Birthday Preparations

My Sani is going to be 3 years old on July 2nd. We are planning a birthday party for her and we're really excited to begin our preparations. 

I was thinking more along the lines of princess theme, but since she has a mind of her own she decided that she wanted her birthday party to be of Daisy Duck.The whole theme colors will be pink, white, and purple.

While looking around Etsy and Pinterest I found a few inspirational ideas for her party.

We're thinking of having some cupcakes to avoid the mess of actually cutting a cake with some pretty little bows to match the Daisy Bowtique theme.

We also liked this cake (the 2nd tier) but something a little smaller and personal just for taking pictures of her blowing out her candles.

I went to Wal-Mart and found some pink and purple ribbon to match the theme ... and now I am so excited because I want to see if I can sew her a little outfit for her special day.

Then it hit me...I came across this website, Sew Like My Mom, and found an outfit I want to make her. Not sure if I ever expressed my LOVE for rompers. Well if I haven't, then let me tell you that during the summer I am in LOVE with rompers. I think they are so cute, comfortable and help you stay very cool. Since Sani's birthday is in the summer and we're going with the whole bowtique theme, I was thinking of some type of bedazzled romper with long stranded pearls like the one on Sew Like My Mom's blog.

Isn't she just adorable? Not to mention her little outfit and pearls. 

What would go better with this romper than a pair of matching sandals like these?

Paper Bead Tutorial

Every little bit counts. Therefore, if you have any scrap paper lying around, turn it into something special. At times I have had a scrap paper I enjoyed in particular and have saved the scraps off it to see what I can use it on next.

You can either use scrapbooking paper, decorative paper, magazines, or you can simply draw on a sheet of paper to create patterns. On this tutorial I chose to just simply draw on paper to create my own paper beads.

All you really need to create these paper beads are the following supplies:
Paper, ruler, pencil, scissor, wooden skewers, glue, gloss spray varnish (or I used ModPoge), cord for strining,  jewelry findings for creating a necklace/bracelet/earrings/etc and needle nose pliers.

Step By Step Instructions:

Step 1: Use bead templates to choose the shape of your paper strips. Rule strips on the back of your paper and then cut them out.

Bead Template Shape

Step 2: When you have cut several strips, you can start to roll your beads out. Begin by rolling the thick edge firmly around the skewer. Then run the glue stick along the remainder of the triangle and continue wrapping the paper around the skewer until you reach the end. Make sure the paper is wrapped tightly on itself and the end is glued down really well.

Step 3: Continue to roll beads this way until you have covered most of the skewer. Then rest skewer end on the edges of a plastic plate or container with beads not touching plastic to allow glue to dry. Repeat.

Step 4: Spray an even coat of gloss varnish over the beads. Rotate the skewers so the beads are evenly covered.

Step 5: When beads are completely dry, slim them from skewer and begin stringing together as desired. If preferred, you can knot the strands together instead of attaching jewelry findings.

Paper Beaded Bracelet

Beading Time?

After visiting my crafting closet, I have come to the conclusion that these beautiful beaded boxes need a little loving. I have been neglecting them and have not made a single piece of jewelry in some time. Most likely because between work and the kids and house work I really have not had time to frequent my crafting closet.

Perhaps this weekend I will get a chance to make something nice to be able to share with you guys. Maybe I'll even have a tutorial to share?! 

With these pictures I wanted to give you a little inspiration and color selection so that you too can feel inspired. Let's get inspired together, what do you say?!

Is there anything you would like to learn to create when it comes to jewelry making? Feel free to write me a comment or email me and I will be happy to do a tutorial for it.

Happy Beading!

Shamballa Bracelet

Here is the late Valentine's Day gift from my husband ;) I love my new shamballa bracelet. It's so cute!

Feeling Blue

Wearing my blue dangle earrings and flower ring

Ok...not feeling Blue literally, just figuratively speaking. Don't know what got into me today, but just felt like wearing blue.

Always wanted to do these...love nautical

O.P.I's Meteor Shower Polish

Love Bangles

I saw these and could not resist posting...perfect for V-Day!

It's just so cute and simple to make. You can find the link to this website here.

Things I Love

Just felt like sharing with you some items that I <3 ... some of these I own, other of these I wish I did ;)

AimeezArts Mosaic Stained Glass Rings

Fabric Beaded Necklace

I had this material on hand that really is for a curtain. I enjoyed the material so much since it has a natural sheen to it. I also had some large gold beads that I found rather difficult to put it into place of any accessory, it had been sitting in my bead box for about a year.

Figuring that this was the perfect opportunity to use it, I decided to make this fabric beaded necklace. I had a vintage pearl pin as well that had always called my attention and I was going to use it for a clutch, but it just looked great with this necklace...so voila!

Tools and Materials:

Sewing machine

Fabric of your choice

Thread

Sewing scissors

Chalk

Yardstick

Look Turner (or safety pin)

1-inch wooden beads

How To:

1. Use a thin piece of fabric (preferably silk or rayon).

2. Cut fabric so that the length is 55 inches and the width is 5 inches. (If your fabric isn't long enough, piece together two swatches to make the right length.)

3. Sew the sides of the fabric together to form a tube. Leave ends open.

4. Take a loop turner and turn tube inside out. (Or using a safety pin, to turn fabric inside out).

5. Take a 1-inch wooden bead and slide the bead to the center of the tube.

6. Hold the bead tightly to mark the center. Tie a tight knot on each side of center bead. Repeat process until you have about 8 beads inside fabric.

7. Sew ends closed on sewing machine.

8. Leave enough fabric on the ends to tie it around your neck (about 11 to 12 inches total).

Mustard Mondays

My uniform for Monday is "Mustard." Yes, we labeled all the days with the first letter of the day of the week, so next would be "Teal" Tuesdays, and so forth. We're silly like that I guess.

Well, since tomorrow is Mustard Monday, I found this necklace that was given to me, but was too boring for me to really wear. I got this brilliant idea to transform the circle into something a little more festive. I decided to turn it into a mustard color flower using my "Flower Pom Pom Tutorial."

I love the flowers because they can be used practically on anything such as: jewelry, clothing, purses, etc.

This was my boring necklace.

Cut out a felt piece the same size of the circle and glue it with glue gun.

Cut out around 15-20 circles of the same size.

Scrunch up each piece.

 Once you cut out the circles, hold it between all your fingers to scrunch it up in the center. Use your glue gun to put put some glue on the tip (bottom) and then glue one onto the center. Once you glue the middle one you will do the same all the way around that center one until you fill the entire felt.

Start with one in the middle and work your way around it.

This is it now!

I love it, what do you think?