Woo hoo! Thrifty Thursday and a Bedazzled Tiger

Thursday, June 30, 2011
Does anyone else remember making these as a kid? I remember I used to make them like crazy but eventually the excitement of them wore off, but luckily, they are back in the saddle! I found the DIY tutorial you will see today on Honestly WTF.

You’ll need
  • embroidery thread
  • a safety pin or tape
  • scissors
Start by cutting several strands of embroidery thread at about 24 inches each. Make sure there are two sets of each color. Combine the threads and tie a knot, leaving at least 3 inches of slack. Tape it to a flat surface or safety pin it to a pillow. Separate the two sets, arranging the strands in a mirror-image pattern with the outside strands the same color and so on moving inwards.
Start on the left side with the outermost color (shown here in red) and make a forward knot by creating a 4-shape over the 2nd color, loop it under and back through the opening.
Pull up and to the right to tighten. Make the same knot twice over each color. Continue knotting over each color, towards the right, until the outermost color has carried over to the middle. This is one half of the chevron pattern.
Now pick up the outermost color on the right side (show here in red) and make a backward knot, creating a reverse 4-shape over the 2nd color, loop it under and back through the opening. Pull up and to the left to tighten. Don’t forget to knot twice over each color!
Continue knotting towards the left until the outermost strand reaches the middle. Tie a backwards knot with the two middle strands to connect the two halves. Did you remember to knot twice? The first chevron row is complete! Continue with the the next color, which is now the outermost strand . . .
Remembering the color order is important for the first few rows but after the 3rd or 4th row, the strands will fall nicely in place. Finish it with a knot and a braid.
For a striped bracelet, cut one set of colors and simply carry the outermost color all the way through to the right side. For an assymetrical chevron, mix the colors when dividing them into 2 sets. Be sure to count the number of strands so you know when to stop in the middle each time. For an embellished bracelet, take a small piece of rhinestone chain, glue it to the top of the bracelet and stitch embroidery thread between each rhinestone with an embroidery needle.

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So now that you've got your DIY craft fix...it's time to feast your eyes on the bedazzled tiger...



Top - Forever 21

Let me start by saying how much I love tigers and when I found this gem today I just had to make it mine! He's one shiny tiger too.

Happy crafting!

Jenna
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New cat toy prototype testers!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Over the weekend I made some new "prototype" cat toys to see how they fared with the feline community.

I think the new "Here fishy fishy" toy was a smash but I'll let you decide for yourself. My little Grem-lions were happy to be toy testers and work with the camera rather than against it! Yay for small miracles :)


Benny can't get enough of the fish toy


I don't know if he loves it so much he can't let it go...or if he wants to eat it!



Miss Charlie giving the fish a go

I'm pretty sure she did want to eat it.


Penelope..she didn't want to even leave her perch to test it out.
 

Because she refused to move her little butt...


She dropped the poor stuffed fish...

But of course I was there to pick it up and return it to her


But of course once I retrieved it for her... she decided to make it a take out toy and left the tree with fish in mouth!

I hope you enjoyed the photo montage of my tried and true toy testers!

Cat Nip and Chew Toys,

Jenna
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Get your smile on! (and check out my new blog layout while you're at it!)

Sunday, June 26, 2011
Is it just me or did Sunday sneak up on you too? It's going to be quite a hectic upcoming work week for me, my boss is on vacation, so I've got to take hold of the Legal reigns. Plus, get ready to head to Ft. Myers, FL on Saturday for my brother's wedding, me and my other half have a 6 hour drive on Saturday! 

How did your weekend treat you? 

So please take a second and give the Sunday Smile a looksie...because it cracked ME up when I saw it...and not because the cat looks like my little lion Penelope.


                                                                               Source: sfist.com via Thomas on Pinterest


PS - I joined the ranks of the Pinterest junkies today - my boards aren't full yet by any means but come check me out and follow me if you dare! :p My Pinterest

Also if anyone has thoughts on the new look of the blog please feel free to share!

Cat Nip and Chew Toys,

Jenna

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As promised...some photos from my bag (or box) of birthday goodies

Saturday, June 25, 2011
Happy Saturday all! It's been a very dark and gloomy Saturday in these parts which has kept me inside but because of that...I finally took my final exam for my Laboratory and Diagnostic Procedures class...which means I have two classes to go to complete my Veterinary Assistant certification! Next up is the Animal Nursing class. 

Now back to what this post is truly about...photos! If you recall my post about the anticipated arrival of my birthday goodies I ordered from good ol' Hot Topic, I promised to take photos of most of my fun finds, so without further adieu here they are!

Probably one of my fave purchases, it holds so much for being how small it is, and though it's weird to use the tail to open and close it...it makes me laugh every time! (PS - the nail polish is also one of my purchases!)

Rawr! Such a neat find (I love tigers!) and it's not heavy at all which was a surprise to me because it looked like it would weigh a ton!

Channeling my inner Hepburn : )

Hello purple leopard - I <3 you

Color anyone? This girl needs a little pop of color...especially on a rainy day!

So far, I've gotten the most "where did you get that" while wearing one these, and they come in three different colors!

I wasn't able to take photos of my eyeliner or ALL the colors of the bows because that would've been overkill on bow photos but I was able to showcase the key items. I was happy with all my purchases which is quite a big deal when you order that many things. 

I love hair clips that are in the form of bows, I'm currently in the process of growing out my bangs that have been a part of my 'do for over 3 years now, so I thought I'd give growing them out a try. We'll see how that turns out because I'm already missing them!

Anyone else have any stories good/bad about making the "bang grow out" decision?

Cat Nip and Chew Toys,

Jenna


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'Tis Thrifty Thursday ladies and gents!

Thursday, June 23, 2011
So I just fell in love with these little gems when I stumbled across this tutorial on Creative Kismet's blog. Now depending on the quantity you want to make, it can be pretty time consuming, but well worth the effort. These little origami wonders would be great for so many things such as parties, the office or just for your own personal use. This has got to be one of my favorite tutorial finds! So check it out and be inspired :)

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little guiding stars

I thought it would be fun to make a whole bunch with kind words and “you are….” phrases inside. I made 60 of them, enough to last me the whole year if I open one a week, plus a few extra just in case.

I used 12 x 12 inch scrapbook paper and cut 1/2 x 12″ strips, then followed the video HERE*.  I put them all in a little jar and prettied it up.  They are so cute and sweet, like little treats. A jar of candy, but without the sugar!



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If you try it I'd love to know what you used them for!

Happy Crafting : )

Jenna
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Mr. Postman please bring me some...packages!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011
I am overjoyed about the fact that the delivery of my Birthday Bounty via Hot Topic will in fact be delivered today.


This pre-delivery post is more or less to say...I will without a doubt be sharing with you all...my enjoyment of the purchases by posting possibly embarassing, entertaining, or at the very least amusing photos of my finds.

See you soon!

Cat Nip and Chew Toys,

Jenna
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Anyone feeling lucky?

Monday, June 20, 2011
So the fabulous JDavisSquared is offering a giveaway for these beauties (crafted by Catching Fireflies)


If you have a spare second and want a shot to be the big winner of these oh so adorable Shower Bursts, swing on by JDavisSquared and enter for your chance to win AND have a therapeutic shower (sign me up for that!)

Good luck!

Jenna

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Doing Double Duty...and an alliteration apparently!

Sunday, June 19, 2011
So because I feel off the blogging grid after my birthday post...I missed my Thrifty Thursday and now it's Sunday and time for another Sunday Smile photo...my four day weekend just flew by!

I want to share a super cute DIY craft idea that I found on Charlotte Hupfield Ceramics, this is perfect for all the time that will be spent outside on the upcoming summer night, you've gotta wait until the sun goes down to catch a break on the heat! Paired with a glass of wine (or your drink of choice) it would be just fabulous! Also kid friendly too, not so much during the process of punching out the design, but drawing the designs on the tin cans. 
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*Note that you can also choose to paint your tin can to jazz it up even more,using a non-latex spray paint or glass paint is what I've read to be the best choices.

DIY Tin Lanterns

I'm in love with my new recycled tea light can holder! It was so easy to make, and the best part is anyone can make one - you don't need any special tools or materials.

Here's what you do: Peel the label off an old tin can, fill with water and freeze in the freezer. Once frozen, draw a design onto the tin, and then pierce holes around the lines of your design using a nail and hammer. I had to keep taking breaks and putting my tin back in the freezer as my arm was aching from holding the hammer!

Once happy with your design, leave the ice to thaw out and wash off the pen marks. Then sit back and admire the pretty reflections on the wall when you light a tea light candle inside it! I'm going to make a few more of these once we have some more empty tins, I think they would look great displayed in a group and would also be great for summer evenings in the garden.

So do you think you'll try? 

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So next up, it's time for the Sunday Smile Photo, hopefully it serves it's purpose well!

Lesson Learned - Never leave your cookies unattended!
So here's hoping you had a good weekend and are ready to start the week! (I did have a good weekend, but I'm not quite ready to start the work week!)

Cat Nip and Chew Toys,

Jenna
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It's my birthday and I'll BLOG if I want to! : )

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Hello All! I can't describe how elated I am that I took it upon myself to take 2 vacation days from work to have an uninterrupted 4 day weekend! Woo hoo! 

Commence Birthday Dance Breakdown "shake shake shake" it has begun!

Okay so, I started out my birthday by eating an overly indulgent breakfast (egg croissant, mocha iced coffee, and some yummy french toast sticks!) then I took advantage of one of many "Hey it's your birthday" type coupons in my email. I decided to shop at Hot Topic because even though I am in fact 27 (at 9:10 pm this evening) I still LOVE Hot Topic and all the fabulously awful grab bag type items. But hey, I got a 5 dollar off coupon plus I shopped only in clearance which just so happens to be buy one item get one half off so Woo Hoo to that! If you're curious...here are a few of the items I just had to have for my bday shopping!
Yes this is a cosmetic bag...that has a tail as a zipper...it's amazingly awful!

Loving these sunglasses...6 bucks...and has a slight cat eye shape

OMG...look at that tiger! 

So that's about half of the items I purchased and yippee on the fact that I spent less than 30 bucks on the whole bounty!

Also, the nice UPS man delivered my camera case that I bought with my earnings from pet sitting, and I kinda LOVE it! Hello vintage beauty...


Let's see, next I decided to make a birthday themed treasury on Etsy, check it out if you'd like! The alien card kinda make me smile!

Birthday Treasury

And I should also note, I am still in my PJ's, yes I am!

I may or may not get up and about and explore some shops that I got gift cards too OR I may lay here on my bean bag chair and continue to watch my DVR'd House Hunters! Only time will tell :)

Cat Nip and Chew Toys,

Jenna "Birthday Girl" Rogers
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Holy Smokes!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011
You know it's smoky outside when you can smell the burning embers INSIDE a building.

We are desperate for rain here in Jacksonville, FL, granted we've had a couple awful storms this week, but it's just not enough to put a stop to the suffocating smoke and fires!

Here's a few photos to help better illustrate...


I wish I could say this was blissfully haunting fog rolling in...




In other words...don't bat an eyelash...because it may start a fire!


 
So even though, hoping for rain on my birthday (FYI - which is tomorrow!) isn't a normal birthday wish, I really hope it pours! No birthday candles for me this year...at least not outside!

Here's hoping the weather is better in your neck of the woods!

Cat Nip and Chew Toys,

Jenna





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Holy Moly it's Sunday already?! Time for a dose of Sunday Smile :)

Sunday, June 12, 2011
Well this weekend has been busy with a capital B! But I'm ready for this week to start, yep I am READY for the work week, but only because I have a 3 day work week ahead of me. I took off Thursday and Friday for a long weekend because the 16th is my birthday! Yippee! 

On another note...my other half and I bought a house on Friday!! More details to come on that later...

Now it's time to smile...

He either LOVES baths...or despises them!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend and I will talk to you soon! Sweet dreams!

Cat Nip and Chew Toys,

Jenna

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A belated but still amazing...Thrifty Thursday!

Friday, June 10, 2011

Please forgive me for my Thrifty Thursday tardiness, this hectic week has kicked my crafty bottom, but alas I am bringing you a fabulous find from Presser Foot so get your crafting hats on!

Keep in mind, patience may be a important virtue to possess for this one if you aren't great with strings, which would be me but I am without a doubt planning on trying this one! There are so many color options!

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Tutorial : DIY Nautical Headband

How to make a Nautical Headband

Materials:
-4 yds of rope or ribbon cut into 4 equal strands
-1/2 yd 1 inch twill
-hair band
-sewing needle
-thread
The following pictures show you step by step how to make the sailor's knot with your first two strands of rope. Pay careful attention to which strand is on top or under the other. For more help click here.


Now take your third and fourth strands of rope and snake them side by side into the knot by the first two strands.

Slowly pull the knot tighter, keeping it even and the knot flat.

Here is a closeup of how the knot should look now.
Take your needle and thread and about 1 inch from the knot sew together the four strands of rope to keep them flat on the back..
Repeat on the other side.
Here is the front.
Trim your ropes so that all of the ends are even and the whole thing is about 19 inches long with the knot at about 7 1/2 inches (so that it is on the side of your head).
Cut two pieces of twill at about 3 inches.
Using your sewing machine or your needle and thread sew both of your ends flat.
On the shorter side of the headband (closer to the knot) and on the front of the headband, line the edge of the twill with the end of the rope and sew with your sewing machine at 1 inch from the edge.
Fold the twill down over the stitch line and flip the headband over so you are seeing the back. Place the hair holder inside of the twill tape as shown.
Fold at about 1/4 inch.
Now fold up so that the folded twill tape covers the stitch line.
Sew this edge down as well.
Try on the headband to see if you need to take any length off. If you do then trim off a little rope before continuing. Now repeat the previous steps on the other end of your headband (the longer side). In the end it should look like this.

Here it is on.
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