Patriotic Hair Accessories and A Cake Pull

First, I marked and cut circles for flowers.

Then, I pressed the circles into quarters and cut the strips in no time with my rotary cutter.

Last week I had such fun making flowers that I decided to whip up a few more. In my stash I found this solid red and patterned blue fabric. (The colors on the right are what they really look like.)  To go along with the flowers I decided to make a coordinated hair tie by crocheting fabric around an elastic.  Here's an easy way to attach fabric strips together without sewing. It's like ribbon yarn!

Fold the end of the strip over about a 1/2 inch and make a 1/4 inch snip on the fold.

With the right sides up, overlap the ends, matching the slits.

Using a crochet hook, pull the free end of the new strip through both slits from bottom to top.

Pull firmly to form a nifty small knot.

You can attach the strips as you go or do a bunch at the same time (that's what I like to do).  Then I just take a I/9-5.50mm hook and single crochet the fabric around a plain hair tie/elastic. While working around, keep smooshing the stitches together. You want to fit on as many as you can. Slip stitch into the first stitch, fasten off and you're all done!  This afternoon I'll be adding more of these easy hair accessories to my ever growing collection!

Even though it's been hazy, hot and humid all week, I've gotten a few (okay one and a half) more rows added on to Juliana Mod. She's coming along, slow and steady. The pattern continues to be a pleasure. The yarn (Bernat Baby Sport from the stash) is nothing to write home about,  but it's washable and durable without being too stiff. With the bead work I plan to add to the end, I think this will be a pretty, functional piece.

Juliana Mod is making slow and steady progress!

No matter what else is going on in my world, I always, always make time for books. Before I tell you about today's pick, let's talk about a few of the others.  Catching Fire, the second in the Hunger Games Trilogy, kept me interested and entertained straight through to the end. I've been pleasantly surprised by this set of Young Adult books and have the final installment, MockingJay, on CD and ready to go. Next, I read Nora Roberts' The Last Boyfriend. This is also a second in a trilogy called The Inn Boonsboro.  It's light and easy with  beautiful people living beautiful lives. I'd say it's a good one for the beach or a weekend escape. 

Last week it was finally my turn with Fifty Shades of Grey. There has been so much hype and media attention surrounding this trilogy of books I wanted to take a look for myself. I read the first two chapters and was not impressed with the dialog or story telling. If I hadn't waited for two months I would have stopped there. I pressed on cringing at the way Anastasia spoke and behaved. It was a strange blend of  hip college student and spinster great aunt. And then it turned into smut. Pages and pages of it. I blushed and was embarrassed - even though my husband had no idea what I was reading.  I'm not a prude, but I couldn't do it. I know lots of people love it, but it's not for me. I look for something different in the books I read, and I can't say I'm surprised by my reaction. I returned it to the library so the next person in line can decide for themselves if it's worth the wait!

After that I was happy to start There's Cake in My Future by Kim Gruenenfelder. I'm more than halfway through and enjoying this light and breezy slice of chic lit. Funny dialog, devoted friends, love, marriage and a cake pull that shows some very unexpected things will soon be happening. This one is much more my cup of tea!

There you have it. We're laying low and staying cool on this Independence Day.  Before I get back to work on my patriotic hair accessories I'll be stopping by to visit Ginny, Tami and Sue.  I'd love it you came with me.

Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!