Ruffles and Rust

I was so looking forward to another Ruffles and Rust show. I went to the first one back in October and blogged about it, too. This time around, I corrupted persuaded a newbie to join me. Yippee! We spent over 2 hours wandering the many booths. The only sad thing that happened is that I saw a beauty of a chair (slipcovered, pink, roses) for an amazing price and I was about to inquire about buying it and another woman had just purchased it! Talk about competitive buying! I should've arrived sooner, I guess. My friend Rene managed to find a similiar chair in colours that matched her decor perfectly so I was happy for her. I was on that chair like white on rice! :)





Here's a little show and tell of what I bought (minus a large framed print I was too lazy to photograph). L to R (clockwise): A birdcage (that I will paint white), a framed print (for $2 !!!), a photo album, a cute metal wall pocket, a vintage Easter card, a wheelbarrow, some vintage fabric and some watch faces that I plan to make into magnets or necklaces.

Another blogger's experience (very well written) is here.Pin It

When he should be going to bed...

this is what my inventor son does. He makes a robot out of cardboard boxes, duck tape, small tin cans (the arms), and a toilet paper roll (the neck). This robot has several faces depending on his mood - shocked, mad, unsure, and happy.
His room may be a disaster- filled with boxes of all shapes and sizes but I think he'll do well in life. I'm also glad he isn't glued to a DS or an XBox. :)Pin It

Free music from Amazon!

Get $2 in free mp3 credits at Amazon with code VDAYMP3S

Enter your code HERE (make sure you are signed into your Amazon account) and then you just go choose your songs and they should be free.Pin It

Handmade Classroom Valentines

I like to send my kids to school with *handmade* Valentines. It's a thing with me. I hate strongly dislike mass produced cartoon character ones. Sorry to all those who buy 'em. I know they're fast and cheap but where is the individuality or creativity? I like to think that homemade valentines *might* be kept a little longer. OK, lie to me, alright? :)

My youngest son loves mice, so this is what he'll be taking to Kindergarten next week.A few more, though. He has 21 classmates.I tweaked an idea I found here.
Supplies needed:
- white cardstock
- 6 mm pom poms
- small circle punch (to make the ears)
- small googly eyes
- rick rack

I used the die cut machine at a craft store (Ben Franklin's) to make the heart shape. The ears start out as small circles and are pleated and then glued down.

Inside each mouse is a label that says "Happy Valentine's Day from ...."I ordered them for super cheap at VistaPrint. My son has a relatively long name so writing it out 21 times isn't fun!

My older son is sending owl valentines based on this inspiration from Family Fun magazine.

I'm linking up with Crafty Soiree at Yesterday on Tuesday.Pin It

Sad anniversary

Today marks the 38th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade. Did you know that since 1973, 50 million unborn children have been aborted? That is an entire generation.

Do you know that the "Roe" in the original case who fought for the right to abortion is now an advocate for life? Her name is Norma McCorvey and she started a pro-life ministry called Roe No More.
More of her story can be read here.

In the United States alone, one unborn baby is aborted every 23 seconds. That is hard to believe, but sadly true.

"The greatest destroyer of peace is abortion because if a mother can kill her own child, what is left for me to kill you and you to kill me? There is nothing between." - Mother Theresa
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Reading, watching....

Man, I hate January! Well, let me rephrase that. I hate January in the Seattle area! It is so dark and dreary! Today it was cold (36 degrees or so) and rainy and overcast all day long. I don't have a photo to share because I can't muster up the motivation to document just how bad it is. I wish I could just hide under the covers but I have to drive my kids to and from school so I stare at greyness for a lot of my day. Negative, eh? :)

OK, now that I've gotten that off my chest, here's a peek at what I've else I've been doing. I'm reading a fascinating book.I'm enjoying this look at life inside the White House as GWB faces difficult decision including selecting a cabinet, restricting stem cell research, and of course, America's response to 9/11. I realize that I love reading a good autobiography. A completely different autobiography that I've also been reading is Confessions by St. Augustine.It is a difficult read, I confess. Ha ha! I read a review that said Augustine wrote in a circular fashion. That explains my difficulty! I'm a linear thinker, for sure. Maybe I need a guide or a commentary. Have any of you read Confessions?

I've been enjoying Masterpiece Theatre on PBS on Sunday nights - something I actually look forward to in January! This year's show is Downton Abbey and it is a period piece (my favourite!). The best line so far was from Maggie Smith, who plays an aristocrat forced to interact with a middle class family. "What is a weekend?" she asks! You can learn more and also watch it online.Pin It

Puzzle blocks - a tutorial

I'm back! Happy 2011! Today I have a craft to share. Back in December, I found these blocks at a flea market (2nd Saturdayz, if you are curious).

I enjoyed them and so did my kids. They are just challenging enough to keep me amused. :)

I *was* going to make my own version using some vintage Christmas cards but then I decided it would be more fun to use images that could be enjoyed all year 'round. I wanted to use Richard Scarry illustrations but I can't bear to cut up any of my (rather large) collection. I did find this fun book for 25 cents at the thrift store.Now, here are the supplies you need to make your own puzzle blocks:
- an old book or greeting cards or photos or scrapbook paper or...
- Mod Podge - I used the matte finish (abbreviation: MP)
- wooden blocks - I used 1 1/2 inch blocks *see note*
- scissors, pencil
- ruler
- patience!

Note: The blocks might not line up perfectly so the image won't be completely flat. If this bugs you, you might need to pick another craft. ;) I bought my blocks at Ben Franklin craft store in Monroe.

1. Sand the blocks (if necessary) to eliminate any rough edges.
2. Decide on the images you will be using. You need 6.
3. Roughly draw around the blocks (pushed together) while they are on top of the image you want to use - use a pencil
4. Cut the images out.
5. Trace each block individually (they can vary slightly in size) using a pencil.
6. Cut out the square.
7. Put MP on the back of the image and then place on the block. Smooth any air bubbles away. Finish one image at a time.
8. After you have glued down the images on all 6 sides, put a coat of MP over the images. I recommend doing one side at a time.

Here are my completed puzzle blocks:
This would be a fun gift for a child. You can also use photos and give these to family members.

Let me know if you have any questions.

I'm linking up to Hookin' Up with House of Hepworths and a Crafty Soiree at Yesterday on Tuesday and Fun for Kids Friday.Pin It

Wrapping up Christmas

This was the best gift of Christmas 2010. Meet Shadow, my youngest son's now constant companion.
I thought it would be fun to have a stuffed cat to chase C's rodents around. The funny thing is that Squeeky (the mouse) has been lost for a week or so. Did he know a cat was coming?

My boys were funny this year. They didn't stay in their jammies on Christmas morning. They got dressed right away so I don't have the traditional photos I wanted (of opening presents, posing by the presents, etc.)

I did manage to get one by the tree (with cheesy grins), taken at bedtime.
We had *such* a bushy tree this year! I actually had to prune it. A lot. We got it from Farmer Brown's Tree Farm in Arlington, if you are interested.
Another fantastic (because of the price) gift we gave the boys was a cardboard pirate ship, life size, well, kid-sized. I found an amazing deal and it was $5.00 including shipping. It arrived on December 24th.
My boys use it as a fort. It will be great to take outside in the Spring.

A family photo taken by Rene:
We always do Christmas crackers in our family. It is a British custom that my husband's family has as a tradition. This year we forgot but remembered on Boxing Day. Here are my parents in their crowns. My dad and A playing air hockey (the table was an early present that we found on Craigslist).
Here we are saying goodbye to my parents as they flew back home.
Now, I need to go back to bed. I've caught some nasty bug. Bronchitis? The flu? I'm not sure. I have a deep cough, a constant headache, and I feel achey. Thankfully, I'm the only one who is sick right now and my hubby is off work today. I have to get better for Monday since the kids go back to school and I'm back to my "job" as driver.

Happy New Year!Pin It

Creative and beautiful photos!

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Christmas goodies

I did some last minute baking on Christmas Eve. Well, it wasn't actually baking since I made "no bake" treats! These are sooooo easy.

These treats have wheat germ in them! Now, that *has* to make up for the chocolate, right? ;)

Mud Balls
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup wheat germ

Heat the peanut butter and honey over low heat until melted. Add the remaining ingredients. When cool enough to handle, roll into oohey gooey mud balls. Try not to eat too many!

I found this recipe on a lovely blog a few years ago but I can't remember which one. If it is yours, please accept my thanks and apology for not giving credit.Pin It

Pinata???

I luv glitter houses, especially glitter churches. This year I was on the hunt for the ultimate one. I found it at an unusual place - Yankee Candle. This beauty was in the window and I had to have it! :) So, I talked to hubby, found a great coupon, and voila! I had an early Christmas present! So, I put it on top of our old school TV - you know the kind that you can actually put thing on top of?
Well, what did my seven year old boy think of it? He said "it looks like a pinata!!" Bashing up my precious church? Oh, the horror!!

Ah, boys.Pin It

Christmas crayons - a handmade gift

Need an idea for a last minute gift for classmates?

My son's Kindergarten class has stockings hung up for every child and we parents were asked to bring a small item for each one. Now, even if I bought something at the dollar store, with 22 classmates, that would set me back 22 dollars! Um, no. :) So.... I brainstormed a bit, read some blogs, and I remembered that I made recycled crayons in heart shapes for my son's classmates earlier this year. Now, I confess that I get most of my good ideas from other people and these Christmas crayons are inspired by Sew Totally Smitten. She has a terrific tutorial so I'll just direct you there.

Recycled Crayons in Christmas shapes - I added a fun little poem (click on the photo to make it larger) so the kids wouldn't accidentally eat them!
Now I realize this post isn't exactly timely. Our school has its last day on Friday and I finished these up last weekend. It does take time and time's awastin! You can just file this away for next year or use it for a birthday party favor idea, OK? :) One tip: if you are making as many crayons as I did - you will need way more crayons that you think you need. :)

Another word to the wise: crayons melting in the oven smell pretty nasty.Pin It

I think it is in the genes.

Check out the Christmas ornament my youngest son made, completely unsolicited and on his own. He backed it with a small popsicle stick for sturdiness. I have a well-stocked craft cabinet. :)Pin It

Homemade glitter garland

I looooooove banners/garlands!

I have this spring banner
(boughten, not made) that I've kept up all year (in my room) because I love it so much. It was starting to annoy my family, so I decided to use it as inspiration to make my own, more seasonally appropriate banner. I found glittery letters at WalMart (of all places!), which were packaged as decorations for Christmas stockings, and that got me started.

Here is a tutorial. Sorry, limited photos.

Materials needed (if you want to make a similiar garland)
- WalMart glitter letters (warning: they will shed glitter. This may bother you, it may not! I have a story about this so keep reading!)
- patterned paper with a Christmas theme
- cardboard
- a good strong glue (I used Tombow Mono Aqua Liquid Glue)
- 1/8 inch hole punch (I used my CropaDile)
- 1/8 inch gold eyelets
- large jump rings - these can be hard to find. I'm sure a bead store would have a good selection. I found mine at JoAnn Fabrics.
- 2 kinds of ribbon. I used a cream organza ribbon and a red glittery ribbon.
- scissors with fine tips
- patience

Instructions:
1. Copy the letters on scrapbook paper, cut them out and then backed them on cardboard to make them stiff.
2. Glue the patterned letter on top of the glitter letter, slightly offset.3. Punch two very small holes in the tops, then attach eyelets for more sturdiness.4. Insert large jump rings to attach the letters to the ribbon. Hang up in your home or if you are really lucky - on your mantle!! My banner is hung above the entrance to my kitchen.

That dangling "A" bothers me a lot but I'm trying to relax about it! :)

Now, if you have one of those fancy die cut machines (Cricut, Silhouette, etc) this garland will be a snap to make (and a lot easier on the hands and wrists!). Hey Santa, I've been good!!! ;)

One funny story related to this craft: I was making this banner on my dining room table and my son was asked to get working his homework. He normally likes to do his homework at the same table but he protested (and wanted to work somewhere else) because the glitter was getting a little too close to his section! He is *such* a boy!

I'm linking to the Christmas Craft Link Party at Centsational Girl!Pin It

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here is my little Indian boy at his Kindergarten's Thanksgiving party last week. He's about to say grace for the yummy snacks. :)

One of his recent class assignments was to decorate an "Albuquerque" turkey. The kids were given a paper turkey which they needed to disguise (in any way they choose) so it wouldn't be eaten for Thanksgiving. My son loves mice, so his, of course, is a mouse! :) I have to admit that I helped in the making of this project.

A lot. :)Here are some done by his classmates.I think it was a fantastic project for Kindergarteners and even older kids would enjoy it. My 2nd grader enjoyed seeing all the turkeys up on the wall near his classroom.

I found this cute pilgrim couple at a local craft fair. I love handmade decorations!
We are very thankful to have friends who invited us to join them for Thanksgiving. We don't have any family close by and the price of travelling to visit my parents is pretty high due to the rising costs of the ferries (my parents live on an island).

Today, I'm thankful for many other things. Here's a short, very random list:
1. My husband has a job that he enjoys and he is compensated fairly.
2. My children are doing well in school (we just had report cards and parent teacher interviews).
3. I am healthy and happy.
4. We didn't lose power in the recent snowstorm.
5. There are so many interesting and inspiring blogs to read out there. Check out my sidebars!Pin It

I want to win a Silhouette!

You know those nifty die cut machines that cut stuff out of paper for you? The Silhouette Craft Cutter is the ultimate because you don't need to spend big bucks on cartridges. You just need fonts! There are so many cool project using this machine, including home decor, scrapbooking, card making, etc.

Thrifty Decor Chick is giving one away - click here for the details. Pick me, pick me! :)Pin It

Keep your hands away from my children!

photo credit: Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

I'm on the "no fly" list. I put myself on it today. I'm not going to be flying anywhere until the TSA's (Transportation Security Administration) policies change. I was planning on visiting some family friends during Spring Break but no more. I'm not going to subject my children to s#xual assault. Yes, I know those are strong words. Supposedly travelers have a choice - go through the Advanced Imaging Technology machines (which emit high levels of radiation and the naked images amount to child p*rnography), get "patted down" or, if you refuse the enhanced pat down, get escorted out of the airport and risk fines, arrest, etc. I have a hard time believing this is happening in the freedom-loving USA.

Read the story of a mommy blogger who traveled through the Tulsa airport on November 12th and was touched without warning or explanation and is now charging the TSA agent with s*xual assault.

Did you hear about the three year old girl who was terrorized and screamed "don't touch me" as the TSA agent groped her and her mother restrained her? How is that protecting our children? What message does that sent to a child? Will she trust her mother 100% after that?

Whenever my boys' pediatrician examines either boy's private area, he gives the same talk,"This is your private area. The only people who can touch you here are your mom or your dad or your doctor and its only OK for me to touch you because your mom is here." My job as a mother is (among other things) to protect the innocence of my children. I'm not letting any stranger see naked photos of my children OR touch their genitals. I also don't want my children to see me get groped by a stranger. It doesn't matter if they are wearing a TSA badge.

"Those who would give up Essential Liberty
to purchase a little Temporary Safety,
deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
- Benjamin Franklin

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A day to remember and be thankful

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada and Veteran's Day in the US.

In Canada (and the UK) we wear red poppies on our lapels to honour those who fought to give us freedom. Why a poppy? Well, they grow in Flanders (southern Belgium and north-west France) the site of WWI battles and burials. The poem "In Flanders Field" is recited today all across Canada at Remembrance Day ceremonies. It was written by a Canadian doctor.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

...Lt. Col. John Macrae

Why is Remembrance Day on November 11th? The armistice (end of fighting) agreement between Germany and the Allies took effect at the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month" of 1918. A moment of silence is observed at 11 am. I wonder if I could get my kids to agree to that this morning? (They have the day off from school.)

Canada's national newspaper has a sobering graphic on the front page today. Each dot represents one of the 107,156 Canadians killed in both World Wars, the Korean War, peacekeeping operations, and the conflict in Afghanistan. Read more: http://news.nationalpost.com/2010/11/11/we-remember/#ixzz14zsjDozq

Who knew reading my blog could be educational? :)Pin It

Reading, listening to ....

Do you ever finish a book and feel a little sad that it is over? I did when I finished Katherine by Anya Seton. It is historical fiction and a romance but don't let that scare you. It is set in 14th Century England and even includes Wycliffe and Geoffrey Chaucer, who were contemporaries of the Duke of Lancaster and Katherine Swynford - the main characters. It is *very* well written and not trashy like Philippa Gregory's stuff* (she only wrote the introduction to the book. It's a bit confusing on the Amazon page.) I'm waiting to get more of Seyton's books from the library. I'm not watching much TV these days so I need exciting books to read. :)

My boys are hooked on Adventures in Odyssey. We've been borrowing the CDs from the library and they are listening to them ALL THE TIME! I recommend them for children ages 7 and up (even though my youngest is 5.) The topics are a bit mature (such as drug use) even though there is a clear moral lesson in each episode. I think it's great that my boys listen to these CDs more than anything else.

Here is some music that I've been enjoying.

First, The Lower Lights - hymn revival band.

Listen to more of their music here. Does anyone remember the song Sunshine in my Soul? That's a fond memory from my Baptist background.

A new song from Brooke Fraser that is soooo cheery!
What have you been reading? Listening to?

*I don't recommend any Phillipa Gregory books. They are gratuitous and don't leave anything to the imagination.Pin It

Happy Trick or Treaters

My oldest son (on the left) was a "road trip." He had matchbox cars stuck all over him. I found the idea on the Family Fun website. It claims to be a last minute costume but it wasn't. I was sewing on velcro right up until last night. My youngest was an astronaut. We went trick or treating with friends in a nearby neighbourhood.

Here's my costume
In case it isn't clear, I'm supposed to be Heidi from Switzerland. :) I put it together using Value Village (for the black top and skirt), an antique store (for the apron) and WalMart (for the wig.) Very frugal!

I guess all that outdoor activity was too much for my little astronaut. He's home sick today. :(Pin It