NorthShore Days.....

Thursday, 2 May 2013

Floral Cluster Pendant Necklace

Cluster Pendant's are so difficult to photograph! But Oh So Easy to make!

Like beyond easy!!!

What you need:

beads (I used the cutest flower beads)

headpins (mine had a loop but you can use without)

Jump Rings

Pliers

Approx 10 minutes

What to do:

Follow the pictures below;

Thread a bead onto a headpin and bend the headpin at a 90 degree angle.

Using pliers bend the headpin back around to form a loop.

Snip off the excess wire.

I made my cluster kind of short and chunky, so I made up 6 beads.

Next:

Add 2 beads to a jump ring, close it

Loop another jump ring through the first one, then add a bead to each side of the opening.

Repeat!

Add a final jump ring and attach to a chain!

So cute and seriously simple to make.

I made this green cluster pendant with smaller flower shaped beads and added a large ring spacer to change up the look.

Here I have shown you 3 looks for this particular pendant.

I love them all to be honest, I wouldn't know which to choose.

This look is really pretty and Summery and so easy to make. Have a look at these earrings that Amy from One Artsy Mama made.. Cute, cute, cute!!!

I hope Amy and I have inspired you to try this technique. Don't forget to stop over and say hi to Amy.

Take Care everyone,

xxx

Saturday, 27 April 2013

7th Bead Soup Bead Party - Reveal

Hey Everyone,

Its finally time to reveal my pieces for the Bead Soup Blog Party.

So excited....happy dance!

A little reminder of the soup I received from my partner Carmen at Little Maketto... loads of interesting little packages...And lots of challenges!!

Remember we have to use the focal and the clasp that is sent to us but we can use some of our own beads in our creations too. I used Every.Single.Bead that Carmen sent me, bar 1, and I added a few of my own to two of the pieces.

The first piece I made was a cuff bracelet with memory wire. I absolutely love how it turned out.

I wasn't sure what to make with the lilac teardrop shell beads that were in the soup, until I received an order from Ply containing these gorgeous turquoise Moroccan Flower beads. I also added a handmade wire bead to make a pendant. This is totally my favourite piece of all.

The focal that I received is really striking, so I decided to make it just that....the focus! I added a few beads to the chain to accent the colours and it is simple but perfect...

The purple miracle beads were perfect for a bracelet, I teamed them up with my own stash of lime green frosted glass beads and made a cluster bracelet. I used the wee butterfly beads too and the beautiful clasp. This bracelet just shouts Spring doesnt it?

I also had 3 gorgeous Agate disc beads as well as a few leaves, in my soup. The colour palate is perfect for Autumn and that's the season I'm currently experiencing! I added in 2 large bronze rings to complement the discs.

Don't forget to pop across to see my partner Carmen's creations at Little Maketto

To follow all the other blogs taking part in the huge Bead Soup Party, click on the picture below and it will take you to Lori Anderson's blog, Pretty Things and the blog list.

Take Care everyone, thanks for visiting

xxx

Wednesday, 24 April 2013

Up-Cycled Painted Tin Cans

I love tin cans! I love painting them and storing bits and bobs in them....

So today I'm sharing my latest tin can project.

I wanted to make a few caddies for the Entryway Storage Bench - to pop sunglasses and pens and stuff in. I wanted handles so I could hang them and when the kids came home from a party with the sweetest party treat boxes - I nabbed the wire handles super quick!

Here's what you need:

Tin cans, wire for handles (or like me - you can recycle handles),wire for attaching the handles, rub on decals, paint and twine.

Its seriously as easy as paint and accessorize!

I love those rub on decals, LOVE them!!! (you can get them in the scrap booking section of most craft stores)

We had a small reprieve in the weather today so we took the photo shoot outside!

The girls insisted on picking my last few daises and they look so pretty in the tins. I let them enjoy the last few blooms from Summer...

Check out my other Tins, can you tell I love me some tin can projects?

Repurposed Beachy Tins

Threaded Valentine Tins

I hope I inspired you to recycle those cans...

Take Care everyone,

xxx

Sharing at these great parties:

http://withablast.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/all-my-bloggy-friends-link-party-43.html

http://todayscreativeblog.net/being-creative/

http://silohillfarm.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/fluster-busters-creative-muster-party.html

http://www.smartschoolhouse.com/2013/04/whimsy-wednesday-april-23rd.html

http://www.gingersnapcrafts.com/2013/04/wow-me-wednesday-100.html

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/04/wow-us-wednesdays-115.html

http://www.mygirlishwhims.com/2013/04/your-whims-wednesday-108-and-features.html

http://www.vintagegwen.com/2013/04/show-share-89.html

http://www.somedaycrafts.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/whatever-goes-wednesday-167.html

http://www.the36thavenue.com/2013/04/party-time-9.html

http://www.stonegableblog.com/2013/04/tutorial-tips-and-tidbits-45-and.html

http://www.52mantels.com/2013/04/thursdays-are-your-days_24.html

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2013/04/24/hookin-up-with-hoh-145/

http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/2013/04/transformation-thursday-no-201.html

http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/feathered-nest-friday_25.html

http://www.oneartsymama.com/2013/04/shine-on-fridays-77and-big-announcement.html

http://happyhourprojects.com/happy-hour-friday-04-26/

http://www.504main.com/2013/04/tickled-pink-143.html

http://shabbynest.blogspot.co.nz/2013/04/frugal-friday_25.html

http://www.bystephanielynn.com/2013/04/the-sunday-showcase-party-no-192.html

Friday, 19 April 2013

Condensed Milk Cookies

Today the weather is miserable, cold and raining. The perfect day for a special sweet treat!!!

I always keep a couple of cans of condensed milk in the cupboard, Sean has a really sweet tooth and he loves the stuff! But best to hide it from him...

This cookie recipe was a family favorite growing up, my mom would make them really huge and golden. Yum! And I make them for the kids. Be warned they are addictive and really delicious!

Condensed Milk Cookies

250g margarine

3/4 cup sugar

1 tin (225g) condensed milk

3 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

2 level teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream the margarine and sugar.

Add condensed milk and mix.

Add flour, vanilla, baking powder and salt.

Knead into a stiff dough.

Roll into small balls, place on a baking sheet and flatten. They spread!

Bake at 190 deg Celcius (374 deg Fahrenheit) for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

Makes 5 dozen

Because this recipe makes so much, I freeze two thirds of the dough.

When you take the roll of dough out of the freezer - it will defrost quickly, so slice the cookies and bake immediately or you will be left with a big sticky mess.