Wrap N' Roll

Has your hair ever had one of "those days" or maybe one of those hair weeks...months?

When I found out I was pregnant, I decided I would attempt to grow out my much favored A-line haircut. (I haven't had long hair since I graduated high school) With the wonders of prenatal vitamins causing me hair and nails to grow at a much more rapid pace, it's been fairly easy. However, my hair has finally found that awkward stage between a short hair cut and my mid-length goal. When I'm doing things around the house or running errands, sometimes I just don't want to fight with my hair.

So, when I stumbled across this amazing head wrap DIY project I simply HAD to give it a try! All you need is a large T-shirt, a ruler, and a pair of scissors.

This link is the original DIY. Alisa Burke's blog and artwork is BEAUTIFUL!

http://alisaburke.blogspot.com/2012/02/fashion-friday-turban-headbands.html

The website also has the full instructions and how to twist it onto your head.

I went to H&M and picked up two large men's shirts (one teal and one white and navy striped) for 9 dollars and some change. However, ANY old shirt will work perfectly! When I got home, I laid the first shirt on a flat surface and measured 8 inches from the bottom. I used several straight pins and eyeballed a line across the shirt. Then using the scissors, I carefully cut the fabric along the line. It creates a large loop and once it was cut I was ready to go!

You put the loop over your head and on your neck and then twist it over your hair. If it's too big, you do the same thing again. (A great visual instruction is on the link above) It's so quick and easy and keeps the hair in place and out of the way. Plus it gets you in touch with your slightly hippy bohemian side. They're also great for working out because the double as stylish sweat guards. You can layer them, twist them, and wash them with the next load of t-shirts. Here's me sporting the two I made on a recent trip to Rocky Point Mexico. I hope you enjoy making your own and adding a new friend to your hair accessory collection!

Mangos on the beach? Yes please! This was the teal head wrap.

A very pregnant me and my husband venturing to some amazing seashells on the reef. 

Of course sporting my navy and white striped head wrap:)

My Little Nest Egg

Hello fellow DIY-ers! I promise you that I have not died, been smitten with a disease where I cannot use my hands to type or delivered the very large basketball under my shirt! I have been exceptionally busy since the beginning of June with two friend's baby showers, finishing up working, going on vacation, hosting two house guests, being involved in my church's international bible conference AND getting ready for our little bundle of love to arrive.

Whew, what a month! I knew I should have written at the beginning of June something about the fact that I might need to take a month off from blogging, but alas, I thought I could be Wonder Woman and do it ALL. I laugh at myself for such a silly presumption.

ANYway, while things have been absolutely nutty, I have still been DIYing. My husband and I have been working on some great Pinterest DIY's that I cannot wait to show you!

The first project I did was for one of my lovely friend's baby shower. I wanted to give her, as the momma-to-be, a little something special just for her. I had pinned this DIY project a while back and thought it would be the perfect "little something".

DIY project by blogger Sarah Ortega. (http://www.sarahortega.com/2011/05/diy-bird-nest-necklace.html) Her blog on this project is SO thorough and beautifully photographed. Definitely check out the link above if you're interested! 

I love the concept of the precious baby in her belly being the little egg in her nest hanging close to her heart. I know, I know, but I have always been a hopeless romantic! I went to Michael's Crafts and bought the needed supplies. A large container of glass beads, necklace chain, 24 gage jewelry wire, jump rings and clasps. Also, if you do not have any, you're going to need some wire cutters and needle nose pliers. A nice aspect to this DIY is that I have quite a large amount of wire, jump rings, clasps and beads left over. Like enough to make everyone in our neighborhood a little "nest egg." (Which is certainly not a bad thing if you are a crafter!) The good thing about this project is that if you're already a beader-jewelry maker, you probably have all these things lying around, equalling minimal or no cost.

Everything you will need! 

If you're not an experienced wire-worker (like myself), it can be a bit challenging getting your fingers working with the beads and the wire. However, just keep stretching, reforming, tweeking and playing and you will have an absolutely gorgeous result! For my compadre, I used three different beads representing her, her husband, and their baby boy. It was completely from my heart and really a little gift of love.

My friend's Nest Egg

(This photo is of the back. You can see where I cut and twisted the wire to get it all to stay)

Carrying a baby is such an amazing and beautiful thing. I feel so privileged that God has given me the chance to be a momma. Even as I type, my little one is squirming away, using my kidneys for soccer practice and anxiously awaiting his debut into the world. As I wrapped and bent the wire around my own glossy mint colored bead, it made me think of how my husband and I plan to wrap our little boy in love, adventure, and protection. How we cannot wait to cradle him in our arms and welcome him into his new home. This made me realize, even more so, how much God loves each and everyone of us and wraps us in His care, protection, and destiny if we let Him. I guess my little nest egg is as much about my son as it is about me. My son entrusted to me and my life safely entrusted to God.

My Nest Egg