My Pinterest Reality: When it Rains, it Pours

I have to say I'm very blessed/fortunate to have two really kind well behaved children. I'd say 95% of the time, they listen, respect others and are good genuine loving girls. Yesterday we were in the 5% for most of the day. As I decompressed over a glass of wine my husband said 'you were due for it sooner or later'. He was right. When I look at our track record, we were doing pretty well so I was bound to have a day of yelling, tears and fighting. I hate feeling like I did yesterday. How is it possible for a 3.5 year old to make me feel so out of control? I've worked in the corporate world and dealt with very difficult people yet my 3.5 year old knows how to push my buttons to tears.

Sometimes I feel I give to them all day with little to no appreciation. When I sit here and read my words back over, I know it's a lot to expect of them. They are 3.5 and 19 months and what I do on a daily basis is normal everyday life. How do they know me doing a daily craft or making their favorite lunch takes time and preparation? They don't. They're kids. With all of this being said I was able to get out of the house for a while after dinner to unwind. When I came back, I decided to do a calming craft for me. The 'pin' I choose was perfect. It was easy, relaxing and I can wear the end product. The 'pin' had confusing instructions so hopefully mine are a bit easier. If not, let me know and I'll clarify anyway possible.

Pinterest Inspiration:

http://www.vanessachristenson.com/2011/03/v-and-co-how-to-jersey-knit-bracelet.html?m=1

My Results:

Your hand

Scissors

Strips of jersey knit fabric cut to 1" wide with the length of at least 58" (I found a bundle of jersey fabric strips at Michael's on clearance for $2.50:) Feel free to cut old tee shirts).

Note: if you don't have a straight 58" piece, I'll show you below how to attach the pieces to make one
The number of fingers you use will determine how thick your bracelet is. I made a 2, 3 and 4 finger bracelet and similar to the maker of the original 'pin' I preferred the width of the 2 finger bracelet.

Use the directions below in BOLD if you DON'T have a 174" strip and need to put a couple pieces together to make one large one.

1. Cut a 1/4" slit on the ends of the strips.

2. Take two strips and line up 1 end of each of them so the slits meet each other. (I used two colors to make it easier to see).

3. Take the bottom strip and pull it through the slits from TOP to bottom.

4. Gently pull until you get a little knot. You are basically trying to loop the two ends together to make one long strip.

5. With your connected strips you're ready to weave the strip in and out of your fingers. Below is a tutorial for 4 fingers. Once you get 4 fingers, the instructions are the same for 3 or 2 just with less fingers.

6. Place the fabric behind your pointer finger, in front of your middle, behind the ring finger, and in front of the pinkie finger. You'll want to leave an excess of about 3" by your thumb for tying off.

7. Once you've woven the strip in and out of your fingers one way, wrap it around the other way (behind the pinkie finger, then in front of the ring finger, and behind the middle finger and then in front of the pointer finger).

8. Bring one big loop around to face you (from the pinkie to pointer).

9. Take your weaved loops and go over your finger and big loop like the picture below.

10. Continue to do this with all your fingers in order.

11. When you get to the end, make a new loop and start the process (steps 8-10) all over again.

12. Once repeat the steps 6 times, take your starting tail (the original 3" excess) and gently pull. Make sure your chain is still securely placed on your fingers! Pulling the tail makes the chain more defined and it gives you a better idea of how long you need to make it.

13. When you're confident you have a long enough chain, carefully pull the loops off your fingers, making sure you don't undo any of the chain by losing the loops. Hold the end loops between your fingers.