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!