A new rag wreath for our door in Sandi Henderson Meadowsweet Fabric.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
Why Don't You Make Celery Stamped Valentine's Day Cards
I blatantly borrowed this idea from Maureen Cracknell.
The moment I saw it on her blog, I knew we had to try it ourselves. My photography isn't nearly as beautiful as hers, and my stamping wasn't as perfect, but oh my goodness we had fun with this project.
It's so simple I'm not sure instructions are even needed.
Here, take a look:
Don't you just LOVE the way the base of the celery stalk makes a beautiful rose print? We used red tempera paint. I watered it down just a bit because we found that straight out of the bottle it was too thick and didn't leave that gorgeous flower print image, just a glob of paint.
Make sure you apply even pressure when you press down. Don't rock back and forth too much. Make sure to smile and look cute while you're doing it in case someone takes a picture.
We added some glitter, some green tempera paint leaves and wrote "Be Mine" on the outside of the card. The inside is blank so that my son can color, practice his "H's", and leave dictated love notes for friends and family. Such a sweetly simple Valentine's Day card. Thank you Maureen for the inspiration!
The moment I saw it on her blog, I knew we had to try it ourselves. My photography isn't nearly as beautiful as hers, and my stamping wasn't as perfect, but oh my goodness we had fun with this project.
It's so simple I'm not sure instructions are even needed.
Here, take a look:
Don't you just LOVE the way the base of the celery stalk makes a beautiful rose print? We used red tempera paint. I watered it down just a bit because we found that straight out of the bottle it was too thick and didn't leave that gorgeous flower print image, just a glob of paint.
Make sure you apply even pressure when you press down. Don't rock back and forth too much. Make sure to smile and look cute while you're doing it in case someone takes a picture.
We added some glitter, some green tempera paint leaves and wrote "Be Mine" on the outside of the card. The inside is blank so that my son can color, practice his "H's", and leave dictated love notes for friends and family. Such a sweetly simple Valentine's Day card. Thank you Maureen for the inspiration!
This Moment
{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Inspired by Soule Mama
Wax Paper/Crayon Shavings Hearts in our Window.
Wax Paper/Crayon Shavings Hearts in our Window.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Why Don't You Make Valentines Day Votives?
Yes, I know that Valentine's Day is a Hallmark Holiday - contrived to convince people to spend money on chocolates and cards and roses and jewelry. Exactly the sort of holiday you would think I would avoid with my need to limit consumerism and commercialism in our home. But I can't help it. I LOVE Valentine's Day.
I love that it's a holiday about love, passion, affection, sweethearts. I love the cupids, the flowers, the chocolate, the cards, and yes, I even the love sparkly jewelry. Say what you will, I jump into this Hallmark Holiday feet first.
Still, it wasn't until I had my own child that I rediscovered the joy in creating our own Valentine's decorations. The beauty in handmade. Somewhere between my own childhood and womanhood I forgot that half of the beauty of this holiday belongs to the cut out hearts, the puddles of craft glue, and copious amounts of glitter.
Yesterday we made our own Valentine's Day votive holders out of material we already had. I'm not reinventing the wheel here. This project has been done by many, many bloggers, in many schools, and by generations of children. Still, it was fun, cheap, and turned out so sweet.
You'll need:
A recycled glass jar (We used a washed out pickle jar)
Colored tissue paper
Scissors
Liquid starch
Craft brushes
Newspaper
A container to hold your liquid starch
We began by laying newspapers down across our work area. Liquid starch is just that. Liquid. It's runny and messy - which is half the fun.
We took white craft tissue paper and tore it into small squares. 3 inches square or so works well. Under supervision, to make sure that our recycled pickle jar didn't roll right off the table, I had my son lay a piece of tissue paper across the jar. He then painted a small amount of liquid starch right over the top of the tissue paper. We tried just dipping the tissue paper, but it was too soggy, and just matted together.
Continue laying the white tissue paper over your glass jar until the entire jar is covered:
While the jar was still wet, we took shades of red and pink tissue paper and cut out itty bitty hearts. You can add the hearts directly to the top of the first wet white layer. It will help them adhere. If you need too, feel free to paint on just a wee bit more liquid starch:
Add as many tissue hearts as you want and make sure to layer some of them.
Allow your votive to dry overnight. When it's completely dry place a small tea light inside.
The result is charming, don't you think?
Happily crafting away.
Simple Mama
I love that it's a holiday about love, passion, affection, sweethearts. I love the cupids, the flowers, the chocolate, the cards, and yes, I even the love sparkly jewelry. Say what you will, I jump into this Hallmark Holiday feet first.
Still, it wasn't until I had my own child that I rediscovered the joy in creating our own Valentine's decorations. The beauty in handmade. Somewhere between my own childhood and womanhood I forgot that half of the beauty of this holiday belongs to the cut out hearts, the puddles of craft glue, and copious amounts of glitter.
Yesterday we made our own Valentine's Day votive holders out of material we already had. I'm not reinventing the wheel here. This project has been done by many, many bloggers, in many schools, and by generations of children. Still, it was fun, cheap, and turned out so sweet.
You'll need:
A recycled glass jar (We used a washed out pickle jar)
Colored tissue paper
Scissors
Liquid starch
Craft brushes
Newspaper
A container to hold your liquid starch
We began by laying newspapers down across our work area. Liquid starch is just that. Liquid. It's runny and messy - which is half the fun.
We took white craft tissue paper and tore it into small squares. 3 inches square or so works well. Under supervision, to make sure that our recycled pickle jar didn't roll right off the table, I had my son lay a piece of tissue paper across the jar. He then painted a small amount of liquid starch right over the top of the tissue paper. We tried just dipping the tissue paper, but it was too soggy, and just matted together.
Continue laying the white tissue paper over your glass jar until the entire jar is covered:
While the jar was still wet, we took shades of red and pink tissue paper and cut out itty bitty hearts. You can add the hearts directly to the top of the first wet white layer. It will help them adhere. If you need too, feel free to paint on just a wee bit more liquid starch:
Add as many tissue hearts as you want and make sure to layer some of them.
Allow your votive to dry overnight. When it's completely dry place a small tea light inside.
The result is charming, don't you think?
Happily crafting away.
Simple Mama
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wrapping It Up....El Yunque National Forest
Our cruise was over before we knew it. 7 days of sun, water, beach, new experiences, new cultures, new people. Before we were to head home however, we had one last full day in Puerto Rico.
Super Hubby and I decided that the best way to spend the day was to rent a car and car seat and drive to the far eastern side of Puerto Rico to see Luquillo beach and the El Yunque National Rain Forest.
The waves at Luquillo were far too high for us to play in. It wasn't until later that we discovered that there is a coral protected beach that the locals come to play in. When people talk about Luquillo, that is the spot they speak of. Still, we snapped a few photos. The sand was so different from the other beaches we had been to. Almost a bright orange. It was gorgeous little spot though, with a handful of surfers and picnickers playing during lunch.
From Luquillo we headed east and then south, planning on entering El Yunque from the southern end and working our way back up north. As we made way down the eastern side of the Luquillo mountains the road became more narrow and unimproved. We found ourselves in the back country - little houses dotted the mountainous terrain, perched among some of the most gorgeous scenery I have ever witnessed. As we kept driving up, up, up, I mentioned on more than one occasion that this seemed crazy! Surely we were on the wrong road? Wouldn't a main road to a national rain forest be in better repair? I should add, it was raining off and on all morning - so the road seemed even more treacherous and muddy.
We finally pulled over in a small residential area and stopped to talk to two gentlemen. One was a native Puerto Rican, the other an ex-pat from Florida. (Are you considered an ex-pat if you move from the States to Puerto Rico?) The assured us that we were indeed on the correct path, but that the south entrance to El Yunque had been closed for years due to a washout. You could still go up to the entrance, park your car and walk around, but you couldn't drive through. After finding that the entrance was only another 6 miles or so, we decided to head up. How beautiful it was! Wild and untamed. Overgrown and magical! We found a short trail that led down to the roaring river and explored for a bit.
After finishing up on the south side of the forest, we hopped back in the car and made the journey back up to the north side of El Yunque to the main entrance. The roads this direction are well maintained. There are periodic services such as parking lots, bathrooms, marked hiking trails and even places to get food.
We spent several hours in El Yunque. I mentioned to Super Hubby on multiple occasions that I felt like I was walking around in scene from Jurassic Park. With nightfall not far off, we realized we were going to need to head back to our hotel soon. There wasn't nearly enough time in one afternoon to feel like you had even scratched the surface of this amazing rain forest.
I was so happy we made the decision to rent a car and get out of San Juan. Once you're out of the city Puerto Rico feels so, well....Puerto Rican. English isn't spoken as widely here, the buildings and houses look and feel different. It loses much of the commercialized, touristy feel and takes on a whole different appeal. One that we liked very much.
Finally, before I wrap my vacation series, I wanted to take a moment to share the following picture:
A photo of our family on the formal night aboard the Carnival Victory. My grandmother had recently celebrated her 87th birthday. Having always wanted to go on a cruise, we asked her to join us. Her eldest daughter, my Aunt C. joined us as well. Three generations of the oldest women in the family. Now that I think of it, every single person in that photo is a first born.
It was such a blessing to have my grandmother and aunt on this trip with us. A memory that I will always cherish and be thankful for.
And with that, I'm at the end of our Southern Caribbean vacation. It was over far too quickly. It left me with a renewed travel bug. Longing for sunshine, beach, and warm water. Thank you for following along!
Simple Mama
Super Hubby and I decided that the best way to spend the day was to rent a car and car seat and drive to the far eastern side of Puerto Rico to see Luquillo beach and the El Yunque National Rain Forest.
The waves at Luquillo were far too high for us to play in. It wasn't until later that we discovered that there is a coral protected beach that the locals come to play in. When people talk about Luquillo, that is the spot they speak of. Still, we snapped a few photos. The sand was so different from the other beaches we had been to. Almost a bright orange. It was gorgeous little spot though, with a handful of surfers and picnickers playing during lunch.
From Luquillo we headed east and then south, planning on entering El Yunque from the southern end and working our way back up north. As we made way down the eastern side of the Luquillo mountains the road became more narrow and unimproved. We found ourselves in the back country - little houses dotted the mountainous terrain, perched among some of the most gorgeous scenery I have ever witnessed. As we kept driving up, up, up, I mentioned on more than one occasion that this seemed crazy! Surely we were on the wrong road? Wouldn't a main road to a national rain forest be in better repair? I should add, it was raining off and on all morning - so the road seemed even more treacherous and muddy.
We finally pulled over in a small residential area and stopped to talk to two gentlemen. One was a native Puerto Rican, the other an ex-pat from Florida. (Are you considered an ex-pat if you move from the States to Puerto Rico?) The assured us that we were indeed on the correct path, but that the south entrance to El Yunque had been closed for years due to a washout. You could still go up to the entrance, park your car and walk around, but you couldn't drive through. After finding that the entrance was only another 6 miles or so, we decided to head up. How beautiful it was! Wild and untamed. Overgrown and magical! We found a short trail that led down to the roaring river and explored for a bit.
After finishing up on the south side of the forest, we hopped back in the car and made the journey back up to the north side of El Yunque to the main entrance. The roads this direction are well maintained. There are periodic services such as parking lots, bathrooms, marked hiking trails and even places to get food.
We spent several hours in El Yunque. I mentioned to Super Hubby on multiple occasions that I felt like I was walking around in scene from Jurassic Park. With nightfall not far off, we realized we were going to need to head back to our hotel soon. There wasn't nearly enough time in one afternoon to feel like you had even scratched the surface of this amazing rain forest.
I was so happy we made the decision to rent a car and get out of San Juan. Once you're out of the city Puerto Rico feels so, well....Puerto Rican. English isn't spoken as widely here, the buildings and houses look and feel different. It loses much of the commercialized, touristy feel and takes on a whole different appeal. One that we liked very much.
Finally, before I wrap my vacation series, I wanted to take a moment to share the following picture:
A photo of our family on the formal night aboard the Carnival Victory. My grandmother had recently celebrated her 87th birthday. Having always wanted to go on a cruise, we asked her to join us. Her eldest daughter, my Aunt C. joined us as well. Three generations of the oldest women in the family. Now that I think of it, every single person in that photo is a first born.
It was such a blessing to have my grandmother and aunt on this trip with us. A memory that I will always cherish and be thankful for.
And with that, I'm at the end of our Southern Caribbean vacation. It was over far too quickly. It left me with a renewed travel bug. Longing for sunshine, beach, and warm water. Thank you for following along!
Simple Mama
St. Martin
St. Martin was simply a beach day for us. My son was still feeling too icky for anything other than playing outside for a few hours. Sounds strange, right? Playing outside when you have a cold. But I figured we could spend the hours in our stateroom watching mindless TV, or he could be out in the waves and water dealing with his stuffy nose there. We opted for the water.
We grabbed a taxi and headed over to the French side of the island. Most people asked to go to Orient Beach. Orient, to my understanding can feel a bit like a full on circus on busy days. We were looking for something a little quieter. A little more local. We opted for Le Galion, also called Coconut Grove, Baie de l´Embouchure, and nicknamed "Baby Beach". It was just a 3 or 4 minute car ride from the clothing optional section of Orient, but had a local vibe to it. The beach is part of a preserve and buffeted from harsh waves by a huge coral reef. You could walk out 20 to 30 yards and still not be up to your waste. The perfect beach for just lazing around.
He's way cool.
Contemplating joining in on the play. He ultimately decided he wanted to just play by himself.
It's a rough life.
When you're done in the sun, you can grab a quick bite to eat at the Tropical Wave just up the beach. They'll even call a taxi to come pick you up. A great little beach. Uncrowded, white sand, just enough toplessness to feel exotic. I keep thinking if we go back to St. Martin we might explore other coves and area, but I really feel like we hit it right on the money with this stop at Le Galion.
San Juan and the El Yunque National Rainforest next.
Wrapping up Caribbean vacation...
Simple Mama
We grabbed a taxi and headed over to the French side of the island. Most people asked to go to Orient Beach. Orient, to my understanding can feel a bit like a full on circus on busy days. We were looking for something a little quieter. A little more local. We opted for Le Galion, also called Coconut Grove, Baie de l´Embouchure, and nicknamed "Baby Beach". It was just a 3 or 4 minute car ride from the clothing optional section of Orient, but had a local vibe to it. The beach is part of a preserve and buffeted from harsh waves by a huge coral reef. You could walk out 20 to 30 yards and still not be up to your waste. The perfect beach for just lazing around.
He's way cool.
Contemplating joining in on the play. He ultimately decided he wanted to just play by himself.
It's a rough life.
When you're done in the sun, you can grab a quick bite to eat at the Tropical Wave just up the beach. They'll even call a taxi to come pick you up. A great little beach. Uncrowded, white sand, just enough toplessness to feel exotic. I keep thinking if we go back to St. Martin we might explore other coves and area, but I really feel like we hit it right on the money with this stop at Le Galion.
San Juan and the El Yunque National Rainforest next.
Wrapping up Caribbean vacation...
Simple Mama
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
St. Kitts
St. Kitts turned out to be our favorite port of call. My son was feeling marginally better the morning we anchored in, so we decided to go ahead and make our scheduled tour with Captain Sunshine.
Devin and Kenny greeted us just inside the port terminal with a sign and a smile. They promptly set about the business of making us feel welcome, taking time to show my son Kenny's badge - he's a police officer on the island I believe.
Devin was our driver for the day and he took us all over the downtown Bassterre area pointing out important buildings, talking about the culture, the weather, and the people. We stopped for a moment to get a picture of the infamous St. Kitts Rum Tree:
We stopped in a local neighborhood and picked up some sliced sugar cane and played with an itty, bitty baby monkey. We tried to get the 3 year old to eat some sugar cane later in the day, but he informed us it was "monkey food."
From there our tour took us up to Samuel Jefferson's house (ancestor to Thomas Jefferson.) The house is now home to a batik factory and beautiful gardens.
And then we were off to Brimstone Hill Fortress. This was the stop my husband, a history buff was most looking forward to.
Boy...am I out of shape. These steps seemed to go on longer than I was expecting.
The view from the top. Yeah...the kid was bored, hot, and cranky. You can see why this was such a strategic location for the fort.
On the way back down The Little found an old rusted pay phone and promptly tried to call his Uncle Chris back in the states to let him know we were torturing him.
Devin found him though, and quickly put a smile back on his face:
Finally we were off to my most anticipated portion of the day. The beach. On the way back down from Brimstone hill we picked up Devin's daughter Devisha. She was such a wonderful playmate for my son the rest of the afternoon. We set out for South Friars Beach.
Devin pointing out my favorite view of our entire trip.
On the left side, the Atlantic ocean in all her turbulence. On the right side, the Caribbean Sea - calm and tranquil.
Devisha grasped my son's hand and led him back to our car so that we could make our way to South Friar's Beach on the Caribbean side. How sweet is this picture?
The beach of course was perfect. Not the pristine white sand we had seen previously, but gorgeous nonetheless. I'm in this shot, The Little on one side, Devisha on the other.
After several hours at the beach and another glorious open air shower (!) we drove back to the cruise ship terminal to leave St. Kitts behind. But we'll be back. It was a perfect day.
St. Martin next.
Simple Mama
Devin and Kenny greeted us just inside the port terminal with a sign and a smile. They promptly set about the business of making us feel welcome, taking time to show my son Kenny's badge - he's a police officer on the island I believe.
Devin was our driver for the day and he took us all over the downtown Bassterre area pointing out important buildings, talking about the culture, the weather, and the people. We stopped for a moment to get a picture of the infamous St. Kitts Rum Tree:
We stopped in a local neighborhood and picked up some sliced sugar cane and played with an itty, bitty baby monkey. We tried to get the 3 year old to eat some sugar cane later in the day, but he informed us it was "monkey food."
From there our tour took us up to Samuel Jefferson's house (ancestor to Thomas Jefferson.) The house is now home to a batik factory and beautiful gardens.
And then we were off to Brimstone Hill Fortress. This was the stop my husband, a history buff was most looking forward to.
Boy...am I out of shape. These steps seemed to go on longer than I was expecting.
The view from the top. Yeah...the kid was bored, hot, and cranky. You can see why this was such a strategic location for the fort.
On the way back down The Little found an old rusted pay phone and promptly tried to call his Uncle Chris back in the states to let him know we were torturing him.
Devin found him though, and quickly put a smile back on his face:
Finally we were off to my most anticipated portion of the day. The beach. On the way back down from Brimstone hill we picked up Devin's daughter Devisha. She was such a wonderful playmate for my son the rest of the afternoon. We set out for South Friars Beach.
Devin pointing out my favorite view of our entire trip.
On the left side, the Atlantic ocean in all her turbulence. On the right side, the Caribbean Sea - calm and tranquil.
Devisha grasped my son's hand and led him back to our car so that we could make our way to South Friar's Beach on the Caribbean side. How sweet is this picture?
The beach of course was perfect. Not the pristine white sand we had seen previously, but gorgeous nonetheless. I'm in this shot, The Little on one side, Devisha on the other.
After several hours at the beach and another glorious open air shower (!) we drove back to the cruise ship terminal to leave St. Kitts behind. But we'll be back. It was a perfect day.
St. Martin next.
Simple Mama
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)