I need to build an Animal Cell by tomorrow!

Of course you do... kid #3 (6th grader) and why would I expect anything less than a whole weekend to come and go without warning of a major project due "tomorrow" for science. But at least he had the idea all worked out in his head and did not come to me with a blank slate. He needed to build an animal cell out of anything... He wanted it to be cake.

I told him if I was to help it would be a couple of hours until I was finished working and could give him a hand. He found a box of cake mix and asked if he could get started. I thought, why not... just read the instructions. Sure enough there was a cake in the oven within 20 minutes, timer going. I assisted with removing the cake from the oven and then from the pan. He typed up his labels and cut them out... I helped him mix up some butter-cream frosting and create some different colors. Other than the "cell membrane" which circled the cake this was all his work! Malted milk balls, graham crackers and fondant (all of which we had in the house YAY!) Nice work Sam. Looks like one sweet cell.

Getting BOOOOZED this halloween...

We have all heard of "Booing" a neighbor for halloween by leaving a bag of candy and sweets at their door... Well, I just stumbled on this very perfect thing for the adults from the lovely folks at Mister Retro.


Start this NEW Halloween tradition to be celebrated by all on your street!  Mister Retro's pal the talented Derek Yaniger has created these fun FREE printable downloadable PDFs you can print off and follow to start your own neighborhood Boooozing tradition!

Here is a free download:  http://www.misterretro.com/boozed

And now I tweet...

I have had a twitter account for many years... told by the geekiest of all geeks that I used to work with that I needed to setup an account about 5 years ago... so I did, and I did nothing with it. As years went on my teenage daughter stopped posting on facebook and all she lived by was twitter... even her teachers tweet about homework, tests and what not, so I became a Twitter Creep to see into her cyber life... just like I was once a My Space Stalker to my daughter who is now 23 and then onto A Facebook Creeper for both girls... And like most technology I choose to dive in after a bit... Facebook user not just stalker, and now Twitter "user" as well. Come to find out I have found so, so many incredibly useful and inspiring places and people I knew nothing about until I really began to "use" twitter. This is one of my most recent finds for creatives ~ enjoy

https://creativemarket.com/

oh this is me, should you choose to follow.... https://twitter.com/jenspired00

Halloween ~ Printable Potion Labels

Halloween Party Details ... it's all in the details people.....

I knew I wanted to create labels to cover all of my existing spices and just cool looking bottles I have saved for this very occasion. I found this to be quite time consuming so after creating two labels I began searching for free printables and I found two sites that had exactly what I was looking for and for FREE.
Thank you to all 3 sites for sharing!!!! Now I share on.....

http://karencookiejar.com/2012/05/halloween-printable-labels/

http://blog.hwtm.com/2011/10/spells-potions-halloween-creepy-drinks-free-printables/

http://www.overthebigmoon.com/halloween-decor-harry-potter-potion-bottles-free-printable/

This is an awesome detail to add to your decor... It has been funny cooking now... we have to remember things like Root of Hemlock is really pepper and the Venom is vanilla.

Creation Space ~ the Studio development continues

The ARDEX (particle board - feather finish cement covered) counter tops are done! They look marvelous!! THANKS TO karapaslaydesigns.com are her incredible DIY instructions: http://karapaslaydesigns.com/diy-ardex-concrete-countertops/

1 step closer to putting my studio together!! WOO HOO!

Inserting the sink and finishing some electrical business this week. MAYBE I will be in by Thanksgiving!!!

Raise Smart Kids...

As I was flipping through the latest magazine drop at the house, which I (sadly) rarely read... I look at layouts concepts, use of color and design elements. As I was tearing and filing, I came across an article in the October 2013 issue of Men's Health that I thought deserved a quick graphic to spread what I considered a great message. [article: 5 sneaky ways to raise smart kids] = Build Character.

And the Walls Came Down | Creation Space part II

Walls coming down, electrical outlets being replaced with ones with USB ports! How easy and cool is that! (Lowe's or better yet, your locally owned hardware store... $15-$22)
And a strange "pole in the middle of my room" problem. I need to run all of the electric and one light switch somewhere... So I must leave one "pole". This drywall business is all new to me, this squaring off the top bit may be worth a hire. But i think I will use windows and wood to give it the personality I hope to achieve! As of right now, I have quite the mess.

SAFETY FIRST!

Now, we have a college graduation (nice work my little Kristen!!), baseball & soccer tournaments that will likely consume the next 3 weekends, and NEVERMIND that now it is May and the sun shines most days, so my attention is naturally drawn to the dirt and the things I shall be planting and caring for...
So, next post will most likely be dirty... as in dirt. :)

Making the old kitchen into my CREATIONSPACE

Once again, biting off a bit more than I can chew... it is simply just what i do.
My husband and I share an office space and just outside that space is my crafting/making/creating area. I have "my junk" everywhere. Since we, in the last year built a kitchen on a different floor of our house I thought how great it would be for me to inherit the old kitchen space and turn it into a space where I can work, craft, bake and make. Minding a super duper tight budget!! Of course I can!!!

So... ugly laminate cabinets and laminate counter top along with an odd shaped cubby right in the middle to hold the old fridge. And so it begins...

Removing the cabinet doors... sanding, sanding, sanding. Then prime, paint, paint. This involves more patience than I typically have for a project but I am determined to make this happen!!!

I have ripped most of the laminate off the counter top... not sure if that was the best idea. Moving forward!!! Finish the painting, add color to the back splash with some paper prints and Modge Podge. Then cover with polyurethane. And spray paint the stove "hood" with some texture and color.

 

pretty paper i found at the craft store

Coming right along! Range hood looks great, color on the back splash looking good too!!