Show Your Colors

I love the 4th of July, but my bff is obsessed. Since we've had so much fun beading lately, she called me over to make some red, white, and blue earrings. Then we moved on to rings for all our girls. And I decided I couldn't do beaded earrings without a matching watch. Here's our day's product!

And, my first attempt at a chandelier style earring. Those, and the watchband with silver are my bestie's. Mine are the ones with the darker blue.

Beaded Watchband tutorial

Beaded watch bands are all the craze right now. I've seen them all over at craft boutiques, but never saw one I fell in love with. Either the colors weren't right, or it didn't fit. But I finally decided to try my hand at making my own. Perfect! Now I can make them the way I want them. I craft with a friend, and I love seeing the difference between our styles. We each like our jewelry different - she likes bigger beads, I usually go for a bit smaller. I like more symmetry and balance, she likes random.

And look at my variety! I think I have a watchband to go with any outfit, now. And the pink and orange on the left are my youngest daughter's. So many options . . .

I thought I'd share some instructions for making your own, if you so desire. The hardest part is choosing your beads. Besides beads, you need stretchy cord, found at the craft store, in at least .7 mm. I prefer the 1 mm, but a few times, I've had a bead that doesn't fit. Then I've used .8 mm. The bigger the number, the stronger the cord. Stronger is better. The rest of the supplies needed are 2 connectors, 4 lobster clasps, and super glue. (Plus your watch face.)
As for the beads, I choose 3-4 similar sized beads, matching or coordinating the colors. Then add a few silver or clear. You might need a few small beads to be able to even out the spacing and make each side the same size.
(This part is easier if you lay it out on a bead tray or a dishcloth/dishtowel/etc so your beads don't roll away.) Start by laying out your beads, and design the order of your watchband. Typically, in the boutiques, watchbands run 4.5" (small), 5" (medium), 5.5" (large), and 6" (extra large). I have big wrists, and like mine loose, so I make mine 6.5"-7". My 11 yr old skinny-minny is 5.5" - I don't know who would wear a 4.5".

As you lay out your beads, remember to plan the 2 connectors, dividing the band into 3rds, the 4 lobster clasps, 2 on each end, and a bead (or 2) between the clasps to hold them apart. I try to balance the size of beads so each side has equal weight, and the weight is spread along the length, as well. It can be tricky, but I have no tricks. You just have to try it a few times to see how you like it, and get a feel for the placement. On this watchband, I think this will work.
Now, you won't know for sure if it works until you start stringing. Cut a 15"-18" piece of cord and start stringing at one end of the watch, placing the 2 clasps and the bead between them in the middle of the cord. Then string the beads up to the first connector.
I like to hold mine up, here. It makes it easier to see if both sides are coming out equal in length. Sometimes, the connector might be crooked, so you'll have to unstring a few and add, take away, or switch around some beads. It takes practice, and sometimes a fair amount of luck. So far, this one is matching up nicely.
Until I got to the end, and I didn't like those 2 silver beads so close to each other.
Take a few off, switch them around, and I like this better.
Now, as you finish, have your two ends of cord meet NOT next to the clasps. When you super glue the knot, you don't want it getting on the clasps because as you use your watchband, the super glue with weaken the cord if it rubs on the clasp. I try to find a bead that has a larger center so I can pull the knot inside it.

When the band is how you like it and you've finished stringing all the beads, tie a modified square knot. Right over left, left over right . . . but wrap the second one twice. So, right over left, left over right over right.
See how my knot will fit in the silver bead after I glue it?
I'll go ahead and pull one end of the cord through now to help me hold both ends with one hand so I can stretch, glue, and take pictures for you.
Get that knot pulled away from the beads, and pulled tight. This can be extremely tricky with one hand. I usually end up wrapping the cord around a few fingers, effectively cutting off my circulation. Now, squeeze one drop of super glue onto the knot and HOLD. Hold the knot away from the beads as much as possible, for as long as possible. I try to hold it for 10-15 minutes so the glue won't stick to any of the beads and get stuck. But you do need the glue in order to hold the knot.
After the glue dries, pull the knot into a larger-holed bead (if you have one) . . .
. . . and trim the ends of the cord
That's it! Now, wear your watch and plan your next watchband to match the next outfit.

A Non-Sleepover Slumber Party

Yes, for her birthday, my daughter wanted a Slumber Party. Well, we don't do sleepovers, but a Slumber Party still sounded like a fun birthday party theme. It turned out to be very easy. Here's what we did . . .

First, any sleepover (and any party) needs the right food. I gave Katie the choice of pigs-in-blankets or pizza, and she chose the piggies. I made 2 versions, one hot dogs and cheese wrapped in a biscuit (I cut the hot dogs in 3rds) and one little sausages with no cheese.

Chips, fruit and dip (8 oz cream cheese with 1 jar marshmallow cream), and veggies and dip. Plus, fun drinks and cupcakes and ice cream.

I sewed up some quick pillowcases and each girl got to decorate one. I really love the new Sharpies I found. They look like they were designed for the new craze of coloring on Converse (or clothing). They're called Stained, and they are really bold color.

The girls each got to decorate their own mirror, because what girl doesn't need more glam in their life. You could just buy a mirror, even at the dollar store, but I opted to make these just to save a few dollars.

We also made our own hair elastics. I let the girls choose their own ribbon and tie them on an elastic, making pompom style ponytail elastics.

And finally, I set out some new, cheap makeup (dollar store!) and q-tips for application and let them play make-up and do each other's hair while watching a movie.

While not on my agenda, the party did end with a pillow fight.

A complete success. Katie had a blast, and the girls haven't even asked for a sleepover since. (2 weeks ago. Yeah, it's taken me a while to post. . .)

Better Late Than Never

I know school's already out, and it's too late to prepare teacher gifts (except for you year-rounders), but I thought I'd share these ideas, and you can remember them for next year. Otherwise, I'll forget to post them early enough next year, too.

I whipped this sign up quick for the teacher I was a room mom for. Grabbed a board 1x6 (about 14" long) that was already sanded, painted it black, cut the vinyl on my Silhouette, stuck it on, and sprayed it with a clear sealant. I think it turned out great.

Both my girls made these candy bar posters for their teachers.

I found other candy bar ideas online, grabbed a few candy bars, then came up with this to use what we had.

*Teacher's name*

You're the RIESEN we SKOR so high. You took us AIRHEADS and DUM DUMS and taught us a THINGAMAJIG or two. We're no longer NERDS and (MILK) DUDS. You deserve 100 GRAND PAYDAY for turning us into SMARTIES. Don't SNICKER, but I really enjoyed learning MOUNDS about the MILKY WAY this year. BeTWIX the two of us, you (POP) ROCK(S). Hope your summer is (STAR)BURSTing with FUN (DIP). Enjoy your EXTRA CAREFREE time. You're a LIFESAVER. HUGS and KISSES, child's name.

(Although, I forgot the Hugs, so we just signed off with Kisses.)

What happened to May?

June? Really? Already? What happened to May? Well, I guess I've been busy, even though my semester's over. It will take me a few days to catch up on all the things I've been wanting to share. For now, here's a bit of end-of-school-year fun . . .

Katie's been in the choir this year, and this is their last concert. She loves singing.

Isn't it funny how silly they can be? Katie's the cheeser in white right in the middle.

When no ones looking, she has the most bored look on her face.

Annual 6th graders vs. the teachers softball game. Jess was in the minority that made it on base, and one of only about a dozen that made it in home. (Sorry, forgot to turn the pic - I'll fix it someday . . . if I have time.)

And last, 6th grade Advancement Ceremony. The entire 6th grade sang us "Because You Loved Me."

Yeah, turn your head. Love the look on her face.

Jessica's teacher, Ms. Brock.

My friend had this fun idea for a treat for her 6th grader, so we made them together. The candies are pinned and poked into styrofoam, with a poem attached that reads:

Not Nerds or Dum Dums,

Not Milk Dud or Air Head

You rose through the grades

You're a smartie, instead!

Congratulations!

PLAY!

I like going to plays, like watching my son in The Music Man.

My son came to me one day and said he wanted to try out for the school play. A few days later, he came home and said he had signed up for tryouts. The next week, he came home and said he had made it. Well, since I was in school myself, I didn't have time to really talk to him about it and help him or take him. He just did it all by himself.

Thanks to a play member's mom who is a photographer, we all have access to hundreds of great pictures from the play. Here's just a few. My son is the man reading the newspaper in the blue shirt and vest.

My favorite song of the musical, Pick-a-Little. I had to share one of these pictures to show you how fabulous the girls dresses were. They were so bright and colorful, and I LOVED their hats.

76 Trombones . . .

Cast and crew . . .

Second, I love to play by making things. I always have a project list going on, and always add more before I'm close to finishing current projects. I like crafts, like the earring holders and watch bands I made last week. And I love making clever gifts.

Last week was teacher my appreciation week. Here is the treat we gave our teachers this year. I found this and lots other great ideas at Room Mom 101.

Last, I have a whole room devoted to my playing. It is the largest bedroom (besides the master bedroom) in the house, and it has the biggest closet (3x bigger than mine). It is my craft room, and I live in there. It has a key lock so I can keep kids out while I'm working, and so I can use it as a hiding place for gifts and surprises, plus keep little hands out of my works-in-progress. The key stays on me at all times, it is so valuable, I protect it better than my phone or camera.

I like to play at sewing. I did sew 2 more quilt tops, with this bright fabric, and completely finished machine quilting and binding one of the 2 for my mom for Mother's Day. It turned out so cute, I love it. I am definitely going to keep the other for myself. I did a darker green (like a grass green) on the back of her quilt, and will be putting a darker purple on mine. Sorry, no finished pictures, I tried killing another camera. I had a water bottle pop open in my bag and spill almost 2 cups of water in my purse, soaking my camera. Luckily, I was able to save it by placing it in a bag of rice (open, take out battery and SD card) and it works again. It just wasn't available on Sunday when I finally finished and rushed out the door to visit my mom. I'll post pictures when I finish the next one.

I ended up cutting 6" strips, 72" long, taking 1/2" seam allowances, making each strip 5" finished. I quilted it on my little home sewing machine by pinning like crazy (~400 pins), rolling up the ends to start in the middle, and doing a wavy line down each seam. It took a lot longer than I ever thought it would, but it turned out perfect. Now my mom has a picnic quilt to take to the park with grandkids in her new wagon (Mother's Day gift from me and my siblings).

I firmly believe every one needs to play. Not just little kids. Adults, too. Hubby would agree. He's the first to tell you he's just a big kid. He likes to play outside, especially in the dirt. In fact, we're heading to Moab to play jeep safari.

So, what do you like to do to play?

Back to the Land of the Living . . .

After a most successful semester (4.0 for the first time ever in college), I am finally back to the land of the living. I have finally had time this week to work on projects that I love to do. I've read a pile of books, made jewelry, watches, and earring holders, covered lampshades, helped a friend clean her garage, and sewed 2 dressed, hemmed 2 pairs of pants, remade a shirt, and sewed a quilt top. And that's just been the past week! I am on a roll. So, let me share a few things with you.

First up, these fast and easy earring holders. I've needed jewelry storage for a long time, and saw this cute idea months ago (somewhere online, sorry I don't know where or I'd give credit where it's due). The ones I saw were simply the color the frame came in (almost white), but I thought it would be easy to customize them. Mine? Red, of course. I made me 2, but I could probably use a few more.

Here's how:

First, gather a stand up frame (these are from IKEA for $0.99), plastic canvas (~$1.50, will make 9, I think), and paint (the Fusion works best on plastic, ~$4)

Second, open the frame, twist the frame onto the stand, and spray paint.

Third, use the plastic insert to measure your plastic canvas. I think I got 9 out of one sheet. Throw out the plastic when you're done, unless you can think of another use for it.

Last, when the paint is dry, drop in the plastic. This purple is for my daughter, and a matching one went to her friend for the friend's birthday (along with some earrings). What a simple, personalized gift.

And, my daughter couldn't wait to add her earrings, even though she doesn't have her ears pierced, yet. (She has to wait till her next birthday, but a friend gave her these earrings and she's been saving them.)

My next project is a few quilts. Now, this is a twin sized quilt: 72 x 90. It took 2 yds each of the three fabrics. I cut 11" strips from the length (72"). There's one strip of each color left over for fun pillows, bags, or other projects. I love the bold primary colors, each with a different black pattern. Polka dots on the red, butterflies on the yellow, and swirls on the blue. The back of the quilt will be a black on black fabric to tie them all together. I love the big bold chunks of color. Perfect for a picnic.

Now, I'm stuck. Here's the fabric for my next quilt, and want something along the same lines as the primary colored one. But, I'm a little OCD - I can't do random - I want each strip to be the same size, and each color to have an equal number of strips. But I want BIG, BOLD color. So, with 6 colors, how many strips? What size? Or should I do squares? Any suggestions?

Now, a teaser . . . I'm having a blast making watches and matching earrings. Instructions to come. This is the one I was wearing today.