making me giggle

like a...

What my life has been feeling like this week- I'm so glad it's Friday.
Here's to the weekend- have a great one!

wax museum

F as Benjamin Franklin at the 5th grade wax museum. We did a few alterations on thrift store blazer, shirt, vest and pants to create his look. We went with the fancy Ben Franklin- the other look so often seen- you know the 'bald in front' Franklin look? - well, the wig version was a bit too creepy for me.
F did a good job, had his speech down and took staying in character very seriously, except when he was whispering under his breath, "stop taking my picture" and "isn't it time for you to leave?".
The theme of the wax museum was "American Heroes". I saw a couple of good Elvis Presleys, Amelia Earhart, Sacagawea- and even Steve Jobs.
My favorite was George Washington on a stuffed rocking horse that played a whiny and gallop recording every time he moved- all the while he stayed in character and delivered his speech. Having heard that very same recording a thousand times at our house on a similar toy- I had to stifle my giggles.

Speaking of giggles... all my pictures have the classroom background, so I had to work some photo magic to change it up. F wasn't cooperating this morning when it was photo shoot time- leaving me no choice but to get silly with photoshop (I just finished my advanced class last night). As you may notice, I need to add a shadow to this picture (but I don't have an extra hour or so to get it right) I really need to practice my skills more often.

the first step

You gotta start somewhere... I finally have some skirts cut out, some apron tops sewn together, this seems to be the tough part- just gettin' moving back into the sewing room- when there are so many other jobs to do everyday. Now if I can just pick up the pace I can be ready for the Beehive Bazaar at the end of April.

birthday party craft project

This party craft worked wonderfully for a group of 7-10 year olds, heck- any age, myself and my other kids (ages 4, 11, 12) were just as into it as the younger party goers.
I found these pre-cut wood people shapes at Michaels craft store, you can find them at just about any craft store. We made tables and chairs from different sized wooden spools and flat round wooden disks (all can be purchased in bags of 10 or so at the craft store). We pre-glued the tables and chairs together, then pre-painted the people and the furniture with acrylic craft paint. Pre-painting made things run much more smoothly at the party and entirely avoided the issue of paint messes.
We got a little crazy painting the hair and little faces. Two-toned hair added a some dimension (and silliness). I put a clear coat of glossy Modge Podge over the people to set the paint, they looked very chalky without the top coat. The tables and chairs also got a top coat, with some glitter mixed in.
Luckily, I have loads of craft supplies stashed, I have this habit of saving every single scrap of rick rack, lace and fabric no matter how tiny... and it finally paid off. I didn't even have to pull out my main totes of all of these supplies, only the bags full of the tiny scraps and they worked perfectly.
The bed is made from 1" thick foam, the pillows from smaller piece of foam, I just used what I already had laying around. The foam could really be any thickness under an inch or so. The girls chose the bedding from flannel fabric scraps (once again, leftovers from previous projects made over the years) and hot glued the fabric over the foam to finish the beds and pillows.
We used hot glue to attach all the accessories to the dolls. The girls chose all of the flair, and came up with some great ideas, like the flowers in the hair made from a sheet of gem stickers (scrapbooks supply?) I'd bought originally to be used to decorate the inside of the "dollhouse".
I found the cocktail umbrellas amid my party supplies and threw them in, they ended up being the perfect size for the tiny house. We painted the extra spools and they glued in tiny silk flowers then used the 'flower pot' as an umbrella stand.
We left out a stack of scrapbook paper and stickers to make flooring, and occasionally wallpaper to the dollhouses. They used the stickers to cover the words "Recipes" on the outside of the boxes and decorate the walls inside.
I searched many craft stores trying to find affordable "dollhouses". Originally, I wanted to use the thick cardboard tiny suitcases that open up flat and make a perfect dolly space. They were way too expensive ($6.99 each), I found a round metal lunch box for $3 each at Robert's outlet- still too expensive and when the door was left open it didn't sit flat on the table anyway. Finally I found these recipe boxes at Michael's in the dollar section, (they actually ended up being 50 cents each at the register) not perfect (a bit too short/narrow- the recipe box would work better if the bed foam was thinner, like 1/2" thick)- but the perfect price for buying a dozen or so.

The party guests and my own kids worked so hard making their dollhouse and had so much fun. After the party was over my kids played with the dollhouses they had just made for hours more, making sofas (with foam and fabric) and laptops and deck chairs with various sized square wood pieces we had used for some of the tables (and could have also been painted, drawn on or covered with magazine pictures etc. to hang on the walls).

This is what a shamrock cake looks like when you have just 20 minutes before the party starts to decorate it. Not my finest work for sure, but I should be happy she asked for the shamrock and not a leprechaun or a model of the Eiffel Tower. I got off easy.

the craftiest music video ever

Steriogram - New Music - More Music Videos

Michel Gondry has done it again. The French filmmaker behind The Science Of Sleep and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind has made this wonderful music video. Eye candy for everyone but especially the crafty folk.
To view a smaller but clearer version look here.

giggles and grins

I must thank Stephanie for introducing me to the Cake Wrecks blog last night. I desperately needed a good, tears rolling down my face, oh... now I'm almost really crying- reel it back in girl (can you say emotionally unstable?)... laugh session.

Here is another beautiful cake- getting right to the point.
I will admit I've made some crazy cakes in the past that seemed like a good idea in theory but didn't pan out quit like they should have. I've got to make a cake for M's birthday this week. We'll see what she requests- can I can pull it off or will I have to submit it's picture to Cake Wrecks by the weekend?

two words... meat cake.

what I'm lovin' this week

Heartlands is a fabulous movie, it reminded me a bit of Billy Elliot (perhaps because it's British and quirky)- kind of slow, beautiful scenery- well worth a watch.
Everything in the Athleta catalog is darling, sporty gal wear- but in a good way. I generally look through a catalog then chuck it in the recycle bin, but this one I keep peeking back through.
I'm glad that Steve O and I both have a crush on Lance. All this week he's been iChatting me pictures of the man. He found Elizabeth Kruetz's website and we are both in love with her still photography skills. Browse her site and be amazed.
As I strive to make the most of my 90 days on the P90X program- I have been filling the hungry moments with a cup of tea- and been throughly enjoying it.
Have a wonderful weekend!

century

So excited, I just signed up for the Little Red Riding Hood Ride June 6th in Wellington UT (by Logan I think). Just a ladies ride- you fellas get to stay home and nurture the children. I need to start thinking about my outfit...
Although, if I'm going to ride the full course- (100 miles) the cycle skirt and cute stripy socks might get old at about mile 42. I haven't ridden a full century in like 12 years, since I've been a mother actually. I think it's about time I get back with it.
Now if it would just warm up a bit, I can get back on my bike.

the return of winter

Last night about 10 inches of new snow fell in about 3 hours- and that's just at my house. I'm not quite sure why I'm not skiing right now. Old age and responsibility has turned me into a boring loser.

Artfull Bras

Monkey Business









Buttons, Bows and Boobs














This little project by The Quilters of South Carolina is sure funny. The exhibit consists of fifty original works of art which are unique, entertaining, humorous, and beautiful to make the public aware of breast cancer, to memorialize those lost to the disease, and to honor survivors.
Here are a couple of my favorites, check out their website to see all 50 bras. Don't miss the titles of each.

oooh, fancy...

Molly and I made the Fab 50 list in Utah Valley Magazine for being the gals behind the Beehive Bazaar Art and Craft Fair we put together twice a year here in Provo Utah. (Stephanie- we still include you in spirit) I feel so honored to be included in such a list, and I'm quoted saying something really smart.
We really do love the Bazaar so much and all of the clever folks that it brings together- artists and crafters and their supporters. It is always such a treat when the show finally comes... (shhh, don't tell my kids... but it's better than Christmas) and we finally get to see what all the amazingly talented vendors have been making- working their little fingers to the bone. There is no other shopping event like it- anywhere close to these parts...
We had over a hundred applicants this spring, we narrowed it down to just 50 participants. Check our website for the list of artists this spring and a sneak peek of what they'll be making. It's going to be better than ever!

To flip through the March/April 2009 issue go here, we are on page 28-29. Our good friend Erin Olson of Shape Candy is featured in the "Passion for Fashion" article that follows on page 44.

overheard

C was walking around without his shirt on, carrying Pierre the cat.

Rubbing Pierre back and forth across his chest he asked the cat, "Pierre- do you like my body??"

square root day

3/3/09: Math fans to celebrate Square Root Day

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Dust off the slide rules and recharge the calculators. Square Root Day is upon us.
The math-buffs' holiday, which only occurs nine times each century, falls on Tuesday — 3/3/09 (for the mathematically challenged, three is the square root of nine).
"These days are like calendar comets, you wait and wait and wait for them, then they brighten up your day — and poof — they're gone," said Ron Gordon, a Redwood City teacher who started a contest meant to get people excited about the event.
The winner gets, of course, $339 for having the biggest Square Root Day event.
Gordon's daughter even set up a Facebook page — one of a half-dozen or so dedicated to the holiday — and hundreds of people had signed up with plans to celebrate in some way. Celebrations are as varied: Some cut root vegetables into squares, others make food in the shape of a square root symbol.
The last such day was five years ago, Feb. 2, 2004, which coincided with Groundhog Day. The next is seven years away, on April 4, 2016. The final square root day of the century will be September 9, 2081.

Look at me celebrating and I'm not really even a math fan. I think the main reason is my Mom's birthday is one of these equations and I've always been a little bit jealous. I like it when things add up nicely.
Here is the full list of square root days for the last century- yes, only 9 each century:
1/1/01
2/2/04
3/3/09
4/4/16
5/5/25
6/6/36
7/7/49
8/8/64
9/9/81
So please for the love- (and I know you're busy) try and incorporate some square root into your day. Darn it, why can't it be Pi day? Oh wait, that's in a few weeks, March 14th.

take a page from this book

Here is a book (a work in progress) I recently found, the author M, age 8. Piggy is a carry over character, first used by her older sister. There have been various tales told about Piggy, one notable story from the past by Q was Piggy Goes To The Beach, I'm gonna give it away- she gets a really bad sunburn. I think we need to see about some publication when M finishes this story, for all the Piggy tales.







Apparently we have some gender issues that need addressing...


And the moral of the story as it stands right now...
perhaps- always look your best even if you are a piggy
or - look to your mother for fashion advice
or - vests and tailored pants are back in for the ladies (not to mention the eye glass)
or - male pigs must wear a Bro or manzierre for some extra support when courting a lady

I don't really know for sure, but this I do know- this story need an end, and I can hardly wait for it.