DIY Bracelet – What is it made from?

Thanks to the lovely and oh-so-addicting pinterest.com, my sister-in-laws Saige and Kendra got their craft on while we were all together for Thanksgiving.  Having caught a nasty cold that should have been considered it’s own category of sickness, I sat down at the table after the supplies were ready to go and simply popped a few beads in, tied a few knots and voila!  We had a pile of bracelets that are super cute, way fast to create and inspired by this DIY necklace idea that found its way to pinterest.

Yes, it’s made by using a men’s necktie.  Yes, it’s so cute (and lightweight).  And yes….it’s even better as a bracelet.  I have to come right out and say it.  Bracelets are an easy accessory to give – they just can go with so many more outfits than a necklace might.  All you have to do to adapt this necklace tutorial is:

1. use half the length of the necktie.
2. use only 3-4 beads and knots.
3. that’s all.

Even in my coughing, sniffling state I could still tie the thing around my wrist by myself (requires a little acrobatic creativity but it can be done).  Four fabulous gifts checked off Kendra’s list – all in one evening!  So whether you choose to create a necklace or a bracelet, you’ll end up with something fun, simple and oh so chic!

Activity Days – Gratitude Journals

I actually was saving this activity for a different time of the year – perhaps in the spring.  But when our guest instructor (apple pie baker extraordinaire!) had to unavoidably be away on Friday, we had to come up with something quickly and so I decided to pull out the Gratitude Journals.  I know what you are thinking – this woman is obsessed with gratitude journals!  Evidence of this being true can be found here and  here and here.

Yes, I am obsessed.  But as I told these fabulous 10-11 year old girls, gratitude is a magic trick.  If you feel like complaining, or being sad or your feelings are hurt or you think your parents are lame….think of something you are grateful for and it will change how you feel about yourself, your experiences, and your life.  It won’t fix whatever happened, but it will help you fix how you feel about what is happening.  That’s why it’s the ultimate magic trick.  A guaranteed way to be happy: expressing gratitude.

So why not teach these girls how to express gratitude each day with one little sentence in a cute mini gratitude journal?  It had to be done, don’t you think?  But don’t worry, if you want to use this idea don’t think that you have lost your chance simply because Thanksgiving is a few days away.  As I told the girls, this lesson is not about Thanksgiving.  It’s about how to be happy.  And that can be taught any time of the year.  Just pick a date sometime during the year.  That’s a good day for this project.

After a short lesson about where negative feelings come from and how to use gratitude to overcome them, we dove into the project.  We only had an hour to work with for the lesson and project and because I am new to working with these young ladies I wasn’t sure what their independent crafty ability was.  Therefore, I got the project ready for them to a certain extent.  They each chose a little kit created from my stash that looked like this:

It included:

• (2) chipboard pieces cut 3″x 5.5″
• (50) 3″x 5″ ruled index cards (found at Dollar Store)
• (2) strips of cardstock (I used double-sided printed) cut 3″x 10.5″ and folded in half
• (1) paper flower embellishment (3″ diamter is what I had on hand)
• (1) circle-punched pattern paper flower center
• (1) pop dot adhesive for flower center
• (2) ribbons cut 10″ long
• gratitude journal tag and THNX tag (click on image below to download the titles I designed for this project)
• glue sticks
• something to help them poke the ribbon through the holes of their journal

I didn’t want to deal with hole-punching at the activity so I decided to use an office hole puncher (more heavy duty) to pre-punch all the holes in the chipboard covers and the index cards.  I made each hole the same distance from the edge so that the chipboard could be turned either direction and still line up.  The ruled index cards got their holes punched on the left edge (same distance as on the chipboard) so they could use the lines on the cards for their journals.  When lined up, the chipboard extended about 1/2″ beyond the right edge of the cards.

I also didn’t want them to cover the pre-punched holes with paper or have to line up the paper with the holes so I decided to use acrylic paint to cover about 1″ of each chipboard piece where the holes where.  More work for me beforehand but easier during the activity.  And it only took about 15 minutes to do them all so I was ok with that.

First, using lots of glue, they covered the two chipboard pieces with the cardstock strips, placing the fold on the edge of the chipboard to help them make it straight.

Then they added the pop dot adhesive to the flower center and attached it to the flower.  They used glue to place the flower on the front journal cover.

To finish off the front cover they added their own name to the top of the “gratitude journal” tag and glued it to the front.  They glued the “THNX” tag to the inside of the front cover to help them remember the purpose of this project.

Finally, they made a little pile: 1) back chipboard cover 2)  index cards 3) front chipboard cover – lining up all the holes.  They poked one ribbon through each hole, using a friend to help.  To make sure the ribbon “binding rings” were loose enough to allow the journal to open properly, they placed a pen along the edge of the binding and tied the ribbons in knots around the pen.  After removing the pens, they had enough give in the ribbon to turn the pages.

With my partner, Jessica, lending a hand, it only took about 20 minutes to help each girl complete their journal.  We then challenged them to write something every day that they were grateful for.  Something short is great.  One sentence.  For practice, we had them write the date at the top of the first index card and make their first entry into their journals.  It gave us the opportunity to reconfirm how simple it was to do.  They realized that it took only about one minute to write something.  No hard at all!  I put my gratitude journal by my bed so I can remember to write in it each night and offered that as an option for them.  By filling in their first entry, they also realized that they could write more than one entry on each card.  They were definitely getting excited and catching on to the principle of expressing gratitude.  We even talked about how they might miss a day or two but to keep moving forward.

Final challenge?  Let’s see how we do writing down one thing a day till Valentines Day.  Then maybe we can make it to the end of the school year.  Little bites.  Doable goals but ones that require some commitment.  We’ll see.  I know the power of gratitude in living a happy life and I believe that the sooner a person realizes even a portion of this power, the happier they will be.

Why not learn it when you’re 11 instead of figuring it out when you are 30?

Happy Day to You

Happy Birthday to CC!  Or Aunt Carolie.  Or saver of our universe.  Or Cole’s third grandma – I can’t call her a second mother to him because she spoils him too much.  We truly do not know what we would have done without you and your family over the last year and a half.  You took on the role of babysitter to Cole when I got sick but then it turned into so much more.

Carolie, we love you and love you and love you.  Enough to have a professional photo taken of you with our little guy!  Now that’s sayin’ somethin’!

Also, check out my guest post over at my friend Beth’s blog, I Found Beauty.  It is fitting that I’m there today because Carolie truly is a beautiful person that we are blessed and lucky enough to have in our family.  Happy, happy day to you, CC!

Better Than a Band-Aid

My surgery was two and a half weeks ago.  I recuperated in the hospital for a couple of days then went to my wonderful parents’ for about five days for more recovery.  My fab mother-in-law stayed at our house to tend Cole and help out with quadriplegic Jason.  A trip to the pumpkin patch with cousin Max, a new set of racetrack with matchbox cars, and plenty of hugs and laughs made Cole’s week a heck of a lot better than mine spent post-surgery – even if I do love getting to just pick up the phone to order actual yummy food from my hospital bed.

Then we swapped.  I was healed enough to come home but not care for Cole so I headed back to my own bed while the little man went to party it up at aunts and uncles and grandma’s houses.  Just like with everything else, our family has to do things a little differently to make life happen.

It’s very true that my recovery has been incredibly good.  We are all substantially shocked and happy about it.  No, I cannot lift anything more than 10 pounds for 8 weeks, so for right now we also have different aides living in our basement to be on hand to roll Jason at night or shift him in his chair and all those little things that I used to do.  Let’s face it – it takes a lot of people to replace a mom.

I feel pretty good but I don’t really want to start giving myself jobs and tasks.  I keep up with the laundry.  I have made dinner a few times.  The house looks pretty good and I’m managing my online workshop that is going on right now.  Beyond that, I’m not really ready to do much.  I fall asleep every afternoon whether I am trying to or not.  I’m still healing.

However, about 4 days ago I realized that all this sitting and relaxing and recuperating was getting to me.  I started to get a little bluesy.  Not physically ready to have Cole back yet, I pondered what to do to get out of my funk.  Have you ever heard of a ride-along?  It’s when a civilian spends time riding along with a police officer or paramedic or firefighter…or I suppose any occupation could offer ride-alongs to allow someone to get to know their business.

With the thought of giving myself actual purpose, I texted my friend:

Me: Hey, are you taking Jenna to dance today?

Patty: Yes

Me: Can I come?  I don’t care if you have other stuff to do, I just need to get out….(etc.)

Patty: Yes – I will pick you up at 3:50!

Thus began the ride-alongs.  No agenda for me.  Whatever the person driving needs to do is what we do.  I am just along for the ride.  Four friends and four ride-alongs later, I am feeling great and ready for my little munchkin to rejoin our household today.  I can even start driving myself (practiced that yesterday) and since Cole can climb in and out of just about anything, I think we’ll be in good shape.  I can’t wait for our family to be together again.  I keep glancing out my window, waiting for Grandma’s car to pull into the driveway – excited but anxious because this is a big step in my recovery process.  Can I handle a two-year-old?  With playdates and naps for both of us, I think we’ll be able to do it.

But I’ve definitely learned something over the last week.  Need a pick-me-up?  Starbucks is great but try a ride-along.  Cole thinks that Band-aids are the cure to any ailment, but trust me, ride-alongs do wonders in the healing process.

Life Has Been a Tiny Bit Crazy the Last 10 Days

I just had major surgery.  Official Name: Component Separation Ventral Hernia Repair.  It means they removed the avocado-size scar in the middle of my abdomen and attached my abdominal muscles back together so I can do a sit-up someday and it will actually have an effect.

We’ve been planning for months, waiting and waiting and waiting for my belly to be ready for the reconstruction and repair.  Everything about it has gone more smoothly than expected.  Everything.  The surgery itself.  The recovery.  The fact that I went home from the hospital just less than two days after instead of the expected four.

I have eaten scrambled eggs and hash browns for breakfast about six times – the first being only 18 hours after leaving the OR.  The powers at be seemed to like that part.  They also keep asking questions about passing gas and other things and let’s just say that I should win a blue ribbon in that area.  It’s extremely important, I guess, and I’m doing well.

For some reason I haven’t wanted to talk about this surgery on the blog.  I don’t know why.  No reason, actually.  Maybe I just felt like I would rather just get the job done and move on. I had TOTAL confidence in my surgeon and the surgery itself.  No stress whatsoever.  But I was anxious about things going wrong with the recovery and having months and months of yucky pain to deal with.  Yes.  I’m pretty sure that’s the reason I haven’t talked about it till now.

However, I am normally a dismal Facebook-status-keeper-upper.   But for some reason, adding little snippets of life in just a minute or two are exactly what this healing body is in the mood for right now.  Had no idea that Facebook-statusing it would actually give me something to look forward to instead of sitting on the sofa, being sad that I have already worked my way through ALL of season 3′s Drop Dead Diva episodes!  Boo.

So if you want to hear about the baby steps I’ve been making since my surgery last week then feel free to click here to see my latest status updates.  No sense repeating them here, then they are already there.  Right?  If you’re not interested (Mom, it’s ok if you’re not), then don’t click and be sad with me instead about having to wait for the next season of Drop Dead Diva.

By the way, my pseudo-pregnant looking belly is at least half the size it was 12 days ago.  I’m crossing all of my fingers that the swelling will only get better…or should I say less…from here.

Here’s to healing!  XOXO

Today is a Great Giving Day!

Tomorrow is the beginning of my Big Picture Classes workshop “Giving Well 2011.”  I am so excited.  Truly I am.  Every other day I eagerly await the email that pops into my inbox telling me that a new gift project is available in the classroom.  I know what each project is.  I designed it.  I wrote about it.  I photographed it.  But I’m not kidding when I say that I get a bubbly, giddy feeling inside when I click on that link and see what gift idea has come to me.

If I get excited, think about how you will feel!  Not only will you be learning how to craft your own gifts, you will be getting a little present in your email box from me that says a new idea is available to you.  Gifts, presents, giving.  I love it all.  Wrap it up in a bow please.  Or baker’s twine.  Man, I love that stuff.

Nervous that you aren’t “crafty” enough for these projects?  Be nervous no more!  Many of these ideas are super-simple and anyone can do them.  I promise.

So come.  Now.

Register.  Now. (happily click here)

Bring your friends and your sisters and your moms and your husbands (I can think of some that like this kind of thing!).  It’s a steal for the ideas you get. Thanks for being a part of it.  Thanks for inviting everyone to join you.  After only a couple of days you’ll be thanking me for sharing my journey with you.  And I like to be thanked.

Hooray for great gifts.  And big bows.  And cute tags.  And telling someone they are special.  Hooray for it all.

A Web of Friendship

I have a new job in my church.  Volunteer job, of course.  That’s how my church works and I like it that way.  No one is stuck doing the same thing forever.  We get to help out in lots of areas and get better at lots of things.

So remember how I used to be in charge of planning activities for the women in my neighborhood and we did the “Every Needful Thing” program?  Well, now I’m taking it down to the 10-11 year old girls.  It’s called “Activity Days” and I am actually really excited to get my hands on these fabulous girls twice a month!

I’ll be posting some of the activities we do for the simple reason that I think they can apply to lots of situations.  School teachers.  Anyone who works with kids.  Families who want to teach their children ways to serve and live better.  These ideas are for you – and you can access them easily by clicking on the “Activity Days” category in the sidebar of my blog.

I am saying upfront, however, that all of these ideas are not my own.  I have done my own thing with them and put them in a nice little package for you, but the older I get the more I believe in simplicity.  And simplicity, when it comes to Activity Days, means to borrow ideas from those who have gone before.  No re-inventing the wheel here.  I will give credit where credit is due and link you to the right places where possible.  First, I have to give a general but HUGE “thank you” to Pam and LeeAnne who’s incredible list of activities has become my favorite 3 pieces of paper in the world.  THANK YOU!

All right.  So we just finished our first activity.  Loved.Every.Minute.  From the first knock on the door to the final wave goodbye, I am thrilled to say that I am totally impressed by these wonderful young women.  They were totally fab!

Here’s what we did:

In the spirit of Halloween (although it can be done ANY TIME of the year), we recycled part of a lesson about spider webs that was found here.  But this isn’t any old web lesson.  It’s about a spider, a pig and looking for the good in others.  You guessed it.  Charlotte’s Web was the inspiration for this activity and after first admonishing everyone to read it for themselves (how is it possible that some hadn’t?????), we discussed what made Charlotte and Wilbur’s relationship so special.  Charlotte looked for the good in Wilbur and helped him see the good in himself as well by spinning descriptive words into her amazing web.

SOME PIG

TERRIFIC

RADIANT

HUMBLE

Who wouldn’t like to be called those things (inserting yourself in place of the word “Pig,” of course)?  Charlotte was the kind of friend who changed Wilbur’s life.  Wouldn’t we all like to have a friend like that?  How about BEING a friend like that?

After discussing this idea of friendship we decided to put it into action by writing fabulous things about each other on our own personal Webs of Friendship (click here for a printable).  I have to admit that I was a little surprised but a lot thrilled at how seriously these girls approached the assignment.  It only took a couple of minutes for each one to write on the next web before passing it along but we would often see them pausing thoughtfully before writing the perfect message about each person.  Then, after mounting each web to cardstock and tying a ribbon, the webs were ready for their bulletin boards or bedroom doors.  And to take it a step further, they filled out the web for each girl that was absent from the activity and committed to deliver them to their homes.

We brought it all together by handing out plastic spiders and asked the girls to think about them differently.  Instead of just being creepy or scary or spooky, every time they see a spider simply remember Charlotte, the best friend that a pig could have.  Seeing the good in Wilbur and helping others see it, too.

Everyone needs a Charlotte, don’t you think?

Yummy Free Tutorial

I called it yummy.

Now you think you’re going to eat something.

You’re not.

But my “Super Fast ‘Make Life Happen’ Album” is still yummy and tasty and simple.  With zero calories.  Except when you snack on a bowl of Skittles while waiting for the downloads to print.

I like gifts with purpose and this BPC guest blog post is exactly that.  It highlights the type of gifts I like to give and offers you a meaningful project to whet your appetite before Giving Well 2011 starts.  Head on over to the BPC blog for the instructions, photos, and lots of downloads ready and waiting for you to sink your teeth into.

Mmmm, Mmmm, Good.

Sneak Peek – Giving Well 2011

Want to know more about my upcoming workshop at Big Picture Classes?  Here is a sneak peek…a really good sneak peek, actually.  It might be the juiciest sneak peek that you’ve ever seen.  Check it out then click here to register for the workshop.  Yes, you’ll get step-by-step, color instructions for all of these gift ideas.  Every.Single.One.  Plus all kinds of printables to make your gift-giving life happy.  Class starts October 20 – just in time to get you ready for the holidays.

I get so excited looking at all those great projects in one lovely little bundle.  So juicy…and all for just $35.  Join me.  It’s a create-as-you-go kind of experience.  It’s true that class actually starts in October and that you will get access to a new project idea every other day -  but WHEN you participate in the class is up to you!  You can do it at midnight in your jammies or during a lull at work.  Whatever works for you – nothing to schedule, just happy crafting emails coming to your inbox every other day for 4 weeks.  Trust me, you’ll love it.

And I love you!  See you at BPC!

Giving Well is Back!

Intentions are an interesting thing.

I had every intention of doing more than hang out with Cole and read a book today.  But the couch was comfy, Cole was content to play around me and the second Flavia deLuce novel was just as fun and engaging as the first.  How could I resist finding out how our chemistry-loving eleven-year-old detective and her trusty bicycle, Gladys solved the latest mysterious death in the English village of Bishop’s Lacey?

Of course my intentions disappeared into the wind.

I also had intended to offer a new “Giving Well” workshop at Big Picture Classes in 2010.  I had my list of projects ready to go.  Supplies were on hand.  I was just about to dive into developing the content when WHAM!, I was hit with pancreatitis.  I love being creative just like you do but I admit that it’s a little difficult to use a hot glue gun and spray paint from an ICU bed at the local hospital.  Instead of grabbing my paper trimmer, I found myself crafting ways to sneak an extra mouthful of ice chips to quench my intense thirst.  Hey, I didn’t say I wasn’t still creative while lying in the hospital – I just wasn’t using Mod Podge to express my latest ideas.

Luckily for me, Stacy and Kayce at Big Picture Classes waited patiently for me to heal enough to decide I was ready to give work a shot again.  Which brings us to August, 2011.  A year-and-a-half later, and the next installment of Giving Well is officially open for registration!

I must say that about a month ago I almost threw in the towel.  I had an infection and was feeling rotten but the deadline for all of my workshop content was looming over me like a huge black mother ship from Star Trek.  I considered putting the whole thing off another year, thinking that I had taken on too much, too soon.  But with the encouragement of the BPC team and a helpful Grandma and Grandpa who wisked my two-year-old away for a few days, I buckled down and got it done.

And now I’m happy.

I’m happy that I finished the task.  That always feels fabulous.  But I’m really happy that I get to share Giving Well 2011 with you.  It’s fun.  It’s a little different than past years.  It has a lot of home decor projects and will make you step out of your paper-crafting comfort zone and into the world of paint, canvases, flowers and other fun supplies.  Like always, the projects are simple but meaningful, with an emphasis on keeping things personal.  And they are ideas that can be used all year long for any gift-giving needs that you have.  Of course, I have designed many printables for you to use, which will only be available in the workshop (lucky you!).

My intentions might be a little bit delayed in coming to fruition but I welcome sharing these intentions with you.  Join me in Giving Well 2011.  We’ll explore how to give meaningful gifts and share all kinds of great ideas for hand-crafting your love.  And if you have taken one of my Giving Well classes in the past – these are all new projects so be sure to join in the fun.

I encourage you to invite your friends, sisters, moms, and daughters – many of these projects are simple enough for anyone – no matter their crafting level.

My intention was to offer this workshop a year ago but I thank you for being patient enough to wait till my body had decided it was ready to tackle it.  Click here to come on over to BPC.  I look forward to seeing you in class!