Sunshine and Bling-shine: Make Your Summer Fun!

As the temperatures soar in the summer heat, it has been difficult for me to spend a lot of time in my upstairs Paper Jungle crafting. The central air up there doesn't quite cut it; I'm having a portable a/c unit installed one of these days (hopefully before I need supplemental heat, LOL).  In addition, who wants to be inside sweltering when one can just as easily swelter poolside?

While at poolside, I've noticed plenty of plain ol' flip-flops (usually on the men!) and ornate sandals (usually on the women -- but not always!!).  This got me to thinking -- why not bling up a pair of inexpensive flip flops from Old Navy or the dollar store with blingage from The Buckle Boutique??

Some ribbon on the straps, combined with puffy heart pin
and voila!  Beautiful sandals that are more than just for
poolside wear!  

I turned to Pinterest for examples, and here is what I found: 

You can cut strips of Dazzling Diamond rhinestone resin adhesive sheets and attach them to the straps of the flip flop, as shown in the picture at top. And, while the resin sheets will adhere well, you can secure the pieces very securely with 527 Adhesive from Beacon Adhesives.  This adhesive dries clear and quickly, is flexible for strap comfort, and is waterproof!

Or perhaps you'd like the more subtle look on your flip flops. Just attach a small rhinestone pin to the center of the straps (middle picture).

Or go all out, and do both, with a larger rhinestone embellishment combined with some rhinestone straps.

Here is the Beacon Adhesive (left) that I recommend for adding permanence to  your flip-flop bling-out projects.  It is available at most major craft stores (e.g., Michaels).

Whatever is your pleasure, The Buckle Boutique has reasonably priced bling for all your needs. Here are just two of the very pretty pins that I recently bought to adorn my sun hat's ribbon:

So before summer completely passes you by, why not add a little bling to your sarong?  Contact The Buckle Boutique here:  

The Buckle Boutique’s Link Listing

The Buckle Boutique’s Website . . . click HERE

The Buckle Boutique Blog . . . . click HERE

Facebook Page . . . click HERE

Twitter Page . . . click HERE

Pinterest Page . . . click HERE

DeFiaNtLy DiFfeReNt & CreAtiVeLy Yours,

No better bling than a Granddaughter's Smile!

Can you believe this cutie

is three years old today?!

 

 

HaPpY birthday

to my dear granddaughter,

CHARLOTTE!

 

 

 Today, Charlotte and her Mommy Emily and I are going out to see the new animated movie, "Frozen."  It's the first time Charlotte is seeing a movie in the theaters and we think she's ready to handle it. Charlotte is a little bit afraid of the dark so she said she'll bring a glow bracelet and a "fwashlight" just in case. 

 

Tomorrow is the party with more family -- Daddy Josh, Pot (my hubby John), Bubba (Josh's Mom), Grandpa Steve (..and Josh's stepdad), and Uncles Nick and Matt. The theme will be a surprise to me; depending on the weather I think, Charlotte tells one of us or the other that she wants a Doc McStuffin party, an Ariel party, a dolphin party, a Minion party or a Princess party. All I know for sure is that she wants "balloons" and "cake ... lots of cake!"  (late breaking news: I'm told the cake is MINION!!)

 

Pot and I gave Charlotte her own "pink iPad" for her birthday. It's actually my 1-yr old iPad but she has more apps and videos on it than I do. So we upgraded the case to a heavy-duty pink "childproof" case and gave it to her last week when she visited.  We have a few other "prezzies" for her, but none is as nice as the gift she gives us all year long.  She gives us life ... joy ... and makes the air so much sweeter to breathe. Being a grandparent is THE BEST!

 

Now a little bit about crafting, just because that's the reason you stopped here. Charlotte's Mom Emily asked me to make the Age Shirt for kiddo.First I backed the cute bubble fabric with Pellon Light adhesive interfacing. Then, fabric side onto the mat, I cut the fabric using my Cricut Expression 2, and peeled the adhesive backing off the "3" and ironed it onto a shirt from Old Navy. I machine-appliqued the number using a tight zig-zag stitch on my Husqvarna Diamond Viking sewing/embroidery machine.

For the cute sneakers -- Charlotte's "Chucks" -- Emily traced a paper template for the toes. Then she lightly taped the template onto the Dazzling Diamond rhinestone resin adhesive sheets from The Buckle Boutique* and cut the clear "diamonds" using regular scissors. She peeled off the paper backing and applied the sheet -- no individual rhinestones, no choking hazard -- GREAT for kids' and adult shoes alike!

 

I made the crazy bows and sewed them onto crocodile hair clips. The Chucks were laced with satin ribbons and the removable bows were added for the pictures and party.

 

 

Here's Charlotte's month-by-month progression, from 2 years to 3, almost all in 2013.

I have a massive crush on this girl!!

Happy birthday,
darling Charley!!

LOVE ALWAYS,

 

Gii
also known as