.

I love DIY projects only if they are simple!

Passing Down Family Heirlooms

Queen Darlene - January 7, 2016 - Birthday, Christmas, Family, Gifts for Me, Housewarming, Mother's Day, Wedding

My husband’s job transferred him to Albuquerque in 1984. It was the first time either one of us had lived more than 10 miles from family. We were excited about our new adventure, and at the same time sad to leave our very close-knit family behind.

great-grandmother's-rose-bowl-thoughtful-gift-idea

Rose Bowl from Germany was given to my grandmother by her mother.

We moved into a new and larger home so I needed more wall decorations.

This was before we had the Internet so I visited several furniture stores, but had difficulty finding pictures I liked in my price range.

We lived several months without anything on the walls until one day I was making room to store old dishes passed down to me by my great-grandmother, grandmother and mother. Continue Reading

“I’ve Walked in Your Shoes” Condolence Gift

Queen Darlene - August 20, 2015 - Condolence

I’m at the age now where my friends’ parents are passing away.

I can’t believe it’s been three years already that my mother passed away. We spoke every day and spent a lot of time together, especially during celebrations like family birthdays and holidays.

There is not a single day that goes by that I don’t think of her. I miss her.

It’s one of the hardest things to do in life, to go about your normal routine after you lose a parent. You want to share a thought or an upcoming event only to realize you cannot pick up the phone to call your mother or father.

I’m thankful to my friends and family who helped me through my grief after my mother died.

When a dear friend’s mother passed away, I wanted her to know it IS true that time is a great healer. I’ve realized that all I have to do is think of a precious memory to know my mother is never far away.

When you have walked in someone’s shoes, it’s sometimes easier to find the right comforting words to share.

Lovebirds, A Pair of Lovers | Wedding Gift Idea

Queen Darlene - July 30, 2015 - Anniversary, Valentine's Day, Wedding

My high school friend Becky found true love and will soon get married. Only this time, her grandchildren are going to be there. So what do you get a couple who has lived a life time already and has every thing?

I spotted a picture of lovebirds when shopping in a craft store. Immediately, Becky and her soon-to-be husband came to mind. Her stories of him and how much they love each other sounded just like a couple of lovebirds.

Bill works as a truck driver and every time he returns home, he always brings one, two, three or more flower bouquets for her. He has brought her flowers every week for three years!

Now, he knows what romance is all about. Sounds like a keeper to me! No wonder she is head-over-heels crazy in love.

I purchased the picture of love birds and for that “thoughtful twist” explained the special meaning behind why I chose it. After researching the definition of lovebird and finding some interesting facts, I typed the following information, and taped it to the back of the picture. Continue Reading