Dunedain Arrows

Well, sorta. :) 

I got two made today before I felt like stabbing someone. Got 4 more to make and my quiver will look so much better. They're not perfect but they'll do for my Ranger this weekend. :) 

Just a few more days! 

Easy Milk Crate Desk

My oldest is in 3rd grade now and I think he's getting homework for the first time. Not easy to concentrate when your 5 year old little brother keeps pestering you. I've been eating to get him a desk for a while. I didn't want to spend a lot on it (he is only 9 and little boys aren't careful with things!) and I couldn't really find anything I liked. 

So, I went the easy, cheap route. Piece of plywood and 4 milk crates. The wood was already cut at Lowe's ($8) and Walmart had the crates on clearance for $2 a piece. The stool was $12. Stack the crates, put the wood on top. Done. I will be adding something to make sure the pieces don't slide around (bolts or something) but it'll be fine without them as long as he doesn't dance on it. :) 

He's so excited! Let's hope he'll still feel that way when he's working on math. 

Belt Pouch Done!

And the last piece for my Ranger costume is done! Got it put together today. It hangs from my belt and is just big enough for my cell phone, glasses, and change purse (and Chapstick...can't leave home without!). 

I can't wait to get some full length pictures to show y'all. I'm so proud of this costume; first thing I've ever made. :)

DragonCon Bound!

Okay ... not quite yet, but my costume is done! The only thing left is a bag to put my cell, glasses, etc in and I'll be seeing that together next week. But it's DONE! 

We finished the mask today and I tell ya, putting that on changed the whole look of the costume. It finally looked like a Ranger! :) 

Still no great pics but maybe they'll give you an idea of some of it. 

Back to School Teacher Survival Baskets

I like to give the boys' teachers a little something at the start of each year. I mean, they're having to put up with my children, right? The least I can do is give them chocolate and Advil. 

This year they got: bag each of peppermints and Hershey's kisses, a mini lint roller, Chapstick, Post-it notes, hand sanitizer, gum, and Advil. One teacher got some Tastefully Simple single serve coffe packets as well...though I feel I should give her wine or rum or something for putting up with my oldest. 

Happy School Year 2016-2017! 

DragonCon Costume Almost Done!

Finally going to DragonCon. Don't know what that is? Look it up. :) 

Anyway, I've been wanting to learn to sew and my friend Beth has been so awesome to teach me. She's fantastic. Really. We're talking movie accurate costumes. Anyway... 

I have a little crush on Richard Armitage's Tnorin Oakenshield. Don't judge lol. I've even written a Hobbit fanfic. So I decided to make a Dunedain Ranger of the North costume (Aragorn was a Ranger of the North). 

After many months of planning and work I'm just about done! The colors don't show up real well in this picture (8 year old took it) but my under tunic is a dark green and the over tunic is an awesome looking material that truly looks like worn leather. It's great. I've got my sword and a recurve bow in my right hand. All that's left is to put grommets up the sides so I can lace it shut and to make a black linen face mask. We're going to do a photo shoot when we're done so I'll post those pics when I get them!!

I can't wait to wear this to DragonCon! 

End of the Year Teacher Gifts

My last year as being a room mom has ended. I loved every minute of it. My youngest had two amazing pre-k teachers at our church preschool. Couldn't have asked for better. 

For one of their end of the year gifts I put together a gift card bucket. I had the parents send in gift cards, I got pictures of the kids, I stuck them all on sticks, and arranged them in a bucket. Pretty easy ... except I got balsa wood so I could break the sticks easily. Yeah ... balsa wood breaks wayyyyy too easily. There were some moments of frustration but I got it done. 

For their second gift I had each child fill out a questionnaire for each teacher (things like what do you like most about Ms. K? What was the funniest thing you did in preschool? What will you miss about Ms. K? Etc). Then I but them all together with the kids' pictures on each page and had them bound at Office Max. 

We also got the kids together, had them position their hands in the shape of a big heart, took a picture, had them each sign the mat, and framed it (big, like 16x10 or whatever that size is) as a memory of their first pre-k class. Somehow I forgot to get a picture of that. Sorry. It was super cute though! 

I also got them each monogrammed hats and a lot of chocolate! :)

Now for a relaxing summer before we start kindergarten and third grade. And no room mom duties again. :)

Easy DIY Lightsaber ...

... because why the heck not? I mean, who wouldn't want a lightsaber (if you don't we can't be friends). 

I am considering joking the Rebel Legion (after I finish my Dunedain Ranger costume for DragonCon) and began looking around at lightsabers. There are a couple companies that make them and you can really customize it but I am not dropping around $100 (give or take) right now. Eventually, maybe. 

So I began the YouTube searching and came across a tutorial that gave pretty good instructions for a saber that didn't require any drilling or sanding or gluing.

I'll get the link for the tutorial I posted when I get to my computer. It only took a few minutes to put together. I wasn't completely satisfied with my first attempt; it was a tad top heavy and I didn't like the big "button." So back to Lowe's and Home Depot. I changed out the main pieces. I really like my updated version! It's lighter and I created my own button. I'll include a parts list for my modified version. 

May the Force be with you! 

Original based on tutorial

Modified version

Parts I used for updated version 

Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet

We had a western theme this year and I was asked to come up with the awards for the Hobby Horse Contest (best looking), the winners of the barrel race, and the winners of the dessert contest. 

I was pretty pleased with the way they turned out...though the woodburning tool was a tad difficult to manage when I wanted long lines. 

I used a cowbell I found in the party decor section of Hobby Lobby and letter stickers. Then I brushed Mod Pidge over it to keep the letters from coming off. 

The dessert trophies are little wooden roing pens I found in the wood craft department of Hobby Lobby. I just freehanded the lettering with the woodburning tool. The barrel race trophies are wood "plaques" were found in the wood craft department as well. I traced the horseshoe pattern on and then used the woodburning tool again. 

Have fun, y'all! 

Another Valentine's Day Finished

I don't really like Valentine's Day but as my boys' classes do card exchanges I can't escape it.

I hate hate the cards for sale in stores these days. What happened to the differently shaped cards? What happened to fun cards? Now all you can find are punch out rectangles with current cartoon characters on them (and the obligatory lollipop or pencil). B-O-R-I-N-G. I remember my favorite V Day cards: they folded into little envelopes and came complete with "stamps" to put on the outside. They were so cute and fun and different. 

Anyway... 

So, I make the boys' cards each year. I don't do over the top goody bags or cards with my kids' picture on them but I try to come up with something fun. All I use is Microsoft Publisher and Google lol!

This year's card for the 4 year old preschool class: 

And the cards for the 8 year old's 2nd grade class: 

I thought they were cute. :) Perhaps one year I'll think of it earlier than five days before the due date and have card stock to print on. Lol! 

Hope you have a fun day and eat lots of chocolate. :)