If you ask me, this is right up there with “Don’t run with scissors.” Talk about living dangerously. I was home working while the kids enjoyed lorikeets eating on their heads. I’m making a mental note to continue to send the camera out with the eldest on all Dad outings. 
July 22, 2009
When Dad takes the kids to the zoo…
If you ask me, this is right up there with “Don’t run with scissors.” Talk about living dangerously. I was home working while the kids enjoyed lorikeets eating on their heads. I’m making a mental note to continue to send the camera out with the eldest on all Dad outings. July 19, 2009
"a" for applique
You may recall a few weeks back, when I tackled the zipper for the first time. Now in the midst of back-to-school prep, it occurred to me that I could use those new skills to fashion the required zippie pencil cases (soft pouch style) and personalize them to boot. Who needs to settle for store bought when you have zipper-know-how and a Singer? 
A few times every summer, I stumble upon the yard sale of an interior designer unloading boxes of fabric swatches. The quality swatches I purchase (for pennies) are usually about 16″ x 18″…plenty big enough for pouches or other smallish projects. My fifth grader chose the above fabrics from my stash for her pencil pouch. I used the same basic zippie directions back in this post except I cut 12″ x 7″ rectangles (two rectangles from the print and two from a coordinating tan fabric for the liner. The red will be the applique fabric.) I wanted the pouch big enough to accommodate pencils, markers, highlighters, etc. That size worked perfectly. After I got the zipper in, I personalized the case with her name.
To make a name applique, I chose a chunky font on my computer sized appropriately for the case. I then printed the name out as a “mirror image” (this is usually a preference in your print settings.) I ironed on “Wonder Under” fusible web (found at any fabric store) to the wrong side of the chosen applique fabric. Then I traced the printout onto the “paper side” of fabric with a ball point pen. The pressure from the pen left a mark. Next, I cut out the letters and removed the paper from the fabric. Then I ironed the letters to the pouch. 
After my letters were “stuck” I blanket-stitched around them with yellow and turquoise embroidery floss. I sewed on stacked buttons for more personality. When my details were complete, I sewed up the sides of the bag including the inside liner. To top off the pouch, I used coordinating beads for a zipper pull.
Pictured above is the finished case all stuffed and ready to head to class in a month or so. Cara is quite pleased with her one-of-a-kind pencil house and dare I say a tiny bit more excited for school to begin?! Additional cases for a special 2nd grader and a preschooler are now in the works.June 8, 2009
Adding a Penny
yep. We did it. We adopted. Now our family consists of two parents, three kids and one adorable kitten. Meet Penny. Our new calico born in the back of a ’55 Chevy. At least that’s the place where the animal shelter said her and her litter mates were found. Just the place where you might find a penny right?
Our little Penny is the runt of the litter. She’s a precious little thing half the size of her other three-month-old siblings.
What a friendly, playful, outgoing, tolerant-of-lots-of-love kitten she is. I’m pretty sure Penny has had more visitors and been held by more hands than any of my three children in their first days.
One more baby pix for now. Sweet dreams Penny. We’re happy to have you.June 2, 2009
Summer Opening: birds, flowers and rainbows
bird by Cara age 10 (collage)
flowers by Brendan age 7 (chalk)
rainbows by Nora age 4 (watercolor)
These three artists are excited to attend Summer’s Opening finally happening this Friday, June 5th. After another successful year of study, they’ve produced an abundance of work fit for our humble gallery a.k.a. refrigerator. Ice cream and refreshments will be served. Yes, almost there…
May 15, 2009
Dear Teacher…
Poem written by me. Inspired by a sometimes mischievous, always loveable seven year old.
Frustration pencil craft kits are available for sale in a variety of colors over at my etsy shop. Each kit makes six pencils. That’ll cover a bunch of ready-for-summer teachers (and I’ll betcha they’ll smile : )
Plus a little bonus to make the crafters smile too.(poem for private use only…please contact me if you’d like to post or use elsewhere.)
March 20, 2009
Start your engines
Last weekend I experienced my first ever Boy Scout Pinewood Derby. For those of you not familiar, a few weeks ahead of race day the scout is given a kit with a plain chunk of wood, wheels and axles to create a derby car. The idea to sculpt and design whatever your aerodynamic imagination dreams up (within a certain weight/size limit of course). Dad helped our scout with the sculpting and construction of the car. Brendan then marched up to my studio and together we planned out design. 
Ed Emberley a.k.a. the master of children’s how-to-draw books provided major inspiration for “Frankensteins Fury” or “Fury” for short. Brendan painted his car monster green and rendered Frankenstein the Ed Emberley way.
After that, I introduced Brendan to my ever-growing rubber stamp collection. Going with the theme, we picked a cool skull and a spider to add more spookiness. Next, I showed him how easy it is to paint a spider web. The little wire+fiber antenna thingamabob was my idea..not really sure of the purpose, but it seemed to me that the Frankensteinmobile should have something weblike blowing in the breeze. Brendan searched for a lego steering wheel and put together a creepy little Lego driver from the lego surplus we have going on around here. After we attached those with hot glue, we were ready to burn rubber.
Race day was a complete S*H*O*C*K to me. Unfortunately my husband couldn’t attend, so with three kids, Frankenstein and numero uno cup of coffee we headed off for the race track. I left the pot on as I was expecting we’d be home from the festivities in a half hour…45 minutes at the most…really…how long could this last? I slowly began to get the gist that I may have underestimated things just a little when we walked in and saw the metal track running the length of the cafeteria. PLUS the electronic finishing system, the computerized standings board on a big screen and an eager Dad announcing that lunch would be served at 11:45 over the loud speaker. Definitely not in Kansas anymore Dorothy. Welcome to the Indianapolis Speedway. Even without my beloved second cup of coffee, I’ll admit that it was a thoroughly entertaining and exciting morning. As far as the standings, my little guy managed to finish sixth for speed overall (after 6 rounds of racing) and captured an honorable mention medal for best design. Not too bad for a rookie. Next year we’ll really be ready. And I’ll be bringing my second cup along.
March 15, 2009
Miss four finger’s pink pony
I can hardly believe that my youngest turns four today. That happened in the blink of a pink pony. Speaking of which, she had a really hard time deciding on a cake this year. First, she wanted last years cake. Then there was a stream of other ideas, finally deciding that the cake should indeed be a pony. I made the pony pink while she napped because everybody knows that a pony is pretty great, but a pink anything is 10 times better. 
This is how the pony came together. Nothing too complicated…just a cake baked in a 9″ x 13″ pan…cut and pieced like so. I used different colors of butter cream icing and a variety of decorating tips to make things a little fancy, but I certainly don’t claim professional. Plus a four-year-old only naps for so long.
She practiced her new fingers today. All ready for someone to ask how old she is. Four fingers is much easier to hold up than three…go figure. Happy birthday sweetie. Enjoy your fourth year in which the best things are always pink. February 17, 2009
They’re back
It’s that time of the year. Those familiar rainbow colored boxes are making an appearance. We have a salesperson in our house so we had to purchase a few…maybe more than a few…boxes. Justifiably, it’s all for a good cause.
All five family members got to order one box in their favorite flavor. I’ve made it clear that choice doesn’t mean ownership, but apparently this kid isn’t taking any chances…and I know where she’s coming from. Once those boxes get opened you have to be really quick. Like lightening quick. Poor turtles are stuck with crumbs around here. Hopefully you’ve received your order or it’s on the way. I’d offer you some of ours, but we’re down to a box or two with threatening notes attached. You wouldn’t want that.I remember my cookie selling days when a box would set you back a whole $1.25. While the price has changed to $3.00 a box, my favorite flavor has stayed the same. I’m a true thin minter through and through Especially thin mints slightly frozen. How about you?
February 5, 2009
On top of the hill
I think for the most part I’m a pretty fun, involved sort of mom. However lately, I’ve been reminded of my shortcomings. In particular, the fact that I am not a big fan of snow. Especially being out in the snow doing snow things like building snow people and snow forts, having snowball fights, sledding, all of that. Well today after the kids got home from school, I decided it was time to shake things up a bit. I put on nine layers and announced to the entire clan that we were going sledding. ALL of us. There were excited giggles and a disbelieving comment or two from my witty husband. After everyone was dressed, we piled our sleds and bodies in the van and drove the couple of miles to the really BIG hill.
Of course I took my camera so I could document that I have been sledding with my kids. They seem to have forgotten that I sledded with them last season or maybe it was two seasons ago?? At any rate, this was not the first time…but I admit, it doesn’t happen often. I usually favor baking cookies and warming hot cocoa for when they return. Remarkably, we all had a really good time tonight…soooo maybe I need to document that too? : )
p.s. special thanks to Debbie for giving me a Kreativ Blogger Award yesterday. You made my day!
January 28, 2009
Snow days
Today everybody is home from school for the second day in a row due to snow, freezing rain and everything in between. My peeps have been having a fabulous time playing outside in all of it…building snow sculptures and forts, sledding and breaking into the occasional snowball fight. Me? Well, I’m more of the “how about I bake cookies and keep the hot cocoa warm for when you decide to finally come in” kind-of-mom. Nothing wrong with that right? ; ) 
I DESIGN STENCILS FOR
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