My Deborah turned 10!

I can't believe my baby is so big!  She's double digits now!

This year, Deborah wanted a 'Brave' themed birthday.  The girls just saw the movie, and are in love with Merida and Elinor.  I admit, this is a princess I can be happy about them copying.

It Worked!

Deborah's Birthday party with her friends is tomorrow, and she wanted cupcakes.  I thoroughly enjoy making cupcakes, but last time it got kind of expensive.  Cake, frosting, pastry bag, candy to decorate, boxes to carry the cupcakes....  So I decided to see how much money I could save this time around.

The pastry bag to decorate her cupcakes cost $6 last year, and split out right before I was done.  I read on Pinterest that I could use a zip-Lock bag as a pastry bag.  Here's the fancy one I found on-line, which cost more like $20...

Here's the cheapy one I made using a zip-Lock bag, tips I already owned, and a rubber band.

And here's the results: 

It's not professional quality, but they are pretty and we had fun working together.  We are both quite happy and satisfied.

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I share a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.

*****

1) School is Out!

Thursday was the last day! We had a picnic with hot dogs, chips & cookies and a slip n' slide.  Fun was had by all.

Abigail and Deborah with a couple of school friends

Abigail spent so much time on the Slip'n Slide

2) Deborah turns 10 today!

I can't believe my little girl is going to be ten.  I remember sleeping curled up around her when she was a new-born.

3) Farmer's Market!

Today is our first day back since last summer, and we are both pretty excited.  Hope to see you at the market! 

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I share a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) School is Almost OUT!

I LOVE the last 2 weeks of school.  We have four more days left, and I'm as giddy as the kids.

2) Doctor Who!
We're watching more Time Lord adventures while we bead and I'm loving it.

3) The snow has mostly melted.
We've got a little pile left in our front yard, a big pile in the back yard and a larger pile left at school, but most of it is gone.  This has been the longest winter I remember ever living through in Fairbanks.
I am so tired of the snow!
Mind you, it is snowing outside RIGHT NOW.  But the temperature is supposed to go up and stay up after this weekend.  My fingers are crossed.

Getting My Craft On! - Menu Board

I admit it- I'm not crafty.  Yes, I make jewelry, but that's about it.  I rarely use scissors, glue or paper for anything other than lists or stuff for the girls to do.

But I found this amazing idea on Pinterest- it's a menu board by Sarah Potter, and it is beautiful.
Here's hers:

Isn't it beautiful?  She used an old cookie sheet and covered it with fabric.

So, I copied her idea. I found a magnetic, dry erase board at Walmart for about $5.  Then I used hot glue and covered it with fabric.  I found the cute clothes pins in the office supplies at Walmart, too.  I hot-glued my letters on the pins, then hot-glued them on the board.

Sarah's is a lot prettier, but I'm very proud of my crafty self. 

My success makes me want to try again, and do something else crafty!  Maybe I can do some things with the girls this summer.  Just one thing a week or so.  I'm not very brave or creative with the whole 'crafty' thing; however, there are FABULOUS craft ideas on Pinterest and I want to make this summer fun and more organized.  I hate getting to the end of the summer and trying to remember what we did with all that time.

Saturday Smiles

On Saturdays I share a couple of things that have made me smile over the last week.
*****

1) Beading!
I've been beading and experimenting with some different styles.  And having fun!  Here's another couple of new pieces I have made over the last week.

I fought with the pendant/dangle on this chain necklace for so long!

I could not get it to behave...  It kept twisting and turning and behaving badly.

I like the result, but somehow it doesn't look like what I had in mind.  I'll probably give it a couple weeks of rest and then go back and see how I can change it to look like what I saw in my head.

Earrings to match.

Even while I was fighting with the beads and cursing them, I was still having fun!  And that is a very good thing.

2) Only 9 days left of school!

I am so looking forward to summer this year.  It feels like the winter has been never-ending.  

3) The snow is MELTING!!

We've had a VERY late spring here in Fairbanks, Alaska, and everybody is so tired of snow.  Here's a picture of the playground from two days ago.

The snow has normally been melted for about a month by now.  We're all VERY frustrated with the never-ending winter...  But the temperature outside right now is 38F and is expected to be in the 40's tomorrow.  Which is snow melting weather! HALLELUJAH!!!

Friday is My Fun Day! - Midnight Lagoon Necklace

I'm trying something a little new.  I saw these wonderful flower lei-style necklaces somewhere on Pinterest, and it inspired me to try adding some silk flowers to my designs.  I'm not sure yet how they will sell, so right now I'm all a-flutter about them- nervous and kind of excited.

I used Swarovski crystals and blue pearls with the silk flower.

A Close-up of the flower construction- 

I wired it all together with a loop on the back to secure it to the necklace.

I have TERRIBLE luck trying to photograph clear crystals.  No matter what I do the sparkling clarity of Swarovski crystals totally throw my camera for a loop.  I love my camera and it normally does a great job, but not with black beads or clear Swarovski crystals.  Very frustrating.

Bead Soup Blog Party Follow-Up Piece

I made another piece with Michelle's wonderful soup!  I used the last piece of Carnelian and created a fun wire hoop pendant.

I added some wonderful Jasper to the chain, and ended up with a fun & elegant necklace.

I am delighted with the weight and feel of the chain and pendant.

Thank you, Michelle!