DIY Karate Belt Holder - From the Archives

This Karate Belt Holder is one of my favorite projects from my first year of blogging. Partly because it's for my son and I don't make much for him. I tend to gravitate towards the girly crafts. It's really simple and easy to make. To find the tutorial click here.

For those of you who are new: In an attempt to be able to spend more time with my kids for the summer, and not too much time on the computer, I'm sharing something from my first year of blogging each week. I'll just have a picture or two and direct you to the original post for the tutorial. 

Terrific Tuesdays #74

My favorites from last week:

 Texas BBQ Mopping Sauce by Pink Recipe Box. I'm in the mood for some ribs now!

How to Make Custom Fabric Button Bobby Pins by The Aspiring Southern Housewife. SO Cute!

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting by New Mama Diaries. I really need a good frosting recipe - I'll be trying this soon.

Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

1. Link up!  No shops, or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment. 

3. Grab my button or add a text link.

Slide-a-Bead Necklace

 A few weeks ago I mentioned that I am now a Prima Bead Blog Team Member. A couple weeks ago I received my welcome package. Holy cow! They sent me a ton of supplies! I kind of just sat there thinking "where do I begin, there's too much" That didn't last long though and before I knew it, I had four different jewelry pieces made and I'm excited to share each of them with you over the next few weeks.

The first thing that caught my attention was the Slide-A-Bead Chain. It's from Prima's new Stainless Steel Elegance Collection. It's non-tarnish and hypoallergenic.

I'm all for easy projects and what could be easier than making your own necklace by just sliding on the beads.

Want to make your own?

Here's what you need:

Slide-a-Bead Chain
Pink Acrylic/Gemstone Strand
6mm Crystazzi Beads
Head Pins
Eye Pins
2 Silver Button Beads

 To begin, simply take off the jump ring at the end of the necklace. I find this is easiest to do with two sets of jewelry pliers. Grab hold of the jump ring with each pair of pliers and pull in opposite directions to open the ring.

Now it's just a matter of sliding on the beads. After fiddling around a bit, I decided the necklace needed some depth. So I made some charms. To make a charm, basically all you need to know is how to form a loop with your eye pin or head pin. {By the way, all the beads on this top part of the charm come from the Pink Acrylic/Gemstone Strand}

 Begin by sliding your beads onto the eye pin.










Cut the eye pin about 1/4 inch past the beads.





With your pliers bend over your eye pin. 





Using your round nose pliers and starting at the end of the pin, roll the it to form a loop.

I used the same technique to make a loop with a head pin and crystal bead. This time however, I attached it to the bottom of my charm before closing the loop all the way.

Now it's just a matter of sliding all of your beads onto your necklace, attaching the jump ring back onto the necklace and you're done!

What do you think?

If you liked this, you may like my other jewelry tutorials.
Check out my brand new Jewelry Tutorials Tab.




I am a Prima Bead Blog Team Member. I am also an affiliate of Prima Bead. I receive product from Prima Bead. In return, I create jewelry pieces from that product, and share about them through my blog and other social media outlets. All opinions expressed in this post are mine.

Girls Suit Jacket and Skirt

Back in May, I made this cute suit jacket, shirt and skirt for my oldest daughter. She decided she wanted to be in the Little Miss Contest in our small town. This was the outfit for the interview.  She had a great experience, even though she didn't win anything. She wants to do it again next year if they have it again.

I used Simplicity Pattern 4669. She helped me pick out the fabric. I really LOVE the green.  I had to adjust the pattern a bit to fit her. Basically I used a smaller size for the width of the pattern, and used a bigger size for the length.

I've never made anything with quite so many seams to match up, but it turned out great.

She looks so grown up in it.

And from the back.

What do you think? My friend suggested I enter it in the county fair. I think I may do just that. I'll let you know how it goes, if I do.


You may also like:
Winter Dresses
Jelly Roll Skirt
Girls Church Jackets
Ruffle Dresses
Darling Skirt
Sea Breeze Dress

How to Form a Loop

Terrific Tuesday #73

My favorites from last week:

 Double Chocolate Zucchini Cake by Or So She Says. I've already printed off this recipe to try. Perfect to use up all that summer zucchini.

 Lemon Mini Cheesecakes with Blueberry Sauce by My Biscuits are Burning. One word: YUM!

Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

1. Link up!  No shops, or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment. 

3. Grab my button or add a text link.

Terrific Tuesday #72

I'm sorry again for no features. I've been running nonstop all day. It looks like the next two will be much of the same, so I'm not sure if I'll be sharing much on the blog this week. Somehow everything seems to get scheduled for the same week. Does that happen to any of you?

Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

1. Link up!  No shops, or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment. 

3. Grab my button or add a text link.

Sewing School 2 - Product Review and Giveaway!!

I had the opportunity to review the new book Sewing School 2. {I was given the book in exchange for my honest review} You will have the chance to win your own copy at the end of the post.

The book is written for kids ages 7 and up. There are step by step instructions and pictures to teach them how to sew.  There are 20 fun projects to choose from. I liked that it was written for kids, in simple terms they can understand. There is a folder in the back of the book that holds all the patterns and even a ruler printed on the side of the back cover.

 My kids had a lot of fun with this book. I let them go through my fabric scraps and choose whatever they wanted to use.

My oldest daughter {age11} was the first to try it out. She had a friend over and they both looked through it and decided to make the Secret Message Pillows.  One of the rules in the book is "Nothing has to be Perfect" I love this advice - especially when you are learning.

You can see hers didn't turn out perfectly square, but that's ok. She is learning a new skill and she did it all by herself with absolutely no help from me.

My son {age 8} was next to make something from the book. He wanted to make the Sleepy Bear. This my son's first ever sewing project, so I supervised to make sure he got the hang of things. He cut out the fabric and then sewed everything himself, with the exception of sewing the opening closed. He made the comment to me "I really like to sew". That was surprising to me. He's very into all things "boy", and I wasn't sure that he would enjoy sewing. I'm glad he does - he may need some basic sewing skills as he grows up and moves away.

There was some hand stitching on the face that we opted to just draw on with a marker. I think he did a good job for his first time. More importantly, he gained confidence in doing something new to him.

My almost 6 year old also wanted to make a Sleepy Bear. She's just starting to read and a little younger than the recommended age, so I helped her quite a bit. She got to press the foot, while I guided the material. She also thought it was fun to cut the threads after each seam. Of course stuffing the bear with fluff was her favorite part.

I was really impressed with this book. It is easy for kids to understand. There are tons of fun projects that kids like and actually want to make. I love that it has patterns for all the projects - and a place to store the patterns in the book.  It's perfect to pull out on those "I'm bored" summer days. We will definitely be using it again and again.

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe - From the Archives

Chocolate Chip Cookies was one of my very first blog posts. My 4th post to be exact. It's still my favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe. If I need to make a quick dessert this is most likely what I will make. These chocolate chip cookies are the ones my grandma always made - if the recipe is still around then you know it's a good one.

You can check out my original Chocolate Chip Cookie post. There are step by step instructions and my tips to make these yummy cookies.

Click Here for Printable Version

Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe
1 c. shortening
3/4 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. white sugar
2 eggs
2 t. vanilla
2 1/4 - 2 3/4 c. flour
1/2 t. baking soda
3/4 t. salt
1 c. chocolate chips
1 c. walnuts, finely chopped (optional)
Cream together shortening and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and stir. Sift in flour, baking soda and salt. Add chocolate chips and nuts if desired.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased pan. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. Let cool on pan for 2 minutes before placing on wire rack to cool completely. 


For those of you who are new: In an attempt to be able to spend more time with my kids for the summer, and not too much time on the computer, I'm sharing something from my first year of blogging each week. I'll just have a picture or two and direct you to the original post for the tutorial. 

Terrific Tuesdays #71

Here's my favorites from last week:

 I love summer desserts and this one looks super yummy! Find the recipe at My Biscuits are Burning.

One of my favorite treats is ice cream. I've gotta try this one. Head over to Vintage Zest for the recipe.

 This is the cutest little outfit  by Coffee with Us 3.

Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

1. Link up!  No shops, or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment. 

3. Grab my button or add a text link.

Double and Triple Waterfall Braids - From the Archives

For those of you who are new: In an attempt to be able to spend more time with my kids for the summer, and not too much time on the computer, I'm sharing something from my first year of blogging each week. I'll just have a picture or two and direct you to the original post for the tutorial. 


These fun variations of the waterfall braid are perfect for summer. I think summer is the best time to experiment with different hairstyles, since we don't have to be out the door by 8:15.

Click here for the Double Waterfall Braid tutorial

 

 Click here for the Double Braid tutorial

Click here for the Triple Braid Tutorial

Necklace E-book and Warfare by Duct Tape Review

Today I'm reviewing two e-books. The first is How to Create Noticeably Noteworthy Necklaces by Julia Erickson. {I was given the e-books for free in exchange for reviewing them - UPDATE: This e-books are no longer available}

In it, Julia shows you how to make seven different types of necklaces. She has step-by-step instructions with clear pictures. This e-book is perfect for beginners as well as those of us who have a little experience with jewelry making. I loved all the different necklaces. I sat down one afternoon and an hour and a half later I had three new necklaces. All made with supplies I already had from other projects. You can't beat that! Did I mention they were easy to make too?

Julia also has a other e-books: How to Create Beautiful Beaded Bracelets and How to Create Easy, Yet Exquisite Earrings.


Want to see what I made?

The Basic Necklace - I made the earrings a couple years ago. I've been wanting to make a necklace to match forever. I sometimes lack inspiration. This e-book was just what I needed. I'm loving these fun beads.

The Even-Look Necklace - This one will match with ANYTHING.

And the Dangle Necklace - I bought these little black beads a few years ago, but I could never figure out how to use them.

The second e-book I'm reviewing is The Battle Book Warfare by Duct Tape. It is written by Julia's two brothers Mark and Steven. They have seven Warfare by Duct Tape e-books.

Now, I know this is not the kind of thing I usually post about. But when I received the e-mail about the e-books I immediately thought of my son, who always seems to get left out when it comes to crafting stuff.

We made several things out of the Battle Book, and I have to admit it was pretty fun. They were also easier to make than I thought they would be. They are made with foam so they are pretty soft.So far they've help up really well.

We made the Battle Ax, the Sword and two throwing axes. You could totally deck them out with different colors of duct tape. But as my son said, "gray is the real color of swords anyway"

Totally off topic, but here's a little trivia for you: gray is spelled gray in the U.S. and grey in England - yea, I just Googled it to make sure I spelled it right. And apparently "Googled" is not a real word.

 Anyway, my son has had so much fun with these weapons. My girls have even been playing with them too. We made them a week and a half ago and I don't think a day has gone by when my son hasn't played with them. Totally worth the small amount of time and money.

{You gotta love the frilly dress over camo capris.}

Terrific Tuesday #70

Before we get started, I'm super excited to announce my new partnership with Prima Bead. I have been chosen from 50 applicants to be a Prima Bead Blogger Team Member. You may remember that I've worked with them in the past. 

Each month I will be sharing new products from Prima Bead as well as tutorials showing you what I made with those products. I'm excited to be part of this new venture. I hope it will stretch my jewelry making skills and I hope you will enjoy jewelry tutorials from me on a more regular basis.

 Now...on to the party!



Here's my favorites from last week:

 This is such a cute little shelf. Go see the how-to over at Sunset Coast.

I love the fun colors of this quilt. So cute!! Go check it out at La gang a Nat

I love me a good chocolate chip cookie. These from Annie's Noms look especially tasty.

Now let's see all the terrific things you've been up to.

1. Link up!  No shops, or link parties please.

2. Comment, comment, comment. 

3. Grab my button or add a text link.