DIY - 2 Variations of Giant Jenga

Good morning!

I really love this idea (can't you tell?).  My husband and I are planning on making this for our little guy.  But we have been debating using 2x4 or 2x3 studs.  I think that the 2x3 size will be better and not as heavy - although he thinks that the set will be larger using the 2x4 size (he's right, of course).   Apparently, it just comes down to personal preference!

As usual, once I decide to do something, I need to be sure to have the right instructions. (You know - kinda like measure twice - cut once....LOL) So with that being said, I found 2 more set of instructions - they both use 2x3 studs.

The links are below - one is plain wood and the other (which, in my opinion, looks awesome) is a multi-colored set and uses a Wii game concept.  We don't have the game but, I think I may have to see what I can find out about it.  It would definitely be fun to have a variation for the game!!

So, if I've peeked your interest and you are dying to make a set for yourself then follow the links below and get to cuttin' and sandin'!!! 

Jenga Maximum:

Colored Mega Jenga Backyard/Jenga Based on Boom Blox

FYI - I've priced these sets on several sites and they range in price anywhere from $69.99 and up.  So if working with wood isn't your thing and you'd really like to have a set, then it could be a bit pricey to add this game to your collection!

Have a great Thursday.  See ya soon!

DIY Giant Jenga Tower

Good Monday morning!  I hope that everyone had a very nice weekend.

This time of the year is my favorite.  Not only is the color pallet one of my favorites, but the weather is just glorious!  We had some brutally hot weather this summer as did a lot of you.  Now that the temperatures have become more moderate, it is very nice to spend time outdoors.

With a 9 year old boy, I am always on the look out for interesting and different things to do.  I came across this outdoor game and just fell in love.  I think we would have a blast playing this version!

I did some research and found that I could buy one of these sets (in fact, amazon.com has one with several links to outside sites that have them as well) but I think they are a little pricey.  I know that making a set would be much more cost effective.  So, I went about finding the instructions and sure enough instructables.com has them - step-by-step even! Go here to get them:

Giant Jenga Tower:

I am 5'2" and my son is about 10 inches shorter than me, so I'm thinking we might need a step ladder to play this game... but, it sure would be fun to see how high we could get it before it falls!!! 

Have a fantastic Monday - see ya soon!!!

Skinit Promo

Happy Saturday!

I recently found this site and since my son is getting his very own tablet for Christmas I wanted to customize it for him. It was super easy to do. I designed the skin for the tablet on the 18th and got an e-mail telling me it shipped today! But, if you don't want to design it yourself there are BUNCHES to choose from on the site.

Just about any device you can think of has a skin available - iPhones, MP3s, laptops, tablets, e-readers, smartphones. You name it - they've got it!  Even if you don't want a skin - there are cases, sleeves, protective covers to pick from, too.

I was so happy with my experience that I wanted to tell you about it and pass along their current promotion. I believe you can alternatively choose free economy shipping instead of the free skin. So take a few minutes, follow the link, and check it out if you're in the market for a 'skin' or case for your device:  Free Skinit Offer:

Have fun bringing your devices to life!  Have a great day.  Chat with you soon!!!

My Birthday Present and Missing All of You

Good morning!!  

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted! I'm a Bad Blogger!! LOL! I'll try not to let that happen again....

I have a confession to make. I've been a little preoccupied with something.  My awesome better half gave me a wonderful birthday present this year.  Yes, it's a 10.1 inch Toshiba Thrive Android Honeycomb 3.1 Tablet!!!!!! 

I LOVE this thing!  It does so many things and I'm still discovering new and amazing apps everyday.  

I'm an avid reader and now have a whole library of e-books (approx 500+) at my fingertips!  I'm able to read in 3 different apps - Overdrive Media Console (which I highly recommend), Amazon Kindle app for Android, and the Barnes and Noble Nook app for Android.  I already own a Pandigital Novel and it does a fine job, but I was looking for something more and hands down this tablet certainly has been the ticket!  

But let's not stop there.  Not only is it convenient as an e-reader, it also handles my e-mail, online browsing, and game playing.  One of the other things that I love is the Android Market and all its apps.  I have found so many that totally streamline my life.  

For example, grocery shopping has to go on the bottom of my list, but with these apps it is so much easier to keep track of what we need and even what's on sale!  (I've put these on my Droid also and it updates across our wi-fi network automatically so I just need to take my phone to shop!)  Here are the ones I like: Grocery Pal, Saving Star, and Our Groceries - now I easily save money at the store - in fact, on Sunday we saved $63.50 off our grocery bill - awesome!!!!

There are so many things that are terrific that I could go on and on and on - we can rent a movie at Redbox or Blockbuster Express while sitting on the couch (the other day we ordered Dominoes Pizza online in our living room) - buying a newspaper is a thing of the past - I read newspapers from all over the place but my fav is USA Today (that app is World Newspapers and it also has magazines!). Simply put, the Honey Dew app is a MUST have. Heck, I can even set up my DVR to record a program that we want to watch!  Now, I'm seriously considering making ALL my recipes digital! I'm here to tell you that the uses are endless!

Before our purchase, I was undecided and compared the Motorola Zoom, the Samsung Galaxy Tab, and the Toshiba Thrive. The things I knew for sure was that I wanted the 10.1 inch screen and an Android OS. At the end of the day, for the money, the Thrive always came out on top!  I'm sure the others are very nice as well, but with the Thrive I was able to get a 16GB 10.1 inch tablet for under $375.  And did I mention that the Thrive has a full size SD card slot so I can expand my memory?!!

I really can't say enough about this tablet!  So if you're in the market for a tablet I can say without a doubt that the Toshiba Thrive is awesome. The only thing is doesn't have is 3G capability but since I have the Droid for when I'm on the go and mainly use the tablet at home - it suits my needs quite well.  Many apps don't even need the wi-fi once they are downloaded and Mobile Hotspot is always an option.

Anyway, that's what I've been up to lately and I definitely want to get back to posting more regularly.  Thanks for your patience!

Have a wonderful Tuesday.  See ya soon!

P.S. I'm working on a new Soda Tab Bracelet and will show you when it's done - so stay tuned!

DIY Wooden Doormat

Good morning and hello weekend!!  It's been a busy week of homework - spelling words, vocabulary, math, science and reading!  I swear I don't remember having this much homework when I was in the 4th grade.  I understand that homework is for practicing what you learn but....it just seems that there's always an awful lot of it!

Anyway, on to today's post!  I just love DIY projects and this one is no exception.  The monogram is unique but even without it I think this doormat would be very nice.  The steps to make this are very simple and I'm sure it wouldn't take any time at all to get your very own doormat.  

Interested?  Go here to get the scoop:

DIY Doormat | The Accent Piece:

Thanks to the Accent Piece for this project. The only change I might make is to add a few strips of non slip tread (prevention of it getting slippery when it rains and gets wet). But other than that I just love this project.  

These would make an interesting gift especially for those people on your list who have everything and are hard to buy for! 

Have a great Saturday - see ya soon!

Dolphin Tale's 'Winter' and Paver Pumpkins

Good morning!  

I hope your weekend was great!  We went to see the movie "Dolphin Tale".  It is sooooooo good - please go see it if you get a chance.  It is based on a true story about a female dolphin that gets injured and how she is saved.  The star of the movie is 'Winter' and she is in Florida at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.  If you want to check her out - I've put up her live webcam feed in the upper right hand corner for the time being.  You can see her in all her glory - no tail and all!!!  Truly amazing!!! And if you want to know more, check out the Clearwater Marine Aquarium website. Just follow the link!

Now on to today's post.

Since it is now fall, I thought I'd show you a keyhole paver painted as a pumpkin.  To me pumpkins just signify fall, Halloween, and even Thanksgiving so these cuties could be used for a nice period of time in your decorating! 

This project is very simple with wonderful results.  They would sit nicely just about anywhere.  I like them as they're pictured below - sitting among a fall type garland.  They would look really good on a mantle or entryway table.  But no matter where you decide to show them off, they would look great!

Here's the link to nightowlcrafting.blogspot.com to see how it's done!

Paver Pumpkins!

Cute, huh?  What are you waiting for?  Time to decorate for fall!


Have a great Monday and I'll see ya soon!

Recessed Picture Frame Cabinets

Good morning! Hope your day is great so far!

A couple of weeks ago I was online and came across these cabinets. I thought that they would be great anywhere in your home.  I think that the uses are endless. For me, it would be that place to stash all our remotes in the living room! 


Anyway, if you want to check out this unique cabinet, just follow the link below:

Recessed Medicine Cabinets with picture frame doors! No mirrors!

Have a fantastic day - see ya soon!

Tagxedo - Word Cloud with Styles

Good morning!  

Just a quick post today.  A while back I showed you wordle.net for all your word cloud needs. At least I thought so. But, I had not come across Tagxedo. It's basically the same concept except you can use shapes to make your word clouds. I've played with it a little bit and if you want to play too, go here to see what it's all about:

Tagxedo - Word Cloud with Styles:

If you are do digital scrapbooking, this program will come in handy to add interest to your pages.  If you like to personalize items such as t-shirts or mugs or anything else, you can use this program.  So I think it is pretty versatile.  Give it a look see!

Have a great day.  See ya soon!

Birthday Cake (again) & Book Page Pumpkin

Good Morning!  I've been MIA lately since my hubby had a week vacation - but he went back today so here we go! 

Happy Monday to you and Happy Birthday to me!!!!!  Yes, it's my birthday and I can't believe I'm already 48 years old.  It seems like yesterday that I was 18.  30 years has certainly flown by - some good and some not so good - but all in all a good life so far.  Of course, I've been joking that in 2 years I'll get my AARP card - not a joke though, right?  I really will get it then - LOL!!!

My wonderful hubby baked me a chocolate cherry cola cake yesterday. Yes - he did it all by himself and it came out wonderfully.  I guess I'm rubbing off a little after almost 18 years!  Here's a pic - check it out!

Didn't he do a fantastic job?  And it tasted as good as it looks!!  Thank you  for helping me celebrate with a beautiful cake, sweetheart - I love you!

Now - on to today's post.

With the first day of autumn this Friday (wow, where did the summer go?), I wanted to show you a project that will get you started with your fall decorating and crafting.  I just think this is the cutest thing - in fact I'm going to have to go through my old paperbacks so I can make one of these!  It really couldn't be any easier - go here for the how to:

Book Page Pumpkin Tutorial | Creations by Kara:

Thanks Kara for sharing this tutorial with us!

Have a happy day.  See ya soon!

Birthday, Bees and Frogs, Oh My!

Good morning!

Cristian turned 9 on Monday! It's hard to believe. It feels like yesterday that we brought him home.  We had a great time at the Carolina Mudcats game on Sunday evening. Cristian got a game ball and had it signed by Muddy, their team mascot. They lost 8 to 7, but it was an exciting game. The whole thing came down to the last pitch!  Afterwards, they shot off fireworks. Very nice! His friend spent the night and then Monday we cooked on the grill (cheeseburgers - his favorite!) and had cake and ice cream. He asked for a lemon cake so I did a 3 layer with homemade butter cream frosting!  It leaned a little but hey, that's what makes it homemade, right?  Here's a pic - see the lean?  Oh well, it tasted good and he liked it!

As I've mentioned before, my friend is a 1st grade teacher. This year she decided that she wanted to give her students a beginning of the year gift. The theme in her room is bees. Her fellow grade level teacher has a theme of frogs and liked the idea of a little something for the kids, as well. So we came up with and made cute little bees and frogs!  Check them out!

All 50!

Close up of Bee and Frog

Queen Bee Pen Holder for her Desk 

Queen and Her Little Worker Bees

They look so happy, don't they!

It took some doing, but we got them all done in a relatively short period of time. Our better halves did all the cutting and sanding. Her girls did most of the painting and we did the planning and decorating. It really was a family affair. We were quite pleased with how they turned out. From bare wood to bees and frogs in a blink of an eye. So cute, if I do say so myself!

Have a great over the hump day!  See ya soon!