the handwriting game

i was recently tagged by the Crafty-One herself,  Crystal of Crafty Ave, (who was tagged by miss Thursday, who was in turn tagged by Andrea of Paper Sparrow. ((and if you want more than four degrees of geneology, you're going to have to do a little digging yourself)) )  in a little meme going around (the memes! the memes! they're taking over!) known as the handwriting game. I'm not a huge bandwagon-jumper when it comes to all these things, but this is pure nonsense and fun. And don't we all need a little more fun and nonsense? Aye! i say!


so here is my handwritten sheet:

and if you want to play along, (play!play!) here are the things to write:

1. Name, blog name.

2. Your blog url.

3. Write: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

4. Favourite quote.

5. Favorite song.

6. Favourite musician/bands.

7. Something you say.

8. Who's handwriting would you like to see?

in case you couldn't read my squished up writing at the bottom, I tagged:


Mim of R*S*V*P* Responding to Life  
Diane of The Dew Drop Inn (her handwriting is Spectacular!!)
Catherine of Sun Hats & Wellie Boots 

b-dee, b-dee, and that's all, folks. 

nonsense and mushrooms (the nice kind. because those two words always go together in my mind in a fabulous, Lewis Carroll kind of way),

-shawnacy

The Z Was Zapped, Yarn Letters, and The Alphabet Signs Song

I've mentioned before how much our family loves all of the Chris Van Allsburg books. (<-- Check out the link! His site is super cool!)

And when an idea popped into my head for an Alphabet Book craft, I couldn't think of a better book to use than his "play in 26 acts," The Z was Zapped. 

It's 26 of his intensely beautiful illustrations depicting each letter succumbing to an unfortunate demise.  Here are a few of the pages, to whet your curiosity.

So. After reading of the untimely end of the alphabet, we set out to create (rather than destroy) our own letters. 

I posted a letter craft on This edition of friday finds not too long ago, and was pretty excited to try it out. 

So, we rounded up some old wire hangers, 

a pair of wire snips,

a pair of pliers,

some tape,

glue,

and yarn.

I let the kids rummage through my stash, and pick out something that would make them happy. 

Then I set to work shaping the letters. I used my hands mostly, but brought the pliers in once or twice to make a neater corner, or flatten out the ends. 

Then I handed the letters (the first letter of each of their names) to the kids and helped them tie one end of the yarn to the letter at the topmost corner (or the closest I could get to the top, anyway) 

After that it was just a matter of wrapping the letters the way they wanted. (We used the glue on the sides to help keep the yarn in place.) This is where their personalities totally shone through. 

Max's letter was a beautiful mess. He also decided he wanted to attach an ink pen to the middle of his letter... (??) Odd things, bright red yarn, that, at the end, turned out looking like some sort of awesome spiderweb... that's my maxy. 

Annika's was neat and tidy. She got a little frustrated when the yarn got out of line, so I helped her get them all nice and straight. I love how hers kind of came out looking like a weird pair of pants. :)

And Owen spent most of the morning making his O into a rainbow-colored dreamcatcher. He wrapped the entire O in yarn, and then criss-crossed the yarn through the center to create the net-like part. Then he went out in the backyard to find some cool rocks, and hung those from the bottom of the creation. I love when the kids take a project and run with it!

While we were crafting, we made sure to talk about the letters, and their sounds, and to sing this little song alphabet song I made up to teach the signs for each of the letters. Signing the letters is very tactile, and it worked wonders with Owen and Max who have a hard time learning visually, when they were young. Here's the tune. (it's Jesus Loves Me) It incorporates the letter name, the sound, and the sign. 

** If you or your child don't know the signs for the letters, take a quick moment to learn. Not only is it helpful for learning the letters, but I use it almost every day when the kids ask me how to spell things. (They always seem to need to know how to spell 'hammerhead' or 'extreme' when I'm on the phone, or in the middle of a conversation. So I can just sign it to them, and reach a new totally awesome level of multitasking! Woo Hoo!!) 

Here's one final look at the letters hanging up in their new homes! 

Great Job Kiddos!

linking up to:

Ultimate Blog Party!

Hi all! The lovely ladies over at 5 minutes for mom [dot] com are hosting this super-nifty blog party

(see! ^^^ )

which I am stoked to be able to dive into. (Hi to all of you UBPers) 

Here's a little about me and the whole quiverfull thing. 

First of all, I'm brand new to the blog-scene and am still getting my feet wet with how everything works. But I'm having a great time so far, and being challenged every step of the way. (yay for challenges!)

I'm a single mom of 7 (yep, you read that right... SEVEN!) totally fantastic kids ranging in age from 20 to 2. 

(that's my aunt with the kids, she's the coolest 70 year old on the planet!)

The blog is diverse and ever-changing (as is life, I've found), but here are some things you can expect:

:: Books, and kid-related book activities such as This One.

:: Food and recipes. We like love to eat, and cook and bake and to talk about it, like we did Here.

:: Crafts and Art. I love to crochet and paint and draw, and it must be genetic because all the kids do too. Tune in for frequent crafty posts like This and This, tutorials like This, and artist love like This.

:: ADHD info and posts. Both boys are diagnosed, and struggling - as we all are - to be their amazing selves regardless of difficulties. 

:: Faith. We're Christians, and active in our local church. Our faith and our belief in God is central to all we do. 

:: Funny stuff. My kids are pretty weird and hilarious. Once in a while I share that with the world. Like This One.

:: And Life. Ah, life. I'm a writer working out the kinks of moving from journals-full-of-stuff-that-nobody-reads to wildly-successful-and-respected-published-author... I'm also a girl who is something more than a mom or a cook or a teacher or any of those other things we label ourselves as. I try to keep it real once in a while, and acknowledge that life is about growth and change and always becoming. It's about the possible. Check some of that out Here, and Here, and HERE at my other little blog project.

Sooooo.... that was long and whatnot, but click around some of the links, and be sure to say hi so I can pop over to your place too! I'll be sure to bring a fresh-baked apple pie, and at least one bad pun. 

peonies and pinwheels,

-shawnacy

Letter-Bag Wall - Decorating on no budget at all.

Life has been in a fairly constant state of flux for us over the past year and a half. Part of that has meant moving to our new place, a teeny tiny cozy three bedroom, 2.5 bath mobile home. (TRAILER PARK CHIC!!!) The crafty/arty part of me has been aching to slap some paint on these off-white walls, rip up flooring, and go crazy with textiles and thrifting and hand-painted murals in the kids' rooms... but... alas... I have not the budget for these lovely things, nor the budget for re-painting everything when we move out (sometime this next year). Siiiiiiiiiigh. 


Aside from the budget thing (... and honestly, the word budget is misleading. I envy the people who have to decorate on a budget. Those fortunate ones who have $500 to spend on a kitchen remodel... or $100... or $50...), we also have a LOT of people crammed into a small space. So I have to call on all the muses and the graces of creativity to pull off something that is both organized, neat, and also fun and homey. Some projects are more successful than others. 


BUT... I've been feeling especially bad about the girls' room. Annika has been having friends over more often (garrulous preschooler that she is) and, though most of the big toys are in our playroom or living room, she really needs a cute, girly place to play and read and ... own. Some small (emphasis on small) corner to call hers alone. So I've been thinking and working toward that for a while. And here's what we've got so far. I'm pleased enough, and she is LOVING it. 


First - since we can't paint - we hung an unfinished quilt top that I found at a flea market on the wall behind her bed, and re-purposed part of Naomi's old crib as a headboard. A little fold-up side table next to the bed finishes out the furnishings. (apologies for the photo quality. bad lighting mixed with a bum camera... bleh) 

Next I turned my attention to the big blank wall above her bed. I kept my eyes out for anything I might be able to use, and was Super Excited when I came across a set of gift bags at our local dollar store. They had really cute, vintage-style illustrations, that were Mother-Gooshish and sweet. So I snagged the set of 8 for 8 dollars, and went home percolating with what I was going to do with my fabulous find. I initially wanted to do a sort of collage with them, mod-podging them onto some plywood or something, (which still might happen someday), but quickly realized that they looked pretty stellar just hanging on the wall as they were. So I cut apart the fronts and backs (now I have two sets!), carefully, covered them with some clear contact paper (for durability and easy cleaning) and hung them up by their very own built-in hangers! We added a couple of little mirrors that hadn't found a home yet, for some balance, and Viola! Could. Not. Have. Been. Easier. 

And I know it's not some dream princess room, or awesome indoor castle complete with slide and surround-sound theatre, but it's a corner that is completely Annika's, and that's something every girl can love regardless of its simplicity. 


Here are a few more special touches we've added. 


a super-simple mobile made from wire hangers, yarn and a package of heart-shaped rubber bracelets she got for valentine's day. 

A hand-wrapped letter A that she made herself. 

This sweet little vintage bag we found a thrift store a while back. She keeps all her 'special treasures' in here. 

And with all this lovely fun happening, little sister was not long in joining in. 

Climbing up.

Admiring. 

Livin' it up. 

and one last shot of the princess in her palace:

She's been spending a lot of time in here, arranging her things, reading and drawing on her bed, playing with her stuffed animals (the next project will be some kind of shelf for all those guys), and (gasp) painting her fingernails. She also thinks it's particularly cool and grown-up to carefully carry a tray of snacks with her into her room when she has her quiet time. So far so good with being able to avoid spills (either of the food or nail polish veriety). 

Also... as a side note, I'm a little worried that I might be reading a little TOO much with her. She's begun narrating her life to herself. Not just with her toys either. It's hilarious to listen to her go around the house saying things like, "... and then she looked behind her and saw a flying carpet made of pizza! She didn't know what to do, so she climbed on (here she climbs up onto the couch) and took a bite..." 

I wonder if the being a born writer is genetic.

Thanks for playing, folks, 

Pinwheels and Polkas,

-shawnacy

30 days of lists - final wrap-up

It is boggling my small brain to think that March is over. I swear it was just New Year's Eve, last week... 


But the days go relentlessly by, and we do the best we can to just hold on. 
And with the end of the fickle month of March (honestly, 6 snow days and a ton of windy ones, interspersed with an hour or two of sunshine here and there... March is all about the tease.)comes the end of 30 Days of Lists. Sigh. 


I really enjoyed this project for a lot of reasons. (which I will enumerate below, for your inspection. And because, you know... I love lists!)


1. as someone new to the whole blogger scene, it was a great way to get initiated into the creative community.
2. the Flickr Group. seeing everyone's takes on the list was so awesome, and a great way to get to know other bloggers!
3. the sheer awesomeness of everyone's pages pushed me to create something unique, something better every day. not in a competitive way... just as a means of very real inspiration. 
and 4. it was an excuse to do something creative and fun each day. 


and so, I think you should all jump on board without hesitation for the next time. I'll be sure to let you know what's coming. 


and for the final round-up, here is my last little group of lists:


Prompt: {Today i saw}

Prompt: {Things to do in your Hometown}

Prompt: {Books i want to read.. you know i loved this one. The hard part was containing it on one page}

Prompt: {Guilty Pleasures}

Prompt: {I make lists for_____}

Prompt: {I'd Rather Be ______}

Prompt: {Places I want to go. Loved this one as well :) }

To check out all my lists (disclaimer: i only have 25 of the 30... alas), descriptions and conversations, go HERE. 


And to check out the three lovely ladies behind 30 Days of Lists, take a peek at their blogs:

Kam

Amy

Justine

Thanks, girls, for a great month!

- shawnacy

Friday Finds

Happy Friday (and happy foolish fun day, as well!) 


Sooo, I'm too excited to show you the finds for this week to engage in any lame small talk. Here goes:




I HAVE to share some of the gorgeous and fun creations of Tuckoo and Moo Cow!
Such as... the Killer Bunny Necklace!

And this adorable hedgehog... and SO MANY MORE! Seriously, check these out. I am completely smitten with every single one. 

or check out this lovely brooch from Kiamichi7

alright, enough jewels. 

Tale a moment to fall in love with Kusmi Teas. They are one of my favorite brands, organic and delicious. 

And pop over here to watch focused sunlight melt rock. For reals. 

Lastly, I love this idea for a vertical pallet garden from life on the balcony. I happen to have two perfect pallets in the backyard that would be perfect for this project. Expect to see this coming ... eventually. 

and now, we're off to go hiking (it's finally SUNNY!!!) and then home for an awesome April Fool's dinner! 

Have a great one, folks,

-shawnacy

april fools food ideas

So.... tomorrow is April fool's day. Another fun holiday to exploit here at the ranch. (Muahaha) 


I remember when i was about five or so, my mom helped me concoct this amazing plan (It was amazing to a 5 year old. Trust me.) to 'fool' my dad at dinner time. If you were born a million years ago, as i was, you'll probably remember this commercial for imperial butter:

It was the bee's knees to a kindergartner. So. I spent all day making my dad an awe-inspiring crown, and the BIG PLAN was to jump behind him and put it on his head when he buttered his roll. The joke went off without a hitch. And thus began my love of playing (harmless, fun - because the other kind are just mean) pranks. 


(This whole paragraph is going to be in parentheses because I think some of the things I am about to mention might qualify as being mean... also, because if I mention anyone's real name, something bad might happen to me tomorrow....  ahem. That being said, there's this delightful and sweet older lady at the church where I grew up who ((I only found this out later)) LOVES April Fool's Day. She goes FAR out of her way to prank people. And not just her family. Even people she only kind of knows. They NEVER suspect her. And she ((I am convinced)) sits at home and giggles to herself... perhaps while watching the pranks unfold on state-of-the-art surveillance equipment cleverly hidden in a china hutch. She has been known to deliver cookies baked with cups of cayenne pepper, to switch the sugar and salt dispensers at the table, to cellophane the toilet seats... the list is long and inventive. Her husband long ago discovered 'urgent business' that always seemed to take him away from home on the first of April. Needless to say, she is a dear friend and true inspiration. :) 


so, if you're thinking that pranks are dumb and immature... well, you're right. But done in the right spirit, they can also be Super FUN! And one of many ways to spice up your family's day-to-day. Here are some great April Fool's Recipes to try out.


april fool's dirt salad from The Polka-Dot Umbrella.

Kibble Candy (can you imagine your kid's faces when you serve them some of this for snack?!)

and THIS POST from Family Fun has SO MANY ideas for Food-pranks. Such as: 

Faux Fish Sticks

Chicken Not-Pie

and Mock Sushi

or try This Family's April Fools Table Game

Whatever you do, don't let tomorrow go by un-funned. Be silly with your kids, and don't forget to act surprised (you might want to practice your AHH! face in the mirror tonight) when the little ones spring a prank or two on you!