let's try this again, shall we?

it's the much anticipated headband tutorial REPOST :)

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my latest fab mama jama continues her fabulosity by sharing her technique on how to make your very own sassy headband!  she not only is sharing, she photographed and documented each step and emailed me the whole tutorial!  christina, you ROCK!

alrighty lovelies, get crafty...and sassy ;)

Supplies:

1.5 inch wide satin ribbon in the

color of your choice

Felt

Hot glue gun

Scissors

Rubber headband in matching color (these also come in different widths – I’d go with the most narrow ones you can find)

Start by twisting the ribbon and rolling it around like a coil, twisting as you go…

(see next pic, too)

Apply a SMALL amount of glue as needed to hold the “coil” together. Remember to continuing twisting the ribbon as you wrap – this creates the bulk.

When your “coil” is as large as you would like it (mine are approximately 1.5 inches in diameter), wrap the ribbon to the back and tack it there with a small dot of hot glue.

Next, begin to loop ribbon as shown in the next couple of pictures, applying small dots of

glue in between each loop to hold them in place.

You don’t need a lot of glue at this point…just enough to keep the

flower from falling apart as you work with it.

Continue around until you have made your way back to where you started. I just happened to

reach the end of the piece of ribbon I had cut in this picture, but it may not work out the same

for you and that’s ok. If you have ribbon left, continue around again, making another layer of

loops (this time a little longer than the others so that they can be seen behind your first layer). Once I reached the end of my ribbon, I began again with a new piece.

Once you have finished making your loops (I use almost the entire roll of ribbon (usually 3 yds on each spool)), you should have a flower that stays together, but as seen here, is not completely glued

throughout. Go back in and add glue under some layers to secure them to the point that the flower can be held as one piece. You won’t be all that gentle with it in the next couple of steps, so you just want to

make sure it doesn’t fall apart in your hands!

Lift the “coil” as well and make sure that it is glued completely to the loops. Make sure that you don’t use too much hot glue…it will squeeze out and won’t be all that attractive on the flower. :/

Next, clip the loops so that they are now two pieces of ribbon on top of each other. Try to cut them in

front of the loop so that the piece that is left in front is shorter than the piece left in the back. You can

always go back and trim ribbon to different lengths, so don’t worry if it doesn’t work out thatway.

Once all the loops have been cut, you can go around the outside edge of the flower, trimming the longer pieces of ribbon so that it is all even and cut to the size you would like the flower to be.

Now begins the fun part…there is really no science to this…but you need those pieces of ribbon to fray! Using my thumb and index finger, I pinch and pull on the ends of each piece, pulling off strings from the edge.  Sometimes you get lucky and pull on one that just starts unraveling the ribbon (which I will pull for a bit and then cut it off).  Other times, you pull and tug and don’t seem to get anywhere. The point is to continue doing this all around until the flower reaches your desired level of fray‐ness. :)

Though it is hard to see here, when you pull on some of the strings, you may have pieces of ribbon

that seem to knot up…just pull them back apart. I yank and pull…it doesn’t matter if you tear something…you kind of want too! Make sure that you hold the flower in the center with one hand as you pull (this is where it is important that the layers are glued together well too).

When you feel like you have reached the look you are going for, go back and trim off any crazy,

out of place strings, etc. and finally glue down any other areas that need it.

Next, put a line of glue on the back of the flower and attach the rubber headband. Make sure that you put it on the right side (most of these headbands have what appears to be a thin line of hot glue on the inside of them to keep them from slipping off of your head).

Finally, cut out a circle of felt and glue it over the band. Lift up both sides of the band to ensure that it

is glued down completely and won’t life the felt off when you put the headband on.

Double check that everything is glued together and that there aren’t any other places that need

trimming…if not, you’re done!

  

christina's sweet madi

the firefly behind the fancy ;)

keeping my crazy hair intact :)

if you don't have the steady hands, or the time, OR you just don't feel like making one but really would love to have one...contact christina at fireflyfancy@gmail.com

yikes...

sorry the photos are not coming up on the headband tutorial :/  working on it!!!

until then, chew on this...i was praying the other night while a george michael song was acting as background music in my head...what is that about???  and no, now i cannot remember the song, but who else has a soundtrack playing while talking to God?  or who else will admit that?...lol

the much anticipated...

flower headband tutorial!!!

my latest fab mama jama continues her fabulosity by sharing her technique on how to make your very own sassy headband!  she not only is sharing, she photographed and documented each step and emailed me the whole tutorial!  christina, you ROCK!

alrighty lovelies, get crafty...and sassy ;)

Supplies:

1.5 inch wide satin ribbon in the

color of your choice

Felt

Hot glue gun

Scissors

Rubber headband in matching color (these also come in different widths – I’d go with the most narrow ones you can find)

Start by twisting the ribbon and rolling it around like a coil, twisting as you go…
(see next pic, too)

Apply a SMALL amount of glue as needed to hold the “coil” together. Remember to continuing twisting the ribbon as you wrap – this creates the bulk.

When your “coil” is as large as you would like it (mine are approximately 1.5 inches in diameter), wrap the ribbon to the back and tack it there with a small dot of hot glue.

Next, begin to loop ribbon as shown in the next couple of pictures, applying small dots of

glue in between each loop to hold them in place.

You don’t need a lot of glue at this point…just enough to keep the

flower from falling apart as you work with it.

Continue around until you have made your way back to where you started. I just happened to

reach the end of the piece of ribbon I had cut in this picture, but it may not work out the same

for you and that’s ok. If you have ribbon left, continue around again, making another layer of

loops (this time a little longer than the others so that they can be seen behind your first layer). Once I reached the end of my ribbon, I began again with a new piece.

Once you have finished making your loops (I use almost the entire roll of ribbon (usually 3 yds on each spool)), you should have a flower that stays together, but as seen here, is not completely glued

throughout. Go back in and add glue under some layers to secure them to the point that the flower can be held as one piece. You won’t be all that gentle with it in the next couple of steps, so you just want to

make sure it doesn’t fall apart in your hands!

Lift the “coil” as well and make sure that it is glued completely to the loops. Make sure that you don’t use too much hot glue…it will squeeze out and won’t be all that attractive on the flower. :/

Next, clip the loops so that they are now two pieces of ribbon on top of each other. Try to cut them in

front of the loop so that the piece that is left in front is shorter than the piece left in the back. You can

always go back and trim ribbon to different lengths, so don’t worry if it doesn’t work out thatway.

Once all the loops have been cut, you can go around the outside edge of the flower, trimming the longer pieces of ribbon so that it is all even and cut to the size you would like the flower to be.

Now begins the fun part…there is really no science to this…but you need those pieces of ribbon to fray! Using my thumb and index finger, I pinch and pull on the ends of each piece, pulling off strings from the edge.  Sometimes you get lucky and pull on one that just starts unraveling the ribbon (which I will pull for a bit and then cut it off).  Other times, you pull and tug and don’t seem to get anywhere. The point is to continue doing this all around until the flower reaches your desired level of fray‐ness. :)

Though it is hard to see here, when you pull on some of the strings, you may have pieces of ribbon

that seem to knot up…just pull them back apart. I yank and pull…it doesn’t matter if you tear something…you kind of want too! Make sure that you hold the flower in the center with one hand as you pull (this is where it is important that the layers are glued together well too).

When you feel like you have reached the look you are going for, go back and trim off any crazy,

out of place strings, etc. and finally glue down any other areas that need it.

Next, put a line of glue on the back of the flower and attach the rubber headband. Make sure that you put it on the right side (most of these headbands have what appears to be a thin line of hot glue on the inside of them to keep them from slipping off of your head).

Finally, cut out a circle of felt and glue it over the band. Lift up both sides of the band to ensure that it

is glued down completely and won’t life the felt off when you put the headband on.

Double check that everything is glued together and that there aren’t any other places that need

trimming…if not, you’re done!

  

christina's sweet madi and the firefly behind the fancy ;)

keeping my crazy hair intact :)

if you don't have the steady hands, or the time, OR you just don't feel like making one but really would love to have one...contact christina at fireflyfancy@gmail.com

ode to teachers

wellll, not exactly.  i googled, and googled, and gooooooogled for a funny or inspirational poem for all you teachers out there, and i just couldn't find what i was looking for.  i just want to let all of you know how AWESOME i think each one of you are!!  i have so many teacher friends that have been preparing like crazy for this first week.  sooo many hours, sweat and tears are spent on our little ones.  and i know that being a teacher isn't something i could do...you are a SPECIAL person, teacher!

THANK YOU FOR CARING FOR EACH STUDENT!

THANK YOU FOR THE OVERTIME SPENT ON PREPARING FOR CLASS!!

THANK YOU FOR HAVING THE PATIENCE TO TEACH 20+ STUDENTS EVERY DAY!

THANK YOU FOR MAKING EACH CHILD FEEL SPECIAL!

THANK YOU FOR BEING CREATIVE ENOUGH TO OPEN THEIR EYES!

THANK YOU FOR NOT GIVING UP!

you are blessed w/ a special gift and you should feel honored!

my little isabella on her first day of pre-k :)

aaaahhhhh!!!!!

i HATE that i haven't done a post in a week, but it's been a crazy week that started busy from saturday on...late nights, early mornings and full days.  so sorry!  i finally had a moment last night to do this post, but alas, i fell asleep :/  but enough about that b/c i am SO EXCITED to announce this month's fab mama jama of the month!!!!

her name is christina and she has become one of my close friends over this past year.  she's funny, sweet and honest.  she's a dutiful mom to a cute little miss named madison (madi) and a supportive wifey to her hubby, dylan.  dyaln's job keeps him traveling a lot and w/ madi's schedule of dance and gymnastics, i'm amazed how this lady does it all!  on top of that, she's crafty (beastie boys, anyone?)!  this girl can whip out a painting, pillowcase dress and even sew a nap mat in no time.  christina called herself lazy the other day for enjoying the occasional nap...i laughed at this!  ummm, no girl, you are NOT lazy!

i admire my friend for taking a big leap of faith last year.  she completely changed careers to take a job she enjoys.  she is now a dedicated teacher and obviously truly cares for her students.  and after her first year of teaching, her school district has switched her from first grade to fifth grade...this girl has taken it all in stride and still makes her little girl feel loved and special, just ask madi ;)

i love my mommy.  we like to go swimming and get sno cones.  she makes me happy when she gives me a sticker.  and we pretend to be doctors with baby dolls and play kitchen.  i really like the chicken she makes and breakfast!  i want to be a teacher just like my mommy!

madison playing school w/ my little isabella

soooo, i asked my very talented friend, angela wilson, to photograph my fab mama jamas...who wouldn't LOVE to have a professional photographer shoot pics of you w/o your little one grabbing at your face or having to make sure the whole fam is saying, "cheeeeese" ;)

meet christina...

*growing up, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?*

You know, I don't seem to recall my childhood as well as I wish I did (it's strange...but that's a whole 'nother topic of conversation), but as far back as I can remember, I talked about being a lawyer or a doctor.  I'm a first born, which usually translates to overacheiver, people-pleaser, type-A personality - I thought being a doctor or a lawyer would make my mom and (mostly) dad really proud of me.  As I got a little older, I recall telling people I wanted to do "big things"...whatever that meant at the time, I'm not sure.  I went into college dead set on being an FBI agent or a Forensic Psychologist, and majored in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice.  Obviously, things turned out a little bit differently than planned... :)

 *what is your best memory of your mom?*

My mom is a pretty incredible, hard working, completely selfless, loving, caring woman.  Remember how I said I don't remember a ton about my childhood?  Well, even though I don't remember what seems like segments of time, I do have some very vivid memories of little moments from my childhood.  Most of these memories involve my mom.  I remember coming home from school and rushing in the door to see my mom and smelling fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. I remember a lot of baking, actually.  I remember how hard she worked as a single mom so that my sister and I could "keep up with the jones's" at school, I suppose. ;)  I remember how much all of my friends loved her.  She just had a personality that won everyone over.  And I remember that I wasn't afraid to tell her anything.  

*what do you do to relax?*

....I don't relax.  Ok, I rarely do!  I have discovered that there are really only a couple of things that REALLY get me to relax.  The first is sleep.  Sad, but true.  It doesn't take much to get me to the point of being relaxed enough to sleep either.  You give me a pillow, I'm gonna sleep.  Other than that, it is when I am creating (anything and everything) that I feel completely relaxed.  If it is painting, decorating, crafting, sewing, etc., it is in those moments that I realize my mind is completely at rest.

*what is your favorite thing to do w/ your little girl?*

Sitting and being.  She's at the age that she wants to be constantly entertained, going and doing something, and when she's not, she's whining about wanting to do something.  Soooo, I cherish the times that her and I curl up on the couch together to watch a movie or when we just lay in her bed and talk before bedtime.  When we both slow down and enjoy hugs, cuddles, eskimo and butterfly kisses...those are my favorite moments.  I also love the silly dances we (don't tell my husband I said this, but this includes him too) come up with, the goofy outfits and other crazy antics you might find us doing on any given evening at home.  I love the times she really makes me laugh.

*you switched from working in the corporate world to being a teacher, what made you make the big leap?*

Faith.  100% leap of faith that I was following God's direction and his plan for myself and for my family. Going back to your first question - what did I want to be when I "grew up"...I wasn't doing any of those things that I thought I would be doing, but I was "successful", climbing the corporate ladder fast, making more money than I imagined I'd be making at 25 and 26 years old, and in the best position I could be in for reaching one of the top positions in my field fairly quickly.  I could say I accomplished the goal of making my parents proud, but I was getting further and further away from what made me, me.  I did not like what I did, it became a chore, it created a lot of stress in my life, it took up a tremendous amount of my time and energy, and I couldn't even say I believed in what I was doing half of the time.  I had been praying and doing a LOT of soul searching for quite some time before I made the decision to take the leap.  Each time I would consider doing something different, I would get scared and fall back into my comfort zone...a safe place financially too.  Starting over seemed out of the question.  What if I made the change and hated it?  Or couldn't find a job even?  What if the money isn't as good?  After much praying, lots of discussions with my husband, family, friends, and the birth of my daughter opening my eyes up even more to what makes me tick...I went for it.  Looking back, I know it was God's plan for me.  There is a long chain of events that happened over a span of about 2-3 years that were all intrical in getting me to the point of taking that leap of faith - without any single one of those events, I don't believe I would be doing something that I find so much joy in today.

*during the first year of teaching, what was the biggest thing you learned?*

That teaching is HARD work and that there is a LOT of work that goes on "behind the scenes" that I don't think parents (I know I didn't) realize.  I like to say now that what people consider our work hours (7-3) is really just the time we are sort of "presenting" our "work".  School starts much earlier than 7 and ends MUCH later than 3 for a teacher.  It carries over into my kitchen at dinner time, it continues when I'm sitting on the couch watching tv in the evening (not that I do that much during the school year!), and shows up pretty often on the weekends too.  It doesn't really ever stop - thinking about better ways to teach a topic, thinking about how to reach that child who comes from a broken home, planning your next move, rethinking the lesson you taught the day before, etc.  It's a lot of work, but what I have come to realize is that when you truly love what you do, are passionate about why you do what you do, and know that the harder you work, the more impact you may have, it doesn't really feel like work at all.  Sounds really cliche, but it is what it is!

*you are miss crafty, what's your latest craft?*

Headbands!!!  Some friends and I saw these super cute headbands in a little boutique and loved them.  So fashionable...yet so pricey.  As cute as I thought they were, I just couldn't bring myself to spend that much money on it, especially when I realized I could possibly make them myself!  So, I got some ribbon and went to work. Loved making it and am so excited about how they turned out!

i've actually hired crafty christina to make some goodies for me...

cuuuuute monogrammed pillow for sophia and matching one for isabella :)

these beautiful his and her pillows the master bedroom...LOVE!

you can order some goodies from her, too...blog coming soon!  in the meantime you can contact her at fireflyfancy@gmail.com for headbands, bows, wall art and pillows!  AND she is graciously contributing a headband tutorial that will be posted SOON!

christina, i've been blessed to get to know you and call you a friend.  i have so much fun during our "girl times" and when we're running around w/ our little misses.  you're honesty and sincerity are characteristics that make you a beautiful person, and are some of the reasons why i love you!  you're sweet 'n sassy AND very smart madi is a true reflection of a loving and nurturing mom.  aaand, you are an inspiration to other people who are thinking of making a switch in their career...keep rockin' on!

oxox,

sandra

just thought i'd share...

a few nifty things i use to earn free stuff, keep my hubby on schedule, and keep me on schedule...and keep the gray away!  (yikes)

*pampers.com - i've been keeping points w/ "gifts to grow" since november of last year.  i ignored the logo for awhile thinking, "am i really going to take the time to keep the wrapper and enter codes online?"  i finally decided to look into it and glad i did!  not only have my points recently made me eligible for a free subscription to "better homes & gardens" or 200 free prints from shutterfly (i still need to put together a baby book for my FIRST BORN!)...i can't make up my mind!  but also i receive coupons in the mail :)  so, if you use pampers and like free stuff, keep the codes found on the packaging, look out for any pampers print ads as they have codes on those sometimes, and if you shop at HEB they sometimes give codes on the print-out coupons you receive w/ your receipt!  yea for pampers!

*google calendar - if you have a google account, you can keep a calendar online.  you can have it set up to send you reminders and invite others to any events you enter in your calendar.  i have started using it for the sole purpose to inform my husband about any additions to our calendar.  it's great!  he simply "accepts" the invitation and an email is sent to me stating exactly that.  i understand it as he has it entered in his calendar, and is saying, "yes, sandra, i will watch the girls while you go see "the help" w/ your girlfriends on sunday."  great concept!

*lady timer-free version - okay, this is for iphone users.  i'm sure there are apps for other smart phones, too, but i really have no idea.  this is great for anyone trying to get pregnant, oooor for those NOT trying to get pregnant.  there are actually quite a few apps available, but i chose this one (it was free and had good reviews) and like the interface.  i only wish there was an option to email it to jason...i mean, why should i take all the responsibility ;)

tomorrow is friday which means the chances of me blogging are not good!  BUT there are some lovely things coming your way.  a crafty post about chore charts, a new recipe aaaaand this month's fab mama-jama of the month.  and i am SUPER excited!!  i am surrounded by women that are BEAUTIFUL inside and out, and i just love bragging about them!

keep "doing your thing" lovelies!

what?  ooohhh, you want to know about keeping the grays away?  well, here you go...

*john freida precision foam color - i've used at-home hair color before, but this was my first time to use this product, and i love it!  great coverage, conditions well and not as messy :)  and if you go to their website you can print a coupon ;)

not only did i have grays to cover, but my highlights had gotten out of control!

don't forget the sweet gloves!

start at the top (am i really sharing this?)

work it through and gather on top

the result...back to my roots, lol

the moment i wake up...

before i put on my makeup
i say a little prayer for you
while combing my hair, now
and wonder what dress to wear, now
i say a little prayer for you...

FOREVER, FOREVER, YOU'LL STAY IN MY HEART

AND I WILL LOVE YOUUUUUUU!!!

(and you're welcome b/c that song will be stuck in your head for the rest of the day and possibly tomorrow morning!)

praying is a gift.  and as of late i am reminded of how powerful it is and what a lovely thing it is.  chattin' it up w/ Him, laying my fears on Him, my desires...and PRAISE!  i'm an emotional person...i'm woman, it's hor-moans, i'm crazy...call it what you will, but sometimes the act of telling Him thank you can make this girl a little teary-eyed.  i arrived at a one-year old birthday party yesterday after hearing some wonderful news about someone dear to me.  i had been praying for this person, and God answered :)  so, i was just thanking Him over and over again while driving to this party.  i pull up to the house, and i can't stop the tears.  they're happy tears, but i am no about to walk in there a hot mess (i think that might be the first time i've used that phrase, anway...)  so, what do i do?  pray.  "please Lord let me just walk in there have a good time and turn this energy into happy face."  thankfully, God turned my tears into smiles and i was able to enjoy the party.  i was talking to my girlfriend, who i don't get to see often, and she confesses that she loves my blog and that it makes her cry....uhhh, what?!?  oh wait...she's woman :)  she explains that it makes her want to be a better mom.  well, we all feel that way, don't we?  we're always thinking we don't do enough or that we can do better at anything.  i'm guilty!  and i truly hope i don't come across that i have all the answers and that i've got it all together (most of you know that is NOT the case).  but on that same note, i do hope somehow my babbles spark something inside you to be HAPPY, INSPIRED, and maybe even RELIEVED that there are other women out there that are just "doing there thing," and taking it day-by-day.  omgoodness, am i making any sense??

i say a little prayer for you...oh yes! back on point...

last night i went to a baby shower for a sweet friend.  after delicious lasagna (my fave), scrumpcious (sp?) cheesecake (also my fave), and unwrapping gifts accompanied w/ oohs and aahs, we gathered around the beautiful mama and prayed over her.  it was such a sweet and lovely moment.  we thanked God for all of her blessings and prayed for what's to come.  SUCH A BEAUTIFUL THING!

if it's not your usual routine, try saying a little prayer when you wake up...then maybe play "three little birds" by bob marley ;)  it does wonders!

just for laughs

jason recently bought THE COMPLETE ADVENTURES OF CURIOUS GEORGE, and we've been reading it to isabella at night.  she LOVES it, and i gotta to tell you, it's...entertaining...

curious little monkey, smokes a pipe after a long day, gets thrown in jail for being naughty and dabbles in drugs...really??

my own little curious monkey ;)

it's august...

and i want to know how that happened!!??  i have to say though that i'm pretty excited about this month!  i'm starting a much needed calendar w/ my hubby (thanks to a tip from a friend), isabella turns four!, she starts pre-k THREE times a week, and as of today she is signed up for ballet and tap :)  lots of goodies this month!  OH!  and my super, awesome, fantastic hottie of a husband has given me THE OFFICE!  we have shared this room for the past 8 years, and as of late he hasn't been using his "side" as much.  secretly, i've been wanting this space ever since dreaming of having a "craft room".  oh, i'm giddy about transforming this space...

i would like to have an open frame for my "organization" board including a chalkboard, clipboards w/ lists (birthdays, to-do's, thank you's, etc).  i have started designing posters for dandies (none are uploaded or ready to view) and would like to design an inspirational one for above my screen...before i was looking at this...

don't get me wrong, i LOVE led zeppelin, or i wouldn't have kept this HUGE silk from hanging on my wall, but every time i'd look up when i'm "stuck" on a design, they didn't exactly help...

on the jason's old desk will be my sewing/gift wrap table...so excited, so excited, so excited, so excited....

yellow, white and gray is my color scheme.  i hope to find some fabric this week to sew my very first drapes!

so, about this calendar.  my friend allison was telling me that she met w/ her hubby at the beginning of the month, and they went over each other's calendar so both knew what was going on for the upcoming weeks...brilliant!  i'm on it and so excited!  there have been many times i've heard, "i don't remember you telling me that," or, "when do we have a 'free' weekend?".  also, i keep thinking we need to schedule time for dates, for one-on-one time w/ our oldest daughter, time for ME, time for him.  august 1...what a good day to start.  even though jason wants me to send calendar info thru google calendars, which i will do, BUT we will sit down and discuss so there won't be any surprises.  besides, sounds like an opportunity for more face-time w/ my man :)