Shabby Heart Competition

Okay, I've just released these sweet'n shabby hearts on a lovely silver ball necklace, also sold as bangles, available on Not On The High Street now and very shortly (after Father's Day rush) via my website. I have been thinking about ideas for 3 or 4 letter words to stamp inside the hearts, and I thought I'd make it into a competition.
No profanities please!
I am offering a chance to win a ball chain necklace with your choice of 1 initial shabby heart + 1 stamped with your own "word" as shown here in the picture "love", styled with a lovely white pearl worth £47.50 including delivery.
Just email me your most original word suggestion, via sales@melindamulcahy.com, mark the subject as "Shabby Heart Competition" and add your email, name and full delivery address. I can only accept mainland UK entries (sorry). I am unable to change/exchange or offer a monetary equivalent!
Competition ends 12 noon (GMT) on Saturday 25th June 2011 & the winner will be emailed within 5 days of that date.
Jessica & Laura, my two daughters, will be the judges who may be easily persuaded with sweeties!
Oh, and one last thing, the winner's suggested word will also be photographed and added to my webstore for all to see, NOTHS and of course here on my blog, printed with your name and address.

Postcard with Love to my friend

My dearest friend that I grew up with in Sydney tragically lost her Mother to a sudden stoke just before Easter. Chris was only 59, assistant head in a school where she has taught for over 35 years and looking at retirement.
The news was so surreal that at first I couldn't grasp it, but once it started to dawn on me as news came from friends and family far and wide, I realised how much it shook my core. Words can not convey how I feel nor what to say to my lifelong friend, as I couldn't just hop on a plane to be there to comfort her, when she needed it most.
So I thought of a poem and made it into a Postcard with Love, pictured above, finished with a keyring, instead of just sending a sympathy card. I wanted Leah to be reminded of her Mother's Love everyday, rather than mourn her loss.
Shortly afterwards it was Mother's Day in Australia and no doubt it would be a sad day, but instead of being glum, she stated everyday was Mother's Day with her Mum! How lucky she was to have been blessed with such a wonderful Mother.
So many fond memories spent with Chris as part of my teenage years, I smile sweetly to myself at those thoughts. She was a welcome part of our family events and we will all miss her. Softly spoken, Chris rarely raised her voice, like a sea breeze whipping over the rolling waves at Cronulla beach.
Chris is now with Leah's Father, resting as true loves.
My thoughts are with you, Leah, Steve, Cheyenne, Brock and the rest of your family.

Father's Day 2011

It's going to be a ridiculously busy period leading up to Father's Day judging by the orders I am already receiving, more than a month and half before. Not to mention NOTHS featuring me twice in their next catalogue, due out shortly.
Unfortunately I have felt the aftershocks following the devastation in Japan earlier this year as my usual Silver Clay supplier has had problems obtaining it from their Japanese manufacturers which has set me back. So I have spent the last week sorting this little issue, but I'm back on track again and ready to rock. On that note, my heart goes out to all that were effected and you can donate with the Red Cross.
Plectrums, Golf ball Markers, Cufflinks & many other men's gift ideas available.
Make sure you order early!

My bucket list

1. I've always wanted to learn to fly a helicopter.
2. Visit Africa with aid to help a small community
3. Tour around America & Canada in an old airstream, then when I'm finished, do Europe.
4. Learn to make my own tasty brown bread & fresh pasta from scratch (with the help of my wonderful new Italian neighbours, in Palmoli).
5. Visit Sri Lanka, the ice hotel in Sweden & Reykjavik, Iceland
   
6. Commission an eccentric posh hat
7. Train my own horse and participate in a hunt
   
8. Build a timber boat from scratch
9. Go back to Central Saint Martins and study shoe and bag making
10. Learn to make chocolate as good as Lindt
11. See a Blues Singer in New Orleans
12. Dance in Havana
13. Cruise the Nile
14. Experience the Orient Express 1st class from London to somewhere romantic and not yet visited in Europe
    
15. Write a book (of sorts)
16. Learn to snow ski properly (hopefully this Christmas)
    
17. Master the language of Italian, sooner rather than later
    
18. Put on a barn dance or masquerade ball
19. Go hot air ballooning
20. Race a sports car on an F1 track
21. See the Aurora Borealis
22. Sing with a backing band
23. Read more books
24. Stop worrying
25. Learn to say "no" without feeling guilty!
    

Finally, happiness is not just saying your happy, but truly feeling it within