Thumb-body Loves You!

I love this thumbprint necklace that I found {Here}. I just couldn't justify that kind of cost for it. 

I decided to make my own...times four. My little brother used to make me necklaces to match my more casual dance outfits when I was in high school. He used to roll the bead with craft clay that he would bake in the oven. He used to make all sorts of things. Which gave me an idea....

I headed out and took a gander at the local craft store and found me a couple of clay colors that I fancied.

I returned home and pulled out some parchment paper, a rolling pin, a cookie cutter {of sorts}, some letter stamps and the clay.

 I pulled a portion of the clay out of the package and I started to knead it- just with my fingers until it was more pliable. When it warmed up I rolled it out with my rolling pin on the parchment paper.

 Once it was rolled out, I used my lid to cut a circle out and called my little ones to do their part.

I had my kiddos wash and dry their little hands- mainly because they had been eating Cheetos and I though I love orange, I didn't want this one THAT orange.

I had the girls press their thumbs in the pearl colored clay and the boys on the metallic gray.

 Once they were done leaving their imprints I stamped each of their charms with their nicknames. {Something to consider: I put the letters on the side that will end up being upside-down to everyone else. Be aware of the letter stamp direction and readability.}

 I wanted to make sure that the necklace holels were big enough. - Double check yours- and I removed the toothpicks from the charms before I put them in the oven.

 I put the charms on the same parchment paper I had rolled and cut them out on on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven for 10 minuted {at 300 degrees}.

 I picked this one up off the cookie sheet almost immediately- look how cute!

 Here's the four of my charms together. I love it! Way less expensive than the metal version, easier to make and faster, too!  Just my style. ;)

 Check out MindyMaesMarket.com to see which vendor's product is up now!

And our blog: MMMblog  for our ORANGE ideas this week!

Nikki's Niche- Washi YOUR Window!

I started with a window we will be replacing in the future- how FAR in the future, I don’t know. I wanted to do something to perk it up and hide the broken glass (inherited when we purchased the home).
I started applying washi tape in strips- taking time to line up the polka-dots (it was easier when it was light outside (the outside light made the polka-dots more visible).
Here’s where I stopped for the night. I had only used just over half of my washi tape roll! (Now I’m scoping out other ways to use it and accent the rest of the room.)

I started the next day measuring the window to find midpoints, horizontally and vertically; top and bottom. We drew light pencil lines a couple of inches from the bottom straight across horizontally and then one down the center of the window (be sure to notate where these two meet.)                                        
Then I measured the diameter of the clear cup I was using (this is hubby- he takes over when he thinks I’m doing things wrong…that’s quite often…and sometimes on purpose.)  We used the same pencil to mark the diameter…act as if the lip of the cup was a compass…make a mark at North, South, East and West.                                                                            

Starting in the center of the window and at the middle of the window-  line up North and South of the cup on this line. Then match up East and West on the horizontal line drawn in the beginning.

Once you are lined up, lightly trace the bottom of the cup. Decide on the distance you’d like between the scallops…continuing to use the East-West line as a guide on the window and your East-West marks on your cup as well. Once you’ve finished in one direction, start on the opposite side.

Using a razor blade, we cut out the scallops and then peeled the remaining washi tape off!

Here’s a couple of shots of it for you! I love it- not too much, not too little- and not taking up space in a room that doesn’t have much to spare! Plus, if I decide I don't like it...it's an easy fix!:)

Items Used:
Washi Tape from Mindy Mae’s Market
pencil, ruler, clear cup, razor blade