make something monday :: fringe necklace

Happy Monday Friends I hope you had a wonderful, restful weekend!

The past few days I have been feeling my jewelry roots rising up again inside of me. I love making jewelry it is always my art form of choice and can be instantly gratifying with only a few tools and supplies! This morning I got out my pliers and some chain and came up with this little fringe necklace. Seriously so easy and in my opinion the perfect statement piece to welcome spring dresses into the mix!

Here is what I did:

For this necklace you will need the most basic jewelry tools - wire cutters and two sets of pliers. You also need chain, small jump rings and a clasp. You can purchase gold or silver plated chain at your local craft store for only a few dollars as well as low end jewelry tools. If you are interested in really getting into wire work a more expensive set of tools is nice but not necessary. And I recommend Fusion Beads as well as an amazing resource for your jewelry making supplies!

1. Cut a long piece of chain that will be your base mine is 26" - then cut a second piece about 3.5" and attach it directly to the center of the long base chain using a small jump ring.

2. The secret to opening and closing jump rings without badly misshaping them is to use two different sets of pliers grip one on each side and gently move the right side up and the left side down in a back and fort sort of motion. This will ensure your jump ring stays nice and round. Now slip the jump ring through the end of the chain and the onto the center of the base chain. Close the jump ring in the same way you opened it using both sets of pliers again.

3. Now you want to cut pieces of chain two at a time that measure just a few links smaller than each chain before. Moving up each side evenly adding chains at every other link intervals. My necklace ended up with 21 lengths of chain so 10 on each side of the longest center chain.

4. Lastly add a clasp to the back of your necklace with two small jump rings and throw it on with your cutest floral dress or t-shirt!!

I hope you enjoy this easy little necklace tutorial - let me know if you have questions I can answer in the comment section!

Find all kinds of other fun project ideas HERE!

for japan with love

there really are no words to describe the recent natural disasters in Japan my heart aches for those devastated by the earthquake and tsunami. I thought it right to pause for a day of silence to remember and reflect and  pray for the people of Japan. Go HERE to join in.

dinner at eight :: five tips on how to get the kids in bed early

This week Andi and I thought it would be fun to share our top five tips on how we get our kids to bed early while planning a date night in for our sweeties. It seems like a no brainer but after quite a few trial and errors I have found that being preparing AND preparing the kids seems to help the evening go much smoother.

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1. Tell them the plan :: I always try to make sure and tell our older two boys (age 3 & 4) early on in the day if possible that tonight is going to be a date night for Mommy and Daddy. It helps them prepare a bit, especially my four year old who likes to know the plan and feels much more comfortable knowing how the day will unfold. It's also a really great way to share with them how important it is for Mommy and Daddy to spend some nice quiet alone time together. Even if they don't say it I know that they are both taking in this information at this early stage. I feel good knowing that they see how important our marriage is to us - I know that my children feel so much more secure and happy knowing that their parents love each other.

2. Let the kids help with preparations for the date night :: Although my boys don't really get super into me getting all fancy and dressed up for Daddy (except they do notice nail polish :)) I am sure my little girl will love being a part of this part when she gets a bit older. But Simon and Levi have been learning how to build an awesome fire from their Father the past few months so they have been super excited about building our date night fires with Chris. Also setting the table, lighting the candles, helping make dessert...getting them involved helps them to understand that it is a really important and special event.

3. Put pajama's on early in the evening :: before Daddy arrives home. Even for baby Josie - everyone ready for bed early means no scrambling and mess making right before bed time. 

4. Plan something special for the kids to eat too :: Something super easy, yummy  and what they really love makes the date night special for them too - (chicken fingers and fries or pizza are big hits over here). Serve it up early, right after you get pajamas on and before Daddy gets home is a big bonus time saver. I will even let them watch a special show during dinner allowing me to finish up prep for the adult meal or feed and get Josie ready for bed.

5. Offer them a special reward :: A tip from Chris - he is always the one who gets up early with the boys and makes breakfast. He likes to tell the boys during bedtime kisses and prayers about something they can look forward to in the morning. Maybe plan an extra special breakfast of pancakes or french toast as a reward for going to bed early and giving Mom and Dad some quiet time together. This has also worked out perfectly for me because the last few date nights I have ended up with a pretty sweet breakfast in bed the next morning myself. I know not all husbands have the time for this last one but even rewarding the kids with a board game or bike ride the next day or an extra star on the star chart for a job well done could be just the little reward needed to help them go to bed early and not disturb Mom and Dad.

And what about you, what are you sure fire ways to get the kids in bed early? I would love to hear more ideas in the comment section and make sure to go check out Andi's five tips too!

favorites in lucky green :: Happy St. Patty's Day

Just a couple of cuties I spotted on Modcloth today - I am always a sucker for green and this dress has got me daydreaming about spring!! 

And check out this adorable lunch that our neighbor prepared for our boys this afternoon while we work on the house a bit more - seriously so cute! I have been humbled by all the helping, supportive hands around. Thank you to everyone for caring for our family during this difficult season - all the comments here, emails, text messages and hugs make a huge difference! xo

be back later with my dinner at eight post!

the grey

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A few days ago I glanced at my reflection in our bathroom mirror and spotted a huge grey hair poking out of my auburn mess. It made me laugh. I have always hated my hair more than anything. It has been a lifelong curse and no I did not adopt that mantra from Anne of Green Gables although her character has always been one I have related too. Actually as a young girl I remember lying in bed at night pleading with the Lord to make my hair long and straight. Mine is frizzy and oh so curly and unruly – and well, it’s red so pretty much junior high was not my fav. At just under 5’8” I weighed about a hundred pounds and my hair was about half of that weight. Ronald McDonald and I could have been cousins.

A couple of times I took to writing letters to God in detail explaining how he had messed up and had given me the wrong hair. No one in my family has red OR curly hair so it must have been meant for some other child but certainly not me. I would address the letters and everything and place them on the highest shelf in my closet so that the angels would retrieve them and hand deliver them to the Lord himself (true story)...but every morning I would wake up and reach up and touch my hair to see if it was different – It never did turn long and straight.

A life long curse I tell you.

When I found the grey hair I had actually gone into the bathroom for a tissue to wipe some tears from my cheeks after what has seemed like an endlessly long hard week for our family. The grey seemed to be the perfect reminder that I am indeed a full-grown adult now and many of the things on our plate are for real, major adult things.

Last week Chris found himself out of work. We have three kids and obviously I work inside the home so that means we are without any income. No insurance. A mortgage we were barely making with the job and no real savings. Plus we have been desperately trying to sell our old house for the past year and a half to no avail. So we have been forced to make the decision to sell our new home too.

We know it is the right thing to do as we process what God has for us next but it is without a doubt one of the hardest times we have seen in our married life. I vacillated about sharing such personal information here on my blog but have decided that it feels more comfortable to honestly share. Especially since I will not be giving up on things like our dinner at eight date nights or finding time to fulfill the crafty needs of my heart. I feel like it is easier to wear it all out on my sleeve and to live out what I mean when I say a bit of sunshine – even when skies are grey.

I am a grown woman now and have learned to deal with silly things like my hair. I recently was turned on to a treatment called Keratin Complex. It is a product made with lambs wool and a single application makes frizzy unruly hair softer and straighter without fussing around with irons and blow dryers. The moment I heard about it I was begging Mr. Gough for it but at $350 bucks a pop that’s kind of a big commitment. He agreed though after giving him my best “eyes” (you know what I am talking about ladies the ones that usually do the trick) and was beyond excited for my first treatment. While working on my hair this amazing sweet stylist was asking me all about what I do. I mentioned that I made jewelry as a side job and she loved the piece I was wearing. She instantly asked me if I would ever consider doing trade for jewelry instead of paying cash.

Um, let me think about it – YES!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me? This expensive hair treatment that makes my hair long and straight has suddenly become way totally affordable?

In that instant the Lord said clearly to my heart:

“I have answered your letters Rebekah. I love you and have not forgotten after all these years your desires for straight hair”

I am reminded by the grey that the Lord knows it all. He knows each and every hair on my head, he knows what job is next, he knows that there is a cute little rental around the corner for my family and I to decorate and love. He sees all the hard things and weaves blessings and joy in the midst of each day.

I wanted you guys to know where we are at though and that things might look a tiny bit differently around here for a bit. I am not going anywhere I promise but we are on a new leg of our journey and it is unfolding as we speak. We list our house tomorrow and have been working night and day to clean it and get it ready to show. We are also on the job hunt.

And God is good, he is faithful and he does know the desires of our heart. He loves so wildly and perfectly and lavishly bestows goodness on his children. I have much to rejoice over and am actually kind of excited to see how it will all turn out scary as it may be. And after all these years I like my hair a bit more now. I have worked hard at loosening my grip of insecurities around it. My husband loves it and the color has even turned into a handsome shade of Auburn. It’s not long and shiny and straight but it is mine and I know God gave it to me for a reason. I see it every time someone goes crazy for Levi’s wild curls and wants to know where he got them. I am beaming with pride over how perfect my children are to me. I see now how much more God’s love is for His children and how He has us tightly in the palm of His hand reminding me that he does not make mistakes.

Thanks for letting me share my heart with you, you’re all a huge blessing in my life.

make something monday :: checkbook cover

Happy Monday Everyone, it's a brand new week full of much opportunity and life!

This morning  I am excited to share with you a fabulous guest tutorial for my make something monday feature! Tiffany from news from the tree fort has generously put together this cute checkbook cover project for us. I love it - the perfect afternoon sewing project to re-invent something that we all use.

Now without further ado:

I don't know about you, but I can't seem to remember to bring my checkbook to the few places I need to bring it. I became convinced a few weeks ago that if my checkbook was prettier, maybe I'd bring it with me. It worked. Here's how to make your own!

What you'll need:

• two pieces of coordinating fabric cut to size 7 1/2 inches tall x 7 inches wide for the outside and inside of your cover
  
• two pieces of fabric measuring 3 1/2 inches tall x 7 inches wide for the flap pockets
  
• one piece of fusible heavyweight interfacing 7 x 6 1/2
  
• two pieces of fusible heavyweight interfacing measuring 3 x 6 1/2
  
• 3/4 x 14 inch strip(s) of coordinating fabric for the rosette(s)
  
• your handy dandy glue gun
  

Step 1: Cut your fabricCut your big pieces at the same time with right sides facing. It's quick and then you know they match up. Press your fabric after you cut it to make sure it's all just right. Make any "squaring up" adjustments.
Step 2: Press your larger piece of interfacing so that it is centered on the back of your inside fabric (the one that will be hidden inside your checkbook) following the directions of whatever kind you chose (usually on a lower heat setting, no steam).
Take one piece of your smaller pieces and press the interfacing to that there is a halfish inch space at the top of one of the long ends. Fold and press your fabric 1/4 inch so that it meets the edge of the interfacing. Fold again and press. You should not be folding the interfacing, just snuggling up to the edge of it. Sew along the edge of this fold. Repeat with the other small piece of fabric.

Step 3: Lay your inside piece right side up on your ironing board. Lay the two smaller pieces, right sides up, so that the edges match up with the lower edges of the first piece and the edge with the fold and seam facing the middle. Now, take your outside fabric and place it face down on the other pieces and press. You have made a little sandwich. You may now pin a bit or depend on that bit of pressing and steam to hold things together for you as you sew up your sandwich.

Step 4: Beginning 1/4 inch from the end, sew about 1/2 inch up one of the long sides of the fabric sandwich, using a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Back stitch. Snip your thread. Scoot your fabric so that you catch the last 1/4 inch of the small piece that's sandwiched in the middle (this will make the next steps easier), leaving a 2ish inch gap for turning. (These measurements are approximate. You just want to start that seam, leave a space for turning and then keep creating that seam.) Snip the corners leaving just a few threads between your snip and your seam. This will make your corners turn out nice and crisp.

Step 5. Turn your fabrics right side out.

This may feel like you are losing a wrestling match, but it will work out. I usually stick my fingers inside the gap left for turning and grab a corner to pull out first. You may need to jam your finger or a pencil into the corners to get them to poke out nicely. Tug and scoot it until it looks like a slightly lumpy checkbook cover. Press it out all nice, smoothing as you go. Where the space is, poke the seam allowance in and press so you can't see it's there. Then, sew close to the edge, all around the edge of your checkbook cover, creating a nice decorative stitch that also closes up that gap. Voila! You now have your very own checkbook cover!

Step 6: The rosette

Take a strip of coordinating fabric about 1 3/4 inches wide x 14 inches long. Press the end of the strip in half the long way. This will encourage your fabric to stay right side out. Tie a knot in the end, scooting the knot right down to the edge.
Hold the little knot in your fingers and twist a few inches of fabric into a cylinder and pinch between your last two fingers.

Dab a little bit of glue on the side of the middle knot and press your twisted fabric up against it. Give it a good pinch to encourage it to stay put. Repeat this process, gluing every 3/4 turn or so, to keep things tidy. You want to put your glue on the side, not the back or top of your twisted fabric because you may change your mind as to which side of your rosette you want to be the front.When you have 1/2 inch left of your fabric look at both sides of your flower and decide which you like best. Twist and turn that last bit of fabric to what is now the back. Give it some glue and a good pinch. Give the back of your rosette a good helping of glue and place it on your checkbook cover. You could also hand stitch it on there if you want, but the glue gun is so handy.

Tada! You won't forget to bring your checkbook to church or pre-school again!

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I love this! Chris and I have been taking the Financial Peace course at our Church for the past few weeks and have recently been convicted to start a cash only system in our home. This checkbook cover could easily be adapted to a cash/receipt sleeve too - so versatile!

Thank you Tiffany for such a wonderful tutorial it is an honor to have your contribution today! Check out Tiffany's blog HERE for more fun inspiration and her etsy shop HERE for adorable handmade bags!

And a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you too today Tiffany, have a wonderful day celebrating!!!!!! xo

{my march favorites}

 {one} - Lewy, {two} - Consider The Lilies, {three} - Jack and the Kumquat, {four} - Today is Mine, {five} - Unique Simplicity, {six} - It Only Gets Better, {seven} - In the Details, {eight} - Hearts and Scars, {nine} - Annalea Hart, {ten} - Stacy Bostrom photography

Wow what an incredible month you guys! I am so overwhelmed with the turnout - we have already had over one hundred friends join in for March!! There is still time to link up, the linky will be open for the next week so by all means keep adding your sets below. And make sure you get out there and check out everyones day, say hi - that's what this fun community is all about right - making new friends!!!

It was hard to narrow my picks down to ten but the photos above really stood out for me. Click on the set to enlarge and see the full collage. Some truly beautiful moments woven through your days!

THANK YOU to everyone who participated I am again already looking forward to what Aprils installment will hold. And a special thank you to Ashley from Under the Sycamore who joined us yesterday and mentioned the project on her wildly popular blog. I know many of you have found your way here via Ashley, she is such a talented woman make sure to check out her blog if you haven't already it is a favorite of mine!!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! I am still getting around to see some of the late arrivals to the linky but I promise I will look at them all!!!

Happy Photographing,
xo Rebekah