Duct Tape Weave Bracelet

This afternoon I made this for my oldest son....

This woven bracelet is so cool and he loves it!

Purple, Black and White :)

One of his favorite color combo's...plus purple is his school color.

It has a Velcro enclosure so it stays on nice and tight.

Style'n while playing some video games after school :)

Here's a closer look

I had an absolute blast making this bracelet....I will definitely be making more in the near future :)

There are all sorts of color combo's you could come up with for this...

School Colors and Favorite Sports Team Colors for starters.

Happy Crafting!

All Natural Banana Sorbet

Good Morning!

Ok Ladies...if you like banana's, and eating healthy then is recipe is for you!

Banana Sorbet..the easiest desert on the planet!  

All you need is:

BANANA'S!!!

I used 6 banana's...4 large and two small...cause that's what I had.

Peel and slice.

I put some Wax Paper on a cookie sheet and put the banana's on the cookie sheet in a single layer.

Now pop them in the freezer for about 2 hours.  You want them to be totally frozen.

I did this in the morning and then left them in there until later in the day when I had time to finish.

Next put them in a food processor..I used my Ninja..

Not this kind of Ninja...although it would be nice to have one handy LOL :)

This Ninja...this thing is Ah-mazing!! LOVE IT :)

Now..when you are puree-ing the banana's...at first it will look like a lot of crumbs...

Scrape down the sides and keep blending...soon it will turn into creamy heavenly goodness!

(I had to steal this pic from google cause I ate all the sorbet before I could take a pic..sorry)

Serve right away or put it in a container in the freezer.

It is so DELISH!

My husband and kids loved it...and it's so easy, all natural, quick, and healthy.

So as I'm sitting on the couch eating it...my husband starts talking about all the things you can put on it...you know to make it not healthy and natural any more LOL :)

But it got my wheels turning...You could put Caramel Sauce on top, maybe with some nuts...or Chocolate Sauce.

Any who, I like it just the way it is, but I am tempted to try some Caramel Sauce on it..YUMMERS!

So here's a recap:

6 Ripe Banana's 

Sliced on a cookie sheet

Placed in freezer until frozen at least 2 hours

Put in Food Processor

Dished into a bowl

Slip into heavenly bliss

This will easily serve 4 people.

 

Have a great day!

Fun Sensory Bowl

Hello!

Have you guys seen these??

They are Water Balls that you buy as a vase filler for flowers.  They are balls of water that are slimy and rubbery if you will. 

The purpose of them is to put them in a vase with flowers as a "self" watering system plus they look gorgeous.

However...I have boys and boys like slimy things.

So really they are more slippery then slimy but they feel slimy sans the slime..

does that make sense?

According to the packaging they are described as such:

A type of water absorbent polymer that absorbs, stores and releases water. They are non-toxic, completely biodegradable and environmentally safe.

There you go!  So with that said...throw them in a bowl and let your kid run their hands through them.

Here's my youngest...he couldn't get over how they felt..he kept asking me "what are these?" lol :)

If your kids are having a rough day, are bored, or it's a rainy day, OR they're simply driving you nuts....break these out and let them play with them.

I bought mine at the Dollar Tree for $1.00

It's a great sensory activity..it's soothing and relaxing to run your fingers through them....even for Mom's!

Happy Crafting!

Bracelet

Yesterday I was out shopping with my oldest son and we stopped by Old Navy...

I saw on their jewelry rack that there was a ton of stuff on clearance....as I started going through all the stuff that was well deserving of a clearance rack...I found a hidden jem!

A horrible necklace with tarnished gold seed beads and some beautiful glass beads.  I had to get it..simply for the glass beads that were on it.  Beads are spendy and finding an ugly piece of jewelry that you can take apart to make new gorgeous jewelry is the way to go.

Now I apologize for not taking a "before" pic...I totally spaced it.  I was just too excited to cut it apart.

But here is the "after"

It's bright, chunky, and full of flair.  I freak'n love it!

I put the beads on stainless steal memory wire :)

So I encourage you ladies to hit up those clearance racks and see what you can find...charms, beads, earrings, feathers...you name it.  It can be a fun challenge, a great way to save money and it gets those creative juices flow'n!

Happy Crafting!

State Art

Howdy!

So you may be asking yourselves what Crafty Soccer Mom has been up to today...No?

Well, I'm going to tell you anyway LOL :)

Besides crafting with  Duct Tape, one of my other favorite things to do is paint.

I love it!

It's so relaxing to paint...if only I had a studio...you know..some high ceiling lofty space all to myself...

a girl can dream right?

I've had this blank canvas sitting in the corner of my office forever just calling my name.  So today I decided to full fill it's dreams of becoming an art piece to hang on the wall...I know I know, I'm so nice. 

Buwhahahhahahaha!

This is what I painted....The State of Oregon!

Ok, I know this is a simple piece, however sometimes simple is just what we need.

The little heart is where I live.  Isn't it cute?

I don't have it framed yet but as soon as I do it's going on my wall :)

I was born and raised in Oregon.  I still live here and I love it.  We have warm summers, cold winters (yet not too cold), beach, mountains, desert, skiing, hiking, lakes, camping, sports...I mean the list goes on and on.

We are also one of the top 10 "greenest" states...recycling is big here.

All in all...Oregon is a beautiful State.

Here are 50 fun facts about the state of Oregon:

1. Oregon's state flag pictures a beaver on its reverse side. It is the only state flag to carry two separate designs.
2. Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state.
3. The Columbia River gorge is considered by many to be the best place in the world for windsurfing.
4. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States and is formed in the remains of an ancient volcano.
5. Oregon and New Jersey are the only states without self-serve gas stations.
6. Eugene was the first city to have one-way streets.
7. Pilot Butte, a cinder cone volcano, exists within the city limits of Bend.
8. At 329 feet the Coast Douglas-Fir in Oregon is considered the tallest tree in the state.
9. At 8,000 feet deep Hells Canyon is the deepest river gorge in North America.
10. The hazelnut is Oregon's official state nut. Oregon is the only state that has an official state nut. The hazelnut is also known as the filbert.
11. Oregon's state birthday is on February 14, Valentine's Day.
12. The "Oregon Pioneer" statue that tops the capitol building is a work by Ulric Ellerhusen. This heroic figure represents the spirit of Oregon's early settlers.
13. The state park system has 159 yurts located in 19 parks. Yurts are a circular domed tent suitable for camping.
14. Navy blue and gold are Oregon's official state colors.
15. The Chinook salmon is Oregon's official state fish.
16. The Willamette River was discovered in 1792.
17. In 1858 the richest gold find in the Cascade Mountains was discovered in the Bohemia Mining District at Sharp's Creek near Cottage Grove.
18. Dorris Ranch in Springfield became the first commercial filbert orchard in the state.
19. In 1876 the University of Oregon opened in Eugene. Deady Hall was the first building on campus and still exists.
20. In 1880 a sea cave was discovered near what is now known as Florence. Sea Lion Caves is known to be the largest sea cave in the world.
21. The nation's most photographed lighthouse is the Heceta Head Lighthouse located in Lane County.
22. Darlingtonia Wayside is Oregon's only rare plant sanctuary.
23. Oregon's second highest waterfall is Salt Creek Falls in the Cascade Mountain range. It drops 286 feet.
24. The H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest is one of the largest long-term ecological research sites in the United States.
25. Eugene is rated by "Bicycling Magazine" as one of the top ten cycling communities in the United States.
26. There are nine lighthouses standing along the coastline. Five are still being used; the others are designated historic monuments.
27. Portland is an example of outstanding urban planning. The city is known as The City of Roses.
28. High above the city of Portland the International Rose Test Garden features more than 500 varieties of roses cultivated continuously since 1917.
29. At 11,239 feet Mount Hood stands as the tallest peak in Oregon. Mount Hood is a dormant volcano.
30. Silver Falls State Park is the Oregon's largest state park. It features 10 waterfalls and contains a wide variety of forested hiking trails.
31. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. It was formed more than 6,500 years ago. Its crystal-blue waters are world renowned.
32. Discovered in 1874 the caves located in Oregon Caves National Monument are carved within solid marble.
33. The world's largest rosary collection is exhibited at The Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center. A local resident collected the exhibit.
34. The Carousel Museum contains the world's largest and most comprehensive collection of carousel horses.
35. Fort Clatsop National Memorial contains a replica of Lewis and Clark's 1805-1806 winter outpost.
36. The small village of Bickelton is filled with bluebird houses seen on the posts of every house.
37. The Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area is a spectacular river canyon cutting the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range.
38. The Ries-Thompson House is the oldest remaining residence in Parkdale. Built circa 1900 the home and area offer a commanding view of Mount Hood.
39. Tillamook is home to Oregon's largest cheese factory.
40. Florence is known as Oregon's rhododendron capital.
41. The Oregon Legislature designated the Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium) as the Oregon state flower by resolution in 1899.
42. Oregon's capitol building is located in Salem. Earlier capitals include the cities of Oregon City and Corvallis.
43. The Columbia River forms most of the northern border between Oregon and Washington. The Snake River forms over half of the eastern boundary with Idaho.
44. In 1905 the largest long cabin in the world was built in Portland to honor the Lewis and Clark expedition.
45. A treaty between the United States and Spain established the current southern border between Oregon and California. The treaty was signed in 1819.
46. The Oregon Trail is the longest of the overland routes used in the westward expansion of the United States.
47. The Tillamook Naval Air Museum is housed in the world's largest wooden clear-span building.
48. Haystack Rock off Cannon Beach is 235 feet high and is the third largest coastal monolith in the world.
49. The Tillamook Rock Lighthouse, built in 1880, is currently used as the site of the final resting place of up to 467,000 cremated individuals.
50. The Seaside Aquarium was the first facility in the world to successfully breed harbor seals in captivity.

Have a great day!

Happy Crafting!

Homemade Fruit & Vegetable Wash

 

While checking my Facebook this morning, I came across a post my friend Bre had posted.  Thank you Bre!!!

Homemade Fruit & Vegetable Wash

This is amazing and I love it.  I can't wait to try and I felt the need to share it with you ladies.  If you are one of those that buy a similar wash at the store, imagine how much money you will save by making it yourself! Plus this way you KNOW what's in the product :)

Washing your produce is so important.  Just think of all the people that have touched your apple at the Grocery Store before you bought it...EWWWWWWWWWWW!

So here's the recipe:

• 1 Cup water
• 1 Cup white vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon baking soda
• Juice of 1/2 lemon

Step 1: Combine all ingredients and put it in a spray bottle.

Step 2: Spray produce with solution and let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Rinse and enjoy!

It's that simple!

I'm totally going to do this..in fact I'm on my way out the door right now to go buy a spray bottle!

Have a great day Ladies!

C.R.A.F.T.

If you haven't heard of C.R.A.F.T. you should stop over and check it out.

It's a totally awesome blog, Jamie is amazing and I love it!!!

I have participated a couple times in the Homemade Gift Exchange over at Craftaholics Anonymous and it is always a blast.

So when I saw C.R.A.F.T.'s post yesterday I was so excited and totally on board.  Jamie has also had fun participating in the Homemade Gift Exchange over at CA.  However it's only twice a year and Jamie wants to do it more.

Soooo she came up with Package Pals!  She is going to host this event 6 times a year.

All you do is sign up HERE and she will send you a Package Pal buddy.

You make your buddy a handmade gift or send some crafting supplies by February 28 and you will receive a package from your pal in return!

Who doesn't like getting mail? And meeting other crafters??

So go sign up and join in the fun!! 

All the cool peeps are :)