Wrapped Bracelet

I found this tutorial on Pinterest and fell in love with it. I'm not really a bracelet person, but this one is really cool!

DIY Wrapped Bracelet

So you have leather cording, a ball chain, waxed linen cord, and a large bead of some kind. They used a hex nut. I just used a large wooden bead. And then you wrap them around each other and voila! You have a neat wrap bracelet.

Here is mine. I like it a lot! Now I have something to do with all those ball chains I have laying around!

Here is another wrap bracelet I found on Pinterest that I want to try next. They just look so neat to me!

This one can be found here. And I really love that elephant!

Mini Pies

A while ago my mom bought me these mini pie molds. I think she likes getting me new kitchen gadgets to see what I'll come up with! We finally gave them a try. I bought already made pie crust from the store for those that can eat gluten and then had to make some gluten free pie crust for those who can't. {I am now a believer in store bought pie crust! So much easier! Too bad they don't make a gluten free one!}

So we first rolled out the dough. And cut out the shape with the mold. This is the wheat one, gluten free pie crust has to be rolled out between two sheets of plastic wrap.

Then place the cut out on one side of the mold and fill. We used blueberry pie filling. Love it! Then you have to brush an egg wash around the edges to help seal the pie filling in.

Place the other cut out on top and squish the mold together to get that nice crimped edge.

Place on a cookie sheet, brush with more egg wash, and bake. I think I sprinkled them with a little sugar too.

Oh my! They were delicious! I hadn't had blueberry pie in a long time!

This is one of the GF ones. They turned out so nice!

Absent Minded Reason #3

I've recently learned not to garden while wearing flip flops.

I was fixing the broccoli I planted. It was way to close together and I FINALLY got around to doing something about it.

Things were going pretty well when one of the bricks came loose.

This is what happens when a 25 pound landscaping brick falls on your foot. Ouch!

It looked way worse a few weeks ago when it happened. That alone should says loads about how it looked a few weeks ago! I can barely wear shoes some days it still hurts a lot!

So here is my very nicely spaced broccoli (I think it's broccoli, nothing got marked!). It actually survived my replanting. I hope the broccoli starts to grow soon!

After telling my husband what happened and showing him my foot, he very politely says,

"Now what did you learn from this experience?"

{sigh}

Yes dear... do not wear flip flops while gardening.

Some radishes I harvested. They are so pretty!

My 3 Pinkalicious Girls

For Christmas I made my girls dolls that look like Pinkalicious. They were wrapped with a ticket to see "Pinkalicious: The Musical" this spring. They were SO excited! I mostly can't believe I finished all three dolls in time. I love them all! They do such a good job portraying each of my girls perfectly!

They each had their own little sewing challenges, but turned out so beautiful! I must admit though, I am really digging those braids!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Since it is Valentine's day soon I thought I would make some cool Valentine's for all those special people in my life! It was super easy to make. All I did was wrap a regular size Hershey bar with pretty paper and embellish. So easy...and who doesn't like chocolate?

Minnie Mouse Clippies

A friend of mine asked if I would make her a pair of these mouse clippies. I can't believe how cute they turned out. I got the instructions to make them from the Girly Things website. All their instructions are free, and they have some cute stuff!

Tutu Tutorial

With these instructions you will be able to make a very lovely tutu for anyone of any age. Even the beginner can make something to be proud of. No sewing machine required!

Supplies

about 4 yards of tulle in color of choice

{get a few different colors for a real cool effect!}
1 inch wide elastic (enough to go around the waist of the person the tutu is for)
Scissors
Ruler
Sewing Machine (optional)

Step 1

Measure around the waist of the person the tutu is for. Add 1 inch and cut the elastic to that size. Over lap the two ends together (about 1/2 inch) and sew them in place either by hand or with a sewing machine. Make sure the elastic is not twisted. Sew over it several times to ensure that it will not come apart.

Step 2

Cut the tulle into strips. I recommend cutting them 5 inches wide by 24 inches long. The finished tutu will be a little less than 12 inches long. Adjust the length as desired. Just remember to double it when cutting. Example: If you want your tutu to be about 10 inches long, then cut the strips 20 inches long by 5 inches wide.

Tip: Tulle is much easier to cut when it is folded into a strip.

Step 3

a. Fold one piece of the tulle in half. Hold one end in each hand. Put it through the middle of the elastic and hold it with your first two fingers like the picture.





b. Grab the two long ends of the tulle with your two fingers and pull it through the loop. Tighten it around the elastic.


c. When tightening the tulle the elastic will be squished together. This is okay. It creates the look of a round waistband when the tutu is finished. The elastic will twist as you keep adding strips of tulle. This is okay as well. It does not matter which side, top or bottom, the tulle is put on...just be consistent.

The right side of the tutu will look like this picture....


The underside of the tutu will look like this picture....


d. Continue adding the strips of tulle until you have gone all the way around the elastic, making sure the tulle is close together. Adjust the strips as necessary and fill in any gaps with more strips of tulle.

Your finished tutu will look like this...


Add some style!

Want a more unique Tutu? Alternate two or more different colors of tulle as you put the strips on.

To add a little flair to your tutu, tie a bow with a piece of matching satin ribbon and sew it onto the tutu. Or tie long pieces of satin ribbon around the waistband.


That’s all.
Congratulations! You did it!

These are my instructions on how to make tutus. You may do as you wish with the tutus you make but please do not copy these instructions or pictures for any reason.

Copyright November 2011 by Jen Smith, All Rights Reserved.

Christmas Place Markers

This is another idea I got from Pinterest. A friend came over and we got busy making these cute candy pouches.

I thought it would be fun to put everyone's names on them and use them as place markers for our Christmas feast. I'm sure my kids will rip them open fast and munch the M & Ms I stuffed inside!

Click here to go to the tutorial!

Christmas Table Runner

Every year growing up I was always in charge of setting and decorating the table for big holiday meals. I really got into it! I folded the napkins in fun different ways and just had a ball doing it! This year I wanted to make my Christmas table really shine! First step, table runner.

Now, I have kids. They can be messy. So the table runner had to be small enough to fit in the middle of the table where messy hands couldn't reach it. I looked for one at the store, but there weren't any I liked. So I made one. I like the fabric. It has little gold flecks in it.

The candle thing I found at Ikea. Love Ikea!

The santa's were a nice festive addition!

I've got some pine cones I need to turn into Christmas trees and I'll be about done. I think I may run out of time!

Holiday Card Display

First of all, can I just say how much I L.O.V.E Pinterest? It is the best invention ever! There are SO many good ideas, I wish I had time to make them all!

Here is one idea I saw floating around Pinterest.

I love it! I finally have a really cute and creative way to display all the Christmas cards we get every year. It was so easy to put up there. All I did was tape the ribbon to the inside of the cabinet doors and used clothes pins to hold the cards to it. Now my kitchen is a little festive too!