It’s only Leather: Embedded Cuff Bracelets

This was the mantra that I whispered t to myself as I struggled with Inlaying (embedding) a black and white Jasper Stone into my veg tanned leather cuff bracelet.

Let’s just say it was a definite work in progress. This particular design has been perplexing. Plus, frustrating. Let us not forget that darling little word that will probably show up multiple times as you read this.

A small word of advice you will  need a skiver or edge beveler.  Patience being one the virtues that I do not possess forced me to do what any DIY Blogger would do: Improvise. I used a Cuticle Cutter.

It

didn’t

work

at

ALL.

In an attempt to redeem myself,  I literally scraped the leather in order to embed the stone. I used E-6000 to glue the cabochon to the leather scrap and leather glue to bind the bracelet together.

Here are a few of my attempts.

Yea!

However, it is not what I envisioned in my head or what I had drawn. I have lots of practice pieces that never make the blog but maybe I should post them.

Really, I am only trying to save you from chucking stain across the room. Not that I did that.

I created a second bracelet with a simple stamping design using a veiner.

This one was a little better but the piece I used behind the stone was thicker making the bracelet more taut than I would have liked. You can easily see the leather creases in the bracelet.

It looked fine flat but when bent it created an opening. I think I cut too much out of the circle.  My hands are not skilled enough to pull off what my head envisions which frustrated me. I know things take time but I wish more people would be honest about their crafting. I see perfection, perfection, perfection which makes me think “Dude, I suck.”

I say Dude. However everything gets better with practice

Things I want to change:

A better design for the cuff

A different cutting method/style

Different colors

Jess

Hand Stitched Leather Coin Purses

A few days ago, Big E took me to a granite store. I had been hounding him for days about wanting a marble or granite surface to do my leather. I went in and asked about scraps and at first they though I meant a scrap counter which is Awesome. I didn’t even realize they did that. I explained who I was (Tejana Made) and what I wanted but perhaps they thought I was a character out of some fantasy land because they wanted a card. That was fine by me since I had plenty. They also decided to give me a scrap cutout from a sink.

I searched my leather bin for some pieces I had wanted to work on from my Tandy Leather Kit but in my excitement I snapped two photos. A before and an after.

 

That slab is pretty awesome, ain’t it?

Here is a tutorial on another piece I found in my Tandy Leather Kit.

Items:

Key Coin Purse Template or Cutouts

Sponge

Stylus and Swivel Knife

Tracing Film

A beveler

A Modeler

Turqouise, Pink, and Purple Acrylic Paints

Eco Flo Dye

Super Sheen

Modge Podge

Leather Lace

A Needle

First, you need to figure out your design on tracing film.

Case the leather with a damp sponge. Wait for it to return to its original color and should be cool to the touch.

Cover the leather with your design and use the stylus to create the impression. Take the swivel knife and cut the lines where needed.

Use the beveler to depress the areas outside of the skull and the modeler to create depth. I have not yet mastered the swivel knife for smaller projects. Practice makes perfect.

Paint the flowers with a 1 part water, 1 part paint, and 1 part modge podge mixture so that it resists the top coat we will apply later. After it has dried, apply the dye watered down in a 1 part dye to 1 part water. Use a small amount, wipe off excess with a paper towel. I recommend dabbing it since it is a smaller piece to dye.

Paint over the entire piece with a watered down turquoise andmmodgepodge Mix. Wipe the skull with a paper towel so that it looks more distressed. Continue painting the piece until you reach a color you like. Let dry. Cover with Super Sheen for shine.

After the piece has dried, you will need a leather needle with a large eye and some leather lace.

Line up all the holes and begin stitching through the first hole leaving a tale of about 3 inches.

Begin stitching until you reach the end.

When you reach the end, continue back the other way.

Tie a square knot.

You are done.

Jessie

Leather Carving

I opened a new online called  Tejana Made Jewelry  on Storenvy. Look around and see if anything catches your fancy. I have rosaries, rosary bracelets, and some upcycled cuffs.

Learning  leather carving is way harder than it looks. It requires patience. Lots and lots of patience.

Here is a sample of the leather projects I have been working on.

I hand carved the image and using various tools tried to some fine details. This was my first practice piece and I have done two more since this one. Hopefully, there will be more intricate bracelet designs in the future.  Here is another bracelet that is for sale in my shop.

I hope you enjoy what I have been creating.

 

Jess

 

Adventures in Leatherworking

I know I have been MIA recently but I am working a tons of new cuffs since I have been bitten by the Leather Crafting Bug. We all have that one craft that drives us to create stunning work and begin to think outside of the box.

I have two types of crafts:

1) Rosary Design

and

2) Leather Cuff Bracelets.

I started small and realized that the more complex my designs become that Ineeded a good guide. I am searching for more books on Leather Crafting. Many of the books are getting harder and harder to find due to their rarity. If anyone has any resources, I would greatly appreciate it. I just wanted to say hello and that I am still around diligently carving and creating.

In a few weeks there will be a post specifically dedicated to what I have created and I have a few more surprises for my readers. When I reach 100 followers on my Facebook Page, I will be having a giveaway for one Faith Cuff ( you are going to love the design).

Create Art, be happy, and remember life is better with smiles than with contempt. Each moment is special, and we are all in charge of our happiness. Sometimes, it doesn’t come from a screen or from a box. It comes from our hands, a desire to create something that can  be passed on for generations.

Abrazos,

Jessie

 

 

Bracelets: My Arm Candy

I have fallen in love with Leather Cuff Making.  Every week, I buy another set of tools and stamps to help ease my never-ending wish list.  It doesn’t help and as I delve further and further into this, let’s lightly say obsession, the list grows and grows. Even Baby and DJ get in on the fun.

My Second Apprentice

My First Apprentice

I have been working on a few love inspired designs trying a few different color backgrounds using acrylic paints and dyes. Here is the unpainted Love bracelet.

This is a really small bracelet intended for Baby but she would only wear it for ten minutes and promptly slid her hand out. She at least admired the colors.

I was outside laying in the grass trying to take these pictures in our overcast weather when Big E asked “What ARE you doing, Jessica?”

“Um, taking pictures,”  I replied, still snapping away.

“People are going to freak out because your all dressed up in the grass taking pictures of a round stone.”

“I spray paint in the grass. I doubt they are surprised.” I answered.

Truth, if you roll by my house. I will probably be spray painting or taking pictures.

But, Big E had wanted a bracelet but the first one didn’t come out so great and this one was a little better however I need to work on my fine detail painting. I warned you.

I lam excited to learn new techniques and steady my hand to paint these hand stamped beauties. Big E’s cuff looks better snapped closed with the E hidden from view.

 

As for loom beading, here is my first attempt.

 

I hope you enjoyed my arm candy because I had so much fun making it.

Keep on Creating.

Jessie

 

Leather Stamped Bracelets

I made a hand stamped, hand painted leather cuff for my youngest brother Homero. It was my first attempt at creating a dyed background with painted letters. I don’t want to say I bombed because it was a good first attempt.

I thought I was advanced enough to create one for Big E. I had big ideas for his bracelet but I couldn’t figure out how to individually paint the letters without ruining the stain.  Let’s just say trial by error.

The dye was much too thick and I needed to add a resist, which is a product that resists water based dye. You can find Super Sheen at Tandy Leather but it does not resist oil based or spirit (alcohol) based dyes and inks. It keeps unpainted or painted portions safe when you apply the stain. Here is a video from Tandy Leather.

I spent several days searching for tutorials on how to dye leather in multiple colors. You have to sift through several and take away what you need and what you don’t. I pinned several leather and bracelet tutorials on my Pinterest page.

I wanted to create some Valentine’s Day inspired bracelets and I found this really amazing tutorial from Camille McClelland .

I used a thicker blank made from a belt blank that I purchased at Hobby Lobby. It has forced me to reconsider how I case (wet) the leather before stamping. I didn’t case it well enough to get really good impressions. I bought this Alphabet Stamp Set by Tandy Leather at Hobby Lobby with my 40% coupon.  I also already had a few flower stamps from a previous purchase. Remember these Leather Cuffs.

 

I love Camille’s tutorial and it is by far one of the best ones on painting with acrylics. If using the dyes, you want to add a resist to what you don’t want stained. Use a thin brush for small details.

 

I used a blend of Purple for the background and Fuchsia for the flowers. I finished off the bracelet with some Super Sheen so I could buff it shiny.

I also have invested myself to create a Heart a Day till Valentine’s Day. I hope by the time I finish my hearts will look awesome.

What new techniques or projects have you tried?

Jessie

2013 Pantone Colors

Via Pantone

 

As my confidence in my craft grows there is still somewhat of a learning curve for myself when it comes to color schemes and flow.  Each time I create something,  I struggle in the process of complimenting the colors. It has truly been a work in progress but this season’s Color of the Year is Emerald.

Green is my favorite color.

Maybe it is because I am a March baby and I am just that egocentric. I have already seen spatterings of the color online and in many home design schemes. It makes me regret spray painting that green vase.

Oh, if only I knew.

I am starting to experiment more with my leather working and wondering how I can incorporate these colors by making them look timeless and not just trendy.

Here is to experimentation!

If you are wondering what types of beads match these colors try Rings-n-Things and Fire Mountain Gems. I really enjoy both of these sites because of the selection of gemstones and semi precious stones.

Happy Creating!!

Jessie

Taking on the Bikini Diet

I really love the blog She’s losing it because

1) She is a fitness competitor and

2) she’s TEXAN.

Nuff Said.

Seriously, though…I hate making long-winded recipes that require loads of ingredients and lots of dirty dishes. I hate dirty dishes since I have to hand wash EVERY dish

This  easy to follow plan  loaded with nutrient dense green vegetables, superfood fruits like blueberries and strawberries, and lean proteins is the  simplicity that I crave the most. There is no limit to what you can create using your own spices and herbs but please use caution when using rubs or seasonings.

I calculated the plan using My Fitness Pal  and it rounds out to around 1500 to 1600 calories a day which is usually recommended to promote weight loss.

It makes sense. However, I must reiterate that I am not a professional so seek out the advice of a dietician or your own physician.

Also, it is imperative for one to invest in a food scale and to keep a journal of food choices. You can eat 1500 worth of calories with just junk but it isn’t going to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.

I still feel hungry and find myself only satisfied when I am over the edge full. What have I done to myself? I have created a gorger.

I am fighting against my internal urge to binge, to pick off my kid’s plates (don’t look surprised), and to sneak away those last few morsels left in the fridge.

Any tips or suggestions?

Jessie

The year is 2013: A list of To Do’s

2013…how the time flies.

I used to have a laundry list of resolutions.  They were whispers of hopes, dreams, and unattainable goals which in itself is not a bad thing but what did I ever get done?

Nothing…nada.

In the end, it was a slap in the face to myself. I was self sabotaging as usual but no more. No more crying over missed opportunities or non-existent weight loss. I will make a list and stick to it!

2013 Goals

Career Goals: Short Term

1) Query Five Agents

2) Submit two fiction pieces for publication.

3) Write more freelance articles

4) Buy my domain.

5) Get a vending permit

Lifestyle Goals:

1) Lose 100 pounds

2) Meal Plan and Post every Thursday for the next week.

3) Do the bike 5 days a week for 60 minutes

4) Bike 15 miles a day to start on the stationary bike.

5) Eat Vegetarian on Mondays

Blogging and Jewelry Goals:

1) Create new and relevant content

2) Try out new hand stamping leather techniques

3) Attend a Diana Cook CLass

4) Attend LATISM, Fitblogging, and SNAP

5) Freelance out to other venues.

Family Goals:

1) Take a Vacation

2) Pay off one bill a month.

3) Family Dinner every night on the table.

4) Cook more

5) Did I mention Take a Vacation?

What are your short-term goals for 2013? What will you do to guarantee success?

Jessie

Light at the end of the computerless abyss…

I have been offline for a month but it feels like a year…in all honesty… a year.

I was working on some awesome resin posts, making these funky religious ornaments
when I went to load my pictures…well the computer just sputtered.

I took it to get it fixed since it needed a new hard drive but unforeseen financial circumstances have set me back.

It would be cheaper to buy a new computer than to fix mine but I lost everything. Pictures,stories, posts…Everything.

Insert Sigh

I guess it is a lesson that nothing is permanent. Life is full of unknowns and each day is an adventure.

Or it is just a problem of the technology based life we have all grown accustomed to? I have used the time to recenter myself. I bought an exercise bike to keep strain off my knees. I have been cleaning and creating.

I have lists of cool stuff to share but trying to share off my kindle is difficult as far as pictures go.

This post is full of short declarative sentences that begin with I and apologies for that.

Merry Christmas and Feliz Navidad!

Jessie

Dia de Los Muertos: A tribute to mis Abuelos

Dia de los Muertos was just All Soul’s Day when I was growing up. It meant mass in the mornings and in the afternoon, we would visit Tio Roel. His tomb next to the plot where my abuelos would be laid to rest.  There was solemness to this action and I often regret not asking my abuelos more about how the way they were raised.

I often wonder what the consequences of being Tejano meant during their lifetime? Did it mean that the celebrations were different? Did it mean it changed who they were or did they just evolve their celebrations in order to avoid criticism?

There were no elaborate sugar skulls or ofrendas but I could see this holiday in the tiny things my abuelita did. I saw it hidden among the dusty water filled glasses that stood silently on guard in the corners of the house. When I would ask her, she would often times say “So, the spirits would not be thirsty.” and as a child I just shrugged it away.

I saw it in the loving care we took clearing away gnarled vines and broken twigs from Tio Roel’s grave and from other graves of family members I cannot remember.

My mother would be the one to accompany her and now it is my mother who goes to my Abuelita’s site to leave flowers. I wish I could go and see them, my abuelos from both sides.

I felt they were stolen from me. I felt guilt and pondered the thought that if only I had thrown aside my arrogant youthful ways, I could have learned more about who we were. I could have learned their struggles and their accomplishments.

Instead, I glance at the pictures of my Grandma Locha, my paternal grandma, who loved ribs and good coffee. I remember my Abuelo Rodolfo who loved pork and eggs and always had barbacoa for Thanksgiving. My Abuela Estella who loved grapefruits and struggled with her love for Pan Dulce after she became Diabetic.

They have been gone for almost a decade if not longer. I remember the smells of sweet hot chocolate on Christmas Eve and of loud family gatherings. Echoes of memories since now the halls of my home are eerily  silent.

It is the movement of the wind among the branches of our solemn mesquite tree on our ranch that reminds me of my childhood. This is a hard day for me because I hold onto those lost memories so tightly that they cause ache. Today is not a day to cry from sadness but to release tears of joy that mis abuelos lived a life well lived.

It is a time to celebrate the odd circle of life. I will rejoice  in the ebb and flow of  life knowing that each of us will stand at the point where it all started. Life and Death are hand in hand. It is that comfort that they are watching over me as I make my mark in this world. Those happy memories move me forward and keep me grounded.

Dia de los Muertos is more than fancy painted skulls and really awesome jewelry. It is about the memories we keep and the traditons we pass on.

Happy All Soul’s Day or Feliz Dia De Los Muertos!

Jessie

Latism ’12 Recap

LATISM 12 was my first conference that was outside of the teaching realm. There were several years were I attended Professional Development and Pedagogy type conferences for my career in teaching but to be in conference with so many different people from all levels of professional success was, well for lack of a better word, inspiring.

I had the honor of meeting Tony from Librotraficante, Ted Rubin from Collective Bias, Lorraine C. Ladish from Mamiverse, Ana RC, Elianne Ramos, Aaron Carrasquillo from NBCLatino and so many others. I also, finally, was able to meet several of my beloved Twitter amigas and amigos. It is so nice to meet a collective of people who are all trendsetters.

I went to LATISM to do a panel on the Role of Health Bloggers and in a very emotional confession I discussed my family. I also began to talk about how I didn’t want to go in pieces. Those words sum up how I feel about my continuous struggle with Type 2 Diabetes but in a way the people who came up to me afterward made me feel empowered.

I don’t want to be the girl with Type 2 Diabetes in the same way I don’t want to be labeled with my cultural heritage only. Diabetes is only a facet of my life. It is a sliver in the puzzle that is Jessica,  Awesome Tejana. It is about acceptance not badgering. It is about helping and healing families, bodies, and the fragile thing we call health.

At lunchtime, this amazing little girl, belted out Mariachi songs. It was beautiful and so much fun to see all the cultural nuances of Houston. I now know why people love to live there.

During the Adelante Event, I attended a Venture Capital for Tech Startup panel with some amazing panelists. I had connected online with @llorenzesq and was looking forward to discussing #edtech.

It was at this panel that a light bulb went off.

It really was the most informative, thought-provoking panel I attended that weekend.  New mantras developed like “Everyone needs to learn a little coding.” and my fav about discussing ideas aloud “Someone needs to be there to call your baby ugly.” via Nuevo Labs which is, I believe, a business accelaration company.

I also enjoyed the mini discussion we had about minorities in Technology startups, women in coding, and even accessibility. There was a discussion of the Digital Divide which like education seems to not be shrinking.

I advocated for my city whenever possible. I wanted them to know “Hey, we are here!”  in the exact same way that the Who’s on that darn poppy flower that Horton was carrying to safety screamed into the clouds.

We are that city precariously sitting on the edge of oblivion in the great Digital Shift.  The only option we have is to take a chance, to be the innovators, and to stop sitting on the sidelines.

We need to educate our youth in STEM, create avenues and events to better serve our communities, and to re-mold our city. It is not always about building new buildings but creating a strew of technical entrepreneurship that will bring talent and keep talent where we need it most. In the Coastal Bend, the Brush Country,  the Valley and Laredo.

I walked away literally shaking with I don’t know adrenaline, excitement, quien sabe. All I know is that I wanted to scream from the 28th floor “This is the Tejana and I am going to change the world.” or at least my part of Texas.

LATISM 12 was filled with passion.

Passion resonated from the speakers in their fields. It came from the hard work of the Houston Chapter of LATISM. Passion permeated from the attendees as we began to think about our next big movement.

Our next big thing…

What will your next big thing be?

See you at LATISM 13

Jessica

Tejana Made

I am heading to Latism 12

I want to do the old Cliche. I struggled with whether or not to start the post off with what i wanted to write.  It occurred to me that perhaps I shouldn’t do it but come on I can’t really resist.

Houston, we have a problem!

The Tejana is coming to your city and I hope your ready.

Boo-Yah…okay.

I am happy to announce that I will be in Houston for three days attending this year’s Latism conference as a Speaker.  My session will be on Friday at 9:45 am. I will be discussing the Role of Bloggers in Health Education. Oh and here is my face…check it out.

It still weighs heavily on my mind that getting healthy is really a journey into who we are as people. It helps to determine what we want to accomplish and how we can and will get there. I still believe that this blog is my place for accountability. It is my haven when I need to discuss my binge eating or my lack of willpower.

After Dia de Los Muertos, I will be posting for Diabetes Awareness Month and I hope that the information here on this site will help someone know that they are not alone in their weight loss struggle.

There are so many great sessions that will be happening this upcoming weekend and the tracks are amazing. There is a Health, Education, Technology, and Business Track with tons of informative sessions and panels.

I am looking forward to the Business Sessions which I think would be vital for me to see what direction I want to see the rest of my life go in. I love the fact that LATISM choose Texas as the site for this year’s conference and I hope that others will see how beautiful and open our cities are.

My Blogging Amiga Sweet Life Bake and I will be attending the conference together.

If you are attending the conference, come by and say “Hey”!

See you there,

Jessie

Jewelry Trunk Show

Big E works all the time and my two menaces, I mean my two kiddos, don’t have a reliable babysitter yet. All this means is I don’t rush out the door with toddlers in tow because the following would be filled with me saying:

“No, don’t touch that.”

“Stop.”

“Come here.”

“Don’t touch that.”

“I said , No”

Any of these could be followed with irrational tantrums followed by those “stares” people always give me. You know the ones. It is a “Control your Child” look but I am over that look.

I was ecstatic when Grandma came to visit so I could attend a local Trunk Show which was held at Heritage Homes by Creative Connections CC.  I also  found out that we have a pretty cool shop called Tree House Art Collective that features local artists in a range of mediums.

I went because of Jennifer, amazing jewelry creator and owner of LaureLynn. She has amazing cuff bracelets and wire wrapped pendants I am drooling over.

Etched Cuff Bracelets by Laurelynn

This Spiderweb cuff bracelet literally made me swoon.  It was love at first sight, it isn’t weird I fell in love with an inanimate object, is it? Or am I the only one?

She also has these amazing wire wrapped jewelry necklaces and has been to a few juried shows. A great local artist you guys need to support, she is also an educator for one of our local schools.

Heather’s Origami was there with her paper craft jewelry.

Another really cool vendor was Dustpan Productions and Noodlecrafts. They have some really cool pop art and some awesome Dia de Los Muertos inspired jewelry and magnets.

The amazing flower bag in the above picture is actually made out of plastic bags I believe, talk about upcycling!

I was inspired by these lovely painted, patina-ed, and embellished crosses.

Melinda has some really beautiful pieces. I heart those little red rose earrings which were metal I think. I had a good time talking with her about her crosses and am anxiously waiting for her to create a Virgen inspired one!

I wandered about until I saw the coolest upcylced necklace EVER! Here it is:

So, do you recognize the materials that are being used? I thought it was a pretty nifty idea.

PLM Designs also had a few polymer clay bangles which still elude me by the way. I just can’t get them to stay circular.

I have a bangle resin mold, I wonder if I can get it to mold my clay? Hmmmm….ideas, ideas.

Just when the fantastic-ness couldn’t get any better (Did I just hear my old english Profs groan?), I saw this amazing metal crab bracelet.

Norma, of Art and Jewelry by Norma Gafford, was working on some metal crafting when I approached her booth.

I must say the her display was awesome. I could probably use my 100 dollar words and say stunning, surreal, but to me Awesome is just my go to word.

Outside was the kids crafting areas, more vendors, and a live band Spark in the Dark.

These signs are pretty cool and probably because they are Texas based. They were created by Wayne Hecho from Patriotic and Creative Arts.

I wonder is it just Texans who are obsessed with our state. Do other states hang, wear, and embellish their state forms or is it because we have the coolest looking state. I’m just sayin’.

I look forward to this event because apparently they have it every month. There is Art Walk, Marina Days, and Art in the Park.

I liked Art in the Park because of the intimate setting and because it is in Heritage Park and we need to revitalize that area. I hope to see you at the next one. Each of these events is held the First Weekend of the Month.

Art Walk is usually on Friday Night

Art in the Park is Saturday and Sundays from 10-4

Marina Market Days-Time unknown (I looked)

If one is to say there is nothing to do in our fair city, well look harder. Things are happening everyday!

Jessie

Dia de Los Muertos Canvas Tote

I was recently sent some awesome Iron On Images from Crafty Chica. the best part is they are being carried in select Michael’s stores. I hustled to the nearest one to see if the end cap was there.  It was, which was awesome!

My crafting expertise goes as far as jewelry making with some extremely beginner bead embroidery so having to jump into fabric crafting was a tad disconcerting. My first run was to paint it and I didn’t really like where I was going with it.

 

Painted Bag

 

 

My mom came by my casita and said I was too critical. But, I think it was because I felt unsure of myself in this media. In my brilliance or dazed confusion, I decided to “do a little bead embroidery”.

I proceeded to add in different color flowers to represent the Marigolds ever-present at Dia de Los Muertos celebrations. I was supposed to hand stitch them but I knew that wasn’t going to happen so I prepared my glue gun.

I love the way the Catarina turned out with her embroidered edges and her flower frame.

Canvas Tote

 

I really enjoyed the images in the Crafty Chica and how they take our folk art to a whole new level.  I still have a butterfly left over and maybe a statement necklace is in order.

Click here to see if a Michael’s store in your area is carrying the Crafty Chica line.

Jessie

I received this complimentary product(s) from CraftyChica.com as part of the Crafty Chica Design Team, was asked to share an original DIY project.

Calabaza con Pollo {Chicken and Squash Stew}

I love Calabaza (Mexican Squash) but I miss the huge ones that Abuelo used to cut from his garden during our mild fall months. Calabazita was one of those dishes reminds me of my Abuela.  Each serving of squash and chicken would be served with a few fluffy and warm corn tortillas. It is one of my comfort foods. A dish that just reminds me of home and since Dia de Los Muertos is coming up at the end of the month.

This may be on the Altar that  I make honoring my Abuelitos. It is by far the one dish I always hold close to me.

Ingredients needed:

2 Squash (Mexican/Tatuma or even zucchini)

2-4 Small to Medium Tomatoes

1 bag of Frozen Corn

1 Can of Tomato Paste

2 tbsp of Comino (Cumin)

2 tbsp of Chile Powder

1 clove of garlic

1/4 of a cup of green bell peppers and onions

1 tbsp of olive oil

1lb of chicken thighs

Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions:

Peel and dice Squash. Set aside

Dice tomatoes. Set Aside

Dice clove of garlic, onions, and bell peppers.

Add in chicken, squash, tomatoes, bag of corn, onions, bell peppers, garlic and tomato paste.

Fill  up Crock pot with water. Stir in spices and let simmer until chicken is cooked and squash is soft.

Spoon into dish and serve with corn tortillas.

A little taste of South Texas Mexican Comfort Food from yours truly.

Jessie

Halloween DIY Permanent Marker Mugs {100 Days of Creating}

I found the infamous Pinterest Sharpie Marker Pin. I tried it with some cheap Dollar Tree mugs and some DollarvTree stencils. I have been trying to trouble shoot the curved mugs and trying to transfer a stencil design. It still eludes me unless you can free hand then go on with your bad self. Don’t expect some amazing doodle drawing of a pumpkin or something.  I can trace a mean line but girly, whimisicle free hand stuff has never been  my thing. In fact, I have awful professor handwriting.

Supplies needed:

Directions:

Tape the stencil onto the cup and begin to outline the design onto the cup. Color in and add details.

Heat Oven to 350F and bake for 30 minutes.

Allow to cool.

My pumpkin came out looking like a basketball so I need to work on that.

You could use these as gifts or as Teacher’s presents.  Of course, I will give my basketball looking pumpkin to my mother who is a coach.

Yeah, I meant to do that, perhaps a Freudian Slip.

Jessie

Book Review of Nacho Money by Candi Sparks

I don’t  really remember my family EVER discussing money or budgeting. In those fleeting moments, the value of money and its impact on the rest of your life was never discussed.

When I was married, I truly lacked that basic financial information needed. I lacked the advice from my parents and didn’t realize how important it was to  have something tangible like real estate or other assets.  I realized that I didn’t want my children to have to pay their way out of debt.

I wanted them to have little or no debt and that cannot happen without validating money and how their choices can impact their lives.

Although there are books about saving and books about counting money, this series of books written by Candi Sparks does something more than just identify money. It discusses money in a tangible way that can easily be understood by children. My favorite book was Max Gets It which was Volume 3 in the Can I have Some Money? Series.

Book Summary:

Max wants a new video game after working with fake money in class. As an assignment, there are given the opportunity to see how he could earn extra money for a video game. Max soon learns the difference between an impulse buy and one that requires saving. His mother and father help him achieve a budget plus allocating some money to go towards “Fun Spending”.

In the end, Max was able to use all the tools he learned to save up for a new game and then some.

Via Candi Sparks

Review:

I loved the distinction between saving for something and impulse buying. I am such an impulse buyer! It is really one of those things I myself need to learn to stop doing. Children do follow by example and at the moment I am not portraying a very positive one.

One of our goals is to budget out for my son’s big want which is a Power Wheel for his birthday and he is old enough to do chores to earn some money.

One of our ideas is to place a picture of what he wants on a jar to help him save more of his weekly allowance. This is just a simplified version of the budgeting system taught in the book. My son is 4 and it is a little easier this way.

This book lets us discuss openly and honestly why we can’t always just “buy” something that they want.

The second book we read together was Nacho Money, which discussed how easy it is to get into debt, how to get a loan, and the penalties when it is not paid on time.

Book Summary

Max borrows a video game  from one of his friends and cannot remember where to find it. He panics because he will have to figure out a way to either pay her back or find the disc. At the same time, his library books are late and are accruing late fees and he impulsively spends his older brother’s tend dollars on pizza and drinks.

Max soon learns that he has put himself into debt. His mom discusses the options of a loan in exchange for extra chores and through a few bumps in the road, Max is able to gain financial independence.

Via Amazon.com

Review:

I loved how this book touched on personal financial responsibility and discussed debt in a way that can easily be learned by children. I also like how Max learns responsibility and that items that are not yours should always be treated with respect.

These books made it  easy for my son and even my daughter to understand the basics of money management. It is unique in that, Ms. Sparks uses correct vocabulary  and provides a list of the Financial Literacy Concepts that will be discussed in the book.

At the end of the books are scrambled word puzzles and even discussion questions that can be used in groups or in conjunction with the activities one has created.

As a former educator, I see this book as being useful for Literacy Centers and Math Centers relying on the real world exposure that children need to make wise and effective money decisions.

Candi Sparks is a mother of two and holds several financial licenses. She has been helping families from all walks of life on the road to financial freedom. The “Can I have Some Money?” books and workshops are designed for children and the families that love them.

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I was sent these books for review but my opinions are my own.