Unexpected Destination | Debbie Hodge's Blog | Get It Scrapped

December 18 - COLD mornings

So cold the boys are huddling in front of the stove eating AND so cold I'm driving them. And Iz's a pain in the neck. Still not feeling well but he had an exam to take and projects to get in and . . . it was time to get back to school.

December 17th - Middle School Winter Concert

AWESOME! Isaac was STILL sick and feeling lousy but we got him there and I am so glad. Loved seeing him walk out with the 5th graders looking so much older than they did just last June. They sounded good, too (after all of his complaining about how slow and lousy they were going to  be playing). Big group. (Iz is at the end of the left side next to Rose).

They were preceded by the chorus.

And followed by the 6th grade band. (I've got all these photos because I was taking them for the yearbook).

And then . . . the Jazz Band ---- BLEW THE CROWD AWAY. They were fabulous. The 5th and 6th grade bands are really good for 5th and 6th grade bands --- the difference, though, that just one year makes in these kids was evident from the first note this band played. Their standing ovation was well-earned.

December 15 - University President's Party

I will confess I don't always accompany Neil to these parties -- BUT, now that Emma and Mark are hosting and with Joshua playing this year, it was a delight. Even brought Iz along. The band sounded great. Joshua played a solo. Bit of a long night (as I think all these performances are going to end up being) because Joshua seems to be one of the last guys loading the van. Isaac stayed home sick from school -rotten cold, and he spent a lot of time sitting at the hearth listening and almost dozing. Neil had to leave early to give a final exam. Not sure what we think about that owl tree. And . . . wondering how many more events the New England Center is going to host.

December 14 - haircuts and homework

We'd been planning to get haircuts yesterday in between seeing Mr Mitchell perform and getting Joshua to band practice --- but Joshua pleaded -- "oh, don't ruin my weekend, please!" so we waited one more day. I thought I might cry when I saw the back of Joshua's neck. It has been years. And . . . I think he likes it, though he's not saying that explicitly. Funny thing is you'd think shorter hair would make him look older, but, really, this reminds me of him in 2nd grade :)

Lots of homework going on -- last night I helped Iz with his research on comets and tonight he's finishing up that model to hang on the classroom astrology timeline. Josha had a great big Spanish family tree to make -- and on the way home from getting haircuts, he mentioned that he needed . . . a photo of all grandparents, aunt, uncles, and first cousins on both sides of his family -- 1"x1" -- that's all! We were scanning old photos, going through Meghann's blog and, for the Oxford family -- just turning to the Thanksgiving photos. He needed to write Spanish descriptions for several of the people. I remember he called me hard-working and Emma mischevious.

December 13 - Mr. Mitchell performs with his church at the mall

This was perfect--and we ended up near some adult students of his in the crowd. All of Mr. Mitchell's students adore him. He is a lovely, generous man and it was great hearing him play with his church choir and band.

December 11 - first night of Hanukkah

De

December 7 - we get a real tree & work continues on the soda-can tree

Change of Plans

Josh called from the bus to see if Adam could come over so they could continue work on this important project.

December 6 - First snow of the season & concert at Mill Pond Center

The view out our bedroom window this morning--our first snow.

Hours and hours of play outside ended with Hannah and Isaac making snow angels without their coats and then without hats and finally --- without SHOES & SOCKS --- and they came running screaming into the house--happy and cold  :)

Jazz Band at the Mill Pond Center

December 5 - Light Up Durham Fair Day

Adam came home from the fairs with us and he and Josh started work on a holiday tree. :)

 Holiday Lunch

Holiday Fairs (all pages are digital--all supplies from Designer Digitals).

December 4 Light Up Durham

{sigh} a strange night. great for Isaac. not so much for Neil & Josh. I was along for the ride, feeling for all of them. However, highlights included Neil's best buddies trying to induct him into the safety patrol and the opportunity to get my 2nd annual bonfire photo of Alyssa and Rich :)

New Bundle of Scrapbook Page Sketches

Happy Friday! Here's a new sketch bundle.

download pdf with sketches & measurements
download zipped file with layered psd files/templates

Homemade game that makes a great gift for young children

(and that you can make with your children)

When my children were younger, we liked to have small homemade gifts for their friends who visited during the holidays. Each year we'd figure out and begin making the gifts. Usually in a small assembly-line process that we left set up for a week as we got all the work done. This game was a favorite of ours to make and play.

What it consists of:

• a decorated box or pouch
• 5 small items or toys (if you're making multiples, something you have or can get in multiples)
• photos of those toys, printed and affixed to patterned cardstock
• instructions for several games

How to make it:

• Find five small toys or interesting items and photograph them.
• Print and trim the photos to 2" x 3".
• Cut 5 pieces of heavy-weight patterned paper or cardstock to 2-1/2" x 3-1/2."
• Glue photos to cardstock pieces.
• Laminate (optional).
• Attach a folded ribbon tab (optional).
• Print the instructions (which follow below). Also available as jpg and editable psd if you'd like to personalize.
• Decorate a box or make/find a pouch and package the cards and items in it.

How your kids can help:

• They can select the items to include/photograph.
• They can take the photos.
• They can glue the photos onto cardstock.
• They could make boxes with a handy tool like "Aleen's Boxmaker" (or use the instructions below).
• They can pack things up.

Tips for making gifts with children:

• Plan and allow enough time to enjoy the process.
• Set up a work area that can stay set up for a while so that children can "dabble" at the work.
• Let the child define how much they should/will do in the making of the gifts.
• It doesn't need to look perfect. Don't redo your child's work.
• Use this as an opportunity to teach about budgeting, planning, creating in assembly-line vs. "one-off" (as they say in manufacturing) mode.

Game Instructions:

• game 1: Match It Lay out the cards and match items to cards.
• game 2: Feel It Put the toys in the box. Pick a card. Reach into the box with eyes closed and find that toy by feel.
• game 3: Order It Lay out three cards and matching toys in a particular order. After a while of studying and trying to remember this order, pick up the toys, and flip the cards. Player then lays out the toys in the remembered order. Work up to 4 and 5 cards/toys.
• game 4: Identify It Lay out 3 toys. Study and work to remember exactly what they are. One player closes eyes and the other player takes away one toy. Player one opens eyes and tries to identify the missing toy. Work up to using 4 and 5 toys, and also take away more than 1 toy.

How to make a gift box like the one shown here:

1) determine finished box dimensions:

box width W=3"
box length L=4"
box sides BS=2"
cover sides CS=.5"

2) calculate paper sizes to cut for BOTTOM of finished box and then cut
width = [ W + (2xBS) ] ex: 3 + 2(2) = 7"
length = [L + (2xBS) ] ex: 4 + 2(2) = 8"

3) score the paper BS" in from the edge on each of the 4 sides; here that would be 2".

4) fold along the scores

5) at each corner cut along one score into the point where scores intersect

6) fold to box shape, tucking cut corners in and adhering with glue dot

7) cut calculate paper sizes to cut for TOP of finished box and then cut

width = [W + (2xCS) ] + an oonch or 3 + 2(.5) = approx 4-1/8"
length = [L + (2xCS) ] + an oonch or 4 + 2(.5) = approx 5-1/8"
the oonch added is so that the cover width and length will be slightly larger that the box and thus fit easily

8) score CS" in from each edge as above; here that would be .5"

9) as above, fold in, cut once at each corner and secure

May Flaum approached me about participating in a Thanksgiving-inspired hop and I'm happy to be a part of it. Over the next week you will be able to hop around the web and find some amazing projects and stories and it’s all inspired by family, gratitude, and giving thanks. Some of us will be posting several times, others just once. You’ll have to ‘hop’ around and check what’s new throughout the week.Each person participating has the full list of attendees posted, so you can hop from one to another. We hope you find something that inspires you, sparks your creativity, or reminds you to be thankful this Thanksgiving. From our house to yours, please enjoy your week and our gratitude…

Allison Kreft Abad http://hamblyscreenprints.typepad.com/
Becky Novacek http://www.beckynovacekphotography.com
Debbie Hodge http://www.debbiehodge.typepad.com
Elizabeth Kartchner http://elizabethkartchner.blogspot.com/
Jennifer McGuire http://jennifermcguireink.typepad.com
Jodie McNally http://jodiemcnally.com
Kelly Purkey http://kellypurkey.typepad.com
Lain Ehmann http://knitandpurlgrrl.blogs.com/five_things
Lisa Dickinson http://lisadickinson.typepad.com
Liz Hicks http://blogerisms.blogspot.com
Margie Romney-Aslett http://www.margieromney-aslett.typepad.com
Margot Potter http://margotpottertheimpatientcrafter.blogspot.com
May Flaum http://mayflaum.wordpress.com
Patti Milazzo http://pattimilazzo.blogspot.com
Rhonna Farrer http://rhonnadesigns.blogspot.com
Stacey Kingman http://staceykingman.blogspot.com
Stephenie Hamen http://cropgirl.wordpress.com
Wendy Smedley http://wendysmedley.typepad.com

Make a Thanksgiving gratitude album from an old book

Use this book as a Thanksgiving gratitude book or insert a different title and use it as an album or journal. For a gratitude book, Include a page for everyone at your table and have them record what they’re grateful for this year. Later, include a photo of each person next to their gratitude. Begin a tradition -- make one each year so you can look back on your blessings over the years.

 SUPPLIES:

• an old book -- that you can take apart (these instructions are for a book @ 9” x 6”)
• 1 or 2 pieces patterned paper. I used Crate Paper from the November Work in Progress Kit. (If the shortest side of the book you’re using is larger than 6” you’ll need more paper. Get enough to cover outside front and back.)
• 2 pieces cardstock that coordinates with your paper. (White-core cardstock is the best --- it looks white when it’s sanded. Brands: DCWV & Momenta. Many heavy-weight two-sided patterend papers have a solid color side and a white core--My Mind’s Eye, Crate Paper, Prims . . .Again, if your book’s shortest side is greater than 6” you’ll need more.)
• 2 loose-leaf rings (from craft or office supply)
• ribbon -- small bits that match your papers
• font and date graphic for title
• New Cicle font 
• Stacked date brushes by Ali Edwards from Designer Digitals

TOOLS:

• cutting mat
• exacto knife
• scissors
• straight edge
• old credit card or room key for cutting guide
• sandpaper or sanding block
• strong gluestick adhesive (or whatever you have)
• gesso and paintbrush

HOW-TO:

1. Tear font and back cover from old book (use a cloth-cover book @ 6” x 9”).
2. Sand all edges of front and back cover smooth. Paint inside and outside of both covers with gesso and let dry.
3. Cut 4 pieces of white-core cardstock to size of covers. Adhere to inside and outside of each cover. Sand all edges of white core cardstock to get distressed, white edging.
4. Cut 2 pieces of patterned paper slightly smaller than front and back. Adhere centered on front outside and back outside.
5. Use temporary adhesive to temporaily adhere a credit card centered on the front cover. Cut around the credit card and through all layers to remove a block from the book’s front cover. Use fine-grain sandpaper to smooth edges of cut-out.
6. Print “gratitudes” and year to cream cardstock (see links to sources in supply list above). Place this behind the cover so that the title shows through the cut-out window. Mark edges of cover onto cardstock and cut it slightly smaller to fit inside book. Cut an inner page for each guest to same size.
7. Measure in @ 1-1/2” from each end of book cover at top. Mark 1/2” down from top and 1-1/2” in from edge. Use heavy duty hole punch (Cropadile) to punch two holes in cover. Mark the inner pages and the back similarly and punch.
8. Use binder rings to hold covers and inner pages together.
9. Tie ribbons around binder rings.
10. Place on Thanksgiving table and invite gratitudes.
    
    

May Flaum approached me about participating in a Thanksgiving-inspired hop and I'm happy to be a part of it. Over the next week you will be able to hop around the web and find some amazing projects and stories and it’s all inspired by family, gratitude, and giving thanks. Some of us will be posting several times, others just once. You’ll have to ‘hop’ around and check what’s new throughout the week.Each person participating has the full list of attendees posted, so you can hop from one to another. We hope you find something that inspires you, sparks your creativity, or reminds you to be thankful this Thanksgiving. From our house to yours, please enjoy your week and our gratitude…

Allison Kreft Abad http://hamblyscreenprints.typepad.com/
Becky Novacek http://www.beckynovacekphotography.com
Debbie Hodge http://www.debbiehodge.typepad.com
Elizabeth Kartchner http://elizabethkartchner.blogspot.com/
Jennifer McGuire http://jennifermcguireink.typepad.com
Jodie McNally http://jodiemcnally.com
Kelly Purkey http://kellypurkey.typepad.com
Lain Ehmann http://knitandpurlgrrl.blogs.com/five_things
Lisa Dickinson http://lisadickinson.typepad.com
Liz Hicks http://blogerisms.blogspot.com
Margie Romney-Aslett http://www.margieromney-aslett.typepad.com
Margot Potter http://margotpottertheimpatientcrafter.blogspot.com
May Flaum http://mayflaum.wordpress.com
Patti Milazzo http://pattimilazzo.blogspot.com
Rhonna Farrer http://rhonnadesigns.blogspot.com
Stacey Kingman http://staceykingman.blogspot.com
Stephenie Hamen http://cropgirl.wordpress.com
Wendy Smedley http://wendysmedley.typepad.com