Game Day Necklace- I Found it on Pinterest

The purpose of the "I Found it on Pinterest" series is to encourage you to try new projects, exercises, or techniques you've never tried before.  Take a chance, learn something new!

I decided to share my most recent Pinterest  project with you at just the right time.  The Ohio State University Buckeyes are getting ready to take the field against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.  Good thing I have my awesome ribbon Game Day Necklace handy!

This necklace tutorial comes from Moore Babies and was a super fun project!

Here are my notes on this tutorial and my experience:

• I used satin ribbon and it was SUPER slippery, it took awhile to get the hang of holding onto the ribbon, beads, and thread all at once.
• I totally suggest measuring and marking your ribbon before threading your beads.  I attempted to just eyeball or wrap the ribbon around the bead to thread, but it made it particularly difficult because of the slipperiness and it came out much better when I measured.
• I used a jewelry clasp that I had on hand so that I didn't have to slip it over my head, but I end up doing that anyway, it's long enough even though I didn't use the full length called for in the tutorial.

I think this necklace is super classy and a way to show team spirit without a necklace of large Buckeyes clacking around your neck.  Hope you enjoy and give it a chance.  What are your team colors?

Felted Soap - I Found it on Pinterest

I have thoroughly been enjoying Pinterest for many months now.  I've been seriously inspired and I've learned things I may have not known I wanted to learn.  I spend the last hour or so before I go to sleep every night checking my favorite boards, it relaxes me and I enjoy seeing what others find interesting.

Many months ago, I came across a felted soap tutorial by the Frugal Kiwi.  I had recently started needle felting, and dabbled in a little bit of wet felting when making small wool balls.

I pinned the tutorial and kept it in mind for a day when I was looking for a new challenge.  Well I finally got around to it and I wanted to share my results with you.

The idea of felted soaps is appealing to me as a fun project, and something practical to give away as gifts.  The wool makes a great lather, and keeps the soap from being too slippery so you can use the entire bar.  I had set aside two bars of soap especially for this project, the large bar is just a generic store brand bar of bath soap.  The smaller one is a sample from Tom's of Maine that came with my favorite deodorant.   The tutorial is very thorough and I encourage you to go over and check it out, as I won't be sharing the process here.

What I do want to share is some of the problems I encountered on my first tries:

• I was trying to be sparing in the wool that I used, even knowing that it would shrink as it was felted, and as you can see I did not cover the entire bar.  So next time I'll use more wool!
• I was not prepared for the amount of suds that this project would create.  I originally started off with a bowl of hot water so I could sit down for the process.  However I soon had to move to the bathroom sink as there were suds everywhere!!  

Overall it was a fun experience and I encourage you to try it!  Don't be afraid of messing up, it's soap and wool, you can't really ruin it.  Come back and let me know how it went for you!

Bed Time Yoga- I Found it on Pinterest

Source: fitsugar.com via Chrissy on Pinterest

Exercise has been one of the best things I have done for my fibromyalgia.  I love to get out of the apartment to ride my bike or go for a walk, however that is not always possible.  Besides the monster pain I often experience, there is also a large amount of fatigue that plays a role in my ability to get moving.  I have a pretty regular yoga routine that I attempt to do several times a week, but even then it is sometimes difficult to get myself onto and then up from the floor again.

A few days ago I came across this yoga routine on Pinterest and immediately clicked over to fitsugar to check it out.  I've been doing this sequence before I get in bed for the night.  I'm certainly enjoying it.  Even if I have done other exercises or yoga during the day this gets things loosened up before I attempt to fall asleep.  I've also been heating my tighter spots (my shoulders and hips) and the combination has me feeling really well.

This is not just for my chronically hurting friends, I want to encourage my crafty readers to give this a try at the end of the day as well.  I KNOW you are sitting for hours on end in front of your sewing machines or writing blog posts at your desk.  You totally can benefit from a little loosening up before bed.  Remember to breath and quiet your mind as well, and you'll be asleep in no time.

Let me know how it works out for you in the comment section below!!

Kid's Bow Tie- I Found it on Pinterest!

There's a new trend sweeping the internet and it's being met with many cheers as well as jeers.  I am not writing this to get into a discussion about the guidelines of Pinterest or other similar sites.  I simply want to share with you the joy I have found from using this social photo sharing website.

One of the main benefits of viewing and sharing pictures on pinboards is the inspiration I have found in other people's creativity.  It has become a process of discovery for me, whether I'm making a gift for a family member or brain storming color choices for my next crocheted scarf.  I've also found awesome home decorating tips and many gluten free recipes.  Pinterest really speaks to all the aspects of my life.  The social aspect is great as I often get to see the projects my sisters, friends, as well as favorite bloggers are into on a particular day.

I've already tried a few recipes, sewing projects, and knitting patterns.  I've decided to share some of my favorite completed projects here with you.

Today I will share with you a picture of this AMAZING velcro bow tie I made for my nephew.  The tutorial I used came from a great site called A Lemon Squeezy Home.  This site is packed full of great sewing projects for any season and any size.

I made this great bow tie for my nephew Johnny, after he chose to wear a bow tie for his winter band concert.  I hope he enjoys this one for the spring.

I thought the tutorial was spot on, my bow tie did exactly what the pictures and instructions said, and it came together rather quickly.  The only thing I did different than Christie did in her tutorial is I used a lighter interfacing rather than felt.  This was mostly because I did not have any felt on hand, but I am pleased with the outcome.

I've been aware of the mechanics of sewing pretty much for my whole life, but have only been practicing the act regularly since right before Christmas 2011.  So if you are on Pinterest and see a project you might like to try give it a shot, even if you've never done something like it before.  And if you write about it be sure to give the original tutorial a shout out!

Come back here and let me know how you did!!