Red White 'n Blue Paper Bead Bracelet

Hello sisters, Nel here for some Friday fun!

I mentioned my excitement about paper beads and I'm back at it! This time with a red, white and blue beaded bracelet for the 4th of July. I made one for Lulu, one for my sister, one for my little niece and one for myself. 

Start with paper strips, mine were about 6 & 1/2 inches long and about 1/2 inch wide. The red beads were made with origami paper that was a bit shorter so the beads came out thinner. I have a little tool to roll the beads that came with the Klutz book but you can also roll them around a tooth pick. The tool just makes it a bit easier because it has a slit that catches the paper and holds it tight while you roll.

The tapered paper strips will make bicone shaped beads and the rectangle strip will make a tube shaped bead.

Roll the paper strip around the toothpick as tightly as you can. When you get about half way, apply some Mod Podge with a paintbrush and keep rolling. Apply more Mod Podge to the end of the strip and hold in place until end is secure. Put the bead on the end of a toothpick and paint the whole bead with Mod Podge to glaze it. Allow to dry overnight.

Keep out of reach of curious cats!  They look like little happy tiki torches!

These make me very happy...especially mixed in with some glass beads. Does anyone else LOVE beads?

Add some other fun silver beads, white seed beads and  dangle-y star charms.

I lay out the pattern before I start to string anything, just to make sure it is long enough and looks pretty.

I used Stretch Magic clear elastic, 1 mm diameter to string these beads.

I tie the ends in a knot twice and then just cut the ends close. The knot shows but it just looks like a little clear bead. 

And now for the best thing we ate this week...it would be Tabbouleh. Never had it? It is a Labanese salad that features bulgur wheat, parsley and mint. My mom made it all the time in the summer because she grew mint and parsley and tomatoes. It is a different taste and texture but I love it. It makes a yummy lunch or side dish. Many of the recipes on line add cucumber but my mom never did. Here is her recipe...

Tabbouleh
1 cup bulgur (cracked wheat)
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint (or 2 T dried mint)
1 & 1/2 cup chopped parsley
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 tomatoes, chopped

Pour 1 cup boiling water over the wheat and let stand about 30 minutes, until water is absorbed. Squeeze dry between hands ☺ Mix with onion, salt and pepper. Add all other ingredients. Chill 1-3 hours before serving.

Have a great week, we are headed to Cedar Point to ride some roller coasters with my sister and her family. Pray for me...I am old and scared! Haha ☺

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