The dark days of winter are on their way. Who am I kidding? Here in mid-Michigan we have the dark days of spring, summer, fall, and winter.
And with a house that does NOT take advantage of ANY natural lighting, I'm always searching for good lighting solutions.
Here are some great lighting tips from Diana Vreeland at In My Own Style. It also includes a link to some freebie magazines!!
What can you do with discarded plastic VHS cassette tape boxes?
Responding to a craigslist add for some storage boxes made me the lucky winner of an overflowing shopping cart full of old VHS cassette tape boxes. Technically they were for audio tapes so there are small prongs inside to make the small cassette fit into the large box.
Savvy 'n Sassy Ribbon was excited to get them too...her stash below is considerable smaller than mine!
My initial idea was to use them to make the zillions of learning game kits and materials for centers like Ms. Powell (now Mrs. Watson) from Cornerstone Teaching uses. She uses zip top baggies but I thought these cases would be much more sturdy and perfect for the job!
I figured I would also be able to use them for storing small crafts like Materials for the Arts has done.
But with this abundance I need to tap into some more creative juices. Here are some ideas others have already found:
The librarians had the most ideas!
- Detective kits for reading program "Get a Clue" theme
- Book safes
- Decorate for treasure box
- Pencil and school supply holder (and can be checked out for use at the library)
- First aid kits
- Zoo in a box kit
- Scrapbook kits
- Travel game box
Now this is more like it! Here's the tutorial for turning the VHS case into a purse!
How about a "dummy" key holder?
Savvy 'n Sassy Ribbon was excited to get them too...her stash below is considerable smaller than mine!
My initial idea was to use them to make the zillions of learning game kits and materials for centers like Ms. Powell (now Mrs. Watson) from Cornerstone Teaching uses. She uses zip top baggies but I thought these cases would be much more sturdy and perfect for the job!
I figured I would also be able to use them for storing small crafts like Materials for the Arts has done.
But with this abundance I need to tap into some more creative juices. Here are some ideas others have already found:
The librarians had the most ideas!
- Detective kits for reading program "Get a Clue" theme
- Book safes
- Decorate for treasure box
- Pencil and school supply holder (and can be checked out for use at the library)
- First aid kits
- Zoo in a box kit
- Scrapbook kits
- Travel game box
Here's a mini-book, photo holder, craft kit from Savvy 'n Sassy.
You can make an impressive cover for your logic analyzer or project boxes. Unfortunately I have no idea what that is. I clearly have no need for this but it looks really cool!
Now this is more like it! Here's the tutorial for turning the VHS case into a purse!
How about a "dummy" key holder?
Back to School Crafts & Projects
A pile of things I'm itching to create and make to capture the end of summer, embrace the new school year, and think ahead to Christmas gifts:
Marking Milestones. This modern take on paper cut-out silhouette and the painted growth chart, from the crafting chicks, let you capture the unique attributes of your child at the beginning of each school year.
Making back to school wardrobe accessories. Here are some fun craft projects to enjoy making together before the back-to-school crazy schedule begins. The washer necklace and flower hair clip are from the crafting chicks, and the recycled ruffle headband is from instractables.
Enjoying fun food treats. Capture the essence of summer with these faux watermelon jello treats or tickle their funny bones making these edible crayons from Gourmet Mom on the Go.
Toy Kitchen & Laundry. These spectacular DIY projects, including a toy refrigerator, sink, stove, and washer/dryer, are from the amazing Ana at Knock-off Wood who makes every wood working project look super easy with her fabulous plans and drawings. There are also plans for a little library, post office and others to complete the little city. There are more play kitchen designs from the Apartment Therapy Ohdeedoh website, many from repurposed furniture.
Kicking off the school year
Marking Milestones. This modern take on paper cut-out silhouette and the painted growth chart, from the crafting chicks, let you capture the unique attributes of your child at the beginning of each school year.
Making back to school wardrobe accessories. Here are some fun craft projects to enjoy making together before the back-to-school crazy schedule begins. The washer necklace and flower hair clip are from the crafting chicks, and the recycled ruffle headband is from instractables.
Enjoying fun food treats. Capture the essence of summer with these faux watermelon jello treats or tickle their funny bones making these edible crayons from Gourmet Mom on the Go.
Looking ahead to Christmas and winter birthday gifts
Toy Kitchen & Laundry. These spectacular DIY projects, including a toy refrigerator, sink, stove, and washer/dryer, are from the amazing Ana at Knock-off Wood who makes every wood working project look super easy with her fabulous plans and drawings. There are also plans for a little library, post office and others to complete the little city. There are more play kitchen designs from the Apartment Therapy Ohdeedoh website, many from repurposed furniture.
My current craigslist project...restoring vintage chaise lounge chair set
Thanks to the generous craigslister I am the new owner of these soon-to-be-gorgeous vintage chaise lounge chairs!! She received them from a friend several years ago. The friend had purchased them at an estate sale.
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| These appear to be Woodard Ionian chairs made in the 60's and 70's. CRAZY CRAFTY IDEA #1 - TAPE IT Looking for a low-cost immediate fix for the chairs, I momentarily (or longer) considered using duct tape! It comes in so many wonderful colors, you know! Hot pink and purple would look really cheerful especially with winter doldrums ahead, right?  CRAZY CRAFT IDEA #2 - WEAVE IT Well, it's not so crazy, exactly. It may be a tad less "metropolitan" but it does speak to my country roots. Yes, it is macrame! If you've been to a craft show you've probably seen an old lawn chair frame refurbished in macrame cord with [insert your local team] emblazoned on it. There are many more cool ideas and free patterns out there!! And there are loads of colors to choose from including some glow in the dark cords and some variegated varieties. Actually, here is a very sophisticated macrame option that actually imitates the old caning and accentuates the architecture of the chair beautifully. Plus I love that the crafter needing advice finished this project super quickly!  To really "restore" these I would need to use replacement vinyl straps and j-clips. Here's the typical color palette available by the roll (or in pre-cut strips) including clear:  These straps and supplies are available online from suppliers such as: Chair Care Patio, A+ Redemption, Patio Furniture Rehab, and DJ Patio and Furniture repair along with free instructional videos ( Chair Care Patio video and A+ Redemption video each offer a different perspective. |
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| Should I be pink, seafoam, or boring white? |
BEFORE AND AFTER GALLERY
Here's a space saving design from Lowe's for an art station at home. Goodness knows it is difficult to cram art supplies, math & literacy stations, science experiments, and a computer lab along with the dining room table in a small house!!!
I suggest making the background a little larger than the paper to prevent "spill-over" effects.
The next time somebody says your homeschooled kids need to be socialized....
This is just too funny! Yes, it is sarcastic and full of great talking points. Enjoy!
No Thank You, We Don’t Believe in Socialization! -- by Lisa Russell
No Thank You, We Don’t Believe in Socialization! -- by Lisa Russell
Project Runway Fans: 20+ No-sew or Easy-sew fashions!
Do you LOVE watching Project Runway and wish you could whip up something fashionable...but you don't really sew?
Then try these re-purpose, re-fashion, re-cycle projects. They require very few sewing skills since you aren't starting from scratch. Even more fun, they can be made from the stuff in your closet, bathroom, kitchen, or garage. No need to run to Mood.
(10) Pillowcase into girls dress ; and another dress with trim; and another
(11) T-shirt to halter top
(12) Strips of tulle into dream tutu
(14) Adult sweater into girls dress
(15) Adult T-shirts into girls streamer skirt
Don't forget the accessories!!
(16) Placement into purse
(17) Jeans into purse
(True confessions....my mom and I made these when I was a kid using instructions from ZOOM that I got by sending my SASE....remember those days anyone?? I loved my jean purse!!)
(18) Washers into necklace
And don't forget the dolls or dogs!
(20) Baby clothes into American Girl clothes
(21) Baby clothes into dog clothes
Looking for more ideas? Check out these books!
Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures
Rip It!: How to Deconstruct and Reconstruct the Clothes of Your Dreams
Then try these re-purpose, re-fashion, re-cycle projects. They require very few sewing skills since you aren't starting from scratch. Even more fun, they can be made from the stuff in your closet, bathroom, kitchen, or garage. No need to run to Mood.
(15) Adult T-shirts into girls streamer skirt
Don't forget the accessories!!
(True confessions....my mom and I made these when I was a kid using instructions from ZOOM that I got by sending my SASE....remember those days anyone?? I loved my jean purse!!)
And don't forget the dolls or dogs!
Looking for more ideas? Check out these books!
Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures
Rip It!: How to Deconstruct and Reconstruct the Clothes of Your Dreams
Our fantastical brains
As an undergraduate psychology major I balked at my professor's suggestion we all consider studying the biology of the brain. He insisted it was the next frontier for psychologists. And of course 20-something years later I can attest that he was indeed right.
And with the growing numbers of kids, including my own son, with asynchronous development and sensory challenges associated with being twice exceptional, I crave knowledge to help me understand the brain activities that regulate (or not!) normal and quirky behaviors.
So here are some interesting and easy to read articles helping us as parents and teachers to understand more about our quirky kids.
Why is our brain like 3 scoops of ice cream? Note that our sensory challenged, quirky, "inflexible-explosive" kids live in scoop # 1. Just how many decades does it take for our kids' brains to really mature? Oh my!
Under what circumstances do our memories actually stay connected and stored with the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and sensations of the experience remembered?
To learn more consider these good reads:
And with the growing numbers of kids, including my own son, with asynchronous development and sensory challenges associated with being twice exceptional, I crave knowledge to help me understand the brain activities that regulate (or not!) normal and quirky behaviors.
So here are some interesting and easy to read articles helping us as parents and teachers to understand more about our quirky kids.
Why is our brain like 3 scoops of ice cream? Note that our sensory challenged, quirky, "inflexible-explosive" kids live in scoop # 1. Just how many decades does it take for our kids' brains to really mature? Oh my!
Under what circumstances do our memories actually stay connected and stored with the sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and sensations of the experience remembered?
To learn more consider these good reads:
Toddler and kid friendly recipes
I got such strange looks when I asked all sorts of "experts" about the food pyramid and servings for toddlers when my kids were younger.
I wish I would have had these great resources from Wholesome Toddler Food!!
Here the food pyramid is modified for the younger set and there are lots of nutritious, easy, kid friendly recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and fast food substitutes. There are also sample menu plans!
I wish I would have had these great resources from Wholesome Toddler Food!!
Here the food pyramid is modified for the younger set and there are lots of nutritious, easy, kid friendly recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and fast food substitutes. There are also sample menu plans!
Crafting your way through a home remodel....
Here are some fabulous ways to integrate crafting into a home remodel with these super terrific ideas and instructions from the very talented Cassity at Remodelaholic.
Imagine spending no more than $5,000 on a total home redo? She has done it not once, but three times!
Okay, so the purse isn't technically part of the house remodel, but it'll look great for those post-remodeling social events.
Are schools illegally discriminating based on age?
A strange synergy of ideas occurred today.
Multiple folks from different venues stressed the importance of teaching kids based on their abilities and individual development rather than their chronological age and associated grade level.
(1) USA Today describes how schools in some states are grouping students by skill and not grade level.
(2) Scientist Aimee Yermish, of the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, stresses that "gifted kids often develop asynchronously" so they can be far ahead in particular subjects but lag far behind in other skill sets, especially those that utilize executive functioning. I would argue that most kids have areas in which they excel in more than others. So this means students would need to be grouped differently depending on subject matter or skill sets.
(3) In his email newsletter, Larry Shiller, of Montessori style ShillerMath curriculum says "Age discrimination is illegal; why permit and encourage it in our public schools? Grade levels are ingrained in our thinking about school. But should they be? They haven't always been. The one-room schoolhouse didn't have grades but it did have students who learned how to mentor and be mentored, and it didn't have students (and parents) who felt constant pressure to conform learning to age instead of capability... Bureaucrats invented grades to make their life easier in administering schools. The result? Cookie-cutter curricula, groupthink, age discrimination, and generally lousy education, all despite the best efforts of parents, teachers, and yes, even the government. Schools do need to be administered and so we do need bureaucrats. But the bureaucrats we need are those who implement structure and policy designed to help each student reach his or her own potential. And as most Montessori schools demonstrate, that means doing away with grade levels and putting the focus of school energy and resources on students and teachers."
Multiple folks from different venues stressed the importance of teaching kids based on their abilities and individual development rather than their chronological age and associated grade level.
(1) USA Today describes how schools in some states are grouping students by skill and not grade level.
(2) Scientist Aimee Yermish, of the Davidson Institute for Talent Development, stresses that "gifted kids often develop asynchronously" so they can be far ahead in particular subjects but lag far behind in other skill sets, especially those that utilize executive functioning. I would argue that most kids have areas in which they excel in more than others. So this means students would need to be grouped differently depending on subject matter or skill sets.
(3) In his email newsletter, Larry Shiller, of Montessori style ShillerMath curriculum says "Age discrimination is illegal; why permit and encourage it in our public schools? Grade levels are ingrained in our thinking about school. But should they be? They haven't always been. The one-room schoolhouse didn't have grades but it did have students who learned how to mentor and be mentored, and it didn't have students (and parents) who felt constant pressure to conform learning to age instead of capability... Bureaucrats invented grades to make their life easier in administering schools. The result? Cookie-cutter curricula, groupthink, age discrimination, and generally lousy education, all despite the best efforts of parents, teachers, and yes, even the government. Schools do need to be administered and so we do need bureaucrats. But the bureaucrats we need are those who implement structure and policy designed to help each student reach his or her own potential. And as most Montessori schools demonstrate, that means doing away with grade levels and putting the focus of school energy and resources on students and teachers."
Free personalized pattern for an easy sew wrap skirt
Here is a fabulous (and rather humorous!) tutorial on how to make your own pattern for a wrap skirt from Bethany at Sew, Mama, Sew!While this project might only take a weekend, I can guarantee you'll eat up a lot more time browsing the many fabulous projects on this website.
Garden themed books
These are some books we recently checked out at the library and had a lot of fun with!
Good Morning Garden -- Beautiful paper illustrations inspire the urge to note only get out and enjoy nature but to think of new ways to be creative with paper.
Princess Chamomile's Garden -- An adorable story of determination and creativity. We ALL loved the final garden design and wished we could replicate it at our house. It was magical and whimsical with some good lessons.
Sweet Strawberries -- This is an interesting story to stimulate discussion on the importance of a positive attitude toward others. It shows how we can choose how to see the world and what an impact that has on our own lives. As readers we can enjoy the thrill of the strawberry adventure and feel smug knowing we would be superior in knowing how to treat others with kindness.
Disclaimer: While others may call the husband a sour man, as a psychologist my impression was that he is a brash, abrasive, controlling, borderline abusive husband, but one who does seem to learn his lesson in the end. If a child has exposure to violent adults in his/her life this might resonate in a negative way. But it does offer adults the opportunity to talk with their children about appropriate ways adults should treat other adults and children.
Good Morning Garden -- Beautiful paper illustrations inspire the urge to note only get out and enjoy nature but to think of new ways to be creative with paper.
Princess Chamomile's Garden -- An adorable story of determination and creativity. We ALL loved the final garden design and wished we could replicate it at our house. It was magical and whimsical with some good lessons.
Sweet Strawberries -- This is an interesting story to stimulate discussion on the importance of a positive attitude toward others. It shows how we can choose how to see the world and what an impact that has on our own lives. As readers we can enjoy the thrill of the strawberry adventure and feel smug knowing we would be superior in knowing how to treat others with kindness.
Disclaimer: While others may call the husband a sour man, as a psychologist my impression was that he is a brash, abrasive, controlling, borderline abusive husband, but one who does seem to learn his lesson in the end. If a child has exposure to violent adults in his/her life this might resonate in a negative way. But it does offer adults the opportunity to talk with their children about appropriate ways adults should treat other adults and children.
Plant of the day: Viburnum
If you've ever been lured by an incredible scent on a walk, chances are you might have passed a viburnum shrub. It's one of the most intense fragrances I've ever encountered.
"Tough as nails with a heavenly fragrance, the Viburnum burkwoodii Mohawk is an outstanding choice for a hedge shrub.
"It has beautiful flowers and fragrance in the spring, pretty summer berries for the song birds, and beautiful orange leaves for fall."
Check out this wonderful plant at Great Garden Plants.
"Tough as nails with a heavenly fragrance, the Viburnum burkwoodii Mohawk is an outstanding choice for a hedge shrub.
"It has beautiful flowers and fragrance in the spring, pretty summer berries for the song birds, and beautiful orange leaves for fall."
Check out this wonderful plant at Great Garden Plants.
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