Monday, July 20, 2015

Monday Solutions: Recycle That Cookie Sheet

DIFFERENT WAS TO RECYCLE COOKIE SHEETS

How to Make Cookie Sheet Chore Charts

chore chart suppliesSupplies:
  • Scotch® Pro Thermal Laminator
  • 2- 8.5″ x 11″ Laminating Pouches
  • Designer Scissors
  • Quick-Dry Adhesive
  • Scotch® Expressions Decals – this project used “Backwoods” design
  • Cookie Sheet – 1 for each child
  • 3/4″ Circle Magnets
  • Washi Tape in coordinating colors
  • 1 can of Spray Paint
  • Cardstock in coordinating colors
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • 1″ Circle Paper Punch
  • Die Cutter
  • Drill
  • 1.5″ wide Orange Ribbon – about 3 yards
  • Chore Chart and Progress Chart Printable {I found mine here.}
Step-by-Step Instructions:
laminator
  1. Print out a free chore chart and progress chart printable of your choice and use the laminator and laminating pouches to laminate the sheets.
  2. Spray paint the cookie sheet using 2-3 coats of paint. Set aside and allow it to dry thoroughly. make chore charts
  3. Use a 1-inch circle punch to punch out the pictures of each chore, leaving the progress chart in tact. chore chart magnets
  4. Using a hot glue gun, adhere one chore picture to one magnet. Repeat until all chore pictures have a magnet on the back. how to make chore charts
  5. Use a die cutter to cut 2-inch letters to spell your child’s name with the cardstock. Then, use the die cutter to cut 2-inch letters to spell out “To Do” and “Done” with the card stock.
  6. Adhere the letters of your child’s name to the top of the cookie sheet using the quick-dry adhesive.
    1. TIP: You can use washi tape to help apply the letters straight. chore chart tutorial
  7. Apply strips of washi tape in the color of your choice to the cookie sheet in an “I” shape. Use the scissors to trim off the excess. If you don’t mind an uneven edge on your washi tape, you can simply tear it instead of cutting with scissors.
  8. Use the quick-dry adhesive to adhere the “To Do” and “Done” letters to the cookie sheet in the two rectangles that you created with washi tape in Step 7. diy chore chart
  9. Cut around the progress chart at the bottom of the free printable and apply to the cookie sheet with hot glue. chore-charts-9
  10. Let your child pick out a Scotch Expressions Decal that represents the prize they are working to earn. For example, use the Backwoods designs to indicate a camping trip to work towards.
  11. Have your child adhere the decal to the end of the progress chart as a reminder of the goal. Since the decals are removable, they can choose different ones each week to represent new prizes. Chore charts made with cookie sheets. Love this idea!
  12. Use a drill to create two holes in the top handle of the cookie sheet. Thread ribbon through the holes and tie in a bow. Then hang on the wall.
    1. NOTE: Be sure to follow manufacturers’ guidelines for using drill and always use safety glasses when using power tools.
  13. As your child completes chores in the “To Do” section, move the magnets to the “Done” section and move the letter one space to the right in the progress chart.

Turn an Old Cookie Sheet into a Serving Tray

Is your coffee table looking a little bare-bones these days? Are you always playing hide and seek with your remote? Or, do you just want an excuse to be served breakfast in bed? Forless than $10, you can transform an old baking sheet into a unique serving tray that’s functional and beautiful. Here’s how to make your own fabric serving tray:
You’ll need: A yard of fabric (pick one that matches the room’s décor), spray adhesive, scissors, plastic knife, a baking sheet, felt (optional).
1. Cut your yard of fabric large enough so that it completely covers the front of your baking sheet and a small part of it can be wrapped around the backside.
2. Liberally spray the front of the baking sheet with spray adhesive.
3. Place your fabric in the center of your baking sheet. Quickly (before the adhesive dries) smooth the fabric onto the tray. Start from the top and work your way down, pressing out any air bubbles.
4. Take your plastic knife and press it into the edges and corners of the baking sheet until they become well defined.
5. Flip the tray over and spray the back with adhesive. Pull the fabric taut against the edges (for crisp lines) and then fold the remaining fabric onto the back of the tray. Start with the top two edges, and then fold the bottom two. If you have any extra fabric, trim it away with scissors.
6. If you want to make your new serving tray slip-proof, cut a piece of felt for the bottom of the tray and attach it with the spray adhesive. Bonus: This will help hide any remaining fabric edges, creating a more “finished” look.
7. Let it dry, and you’re done! This tray will look great on your coffee table or ottoman, and can hold anything from remote controls to cups of coffee. (Using it for breakfast in bed is optional, but we recommend it!)

Summer Road Trip #2: DIY Travel Games

Pin It Now! 
Hi again from Washington!

We're loving the site seeing and family visits, but that trip home is just around the corner. And come Saturday, we'll be breaking out our el cheapo Thrive-friendly travel games to keep those kids entertained all 14 hours.

But instead of spending money on travel games at the store, I cheated (and you can too!)

Want to make your own?

For these travel games you'll need:



And a quick copy/paste from google of your favorite board games. I printed mine out back to back and then lamenated them for good messure.


This is so stinkin' easy.

You can use any magnets you have on hand--circles, magnetic tape or even the cheapie magnets that come with the phone book--to both hold the game boards in place and make the game pieces.

See?


Chutes and ladders + magnetic tape game pieces + regular dice instead of a spinner. The lip of the cookie sheet keeps the dice from rolling away.



Yahtzee is easy with laminated sheets, markers and dice.


Connect Four + circle magnets.


Monopoly with magnet tape used for markers ...



... and houses and hotels.

Money is recorded on paper and real estate / community chest cards are kept in check with little pig tail rubber bands.



And everything stays neet and tidy in a little coupon organizer or zip lock bag.



And the best part (besides being practically free) is how quick clean up is: boards and games pieces store easily on the cookie sheet ...



... and everything fits easily in the back of the seat.




Done and done.

So have fun making your own travel games for road trips or just around time.

Wish us fun on the drive home!

Don’t Toss Your Cookie… Sheet! (Magnetic Memo Board)

Don’t Toss Your Cookie… Sheet! (Magnetic Memo Board)

My inspiration!
My inspiration!
No donation for you!
No donation for you!
Such an easy project- and really something I can use. My “Blogging” area of the home office is in a state of constant disarray, with piles of business cards, sticky notes to myself, shipping receipts, etc. waiting to be filed away. So a DIY magnetic memo board would be a perfect addition to the office- and a way to keep certain to-do items organized.
Similar to the magazine, I spray painted my cookie sheet, starting with a metal primer first and a pretty garden green color on top.
Oooh, pretty.
Oooh, pretty.
But unlike the magazine (which recommended craft paper), I used a piece of fabric from a vintage sheet I had. A sheet on a (cookie) sheet- ha!
Seriously, though- how cute will that be on the green tray?!
Lovely!
Lovely!
So I “mod-podged” a piece of sheet fabric on the tray, and let it dry overnight.
Gettin' sticky with it...
Gettin’ sticky with it…
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not 100% skilled at découpage… I need some pointers for that skill!
But it worked out- when all was happy and dry, I had the prettiest magnetic memo board you can imagine!!
Beautifying my office space, one project at a time.
Beautifying my office space, one project at a time.
I think I’ll specifically use it to hold business cards. I spend a lot of my time networking with other bloggers or southern artisans that I really admire, and this is a great way for me to remind myself of folks I need to contact.
Magnetic Cookie Sheet Memo Board by Sadie Seasongoods
Perfect, perfect, perfect!

Thursday, June 11, 2015

For the Kiddos: How to Make Sponge Bombs

FOR THE KIDDOS:  HOW TO MAKE SPONGE BOMBS
http://innerchildfun.com/2011/07/sponge-bomb-bucket-toss.html

How to Make Sponge Bombs


Welcome! If you’re new here, you may want to like our facebook page, or subscribe to our newsletter for projects and play ideas to do with your kids! Thanks for stopping by!
For a FUN time, here’s how to make sponge bombs!  Begin by cutting up ordinary household sponges into thirds, and wrapping an “ouchless” hair elastic around them….




Grab a friend and a couple of buckets — each person kneels in front of a bucket filled to the top with water. The object of the game is to hurl the sponge bombs into each other’s buckets! You WILL get wet!!!
Whoever gets the most in the other person’s bucket WINS!!
Gather up all the sponge bombs and play again (and again)! Mark and Clara joined in the fun too, but the camera would have gotten too wet, so you’ll have to take my word for it!!
This is a great way to beat the heat without using up a lot of water, and sponge bombs can be used and re-used all Summer long.
Have fun!!

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

FOR FATHER'S DAY: Romantic Surprises for Him on Any Budget

ROMANTIC IDEAS FOR HIM FOR FATHER'S DAY
https://www.pgeveryday.com


16 Romantic Surprises for Him on Any Budget

16 Romantic Surprises for Him on Any Budget
Make your partner’s day with one of these romantic and fun surprises for him.

By: Lorraine Allen
Surprising someone you love is a fun way to show how much you love him. When raising a family, the pressures on parents add up quickly and keep coming. And though we might think of surprises for our partners around birthdays, it’s important to include elements of fun and surprise in your marriage often. It can keep you connected to your partner, it reminds him how important he is to you, and it keeps the spark alive. So here are 16 great ideas for fun and romantic surprises, for a variety of budgets, to inspire you:
1. Show up at his office with tickets to a show or concert.
2. Meet him out for dinner with a packed bag and train ticket for a weekend getaway.
3. Make his very favorite breakfast on a weekday that’s looking particularly hard for him.
4. Have a surprise sitter show up on a weekend day and surprise him with an afternoon at home, just the two of you, or a chance to go out and enjoy the day off, without kids OR work for once.
5. Leave him a message on his phone just to tell him how much you love him. Nothing else.
6. Write him a love note and slip it in his wallet.
7. Buy something small and special, and put it on his pillow to surprise him at the end of a long day.
8. On your next family vacation, or one random evening after work, book him a deep-tissue massage.
9. Invite a few of his best buddies over the next time his favorite sports team has a big game, and then take the kids out to a movie to give the “boys” time to reconnect.
10. Write him a card telling him how much you appreciate all his hard work and all he does to support your family, and send it to his office.
11. Surprise him with his favorite dinner (either takeout or homemade), balloons, a nice dessert, music, candles, and even a gift or card -- celebrate him, randomly, one evening just because he deserves it.
12. Fix (or pay someone to fix) things around the house that have been on his to-do list forever. It’ll be a real treat for him to not have to worry about them anymore!
13. Pamper him at home. Buy him new PJs and a great book, run him a hot bath, and make him a cup of hot cocoa so he can really relax.
14. Pretend to plan a weekend with extended family, but surprise him that day with tickets somewhere exotic, and truly surprising, for just the two of you.
15. Redo your bedroom while he’s not around. You can find loads of creative ideas for any budget on the web, in magazines and on home-decorating TV shows.
16. If he’s traveling for work, surprise him by showing up at his hotel one evening, or just send him a care package there.
Do you have any great ideas for ways to surprise your spouse or partner?

Monday, June 1, 2015

Monday Solutions: Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Monday Solutions:  Cleaning Tips and Tricks




Cleaning can be a chore, even just the regular day-to-day sweeping and dusting. Then you get into places that can be hard to clean and well . . . they might get put off for a little longer than you intended. Now that the weather is nice, it is time to tackle those tough tasks. 
Now, we know things have to get cleaned, but we are also all about efficiency. A wise person once said "work smarter, not harder." Here are 19 tips to finally get to the things you haven't cleaned lately and more importantly, how to make it easier. 

1. Detail Your Own Car

Sure you can take it to a shop, but it will set you back about $200. Or you could do it yourself with a mixture of club soda, dish soap and vinegar. Scrub the solution with a firm brush and steam clean to remove residue. For full instructions go here.
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home

2. De-Gunk Window Screens 

A lot of dirt can build up between your screen and glass window pane. Sprinkle some baking soda onto the dirt and pour on just enough vinegar to let it bubble up. Use an old toothbrush or cotton swap to scrub away stuck on gunk and rinse out wish warm water. 
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home

3. Clean Your Ice Maker

If you have a refrigerator with an ice maker, when is the last time that you cleaned it? Probably never right? A dirty ice maker can make ice that tastes or smells funny and can harbor bacteria. There are a few ways to clean it, but this one just uses steam. Don't use a harsh cleaner that could damage the ice maker - check the manual if you're unsure. If you threw it away, you can find most manuals online at the company's website. 
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home

4. Get Rid Of Laundry Odors 

If you have a high efficiency front load washing machine, you know that they can get really smelly. Simply running the machine on a hot cycle with bleach every couple weeks can keep it from getting dirty in the first place. If you've really let it go, find the directions for a vinegar/ baking soda remedy here.
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home

5. Clean Your Grout 

Nothing makings a clean house look filthier than stained, nasty grout. Using just Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner With Bleach and a scrub brush this tile went from gross to great in just 10 minutes. If you have darker grout, test a spot below an appliance or out of sight before you do the whole floor - it does have bleach so it could do some damage. 
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home

6. Clean Microfiber Couches 

Microfiber couches are supposed to hold up to dirt, but if yours looks more like the right side of this one than the left side, even after scrubbing with rubbing alcohol try using distilled water. Hard water can cause dark edges circles to appear, so soaking the top layer and rubbing with a cloth can help lift out those hard water stains. Once it dries, gently brush with a hard bristled brush and it should look almost new again. 
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home
via Tada's Kooky Kitchen

7. Rid Stains From Laminate Counters

Laminate is a great option for a counter top, but a lingering spill can still stain it. If regular soapy water doesn't lift it, spread some baking soda and scrub with a gentle cloth to pull up the mark. Natural stones like marble can absorb a stain too, but you need to create a poultice specific to the spill and stone type to get rid of it. 
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home
via Home Depot 

8. Clean Hair Brushes 

Anyone who has used a hair brush knows that they can get really gross. If yours is really nasty, make cuts every couple rows to loosen up hair. To remove product residue soak the brush in a solution of hot water and baking soda. 
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home
via Passion For Savings

9. Dust Air Vents 

Use an old paint brush or makeup brush to dust out your car's air vents that your vacuum can't get to. 
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home
via The Family Handyman

10. Dust Your Ceiling Fan Faster

Instead of trying to avoid dust in the face and all over the bed or floor below, wipe down a ceiling fan using a pillow case. Wrap it around each blade and pull off the dirt. Give it a quick wipe down with a cloth to get any stuck on bits.  

11. Remove Rust From Knives

If your favorite knife has started to look a little worse for wear, and you've tried every DIY option with no results you don't have to buy a new one. Just grab a bottle of Bar Keeper's Friend and scrub away - the rust will start to vanish in minutes. 
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home
via The Make Your Own Zone

12. Wash Fido's Toys

Dog toys can get really, really gross. Drool, dirt, dust and whatever else is all over these things. For the health of your dog - and you if you pick them up too - give them a wash. You can find simple instructions to clean soft toys, squeaky toys and plastic toys here.
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home
via Good Dogs & Co.

13. Awkward Glass Bottles 

Sometimes those pretty decorative bottles develop a dirty residue inside and a bottle brush just can't reach. Pour coarse salt, dish soap and a tiny bit of warm water into the bottle and shake -hard then rinse. The solution should be gritty enough to scrub but liquid enough to move around. Depending how dirty they are you might have to repeat this process a few times to get rid of all the marks. 
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home
via She Endeavors 

19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your...



11. Remove Rust From Knives

If your favorite knife has started to look a little worse for wear, and you've tried every DIY option with no results you don't have to buy a new one. Just grab a bottle of Bar Keeper's Friend and scrub away - the rust will start to vanish in minutes. 
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home
via The Make Your Own Zone

12. Wash Fido's Toys

Dog toys can get really, really gross. Drool, dirt, dust and whatever else is all over these things. For the health of your dog - and you if you pick them up too - give them a wash. You can find simple instructions to clean soft toys, squeaky toys and plastic toys here.
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home
via Good Dogs & Co.

13. Awkward Glass Bottles 

Sometimes those pretty decorative bottles develop a dirty residue inside and a bottle brush just can't reach. Pour coarse salt, dish soap and a tiny bit of warm water into the bottle and shake -hard then rinse. The solution should be gritty enough to scrub but liquid enough to move around. Depending how dirty they are you might have to repeat this process a few times to get rid of all the marks. 
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home
via She Endeavors 
14. Hard Water Stains In Your Faucet
These open-style facets look so pretty - until they get grimy. Create a paste with coarse salt and cleaning vinegar (it is slightly more acidic than regular vinegar and can really power through stains.) Rub it onto the stains and let it sit for 15. Give it a quick scrub before rinsing and the deposits will be gone. 
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home
via Made From Pinterest

15. Get Rid Of Driveway Stains 

Stains in a driveway look terrible, but they're so hard to clean. To pull out an old, embedded stain this product called Pour-N-Restore is your best bet. It is a poultice and draws out the dried in oil stains. The product pours on as a liquid that you spread over the stain. As it dries it becomes a powder that holds onto the oily stain so you can sweep it away instead of rinsing it into your lawn. 
19 Ways To Conquer The Hard To Clean Things In Your Home
via Instructables