Bird's nest

This idea came home from school. I wish I had the exact recipe!

The nest is made of crushed shredded wheat and melted marshmallows. The eggs are candy covered chocolate eggs. And the Peep is a terrific finishing touch!

Angry Chicken has a yummy looking recipe for making chocolate nests!



[Cross-posted at Craft Day.]

Who knew?

Based on the article "Husbands create 7 hours of extra housework a week: study."
[h/t: Neatorama]

The code for this doodle and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at Doodles.

Rerun: Are your taxes done?

[Originally posted May 1, 2007.]

The code for this doodle and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at Doodles.

And so it goes

The code for this doodle and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at Doodles.

MLF&H: Removing iron-ons

Mabel’s Labels – Labels for the stuff kids lose!® clothing labels resist the wear and tear of laundry and children beautifully! Iron-ons are the classic choice for clothing labels.

But can they be removed?

The short answer is, it depends.

Many people are able to just pull them off by picking at a corner that has come loose over time. By design, however, the iron-on label ever so slightly melts to adhere to the fabric.

If you have been aggressive with the iron (by heating longer than recommended on the package) to adhere the labels (as I was with the socks shown to the right*), you may be left with a little bit of residue on your clothing. Note that I was able to remove the name part of the label, but not the base part that melted into the sock.

Some people recommend to "Try ironing it and when it is warm ease up a corner and pull fairly hard." I understand that some people have had success with the following method:

1. Place a piece of parchment paper over the label and heat the label with a hot dry iron.
2. Remove the parchment paper.
3. Pull it from a corner while the label is still hot. (Be careful not to burn yourself! Use a blunt knife to do this.)
4. Peel label away from the clothing.
   
5. The label may break as it cools.
6. Repeat as necessary.

I haven't had a chance to try heating up the label and then removing the residue -- when I do I'll post back here with the results.

Alternately, one could iron a new one over the top (should the item be used by another member of your family).

Variables which may affect the ease with which labels are removed: washing in hot water, excessive washing, time, fabric (smooth cotton vs fleece).

--
* The labels on had been on these socks for about six months. In that time they had only been washed in cold water.



--
Disclosure: I'm a Mabel's Labels Buzzmama and I receive free products for my involvement in the program. I'm also a Mabel's Labels web affiliate and I earn a commission if you use the following link to purchase your Mabel’s Labels – Labels for the stuff kids lose!®

Solution: Movie quote meme

The answers to The Movie Quote Meme:

1. From a 2005 remake of a children's movie released in 1971 (starring Gene Wilder) under a slightly different title.
   
   "You can't have your family hanging over you like an old, dead goose. No offense."
   
   Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
   
   
   
2. Dani got it! Monsters Inc really tickles my funnybone!
   "There's nothing more toxic or deadly than a human child. A single touch could kill you."
   
   
   
3. From a 1982 cult classic starring Harrison Ford.
   
   "Chew, if only you could see what I've seen with your eyes!"
   
   Bladerunner
   
   
   
4. Andrea, I was hoping you'd play! Was there any doubt, I'd include a quote from Dune?
   "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when my fear is gone I will turn and face fear's path, and only I will remain."
   
   
   
5. Released in 2002, this is the first film in a trilogy of books by Robert Ludlum.
   
   "How could I forget about you? You're the only person I know."
   
   The Bourne Identity
   
   
   
6. From a 1982 rock musical featuring Bob Geldof.
   
   "Who let all this riff raff into the room? That one's smoking a joint! And that one's got spots! If I had my way, I'd have all of you shot! "
   
   The Wall
   
   
   
7. From a 2002 film adaptation of a stage musical.
   
   "First she steals my publicity. Then she steals my lawyer, my trial date. And now she steals my goddamn garter."
   
   Chicago
   
   
   
8. From a fishy 2003 animated children's movie.
   
   "I don't want to play the gender card right now. You want to play a card, let's play the 'let's not die' card."
   
   Finding Nemo
   
   
   
9. From a 2001 animated adult movie (though kids seem to like it too). The line was spoken by Eddie Murphy.
   
   "Please. I don't wanna go back there. You don't know what it's like to be considered a freak... Well, maybe you do, but that's why we gotta stick together. You gotta let me stay!"
   
   Shrek
   
   
   
10. Released in 2001, this was a remake of a remake of a 1960 film which starred Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
    
    "You remember the day I went out for cigarettes and didn't come back? You must have noticed."
    
    Ocean's Eleven
    
    

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Seen at Postcards from the Mothership:

You Are a Question Mark

You seek knowledge and insight in every form possible. You love learning. And while you know a lot, you don't act like a know it all. You're open to learning you're wrong. You ask a lot of questions, collect a lot of data, and always dig deep to find out more. You're naturally curious and inquisitive. You jump to ask a question when the opportunity arises. Your friends see you as interesting, insightful, and thought provoking. (But they're not always up for the intense inquisitions that you love!) You excel in: Higher education You get along best with: The Comma

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

No wonder I like Dani (The Comma) so much ...

Rerun: Shifting seasons

Yes, yes. I know the temperatures are going to go back to normal soon. But for now, I'm enjoying an early taste of summer!

[Originally posted April 21 , 2007.]

The code for this doodle and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at Doodles.

Sure sign of Spring

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, there are brown patches on the lawn and thick, healthy dandelions growing.

The code for this doodle and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at Doodles.

Canadian Screenwriting Awards unveiled

(Or, proof that I occasionally back a winner.)

Congratulations to Toronto's Denis McGrath on winning the Canadian Screenwriting Award: Best one-hour drama, for Across The River To Motor City, "Happy Birthday, Mr. President."

I'm looking forward to seeing what else you have in store for us!

XQuery

The code for this doodle and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at Doodles.

MLF&H: Not just for kids' stuff!

You may know that Classic Stickies and Skinny-Minis™ are perfect for toys, containers, cups, bottles and more. You may even know that they withstand the dishwasher, microwave, UV Rays and hard wearing children.

Don't let that stop you from using them to label your things too! From your reusable lunch containers to USB memory keys, make sure that your valuable things come back to you!



Because they withstand water and UV rays, they are the perfect solution for identifying your indoor and outdoor tools!

The Brad Pitt Rule

Based on the post, The Brad Pitt Rule.
[h/t: Neatorama.com]

The code for this doodle and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at Doodles.

MLF&H: Help out your teachers!

Do you send stuff (like group snacks or craft materials) to school or daycare in reusable bags? Imagine being the teacher or caregiver and trying to remember which bag belongs to whom at the end of the day! Make their lives just a little bit easier by eliminating the guesswork with the creative use of Mabel's Labels products.

(Images show a Bag Tag on a reusable grocery bag and a Skinny-Mini™ on a can opener.)

Firefighter's hat

(This idea came home from school.)

Instructions for creating this Firefighter's hat can be found at Craft Day.

(This craft can also serve as a reminder to work on your Family Fire Escape Plan.)

Now with more clues!

Should anyone still be playing The Movie Quote Meme I've added clues to the unanswered quotes.

The power of subliminal messages

How susceptible are we to subliminal messages? I can't say for sure whether this YouTube video is legit, but if it is, it sure makes one heck of a magic trick!

Have a look at Derren Brown influencing two guys who work in the advertising industry.



[h/t: You Thought We Wouldn't Notice]

Sidewalk Chalk Paint

Is your little one itching to get at the sidewalk chalk even though the weather isn't co-operating? Get them to "paint" with their chalk inside!

(This idea came home from school.)

Materials:

• sidewalk chalk
• sturdy paper (finger paint paper is good)
• container to hold water
  

Instructions:

• have child dip chalk in water until very wet
• child can then "paint" with the chalk on the paper
  

[Cross-posted at Craft Day.]

Coffee Filter Flower

This was created at our local Ontario Early Years Centre.

Instructions for creating this Coffee Filter Flower can be found at Craft Day.

Cream covered pony

(And cat covered strudel.)

Don't get the joke? Have a read at Falling Down Is Also A Gift. (And you'll realize somethings are funnier told as stories than illustrated.)

(Items with a variation of this image can be purchased at Cafe Press.)

The code for this doodle and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at Doodles.

The movie quote meme

[Edited to add clues.]

I was too late to the game to play the movie quote meme over at Postcards from the Mothership, so I'm inviting Dani to come here and play!

The rules:

* Pick 10 (or so) of your favorite movies.
* Find, remember, or look up a quote from each movie.
* Post them here for everyone to guess.
* Strike it out when someone guesses correctly, and put who guessed it and the movie.
* NO googling or cheating by doing an online search. Cheaters never prosper.
* Share the fun and only guess one movie. [I'm going to make this one optional.]

1. From a 2005 remake of a children's movie released in 1971 (starring Gene Wilder) under a slightly different title.
   
   "You can't have your family hanging over you like an old, dead goose. No offense."
   
   
   
2. Dani got it! Monsters Inc really tickles my funnybone!
   "There's nothing more toxic or deadly than a human child. A single touch could kill you."
   
   
3. From a 1982 cult classic starring Harrison Ford.
   
   "Chew, if only you could see what I've seen with your eyes!"
   
   
   
4. Andrea, I was hoping you'd play! Was there any doubt, I'd include a quote from Dune?
   "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when my fear is gone I will turn and face fear's path, and only I will remain."
   
   
   
5. Released in 2002, this is the first film in a trilogy of books by Robert Ludlum.
   
   "How could I forget about you? You're the only person I know."
   
   
   
6. From a 1982 rock musical featuring Bob Geldof.
   
   "Who let all this riff raff into the room? That one's smoking a joint! And that one's got spots! If I had my way, I'd have all of you shot! "
   
   
   
7. From a 2002 film adaptation of a stage musical.
   
   "First she steals my publicity. Then she steals my lawyer, my trial date. And now she steals my goddamn garter."
   
   
   
8. From a fishy 2003 animated children's movie.
   
   "I don't want to play the gender card right now. You want to play a card, let's play the 'let's not die' card."
   
   
   
9. From a 2001 animated adult movie (though kids seem to like it too). The line was spoken by Eddie Murphy.
   
   "Please. I don't wanna go back there. You don't know what it's like to be considered a freak... Well, maybe you do, but that's why we gotta stick together. You gotta let me stay!"
   
   
   
10. Released in 2001, this was a remake of a remake of a 1960 film which starred Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.
    
    "You remember the day I went out for cigarettes and didn't come back? You must have noticed."
    
    

Game on!