Ring Ring...

I am not sure how much money is spent yearly on defence weapons in North America, but I do know it is a totally unnecessary expense. A great cost saving idea would be to simply get groups of kindergarteners to lick envelopes and/or cough into baggies. Everyone will be too busy laying on the couch in a NyQuil daze covered in balls of boogery kleenex to fight one another. You're welcome government. 
We (I) have been feeling a little afflicted up in here as of late. Each kid with an ear infection and myself blessed with bronchitis AND a good times "random "audit. There has been more than one morning that I find myself yelling at the ceiling "ARE YOU FRIGGING KIDDING ME"?!
Apparently not.
There are no real sick days allowed at this job, so some weeks you just phone it in. It helps to have some fast but awesome crafts up your sleeve and frozen cookie dough in the fridge.

First up - Pom Pom Lei

So easy I did it in a prone position on the couch. These pom pom's came in a craft tub, but I am sure you can get them at any craft store or Dollarama. Or, if you are healthy and adventurous make your own.

With a darning needle and a length of cross stitch thread I simply threaded the pom pom's through. Georgia is too little to wield a needle, so she sat and sorted her favourites out and decided on her pattern. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Next up is sugar cookies. If you need to buy some down time it comes in handy to have something fun to eat to throw your kids way. We recently got some wicked Star Wars cookie presses. These were a gift, but I believe they are available at Williams-Sonoma. They are easy for kids to use and super sturdy.

Pre-made cookie dough is a brilliant idea. It also really helps (if you are me and your skills are questionable at best in the baking department) to have a friend that will make dough for you. Thank you Michelle.

Yup, Storm Troopers with pink sprinkles, that's how we roll.

Blessedly we are on the mend and the audit is (mostly) done. I will take this time to cram as much in before the next germ tornado hits. There is after all two more months of school left...stay healthy. xo

11th Hour Easter...

Just in case you were sitting around thinking "I have all these sticks and feathers laying about, what on Earth should I do with them"?, a quick Easter tutorial for you...

Easter Nest Centrepiece

You will need:

1. A grapevine wreath. Buy (or dig out of the Holiday box in the basement) a wreath in whatever size you want the centrepiece to be. This will serve as the base of your nest.

2. A bunch of curly willow. Most florists carry this item, I got mine at Michael's.

3. Nature-y extras...leaves, dried flowers, etc. If you are super on the ball you can gather these items from your own backyard. If you are me you will go to Michael's.

3. Feathers. I picked up a bunch of feather masks this past Halloween at the Dollarama (super easy to disassemble). 

Break off sections of the willow and wind them around the wreath, weaving the sticks in and out. Secure the ends with bits of wire.

Hot glue a card board base to the bottom of the nest (this will serve as a base for the moss layer).

Add a moss layer. The moss is a great cushion for nestling your coloured eggs in.

Yes, you can purchase moss...in a bag. Crazy times we live in.

Hot glue your extras (butterflies, flowers and such) in and around the nest. I tried to tuck stuff on different levels, this will give your nest depth.

Warning, hot glue and twigs can be a deadly combination for fingers (a lot of dripping).

Place your freshly coloured eggs in the centre and it is ready to sit in the middle of your Easter Sunday brunch table. I put ours on a cake stand to give it a bit more SHAZAM factor.

This can also work as a general centrepiece. Tuck in flowers, or vintage toys and make an interesting vignette long after all the eggs have been eaten. Or, turn it into a light fixture...Happy Easter!

xo