Blog - Gluesticks Blog

Nail Polish Washer Necklaces (Video)

May 29, 2015 By Brandy 18 Comments

These nail polish washer necklaces are such a unique craft to make! Simply paint a metal washer with nail polish and let dry. Use different colors to create patterns. A great camp project for teens! This post contains an affiliate link.

Watch our step by step video!

My girls and I had fun making these washer necklaces this week. They are so easy and the fact that the nail polish dries nice and shiny is pretty neat too! Just think of all the fun way to customize them. A $.12 washer from Home Depot, inexpensive nail polish, and something to string it on is all you need!

Nail Polish Washer Necklaces

You can paint layers, letting them dry in between, or if you are impatient like us, paint it all while it is wet. We added dots to some, blobs to others, and also made some swirly ones. Those were fun. To get the swirly affect, use a toothpick and drag through all of your colors. For the one above I used alternating colors of white, but, and orange in stripes, then swirled through all of them in a circular motion.

I made 30 kits to send to our church summer camp for girls. I am not able to attend this year so I made a quick how to video to show them before they leave. I hope they have fun making these cute washer necklaces!

How To Make Washer Necklaces

nail polish bottles lined up with finished washers painted

Print Pin

5 from 1 vote

Nail Polish Washer Necklaces

Cook Time 10

drying 15

Total Time 25

Servings necklace

Author Brandy Nelson

Cost $1

Equipment

scissors

Ingredients

metal washers
nail polish
cording for necklace
toothpick optional

Instructions

Paint each washer with nail polish.
Use a toothpick to add swirls or other fun designs.
Let dry completely.
Paint back, if desired.
String a long piece of cording through the washer hole to create a necklace.

Video

More Kids Crafts and Activities

Paracord BraceletsMy son made these for the entire family for Christmas one year. He found a great youtube tutorial and my husband helped him get started. He did a great job and these made such a cool AND practical gift for both kids and adults!

Sharpie Tie Dyed ShirtsThis quick and easy tutorial will show you how to tie dye a shirt with Sharpie markers. (Mock tie dye) Such a fun activity to make with kids and he best part is watching the ink bleed and transform into so many neat designs!

Pulled Pork Sliders on Homemade Pretzel Roll Buns

May 26, 2015 By Brandy Leave a Comment

Delicious pulled pork sliders made with shredded pork, coleslaw, and piled high on a homemade pretzel roll. The perfect BBQ sliders for any summer dinner! This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of LLOYD’S® Barbeque Company, LLC.

I love comfort food dinners. Warm, hearty, soups in the winter and sandwiches made with fresh bread in the summer. These BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders are a definite crowd pleaser. Made on a fresh homemade pretzel roll, and topped with coleslaw, it is the perfect dinner for a nice evening outside.

I've been making homemade pretzel bites and pretzel rolls for years. They are my kids' favorite bread, hands down. Have you made homemade pretzels before? They seriously rival anything you'd find at a mall shop, I promise! My pretzel rolls make 16-20 small rolls, perfect for pulled pork sliders, hamburger sliders, dinner rolls are more!

You can scroll down to the bottom for my pretzel roll recipe, but first take a look at what we like to pile onto them!

Pulled Pork Sliders on Homemade Pretzel Roll Buns

BBQ Pulled Pork is easy to make, but it takes some planning since it is a slow cooked dish. That is why I like Lloyd's® Seasoned Shredded Pork. I think it tastes just as good as my homemade BBQ pulled pork, but is ready to serve 10 hours sooner. Score!

I like topping our sliders with a little coleslaw and a dill pickle. Feel free to make a double batch of sliders for your next outdoor dinner with friends. They'll go quickly!

Recipe for Pretzel Rolls for Pulled Pork Sliders

Print Pin

5 from 4 votes

The Only Pretzel Rolls Recipe You'll Ever Need

Buttery, soft and chewy. This pretzel roll recipe is the only one you will ever need! Use this recipe for sliders, buns, and more!

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 2 30

Cook Time 15

Servings rolls

Calories 145kcal

Author Brandy Nelson

Ingredients

1 ¼ cup warm water
1 Tbsp. yeast
3 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup powdered sugar
1 ½ teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon vegetable oil

Pretzel Roll Bath

2 cup hot water
¼ cup baking soda
melted butter/ kosher salt

Instructions

Mix water/yeast. Cover and let it rest for 10 minutes or until it is foamy.
Mix dry ingredients together. Slowly add water/yeast mixture and oil. Mix until a soft dough forms. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.
Spray bowl with non stick cooking spray and return dough to bowl. Cover loosely with a towel and let raise until doubled, about an hour.
Make a bath for the pretzel rolls by combining the baking soda with hot water and stir until soda is mostly dissolved (it won't dissolve completely).
When dough is done with the first rise, separate into 16 balls, dip each roll in the baking soda bath and place on a greased baking sheet. Sprinkle with kosher salt. Let rise in a warm spot for 35 minutes.
Bake at 425 degrees for 15-18 minutes, until GOLDEN brown on top.
Brush with melted butter.

Video

Notes

These can be baked and then frozen. Thaw on the counter the day you’d like to serve them with dinner.

Nutrition

Calories: 145kcal

Note: you can also make the dough using a bread maker. Place the ingredients into the machine and run the dough cycle. This was how I made the dough for years and years until I gave up on my machine. It made great dough, but terrible bread so I started using my Kitchenaid.

Can you freeze pretzel rolls?

These can be baked and then frozen. Thaw on the counter the day you’d like to serve them with dinner.

Do you need to boil pretzel rolls?

Many pretzel recipes require the pretzels to be boiled before baking. That is not necessary for this recipe. A simple bath in the warm water and baking soda mixture gives you that same chewy texture.

What kind of salt should be used when making pretzels and pretzel rolls?

A nice, course salt should be used for sprinkling on top of pretzels before baking. Kosher salt is a great choice.

5 More Easy Dinner Ideas for Busy Families!

Stroganoff Loaf

Oven Fajitas

Creamy Potato Soup

French Bread Pizza 3 Ways!

Pork Tenderloin With Roast Vegetables

How to Thoroughly Vacuum a Room +Free Printable

May 13, 2015 By Brandy 7 Comments

Get the most out of your vacuum by following these quick tips! Then organize your week with a free to-do list printable!

My favorite household chore is vacuuming. I love to vacuum! Why? It is the one chore that gives instant gratification. If I know company is coming the easiest way to give the downstairs a quick face lift is to vacuum. Those nice lines give the entire room a clean feel without taking much time!

After we got a dog I went from vacuuming once or twice a week to vacuuming almost every day. He doesn't shed as much as most dogs, but combined with the crumbs and dirt from having 4 children, it was enough to make me step up my game.

A quick once over with the vacuum in the evening is usually good enough to keep the house tidy, but once a week I will thoroughly vacuum. What does that mean? I'll show you!

If you have a bagless vacuum like me it is easy to see how much dirt you are getting. A quick vacuuming of your floors will get a good amount of dirt in the canister, but a thorough vacuuming will get even more.

I start out by utilizing the crevice tool that came with my vacuum. It works great for getting hair and lint that end up in the corners and baseboards in the room.

A perimeter cleaning will get a lot of dust, hair, and dander that the main vacuum wouldn't be able to get.

Then I switch back into "floor" mode.

I vacuum one direction (vertically or horizontally) starting at the far corner of the room.

THEN I go back the opposite direction, vacuuming the entire room again. By starting in the far corner I end up with nice lines by the time I finish and work my way out of that room.

That extra pass will rake up your carpets in a different direction, collecting even more dirt and hair than vacuuming in one direction would have. Take a look in your dirt canister, you'll see what I'm talking about!

It is amazing what ends up in the carpets. I do a lot of sewing so after a project there is always a good amount of thread that ends up in my roller bar. I also have a ton of long, curly, hair that seems to constantly end up in the vacuum. This is a photo of my old vacuum. I was the poor soul with a pair of scissors, painstakingly cutting that tangled mess that caused my roller brush to jam up.

Last week my new vacuum arrived and my life has forever been changed. LOOK at that roller brush! It isn't just clean because it is a new vacuum, my Eureka Brushroll Clean™ with SuctionSeal® removes any tangles with the touch of a button. I simply turn the vacuum on, then press the Brushroll Clean Pedal for 10 seconds. Hair gone. Thread gone!

Then I push the retractable cord button and my cord instantly winds up. I shouldn't get this excited about a vacuum, but this is the life I live. I am a busy mom and love it. I also love anything that makes keeping up with the household chores easier!

How would the Eureka Brushroll Clean™ with SuctionSeal® make vacuuming easier for you?

One more thing on my ever-growing to-do list that is DONE.

I found this mini clip board at Walmart and thought it would be a great to-do list holder on my refrigerator. This printable prints two on a page.

"Today I will Be Amazing!" Yes. Sometimes I like adding basic things on my list like showering or making dinner because it feels so good to mark them off. Don't judge.

You can download a copy of my "Today I Will Be Amazing!" to do list here!

"Sushi" Sandwich Roll Ups Recipe for Kids

May 12, 2015 By Brandy Leave a Comment

"Sushi" sandwich rolls ups are a quick and easy recipe for kids! A great intro to cutting skills and flavor combinations.

Do your kids walk in the door absolutely starving after school? Mine do! They always greet me then ask if they can have a snack and I don't blame them! Usually I'll direct them towards some sort of snack in the pantry. Other times I'll let them get creative and make their own snack. This is one of my girls' favorite things to do. They LOVE helping in the kitchen and these sushi sandwich rolls are the perfect recipe for kids. As a bonus, they'll learn a few necessary cooking skills: rolling, cutting, flavor combinations, and they end up with a delicious snack in the end.

"Sushi" Sandwich Roll Ups Recipe for Kids

"Sushi" sandwich rolls ups are a quick and easy recipe for kids! A great intro to cutting skills and flavor combinations.

Step 1: Flatten a slice of bread and trim the crust off.

Step 2: Spread with cream cheese or peanut butter.

Step 3: Top with fruit, cheese, or a variety of meats.

Step 4: Roll up, and slice in half!

These would be fun to pack for lunch too; a fun twist on a typical sandwich.

Serve with a big glass of cold milk for a healthy and delicious snack.

If you liked this recipe for kids you might also like these...

Rocky Road Pudding Pops

A great recipe for kids! They'll love making these delicious pudding pops the require only a few ingredients and are super easy to put together.

Peanut Butter Pops

A quick and easy snack/dessert that kids can make ALL ON THEIR OWN. Bonus, it's packed with protein!

No Churn Cake Batter Ice Cream Recipe

A few ingredients are all you need to create the most delicious no-churn ice cream that rivals any creamery! So delicious you'll be using this method for all sorts of flavor combinations!

Here are more fun ideas for cooking with your kids from the Food Network.

Everyday Grilled Chicken Seasoning

May 7, 2015 By Brandy 1 Comment

My husband is the master of the grill and takes care of dinner a couple of nights a week. I'm a lucky girl! Thank you Foster Farms for sponsoring this delicious grilling experience and dinner. Simple, yet flavorful, grilled chicken tenders served with roasted asparagus!

I love chicken because it is so versatile and easy to season. Here is a basic seasoning mix that I like to use on chicken.

Grilled Chicken Seasoning

1 ½ T. Kosher Salt

1 T. garlic salt

¾ tsp. black pepper

2 tsp. paprika

This seasoning packs a nice flavor, but don't go overboard. Chicken breast tenders don't need as much as chicken legs or a whole chicken would need because they are skinless and thin.

Sprinkle your pieces over 2 lbs of chicken tenders and let sit for 10 minutes.

And now for our favorite marinade. Soy sauce! So simple, inexpensive, full of flavor, and QUICK!

Simply pour 1 cup over your chicken and let sit while your grill heats up. That's it! No marinating over night or for hours. It only needs a few minutes. We prefer charcoal to gas grilling, but both will result in juicy tenders. Cook until the juices run clear.

Serve with seasonal vegetables for the perfect dinner!

Mother's Day Pedicure Gift Basket

April 28, 2015 By Brandy 3 Comments

A beautiful pedicure gift basket brimming with everything needed for a luxurious pedicure! Peppermint sugar scrub, foot cream, nail polish, a travel nail kit, and an electronic foot file. This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser.

My mother in law lives in a remote town in Alaska on the Alaskan-Canadian border. She and my father in law go to Fairbanks a few times a year to get groceries and go to medical appointments. My husband lived in a cabin without running water until he was 10 years old or so and has some amazing stories. Seriously, he had an awesome childhood full of outdoor fun and adventure. Needless to say, my mother in law can't just go down the road to Target and pick up a new nail polish or something fun to spoil herself. However, I've noticed that her nails are always long and pretty, painted with a fresh coat of nail polish. She likes picking up new shades when she goes to town or comes down to the lower 48 to visit us. Last year she brought the girls and I a fun 3 pack of pink sparkly nail polish so that we could give ourselves ombre manicures. I thought it would be fun to send her a pampering pedicure gift basket for Mother's Day this year brimming with everything she needs (plus a new shade of nail polish!) to get ready for sandal season. Yes, it gets warm (even HOT) in Alaska, too!

I tucked the following inside of my pedicure gift basket: an electric foot file, a pretty bottle of nail polish, lotion, a travel pedicure kit, and a jar of homemade peppermint sugar scrub. I've made sugar scrub a few times with great results, and peppermint sugar scrub is great for feet, leaving them smooth with a fresh scent.

Peppermint Sugar Scrub {For Hands & Feet}

2 parts granulated sugar
1 part coconut oil
essential oil
Warm your coconut oil for 15-20 seconds in the microwave and mix with sugar. Add essential oil drops until it reaches desired potency.

Store in a sealed jar and use a clean, dry, spoon or scoop to apply. Do not let water get into your sugar scrub or leave the lid off or it may get contaminated over time.

And now the tricky part...carefully packing it all into a flat rate box to ship to Alaska!

If you liked this pedicure gift basket you might also like...

Homemade Lip Gloss

DIY Lotion Bars

Poppyseed Soap Recipes

For more homemade gift ideas check out our Homemade Gift board on Pinterest!

Sand & Water Sensory Activities

April 23, 2015 By Brandy Leave a Comment

As a child there is nothing better than running your hands through sand at the beach and playing in the water. We live a couple of hours from the beach and don't get there very often so we have a water table and a sand box to bring the beach to our backyard...kind of. Ruby's preschool teacher has a Step2 Cascading Cove Sand and Water Table and is so creative with how she uses it! As parents, we take turns helping at preschool and it is fun seeing all of the fun things that they are using their water table for!

How cute is this? Miss Kami gave the kids silk flowers and a plastic jar of pretend insects. They had a great time "planting" their flowers and playing with the little bugs in the sand.

She found this amazing play sand at Lakeshore Learning and I think I need some of it too. It is so fine and smooth, much better than the gritty stuff that I bought with our backyard sand box.

The sand and water table came with some accessories like this little shovel and pot, a few boats, and two small bridges. The little pot was perfect for this activity.

The week that they learned about dinosaurs she set up a little dinosaur dig for them. Miss Kami used small plastic dinosaurs and fossilized insects that she brought back from a trip to Utah.

They had fun using tooth brushes to dust off the fossils and "bones" that were hiding in the sand.

You can use water for both sides of the table, or sand, or both! Does the sand sometimes mix with the water? It sure does. Try as we might, those little ones love mixing the two and using the water to wash the sand off of their hands. Thankfully there is a drain plug on each side that makes changing the water quick and easy!

I thought the kids would have a fun time making little boats to float around in the water table so I brought the supplies to preschool last week. The Cub Scouts made these for their rainwater regatta last year and had a lot of fun using straws to blow them down the race course. I bought a pool noodle and sliced it into sections and then cut each small section in half.

The kids colored a sail (3x5 index card) and we used a wooden skewer, cut to size, to attach it to the pool noodle. They turned out pretty cute!

Ruby is very fortunate to have such a fun and creative preschool teacher and cute little friends to play with every week. I love being able to go in and play with them too!

I knew that Ruby's teacher had been looking at this water table so I inquired about the possibility of being able to get her one from my friends at Step2 as part of my ambassador partnership with them. They graciously agreed and thought it would be a nice addition to this little preschool in exchange for sharing some of the fun ways the kids have used it!

Here are some other great sand and water sensory activities!

No Sew Bob the Tomato Toy

April 20, 2015 By Brandy 1 Comment

Make a cute little Bob the Tomato toy with a pin cushion and scrap felt! And easy no-sew project for kids!

Are you Bob and Larry fans too? We've been VeggieTales fans since before they were cool. Back when they were on VHS, when they didn't have toys for sale, and before the animation was updated. They still had the same catchy songs ("Belly Button" song, anyone?) and biblical stories and messages that our boys loved.

Did you scream a little when you saw this photo? Yeah, it's a little scary.

As I mentioned before, finding VeggieTales toys was next to impossible when my boys first started watching the movies. Dallin was a HUGE Larry Boy fan and had several of the VHS movies. Me, being the enabling mother that I am, decided to make him a felt Larry Boy plush toy. That was in 2006, almost 10 years ago! Larry Boy is still around, a bit worse for wear, and has seen hours and hours of playtime. I've learned a thing or two about making toys over the years.

First and foremost... Do NOT create a plush toy completely out of felt! Poor Larry looks like he has leprosy. Fleece or cotton would have held up much better. Felt works fabulous for small details, but it doesn't take long to start to look fuzzy when your child is carrying it around.

My boys still enjoy watching VeggieTales on Sunday mornings, whether on DVD or on Netflix. They introduced the show to their little sisters who immediately fell in love with Bob, Larry, and the gang.

After seeing a similar one online, Aaron and I decided it would be fun to make a little No Sew Bob the Tomato. AND it uses hardly any felt! No leprosy for Bob, Yay!

Bob the Tomato Stuffy Supplies

We used a pin cushion, found in the sewing section at Walmart, for the base. How easy is that? Then we used craft glue and added the details out of felt. Done.

How cute would this be for a vacation bible school craft? It took less than 5 minutes, start to finish, and sits happily on his nightstand.

Simple Diamond Quilt

April 17, 2015 By Brandy 2 Comments

I am so happy with how this quilt turned out! Another extremely simple quilt top with an array of bright and pretty fabrics. My parents recently moved into a new house (new to them, it was actually built in the early 1900's...very neat!) and I thought my mom would like a new quilt for her new home. Her birthday was also coming up so it was the perfect time to make this special throw for her. Interesting fact, my mom and I share a birthday! I was born on her 21st birthday and always thought it would be neat to share my birthday with one of my kids, but it's not something you can really plan.

I used an array of 5" squares in the Somerset, Miss Kate, and April Showers prints from Moda.

Construction was simple:

Each block is made up of 3 of the 5" squares. One solid square for the center, and 4 triangles made by the other 2 squares that have been cut on a diagonal.

Stitch the 4 triangles to the sides of the square and the diamond quilt block is complete! I made this a throw size so I made 35 blocks and added two (4") borders.

Finished quilt size: 50" x 64".

I wasn't sure if the cream border would stand out enough from the white border, but I really like how it turned out. Subtle and soft.

I finished taking photos of the quilts that I made for my boys last year and can't wait to share those too. I'm still such a beginner so each quilt top is super simple. Basic shapes and seams. Hopefully they are helpful for other beginners too!