My Week In Sparkles Archives - Insanity Is Not An Option

And I Won’t Sleep Until They’re Home Safely

Throughout the week, I’ll be sharing with you some of the highlights (and low lights) of the girls’ visit to Texas. It was chaotic, full of laughter, a little drama, too much money being spent, snake bites (not literally, funny story, stay tuned), but most of all love.

I miss these girls every day. We don’t always get along or see eye-to-eye, but we are family and we’ll always stick together. And our hearts will always be one. My children, with all of their flaws (that they get from their mother), are my world.

So when these babies left today, my heart broke a little more, and my world got a little less beautiful. Seriously, look at them, they are both true beauty incarnate. I already miss them, and their chaos, and I won’t sleep until they get home safely. And my heart won’t be totally happy again until their next visit.

I know that children have to grow up and move on, but I never thought it would happen so soon. In the blink of an eye, it all happens so quickly. I cherish the time we do get to spend together and I’m thankful that they still call me when they’re in doubt about things in their lives or in trouble. They may not always “like” me, but they still trust and love me. I must have done something right along the way.

Meanwhile, the babies are sleeping and I’m playing catch up on work that I’ve let slip while all of my babies were under the same roof. Somehow that just didn’t seem to matter. I’ll be sure to share more in the coming days. I hope you’ll stop back by because you do NOT want to miss the photos that I have to share.

Until then, Happy New Year! I hope 2013 is your best year ever.

Repurposed Light Bulbs: Christmas Tree Ornament Tutorial

By Christy 13 Comments

Shocker Alert: I crafted this week. I used to craft all of the time but I kind of just quit. You see, crafting takes imagination and skill (I have that), but crafting is much more than that. You have to have time (this is not a luxury I have) and patience (I stepped out of the line when they were handing that out because it was just taking.too.long). But I’ve missed it because it’s relaxing and rewarding so I stepped back on the craft wagon for the holidays thanks to a bright idea I had while working on a giving mission. And the result was fabulous (in my head…OK I think this is really cute). Without further ado, my latest crafting project: Sparkly Christmas Tree Ornaments made from repurposed light bulbs.

repurposed crafts, repurposed light bulbs, repurposed Christmas tree ornaments, DIY ornaments

Eco-friendly, easy (although a little time-consuming), and most importantly…sparkly! Want to make one or 12 of your own? I’m here to tell you how! You probably already have the supplies around your house so gather them and let’s get started. What you’ll need:

A blown light bulb (hey…no need to throw anything away)
Elmer’s School Glue Mixture: 2 parts glue, one part water
Small Paint Brush
Glitter
Vise Grips (shush, we’re rednecks, you can use something else but this worked great)
Craft Wire
Ribbon
Embellishment
Ornament Hook
Elmer’s Glue Spots

Step 1: Put thebase of the bulb in a vise grip for easeof handling and so you have aplace to let it dry through the process.

Step 2: Paint on the glue mixture.

Step 3: Get ready to get your glitter on. I did this over the sink so I could wash the overspill down. Note: I also think it’s important that the glitter you use matches your fingernails, but that’s probably just me.

Step 4: Sprinkle the glitter until the bulb is covered while the glue mixture is still wet.

Step 5: Let it dry then apply another layer of the glue mixture and another layer of glitter.

Step 6: Lather, rinse, repeat. Yes this is where that patience (that I don’t have) came in. I had to put one layer of glue mixture then glitter, then another layer of glue mixture and glitter, then top it off with one more layer of glue mixture to hold the glitter to the bulb and avoid all of that unwanted fall off in to the carpet. That’s a lot of dry time.

Step 7: I wrapped craft wire around the neck of the bulb, tied it off, and formed a loop at the top so I’d have some way to add the hook for hanging. And it was ready for ribbon.

Step 8: Apply the glue mixture to the neck of the bulb, over the wire, and wrap ribbon around 3 to 4 times. Glue down the end of the ribbon so it doesn’t fray.

Final Step: Get out your Elmer’s Glue Spots and your favorite embellishment. Apply the glue spot to the center of the ribbon, apply the flower, attach the hook to your wire loop, and you’re ready to decorate the tree.

It looks very vintage, it’s eco-friendly and inexpensive, and oh-so-very sparkly!

Sunday Sanity: They Make Me Sparkle

By Christy 5 Comments

What sparkled in my world this week? THEM! We had a beautiful day having lunch, visiting Santa, and just spending time together. I’ve regrouped lately and re-evaluated my life and my time. I haven’t spent enough of my time with my family over the past year. Today was a step in the right direction. And watching their happy steps just made my heart smile!

We’ll be doing a lot more of this in the coming year. I’ll be sharing today’s fun with you shortly but for now, know that I am in a happy place and all that sparkles for me has been right in front of me all along. My eyes are open and I’m smiling! It was a good day!

What sparkled in your world? Appreciate what you have now, because tomorrow it could all be gone. Don’t neglect the important things in your life, and as always, sparkle on!