4th of July Craft: Bandana Bracelets

Seeing how Independence Day is just around the corner I thought it would be fitting to sharing some Fourth of July related DIY projects. Over the next few days we will be sharing some simple ideas that anyone can do to celebrate the holiday.

To start our holiday projects off with a bang (hehehe) I thought we would start with a very easy project that I learned from Gingham Girl called the bandana bracelet. If you can braid, you can bandana bracelet. It's that easy. Now for the step by step instruction, I'll pass the job over to Gingham Girl.

~NoPlaceLikeHome~

Bandana Bracelets

My friends and I have been making bandana bracelets (and necklaces) for quite some time now. They're fast, easy, and super cheap! Bandanas usually cost $1 at most and you can get about 12 strips cut from one bandana. I also found the beads half off (300 pieces for $1.50). I spent less than $5 dollars on the supplies for this project. I've made at least 8 bracelets so far and still have bandanas and beads left. I took the materials to work yesterday, and it was a hit. The 4th & 5th grade girls loved making their own bandana bracelets to wear on the 4th.

Here's what you'll need:

3 bandanas (red, white, and blue)

1 package of star beads (next time I want to try silver stars)

Scissors

Water (just be near a sink)

First, cut the strips for your bracelet. It's up to you how thick you want the strips and how thick you want your bracelet. But if you're using beads, you probably don't want the strips to be much thicker than 1 inch.

If you're using beads, you'll also want to cut off the edge of the bandana to make stringing the beads easier.When it's all cut, run the strips under water and then wring them out; they just need to be damp in order to stretch. It will also help the bracelet stay in place better when it dries.

Now it's time to start braiding. It helps if you can get a helping hand to hold the end while you braid, that way you can get it nice and tight. Once you've braided about an inch or so down, string a bead onto one of the outside strips. Once in place, continue braiding and add beads where you think fit. Be sure to leave a bit of unbraided material at the end to tie.

When you're finished braiding, tie it on your wrist while it's still damp. Instead of tying all 6 strands together, tie 3 knots: the red to red, the blue to blue, you get it. This way, the knots will be tighter and the bracelet will stay on longer. Cut off whatever fabric you have hanging, and then you're done! :D

Bandana bracelets are great summer accessories. Try different colors and beads if you'd like. I used to change my bandana bracelet once a month just to mix it up. Use three colors, or just one. Choose a fun patterned bandana (like camo or tie dye) and see what happens. They cost almost nothing and are quick and easy. What could be better than that?!

*Gingham Girl*

Two Heads Are Better Than One

Even though my little sis and I are five years apart we do tend to act like twins: think alike, talk alike... you get the picture, yet we do have different tastes in food, fashion, etc. These differences come in handy because I love to ask her opinion on pretty much everything just to make sure I haven't jumped off the deep end on a crazy, out-there idea. Most times putting our two heads together usually means my original idea turns into a fabulous end product, so it was bound to happen sooner or later that I would ask her opinion about the blog and get some free labor :-) to help me out on my projects. Then the light bulb turned on....if Little Sis was going to put her two cents on the projects why shouldn't she put that same two cents into the blog. Now readers can get two opinions on all the DIY projects (and get a little insight into our crazy, loving, sisterly relationship! Welcome aboard little sis.

Introducing Gingham Girl!

Welcome to the Click Three Times blog!

Hello bloggers, internet surfers, stubleuponers, and anyone else who just might click on my site! I'm new to this blogging thing and figured I would use this first post to do a little over view on why I wanted to start a blog in the first place.

Like my profile states, I am a stay at home mama of two wonderful kiddos (a 3yr old son and 5 month old daughter) which means my day is crazy, my house looks like a twister hit it and when the chaos is over I wonder, "where did the day go!" and "why is my to do list" twice as long as before! I also love to craft, bake and try all types of DIY projects, yet never seems to find the time (or safe place from curious little ones) to do all the things I want. This is where the blog comes into play....

I am always clicking through the internet on the hunt for the next great bargain, DIY project or meal to cook and the good old world wide web is full of great things (I have a "Favorites" file folder to prove it). However, once I start to take a second look at all the fabulous finds I have added to the folder and actually start to try one out I realize two things: 1) Projects are not fast enough to do while my kiddos are taking their nap and 2) now how do I stash away this half finished project so the kids don't eat my glue sticks and my loving hubby doesn't feel like he is living in a craft store :-) Enter the Click Three Times blog.

I decided that I could use my blog as a way to test out my fav. DIY projects and share my ideas on how to give them a twist to fit into any busy mama's life style. (Or tips on how to stash away the time consuming ones). Also, try out some yummy recipes and find out how time crunching and kid friendly they are.  And last, share my findings on great tips and tricks to help out any busy parent.

Well, time for me to click my heels three times, state "there's no place like home (and home life)" and only hope that this blog with make every reader feel the same after I share my tips and tricks. Until the next post!