Succulent Hostess Gift and No-Sew Banner

 Hello friends! Today I'm over at Thirty Handmade Days with this super easy tutorial on a Succulent Hostess Gift with a No-Sew Banner! 

This is the perfect quick and easy hostess, housewarming, whatever-you-need gift that can be easily thrown together in less than an hour. Go check it out!!

Leafy Wreath

Finally a craft post! YAY! 

Here's the wreath I made to give away as a door prize at our school carnival this weekend.

I got my inspiration from this wreath I found on Pinterest forever ago. 

You can purchase that wreath here: Jane Joss Etsy shop. Be sure to go visit the Jane Joss shop. She's got some beautiful items. 

I made my leaves very similar to the way the Etsy shop owner describes hers, but I added a flower as well. It turned out really pretty. I like the neutral colors, but it would be fun in bright colors, too. And especially in fall colors during the fall. 

It was a pretty quick Friday night project. And I was happy to hear a friend of mine at school won the wreath. She said it would match her current decor perfectly. 

I decided to make a tag last minute. I'm loving my new polka dot stamp.

Hope you love this leafy wreath as much as I do. I needed something a little different and this one was fun to make. I'd like to keep experimenting with it and do some other variations with colors and different flowers. 

Thanks for reading and have a great week! See you again soon! 

Necklace Refashion 2: Interchangeable Flowers

Hey everyone! 

 So it's been awhile since I've posted a real tutorial. Too much other life things happening. Like grad school. And teaching. And...well that's mostly it really, but - whew - those two things are kinda taking over right now. Since it's been so long without a great tutorial, It's high time you get something awesome. So here it is. Or at least I think so. :) 

I hope you enjoy this Interchangeable Flower Necklace Refashion! 

Okay, so the name is a little long, but that's okay. I'm long-winded so it works. 

I've gotten lots of compliments when I wear this necklace. You will, too if you make one! 

The necklace on the far left is what I started with. I lengthened it and added a flower that is interchangeable! 

 How much more fun is that necklace now! And you can change out the flowers to whatever you want!! I love multiple options!! 

 If you've been to my blog before you might have seen that I actually already refashioned this necklace earlier this week. Who would have thought I could do it again!
If you missed the first refashion, go check it out! 

The necklace that I started with had been sitting on its hook for years untouched. It was in good shape and had nice beads on it so I decided it just needed a redo. This necklace is very easy-even if you've never made jewelry before. All materials can  be found relatively cheap at your Hobby Lobby or Michael's store. 

Materials:

1. Bent nose pliers

2. Flat nose pliers

3. Jump rings

4. small link chain (only about 4-6 inches worth)

5. Lobster clasps (I used two small and one large, but It doesn't really matter)

6. Filigree

7. Large link chain (13 inches, cut in half)

8. Felt circles that match the back of your fabric flower

9. Old necklace (mine was 16 inches long)

10. Fabric flowers you made or bought (not pictured above)

11. Hot glue (not pictured)

Let's get started! 

1. Take apart the old necklace.

Open the jump ring by holding one side of the ring with one set of pliers and holding the other side of it with your other set of pliers and simply pull apart. Your bent nose pliers are thinner and easier to work with so I usually position my flat nose pliers in my left hand to hold the jump ring stationary and then I use my bent nose pliers in my right and let them do most of the work. Here's my deconstructed necklace. I think I'll have to find something fun to do with that sweet little bow charm. 


2. Attach closure to the chain. 

My large chain was already cut in half and the perfect size (miraculously enough that was left over from a previous project!!) so I don't have a picture of measuring the chain and halving it. You need two 6.5 inch lengths of chain (if your old necklace is the same length as mine). This chain is huge and pretty strong so instead of cutting, pull apart a link (and then re-close it) to separate it into 2 pieces.

Now let's attach the lobster clasp to one end of the large chain. Open a jump ring (as shown above) and slide on the lobster clasp and the chain and then use your pliers to push the jump ring back together as it was before you opened it. Make sure it is fully closed. You don't want your necklace falling apart. That has, of course, never happened to me.... riiiiight. 

Then take your other piece of chain and attach the small chain to it using the same method. The small chain can be used if you want to adjust your necklace. You can hook the lobster clasp to the jump ring to close it or to one of the links in the small chain.

3. Attach large chain to old necklace.

Now open another jump ring and slide on one end of the old necklace and one end of your chain (whichever side you don't want the flower on) and close the jump ring back. 

1. For the other side use jump rings to attach the other two lobster clasps to both the chain and the old necklace. These will hook to both top and bottom of your fabric flower allowing you to change it out if you want. 

2. Attach jump rings to the top and bottom of your filigree.  This is what you will hook your lobster clasps to. The jump rings will help your lobster clasp lay flat.

3. Hot glue the filigree to the back side of your flower and then glue the matching felt circle on top of it. Only glue on the middle on top of the filigree and out to the edges of the felt circles on the sides only. Leave top and bottom unglued as shown so the felt can be pulled back to reveal your jump rings.

4. Attach lobster clasp on the old necklace to the bottom of your flower and attach the lobster clasp on to the chain to the top of your flower. Now let the felt fall back and your lobster clasps are hidden! 

Done!

I like to wear my flower a little lower so that the necklace has an asymmetrical look to it. Also so the flower isn't all up on my neck. Ha! 

If you're interested in making this flower, go see my Chain Wrapped Rosette tutorial.

This one is HUGE, but I love it.

If you're interested in making this flower, it's just an extra huge version of this flower tutorial

Who doesn't love leopard and old buttons? 

This flower is made using my Scrappy No-Sew Flower tutorial with black mesh in the middle.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial!

Linking to the parties on my sidebar. 

Heart-Stitched Valentines

I know, I know. Valentine's is over. Like, way over. But I promised I'd share so here we are! 

These are the valentines I made for my kinder kids in my classroom this year.  They were too cute not to share with you, don't you think?!

 I love the way they turned out. 

 I simply made the printable on picnik and left the space at the top open for the fabric hearts. Then I printed them on card stock, rounded the edges, and zig zag stitched the hearts I cut from fabric onto them in a U-shape. Easy. 

 And I had to include a treat. I was excited to find these Fruit by the Foots so I didn't have to give them even more candy than I knew they'd be getting already! 

Even though they're a week late, I hope you like them! 

I hope everyone had a great Valentine's Day! And a great week!

Thanks for reading.
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A Last Minute Gift Idea: Pretty Packaged Christmas Candy

 Anyone else scrambling to get it all done? 

 Yeah. Me, too.

 I thought these fun and pretty packaged Christmas Candies might help some of you... I made them this morning. They are seriously an easy and fast last minute gift. I saw the packaging idea here via Pinterest. It's just a little piece of scrapbook paper folded over a ziplock bag, stapled on either side and embellished with bows. Quick and easy. And the best part is, if you're like me and hoard craft supplies out the wazoo, you already have all that stuff. 

 I got the recipe for the Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark at Hersheys.com. The one on the right is from the actual recipe except it's milk chocolate, not dark chocolate. I made a batch with dark chocolate, too, though, and I think I like it better. The one on the right is actually a bag of Ande's Mint Baking Chips (found at Walmart) melted and topped with crushed peppermint as well. I made it the same way as the Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark. It is crazy easy to make. Which is why I chose it. :)

 So pretty and festive.

 I made the first batch of these for coworkers and actually put them in some sweet holiday tins I found at JoAnn's for 60% off. 

 I thought I'd go ahead and make a couple more batches and fix them up nice for those unexpected gifts you always need. You know those kinds of people...a neighbor that pops over unexpectedly with something yummy for you and your family, a coworker who you didn't realize you were that close to gives you a little something, etc. You can make up several of these and hold on to them for the unexpected gift giving. And if you don't end up needing them, attach them to a gift you're already giving or eat them yourself! Believe me, you'll want to! 

Here are some of the other last minute gifts I'm attempting to make today and tomorrow...

Ruffle Scarf By Pink Lemonade

I've just made 3 or 4 of these sweet ruffly scarves. These are not the kind that keep you super warm, but will look oh so cute and stylish. 

I'm hoping to add some fabric flower pins to them, too, using the flowers I made here, here, and here, maybe. 

Toiletry Bag from Prudent Baby

And I'm hoping to squeeze in time to make another couple of these (I already made one for Mr. Lovie-and he is already using it!). 

Casserole Carrier by Homemade by Jill and Two Little Hooligans

And hopefully this sweet casserole carrier. Wish me luck!!

Thanks for reading.

Linking this post to the parties on my sidebar!

Threads and Rhinestones: Mixed Media Bracelets {Tutorial #2}

 Yesterday I showed you how to make the Thread and Rhinestone Bangle so today I'm going to show you how to make the Braided version! This is the second bracelet I made for my audition on SYTYC This bracelet is a little more difficult to make than the bangle maybe, but you can still do it!! I seriously love these bracelets. They are so fun and pretty.

Materials Needed

Four different, but coordinating colors, of chenille embroidery thread, about 2 1/2 times the length of the diameter of your wrist (depending on how loose you want the bracelet) I used about 24 in. and it was a little long, but it can always be trimmed.

Rhinestone chain (I bought mine when it was 40% off and I had a coupon at Hancock's Fabric), 8-12 in. 

Gold chain and antiqued bronze chain, 8-12 in. 

Large and small jump rings

2 solid (not like jump rings) connecting rings

2 crimp connectors (see larger picture below)

and gold wire (22-24 gauge)

eye pin and large pearl or bead (not pictured)

You'll also need all tools above minus the crimp tool.

(All measurements are approximate. I usually eyeball. And often I have to fix it because I don't properly measure. The measurements above may be overshot a little, but you can always trim the thread as needed)

Ok first you'll do the same technique to get the colors all mixed together like in Thread and Rhinestone Bangle Tutorial. This is optional, but I think it looks really cool. 

First you want to cut about 24 inches of embroidery thread from each color. Then you are going to separate the threads into 2 strands each. Each thread comes with 6 threads twisted together so you'll separate it into 3 sets with 2 strands in each set. Once you do that to both sets from the same color you'll have 6 sets with 2 strands in each set. Do that with the rest of the colors and you'll have 24 sets with 2 strands in each set. 

(please email me if you have questions. I know that's confusing!!)  

I don't know if my way is the right way to separate embroidery thread, but I always hold one end of the thread between my knees and pull the threads apart slowly. This keeps it from tangling so much. If it tangles, let it untwist some and be patient. If you pull too hard, it will knot.

After your thread is ready you want to put the threads together by alternating colors. On every thread you add, run your thumb and index finger along the entire length of the joined threads to keep them together to reduce tangles and knots.

When you're done adding all the thread it should look like this. See how the colors are all mixed together? 

 Cut each end for a clean edge to work with. 

Slide the embroidery thread through one of the solid connecting rings so that there is an equal amount on each side. These will make up two parts of your braid.

To make the third part of your braid you're going to put all chains (rhinestone, gold, and antiqued bronze) on a large jump ring. Before doing that you have to create a connector from the rhinestone. 

Here is the crimp connector. As the picture above shows, the flat parts that stick up are going to be folded down between the rhinestones to hold it in place. The loop will be under the rhinestone and it will help you connect the rhinestone chain to the large jump ring.

Fold one end down first using your (patience) and bent nose pliers.

Then fold the remaining flat part on top of the other. 

The back of the rhinestone chain should now look like this with the loop behind the rhinestone. 

Use your  bent nose pliers to pull up the loop a little so it's useable and place a small jump ring onto the loop. This step just makes the rhinestone chain a little easier to work with so it will lay flat like it's supposed to. (step not pictured)

Then slide the two chains and the small jump ring connected to the rhinestone chain onto the large jump ring and close the jump ring around the large connecting ring between the two embroidery threads. The chain cluster will act as the third part of the braid. 

Now you're ready to braid!

Braid as you normally would being super careful the settings on the rhinestones don't snag the embroidery thread. Make sure the braid is tight enough that it won't fall apart! Try to fit the thread in between the rhinestones when you cross over the chain cluster so you see as many rhinestones as possible and to help keep the braid tight.

When you have your braid done to the desired length, push all the embroidery thread to one side and run the thread through your fingers to get it nice and even and looking like a cohesive piece. 

Slide your cohesive embroidery thread through the other solid connecting ring and see where you need to cut the chain so that they'll lay be tight enough and not have any slack in them. Cut them with your wire cutters

Add a crimp connector to the rhinestone chain again as described above, then add all chains to your second large jump ring and close the jump ring around the solid connecting ring. 

Loop your embroidery thread around the solid connecting ring and pull tight. Use the wire to wrap around it once and twist the end around itself once. Do this very close to the solid connecting ring so you can work your way down. 

Here you can see the wire wrapped around itself once.

In between each wrap use your pliers (doesn't matter which one but I usually find I have more control with my bent nose pliers) to clamp the wire down flat. Be sure the wire is tight around the thread. 

A couple of wire wraps away from being finished, cut the excess thread off (not pictured) and continue wrapping the wire (and crimping it down) to enclose the loose thread ends. When you're done, clip the wire with the wire cutters so that the wire is in the middle of the bracelet and bend the wire in towards the bracelet with the bent nose pliers. The arrow above is pointing to the bent wire. 

Tuck the bent wire into the thread and up under the wire as shown above. I purposely made my braided part a little shorter so I could add that fun goldish pearl to the clasp. 

You could even wrap wire around the other side in the same manner and it would look pretty cool, too. I might do that next time.

To make the clasp like this, simply take the eye pin and slide the pearl onto it and create a simple loop above the pearl. See pictures below to make a simple loop.

Open the loop to connect it to one side of the bracelet.

 Connect the clasp to the other solid connecting ring with a large jump ring and use the other simple loop on the pearl to clasp the bracelet together.

All finished!!

And no, that bracelet is not made of hair like someone on Pinterest obviously thought at first.

See their comments here. I literally laughed out loud when I read those. Yikes. If I ever make anything out of hair you have my permission to call me seriously crazy and I'd hope you wouldn't read my blog ever again. HA! 

I'm really loving them. I wore one to school today. :)

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial! If you missed it, be sure to go check out the Thread and Rhinestone Bangle Tutorial that matches this one!

Thanks for reading. I'll be linking to the parties on my sidebar!