Terrarium Centerpiece

Ever since Jake and I visited the New York Botanical Garden in the spring, I've been thinking about terrariums. They had a great kids activity where volunteers helped kids make their own terrarium using a plastic container. Jake had a great time, and our terrarium is thriving, and getting bigger.

On display in the kids center they had charming terrariums created by old friends, Michelle Inciarrano and Katy Maslow, owners/creators of Twig Terrariums. I thought they were so clever, incorporating tiny figures into the plants and displaying them on the walls in these cool containers that lay flat against the wall. They've definitely made terrariums a popular item these days. They've done a great looking book called Tiny World Terrariums, A Step-By-Step Guide to Easily Contained Life.

Wouldn't you be smitten if someone sent you this little terrarium? (It's available at Twig Terrarium). Kudos to the guy that makes the guy in the terrarium look like him!

Since our terrarium is such a happy memory for me, I've been thinking it might be fun for us to replant and expand it. Perhaps incorporating some figures of our own, and using it as a centerpiece in our dining room. I'd like to use a large glass container with a lid. Something fancy which might offset the fact that our figures will most likely be several of the Avengers characters. Something like this:

I like this shape better, but I don't think it would work, because the lid needs to be on the top:

I'll also need to look for some tiny Avengers characters...

Stay tuned! We'll see what happens with this crazy idea! In the meantime, I'll be furiously watering our outdoor garden, hoping to keep the "elevendy billion" flowers I planted alive!

It's kind of corny...

No major plans around here, but we made these tasty treats for Jake's buddies. Isn't it fun how excited kids get about holidays? Happy Valentine's Day! Hope it's a good one!

Ka Pow!

As both my super heroes have gone to bed early (my husband because he had knee surgery today, and Jake actually WANTED to go to bed), I've had a few moments to begin thinking about Jake's upcoming birthday party. I was searching for some ideas on-line, and found these funny (large) centerpieces. For some reason, I just think they're kind of hysterical. I've told Jake that the party is going to be a generic super hero party (I'm sure he knows what generic means!) because I don't want it to get too out of hand since the super hero thing can really go either way. I might be nuts.

If you DO want a specific superhero for YOUR party, you can get one of these funny centerpieces at Play Patterns.

Dinos

I've been working on a couple of dinosaur kid's activity books lately. They're really fun, and I'm looking forward to the day Jake starts to take interest in dinosaurs. (Of course, he'll probably have me making him a dinosaur costume!) I remember being VERY into dinosaurs when I was in kindergarten. The first book (above) will be a learn-to-draw dinosaur activity book with step-by-step instructions. The illustrations are by Keri Barbas Steckler. It's funny, I've worked with her for over 12 years, and because we lived in different cities and only talked on the phone, we became good friends before we'd ever met in person. Has that ever happened to you? Kindred spirits, I guess?

The other project I'm working on is a create-your-own papercraft toy dinosaur activity book. I'm working with illustrator, and paper engineer Mary Beth Cryan, and I have to say, she's been amazing. I'm thrilled with each new dinosaur she sends me. It's like opening a present every couple weeks! The book will feature 24 dinosaurs to punch out, and then assemble. Here's a sneak peek:

Have a good week!

Oh gosh!

Guess what arrived in the mail today? These are the components to make Jake's Eye Boy costume! I've hidden the box, or I'll have to begin making it the second he walks in the door. Unfortunately, there are no directions as this is uncharted super hero territory, but one thing I know is, the costume is going to be very warm! I'm really not sure polar fleece was the way to go.

Wish me luck!

For those of you who are reading for the first time...meet Eye Boy!

Eye Boy to the Rescue!

Jake has come up with a new super hero...EYE BOY! He has created a whole story/world around this character, and now it's up to me, Super Mom, to create the perfect EYE BOY costume. What a challenge!

I had him describe the costume to me, and drew it for his approval. He's quite exacting. Really, I'm not sure how I'm going to make this, but I thought polar fleece would be the best bet, so I ordered all the pieces tonight, and will wing it once it comes. I think the fact that it won't be shiny is a little disappointing to him, but I persuaded him that a cozy super hero costume will be more comfortable to catch bad guys.

He has concocted a whole cast of bad guys. There's Horrible Head (who does really horrible things), Ugly Head (who does really terrible things), Christmas Tree Head (who steals all the Christmas decorations)...and these are just a few!

Stay tuned for future episodes of...EYE BOY!

P.S. Didn't Superman's aunt create his costume on Lois & Clark? Perhaps I really DO have the next super hero!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! I haven't come up with any life altering resolutions this year, but I would like to try to write in Jake's diary more frequently. I messed up Jake's baby book when I started it way back when, and gave up pretty quickly. Instead, I started a diary for him, thinking I could always go back and enter the facts at a later date. In the beginning, I would record when he ate, slept, when, how much, how tall, how heavy, etc. But as he grew, so did our adventures, and the entries became more detailed. Now I jot down the fun things we've done, and the cute things he says, etc. I just ordered Jake's diary for the new year. I don't get to it every day...and I wish I could and would, but I've got a lot of his life recorded, and I'm grateful that I have. I think someday he's going to love looking back on his early years (or at least his wife will!). I also record mom advice for future years and keep little mementos throughout the year. What prevents me from writing sometimes is actually a LACK of space. When I get going, I find I have a lot to say. This year, after much searching, I ordered this Cavallini daily planner from Jenni Bick Bookbinding. I splurged, and got his name embossed on the front, and I let him chose the color, so of course, it will be pink this year!

So, how about you? Any great resolutions this year? If you need some inspiration, check out Marc and Angel Hack Life. Or, if you'd like an inspiring love story, read about Mara and Danny's adventures...you'll probably read the whole thing. And, if you'd like to declutter your life, take on the Clutterfat Challenge and see what happens!

Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Halloween Countdown...

I feel like Halloween is actually a month and a half long holiday around here. September and October are my favorite months in Westchester... I'm no longer craving the beach, I'm energized by personal projects, the weather is still nice, AND there are many fun things to do in the area which we've been taking advantage of. Last Friday night was the second time we've been to see the jack-o-lantern extravaganza, BLAZE at Van Cortlandt Manor, one of the historic hudson homes. Talented carvers, and dedicated volunteers carve over 4,000 pumpkins, and illuminate them each night throughout the grounds. It takes them a few hours to light the pumpkins each night. Can you imagine? I think my carving limit might top out at about 5! It's truly amazing to see. Here are some shots from our fun night in the land of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Our own pumpkin decorating was far less ambitious, but really fun. We're going with glittery, disco pumpkins this year! I'll probably carve them next weekend so we can light them up for the kajillion trick-or-treaters we get each year, but I think Jake is still a little squeamish about scooping pumpkin goo.

(Note: these photos were taken on the very rare occasion that Jake wasn't wearing his Spiderman costume...these moments are few and far between these days, but he IS wearing his self-created baseball uniform!)

It's been awhile...

But, things have been busy around here! We've been making pumpkins to hang in the windows. I originally thought I'd cut them out, but they're looking pretty cute the way they are.

Every woman needs a super hero, and I am no exception. My personal helper washes paint brushes (for lengthy periods of time...always so upsetting when your super hero "muscles" get soaked with soapy water!).

And, I've made progress on creating a dining room that looks a little more "designed", and less like we're camping out. I cleared everything in the room, and made room for our new chairs. I LOVE them. Our new lights arrived, and they'll be installed next week. Still need to choose new paint colors,a rug, and window treatments (if any?).

My superhero also likes to help me sew. (Do you see why it's very difficult for me to get anything done?) These are the roman shades in progress for our guest bedroom. The project stalled for the summer, but now I'm in full swing again, and managed to get them sewn. Unfortunately, I don't think I love them anymore, but we'll see what they look like when I hang them up.

Knitting Moms

I'm encouraging my mom to knit a similar super hero-ish sweater for Jake. Don't you think every grandson needs an awesome lightening bolt sweater made by his grandmother?

If your mother won't knit one for your son, you can buy one here.

Look! See how cute he'll look in it? I hope my mom DOES make it, otherwise, he might turn her into a pumpkin with that magic wand. (No pressure of course!)

P.S. Maybe she'll make me one too!

P.S. It worked!

Do you remember the tie-dye t-shirts I was hesitant to make? They came out great! I bought a kit, and it's a whole different ball game from the vats of boiling dye of my youth. It's a fun project, and very easy. You can buy a kit here. We chose "Moody Blues". The colors are really vibrant, and have remained so after several washings.

Tie-Dyed T-Shirts...am I nuts?

One of Jake's best friends just turned 4, and we've invited him over for a craft party (for two) this weekend. I've been thinking of all different projects they could make, but have been thinking it might be fun to try tie-dying. They're probably a little young for the project, but I came across this tutorial from the Family Fun site that involves spray bottles (some friends and family members may know how fond Jake is of spray bottles), so I thought this might be fun to try. No doubt I'll end up dying both children pink in the process, but I think they'd be very proud of the t-shirts they could make.

Thoughts? Nutty, or go for it?

More fun with chalkboard paint

I've been playing a little more with my chalkboard paints after completing the larger outdoor mural boards. This project was a quick, fun, and satisfying because it was so easy to actually finish! 

To make this vase, I covered one side of the vase with painters tape. I then cut a heart-shaped stencil with an exact-o knife, and painted the area with primer. Then, two coats of pink chalkboard paint. I let it dry, and then removed the tape. I touched up the edges with a little paintbrush. After that, I added my message, and had a little photo shoot with Jake. He helped cut the flowers. He's quite talented, don't you think?

Chalkboard Masterpieces

After a recent trip to the Children's Museum of Manhattan, I was inspired to make these outdoor chalkboard murals for Jake. The museum had a fun outdoor play space with a lot of different water-based activities. We had a lot of fun "painting" with water on these pieces of framed slate:

Once the water dries, the image vanishes...magic! I loved all the kooky frames in all the different shapes. I originally wanted to do something like this to hang on the fairly unattractive fence in our backyard. However, when I got to the wood store, I realized that A.) I would probably never finish this WITH frames because I don't have the proper saw and would spend most of my time trying to figure out how to get that done; and B.) bigger would be better...he would have more room to draw and create his own masterpieces.

I've been wanting to try out some projects with the ever-so-popular chalkboard paint, and thought this would be the perfect project. It's super easy. Once you have the wood cut to size (which you can have done at Home Depot), you just prime, paint, hang up, and you're good to draw!

My husband added a cute note...he's been having fun playing with them too!

Welcome to New York

Here's a sneak peek of another fold-out play set I've been working on. The theme of this, of course, is New York City, and will feature 3 fold out scenes of Manhattan with several paper dolls, and NY city characters (artists, dog walker etc) to assemble and play with on the fold-out scenes.

The cover is rough, and I just pieced things together to show the illustrator, Amy Saidens, what we had in mind. I think it's really fun. What do you think? Does it make you want to visit New York?

Painting with a twist

I've got projects on my mind lately, and the desire to play with paint...with a twist! While exploring fun paint projects lately, I came across these cool paint supplies from Rustoleum that I never knew existed.

Of course, I've known about chalkboard paint, but did you know that they have glow in the dark paint, dry erase paint, and magnetic paint? How cool is that? I've always believed that at least 25% of creativity is knowing about the right supplies. Another 25% of the equation is actually having the supplies on hand so you can actually get started!

Have you tried any of these paints? If so, I'd love to hear about it, and see what you made!
Have fun creative friends!