Come back every Tuesday for “The Bees Knees”, where I post the best quotes from my favorite movies, TV shows, songs, and books.
Monthly Archives: April 2013
Anthropologie Knock Off Necklace
I’m all about the knockoff. I know there are people out there who will stop at nothing to have the real deal, but if I can have something just as good for half, sometimes a quarter, of the price, I’ll take it.
When I was browsing through my local Anthropologie store, I came upon a necklace that I just loved. It was made with 3 simple felt accordion beads and 3 contrasting color beads. I carried it with me through the store, contemplating whether I could force myself to splurge on this $100 necklace…and finally I gave up. I put it back and told myself that maybe I’d come back if I got a bonus, or lost 10 pounds, or happened to find a $100 bill in a pair of old jeans…
Needless to say I’ve yet to buy the necklace…however, I did discover a fun way to make my own rendition! While this one isn’t as colorful as the one I saw, it’s the same basic idea. I didn’t want to have to buy anything to make it, so I used felt scraps I had in my fabric drawer and the beads from a broken bracelet that has been sitting in my dresser for years. I didn’t have a chain that was empty, so instead I used some yarn and made it long enough so it can slip over my head.
I think this is an easy and fun statement piece and a great way to get the look you love for free!
Felt Knockoff Necklace
Materials:
- Scrap pieces of felt–you’ll need 5 small circles of the same size per felt bead. I used a quarter as my template
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun/glue
- Chain or yarn
- Needle
- Beads
Directions:
- Fold one of the circles in half and place a thin line of glue down the middle crease of the circle. Fold another circle in half and glue the two pieces together. Repeat this all the way around and then secure the bead by gluing the center fold of the last circle to the center fold of the first circle. You can also make the bead lie flat by gluing the last circle to both halves of the first and last circle folds. That way it opens up like an accordion.
- Repeat for your other two felt beads.
- Then with a needle and your yarn, string your beads into a necklace. If you’re using a chain, it’s helpful to place the chain in the middle of the bead before you secure it closed to you don’t have to thread the chain through the felt bead.
And there you go! Easy, fun, and economical. Plus it’s a great way to make a thrifty and fashionable statement!
Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.
Filed under jewelry tutorials
14 Meaningful Quotes by William Shakespeare
Come back every Tuesday for “The Bees Knees”, where I post the best quotes from my favorite movies, TV shows, songs, and books.
Filed under quotes
Down Among the Dead Men Book Review
There are a few jobs in the world that have everyone questioning what a day at the office is like. For most people, I think the field of mortuary studies is something that both mystifies and terrifies people. What happens to bodies after death? How are murder victims treated in the morgue? How are autopsies performed?
All these questions and more are answered in Michelle William’s book, Down Among the Dead Men. This fascinating tale covers a year in the life of a mortuary technician, from the general day to day to the more complicated workings of the corner and the investigating police officers. Williams covers everything from what she experienced on her first day to the most gruesome and repulsive case she’s ever worked. For anyone who’s ever expressed an interest in this field of science, this is an eye-opening read that will stay with you long after you’re done.
In terms of getting down to the nitty griddy, this book leaves out a lot of the hairy details that you might expect to find in a book about the dead. If you are looking for blood, guts, and everything in between, you’ll find little enjoyment in Down Among the Dead Men…but for those who are simply curious about the day to day goings on of a small town mortuary, this is an entertaining read that may or may not leave you thankful for your bland 9-5 office job.
Looking for a new book to read? Check in every Friday for a “Bee Happy” post, where I share reviews of books I’ve read or other book-themed lists.
Filed under book reviews
Vintage Felt Pinwheels
As you can all probably tell, I’ve been on a kick recently to clear out my craft stash. I’ve been trying to use up leftover yarn, fabric, felt, and more in an effort to A) make room in our closet for things we ACTUALLY need to store there…like coats and shoes and B) ultimately make room for more craft stuff that I obviously don’t need. Ugh…it’s a vicious cycle.
Anyway, I’ve been working through my felt stash and came upon this idea to make these cute vintage inspired pinwheels. I’m not quite sure how I want to use them, although they’d be great on a gift package or as a hair accessory, but they were so fun and easy to make, and it was a great way to get rid of all those little felt scraps that are too small to reuse but too big to throw away.
You could also make really tiny ones and turn them into earrings or a necklace! Ohh! I think I just found my next craft project!
Vintage Felt Pinwheels
Materials:
- Felt squares, about 4″ on all sides
- Scissors
- Hot Glue Gun/Glue Sticks
- Vintage beads or buttons
Instructions:
- If it’s not cut already, cut your felt into a small 4″ x 4″ square (you can go smaller or larger depending on how big you want your pinwheel to be).
- Fold your square corner to corner so it forms a triangle shape.
- Cut from the corner to the fold, but DO NOT cut through the fold. Stop a few centimeters before the fold. Unfold and repeat with the other two corners.
- When you unfold your square, you should have 4 slices, one from each corner going towards the center of the square, but not through it.
- Now you’re ready to start folding! Place a dollop of hot glue or fabric glue in the middle of your square and fold down one corner to the middle of the square. Repeat this with every other corner to create a pinwheel shape.
- Secure the corners with another dollop of glue and a bead or button embellishment.
And there you have it! These cute pinwheels make great pins, magnets, gift package embellishments, hair accessories, and much more. This is also a great way to use up felt, fabric, and paper scraps.
Celebrate creativity every Wednesday with a “Creativi-bee” post, where I share easy craft tutorials, project ideas, and craft collections.
Filed under felt crafts
Play With Your Pain
Come back every Tuesday for “The Bees Knees”, where I post the best quotes from my favorite movies, TV shows, songs, and books.
Filed under quotes
Red Hook Road Book Review
John and Rebecca were only a few hours into their marriage when they were killed in a devastating car accident. On their short and fatal journey from the ceremony to the reception, the car taking this couple to their celebration back home collided with another vehicle, killing everyone at the scene of the impact.
And that’s just the first chapter.
Set on the beautiful east coast of Maine over the course of four summers, Red Hook Road tells the story of two unlikely families that come together for a joyous celebration and are quickly ripped apart by a tragic end. The Tetherlys, a family of modest income and stature, feel almost intimidated by the wealthier Copakens, who have intimate ties to the east coast. When word arrives at their own wedding reception that John Tetherly and Rebecca Copaken were killed only moments ago in a car accident, both families must work together to heal, cope, and find the best way to honor the memory of a couple taken too soon.
Throughout this story, we’re introduced to the people who loved John and Rebecca, and we see them try to cope with the loss of a loved one. Music, literature, sex, and anger all help these characters try to make sense of what’s become of John and Rebecca, as they attempt to rebuild their lives over the course of four summers.
I fell in love with this book from the very first chapter. Author Ayelet Waldman tells her story with such prose and eloquence that I found myself completely absorbed in this tale of joy and sorrow. With the soft accompaniment of music and literature, the story told in Red Hook Road reminds us all that it’s often the little things, a cold beer, a favorite story, a freshly picked flower, or a simple song, that makes life so precious.
Looking for a new book to read? Check in every Friday for a “Bee Happy” post, where I share reviews of books I’ve read or other book-themed lists.
Filed under book reviews
Don’t Dwell on Dreams
Come back every Tuesday for “The Bees Knees”, where I post the best quotes from my favorite movies, TV shows, songs, and books.
Filed under quotes
Peaches for Father Francis Book Review
Eight years have passed since Vianne Rocher first worked her culinary magic on the residents of Lansquenet-sous-Tannes, a small fictional town in Southwest France. Her quest to open up her chocolate shop formed the basis of Joanne Harris’s breakout novel, Chocolat. A few years later, Vianne returned in The Girl with No Shadow, and now she’s back for a third installment in the Chocolat series.
In Peaches for Father Francis, we find Vianne living with Roux and her two daughters in Paris. Having left her life in Lansquenet behind, including her beloved chocolatarie, Vianne is trying to make a new life for herself and her family. However, when she receives a mysterious letter from beyond the grave, Vianne finds herself once again uprooted and following the cruel north wind back home to Lansquenet, and finds her quaint town has drastically changed.
It’s Ramadan in 2010 when Vianne returns to Southwest France. She’s surprised to see a variety of new residents that have taken up in this small town, and is even more surprised to see what’s become of her chocolate shop. In the midst of a religious war, the town of Lansquenet seems to be calling out for Vianne’s help, and Vianne, true to her form, is quick to take on the challenge.
Peaches for Father Francis contains the familiar recipe of Harris’s first novel, Chocolat, where food becomes the universal language between two very different and powerful groups of people. By working her magic as only she knows how, Vianne attempts to bring peace back to Lansquenet, as well as a taste for something sweet.
Looking for a new book to read? Check in every Friday for a “Bee Happy” post, where I share reviews of books I’ve read or other book-themed lists.
Filed under book reviews
13 Clever Uses for Cotton Balls
Who would have thought that cotton balls could be such a help around the house? From simple sachets to helpful cleaning tools, these little balls of cotton can do much more than remove nail polish and makeup.
13 Creative Uses for Cotton Balls
- Here’s a great tip for spring cleaning…saturate a cotton ball in your favorite scent and drop it into your vacuum cleaner bag. As you vacuum your house, it will slowly release the scent into the room.
- Spring time also means flood season…and when it comes to fighting mildew, it can be a never ending battle of frustration to get to those hard to reach places. If you’re having trouble cleaning little corners and crevices, soak some cotton balls in bleach adn place them in those hard to reach spots. Let them sit for a few hours and rinse with warm water.
- Nasty stink coming from the fridge? Soak a cotton ball in vanilla extract to keep you fridge smelling nice and clean. Granted this won’t get rid of the smell, but after you wash your fridge and rid it of any unwanted food, the vanilla can help keep your fridge smelling clean.
- Cotton balls also make great ear plugs. We all remember the days of ear infections and using cotton balls to keep the medicine contained in the ear, right? Well cotton balls are also great for blocking out loud sounds if you’re trying to sleep or concentrate.
- Cotton makes a great fire starter. You can use them for lighting oil lamps and candles that are hard to reach with a match or a lighter.
- I use cotton balls to stuff small toys and objects that I’m sewing. No need to buy all that filling if I’m making a small felt toy…I just pull apart some cotton balls and use them to bring my project to life.
- Help your beautiful daffodils last longer by filling their hollow stems with water and plugging it with a cotton ball. This method works similarily to those plastic tubes that come with store bought or mail order flowers.
- If Peter Cottontail is reaking havoc on your garden, soak some cotton balls in white distilled vinegar and place them in one of those old 35mm film containers (remember those?). Place these around your garden to keep bunnies from eating your crops.
- Keep ants and other pesky critters away from your food by soaking cotton balls in peppermint extract adn placing them in the corners of your cabinets. This is great for those moving into a college dorm or an old apartment that’s in need of some work.
- Don’t you hate when your pop goes flat? Help prolong the life of the fizz by placing a cotton ball in the bottle before you place the cap on (just don’t push it in too far…you don’t want it floating around in your drink!). The cotton will help plug any air leaks so your pop stays fresh. This also works for cans as well. Just place a cotton ball in the opening to help keep it fresher longer.
- Cotton balls are also naturally great for removing nail polish and makeup, cleaning dust from a computer monitor and/or keyboard, cleaning jewelry, touching up shoe polish, and they can act as a temporary bandage if you accidently cut yourself and can’t get to a doctor in time.
- Cotton balls are also great for crafty folks. Besides being used in thousands of craft projects, they can also work as paint brushes and a way to spread glue onto a surface.
- Does your hair need a bit of a lift? Add a few cotton balls to beef up a chignon or French Twist hairstyle.
Knowledge is power! Learn fun facts, hints and tips, and creative ways to use every day items with “The Buzz” posts on Thursday.
Filed under clever uses
The Hob-bee Hive 
