Travel Chalkboard Book

Today I was at Michaels to look for just one colored pencil and got sucked into their Dollar section. :) Among a few other things, I found a plain square board book. I thought it would make a great chalkboard book for my children to use in the car. We have a road trip coming up, and I'm always looking for ways to entertain the kids so we don't all go crazy in the car! :)

Supplies needed:

Board Book

Chalkboard Paint

Sealer (I used Golden Semi-gloss Gel)

Sharpie Paint Pen

Ruler

First, I painted a layer of Semi-gloss gel (I used this because I couldn't find my Mod Podge) to make the boad a bit more waterproof if we had to wipe off the chalk with a damp towel. Looking back, I'm not sure it was entirely necessary, but I wasn't sure how waterproof the paint would be.

After it dried, I painted two layers of chalkboard paint on the board. Simple enough!

After that, I decided to add a few fun games for the kids. Using a white Sharpie paint pen, I Tic-Tac-Toe squares, a blank head outline to draw silly faces, and with a ruler created a grid for a game of Dots.

The little one couldn't wait to play with it. Hopefully it will be as big a hit on the road trip! :)

Have a great day!

Our 4th of July celebration

As I mentioned in my last post, things have been very crazy at work. Working lots of hours and handling lots of guests. For anyone who thinks a museum is a dull place, let me tell you, no way! :)
Since I would be working on the 4th, we decided to take a family trip to see the Detroit Symphony Orchestra play at the Salute to America concert in Greenfield Village. The weather was a bit iffy throughout the day, hot and threatening rain. But we went anyway, and thankfully, after a couple of early showers the sky cleared up and we had a lovely evening.

Some clouds behind the stage...a few rumbles of thunder and two showers, but then all was good!

The preshow featured the First Michigan Fife and Drum Corps and the River Raisin Ragtime Revue.

We had to go and check out the vintage canons that would be used later that night during the "1812 Overture"!

A nice couple was happy to take a family picture for us!

Happy girl!

Toothy grin!

Light up toys - perfect as the sun goes down!

An amazing performance of "The Lincoln Portrait" - so moving!

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra performing selections by John Williams: Imperial March, Raiders March, and Supermans March, among other more traditional patriotic pieces.

The concert concluded with the "1812 Overture", complete with canon fire, and then the fireworks began. I wish I had taken some pictures, but my son had decided to sit on my lap as they went off and I just couldn't bear to shift him so I could use my camera. But let me tell you, it was amazing! Watching the fireworks overhead as a world class symphony performs Sousa marches...divine! THAT is the way to celebrate the fourth, with family at your side and great music causing a few thousand of your fellow citizens to swell with pride.

So to all my fellow Americans, I hope you had a wonderful fourth as well! :)

Father's Day card - super late!

I know how completely late this is, but I wanted to share the Father's Day card I made. Things have been SO crazy at work, that I haven't had a chance to post on this blog.

It's a 4 1/4" square card. The image is a digi stamp from Mo Manning and is called "Daddy's Shoes". Isn't it sweet? :) I used my Copics to color him up and used a card from the July issue of Card Maker (pg. 48) as the inspiration of my layout. The paper is from the Complete Boy paper stack by My Minds Eye and the cardstock is from Stampin Up. The sentiment was created with a combination of Lawn Fawn's Sophie's Sentiments set ("happy" and "day") and a Martha Stewart alpha set ("Father").

I'm excited to have a few days off to catch my breath from work. I can finally catch up on a few things around the house and enjoy some time with the family. And hoping that some of the heat we've had in Michigan will let up a bit. These 100* days are for the birds! :) Hope the weather has been a bit cooler in your neck of the woods...and if it has, please feel free to send a bit this way!



Pals

My mother has just headed to Germany to spend some time with my Grandmother, who has been having some health issues. I so wish I could go with her but unfortunately I can't. As a gift for her though, I had a little photo session with the kids. After at least 75 pictures I finally got two that I really liked. We had some silly ones as well, to break things up a bit, but these two really caught my eye.

My daughter looks so much older than 5 years old in this picture...a glimpse of the beautiful woman she will become. My son is the gentle big brother, always there for his sister.

But this is the one I sent to my Grandmother. It might have a few flaws ( little blurriness, mussed hair), but captures the two of them at this time of their lives. Genuine smiles, a twinkle of mischief in their eyes (my son is about to give her Bunny Ears - lol), but they really do love each other. I hope she likes it.

Pinhole Card

Today I wanted to share a simple card. It's called a "Pinhole Card" and creates a pattern by poking holes into the cardstock. For this card, I decided to use a heart pattern, inspired by some images I saw on Pinterest and Google. Once I created the base card using Gina K white cardstock, I lightly sketched a small heart and a larger heart on the inside of the card as my guidelines. Then, using a simple sewing pin, I outlined the smaller heart with closely spaced pin holes and gradually extended the spacing so the heart faded out at the edges. Because I poked my holes from the inside the of card, it created a raised surface on the front of the card - I really love the look!

On the front I simply wrote "i love you" with a black pen. I am trying to practise more hand lettering and would like to incorporate it more into my cards. My basic handwriting isn't very impressive, more function than form to be honest, but I've always wanted to be good at calligraphy. Some days my handwriting is better than others, do you notice that as well?

Well, I hope you enjoyed the card! It was such a treat to have some real crafting time, even for a card as simple as this. Having my supplies spread around me on the table and just working was great. Things have been so busy lately that my crafting time has been really limited. I'm sure so many others can easily relate! lol

Have a wonderful day! We're expecting close to 90 degrees today, so I've been coaxing the last of the cool morning air inside before I button everything up to keep the house cool. It's on days like these that I long for central air...but I do love my radiators in the winter (when they work properly). Maybe I will be able to get a few other cards done...forget housework! lol

This card has been submitted for the CAS-ual Friday challenge: Using Polka Dots. I'm a first timer! lol



And for the Black & White Challenge at Stamp N Plus! I'm a first timer here too! :)

Polka Dot love

I don't know what it is, but I am loving Polka Dots right now. There is something so timeless and whimsical about them.

I love these paper lanterns:



(via Polka Dot Market)

And would totally wear these Converse every day!

And use this 1940's covered jar in my kitchen

And would love an excuse to put my son in this orange polka dot tie

And just treated myself to this vintage handbag
(Can't wait for it to arrive!)

Is there a pattern/color that's catching your eye at the moment?

Seven!

Turning seven is AWESOME!!! 

Happy birthday Davin!!!