Saturday, February 20, 2010

Madame Bleu's Giveaway

This month, our notion collection celebrates all shades of blue - especially the old turquoises. Our jewelry workshop this month , made up this lovely bracelet - Blue Coeur. Since I never know exactly how many people are going to show up for one of our workshops -I often make too many kits and then they sit around the shop until some curious crafter is willing to try a random kit - just for the fun of it. Last week, in our charming bracelet class we had two - (read 'em and weep) - two students! So - I happen to have a couple of extra kits that need to be made up and worn out about town. If you love the color of vintage turquoise, aqua green and old tourmaline - leave me a comment about your first memory of this great old color - and we'll pick a lucky name for our Bleu Coeur Bracelet Kit. Bonne Chance!

186 comments:

Whitney said...

Gorgeous! Pick me!

Vicki said...

I've always had an affinity for turquoise and aqua blues. My mom painted my first three bedrooms (we moved a lot), bright yellow with turquoise accents... so cheery! I remember my barbie drawer under my closet had those bright blue knobs... And my mom had a party apron, you know the ones - too pretty to cook in, but she'd put it on to answer the door - that was black organza with a turquoise rose on the tiny little pocket. It was so pretty! Those are my earliest memories of that color, I guess. And now my dining room is the color of the sky on the brightest most sunny day. I love blue.

barbara r-g said...

such an enticing picture. my mom spent a good part of her young years growing up in Arizona in the 30's and 40's. i remember when i was in the second grade she had a beautiful bracelet and ring made out of incredible turquoise, i still wonder what happen to those beautiful pieces of jewelery. you brought back some memories, thank you.

d callaghan said...

I've always loved charm bracelets. My husbands moms passed away when he was 11 and she had a beautiful charm bracelet with many, many treasures including a silhouette of each child's head with their name and birthdate engraved on it. A couple of years ago my sister in law had the original bracelet taken apart and put back together into 6 bracelets, one for each sister and sister in law. My bracelet has my husbands charm and 10 other trinkets from her bracelet including a tiny tomahawk made from turquoise. I love the bracelet and all the memories that it holds for my husband and that it will hold for my children!

Vickie E said...

love the colors!

Ruth B said...

I have a friend from New Mexico who has always worn the most beautiful turquoise jewelry. I can't see turquoise without thinking of Doris. Her jewelry was stunning and I was more than a little envious!

Sharrieboberry said...

I grew up on the wide, open, plains and I love, love big, fluffy clouds in the spring (the ones without the tornadoes) and the contrast with the wide-open turquoise blue sky.

Sunsets would bring many colors of blue, moment by moment as the sun would lower slowly over the wheat fields. But those unobstructed views are no more here in the big city.

But glimpses of blue make me smile and reminds me of Mom pointing out an especially lovely sky vignette and commenting on how much God loves us by the loveliness He sends our way!

Jillayne said...

When I was in Grade two my very best friend went to California on vacation and brought me back a turquoise pendant. For 30 years it sat in my jewellery box; each day as I selected my earrings for the day, it was there, reminding me of friendships and childhood and places dreamt of. And then one day we were broken into and most of the contents of my jewellery box were stolen, including the pendant. Days later the RCMP contacted me to identify items recovered from a suspect's home - and there was my pendant, minus the chain. I was so happy to have it back - it was a tangible link to a special time in my life, and was the only thing recovered from my all my jewellery. And so turquiose is very special to me.

Susan said...

How pretty! When I was little, red was my favourite, but when I turned 6 or 7, I loved aqua/turquoise jsut as much. I had blue bedroom walls, blue dresses and blue dolls clothes I made myself. My brother gave me a bangle with turquoise when I was 10, and 40 years later I still wear it. I have added blues in jewellery in my adult life too.I would love to win some more blue.

becky up the hill said...

My grandmother's cross. It's the old turquoise, set in silver. I had her name inscribed on it when I was a teenager. My Mom had given it to me and I still remember her taking me to the jewelry store to have it done. So my grandmother's cross from the 1940's has Mary Lucille written in sweet Jeweler's cursive on the back. It's a good memory and I treasure it.

Hopeful Homemaker said...

My earliest memories of blue came from our annual summer vacation to the beach to visit my grandpa. I would get up early in the morning, before everyone else was awake, and walk on the beach alone, marveling at the colors waiting for me. Then one year I bought a silver ring with a bit of turquoise in it. It was my treasure, that bit of blue. I remember just looking at it, amazed that I had something so beautiful, sitting on my finger.

I still love blue....

Judy H. said...

My first blue memory would have to involve a large box of crayons with multiple lovely shades to choose from. What a lovely blue bracelet.

Tricia said...

What a beautiful and calming color palate. my first memories of those colors is from when I was quite young, and received a big box of crayons for Christmas. We lived in cold grey PA and to me those blues and aquas were the color of the summer sky and water.

Jo Ellem said...

The treasures I used to find in my nana's sewing box when I was a little girl. I sat on her carpet in front of her chair, while she taught me to sew and we watched old movies. The colours make me think of those afternoons. I miss her.

Unknown said...

The colour reminds me of the story about how my dad finally picked the colours for his company 30+ years ago. It came down to two, and one was the same as the scarf his mother was wearing that day so that became it! I've been surrounded by the colour my whole life!

Suburban Stitcher said...

My birthstone is aquamarine, so I've always had little bits of jewelry here and there with blue in it. Now I have a December baby (blue topaz) and between that and living in the south (turquoise) I just LOVE blue!

Robin Thomas said...

That blue...I wore a velvet dress in that rich blue for the first picture I had made in a studio. I was probably three and I still remember the way that day felt, that dress, the sleeves, the socks and my Mary Janes.

Count me in please, thank you.

Alice ~ Folk Art Primitives said...

Beautiful bracelet! I was never a fan of turquoise ~ until we were on St. Maarten years ago ~ driving the countryside ~ and rounded a curve to view the MOST BEAUTIFUL turquoise blue water that I had ever seen! It's a picture I will never forget!

Nancy said...

My grandmother gave me the most beautiful turquosie ring for my 16th birthday. It had pearls and turquoise beads set in brushed gold. I had never seen that combination before. It seemed so sophisticated to me. I still have it and treasure it.

debbie said...

I love how your blog invokes fond memories, love the bracelet! This color makes me think of the first piece of jewelry I longed for as a little girl ~ it was an Avon "blue bird of happiness" I carried the avon book around showing my Grandmothers, Aunts and anyone else that I hoped would buy it for me!( 5 kids in the family so Mom didn't usually buy such frivolous things)Well, Mom surprised me and I still remember my hands trembling opening the sacred little avon box! Funny how a color can stick with you, isn't it? To this day, love this color and still have my treasured blue bird,she would love to perch on this bracelet, thanks, Kaari!

Margaret said...

Oh I love these colors! My favorite memory is of buying lovely turquoise Native American jewelry in the Southwest US. Oh I loved that jewelry! And I love this too!

Mouse Droppings Folk Art said...

Reminds me of my trip to Tuscon Arizona...blue sky, blue turquoise everywhere...Susan

dorylyn thomas said...

Oh turquoise and its different shades of blue has always been a favorite of mine! Especially when that one member of the family would show up for Thanksgiving dinner always dressed a little daring, a little different, with a little something dangling from her arm. And if I was really a good girl she would let me sit by her, holding her hand, so I could closely inspect those beautiful treasured shades of blue and turquoise. Thank you for allowing me to go back there for a moment!

Jamie said...

My earliest memory was the blue of my grandmother Helen's eyes. She was the most beautiful lady to me and she was the opposite of dark-haired, dark-eyed me! My grandma had very hard life when she was small - 'kidnapped' by her father when she was 4 and made to live with a mean aunt. (never saw her mother until 30 years later). She escaped by marrying at 16 to a very wealthy gentleman. That didn't last! Then she met my grandpa... this most gracious lady lived until she was 96 and was a great joy to all who knew her. She always had those exquisite bright blue eyes! Jamie V in MT
amzanioli@yahoo.com
http://rem-nants.blogspot.com

Cyndy said...

Once again you have created a piece of art. This bracelet evokes a sense of mid-coast California, combining the ocean with the ornate beauty of the Madonna Inn. Looking back I first became enamored with the blue of turquoise we would find on trips to Arizona.

Cathy said...

As a child, I requested everything in my room be turquoise, my dresser, my table and chairs, even the walls. It's funny, I forgot that until you posed the question. I think I love it so much because it reminds me of the Caribbean water!!

Suzie Button said...

How gorgeous, I've recently painted my bedroom a blue and I feel a change coming on and I'm embracing blues now, they're calming and beautiful! What a gorgeous bracelet too! Suzie

michelle said...

I love all the shades of turquoise blue. My first experiences with this blue was exploring through my grandmother's jewelry box. She spent a lot of time in Oklahoma and Texas and has a wonderful collection of Navajo pieces. Lucky for me, I now have some of these. I wear my grandmother's pieces along with my own collection all the time! I would love to have this piece to wear with my turquoise.

Bea Ampersand said...

My first memory of this color was when I was very little and I recall meeting my paternal grandmother for the first time. She offered me a small glass of water in a cobalt blue glass and then she gave me a hanky with this gorgeous French blue color.
I bought your blue silk rose pin and I wear it as a silent tribute to my grandmother Lucille and this memory of blue

Elissa said...

Kaari,
Your breathtaking Blue Coeur bracelet is an inspiration...oh so
lovely.

Turquoise, aqua green, and old tourmaline immediately brings back fond and heartfelt memories of my childhood. The colors mentioned were actually colors incorporated in my bedroom.

My father was an abstract expressionist painter and I was fortunate to grow up in a home filled with his amazing paintings.
Dad painted a beautiful vase filled with flowers and hung it above my bed. The vase and background was made up of the colors mentioned and the white daisy chrysanthemums popped out of the painting, so crisp and fresh.

To this day I treasure this gift from my father's heart.

Lee Leissring said...

I think of this color as robin's egg blue…makes me think of being a little girl and the pretty colors of easter.
Such a beautiful bracelet…love it!

Alexis said...

I love the blue button to the right of the cameo. Its just the shade of blue that I like. :)

I dont really have a memory of blues but i always liked blue
more than pink, contrary to what most girls my age liked.


:)

Annie Davis said...

I have a ring in turquoise that belonged to my grandmother. I always think about her when I wear it.

Debra said...

When I was in junior high we moved into a new house and my mother painted my room a really pretty light blue. My aunt made a scrappy blue quilt for my bed and I lived with those colors for the rest of the time that I lived in my parents home. At some point after that my mother redecorated and the blue is gone. However I do still have the blue scrappy quilt that my aunt made for me.

Katherine said...

J'aime bleu!

Jeanne said...

Kaari, these blue colors are so reminiscent of a trip we took to Maui may years ago. It is exactly the smae hue as the ocean there and whenever I get stressed out and feel I need to calm myself, I close my eyes and picture the Ka'anapali beach. Ahhhh......
xo
jeanne

Anonymous said...

When I was little, I asked my grandmother her favorite color, she said, "Blue." I wanted to be like my grandmother (kind, forgiving, gentle) and blue (bleu) has been my favorite color since.

Oh, and Bleu cheese is my favorite cheese, does that count??

LindaSonia said...

I've always had an affinity for turquoise and aqua blues. Not sure if it's because aquamarine is my birthstone, but being born under the sign of this color must have something to do with my love for it. Fingers crossed - ;) LindaSonia (baddabinda@yahoo.com

Trish Mc said...

Shades of blue almost remind me of my grandmother. She had fabulous white hair, always in an elegant up-do and wore blue necklaces with her variety of black and grey suits. She was quintessentially "50's style".

Kaye Prince said...

Oh gosh, I can't remember the first time I ran into these lovely shades of aqua and turquoise, but I do remember that my Grandmother had a quite a bit of jewellery with these colours in it. I'm sure that the majority of it was costume jewellery, but I always enjoyed looking at all of it.

Kris and Evie said...

Those colors - especially the turquoise blue - take me immediatly back to being a little girl, playing in my Grandmother's bathroom where she always had a bottle of her favorite perfume and matching powder == I cannot think of the maker of the perfume, but the bottle was a deep turquoise with a lovely black script and sketch! Kris

tiny elf studio said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
tiny elf studio said...

My favorite summertime flavor blue ice pops.

Later, Martha in all of her perfection reintroduced me to blue with her perfect trademark shade of turquoise.

gwen said...

What a lovely kit!

My strongest, earliest childhood blues were the Pacific Ocean -- we lived in Northern California and often drove down to visit my mother's family in LA. We'd often drive back along 101, stopping for a night or two to camp. There was one particular place that I loved, you were able to camp right next to the beach under giant palm trees and I'd spend all day swimming or lying on the sand staring out at the unending blue. I actually thought for a long time that it was one of those childhood amalgams of several places, until a few years ago when I was taking my boyfriend for his first trip up the coast, and we pulled over at a state park to rest and after driving down through a small canyon, there were those trees and that ocean view. I couldn't believe it. We camp there regularly now. It's still amazing.

[It's Refugio north of Santa Barbara, for anyone looking for the most gorgeous campsite ever.]

Kari V. said...

Lucky for us only two showed up! I wish you gave a class near me. My friends and I get together at each others houses for bead nights (sans husbands and sans kids). They are always fun!

Blue has always been a great backdrop for me. It looks great on its own, but shows off other colors so well, too. I'm wearing a dusky, dark turquoise shirt right now and I love that color.

Carrie said...

Beads and stones of this color always makes me think of my first experiences with playing "dress-up" with my Mom's jewelry. She had a wonderful chunky necklace in a fabulous turquoise color. It wasn't "Southwestern turqoise" with veining in the stones, but solid-color, carved beads set with gold. When I was seven, you would not have been able to convince me that that color - and that necklace - wasn't the epitome of sophistication and style. :)

The funny thing is that your beautiful charm bracelet reminds me of a coral-colored bracelet my Mom used to have.

Maminka Girl - Loribeth Robare said...

I love turquoise and the most beautiful version of it was when I visited Bermuda and saw the water there. It was so unreal to me that I couldn't believe that they didn't dye the water! That is a beautiful bracelet.

Gay said...

On family vacations to the mountains when I was a child, I would always see all the wonderful turquoise that was used in jewelry. Wish I had all the old stuff my parents bought me while traveling.

lin mc said...

When I was a little girl the only color that I would wear was blue. Any shade of blue ,it just had to be blue. It drove my mother crazy !!! Then when I had my own daughter ,she would refuse to leave the house unless she was dressed in pink !!1 Any shade of pink !!! I then understood what my mother ment when she said " wait until you have a daughter " !!!

Beth in NEPA said...

Mt grandmother always wore turqouise rings. I was so fortunate to receive her favorite ring. I still love to wear it.

Susan Z said...

Those colors together are gorgeous. They immediately remind me of my Grandmother's pool when I was growing up in the 70's. The tiles that surrounded the pool were in shades of blue and just gorgeous, especially when the tiles would dry after a day of splashing, only to be once again wet after a great jump back in the pool. So many happy memories...Thanks!!

Contessa Kris said...

My great grandma's house was painted in shades of avocado and aqua. It was a favorite destination to visit. She always made things fun. During breakfast we could sit and watch out her big window at the many birds that came to visit and the squirrels that tried to eat all their food. She died a couple years ago at the age of 102. I was able to take a few things to remember her by and one was an aqua vase she kept in her bird watching window for color. It reminds me of her every time I see it on my mantel.

Lucie said...

One of the first time that I became exposed to turquoise jewelry was when I went on a mission trip to an Indian reservation in Pine Ridge. I was amazed at the beauty and the wonderful craftsmanship of the Native American artisans. The turquoise color was my absolutely favorite. Thanks for the great giveaway. Lucie (LAupperlee@sheppardpratt.org)

Blogger said...

I can't remember when I fell in love with the color blue, but it was my favorite color as a child. All of my friends liked pink, but I was a blue girl. When my parent built a house after elementary school I was able to choose my own color carpet and I was able to have blue. I was soooo happy!

Anonymous said...

WOW....I loved this bracelet when I first saw it offered as a workshop. Only two students...well, if I hadn't just been to your wonderful store I would have made my way down highway 5.

When I was in 3rd grade we moved into a bigger house just down the street. The previous owners had been bird enthusiasts, and had incorporated an outdoor aviary in their landscaping. True to their interest, there were bird themes throughout. My new bedroom was decorated in these cool blue colors with the theme of birds. With bird themed wallpaper and a lovely birdcage as the light fixture, I was forever influenced. It also provided me with leverage to convince my mother that a turquoise parakeet was destined to be mine. I still remember my bird sitting on the edge of my cereal bowl and sneaking tastes while I ate my breakfast.

So, if I could possibly win this bracelet (fingers double crossed) I would be thrilled. (And, if not...will they be available for sale???)

Gretchen C. said...

Have you ever known a crazy purple lady? Well I'm that crazy RobinsEggBlue lady. This is the color of my childhood house, the color I wear, decorate with, design with, garden with- I even named my website/studio RobinsEggBlue. Maybe it's a Pisces thing...

Jane, Naples, Florida said...

Love your site...fantastic!

Cindy said...

The blue of the Minnesota lakes. Each summer the blues shown with the sunfish swimming about. As I was the youngest of four cousins and the only girl I was teased, splashed and dumped into those blue waters. I did survive and still love wandering through a blue room. Yes, a blue bracelet would bring back those memories.

luckygirlgifts said...

Gosh, I can't even remember my first memory of those fabulous colors. Being a California native, those colors are almost part of everyday existence. (Aren't we lucky here in Cali) Whenever I first noticed these colors must have made a huge impact on me though because my upstairs hallway, bedroom, and bathroom are three different shades of these fabulous colors. I think my favorite is my bathroom which has a slight seagreen turquoise color.
Have a fabulous week.
Cari B.

paperbird said...

I adore the color blue- the bracelet is so pretty.

Anonymous said...

Hi----what an awesome bracelet! What first comes to mind when I think of turquoise, is when I was in junior high in the 70's. Turquoise was quite popular as were puka shells...neither which I could afford. This is embarassing to admit but...a couple of my friends shoplifted some jewelry from "I don't know where" and sold them to students at school. I was able to acquire a couple of turquoise items as well as puka shells then as the prices were cheap. Not a story I tell my kids......

tfitz said...

OOPs.....I don't know why I posted as anonymous...my name is Teri...thanks

Gabrielle Mader said...

love this color. But a very vivid memory is when I first went to the island of Kaua'i and a local boy was showing me around..and he took me into an underwater sea cave, you had to swin through a tunnel and you popped up on the other side to the most spectacular turqoise blue I have ever seen ..

Alison Gibbs said...

Beautiful giveaway
My grandmother painted her kitchen chairs in a similar blue
Alison

Kristi Pohl said...

my grandmother had a beautiful brooch of blue, that was always the first one I gravitated to when playing dress-up at her house, and she never once told me to leave things alone.

Gill said...

i love turquoise!!
my mum had a beautiful brooch set with turquoise which i have inherited - probably worthless but priceless to me!!!!
gill

Anonymous said...

Love the charms. Love the blue. In reference to the last post, has Molly ever taken you to Miette's for french macarons, BiRite Creamery for ice cream, or Kara's Cupcakes for ANY flavor-2-die-4 cupcake??? Hmmm, haven't heard 'bout Oakland Museum White Elephant Sale. Must investigate! - Karen E

Anonymous said...

Your color selection is wonderful. I would love to win the bracelet!
dwkinney@cox.net

Emma said...

March is my birth month, so I'm an aquamarine girl. I remember a beautiful aquamarine dress my mother made for my 7th birthday. Thank you for the delightful giveaway.

terry said...

reminds me of the blues of the ocean in Mexico and Aruba.

Catherine said...

I am an only child and I grew up in South America. Some of my earliest memories are of the beautiful blues the ocean off of Maracaibo produced. I would pretend to be a mermaid swimming in an acquamarine sea filled with lovely shades and shadows of blue. My own personal treasure trove of jewels...hmmm like the lovely jewels in your bracelet.

Thanks for your generosity,
Catherine

Anonymous said...

my Grandparent took a motor trip to the Southwest when I was about 7yrs old. They brought back a sweet little bracelets for my sisters and I that each had small touquoise stones in them. We all just loved them! I still have mine(from over 50 yrs ago!). Although it no longer fits, it's still a treasure in my jewelry box!

bobbie said...

My Mother loved that color and I can remember our 50's kitchen being painted the same shade.
Your bracelet is beautiful.

Bobbie

Joan Georghiou said...

Me Please...actually my daughter...please. It's lovely!

Shirley Pando said...

This is absolutely stunning! It reminds me of Grandma's old buttons basket. There was always some little extra bits and bobs in it.

Unknown said...

These blues remind me of a sitting room in my grandmother's house. She lived on a ranch in East Texas and most of the house could accommodate men coming in the house with dirt and grass on their shoes. But there was one small room where my grandmother would sit by herself and listen to albums of Johnny Cash singing gospel music. She would hum the music while she did her hand sewing. And I would sit next to her fascinated by the blue glass vases, candy bowls and paperweights she kept in a round glass table away from children's hands!

Anonymous said...

My first memory of these stunning colors was when I saw them in the colors of the ocean water around St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands when I was 8 years old. And that memory is still crystal clear after 30+ years! Hope I win the bracelet kit - will be a good reminder of this wonderful childhood memory. Thanks for reminding me Kaari! :-)

Jennifer S. in L.A.

Unknown said...

Bonjour Madame bleu,
ton bolg est magnifique!!!!
J'adore les couleurs de ce bijou!!!!!!

bisous :)

Daniela "DREAM SHABBY CHIC"from Milano

Tracy said...

Walking on the beach at Nantucket Sound as a child, my mother showed me how to spot bits of beach glass. Worn by the tides and sand, these charms of clear, brown, aqua, light green glass were tossed up by the sea like a gift of jewels in the sand. My mother always searched for the most special glass – the cobalt blue. It was a rare find. I still have my jar of blue beach glass, and it brings back my mother’s memory to me like a gift from the sea.

ladmquilter said...

Turquoise reminds me of our trips up north during the summer where there was always turquoise jewelry be sold by the indians.

Mollie McCabe said...

I LOVE these colors...as my order shows :) I would love to win this kit. Thanks for the opportunity!

Anonymous said...

My father loved blue--but not just any blue--bird egg blue

jack.birdwell@comcast.net

Anonymous said...

Gosh... my first encounter with this colour? I would have to say fashion... a great shirt that I had (and still have) and I realized "this is MY colour!" YAY... love aqua, turquoise, etc.

And I love your kits! Have ordered several.

Anonymous said...

I have loved this color forever! I remember discovering my first robin's egg back in Kansas when I was a little girl. It had fallen from its nest and was broken, but beautiful - the loveliest shade of light turquoise blue. Such a sweet little egg. Maybe that's why I have decorated my home using just that shade here and there. birds and nests also are prominent in my decor.

Little Bluebell (Adrianne) said...

I do not have a singular memory of these colors but these are the colors I am drawn to again and again. They are my happy colors, my calm colors, my feeling pretty colors, my calm colors, my special colors, and my muse colors. :)

angelework said...

My grandmother's cookie jar. It was a wonderful turquoise with a bright red apple painted on it. It sat on the yellow laminate countertop in her farmhouse kitchen. I can see it as clearly now as the last time it sat there...probably 30 years ago.

Tracy said...

OK now I'm an official registered user!

Sharon Stanley said...

Oh my goodness! This is so easy...first memories of turquoise...definately my grandmother's dishes (Mimi)...no clue what they were called, but they were snow white with a pretty aqua/turquoise border of little flowers...and her kitchen was aqua...I loved it there and stopped on my way home from elementary school just about every day because she lived just around the corner from school and I walked to school. She always had warm sweet potatoes for a snack...I don't know why...love aqua and love that bracelet!

ColiBee said...

I love these colours, I really would like to win this kit!

Conni

Mystica said...

Who wouldnt love these color combinations.

please count me in and thank you.


mystica123athotmaildotcom

mascanlon said...

Oh blue is absolutely my favorite color. With a Septemeber birthday how could it not be. My first memory of real turquoise is a road trip with my grandparents the year I graduated from HS. We drove from Chicago to the West Coast and the return trip was southern route through AZ and New Mexicao. I still have the ring these 45 yrs later. Bracelet is amazing!

Deb said...

I grew up liking blue and thought there was no other color to like! As I've gotten older I'm finding I like lots of colors: reds, purples, mustards, sage greens, etc. The turquoise you show is also very pretty. Thanks for the chance to win!

Erin said...

The Blue reminds me of just after my parents told me I was going to be a big sister, and that I was going to have a brother. My mom let me pick out the colors and boarder for around the wall. I pick out a soft shade of blue that was almost aqua, along with a Noah's ark theme boarder. I helped pick out the bedding and everything. I was so excited to be a big sister. Little did I know, that he would make so much noise. We are both grown up now, and good friends, but when I see that shade of blue, I still think of my little brother, it has come to be one of my favorite colors.

Amy DeCesare said...

Hmmm...maybe not the first time I saw something blue, but the first time I made Blue my favorite color was when I found out my birthstone (for March) is Aquamarine. I'll be turning 50 next month and have received severaly birthstone gifts over the years and always love them!

Tammy said...

Well my birthday is in December and the birthstone is a turquoisie color...I received a ring when I was about 8 from my grandmother so I wore it alot and love the color!

Malmbergs said...

Whenever I see those colors I think of my Mom because she loves that color of jewelry. Would make a lovely gift.
Barb
barberg@sbcglobal.net

Sherri said...

These colors remind me of everything I love...especially the ocean; however, I live in the desert! I have a vase of my great-grandmother's given to me by my grandmother after her mother passed...it's similar to these colors and always reminds me of my great grandma!

Unknown said...

It is so beautiful! It reminds me of a charm bracelet I have. It was my great aunts and the charms go back to the 40s. I always feel so special when I wear it.

Anonymous said...

I remember the first time I saw the ocean in the Caribbean. It's hard to believe that it's real!!!

Unknown said...

So charming and such beautiful colors!! I love it!!

Lesliebee said...

Your kits are always so beautiful and tempting. I've got to get over the idea that you are too far away from me and make a trip to your store one of these days!

Vicki K. said...

As soon as I could sew my own clothes, I loved choosing fabrics...

One of my favorite dresses was turquoise - sleeveless and soft and simple and a full skirt. I loved that dress - it always felt like a walk on the beach.

lynne r said...

my mom always decorated with these colors (still does, with variation). We had a pair of velvet chairs in our living room that were this color. Funny, I hadn't thought of them in years until you asked us to think of it. Thanks

beadgirl said...

Turquoise is my birthstone. My first memory of it? A teeny little silver heart ring with a turquoise stone in the middle that my parents got me on our cross-country trip (they bought it in Arizona). It won't even fit on my pinky now, sigh.

Babs said...

Love the bracelet, love the blues... the color of my middle son's eyes. Gorgeous and inspiring. Reminds me of the blue glass paperweight with tiny bubbles within that I coveted at my Grandma's house years ago. Could not have... but loved to hold... it seemed magical to me.
The power of color and imagination.

Anonymous said...

My parents were married on the beach in the Malibu Colony on June 25th 1950. The photographs of my beautiful mother on the sand in her baby pink tulle dress with that ribbon of aqua ocean behind her still takes my breath away!
I would be so happy to have this bracelet splash around my wrist!
Merci...

Postagequeen@aim.com

Margie said...

My mom has some old bowls that are turquoise - the braclet reminds me of that. :-)

Diane said...

My first memory of turquise was in squash blossom jewelry.

Terri Gordon said...

What a beautiful bracelet, I am in a aqua craze right now. I change all the time, but right now my favorite color is aqua. I love it because its the sea colors, it reminds of beautiful beaches, (not where I live) but beautiful beaches that I have seen. It is just lovely. Thank you for the opportunity to win. Have a wonderful day. Terri

C.L. Davis said...

Not a first memory, but a best memory...my son Jason, was called "bluejay" when he was little. We had a nest of blue jays in the backyard and they would hang around us when we were outside and he loved those birds, thus, the nickname "Blue Jay."

Paula said...

My first remembrance of blue was in my grandparents house. They had painted my mother's room pink, the kitchen, yellow, and my uncle's room blue. I never knew my uncle. He was killed in WWII in France during the Battle of the Bulge, but his picture hung over his bed in the "blue" room. I loved to go in that room and stare at his picture -- so handsome in his army uniform -- only 18 years old. In some ways I thought I looked alot like him. I wished I had been able to know him. Years later, my grandmother had the room remodeled into a bathroom, but even now I still see that room as the "blue" room. Blue has always been my signature color because I loved the color of blue in my uncle's room.

Mendi said...

Whenever I was nine my parents bought a house down the road, but they had to paint it before we could move in because EVERY room was aqua... every one. It was so sad when my mom painted over it all.

Patty said...

I love seeing aqua and red together. I've always loved it and now it's finally getting popular.

Anonymous said...

Simply beautiful!
Thank You for the chance,
Carol
Raised In Cotton

Dawn said...

My first memory of blue was from my grandmother. She loved anything sparkly and the more rhinestones a piece of jewelry had the happier she was. She loved the color aqua, robin's egg blue and turquoise. My grandmother had many costume jewelry boxes filled with many beautiful pieces. Whenever I visited her I always had to "nose" through her jewely and try on all of the pieces! I'm blessed to have both of my children born in the month of March and "lo and behold" my daughter recently decorated her apartment with some of the beautiful shades of blue as shown in your exquisite bracelet! I would love to make the bracelet for her. Thank you for your inspiration.

Judy Grubbs said...

I remember driving with my family on Route 66 through New Mexico and Arizona and buying turquoise jewelry on the side of the road.

Unknown said...

i lover anything you create! This is no exception. I am new to your club but would love an extra piece this month.

Unknown said...

i lover anything you create! This is no exception. I am new to your club but would love an extra piece this month.

Wendy said...

My favorite colors! Must be all that turquoise at the Indian Shop at Knott's Berry Farm. I used to spend what seemed like forever in there as a kid, poring over the turquoise jewelry. Of course, that was back in the days before Knott's became a theme park. Oops! Does that tell you how old I must be :)? I just wish I still had the one ring that was bought for me there (I think I wore it out!)

pink23 said...

Dear Kaari, oh, the second I read this, I remembered my first memory of blue! My grandmother's sister owned a very fancy bath store in Baltimore. As a young girl, my mother took me there, and she had these blue soaps in the shape of hydrangea blossoms. I thought they were the prettiest, daintiest soaps imaginable!

Diane Langness said...

I've always loved blues, blues of all shades from robin's egg blue, electric blue to midnight blue. There is a blue to match anyone's mood. I would love to win one of your wonderful kits. if I lived closer, I would sign up for one of you workshops. Thanks

Diane

Judith Tetley said...

Hi Kaari, my first memory of this gorgeous colour was when I was 17 years old and driving down the main street of Parramatta in NSW Australia with my boyfriend (now my husband of 40 years). We were stopped in the traffic and I saw a beautiful turquoise dress in a shop window. I said out loud; "gee I love that dress" so when we got to the end of the street, my man parked the car and took me back to the shop to buy it. It was a dress in the 60's style, a flared mini skirt and the attached bodice looked like a vest with a white blouse underneath. It had lovely embroidery on the mock vest. I loved it and had it for years and years.
Kind Regards
Judith from Australia
http://creativestudio10.blogspot.com

Rachel said...

I love it! I am really enjoying the color blue lately!!!

Lilly said...

My first memory about blue would be the movie Blue Lagoon =D I used to love this movie when I was a kid and I was always amazed by that beautiful blue sea.
Thanks for this lovely giveaway. Gorgeous bracelet!

Heather - Speckled Egg said...

Ooooooh! LOVE this!!! This blue has always been one of my favorite colors, but it reminds me most of the gorgeous waters of Bermuda where we got married!!! Just dreamy!

Janet said...

Hi Kaari: AmI too late for the giveaway?
If not, I'd love to win this!!
Janet in snowy Nova Scotia

cakegirl said...

This is a great bracelet. Love an shade of blue.

Stacy/Creativemuse said...

WOW that is so pretty I'd love that....I think my first real memory ,as a young child,of turquoise is the stone. My Grandfateher ,His brothers,and sons including my Father were all ROCK HOUNDS. My Father actually getting a Geology Degree! We always had a treasure trove of the earths bounty. You had to Spit on them so you could see what it would be when it was polished. no turquoise that was magical it was all calcified and bumpy but when my dad put it in a tumbler out came these beautiful chuncks of dreamy smooth tuquoise...LOVED it...I used to run it across my lips cool and smooth...They made belt buckles bolo ties earings and necklaces but I still loved the chunck tumbled and smooth that was in my colllection.
AHH thanks for letting me recall thes magical times!
warmly
Stacy~Creativemuse

Robyn said...

The colours remind me of the sea, which has such a calming affect. I live near the sea now here in Southern Australia, but I grew up further inland. The colours remind me of my first family holiday at the coast and my Dad swimming what seemed a long way out to a small child!

Maureen said...

one of my favorite songs as a girl growing up in Seattle was, "The Bluest Skies You'll Ever See are in Seattle!". So true, especially when many of the days are cloudy. A blue-sky day is a real treat. Thanks for sharing such a beautiful giveaway!

Nancy Anne said...

I don't remember when I first fell in love with turquoise, but now I have a reason to love it all over again - my 10 year-old granddaughter has discovered it and is completely in love with turquoise!

lizzie said...

Pick me Pick me!!!Please

Unknown said...

My first memory of this wonderful color was at my favorite aunt's house. She loved blue, and her whole house was decorated in this color. She had a collection of blue milk glass that positively glowed when the sun caught it. Sadly, she is now lost to Alzheimer's, but I thought of her when I saw your posted necklace!

Monica said...

My earliest memories of these colors would be the tourquoise jewelry my grandmother always wore. She had some of the most beautiful Native American jewelry I had ever seen. Today I'm lucky enough to have a few those pieces to remember her by.

Anonymous said...

This bracelet is so pretty. Would like the chance to have it. Thank you.

Darlis

Kathy said...

Aqua is my new favourite color! It would be so fun to win! Thanks! Kathy

Melody said...

Turqoise has been a favorite of mine in jewelry for years. I have very black hair so this color has always looked good on me. My heritage is Native American which uses a lot of this color in jewelry. That is my first memory of it.

Nancy said...

Lovely, lovely colors. Blue is my favorite color with all its permutations.

Marcia W. said...

My first introduction to the color turquoise was a baby bracelet of silver and turquoise that was given my parents (by their friends)for me. Right now I am making a turq/aqua themed scrap quilt.

Anonymous said...

Such treasures in shades of sky and sea...small gifts each like the English charm bracelet my mother bought me as a 11 year old living in Rutland, England. Each piece needing the next to shine and tell the full story of this lovely blue green bracelet..
how precious.

cswhitney said...

Love that color! Reminds me of peaceful moments when I was in my 20's (before kids, PTA, cleaning house, etc.) floating on a blow-up raft in water the prettiest shade of blue on a trip to Hawaii! No cares in the world except making sure I got the perfect tan!

M'Chele said...

As a young girl this was the color of my bedroom...the most refreshing and soft pale turguoise. I was thrilled when my aunt sewed an entire box of Barbie clothes for my Barbie (1962) and my favorite was a bright turquoise tweed coat!
I am in the process of re-doing my bed and bath in this most peaceful and sentimental color :)
I am also a new student of jewelry making...and I adore this bracelet!

M'Chele said...

(having difficulty with the site...sorry for the double post)

As a young girl this was the color of my bedroom...the most refreshing and soft pale turguoise. I was thrilled when my aunt sewed an entire box of Barbie clothes for my Barbie (1962) and my favorite was a bright turquoise tweed coat!
I am in the process of re-doing my bed and bath in this most peaceful and sentimental color :)
I am also a new student of jewelry making...and I adore this bracelet!

Nicole Austin said...

gorgeous! my first memory of turquoise is meeting my stepmom for the first time when i was 7. she wore (and still wears) the most beautiful turquoise and silver jewelry. she has always been a creative inspiration for me.

rene said...

I love the bracelet, how beautiful!!! It takes me back to highschool long ago and my fondness toward turquoise. I also love your site, I am new here....I'm going to go take a look around, fun!!!

Grace Wong said...

Thanks for the giveaway!
The first time I saw this color was when I visited the beach in hawaii. It was a beautiful view.
shou.milk@gmail.com

Laetitia said...

What a lovely bracelet. It makes me think of the man who made beaded necklaces in Senegal on that cute little island just off the shore of Dakar. I bought his turquoise with blue necklace, and wear it every week.

Laetitia said...

What a lovely bracelet. It makes me think of the man who made beaded necklaces in Senegal on that cute little island just off the shore of Dakar. I bought his turquoise with blue necklace, and wear it every week.

Dreaming of The Beloved said...

Well, I can't remember if it is my first memory as nothing stands out, but it did bring back a cherished memory of my daughters binky. It was just that certain color blue and it was her favorite. Like all sweet babies, she would lose it and we would be looking here and there like we were in a game of hide and seek. Little did we know that they were retiring this pretty blue binky and went everywhere searching. Nothing else would do! She would spit out all "fake binkies" and commence crying. Everywhere we went, we checked stores for "her" binky. If we found any, we would buy the whole lot! LOL It is still her favorite color and she gets so excited whenever she spies it somewhere, but to this day, mostly her parents know why. But not only does it make me think of those crazy days, but also the sweet smells, the soft downy hair, and giggles, and coos. Ok, it's bringing tears to my eyes and I can't see my computer keys. Thank you French General for giving me a good sentimental cry! Love that blue!:)

Dreaming of The Beloved said...

Well, I can't remember if it is my first memory as nothing stands out, but it did bring back a cherished memory of my daughters binky. It was just that certain color blue and it was her favorite. Like all sweet babies, she would lose it and we would be looking here and there like we were in a game of hide and seek. Little did we know that they were retiring this pretty blue binky and went everywhere searching. Nothing else would do! She would spit out all "fake binkies" and commence crying. Everywhere we went, we checked stores for "her" binky. If we found any, we would buy the whole lot! LOL It is still her favorite color and she gets so excited whenever she spies it somewhere, but to this day, mostly her parents know why. But not only does it make me think of those crazy days, but also the sweet smells, the soft downy hair, and giggles, and coos. Ok, it's bringing tears to my eyes and I can't see my computer keys. Thank you French General for giving me a good sentimental cry! Love that blue!:)

Pattie Crum said...

Aqua is my new favorite color, I read it looks good on everyone so, I'm on the hunt for everything aqua.

BunnyNuts said...

Blue was my Grandma's favorite color and her bedroom walls were a beautiful happy blue color. That's my first & favorite "blue" memory!
Christie

Jehannarc said...

When I was growing up my mom made valiant efforts to garden in the dry desert heat here in Phoenix, planting roses and alyssum. The first time I remember a blue like that was the gorgeous iris she planted in the back yard when I was a little girl. I still absolutely love iris for their elegant and unique shape, and amazing color.

marmee said...

It reminds me of the color of a robin's egg shell, found in the grass under the tree in our yard when I was a little girl.

thegoose said...

My grandmother's ring. Funny, I haven't thought of it in years and years, but when you asked for a memory of this color, it is what came to my mind. It was flat and smooth and cool and I loved the feel of it, especially contrasted with the silky softness of her tissue paper skin. I guess maybe it was turquoise, though it seems odd as she really wasn't what I think of as the turquoise type. It was lovely, whatever it was, as was she, as is your bracelet.

Willa said...

First last best are hard requests for me! I don't remember not loving blue and 2 of my most loved have give me turquoise.......so it is very special!

Tong said...

Turquoise is definitely one of my favourite colours. The first memory I have of this colour was a little dress my grandmother made me when I was maybe 4 or 5. I remember loving it so much that I wanted to wear it all the time, even in the winter.

Sharon said...

Turquoise is one of my favorite colors. One of my earliest memories--my parents built and moved into a new house right before I was born. 1954 red brick ranch, black roof and turquoise front door! Beautiful! It just didn't look like my house years later when the door was painted white.

Anonymous said...

Oh my I didn't hesitate on this one. Pretty pretty bleu colour reminds me of my Father's eyes. He had the bluest eyes you could ever find, and was so proud of that fact. Little Frenchman that he was. Miss him still after 18 years.
Thank you...Louise

Awishdream said...

Oh such wonderful jewelry! I fell in love with turquoise, when my Father was alive he made beautiful silver and turquoise jewelry, I love the color blue!so this piece really caught my eye...thanks for the chance!

Cheers,
Melanie

vintagefindings@me.com said...

Well, dang, with 160 comments before me, I know my chances are slim, but it is such a lovely bracelet!!!

Denise said...

Silly people who don't know how wonderful your classes and store are!

Denise said...

Silly people who don't know how wonderful your classes and store are!

Anonymous said...

My lovely sister brought me back beautiful earrings from Arizona around 1975. I still have them as I love the color, it reminds me of the beauty done by God's creation of the sky and the heavens.
from bleonard02@tampabay.rr.com

Anonymous said...

My lovely sister brought me a pair of turquoise earrings from Arizona, and I love them as the color reminds me of the beauty in God's creation of the sky and heavens. I would love to have a bracelet for my nieces.

Sewn With Grace said...

My turquoise and aqua love comes from depression glass. There is an icy blue that is difficult to find but is worth the search, it's just gorgeous. Currently I collect vintage pyrex in aqua. Have a great weekend!

Diane D. said...

Tre magnificque! Love,Love, Love.
Diane D.
MA

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Hi Kaari!
I could put one of those "old kits" to good use! What a beautiful combination...I would totally die if you picked me!!!!
;)

Anonymous said...

it would have to be my parent's chrome & vinyl dining room set, wish i had it now! :)

Anonymous said...

oops - i cannot be anonymous if i hope to win can i?

vinyl dining set is

from

debra

djhocking@msn.com

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness...wish I lived closer so I could come to class! Aqua is my very fave color...first memory of it is looking at my mom's senior prom dress hanging in the closet in the loveliest shade of aqua. sigh...
xoxo

Joanne said...

How wonderful! My first memory of this colour is when I was little my cousin came to visit and she had a beautiful ring with a turquoise stone in it. She had bought it on a trip to Italy. The last time I saw her she still had the ring on, well worn now, but just as beautiful. I have been in love with turquoise ever since!!
Thanks for the chance!♥

elliot said...

All shades of blue have always been my favorite color. Maybe it's because I have very light blue eyes and my mother always bought blue clothes for me!

catworx said...

These are my favorite colors;
they are of the color of clear & cloud-less New Mexican sky;
they are the color of oceans, lakes, ponds, bays, & waterfalls;
they are the color of my Mother's eyes;
they combine & contrast with beautiful creams, scarlets, rich yellows, viridian greens, & ambers;
they go equally well with silver or gold, not to mention copper, platinum, & brass
they make me swoon!

Quiltsmiles said...

What a klovely color and charm bracelet. WOuld love a chance to make it. Thanks for hosting thi lovely giveaway.
Jane

Cheryl Carey Bass said...

What a gorgeous kit! My favorite memory of this beautiful robin's egg blue color scheme is this old metal stool that was at my grandma and granpa's place growing up. Grandma used to set me up on it to cut my hair, and I remember she'd always tell me what a pretty girl I was. As an overweight child, those compliments always meant so much to me. She really made me believe that I was pretty! I remember the picture vividly in my head, including sitting perched atop that blue metal stool!

Linda said...

When I was a little girl my Mother and I would take the Superchief from Union Station across the country to stop at Chicago and then on the Penn railroad to PA to visit my Grandfather. The train stopped in AZ and NM at trading posts where native Americans sold their wares... I always bought a piece of turquoise jewelry. Later when we drove by car I would get a piece of Fred Harvey turquoise. My collection could surely use this bracelet also!

wadev said...

Gorgeous! My grandmother had wall to wall carpet in the most beautiful ocean-like turquiose. I remember playing with her whale paperweights on the floor of her living room.

Denise L. said...

These colors remind me of water and the ocean. So beautiful!!

edina said...

Love these shades of blue - reminds me of the gorgeous oceanviews on my first trip to Hawaii!

Unknown said...

My mother always collected turquoise jewelry. She somehow found a child-size squash blossom necklace for me, inset with tiny round pieces of turquoise. I still have it.

Lisa Cook said...

Even though it is too late for the contest, I still want to share my turquoise memory. My grandmother used to wear a turquoise ribbed knit skirt and matching short sleeve top that was probably from the 1940's. The dress was unique enough, but she also wore an incredible 3 inch wide turquoise bracelet. I LOVED that bracelet. She bought it in Arizona in the 1930's and today.... it belongs to me. What a treasure. Thanks for prompting me to remember.

Leslie said...

Beautiful! I didn't always have a love for turquoise....in my childhood home we had a turquoise fridge and stove. Must have been the trend then. Now I look back and laugh...but I love the blue...and turquoise jewelry.

Unknown said...

The first jewelry I had in this color was a ring bought in Denver CO on a vacation. Love this bracelet and the colors are just great!

Lorelei said...

What a gorgeous bracelet!!!! Those are my colors - the colors of the sea to fit my name. Please pick me!!!

lisa said...

i just saw this post, and although it is long past, i thought i would share my first memory of aqua........my grandmother mimmy's eyes. my father was in the military, but whenever we were in the country, we made the long trip to tyler texas for the holidays. my birthday is 12/22 and i often spent my birthday in the car travelling across the country to see the grandparents. mimmy would meet us at the door with milk and an incredible poundcake . i used to swear that the reflection of her eyes made the cake an unbelievable shade of aqua, at once both piercing and alming. she is long gone now, but the color is still referred to as "mimmy's eyes"