I was cleaning out the fridge so I could have room to put away groceries, and some fresh produce when I noticed that the water filter light was showing that its time to be replaced. I thought I could hold off until after all the construction is done on our street, as I am not sure if they are going to shut off our water again. If they do then it makes a mess of the filter. Just have to wait and see, and will continue to buy bottled water.

But back to the “putting away the groceries”… I need to buy a few more canning jars so I can make some more salsa. I am pleased with how it turned out and want to have plenty on hand for the winter. Along with the salsa, I want to try my hand at making pickles. I will have to get my hubby working on those shelves in the basement, as I want to stock them up!!

How cute are these?? They would be great for a beach themed cook out!

Craft jute, thickness size 4, available at craft stores (or other similar rope)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Various seashells
Empty toilet paper tube
Sheet of wax paper
Straight pins

1. Begin by wrapping a piece of wax paper around the empty toilet paper tube, and tape it together. This is your mold around which you will wrap your jute around. The wax paper serves as a barrier between the hot glue (which will inevitably ooze out) and the toilet paper roll. The hot glue becomes “unstuck” to the wax paper much more easily than the cardboard tube. The wax paper can simply be peeled away.

2. Next, apply a dollop of hot glue to one end the jute, and begin to wrap it once around the tube as shown. Let the hot glue adhere the end of the rope to the next layer, where it meets. Use a straight pin to adhere the jute to itself until the glue adheres.

3. Now, apply a line of hot glue along the top of the rope, then circle the rope around again. Use straight pins to keep everything adhered while the glue dries.

4. After about 6 wraps or so, cut off the jute and glue the end well to the wrapped seashell napkin ring.

5. After this has allowed to dry, slide the toilet paper roll out of the wax paper shell.

6. Now, gently peel away the wax paper. It may come out easily, it may not, depending on how much glue oozed out. If needed, rip the wax paper and keep working until it is all gone from the inside of the ring.

7. You can now decorate your seashell napkin rings. Use a variety of shells in different shapes and sizes, overlapping them occasionally to provide an interesting look. Use hot glue to adhere these in place, and allow to dry.

8. You are ready to entertain! Just slide your rolled napkins into the seashell napkin rings.

I have a loose diamond that I have had for a while now, not sure what I want to do with it. I am planning on taking it to a certified diamonds store to see what its worth before I decide what I want to do with it.

I would like to incorporate it into either a necklace or another ring, but not sure what I want to do. I am leaning towards a necklace, as I don’t have a diamond necklace. I have a jewelry making magazine somewhere I am going to have to dig out so I can see what I want to make. Who knows, this could lead into another hobby for me, just don’t tell my hubby, he thinks I have to many as it is!