Friday, April 29, 2011

Turning Thirty - A Photo A Day

I know a few people who are turning thirty this year, a few people who have already done that, and a few people for whom that is still way off in the distance.  Whatever the case may be, this is an amazing way to spend the next eight and a half minutes of your life.  Watch and listen and think.

thread - strength and vulnerability

I follow the Toronto Craft Alert website, which is SO inspiring and depressing at the same time.  Inspiring because it reminds me that there are people out there who are devoting their lives to art and crafts, and depressing because those people are in Toronto, not my home town. 

Nonetheless, from time to time they feature the most inspiring events, one of which is an exhibit of this artist's work.  I love how she describes her work and how, as she says, her work combines and features the strength and vulnerability of thread.  Can I do that in myself?  Can I celebrate both my strength and my vulnerability and consider them both worth featuring?

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

San Fran in toothpicks

When I was little, I was your classic Peter Pan kid - I did not want to grow up.  I cried on my tenth birthday.  I like to think that I still maintain some of the best qualities about kids, one of which is wonder.  I love imaginary things and worlds where everything is just a bit more beautiful than you thought possible.  I love being amazed.  I hope that I can encourage those qualities in my kids (both those I teach and those I parent) - help them to appreciate that reality isn't all there is to life...

Along those lines, I would like to share this.  Here is someone who has put a LOT of time into something purely fun, whimsical and totally impractical.  Yay!  Enjoy.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

crayon cookies

A very cool idea, especially as gifts, or birthday party favours, or of course, just for your own kids. 

wow paper garland

I will be using this for my daughter's birthday party, or at least something like it.  AMAZING!

The more I explore, the more wonderful things I see on this blog.  Check it out if you're looking for easy nature-related crafts to do with kids.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Officer Superhero

A very good friend, and fellow blog-reader directed me to a fantastic new blog.  I started by reading a tear-jerker post, and then a couple giggle-jerker posts.  The post that I am going to share with you is neither of these.  It is a full-out-laugh-jerker post.  You may or may not snort while reading this.  I know I usually post good ideas and things here, but I just have to share this with you, and also store it here so that when things are getting just a little more crazy than I think I can handle, I can just read that and remember that I am not alone.

So, here it is: Officer Superhero.  Also, I highly recommend reading her blog as often as possible.  It is so awesome.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Pallet Garden

It's easy to think that you have to choose between living in the city and having a garden.  Not so!  This crazy idea illustrates that.  Again, I love it because it is something you can do yourself with only minimal cost, it is recycling, and it will grow!  I think it would be cool to do a whole fence of these!  We just might try it...

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Pillowcase Dress

Here is another adorable recycled dress for girls that is super easy and super cute.  Thanks friend for the idea! I'm picking up old pillowcases all the time, just because I like the fabric, so I might just whip up one of these for Easter!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Small Cool 2011

I think I've already mentioned that one of my favourite websites for home inspiration is Apartment Therapy.  Every year they have a contest called The Small/Cool Contest.  For those of us who live in less-than-huge houses, it is SO fantastic to look through the different entries and see how other people have made their small spaces cool.  I always love this contest and highly recommend that you check it out if you're looking for decor, storage or small space ideas.

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Old Socks Become Baby Leg Warmers!

I'm going to have to say that I am ashamed for not having thought of this, because it's SO obvious!  Of course you should just cut the feet off of your old socks with holes in the toes, hem the edge and pass them on to babykins!  I have one pair of Huggalugs and was just lamenting the fact that I couldn't justify buying 6 more pairs (one for each day of the week of course...).  Here is the answer!  And if you really wanted to, you could go to the dollar store or thrift store and specifically buy the funkiest socks you can find and turn them into baby leg warmers.  Brilliant.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Little Girl's Shirt Dress

I think this is a really cute way to recycle that old shirt that your man is tired of.  As the site says, I think the little girl will be thrilled to wear something of daddy's (or grandpa's), and it's design means she'll be able to wear it for a few years.  Recycled, simple, cute...what's not to love?