More Chunky Jewelry

I've got some sewing projects in the wings - trying to finish up some projects that have been sitting around part way done.  But they're not ready to "unveil" yet.  So in the mean time, the Gem Faire was in town this weekend and since I hadn't been in a while, we went over for a few hours and I ended up with some very cute beads.  They were calling to me so I came right home and starting creating.

Up first - I have been wanting a long solid red coral necklace forever.  These beads are about 7/8" long each making the necklace about 28 inches long total.  I can't wait to wear it this week!

 Next - a purchase on a whim, but it may turn out to be my favorite creation of the bunch.  These are dyed tree nuts and I just couldn't resist the color.  Total length - about 24 inches.  This necklace is going to work with me tomorrow! 

Third - this is part sterling silver, part pewter beads.  But I had been wanting to add another simple silver tone bracelet to my collection for awhile. 

And this bracelet is made up of smokey quartz, citrine, amethyst, and rose quartz beads.  I feel some pastel days coming along this spring and this is a nice addition for me. 

I still have quite a few other purchases to put together but I need a quick trip to the craft store to pick up more findings - up next, some huge pearl drop earrings that I have been wanting to make forever! And them a chunky yellow jade necklace.  I wear mustard/yellow quite a bit and it will be a perfect match! 

Bold, Chunky Bracelets

I've had a couple of strands of miscellaneous beads sitting around for awhile. You've seen them at the craft stores - a strand of coordinating beads that you can make whatever you want out of.  I bought them thinking they would make great necklaces or bracelets.  I finally decided to sit down the other night and play with them.  Both sets of beads decided they wanted to be bracelets. 

Here is #1 - Black and sparkles.  The focal bead right in the middle is large and beautiful. 

 I don't know why I am so dang symmetrical.  But I just can't help myself.  I do love how it turned out.

I had two strands of white/clear/sparkly beads and they decided to become a multi strand bracelet, along with a strand of thick silver chain.  I was a little worried about this bracelet being "too bulky, too big", but . . . .

. . . . I wore it to work on Friday and loved it!  Super bold and chunky!  And a nice mix of coordinated beads all put together for you.  I'm really going to have to branch out of my comfort zone and make a non-symmetrical necklace with these coordinated strands in the future.

My Trader Joe's Visit

I'm in love . . . for real!  My state's first Trader Joe's store opened recently and it is located just a few blocks from my office.  The first time I went in was during the store's opening week and you literally couldn't move inside the store. I grabbed a few items and got out.  I finally took some time and went back a few weeks ago and truly fell in love!  Now I understand why everyone raves about Trader Joe's.  Such yummy things . . . and such a great variety. 

On a whim, I grabbed a package of their Harvest Grains blend and threw it in my cart.  When I got it home I read the label and decided to add some shrimp to it and served it for dinner the other night.  It is a mix of Israeli Couscous, Orzo, baby Garbanzos, and Red Quinoa.  Oh my!  The textures, the colors, the yummy goodness of it all. 

And after the traditional "That looks disgusting" from my boys, they were literally begging for more.  It made enough for two nights for all of us.  On night three, my boys were still asking for more. 

And talk about super simple and quick to throw together.  A big winner at my house!  Watch out Joe - I'm coming back for more.

Colors Quiet Book

Apparently my recent stint at "Quiet Books Anonymous" was NOT successful, because I have a new book to share.  This one is definitely too simple for my boys - it is targeted at a much younger audience.  But I had purchased the kit and pattern from Everyday Celebration's Etsy shop awhile ago and decided to whip it up . . . to add to my themed quiet book collection. 

It was definitely an easy project.  I used her fabric and trims and added in some of my own.  Son #2 opened it up after I finished it and started going through naming all the colors in Spanish.  So if nothing else this is working as an assist for learning a second language.  I'll take whatever I can get!

Anyway - here it is: 

The cover

Red/Orange

Yellow/Green

Blue/Purple

Pink/Brown

Black/White

Back Cover

 

Pretty cute if I do say so myself.

Airy Voile Scarf

I try to be a scarf wearer - they are cute and look so great . . . . on most people.  But most of the time I don't feel like I can really pull a scarf off - I'm not one of "those people".  That doesn't keep me from buying and making all kinds of scarves.  I found this really cute voile scarf "kit" over at Anna Marie Horner's shop and couldn't resist ordering one.  The fabric was even prettier in person.   The fabric cuts are perfect - 12" x 88".  I could have made an infinity scarf with it, but I went with just a plain old "flat" scarf. 

The fabric is so light and airy.  And it was easier to sew than I thought it might be.  (Hint - the key is lots and lots of pinning!)  I wore it yesterday to work and it was perfect.  And it worked up in all of about 30 minutes max. 

I love quick, easy, and cute projects!

Prepping for Valentine's Day

So I know my family and friends are going to see this and just shake their heads! 

 

I really do have a lot going on over the next few weeks and I wanted to get a head start on the boy's Valentines for school.  We did some web surfing to get some great ideas for cool boy Valentines and they each chose something they loved.  I spent some time yesterday getting all the supplies together and we finished them up tonight. 

 

So - YES - we're all done and ready for Valentine's Day!  And you know what - I'm not embarrassed!

 

Here's the information on what we did:

 

Son #1 choose these adorable "LOVE BUG" valentines.  Dandee Designs created these and so graciously shared them on her blog.  I absolutely love these - and I am not a big bug fan!  Tan card stock, a printer, glue dots, and some cute Toob insects are all you need.  They were super fast and a huge hit with the boys.

Son #2 wanted to give away Pop Rocks.  Actually, truth be told, he probably was most interested in having some Pop Rocks for himself.  Regardless, he choose these "YOU ROCK" valentines.  The Fickle Pickle created these and we printed them out.  Then we glued them to some fancy card stock (mat sized) and stapled on the Pop Rocks.  Hint - you can buy a package of 3 Pop Rocks at the Dollar Store.  

I love the blog world and I love people who are so creative and are so willing to share ideas and free printables.  My life has been made so much easier!  And now we're ready for Valentine's Day!  And that feels great!

A Winter Quiet Book

 It's no secret that I'm addicted to Quiet Books!  I've made a big custom one for my boys (see my side bar) and then made five smaller themed quiet books as well.   This is my newest one - Winter Wonder. 

 

And because I feel like it, I'm going to get on my soap box about quiet books for a second.  They need to be interactive - - not just cute to look at!  This one is slightly more interactive than the last few that I've made.  My boys are getting a little old for these simple themed ones, but they still LOVE their big book like crazy!  I'm too lazy busy to come up with my own patterns, but I sure wish those wonderful people who do offer up their patterns would make them more interactive.  I'll take what I can get though - I'm done complaining providing feedback for now.

 

I have a few patterns and kits set aside that I just haven't made time to get to, even though they are pretty basic.  I didn't want them to go unmade.  So I broke this Winter  Wonder kit open and ta da - a new book.  Sorry - the pictures are horrible - in the house at night, lots of white and a camera flash.  But the book is cute!  And son #1 did enjoy it for about 5 minutes at church today. 

 

The pattern and kit are from Shelley Wallace and you can find her Etsy shop here.  I find her patterns easy to follow and her kits are adorable.

 

 Here's the front cover.

 

 

 Button a snowflake.

See if the mitten fits.

 

 

 Lace up the ice skate.

Put some marshmallows in the hot cocoa.

 

 

Build a snowman - all the parts and pieces are inside the little blue pocket on the right hand page.  Son #1 gave this page his stamp of approval today.

 

And the back cover.

By the way . . . . I'll be attending a local QBA meeting this week if anyone wants to join me. 

QBA = Quiet Books Anonymous.