Bloggy Carnival bracelet

As promised, I have to post and RAVE about the awesome prize/gift I won in the most recent Bloggy Carnival Giveaway from MJennings Designs via JoJo's Place. When I originally found out that I had won, I assumed that this would be a random (but of course, still beautiful) bracelet from Melissa's collection...boy was I wrong! WAY WRONG!

Initially, Joanna (of JoJo's Place) emailed me, asking what word/name I would like to be written on the bracelet. Not really thinking too hard (I mean, I am a teacher and it is summer, after all - who wants to think in the summer?? *smile*), I simply replied back asking that my name be put on the bracelet. After the message was forwarded to Melissa, I got a super-quick reply back...and this is where things get exciting (and almost somewhat divine)...Melissa just happens to be a fellow-infertile like me, who has now gone on to become the mommy of Peyton, a sweet, little boy from Guatemala. She did her research on my blog and suggested that we take a bit different approach to the bracelet and use the theme of hope instead! She sure hit that nail on the head, because I can definitely use a little of that these days!

So after numerous emails back and forth, I suggested using a reddish colored bead for the accent since pomegranates (maroon-colored) are an ancient symbol of fertility and therefore the unofficial color of infertility. You will see a button to the right on my blog page showing "infertility's common thread" - many infertile women can be seen sporting oh-so-lovely strands of pomegranate-colored embroidery floss around their wrists, sort of as the tie that binds all of us together. This is not to be confused with a red kabbalah string, which I suppose looks similar.

Now, instead of a thread, I wear this beauty around my wrist:
















Isn't it amazing and gorgeous? I hope that you'll take a few minutes to browse through Melissa's collection and support her wonderful artistry! She's been a pleasure to work with and you will not be disappointed in the end result!

PS - you can read Melissa's blog about my bracelet here!