I'm guest blogging my book necklace over at Scene of the Grime today. (How cool is that name?)
Come on over and check out this cool lady!!!
Have a great day! :)
I'll leave you with this little gem.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
On the homefront
My hubby and I are getting closer to landing our new home. Very exciting times ahead!
The one we are very interested in is in a beautiful neighborhood and has big trees, a neighborhood park, tennis courts and is easy access to the highways and good shopping areas without being noisy.
With that being said, the budget is tighter so I couldn't buy the latest book for my book club because it was still in hardback and was pretty pricey. But I did read the free sample on Amazon and it sounds really good. When it becomes available at the library**, I'll be picking it up.
**Our local library system had only four copies (FOUR!!!!) of this book and all were checked out or reserved pretty quickly, so I didn't get the chance to read it in our allotted two week period for each book. Sad day.
And with the possibility of buying a house and moving, there could be a limited amount of blog posts in the coming months, just giving a fair warning.
I do love posting tutorials and stories for you guys so I'm not abandoning it.
I'll keep praying for my house and for you guys. I hope you're all doing well!
TTFN! :)
The one we are very interested in is in a beautiful neighborhood and has big trees, a neighborhood park, tennis courts and is easy access to the highways and good shopping areas without being noisy.
With that being said, the budget is tighter so I couldn't buy the latest book for my book club because it was still in hardback and was pretty pricey. But I did read the free sample on Amazon and it sounds really good. When it becomes available at the library**, I'll be picking it up.
**Our local library system had only four copies (FOUR!!!!) of this book and all were checked out or reserved pretty quickly, so I didn't get the chance to read it in our allotted two week period for each book. Sad day.
And with the possibility of buying a house and moving, there could be a limited amount of blog posts in the coming months, just giving a fair warning.
I do love posting tutorials and stories for you guys so I'm not abandoning it.
I'll keep praying for my house and for you guys. I hope you're all doing well!
TTFN! :)
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Lacy cuff bracelet
I originally made this cuff bracelet months and months ago, but I'm just now getting around to make a tutorial for it. Mostly because a friend requested one and I'll show you how to make one using hers.
I don't know where the idea came from. I think I was just experimenting.
It's girly, has bling, yet is still sophisticated.
Here's what you need:
-one sheet of felt (any color you choose)
-your favorite lace trim (enough to wrap your wrist once)
-needle and thread that matches your felt
-variety of beads, small charms, old jewelry pieces, costume jewelry rings
-a button
-elastic (it would look best if it matched your felt, but I've only seen elastic in black, white and ivory)
-E6000 glue
-fabric glue
First, lay your lace trim long ways across the felt piece. I pinned it in place and then trimmed the felt with just a smidge of excess on the edges.
Take the long piece of felt and lace and wrap it around your wrist. I like to leave about an inch space between the two ends when I wrap it around. This way I can have room for the elastic and any give it may need. Trim off the excess.
Save this excess, you will use it later!
With your threaded needle, start at the back and stitch the lace onto the felt. It helps if your thread matches the felt and the lace has big holes like the one I choose. That way, your stitches will nearly be invisible.
I followed the pattern of the felt all the way across. The pin definitely helps with sliding.
Just do the same on the other edges of the lace trim.
(nearly invisible stitches)
Next arrange your bling and beads and charms how you would like them.
The big jeweled piece is from a costume jewelry store nearby and it was $1.50. I love these rings because the back comes off so easily and you can use it for tons of other projects.
One light twist with my pliers and it was off!
Since the jeweled piece has no backing now, I glued it on with E6000. This is amazing glue.
[SIDE BAR] If there is one thing I advocate in your craft stash, it's a wide variety of glues and adhesives. You can just do so much with them!
[END SIDE BAR]
I stitched on the rest of the pearls, bead and charm. Try keeping it in the center of the bracelet because that is the part that shows the most. Just a little collage of beautiful things.
You could decorate this with a cameo or a pendant or do small collage with colorful beads. The choice is yours! My friend loves art deco and the curves of the jeweled piece and the black, gold, and bronze colors really evoke that sophisticated style.
Next, pick a side and stitch on your button. Don't let too much hang over the head edge or you run the risk of snapping the button at some point in your usage. I would suggest putting the button and elastic on so it coincides with whatever hand you use to put your bracelets on. It can be kinda difficult for a lefty to fasten something that's built for a righty (is that what you call right-handed people?).
Trim some elastic to about three inches long. Fold it in half and place the two ends on the back side of the felt on the end opposite the button. I'd leave about inch long loop. You may have to play around with this to get it right for your wrist.
Glue (with your fabric glue) a big blob and take a the remaining piece of felt from the length you cut and place a piece, wide enough to cover the elastic, over the glue. Now the fabric glue will bleed through the felt, but it dries clear and unnoticeable.
I have also found that it's not the sturdiest with the felt, so I like to go back with my E6000 glue and fill in the spots where the felt sticks up. I could probably just start with the E6000 glue, but I like to use both. I'm weird.
Another option would be to stitch the elastic and extra piece of felt. If you can do it and hide your stitches, then stitch away!! This is just a bit of a faster way that I chose.
Let the glue completely dry. (And I mean, completely!) and there you have it.
A swanky, girly bracelet fit for a boutique. :)
The bracelet in the middle isn't dirty, the lace is ivory
Again, feel free to experiment with colors and beads and charms. It doesn't have to be the black and white like I chose. Felt and lace come in so many colors!
I'll be linking to the parties on the right.
I don't know where the idea came from. I think I was just experimenting.
It's girly, has bling, yet is still sophisticated.
Here's what you need:
-one sheet of felt (any color you choose)
-your favorite lace trim (enough to wrap your wrist once)
-needle and thread that matches your felt
-variety of beads, small charms, old jewelry pieces, costume jewelry rings
-a button
-elastic (it would look best if it matched your felt, but I've only seen elastic in black, white and ivory)
-E6000 glue
-fabric glue
First, lay your lace trim long ways across the felt piece. I pinned it in place and then trimmed the felt with just a smidge of excess on the edges.
Take the long piece of felt and lace and wrap it around your wrist. I like to leave about an inch space between the two ends when I wrap it around. This way I can have room for the elastic and any give it may need. Trim off the excess.
Save this excess, you will use it later!
With your threaded needle, start at the back and stitch the lace onto the felt. It helps if your thread matches the felt and the lace has big holes like the one I choose. That way, your stitches will nearly be invisible.
I followed the pattern of the felt all the way across. The pin definitely helps with sliding.
Just do the same on the other edges of the lace trim.
Next arrange your bling and beads and charms how you would like them.
The big jeweled piece is from a costume jewelry store nearby and it was $1.50. I love these rings because the back comes off so easily and you can use it for tons of other projects.
One light twist with my pliers and it was off!
Since the jeweled piece has no backing now, I glued it on with E6000. This is amazing glue.
[SIDE BAR] If there is one thing I advocate in your craft stash, it's a wide variety of glues and adhesives. You can just do so much with them!
[END SIDE BAR]
I stitched on the rest of the pearls, bead and charm. Try keeping it in the center of the bracelet because that is the part that shows the most. Just a little collage of beautiful things.
You could decorate this with a cameo or a pendant or do small collage with colorful beads. The choice is yours! My friend loves art deco and the curves of the jeweled piece and the black, gold, and bronze colors really evoke that sophisticated style.
Next, pick a side and stitch on your button. Don't let too much hang over the head edge or you run the risk of snapping the button at some point in your usage. I would suggest putting the button and elastic on so it coincides with whatever hand you use to put your bracelets on. It can be kinda difficult for a lefty to fasten something that's built for a righty (is that what you call right-handed people?).
Trim some elastic to about three inches long. Fold it in half and place the two ends on the back side of the felt on the end opposite the button. I'd leave about inch long loop. You may have to play around with this to get it right for your wrist.
Glue (with your fabric glue) a big blob and take a the remaining piece of felt from the length you cut and place a piece, wide enough to cover the elastic, over the glue. Now the fabric glue will bleed through the felt, but it dries clear and unnoticeable.
I have also found that it's not the sturdiest with the felt, so I like to go back with my E6000 glue and fill in the spots where the felt sticks up. I could probably just start with the E6000 glue, but I like to use both. I'm weird.
Another option would be to stitch the elastic and extra piece of felt. If you can do it and hide your stitches, then stitch away!! This is just a bit of a faster way that I chose.
Let the glue completely dry. (And I mean, completely!) and there you have it.
A swanky, girly bracelet fit for a boutique. :)
Again, feel free to experiment with colors and beads and charms. It doesn't have to be the black and white like I chose. Felt and lace come in so many colors!
I'll be linking to the parties on the right.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Movies on their way!
I've compiled a list (with trailers) of some interesting movies coming out soon. Mostly ones that I think look good :)
Cowboys & Aliens
By now, you've probably seen trailers for this so it's not new. I think this is such an interesting concept and it's blending two of my favorite genres, sci-fi and westerns!
Plus, I think Harrison Ford needs to foray back into sci-fi. It made him a household name!
Release date: July 29, 2011
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
The next in the Sherlock adventures with Robert Downey Jr. I think these are fun movies. Yes, I know that that they don't follow Doyle's creation exactly, but he's got a lot of the elements right.
Release date: December 16, 2011
Contagion
Contagion first intrigued me because of the cast list: Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow. What an all star (and expensive) cast! It involves an airborne virus and how rapidly it spreads. The story line sounds a bit like a rehashed version of Outbreak with Dustin Hoffman and Rene Russo. But after watching the trailer it looks so much better.
Warning, not for the faint of heart (or small kids). It's not scary, but does look intense.
Release date: September 9, 2011
Drive
I have a bit of a love for Ryan Gosling. He can just disappear into a role and I forget that I'm watching a movie and feel like I'm watching real life unfold. Give the man an Oscar! Drive is about a stunt car driver who moonlights as the getaway driver for criminals. Ooooh!
This isn't really a trailer, more of a small clip from the movie. I can feel the intensity!
Release date: Sept 16, 2011
The Vow
I'm not normally one for mushy romantics. I tend to laugh at them. I like classic romance movies: Pride and Prejudice, Gone with the Wind, etc. But I love Rachel McAdams and she is the only reason I kept watching the snooze-fest of The Time Traveler's Wife. I really like the trailer for this movie though. I can look past Channing Tatum. He's still hard for me to take seriously, but it could change with this movie.
Release date: February 14, 2012
Attack the Block
Ahhh, the Brits and their movies. I love them. The wit, the humor, the stories, the accents. :) Even if it's a movie about street kids fighting aliens, I'm all over it.
This movie has already been released but it was such a small release that most don't know about it. I'm still trying to find it in a local theater. I may have to wait til DVD.
Released: May 13, 2011
Adventures of Tintin
Who didn't love this show when they were a kid? So interested to see it in a movie and I'm really excited that Simon Pegg is doing one of the voices. (Look for him in the upcoming Mission Impossible movie, too!)
Release date: December 23, 2011
Netflix recommendations coming next week. (To watch before they ruin everyone's wallets)
Cowboys & Aliens
By now, you've probably seen trailers for this so it's not new. I think this is such an interesting concept and it's blending two of my favorite genres, sci-fi and westerns!
Plus, I think Harrison Ford needs to foray back into sci-fi. It made him a household name!
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
The next in the Sherlock adventures with Robert Downey Jr. I think these are fun movies. Yes, I know that that they don't follow Doyle's creation exactly, but he's got a lot of the elements right.
Contagion
Contagion first intrigued me because of the cast list: Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law and Gwyneth Paltrow. What an all star (and expensive) cast! It involves an airborne virus and how rapidly it spreads. The story line sounds a bit like a rehashed version of Outbreak with Dustin Hoffman and Rene Russo. But after watching the trailer it looks so much better.
Warning, not for the faint of heart (or small kids). It's not scary, but does look intense.
Drive
I have a bit of a love for Ryan Gosling. He can just disappear into a role and I forget that I'm watching a movie and feel like I'm watching real life unfold. Give the man an Oscar! Drive is about a stunt car driver who moonlights as the getaway driver for criminals. Ooooh!
This isn't really a trailer, more of a small clip from the movie. I can feel the intensity!
The Vow
I'm not normally one for mushy romantics. I tend to laugh at them. I like classic romance movies: Pride and Prejudice, Gone with the Wind, etc. But I love Rachel McAdams and she is the only reason I kept watching the snooze-fest of The Time Traveler's Wife. I really like the trailer for this movie though. I can look past Channing Tatum. He's still hard for me to take seriously, but it could change with this movie.
Attack the Block
Ahhh, the Brits and their movies. I love them. The wit, the humor, the stories, the accents. :) Even if it's a movie about street kids fighting aliens, I'm all over it.
This movie has already been released but it was such a small release that most don't know about it. I'm still trying to find it in a local theater. I may have to wait til DVD.
Adventures of Tintin
Who didn't love this show when they were a kid? So interested to see it in a movie and I'm really excited that Simon Pegg is doing one of the voices. (Look for him in the upcoming Mission Impossible movie, too!)
Netflix recommendations coming next week. (To watch before they ruin everyone's wallets)
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
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! :)
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:
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! :)
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