mobiles!

I have a small obsession with mobiles. I love them. I'm a big fan of things dangling down into my airspace. It seems to give special dimension to a room. 


These two caught my eye this week. 

Sew Homegrown has a tutorial on how to make a hot air balloon mobile,

The kids can help with this one, and how fun would a room be with a bunch of tiny hot air balloons floating in the corner. 

And the lovely Spool, has a Bird Mobile Tutorial up. (I love how my poppet used it in her daughter's room.  Unbelievable color!)

Yeah, I know, it's Monday morning... and egad, I just looked in the mirror. Note to self: drink some coffee, and cheer the heck up!

Zephyrs and Zithers,

-shawnacy

Something Pretty, Something Smart

I've been mulling over a new catchy title for the friday finds post each week and came up with this little rhyme. because when you rhyme stuff, it's automatically more bouncy and delicious. True Story.  


And so, I give you 'Something Pretty, Something Smart.'


Because every week should include:

Something Pretty, 

Something Smart,

Something to do,

And a bit of Art.

Pretty:


I am slightly in love with this totally rad duvet cover by not on the high street i found via Meet Me at Mikes. How fun would this be for the kiddos?! Or for mom!! (also, it looks like something that wouldn't be too hard to make... hmm...)

Or hop over to The Curiosity Group to grab a FREE DOWNLOAD (!!) of this totally hip record player calendar!!! The record turns so that the cutout shows the date! So Clever! 

I have never been so bummed that my printer is on the fritz. But, they come out with a new FREE and super cute calendar every month, so be sure to check back often. Found via How About Orange.  

and I LOVE this  Daily Dot Chalkboard Wall Calendar from Simple Shapes. Maybe with this I could get the Teens to actually write things on the calendar...

Smart:


I was introduced today to Storynory through the always helpful and informative Childhood 101. Much like ambling books which I have raved about in the past, Storynory is an incredible resource for audiobooks. Except these are really audio stories, and they're all for kids. (also, there's no need to download! Just click on a story and listen!) 
We're hooked! We listened to a few of the classic Brothers Grimm stories today, and are already on chapter 4 of The Wizard of Oz. Yay for Storynory! 

And if you're in need of academic trivia with which to amaze your friends and family, head over to the Mental Floss Amazing Fact Generator to learn things like: 

Wilbur and Orville weren’t the only Wright Brothers. They had two older brothers, Reuchlin and Lorin, plus a younger sister, Katharine.

To Do:


Make a Light Theatre  with Adventures at Home. This looks like such a sweet activity to do with (or without!) kids. Have them read a story (or write one of their own) and then craft the figures, and play it out! (be sure to have your oooh's and aaah's and 'wow!'s' down pat, as I'm sure you'll be needing all of them as a proper spectator). I am extra-infatuated by this idea, and can't wait for the right slow afternoon to make this happen. 

Reminds me a little of this scene (at 1:00 on the video below. you would not believe how long i looked for a still frame of that shot. to absolutely no avail... sheesh)  from A Series of Unfortunate Events: 

And here's another one to try: This DIY Shadow Puppet Theatre from Ohdeedoh. 

While you're enjoying the shadow-puppet fest, whip up a batch of These oh-my-soul amazing Toffee Apple Cakes. Recipe brought to you by one of my favorite blogs, Coco Rose Textiles. Don't these look ... dangerously divine?

Art:


wanna go play with the moon? join funny page net [dot] com in this series of super neat moon pictures.

Next, watch James Powderly Graffiti-up buildings in Korea with LIGHT.  or do the coolest installation/exhibition/spontaneous event ever with sticky LED lights on The Creators Project

... and just for fun:


how about these kid-themed 'keep calm and carry on' variations from Callaloo Soup.
my personal favorite:

But you might also like: 

... or any of the other bunch to be found at the store. And you can download the printables for just $4.65! 

fun friday finds (on thursday...)

Tomorrow is a Bloggers day of Silence (for Japan with Love), which i will be participating in by keeping my ever running keyboard silent. 

for more on this see for japan with love.

and you can donate via shelterbox HERE

since tomorrow will be no-post, i'll share my fun friday finds with you today! 


first up,
The brilliant Rochelle of Tinker Lab shows how to make a Contact paper Suncatcher. Can't wait to try this one out!

if you hate the amount of TV/Videos/Movies/Video Games your kids play as much as i do, check out this timely post from Childhood 101 on installing speedbumps to TV in your home. some really creative ideas. 

Look at this adorable tape by Belle and Boo, found via Meet me at Mikes.

i want to put this on EVERYTHING!

Make these lovely Doily Garlands with Amanda at Here Comes the Sun. they are so pretty, i want to hang them in our sunroom for spring. 

i am in love with this room. the colors are spot on. 

found via this pinterest board from the lovely maryjanes and galoshes

check out all these Lanterns! awesome post from lil' magoolie

aaaaaand, because it's St. Patrick's day, here are a few things, green and Irish. 

make Blarney Stone Treasure Rocks with Chasing Fireflies.

and download some Free St. Patrick's Day Printables from Catch my Party

hope your day has been green and glad,

-shawnacy

kids rooms: the treehouse! and a swing!

saw THIS post recently from the slow life, and it got me all excited. treehouses are pretty much the epitome of awesome, and having one IN YOUR ROOM would make any kid (and not a few parents, too) go loopy with joy. 

kids rooms are so fun and happy, - as childhood in general ought to be. 

can't you just imagine being all cuddled up in quilts in there, with a book and a flashlight? or having sleepovers? or putting on a little puppet show out that window?

i especially love that they made this particular bit of perfection themselves. i'm not quite that handy, but, for those who are, what a great family project!! 

while i might not be craftsman enough to build an entire indoor treehouse, i've always been enamored of the idea of having a swing inside the house. 

THIS  tutorial from the lovely apartment therapy  that doesn't look too out-of-my-league in terms of tools and carpentry.

resolved: hang a swing in some unlikely place. : )