Supercharged Science

I have just signed my kids up for the Supercharged Science homeschool program. We haven't spent much time perusing the material yet, being in front of the computer is not where we want to be, but we have watched a few videos. There is a huge selection of experiments, which makes the program very hands on. Something me and my kids will appreciate. Most materials can easily be found around the house, if not, then they can be picked up at the store.

Here is a video on how to make a simple hovercraft:
www.sciencelearningspace.com/members/go.php?r=7856&i=l16

The only material required are a CD, ballon, glue gun, and water bottle spout.

The other day I watched a Fire video with Jai and he was super excited about it afterwards, sharing the information he learned with Rob afterwards.

I want my kids to be excited about learning, and I think this program will fit our learning style well.

It's a homeschooling program, but I think it is something that kids in school could benefit from as well. Who doesn't love doing fun experiments?

Also, until 5 PM Pacific time, Supercharged Science is giving families the opportunity to try out the program for $1, as well as some other goodies, which I can't remember what they are.

You can learn more about the program on their site here, or sign up for email updates where they send you free experiments or videos.

Win Your Discount Wednesday at SVP-Aug 10th, 2011

I feel so fortunate to have made two thrift store trips this week. On Monday, Rob took the day off of work and I went into town (Victoria) with Jai for his first day of hockey camp. I hung around the arena for a little while to shoot some pics, but it was freezing!

I hoped on a bus and went downtown. The thrift shop there is much pricier, but there is a much bigger selection. I was excited to spend the whole day scouring the racks, sans kids, and felt pretty ambitious. Unfortunately I just don't have the attention span for hours on end of searching through endless racks of clothing. Though I did find some goodies:

I found all these tees and am in the process of making the "homework" tee into a hoodie.

I like this message.

This is the front of the shirt.

Purple suede!! Yahoo! I had already started cutting this dress up before I took pictures.

Here is what I am making with the purple suede.

This is great knit spandexy fabric. I found some other great knit, but it didn't have a price tag, so they wouldn't sell it to me:( 

Who doesn't have a guy in there life that this applies to. There was another one that was similar, but for some reason I didn't get it. I think I was starting to burn out at that point. This shirt is going to Rob. He wants me to cut it up and make it into something cool for him.

This is what I found today at SVP where I won 25% off!

This amazing red 100% wool blanket! I love it! 

Some more tees. A few blank tees that will be great for silk screening.

Stripy fabric:) 

Dress shirts for pants or dresses, or one of each. I haven't decided yet.

And that is the end of my shopping adventures. I hope you are having a great week.

Art In The Park

I had a bit of a disappointing weekend. Art in the Park was a flop. There isn't much foot traffic in Sooke, so I was taking a bit of a risk signing up for the event. There was entertainment though, which filled the silence and made the 7 hour days feel not quite so long, and Ed McGregor Park is beautiful, so spending the day in a beautiful park with the sun shining was not bad. Plus I was right next to the delicious freezies. In the end it equaled a good tan, a connection with a shop in Sooke where I can sell my clothing, 8 Hermy cards sold, and another lesson learned in following my gut:)

On top of that, there were three shops from my VI Etsy Team at the event. I snapped a couple of quick photos before my oldest came up from behind and scared the breath out of me.

Sunshine Jewls was across from me. She also happens to be my neigbor:)

She makes beautiful, sparkly jewelry using swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, genuine semi-precious gemstones, and sterling silver or 14K gold vermeil.

I love pendants, and I adore the driftwood displays that she made. It gives such a natural feel that fits well with our little island.

 And Megan Linford was sharing a booth with Sunshine Jewls.

She makes fashionable and functional handbags. I love her choice of colors and patterns.

I had many an hour to stare at her work and couldn't decide which was my favorite. From one hour to the next I seemed to come up with another fav. I really like all of them and I wish I had taken more photos.

And the third shop I didn't get any photos of, which is disappointing. He makes incredible pottery and is unfortunately not listing much on Etsy these days. Here is his shop: Casitadel Lobo Studio. His wife sells at Moss St Market and he is selling here in Sooke at the Saturday market. They are more focused on markets, as well as having some pottery in a shop downtown Victoria.

I am going to start shifting into fall mode, and will be working on long sleeves, pants and hoodies. If you have any special requests, please do let me know.

Thank YOU!!!

We have just returned home from outfitting Jai in all his hockey gear!!!

I couldn't find his jersey. He was so excited he just wanted a photo so he can see what he looks like. I made him stay on the mat so his skates wouldn't scrap up the floor. BTW this is the bathroom for our suite, which is why it's so void looking.

He needed a picture with both sticks. This is his old stick with a new blade. The picture above is the new stick my brother bought for Jai.

Jai will be starting a week long hockey camp on Monday, and he is really looking forward to trying out all his gear on the ice.

I would like to thank everyone who participated in the raffle. You all helped make my boy the happiest kid in the world! He is over the moon ecstatic! We couldn't have done it without your help.

My youngest brother (17) was also excited to point out that "it's Jai's first jock strap" as he swung it around! Ahhh boys. They are so elegant:)

Thank you!

What I Made This Week-Aug 5th

This week I have been working over time to make up for the lack of sewing I've done the last couple of weeks. I have a two day craft fair this weekend, and I thought it would be a good idea to have stuff to sell. Maybe?

I'm starting dresses with sleeves for the....I don't want to say the "F" word, because we have barely had a summer this year. It's depressing to think how close the change of seasons is.

Blue stripy leggings

Pink Stripy leggings. 

Both leggings were made from the sleeves of long sleeve shirts.

These super fun pants, which don't look so great in the photo, but I think they are funky. Flat front pockets and a fitted waist. These are made from a man's polo shirt.

A black and white, with a touch of pink, Twirly Skirt.

Tinkerbell

I love the colors of this Twirly Skirt

So fresh.

This skirt was meant for the dress below, but I made the waist too small and decided it was cute on it's own. I added the ruffle for a little extra and a fitted waist.

Upcycled dress.

Red leggings with white stripes and a fitted waist. These are fun and great for under dresses or skirts.

Another upcycled dress with a layered skirt and pink ruffle.

And last, these super cute pants. Sorry for the awful photos. I snapped a couple of quick photos this morning.

But you see the potential? Right?

My younger brother (he is 19) is driving me and the kids into town today so we can get the rest of my oldest guys hockey gear. On Monday Jai will be starting a week long hockey camp. It is very exciting. Why is my brother driving us you ask? Oh, well because I still haven't learned how to drive. I did drive to my parent's house a couple of days ago. It's only 2 minutes away, but it counts.

Tonight I will be setting up for Art in the Park here in Sooke. It is a two day event, and I am excited, and a little nervous. It's my first event in Sooke, and I hope it goes well.

I hope you all have a great weekend. The sun is shining here, finally, and should be for the next week!!! Yay!

Grain-Free Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Ingredients:

Strawberries
Rhubarb
Almonds
Butter
Sweetener
Cinnamon








Our last local organic food box had a ton of rhubarb. It's not a something we eat a lot of, so we decided it was time to make a crisp. It's fast and easy to make, not to mention delicious!

I'm not sure of measurements. I just filled a baking dish with fresh strawberries and rhubarb, which I had chopped up. Sprinkled a little cinnamon. Then added some raw almonds, a hunk of butter and I used Sucanat, though I am sure you could use any sweetener, cinnamon and ground it all together in my food processor. Then I spread the almond mixture on top of the fruit and baked at 350 until it looked done.

Yum!

 

Win Your Discount Wednesday at SVP-Aug 3rd, 2011

I have been neglecting my blog, not because I want to, or because I don't have anything to share. I actually have been writing my blog in my head. I've just been a REALLY, REALLY, tired. I don't know whats up. I've always had low iron levels, and think that may be the issue. This weekend I bought an iron supplement, and am hoping it will help. The most frustrating part of this has been not being able to sew. I have a few fairs coming up, and I got very little done. This week my goal is to make three items a day, so far I am on track. I will share more about that on Friday:)

Today I won a whopping 18% off! Here is what I got:

The picture didn't turn out great, but I plan on making some cute pants out of this.

This skirt is for me, unless I can't get the stains out. Pretty fun!

Of course more shirts.

These acrylic paints for Rob. I am hoping they are a good quality. I know nothing about paint.

Jai and I spotted this hoodie while we were in line, after I drew my 18% off chip. They let me draw another chip for this and I picked a 41% off chip! Jai really likes it, so I think I will have to let him have it, even though I picked it for myself. I think it will look handsome on him:)

I have been helping Rob put his blog together. He was finally persuaded to start a Hermy the Albino Polar Bear blog. You can check it out here. This is a great blog to read for a nice chuckle. I love Hermy, and have future plans to make a Hermy stuffy so I can give him a hug!

I hope you are all doing well!