Mod Podge Project

I am in charge of a youth activity for church. I was trying hard to find something fun to do that all the girls would like to do. The girls will be 12 and 13 years old. I brainstormed and thought about all the things that would be a fun craft thing to do. All I could think of was a duck tape purse. My little sister used to have one of those!! I Googled, duck tape purse, and I found a lot of patterns. I wasn't too sure how long it would take to make one of those, so I made a phone call to the expert of crafty projects. My little sister the Art Major. She said that the purses were kinda sticky and they took a little while to make. She suggested doing something with Mod Podge. I have never done anything with that before. So, I Googled it and up popped all these great ideas!! It's really cool. My sister made somethings for our mom and dad for Christmas with Mod Podge. It was really neat. After talking to her I decided to just go and do it. I went to Michael's and hit up the wood isle, paint isle, mod podge isle, and the scrapbook paper isle. I left with nothing. I had all these great ideas and couldn't find anything I was dreaming of. Next stop Hobby Lobby. They were having a 50% off sale. When I go there I realized I liked the things at Michael's better. But I wasn't going to drag the kids out of the van again, so I just went with the stuff at Hobby Lobby. I came home and then decided to do a picture frame Mod Podge project instead of a plaque. So, I made one for Little Cowpoke. It will be my demo. I started out with a square piece of wood. I dug through some old wallpaper in the closet and found some old paper scrapping stuff. I was all set for the project. I then took a piece of paper and cut it to fit the wood. I then Mod Podged it all together. That stuff is really fun!! I can't believe I have just learned about it now! Where have I been?
I then took some paper and tore it and put it under another smaller piece of paper. Then Mod Podged that all down. I guess I could have just glued it all down but I was excited to use my new found crafty stuff! Big Cowpoke has some cowboy wallpaper in his room. We have a lot left over, so, I cut some of that up and put it on the board with Little Cowpoke's name. I used a stencil for the letters. I would have really loved a Cricket. That is an electronic thingy that cuts out letters for you! It is really neat. It's all the rage in paper scrapping. I haven't done that since 2001, so I am a bit behind on the trends of paper scrapping. I got all this down with the Mod Podge and then I put a layer of Mod Podge over the entire thing. Then I thought the letters didn't stand out enough. I then put a black line around all the letters. I should have done the black marker around the letters before doing any Mod Pogding, but oh well. That is how it ended up. I think I would have liked a different alpha, but oh well. It was my first attempt. It isn't the coolest, but it will due for a wall plaque for a two year old! :)

Valentine's Day Shoebox

A note came home in Big Cowpokes "booksack" (aka bookbag) the other day. It was declaring that the first grade would be having a shoebox contest for Valentine's Day. I love crafty contests. They are so much fun. I love to brainstorm. The ideas just start flying through my head!! Parents were aloud to help with this project, so the game was on.

Big Cowpoke and I rummaged through his toy box and found lots of cool stuff to put on his shoe box. We wanted to go with a Wild West theme. That is Big Cowpoke's favorite. Then all we needed was a shoebox. I do not keep shoeboxes. I toss everything out. But it just so happened that the other day Mr. Cowboy bought new work shoes. So, we had a huge box to work with. The first thing we did was cover the box. We took a red bandana and covered the lower half and then tan paper and covered the top half.

Big Cowpoke was incharge of the glue and I did the cutting. Then we took the old Elmer's Glue and spred it all over the top of the box and put real barn dirt on the top of the box!! The boys loved this part.
It was some serious fun!! A bit messy but with boys, but really what isn't messy with boys? After that I made a small backdrop for the box. I drew a few mountians and a few old town buildings. I made a Saloon. Then thought about that after the fact, "This is for a first grade project, should it say Saloon??" But it was glued on and that was that. We then cut some grass for the cows and some water for the buffalo and put on the charaters. Big Cowpoke wanted a corral for the horse. So we got some woodchips from the landscaping around the house and made a heart shaped corral. That took some glue. Giddy up horsey!! That horse was about missing it's head, but it was the only one that would fit in our corral. We even gave Annie Oakley a heart balloon. Big Cowpoke kept asking, "Why is that lady wearing a dress and holdign a gun?" I tried to explain it to him, but he just wanted to glue her on. He wanted her waving at everyone. We had Indians and a buffalo. The buffalo was drinking from the stream. Big Cowpoke has a great imagination. He put all the charaters where they were to be glued. That kid can tell a story. In the end Big Cowpoke wrote, Happy Valentine's Day on the front of the box and cut out a bunch of hearts to put around the sides of the box. He was so excited. It turned out great. I asked him yesterday who won the best shoebox contest. He didn't even know what I was talking about. Why don't boys care about anything? It didnt' take 3 seconds for the two boys to rip all the guys off the top and run outside to play with them in the dirt. It must be so much fun to be a boy!!

Road Crew

The other day I was horribly bored. There was really nothing for me to do. No dishes, laundry, house work, it was all done (well kinda, not really, okay not at all). Little Cowpoke declaired that he wanted to go ride his bike outside. So, since he rules the roost, outside we went. He rode around on his tricycle for a while and then was bored too. That is when I came up with a great idea. We decided to grab the sidewalk chalk and make a road. I love to use sidewalk chalk. My husband has never had the chance to use sidewalk chalk. He grew up with a rock driveway. So, when the boys first used it on the driveway and he came home and saw it all over he freaked out. He said, "YOU LET THE BOYS DRAW ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY!!!" He was really mad. I told him it would wash off with water or the next time it rained, which here is very often. Mr. Cowboy just didn't understand. So, anyway back to my road. Little Cowpoke and I started to build a road. "CAN WE BUILD IT? YES WE CAN!!"

It started at the top of the driveway. I was just going to make it small, but Little Cowpoke kept saying, "More More Please!!!" So, more it was. We made roads all over the driveway. We made stop signs, crosswalks, a cultisack (sp?), and cross roads. We even had a few Y's in the road. It was fun, and it hurt my back. Boy, and I getting old. Little Cowpoke made sure to walk the roads all out to make sure they all were made right. They passed inspection. But it just needed somthing more...... Little Cowpoke then colored in some city parks. They were very nice. Very colorful. Bear even enjoyed the roads. He walked down the street and looked both ways before crossing! Then Little Cowpoke took to the roads. He rode his tricycle up and down and all around. He stayed inside all the lines. He had to pull over for some more construction. The road was always needing some more work. Little Cowpoke had a great time. His big brother even joined in on the fun when the bus dropped him off from school. It was some good fun and cheap too, it only took four large pieces of sidewalk chalk.

Strange Things, Favorite things, and Getting Bigger

The other day I was driving in town and was stopped at a red light. Not too uncommon. Lots of people get stopped at red lights. Yet, while I was sitting there I noticed something hanging from the wires that held up the light. I got out my camera and zoomed in.

It was a pair of shoes! How strange! Who would throw their shoes up there? Okay, I admit, I was a bit slow getting the camera out and the light turned green, put Dad I promise I wasn't driving. The car was stopped, unlike a past time. Yes, I was driving the van and taking a picture of the dash. My van was brand new and I wanted to take a picture to send to people to show how it is purple. In the picture it looks blue but it's really more of a purple color. I wasn't even speeding!! The speed limits here on the interstate are all 70 mph. But yes, I am blonde and I took a picture of my dash while driving on the intersate. I don't know why I did this, it just happened. At least I wasn't talking on my phone and taking the picture! Speaking of hair..........

My entire life as I can remember it, I have had bangs. Always had something to cover up my forehead and zits. I had big bangs, short bangs, long bangs, and even swept to the side bangs. Now I am trying the no bangs. I think I look strange.

So, there I am with no bangs. I am not sure if I like it or not. I went out Friday night with it like this and I felf all funny and strange. Now onto someting even more random. My favorite cookies. Oh my goodness delicous! I could just take that spoon and eat all of that with out even thinking about it. Come to think of it, I try not to think too much at all. When I do it gets danerous. You never know when I might get an idea. Like while driving my new car and taking pictures of the dash. But onto the goodness of those cookies.
All you need are these. Oh my, my mouth is watering. Just go to the store and get these and do the recipie on the back. It is so easy and so delicious. I heart butterscotch morsels. It looks nasty here but after they are all cooked they are wonderful. Now I don't have a finished picture because I forgot about the first batch in the oven (I always forget to set the timer). They were black. Then the next two batches got eaten. So, I am sorry. But you will have to trust me, they are good. Now last but not least my little Cowpokette. She is growing like a weed. "Who me? Oh, I know! I am so pretty!" She is so much fun. She just loves her brothers and I can see it in her eyes how she wishes she could get down and run around with them. Push them, beat them up, and tell them what to do. She already steals their cars and drools all over them. And yes I know they have small parts and I took it away. The boys wanted her to play cars too. And then look at her way cute shoes. I heart pedipeds. I know I am the last person on earth to know about these, but I love them. They stay on her small narrow feet and she loves them and they are fashionable and way cute. She is just growing up so fast. Almost 6 months old. Time sure flies. But I think that is enough random thoughts for the day! Til next time, y'all come back now ya hear!

Mommy Poperotsy

It's a small obsession I have. Taking photos. I will sneak around the house in search of good picture oportunities. I will follow around my children waiting for a slip in their step, or a fashion blunder. Anything that I can photograph. I love it. And sometimes my little stars don't love it.

"NOOOOOO!!! SSS-TOP!!!! MOOOOOMMMM!!" "No Pictures!!" He was so upset. He did not want his picture taken and was hiding his face. He was being so dramatic I just had to film him. Sorry I forgot, and held the camera sideways when filming him. I fixed it. I am blonde. All this was sturred up by his favorite blanket. It had gone missing. Then he discovered it was taking a bath (in the washing machine). Little Cowpoke gets very distraught when his blanket is taking a bath. There is nothing that can make it better. There are no subsitutes to his blanket. But it does provide for some entertainment for a short while at least. Little Cowpoke will make a great movie star one day. He has had plenty of practice waving away cameras, ignoring annoying flashes, and letting the camera man know how he feels.But in the end he calms down and everything ends up okay.

Life is always much better when you have two pacifiers. That is all you need.

Flat Stanley

I was recently reading one of my favorite blogs, The Rocking Pony. She is so cleaver. I love to read about her dogs breeding, and kids vacuuming up diapers, and ugly sweaters. You will have to go and check out her out. Well, not exactly her, but her blog. She is also having a contest. She is giving away one of her shirts she makes. I really want the shark one, or the alien one, or the big wheel one. Dang it, I want a lot of them. So, go over there and see what she is all about. But not before reading about me first! While I was over at her blog, I read a post about Flat Stanley. Flat Stanley is a story about a boy that was squished by a bulliten board and sent all around the country by his parents in an envelope. So, her son was doing a Flat Stanley project and I was so excited to help out. Flat Stanley went to Mardi Gras with us!
Here he is enjoying the horses. Here is his favorite float. Flat Stanley really had a wonderful time. He even caught enough beads for the first grade elementary class he was being shipped back to. Flat Stanley wore his Mardi Gras shirt too. Mr. Cowboy was so embarrassed. I tried to take his picture with Flat Stanley but he rebelled like a 6 year old boy having to eat veggies. But Flat Stanley and I and the cowpokes had a great time at the parade. And I hope all those first graders had a fun time with Flat Stanley!!

Mardi Gras!!

******Warning before you read this my spell check wasn't working, and I didn't proof read it so read with caution, and don't make fun of my crazy typing.****

The time of year has come again when crazy people come out of the wood work and find their ways to the streets of any town in Louisiana. They all gather together to watch other people drive by them on large semi truck trialers and throw things at them. Now, you must beware, if you are standing on the ground yelling, "Throw me somthen Mister." Then you will get something thrown at you. Now just think. They are up high on a semi trailer throwing beads, cups, candy, coins, and anything else they would like too at you. They are not nice. I have had some serious injury from beads hitting me in the face. You really have to be careful. During the Mardi Gras festivities, there are many parades. You can choose which one's to attend. You can learn more about that here. We really have a great Mardi Gras here. It is more fun than New Orleans. :) We always take the kids to my husband's home town for the parade. It's smaller and you don't get too much stuff. Because honestly people what can you do with all those beautiful beads. Here is our long time family friend. She has found what to do with all that stuff. You can just take all your old beads and make a fashionable denium Mardi Gras bead jacket. I thinks she did a fantastic job. She used safty pins and glue. That jacket is heavy. She also has some pants but the beads were so heavy they ripped her pants!Here are the Cowpokes before the parade. They were so excited. Now you must come to the parade with beads or some kinds of Mardi Gras clothing. It's just more fun that way!! Now there are many ways in which you can catch and store you beads and candies. You can use the old trusty plastic bag, or an old halloween bucket, an upside down umbrella, or you can make your own like so...............
She is so much fun. She made this out of a fishing net. Love it!! She is so into Mardi Gras. I just stand there and say, "Smile let me take your picture!!" Well here comes the parade. It has police cars, fast cars, queens, semi trucks pulling trialers, horses, kids, adults, and even dogs. It's fun. See all the big floats. And this is only a small parade in a small town of 3,000 people. Little Cowpoke is ready for some more loot. You can even catch cups. They will throw everything and anyting at you, even undies!!Mr. Cowboy is too cool to participate. Well the truth is I embarassed him with my Flat Stanley. But that is a whole nother post. Coming soon. Well the parade is over and that is about all the beads my cowpokes can handel. There are lots more still all over the ground plus in their bags. They got a bunch. Big Cowpoke got lots around his neck. He was trying to take them off and was saying, "Help me!! Help me they are choking me, MOM!!!" I replied, "No wait let me take your picture." Is this some sick disease I have?He was so mad at me. After the parade is over, we all head to the park for a chicken run. The kids all chase a chicken and who ever catches it does just that catches it. They don't win anything it's just fun. They do it in age groups. Starting with 5-7 year olds. And the chicken it tossed in the air. And all the kids run like crazy. Little Cowpoke cries because he is too young to chase the chicken. He was so upset. But meanwhile........the chicken runs into the girls bathroom and out came........This little boy with a bloody nose and the chicken. He was so excited. Everyone surrounded him takin his picture. We all then headed back to our friend's house for some BBQ, gumbo, and jambalya. It is such a fun day!! Even Cowpokette had a fun time. She loves a good parade.