Washer Necklace



If I were to make a pie chart based on all of the time I have spent crafting in my lifetime, a giant chunk of that pie would be reserved for jewelry-making; however, small, metal pieces and beads plus an eight-month-old moving around and putting everything she grabs into her mouth makes for one VERY anxious madre! Needless to say, that pie piece keeps getting more and more narrow; however, every once in a while, I have a jewelry-making binge fest while my sweet pea naps. My most recent binge resulted in this washer necklace. I was inspired by a variety pack of washers I found at my local dollar store, so I got right to work on turning them into a super cute necklace using split rings and chain, bringing the total cost of the necklace to under $2.00.  Here are the steps I took to complete this sweet accessory:

The box of washers purchased for just $1. Whoop!!!

Materials:

-split rings

-chain cut into 9, 12-link pieces

-6 extra small washers

-6 small washers

-4 medium washers

-1 large washer

Instructions:

1. Cut chain into 9, 12-link pieces

2. Attach a split ring to the end of a piece of chain and a split ring and lobster clasp to another piece. These will form the necklace closure.

3. Attach one of the smallest washer to the opposite ends of each of the chains using a split ring and needle nosed pliers

4. Attach a split ring to the opposite side of the washers on each side of the necklace and connect to another piece of chain.

5. Continue this process with washers gradually increasing in size. At the end of the 7th and 8th pieces of chain, attach one split ring to each side and connect both rings to the largest washer.

6. Attach a split ring and the final piece of chain to the bottom of the largest washer.

7. Using split rings and washers of various size, attach them to the middle chain randomly.

And there ya have it, folks! Frugal and fab!!





Quick and Easy Gift Idea-Initial Frame

As a working mommy, I am quickly finding that two of my favorite words these day are "quick" and "easy." I am ALL about homemade Christmas gifts for friends and family, but this year has been trying, as far as finding the time and energy to make the elaborate gifts I once created. Fortuntately for me, I have accepted the fact that I can find balance in crafting and loving on my sweet little girl by utilizing her bedtime to create simple gift ideas like the one below.

Initial Frame

Materials:

-8x11 frame

-scrapbook paper (8x11 or larger)

-wooden letter of your choice (I used "B" for my brother's family, The Beavers)

-acrylic paint

-Scrapbook tape runner

Directions:

1. Paint the wooden letter using the acrylic paint color of your choice.

2. Adhere the scrapbook paper to the cardboard that typically comes inside of a frame using a tape runner (or glue dots or any other fancy schmancy glues or tapes used for scrapbooking). Trim off any access so that it will fit inside of the frame.

3. Adhere tape to the back of the wooden letter and glue it to the center of the covered cardboard (unless you're all about asymmetry, in which case, glue it anywhere!)

4. Place the cardboard back inside the frame. My wooden letter was very thin, so I was able to keep the glass in the frame, but it could be removed for a better fit, if necessary.

TA-DAH!!! I think the entire project took me about 20 minutes (not including paint drying time)! Here's to a low-maintenance yet fabulously crafty holiday!

A Nursery for Claire Bear

It is hard to believe that, in just a few short weeks, our baby girl will be here to meet us! On one hand, it feels like just yesterday that my husband and I discovered we were pregnant! On the other hand, I am going MAD waiting to see who she looks like and which features of mine and my husband's she bears. I can't wait to dress her up in the adorable outfits my relatives and friends spoiled her with, take her for walks in her stroller, and even change a gazillion diapers per day and comforting her on restless nights. Mostly, I just can't wait to have her in my arms and call her my own.

Needless to say, I have been desperately trying to keep busy in any way possible. Here is proof of my busy-ness in the form of pictures of  Claire's room! Enjoy!!!


My amazingly artistic sis-in-law, @Tiffany Beaver painted the tree and I added fabric leaves and birds to match the crib bedding. We're hoping  baby Claire comes out with lots of hair so that she can put the owl barette holder to the right of the tree to good use!

I painted the wooden letters to match Claire's bedding and hot-glued them to ribbon. Each end of the ribbon was then tied around a nail in the wall and covered with fabric-covered, wooden birds.

This plaque was featured in a blog post about a month ago, and we have finally found a home for it in Claire's room

Can't wait to put this glider to very good use. Notice the beautiful afghan on the glider, made by my fabulous mommy, @Jane Beaver!

Bird puzzle completed by shower guests assembled and displayed in baby's room. Love it!!!

For those of you who don't know me, I am obsessed with the use of Scrabble tiles in craft projects! I am passing on this obsession to my child!

Since Claire's cousins all live hours away, I decided to incorporate them into her room for her to think of them fondly when she can't see  them. Each one used their hand or footprints to create an adorable little character to add to her nursery decor! Also of note is the adorable picture frame to the left of the windowsill made by my aunt, @Julie Heckman and featuring the 3-D ultrasound pic of Claire!

A closeup of Alison's and Camdyn's nursery contributions-a birdie and an owl

Royce's, Derek's, and Adrienne's creative contributious-a butterfly, a frog, and a bouquet of flowers