Another 'git yo mojo back' motivation

Here is another lo I made during the Saturday night challenge.  The other two lo's I made are a part of a gift album I am making.  I will post a video when the album is completed.

This is my goddaughter.  She has really grown into a lovely young lady.

Thank you for stopping by.  I hope you come again soon.

Saturday night scrapper's block

A few of us scrappers were hanging out in the chat room on the SOC .ning.  Someone expressed that their creative mojo had run away(lol).  So, I suggested that we all make a lo and post it in the gallery by midnight EST.  About 4 or 5 women said they were all for the challenge.  This 2 page spread is one of the projects that I came up with: 

I used glossy accents on the dots and stickles to add dimension to the pages.  These are my friend Lisa's two sons.  She rarely adds journaling to the pages of the albums I have made for her, but I still may go back and add a journaling spot.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you come again soon.

Spa Party Invitation

This is the invitation I made for my Goddaughter's Pamper me spa birthday party.  The girls stayed overnight.  They had fun.  I was so very tired.  I think I am still recuperating.

The image was a freebie that an online scrap buddy told me about.  I also entered this in a Die for a Sketch challenge #2  The think the circle qualifies as a die cut.

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you come again soon.

One caught on!

Remember the crocheting Pass-it-on party that I had recently?  Well several of the parents have let me know that their child really liked learning how to crochet and that they have been practicing.  However, one parent says that every time he goes out his son hands him a list of types of yarn to purchase-LOL.  This young man has been trying all sort of things: head bands, wrist bands, bottomless sandals.  He even has requests from other people.   Hmmmmm do I see a little business sprouting? 

                                                 

                                                                   This young man (at the top)...



...created this head band and wrist band set per request from his father's friend

This is the best kind of reward and definitely motivates me to keep having Pass-it-on parties in spite of financial and physical obstacles.

Thanks for stooping by.  I hope you come again soon.

Little crafter at it again

My niece called me to ask if she could come over to my house and make Valentine cards for her classmates.  You know kids wait until the ninth hour, so it was difficult for us to get together.  Finally, we pulled it off.  I think she did a great job on these simple cards.

She inked the edges red for the girls and black for the boys. Then she went over the stamped hearts with glaze, gel and glitter pens.

 

Materials:

cs

colorbok chalk ink

heart stamp

sakura glaze pens

at you Spica pens

to/from stamp

Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.  I hope you come again soon.

Like mother, like daughter...

Ok these are the grand kids/nieces, but I was thinking...like mother like daughter.  I must have gotten my love and compassion for children from my mother.  Not to mention a whole bunch of other characteristics and skills.  As a paraprofessional for many years she came alongside of countless special needs children and helped them everyday.  As a village member or neighborhood nanny of sorts I am privileged to do the same thing.  I am glad I was her pupil.  I honor her legacy whenever I pour into another child.  Thanks mom, for being such a good teacher.

 



Thanksgiving 2010

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Concert

I was on a conference call when a group of kids rang my doorbell.  After the call was finished I went to the door.  They asked if they could use my gazebo for the surprise they had for me.  I sort of already knew they were planning something (lol).  I was presented with a concert in the high heat of the day.  I tried to get them to wait until the sun went down, but they were so excited and it had been so difficult to get everyone together.  So Dugan (my dog) and I got some water and sat in the hot blazing sun as they set up the 'stage'.



Rocker girl!



2 Kool Kats



2 cool 4 words

 

Make the beat with your feet

Dugan is grooving too (lol)

I got skills Miss Tina!

I will make lo with these photos (there are several more), but I had to share.  The children drew pictures, made decorations and wrote three songs.  The first one was called "Friends"  it was a ballad.  The second one was a rap called "Chicken Wing" and the third one was called "Summer Vacation", a rock song if I ever heard one (lol).  I was so pleased with their organization and cooperation.  I can see little drama kings and queens in the making.  I cannot wait to get them in one of my drama classes.  This was a nice concert and I hope they perform it for other folks in the neighborhood. 



ROCK ON, DUDE!

Afterwards we all drank water and juice to cool off.  This was a nice break.

Thanks for stopping by.  Come back soon.

Pleasant interruptions

I had planned on staying in all day and doing work around the house.  You know like busy work, cleaning and uhhhh CRAFTING perhaps (LOL) Then comes a knock on the door.  It was the little guy from next door asking if he could come to my house.  His G'mom (my neighbor) said it was ok.   

As soon as He put on the apron he exclaimed Hey Miss Tina, We're chefs! We sure are baby, I replied.  He wanted to make something to share with the other kids when they got home from school.  I had to scramble to find ingredients to make something.  At first we were making rice crispy treats, but the marshmallows did not melt-they were stale-perfect for cocoa (lol).  So we made peanut butter pie instead (whew...no eggs required).  The neighborhood kids loved it and this little guy lit up when I told them that he made it.  The next day I took his second pie to his grandparents.  They loved his creation.

So after that, back to my original plans.  Later that day another knock comes:  Miss Tina can we borrow your table and some poster board, we want to sell lemonade? Another neighbor had given them a can of frozen concentrate lemonade.  After asking them a few questions:  Do you have cups? Do you have ice? Something to put the money in? I had them come in to make a sign.  We talked about sharing the profit with charity.  Did the math to determine cost incurred and what the profit would be.  They made a shopping and to do list.  They drew a sketch of their sign and then I introduced them to the cricut. You know they were amazed and loved the machine...just like I do!

 Wow! This is cool.

                                                                     Is it done cutting?

We are on our our way!

 The other little guy is not pictured-he is under the table playing with the dog-Dugan.

The children designed the sign by themselves.  I only added the bling as the decimal in the prices (gotta have bling-lol) So the kids did not set up their stand yet.  It has been really cool weather the last few days.  They are still trying to get their parents to get the stuff on their shopping list...like uhhh more lemonade (lol).  I was in the store and got a few things to donate to them-cups, napkins. 

Thanks for stopping by.  Come back soon. 

One came back...

I hosted a craft Pass-it-party for a group of neighborhood children.  They were to make cards for Mother's Day.  I was feeling frustrated when the children arrived with unsigned activity registration forms, late, unfed, hungry and thirsty.  There were several class interruptions by latecomers, and the really young children who all wanted to come to the party.  I had explained in detail that the event was for the 9-12 year olds and that there would be a future event for the 5-8 year olds.  I also stressed that the registration form had to be filled out completely.  Sadly, I had to turn away several crying children.  All I can do is provide the service, parents still have to follow the directions and do their part.  Unfortunately, the children are caught in the middle.  Pass-it-on parties are NOT free childcare, they are classes.  Education in a party setting.

Fast forward to Mother's Day.  I was sitting outside soaking up the sun.  I was feeling sort of lonely and just plain old BLAH!  I couldn't really get into the book I had carried with me to read.  So, I was just watching the birds, bugs and bees.  You know making sure the grass was growing straight. (LOL)  Then kids started to come outside.  One little boy came down the street and said hello.   He had been one of the pass-it-on party goers.  He proceeded to tell me how much his mom liked her card. How she picked one of the flowers from the front of the card right away revealing "I will help by taking out the trash."  The BLAH's went away immediately.  It all seemed worth it, because one came back.  Ironically, this child had made a pot holder also the week before.  During that party his attitude was so challenging.  I wanted to kick him out of my studio so badly.  By the grace of God, I hung in there and so did he.  I told him I was very proud of him and hoped to see him at a future pass-it-on party.

At the craft party the children were very creative.  All of the cards were different.  They did a great job spelling the sentiment inside.  They were clever in coming up with chores to help with.   The children were even practicing their delivery lines "...here Mom, this is for you..."   I was chuckling to myself as I watched them.  Then I was awed by their response to the little certificates of completion I gave them.  Their faces lit up as they read "Great Job, you took the leap (picture of frog)..."  They each had smiles and looks of victory on their faces.  They actually made a bigger fuss over those certificates than they did over the favor bags they received.  And those were filled with toys, games and candy.

A chore was written on the back of each flower



Someone reported that their Mom picked all three flowers in just one day



Thanks for stopping by. 

All the materials used in this project are from the Teen Queen stash.

Loopy...

AND THAT IS WHAT I WAS AFTER THIS CLASS--LOOPY 

I hosted a craft Pass-it-on party the other week.  It was on a small scale so no lunch and no story.  This event was to take the place of a Spring break skating trip the kids talked me into. (LOL)  So, I thought they may enjoy making a craft for Mother's Day presents.  Yes, I went back in time and pulled out the weaving looms and cotton loops to make potholders.  Great idea right!  Perhaps.  As a child, I do not recall having so much difficulty with this project.  The attendees really struggled.  I was so grateful for patience that day. Luckily, they stuck with it and eventually got the hang of weaving.  However, I think I will hold off on the macrame flower pot hangers until I recuperate. (LOL)





My loops keep coming off...

 

Over, under...over, under-Got it!

                                                     





Push the loops close together



I did it!!!

Thanks for stopping by.  

A heart felt thank you to Thelda and Ken for donating all the materials.









Thanks to my online friends

These are a couple of greeting cards that I received from my online friends recently.  When I first receive cards (RAK's, swap thank you's, gifts)  I have them displayed on my dining room table.  When the kids in my neighborhood stop by that is the first thing they see.  They admire the cards and gifts just like I do.  They are always so amazed when I tell them what states the items came from and that I have never met these ladies or men in person.  The other day a little boy asked me "Miss Tina, why do people who don't know you give you stuff...it must be because you are a good citizen..."  How thoughtful was that!  ( I was just going to say because folks are kind and want to do nice things) I took that as a teaching moment...helping them to realize that their hearts and actions can go far beyond their front yards.  And that they, too were good citizens, friends, and neighbors.

I love how the generosity and thoughtfulness of my online friends has blessed me and brightened my days.  I am so grateful that your kindness reached beyond me to a wonderful bunch of kids.  What a wonderful gift, to be a vessel in the pay it forward journey.  My friend Angie instructs her blog viewers to 'craft it forward'...and that is what we are all doing.  Love it! 

I have not captured it in pictures, but I am sooooooooooo honored and thankful for my online buddies who send me e-mails and leave comments.  I look forward to those words of inspiration, encouragement and affirmation.  In my mind those are gifts too.  I truly appreciate all the various expressions of love. Warm fuzzy!

You're never too young...

...to pay it forward.  My girlfriend was visiting with her two sons.  I was poised to give out food that day so she and I had the boys to help.  In fact, they did a great deal of the work.  The were very eager as they  helped to separate, bag and load up food.  This was a small giveaway, only two bags per family.  It was still hard to steer the rolling cart full of groceries, but this little guy insisted that he could and wanted to push the cart.  

 

The brothers worked together and shared the tasks. 

The younger brother ran ahead so he could knock on the door of each house.   

When the people didn't come to the door right away he said "Do you think we should answer the doorbell?" So sweet, we all knew he meant 'ring' the doorbell.

The children were a delight to watch as they greeted the people and gave them the bags of groceries.  It is so easy to wear the tee shirt that says "WWJD", but it is great to take action showing kindness and love to others.  These little boys proved that you are never too young to learn to share and give.
 
My heart and mind are full of so many passages of scripture about selflessness, giving, sharing and the poor, but Proverbs 22:6 KJV encompasses all those messages:  Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

RAK for neighborhood kids

I made a bunch of these dogs for the kids in my neighborhood.  I used brown and tan cardstock.  Under the ear it says "Have a nice day!" with a smiley face sticker.  There is a tic-tac-toe game under the other ear.  The inside is filled with silly bands.  The back has a little blurb about sharing and giving.  The children have been doing really good about helping the neighbors with little things like putting away trash cans, picking up paper etc.  They have a lot to learn about community and doing the right thing just because and not only when they are prompted by someone else.  I just want to keep them encouraged.

The back says:

SHARE and GIVE

No matter what you have you can always share it

The heart that you have when you give to others

Is like the heart that God has when He gives to you

Only His heart is BIGGER!

When you give something, do not expect anything in return

Just give because you want to show someone love

Give because God says it’s the right thing to do

Miss Teen Teen

I wonder why...

At a dinner gathering, I end up in the kid corner---imagine that!  My Godchildren, niece and I set out to create a village out of gingerbread.  Complete with a toy shoppe, Santa house, chalet, factory, and candy store.  I have never made a gingerbread house before.  It was fun.  These are our masterpieces.   LOL

Santa's house-->

I thought mine was absolutely wonderful and that Santa would be lucky to live in such a house.   I wonder why the kids kept saying, "...really? Aunt Teen Teen...Santa is mad at you..."

A young crafter's first scrap booking haul

So, I say to my niece," ...you got a really good haul at the crop today.  Those ladies were so kind to give you all those supplies."  I explained to her what a haul was.  I told her that it was such a big deal in scrap world that folks took pictures and made videos of what they purchased.  She responded, "And you are telling me this because?   Aunt Teen Teen, you are too hyped."  Okay, I admit my excitement over all her goodies didn't match hers.   That is until I told her we could dump it all out and spead it over the table.  She shrieked, "I love spreading stuff out and playing in it!  That's what I do when me and mommy go shopping"

Stencils, stamps (way more than what I started with), inks, glue runner and refill, stickers, rub ons, ribbon, beads, sanding file, scrapfolio, 12 x 12 paper.  She was eager to organize all her stuff and label the sections of her Scrapfolio (expanding file).  She put all her stencils in a 3 ring binder.  Then she created a shopping list for me:  Exacto swivel knife, stamp scrubber pad and stamp cleaner.  How did I get signed up for this job?  LOL

Hot Chocolate holders for Cute Kids Crafts

My niece has always taking a liking to arts and crafts.  Whenever she visits I can expect to hear "Aunt Teen Teen, what are we going to do today...can I paint"  So, not wanting to disappoint  her and being a believer in pseudo child labor (hahahaha) I taught her to make hot chocolate holders.  I am hosting a charm swap and the chocolate holders will be the little 'thank you' gift included in each return package for the participants.  Together we made a sample and packed our supplies in preparation for a impromptu crop the next morning. 

How sweet it was to watch as she picked out paper, ink, stamps and other supplies.  She had a chance to measure, cut, score, stamp, ink edges, glimmer spray, mask, etc.  I introduced her to using pop dots, a heat tool as a dryer, and marathon scrapping...or at least scrapping until your project is done.  She was tired, but said she had a great time.  

 

She made these holders using envelopes from the resale store of course.  The flowers cover the little indentation on the envelope.  See how a couple of them are on the right and not on the left.  Well, when she cut the envelopes differently from the sample she had made the night before, and scored at the wrong line she thought she had made a terrible mistake.  Diane and Melissa (the ladies at the crop) were quick to educate her.  We all sang in unison, "There are NO mistakes in scrap booking, only opportunities for embellishment!" She thought we were crazy...she giggled at our song. lol 

She loved glimmer spraying the prima flowers and drying them with the heat tool.  She asked, " Aunt Tina, how do you make that spray stuff, cause I want my own to have at home..."    I saw the sky open up and I heard the angels singing...I think I have created a little crafter.  I would say my work is done, but somehow I suspect my work is just beginning. lol

Cooking 'Pass It On' party

The name is just what it says: I plan and host parties and 'pass on' my knowledge to the participants.  The themes include many creative subjects like cooking, sewing, writing, acting, scrapbooking, jewelry making, crotcheting, etc.  About 10 children were invited to a cooking pass it on party.  I try to incorporate some subject related craft and storytelling as a part of each party.  This time the children made chef hats.  After telling the story of "Stone Soup" the children made a big batch of soup.  I never saw children eat so much soup.  When they kept asking for more I thought it was a scene from 'Oliver Twist' (lol).  I had to empty out all the take home containers to accommodate the requests for more, so the parents didn't get to taste the soup. 


The childern worked in pairs and made lemon meringue pies.  Good thing I anticipated the challenge that separating the egg yolks from the egg whites would cause.  I had several cartons on hand.  After a few tries and being patient each group was successful.  Their faces lit up as they took the pies out of the oven.  They were proud of themselves and I was proud of them too.

Nobody told me...

...that going camping with my niece's Girl Scout troop would make me feel so old. See, I come from an era when we really had to rough it. We did not have a campsite with buildings, cafeteria and shower facilities. When did cots replace sleeping bags? And when did telling stories and singing songs around the campfire become passe. O.k. so the girls did make smores, but after that they were no longer interested in hanging around the campfire.

Well this was too much for me to digest. I stood alone by the fire yelling into the night air: "You mean yall are going to bed?" "And the chaperones are o.k. with this?" "Aren't we going to sing songs? play games? tell stories?" "Helooooooo is anyone home...."

I was not a happy camper (pun intended). I retired to my tent with my gruop of girls and the fun began. We learned songs and hand games. We got kinda loud giggling and telling stories; and one by one girls from other tents began to come in to join the fun. Soon the tent that was designed to sleep 7 was full to capacity with about 14 girls. They were laughing and having fun. It wasn't totally like the old days, but nostalgic none the less.

I learned that sometimes the old way of doing things still works and that it is a greater distance to the ground than it used to be. (LOL)

I don't remember being bored as a child...

Nowadays children always say that they are bored. I do not recall ever being bored growing up. O.k. so maybe boredom is a possibility, but there is ALWAYS something to do. Sometimes kids just need a little guidance. For goodness sake...they do not come out the womb knowing what they like. Older people have to expose them to various things. Long gone are the days when every school had classes for art, sewing, mechanical drawing, woodworking, metal shop and home economics.

I believe all of us have a responsibility to 'pass on' what we know to others. One way I do this is by hosting gatherings or 'Pass it on' parties where attendees can have fun learning a skill like cooking, acting, sewing, crafting or writing while building communication skills, creativity, collaboration ability, and confidence.

This was not a scheduled gathering. When these three girls insisted that they had nothing to do, I found myself hosting an impromptu drama party. They were urged to use their imaginations...and boy did they! They wrote an original skit, and used props and costumes (I keep baskets of found items and old clothes on hand). They performed beautifully and had hours of fun. Then we made and ate a delicious dinner-does that count as a cooking 'pass it on' party? lol