Chevron Friendship Bracelets

Hello World,

I’m back! I was having server issues for the last week, and finally have my blog back up again. Not going to lie, I was feeling a little sad last week as I had so many DIY ideas, and didn’t have my blog to post them on. While my DIY ideas were homeless, I did make some fun friendship-style bracelets, and they are now for sale on my Etsy shop.

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Summertime Chevron Chain Friendship Bracelet

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Pink Ombre Chevron Chain Friendship Bracelet

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Blue Ombre Chevron Chain Friendship Bracelet

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I think they are so fun! Now that I have made a few of them, I am getting so much faster at weaving. At first, I had to dig into my preteen brain to remember how to make a friendship bracelet. And since they have chain and close with a lobster clasp, you don’t have to cut them off like a traditional friendship bracelet.

 

Sweet Irish Soda Bread

Hello World,

Welcome to my first post on my new layout! You probably notice that now I am on my own domain instead of a blogspot address. All past blog posts have been migrated over to this new site, and I am currently working on the “tutorials” page. Favorite part of this new design? The design is responsive! Responsive design is design that adapts to the device and browser width. So instead of chopping off the side of my site on a smartphone anymore, everything scales to size.

Now onto the title of this post, sweet irish soda bread! St. Patrick’s Day is tomorrow, and my heritage is mostly Irish and Italian. In celebration of my Irish roots, I wanted to share my family’s irish soda bread recipe:

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Ingredients:

  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons caraway seeds
  • 4 tablespoons of softened butter
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1.5 cups buttermilk (or make your own by adding 1 teaspoon vinegar to milk)
  • 2 cups raisins
  • Powdered sugar to sprinkle on top once cooled.
  • Optional add-ins: dried cranberries, grated lemon or orange rind, poppy seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a ceramic casserole dish, or glass loaf pans. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Spoon into greased baking dish(es). Bake for 45 minutes, or until knife comes out clean.

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This sweet Irish soda bread is delicious all by itself, or you can do what I do and spread butter on it.

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I went strolling around my yard the other day, and found moss growing all over the back of my barn. I picked some off and repotted it in this cute thrift store tea cup. I think it looks like a little slice of Ireland.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

DIY Gold & Lace Flower Pots

Hello World,

Spring is right around the corner, and I am so ready for it. Even though this winter wasn’t very harsh, I have always been a warmer weather girl. Today’s project is perfect if you want to bring some spring inside your home. Check out the tutorial below to make your own gold and lace flower pots:

1. Gather your supplies: flower pots (I bought a 3-pack at Dollar Tree), spray paint, lace trim, Mod Podge, a brush, clear gloss spray paint (not pictured), and scissors (not pictured).

2. At first, I just spray painted my flower pots gold. Well, the paint didn’t stick and dusted off when I touched them. I then sprayed them with clear spray paint and allowed that to dry.

3. I then spray painted them gold, and the paint did stick. Allow colored paint to dry.

4. Apply Mod Podge to your flower pot lip.

5. Place your lace trim where you applied the Mod Podge. Trim lace so it barely overlaps.

6. Apply Mod Podge on top of the lace. Allow to dry.

7. Fill with soil and add some happy little plants.

Happy Crafting!