Cinco de Mayo Tissue Paper Flowers Tutorial

My mom lived in San Antonio when she was younger.  In school, they would make tissue paper flowers for the Mexican/Texas culture.  They would actually use a box of facial tissues.  You can use gift tissue and pipe cleaners.  They are very easy and inexpensive.  We used this craft for a non-messy and cheap and satisfying craft for Valentine's Day Party for my child's school class.

Cut the tissue sheets in 4 or 8 sections, depending on how large you want your flowers.
Stack at least 8 sheets of paper.  
Start on the short side and fold them back and forth like a paper fan.

Wrap a pipe cleaner around the center and twist tight like a bread bag twisty.
'Fan' out the paper and carefully pull each layer upwards close to the center pipe cleaner.

Make sure you do the layer on both sides before doing the next layer.

Do this all the way until the last layer, being careful not to rip them.

You can make all sorts of beautiful color combinations.  Have fun!

 

Mother's Day Sale

My etsy shop is currently having a Mother's Day Sale.  Use coupon code: MOMDAY20 to get 20% off the price listing.  That's $4 off of $20, $10 off of $50!  Please visit my shop.  

There are great gifts for first-time moms such as the nursing shawls.  

There are fun gifts for adventurous moms: head jewelry.  

Or you can just take a look at everything.

Coupon Code to my Etsy Shop

 If you read my blog, then lucky you! Here is a coupon code you can only find here!

IDEALEONBLOG20

It will take off 20% from your purchase at my Etsy Shop: Mockingbird Designs!

Use it for Nursing Shawls, Mini Saris, Head Jewelry and more!

Dekaney High School Political Cartoon- What's wrong with this Picture?

As a spouse of someone who works at a less-than-desirable workplace, it is frustrating to feel powerless to do anything significant to change anything.  I've always been one to believe that laws are made to protect us, and that we should follow them.  This political cartoon (although it isn't really politics) is my personal effort and expression to make a statement about the unfair and unjust ways of a system.  Many businesses and school districts might be able to identify with this cartoon.  And since we believe in freedom of speech, here it goes.

Recently Dekaney High School was on the news (again) for having a fight (or riot).  I believe these are just symptoms of a deeper problem.  I drew this cartoon last November 2011.  I've just finally decided to post it here, even though I know hardly anyone will see it. 

This cartoon was inspired by certain teacher friends of my spouse who, in the beginning of the year seemed the strongest.  They seem to have finally had their spririt broken.  DHS stands for Dekaney High School.  Many people who are teachers are not teachers because they want to make a lot of money.  They know the good that they are doing is far more rewarding than pay or worldly success.  It is too bad teachers aren't recognized and respected more than they already are.

I was just looking through my picture files for something when I stumbled upon this photo that I took about 4 years ago or so.  What it is is a squirrel straddle-holding a water spicket!  I guess it was thirsty, so I found my camera fast and voila!  This was taken through my living room window facing the park across the street- that is why it is so blurry.  Funny little guy.

A New Shipment of Silk from India

I was so excited to receive this package after a couple weeks of bidding and buying. This is a stack of 6 Silk Saris. I plan to make several nursing shawls and regular shawls out of them.

One of the exciting things about ordering packages from India or other countries like it is the whole experience of the packaging. The wrapping consists of brown paper, fabric (crepe silk?) and LOTS of tape. I've received a package from India once that, if it wasn't for the extraordinary amount of tape holding it together, I was not convinced it would have made it delivered in one piece.

There was another time that stuck under the tape was a very, very long dark strand of hair. I don't doubt it was from an Indian women with beautiful long hair taping the package. I was amazed the hair made it all the way here!

Anyway, I hope you all can find time for simple excitements during the holidays. I just wanted to share mine!

Horse Birthday Cake

This is a cookie cake I made and decorated recently. To see the process, click this link.