Painless Paper Projects 2.0

Try this paper pencil protector if you're feeling wild!

Kathleen wants to note that this is for your "nice" pencils and not your "everyday" one's, so don't stuff it in your pocket!

1.) Take a piece of corrugated card stock (Kathleen finds hers at the dollar store) and cut it into a rectangle that will accommodate the pencils you are working with.

2.) Take a piece of colored card stock and cut it into a narrower rectangle leaving a 1/2 inch border. Also, cut out a closure tab (as pictured).

3.) Cut a pair of parallel slots in the colored paper. Repeat the process until you have two slots per each pencil you are wishing to protect.

4.) Cut several strips of corrugated card 1 1/2 inches wide and long enough to fit around each pencil. Thread this through each pair of parallel slots you cut in the colored paper and glue on the back side. This creates the paper loops to slide your pencils into.

5.) Glue the colored paper onto the smooth side of the corrugated cardboard.

6.)Glue the tab onto the inside near the first pencil (see picture). Punch a paper fastener through the opposite side of the corrugated cardboard.

You now have a wonderful, custom, "art" pencil case!

Painless Paper Projects 3.0

Here is an incredibly easy way to bring style to your porcelain Nile! You're probably thinking, "What the hell are they talking about?"... why tissue boxes of course!

Take an unfinished wooden tissue box (available at most good craft stores or if you are brave construct your own out of heavy press board) and:

Choice One: Paint the box your favorite color. Next, apply a thin layer of glue or Mod Podge to the box's surface. Then take tissue paper, crumple it, and stick it onto the glue. This will achieve a textured surface with a variety of depth of color. Finish with a coat of spray varnish or Mod Podge.

Choice Two: Without painting the box, cover it with glue and crumpled tissue as above. Once it is dry you can give it a coat or two of your favorite paint. You could even gilt it with silver or gold leaf!

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!

::NO MORE TACKY TIES (OR POPE BENEDICT RECORDABLE KEY CHAINS)::

Father's Day is coming in a few short weeks. Here is a list of unique gift ideas for Dad that he might actually have on his bucket list!

1.) Glider Ride. Send him soaring through the clouds!

2.) Classes. Sign him up for any variety of classes such as cooking, art, foreign language, photography, Tai Chi, etc.

3.) Car Detailing Kit. For the man who loves his car as much as he loves you!

4.) Car washes for a year. See #3.

5.) Tickets to a concert, show, play, exhibit, etc.

::QUICK KITCHEN TIPS::

Here are a few great ideas from our test kitchen in Colchester!

- Eww, what's that smell? Don't overpay for a pricey bar of stainless steel "soap" scent remover. You can rub your hands on any stainless steel object (serving spoon, pan, etc) you have lying around the kitchen to remove the lingering garlic or onion smell from your hands. We also heard a dollop of toothpaste also works wonders!

-Do you find yourself making a mess when refilling your salt and pepper shakers? You know the ones that you have to turn over and fill from the bottom? Next time you have to refill them, place a piece of tape (any kind works) over the holes, and flip over the shakers! TADA no mess!

-Hard brown sugar? Toss a few marshmallows in the bag before you reseal it. They will keep the sugar moist for weeks!

-Want the perfectly frosted cake? Next time you are frosting a cake, place the cake on a cardboard round the same diameter as your cake and then place that on top of a large over turned bowl. Raising the cake up with out obstructing the sides allows you to frost all the way to the bottom of the cake with ease!

BONUS RANDOM TIP!!!!

Next time you can't get a thread through the eye of your needle, try spraying the thread with hairspray! The end will stiffen, allowing you to thread with ease. If you are working with yarn, try a dab of glue for the same effect!

Gifts Most Hosts Will Toast!

Hurray, Hurray, it's Spring time and that means PARTIES!!! From graduations to the first neighborhood cookouts to weddings, here are some hostess gifts that go the distance!

-Fancy, breakfast syrup (Not maple, that's boring!)
-Set of drink coasters to help protect the heirloom coffee tables.
-Personalized Note Cards.
-6-pack of annauls or perennials to plant
-Compostable Picnic Kit (Biodegradble bag, untensils, etc.)
-Gourmet goodies like Indian simmer sauce, curry powder, etc. plus a recipe
-Tea Towels
-Gourmet Coffee or tea.
-Gourmet popcorn and a movie rental gift certificate. Look for gourmet popcorn http://www.popcornopolis.com

You Said Whaaaat?! 1.0

There is no doubt you are being swamped with graduation party invites! Here are some things NOT to say to the lucky grad.

DON'T SAY: "What can you do with that degree?"
WHY: It's insulting and it invalidates his/her hard work.
INSTEAD SAY: "Tell me about the class that inspired you to dive into that major?"

DON'T SAY: "You should go to law school."
WHY: Not everyone wants to be a lawyer.
INSTEAD SAY: "Are you thinking of grad school?"

DON'T SAY: "Do you have a job lined up?"
WHY: It is embrassing if the grad says "No".
INSTEAD SAY: "So what are your plans for the summer?"

DON'T SAY: "The economy has been bad before, you'll get through it."
WHY: That is not encouraging at all. It is a total downer.
INSTEAD SAY: "Maybe I can help you network!"

DON'T SAY: "Your cousin/sister/best friend/neighbor just got out of school and is doing well.
WHY: You are rubbing the grad's nose in the fact he/she does not have anything lined up.
INSTEAD SAY: "Your cousin/sister/best friend/neighbor landed a job at (insert place of employment here), would you like them to check to see if there are any openings?

You Said Whatttttt?! 2.0

Here is a list of what NOT to say in conversation as you make the rounds at your Spring social events.

DON'T SAY: "You look tired."
WHY: It implies he/she doesn't look so hot.
INSTEAD SAY: "Is everything ok?"

DON'T SAY: "Wow, you lost a lot of weight!"
WHY: It implies that they previously looked unattractive.
INSTEAD SAY: "Wow, you look FIERCE!"

DON'T SAY: "You look good for your age!"
WHY: It implies that you are amazed that they still have all their teeth and haven't been put in a home.
INSTEAD SAY: "You look terrific!"

DON'T SAY: "I could never wear that!"
WHY: It implies that the outfit they're wearing is ugly, slutty, dated, etc.
INSTEAD SAY: "You can really pull off ass-less chaps!"