What My Kids are "Into"

Juniper over at Hope Studios asked what my kids are "into".  I haven't been able to get on to the computer all evening, because the kids jumped on it as soon as they got home from school to check their Moshi Monsters.  It's an online computer game where you build your own monster.  It lives in a "world" much like the forerunner, Webkinz.  I'm not really sure what else happens.  I'm usually trying to come up with something for dinner at this time.  I know there has been some lamenting about seeds that have not grown, and pets that have not been received.

By Popular Demand: Custom Order Your Own Bead Necklace

So many of you have asked about the custom made bead necklaces! I have decided to add them to my Etsy shop. I will ask you to design your own bead, using colored pencils. Add dots, swirls, a metallic finish! We'll make your bead as you have designed it. Think about your Mom's favorite colors, your favorite sports team, go crazy! We'll make the bead, string it on an 18" sterling silver chain and add two sterling silver accent beads. The chain allows the beads to be interchanged, so be sure to order some extra beads!

I Made the Front Page!

I made Etsy's front page a few days ago. I guess everyone is looking for some green around this time of year, and if you toss in a little LUCK,then it's all for the better!

Get Your Friends Together for a Groupon

Here's the idea: local businesses offer a great deal on their products and or services.  If enough people participate in "the deal" (this is pre-set by the business), then "the deal" is a GO. 

I recently bought a $35 gift card to a place my kids go all of the time for $15!  Be sure to read the fine print, my certificate is good for a year, but is not valid on weekends. 

Check out your local Groupon HERE!

Oh, Alabama: Thank You.

Oh, Alamaba, you know me, don't you?  We were once friends, or are future friends, or maybe just of like minds. 

After a rough day yesterday, I found this bundle of love on my front porch.   Do you see the box is stenciled! (also note the inches of snow outside the window).

And here's a peek inside.  Who doesn't love a brown paper package tied up with string? 

                         

 And, Oh, Alabama, Here's what's inside:  As a thank you for ordering your beautiful NEW book, you sent me a whole yard of 100% green cotton Jaquard fabric and a thick card describing how to make a chair pillow with it.

The book itself was plenty, but thank you, thank you for the surprise.  I am inspired not only by your creativity but also by your generosity.  You clearly love what you do.

You can visit Alabama HERE, We can make some beautiful things together if you do. In the words of Natalie (aka Alabama): "May the book-and the projects that you will make-fill your home with warmth and great stories..."  It already has.

Why Our Kids Need Dads

Our kids need Dads beacause Dads don't think it's crazy to spend an icy afternoon building an igloo with the kids. (Click Here for the full story) Then, when the kids think it would be "cool" to sleep in it,  Dads will say: "Yeah! Let's Sleep Out There!"  (Moms say: "Are You Nuts?")

Dads will also spend an enormous amount of energy shovelling a ginormous pond so that the kids have a really big place to go ice skating, and to play hockey.  Dads will also take the kids to get ice skates, think nothing of getting the truck stuck in the woods near this pond, and just completely ignore the fact that it's 20 degrees.  (In my experience, Moms would notice this stuff, and would not be amused.)

So, I'm glad that my kids have such a great Dad.  One that does the "crazy stuff" that I would never even dream of. I've been thinking a lot about all of the "crazy stuff" that my Dad did when we were kids.
Tell me what your Dad did, or what your husband does with your kids.

Big Love

Valentines Day is another "Rite of Passage" holiday for kids.  In my mind, it carries the same weight as Halloween.  And we all know how much planning, and preparation, and mind-changing happens at Halloween. 

Valentine's Day is all about decorating the ever important Valentine's Box.  It has to be "just so".  And, the even more important cards.  It's always a huge decision making process for them to decide who gets which Valentine card.  And when the kids get home from school on that day, it's fun to listen to them speculate as to why they got the cute kitten card from a boy that is funny, and other significant details that they notice. 

My daughter decided to cut some felt "love letters" for her box this year.  She stitched the L and the O, then ran out of steam.  I stitched  the V and the E.  I "loved" how htey looked on my windowsill yesterday with the sun streaming in. 

What kind of Valentine's Prep are you up to? 

Fundraising Auction Project: The Big Reveal

Yesterday I told you about the Auction Project for my kid's school.  Today, I promised to share with you what we were going to do with the glass beads that we made with the students drawings. And, here it is:

We are going to string each student's bead onto a sterling 18" chain and add two sterling beads to finish the necklace.  I was so excited to find this necklace that allows the beads to be interchanged. 

I took the beads to school yesterday to show the students what Hubby was able to create from their designs.  They loved seeing their creations come to life! 

Just look at these examples of the student's work, and what Hubby created:

I love this student's creativity:  He was the only one who designed a bead that wasn't round.

The kids were so excited to take home their order forms so that their Dad's could get a Valentine's gift for their Moms, or maybe do a little early shopping for Mother's Day.  I'm hoping the orders come flying in.  This was such a fun project to be a part of. 

I may need to add "custom made bead necklace" to my Etsy shop!

A Sneak Peek at My Kid's School Auction Project

I am so excited about this project that I have been working on for school.  I just have to share a bit.  My kid's school has an auction every year, where they raise funds for the school.  Each child in the elementary school is asked to work on, or have a hand in, making a class project that will be auctioned off. 

Some examples of things that have been made are collages made from the kid's paintings, chess sets made of clay, and painted benches.  It is hard to come up with an idea that is do-able with kids of this age, and also is desireable for purchase by the general population, given the skill level that we are working with.

I took responsibility for the 4th grade project. And what I mean by that is that I came up with a plan, made arrangements, set up meetings, ordered supplies, and had my talented husband do all of the work.

I call it going with my strengths. 

So we took a flameworking torch to school, plus some glass and tools.  Hubby showed the kids how he works with glass, spins it, manipulates it and works with the flame to bring out certain colors, or effects. 

The kids were fascinated.  The teachers were pleased. It became a learning experience for everyone.  We talked about all kinds of scientific topics, like how this solid could turn into a liquid under extreme temperatures, how the glass needs to cool slowly, or it will crack, and why. 

Then we let each student design their own bead-with paper and pencil.  They drew the bead that they would like to have created.  Some of the designs were simple, and some were pretty wild.

My hubby worked diligently over the last month to produce replicas of what the kids had designed.And here is your sneak peek! Just look at these beautiful beads! I'll share what I'm going to do with them tomorrow!

Two Cleaning Products That You Should Know About

I've said it time and time again, but if there is a cleaning product that promises to make the job faster, slicker, easier, more fun, I'll try it!  I'm a marketers dream in this area!  It doesn't take much.  But, the benefit is that I've done a lot of "research" (i.e. wasted a lot of money) so, please use this to your benefit!

Here are two things that I've found that have really saved me.  You should really try them.  The first is a Scotch Brite cleaning towel for windows.  Sinply dampen the towel with plain water and wash your windows and mirrors.  Streak free and amazing every time.  I love that fact that I'm not spraying chemicals, and the towel is re-useable.  I got mine for less that $4 at Target.  The one pictured here is yellow, but mine is blue.  Look for it the next time you are out.  You'll thank me time and time again.

The second product that I'd like to share are these little Carbona Stain Devils.  They are on the top shelf above the laundry detergents at my grocery store.  They are tiny little bottles.  They are specially formulated to clean specific stains in your laundry.  The bottles are marked: oil/grease, coffee, blood, grass stains...they make it easy.  The one that I must have in this house is oil/grease.  For whatever reason, there is always an oily stain on the front of a perfectly good shirt.  When I blogged about the holes in my shirts, some of you mentioned these frustrating grease stains.  Even if you've put your clothes through the dryer before you see the offending spot, just dab on a bit of the stain fighter, and throw it back into the dirty clothes hamper. These little bottles have saved more shirts that I could count.

How about you?  Any cleaning product that you can't live without?  I'd love to hear about it.

There were 53 Hatian Orphans who landed in Pittsburgh this week.  These children were cared for by 2 sisters from Pittsburgh who started an orphanage in Haiti.  After the devastating earthquake, the sisters refused to leave without their kids.  Through Facbook and Twitter, the sister's desperate pleas were heard, and help was sent.  These children have found refuge here with families that are eager to help.

Thank you to all of the friends who have dropped things off at my house over the last few days.  I am taking your donations this morning to the group that is helping these children.

Treat Girl's First Ever Give Away!

You'll want to head over to see the Treat before Friday!  She's hosting her very first give-away! 

As you may know, The Treat Girl is one of my bloggy friends, but she's also one of my soul sisters.  I was the recipient of a pair of her scrumptious mittens last year at Christmas.  She's giving a pair away with some other goodies, too. Stop by an give her some comment love.