Thursday, June 24, 2010

Iris Folding Star 4th Craft

Oh, I'm getting my house all gussied up for the 4th!! Here is my latest Iris Folding craft. What do you think??
 If you are interested in learning to iris fold....look no further than THIS site. Circle of Crafters is the awesomest...and they have got plenty of tutorials and free patterns. For this project, I made my own pattern (yikes) and cut out my own template. I don't doubt that you can find a star template on CoC though. I'd look for you, but I've only been allotted 10 more minutes computer time by my family. :-)

For the matting around it a did a blue watercolor wash on a plain white cotton/linen piece of 8x11 paper. I trimmed it to fit the frame I wanted. I made the outer matting out of another piece of paper, a beautiful bright patriotic blue. To do this craft you absolutely need:
A selection of paper (including something heavier for the matting)
Scotch Tape
Exacto Knife
Frame
Watercolor paint (optional)

So, use that site I mentioned above and try some Iris Folding. I guarantee some "gussying-up" of the house. Check out THIS link to see some of my other projects I've done in this genre.
:-)

Here are the awesome sites I linked up to....check them out and be INSPIRED!!!!
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Monday, June 21, 2010

The Little Looster Review

Okay, this little step stool has saved my Munchkins butt. Seriously. It's called the Little Looster and I received it to review a few weeks ago. It has kept it's place of honor in our wash-closet since then and I have no intention of removing it. This thing is GREAT!! Here are some of the best features about it:

*Sitting on the Potty for little kiddo's can actually be comfortable!! No more dangling legs. 

*It helps potty training kiddo's feel more secure...and there is no need for a potty SEAT. They can practice the art of perching on the precipice with perfect poise. :-)   (Couldn't resist.)

*No more gripping the dirty seat to stop themselves from falling in. This booster is high and wide enough to give them much better balance and keep their hands free!! 

*It's only $39.99!! One of those cheap-o stepstools  usually goes for around $14.00 and this product is like 3 stepstools in one very great shape, perectly fitted to give great balance and support.

In my mind the best parts of this "booster for the loo" is that it gives confidence to children who are learning or practicing the art of potty training. I only wish I'd had this when my Munchkin first learned....we had quite a struggle transitioning from the little potty to the "big kids potty"....and I really think it had everything to do with the fact that there was no feeling of support when sitting on the big potty. The little looster helps to have your feet securely supported (on more than just a tiny step stool) and keep your knee's higher (rather than feet dangling) which is a better position for your body to relieve itself. I love that the Munchkin can practice sitting on the big seat and not use the potty seat on top of it....because, honestly, those things aren't that easy to clean. When asked what the munchkin thought of the Little Looster:
"It's so BIG!!"
 And, yes, it is large....but still convenient in the bathroom for adults. It does not get in the way of adult use of the restroom, and I can't say the same for the little step stool we were using before. We constantly had to move it out of the way because the way it had to be situated for the munchkin to use it left it right in the middle of things.This Looster stays tucked away neatly by the toliet, accessible for little feet and out of the way of the big feet.

If you would like to learn more about the Little Looster check out these links:


or find Monica Mylet (the designer) on Twitter and follow the Companys grwoth and be a part of exciting contest:


I received this product for free to review and all parts of my review are 100% my opinion. Believe me when I say that if I don't like something, YOU WILL KNOW IT. If I didn't like this product, I would have made it perfectly clear. Therefore, you can and should assume that I absolutely love this product and if Monica made it for adults I would buy one for myself.;-)



 




Saturday, June 12, 2010

Tin Can 4th Craft

Disclosure: I receive payments for referrals to Social Spark and you can too if you sign up! See below!


With summer just about here, I am finding it hard to get to bed at an early time.... there's too many crafts to do!! I am especially excited about the 4th of July.  I did a little twist on the usual tin can hole art and I added some paper on the inside to give it some color. It was so simple and fun!! 
You need:
Tin can
White paint
Red, Blue Vellum Paper
Nails of different sizes
Hammer
Wood Punch
Floral wire

~ Clean the can and fill it with water and put it in the freezer. Allow to freeze fully. This will prevent the can from denting when you punch holes in it. 
~Make your design by sketching or freehanding it. I used different sized nails and a wooden punch to make the holes for the star. Add two holes on opposite sides of each other for the floral wire handle.  
~Paint it white (I had a nice antique white I used) and let it dry. I gave it two coats 'cause the first one just didn't cover it all.

~ Use something pointy, like a needle, to clear out the dried paint from the holes.
~ Cut your vellum in the shape of the object you want to cover. 
~Place the vellum on the inside and press it against the punctured metal (be CAREFUL, it is sharp!!) and it will hold the paper in place.
~For the star, I use two different colors. One larger blue star shape for the outside and a red star shape for the inside. 
~Take the floral wire and thread it through the two holes on opposite sides of each other.
~Wrap the ends of the wire around a light bulb that is cool and has been off for a while and it should hold just fine. With the light shining down on it, the vellum truly stands out!!
This next picture was taken with a flashlight shining down on tin can. I tried some different ways of lighting it up....little battery lights, flashlights, and finally suspending it below a light bulb. The only thing you should not do is put a candle in it....that paper would catch on fire quickly and it would not be safe.

Here it is in the daytime under a light bulb....I was too impatient to wait for night time to finish this post. :-)
 I'm going to be a review for CSN stores soon too. So keep an eye out and I'll let you know when and what it will be. 

I also wanted to tell you about the awesomest blog advertising company out there:
Social Spark is great. 
I totally recommend it!
Disclosure: I receive payments for people referred (and you will too if you use Social Spark!)


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