Make Your Own Statue of Liberty Crown and Torch!

I have been trying to explain the meaning of the Fourth of July to my two youngest. What  The Declaration of Independence is and why it was important for us as a country. But finding things that are hands on for someone who just turned 5 and 7 has been hard. I can usually come up with an idea but keep drawing a blank for this one. Turns out the kids do not know who John Hancock is and weren't very interested.

I was so excited to find this blog with an amazing idea while I sat down tonight after putting them to bed. This was something big (a very large statue with a crown) that the kids could recognize! Easy to put together from paper plates and cardboard tubes. On my day off this weekend I may organize my two and the neighborhood kids to spend an hour or less putting these together. I am not going to promise how long they will be Statue of Liberty pieces before they morph into superheros but it should be fun....

Here is the link:

http://buggyandbuddy.com/crafts-for-kids-make-a-statue-of-liberty-crown-and-torch/

Happy 4th of July

4th of July Fun in a Jar!

http://www.thegunnysack.com/2013/06/4th-of-july-craft-a-gift-in-a-jar.html

I have been looking for something special to make for my family for a while. We really don't have a lot of traditions that surround the fourth other than watching the fireworks. As parents with full time jobs we usually end up working all day, rushing through dinner, sitting around, and finally packing everyone in the car for fireworks.

I love this jar idea! I can pack a bunch of great things for the kids to do during the day to help build their excitement for the end. The dollar store would be a great stop for the jar and a few goodies. I  think I may grab sunglasses, juice, hats, sidewalk chalk, flags, beaded necklaces, and more.

I also like the idea of throwing in a couple mini books or printed worksheets in the jar that have some background on why we celebrate this holiday. I think it would be nice to point out that it isn't just a summer holiday where we watch fireworks but an actual celebration of American History.

This would make a great party favor for adults too! Who wouldn't be excited to go to a great barbecue and get something packed with fun to take home or use that night.

I think this would make a cute decoration filled with red, blue, and white candy in stripes on picnic tables topped with a star.

Have a great 4th!

4th of July

Keep tuned this week I will focus on projects for the 4th of July!

Wallet for the boys or man in your life!

Who doesn't love an amazing wallet? I saw this easy tutorial and knew that I had to share it with you! I pinned this to pinterest around Christmas time and while searching for boy ideas stumbled across it again. I love Pinterest just for that reason. You can stuff all the things that you might want to look at again in one place and they fall back out just when you need them. Much easier than trying to look through my favorites.

One of the things that I love about wallets is that you can use remnants or scraps from other projects to make them.

1/4 yard fall suiting fabric (tweed, plaids, etc., usually made from wool and/or synthetic materials)

Also try home fabrics, canvas, flannel, etc or my favorite something heavy out of the closet that no one wears anymore.

1/4 yard lining fabric See ideas from above

scrap of leather (optional) Old purse from thrift store or your closet works too.

rivets, grommet (optional) The cheapest place to get this is at a hardware store instead of the craft store.

scrap of medium weight fusible interfacing or a piece of felt

Yep this is what you will be making for those fabulous boys and men in your life. I am thinking holiday and birthday presents!

Follow this link to the step by step (with pictures!) tutorial: http://www.noodle-head.com/2011/03/celebrate-boy-tutorial-basic-boys.html

 Have fun crafting!

Blue Garden Glass Lampwork Bracelet

 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/154409495/blue-garden-lampwork-glass-beaded $8.99

            

Who wouldn't want to wear a garden on their wrist? A constant reminder that Spring and Summer are always around the corner with long sunny days filled with the scent of roses.

Designed from green and blue lampwork beads this bracelet measures 8 1/2 inches in length. The bracelet can be customized for any size wrist. Created with Stretch Magic you can decide to slide the bracelet off and on or use the flowered silver clasp.

The beads are each an amazing piece of art. Long rounded robin blue beads contain silver foil for sparkle offset with a rose red raised circle cornered in green. Clear green beads contain rose buds. Sky blue beads contain petals forming flowers. Clear beads with a silver foil center feature blooming roses.

Shades of Green Bracelet

Listing more bracelets on etsy!


https://www.etsy.com/listing/154065550/lampwork-bracelet-shades-of-green

Garden Bracelet on Etsy

https://www.etsy.com/listing/153303370/secret-garden-glass-lampwork-bracelet

When you see this bracelet you will be taken away to a secret garden where the sound of water drifts by in the afternoon.

The Bracelet is 8 1/4 inches long. If this is too large or too small let me know at checkout what size you would prefer and I will create the perfect size for you. The bracelet was created with Stretch Magic to give you the option of sliding it on and off with ease or using the stunning clasp.

This bracelet is created from lampwork glass beads with perfectly blooming flowers inside. The largest focal bead appears to have a floating lily shaded in violet centered amidst blue. The side beads are a misty green with forget me nots. Past the solid blue beads that look like suspended drops of water are a longer misty green glass bead containing small pink roses. Next to the clasp are glass lampwork beads where the forget me nots appear above a blue background. The silver tone clasp is embellished in a floral and leaf design.

I ship daily, First Class United States Postal Service, to make sure that your item will arrive quickly for you to enjoy or to give as a special gift.

If you have any questions please let me know as my customers are my top priority

2 New Glass Lampwork Bracelets listed on Etsy!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/153293323/lampwork-bead-bracelet-lavender-roses



https://www.etsy.com/listing/153292648/sea-green-glass-lampwork-bracelet-w

Both amazing bracelets are $8.99.

How to make your favorite Dad a shirt he will love...

http://mellysews.com/2013/05/mens-shirt-pattern-tutorial.html

I pinned this on pintrest at one time so that when I needed it I could find it again. And I couldn't find it. I was so happy to find it again today when looking through MellySews blog.

She is like most of us and doesn't sew very often for the men in her life. She created an entire tutorial with a free pattern for a men's button up shirt that those of us who really do not sew a lot of clothing can still follow!

I really like the idea of getting a chance to pick out fabric for my husband. He doesn't like stripes or logos but might want something that wasn't a solid color in grey, blue, black, white, or brown for a change. Ta Da! Melly Sews fixes the problem we have the guys in our lives with a little thread and time.

If you haven't already subscribed to her blog it is amazing and I would suggest that you look around for other great ideas too. Off to the fabric store for me!