The heat Sunday allowed for one more project before work today...

Project 13: Another Pearl Bracelet

This idea is a take on an idea that my sister, Jaclyn, pinned on pinterest.  I had to change some of the materials for cost reasons.  I also it up a little differently then the pin suggests.  I hope that you like what I made.  When you get the the Things I Learned section, you will see there are some other changes I would make next time too.

Materials:

• Pearl Beads
• Lace
• Cord of some type (Or a leather cord if you want to spend the money)
• Needle and Thread
• Safety Pin
• Scissors

Steps:

• Start with two lengths of cord the same size.
• Select the number of beads that you with to use.
• Thread the needle with a color that matched the cord.
• Pull the needle through one side of the cord and add a bead.
• Pull the tread through the other piece of cord.  
• Go back through the cord into the bead and then out the cord again.  
• Repeat these steps until all of the beads are attached between the 2 pieces of cord.
• Take the lace and attach the safety pin to one end.
• Weave the lace through the beads.
• Tie knots in the ends of the bracelet to secure everything
• Tie the two ends together when you want to wear it :)

Things I Learned:

• A thimble is used to push the needle through a thicker fabric or cord without hurting your finger. (Note to self: Get a thimble)
• I cut the place and the ends so that it was not the length of the black cord at the end.  I don't think I will do that next time and I will leave the lace longer.
• You can not force a needle through a bead some make sure you get it in the hole...
• Try to prevent the lace from twisting because it is harder to get it out then in

I really liked how this one turned out.  The original design called for the lace to be wrapped around the cord but I like it better this way.  The pearl behind the lace looks cool when you look at it close up.  Next time I will leave the strings a little longer as well.  All in all I think it was a success.  You should give it a try.

Craft on my friends... 

The heat continued so I continued Crafting

Project 12: Bead and Ribbon Bracelet

By now you have probably learned that I spend a lot of time on pinterest.  There are lots of good ideas on there so it is not like I am wasting too much time.  Without it this blog would not have have the projects that are up here.  This one happens to be another find from my pinterest surfing.  I really liked it the first time I saw it and finally got a chance to give it a shot.

Materials:

• More Ribbon... again I used a 5/8 inch one
• Pearl beads
• Thread or string of some sort
• Needle
• Scissors 

Steps:

• So I don't actually cut the ribbon of the spools until I am done so I know what length to make it in the end...
• Pull out the number of beads that you want to use.  I used 20 on this one.  The size of the bead will make a difference.
• I used a black thread on this project but any line or twine will work.  You just do not want to see it.
• To start make a small fold in the ribbon and pull the needle and thread through.  
• Add the first bead.
• Pull the ribbon around to make to cover the back side of the bead and make another small fold.
• Pull the needle and thread through again.
• Pull the thread tight so that the ribbon is around the bead. 
• Repeat these steps until you get to the end.
• Tie small knots in the end to help keep the beads and folds secure. 

Things I Learned:

• Needles are sharp and hurt when they stick you so be careful.
• Pulling the beads in a small dish makes them easier to grab.  It also prevents them from rolling away on a flat surface.
• I don't really have a good technique for you when it comes to folding the ribbon and holding the bead it is just about getting in a groove.

This took more time then I originally thought that it would.  It took me some time to get into a rhythm of getting the ribbon right and the pearl on.  Once it was done though I really like how it came out.  Give it a try and let me know if you come across a technique that makes it go a little quicker and easier.

Craft on my friends...

When it is 106 outside there is no reason to go out there...

Project 11: Industrial Necklace

So summer has hit the south hard this past weekend.  When it feels like it is 115 outside there is really no reason to leave inside.  Now I prefer winter to summer so I was not happy about the prospect of triple digit temps but this did allow for some much missed craft time.  Here is the first of my 3 projects this weekend... a necklace made of industrial materials (sort of).

Materials:

• Satin Ribbon of any color
• Various sized washers (though little metal rings you get at the hardware stores)
• Safety Pins
• Scissors for cutting the ribbon

Steps:

• Travel to your local hardware store for washers.  Finding them in Home Depot was the hardest part of this project.
• Pick the size and quantity on the washers you would like. (See things I learned below for notes). I used various sizes on this necklace.
• Pick out a ribbon that you would like to use with this project.  I used a 5/8in black satin one. (I still have not measured any length of ribbon yet, one day)
• String on the washers like we did for the pop top bracelets
• I set the design out and started at one end and then strung them all together.  
• Take the end of the ribbon and attach the safety pin.  This will make it easier to get the ribbon through the holes.
• To start pull the ribbon through the hole of the first one.
• Lay the second washer over that so that the holes over lap.  Pull the ribbon though the 2 over lapped holes.
• Then pull the ribbon up through the hole of the second washer.  Repeat theses steps as you add more washers.  See the post on the pop top bracelets more detail.
• When you are done decide how long you want the ribbon and the ends to be and cut.  
• Tie the necklace together with a bow and you are done :)

Things I learned:

• On first inspections washers seem to weigh next to nothing... when you string a bunch together not so much.  Keep that in mind when you make a design plan.
• It is easier to get ribbons through washers with larger holes...
• There are codes that are imprinted on the washers, make sure they all face the back (oops).

There are a few other ideas for some projects with these industrial pieces.  It will be a little bit before I do another one though.  When the guy in Home Depot asked me what project I was doing with washer and I told him crafting he looked at me like I was nuts.  He clearly needs to follow my blog to understand better.  More ideas to come. 

Craft on my Friends... 

Nothing makes your neighbors more envious then Festive Holiday Signage

Project 10: Festive Holiday Signage

This project started out on a whim.  There was not much back thought or planning in the start.   But then that led to the elaborate Easter sign that I just completed this afternoon.  I need to give a shout out to my Mom and Howie here because without them this project never would have happened.  (Power tools... I don't like to use them.)

Materials:

• Wood and a lot of it depending on how much you are making
• Paints
• Paint Brushes (You would be surprised how many people forget to get them)
• Decorations (Glitter is back!)
• White Glue (You know the stuff found in a bottle with the orange top...)
• Polyurethane 
• Metal Stakes 

Steps:

• First determine what shape you are going to need and create a pattern.  As you see in the pictures I have done eggs, clovers (3 and 4 leaf) and heart.  
• Trace the pattern on to the wood you are using.
• Drill a hole into the wood for the stake.
• Cut out the wood using various power tools.  (Thanks Mom and Howie)
• Sand any rough edges and the surface (a little).  (This I was able to do since the tools used to sand are not so scary.)
• Paint and decorate as desired.  I used paint, glitter and paper on the various projects.  I secured the paper with white glue.  That same glue was used for glitter and other decorations as well.  This is up to you so got nuts! :)
• Once everything has dried, probably best to leave it over night at least to make sure, apply a healthy coat of polyurethane.
• Flip over and apply poly to the other side. Let dry for 24 hours.
• Insert stakes.  These can be glued in as well if you would like.
• Place in front yard for all to see! :)

Things I Learned:

• It is easier to drill a hole for a stake in a square then it is a clover or heart. You are far less likely to drill through the shape too when it is a square.
• Glitter pens take longer to dry then loose glitter and glue...
• Those fancy paper cutting machines are a great tool!
• White glue drys clear and flat where glue guns do not... but it takes longer to dry.
• Power tools are useful, fast and scary.  BE CAREFUL!! (Or you will be needing those boo boo bunnies, see previous post)
• Use pencil when tracing your patters because you can erase that if you make a mistake.

As you can see from the picture I have states for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day and now Easter.  I am sure by the end of the year I will add Halloween, Christmas, New Year's and 4th of July.  When that happens I will be sure to post and update for all to see.  If you come up with any ideas for stake share them in the comments for everyone!

Craft on my friends...

Bunnies Make Everything Better

Project 9: Boo-Boo Bunnies

This was a craft that I helped my mom with for a craft fair a few months back.  I figured that I would share it with you all.  My Aunt Laura had found the idea for them and suggested them to my mom.  They are really simple to make and a really cute gift for people that have small children.  I hope you enjoy making your own bunnies.

Materials:

• Standard Washcloths
• Rubber Bands
• Googly Eyes
• Small White Pom Poms
• Extra Small Pink Pom Poms
• Ribbon
• Decorations
• Reusable Ice Cubes
• Glue Gun

Steps:

• Take the washcloth and lay it out flat on a diagonal.  
• Roll opposing corners to the center. (Photo 1 and 2)
• Fold the rolled washcloth in half and pinch off a loop. (Photos 3 and 4)
• Fold the ends up towards the loop and place a rubber band around the end bump you made.
• Pull up the ends to form the ears.
• Tie a ribbon around the head of the bunny to cover the rubber band.
• Using your glue gun attack the eyes and the pink pom pom to the front as the eyes and nose.
• Attach the white pom pom to the back for the fluffy bunny tail.
• Use decorations to add flair to your bunny. (As you see in the pictures I have used small flowers)
• Insert reusable ice cubes in the back and heal boo boo.  

Things I Learned:

• As always glue guns are hot so use caution or you will be needing that boo boo bunny sooner then you think.
• Thicker rubber bands are harder to use. Find your typical rubber band and you should be good.
• Move the rubber band a round to change the size of the ears.  It won't be drastic but you can some times make them a little bigger.
• Make sure you use enough glue to keep the decorations on but not too much that the bunnies head is covered in glue.
• Measure your reusable ice cubes in the back of the bunny before you decorate in case you need to adjust.  

I thought that these were the cutest things that I had seen in a while.  You are able to ice a boo boo with out ice melting all over the place.  And what little kid does not love bunnies with googly eyes.  There a many adults that love them just as much too :)

Craft on my friends... 

 Photo 1

 Photo 2

 Photo 3

Photo 4

Finished Bunnies!

Creative way to use the tabs off all those canned beverages you drank...

Project 8: Pop Top Bracelet 

Yes, this is another find on Pinerest.  In fact it was one of the first things I ever pinned.  The only reason it took me so long to make it was the lack of supplies.  I don't drink a lot of canned beverages anymore (where was this when I was in college...)  Thanks to my Aunt I was able to collect all of the tabs that I needed.  She is a soda drinker so don't think there needs to be an intervention or something like that...

Materials:

• 15-18 tabs of soda cans (or any other canned beverage)
• 2 safety pins
• Ribbon that is 3/8 inch
• Scissors 

Steps:

• Drink several canned beverages and remove tabs
• Wipe them down so that they are no longer sticky.  
• Cut a length of ribbon.  The longer you cut it the better.  You will need to fold it in half so I guess about two feet.
• Fold the ribbon in half... :)
• Connect the safety pins to either end.
• Take the first tab and string the ribbon through the two loops in the tab.  One end of the ribbon through one of the loops and then the other. Make sure that you pull the ribbon so that it is up over the top.
• Stop it before you get to the end so that a small loop is formed.  You will use this to close the bracelet later. (Photo 1)
• Take the next tab and lay it over the first so that the holes line halfway up. (Photo 2)
• Pull the ribbon though the 2 holes of the over lapped tabs.
• Take the ribbon and feed it back up through the other side of the single tab on top.
• Repeat this layering until all of the tabs are on.
• When you get to the last tab make sure that the ribbon is on the bottom side.
• Tie a knot in the ribbon right next to the last tab. 
• Pull one of the strings though the loop at the other end and tie a bow to any size you wish.  
• Cut off any extra ribbon.
• Slide on to wrist and Rock it like a Model :)

Things I Learned:

• It is a good idea to check to make sure that the tabs are not sharp before you put them on the ribbon.
• It is almost impossible to complete this without the safety pins.
• The length of the ribbon will determine the bow at the end. (Longer is better)
• Make sure the ribbon is not twisted before you put the next tab on. 
• Some people paint the tabs with nail polish and things but I considered that too much work.

I was surprised by how much I liked the end product. It was interesting to me the first time that I saw it so that is why I tried it not because I thought I would wear it.  Now I am planning on rocking mine next week when I go see Elton John in concert.  I am sure it will look amazing too.  Helps that you can't tell that they are canned beverage tabs :)

Craft on my friends... 

 Photo 1

Photo 2

 Finished Product 1

Finished Product 2

No one is going to paint a room Burnin' Love

Project 7: Egg Garland

Another Pintrest find from my new favorite website.  Though I spend too much time on Pintrest it has given me lots of recipes to try and crafts to create.  And as well all know I love to craft (and then blog about it.)  So continuing on with my Easter crafts I present to you Egg Garland...

Materials:

• Paint sample cards 
• Scissors 
• Ribbon or String
• Razor Blade
• Egg Pattern
• Small Safety Pin

Steps:

• Visit your local large hardware store for various paint sample cards.  Various colors will add more zest to your garland.  
• Google egg pattern since drawing an egg shape over and over might become difficult.
• Print out egg pattern and start tracing.  
• Once you are done tracing time to move on to cutting.
• Cut to small slits the size of your ribbon.  I used a razor blade to do this and a block of wood as to not mark the table.  (My mom was happy about this)
• Connect the small safety pin to the ribbon so that it is easier to get the ribbon through the slits.
• Cut the ribbon once all the eggs are strung.  Tie loops on either end and you are done.

Things I Learned:

• Using different shaped eggs makes your garland more interesting but also can become cumbersome when when cutting and stringing. 
• Print the egg patterns on card stock because regular paper starts to curl at the end when traced a lot. (You eggs will start to look all wonky) 
• Using a razor blade can be dangerous.  Just like glue guns are hot.  So be aware of what you are doing or your Easter eggs might be less festive with blood.
• Make sure that you slide the eggs on the string so that they are all on the same side of the ribbon.  If not your eggs will go in all different directions and the backs of those cards are not as festive.

I really like how this came out.  I have some smaller sized eggs that I did not use since they were just too small.  I used a small ribbon to hang them but wire or fishing line could work too.  I also mulled over the idea of using a glue gun (my favorite tool) and a wider ribbon but I am happy with the way things worked out.  Maybe I will use that wider and the smaller eggs for another projects... Only time will tell... 

Craft on my Friends...