I have a pretty busy weekend scheduled, so don't get your hopes up, but here's the plan:
Monday 8/6/12 Shop Talk: Two new pendants
Tuesday 8/7 DYI FYI: Air plant hanging jars
Wednesday 8/8 Geekery: Drivemocion EX Series LED Car Sign
Thursday 8/9 Rants and Raves: Striiv Pedometer
Friday, August 3, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
P is for Pink Princess
Gosh, blogging every day is... hard.
But hey, better late than never, right? Eh. Maybe someday I will be more on top of things. At any rate, you will have to wait until next week to hear about my Striiv pedometer. In the meantime, please consider this rant - Children's Toys and the Lack of Creativity.
It seems that whenever I want to purchase an interesting toy for my daughter, I have to go on ebay or browse rummage sales to find toys that she will actually enjoy playing with. Her latest obsession has been with these Fisher Price dinosaurs, which are no longer manufactured by the company.
They're adorable and fun, and even though she's a girl, she enjoys playing with them (albeit differently than most boys do - she plays "family" with them - mommy, daddy, and baby dinos).
Why don't they make gender-neutral toys like this anymore? You know, the ones that really spark kids' imaginations?
I think there is just a lack of creativity in kids' toys nowadays. For example, you can tell when you are coming to the "girl" isle in the toys department of our local Target. Everything is Pink. And Princess. Or Dress-Up and Play House. No exceptions. If it's not Pink and doesn't have something to do with Dress-Up, Princesses, or Play House, it simply does not belong in the girl isle in the toy department.
Likewise is the "boy" isle. Their toys involve war, cars, sports, or variations thereof. At least there are more options with the color choices in the boys' section.
Which leads me to wonder, where are the open-ended toys kept? You know, the ones where the kids could choose to play "house" with (mommy, daddy, and baby dinos, for example) or race with or war with, depending on the kid's imagination and not on his or her gender? What if a little boy wanted to develop his nurturing side? What if a little girl was interested in cars? Or what if a little girl detested the color pink??? Oh, the horror!
I have to imagine that if I were a scientist from another culture studying our societal roles based on the toy choices we give to our children, I would come to the following conclusions:
1. Girls only like the color pink.
2. Girls are expected to fill one of two roles: A. be catered to by the rest of society (princess) or B. be some sort of a servant (play house).
3. No matter if you are a princess or a servant, a girl must pay attention to her appearance and try to be pretty (dress up).
3. Boys are only interested in these topics: war, cars, sports. That's it. Therefore, boys are not nurturing, nor are they interested in homemaking.
4. Neither gender is interested in topics such as math or science.
Now I know these are broad generalizations, and yes, there are many good open-ended and creative toys out there, but it just seems like there are less of them now than there were even ten years ago. At least they have become harder to find in my neck of the woods.
What are your thoughts on this subject? Let me know in the comments section! :)
But hey, better late than never, right? Eh. Maybe someday I will be more on top of things. At any rate, you will have to wait until next week to hear about my Striiv pedometer. In the meantime, please consider this rant - Children's Toys and the Lack of Creativity.
It seems that whenever I want to purchase an interesting toy for my daughter, I have to go on ebay or browse rummage sales to find toys that she will actually enjoy playing with. Her latest obsession has been with these Fisher Price dinosaurs, which are no longer manufactured by the company.
They're adorable and fun, and even though she's a girl, she enjoys playing with them (albeit differently than most boys do - she plays "family" with them - mommy, daddy, and baby dinos).
Why don't they make gender-neutral toys like this anymore? You know, the ones that really spark kids' imaginations?
I think there is just a lack of creativity in kids' toys nowadays. For example, you can tell when you are coming to the "girl" isle in the toys department of our local Target. Everything is Pink. And Princess. Or Dress-Up and Play House. No exceptions. If it's not Pink and doesn't have something to do with Dress-Up, Princesses, or Play House, it simply does not belong in the girl isle in the toy department.
Likewise is the "boy" isle. Their toys involve war, cars, sports, or variations thereof. At least there are more options with the color choices in the boys' section.
Which leads me to wonder, where are the open-ended toys kept? You know, the ones where the kids could choose to play "house" with (mommy, daddy, and baby dinos, for example) or race with or war with, depending on the kid's imagination and not on his or her gender? What if a little boy wanted to develop his nurturing side? What if a little girl was interested in cars? Or what if a little girl detested the color pink??? Oh, the horror!
I have to imagine that if I were a scientist from another culture studying our societal roles based on the toy choices we give to our children, I would come to the following conclusions:
1. Girls only like the color pink.
2. Girls are expected to fill one of two roles: A. be catered to by the rest of society (princess) or B. be some sort of a servant (play house).
3. No matter if you are a princess or a servant, a girl must pay attention to her appearance and try to be pretty (dress up).
3. Boys are only interested in these topics: war, cars, sports. That's it. Therefore, boys are not nurturing, nor are they interested in homemaking.
4. Neither gender is interested in topics such as math or science.
Now I know these are broad generalizations, and yes, there are many good open-ended and creative toys out there, but it just seems like there are less of them now than there were even ten years ago. At least they have become harder to find in my neck of the woods.
What are your thoughts on this subject? Let me know in the comments section! :)
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Tricked Out Tricycle
Well, I may be slow, but I eventually follow through. As promised, here is the saga of the "Tricked Out Tricycle..."
I found this lovely little Craigslist special a few weeks ago. For $25, I thought it was a good deal. It was the perfect size trike for my little girl and even came with a sun canopy! There was a lot of sun fading and some pretty ugly peeling Disney princess stickers, but I figured that I could update it with a paint job to make it like new...
Little did I realize all the steps that go into properly painting a bike! Taking it apart, taping the non-paintable parts, sanding, priming, painting...ugh. There had to be an easier way.
That's when I started surfing the interwebs for some ideas, and then it came to me! DUCT TAPE.
I bought some butterfly duct tape on Ebay, took the trike apart, thoroughly washed everything, and wrapped the frame in the butterfly tape. This is the result:
Nifty, hey? I mean... LOOK AT IT. Except for the tires it looks new!
The canopy had some very faded "Disney Princess" decals. Butterfly duct tape is definitely better! (I can't stand Disney princesses...)
The old white handlebar grips were severely chewed-upon and gross. Oddly enough, the purple foot rests were in respectable condition. I pried both the gross handlebar grips and the foot rests off the bike. I threw away the handlebar grips and replaced them with the newly cleaned foot rests instead. I purchased some new handlebar ribbons and a new bicycle basket on ebay (I love ebay). Some super glue now holds the handlebar ribbons in place. I covered the foot rests with generous layers of butterfly duct tape.
A cute butterfly bell and some reflective stickers on the wheels top it all off. So there you have it - an original, one-of-a-kind tricycle that's new to us for under $40 total!
I found this lovely little Craigslist special a few weeks ago. For $25, I thought it was a good deal. It was the perfect size trike for my little girl and even came with a sun canopy! There was a lot of sun fading and some pretty ugly peeling Disney princess stickers, but I figured that I could update it with a paint job to make it like new...
Little did I realize all the steps that go into properly painting a bike! Taking it apart, taping the non-paintable parts, sanding, priming, painting...ugh. There had to be an easier way.
That's when I started surfing the interwebs for some ideas, and then it came to me! DUCT TAPE.
I bought some butterfly duct tape on Ebay, took the trike apart, thoroughly washed everything, and wrapped the frame in the butterfly tape. This is the result:
Nifty, hey? I mean... LOOK AT IT. Except for the tires it looks new!
The canopy had some very faded "Disney Princess" decals. Butterfly duct tape is definitely better! (I can't stand Disney princesses...)
The old white handlebar grips were severely chewed-upon and gross. Oddly enough, the purple foot rests were in respectable condition. I pried both the gross handlebar grips and the foot rests off the bike. I threw away the handlebar grips and replaced them with the newly cleaned foot rests instead. I purchased some new handlebar ribbons and a new bicycle basket on ebay (I love ebay). Some super glue now holds the handlebar ribbons in place. I covered the foot rests with generous layers of butterfly duct tape.
A cute butterfly bell and some reflective stickers on the wheels top it all off. So there you have it - an original, one-of-a-kind tricycle that's new to us for under $40 total!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Shop Talk - Nerdy Knitting
I promised you a cowl, and you shall have said cowl... but FIRST may I present to you my new "Yarn Nerd" project bag?!
Isn't it fabulous?!? I've made a few, so I have 3 of these lovelies for sale in my Etsy shop, Echoes of Stars Designs, LLC.
I have *HAND PAINTED* a lovely "Yarn Nerd" decal on the front. An Echoes of Stars' Designs EXCLUSIVE! (The painted decal has been heat-set.)
This medium tote is perfect as a project bag. In the pictures, it is carrying three skeins of super bulky weight yarn and a pair of 15 US knitting needles. The bag is 13.5 inches wide by 13.5 inches long by 4 inches deep and is made of 100% cotton.
Okay, okay. Now for the cowl...
Gorgeous, right? The cowl is large - 14 inches long by 16 inches in diameter - so it can easily be pulled up and over your head to protect your hair from falling snow.
Check out the detailing - the delicate lace and cables!
The yarn that this cowl is knitted from is unbelievably soft! It is crafted from Eco Duo yarn by Cascade. Reviewers have called this yarn "creamy," "dreamy," and "heavenly soft." Imagine how wonderful this cowl will feel next to your skin!
Fiber contents: 70% Undyed Baby Alpaca / 30% Undyed Merino Wool
Like it? Want it? Buy it here.
Isn't it fabulous?!? I've made a few, so I have 3 of these lovelies for sale in my Etsy shop, Echoes of Stars Designs, LLC.
I have *HAND PAINTED* a lovely "Yarn Nerd" decal on the front. An Echoes of Stars' Designs EXCLUSIVE! (The painted decal has been heat-set.)
This medium tote is perfect as a project bag. In the pictures, it is carrying three skeins of super bulky weight yarn and a pair of 15 US knitting needles. The bag is 13.5 inches wide by 13.5 inches long by 4 inches deep and is made of 100% cotton.
Okay, okay. Now for the cowl...
Gorgeous, right? The cowl is large - 14 inches long by 16 inches in diameter - so it can easily be pulled up and over your head to protect your hair from falling snow.
Check out the detailing - the delicate lace and cables!
The yarn that this cowl is knitted from is unbelievably soft! It is crafted from Eco Duo yarn by Cascade. Reviewers have called this yarn "creamy," "dreamy," and "heavenly soft." Imagine how wonderful this cowl will feel next to your skin!
Fiber contents: 70% Undyed Baby Alpaca / 30% Undyed Merino Wool
Like it? Want it? Buy it here.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Upcoming Blog Topics for 7/23-7/27/12
Ha. I'm finally getting my act together and writing posts ahead of time. Can you believe it? So here's the schedule for the upcoming week.
Monday 7/23/12 Shop Talk: The softest cowl you will ever wear.
Tuesday 7/24 DYI FYI: Rummage Sale Rehab - A Tricycle Gets a Make-Over with Duct Tape! (For REALZ this time!)
Wednesday 7/25 The Geekery: Striiv Pedometer
Thursday 7/26 Rants and Raves: Kids' Toys and Creativity (or lack thereof)
Monday 7/23/12 Shop Talk: The softest cowl you will ever wear.
Tuesday 7/24 DYI FYI: Rummage Sale Rehab - A Tricycle Gets a Make-Over with Duct Tape! (For REALZ this time!)
Wednesday 7/25 The Geekery: Striiv Pedometer
Thursday 7/26 Rants and Raves: Kids' Toys and Creativity (or lack thereof)
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Kiddie Wagon Upgrade!
So I sold my old Step 2 wagon and trailer because Little Love is rapidly outgrowing it.
My old Step 2 wagon and trailer
To replace it, I bought this one for just $7 more than what I received from the sale of my my old wagon/trailer. (I sold my Step 2 wagon on Craigslist and bought this Little Tikes "Ride and Relax Wagon" on sale online at KMart.com):
Here's what I think of it:
I definitely would not pay full price for this wagon. However, I managed to snag it for just $72, which was worth it to me. The wagon comes with an even more expensive model that has an additional folding umbrella and cooler attached. I definitely would not buy that model since I already own a cooler and a clip-on umbrella.
The Little Tikes Ride and Relax Wagon is definitely larger than my old Step 2 wagon, which makes it more difficult to fit in the back of my car. (If you don't have a SUV or minivan, you may want to stick to a Step 2 wagon.) However, it's much nicer for my growing girl. The seats can fold down flat so that she can stretch out and lie down, which is a plus for me.
The kiddie cup holders are located inside the wagon instead of on the outer edge, so she is less likely to lose her sippy cup as we go, and there are even 4 conveniently placed cup holders for the adults who are tagging along. The side of the wagon also folds over so that it can convert to a bench for us to sit on. This is especially handy at the zoo when the picnic areas are busy or along parade routes (no more hauling lawn chairs!).
I have heard that the front wheels can buckle with too much weight. I have only noticed this starting to happen once during a playdate at the zoo. I had five toddlers in the wagon, and I noticed that the front wheels were beginning to bend during turns. I took two of the toddlers out and it was just fine again. So we only ride three kids at a time now, and it works fine. The wheels can hold one adult and one toddler when being used as a bench as long as you do not try to make it move.
The seat belts are a bit of a joke - they aren't nearly long enough for older toddlers/preschoolers, and I do miss the snazzy door of the Step 2 wagon, which made entering and exiting easier for the kids. The Little Tikes wagon, being larger and heavier than the Step 2 wagon, is also a little more difficult to steer. However, I only notice this when I turn it around and push (which I like to do when at the zoo so I can better keep an eye on the kids).
You may wonder what I do for shade. Well, Radio Flyer makes this nifty clip-on umbrella that I used to use on my Step 2 wagon. It also fits on my Little Tikes wagon, although not as well due to the sculpted sides. I like it because it bends and can be positioned at different angles to block the sun as we go.
Overall, I do prefer the Little Tikes wagon to the Step 2 wagon - I can haul one more kid with the seats folded flat, there are cup holders for grownups, and it converts to a nice comfy bench. All pluses in my book.
My old Step 2 wagon and trailer
To replace it, I bought this one for just $7 more than what I received from the sale of my my old wagon/trailer. (I sold my Step 2 wagon on Craigslist and bought this Little Tikes "Ride and Relax Wagon" on sale online at KMart.com):
Here's what I think of it:
I definitely would not pay full price for this wagon. However, I managed to snag it for just $72, which was worth it to me. The wagon comes with an even more expensive model that has an additional folding umbrella and cooler attached. I definitely would not buy that model since I already own a cooler and a clip-on umbrella.
The Little Tikes Ride and Relax Wagon is definitely larger than my old Step 2 wagon, which makes it more difficult to fit in the back of my car. (If you don't have a SUV or minivan, you may want to stick to a Step 2 wagon.) However, it's much nicer for my growing girl. The seats can fold down flat so that she can stretch out and lie down, which is a plus for me.
The kiddie cup holders are located inside the wagon instead of on the outer edge, so she is less likely to lose her sippy cup as we go, and there are even 4 conveniently placed cup holders for the adults who are tagging along. The side of the wagon also folds over so that it can convert to a bench for us to sit on. This is especially handy at the zoo when the picnic areas are busy or along parade routes (no more hauling lawn chairs!).
I have heard that the front wheels can buckle with too much weight. I have only noticed this starting to happen once during a playdate at the zoo. I had five toddlers in the wagon, and I noticed that the front wheels were beginning to bend during turns. I took two of the toddlers out and it was just fine again. So we only ride three kids at a time now, and it works fine. The wheels can hold one adult and one toddler when being used as a bench as long as you do not try to make it move.
The seat belts are a bit of a joke - they aren't nearly long enough for older toddlers/preschoolers, and I do miss the snazzy door of the Step 2 wagon, which made entering and exiting easier for the kids. The Little Tikes wagon, being larger and heavier than the Step 2 wagon, is also a little more difficult to steer. However, I only notice this when I turn it around and push (which I like to do when at the zoo so I can better keep an eye on the kids).
You may wonder what I do for shade. Well, Radio Flyer makes this nifty clip-on umbrella that I used to use on my Step 2 wagon. It also fits on my Little Tikes wagon, although not as well due to the sculpted sides. I like it because it bends and can be positioned at different angles to block the sun as we go.
Overall, I do prefer the Little Tikes wagon to the Step 2 wagon - I can haul one more kid with the seats folded flat, there are cup holders for grownups, and it converts to a nice comfy bench. All pluses in my book.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Babushka Toms!
So I got a new pair of Toms. But they were gray. Much too boring for me.
Ever inspired by Pinterest, I wanted to decorate them. I wanted something that would reflect my faith without being to cheesy or in-your-face.
I love this verse from 1 Corinthians 13:13
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
And I also love Babushka dolls.
So I carved some stamps...
And used these fabric markers to stamp my Toms...
But the original stamping wasn't that dark, so I used a fine paintbrush to fill in the outlines. Here are the results.
I gently ironed them to set the ink in place. Now I have the coolest Toms in the world.
Get it? The greatest of these is LOVE. :)
Ever inspired by Pinterest, I wanted to decorate them. I wanted something that would reflect my faith without being to cheesy or in-your-face.
I love this verse from 1 Corinthians 13:13
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
And I also love Babushka dolls.
So I carved some stamps...
And used these fabric markers to stamp my Toms...
But the original stamping wasn't that dark, so I used a fine paintbrush to fill in the outlines. Here are the results.
I gently ironed them to set the ink in place. Now I have the coolest Toms in the world.
Get it? The greatest of these is LOVE. :)
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