A Tutorial: The Makings of a Button Bracelet

Happy Mardi Gras, everyone! This post has absolutely nothing to do with Mardi Gras. I thought it would be nice to greet you in a different way today. I just wanted to make you aware in case you were hoping for a little Mardi Gras action.

So, on to what I'm really here to talk about and that is the button bracelets that I've been making. I'm so addicted to making these little fashion accessories. I don't have to set up in my scrapbook room, where I'm isolated from the rest of the world, to make them. I can watch TV and make them at the same time.

Here's a list of things you need:
1. chain (I found mine at WalMart for about $4 or $5 in the jewelry aisle.)
2. buttons (you can use buttons you already have but if you have a huge amount of buttons and don't feel like looking through 50,000 of them, I recommend going to Joann Fabrics and purchasing new buttons. They have a great selection.)
3. jump rings - 6mm to be exact
4. lobster claws (No, not the kind you eat but the clasp part of the bracelet)
5. needlenose pliers (these babies are going to be your best friend)

How to:
1. Make your chain the appropriate length so that it fits around your wrist comfortably. Use your pliers to separate the chain. If you have an easier way of doing this please let me know because it is a little tricky.
2. Attach lobster claw clasp with a jump ring to the chain
3. Start attaching buttons with the jump rings on to the chain and continue until you have reached the end of the chain. Do not add buttons 3 or 4 links from the end of the chain. The bracelet will be difficult to put on by yourself. I recommend using smaller buttons. It just looks better but do what you like. If you would like to use larger buttons you need to get larger jump rings.
4. Add a jump ring to the very last link of the bracelet. The lobster claw clasp will attach to this jump ring.
5. Enjoy your new bracelet!

I hope this tutorial works for you and I explained everything the best that I could. If you have any questions, please let me know.

I hope everyone is having a great Tuesday. If you are celebrating Mardi Gras, be safe!

-Sam

Irish Eyes are Smiling

I cannot believe Sunday is almost over. It's already 7 o'clock and that means 12 more hours until I have to get up and go to work tomorrow. Where does the weekend go? 

Last night, my hubby and I, went to a local Irish pub that is 5 or 10 minutes from our house. It was delicious. It was so good that we are going back next weekend with our parents. If you are ever in the Shenandoah Valley, Middletown, VA, to be more exact, you have GOT to stop here. My husband got the Shepherd's Pie and I got chicken pot pie. It was good but it was a small portion and I plan on getting something that has a bit more to it. We decided to try the bread pudding for dessert (only because the chocolate torte was not available) and it was to die for. O.M.G.

I didn't take this picture. This is from the Irish Isle's website - click here to visit.

Today was a cleaning day. It was a bit boring and I won't go into details. 

I hope everyone is having a great remainder of the weekend.

-Sam

Indulge Your Inner Princess & a Lesson or Two

Welcome to the weekend! It's Saturday and I'm sitting here browsing the web, with coffee mug in hand, to see if I can find how to get more traffic on my blog, Twitter and those social media outlets that suck up everyone's time, including mine.

This is my favorite coffee mug and it was filled with Starbucks Vanilla coffee. Yum!

Lesson 1.

So, I just made the executive decision of my small business (which is very, very small to non-existent) to start blogging everyday. The more you get out there, the more people will read. This should have been started from the get-go but you know how things fall through the cracks.

Lesson 2. 

I think if people get to know me then maybe they will feel a little more inspired? encouraged? to read my blog and take a look at what I have to offer. Every other blog that I read people are posting things about their everyday life whether its something to do with their kids (which I don't have), husbands (I do have one of those) or what they had for breakfast (omelet w/ ham & cheese and a cup of coffee if you really wanted to know) . It's not just about crafting or finding that thing on the web that inspires you. People have to get to know you first or feel like they are a part of your life. Duh! I just had a lightbulb-over-the-head moment! People have to feel connected. That's why Facebook and Twitter are so successful. You are friends with people you know and you update your status which is basically your life in a nutshell.

I just taught myself two very important lessons. Woo!

In honor of these two very important lessons learned, I'm going to let you in on what's going on in my life right now.

I just bought Zumba. You know what Zumba is right? The whole Latin dancing fitness craze. I haven't received it yet but it's coming. I'm excited. I did Zumba at Relay for Life last June. It was SO MUCH FUN!

I'm so tired of sitting around every evening after dinner. 

I'm so annoyed that I have come so lazy. I get winded going up the stairs. I'm 23. Really??!! I shouldn't be this way. I'm doing something about it. I give myself a pat on the back. Yes. I just did that. So, wish me luck!

I hope everyone has an exciting weekend! I'm off to Verizon to get my cell phone fixed. =(

-Sam 

Cute as a Button

So, here's another lunchbreak post for you - for some reason I only feel like blogging when I'm on my lunchbreak and only have about 15 minutes to post something - maybe it's a "I-work-better-under-pressure" thing.

I just wanted to update on you people out there in cyberspace on what my latest project is....

BUTTON BRACELETS!

They are so easy to make and not to mention inexpensive. The inspiration comes from something that I saw on Pinterest and I was like, "Hey, I can do that!" So, I did and they turned out beautifully! I am currently filling an order for a pink & green bracelet for Apple Blossom. If you don't know what Apple Blossom is then you just need to go away. Just kidding. If you don't know what it is its like a local Mardi Gras, so to speak. You should go to the website - click here.

I will have a tutorial up soon. I just haven't had the time. Ok, well, that's not entirely true. I'm just really lazy after work.

I hope everyone is having a good day and I hope your Valentine's Day was full of diamonds, chocolate and love!

-Sam



Very "Pinterest"ing

I am completely obsessed with Pinterest. It pretty much takes up all of my lunchtime and when I should be doing something productive at home you can find me on Pinterest. I wanted to share a few things that I found on Pinterest that I think you will enjoy.

Unfortunately, I could not find the source for the right hand photograph but I absolutely love these! Click here for the left hand photograph source.

I love these stamped towels. Click here for the tutorial. So neat!

Who would of thought of doing this!? I love this idea! Click here for the source.

Tired of buying bows or just want something new to try? Click here for the tutorial.

Follow me on Pinterest as well. Just click the little Pinterest button on the left hand side of my blog! I hope everyone has a great weekend! Stay warm!

-Sam

Swirly Ornaments

Happy Friday, everyone! In honor of the Spirit of Christmas I thought I would share some ornaments that I made last year. Yes, it has taken me a year to finally post about these. Procrastination - get me EVERY time. These ornaments are so cheap and easy to make! I wasn't going to do a tutorial buuuuuuttttt WHAT THE HECK, right? I'm on my lunchbreak and have nothing else to do or anywhere to go. 

Stuff

1. Clear Glass Ornaments (Michael's or Hobby Lobby)

2. Multi Purpose Paint (You have to make sure it is approved for glass!)

3. Embellishments (I didn't embellish mine but you can put ribbons & feathers at the top to make extra pretty)

How To

1. Take top off of ornament and squeeze paint into bulb and swirl around

2. Add in another color (I would say you can add up to three colors because any more than that would look like something threw up in your ornament...LOL)

3. Keep swirling until all of the ornament is covered and turn the ornament upside down to drain the excess paint. (You should probably do this overnight)

4. Replace top and emellish ornament to your liking

5. Hang on tree or give to friends and family as gifts!

See? How easy is that? I would love to see your ornaments that you created! Leave a link in to your blog in my comments field so I can take a look.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend!

-Sam



Tile Coasters

Happy Saturday! I haven't blogged in a while. Sometimes, I just feel like it's just a waste of time because no one seems to comment or read anything that I write. I guess I'll keep on typing anyway because it's a mild distraction from what I really have to do today and that's cleaning. Ugh. I wanted to share something new that I made with everyone out there in cyberspace. Take a look at these little beauties. COASTERS! These are tile coasters. You can get them at Lowe's for .16 cents a piece. It's a pretty cheap little creation. Please take a look at StyleMePretty's website. She gives you the full tutorial on how to make these. It's so easy and they are really fun to make. 

I hope everyone has a great weekend! 
-Sam