Around the interwebs

Just a few cool things I've noticed lately. Thought I'd share.

Etsy finds:


How cool is this necklace? Made out of typewriter keys. Now that is something to which you can aspire. Found here on Etsy.

Pictures:
My favorite place to get background pics for the computer: National Geographic.

They always have the best pics. Some amateur, some are professional, all beautiful.
Here's a few samples:


Beautiful forest in Germany


The dunes of Namibia. Isn't that gorgeous!? That bright orange is the sandy dunes. At first I thought it was the tinted sky, but read it was the dunes.


The tundra of Iceland. Simply breathtaking.

I love the landscape pictures. It screams God's glory and magnificence!

Google Finds:
I may be late to the party on this one, but did you know you can customize the background on your Google home page? I think it's pretty nifty.
Just a few faves:







Books:
I'm heading out to meet with my book club this evening. I'll be sporting my Book Lover's necklace and chowing down on yummy Chinese food.

We finished reading the book Shanghai Girls by Lisa See. It's a great story of sisters sold into marriage by their father in order to settle debts. It may sound archaic, but the story begins with the Japanese invasion of China at the start of World War II. It's a fantastic look at prejudice, rivalry, honor, family, and love. I recommend it. 4 out of 5 stars!


Tutorial for another bracelet coming soon this week. This time it's one of my own creation! :)

Necklace for a book lover

If you're anything like I was (and still am) I'm a book nerd! Loved reading and being transported to other worlds and go on amazing adventures. My favorite genre as a kid, and now, is historical fiction. Whether it's our past or the past of some other world, I'm all over it!
It's why I majored in History in school and why one of my favorite books as a kid was this:

(couldn't find a bigger picture)

Amazing animation of the daily life in a castle. It's thrilling for a visual learner and a reader. (FYI parents!!)

So when I saw the Library Stack necklace on the Anthropologie website I knew I had to try it:

via Anthropologie

Now, there is no way on God's green earth am I spending $168 on a necklace. I understand that the teeny tiny books are made out of real leather, but c'mon people! We're in a recession!

Here's my version:


This was a fairly simple one to duplicate so it should be no problem for a jewelry novice.
What you'll need:
-small paper books in the dollhouse section of your craft store
-headpin
-chain
-clasp
-three jump rings
-hypo cement or super glue
-an awl
-hammer
-pliers
-jewelry wire cutters
-a movie
I'm a big believer in having a movie playing in the background while I make stuff. Netflix on my iPhone has been a blessing. :)

When I first saw the necklace, my immediate thought was that "those look like dollhouse books". I never made my own dollhouse when I was younger, but I love looking at all the miniature things when I'm at the craft store.

These were $2.99 at Hobby Lobby and I only used four.




(sideways picture because I decided to stop fighting with blogger and just let it be)

I took my awl (very cool tool, btw), placed it in the middle of the bottom book and gave it two or three good whacks with the hammer. Cardboard in place, just in case I went all the way through--definitely make sure you protect whatever surface on which you are working. The awl will pierce right on through with enough force behind it. It's super sharp and not a tool I would recommend for kids.

You don't want to go all the way threw the book because the diameter of the awl is much bigger than the diameter of the head pin. So, tap it to get a hole started and then turn it over and tap a hole on the other side of the book so the two holes line up.
I know this won't be exact, but I used a pin to work a complete hole through all the pages.

Just be patient. If you push too quickly you'll end up bending your pin. It helps to open up the book, a few pages at a time and work the pin through.

I then put the bottom book (red one) on the head pin and fastened it with a drop of hypo cement. Small plug for the stuff: excellent glue for really small jobs and areas. Bonus: it doesn't stick to your skin!





I then followed suit with the rest of the books. The ones I chose are skinnier than the books on the Anthro necklace so I did four instead of three. I quite like the way mine looks.


I slightly offset the hole on the third book so the wouldn't stack up evenly. It gives it a slightly disheveled look that reminds of a big stack of classics at the library.

I put a small drop of hypo cement between each book, pressed them together and let them dry for about 15 minutes. (I actually tried to finish the necklace before that and the books slid all around the head pin because the glue wasn't dry. So be sure to wait!)
I snipped the top length of the head pin off and gave myself enough to form a loop at the top for the jump ring and chain. I discovered that I'm AWFUL at trying to form a circular loop.

I chose an antique colored chain and a clasp that looks like a lock and key. I think it adds a bit of whimsy to the necklace!




Measure the chain around your neck and decide where you'd like it to fall on your chest. I chose right around the top of my shirt.
Connect the middle of the chain links to the jump ring on the books and connect a jump ring to the two ends of the chain. On those jump rings add one half of whatever clasp you chose.

And voila!! Finished Library Stack Anthropolgie Knock-off necklace.
Or you could simply call a book necklace. :)



I feel a bit like Superman in this picture.



Hope this was helpful. Feel free to ask any questions if some of it wasn't clear!

I'll be linking to the parties on the right. Have a good week!

Look what I got!

I was featured on two prominent crafty blogs this weekend for my Fossil Knock-off bracelet! Woot!

How exciting! Now I have to step up my game and post some more things worth reading.

Flamingo Toes



Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hypo



Thanks ladies!!

Where does the time go?

I had planned to make another necklace with a tutorial this week, but time has snuck up on me and that's not going to be accomplished before the weekend.
House hunting has really got me fried. Plus a plethora of things going on in our personal life and our church life really has me distracted.

I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and I thank Him everyday that He has given me the strength to not give up or give in. Which I could very easily do.
I just remember to pray to the Father and thank Him everyday and turn to Him FIRST when something seems to slide downhill. Frankly, it's comforting to know that when life gets chaotic and directionless, God is right there, looking down on it all saying "This. This is easy. I got it."

So when one of your best friends suddenly tells you she is moving to the other side of the country because God lead her there, you can take comfort in the Lord and thank the internet for keeping everyone in contact with one another. :)

I'm praying that life slows down soon. I don't get a summer vacation anymore but my life does revolve around the school calendar. With hubby being a teacher and now teaching a BSF children's class myself, I keep busy from September to May. A vacation at home would be a welcome change. I've got so many projects to try and a house to find. The weekends just aren't long enough!!

New project to come soon!!

Fossil Knock-off Bracelet

One of my favorite blogs to read is Flamingo Toes. This lovely lady has a quite a knack for making Anthropologie jewelry and when I was wandering around Fossil the other day I spied a bracelet and thought...I can make that!!
So here is my lovely attempt. I must admit it was quite fun.
Small disclaimer: some shots are far away because I was an idiot and didn't realize the macro function on my camera is for close-up shots. Apologies all around!

Here is their version:
It's called the Half and Half bracelet.
via the fossil website

Here is my version:



Fossil sells there's for $38, I made mine for about $7.

The supplies I used are readily available in the jewelry section of your craft store (and the fabric section).

Supplies:


-chain
-jeweled chain (can't think of a better name for this)
-cotton ribbon (ivory or white)
-embroidery floss or comparable thick thread in ivory
-big sewing needle
-jewelry wire cutters
-a decorative button (not pictured)
-patience

First: I took the cotton ribbon and wrapped it around my wrist twice, leaving two inches on each end for wiggle room.


Next: I measured across my wrist to see how much of each chain would cover the top of my wrist. It ended up being about six inches, but for wiggle room, I gave myself just over six and half inches.
Cut both chains with your wire cutters.



I cut two lengths of the jeweled chain because the one I found is not as wide as the ribbon.


Next: I folded the ribbon exactly in half and put a pin in the middle so I would know where to begin stitching the chains on.


Next: I flattened my regular chain onto the ribbon and with my threaded needle, stiched down the first link. I had to pin the chain farther down to the cotton ribbon because it kept getting tangled. This helped greatly and I recommend it!


Then: Just do a regular stitch on the rest of the chain, trying your best to hide the thread underneath where the links are joined. This took some practice, but with the thread being the same color as the cotton ribbon, it isn't that noticable.
**Tip** I would recommend a thick chain for this project. You could do a smaller chain and probably layer it up for a different look, but keep in mind the difficulty of threading and stitching it onto the ribbon.





Next: After you have the regular chain stitched down, time to stitch down the jeweled chains. I laid both chains next to one another on the ribbon and stitched over one, went under and stitched the other chain down. I didn't do one big stitch across both chains. I didn't want the jewels to be too close together.


Again, you'll want to pin down the chain farther along on the ribbon so they don't get tangled in with your stitching thread.

Next: Just continue the back and forth pattern of stitching the jeweled ribbon. I recommend a movie or music playing in the back ground so you don't get bored.




Finally: At the very end of the jeweled chain I stitched an ivory button from my stash as the closure. The Fossil version had a metal button, but I like mine better.



--Downton Abbey on my iPhone, available on Netflix instant play--


I wrapped the bracelet around my wrist again and judged where I would need a hole on the other end of the bracelet to put the button through. I just clipped a small opening in the ribbon and put fabric glue (fray check would work too) on the edges, so it wouldn't fray.
I clipped ends, applied a little more fabric glue, and I was finished.




Knock-off complete! :)








I'm going to peruse the website and the store for more bracelets and necklaces to try. This was so fun!

I'll be linking here: