crooked house

Brain Hemisphere Hat

Ellen McHenry designed the pattern for this brain hemisphere hat, to be labeled, coloured, and constructed by your child. We need to do this activity -- I know I could use a little review. Via Jessica Van Dyne-Evans on pinterest.

Sprinkles on Frosting Birthday Party Invitation

While looking for birthday party invitation ideas for Luke's upcoming birthday,  we found this gorgeous hand-lettered assemblage made out of sprinkles on frosting. I also love Rose's "theme." Luke had already decided that his was going to be "Roblox, Ninjas, and Angry Birds."  Don't know if we have the time and the patience to make an invitation like this one, though.

It's Never a Mistake to Be Friends Valentines

I found these little Valentine erasers at our local Superstore -- they were six for a buck, or something like that.  The little heart-shaped notebook pictured was also from a package of six for a buck. They came from our local dollar store. I used my label-maker to print out the text, only because I'd run out of ink for the printer. But the fact that it printed in the form of adhesive tape was actually a bonus.

Of course, after I'd made them Luke decided he preferred to use his store-bought Spiderman ones. Oh well. I had fun anyway. It may not be a mistake to be friends but it is certainly a mistake to assume your child will be enthusiastic about your ideas. Maybe I'll send them to the next twenty people who "friend" me on facebook.

Our Lego Hearts Bracelets

I got the pieces I needed in time to make these Lego heart bracelets for the kids for Valentine's Day -- I thought bracelets might be a little safer than necklaces for them at this point. The lovely woman at the local bead shop made the rather complicated slip knots for me, which means they are adjustable.

Although there's one for David and I as well as for each of the kids, David is getting this edition of Shakespeare's Love Sonnets, too, which is probably more of a present for me than for him, judging from its prettiness:

Polish Paper Town

Here's yet another paper town -- a cardboard one, actually. They come as templates like these:

There are three different sets that cost 20 PLN each -- they are made in Poland and are based on Polish suburban life. That's about $6.33 Canadian. Not bad -- it'd cost a total of $14.26 to purchase one and have it shipped. Via handmade charlotte.

Boobie Beanie

You can purchase these boobie beanie baby hats -- or the pattern to make one yourself -- on etsy. You know, so you can protect the delicate sensibilities of those who are offended by public breastfeeding. God forbid anyone should happen to glimpse a bit of breast as it nourishes an infant.

Lego Interlocking Heart Pendants

Hoping to make a version of these lego interlocking heart pendants for the kids for Valentine's Day. I wasn't able to find the curved end plates in the Pick-a-Brick section on the Lego site and they won't send these cute Valentine boxes to Canada but I think I found a seller on Amazon. I think I might make bracelets instead of necklaces, though.

Carrot Lobster

This image arrived in an email called "Lobster for Vegetarians and Poor People." Around here, where lobster fishing is an industry, lobster is for poor people, or at least it used to be. Kids used to be embarrassed to have to take it to school in their lunch boxes.

Sandwich Artist

From top to bottom: a Mondrian sandwich, a Pollock one, O'Keefe, and Hirst. There are more at Low Commitment Projects. Via Max Clarke on facebook.

Christmas Presents from Luke

This is the angel Luke made at school as a Christmas present for me.

And here is the battle scene he drew at home as a Christmas present for me. Both were wrapped up and tucked under the tree on Christmas morning. I particularly like the detail on the left -- the man who loses his glasses as he falls out of the sky and uh, smashes his head into the ground. Happy holidays everyone!