Crinkly Aluminum Headband

                   
                              Materials: 

                                  
                              Thick Headband
                               Sheet of Felt
                              Aluminum Foil
                              Rolling Pin
                              Hot Glue Gun   

                                1. Cut a good sized piece of aluminum, and gently crumple it up. 

                                                 

                                                  2. Use the rolling pin to flatten it.

                                            3. Cut a strip slightly wider than your headband.                                                                                                                             

                                           4. Hot glue the strip to the headband. Fold the edges
                                  under and hot glue them down, too.

                                            5. Cut out more strips of aluminum, and cover any
                                       remaining headband showing through. 
                                         
                                          6. Cut strips of felt slightly wider than your headband's
                                                thickness. Run a line of hot glue down the inside of
                                           the headband. Glue the felt on. Leave the edges of the
                                            felt loose for now. 

                                            

                                           
                                            7. Trim and glue down edges of headband. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                       

                                                  
                                                    
                                                           

How to Do an Astrid Braid From How To Train Your Dragon

         
      
                       To learn how to do this kind of braid, first watch this video.                            


          This is the style Asrid wears in the movie How to Train Your Dragon.  

         Sorry if the picture is a little akward; it was the only good one I could get of her braid.  I didn't show her headband in the video, but I do know how to make one, so you can request that if you want to know how. I also watched the movie The Mighty Macs recently, so if you want a review, I'll do one. The video is alittle shaky and hard to understand, because Frog Prince was filming it.

My Memoir

              For composition in school, I had to write a memoir. I was thinking of trying to get it published, but I don't think it is good enough to have much of a chance, and since I am very busy, I didn't want to waste my time. Instead, I am going to post it on here. That doesn't mean that publishing is out of the question. 

             Another reason I am putting it up here, is because the Good King wanted to see some of my work, and after some resistence, I let him read it. I didn't want to stay in that uncomfortable place by him while he read it, so I went up stairs. When I came down, he had edited my final draft! I really don't see why he has to correct our finished works, since they have already been handed in to the teacher. But since he did edit it, of course I wanted to make the corrections and do something withn it--- hence blog publishing! My grandma and uncle from Minnesota are visting and my grandma also read the finished copy. Well, I guess that's enough talk. Here it is. 
      
                                                                          

        When I Moved Up to Age Group Platinum 

           

            There were three levels for the group of 9-12 year olds on SWAT, the swim team I used to be on.  In order from the slowest to the best swimmers, the levels were Age Group Silver, Age Group Gold, and Age Group Platinum. It was when I had already been in Age Group Gold for nine months that I was getting anxious to move to the next group. 

                I started to get upset about it on a Monday in June, the day after the last meet with my old coach, Coach Tony. As usual, my parents dropped me off early so I could watch Age Group Platinum practice. While I watched them from the balcony by the locker rooms, the sweet, homey scent of chlorinated water drifted up to my nostrils, and I looked with longing at the speedy swimmers slicing the water below me. Then my thoughts turned to dismay, for amid the torrent of splashing feet swam James, the only swimmer in Gold who could sometimes go faster than me, even though he was only nine. Now James and Ally, two of my best swimming friends, and Coach Tony, my favorite coach, had all left me behind. Age Group Gold just wasn't going to be the same without them there anymore.

            After Platinum was done, our practice started. It was extremely easy for me. 

            I needed a challenge so I asked the swimmer next to me, "Can you race me?"

            "Why?"

            "Well, usually James and Ally race me, but they're gone now."

            "I guess," he said.

            I raced him and beat him.   

            I asked another of the faster Gold swimmers, "Can you race me?"

            "Sure!" she said.

            I raced her and beat her.

            The new Gold coach said to me, "Jacinta, make sure you are swimming moderately, not hard." 

            "I am," I replied, because I was.

            That night, in the van when we came home, I was having a conversation with my mom about it and broke down crying.

            "I thought you said that if I get a state cut, I will move up to Platinum," I said between sobs.

            "You don't have to have one, but you at least have to be close."

            "Well, two of the girls in my group have a couple state cuts each, and they're not in Platinum. So how will I ever be if I don't even have one?" 

            She answered, "We just have to trust God about these things." 

            I picked up my swim bag and gear bag, and we headed out of the van, through the dark night, and into the house, where I could blow my nose.

            The next day after school, I was in the middle of watching All Dogs Go to Heaven: The Series, one of our family's favorite shows at the time, when my mom rushed down the stairs with a message for me.

            "I have something to show you."

            "What?" I asked.

            I was a little afraid that I might be in trouble and quickly scanned my mind for anything I had done wrong. I followed her up the stairs and to the answering machine with a pounding heart. She pressed play for a message. Many ideas flashed through my mind as I heard an unfamiliar voice talking--- about me?

            "This is Mark Shrank." Mark Shrank? The Age Group Platinum coach? Then his voice changed and he resumed his regular sound which reminded me of a bunch of mini robots playing leapfrog. But what was he saying?

            "I saw Jacinta swimming at the meet on Sunday..."

            More words.

            "...she could start practicing with Age Group Platinum..."

            Wait! Was I just going to practice with them to see how well I could do, or was I being bestowed the great honor of joining the highest level of Wisconsin's second fastest swim team? I strained to pay attention and towards the end of the message, I had concluded that I was being bestowed the honor. I looked at my mom, and we exchanged an excited smile. Then I rushed down the stairs to announce the news to my siblings and finish watching the episode. My heart was still pounding. 

            On Wednesday, the day after the message, I headed to Platinum practice with my swimsuit; cap; goggles; gear bag; and a yellow bottle full of water, lemon juice, and cucumbers. Brand new and inexperienced, I slipped into the cool water for a monotonous set of 50 100 yard swims. Now those times are long gone, and I don't even swim anymore, but whenever I think of that day, it fills me with pride to know that I was once a Platinum swimmer.

           

                            The end. I always want my writing to improve; please feel free to criticize my work.

Denim Flower Headband

         Here are some pictures of  a headband I made out of a pair of too small, ripped jeans. 

Braid Basic How-To

     Basic Three Strand 

                                                 
 French Braid

                  If you don't know how to do this, you can easily learn with a quick search. 

  Dutch Braid 

                                    Almost the same technique as a french braid, but instead of crossing the side piecees of hair over the middle one, you cross them under.  

                Corkscrew Twist

                            1. Divide hair into two sections. Twist them both in the same direction.

                     2. Cross one over the other in the opposite direction. So if you twisted to the right, cross to the left and vice versa.      

                     3. Keep crossing in that direction to the end of the braid.        

French Carousel twist

                                         It is a mix between a french and dutch braid. One side crosses over, while the other side crosses under.


 Carousel Twist                               

                                           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS71kyJTOOQ

                                      Here is a video showing how to do this.

                             The lace braid is half french, half basic three strand.  Extrahair is only added on one side. 

      Herringbone  

                                             1. Divide hair into two strands. Take a little piece from one side...       

                              2. ...and add it into the other one. 

                                                            3. Repeat to end of braid.                                                             French Heringbone      

                                                         1. Take two pieces of hair on top of the head.

                                             2. Cross them. 

                                          3. Take a piece from remaining hair and add it into opposite side.

                                      4. Repeat on opposite side.

                                             5. Repeat  to the end of braid. 

   French Corkscrew Twist  

                                                Add in hair to  corkscrew twist.          

    Next up: Astrid Braid 
                                                           
                                                                                                                                                    

Bun Basic How-To

                   This pull-through bun is pretty self-explanantory.  


           To make a basic bun:

                            1. Start with a ponytail. 

                                         2. Begin to tightly twist the pony.

                                                 3. If it doesn't start coiling up by itself, move it around a little until it does.

                                             4. Continue coiling in the direction it already started going. Coil until you run out of hair. Then secure in whatever wat you wish.  Here is another way to do it: http://hairdohow2.blogspot.com/2011/02/lesson-35-basic-bun.html#comments. And yet another: http://www.cutegirlshairstyles.com/5-minutes/triple-twist-and-pin-updo-hairstyles/#comments.   


             Air-filled Bun    

                                        1. Start with a pony.

                         2. Divide into two sections (top and bottom.) Make one section slightly smaller than the other. In this picture it looks like the top one is a lot smaller than the bottom one, but that was just because of the angle of the camera. The difference really isn't that huge.

                                             3. Divide the smaller section into two pieces. 

                                         4. Fold the ends of one section over to make a loop. 

                                        5 & 6. Roll loop all the way down, then pin to the head. Repeat steps 4-6 to other section of hair. 

                                        7. Divide bottom half into three pieces. 

                                                   8. Repeat steps 4-6 to remaning pieces.

                                                            9. Adjust all the sections to meld them into one bun. 


                 I will not be posting tutorials for the basic ponytails because they are pretty self-explanatory. However, if you don't know how to do one of them please request a how-to. This also goes for any style I have not explained. If you do not understand a photo tutorial feel free to ask for a video one. If you see a hairdo that you really love but can't figure it out (ex. maybe in a movie, book, or just someone on the streets) do not be afraid to request a tutorial.  


        Up Next: Basic Braid How-To.

        Coming Soon: Medusa Costume, Adopt A 'Do Crown Braid Variation, Astrid Braid, Crackled Aluminum Headband, Air-filled Bun with Loose Hair, and more!
                                                           
                                                               
                                                              


                                                       
                                                                     
                                                                   
                                                     
                                                       
                                                          
                                        
                            

Tips for Growing out Hair

       I told my cousin that I would post some tips for growing out hair on my blog. Some of these are basic and pretty necessary, while others are just extras for if you happen to be able to do them.
To make your hair grow faster, you have to avoid split ends and too much static and friction.

Basics   

- Use conditioner.
-Avoid using any heat appliances on your hair (ex. straighteners, curling irons, blow dryers, very hot water.)
- If you are going to use heat, make sure to spray heat protectant on your hair beforehand.
-When hair is wet, detangle with a wide-tooth comb.
-Do not rub hair with a towel, pat dry instead.
-Trim hair often.
-Make sure, in every way possible that hair does not get dry.


Crazy, Only if You Happen to Have the Time and Materials Tips  

-Only use a wide-tooth comb to detangle hair (even when dry).
-Sleep with a satin or silk pillowcase (I know, this one's insane.)
- I read in a book that an infusion of rosemary poured over the hair can help stimulate hair growth. The book seemed pretty old, so I don't know how reliable this is, but it's worth a try. If you don't know what an infusion is, it is kind of like tea. To make it, put rosemary in a container and pour hot water on it. Cover the container with something so that the steam doesn't escape. After the water has been infused with rosemary and is thouroughly cooled, you can pour it through your hair. Put a nother container underneath to catch the infusion, so that you can recycle the infusion multiple times.
-Use T-shirt material to dry hair instead of a towel.

   I found a lot of these at http://www.longlocks.com/how-to-grow-long-hair.htm. Tell me if there are any I forgot.  Keep in mind that some hair id easier to grow longer than others; think, straight hair gets less split ends than fine, curly hair.

Basic Hairstyles

    Here are what the basic hairdos look like. I'll post how-tos later!  


     Braids

                  This is a basic 3-strand braid. You probably already know how to do it.

                                     This is a french braid. You may already know this one, too. 

                                   

                                            A dutch braid. (It is sometimes called an inside out french braid, an outie french braid, or an underhand french braid.) 

                                          A herringbone.  

                                                      French herringbone.

                      
                                                       Oops, this one was supposed to be posted by the french braid. 

                The top picture is a lace braid. The bottom picture is a lace braid as viewed from underneath. 

                                               Corkscrew twist.

                                                 This is a french corkscrew twist. 

                                                 Carousel twist.

                                                     French carousel twist.  


    Ponytails  


                                 You probably already know most of these. 

                                                  Basic high pony.

                                                  Flippied ponytail. 

                                                      Hair-wrapped elastic pocytail.

                     A bumpity-bumpity. You can also do french bumpity-bumpities, but I forgot to get a picture. (Sometimes these are called elastic braids or puffy braids.) 



Buns  

                                                  Basic bun.  

                                                   Air-filled bun. 

                                             Pull-through bun. 


Twists  

                                                          Twist. 

                                                   French twist.


There is another category that I did not include in here, knots. First of all, because they are not basic, second of all, because they can be buns, braids or ponies. They don't really fit anywhere. Sorry about the doll hair, but there is no way I would've been able to get Sleeping Beauty to sit through all of these basics!