Tutorial - How to Make a Bug Scoop

No bugs were harmed in the creation of this scoop

Bug Scoop Tutorial at Crafty Journal Blog

"Anyone who has spent much time around kids is aware that there are some who really, really don’t want to handle bugs. (There are even a few adults like that.)  I recently came up with an idea for picking up a bug -dead or alive – without actually having to touch it. All you need is a cardboard tube, from paper towels, plastic wrap, toilet paper, or even wrapping paper".... Read more

The Last Hurrah...Boston Trip

The last weekend before our 2 daughters Courtney, Kelsie and Courtney's boyfriend Courtland go back to college, we usually plan a little mini trip. They all work so hard the entire summer, that last weekend is their only free time. We're about an hour and 30 minutes away from Boston, Massachusetts so that's our favorite place to go.

On our way back home we have another back to school tradition...Wright's Chicken Farm. It's not a farm really, but a delicious all you can eat chicken restaurant.

We stayed at the Marriott Copley hotel in the Back Bay area, which is attached to 2 malls...perfect for girls!! We also walked all over Boston...and I mean we walked. No taxis or subways. The weather was too nice! We did...

• the Freedom Trail
• Boston Commons
• Quincy Market or Faneuil Hall...great shops and food court
• Haymarket...fresh fruits and veggie stands
• The North End which has yummy Italian restaurants and Mike's Pastry!! Cannolies to die for. Delish!!

Here are a few pictures from our trip...

Five Napkin Burger restaurant. The best burgers any of us have ever had. Kelsie doesn't even eat hamburgers and she loved it.

Courtney and Courtland.

Kelsie always with her lemonade. This was fresh squeezed too.

Hubby and me...

Now onto the burgers...Gorgonzola with sautéed mushrooms and shallots for all the girls. We ordered broccoli because we like it, but also to relive some of the guilt!! LOL

Hubby's cheese burger...

Courtland's bacon and cheese. The fries were so good too.

Then another stop on the trip was Pinkberry. A frozen yogurt shop. Add as many toppings as you like. I had nuts and granola.

This was hubby's...I won't even try to defend this mess by saying it was frozen "yogurt" !

Courtney's was a little better with all fresh fruit and a few chocolate cover pretzels.

Here are the 2 Courts under the "Court St." sign.

Kelsie trying on a French beret. She looks like a 1960's beatnik. lol

In front of Paul Revere Mall on the Freedom Trail in the North End.

The ever famous Mike's Pastry in the North End too. A "must stop" if you go to Boston.

Cannoli, cannoli, cannoli...that's all I'm going to say!!

Boston Commons swan boats

Found this shot on google of Faneuil Hall. Shopping and more eating.

Then back home to Rhode Island in the northern part of the state. Wright's Farm for all you can eat chicken dinner.

The way it looks in these pictures, in a nut shell, we went to Boston to eat. Should have brought a heart defibrillator with us though. LOL

We had a great time as a family and love being with the kids. They all moved back to school this past Monday and we miss them already.

Hope you get a chance to visit Boston or the north east some time!!

Have a great weekend,

~Karen~

Tutorial - How to Make Recycled Envelopes

Cut out pages from an old magazine

Recycled Envelope Tutorial at Simple Living Blog

"I love making my own envelopes they look so pretty & I love recycling old magazines.  I made some more envelopes the other day and did a tutorial to show you all how. You don't need a template as you will see from my really simple steps".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Gift Bag

"Tesoro" which means treasure in Spanish

Gift Bag Tutorial at Margas Crafts Blog

"I've been invited to a birthday party and have been asked to make a bag to collect money for the birthday girl. So I whipped up this bag in an hour! Best of all I had all the materials at hand. Let me guide you through the process".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Needle Felted Kiwi

She also offers a strawberry and a pear tutorial

Kiwi Tutorial at My Poppet Blog

"Emma loves playing with pretend food, so I thought I would add some felted fruit to her collection. She loved when I surprise her with little gifts, what kids doesn't? Although I'm sure she'd prefer a My Little Pony if she knew they existed. Today I'll show you how I made this kiwi fruit, and also how to use carding brushes to blend roving colours. If you aren't familiar with the technique of needle felting check out this post".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a -Shirt Necklace

Make the plaits with more strands for a fuller effect

T-shirt Necklace Tutorial at Crafted Blog

"This project is a great way recycle an old shirt you don't wear anymore into a great accessory. Warning: This project is not one for kids. Copper foil is quite sharp. If you want to do this project with kids I would suggest cutting up straws and using them instead of the foil. You will need: Old t-shirt, Copper foil, Scissors, Thin dowel rod (pencil will do the job), All purpose glue".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Disappearing Nine Patch Quilt

This popular pattern starts as a simple nine patch block

Quilt Tutorial at Jo's Country Junction Blog

"Take four 5″ blocks that are from your charm pack or colored fabric selection, four 5″ blocks that will become your sashing and one 5″ block for the cornerstone.  For me the white will make the the sashing, the red the cornerstones and the 30′s prints the larger blocks".... Read more

Thoughts on Thursday...

We're taking another trip down memory lane for back to school week.

What are my thoughts this Thursday...school lunch.

You know how we tend to forget certain things from the past, but there are a few lunches that stick out in my mind. I always brown bagged it. Sometimes I would get "hot lunch" ( so funny typing that...do they even call it that any more?)

My favorite lunch was bologna on white bread with mayo and lettuce, a bag of potato chips (just a few that my mom bagged herself) and a homemade dessert (usually a cookie that I never ate.) The best part about the sandwich was when I put all the potato chips on the sandwich and crushed them in there. OMG I could eat one right now!! Lol  That is probably the most UNhealthy lunch ever, now that I think about it!!

The one thing I always longed for and never had in my lunch was a store bought treat. My mom always baked something for our lunches. Funny how we didn't know to appreciate it then. Only as we grow older do we see how much time it took for her to do that.

My most favorite treat that I would trade something for was the Hostess Ding Dong. Remember them? Little individual bundles of joy all wrapped in foil. Ahhhh, my mouth is watering.

Look at the package. You can faintly see on the right where it says "Vitamin Fortified". Yeah, right...what vitamin could survive in that sea of sugar!!

I remember spreading out the foil wrapper and rubbing it smooth with the back of my thumb nail until it shined like silver.

Why is all this coming back to me all of a sudden...so funny!!

Now it's your turn...

• What was in your lunch box? 
• Brown bag, lunch box or hot lunch? 
• Did you eat the same thing everyday?

Happy Thursday,
~Karen~

Tutorial - How to Make a Summer Wedding Wreath

A souvenir of a very special day

Summer Wreath Tutorial at RosMadeMe Blog

"One of the things I always remember about wedding is not so much the dress but the little touches, which is why this wreath is made from fabrics you might be making your bride and bridesmaid's dresses from.  I hit my Jane Means stash of ribbons to start off this week's tutorial, so get yourself ready and let's get started".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Beach Themed Frame

Preserve memories of a day at the beach

Beach Frame Tutorial at Sew Simple Life Blog

"Last year before my husband deployed his father came to visit us and decided to take us across the state to the beach. It was the first time my kids had ever been to a real beach and they collected a lot of sea shells. When we got home I grabbed an old picture frame {I save them when I no longer want them and I buy them at thrift stores} and went to work".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Paperback Book Cover

This cover has a built in bookmark

Book Cover Tutorial at Make it Easy Crafts Blog

"Summer is the time for lazy days relaxing on the beach or by a pool.  Most people, like me, like to take some reading material with them.  Actually I take my reading material with me at all times.  I have books on my iphone, ipad and kindle.  Taking those things to the beach, though, is not something I like to do.  Sand and water is not exactly good for electronics.  So I go back to bringing a good old page-turner—a real book.  This easy, no sew, book carrier has a bookmark built right in so you will never lose your place.  My book, is 5" x 8" one of the larger paperback that are so popular today".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Toddler Overalls

These have snaps at the bottom for diaper changes

Overalls Tutorial at Sewing the Littleheart Collection Blog

"The pattern I have prepared for you is approximately size 2-3T. You can download it here. Seam allowance is included (half an inch unless otherwise stated). When you print make sure your printer settings are not set to "shrink to fit page" - print it as is. If you need it smaller or bigger I suggest taking a shorts pattern that fits and adjusting the top part from my pattern (making it larger or smaller".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make a Crocheted E Reader Case

Make it this evening

Crocheted Case Tutorial at Terosasdat Blog

"Materials Needed: yarn of your choice ( I used a white hemp yarn), 5.5mm "I/9" hook, scissors".... Read more

Tutorial - How to Make Map Coasters

Tip to avoid wrinkling - apply a layer of Mod Podge to the back of your paper and allow to dry

Coasters Tutorial at The Country Chic Cottage Blog

"You will need Mod Podge (I actually used the outdoor version even though that is NOT what is pictured), maps, and tiles.  I actually had painted some tiles with a monogram many years ago and they had seen better days.  So I revamped those instead of buying new tiles.  The tiles were originally from the flooring section at Lowe's.  I also added self adhesive felt to the bottoms so they would not scratch my tables".... Read more

Tool Time Tuesday...Mod Podge Phone Case

It's Tuesday again and today's project is a quick transformation for your cell phone case...and it uses fabric!!

Here's the before...

Here's the after...although now that I look at it through the camera lens the stars show through a little. Maybe a thicker fabric or busier design. Live and learn...Lol

These are your supplies...

• old cell phone case
• fabric
• Mod Podge which is a glue and sealer all in one!
• paint brush

Cut fabric a little larger than phone case

Paint on one coat of Mod Podge glue/sealer. I used the Matte Finish

Place fabric on the glue. Watch for designs in the fabric that need to be centered.

Paint on another layer of Mod Podge on top of the fabric.

Trim away excess fabric.

Smooth around all the edges, making sure they are sealed. Place on something to air dry.

Make sure edges were pressed down to give you a finished look.

Don't forget to poke out the camera hole if you have one!!

Here it is all dry and ready to go.

Great to change it up and match your purse...especially if you sew your own bags.

The Mod Podge really gives it a nice sealed coat for protection!

Great project for kids too!!

Happy Tuesday,
~Karen~