Turquoise Teardrop Earrings Tutorial

I love these Turquoise Teardrop Earrings that I made.  I learned how to make them in Craftsy's Wire Wrapped Jewelry Making Class.

They are pretty simple to make, and so cute.  I have been trying to figure out who to give them too.  I also bought some other teardrop crystals that would be really cute also.  So those will be in an upcoming tutorial.

You can get supplies from

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Turquoise Teardrop Earrings Tutorial

Supplies:

2 teardrop Turquoise stones
3 feet 24 gauge silver wire divided in half (I used non tarnish silver plated wire
2 ear wires
needle nose pliers
flat nose pliers

Directions:

1.  String your teardrop stone onto your 24 gauge wire about 4 inches from the end.

2.  Using your finger and bend the wire towards the top of your stone at a 90 degree angle, towards the right top of the stone.  It will be flush with the stone.

3.  Next, bend the long part of the wire in the same way, but going to the left.  The wires will now look like an X at the top of the bead.  This wire will be behind the short end

4.  You will then bend the 4 inch piece of wire to a 45 degree angle from the top of the stone.  Bend the long piece of wire straight up.

5.  Using your finger on the 4 inch piece of wire, bend the wire around the top of the needle nose pliers and then turn the pliers and bend the wire towards the bottom of the pliers.  Next, bend the wire to the left.

6.  You will then start wrapping the wire around the two wires 3 to 4 times.  Cut the end piece.  you have now made the loop at the top of the stone to attach the ear wire to.

7.  next you will start wrapping the long wire over the part of the wire that you have already wrapped, but you will continue wrapping the wire around the stone, until you have gotten below where the wire comes out of the holes in the stone.  Make sure that you are keeping the wraps very close together.

8.  You will then bring the piece of wire along the back of the stone up to the bottom of the loop.  You will then wrap the wire around the bottom of the loop, and then wrap it several times around the top of the already wrapped wires.

9.  Then cut the extra piece of wire off.

10.  You will then need to use your pliers to open the bottom of the ear wire and slip the stone onto the ear wire and close the loop on the ear wire.  Repeat this process for the second ear ring.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.  I always love hearing from you.

Have a great week.
Debi

This is my own post and tutorial.  I am not being compensated for it.  I will receive compensation if you enroll in one of Craftsy's classes.

You can also get all of your supplies from Fire Mountain Gems.

John 17:6 - 17:8 Bible Study

Today, I am talking about John 17:6 - 17:8.  I will be telling you about how this bible study came about.

Do you know how some days, things keep happening over and over, which causes you to start thinking or reading about something, well last Wednesday was a day like that.  I went outside in the morning to start potting the flowers that I had bought for, of course, the pots around my deck.  I attached my IPod to my dress, and decided to listen to The Book of John.  I was really enjoying listening to it out in the sun that morning, and I even started listening to the first part of The Book of Acts, before I was finished potting.  

Once I had finished I went inside my house, and found that I had some missed calls from a close friend.  I called her back and spoke with her for a while, and told her I had just been listening to John.  I told her how great it had been planting and soaking in God's word.  I also told her I had finished the book The Secret's to Intercessory Prayer by Jack Hayford and had written a book review about it for the blog.  Sometimes she goes to his church, The Church on the Way, in Van Nuys, California, so she has actually heard his sermons before.  Anyway, she went on to tell me about a book that she had read and that I needed to read called Flight to Heaven by Captain Dale Black.  Well I got the book that day, and I had read quite a bit of it that afternoon, and it also had references to John.

The next thing that happened last Wednesday, and brought home certain verses that I felt God needed me to remember was at church that night.  I go to Orchard Road Christian Center and last Wednesday night Pastor Sarah Bowling was speaking about John 17:6 - 17:8, which were the some of the verses that I had read in Flight To Heaven, and listened to earlier that day.  At this point, I got the picture, God was definitely speaking to me, and I was supposed to listen.  He definitely had my attention.

Here are the verses

Joh 17:6  I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
Joh 17:7  Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.
Joh 17:8  For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me

Since I had now heard and read this several times that I day I was paying close attention.  Pastor Sarah had several points that she made that night, which helped me tremendously with understanding these verses.

First:  God gave Jesus these specific 12 disciples.  They kept God's word.

Second:  They received God's word.  When no one else believed, they believed that Jesus came from God, and that he gave them God's word.  Important: They received God's word.

Third: They understood that the words are from God.  That the words Jesus spoke were specifically from God.

Fourth:  They believed that God sent Jesus.  One of the things Sarah said was that belief is a choice, a decision you make.  I really liked that.  She also said that belief precedes truth.

The next thing she asked was a question, "What am I missing because I haven't received"?  She talked about praising God with song and prayers, but she also asked are we receiving what He all that he has to give us.  We praying for others and worship, which I am not downplaying at all, but are we receiving the things he has to give us.  She then said go to Psalms 103:2 - 103:4.

Psa 103:2  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Psa 103:3  Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Psa 103:4  Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

These are just a few of the things that we can receive from God, but also don't forget: joy, strength, forgiveness, God's word.  These are just a few more of the things that we receive, and like in verse 103:2 "forget not all his benefits".

I hope this speaks to your heart today.  It was something that I felt that I needed to share with all of you.  It was definitely a day spent with God, and those are great days.

Have a blessed week.
Debi
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Cajun Seasoning Mix

I made this Cajun Seasoning Mix to go with my Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya.  It's easy to make and great to have on hand.  It's a good seasoning for chicken or fish, and not too spicy.

Cajun Seasoning Mix

Ingredients:

2 tsp garlic powder

2 tsp onion powder

3 tsp paprika

2 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp ground oregano

1 1/2 tsp thyme

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a jar and store.

Use as you like.

Have a great week.

Debi

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Even though it is getting warm out, I thought this Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya sounded good since it has been in the 50's for the last few days.  I had bought Andouille Sausage when I was at the commissary last week and I thought this would be an easy meal, since I have been trying to get some planting done in my yard.  It's a pretty simple recipe, and it came out delicious.

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Ingredients:

6 chicken boneless skinless (cut into bite size pieces)

1 lb andouille sausage

1 small chopped onion

2 10 cans diced tomatoes with green chilis

2 cups chicken broth

1 cup water

1 tsp chopped garlic

3 TB olive oil

2 tsp cajun seasoning (recipe here)

2 cups uncooked long grain rice

Directions:

In a dutch oven are large pot heat olive and cook diced onions until translucent.

Add garlic and cook for another few minutes.

Add chicken and andouille sausage and cook until chicken is no longer pink, about 7 to 8 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes and green chilis, chicken broth, water, cajun seasoning and bring to a boil.  Stirring occasionally.

Add rice, and bring back to a boil.  Once boiling reduce heat to a simmer and cover and cook for 30 minutes or until rice is tender.

Makes 6 servings

I hope that you like this recipe.  We always love hearing from you.

Have a great week.

Debi

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Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party 86

We want to thank everyone who shared with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party 85.  We love seeing all of your posts.

Welcome to Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop 86.

Now we present you with the featured bloggers from Link Party 85, and grab your featured button from our sidebar.

Featured Bloggers from Link Party 85

1.  Happiness, Heartache, and Hope from The (mis)Adventures of a Born Again Farm Girl

2.  Best Coffee + Best Coffee Flavor = Perfect Morning Coffee from The Wilderness Wife

3.  Refreshing Mangoladas from Ectlectic Red Barn













4. Tissue Box from Wesen-Arts

5.  Roasted Brinjal Dip from With A Blast

6.  Hippy Chic Naked Manequins from Heaven's Walk

7.  Peanut Butter Taco Cookies from Hoopla Palooza

8.  Cleaning Green Simple DIY All Purpose Cleaner from Two Little Cavaliers

We are happy to have you at this week's party.  We always love hearing from you, so leave your comments.

Have a great week.

An InLinkz Link-up

How to Make Dawn Laundry Detergent

Today we will learn how to make Dawn Laundry Detergent.  

Here is the scene.  It is the day before Easter, and I'm trying to pack our clothes for a trip to Mexico. I'm leaving on Monday morning and don't want to have to do my laundry on Easter.  I'm all out of laundry detergent, and the normal one I make has to sit for 8 hours.  That wont work since I need to do the laundry now!  I of course hop onto Pinterest to find ideas for fast and easy laundry detergents and this was a great idea that I found.  I was so excited that it was easy and it only ended up taking me about 10 minutes to make.

I waited to post the recipe, because I wanted to make sure that it worked well and cleaned all of our clothes and other household stuff (sheets, towels, quilts).  It really does a great job, and is great when you need it quickly.  I still like the other one a little better, because it's a little more natural, but I would recommend this in a pinch.

Dawn Laundry Detergent

Ingredients:

5 TB Borax

5 TB Arm and Hammer Washing Soda

3 TB Dawn dishwashing liquid (I used blue)

2 cups hot water

1 gallon container

cold water to fill container

Directions:

Put borax, washing soda into your jug.

Add the 2 cups of hot water to the jug and shake for a few minutes until the powders have dissolved.

Next fill the container with cold water, it will foam from the soap, but just keep filling and let the foam run over the top of the jug.  Just make sure you leave a little room for the Dawn.

You will then at the Dawn Liquid dish soap, and shake and you are set to go.

I use 1/4 cup liquid in my HE3 machine and it works great.  This is a really quick solution if you need laundry detergent immediately.

Let me know what you think.
Have a great week.
Debi
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Whirlpool Outlet Promo Codes

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Whirlpool Corporation Outlet is an online-only outlet offering new, in-the-box major appliances at up to 50% off the MSRP.

I love the Whirlpool Outlet.  I have been watching for refrigerators, because I need a new one for the house in Florida.  I also need a new stove, but what I am looking for is a little harder to find.  Use the great promo codes above and receive additional savings off of their already great prices.

Have fun shopping.

Debi

The Secrets of Intercessory Prayer - Book Review

The Secrets of Intercessory Prayer by Jack Hayford

It has been a little while since I have done a book review, but I really wanted to recommend the book The Secret of Intercessory Prayer by Jack Hayford.  I have referred to the book several times in the last few months in my bible studies and finished it a few weeks ago.  

I really enjoyed reading this book, and loved that it really explains how we can pray for our loved ones (friends or family) in an effective manor.  It uses new and old testament verses to explain that we have the authority to pray not only for those in our lives, but also for others who may need our help as well.  Here is an example of a few of the chapter names:

5. Basic Promises to Apply

7.  Heirs Together of the Grace of Life

8.  Your Prayers are Decisive!

11. Praying for someone You Don't Want to Pray For

12.  How to Pray Without Ceasing

Here is a verse that really touched me.

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are parishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

2 Cor 4:3-4

There are so many people who are blinded to God's word.  They are blinded by the enemy, who wants them for himself, and is trying to keep them from the kingdom of God.  We can pray for them, rather then fighting with them.  One of my prayers for those who are blinded is "to lift the veil from their eyes and also to lift the scales from their eyes".  Our words will probably not open their eyes, but our prayers can and will.

There is so much more in this short book that is so relevant for prayer for others.  I really recommend it.  I am reading another book now called Penetrating the Darkness by Jack Hayford.  I'll let you know what I think of this one, when I am finished. 

Have a blessed week.

Debi

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Blue Cottontail for Friday's Happy Hour

We found this recipe for a Blue Cottontail at The Nibble and it looked delicious and sounded so fun for a drink for Easter.  How cute is that, a Blue Cottontail.  We love blue drinks.  It will be so pretty at the table.  

Blue Cottontail

Ingredients:

3 oz vodka

1 oz triple sec

1 oz blue curacao

water on a plate

sugar on a plate

Directions:

Pour vodka, triple sec, and blue curacao over ice in a martini shaker.

Shake until well chilled.

Dip rim of martini glass in water and then sugar

Pour into a martini glass and serve.

Serves 2 martinis

We hope you like these cute Blue Cottontails.  We always love hearing from you.

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Lemon Butter Chicken Recipe

Today I am sharing a recipe for Lemon Butter Chicken from a Better Homes and Gardens 30 Minute Dinners magazine.  I have been loving this magazine, and have made so many recipes from it.  It is great and every single one is a hit.  We have really been loving these quick and easy meals.

I am a huge fan of lemon in the spring and summer, and this recipe for Lemon Butter Chicken is a surefire winner.  I hope that you love it as much as we did.  Again, for those of you who are not familiar with the way I cook, this is my take on the original recipe.

Lemon Butter Chicken

Ingredients:

8 chicken thighs

1 cup flour

1 tsp salt

2 tsp lemon pepper

1/2 cup butter

2 TB olive oil

2 sliced lemons

4 TB Lemon juice

Directions:

Melt butter and olive oil in 2 frying pans.  Mine are not big enough to hold 8 thighs.  Then turn off heat until you are ready to add the chicken.

Mix the flour, salt, and lemon pepper together in a bowl or cake pan.

Dredge you chicken in the flour mixture.

Fry the chicken in your butter / olive oil mixture, about 8 to 10 minutes on each side.

Take your chicken our of the frying pan, and add the lemon slices and cook for 2 to 3 minutes turning once and cooking until slightly browned.

Then add the chicken back to the frying pan and pour lemon juice over the chicken and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes.

Place chicken on a platter arranging the cooked lemons over the top of the chicken, and then pour the pan juices over all of the chicken.

Serve with rice or pasta.

Serves 4 to 6 people

Okay, yum!!! This is so delicious.  I may make it for dinner again tonight.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I always love hearing from you. 

What is your favorite chicken recipe?

Have a great week.

Debi

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Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party 85

We want to thank everyone who shared with Wednesday's Adorned From Above Link Party 84.  We love seeing all of your posts.

This weeks party is up late, because I just got back from vacation.  Sorry for the inconvenience,  I hope that all of you check out our featured bloggers.  They are really great.

Welcome to Wednesday's Adorned From Above Blog Hop 85.

Now we present you with the featured bloggers from Link Party 84, and grab your featured button from our sidebar.

Featured Bloggers from Link Party 84

1.  How A Sewing Pattern Is Born from So Sew Easy

2.  Optimizing Your Blog Posts For Pinterest from Lamberts Lately

3.  Twenty Minute Side Table from Hoot Designs

4. Sugar & Cinnamon Donuts from Butter & Jam

5.  Remaking A Long Sleeve Shirt With Dip Dye and Lace from Let Go Of Being Perfect

6.  How To Make Cinnamon Extract from Horrific Knits

7.  Microwave Bread Pudding from Treat and Trick

8.  "Prepper" Fire Starters from The (mis)Adventures From A Born Again Farm Girl

We are happy to have you at this week's party.  We always love hearing from you, so leave your comments.

Have a great week.

An InLinkz Link-up

How to Add and Sell a Pattern on Craftsy

I don't know if any of you are like me, but I make different patterns all of the time, and I love Craftsy, so this is a great opportunity.  They are giving us directions for how to sell our patterns on Craftsy, and it is super easy.  I think I may add a few of my new patterns to Craftsy to sell in the next week.  you may want to try this also.  The directions are below, I hope you give it a try.  If you have any questions, please let me know and I'll answer what I can, or ask Craftsy if I don't have the answer.

Debi

How to Add & Sell a Pattern on Craftsy

(This post contains affiliate links which means I will be compensated if you purchase after clicking these links.)

In addition to wonderful online courses and craft supplies, Craftsy also has an independent online pattern store that lets anyone upload and sell downloadable e-patterns with no fee! 

How do you add a pattern to Craftsy and start your pattern store? It’s easy! 

1. Make sure you have a Paypal account. All pattern transactions happen through Paypal, and Craftsy requires that you have a Student, Premier, or Business account in order to sell patterns.

2. Put your pattern in .pdf format. You can’t upload any patterns to the online pattern store unless they’re a .pdf file format, so if they’re currently saved as a Word doc, .jpg, or other file format, you must convert it to a .pdf before you upload it to Craftsy.

3. Include a photo. All patterns must have at least one photo to accompany them, but you can add up to five photos. Colorful, interesting photos tend to work the best for catching our members’ eyes!

4. Fill out the pattern description. We will ask you some basic questions around your pattern making it easier for Craftsy folk to find your pattern and know what your pattern is for. Make sure you have info about your pattern handy for this step.

For more information on how to sell a pattern through Craftsy, or to get started, visit Craftsy today!