Photo Jewelry: Making a necklace

I love being a grandma!  Every grandma needs to be able to show off their loved ones pictures.  I've seen a million necklaces like this- here is my version- so easy!  I purchased the inexpensive jewelry pieces at candy tiles2,  baubles of fun  and happy supplies. 

Place the cabochon over your picture and trace around it.  Cut it out as carefully as possible.  If you have a circle punch that is the correct size I'd definitely use one!

Put a thin layer of mod podge on the flat side of your glass cabochon.  Press your picture firmly in place making sure that there are no air bubbles.  Allow to dry (check once or twice to make sure no air bubbles have mysteriously appeared).

Use E6000 and place just a dab of glue on your metal base and a dab on the back of your picture.  Let sit for a few moments and then press together.  If you have any excess glue just wipe it away.  Let glue set up firmly for 24 hours and it should be good to go!

Activity Day: Physical Fitness

grandbaby didn't attend Activity Day- but isn't he cute?!

For activity day (group of 8-11 year old girls)  last week we had a "Physical fitness is FUN" day.  It turned out to be over 90 degrees so we included lots of water.  I even turned the sprinklers on so that we could run through it on our relays, etc.

We had a few different contests- there were no prizes for winning- just lots of fun for the participants.  Here are a few of the activities we enjoyed:

Timed hula hooping contest- who could keep the hoop going the longest. 

Water the tree relay race- we divided the group into even teams-  each person had to fill a bucket of water (from a plastic storage bin filled with water) run to a tree and dump the bucket, then run back to hand off the bucket to their team member.

Water Ball Toss- we had some of those squishy balls that hold water like a sponge (dollar store) and then divided the group into partnerships.  Just like an egg toss- the girls lined up, tossed the ball, took a step back from each other and tossed the ball again.  We kept going until one team remained.

Bubble Relay- the girls ran to a designated spot where they had to blow and pop five soap bubbles.  Then they had to return and tag the next girl in line so that she could take off

Shoot the Bucket- using powerful water guns (pictured above) the girl's had to blast an empty milk jug off of a platform from a set distance away.  They raced against each other and the contest was repeated until one girl was declared the best shot.

Beach Ball Bounce- we threw a beach ball around a circle and counted how many tosses we could make before the ball was dropped.  It was a slightly windy day so that made this game more challenging.

Water Fight- we ended everything with a water fight

For our learning moment we read 1 Corinthians 3:16 and we discussed this quote from President David O. McKay: “The healthy man, who takes care of his physical being, has strength and vitality; his temple is a fit place for his spirit to reside. … It is necessary, therefore, to care for our physical bodies, and to observe the laws of physical health and happiness” (The ‘Whole’ Man,” Improvement Era, Apr. 1952, 221).  We also discussed for just a minute a variety of things that we can do to help our bodies be healthy.

Turning a Wine Rack into a Craft Supply Storage Unit

Some time ago at a yard sale in a galaxy not too far away I came across the cutest wine rack.  It had trim and was already distressed- just ready to store my wine in.... except that I don't drink alcohol... I do like homemade root beer... but that is beside the point.

What's a girl to do when she finds a cute steal but to buy it.  It sat at home while I pondered and pondered and pondered how to put it to good use.  I came up with a plan and when I found these long plastic mini bins at Staples 3 for a $1 my plan took off.

I made simple labels out of scrapbook paper.  I attached the labels with white floral wire.  Now my mini crafty storage unit is ready to store various versions of markers, glue sticks, and pencils.  It would also hold spools sorted by color quite nicely.  Or crochet hooks.  Or embroidery floss.  Or paintbrushes.  Or......

Things I Love About Spring & Easter Eggs

I'm so glad it's Spring around here!  I love fresh strawberries in a Spinach and almond salad... mmmm. 

I love the traditions of Easter.  I'm grateful for the peace of knowing that because of Jesus Christ and the atonement and resurrection I have the opportunity to be with a loving Heavenly Father and with my loved ones when this life is through.

My friend Penny taught me a new way to decorate eggs.  You buy 100% silk ties at the thrift store.  You cut off a square.  Using thread you wrap the egg, holding the cloth tightly against the raw egg.  You'll use a bunch of thread!  Then you boil your eggs for thirty minutes.

Let your eggs sit outside for two stinky weeks.  Carefully unwrap your eggs and you have an egg that will last for years (if you don't drop them!). 

It's really fun to unwrap them and see how the tie patterns transferred to the eggs- you get little white spots if you didn't have enough thread holding the fabric against the egg.

This week my husband surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers- he's the BEST!

Happy, joyful Spring!

Wearing Drapes- Skirt Made from Curtain Panel

I give up on trying to get good pictures.

I found a great curtain panel in one of my favorite colors on clearance for only $5.99.  It was  washable, 100 % cotton with an embroidered edge.  Mmmm, my brain started spinning.  I decided to make a skirt.  I suppose it is kind of weird to wear curtains (didn't that happen in Gone With the Wind)? 

I didn't use a pattern but you can.  Just line up the bottom of your skirt pattern pieces with the bottom of the hemmed curtain.

When I attached the waistband to the gathered bottom piece I discovered that I had measured my waist too generously- or I lost four inches in two days- I wish!  So, I ended up having to take in the waistband after the skirt was finished- but that isn't very tricky.

Since I had used the finished curtain edge as the skirt bottom there was no hemming involved--- gotta love that!

All done- not too bad for $5.99 and the cost of zipper and thread!

What I am doing this week

This week I'm addressing and mailing wedding invitations for our daughter's May wedding.  I'm taking daughter number five to get braces on.  I'm assembling 30 jewelry craft kits for a craft day with friends.  I'm trying to get a good picture of the skirt I made on Saturday (the fabric source is rather unique!). 

I'm hosting another activity day (group of 8-12 year old girls) today.  I'm sewing a vest for Junior to wear to the wedding reception.... I'm busy- just not much to post about!

Cute Shoes at Ross

About two years ago I had a shopping winning streak (for shoes) going on at Ross.  I found so many cute pairs!  My ritzy friends couldn't believe my stylish footwear ;o)   Then I went through a dry spell- of a year or so- just nothing to write home about..... until last month.

I found some adorable black summer sandal/pumps (not pictured) and then last week I found these cute floral embellished ballet flats- love 'em (and only $14)!  This just may be the year of the shoe.

Bissell Carpet Cleaner: A Review

I have cream colored carpet.  I live on about an acre of land.  I live in Texas where the wind blows and the dust piles up.  I have kids (sometimes 2 sometimes 9).  I garden.  I have chickens.  I have an outside dog.  I have spots all over my carpets.  I can get wonderful results when I get down on my hands and knees and scrub using Resolve carpet cleaner. Wednesday I spent a full hour scrubbing just the computer room....  I decided to buy a carpet cleaner.

I purchased the bissell quicksteamer powerbrush.  I followed the directions.  I still have spots.  I was going to return the machine until I emptied the dirty water tank and gagged at how black it was- really disgusting- maybe I'll keep it. 

I'm torn.  All spots will still have to be removed by crawling around on the floor with a scrub brush.  However, a follow up with the bissell removed lots of gucky grime and (using the bissell products) leaves the house smelling nice- they say it will help my carpets last longer as well.  It is a very easy to use machine.  Easy to assemble.  Easy to fill.  Easy to empty the dirty water tank- just don't look at what you dump out- ick!
 

Garden Delight

I haven't been doing much crafting lately- we did get the garden planted.... no we are not growing milk jugs- those are covering some of the more tender plants.  My husband put in a drip irrigation system this year so we'll see how that works.  I still prefer the foot by foot gardening in grow boxes (less weeding)- but the garden is my sweeties domain, and since he does 99% of the work he gets to do it his way.

Have you ever had home grown strawberries?  They taste so much better than store bought- DELICIOUS!!! 

The raspberries are back and looking healthy- which reminds me I need to do some research to see what I need to fertilize them with- last year they were too tart.

We have the funniest little black birds in our yard.  They think they are chickens.  They generally stay right with the bigger birds, waddling and pecking just like a chicken.  Makes me smile.

Use Your Silhouette to make Tile Quote Displays

One of the easiest ways to use your Silhouette for home decorating or to make gifts is to make these quote tiles- Just purchase a tile you love at Lowes, Home Depot or Habitat Restore- then using your Silhouette software type your quote and cut your vinyl.  Clean your tile with a quick swipe of  rubbing alcohol and apply your quote- There you have it!   A classy looking gift or an inspirational tile to place in your home.

Activity Day- Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy

This is another activity day activity found on Sugardoodle.  The girls made banana splits (ours didn't look this fancy- I forgot to take a picture).  I had an ice cream bar set up with all sorts of toppings.  I included ketchup and mustard.  Then we discussed why the girls didn't put those toppings on their ice cream. 

We talked about some toppings are good on Sundaes and some toppings are good (on fries)- they just aren't right for Sundaes.  Then we talked about Sundays and how there are good activities that aren't quite right for Sunday (like athletic events)- and activities that can make our Sundays sweet (like reading Bible stories).

We talked about the ideas of appropriate things to do on Sundays on this handout- that link isn't working so hot- the handout is also found here.

For our activity the girls helped make sugar spiced pecans to share with their families (these are good on ice cream and also really yummy to munch on as is- and they make your house smell awesome while they bake).

Furniture Makeover Inspiring Blogs

If you're trying to decide about painting your furniture you might want to check out the following blogs:

Better After- even if you don't love the end style it is inspiring to see how much a coat of paint can change the look of a piece- and most of the makeovers I love anyway

Miss Mustard Seed- I've typed about her until I'm blue in the fingers- hah!  LOVE her stuff.

Dreamy Whites- I don't believe she paints her own furniture- but the photography is so pretty and she illustrates just how delightful aged, chippy painted objects can be

Jennifer Rizzo- she if fairly new to me- she has a variety of ideas- including some great makeovers

The above picture is from Blue Creek Home- complete with a tutorial- on how she achieved this fabulous look. 

Happy Painting!