What is that funny white stuff falling from the sky???

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would not have believed it even possible. Not sure I do even though I DID see it. I did...I did!!! It was sleeting/snowing in our little Southern coastal town this morning. Oh yes..it was. The Chazman and I were on our way to school, stopped at a red light and this funny white stuff was slowly drifting down from the sky. There wasn't much but it was enough to get the Chazman VERY excited. I think I was in shock and wondering if I had socks thick enough that I could still get my flip flops on...hehe!!

Not long after I got home, the mister called to ask if it was snowing here. I told him about our SHOCK and EXCITEMENT and he said that it was snowing and sticking good over in Mobile. Hmmmm...snowing in Mobile, Alabama and sticking!!!

I asked him to take a pic and send it because otherwise......folks.....just....would...NOT....believe us. Proof people...here's the proof!!! He sent an email about 30 minutes ago and said that it was still snowing. Unbelievable!!!

My big girl, Callie just went to the door and wanted Ooooouuuttt (yes, she sounds like she says out) and to my amazement I can hear the sleet...hard to see but you can hear it just a crackling!! Cool beans or should that be frozen beans? Bahahahaha

Since it is so chilly (34 feels like 24 and before any of my Northern friends say anything...I know that's not as cold as ya'll and no where near your temps but to us.....it's freakin frrrrrreezing..hehe) I'm inside working on those necklaces still. HEY..my fingers don't twist so good when they are cold. ^_^  I have a cup of hot tea beside me and I will twist a bit and then take a drink and hold the mug to warm my fingers. It feels so so good. Anyhow, I have three finished and three more to go. Here are the three that are complete.

Black hemp rope with natural hemp, two faceted violet jade beads, Tibetan charm holder, scallop shell with broken murex shell (mermaid key) and silver wire.

 Light rose hemp rope with white tatting thread (twisted square knot used), two moonstone beads, Tibetan charm holder, scallop shell, three wing oyster shells with moonstone bead.

Light rose hemp rope with dark rose hemp rope, four rose quartz beads, Tibetan charm holder, two scallop shells, two coquina shells, silver wire.

Ohhhh...someone is knocking on the back door. Hey, it's Miss Callie...yes she knocks on the door. HeHe Seems she had enough listening to the crackling sleet.

I'm going to make each necklace unique since I am using shells found on our beach walks. After I finish the other three then I'm going to make some paper seashell tags to go on them. I want folks to know what kind of shells and where they were found.

Since it's going to be a bit chilly all weekend then I plan on making some of my turtle clay charms and a sweet friend, Debbie, that is involved in our local turtle hatchlings was kind enough to give me some of the dates they hatched on. I'm going to put that on the back of the clay charm and use some for necklaces and perhaps some hemp rope bookmarks.

Sooooo, are YOU staying warm today and busy? Would love to hear what's happening in your neck of the woods or beach or mountains or plains...hehe  Thank you for stopping by today...I always look forward to your visit.

Until next time.................keep a shell in your pocket and some sand between those toes,
Regi

Time for a Thursday Tutorial!!!!

I love making decorations but of course ya'll already knew that....hehe!!! I wanted to share one of the ways I make a wreath with you. It's inexpensive and very VERY easy peasy to make. I bet you have most of the items we will need on hand already. If not then all can be purchased at Dollar Tree. I LOVE Dollar Tree, don't you? Here's what you'll need:

A swim noodle

coffee filters

scissors

glue gun

duct tape

string

embellishments

See, I told you that most items you would probably already have on hand....so let's get started. First thing is to decide on how big you want your wreath. Once decided take your scissors and cut into the noodle but not all the way through it. Cut around until you are back at your starting point. Pull the pieces apart. Now you will see why I told you not to cut all the way through. There is a long piece of plastic inside the noodle and if ya hold it in one hand and over your head and then twirl it, it makes the coolest whistling sound. HEY, ya already know how quirky I am and I love to make noise. (where do you think the Chazman gets it from)

Ok now, you can put the piece of plastic down for now...hehe  Pull the ends of the noodle together and duct tape with several pieces. Ya might need a bit of help with this part. It makes it sooo much easier if someone holds the noodle together for you. (yes yes, I'm speaking from experience) Once it's all taped up then take a piece of string and cut it about an arm length....that's from your shoulder to your fingertips. Yes, I measure Southern gal style. ^_^   Fold the string in half and then tie the two loose ends together with a double knot.

Place the string over the top of the noodle where the duct tape is...this is the top of your wreath and pull it through itself. This makes a great hanging loop for when you are finished. I always place a piece of duct tape on the back to keep the string securely in place.

Isn't duct tape awesome?

Next step is to lay the noodle down on your workspace with the string at the top. Take a coffee filter and place your finger in the center and fold upwards like you are making a flower. Twist one time (after you remove your finger of course) and flatten bottom. 

Take your glue gun and please please be careful (yes yes speaking from experience again) and put a few dabs on the bottom of the filter. Then place filter on to the noodle. If  the back of your wreath is going to be showing then you will probably want to spray paint it white or cover it in felt before starting this process. Mine doesn't show so I just started gluing!! 

This is with three filters already in place. With mine I did four rows starting at the top and coming downward. It helps if you lift the noodle up every so often to check and see what kind of coverage you are getting. From this point ya just keep folding flowers and gluing....folding flowers and gluing....folding...OK OK ya get my drift....hehe. 

An important thing to remember is the glue that comes out of a glue gun is HOT HOT HOT!!! I have found that if I take the flower and bunch it up as I press it on the noodle or I take a wooden stick and push it on that I don't burn my fingers as easily or as often. Now...back to folding flowers and gluing....folding flowers and gluing. Ohhhh...don't get into a rush...you will be doing this routine for a while yet. It took me about an hour and a half to make mine but that's because I have to get up and stretch these old bones...can't sit in one place to long. Ya might be faster or slower...it doesn't matter which just have FUN!!!

Now once you have all the noodle covered that you need to then hold it up and see if there are any spaces that might need a little extra flower pressed in. I guess I should call them snowflakes, eh? I mean this is a Christmas wreath. Ohhhhh....don't try and put the snowflakes really close together in the beginning or you WILL be taking longer than my time to complete. That's the good part about checking it after you're all done.

All you do after adding the snowflakes (that's filters) is add whatever embellishments you want. They really look pretty plain but I like to add purties to things...so I did. I added one of my handmade snowflakes and if you would like to make one of those too then just click HERE and go to my tutorial on making one. They're fun to make too and you will be surprised at what they are made of. Well...if ya know me then ya might not be surprised at all. 

I also added a pretty dark red bow just to give it some color and to pull it into the other decorations that are in the B&B room...hehe

This is a fun project to do with others...like a girls day out. I have been thinking about having some craft parties just not sure I know enough gals that would come.  Perhaps I will try and have one or two next year and see how they turn out. I mean what would be more fun than to get together with the girls, eat some snacks, gossip a bit (hehe), drink some wine (AFTER the glue gun is turned off) and just have a good time AND make something pretty to take home. 

This wreath also looks very pretty if you use the natural colored coffee filters...it gives it a vintage look. Love vintage and before ya ask, I used the white ones because #1 that's what I had on hand and #2 I wanted to use my handmade snowflake. ^_^  

This wreath can be made for other holidays too just by changing the filters. You could use tissue papers in red for Valentines or pastel colors for Easter or black and orange tissue paper for Halloween. I think your imagination can take it from here. 

Now stop twirling that plastic tube over your head and get to crafting....hehe

Until next time.........Hugs,

Regi

Oh oh ohhhhh, if you have any questions, please feel free to post a comment and I will get back with you. Leave an email addy too...that always helps. Hugs again!!!