Year: 2011

Native Headress Pin or Neckerchief

Materials:

  • 15 safety pins ( I used small brass ones )
  • “E” beads ( I used a variety of colors )
  • 6 mm round beads ( I used faceted ones )
  • approx. 8″ of 20 gauge wire
  • 1/2 pipe cleaner ( I used gold )

Instructions:

  1. String “E” beads on pin in desired pattern. Do 14 pins the same way. ( I experimented with different colors. Each of the above will represent a feather so you may want to use a pattern here. )
  2. Pinch heads of pin closed, so that they don’t open while wearing. IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE!
  3. String 6 mm beads and heads of pins on wire. Start with a bead and fold wire back over bead to keep it on. Alternate beads and pins, being sure to put all pins facing the same way. (This is where I created a pattern. Ex. blue faceted 6mm bead,1 pin w/red beads, blue faceted 6mm, 1 pin w/white beads, blue faceted 6mm, 1 pin w/blue beads, blue faceted 6mm, 1 pin w/white beads, blue faceted 6mm,1 pin w/red beads, etc…..) End with a 6mm bead, leave enough wire to fold back over bead as you did at start, then trim excess wire away. Be sure ends are folded back enough so that there is no sharp point.
  4. String pipe cleaner through loops at bottom of pins, pushing pins close together, and centering pipe cleaner.
  5. On ends of pipe cleaner string several beads, either “E” or 6mm. ( I used 3 blue faceted 6mm beads on each end) Form excess pipe cleaner into a loop, and twist to secure.
  6. Take your last pin and pin the first beaded pin and last beaded pin on the back of the slide. This will help to form shape, and is used to create area to put neckerchief through.
  7. Adjust shape, pull “tails” straight, then wear with pride.

photo is just for demonstration. Finished prject may differ. instructions via

 

Homemade Snickers Bars

1st Layer:
1 c. milk chocolate chips
1/4 c. butterscotch chips
1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
Melt together all ingredients in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until melted.  Spread into a lightly greased 9×13 inch glass pan.  Put in fridge to cool.
Filling:
1/4 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. evaporated milk
1 1/2 c. marshmallow cream
1/4 c. creamy peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. salted peanuts, chopped
Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat, add sugar and milk, stirring constantly to dissolve the sugar.  Bring to a boil and stir for 3-5 minutes.  Mixture will start to follow your spoon. Remove from stove and stir in marshmallow cream, peanut butter and vanilla.  Mix until smooth.  Spread over first layer and sprinkle peanuts over top.
Caramel Layer:
1 (14 oz.) bag Kraft caramels
1/4 c. evaporated milk
Unwrap and melt the caramels with the cream in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Carefully spread over filling layer.  
Top Layer:
1 c. milk chocolate chips
1/4 c. butterscotch chips
1/4 c. peanut butter
Melt together in microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until melted.  Spread evenly over caramel layer.  Store in the refrigerator until cooled and hardened.  Cut into small bars. Keep refrigerated
great idea via

Painting with Light

Painting with light is a fun technique that gives great results. It is called painting with light because this is what you are actually doing while taking the shot – painting with light.

You don’t need much to experiment with this kind of shot, just make sure you have the following items:

1. A camera capable of long exposures – film cameras will work OK, but if you really want to get the most out of the shooting session, use a digital camera. You will be able to see the results in “real time” and make corrections as you go.

2. A nice tripod. Since you will be doing some long exposures you want to make sure your camera sits still.

3. A flash light – and by flash light I do not mean flash as in a speedlight, but the flash light or what our British will call a torch.

4. A dark location. This one is tricky. If you are going to shot at home – a dark room will be OK. If you are going to shoot outside – make sure that you are not doing this under a street light, or where a car can come by and “paint its headlight” all over your shot.

Here is how it’s done:

Set your camera on the tripod and take a sample shot with flash / lights on. This will help you verify that your composition is OK.

Set the exposure to a relatively long value. Stop down the aperture as much as you need. If you are outside do nothing. If you are inside – this is the time to turn off the lights.

Make the click. Once the shutter is open use your flashlight to light the stuff that you want to “paint”. You can use the flashlight as a brash, and “smear” the light, just like you would have done with brush and paper. Or, you can use the light as a pen, and do precise work. Areas where you go slowly will be more lit then others. Be careful not to linger to much over the same stop – you will burn it. (The machos amongst you will correctly identify this as the “I forgot the iron on the shirt” phenomena).

Once the shutter closes, you are a free person again. Inspect your image and make corrections. via

Cable Braided Necklace

Ran across THIS TUTORIAL when looking for the MLB corded necklaces that the players are wearing. If you arent into creating it from scratch totally, get a piece of scrap and start in the middle of the steps– you’ll see, it’s not too difficult– Check it out!