Arts and Crafts with children: Watercolor edition

I have shared many crafts,but some of my favorite crafts are ones I do with children. I am nanny for four children from three and half to one and half. Crafts for children don’t have to be complicated or expensive. This project involves four things:

1. Watercolor the cheap kind 
2. Paint brush
3. Water in a cup
4. Paper preferable watercolor paper 

    Very simple take all the items and set them up on the table. Set your child down and watch them go crazy. Always sit with your child and take them time to teach them how to paint and the process of cleaning your brush before you choose a new color. I love taking time with them. I never tell them what color to paint or ask what it is their painting. Unlike grown -ups kids paint to paint not for the outcome. So let them have fun and interact .Enjoy there are no rules in art !!

  

Loving the Campy 1950's posters

   So recently we have been going through my dad’s collection of things we are selling them on Ebay. I am going to featured some of the items here on my blog. We started first with  selling paper goods before my dad got into collecting petroleum stuff he collected posters. My dad has some very campy posters from the 1950’s b movies. Most of them have a crazy plots, but the posters are just amazing. The first one we are selling is Called “Fright” and starting Nancy Malone and Eric Fleming. 

The plot is a woman believes herself to be the reincarnated spirit of an ancient prince's lover. Meanwhile, a murderer turns out to be the reincarnated spirit of the prince himself.

If want want to take a closer look you can go to my Ebay page. It will be on sale March 19.

Michael' vs. Jo-ann why not both

With weekend upon us I wanted to chat about the two stores you can find me every weekend. Michael's and Jo-ann. Both stores have the pros and cons. So I thought I would familiarize you and give you tips on shopping these two big stores. My first suggestion always is to get to know sale people. In any store you love find a sales person you can talk to about sales and merchandise. They are best people to give suggestions and let you know what is going on in the store. I have gotten best deals because of wonderful sale associates. Second and this goes for every store as well sign-up for promotional email and facebook.

So let' me tell you about Michael’s. I smile every time I go in because any place you go there is sign saying sale. There are bins usually in the back or in a whole row and even in front. You have to dig ,but if you know what want you may find some gems. Look at the ads and be aware of what is one sale. The other thing to know is the lines can be awful depending on the time so be sure you give yourself plenty time. I always go in with list because it is easy to get distracted. Michael’s doesn’t have a fabric section. It has sewing supplies,but no fabric. Be sure to download the phone  app it has coupons on it and list of products they have. Never pay full price at Michael’s with coupon 40 % every week no need. I find customer service to be rally good. Most of people that work there love crafting and are enthustic so don’t be afraid to ask the sale associates for help or advice.

 Now let’s talk abut Jo-ann. Jo-ann is geared more for sewing and knitting. However, if you have no knowledge of these topics don’t expect to get explanation. They also have tons of other crafting and decor through out the store. I find customer service is not really high on their priorities so don’t expect to see a lot of people walking around answering questions. In saying that the prices can be amazing. So low you don’t care if you every see another person again. They have an phone app as well coupons included and search of their products. As long as you know what want you will be happy with awesome prices.

If you are crafter and like saving money it is worth trying both stores, but do your homework and have a list. 

Customer Service the difference between Modcloth and Hutelook

I have confession to make I love ordering stuff online because I love getting them in the mail. I love packages and unwrapping them seeing the beautiful packaging and enjoying the contents. However , the best thing about shopping online or in a store is costumer service. My husband is manger at Round table and can’t stand bad customer service. I too with background from working at hotel and preschool know how to sugar count almost anything. We are nice people,but don’t cross us with bad customer service or we will find your manger. John has even complained to Strakbucks  and yes , they did call him back. They gave him two gift cards too!!

So I was shocked when Hutelook a great website that sales brand names items at deep discount totally lost my Valentines gift. John called their customer service and was horrified at the man on other line. Not only was he completely without personality ,but he seemed to careless about the whole thing. Did they offer use anything no . Did they investigate yes ,but never called back.John called them!!! They gave us Our money back that is IT. No apology. I even filled out survey saying they sucked. Nothing. Wow you guys could careless. So please think twice before order from these people.

So after that depressing story something to uplift you. I order my skirt from Modcloth and my package came today. I was tickled pink by their cute box. I sat staring at it for couple minutes before I opened it. I have never been so impressed by box before. Then I opened it I was so excited  by the box the message inside so cute. There was my skirt fit perfectly exactly what I ordered and a surprise gift. These people know how to impress even the most cynical customer. You made my day Modcloth. Thank God for the Modcloth’s of world or maybe I would never order anything online!!

My first scrapbook project

    I am starting my first project for Open Box paper goods. An old friend from high school is letting me use her as guinea pig. She was wonderful giving me virtually free creative control. It was great seeing her because it has been about four or five years. In that time her daughter I had in my preschool class at two has grown into a second grader. She is married with a baby and it is wonderful to see her in life I know she always imagined for herself.

       The amazing thing to me is how she is letting me into her life after so many years to take her most personal memories into a beautiful scrapbook.  I am so honored to be the person that will take her memories and make into something new. My favorite book is the “Giver" and the irony for me is I feel like the little boy in book taking the gifts of memories and amortizing them so no one ever forgets them. It is unexpected reward to feel so grateful that people would let me in such a personal part of their lives. I hope for many more amazing experiences. I will continue to post more page as I finish them.

Donuts, Donuts read all about it

This weekend another project for the bridal shower. I am trying out different donuts recipes this one is first.  Find the recipe here.We are making heart shaped donuts for desert.  The taste is the most important to me. The first recipe is the Wilton recipe and is really start forward. I am going to try a second recipe one if we don’t like Wilton.They were delicious and easy to make.

To be honest I was talking on phone as I made them and they turned out wonderful. The only thing I would caution is to defiantly sifting the ingredients because it does get chunky and does not mix well if you don’t do that. I told John if I was aware of how easy it was to make donuts I would have done it long time ago. Good thing I didn’t know or I would weight 800 pounds. Enjoy!

My five favorite things

My five favorite things this week. I have stole this post idea from one of my top five things this week.one of my favorite blogs Cupcakes and Cashmere. She is so amazing with cooking recipes done with elegances and beauty. I love her style and effortless class. 

I am also loving Japanese Washi tape that comes in every color and pattern.What is not to love. I am not loving how hard it is to find. I found it at Modcloth sold out and on Etsy.

The new preview for the Pixar new movie called “Brave”. I am so excited it looks really good .My husband can’t wait either he loves all thing Celtic and cartoons. So happy it has been too long Pixar.

I just saw this on the Nate Burkus show. Three different twist on s’more . So delicious!!

I am loving the show on OWN network called “ Oprah next Chapter” all about hidden cultures and interesting people. Of the likes of Tony Robbins , George Lucus and Sean Penn. It’s such a great show because she is never judgmentally and always asked the questions you wan to know. I love when she interviews people because she is such open person and never trying to make people mad she is trying to understand them.We all need to do that more!