Nautical Knot Necklace

If I'm being honest, I have to admit I wasn't sure I loved the nautical/celtic knot necklace trend when I first saw it . . . but . . . it's grown on me. So when I saw a rope necklace for 50 cents at the thrift store, I grabbed it and decided to give the whole knot thing a try.





I used this tutorial from Martha Stewart to tie 3 knots in my rope:

Then I tied those three knots together into 1 big knot. If you'd like to try this project, here's a few other lovely inspiration pieces and tutorials:

source unknown

source unknown


Saks

Anthropologie but no longer available


The Lover's Knot Necklace from Ruche - really this one's only $12.99 so you might be better off just buying rather than making


and two-tone - this one has a tutorial

Vintage Fabric & Ric Rac Coasters

The overwhelming consensus from this post was to go with the vintage fabric and ric rac coasters. So I took your advice, and made myself a few -

and they're reversible -

And while I was at it, I wrote up a tutorial as well -




Following package directions, fuse 2 pieces of fabric to 2 pieces of interfacing.
After fusing, trim each piece to a 5" square.


Sandwich your 2 pieces of fabric, right sides together, with ric rak between as shown above.
*** Pin well to hold ric rac in place or it will slip and come out looking crooked. ***


Using a 1/4 inch seam, sew around all 4 sides, leaving an opening for turning. Clip corners. Turn right side out. Press seams well, then top stitch (this will also sew your opening closed).


I also sewed a second row of stitching "just because".

No more watery mess on my tables!

My First Ever Doily

made from this free pattern - tweaked a little to make it larger (I added a few extra rounds)
And I grossly underestimated the amount of yarn to make this project - hence the 3 different shades of taupey/beige.

Stripey Sundress

This dress is just a tube with elastic thread at the bust and the waist. Then I tacked on a couple of straps. Really, really, easy - and comfortable.

It might be cute with a rope belt like this one from Modcloth -

Now I need to find some rope.

Coaster Round-up

I need to make myself some coasters. I love to drink iced tea in the summer but hate the watery mess left on my tabletops. So, I did a little searching for handmade coaster patterns and these were my favorites. With so many cute options, which one should I go with????

vintage fabrics with rick rack - from nanaCompany


Crocheted Jute Coasters - free pattern from Easy Makes Me Happy


rope coaster from DIY Life


birch coasters from Martha Stewart (not sure if we actually have birch trees around here though)


crocheted rag coasters - maybe with vintage sheets?


paint sample coasters - tutorial from The Crafty CPA


So, opinions anyone???

Book Swap

A friend of mine referred me to this fantastic site the other day - Paperback Swap - a book swapping/trading website. Basically, you list books that you no longer want and get credit each time someone takes one of your books. Then you can pick a book from the millions that are listed. You pay the shipping when your books go out, the lister pays the shipping when you choose a book. A great way to get some really inexpensive books (just the cost of media mail shipping)! And it's a great way to do a little de-cluttering.

***If you decide to give it a try, I'd appreciate it if you'd list me as your referral (jenniferbrasher@msn.com) Thanks!***

San Diego - Part II

San Diego Safari Park . . .

San Diego Zoo . . .

and tide pooling in La Jolla . . .

San Diego - Part I

A few favorite pics from our recent trip (too many for 1 post so more to come tomorrow):

hittin' the beach . . .

love the feel of sand between my toes


Del Mar Race Track (sadly, we did not come out ahead on our betting) . . .

Sea World . . .

Shamu, of course