Overwhelmed With Joy!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

WFMW (extremely cheap movies)

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip!

If you've gone to a regularly priced movie lately, especially with your family, you'll know it costs an arm and a leg these days!

But, the tip I'm about to share with you will help.

Recently, I discovered that a nearby re-run (or "cheap") theater has $1 Tuesday movies. That's right, on Tuesdays, all their movie tickets are sold for $1, no matter what time the showing.

So, yesterday I took Snuggle Bug to a 5:00 o'clock showing of The Tale of Despereaux. We paid just $2 for both of our tickets and, rather than spend more than that on popcorn and a drink, I simply popped up a bag of popcorn at home (I got a box of 3 packs on sale for 50 cents) and packed it and a bottle of water in my purse. Snuggle Bug was as happy as a clam munching on our popcorn as he watched his movie!

So, check with your re-run or "cheap" theaters to see if they offer even cheaper movie nights. It worked for me, maybe it'll work for you!

To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

Some of my past WFMW entries are found here.

Labels: entertainment, Works-For-Me Wednesday

6:00 AM
5 comments

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

WFMW (best coupon tips ever!)

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip!

I scored some really great deals this week and I thought it might be nice if I shared some of my best coupon tips to help you save money to. Here's what I do:

1) I collect as many Sunday papers as I can and save them for about 10 weeks in a large 3 ring binder using page protector sleeves. I only purchase 1 Sunday paper for the coupons. I get about 3-5 more coupon sets free from co-workers and neighbors that don't use coupons. Your real savings come when you have multiple coupons for one product!

2) I sit down every Wednesday to look through the grocery store weekly ads and I try to match up items that I'd normally buy with coupons that I have. I don't get the Wednesday paper, but I always seem to get those Wednesday grocery store weekly ads in my mailbox. I've even gone online to the grocery store's website and found their weekly ads in a digital form.

3) I use Coupon Mom Grocery Database to look up which coupons are available for the products I want.

4) I do free coupon swapping for any coupons that I don't have but might want.

5) I print out online coupons at Grocery Games and various other online locations. Some online coupons have print out limits, others do not.

6) If I can't find a coupon for a product that I use and like, I'll call or email the company that makes the product and ask them to mail me coupons. 90% of the time, they do!

7) I make a list before I go to the store and stick to it! I clip out only the coupons I want to use in advance and bring those to the store with the list. I try not to do impulse shopping.

8) I try to pay attention when the cashier is ringing up my purchases and scanning my coupons to catch mistakes. And I always review my receipt before leaving the store to look for mistakes. If I find one, and I have before, I go to customer service and make them correct the problem.

9) I stock pile. When items that I'll use are one sale, I find as many coupons as I can get my hands on and I purchase a lot of those products. That way I don't have to buy those products when they're not on sale! If I can get really good deals, I'll buy extra so that I can donate some food to my local food bank!

10) I ask for reinchecks. Yesterday I wanted to buy five 5 lb bags of C&H sugar because I was going to get them for .50/each with the store sale and my coupons combined. Unfortunately, too many people beat me to them and there was no sugar left in that grocery store! At the checkout aisle, I asked the cashier for a reincheck on the sugar so that I could still get the sale price when they restocked, even though the store sale would be over by that time. The great thing about this particular store is that their reinchecks have no expiration date so I could wait a month or longer to buy that sugar and still get the sale price, as long as I don't wait so long that my coupons expire!

Believe me when I tell you that if you're disciplined about using coupons, you will see a drastic reduction in your grocery bill!

Okay, now that you know all my couponing secrets, just for fun I'd like to pose a question to you all. How much do you think I spent on the groceries listed in the picture above? Go ahead, click on the image to enlarge.

Let me make it easier by itemizing what I purchased yesterday:

* Dial liquid hand soap- quantity 5

* Betty Crocker specialty potatoes- quantity 9

* Colgate adult toothbrush- quantity 2

* Hunts tomatoes (28-29 oz cans)- quantity 2

* Quaker oatmeal (18 oz)- quantity 6

* Zatarain's rice mix- quantity 2

* Land O Lakes buter(15-16 oz)- quantity 4

* SuperPretzel snack- quantity 1

* Viva paper towels- quantity 3

* Quaker chewy granola bars (8 pack)- quantity 2

* International Delight creamer (32 oz)- quantity 2

* Hershey's extra dark chocolate bar (4.5 oz)- quantity 1

* Blistex chap stick- quantity 3

* French's French fried onions (6 oz)- quantity 3

* Kellogg's pop tarts (8 pack)- quantity 3

* Mrs. Smith pre-made pie crust (2 pack)- quantity 1

* Suave deodorant (2.6 oz)- quantity 2

Here's a hint, I used coupons so I got a pretty good deal.

So, take a guess and leave me your price amount in my comments section and I'll enter you in a drawing for 12 free holiday recipe cards (the winner will be chosen on Saturday).

I'll come back on Saturday and post my grocery amount (I'll include a copy of my receipt) so that you can see how much using coupons saved me. Trust me, you'll be impressed!

Using coupons to drastically reduce my grocery bill works for me. To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

Some of my past WFMW entries are found here.

Labels: groceries, shopping, Works-For-Me Wednesday

5:00 AM
24 comments

Monday, November 10, 2008

WFMW (gently removing temporary tattoos)

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip!

I don't know about your kids but mine love, love, love to wear temporary tattoos. There are so many cool styles out there now. The trick is getting the tattoos off when you're wanting to be done with them!

The tip I'm about to share is something I though most people knew about, until a phone conversation with my younger sister proved otherwise.

We were talking on the phone after Halloween and I shared with her that I was getting ready to remove Snuggle Bug's tattoo mustache. She wished me luck and told me she had nearly scrubbed her son's skin raw on his arm trying to get off a temporary tattoo with soap and water. I assured her there was a better way!

Allow me to illustrate my tip!

Here is Snuggle Bug with his tattoo mustache. He was a pirate for Halloween and his mustache was a major source of pride for him. He was reluctant to allow me to remove it.

Here's the secret to gently removing temporary tattoos, use baby oil and a cotton ball. That's it! You'll have to rub gently several times, re-applying baby oil as you go, but it works.

Here's half of Snuggle Bug's mustache gone. Look, no tears of pain because I wasn't rubbing his skin raw to get the mustache off!

Voila! The tattoo mustache is completely gone! No fuss or mess, just shiny skin from the remnants of baby oil!

Gently removing temporary tattoos with baby oil works for me. To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

Some of my past WFMW entries are found here.

Labels: Works-For-Me Wednesday

6:00 AM
5 comments

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

WFMW (FREE hair bow)

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip! This is sort of a tip, as in a tip-off to a free giveaway!

To celebrate the launch of my new online boutique, Sparkle and Charm Boutique, I'm hosting a giveaway for a FREE hair bow!

For more details and to enter to win, leave a comment here.

Scoring a free hair bow works for me. To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

Some of my past WFMW entries are found here.

Labels: giveaways, Sparkle and Charm Boutique, Works-For-Me Wednesday

6:00 AM

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

WFMW Backwards Edition

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip! This time Shannon is hosting the Backwards Edition where we get to ask for tips or advice, rather than offering them.

I am in desperate need of advice on how to keep our son from getting up out of bed 3-5 times per night after we put him to bed, short of locking him in his room which we're not comfortable doing.

It started about 2 weeks ago where our son would come out of his room after we put him down for the night. Sometimes it's for a drink of water, sometimes he claims he's scared, sometimes he just goes in our room and starts playing on our bed. We battle with getting him back in bed until 9-10 PM some nights!

Putting him back in bed and scolding him repeatedly is getting old.

Help!

For questions by others, visit Shannon, the creator of Works-for-Me Wednesday.

Labels: Works-For-Me Wednesday

6:00 AM
18 comments

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

WFMW: FREE children's gook giveaway- Fairy Foals

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip! This is sort of a tip, as in a tip-off to a free giveaway!

Kerry with Sourcebooks, Inc sent me a couple of copies of a beautiful hard cover book called Fairy Foals. I'm giving away one here on my blog for someone else to enjoy.

Here's what the back cover says:

A magic garden, tiny horses with butterfly wings, a journal unlike any other!

One day Suzanah was out exploring her garden, looking for something inspiring to take back to the studio to draw, when she found something more than unexpected...it was extraordinatry.

You hold in your hands a perfect replica of the very diary Suzanah kept over the course of a year while she explored her magically transformed garden, watching, sketching, and writing about the mazing fairy foals. But it is so much more than a diary; it is a story of adventure, friendship and the truly magical things that are hidden in plain view.

Now, Amazon says that this book has a Reading level: Ages 9-12 but I can tell you that my 3 1/2 year old son and 18 month old foster daughter loved having it read to them!

The illustrations in this book are fantastic! The colors are vibrant, with lush settings. The detail in these pictures (the color and the black and white) is amazing!

If you'd like to win a copy of this book, just leave me a comment. I'll randomly choose a winner early Friday morning!

Scoring a free children's book works for me. To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

Some of my past WFMW entries are found here.

Labels: book review, books/reading, giveaways, Works-For-Me Wednesday

5:00 AM
38 comments

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

WFMW- free trinket boxes

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip!

Before leaving on my business trip, I managed to snatch some "me" time to go browse through a shopping complex. While out, I stumbled upon a cigar lounge and remembered hearing somewhere that cigar shops often times offer their empty cigar boxes for free to those that ask.

So, I stopped in the cigar lounge and instantly had several pair of male eyes on me as I walked toward the bar. I asked about the availability of empty cigar boxes and the owner pointed to a small table near the entrance and told me to help myself. On the table were several cigar boxes of various sizes. Several were very nice, with hinges and locks.

I selected two boxes, offered my thanks, and then took them home to Snuggle Bug. He was thrilled to have such neat boxes and quickly filled them with various trinkets (small toys, favorite rocks, etc.).

If I were really motivated, I could've decoupaged the wooden boxes with fabric but Snuggle Bug seemed happy with them just as they were so I didn't bother.

Scoring neat trinket boxes from a cigar lounge for free works for me. To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

My past WFMW entries are found here.

Labels: Works-For-Me Wednesday

6:00 AM
6 comments

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

WFMW- Saving on packed luggage space

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip!

This is a travel tip, whether you're traveling on business or pleasure.

I'm out of town on business this week and next and I tried to pack smart for this trip, given the fact that many of the major airlines are now charging $15-$25 extra per 50 pound checked bag! Ouch!

I had to pack business casual clothes for work and casual clothes for off-hours so I worried about the sheer amount of clothes I'd have to bring. I decided that it would be smarter to do laundry at the hotel while I'm away.

I checked with my boss. My company will pay for coin operated laundry, but not hotel dry cleaning (not surprising, given the jacked up prices they charge) unless I had business suits to dry clean (I don't have to wear those on this trip, thank goodness).

I knew that these coin operated laundry rooms in the hotels usually sell small boxes of laundry detergent and softener, but I also know that those products are overpriced so I decided to get creative and bring my own.

I found a cute set of travel bottles (plastic carrying bag included) at a dollar store and I filled two of those four bottles up with liquid laundry detergent from home (the two blue bottles on the left). I threw in a couple of fabric softener dryer sheets and a handful of quarters. I tucked this in my checked bag. Now I'm able to do up to two loads of laundry (lights and darks) and, as a result, I only packed one week's worth of clothes rather than two.

Packing laundry detergent to save on luggage weight works for me. To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

My past WFMW entries are found here.

Labels: Works-For-Me Wednesday

6:30 AM
4 comments

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

WFMW- FREE Thomas the Train products!

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip!

Just this morning I came across a link that gives you a printable coupon for FREE Thomas the Train products! That's right, FREE! But you have to act fast because the coupon expires tomorrow.

Here are the four you can choose from:

Go here to print out your coupon. Be aware that once you close the window that pops up to print your coupon, you don't get another chance so tell your printer to print more than one copy that first time if you want!

FREE toys works for me. To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

My past WFMW entries are found here.

Labels: Works-For-Me Wednesday

5:30 AM
7 comments

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

WFMW- "Mom, I'm Bored" Edition

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip! This week Shannon is hosting the "Mom, I'm bored" edition and asking us for ideas on how to keep the kids busy this summer.

The kids in our household range in age from 3-years to 6-months. They don't really say, "Mom, I'm bored", but they get cranky and that's when we know that diversion tactics are necessary.

Here's a list of things that we do with our little ones to chase the boredom away! I consider them relationship building activities as well!

Visit the library. Oronzo and I been taking Snuggle Bug to baby and toddler story times since he was about 6 months old. He loves them! Now Boo and Baby Bug are joining in the fun. Oronzo is usually the one that takes them to a couple of different ones each week, since he's the one home with the kids during the week, but occasionally I get to. The story times involve singing, dancing, coloring, playing with other children, and of course, stories. Best of all, the parents get to socialize as well. The kids have fun, the adults have fun. It's a win-win situation. After the story time is finished, I like to take the kids into the children's area of the library and let Snuggle Bug pick out books to read.
Visit neighbors. We moved into our house about three years ago. It didn't take us long to realize that when we were out walking with Snuggle Bug, neighbors enjoyed stopping us for a chat. We've gotten to the point now where we'll walk over to a neighbor's house, ring the doorbell, and know that we'll be invited in for a chat and a snack. Many of our neighbors are elderly and they dote over the kids and support our fostering efforts.
Take walks. We love taking Snuggle Bug, Boo, and Baby Bug for walks. We went out and bought a double stroller for this purpose. I make sure never to be in a hurry because it's amazing what Snuggle Bug and Boo likes to explore along the way. A caterpillar inching it's way across the sidewalk can provide several minutes of enjoyment!
Go to church together. We go to mass nearly every Sunday. Snuggle Bug has always been right there with us, since he was 3 days old and now the girls are with us as well. At 3-years old, Snuggle Bug imitates us by kneeling on the kneeler, looking at the missal, and repeatedly singing "alleluia" with gusto. He loves observing the pianist and the older children singing in the children's choir (we hope one day he'll join), he can't wait for his turn to put our donation envelope in the basket, and even the priest's "clean-up" duties after communion fascinate him. He also has fun flirting with the members that surround us. After mass, we treat ourselves to brunch at our favorite local cafe.
Go for a bike ride. Not long ago we bought a children's bike seat and attached it to Oronzo's mountain bike. We also bought a children's bike helmet. Snuggle Bug absolutely loves to go on bike rides. Often times we will bike a mile or so to a nearby Starbucks and stop for a muffin and hot chocolate. Biking as a family is a lot of fun!
Go shopping. Yes, that's right, we purposely take our toddlers shopping with us, and not just when we have errands to run. Sometimes we go shopping just to get out and explore. Because we've been doing this with Snuggle Bug from day one, he's actually well behaved in any store that we go into. The girls are great little shoppers as well! They don't break things, they like to look and touch, but we're careful and so are they. Our favorite place to go is Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts where the kids loves to feel all the different textures of the bolts of fabrics. The varying colors attract them too!
Cook meals and eat together. It never ceases to amaze me how interested Snuggle Bug is in cooking. Pull a chair up to the counter, tie an apron on him, and give him a mixing spoon, and he's happy as a lark. We try to eat at home often and when we do, we make a point to sit down at the table and eat as a family.
Read books together. This should be a given, but I'm going to list it anyway. Not a day goes by that we don't read a book to Snuggle Bug and the girls. Despite the fact that he has 3 bookshelves of books all his own in his room, Snuggle Bug also gets more books weekly from the library. He has a huge, stuffed turtle in one corner of his room and that's where he likes to take books and thumb through them. He has books in nearly every room of the house and often brings us books for us to read to him. Snuggle Bug's vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds and I attribute the largest part of that to the time we spend reading with him.
Go on excursions. We have annual memberships to our local zoo, children's museum, and the botanical gardens. We use those memberships frequently! We also go to parks to feed the ducks or to attend outdoor concerts, school playgrounds to play on the slides, aquariums to pet sea lions, on trails to do some hiking and exploring, and to pet stores to touch lizards, turtles, birds, hamsters, and even snakes. Going to bookstores is a favorite treat as well, even when we don't buy a thing. I find myself looking at our city calendar of events to see what is scheduled each week. This past weekend we attended a local Family Arts Festival that I found listed on the calendar of events.
Dance, sing, and get dizzy together. Snuggle Bug, Boo, and even Baby Bug loves when we sing together at home or in the car, especially if it involves hand actions (like the Itsy Bitsy Spider and Wheels on the Bus). Most of the time, we sing a cappella and make up the lyrics as we go. As for dancing, he and Boo can shake their bottoms like there's no tomorrow! Oh, and they love when the dance involves jumping, which it nearly always does. Snuggle Bug and Boo get giddy when I make them dizzy by holding their hands and twirling them 'round and 'round in circles until we fall over laughing.
Have a tickle tumble on the bed. Snuggle Bug, Boo, and Baby Bug love being tickled and our king-sized big bed seems the perfect place on which to roll around and tickle each other. Most of the time, we're still in our pjs and sometimes bopping each other with pillows gets mixed in with the tickles. Laughter swirls high into the air and we take frequent rest breaks where we snuggle together with legs, arms, or fingers, tangled together in a cozy twist. Tickle tumbles are one of my personal favorites!

Relationship building activities that chase away boredom works for me. To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

My past WFMW entries are found here.

Labels: Works-For-Me Wednesday

6:08 AM
4 comments

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

WFMW: It's 5 o'clock somewhere

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip!

Before I post my tip I'd like to let you know of the launching of my new business where I'm selling a few of my items in an effort to raise money for the web design of my online store. I'd appreciate it if you'd stop by and take a look. And there is a giveaway being offered!

Now then, this week I'm coming to you live from Mexico, where the internet access is spotty but the margarita's are refreshing and it's always 5 o'clock somewhere (according to Jimmy Buffet)! My husband I are here with our 3-year old son and 15-month old foster daughter. We're having a blast hanging out on the beach, eating fresh seafood, and enjoying those margaritas!

I thought I'd share with you some of our vacation pictures.

View of the ocean from our condo. We've seen dolphins three of the four mornings we've been here.

Here's another view of the ocean from a look-out point not far from where we're staying.

Boo and Snuggle Bug playing on the beach.

Snuggle Bug enjoying his early breakfast and watching for dolphins.

This is a picture taken by Snuggle Bug (he's 3 years old and likes to play with Mommy's camera).

Vacationing in Mexico (or anywhere for that matter) to recharge our spirits works for me. To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

My past WFMW entries are found here.

Labels: vacation, Works-For-Me Wednesday

7:00 AM
4 comments

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Doesn't Work For Me

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip! Shannon has asked us to post things that do NOT work for us!

De-Cluttering My House

My house is cluttered. I have toys stacked in piles in various rooms, bookshelves overflowing with too many books (although I'm not sure you can ever have too many books), I have craft supplies coming out of my ears and in a jumbled mess in about 3 rooms of the house, my closets are crammed full of clothes that either need to be thrown away or given away because I no longer wear them. The list goes on and on!

After trying to keep up with the housework and trying to stay motivated by following the advice of Flylady (can I just say my email box became too cluttered with those reminders), I finally broke down and hired a cleaning team to come in twice a month to do the deep cleaning. The ladies do a nice job of that but I find myself cleaning for the cleaning people and my house is still cluttered!

I've thought of having a big purge and selling off stuff at a garage sale and then donating the rest, but who has time for that?! So, my house still remains cluttered.

Any advice for me?

De-cluttering my house does NOT work for me. To find out what doesn't work for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

My past WFMW entries are found here.

Labels: Works-For-Me Wednesday

5:04 AM
23 comments

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

WFMW: Craft Gift Box/Clothespin Magnet

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip!

This week I'm sharing a a gift idea.

This week was my nephew's 4th birthday. I really didn't know what to get him, he has more toys/books/clothes than he knows what to do with already. So, I decided to find a craft project geared towards his age group, print out the instructions, and purchase all the craft supplies to send him as a gift. The craft project I chose for him was a clothespin magnet. Take a look!

Clothespin Magnet

Supplies Needed:

wooden or plastic clothespinsbuttons
google eyes, beads, small silk flowers, etc
hot glue with parent's help)
magnet strips
posterboard (white is best)

Directions:

Begin by drawing the first letter in each family member's name on a piece of posterboard. Cut out the letters, they should be approximately 3 inches in height. I must confess, I just went to Michael's and purchased a thin wooden letter initial for $1.50 instead of using posterboard.

Next, glue together two clothespins in cross cross fashion so that both open at the same end (bottom). Position your letters onto the crisscrossed clothespin to make sure it will fit comfortably. Lay the posterboard letter onto the a flat work surface.

Have the children choose what they would like to use to decorate each letter with. One child may be very fond of the color purple and may choose a variety of buttons, pom poms, flowers, and beads, all in purple. Another child may have a liking for google eyes as one of ours did! Use whatever beads, baubles and items you like, as long as they aren't too heavy. Have the children arrange their "finds" on the letters (atop the work surface) the way they would like them to be on their magnets.

An adult will need to operate the glue gun. Apply glue to the items and affix them, one at a time, to the posterboard letter. Set aside to dry completely. On the back of the crisscrossed clothespin, attach a long magnet strip (these are self adhesive and available at discount and craft stores). You can also recycle old business card and flat magnets that you have lying around by cutting them to fit and gluing to the back. When finished, glue the letter to the clothespin and hang on the refrigerator!

Here's what the craft gift box looked like before I sent it to my nephew. I found the gift box on sale at Michael's for $4.00! Cute, eh?

I got a call from my sister telling me that the gift had been received and that my nephew was so excited to have a craft project to do. She's going to send me pictures of their completed clothespin magnet.

Creating a craft gift box for birthday gifts works for me. To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

My past WFMW entries are found here.

Labels: kids crafts, Works-For-Me Wednesday

5:00 AM
4 comments

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

WFMW: Coffee Filter Butterflies

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip!

I don't know about you but as much as I love participating in this WFMW exchange, sometimes I can't think of any decent ideas. So, unless Shannon requests a specific theme, I've decided to focus my efforts on offering craft ideas. And I'd love it if you'd leave me a comment with some craft ideas of your own!

This week I'm sharing a butterfly craft idea. It's a bit messy because paint is involved but making a mess is half the fun! You can lay newspapers down before beginning the project. My 3 year old son LOVED this one so I'll bet your kids will too!

Coffee Filter Butterfly

Supplies Needed:

Wooden Clothes Pins
Round Coffee Filters
Black Sharpie Marker
Watercolor Paints
Pipe Cleaner
Glue Gun

Directions:

Take the coffee filters and spray them with water till they lay flat but aren't drenched (it should only take a few short sprays, I use warm water). Now, go nuts blobbing the watercolors on the wet coffee filters, it will run and smear but don't worry.

When you are happy with your design on one, repeat this process with another coffee filter. Put the wet filters in a safe place to dry.

Use the Sharpie marker to draw eyes and a mouth on a wooden clothes pin.

Wrap a pipe cleaner once around the top of your wooden clothes pin (I added a dab of glue to the back to hold the pipe cleaners on tight) so that you have two antennas poking up. Curl the ends of each pipe cleaner to make the antennas look more realistic.

When they are dry gather up the coffee filter in the middle, trying to keep the outside edges flat, and clip it into the clothespin (I put a dab of glue at the bottom of the wooden clothes pin to hold the coffee filter in). Spread the wings out and you are done.

I put a strip of magnet on the backside of clothespin and stuck them on the fridge. My son made 5 of these and we're mailing some of them to the grandparents as little gifts, just for fun!

Creating coffee filter butterflies works for me. To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

My past WFMW entries are found here.

Labels: craft ideas, kids crafts, Works-For-Me Wednesday

6:07 AM
10 comments

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

WFMW: Greatest Hits Edition

Happy Wednesday to you! It's time once again to post another WFMW tip!

This week Shannon has asked us to post our Greatest Hits Edition, in other words she's asked us to re-run one of our favorites of our own WFMWs. I know just the one to share again!

I posted this tip back on 20 September 2006 and was surprised at the great response it got! Here it is again.

List of Age Appropriate Children's Chores

I'm not sure where I stumbled across this list, and I'm sure there are others out there, but I have this one taped up on our refrigerator. It helps to give me ideas on what tasks to encourage Snuggle Bug to learn.

This image isn't expanding as I had hoped when you click on it so if you'd like me to email this list to you in a Word document so that you can read it and print off a nice copy, just leave me a comment with your email address and I'd be happy to do so!

Don't worry, if you leave me your email addresses, I promise I will not try to get rich quick by selling them to a mass marketing firm. :) I'll use them just to send out this list.

This chore list works for me. Maybe it'll work for you too! I'd love to hear about some of the age appropriate chores that your children are doing!

To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

My past WFMW entries are found here.

Oh, a quick note:

My April Pay It Forward Book Exchange is now in full swing.

If you want a chance to win, be sure to check out this post for more details! You don't have to be a blogger to win!

Labels: Works-For-Me Wednesday

6:38 AM
30 comments

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

WFMW: Musical Instrument Craft

This week I'm sharing a musical instrument craft idea. It's quick, easy, and your child is sure to love it after they've helped you make it! I know Snuggle Bug loves his.

Noisemaker

Supplies Needed:

papertowel tube
string or yarn
5 beads
markers or stickers for decoration
hole punch

Directions:

Punch five holes around one end of a papertowel tube. Cut five pieces of string or yarn(each piece 5 inches long).Tie each piece of string or yarn to each hole. Tie one bead onto the other end of each piece of string or yarn. Decorate the tube with markers or stickers.

Creating a noisemaker works for me. To find out what works for others, be sure to check out the other links at Shannon's, the creator of Works-For-Me Wednesday!

My past WFMW entries are found here.

Quick note: This Friday I'm hosting a Favorite Ingredients Friday- Easter Edition II recipe exchange.