CRAFTING AND WATCHING THE WEATHER

Can you believe this is my third post this week?? I have been so energetic even though I am not feeling the best. Got to keep moving!

Went to bed with thunder, lightening and rain and woke up to rain, wind and cold air. I did get out and take a few pictures outside. I love clouds, so I will share the pictures I took. Also, my Easter lilies (don't know what their real name is) that are once again starting to bloom.

I got part of my thrift shop glassware out and decided what I wanted to upcycle part of it into. I have been seeing glass art in the yards and on tables and I decided to try my hand at it. Haven't glued anything together yet because I hear use E-6000. No, use clear silicone. No, use this. No, use that! What's a girl to do???? I know most use E-6000 for indoor stuff. I just read three blogs that use the clear silicone which isn't a glue. It bonds in a different way. Experts say to let your pieces set up for 30 days before taking them outside.  I think I will call my sister in law, Mary Hickman, and see how she puts hers together. They are in the flower beds at Kirby Manor and are so neat. Mary is a VERY talented woman. So here is a few pictures to share:

 

So what do you think of these two designs. These are for inside use. The second picture is for veggies and dip or candy or whatever you want to use it for. The sundae dish on top will hold your dip. If you were designing these, would you put something in the sundae dish in the center?? The plates have a light blue color to them and I have had them for years. Finally got the tags off. 25 cents each on clearance at Walmart (probably 8 years ago). They have a leaf pattern around the edge.

 

The bottom photo has 3 china plates from France (ooh-la-la) and have small coral flowers on them. The base is a glass globe from Share & Care (50 cents). Then a footed glass dish in the middle and a crystal drinking glass supports the top plate. I welcome any pros and cons you have to offer me.

 

I spent yesterday making chunky necklaces for my friend, Cindy. These are the ones that most are buying for their girls to wear and they sell for $20 and up. They range in lengths of 14" & 16". This will Cindy's first time to see what I created for her craft show in April. Sometimes it takes me days to just finish one piece of jewelry. Sometimes I start them and put them away for weeks before I can get them finished. My brain doesn't always work like it should.

 

Pic #1: This is all acrylic beads. The silvery looking beads in the back are mixed colors of silver, pink, blue and purple. Then the purple and pink beads (they are 30mm). There is also 4 beads of multi colors and they look like rhinestones.
Pic #2: These are red acrylic beads and the spacer beads are red glass beads that are square.
Pic #3: These are acrylic gray and orange chunky beads. I used orange beads as the spacers. In the center, is a big orange sequined bead.
Pic #4: Four shades of green! All acrylic. Sized from 10mm up to 30mm.
Pic #5: Cream and black acrylic beads with light amber glass beads. The two large tan acrylic beads set the necklace off. A slightly different color, but they go with the glass beads.
Pic #6: Two shades of golden yellow. I used only 1 30mm bead in the center.
This is the first time anything has been made with these 30mm beads.

Last thing for this day: My new jewelry cards. I watched a video on how important it is to have your jewelry on handmade cards versus store bought.

Pic #1: These are cut with my Cricut. I bought a tags, bags, boxes & more cartridge last year and just now am using it. I cut 2 pieces out of double sided heavy cardstock (no flimsy paper can be used). The ribbon is a light mint color and has sequin flowers and tiny beads sewn on it. I tied it in a knot then added bling with rhinestones. The small holes for the earrings are staggered. The video says not to make them the same. The earrings are a pair that I made.

Pic #2: Not everyone has a Cricut cutter, so I cut a rectangle the size I wanted, then cut each corner off. Punched a large round hole, fed some purple ribbon through the hole. punched earring holes and added rhinestones. I have hoarded rhinestones forever and decided they need to be used on these cards.

The cards stand alone and they pack easy. There is room in the holes to hang them, if needed. The Cricut is faster and has about 15 designs to choose from.

 







Tutu Bow Holder

I have been working on a tutu bow holder similar to what they sell on the internet. Theirs sell for $25 to $40. So, I made a pattern and got busy with my own design.

First I decided on fabric. This cotton fabric has cupcakes. I cut my main pattern from a lightweight piece of cardboard. I used this pattern to trace it on an old Cricut 12x12 mat that had lost all of it's sticky. I then cut the same pattern from a piece of cardboard, 2 pieces of cotton batting and a plain white piece of cardstock.

I used tacky glue to layer it up. First was the cardboard. On top of that was the Cricut mat. then on top of all that is the two pieces of cotton batting. I used clothes pins on the edges to hold it all down. Then I weighed it down with some books.

After all that was done, I began to work on the fabric. I layed  my pattern down on 12x12 scrapbook paper and added 1/2 to 3/4" to the pattern all the way around. I cut that out and pinned it to my fabric. (single piece)

I started on the curves at the waist. I clipped my fabric, then pulled it around the shape and used liquid stitch to hold it. I did the curves on one side, used clothes pins to hold in place until the glue started to set up. When that side was totally dry, I did the opposite side in the same manner.

I let that side dry overnight and the next day I worked on the neck. Same procedure as above. Clip fabric, glue, and use clothes pins to hold until dry.

The shoulders and the bottom was the hardest. I glued the top corners down onto the backside of the top. I had to do some trimming here so I wouldn't have a lot of bulk fabric. After I got this adjusted, I glued the shoulder down, clothes pinned and let it dry before moving on to the other side.

Used the same method with the bottom. I am sure there is an easier way to do this. I just wanted to be as neat as possible.

I went ahead and glued a ribbon hanger on the back and glued my paper backing to the piece.

 
Now, it was time to get the sewing machine out and gather the tulle. I used it doubled and cut more than I thought I would need. I pulled the gathering thread and got it the width I needed. I pinned it and went back to the sewing machine and sewed each side to keep it in place.

I used both tacky glue and hot glue to get the tulle in place.

Once it was dry, I cut 2 pieces of 1 1/2" ribbon the length of the skirt. This is what my hair bows will be attached to. This ribbon is so cute. It has thread running down the middle and has thread bows. I have had it for a long time, just didn't have anything to put it on.

Next, I started working on the flowers. I took them apart and got rid of the stem and the plastic center. Then I glued each layer of the flower together.

I glued the flowers to the bow holder on top of where I glued the tulle . Lastly, I found three purple plastic button and ran ribbon into the holes of the buttons, tied them off with a knot and trimmed the lace.

 

Now it is ready for bows. Well, almost ready. I have decided that I left the skirt too long so I will need to shorten it. Then it will be done. 

 

Like I said - this was my first and know I will improve as I go along.

 

Until next time - Jan

GETTING STUFF DONE

Good Morning! It's Thursday, March 7th and I am busy in my office. Did some major cleaning and getting organized. I wouldn't have to do this if I would just would clean up after I finish a project. No need to be looking at scrapbook paper that has been laying around for two weeks. Does anyone else out there have the same problem???

I hope this doesn't offend anyone but, I saw this sign on the net and just had to share the wording with you. Think it was on Facebook. Here's what it says:
                                   Handle every stressful situation like a dog- - -
                         If you can't eat it or play with it, just pee on it and walk away.

Speaking of dogs, I am sharing this picture of my snoodle, Rusty. He is sitting on the top back of the dogs' recliner. You read that right, our dogs have a recliner to sit on. It's just for Rusty, Leroy and Too Too.

Isn't he cute?? He is going to be 4 years old. He is my protector. He guards me and the house.

Is anyone on Pinterest? I got hooked up about 5 months ago and I am a wild woman on there. I have 88 boards, 13,168 pins and 1,255 followers. No, it isn't a cult. It's boards of things that I am interested in. Like jewelry, glampers, cooking, sewing, crafts, recycling and upcycling, just to name a few. If you get a chance go to www.pinterest.com and search for Jan Hickman. Now, I don't have to print everything I am interested in. I just pin (or post) it to my board of choice and when I need the information, I can pull it up.

My husband brought me some flowers just because he loves me. He called me to come into the kitchen and help him cook. I should have known something was up because I do not cook. Nope, not at all. Barney loves to cook! Well, I get in there and see the flowers then, I just about fall on the floor laughing. It wasn't the flowers, but the container that he had them in. A porcelain men's urinal. Let me explain this: We did an auction years ago and bought a partial pallet of hospital supplies that were from Korea war time. The stuff was all brand new, boxes never opened. Well, there was one box of white porcelain urinals. So, Barney put my flowers in it.

That was about 7 or 8 days ago and this picture was taken this morning. They still look great. Guess it's the porcelain urinal that is keeping them fresh. As you can see, the original manufacturer label is still on it.

Barney just came in for lunch and he brought me more surprises: Salmon, blackberry diet tea, Peach sweet tea, salad fixings and cooked crawdads. He knows I can't even stand the sight of the crawdads. It's all I can do to look at a lobster tail.

Went to Share & Care (one of local thrift shops) with my friend, Cindy, yesterday. Boy, did we get some goodies. I bought 2 ties ties to attempt to upcycle into a necklace and possibly a bracelet. Then, I just went crazy. Bought 2 ladies skirts to upcycle into little girls skirts or a skirt and a dress. Found some sherbet glasses, a vase or two, a plate, 4 globes for lights, plus a few other treasures. I am using these pieces to make pedestal cake plates and jewelry holders. When I get finished I will post pictures. Those who know me can tell that Pinterest has a hold on me. Could be worse. I could be out robbing banks!!!! That's suppose to make you smile.

My granddaughter, Krystan, is going to state with the Harrison Archery Team. They compete on March 16th at Hot Springs. Her mom and stepdad are going down to watch her. I wish the team luck.

Have you seen all the chunky bead necklaces? They are both for girls and women. I have made several of them for my friend who does craft shows. Here's a photo of the last three I made.

These sell from $20 to $30.

 This is my latest pair of 'peace' sign earrings. The beads are multi colored glass that is translucent. I also have a larger peace sign that I may put on a chain necklace.

These photos are bracelets that I am now making. They are designed to be able to switch out the chains or the beads. You can buy just the pieces and put them together however you would like them to look like. The bottom picture shows how you just unscrew the barrel closure and change it out. The bracelets are $5.00 with the chain and beads of your choice. Then for $3.00 each, you can buy additional beads to hook onto your chain. All can be custom made just for you.



 



 

I hope you enjoyed today's blog. Until next time, be careful!



HAVING FUN IN THE OFFICE

Okay, let's either have a snow or bring on Spring! I woke up and there's snow on the ground and several hours later, it's gone. However, it's cold and the wind blows right through you.

I am still wearing my 'boot' on my left foot. The xray looked better so Dr. thinks this will be the last month I will have to wear it. Been a long time wearing this (since first of November).

Our baby goats are three weeks old and so much fun to watch. Here's a few pictures of our girl. Our granddaughter, Lilli, named her Sweet Pea. She has just figured out that she can jump high enough to get on top of the hot tub. She acts like she has springs on her feet.

Barney left his car door open
and she jumps up in the drivers
seat.

 

Our pup, Chub Chub, was a bad boy and I tied him up. He chases the horses and the baby goats so, he gets scolded. About 30 minutes after I chained him up, I heard him whining and when I looked out the back door, Nellie (the mom goat) was head butting him and the three babies were jumping off the golf cart and landing on him. I saved him and that's the last time he's had to be tied up. Now if the goats come near him, he goes in the opposite direction.

 

I have been making some jewelry. I have to get lots done before June. I make children & teen jewelry to sell in the store at church camp in Siloam Springs. Has to be good quality and priced so kids can buy it. No profit here! I sell it to the camp for what it cost me for materials. Been doing stuff with the camp since 1995.

 

A couple of weeks ago, I went to Dollar General and found a lightweight grid for inside a BBQ grill. Cost $1.50. I found some green trim and ribbon and turned this into a jewelry holder, mainly for earrings. I can either hang it or put it on a stand. Pics show step by step what I did. I used Tacky Glue to attach the trim to the aluminum grid. The two bracelets are on the holder by the flat piece of the toggle closure.

Here's a couple of pics of my latest jewelry.





Top left picture is a memory wire bracelet using all colors of orange and brown glass beads. It has a heart and a key charm on each end. Below that is another memory wire bracelet. It has green, orange, blue and light pink glass crystal beads. The third bracelet is put together using links. It has lots of neat colors. Has toggle closure.

The necklace in the shoe is vintage beads from a necklace of mom's that broke and I just redid it. They are acrylic. The bottom photo is a glass bracelet. These green beads look like stones.