Chores: A Pinteresting Wednesday?

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carrier pigeon, or smoke signal...

Thanks for stopping by. Stay awhile and 

let's be bloggy friends.

NEW: Here is the link for the chores I use for

the Ransom Box

Me and the whole "A Pinteresting Saturday" haven't been getting along. The weekend comes and the last thing I want to or am able to do is blog.

However, I still need a solid excuse to accomplish a pin here or there from my pin boards. So many great ideas...I just can't let them sit there...or can I...hehehe...

Ehem...no. I have pinned most of them because I really do have intentions of doing a project, cooking a recipe, using a tip, getting inspiration, etc. You get the idea, I am sure!

So A Pinteresting Saturday is probably going to move  to Wednesday...any objections?

Anyone?

"Bueller?"

"Bueller?"

"Bueller?"

Anywho, I digress.

My most recent Pin-tastic projects have a common theme.

That theme-

get some child labor...
crack the whip...
lay down the law...
teach some responsibility...
pull a Mama Bear from the Berenstain Bears (seriously if you get this reference you MUST tell me, we are kindred spirits)...
put some order in our Summer every days...

In other words--

We are tackling the whole CHORE issue.

Our kids have had responsibilities before...but there has been a lack of structure.

I got tired of explaining why--

"If you take out the toys, well then you need to pick them up".

Don't get me wrong they eventually did it...most of the time...Still uber tired of saying it.

Finally, when I saw THIS, I pinned it and decided to accomplish it post haste.

So I went to handy dandy PicMonkey and created myself a fun little label, and wrote my own little poem, for my new toy ransom bucket. I also just typed out a list of different chores/ways they can earn back each toy they left out. I printed everything off. I cut the chores into strips and put them in an envelope. Then I taped the label and the envelope to the lid of the bucket.

We have already had our first ransoming. The boys woke up with this bucket FULL...I kid you not...they are still working to get everything back.

Thanks to left out toys I have already had my dinning room table and chairs cleaned, the bath toys cleaned, the TV shelf dusted, and I got to watch Oldest run up and down the stairs 10 times (yup some are active things).

I have warned my sweet Little Men that if the bucket gets full AND they leave out more stuff, well then that stuff is mine, period. That lit a fire under their fannies!

So if you have a similar problem here is my label for you. Save it to your computer then use for your own Toy Ransom Box!

Still on the subject of CHORES-

NEW: Link to CHORE LIST 

Thanks to THIS pin Hubby and I have been discussing our opinions of chores and the whole reward thing.

I will spare you our whole fascinating conversation and just give you the highlights-

-don't want them thinking they always have to get something to do something
-want them to recognize the responsibilities they have simply because they are part of our family
-want to reward them for "extras"

So with the whole "reward them for extras" in mind, I again headed over to PicMonkey and made our Little Men some fun punch cards.

EDIT 08/04/12- I am sorry but I am not longer offering the free download of the chore punch cards.

My free version of these punch cards, unintentionally from me, started taking

business away from the etsy shop I originally PINNED this idea from.

I am glad they got in contact with me and that I could right this wrong.

Please visit their Etsy Store-My Sweet Swirls. Their cards are professionally done

and super cute. Plus they are reasonable.

The Ransom Box sign and the Chore Chart are still available 

for you to print off.

Thank you for your understanding.

Our rule with the punch cards is that they have to finish their "no arguing" chores. This means they need to finish the chores that are their responsibility period. No reward. Their reward is that they have the most awesomest parents ever and we have provided pretty comfy beds and a whole mess-oh-food they can eat.

So once they finish their regular chores, they each have a list of extra things they can do for a punch. Once they fill a punch card they can turn it in for a reward...we have not gotten there yet.

There will probably be some adjustment to our Chore hopes and dreams, but for now this is our plan. Wish us luck!

I am also giving you the template for the chore chart I used. The original is shown first and then an example of my personalized version is below.

You can save the template to your computer. Then in PicMonkey click the "edit a photo" button. Pick this file then go to the text edit and add in your own chores...like I did here.

This is Oldest's

Whew! That was a lot of chore talk. If you are like us and weren't quite so organized yet, or you are just starting out and are looking for chore ideas, I sure hope this helped.

Here's to CHORES!

A Pinteresting Saturday: Engineer Print Poster

Were any of you wondering if my A Pinteresting Saturday segment had died??

Well...

It's ALIIIIIIIVE!

I have had this project done for well...forEVA. Seriously. I had it the poster done way before Bean was born. Alas, I have not had hardly any desire to get on this thing they call the computer. Gasp. Shocking. I know, right? So finally months later this project from my Pin Boards is making it's debut on the blog.

The original came from Sugar Bee Crafts--

Like her I had seen the tutorial on I Am Momma awhile ago...WAY before the glorious Pinterest. When I came across her refresher I pinned it immediately.

I just KNEW I had to do this for Oldest's room. I had the perfect idea for his Star Wars room.

We just happened to have a Darth Vader costume laying around. Bonus!

Dress up Oldest and start shooting photos.

Turn my favorite into black and white (the photos have to be b&w to print of an engineer print).

Then go over to Staples or a similar office supply store and ask them to print off an engineer print. They come in multiple sizes. I picked the one that fit closest to the poster frame I had purchased from The Mart.

Because I was putting mine in a frame I was able to skip her adhesive step...honestly probably saving myself quite a bit of hassle.

Once the poster was all framed I found it a home on Oldest's bedroom wall.  Yes, I know there are empty frames and THIS is totally missing still from the wall. I am getting there people...eventually.

The whole process was E.A.S.Y. Printing off this poster was also cheap, I mean cheapity, cheap, cheap. I am super thrilled with how it turned out and would recommend this project to anyone.

Oldest loves the personalized poster sized picture of himself.

Any one else singing, "duh, duh, duh, dun daduh, dun daduh..."?

A Pinteresting Saturday: Car Seat Cover

While we are on break cuddling and snuggling Bean, 

I thought I would share some of the things

I did to prepare for him to come.

Enjoy!

 The week before Bean's scheduled arrival I was going a little stir crazy. I hammered out some last minute errands and projects. I had put making a car seat cover on my "if I have time and energy to sew before baby comes" project list.

I had even pinned this idea awhile ago:

 

pinned here

Once I found my diaper bag I searched through my existing stock pile of fabrics to see if I had anything that would coordinate. I had decided I was only going to do this project if I didn't have to spend more money. So when I found plenty of fabric options I got to work.

Ironically I didn't really use my pinned tutorial. I morphed some projects and then just kind of went by the seat of my pants. This is really easy project to whip together and just do.

I used on main fabric for the exterior, but then I played with several different fabrics for the interior.

I am super excited how it turned out. I am sure Bean will enjoy the bright and happy colors of the inside. Mom will appreciate the protection offered from germy hands and cold winds.

A Pinteresting Saturday: Harry Potter Banner

This week for A Pinteresting Saturday (yes I know I am late today but we had a super fun and exciting family day I will share with you later) I am sharing my take on this Harry Potter birthday party banner.

I do believe this idea was the very first thing I pinned on my Harry Potter pinterest board. This is what snowballed my whole party idea board.

 

original pin 

Ironically this was one of the last projects I got done before the party. I had debated and debated about actually buying an old book like in the original pin. I actually debated so long I ran out of time to go to a used book store to find a used book.

Then BAM my brain turned on and I came up with a brilliant alternative. I took one of our Harry Potter books and scanned some of the chapter pages. Then I printed them off and cut them out. I used my Silhouette and cut out "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" using Harry Potter font. Then I glued a letter to each page and strung it up with black yarn.

The banner was the perfect way to say Happy Birthday in a Harry Potter way.

How has your pinning been going? Gotta love Pinterest.

A Pinteresting Saturday: Onesies and a Teeny Tiny Hat

I took a much needed break from house sewing and party planning to make a little something for our Little Something. Right away when I saw the project for this chervon onesie I knew I was going to make one for Bean. 

My need to make this onesie was only solidified when I found some newborn leggings I liked AND when I found an old t-shirt that could be utilized to finish of an entire homecoming outfit. 

Of course, all of this was inspired by this amazing little chevron onesie tutorial.

pinned here

I gathered all of my materials and then also decided I needed to add a teeny tiny hat for Bean's head. When I found this, I pinned it right away adding it to my project list.

First, how cute is this baby????

Okay, pinned here

I happily got to work. I gathered my onesies.

Found the felt I wanted.

Before I made the chevron onesie from the tutorial, I got the idea to make one that would match these little pants.

I loved the gray and green. I LOVED the little green elephant.

So I had to make a larger replica to go on the front of the onesie.

Teeny elephants and larger elephant match wonderfully.

Next I moved on to the chevron onesie. I did do one thing differently. I knew our Bean was going to come when the weather was still a bit nippy outside. So I decided to take that old t-shirt I mentioned and to make it long sleeved.

I don't get giddy-clap-my-hands-and-giggle over tons of projects, but I tell you what...

The sleeves on this onesies once paired with the chevron and I was a clapping and giggling fool.

Then I used the rest of the t-shirt to make a double-knotted beanie from the above pinned tutorial.

To.Die.For.

So now Newest Little Man will have two cozy outfits.

This charming elephant number.

And my favorite, this chevron one in which he will be coming home in.

I am totally addicted to making these little outfits. Now I just need to go through my massive box of clothes to repurpose and see what other tees I can find.

Isn't Pinterest the best and most addicting thing ever? If you want to see some of my other potential projects, feel free to check out my Pinterest page. AND if you want to see my list grow feel free to follow my Pinterest page and watch the insanity.

Have a great Saturday everyone!

A Pinteresting Saturday: Minky Blankie for Newest

Did anyone notice that last week I missed my Pinteresting Saturday deadline? Ugh. This blanket was actually in the works last week, but I simply had too many other things I had to do. So this got done a little later than planned...

...but it did get finished!

We hadn't found a blankie yet for Newest. So when I saw this project by No Big Dill over at Delia's Nesting Series, it immediately got pinned.

pinned HERE

I did make a couple alterations to the original tutorial. First, I did not get the triple stitch in. That was a little frustrating, but I just couldn't seem to get the stitches on in a way to allow three rows. I still really wish I could have gotten the third row in, but I am still pretty pleased how it turned out.

The second alteration I made I did intentionally.

Minky can be a booger to sew with. I mean pull-you-hair-out-makes-you-wish-you-were-a-swearing-kind-of-gal difficult.  A while ago I did a project this project with minky...

tutorial

I had learned about the tip to sew diamonds into the minky to help the material stabilize. It is tedious work, but it is well worth it, AND I think it totally adds an extra detail to the blankie itself.

The last little touch was to mimic the original sewn on tag. I wanted to hand stitch newest's first and middle name onto the little tag. Then I attached the tag using the machine.

A perfect little handmade touch.

Now Newest has a blankie to snuggle in. Hopefully he will just adore it.

How is your pinterest list going?

Have a fabulous Saturday!

A Pinteresting Saturday: Yoda Says

Welcome to another A Pinteresting Saturday! 

Okay first things first...we have a winner of the Seed & Sky giveaway...

Our lucky winner is #3 Alayna

Who said, 

"I think the leaf earrings in sterling silver are my favorite."

Congrats! Email me your contact information and I 

will get you in contact with Kelcey!

Okay, so back to this edition of A Pinteresting Saturday...this is my project for the week...I might be in love with it!

I am in the middle of a room decorating marathon over here. Nesting has officially settled in and my to-do list is HUGE...just like my belly.

At the top of my list is Oldest's room. His new room has a little bit of a Stars Wars Theme. I have been pinning ideas for a little bit now and I fell in love with this poster the minute I saw it. I immediately made plans to recreate it.

pinned here

I pulled out one of my handy dandy flat canvases from my craft closet. I taped off the edges and slapped two coats of navy blue paint on it. Then I used my favorite crafting toy...my Silhouette...and I cut out the shape of Yoda's head and the lettering out of vinyl. After that, all I had to do was try my hardest to get it on straight...which is a little difficult when you are a just-make-it-straight-by-eyeballing-it kind of gal like me.

I pulled it off pretty well.

I love the little Yoda silhouette. To get the Yoda head, I simply did a google search for Yoda silhouette in the images. Once I found one I liked, I imported the image into my Silhouette program. Once the image was in the program, I could use the machine to cut out the shape...have I mentioned I love this machine yet?

The font I used was BEBAS.

My other favorite part of this sign...well the wise after thought of Yoda at the end..."yes, hmmmm". My kids kept repeating that all day.

Another project done! Whew! I can't wait to add this sign to my other projects for Oldest's room.

Have a marvelous Saturday friends!!! What pinterest project is on your list this week?

Linking here:

Show and Tell Saturday: Be Different, Act Normal
Share Your Awesomeness: The 36th Avenue

A Pinteresting Saturday: Mad Science

This week for my Pinteresting Saturday project I went to my board that is full of ideas for the Kiddos. I had planned a sewing project, but I decided it was more important to do something with my Little Men this week. They really needed some Boredom Busters. I had a great time going through the different activities and projects I had pinned with them in mind.

I finally landed on a couple of science experiments. My boys are ALL about science stuff lately. I chose these pins--

Fizzy Magic Potion

pin

Science Bob's Lava in a Cup

pin

 No Hand Balloon Inflate

pin

Each of these experiments were easily done with stuff I had around the house. The hardest part was the gathering of supplies and then the clean up...you will see what I mean!

First experiment: Fizzy Magic Potion


you will need:
white vinegar
liquid dish soap
food coloring
baking soda
clear containers
excited kids

Fill each cup about half way with white vinegar. Then add in a couple squirts of soap and a couple drops of food coloring. Stir.

Get a heaping spoonful of baking soda...oh and a couple of towels...

I promise he was more excited than he looks in this photo.

Add the baking soda and get ready!

The fizzy magic starts right away...

Oh-so-excited!!!

It might get out of control. Not sure why the green wen to crazy!

But crazy it did go!

Remember how I said to have towels ready? You will need them here!

This was by far the favorite experiment of the day.

Second experiment: Lava in a Cup


you will need:
water
vegetable oil
food coloring
salt
clear container

This experiment wasn't as exciting for my boys, but it was still fun to watch.

First you fill up the cup 3/4 the way with water. Then stir in a couple of drops of food coloring. Then slowly pour in some oil...I am not sure I used enough and perhaps that is why this experiment wasn't as exciting. Upon re-reading the instructions, I DID NOT add enough oil. You need to add 1/4 cup oil!

Once the oil is in, observe how it floats on top of the water.

Then sprinkle a teaspoon of salt over the top. The salt will immediately sink because salt is heavier than the oil. The salt with take the oil as it goes. Then as the salt dissolves the oil will float back to the top...hence the lava effect.

Our lava effect wasn't too profound...cool, but not to profound.

I would try this one again with more oil next time.

Third experiment: No Hands Balloon Inflate


you will need:
glass bottle
balloon
4 TBS white vinegar
4 TBS baking soda

Add the vinegar to the bottle. Remind your kids it is NOT water or Sprite and that they DO NOT want to drink it...they might ask.

Using a funnel, pour the baking soda into the balloon.

Attach the balloon to the mouth of the bottle making sure that none of the baking soda gets in yet.
Let balloon hang to the side. Then have your little helper slowly lift the balloon over the bottle.

As the baking soda falls in there will be a fuzzy reaction and the gas released will inflate the balloon.

Woohoo!

This experiment was also a hit. Baking soda seemed to win this science battle.

What did you accomplish off your Pinterest list this week? I am still looking for more feedback about the interest in making this a linky party each week. Email me or leave a comment!