ch78 hdc1 dct FPdc3 BPdc3, sc1 st, slst 4 sk3...Translation Please!

Is it possible to get bored when you have 3 littles under 3?

Affirmative.

We have been in our "Summer home" for 4.5 weeks now and with only a couple bags of clothing, some toys, craft and learning supplies for the littles, a stack of library books (also for the littles), and the  food in the fridge...not to mention a Mister who is studying all day, most days...the down time (did I really just admit that I have "down time"?) gets a little bit boring. If you haven't noticed by now, I am the kind of gal who loves to have some kind of project going at all times.

Well, I have always wanted to learn to crochet and thanks to this boredom (and this lovely baby blanket pattern I found on-line), I have finally had the motivation to do so!

Yesterday, the littles and I took a trip to Hobby Lobby (EEEE!!!) to pick out the perfect yarn and a crochet hook. What an absolute THRILL!

Later in the day, while the littles napped, I visited You Tube and found several videos on how to crochet.

I am now pleased to announce that I can actually read most beginner-intermediate level crochet patterns and am well on my way to starting my first crochet project ever!


Now it's your turn. What kinds of things have you always wanted to do/learn?

Mother's Day Gift Idea #1 - Bath Salts/Potpourri Sachet Tutorial

This Saturday I am going out with several other young mothers for an early Mother's Day luncheon. I wanted to make some sort of appreciation gift for each mother and came up with this...

It is a handmade sachet filled with bath salts (after all, we could all use a nice, relaxing, hot bath every once in awhile).

Note: You could use potpourri rather than bath salts if you wish for an equally nice gift.

I will attach a little card to each sachet with this picture on the front:

 ...a short personal note of appreciation and this quote on the inside:  
"A mother is the most important person on earth. She cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any Cathedral -- a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby's body." -- Joseph Cardinal Mindszenty 

...and directions for use on the back.

The inspiration for the little pouch came from this Brighton Jewelery pouch that I had laying around...

In order to make one of these little pouches,

you will need:

4 & 3/4 in. x 14 & 1/4 in. Piece of Fabric

2 x 20 in. Pieces of Ribbon

Thread (matching)

Needle/Sewing Machine

Safety Pin

Strait Pins

Scissors

Note: 1/2 yd. of fabric makes 10-11 pouches

Step#1

Cut the fabric and  ribbons to the correct size/length.

Note: I made 11 pouches so I cut all of my fabric and ribbons right away.

Step #2

Measure 2.5 in. down the length of the fabric on the top and the bottom (i.e. down from the top and up from the bottom at all four corners), mark with a pencil, and snip 1/4 inch in.

Step #3

Fold the side of fabric over, then down, and pin.

Fold it down 1/4 inch past the slit.

Step #4

Using a small stitch (I use "2" on my machine) sew over the flap using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

Step#5

Sew over the flap again using a 1 inch seam allowance (or 1/2 inch in from the last line of stitching).

Step #6 

Sew both sides of the pouch using a 1/4 inch seam allowance and turn the pouch right-side out.

Step #7

Take a piece of ribbon, fold it back an inch or so, and put a safety pin through it. Now, slide it through the hole on one side of the fabric then turn it around and slide it through the hole on the other side of the fabric.

Step #8

Using the second strand of ribbon, repeat Step 7 from the opposite end.

FYI...

Since you're all dying to know...my nail color is "cute as a button" by essie ; )

Step #9

Measure 1/2-1 cup bath salt into a baggie/individual baggies.

Don't say a word! I am well aware that this looks highly illegal...but it is bath salt...I promise.

Step #10

Place the baggie(s) into the pouch(s), pull ribbons, and tie them in a bow!

So, would you like to know how much this project cost?

The fabric was $1.16, the ribbon was 45 cents/spool, and I already had the bath salts on hand (bath salts vary in cost...some are very inexpensive while others cost $$$) . The entire cost came to $2.06 + tax...which is approximately 20 cents per sachet!

Have a lovely Mother's Day!!!

Earring Tutorial - Turquoise Beads

This past weekend I made a new pair of turquoise earrings from a necklace that I made several years ago...and NEVER actually wore.

 Would you like to learn how to make a pair? Read on!

You Will Need

Beads (you choose the color)

Beading Pliers

Earring Hooks

Beading Wire

Crimp Beads

Metal Loops (IDK what these are actually called but you'll see what I mean)

Here is the necklace...

I wanted to reuse all of those beautiful beads so I just snipped it with a pair of these...

Beading Pliers

...and then I started my project.

Step #1

Straiten/flatten the loop on your earring hook so that you can remove the existing bead(s) and add one of your "new" beads.

Step #2

Using the flat part of your pliers, bend the wire backwards and then, using the round part of your pliers, recreate a loop at the base of the earring hook.

Step #3

Take the metal loop and link it to the earring loop (you will have to open it slightly and then clamp it back together so that there is no space/gap. If you leave a space/gap then your link will easily break causing your earrings to fall apart).

Metal Loop

Step #4

String colorful beads of your choice onto the beading wire (this may look thick but it actually very thin and very flexible and easy to work with). I used 5 beads for the inner loop and 9 beads for the outer loop (depending on the size of beads that you are using you may want to use more or less).

Note: You can find beading wire at most craft stores and sometimes at Wal-Mart.

Step #5

Take your crimp bead and string all (4) of the wire ends through it.

Note: You can find crimp beads at most craft stores and sometimes at Wal-Mart.

Crimp Bead

Step #6

Now string all (4) of the wire ends through the metal loop, bend them around the loop and back through the crimp bead.

Tip: When stringing them through the crimp bead for the second time, it helps to push each wire through separately rather than all at once...it's a bit of a tight fit.

Step #7

Using the flat part of your pliers, squeeze the crimp bead flat over all the wires.

Step #8

Cut off all of the loose ends as close to the crimp bead as possible.

Tip: I have found that you can get a closer cut with a sharp pair of scissors than the wire cutter on the pliers.

Taa Daa!!!

 I just love the way they turned out and will be wearing them all Spring and Summer! I am planning to use the leftover beads to make a matching, double strand bracelet. 

Don't you think these would make a fabulous gift?

Happy jewelery making!