Ready for summer?

Yesterday was FINALLY our first day of nice weather.  April 10th, what the heck!  Is Mother Nature on a freaking vacation?  She's probably on a cruise in the Bahamas and forgot the mid-west was still freezing their butts off while sitting at four lacrosse games in Cleveland.....but I digress.

So this nice weather got me to thinking it is getting awfully close to swimsuit weather.  Are you swimsuit worthy yet?

Allowances

Do you give allowances for your kids?  It is so hard for me to decide what to do.  They don't have chores around the house (I know, Iknow...some of you really feel this is important, however, I am a stay at home mom so how can I ask them to do the dishes, vacuum or put laundry away?  That is my job.  Their job is to do their homework and go to school which they go to 8 hrs a day.  I don't ask my husband to do the dishes after a long day of work either.   But I do want them to have some sort of concept of money and not think there is a never ending debit card balance.

In an attempt for the boys to become more aware of finances, spending and budgeting I decided to give them a monthly allowance that was not tired to chores.  They each receive their age X $0.50 X 4.  This gives them $0.50 a week for each year they are old.  Of that sum, 10% goes to charity, 30% goes to savings and 60% they get to spend.  Now when we go into a store and they want candy, movies, trinkets, or whatever, they have to decide if it is worth spending their own money on (my money was sooooo easy to spend).  Also, if they decide to put some of their spending money into savings I will match that amount.  This is a concept Kemper gets and takes advantage of but Griffin not so much. 

So far this plan has worked well for the past 3 months.  We have tried other allowance plans tied to chores and it just doesn't work in our family.  I just set up interest bearing savings account for each of the boys.  My original plan was to just transfer the money into their account each month.  Now, I think it is better if we make time to go to the bank each month and have them deposit the money themselves.  I want them to get used to the idea of walking into a bank and handing over their hard earned cash.  OK, so in this case it is not quite so hard earned, but you get what I mean. :)

I have not put any restrictions on what they can buy with their spending money.  It is theirs and they can blow it however they like.  The money in their savings account is intended to be used for car needs when they turn 16 (they each have separate college funds).  As for charity, this money is sometimes used when there are fundraisers at school.  The boys love being able to use their own money from their charity fund for this.  After school is out, the boys will combine their charity money and do something with it such as buy some bulk items at Sam's Club and drop it off at the local food pantry. 

Also, on a final note.....though their allowance is not tied to chores, we do have an agreement that I can ask them to do anything I want and the complaining has to be kept to a minimum.  LOL!

Cool shirt I made

 I was at the store recently and came across some adorable t-shirts embellished with handmade flowers.  There were several different styles and I had a few in my basket, then I decided I could make them myself for much cheaper.  I got these pink shirts off the clearance rack at Meijers for $3 each.  What a steal!! The trim was already on the neckline, but would be so easy to add.   I bought two identical shirts; one to wear and one to cut up.  I used 3 different size flower templates to cut flowers out of my extra t-shirt.  I also added layers of tulle which really adds some nice detail that doesn't show up on the photo.  The leaves are made out of green organdy 6" wide fabric.  The tiny white rosettes are from Maya Roads.  The baubles are a combo of really old Heidi Swapp gems and new Bazzill bling buttons.  Everything was hand sewn on and the shirt took me less than an hour to make.  I just loved the way it turned out!

LRS April Kit

The latest Little Red Scrapbook kit just landed on my doorstep and it is very yummy!  I love the hot pink and black combined with the soft pastels.  There is a 12x12 piece of open faced corrugated cardboard and a dauber of paint which I can't wait to get my hands on!   The add on embellishment kit has the KI Memories word border stickers that I haven't used before but have been wanting for a long time!

Here is the main kit:  $22.50 (w/ 6 month subscription)

And the add-on embellishment kit: $12

Californ I. A. Here I come!

I'm heading to CHA tomorrow morning.  I'll be taking lots of photos and videos of all the goodies.  Not sure what my Internet status will be while I'm there so I may have to update when I get home.  Can't decide whether to take the ipad or my big clunky laptop.  Oh, decisions decisions.

Want to see what the weather is going to be?????  OK....but don't hate me:

• Jan 24   Abundant sunshine 78°  Lo 51°

• Jan 25   A full day of sunshine 77°  Lo 50°

• Jan 26  Sunny and warm 78°  Lo 51°

• Jan 27  Sunny and breezy 82°  Lo 51°  (OMG!  Eighty freakin two!)

• Jan 28   Sunny 79°  Lo 49°

  I  may just have to pack a pair of shorts and my flip flops!   Snicker, snicker!  I'm giggling like a little school girl!

January Monthly Copic Class

We've got a full house for this month's class!  I will be teaching a technique called "tattered rag" which uses Colorless Blending Solution to create feathers or fur.  Class is Sunday, January 23 from 2-4pm.

 Markers this month:   E25, E53, E55, E97, Y15  (Optional: Y38, G94 or similar)

February Class:  Feb 27, 2-4pm 

February Markers:  B00, B02, YG03, YG09, R81, R85

February Technique:  Coloring transparent images.  You are going to love this technique!

Pizazz It! February Kits

I had so much fun working with the February kit from My Little Yellow Bicycle.  The line is called "Savor" and I love the muted primary colors and embossed die cut elements.  Kits will be available for pick up on Sunday, January 23.

The kit includes:

• 4 sheets Bazzill cardstock
• 6 sheets MLYB pattern paper
• MLYB Great Big Die Cuts
• 3 MLYB canvas borders
• Bo Bunny Chunky Charms Swirls & Brackets chipboard stickers
• 6 Petaloo Flowers
• 1 yard dark brown twine
• 12 assorted buttons

 

This kit was so much fun to play with that I couldn't put it down.  I ended up using every little bit of it and made 5 layouts and 2 cards.  Here are a few sneak peaks.  Completed projects can be seen on display at Pizazz It! Scrapbooks.