Sponsor Magic Cat Jenny in 2013!

Happy New Year!!! Almost...tomorrow is officially 2013! this year I am really amping up my blog and I would love it you were here with me. I made the switch over to Passionfruit ads, but don't worry, there are still free ad swaps. The ads run for 30 days and the code for a free Large ad button swap is "ADSWAP"  Just let me know if you have the same system for ad swapping or if I should email you a particular size ad.

I am also offering 2 'Feature' slots for $4 a piece.  I know I am still a n00b in the blogging world, but I do have some followers on YouTube.  I do plan to vlog about my blog this year. (too meta?)  That includes mentioning those 'Feature' blogs.

Everything you need to know is on my sponsor page but feel free to email me if you have any questions.  Thank you so much and lets make 2013 amazing!

DIY: Nerdy Christmas Ornaments

One of my favorite vloggers and bloggers, Karen Kavett, created some nerdy Christmas ornaments and I tried out three of her designs. A Poké Ball, polka dot, and a golden snitch. 
I used white paint and a black sharpie (ran out of black paint) to create the Poké Ball. 
The polka dots on the green ornament are from a white lable cut out with a hole punch.
The golden snitch was made from cardboard scraps, yellow paint, gold rope, and hot glue.  
I learned that hot glue is not easy to work with at such a small scale and have it not show, it looks fine 
from a distance however.  Thanks for the ideas, Karen!

Merry Christmas!

J.

How I Wrapped My Christmas Presents

This is just a small selection of the Christmas presents I've made and bought for friends and family this year.  However, this year, I wrapped them all the same way.  I was inspired by a simplistic wrapping paper design I found at Targe.  It was on the cheeper end of their paper but I fell in love.

In lieu of bows, I cut out ball ornaments shapes from some scraps of red construction paper I had lying around.  I used a circular pin and a red sharpie to get the perfectly round shape, but I'm sure I could have eyeballed it as well.  Then I cut a small piece of brown ribbon and attached one end of the paper and the other end to the present with tape. 

On the back of the construction paper I wrote who it's to and who it's from (me!)

If you want to do this yourself all you need is above!  (and a red sharpie and pin if you don't want to eyeball the circle shape.)  Good luck and happy holidays!

J.

Project For Awesome 2012

Project for Awesome is a yearly event where the YouTube community uploads videos about charities they support on December 17th.  The goal is to raise awareness and get people excited to donate to the charity of their choice.  Also, John Green (one of the founders) will donate one penny per comment on every Project For Awesome video uploaded today.  This is my second year participating and my video is about the charity: Heifer International.
For more information on P4A: http://www.projectforawesome.com
For more information on Heifer International: http://www.heifer.org/
Don't forget to comment on the video to help!




Thanks for watching!
J.

DIY: Bracelet Display

I have lots of jewelry, and no real way to organize it all.  I've seen those black velvet jewelry displays for sale at craft stores but I could never justify buying them. Mostly because they just looked too...store like...in my opinion.  Great for product shots, weird for at home organization. However, after searching online, I found a way to make my own for little to no money.  That way, if I end up hating it, it's not a huge loss.

There are various websites that have the same instructions on how to make these and I don't have an exact link but they are relatively easy to make.
All you need is:
1 empty toilet paper roll
1 empty paper towel roll
1 piece of cardboard (mine is cut from a case of beer, heh)
Some fabric to cover it (black works best)
Glue
Tape

First trace around the center side of the paper towel roll with the end of the toilet paper roll. Cut it out and fit the toilet paper roll inside.  Tape it secure. Then tape the other end of the toilet paper roll to the cardboard piece (make sure it's a large enough base, extending as long or close to the width of the paper towel roll.  Then just glue the fabric on.  It does not have to be perfect, I had some trial and error getting mine to cover it all the way.  Once the bracelets are on you can't really see the imperfections.  Again, it's a cheap temporary solution that's not too bad.

Here's what mine looks like without the bracelets on.

When I made this I was not thinking of making a blog post about it so I'm sorry for not having any 'in progress' shots.  If you have any questions feel free to ask, I'll try my best to answer them.

Thanks for reading!
 J.

Christmas and Countries

Today I'd like to share a vlog with you.  It's about a Christmas themed documentary and many countries that friends and family are from or traveling to in the new year. 

Currently I am working on making and mailing all of my gifts for different Secret Santas I've participated in (3 this year!) and making and collecting gifts for my family and my boyfriend.

Also, I know it's cheesy...but it's necessary... HAPPY 12/12/12!!



Thanks for watching!

J.

The First Christmas Monsters

I started making Nerdy Monsters a year ago.  The first few were given away as Christmas gifts to some lovely people.  Specs went to my cousin Katie and my boyfriend's younger sister, Julianne.  Wiz Kid went to my boyfriend's other younger sister, Alley and my Danish friend, Kristine for the CCDB Secret Santa.

The poem attached was written my my dad and is given to anyone who purchases a Nerdy Monster on Etsy along with the name of their monster.  This year I am giving away a few monsters as Secret Santa Christmas gifts. (and one Birthday present) I doubt the recipients of those gifts read this blog so I will let you know the types of monsters I am currently making for them.  Jellicle, Godric, Vloggy, and a new monster that is yet to be revealed. 

What are some crafts you're making for Christmas gifts? Let me know and link me to blog posts! I love seeing creative gift giving. 

BUY THEM || TWEET THEM || REBLOG THEM || TAG THEM

J.

Bento Box 2

 

Here is the second ever bento box I've made.  I recently found this photo on my phone, I'm guessing its months old.  I have not made a bento box in forever!  I really should try it again soon.

The larger half (bottom) contains leftover rice and a quick vegetable stir-fry I made that morning.  It's just beansprouts, spnich, and mushrooms cooked with a tiny bit of oil.  The smaller half (top) has an egg tamagoyaki (a bento box recipe found on JustBento), leftover chicken (from what I can tell, I honestly don't remember), and a small piece of cake.



It's only slightly different than the first bento box I made.  I think the addition of rice was what made it a bit more filling.  I think next time I might need to dedicate one entire half to rice.

Do you have a bento box? What is your favorite bento box recipe?

J.

Giveaway Trivia Contest!

Back in college I co-wrote and directed a short mockumentery series called LMU's Next Top Ridiculously Good-Looking Person.  I've written about the show before, here.  Currently I am holding a trivia contest for the first five episodes. The episodes are on my YouTube channel and the questions are quite easy if you have seen them.  Origional I wanted people to just email me their anwsers but I think a rafflecoptor widget is a bit less work for you. The winner will get their choice of an Annoying Orange talking keychain or a Pygmy Puff handmade by me!  I'll randomly select a winner who answers all questions right, (or whoever answers the most right.)

All of the episodes are here:

Episode 1 - Sex Symbol
Episode 2 - Sweet Transvestite
Episode 3 - Somewhere Over the Rainbow
Episode 4 - Buy Me
Episode 5 - Lights, Camera, Action!


Here are some videos talking more about the contest!
  ||

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please enter! It would make my day. =)
J.