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7.31.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

Dinosaur Eggs:





Sling Bag Tutorial:


Click Picks (last week's most clicked links):

#1   Scrapbook Room Makeover

#2   Jolly Rancher Lolly Pops

#3   Lego Party Favors

Ready? Teach Me Stuff!



Hope Studios




7.30.2012

Meet Jeta...


Sooo, my family decided we're not busy enough and that we should get another puppy!  Meet Jeta, our 14 week German Shorthair Pointer.


I have been pretty resistant, but she is a little love...or should I say a big love!  She is 3 months old and already bigger than our 7 year old cock-a-poo.

My husband and kids are in love, and how can you say no to that?


7.27.2012

Do You Like it High?


Remember back in the 80's when high-waisted pants/shorts/skirts were "in"?  It was back in the days of shoulder pads...ah...I remember...

Now, all the young girls who weren't alive the first time around are bringing high-waisted back.

It's Feedback Friday...

What do you think of this look the second time around?

Did you wear it the first time around?


7.26.2012

I'm Officially an Empty Nester


For a few weeks now, the boys and I have watched "our babies". First they started out as eggs, then we watched them hatch, and finally we watched as they tried out their wings....



There he goes...

7.24.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

Road Trip Survival Trip:

 


 Painted Wedge Sandals:



Photobooth Fun:



Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog 

address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate  interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!



Ready? Teach Me Stuff!


Hope Studios


7.23.2012

Easy Eye Drops


Though it seems counter-intuitive, have kids close their eyes and place eye drops in the inside corner of the eye.

Next, have them open their eyes wide and blink several times.

Easy peasy eye drops!

7.20.2012

Feedback Friday

Sooo, I'm on vacation right now and I thought I'd open up this Feedback Friday to you!

What topic would you like to see discussed on Feedback Friday?

Do you like controversial topics, fun topics, etc...


7.19.2012

Make a Mess


Now that the kids are home from school for the summer, this is how my entryway looks on most days.  I know that parents are supposed to teach their kids to clean up after themselves, but for most of the school year these toys are tucked away in a bin and shut in a closet.

But now that it's summer break, I see this on most days:


With the TV off and the toys just waiting for them, they are drawn into a game by just walking through the room.  So, maybe we'll work on cleaning up after ourselves in September...

7.17.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!



Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog 

address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate  interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!



Ready? Teach Me Stuff!



Hope Studios


7.16.2012

Let's Play Cards!


 I woke up the other morning to see two of my boys playing cards at the breakfast table.  It was so cute - they looked like two old men!

Since then, card games have worked their way into our summer vacation activities.  They play the old favorites like Go Fish and Old Maid, but then we also learned some new games this summer like Gin Rummy and I Doubt It (most adults know this card game as Bull$*it).

I think we might learn Go Boom next. Here is a website with several games that are new to us: Card Games.

What card games do your play with your kids?


7.13.2012

Merging Debate - Feedback Friday


Summer is when it seems every route you take has some sort of construction blocking the way.  Busy schedules, combined with summer heat cause lots of frustration when it comes time to merge.

The folks waiting in line are upset that someone wants to cut in front of them.

The folks waiting to merge are upset no one will let them in.

It's a giant mess - both sides believe they are right and will defend their positions passionately:

"I paid attention to the signs and got over right away!" says one, as they block the lane of traffic to police the mergers.

"I think traffic will move more smoothly if we keep two lines of traffic to the merge point!" says the other, as they speed up and push in front of cars aggressively.

So, I Googled it and found this statement from Pa. Dept. of Transportation:

 In high traffic locations, motorists are encouraged to use both lanes of travel to the merge point. Once at the merge point, motorists are encouraged to take turns merging into the open lane and continue through the work zone. When motorists cooperate and use the late merge system, it will create a zipper like effect with traffic which will reduce the length of the queue, allow traffic to move more fluidly and also prevent a lot of aggressive merging.

It's Feedback Friday...

Where do you stand on the merging debate when it comes to construction zones?

 


7.12.2012

Baked Sharpie - Pinterest Pass or Fail

So, I came across this pin about using items from the dollar store to write on with Sharpie.  The pin claimed you could draw on a ceramic plate or mug with Sharpie then bake at 150 degrees for 30 minutes and the image would be permanent - no need to buy those pricey paint pens! Woot?


I was a little skeptical, so I just used an old mug I had around the house and tried it out.

The colored Sharpies didn't work at all and rubbed off in the first washing.

The black Sharpie adhered better but still showed some wear after one washing.

Darn...

I guess I have to give this one a fail...

Tried any Pins lately?


7.10.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

How to Rust or Patina Anything:






Shadowbox Shell Collection:



Red White and Blue Pie:


CLICK PICKS: (last week's most clicked links)

#1    Sew a blanket, bib and a burpie for baby bundle

#2    How to remember your reusable bags

#3    Recycled jewelry keychain


Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog 

address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate  interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!



Ready? Teach Me Stuff!



Hope Studios


7.09.2012

$1 Summer Bag


 

During our latest Soul Sisters outing, The Treat Girl gifted all of us with a cute new bag for summer.

I was excited for the gift, but MORE excited when I learned that each bag cost about $1! How is this possible?  Aha, that Treat Girl is a clever one...

Supplies:

Straw bag from Target Dollar Bin
Silver Spray Paint
Ribbon

 Yep, you heard me, Target Dollar Bin!  These bags come already lined!

Just spray silver (or the color of your choice) and add a pretty ribbon from your stash and you are good to go!  Change out the ribbon to match your outfit and swing that sassy bag as you walk through the mall spending all the money you saved.


Don't like the ribbon?  Try making an Easy Fabric Flower to add to the strap:



Hey, it would be fun if we all ran out to Target right now and embellished our own straw totes and showed them off!  If you are game, leave me a comment and I can have a contest!  I'll look for something to give the winner and we can link up!  Oooh, I'm excited (which you can tell from my over use of exclamation points!!!)

7.06.2012

Controversial Sneakers - Feedback Friday




MSN reported that Adidas released a photo of the new sneaker JS Roundhouse Mids in June.

Adidas has withdrawn plans to release the sneakers due to great controversy.  Those opposed to the design of the shoe felt it brought to mind the chains slaves were forced to wear.

"The design of the JS Roundhouse Mid is nothing more than the designer Jeremy Scott's outrageous and unique take on fashion and has nothing to do with slavery," a representative for the shoemaker told TODAY.com

Some have speculated that Scott's inspiration was the '80's toy My Pet Monster (as seen on ebay):


It's Feedback Friday...

Even without speculation that the shoes are inspired by a toy, would you find these shoes offensive?

Do you think Adidas was right to pull the design due to the controversy?

7.05.2012

A "Full Tea" Birthday



The Soul Sisters field trip for this month was to celebrate Joy's birthday.  She loves a nice cup of tea and the Johnston House Tea Room was the perfect spot to celebrate.


We were served a traditional Full Tea with savories on the bottom, scones with clotted cream and preserves in the center and sweets on the top.


We were inspired by some of the tiny creations and talked about creating our own.

There were tiny phyllo cups (from your grocer's freezer) filled with spinach and feta and baked, tiny croissants cut in half and stuffed with chicken salad then dipped in slivered almonds, and small slices of red pepper quiche.  Any of these little snacks would be easy to recreate at home.

The sweets tray had slices of blueberry quick bread with an icing glaze, chocolate dipped strawberries, and tiny "butterfly cakes".  It looks like they baked tiny vanilla cakes then sliced off the tops.  Fill the cupcake bottom with whipped cream frosting, cut the top of the cupcake in half, then place in the frosting to resemble wings.  Easy peasy!

Did you know there is a directory so you can locate a tea house in your area?  Check out the directory at Tea Map to find a tea house in your area.  Or better yet, use the ideas above to create your OWN tea!

7.03.2012

Tutorial Tuesday!

Circle Skirt:



Coffee Filter Flowers:



Peach Almond Cake with Peach Syrup:




CLICK PICKS (last week's most clicked links):

#1   Anthro Shirt Knock-off

#2   Dip Dye Necklace

#3   Nails, nails, nails!


Please... (this is the part at the end of the commercial when the announcer talks real fast)

* Link up using the link to your actual post (not your general blog 

address) using the subject of your tutorial to generate  interest.

* Add my button or a clickable link back to this post so everyone can join in.

* Visit and comment with all our friends. Show them some love! Meet some new friends! Learn something new!



Ready? Teach Me Stuff!



Hope Studios


7.01.2012

Just Add Water



Summertime boredom can sometimes be cured by just adding water.



An ordinary lacrosse game seems more fun when played with a sprinkler in the middle of the playing field! Pretty soon even the dog gets involved.


Try adding a sprinkler to the basketball court, under the trampoline,  under the swing set, on the sidewalk during bike riding...the possibilities are endless!

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