Perler: Flamingo

 

My latest Perler animal.  

I love Flamingos :)

Memory Bracelet: Sage Green with Silver Wired Beads

I recently took a jewelry class where I learned how to make my own jewelry (earrings, bracelets and necklaces).  We were allowed to pick our own beads and do whatever kind of pattern we wanted.  For measurement I wrapped the memory wire three times around my wrist, then added about a half inch extra just to make sure.  I laid my pattern out on a bead board and made a know at the bottom of my memory wire.  After making sure no beads would escape I started stringing them through until I was ready for the ending knot.  I think it came out pretty well. :)

Lanyard: Circle Stitch (Pink and Green)

I made a circle stitch lanyard pattern with two gimp strings, pink and green.  Tied it off at the end with a simple knot and put a key chain hook so that I could hang it with my keys. [Reddit Post]

Perler: Crocodile

My latest Perler art.  I made it a couple of days ago.  I also decided to make some stands for him that look like legs so he can stand on his own on top of my desk.

Perler: Cake

I love making Perler art.  I love its creative freedom, I can make anything my mind can come up with.. so long as I have the right color beads.  While browsing Reddit I found it was my cake day.  I can't believe it has been a year since I made a Reddit account!!  To celebrate here is a cake. [Reddit Post]

Lanyard: Square Stitch (Blue and Green)

I love making lanyards with gimp.  It's a fun little thing to do while you're waiting for someone at the airport, doctors office, or just watching TV and you need something to busy your hands.  Personally I like to just turn on my music really loud and work on them, I guess you could say it has become a sort of meditation ritual.  If you like making lanyards you can refer to [Lanyards Videos] for more tutorials and how to guides.  His tutorials are simple and easy to follow for even the most complicated stitches.

EZ GIMPER

If your a beginner to making lanyards, I highly suggest that you pick up an "EZ Gimper".  You can get it at most craft stores.  It's a nifty little tool that will hold the strings in place for you while you work with them.  It makes making two-string lanyards a lot easier, this way you can get practice until you can upgrade to more and more strings. 

Now onto the craft I made.  I made a simple square stitch lanyard pattern with two gimp strings, blue and green.  Tied it off at the end with a simple knot and put a key chain hook so that I could hang it on my car keys.  I have found that the two colors go together pretty well.  [Reddit Post]

Little Wooden Bear

I did a really simple little arts and crafts project to past the time while I wait impatiently for my job hunting to hit a breakthrough.  While I was browsing the local Micheal's, I came across this little unfinished-wooden bear for only a couple of dollars.  I instantly bought it as I love animals and bought some ribbon, some wood markers (which can also be found at a craft store, they will be the most expensive item) and a little rose from one of the little scrapbook packets.  I painted him thoroughly with a dark colored wooden marker (except the stomach) and then let that dry.  I repeated that process with a lighter color just on his stomach.  While I let the stomach dry I took a permanent marker and made two eyes, colored in his nose and made a mouth.  After letting it dry over night, to make sure the marker had soaked through the wood, I made a little bow out of the ribbon I bought and hot glued it onto him and placed the rose in the center.  I let the hot glue cool and now I have a cute decoration for my bookcase... or for my desk in an office, should I hear a call back. This little guy cost under ten dollars.  [Reddit Post]

Broccoli Hummus Recipe

Here's my recipe for an easy, low calorie, fast and healthy snack. I will also post the calorie information for anyone who is counting calories, like I am.  If you have your own recipes and you want to figure out how many calories they are, check out NutritionData.com and make a free account.  It's the most accurate site for calorie information that I have found.  [Reddit Post]

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Total Time: 10 Minutes

 

Ingredients:

• 2 Cans of Garbanzo Beans/Chickpeas (15 oz), drained
• 1 Cup of Fresh Broccoli
• 1/2 Cup of Tahini
• 4 Tablespoons of Garlic
•  6 Tablespoons of Lemon Juice
•  4 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
• 1/2 Teaspoon of Kosher Salt

Preparation:

In a food processor, process beans, garlic, broccoli, Tahini and olive oil. If you don't like Tahini or can not find it at your local market you can substitute it with peanut butter or take sesame seeds and olive oil, and blend them into a paste.  Add Lemon and Salt and blend. If Hummus is too thick, add 1 Tablespoon of Water or the liquid from the Garbanzo Beans until desired consistency. Hummus should be smooth and creamy.  

Good low calorie foods to dip into the Hummus: baby carrots, wheat crackers, pita bread, celery, and cucumbers.  Calorie Info is only for the Hummus.