DIY Bracelet Round up!

I had a reader ask about DIY bracelets in the Q&A post after finding my Burlap Rosette bracelet tutorial. You ask - and I will try to deliver! 

I already had a few in mind that I have seen and LOVED but as I hunted down a few more to share I found more fabulous ones!
So get crafty and enjoy creating something fun for YOU!

Burlap Rosette Bracelet from Brassy Apple

Anthropologie Knockoff from Flamingo Toes

3 in 1 bow bracelet from I still love you

Rope Bracelet from Sew.Craft.Create

Clay Beads Bracelet from Not just a Housewife

Jersey Knit Bracelet from V & Co

Industrial elegance Bracelet from Scene of the Grime

Scrap Fabric Bracelets from Blue Cricket Design

So what did you think? There are some fabulous ones there right? I think so! Enjoy!!!

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DIY Family Memory Packet.......tutorial

As new year rings in, it's always fun to capture a bit of the excitement of the new and reminisce a bit about the old.

We crafted up a fun way to get the whole family involved together in an easy project -

The Family Memory Packet.

Whether you have a gaggle of kids, no kids, grandkids, or it's just you - this project is adaptable for all! It's a great way to preserve a bit of the present, like a time capsule, and open it again around the same time next year!

• Materials:

Large envelope (we used a 9x12)

magazines/newspapers

glue stick

scissors

paper

printer

pens/pencils/crayons

Getting started!

Before you start the project print off the "memory sheets" to be filled in by you and/or other family members.

We used 3 sheets per person:

• 1st sheet - Include a space for the

DATE:

NAME:

AGE:

WEIGHT:

HEIGHT:

If possible, snap a photo of each person that day and print off on the sheet. OR print off a recent photo and let each person cut out their picture and glue it to the sheet.

On this sheet you will also have each person trace their hand (giving assistance to younger ones). It will be fun to see how much your kids or grandkids hands have grown when the packet gets opened up NEXT year!

• 2nd sheet - Titled 2009 (past year)

Include a few questions like:

Favorite thing(s) I did this year:

Favorite place(s) I went:

What I will remember most:

Don't include too many question or your kids are likely to feel like they are doing school work instead of something fun. For those that are too small to write, simply ask them the questions and try to write down their responses word for word. They might be really funny to look back on what they said next year or the year after. It's also great to allow those just learning to read/write to let them fill in as much of their sheets as possible. They will be able to see how much their skills have improved in a year when it is reopened.

• 3rd sheet - titled 2010 (new year)

Include a few questions like:

Something I would like to do this year is:

Somewhere I would like to go is:

Something I would like to learn about is:

This sheet isn't really "goal setting" but simply stating some "wishes". It might give you some insight into what they are hoping and help you as a parent/grandparent to meet their needs/interests this coming year.

**STAPLE the 3 sheets together**

Gather the other members around the table and explain the project. Have each person fill out their sheets. Use the magazines/newspaper to create a cover for your envelope where all the information sheets will be stored for the year. (We used the title - 2009 Memory Packet) You can create your own title including the family name. Decorate it with pictures, cut-outs, color it, doodle on it, etc. The creativity is up to everyone involved but make sure this is part of the fun of the project as well! Once the cover is created and dried, slip all the papers inside and close it up.

Now where to file it away where it won't be forgotten about next year? My best suggestion is to put it into one of the Christmas boxes, somewhere easily seen when opened. When you pull out the Christmas decor next winter season, it can easily be tacked onto the family bulletin board for a few weeks until the New Year's Holiday rolls around again. Then of course you can open up the packet, reminisce, giggle, and create a NEW memory packet for the next year, thus creating a fun family tradition too! Enjoy!

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Sharing the BIG picture......

I recently "met" Forever Folding Laundry on Twitter. Instantly related to her blog, sense of humor and more. I have enjoyed tweeting with her and she even shared a little blog "secret" with me. Her blog is FULL of large images and I asked her if she wouldn't mind sharing or directly me to how I would be able to do that on my blog too. She was more than helpful and willing to share. :) She has posted a tutorial to explain and show how to do it! Isn't that GREAT!?

You can post photos on your blog that can go from this: (normal upload)

to THIS fabulous, large eye candy image! :)

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Crafty Summer Series - I SPY book! creativity for the car...

Hello hello! It's challenge #2 REVEAL day! Two weeks ago I challenged all of you to craft up something for the car. Whether you are on the go, road trippin' it, have a kids to entertain or simply running errands around town.

What could you create to make it easier, better, more organized, comfortable, etc.

My head was swimming with ideas but I only need to share one so HOPEFULLY everyone else got up and moving and will share some great inspiration with you too!

Add your link to the Mr. Linky box belowm, then please leave a comment and have fun blog hopping!

I SPY book tutorial.......(great for car trips, trips around town, waiting at the dr. office, etc)

1. Take photos of "piles" or groups of items. Ideas include childrens toys, junk drawer, pantry, bathroom drawer, what's in their back pack, books, toy box, closet, etc....The possibilities are endless!

2. Print them out or send them to the 1 hour photo.

3. Buy an inexpensive little photo album/flip book.

4. Type up some "I SPY" riddles or counting challenges, etc. Think of the different ways they phrase the rhymes and wording of those "I SPY" books. Use counting, colors, objects, finding words, and on and on. Choose the skill level that is best for your kids.

5. Slide the photos and coordinating "riddles" into the book and VIOLA! you have your own personalized "I SPY" book!

The great thing about these are the pictures or "riddle" cards can be changed out at any time! They are also small enough to easily slide into your purse, their back pack or even better? make them their own t-shirt pack!

I have 12 different photos in my I SPY book. Here are some of our I SPY pages and some of the "riddles" I typed up to go along with them. Enjoy!

I spy a Cow, an Owl and a Snowflake

Can you find 4 pencils & 4 pairs of scissors?

I spy an apple, a fish & 5 containers of glue

“FABRICSHACK”, “MARKS” and a pen that’s gray/blue

I spy a pirate, “FUR REAL” and a Rose

A red Ranger, a crown, & a little brown nose

How many balls do you see?

Can you Spy 4 tools?

I spy spaghetti, an elf ear & 3 hooves

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DIY - custom fabric party crowns

(Be sure to upload your photos from trying this project into the Brassy Apple Projects Flickr group!)

1. Start by gathering your "royal" supplies:
fabric of choice
buttons
bias tape
rick rack
lace
extra fabric scraps
rhinestones
and other fun embelishments
You will need: fusible fleece or heavy fusible interfacing

2. Create a pattern for your crown shape using a piece of paper. If you like winging it just skip this step.

3. Fuse your fleece or interfacing to the wrong side of your fabric per the manufacturers instructions. You may want to use 2 layers for a more stiff effect/feel. Play around with what works best for you.

4. Place your crown pattern on top of the fuse area, trace and cut.

5. Now the fun begins! Embellishing! Get your children involved! they'll love it! I added complimentary double folded bias tape to the bottom edge. Just place, pin and sew. Cut out other fun fabric shapes to put on your crown too. Using craft glue, hot glue, thread, heat n' bond, etc attach your embelishments. The skies the limit so go for it!

5. Measure the crown around your childs head to find a good fit. Pin and sew your crown closed. I folded under my edge for a nice clean finished look.

6. Hold an royal coronation ceremony and crown your newest King and Queen!

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