Boring Utensils, Please

Last night, Z (5) was using a spoon with an ABC motif on it. He informed me as follows: If one of my friends saw me using this, they would make fun of me and say I am a baby.

Me: Why? It's cute.

Z: Because it's babyish. From now on, I want to use the boring spoons.

Me: What about the ones with trucks?

Z: Babyish. I only want the boring forks, too.

[Sigh.]

Breakfast

Fat free, sugar free, calorie free goodness.

Oh, be quiet.

Choco To Go

I saw this itty bitty ditty at Michael's.


What can I say -- it intrigued me. Admittedly, I intrigue easily. I took one home. It sat on my crafty crafting table for a week or so. We stared each other down. I decided to show it who was boss so I did a little mini alter and embellish on it. Here's how it went:

These vintage-inspired papers were calling to me....


I used my jewelry-making plyers and removed the keychain findings, then decided a light coat of brown paint would allow the wood grain would show through -- sort of faux stain.....


....then used my Crop-a-Dile Big Bite to punch a hole in the lid. Uh huh, yeah baby...it punches through WOOD. I wouldn't try it on walnut, but cheap-o Michael's crafty woodish material, it will punch.


Now for some matte Modge Podge to adhere and cover the vintage images -- hey, that rhymes!...


-- and some custom word stamping on the sides....


A little brad on the lid, a little charm on the reattached keychain finding, a bit of chocolate in the secret compartment and wall-ah!


I thought maybe some color was in order so I added a ribbon....I'm not sure I'm sold...still fussin'....what do you think?

Knit Wits!

I lead a group of stellar 10 and 11 year old girls in an activity twice per month. This week we are making these cute knit wits! Here are the instructions, with pictures. Hope you like them, girls!

First, turn the ring finger of a knit glove inside-out.


Now, stitch the opening for the inverted finger closed. That's right, girls...we're sewing!


Lightly stuff the glove. You can use rice or beans, but we're using soft stuffing. Remember, just lightly stuff it. You'll thank me later for this tip.


Put a ping pong ball on top. This is sounding nuttier all the time, huh?


So now, you have a 4-finger glove filled with stuffing and a ping pong ball. Woo hoo! It's time to close this glove. Pick up that needle and thread and make a nice loose running stitch along the top of edge of the cuff. It doesn't have to look cute.


As you can see above, you pull on the thread and the glove opening will close.


Now, to keep it closed, stitch across the opening to secure it closed.


Now, we need to make a head. Tie a piece of ribbon underneath the ping pong ball. Instant head!


Now, we're sewing buttons, girls! Buttons for eyes!


Set knit wit aside for a moment. Wrap yarn around your hand 30 or so times.


With the yard still wrapped in loops, take a scrap of yarn and tie it together in one spot with a tight knot.


Snip the loops opposite the tie with scissors. Instant knit wit wig! We'll attach the knit wit wigs to the knit wits -- you can either sew it on...or I'll bring a glue gun. We deserve a short cut!


That's it! I can't wait to see all the pink, hot pink, purple and black knit wits the girls create!

Z speaks Spanish

Scene: Grocery store. 4 year old wants gummy bears.
Z: Mom, can I have gummy bears?
S: Maybe a couple.
Z: Did you know that "a couple" means "a lot" in Spanish?

It's Been Awhile

So I'm vowing to bring this blog back from the dead because I owe it to you --- no, I owe it to humanity -- to share my wit and wisdom. Now, to share some wit and wisdom.....first, gotta squash an ant....ok, here it comes....wit and wisdom....a little wit....a little wisdom... Dang, I'm coming up empty....

Oh, here's one for ya. Lift up your foot and twirl it in a circle. Now lift up your arm and draw a number 6. Your foot will start to twirl in the same direction as the 6! Freaky, huh? A little wit...a little wisdom....

My job here in done.

Letter to the Tooth Fairy

Here is M's letter to the tooth fairy:

Dear tooth fairy (picture of flower)

You know me M----- thank you for the 2 dollers anyway I have a lose tooth that is olmest going to fall out I am decideing if I will give my tooth to you I think I am going to give it to you. you know you are a rely nice tooth fariy and I think if I saw you you would look pretty and you aways love people I think you are working relley hard building your tooth caslte anyway thank you for comeing to my house and I am relly sory my sis is not giveing you any of her teeth thank you for eveything Love, M-----