Thought Processing

I have had, like most people, an extremely busy last few days, but in the midst of it, I have had a lot to process.  Nothing major or even affecting our family, but some issues that I have been involved in and needed to help with the resolution process.  Just got my brain working.  This has been keeping me up at night and driving me crazy :-)  So, I decided to do something worthwhile during the whole processing time -- and sure enough - it worked.  Here are the results of my processing!!

I was asked to make an angel watch and once it was done, I went ahead and made these angel earrings -- don't know why I like making earrings so much, I don't even have my ears pierced :-)

 

 



 

I love cloisonne beads and these butterflies are so bright -- I just love how the combination of the peachy tan, green and blue beads work together with just a pop of red.

 

 

Lately, I've noticed that I don't have a neutral watch, so decided to put together this black and white one - plus I was finally able to find the white shell beads.  I just love how the black streaks through them.

 



I love snow!!  We have had nothing but clear weather -- when it's cold, it's not wet, when it's wet, it's not cold.  I made this watch while seeing the rain come down, wishing it were snow.

 



 This Christmas lights watch is totally different and I'm not sure I like it.  The watch band is clear and green and the lights hang off, sort of like a charm bracelet.

 

 I have had these pink and black foil beads for a while and finally took the chance to put them together - I love the black face with them.  A little chunkier than what I normally make, but cool all the same.  I'm also thrilled with the little round black metal beads -- they almost look like they have rhinestones on them.

 

 

 I love the color combo of this watch and almost wish it wasn't on a Santa face, although that's what makes the present charms work.  It's fun and quirky - I call it "Naughty or Nice?"

 

 

 Pastel Angels is a custom order -- if you look closely you can see the angel on either side of the face, starting with a blue swarovski crystal head and ending with a blue foil bead.  There's also a delicate angel charm on the side.

 

 

I picked up two of these pink and purple beads and thought the silver tulip beads were perfect with them. 

New Things I Love

I don't normally endorse products -- there are lots of different ones out there and I feel it's totally a matter of taste -- but this time there are three things that I have discovered this holiday season that I absolutely LOVE!!

The first one I discovered at my mom's over Thanksgiving and hunted high and low for it when I came home, with NO LUCK!!  So, I called her and asked if she would bring me a couple of packages (which I managed to make last from Thanksgiving day until today)  Now, I'm sad because they are all gone and I can't find them in any local grocery store!!

Luckily there is still some of this left in the freezer and I did find it local.

And finally the one treat I indulge in when I just need a little something -- these are so rich and decadent -- Oh, I'm totally in love with this sweet treat.

These are so AWESOME!!!  I hope I can find them year round :-)

More Creations

It's been crazy busy around here -- all sorts of Christmas prep going on, but I thought I'd share a few pictures of what I've been doing.

A friend saw these on pinterest and fell in love -- I offered to make them for her and subsequently have ended up making 4 more pair :-)

My mom was making these over Thanksgiving and I thought I'd give them a try -- a fun sassy scarf!

And last, but certainly not least -- I was asked to make a butterfly watch and put together these two for the customer to choose from.  Amazing how the same theme can end up with two totally different looks.

That's all folks -- enjoy your day!!

Not for the Picky Eater

I don't know about you, but I get so tired of catering to the picky eaters in my house.  They won't eat this and they won't eat that, and for sure if you mix these two together, absolutely not.  It's too cheesy, it's too spicy, it's too whatever..... the list goes on and on.

So tonight, I decided to do something different.  I found a copy-cat recipe for Olive Garden's chicken and gnocchi soup and decided to try it.  Looked at the recipe and then went out on my own - what else is new??

Here's an approximation of what I used

glop of oil
2 Tbsp butter

1 medium onion, finely diced
1 stalk of celery, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced

2 Tbsp flour

1 can evaporated milk
1 c water

1 c shredded carrots
1 package of gnocchi
3 pieces of fri-chik

sprinkle of thyme, nutmeg and cayenne

1 tsp. powdered chicken seasoning

Couple handfuls of baby spinach

I put the onions, celery, and garlic in a pan to saute and soften -- while they were cooking I put on a pot of water for the gnocchi.

Once the veggies were soft, I added the flour and cooked it out for a couple of minutes, added the milk and water and whisked until smooth.

Meanwhile the gnocchi is cooking away -- when it was done I roughly drained it and added it along with the carrot and the fri-chik to the pot. 

Tasted and add the seasonings -- tasted again and added the chicken seasoning.  The gnocchi thickened it up nicely, so I added a bit of water and turned up so it was almost boiling -- not quite, didn't want to curdle the milk :-)  While it was getting warm, I roughly chopped the spinach and added it to the pot, left it in just enough to wilt it -- it was still a pretty green color and not stringy and nasty!!  (Before I added the spinach I took some out for the girls)

 (not my picture, but there wasn't any left and I forgot to take picture before it was gone)

 

 

It turned out pretty good -- next time I won't add the chicken and would probably not finely shred the carrots -- they turned the soup into "cream of carrot" which wasn't bad, just turned it a little orange.  Anyway, next time, I would largely shred them and put them in just before I put in the flour, just enough to soften them, but leave whole strips.

 

All in all -- for a throw together, it turned out pretty good!!  The girls tasted it -- Hannah liked it, especially the gnocchi -- Rachel ate it.

Loving Family

So the last post was a little bit of whining -- I try to not normally be like that :-)  Sometimes it just doesn't work!! 

The last couple of days have been awesome -- spent Thanksgiving with great friends and then on Friday we went to feast with the Grant masses.  My grandparents didn't really do much for Christmas, had to do with the church my grandpa grew up in.  But, they both overdid Thanksgiving!!  As a kid, it was pretty much known that we would always be at the grandparents for Thanksgiving.  Thankfully, that hasn't changed even though they are both gone.  One of the five kids hosts and all the grands and now their families show up.  This year we were able to celebrate 3 new babies!!  The girls were asking different questions about various aunts and uncles on the way down --- it amazed me to realize that I knew most of the questions, I had actually been around longer than any of the married into's!!  Yeah, I'm getting old -- but it's fun to see the new generation starting.

Then it was hurry and buzz around the house to prepare for Sabbath company.  The girls were playing their violins for special music and their teacher was going to play, so I invited her for lunch and also another couple.  None of that happened, but didn't know that at the time, so was busy making lunch and house preparations.  The girls did play for church -- the very first time they've been able to play a duet with Hannah playing something other than just open strings and whole notes :-)

We Gather Together

Today is the end of the girl's break and it also marks the start of the Christmas season around here.  We went out and got our tree, are making tamales and then decorating the tree.

 I think we're going to start a new tradition -- tree and tamales!!!

 The academy faculty family parties are this week and I usually try to have the tree set up by then, so even though it seems early, such is life!!

Tomorrow -- it's full speed ahead with watch-making.  I have several orders that I need to get finished!!!  I'll post some pictures later :-)

More than thankful

Last night as we were eating supper, the girls started in on what they would like for Christmas, the list wasn't long, just expensive!!  And I, sadly must be honest, started to feel a little sorry for myself/us.  My thoughts were along the lines of "Just once, I would love to have an extra thousand or even five hundred, at this point, I'd settle for two-fifty to spend on Christmas, not for me, but so that I wouldn't have to say, well, the boots are nice, but the jacket is more practical.  Or some other version of choosing."  It always seems that I get more stressed about financial matters than anything else.  I get the whole thing that kids are spoiled and think they are entitled -- in fact, that's my usual thought process, but this time of year that goes out the window :-)

So, the day has been a little gloomy, and so to cheer myself up, the girls and I spent some time in the kitchen.  My funk is now gone -- the laughter of simple things is really what it's all about.  Here are the results of our efforts!!  But even longer lasting is the joy I get from seeing my girls working together and enjoying it!!!  I need to make more opportunities for that to happen instead of worrying about what we can and can't get this year.

Pride or Self-Preservation?

This week I was down in my sewing room and about to go crazy, so just to relieve the frustration of it all, I posted on Facebook. It's a mess down there and I do mean a mess.  The ironing board is down there so clothes get draped over my cut table space, the girls look for ribbons, elastic and such and they leave everything pulled out.  I go hunting for something in a major hurry and don't get back to putting it all away, it rains and the basement floods, so things get pulled out of the water's path and it just is a mess.  Added to all of this, there is way too much stuff down there -- an extra chair, a bed, boxes to be sorted, the list just goes on and on.

Anyway, after posting on FB, a very dear friend commented that she would be more than happy to take care of it, and she's definitely serious.  This lady is awesome!!  When we first moved here I was so intimidated by her :-)  She always seemed to have it all together, extremely organized, able to do anything, and all the while looking gorgeous!!  I have since gotten to know her :-)  I know that sounds awful, like she's not any of those things and I have to chuckle, because she still is all of those things, but now she's also someone I know to have a very caring heart, an unpretentious attitude, and is just as real as the rest of us  (just for example, she saw me in the parking lot one morning at the grade school and asked if her daughter could borrow a pair of my daughter's shoes -- evidently life was crazy that morning and they walked off without footwear)  Someone I truly count as a friend and an equal and certainly not someone that would judge.

So having said all of that, you think I would be jumping up and down at the chance for a real pro to actually come in and fix my room  ---  NOPE, NADA, NO WAY!! 

I then I realized how absolutely crazy that was and have been processing why I feel that way :-)  Why am I so uncomfortable with accepting help.  Do we really think worse of others than we do ourselves, i.e. I would be thrilled to have the opportunity to do something for a friend that would really help them, something that would make an impact in their life, but yet I'm not willing to let someone do the same for me??  If I wouldn't gossip, judge, criticize, etc another person, why would I think a genuine friend would??   Or is it that I care about what people think, I don't want to let all the walls down, it's okay to portray that I'm an open book, but when it comes right down to it, there's no way you're going to see my faults in all their glory. 

Just a bunch of thoughts rolling around -- who knows if they'll ever get resolved.  Chances are my sewing room will get cleaned before they're resolved!! Or then again????

What's good for your Soul??

As I mentioned earlier, I tend to be pretty laid-back and don't get stressed easily, excepting when I don't have the time to create!! Now, I'm not artistic or even very creative, most of what I do is based on patterns and logistics, but I do like working with my hands and seeing things take shape. 

I do a variety of crafts, I enjoy crosstitch (probably the first thing I ever learned) I like to sew (the 2nd thing) but make mostly clothes for my girls, I'm not into curtains, pillows, quilting, etc...  I also enjoy knitting and in the last couple of years I've learned to crochet and do beadwork.  I've also dabbled with lots of other things, candlemaking, scrapbooking, painting, cake decorating, the list goes on and on, but they're not the main things I turn to.

I learned to crochet and spent almost an entire year doing nothing but crochet, then together with my daughter, we explored beading and I have worked with that for almost a year.   Recently, I was in a craft store and saw a gorgeous knit poncho, so I picked up the magazine, ordered the yarn and made it.  In the process, realized how very much I love knitting, so I've made a few things over the past couple of weeks and thought I would share with you. 

This is the capelet I saw and fell in love with, but unfortunately the yarn was 100% wool and that just doesn't work with me, so I looked in my yarn closet and came up with some beautiful mohair  - - yes I know, that's wool too, but it's only the thick stuff on the outside, not the inside, so you don't feel it when you wear it!!  This is what I put together with that.

 

We also are going to have a new baby on campus the first of the year, so for a gift, once again, I turned to my stash -- and quite happily decided it was the perfect time to pull out a pattern I've had for many many years, but never made -- so this was born.

 

 

 

 

The colors in it were awesome -- I already have plans for another one in pinks and yellow with a touch of white and dark green!!  It was a neat stitch -- basically just a purl stitch that added the pattern between the colors.  LOVE IT!!  Almost, makes me wish I had a little one to wear it -- ALMOST :-)

 

So now you know my de-stressing techniques!!  Now if only knitting would keep my house clean!!

 



My Own Worst Enemy

I like to think I lead a fairly easy life.  I tend to be pretty easy-going and laidback.  I'm not one to structure my days and don't mind if the things I had planned to do take a back burner to most anything, whether it's something that needs my attention at the grade school, something comes up with K's work, or even if it something that the girls want, or I change my mind about the day.  (Totally read into that -- I'll do almost anything to change my plans when it comes to cleaning and laundry!!!) 

But, in thinking about this -- I tend to by my own worst enemy.  Are we all hot-wired to sabotage ourselves, or am I the only one.  So many times I make my life worse by doing things I know won't work.  It's a good thing I'm not an alcoholic or manic-depressive, or even a home-school mom.  I always, always, always, end up being self-destructive.  Sometimes it's only in little way, but most of the time it's the big things.  Right now it's my health.

I know that staying up late and not eating right create more havoc with my physical well-being.  I know that there are supplements/medicines/etc that I can take to help.  And sometimes I do and they really do help, but that only lasts at the very max 2 weeks or so.  I know that I should make an appointment to see a Dr. and get some of the more serious things checked out -- but do I go -- NO....

I also know that if I do a load of laundry daily or pick up the clutter on a regular basis that my house would not get so out of control.  And there are certainly times when I do that -- I don't know how many time my mom (she's a little OCD!) has come and helped me get the entire house under control and it last for a month or so, but then we all get lazy and it just snowballs yet again. 

Same thing with most all things in my life -- if I were to control, structure, etc..... and do things on a regular basis it would make life so much easier.  But for some dumb reason I like to think the adrenaline rush is good for me to procrastinate and do it all at mad-dash speed.

Why do I always sabotage myself.  Great -- now I'll have something to think about on the drive home :-)

God's Blessings -- The Car!!

Believe it or not - my hubbie is a car person.  He spends hours online looking at reviews and searching out new cars.  I am no a car person and have been raised to think that a used car is the better financial deal -- so put these two together and now you know why we hardly ever talk about vehicles.

We both brought our own car to the marriage and drove them until the birth of our 2nd child (4yrs into our marriage) forced us to look at other options.  At that time we decided to trade in for a mini-van -- we have been a one car family ever since. 

As our van has been getting on in age and needing more and more repairs Kevin we decided it was time for a new car.  Figure in the rising cost of gas and older girls requiring more and more field trips and extra-curricular trips --we needed another car. 

After doing much research Kevin we decided on an Elantra Touring by Hyundai.  We had looked at them several years ago and even test drove one.  Really liked the car and the space it offered.  So once again we were at a crossroad - K wanted a new one, I wanted a used one.  We decided on an older one because they actually had more cargo room and since I haul a massage table around we needed the space. 

Enter this delightful car.  Kevin came to me one evening thrilled - he had found a 2012 that was a manual and was listed for way less than we thought.  We kept wondering what was wrong with it, as it kept staying available.  Hoped to test drive it on our recent trip to the coast (the car was 100 miles away) but didn't have the time.  Figured the car would be gone.  Finally we were able to give it a go and at that time had an eye-opening experience.  We had misread the price quoted online.  It was many thousands more than we had anticipated.  After driving it, we offered a reasonable price -- totally laughed at by the car people.  We let it sit and figured the car would be gone.  Prayed about it, tried to figure out how we could afford the higher price, prayed about it, decided higher price was unreasonable, prayed about it ---- and finally 6 weeks after we originally found the car, they came down on the price.  Needless to say we jumped on it!!!  And now, the car is sitting in our driveway.

God does answer prayer, just sometimes he say, "Trust me and wait a while.  I have so much better in store for you."

God's Faithfulness!!

Wow -- seems like life has been super crazy busy lately --- yeah, I know, so what's my excuse :-)

In all honesty, that only sounds like the proper thing to say -- the truth is that I've been down in the dumps and haven't wanted to engage with anyone or anything.  Getting the girls off to school was a major accomplishment, one I celebrated by going to the couch and sleeping the morning away.  And then by the time lunch was over it was time for them to be home and just getting through supper and bedtime was exhausting, much less taking the time to do anything else.  I hate that I suffer from whatever, I think it's more than just depression, but that hits me really hard sometimes too.

Anyway -- so the last weeks have been a struggle -- hopefully now that winter is here it will get better!!  Yes, I said better!!  I know I'm one of those crazy people that like the dull gray dreariness of winter -- and hey, if we get a few white flakes all the better :-)

Part of the reason I've been struggling is because I like to be in control and feel like everything is like I want it to be, even if it's all bleak and dreary, at least I'm the one making that decision. Lately, it's been uncertainty.  K & I decided that I would quit my job at the end of the contract year and for a while that seemed okay, I was doing some odd jobs here and there, well that all ended and then all the big $$$ starting piling up.  Trips for weddings, cars needing maintenance, field trips needing cash, girls needing clothes (yes, in my world, we'd all be nude!!) it just kept adding up and adding up with no end in sight. 

I was hired as an instructor at a local craft store, but none of the classes panned out -- they all kept getting cancelled, I wasn't selling any watches that I had made, nothing seemed to be going right.  And then on top of it all, because I was exhausted we kept adding out to eat meals.  Just craziness!!

And during all of this K and I were discussing getting another vehicle.  We've been talking about it for 6-9 months or so, realizing our van is getting up there in age and will start needing repairs.  We also know that it will be easier to make car payments now while the girls are in grade school and not in a couple of years when academy tuition comes due for R.  K did the research and the hunt began. 

So back to the original title -- we now have a new car, I've been able to put my watches in a local boutique and I've actually taught a class.   More on the above later -- it's now time for supper, believe it or not, I've actually cooked the past 3 nights in a row!!

Children are blessings!

Normally by this time on Friday, I'm exhausted and thankful for the quiet after my hubbie and kids are asleep.  "FINALLY - some "me" time" and "It's about time they all leave me alone" are usually the thoughts that are running through my head -- I know it sounds terribly selfish doesn't it, but hey, it's the honest, straightforward truth.  I think we all feel that way at some time or another, unfortunately I feel it more than some :-(

But ---  not tonight.  I'm just reflecting over the week and am truly grateful for my girls.  Now, on the flip side, I'm also over-analyzing, trying to figure out what made this week so different, mostly so that I can re-create it!! 

Monday was a tough day, someone else did the straight shooting to my daughter, but I think it got through.  I've also been trying really hard to focus on how I react to situations, keeping in mind that I can't change a thing, except for my expectations and how I react.  All in all, it's been a much better week.  My oldest has been cheerful and loving and helpful with out grumbling.  She even willingly and loudly (if you know her at all, then you know she's like a mouse with adults) told me she loved me tonight!!  My youngest hasn't been as whiny as normal and she hasn't totally messed in her sister's life.

So, I'm very aware of the blessing my children are.  I like this perspective on being in charge of my reaction  (it makes me kids better behaved!!)  Not really, but it kind of does too, you see, if I'm happier and spending more focused (that word being the kicker) time with them, then they usually react in a positive light and are better behaved!! 

Now, if only Mommy can keep up the good behavior :-)

Gone to the Dogs!!

We are a family with dogs - not necessarily a dog family!  I grew up with medium sized inside dogs, my hubbie with big shedding outside dogs that came inside sometimes.  So coming to an agreement about a dog for our family has proved to be interesting to say the least.  To add to this, our youngest daughter is sensitive to lots of things and has allergies to deal with so we didn't want a dog to add to that problem.

Finally a few years ago, H and I convinced Kevin to get a dog.  We looked and looked and found a darling pup at a local shelter.  Brought the dog home, within a couple of hours we were all sneezing and itching -- dog had a bath, stayed for a few days -- finally decided he was the culprit and took him back.  So the search for a terrier was made.  My folks had a westie, H loved the dog, so we found one and so began H's love story.  This sweet boy was a wonderful resident of our house for several years.

 

Problem was, he was not "fixed."  He had been a stud dog, although a well loved pet, he insisted upon staking his claim with the girls and I.  Kevin was not amused by all the marking and it became a real problem.  Basically, it was the dog or Kevin - Toto went much to H's dismay.  There was much mourning in out house and finally promises were made to bring another dog into our house, this time a female.

 

After putting her off for a couple of years and also looking for another westie, I came across this sweetheart at a shelter in TN.

 

She also had a brother and so Kirby and Kivey were added to our household.  They have made H's day each and every day since they have arrived!!  So this last weekend, while R was gone, H decided to make something special for them.  Pumpkin dog treats!

She assembled the ingredients

All in the bowl ready to go

 





A soupy mess awaiting brown rice flour

 

 

Ready to be rolled out

 

We had hearts, flowers, and acorns

 



 

 

Kirby very patiently waited and watched.  H would talk to him while she was working and occasionally reach down and pet him, so he stayed very close during the process. 

 

No finished product -- camera battery died -- but the dogs LOVED them!!  and we haven't had any negative side effects like some of the store bought doggie treats!!

 

 



Chowder, Soup or Stew ???

Today was a delightful rainy day.  Perfect for cozying up with a skein of yarn and my favorite knitting needles, which is a good thing because I had a sample I needed to knit for the class I'm teaching!!  Yes, I did get the job and am now an official knitting instructor for JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts.  Tomorrow is my first class -- if they had enough sign up - won't find that out until tomorrow morning.

So back to the rainy day -- what to have for supper -- what else but SOUP!!  One of my go-to favorites that I never go to because my children don't like it.  Oh well, once in a while won't kill them. I've had enough beans and pasta lately, so decided to go with potatoes -- another one of my children's non-favorites. 

As a kid growing up, we had potato corn chowder all the time and I loved it -- add some cornbread and you're talking total comfort food.  Well, I knew that my girls wouldn't eat only potatoes, so I had to come up with something different to add to it -- chicken takes center stage.  I just happened to have some of these in my frig.

I'm not a real true recipe follower and this one especially for my mom's chowder was all in my head, so I forged ahead with my handy dandy helper H (hoping that if she helped, maybe she would be willing to at least try a bite)

I sliced half an onion, sauteed it in some oil till translucent, added about 1/3 of a large red pepper, diced as well, let that cook and soften a little, added the chicken strips, roughly chopped, stirred it all around and then added 4 cups of water and 3 medium sized potatoes, roughly chopped, with some salt.  I'm not consistent with my potatoes, in fact, I purposely leave some of the larger, so that by the time they are cooked through, the smaller pieces have turned mushy and helped thicken my soup. 

Let that all bubble away, probably 15 minutes or so, just until the potatoes were barely fork tender, then I added a can of creamed corn and some milk.  Gave it all a good stir and then started seasoning away. I started with some celery seed, a little white pepper, and some nutmeg.  Let it cook a little more and then because of the creamed corn it seemed sweet so I added a little paprika and some dry mustard.  All the while tasting --

When I got it to my liking, it really didn't take that long, I served it up alongside some crackers and of course added some cheese cubes for the girlies.

Here's a closer view --- the only thing I would change next time is to rinse the chicken, the seasoning on them was super peppery -- it almost overpowered the mildness of the potatoes and corn.

Back in Business

Realized the last couple of days that I have totally neglected my etsy business.  I have so much success on Facebook selling watches and also word of mouth sales, that I haven't spent much time on etsy.  So tonight I decided to change that.  I've spent the last couple of hours posting some, okay in reality not even half, of my watches!! 
If you're so inclined, go check it out.
WorthWhile Creations

Watch Tutorial



The first thing you will need is a mat of some kind to lay out your materials.  A simple washcloth will work, it will just keep the beads from rolling away and give you a good place to work.  On this watch, I laid out some of my beads, but don't do it all the time, just depends on how I feel :-)

 

This watch face came with a loop - not a problem, it just needs to come off.  A simple pair of pliers will do the trick, or sometimes I can even use my thumb and finger to twist it off.  If you look at the ring, you'll see a little split where it joins, you want that split to be just to the left of your pliers or fingers.

Grab hold and twist the hand holding the ring forwards toward you. If you notice in the first picture my thumb is on top, kind of parallel with the face, then after I twisted it's on the bottom, more perpendicular. The ring will twist open and you just pull it out.

You're now ready to go -- cut a piece of stretch magic -- I usually make mine about 16 inches, gives me enough room to do whatever design and enough to tie.  I know how much I need to work with to tie it off, but I would leave a little extra for the girls - so 16 inches is probably good, even though their wrists are smaller.  Thread one end through the loop on the watch -- the nice thing about the stretch magic is that it's stiff enough to use by itself -- don't need to tape the end or anything.

 

Pull the ends even (the silver rings are only to show where the ends are)

Start stringing beads

 



 

 And more beads

 

You can try it on occasionally by holding the ends together and just wrapping around your wrist -- or you can measure the wrist first and measure the strand while you're working on it.

 

This one is finished - you can see between my two fingers how much cording I have left.

 

 

Now comes the fun part!  I like to leave the main part of the beads laying flat and bring my watch face over to where the ends are.

 

 

  Thread one side through the loop on the top of the watch face.

 

Pull the cording until the beads are tight against the face loop.

 

 

Now bring the other side up and tie an overhand knot.

 

 

 

Take the ends and finish tying the surgeon's knot

 

Pull the ends tight and take the end closest to the watch loop and slip it back through -- so that you have one piece of cording on either side of the watch loop.

 



 

Pull it through and then stretching it a little so that you can get to the knot add a dab of glue.

 

 

 

Once you have the glue, pull on each end of the cording, so that you are pulling the knot tight, but also slipping the knot inside the loop on the watch face -- that way you won't be able to see it.

 

Let the glue dry for about 5 minutes and then take a pair of sharp tiny scissors and cut as close as you can to the metal loop of the watch.

 

Easy as that -- you have a finished watch!!  Trust me, it will take longer to read this post than it would to string the beads, well at least for some of the girls who just "go for broke."  Seriously though, it's really not that hard.  Have fun!!