Video: Reverse table cloth

[h/t: Teller]

Paper roll people

Posted over at Craft Day.

Sorcerers Safari lip dub

The campers and crew at Sorcerers Safari did a lip dub at camp last week.

Not only is it a single shot from start to finish, there are some really talented campers showing their stuff! Enjoy!

Music with cards

A YouTube video showing that music can be found everywhere, even in a deck of cards, if you'll just listen.




[h/t: iTricks.com]

Donate to emergency relief operations in the Horn of Africa

If you wish to donate to the emergency relief operations in the Horn of Africa, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the Canadian Red Cross are accepting donations. The Canadian Red Cross is also accepting donations via text message through www.mobilegiving.ca.

MLF&H: Only five days left!

Only 5 days left to grab the Ultimate Back-to-School Combo at last year's price of $39

Read all the details at the website of Mabel’s Labels – Labels for the stuff kids lose!®

I've already placed my order!


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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!®

You can't win if you don't play

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

Happiness: have meaningful goals

Rule number four, from the article 10 Things Science Says Will Make You Happy , is to have meaningful goals.

Harvard’s resident happiness professor, Tal Ben-Shahar, agrees, “Happiness lies at the intersection between pleasure and meaning. Whether at work or at home, the goal is to engage in activities that are both personally significant and enjoyable.”

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

MLF&H: The UBTSC (classic or colourful) is back!

Yes, I know. I'm just getting settled into the rhythm of summer and don't want to be thinking about back-to-school.

I thought you'd want to know that this year there are early bird savings to be had by ordering in July!

Also new this year you can order 40 extra skinny-minis for $11.95.

Available only until September 30th this combo includes:

• 50 Tag Mates™
• 40 Skinny-Minis™
• 16 Shoe Labels
• 2 Teeny Tags™

Choose from 6 limited edition Classic colour palettes or 27 Colourful Label Out Loud™ designs, plus 6 exclusive Ultimate Back-to-School Combo motifs available for both lines.

Read all the details at the website of Mabel’s Labels – Labels for the stuff kids lose!®

I've already placed my order!


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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!®

Also a cool treat, but not so healthy

Yummy and easy recipe for "Fresh Fruit Ice Cream" over at Parent Hacks.

I'm going to try upping the fruit content and finding a way to reduce the sugar and fat some.

Cool summer treat

and mini-craft for kids!

Jeff McBride 2009 Sorcerer's Apprentice (Masters of Illusion)

One of my favourite routines (Miser's Dream) by one of my favourite performers (Jeff McBride).

Parenting experts

Inspired by this tweet:

everyone is the perfect parent until they have kids :) @karynclimans @MumsnChums @CoreExpectationless than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyJulie Cole
juliecole

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

Taco / burrito seasoning

Inspired by Andrea's post, "Reduced-sodium taco recipe, er, assembly" I went searching for a recipe for taco or burrito meat seasoning. So far, the troops have been pretty happy with this one from Food.com, "Taco Seasoning - Budget Friendly Seasoning for Tacos, Burritos."

Pass the salsa!

No expectations

Happy Mother's Day!

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

It's your responsibility

Election in your area today?

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

Reference: blogging tools

Great post over at Problogger titled "15 Blogger Resources Not Previously Featured on ProBlogger." My favourite:

6. Timely: A Twitter tool that tells you the best time to tweet for maximum impact.

7. TinEye: A reverse image search tool.

and

13. Color Scheme Designer: A simple tool that creates color combinations with the click of a mouse.

Apropos of nothing

Three Little Kittens
Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme
Written By: Unknown, Copyright Unknown

Three little kittens,
They lost their mittens,
And they began to cry,
Oh, mother dear,
We sadly fear
Our mittens we have lost.
What! Lost your mittens,
You naughty kittens!
Then you shall have no pie.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
You shall have no pie.

The three little kittens,
They found their mittens,
And they began to cry,
Oh, mother dear,
See here, see here,
Our mittens we have found.
What! Found your mittens,
You darling kittens!
Then you shall have some pie.
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
You shall have some pie.

The three little kittens,
Put on their mittens,
And soon ate up the pie;
Oh, mother dear,
We greatly fear
Our mittens we have soiled.
What! Soiled your mittens,
You naughty kittens!
Then they began to sigh,
Mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow, mee-ow.
They began to sigh.

The three little kittens,
They washed their mittens,
And hung them out to dry;
Oh mother dear,
Look here, look here,
Our mittens we have washed.
What! Washed your mittens,
You're such good kittens.
I smell a rat close by!
Hush! Hush! Hush! Hush!
Hush! Hush! Hush!
I smell a rat close by.

The universe has to move forward

RIP Elisabeth Sladen

"The universe has to move forward. Pain and loss, they define us as much as happiness or love. Whether it's a world, or a relationship... Everything has its time. And everything ends. "

--Sarah Jane Smith, School Reunion

Out vs in

I previously mentioned Priscilla Claman's terrific post on "How to Avoid Impossible Assignments."

This part of the first paragraph caught my attention:

Burnout occurs when you expend more internal resources and energy than you take in. It's not just a matter of working hard, which at the best of times can feel exciting and motivating. Burnout is exhausting — whether you are working hard or not.

It reminds me of a previous post titled "Relax" which also talks about the importance of filling one's own tank.

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

Clutter vs focus

From the article "Scientists find physical clutter negatively affects your ability to focus, process information"

Or, to paraphrase in non-neuroscience jargon: When your environment is cluttered, the chaos restricts your ability to focus. The clutter also limits your brain’s ability to process information. Clutter makes you distracted and unable to process information as well as you do in an uncluttered, organized, and serene environment.

Read more.

I wonder if the brains of people who seem to work best amongst clutter differ from those subjects in the study mentioned in the article.

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

What do clowns, magicians and mimes have in common?

If you see a bad painting, do you hate all painters? If you hear a bad singer, do you hate all singers? What's different about clowns, magicians and mimes?

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

Dr. Twhoooo

Dr. Twhooooo.

Nice! Wonder who the creative mind is?

[h/t: DoctorWhoReview]

Reference: How to Avoid Impossible Assignments

Terrific post on "How to Avoid Impossible Assignments" by Priscilla Claman.

Mabel's Labels: Limited Edition Camp Combo™

This combo was designed for everything that goes to summer camp. This combo provides excellent value and a variety of waterproof and laundry-safe labels. Two friendship bracelets are included FREE with every order of this combo.

Read more about it at Mabel’s Labels – Labels for the stuff kids lose!®!

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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!®

Ooey Gooey

Overheard on the playground:

Ooey Gooey was a worm,
A big fat worm was he.
He sat upon a railway track,
A train he did not see.
The train came roaring round the bend,
The driver gave a squeal,
The guard got out his pocket knife,
And scraped him off the wheel.
Ooey Gooey!

How to steal like an artist

I really like this post "How to steal like an artist (and 9 other things nobody told me)" by Austin Kleon.

My favourite points:
2. Don’t wait until you know who you are to start making things.

8. Be nice. The world is a small town.

and especially:
10. Creativity is subtraction.

The graphic that goes with the last point tickles something in me. Click through to the article and see for yourself.

Anxiety vs dwelling

Last month's MSNBC article "Everything you know about beating stress is wrong" had lots of things to love, like dark chocolate being good for reducing stress hormones and encouraging the venting of anger now and again.

I was surprised by the finding that subjects who avoided thinking or talking about their sadness had a lower risk of depression. So much for talk therapy as a one-size fits-all strategy.

Pass the chocolate.

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

What's fashionable and painful?

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

Happy 8th birthday Mabel!

Can you believe it's been 8 years since Mabel’s Labels – Labels for the stuff kids lose!® arrived on the scene? And just like last year, FREE surprise gift bags will be included in randomly selected orders between March 15-22nd!

A minimum of 25 goody bags will be given away, each with an approximate retail value of $30, including free shipping.

Visit their blog for complete details!




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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!®

Legal documents on sale!

Oohhhh..... MegaDox.com is having a sale on it's documents! According to their webiste:

50% OFF Mar 17 & 18!
Coupon code STPATSDAY

I previously mentioned MegaDox during my quest to obtain an online privacy policy.

Asked vs helped

As sales reps know, "It’s easier to farm than to hunt."

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

Mabel's Chairty Drive for McMaster Children’s Hospital!

From the Mabelhood blog:

Mabel’s Labels has partnered with Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation to run a charity drive in support of McMaster Children’s Hospital (Mac Kids). Between February 14 – 25, 20% of any Mabel’s Labels purchase placed by phone or on mabel.ca will be donated to Mac Kids.

For more information, read the full post.



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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!®



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Be still my heart and get crafting!

A heart craft round-up:

Woven heart pockets

3-D heart

Quick and easy Homemade Valentine's Day cards

Print your own maze Valentines:

The code for this doodle and other doodles you can use on your blog can be found at Doodles.
[Download the PDF for the Heart Maze.]
[Download the PDF for Heart Maze Valentine's Day cards.]

One a little more little kid friendly.

[Download the PDF for Heart Maze Valentine's Day cards.]

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

Heart sun catcher

Heart necklace

Desire vs despair

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

Skinny-minis just for me!

You may recall that almost a year ago I became a Buzzmama for Mabel's Labels.

As a Buzzmama I voluntarily represent Mabel’s Labels. By sharing the conversations I have about Mabel's Labels, back to the company, I become eligible for free products.

Recently, I was delighted to find these in the mail:



They were a gift for me from the Buzzmama program!

I love my Skinny-minis and use them on everything and anything such as reusable food containers, skate guards, pens, pencils, books, electronic equipment, DVDs, USB keys and more! They are dishwasher/microwave safe, peel and stick labels. These labels are extremely versatile and long-lasting

Thank you Mabel!



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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!®




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MLF&H: Mabel Moolah™ is back!

From now until February 11th, you can earn $25 in Mabel Moolah™ for every $70 purchased! (That is $70 before taxes and shipping, after discounts.)

Read all the fine print at Mabel’s Labels – Labels for the stuff kids lose!®!



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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!®



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Shout out to Crayola Canada customer service

Thank you to Crayola Canada customer service rep Chris (Kris?), possibly the nicest customer service representative with whom I've had the pleasure of interacting.

Homemade Oreo cookies

I was over at Dirts and Rocks earlier this month and happened upon a recipe for homemade Oreo-style cookies.

I can't wait to try making them! Yum!

Bring out your lurks!

Dani says that it's Delurking Day. So wave or say hi in the comments!

(And you can leave your lurks by the back door.)

Alzheimer's

Read up on the "10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's" at Alzheimer's Society of Canada. While you're at it, read "Take Action for Healthier Living" which was created for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.

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

MLF&H: Introducing the NEW Loot Bag Combo

Question: I want to give some Mabel’s Labels – Labels for the stuff kids lose!®
to my children's friends, but I can't afford to spend $20 per friend. Are there sample sized packages I could buy?

Answer: Yes, there are now! Mabel's Labels has recently announced their new "Loot Bag Combo." From their website:

The Loot Bag Combo was inspired by celebrities who love to include our waterproof Sticky Labels and Bag Tags in their children's birthday party loot bags. These sweet combos make great party favours and add a personalized touch to gifts for only $5 per child.

A minimum order of 6 sets is required. Each set includes

• 1 Bag Tag and
• 5 Sticky Labels.

Additional sets can be added in multiples of 2 for $10.

Express shipping is required for this product. Due to the specialized nature of this product, it is not eligible for coupons or discounts and it does not qualify for fundraising commissions.

For all the details about this new product, visit Mabel’s Labels – Labels for the stuff kids lose!®





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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!®

Monday

You know it's Monday when your "Unresponsive script" message box has a status of "Not Responding."

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

Urgent!

Just because you can do it immediately, doesn't mean you should.

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

Calm vs fatigue

Because it takes a lot of energy to be anxious.

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