Summer Lovin'

WE just had a ball at the water park with some of our family.

 

I thought I would share a few pictures of our

 tanned and smiling faces.

 



There is nothing like family and cool water to make

 a perfect summer day!

 



 

What do you like to do on a HOT summer's day?

Melin



Fabulous & Free Summer Fun

 

I love the Today Show and watched the most fun segment, with Elizabeth Mayhew, this morning.

She told us how to "Beat the heat and have some fun with these 8 summer freebies"!

Written with all the links for you plus the video on Today's show. You can watch the video here, http://www.today.com/video/today/55503074 

or see the written list,

http://www.today.com/money/free-fun-brutal-summer-days-1D79841732.

 

 

I searched the web for you and found even more fun and free projects for you and your kids.

 Here are a few websites to check out. Most offer both online projects for free and in-store

 classes for free or  a fee. Hobby Lobby seems to only have online fare.

Check them out at http://www.hobbylobby.com/projects.

 

Joann Fabrics has both in-store and online projects at http://www.joann.com/projects/. With most of

 these links, you put in your zip code and check out the details of their in-store Events.

What fun party decor ideas!

 

Michael's offers both project types for free, plus they offer a unique type of child sitting service. While you shop, your kid can make a project. It is a 30 minute class and is just $2 per child.

  It is a win, win! Go to http://www.michaels.com/find-a-project/holiday-and-seasonal/815811865

 for a list of their projects, like these glittered jar candles, and to search local Events.

 

I love books and stories and Barnes and Noble is a great family adventure destination.

 They have Events and classes for free! Find your local store and Event list at http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/store/. You can also have your little one read to by the author online at

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/online-storytime-books-toys/379003588. We all love to be read to.

 

The projects shown are for the Fourth of July but most of the links  have projects for all types of

 fun, crafts, cooking, holidays, seasons, skill levels and time to complete.

Please feel free to add any freebie that you know about in the comments section here

on my blog. Sign up to an email links to my new blog posts.

Happy crafting and Happy summer!

Melin

Write a Fan letter.

How many times have you wanted to write a letter, email or note to someone who's work you  have admired? I have many times throughout my life and a few times actually did it. We all

 enjoy feedback when we have done a good job or inspired someone in any small way.

 

Yesterday, I emailed an author and artist that I have admired most of my life, Joan Walsh Anglund.

I was super and pleasantly surprised that she wrote back. Wow, that she would take the time

 to respond to little ol' me really made me feel as special as I hoped my email would do

for her. Email makes this process easier, so give it a try and make two people's day. 

 

Above is a photo of a few of my JWA collection. I remember the feel and beauty of her calendars that I received yearly from my Momma. They were heavier weight that what we get today. I kept them

for years for her illustrations and color but only their memory remains. You can see more of

her art, books and learn about her at her website http://joanwalshanglund.com. Email her

too, if she has touched your life in any way. Below is our exchange from yesterday.

"A friend is someone who likes you"  Joan Walsh Anglund

Melin

 

PS ~ Yesterday was my Momma's birthday and I know she was smiling.

 



Dearest Joan,

I just wanted to thank you for all your beautiful creativity! My Mom and I have enjoyed your works most all my life. She has been gone for 28 years now but I cherish our memories over the love and illustrations in your books. I still have many books, a few dolls and memories of calendars and so much more.

You have been an inspiration in my life and I thank you most sincerely,

Melin

A friend is not living in close proximity, it is finding a matching heart that understands.

Dear Melinda,

It made me so happy when I read your loving message to me, to know how much you have enjoyed my books over the years. I feel we have been friends for a long, long time, and now to be in personal touch is a special joy I never expected. Thank you so much for taking the time to contact me. It means more than you can guess.

With warmest love always,

Joan Walsh Anglund

Trick-or-Treat Fun

I thought I would share a few treats I have been putting together for Halloween. They can

 all be done fairly quickly, so there is still time. The first is a cool way to share your

favorite full size chocolate bars. You simply wrap them in crepe paper from the roll,

glue the end and glue on googly eyes for a silly treat that would make your mummy proud!

 

 

 

Besides the mummys, I am setting up a self serve candy mini bar using our cool milk bottle holder.

 I filled the bottles with various kid candies and retro style Halloween bags to fill up. This will

be a fun option for the kids we know that will have their parents with them.

 

 

 

Lastly, I made popcorn drizzled with white chocolate and sprinkles. I melted some Almond Bark

white candy coating in the microwave and drizzled onto the popped corn, which was in a

single layer over wax paper across my kitchen island.

 

 

As I worked, I quickly sprinkled with orange and black sprinkles. The coating dries fast!

 

 

Isn't it festive for Halloween! I bagged it up in cute bags and passed them out at a

 Trunk-or-Treat night of celebration.

 

 

Wishing you and yours a great family time this Halloween!

Melin





Decorating Pumpkins

Just a little quickie~
I was watching the Today show, while eating my lunch, and saw these pumpkin decorating ideas from lifestyle expert, Evette Rios. I thought they were quick and fun. Go to http://www.today.com/video/today/53342371#53342371 to watch the video, if you missed it.
Have fun decorating!
Melin

St Patrick's Day Fun!

St Patrick's Day, also known as St Paddy's Day, is a fun day full of wearing of the green,

 pinching, drinking beer, eating corned beef and cabbage and ,of course, pranks!

 

These darling leprechaun shoes (available at Wren Elizabeth gifts for $7 each)  are fun to

display in March or right after Valentine's Day, if you're like me about all holidays.

 You can set them with shamrocks from the grocery store or precious figures

of the season. Leave them empty, as is, for the display.

 

 

Then, on the eve of St Paddy's Day, fill them with chocolate or bubble gum gold coins to delight

your wee ones with the idea that the leprechauns came in the night and brought gold to

shower you with good luck for the year!

 

Happy Holidays,

Melin

What is A Jellycat?

What is a Jellycat?

It is neither a cat nor jelly. Jellycat is a premium soft toy company that began in London in 1999.

They are a favorite at Wren Elizabeth Gifts for their design, quality and feel!

 Each one is unique but they are the softest, cutest and or squishiest that WE

have ever seen and our customers agree!

They also have creative and fun cloth and board books.

I wish the computer had feel-o-vision, so you could feel them for yourself. These cuties don't dissappoint. Check out all our bunnies for Easter. If you want a design that WE don't currently have in stock, WE are happy to special order it for you. Hop to it!