The Zoo

We visit the zoo pretty frequently since we have a membership and it's the perfect weather! Seems like everytime I have been in January or the beginning of Febuary we have the best experience. We get to see so many animals and the weather is always perfect! 

It's so funny how I seem to get pictures of my kids in the same spots year after year.  One day I may have to gather them all and print them up for an album!  Also we were laughing that they both act like they have never seen any of these things before even though they have seen them over and over again.  It's nice that they still have a great time even though we really have toured this zoo so many times. 
Adia took over the camera and got some GREAT shots of the animals.  In all the years I have been going to the zoo I don't think I have EVER seen the cheetahs up and around.  It was pretty awesome!

Stencils Again! I know I am boring...

I have made five stenciled items in the last week and have one or two more planned for the next week.  These are the first shirts I have made using Yudu screen printing paint and plain old acrylic paint mixed with a textile medium to make fabric paint. 

Both of these paints are much softer than the usual "puffy" fabric paint that tends to crack. 

 Another Robot!  I have made so many robot shirts...

 A little something for the Harry Potter nerds (like me!)

And Audrey!

I am mad that I forgot to take photos of the Valentines day shirts I made for my kids.  I guess those will have to get posted a day late!

Friday Fix-Stovetop Cleaning

I love having a flat stovetop.  It looks so much nicer and cleaner.  Except that is gets dirty so easily and it can be hard to get that cooked on stuff off!  I mean if the water boils over the pot, I am in trouble, from water!!!!  So I saw this tip somewhere on the blogosphere and decided to try it.  To clean your flat stovetop just use the spray oven cleaner!  I spray it on the top, let it sit for a while then wipe it off.  I will then use a wet cloth to wipe it again to make sure all the cleaner is off.  It works like a charm!!! 

Matchbox Mania

Altered Matchboxes made for a Matchbox swap.  I chose to have two partners this round and am quite happy with how these boxes turned out.  Here they are wrapped in covered button hair ties and tiny cards.

 The first box has an owl that was hand drawn by my friend Kristin.  I just colored him in an glued him on.

 Inside the box there are lots of little goodies.  Including some earrings, beads, sequins, buttons, etc

 The second box was done by applying eyelets in a random way then I glued on a gear looking thing for a steampunk vibe.

 Again I filled the little box with all kinds of tiny bits and bobs.  This one even included another tiny box that I received from a previous swap a few years ago.

These boxes really are tiny once you start filling them up.  Both of mine were stuffed completely full.  I think I may have been able to fit a little bit of glitter or some seed beads in but that would have been messy!

I can't wait to get my boxes in the mail!  If you are interesed in seeing the other boxes please check out the gallery of goodness on Craftster