Diy Chocolate Pop It Fidget Toy Candy 7 Oct 2021 7:48 AM (4 years ago)

Check out my new video on YouTube on how to make this fidget chocolate!

DIY Washi Tape Card Ideas 6 Jan 2021 7:53 AM (4 years ago)

I made a bunch of cards last year and never got around to posting them. Greeting cards are so fun and easy to make, I usually make stacks of them for every occasion. It seems like I'm always going to a birthday party, baby shower, graduation, or wedding. This set of cards I made used washi tape. Washi tape is great because it's inexpensive, cute and not messy. For those of you that aren't familiar with washi tape, it's a paper tape, similar to painters blue tape but thinner with super cute designs. You can purchase washi tape here or at any craft store. I did emboss the wording, (embossing can be messy), but you can write it or stamp it instead.

My collection of washi tape. The red polka dot one is my favorite.

This one is a birthday card so I am making candles with the tape

For the flames I cut double sided tape into the shape of flames.

Stick the tape on and add glitter. You could also just use glue.

Stamp or write the words and you are done.

The second set of cards I made use bakers twine. Bakers twine is another inexpensive cute craft tool. Using this in any craft project automatically makes it cute!

Stick the tape around the twine.

Trim the tape into bunting shape.

Sew the twine onto the card. I tied a knot in the other end. You could also just use glue.

Again stamp with your words ant easy peasy diy birthday cards. The bunting could also be used for other occasions like graduation, baby showers, bridal showers, or any celebratory event. Just mix up the colors of the bunting for the occasion, for example a Halloween card can have black and orange washi tape.

Quarantine With Kids: Sidewalk Chalk Galaxy Art 5 Apr 2020 1:43 PM (5 years ago)

Galaxy Sidewalk chalk tutorial up on my youtube. Great as a small scale piece for kids, or a large scale piece. Video here: Quarantine Activities for Kids Sidewalk Chalk Galaxy

Glitter Origami Elephant Ornament Tutorial 20 Nov 2019 7:00 PM (5 years ago)

I hate wasting wrapping paper. You know when you cut the paper to fit a present and have a little bit left that is too small to wrap another present? This is the perfect use for it: origami elephant ornaments.

Make these cute origami elephants this holiday. I made a few to put on my stocking hangers and I also make some for our Christmas tree. Origami ornaments are the best because they are cheap, they pack up small and they can be cute too.

To make this ornament I used gold glitter wrapping paper scraps. See my video tutorial here.

These little elephants are so cute I may keep them up year round.

Steps to Cutting Your Carbon Footprint 14 Nov 2019 8:27 AM (5 years ago)

With the threats of climate change forever present in the world we live in, it’s important that we each make a difference by reducing our personal greenhouse gas emissions. Saving on energy, water, and electricity can not only slash your bills, but it means you’re doing your bit for the environment. If you aren’t sure where to start, here are a few steps on how to cut your carbon footprint.

Go Organic

We’ve all been told from a young age how important it is to follow a balanced diet packed full of vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, however, many of us are still consuming tons of processed food which requires trucks, ships, planes, and trains that use fossil fuels to transport goods from A to B. To reduce your carbon footprint, going organic and purchasing locally sourced food can make a huge difference.

Reduce Energy Use

Another great way to cut your carbon footprint is by taking notice of how much energy you’re currently using each month and finding ways to lower your consumption. Adding insulation to your home, performing an energy audit, as well as sealing your cooling and healing ducts can help do your bit for the environment.

Switch Off Appliances

If you live in a busy household, it’s likely that you will have all sorts of appliances that are running simultaneously. Whether it be laptops, PCs, the washing machine, or cooker, it’s important that you switch off appliances when they’re not in use. Before you head to bed, make sure that appliances and electrical items are either switched off or unplugged. Once you begin to take action, you will notice a decrease in your energy bill.

Embrace a Minimalist Lifestyle

There are lots of things that you can do to cut your carbon footprint in your day to day life. Decluttering your home and donating any unneeded belongings to charity, as well as buying, borrowing, or renting used clothing can help when it comes to leading an eco-friendlier way of life. There are also lots of electronics, furniture, and house decorations that you can purchase second hand which are as good as new. Not only will you be saving money, but you will be more environmentally aware too.

Drive an Electric Car

If you face a long commute to work each day, the amount of gas your car uses can be pricey. Another great way to cut your carbon footprint is by choosing an electric car. To get more of an insight into the models available, sites like Carmax haveplenty of reviews on vehicles such as the 2019 Nissan LEAF, which is regarded as providing terrific EV power in a compact package.

With climate change showing no signs of slowing down, it’s important that we’re all as carbon neutral as possible. Making minor lifestyle changes may not seem like much in the short-term, however, the more of us who take action, the more chance we have of saving the planet. What changes will you make?

How To Keep You And Your Kids Safe This Summer 9 Jul 2019 6:25 AM (6 years ago)

Summer is upon us, and when the school semester ends, the fun can really begin for kids and parents alike. Spending quality time with your children is one of the greatest joys in life, and there's no better time for this than when the sun is shining and the hazy day stretches out before you. To make the most of summer, it's important that you all keep safe, happy, and healthy when the heat is on, so here are three simple tips to help you achieve exactly that.

Use Plenty Of Sunscreen

Sunny summer days are exciting, which is why we all, whatever our ages, love to charge outdoors when the hot weather arrives, but there's one thing you should always do first: apply the sunscreen. Sunburn is a very painful condition, but it can also contribute to serious long-term conditions, including skin cancer, so it's essential that you guard yourself and your children against it at all times. Children's skin can be especially susceptible to UV damage from the sun, so apply high factor sunscreen to your children before they head outside in summer, and they should also wear a sun hat. It's important to re-apply the cream or oil at regular intervals too, especially if they've been in the water, which could have washed it off.

Keep Hydrated

It's easy to forget when we're having fun in the sun just how important it is to keep hydrated. Focusing on hydration is especially important on hot days, simply because we naturally expend a lot of our natural water stores as a result of sweating, and that means that dehydration can occur rapidly. Expert tips on staying hydrated, whatever the weather, can be found at https://www.bevi.co/blog/tips-for-staying-hydrated/ so follow their advice and carry a reusable water bottle with you and hydrate regularly, even if you feel you don't need it. Early signs of dehydration can include dizziness, confusion and then nausea and distress, so never ignore these signs in yourself or your loved ones.

Stay Safe Around Water

We've seen how drinking water can be vitally important in summer, and indeed throughout the year, but another kind of water can bring danger to your kids. Children love to splash in the water, so whether you're by a poolside or the seaside keep your eye on them at all times when they're around water. Pay particular attention to safety warning notices and never allow your kids to enter the water if signs say that it's unsafe to do so. On beaches across America, look out for warning flags: yellow flags warn of a medium hazard such as strong or hidden currents, but red flags warn of high danger – keep out of the water.

To keep safe in the sun, simply remember these three important strategies: apply sunscreen before going outside, and keep it topped up, also remember to keep hydrated by drinking lots of water, and stay safe around water by looking out for and heeding warning signs and flags. With these three steps followed, you and your kids could have a super summer.

DIY Halloween Card with Perler Beads 22 Oct 2018 9:52 PM (7 years ago)

I posted about Perler Beads before and how great they are for kids. Just wanted to show you another Halloween card that was made with the Perler or Hama beads. This one I used the heart peg board and found an image of thePac Man ghosts on google images. You could totally do any pixel image and make a pretty cool looking card with this. I've seen lots of Mario Brothers, Pokemon, Zelda sprites made from Perler beads.

You can see my previous post here for some other card inspirations: http://www.thecheesethief.com/2013/09/some-toys-that-consistently-keeps-my.html

The perler beads come unsorted, I'm kinda OCD in that way and decided to sort all the colors.

My letter stamps that I purchased off ebay. Mine are similar to this Martha Stewart one, but mine are vintage from a different company.

I embossed the Happy Halloween on the bottom. I'm still having problems getting my embossing perfect (still new to embossing) so it won't curl the paper. I'll have to post updates on how to achieve this. If you have any tips, I'm all ears!

The Effects of Games on Your MentalHealth 18 Aug 2018 7:52 PM (7 years ago)

In today’s world, video games have become commonplace and are now enjoyed by adults just as much as they are by kids. The average age of gamers has increased tremendously over the past twenty years. More people are now exposed to video games than ever before.

That much you’ve surely noticed yourself, but have you ever wondered how video games could affect your mental health?

Video games can help you stay focused

Researches have conducted studies looking at how video games can affect your brain and behavior. The results suggest that playing video games can affect the parts of your brain responsible for attention and visuospatial skills. Video games seem to be able to make your brain more efficient in these areas. The researchers also looked at the parts of your brain associated with the reward system. They wanted to see how it is related to video game addiction.
What researchers have learned is that playing video games can change how your brain performs. Playing video games affects your attention. Some studies suggest that you’re likely to show improvements in several types of attention. The parts of your brain responsible for attention can be more efficient and help you sustain attention on longer tasks. They also suggest that playing video games can improve your visuospatial reasoning skills.

Other benefits of video games
Among other benefits, studies have found that video games can improve the physical and mental health of patients. There’s evidence that video games can be effective at reducing anxiety or pain. Patients with chronic illnesses or those who have to undertake painful medical procedures found that they feel better from playing video games.
Studies have also found that playing certain action-oriented games can help treat dyslexia in young kids. Studies suggest that kids who play video games see the same improvement as with traditional treatments. However, traditional treatments tend to be more time-consuming and are not as fun for children.

The risks of video game addiction
However, video games can also be addictive. Video game addiction is most often found in players of multiplayer online games and online gambling games. The two are rarely categorized together but are quite similar in nature. Researchers have discovered that video game addiction can cause changes to your brain’s reward system. They have found that video game addicts experience cravings similar to those experienced by sufferers of most other addictive disorders.
Researchers have found that video games can trigger your brain’s reward system in much the same way as gambling can. Playing on slot machines, such as the norske spilleautomater, can give a similar rush of adrenaline as playing fast-paced or luck-based video games. Because of this, it is important that you play in moderation.
Can video games and gambling help stave off old age?
On a positive note, studies have shown that activities such as gaming and gambling can help keep your brain fresh for longer in life. As you age, you use certain parts of your brain less and less. In turn, those areas of your brain become weaker, and you become senile faster. But, there are things you can do to help slow this process down. Things that can help keep your brain strong as you age.
Researchers have discovered that people who busy themselves with a lot of stimulating activities tend to retain their faculties better in old age. Activities that involve concentration and thought seem to slow the aging process.

Gaming and gambling can be two such activities. Strategy games, for example, involve a lot of concentration and thinking. Puzzle games do this too. Poker is another game that seems to help keep your mind fresh in your old age. There’s no shortage of people in the latter years of their life who play poker regularly. Not only does poker require a lot of concentration and thought, but it also serves as an opportunity for you to socialize with other people. A game of poker will often involve you talking and making jokes with the other players. Socialization seems to do wonders for both our short-term and long-term mental health.

Another card game that can help stimulate your mind is blackjack. Your short-term memory is most used when playing blackjack. Good short-term memory is very important for staving off senility. Blackjack requires a good knowledge of odds and memorization techniques.
However, if you have problems with social anxiety, then playing poker or blackjack in person can be a tough task. Thankfully, because of the Internet and the growth of online casinos, you can exercise your mind from the comfort of your own home. Playing casino games, such as the casino games at GemSlots, can have the same positive effect on you as playing them in person. If you’re having trouble finding a casino, there are also websites that compile online casino reviews. These can help you choose the right online casino for you.

DIY Shopkins season five soap - DIY Shopkins party favor idea 1 Jul 2018 6:17 PM (7 years ago)

Soap making is fun and easy to do. I wanted to use some of my daughters duplicate Shopkins to make party favors for a Shopkins themed party. These Shopkins favors were a hit! I made a few for my kids and it makes bath time a blast. They love the glitter soap and the fact that Shopkins are embeded make them even more motivated to wash their hands.

Here is the video tutorial on how to make these soaps: How to make shopkins soap party favors. If you make them and you are on instagram I would love to see them. You can tag me with my handle @thecheesethief.

Shopkins season 5 charms Split milk, royal cupcake, april apricot (season 4), jilly jam (season 4), polly polish (fashion spree)

DIY Mini Shopkins Piñata Craft Tutorial 4 May 2018 7:33 PM (7 years ago)

I don't know any child that isn't crazy about Shopkins. If you are a parent of a girl 4- 7 years of age, I'm sure you know what Shopkins are. For this tutorial, I will show you how to make these adorable Shopkins pinatas. You only need a few simple materials and a little bit of patience. The most tedious part is gluing the crepe paper on, but since these are mini pinatas, it was not as time consuming as making a big one. See my video tutorial here: DIY Mini Shopkins Pinata Tutorial You can stuff these Shopkins with candy, or if you want to surprise your child, you can even stuff it with more Shopkins.

Be sure to check out my how to make shopkins scratch and sniff stickers video.

wheels on the bus playlist

Princess Elsa Toy Playdoh video

How to Become a Lifelong Learner (Education Doesn't Stop After College) 23 Feb 2018 5:55 PM (7 years ago)

Never would you have dreamed that after completing high school or college that you eventually would have a thirst to learn again! Learning is a healthy and active function in our lives, and one that should never stop. Although we learn something new every day in our day-to-day lives, it is also a good exercise to help challenge our brains and even learn something new once in a while.

There are never-ending opportunities to keep learning throughout life such as college courses, certifications, learning disks and more. Is there something that you have always wanted to learn but never had the chance? It is never too late! Education never ends after college, in fact, it has just begun. Learn how to become a lifelong learner in 5 easy ways:

1. Get Certified!

Life doesn’t end after college, in fact, many individuals pursue certifications after they have received their diploma. For example, business people have to get certain certifications in order to run their own company, and those from the medical field have to take tests in order to use certain equipment or to have a specific role.

There are endless amounts of certifications available for those who have different interests. If you want to become a personal trainer, a realtor, or a coach, there are certifications available online or even in your local city.

Obtaining a certification usually requires reading books and studying terms similar to what you would have to do for a final in school. Certifications will help you be a lifelong learner and build up your credentials!

2. Attend Networking Groups

There are many ways to enrich your knowledge, and one of those ways is by attending networking groups. Networking happens when a group of like-minded business people get together to share their ideas and help promote each others’businesses. The meetings usually consist of a key speaker who talks about their journey or their service, while the rest of the time involves mingling with other genius minds!

Networking groups usually cost a monthly fee, however, they are affordable. Not only will you be learning from some of the most successful entrepreneurs in your area, you will make relationships and connections that will richly benefit you in the long run of your career. In fact, learning about networking is incredibly beneficial for attaining a fulfilling, educated life!

3. Invest in Refresher Courses

Have you ever seen those infomercials of CDs and programs that help test your brain and what it remembers from school? These tools are actually really beneficial to becoming a life-long learner!

In fact, our brains don’t retain everything we learned back in school, so it is important to help bring those memories back (especially because you paid thousands of dollars for it!). A good example might be purchasing a set of CDs to learn beginner’s Spanish. Maybe you always wanted to learn Spanish and never had the chance, or you took a class in college but you don’t remember anything except how to say hello.

You can purchase programs and textbook courses that don’t involve going back to school at almost any time in your life. The good thing about that is you get to choose your pace and learn from your own perspective without having any assignments due.

4. Engage in Work that Will Encourage and Require Lifelong Learning

If you think you have no time to engage in extra courses or certifications, then what you can do is engage yourself in work that is beneficial. This is a job that will constantly expand and challenge you in ways that maybe a crash course can’t.

If your current job doesn’t challenge you and you feel like your brain and knowledge is wasting away, then it might be a sign to look for a new job. You might consider switching career paths and educating yourself on becoming a top-rated personal injury lawyer or becoming a certified consultant on automobile loan lenders. Whatever field inspires you—and is potentially lucrative—you want to make sure that it is a field that requires continual education and lifelong learning.

Another industry that is exploding right now is digital marketing. In this broad and encompassing field, you can look into becoming an SEO consultant and work for established firms like Top SEO Brisbane. Another great field to consider, and one that doesn’t require years of training, is writing reviews. You can find a field that interests you, whether it’s writing reviews of superior mattresses or beauty and skin care reviews. What’s important is to find a niche that really speaks to your passions and interests and then set out to write unbiased, well-researched reviews to post on your own blog or to send to freelance companies.

5. Download Apps or Seek Online Programs

Technology today is allowing individuals to do more things than ever imagined. With the boost in app usage, people now are using apps to do anything from tracking personal fitness goals to—you guessed it—learning! Smart phones now have the ability to have app stores where individuals can download free or paid programs or games. This also means that an individual can download a learning app right in the palm of their hands!

In fact, the most popular learning app is “Domingo,” a language app that can teach anyone just about any language. You can also find learning apps for math, reading, writing, or science.

In addition to apps, you can also search for online programs that will teach you how to perfect your singing voice onlineor learn to become a personal fitness trainer. The internet and technology have opened up an entire world of educational opportunities, and it is all accessible, right at your fingertips.

Casper Mattress: Is The Hype Around This Mattress Startup Justified? 26 Dec 2017 11:45 AM (7 years ago)

Catching an adequate amount of sleep on a regular basis is essential for a happy lifestyle and overall well-being. After a long day, the idea of jumping into bed sounds like the perfect idea to getting some well-deserved rest, but what happens when you wake up the next morning sore and with neck or back pain? If you are unable to sleep comfortably at night or find yourself tossing and turning despite the tiredness that you feel, it may be time to reconsider the mattress you are sleeping on. We have done some research about different brands currently in the market and came to the conclusion that the Casper Mattress is among the top mattresses available. Judging from customer reviews and the product specifications, we have concluded that this is a mattress worth investing in. We’ve designed this detailed Casper Mattress review to share with you everything you need to know about this mattress.

Casper Mattress Features & Specifications

The Casper Mattress is an amazing option when considering a mattress upgrade. Offering an all foam mattress that consists of four layers and 10 inches in height, Casper mattresses are ideal for singles and couples. This bed was designed to provide sleepers with the relief for their pressure points that memory foam has to offer but without the uncomfortable heat-retaining qualities. The latex-like foam offers bounce and cooling benefits. It has been carefully constructed to give users all around comfort. While making the switch from a spring mattress to foam isn’t an easy decision, users have found that memory foam has improved their sleeping habits. Previous users have also commented greatly on the firmness of this bed. Considered to offer a medium level of firmness, the Casper Mattress firmness does a nice job of adjusting to multiple sleep positions, without giving sleepers that “stuck” feeling. "The Casper Mattress is unique in that it is the first bed in a box type mattress that has come to market, and is changing the way we think about sleep. Typically mattresses are composed of spring boxes, but Casper is reinventing the wheel and seems to have solved a lot of the problems individuals have with mattresses in this day and age" says Alexander, product editor at iSum. Additionally, the Casper Mattress is designed to fill in the empty space between the sleeper’s body and the mattress. This is significant when sleeping because it ensures users are receiving the support they need when sleeping on their back, stomach, or side. This mattress is perfect for those with back pain and stiffness. Users have found that the Casper Mattress gives them a deeper sleep and decreases body aches only after a few nights of use. Like mentioned earlier, this mattress is great for singles and couples. If you are sleeping with a partner, you can be rest assured that there will be only a small disturbance when the other individual gets into bed. This disturbance is minimal and most times, even if you are a light sleeper, will not awaken you. This means your sleeping position will not be disrupted, and you’ll be able to sleep soundly throughout the night. Let’s take a look at some other the other features that make the Casper Mattress a great option:

Cover – Sleep lovers will enjoy the 100% polyester that comes with the Casper Mattress softness. It adjusts with the sleeper to keep air flowing throughout the mattress, consequently keeping them cool.
Comfort – A large part of why this mattress offers remarkable comfort is due to the 1.5” memory foam layer. Providing pressure relief, you are guaranteed to snooze all throughout the night.
Transition Layer – This part of the mattress is essential for it consists of 1.5” of poly foam to support the firm base below. This layer adds the right amount of bounce to the mattress.
Base – We have come to the final, foundational layer of this bed. The base of the Casper Mattress is 5” of poly foam with a 1.8 lb density. It is sturdy with a quick response to pressure and acts as the overall supportive base of the mattress.

Final Verdict

We’ve come to the conclusion that the Casper Mattress is a great choice when considering a mattress upgrade. Previous buyers have reported sleeping at least 7 hours a night after they decided to make the switch. This Casper mattress is soft, supportive, and comfortable. It brings a positive experience to sleepers in so many ways! Take your sleep to the next level with the purchase of a Casper mattress. If you're interested in learning more about the Casper Mattress, read the Casper Mattress review from our friends at Review.org or try the mattress for 100 nights free for yourself. Prices differ depending on size, and consumers also have the option of utilizing a sleep trial period for the Casper Mattress to ensure it’s a good fit for them. This brand offers a 10-year warranty with exceptional customer service. Additionally, there is free shipping offered for buyers in the United States and Canada. Consumers also claim that unpacking and setting up the bed is a breeze, making it an all-around great selection! Selecting this mattress means you will be receiving a quality mattress, at a great price, backed up with superior customer service. If you are in the search of a new mattress, look no further. The Casper Mattress is definitely one to consider and has proven not only to live up to consumer expectations but exceed them!

Unicorn Pumpkin Tutorial 20 Oct 2017 7:19 PM (8 years ago)

Halloween is around the corner! I'm always looking for no carve pumpkin ideas that my kids would love. This pumpkin did not disappoint them.

Check out my consumercrafts.com video tutorial on how a no carve unicorn pumpkin.

Changing Your Mind: You Can Do It Scientifically 24 May 2017 7:09 AM (8 years ago)

The Brain: More Versatile Than You Knew

Your brain can grow new brain cells, and all you’ve got to do is try. The nitty gritty gets a bit more complicated.

If you’ve ever worked out, you know initially, a workout hurts. After a few days, the ache goes away, and if you’ve kept up with the exercise, you begin to notice a difference. You feel better, look better, and actually are better because you’ve developed muscles. But do those muscles remain?

Well, only if you keep them adequately satiated. You’ve got to keep working them out. But once you reach your physical “cruising altitude”, as it were, you don’t have to work quite as hard to maintain your physique as you did to attain it.

It’s the same with the brain. To maintain that which you’ve attained in the brain requires several weeks where you focus on establishing or excising a habit from your life. Once three weeks have been reached, and in some cases four, your brain will have established new neuropathways and built new neurons.

The difficulty at that point becomes maintaining the new change. Even if your brain rewires itself efficiently and effectively, you won’t be able to stop previous temptations and old memories from directing your decisions. One reason you don’t always retain a new skill even after three weeks is because you’re not disciplined in maintaining the change.

Thinking Critically

If you work out for a year and achieve your prime physique, then succumb to video games, potato chips, carbonated soda, inactivity, and general human vegetation, that physique will gradually ebb away until you return to your previous slovenly state; perhaps even degenerating further!

Why would you brain be any different? So what you want to do is carve out a habit, either as something you intend to keep, or something you intend to reject, and then maintain that change proactively until it becomes second nature. To that end, there are aids which can help you cognitively develop, and maintain that development.

Some of those aids come in the form of supplements engineered specifically for the brain. When choosing supplements, you want solutions as per this page, which provides among other things Alpha Brain, a: “…nootropic compound designed to increase your memory, enhance…focus, and improve your energy throughout the day.”

You’re going to want to couple your supplement ingestion with varying forms of physical activity which may or may not be related to those things you’re looking to either reduce from your life or encourage in your daily grind.

According to BrainProTips.com, things like sex and exercise increase neurogenesis, or the growth of new brain cells. The reason is simple: when the brain experiences new things in a pro-cognitive environment, it grows.

What Your New Regimen Looks Like

With these things in mind, here’s what a brain-positive regimen is going to look like. You’ll take your supplement at the right time as proscribed by those who’ve produced it, then you’ll do whatever activity you’ve decided to do. If you’re learning a new skill, study it ninety minutes a day if possible. If you’re quitting something, meditate on that for a while.

It’s not enough to say: “I’m not going to have a cigarette today.” You want to take a moment in a day to consider why you’re quitting, and that you will be tempted later in the day. When you’ve done this, as temptations come, they become less evocative. You’ll want to exercise and/or have a lot of sex as well; it will definitely help.

DIY Scratch and Sniff Shopkins Stickers (Great for Party Favors) 16 May 2016 8:24 PM (9 years ago)

Do you remember scratch and sniff stickers? As a child I loved them. I was trying to think of two easy ways to make scratch and sniff stickers. Below are my two video tutorials on how to make Shopkins Season 5 scratch and sniff stickers. One tutorial uses materials you probably have at home. The second tutorial using embossing powder and a heat gun. The first tutorial is easier for kids to make, but the second provides better results. Making Shopkins scratch and sniff stickers is easy and fun. Let me know how yours turned out!

How to make Shopkins scratch and sniff stickers with materials you have at home.
Embossing Shopkins Scratch and sniff stickers.

DIY Spend, Save, Share Bank Mason Jars 10 Dec 2015 1:00 AM (9 years ago)

This post is brought to you by Plaid Crafts and Blueprint Social. The opinions are my own.

I love the matte finish of chalk paint. FolkArt Home Décor Chalk, from Plaid, is a no-prep acrylic paint and wax that dries in minutes and can be layered and sanded to give you the perfect distressed look and feel. You can transform your everyday items into one of a kind treasures. For this project I am creating Spend, Save, Share Moon Jar Banks using mason Jars. For those of you who aren't familiar with a "Moon Jar" it is basically a way to split your earnings and teach kids (or even adults) how to budget. The titles are pretty self explanatory, spend is the bank you put for money you will spend, save money you will put away, and share money that goes to charity. I wanted to make a more adult version of this bank for a teenage niece that is in college.

I decided to use the FolkArt Home Décor Chalk paint because it is easy to use. Very forgiving and requires little or no surface preparation. I could paint on glass without any issues. I finished the top of the bank and the jars with Mod Podge Chalk Finish to protect the surface.

Materials needed: Folk Art Chalk Paint, Wax, Chalk Mod Podge, foamies letters, brush and mason jars.

Stick foamies letters on jars. If jars are old, then be sure to clean the jars for good adherence.

Paint jars with chalk paint, then cover with Folk Art Wax and then Mod Podge wax. Allow 2 hour drying between coats. I had my daughter paint this. I love this stuff because it is made in the USA and is very durable.

To make bank lids cut out cardboard in shape of mason jar lid.

I covered with some wood scrapbooking paper. Punch two hold with a hole punch.

Connect the holes to make a slit. Paint over with Mod Podge to protect.

Wait for jars to dry (2 hours) add additional coat, wait to dry and then cover with wax or Mod Podge chalk finish.

Perfect little banks to teach a little financial responsibility.

Be sure to check out Plaid Crafts on all their social media sites.

Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/plaidcrafts/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspiredByPlaid

Instagram: http://instagram.com/plaidcrafts/

Plaid Website: https://www.plaidonline.com/default.aspx

Inexpensive Gift Ideas For Christmas 3 Dec 2015 6:30 AM (9 years ago)

Trying to stretch your Christmas budget to include everyone can be quite stressful. In fact, it’s the kind of thing that can distract you from focusing on the more positive aspects of the holiday season, and you deserve better than that.

With that thought in mind, why not take advantage of some inexpensive gift ideas for Christmas? First of all, you can start by looking for coupons to such shops as Kohls, which should be easily found on Discountrue or other helpful websites. It will allow you to save a great deal on the items you already know you're going to want, and leave you with more options. When you find the appropriate coupons the savings can be astronomical. And after that step, there a few other cheap X-Mas gift ideas you can consider.

Moving, deeply personal Christmas presents don't need be expensive. There is a plethora of ideas that keep go well with the fact that most of us have to work with a very tight budget, and as they're DIY your loved ones will surely appreciate the effort and thought you put into their gift. If you’re stuck without knowing what to give to some special person this holiday season, consider the following:

Personalized playlists/mixtapes: If you want to go old-school, why not make up a mix CD of music you know your friend or family member is going to love? There is also the option to create an entirely digital playlist for that special person, which makes it more modern.

Personalized coupon book: This is also a great idea for a cute Valentine’s Day gift. Make up a list of cheap-yet-sincere things you know someone you love is going to love in turn. Put all these ideas into a fun, distinctive “coupon book.” The receiver of this book can then redeem the coupons for anything from free backrubs to free dinners, or anything else you might have in mind!

Write a poem: Have a creative side that loves any opportunity to come out? Think about writing a personal poem to someone you care about. Really, you can apply this idea to any artistic endeavor you can possibly imagine. It's highly personal and all the love you put into it cannot be underappreciated!

Make cookies: This doesn’t sound very exciting, but trust us, it can be a wonderful holiday gift for someone who deserves the very best. After all, who doesn't like to indulge in sweets from time to time? There are tons of creative, inexpensive recipes that you can turn into reality for someone. Think about what she or he likes best and surprise the person in question with a treat they’re sure to love. You can try making these yummy sugar molasses cookies.

Handmade crafts: Gifts such as a custom ornament or these easy paper dolls make great gifts for kids.

A real photo keepsake: This also is an old idea, but it’s still a goody. In a digital world, a physical photo keepsake can be absolutely delightful, reminding you of all the wonderful memories you share.

DIY Shopkins Scratch and Sniff Stickers 6 Oct 2015 5:00 AM (10 years ago)

Do you remember scratch and sniff stickers growing up? I was shopping at Michael's and saw scented embossing powder. I started googling for reviews and found a forum that mentioned you could make your own scented embossing powder using KoolAid. This made me think of making my daughter Shopkins Scratch and Sniff stickers. I really am impressed at how they turned out. The smell is strong and its been about three weeks and the scent is still strong!

See my youtube tutorial here on how to make your own Shopkins (or any image) scratch and sniff stickers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nC3jjgUvC58

How to Fold Glass-like Stars 4 Oct 2015 10:32 AM (10 years ago)

This is a continuation of my up-cycled cellophane packaging tutorials. I am going to show you how to fold little stars with cellophane packaging. Here is a tutorial on how to fold a paper star or a video version here. With all these cellophane tutorials, it is always best to practice on paper first and get the hang of it before you venture off to cellophane. Cellophane is much harder to work with because it is more slippery and stiff.

Note video tutorial is updated.

These are my pictures, but watching a video on how to do this is much easier.
1. Use a ruled paper underneath as guidelines to cut cellophane into strips. The strips I cut were about .25 in.
2. For larger stars use wider ruled paper. Note that length of paper should be at least 30 times of width.
3. Take cellophane and "tie into a knot" and flatten.
4. Fold over the short end and then the long end along the edges
5. Tuck end into flap.
6. Pinch into star shape.

Stay tuned to see what I do with all these cranes and stars.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hi_3UWG0zHEWheels on bus youtube video
Watch thse Disney Princess Toy Video Elsa Anna Frozen Playdoh

Accessorizing Tips and Tricks 26 Sep 2015 7:22 AM (10 years ago)

HOW TO ACCESSORIZE: BASIC RULES AND TIPS

The best way to finish up your look is definitely with some accessories, but not everyone knows how to make all those little things work correctly to make a desired well-put together look. It is not that hard, if you know the basic rules. Bellow you will find them, read it carefully and be sure to look amazing with all accessories you wear!

Don’t overdo

Everything works if that is balanced perfectly and hits the golden middle. The same rules work with accessorizing too. The worst way to accessorize is to completely overdo it by putting way too many pieces on you. If you like accessorizing with the trendy layers of jewelry, be sure you stick with one main layering area. Always be sure to use no more than three different accessories. For instance, a ring, a bracelet, and earrings. That’s it.

Wear statement pieces for special occasions

It might be fun to wear one huge necklace or a pair of outstanding earring for work, but that is not really appropriate. Better leave those statement pieces for more special occasions or for going out with your friends. It will certainly let your look be unique and draw attention to the parts of your body you wish. But always remember the first rule and don’t overdo it. Wear only that one statement piece and add another much “quieter” piece to it. For instance – big earrings and one medium size ring. You will look perfect for sure.

Think about outfit while accessorizing

This shouldn’t even be on a list, but many women tend to forget about it. If you dress is already full of sequence, better reconsider if you want to add more accessories to it. On the other hand, if your outfit is plain and neutral, some bright and fun accessories can live it up. Just try to balance all the sparkle and shimmer and you will always look like a million bucks.

Invest in fine accessories

Some great accessories which you love a lot can work for you for many years. To make that happen you should definitely invest in it more, to get the best quality and the chance to wear it for a surprisingly long time. Just look for great stores so you know you will get quality items.

Don’t over match

Finally, when trying to accessorize your outfit perfectly, forget about an ancient old rule to only use accessories that is the exact color as the clothing. That really doesn’t work at these modern days. Contrasting or darker or whiter toning is definitely more modern. For instance, if you are wearing a bright red dress, pull burgundy shoes and add bright blue purse. It will look very expensive and well put together since it creates an interesting look. Don’t over match with colors and you will be ok.

Healthy Halloween Treats For The Classroom 12 Sep 2015 12:14 PM (10 years ago)

This post was originally written by me and published for CraftsUnleashed.com, but in case you missed it I am reposting on my blog.

I know Halloween is all about the candy, but there is only so much candy a kid can eat right? I like giving out healthy Halloween treats (yes, I am the house that gives out pretzels, toys, and toothbrushes). This year for my daughter’s school, she needs to bring in treats for Halloween. I decided to use oranges and wrap them in tissue paper to make them look like pumpkins. This was so fun and turned out so well. Originally I wanted to use small “Cuties” but they are out of season, so I just used Valencia Oranges that I purchased from the farmers market. The oranges are organic so they aren’t colored bright orange like the supermarket oranges, so the orange tissue paper really makes it look like a pumpkin. Don’t be fooled by the color though, these are the sweetest, juiciest oranges I have ever had! Even sweeter than candy, in my opinion.

healthy-halloween-treats-crafts-unleashed

I love this take on Halloween treats, because it’s actually a fun craft to do with your kids and something that could help them eat more fruit.

Supplies needed to make your own healthy Halloween treats:

Orange Tissue Paper (1 sheet will make 6 oranges)
Scissors
Green Pipe Cleaners (One for each orange)
Black Vinyl

Cut the tissue paper into a square that will wrap around the entire orange. Mine was cut 8×8 for an orange about 3 inches in diameter.

healthy-halloween-treats-crafts-unleashed-1

Wrap tissue paper up to the top of the orange, and twist around the top.

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Using a pipe cleaner, cinch the base of the orange where the tissue paper is gathered, then twist around the tissue paper tail until you reach the top. Then twist back down to the bottom of the stem of the “pumpkin”. Leave a little room on the pipe cleaner for the next step.

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You should have about 2 inches left on the pipe cleaner. Take those two inches and wrap around a pencil to create a spiral vine effect.

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Once all of your oranges are wrapped, they are ready to be decorated to complete these fun Halloween treats.

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Using black vinyl, cut out jack-o-lantern faces. Get creative! You could draw it out on the back of the vinyl and then cut it out, but I find that free handing is the easiest.

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Now these adorable Halloween treats are ready to be handed out to trick-or-treaters or party guests! They won’t even know there’s fruit inside until they open them up. Sneaky!

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I truly love the way these healthy Halloween treats turned out. They would even make great centerpieces or decor for around the house.

Sterling Silver Jewelry from Teeda.com Review 6 Sep 2015 12:35 PM (10 years ago)

I'm always looking for great online shops. I was so excited when I found Teeda.com to find some sterling silver jewelry. I'm always a little apprehensive when I buy stuff online, you never know the quality from the pictures that are on the site. I ordered six pieces of jewelry from teeda.com. One bracelet, one ring, one toe ring, one pair of earrings, one ear cuff and one necklace. The package arrived yesterday and I cannot be more pleased. The quality of the jewelry exceeded my expectations. The prices on the site were so reasonable that I thought the quality wouldn't be that great, but I was so wrong. The jewelry was each carefully packaged in its own box (note if you buy wholesale then it does not come in individual boxes). The boxes were also encased in another boxed and neatly package. The jewelry inside was shiny and well made. My favorite pieces were the ring, necklace and earrings. The ring was substantial, thick silver. The pendant on the necklace sparkled and the chain was delicate yet sturdy. The earrings were a beautiful pink stone that looks sophisticated enough to wear to work but fun enough to wear out. The bracelet was well made, not really my style, but I gave it to my aunt who loved it. There is stuff on the site for all ages. I gave the toe ring to my daughter and she loved the dolphins on it. Teeda.com really has exceeded my expectations in delivering fine quality sterling silver jewelry for reasonable prices. The delivery was fast and reliable. I received a tracking number from fed ex soon after I placed the order and the package took less than three days to arrive. Overall I would recommend this site to anyone. You can get wholesale prices for jewelry, but you do not have to buy wholesale quantities! So if you are in the market for some affordable quality jewelry for holiday gifts, charity fundraisers, dance performances, giveaways or just your own personal use be sure to check Teeda.com out.

My favorite pieces from Teeda.com

Box was well packaged and delivered fast.

Beautiful earrings from Teeda.com

The jewelry arrived each in its own well made jewelry box.

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Teeda.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

Easy Watercolor Art 22 Aug 2015 7:45 AM (10 years ago)

I originally posted this on CraftsUnleashed last year, but I wanted to share this just in case you missed my original post.

One of my favorite Steve Jobs quotes is:

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

I wanted to make an art piece for my house using this quote. So using a crayon and watercolors, I made the piece of art below. There are so many parts of the quote that could have been used, but I decided on the first part. I may take the other parts of the quote and put it on separate sheets to make a photo collage if I have time.

Materials:

Directions:

Print out or free hand your favorite quote onto a spare sheet of paper. Tape the quote and the plain piece of paper to a glass door or light box, and trace the text with white crayon. Go over the text multiple times. You want to get a thick coat of white crayon.

Wet the watercolor onto the brush and brush the paper lightly with paint. The white crayon should show through with the text. Note that depending on the thickness of paper your paper may crinkle a little. You can iron the paper a little if there is a lot of wrinkling, BUT protect your iron with another sheet of paper so you don't get white crayon wax on it. This is a cheap technique for resist, so some color will get onto the white crayon, you can scrape some of the water color off if it bothers you.

Now, how easy was that?! Let dry, frame, and enjoy your one of a kind art.

Free Things To Do In Las Vegas With Kids 4 Jul 2015 12:24 PM (10 years ago)

Our family loves to vacation in Las Vegas. My oldest daughter who is not yet six has been to Vegas over ten times in her life. People always think it's strange when I tell them I'm going Vegas with the kids, but I always tell them there is actually is lots to do in Vegas with kids. Below is a list of things that we love to to when we go out there with the kids. Most of them are free but if it has a price, then I try to list it.

1. Pool

Vegas has some of the nicest resorts for very reasonable prices. I always say its one of the few places where you can stay at a 5 star hotel for less than 200 dollars a night. For our family we love the hotels with the lazy river pools. Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand (and Signature- because you can use the MGM grand pool), Monte Carlo and Tahiti Village all have lazy river pools. Our kids and spend hours just floating around the lazy river. All the above hotels allow you to bring flotation devices for your kids, but adults cannot bring their own tube. You must rent/purchase an adult tube for all the hotels (except Tahiti Village, which includes them in the resort fee). Mandalay Bay and Monte Carlo both have wave pools too.

2. Bellagio Fountains and Garden

This season the garden is under the sea theme. The pictures below just don't do the garden justice. The flowers are always so vibrant and the air smells so sweet and fresh when you enter the garden. This is also a great place to take pictures, the lighting is amazing there.

The Bellagio fountains go on every 15 to 30 minutes. I would recommend watching them at night.

3. M&M store, Coke Store, Hersheys Store, Ethel M's Chocolate factory tour (off strip).

I would recommend the M&M store with the free 3-D show on the third floor that plays every 15 -30 minutes. I even enjoyed the show, it was pretty funny and entertaining. Coke store has a coke around the world tasting (I don't know if they still have it but I think it was 5 dollars the last time I did it). If you go during the winter the Ethel M's Chocolate factory has Christmas lighted cactus.

4. ABC Store for souvenirs. If you have ever been to Hawaii, you should be familiar with the ABC stores. The Vegas one is just as great. It's a one stop shop to get your drinks, souvineers and any other essentials for reasonable prices. There is a ton of cute Hello Kitty Vegas stuff also. They also have macadamia nuts just like in Hawaii! The prices are comparable to Hawaii prices with an 11oz bag of mac nuts going for 12 dollars.

There are also lots of places shopping places in most of the major hotels. Ceasars and Planet Hollywood have shops, and MGM grand has a small strip of stores. We saw the cutest soaps from a shop called Nectar in MGM. Can you believe the pictures below are soaps? It smelled even more amazing than it looked.

5. Shark Reef (Mandalay Bay - 19 dollars per adult),Secret Garden (Mirage 24 dollars per adult)

To be honest I just put these on the list because they are things to do for kids, but I can't say I recommend them. The tickets are pretty expensive for what it is. The aquarium is small and the variety of fish is limited. I was able to get a free ticket playing myVegas slots, but if I had to pay to get in I would say just pass.

6. Ceasars Aquarium, Silverton Aquarium with Mermaid show, Silverton Bass Pro Shops (Off strip)

If you want to see fish for free just go to Ceasars, or better yet go to the Silverton Casino where they have an aquarium with a mermaid show. Keep in mind that its just one very large tank, but it is free and can keep the kids entertained for a little while (kids under 6 that is). Next to the aquarium in Silverton is Bass Pro shops which has lots of taxidermy. Tall stuffed giraffes, lions, and it even has a small tank of salmon to look at.

7. Free Tram

Although this is not a point of interest, and if you have older kids or live in a big city with trains this may not seem exciting, but my kids loved the tram. The following hotels all have free trams that take you between hotels: Monte Carlo, Vdara, Aria, Bellagio, Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Mirage, Treasure Island. The tram doesn't take you to all those hotels, there is one that takes you between Monte Carlo, Vdara, Aria, City Center, Bellagio. Another tram takes you to Excalibur, Mandalay Bay, Luxor and one for Mirage and Treasure Island. Not only is the tram a life saver in the hot 100 degree weather, but for my kids its an attraction in itself. They love riding the tram back and forth, so on some nights we would just let them sit on the tram and go a couple of round trips before getting off.

8. Monorail

The monorail is another option, but it does cost about 5 dollars per ride or there are daily and weekly passes.

9. Mirage Volcano and TI pirate show

I haven't seen these in a while, but I think they are still there. The TI pirate show may be more geared for adults now though.

10. Arcades and Games

Circus Circus, Excalibur and New York New York all have arcades. Circus Circus and Excalibur have the fun zone where you can win tickets and play carnival games. Circus Circus also has a free circus show. There is also a roller coaster at NY NY (I have never been on).

11. Flamingos and Penguins as Flamingo Hotel

Before the pool area there are pink flamingos and penguins that you can see at the hotel.

12. Container Park(Off Strip)

A new shopping area where they take shipping containers to build shops.

13. Town Square Playground (Off Strip)

Playground for the kids.

14. Pinball Hall of Fame (Off Strip Free to enter, games are 25 cents to 1 dollar)

15. Venetian Gondola rides (not sure the price)

16. Shows (prices vary): Tournament of Kings, Nathan Burton Comedy Magic, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, Ceasars has a free show next to the aquarium, I can't remember the theme but its a 10 minute show where the sky changes and the statues move.

Random food places that we like:

Grimali's Pizza, Secret Pizza, Garrett's Popcorn, In and Out, Shake Shack, Mon a Mi Gabi, Bouchon Bakery

Rainbow Loom Bands Two Peg Easy Tutorials Roundup 24 Jun 2015 8:45 PM (10 years ago)

Below is a round up of some of my Rainbow Loom Band YouTube tutorials. These are all two pegs so you can make them on two pencils (without a Rainbow Loom). Be sure to check out my youtube playlist for all of my Rainbow Loom tutorials here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA6rw9MhPXo&list=PLHh54uY19V8BDOGGSLQVO4XJ6D7c_VzfT

Butterfly Heart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtuS4ZwcBuw

Sacred Lotus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3By3gVnjfj8

Faye by @Loominade: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32voPGXg8O4

Three Fish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdjWmN16AEE

Swirled Links by @Creationsby.B: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk7f0A0kNrg

Vesable by @LoomLeaf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSuJKwgn_ps

Pocahontas Variation by @Alex_looms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2BRAQ0mA80

Galaxia by @CraftsByHedgeHog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTOwwtDdP10

My Little Pony Fashion Spa Day with Elsa and Ariel too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2os_1UVecwc

Frozen Fever Fashion Show with Elsa, Anna and Ariel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGioMsDFPJU

Japanese Eraser Collection with My Little Pony Pinkie Pie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpaNLkecT54

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