Something Special Sunday: Crafty Ideas For A Back Yard Bash

Today's cold and rainy weather has me dreaming of the sunshine and heat awaiting us this summer (hopefully.....you better cooperate Mother N!). One of the best ways to spend these lovely, sunshiney days is a good old fashioned backyard BBQ. Here are some great ideas for adding a crafty touch to your next backyard party or BBQ. Enjoy!

Pop Can Lanterns from Dollar Store Crafts 

BBQ sign found on ETSY

Bunting found on ETSY

Terra Cotta Cloche found on Craftgawker

Homemade Bubbles from the lovely blog Rust and Sunshine 

Love, Bean

Today's Crafty Adventure : DIY Yarn Wrapped Bracelet

     Got left over yarn that you don't know what to do with? Use your old yarn scraps to jazz up an old bracelet. Simply wrap yarn around the bracelet, ensuring the bracelet is completely covered. To change colour, tie the yarn ends together so that the knot is hidden on the inside of the bracelet and keep on wrapping! A brand new bracelet in a couple of easy peasy steps!

It's Hip To Be Square.....

Hello! We have been enjoying beautiful weather here as of late and I have been spending my time enjoying it (yay!) or working inside and missing it (boo). As such, my crafty blogging has taken a backseat. But I'm back with some crochet goodness. Thought I would share my progress and here it is. Finally, conquered the granny square. Boo yah grandma!

P.S.- Follow me on Instagram (jess_bean8)!

Fun Fridays: The Many Applications of Kool Aid (Part III)

It's finally Friday and finally time for the final installment of The Many Applications of Kool Aid Part III. We've made lipgloss, we've made some super awesome playdough and now we are going to use Kool Aid to...........dye wool!

I first found this idea on the awesomeness that is craftgawker. There are many tutorials for dyeing wool with kool aid all over the web. It's pretty basic though. First unwind a ball of wool  (I used 100 percent cotton). Next, heat a cup of water in a saucepan. Add one packet of Kool Aid in your colour of choice (I went with Cherry). Take your ball of wool and put it in the pot, rolling it around so that it absorbs the colour. Leave the wool in for about five minutes then take it out and rinse under cool water.

To create a neat effect, repeat this process using another colour of Kool Aid ( I chose purple). After rinsing, squeeze excess water out of the wool and allow to dry for two to three days. Ta da! Your very own, completely unique hand dyed wool! What can't Kool Aid do? 

Love, Bean

Crochet Love

      A beauty from elycia 

                                           Amazing afghan from better together photography



                                               My favourite from according to matt

Mother of pearl! I wish I could crochet like this! Some crochet love to brighten your Wednesday...

Love, Bean

Progress....

Hi Friends, 
It's been awhile since I have posted anything....because I have been too busy crocheting like a crazy woman! No...that's not true, but I have been continuing to perfect my skills and thought I would share my progress with you. Drum roll please.....

So....it's not perfect. A little lumpy around the edges;a little less than square but after the granny half circle experience I'm pretty proud of this here granny square. 


In other news: special thanks to Yadira from Yadira's Crafty Adventures for awarding me a Liebster Award for blogs under 200 followers. Yadira is amazingly crafty....you can check out (and purchase) the cool things she creates on her Etsy shop by clicking here. Thanks Yadira!

                                                 
Love, Bean

Off Da Chain: My Misadventures with Crochet (Or How I Spent Most of My Saturday...)

Hi friends,

Hope you all had a lovely weekend! I know I have not been as faithful lately with my blogging, but I thought I would give a quick update on my current crafty project. Inspired by all the sweet granny square crochet afghans I have seen popping up all over the interweb, I was determined to teach myself how to crochet. I thought to myself "hey lady, you have a few extra hours this morning, why NOT learn to crochet?". I'm pretty convincing, so I decided to give it a go. How hard could it be right?................................................................................



Really, really really really hard, I soon found out! My hands just don't work like that!!! I watched countless youtube videos in which several very nice ladies effortless created chains and double crochets and, um, other stuff. Time and time again I would attempt to reproduce their results and I would fail miserably. My best attempt produce a sad and pathetic granny half circle. Blast!

Take heart friends! I refuse to give up this battle. Normally, I am not this tenacious and would usually throw the project in the closet in a fit of rage, but I vow that I will learn to crochet damnit! I will make granny squares like a true granny. I will succeed and when I do, I will post a picture of said granny square. It will be magnificent.

Note: Sorry for the lack of visuals....I figured you really weren't interested in pictures of a mangled granny square and me with a defeated and frustrated expression on my face. Stay tuned for the real deal!
Love, Bean