Send me photos if you make something fun with one of my tutorials I would LOVE TO SEE!!!!!
isn't this cute!!
Send me photos if you make something fun with one of my tutorials I would LOVE TO SEE!!!!!
some paint
Levi has been asking to do a paint project all week but I am not going to lie it's not always easy for me to say yes to those requests. Don't get me wrong coloring is one thing but he loves art and especially painting and he really likes it when I come up with a specific project but with three kiddos it can be hard to find the time to truly indulge him.
Yesterday I promised him some good messy painting fun but time got away from me and I kept putting him off and then next thing I knew it was bedtime. Chris told me that he sweetly mentioned after prayers that he hoped tomorrow Mommy would paint with him.
And he had a really hard day at swim lessons (today was his second day ever). He sat on the edge with tears in his tender eyes but he didn't make a scene just had a brooding look on his face and he kept looking at me and talking super quiet - I couldn't hear him but he would get embarrassed if I asked him to repeat himself. He gets so nervous and shy and it's hard to be the little brother of such an outgoing boy like Simon especially when everyone assumes you're the same age. I actually have to boldly say that they are not twins in his defense since he is still only three and a half but looks and talks more like he's five.
So when we got home I made a huge deal about doing an art project and it was just the ticket he loved every minute. We made rainbow hand print fish and talked about how he was going to practice being a fish at swimming lessons tomorrow then he told me he that he didn't get into the pool today because he doesn't know how to swim...ha it cracked me up!
I admit that I am always shocked at how much fun indulging him can be, he helped me make a kissing fish picture with thumb print hearts and I posted them on the fridge so that he can admire our handiwork.
A silly octopus too.
Seriously so easy - why don't I drop the dishes and the laundry basket and do this kind of thing with him everyday?
It really was sweet and although it was only about an hour total (including popscicle break :)) out of a crazy busy day it was a bright spot for me - a gift just waiting for me to partake.
the knock off necklace pattern
Supplies:
1. 8 colors of seed beads. I used black, white, light blue, dark blue, gold, pink and coral
2. power pro beading thread
3. two gold rectangle components like these
4. two open end bar links like these
5. gold chain (I used the plated stuff from the craft store but this is pretty too!)
6. 4 jump rings
7. chain nose pliers and cutters to cut the chain
*note I didn't use a clasp since this is an over the head length necklace
What I did first was connect the back chain to the rectangle and open bar links and then I clipped it all down to a black felt board. I eyeballed how long I wanted the chain by holding it up in the mirror and measuring how much I would need in order to make the big rectangles lay flat on my collar bone. If you have never done any beading before here is a tutorial on how to open and close a jump ring to attach chain and links together.
Then I cut ten long strands of the power pro (leave plenty of slack to tie them off) and tied them to one of the open end links before I started stringing the beads...but here is where I am going to suggest that you don't actually tie the thread on first. I had too since I was making up the pattern as I went along but if you use the one below it would be much easier to put tape onto the end of each piece of power pro and string the rows one at a time and then tie it all down at the end. It's really up to you though whatever works best for you.
Here is the beading pattern: (working from the outside in)
row 1: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 13 white, 23 pink, 23 coral, 30 lt blue, 30 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink
row 2: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 13 white, 23 pink, 23 coral, 30 lt blue, 30 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink
row 3: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 11 white, 21 pink, 21 coral, 27 lt blue, 27 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink
row 4: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 10 white, 20 pink, 20 coral, 26 lt blue, 26 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink
row 5: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 9 white, 19 pink, 19 coral, 24 lt blue, 24 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink
row 6: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 7 white, 17 pink, 17 coral, 21 lt blue, 21 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink
row 7: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 6 white, 16 pink, 16 coral, 20 lt blue, 20 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink
row 8: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 5 white, 17 pink, 17 coral, 18 lt blue, 18 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink
row 9: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 3 white, 15 pink, 15 coral, 16 lt blue, 16 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink
row 10: 10 white, 4 black, 3 white, 5 black, 5 white, 3 black 2 dk blue, 3 coral, 5 gold, 3 coral, 5 dk blue, 5 black, 6 dk blue, 15 grey, 2 white, 13 pink, 13 coral, 15 lt blue, 15 dk blue, 8 gold, 10 black, 18 white, 4 black, 6 pink, 4 black, 6 lt blue, 4 black, 22 pink
After you have strung each row of beads simple tie a few tight overhand knots right onto the open end link so that all of the beads are as snug and even as possible. Before you trim the extra thread string it back down the row to hide the ends and then cut.
I hope this helps those of you who were really interested in the process. I know this isn't a step by step with photos I didn't really take many but would be so happy to answer any questions in the comment section that you might have!
holiday weekend
so far ours is started off with breakfast on the deck soaking in the sunshine - this morning I had kashi with chocolate almond milk, fresh blueberries and french press
but I am dreaming about the vintage manual espresso machine my sweetie totally scored for me on ebay last night - I screamed with glee when he won a deal is hard to find
an adventure for the boys with Auntie Katie and Nana to the beach
a long training ride for Mr. Gough (STP is next weekend!)
a nap for the littlest one in our home
about fifteen loads of laundry and a very, VERY messy house for Mama to tackle
but I am taking a moment to breath deep, smell the summer air and look forward to what
promises to be a magical long holiday weekend.
I hope yours is safe and blessed however it takes shape. I will be back on Tuesday
(after swim lessons for the boys of course - um can we say excited!)
Happy Independence Day Friends!
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