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. :)

Ohhh Star Wars!!

Saw it opening night, two days later, and then a third time in IMAX 3D. 

Teacher Gift Card Books

Very late post but for the youngest's pre-k teachers I decided to do gift card books instead of a gift card tree (easier to get home lol!). 

The kids sent in gift cards for each teacher and I arranged them in alphabetical order in the books using "On the # day of Christmas [child's name] have to me..."

I put some cards in little envelopes, some I attached directly to the page. I used various Christmas cardstock for the pages.

When I had them ready I took them to my local Office Max and had them do the clear cover, a solid color back cover, and the black spiral binding. They turned out great and the teachers loved them. It was a bit labor intensive (and I had to keep reminding the parents to send in the cards) but it was worth it! 

Easy Christmas Hymn Ornaments

The boys and I made these ornaments for our church choir director. These were really easy to put together. 

I wrote the hymns and a few stars on the outside with a gold paint pen. Then I cut the sheet music scrapbook paper and the star paper into thin strips then put several strips of each inside. I added some silver and gold stars and white glitter inside the ornament as well. To finish them off I just tied some thin burlap and gold ribbons into a knot on the hanger. 

Voila! 

Merry Christmas y'all! 

Cub Scout Projects

Thought I'd posted this before but I guess I didn't! 

Oldest son started Cub Scouts last year. If you're involved in Scouts you know the boys get patches for various things but they don't go on their uniform (unlike Girl Scout vests/sashes). You, as parent, also get parent pins when your son moves up. 

I needed a place for those patches and pins. Pinterest search gave me my ideas. 

Patch banner

Parent Pin Ribbon

I love how they turned out. The banner should hold patches throughout Cub Scouts and hopefully Boy Scouts. The ribbon has the colors for Cub and Boy Scouts so I can keep them all together. 

Happy First Day of Fall!

Yeah, I know, post is a bit late but oh well. 

In room mo for my youngest son's pre-k class at church. First day of my favorite season called for a special treat! Browsed through my pantry.

Voilà! 

My fall snack mix! You can add whatever you like to these (I make lots of variations!). Kids love snack mixes! 

For this one I used popcorn, thin pretzel sticks, and candy corn. I created a little tag with fake fall leaves and scrapbook paper. You could do this with any holiday or season. Get creative! 

Ma-Maw's Peach Preserves

My Ma-Maw made tons of canned things. Yeah, I'll admit it. I don't remember much but I DO remember the peach preserves. Its been probably twenty years since I had any fresh made preserves so I was determined to learn. 

And learn I did. 

I got a bunch of peaches from Jaemor Farms and found an easy recipe online (it's from the Georgia Peach Counsel page). It was a bit of work and probably took a bit longer than it should but hey - first time. 

What did I need for 12 1/2 pint jars? 

About 11-12 cups peeled, chopped peaches 

7 cups of sugar

9-10 Tbs pectin

Lemon juice

What did I do? 

Washed all my jars, kids, and rings. Peeled and chopped the peaches. Added some lemon juice (probably a couple tablespoons) to keep them from browning. Put the peaches and sugar in a big pot, cooked until it tried to boil, then added the pectin. Very LOW boil for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until it reaches consistency you want. Put the jars, lids, and rings in boiling water for 5 minutes. Pour preserves in jars, close finger right, put in boiling water 5 minutes. Allow them to cool (you'll hear the kids pop which means they're sealed). 

Enjoy! 

Fun with Burlap

I needed a new wreath for my front door so I decided to try one of those looped burlap wreaths. You don't need many supplies for this one. 

Wire wreath frame (I think this is 16in)

Burlap ribbon (I had 2 15ft rolls)

Accent ribbon

Embellishments (I chose burlap flowers and a metal J) 

There's lots of tutorials online so I'm not going to reinvent the wheel. It took me a few tries to get "the twist" down but once I figured that out and got into a rhythm it was pretty easy. I could've used a little bit more burlap but I made it work. 

I love the way the chevron burlap ribbon looks along the edges and isn't that metal J just darling? I tied a simple bow and hot glued it on with the J and flowers. Here's the finished product: 

Try making one! They're pretty and you can add so many things to them to make each different! 

More Crafty Goodness

I've managed to be crafty despite there being some sort of illness in the house almost every week since New Years. The first picture is the Christmas present for my mom that was finished on Christmas Eve. The rest are for various things. 

Love how this turned out! Will be making one for myself. 

Homemade Valentines for the boys' classes. Not because I'm cool but because I hate the boring, rectangular, gotta-have-some-character on them cards that are sold in stores now. 

Homemade peppermint sugar scrub for the boys' teachers. They smelled awesome...and looked pretty! 

Table decorations for our Cub Scout Blue and Gold Banquet. The theme was the pinewood derby. I threw these together the morning of the banquet after a frantic call from our Den Leader's wife. :) 

Wall/door hanger for a bridal shower gift. May have to make one for our house, too! 

Some Homemade Christmas Fun!

I love being crafty! Christmas is a great time to make things you know others will love! Here's all but two of the projects I've done this year (I'll add the last ones once I complete them!). 

Christmas Countdown Plate

Lighted Nativity Scene

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh Gift Baskets. (The crosses are cut vinyl.) 

Lighted Cross

Small wreath

I may try to sell at some festivals in the fall. 

It Smells Like Christmas!

I've started hosting a little Christmas party each year for my kids (this was my 3rd year doing it). Nothing real fancy. I pick a "theme" (this year was The True Christmas Story, last year was the Grinch) and then come up with a simple ornament for them to make and a treat to decorate. We always make reindeer food from the reindeer food bar and read a story that fits with the theme. Simple and quick. Really. Lasts about an hour. This year I wanted to do one of those simmering potpourris on the stove so my house would just smell like awesome Christmasness. ;-) After a quick Internet search I decided to go with this "recipe" as it was the most common one I came across. 

1 orange, sliced

1 cup of fresh cranberries

3-4 cinnamon sticks

2 Tbs cloves

Put all ingredients in a pot on the stove, add water to within about an inch of the rim, and simmer on low. 

It truly smelled amaze-balls. I started it about 1ish for a party that started at 5. Everyone walked in and commented on how awesome it smelled. I will say I was a bit surprised at how expensive the cinnamon sticks were but it was worth it and I've got enough left over to make more on Christmas Day. 

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!