Showing posts with label toys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toys. Show all posts

Thursday, October 3, 2024

Sticker

 


Monet and I were playing with the new toy, the Phomemo Mini Thermal Printer (model T02)The printer measures 3 inches x 3 1/4 inches and has a rechargeable battery from a USB port. The printer connects to your mobile phone via Bluetooth using the Phomemo App which was very easy to connect.

We didn't have a lot of time to play, but we managed to print a sticker from a selection of images on the app. The sticker measures 2 inches x 2 1/4 inches and I think it can be colored in. .Here's the sticker coming out of the printer. There were also premium images to choose, but you had to pay a subscription to use them. No thank you.

While poking in the app, I found a section on tutorials. That's playtime for another day. 

Monday, September 30, 2024

Monet and Me

 

As soon as Doodling class is over, Monet and me will figure out how to get the Phomemo thermal, portable printer up and running. 

The printer can be used to print stickers from templates, your own photos and drawings to use in journaling or other crafts.

Monday, September 23, 2024

Monet and Me



are playing with a new toy. From Black Oak Games a set of Celtic Knot Dice. Last year close to Christmas I saw them advertised, but they were sold out of the blue dies. A few weeks ago, they crossed my path again and this time I jumped. I purchased the basic set with 18 cubes. in Just My Shade of Blue


The set came with a booklet with multi-player games to play, puzzles to solve, or you can make your own patterns or traditional patterns like the 4 cube, 2 x 2 thread knot called King Solomon's Knot.

Scrolling through the store there was also a nine die set with Cats and Salmon. Like a crazy cat lady could resist it. This is a stand alone set or it can be combined with the other sets.

So, procrastination desk toy, study aid, or party game, Knot Dice fills the bill.

Thursday, March 25, 2021

New Toys

 

While browsing at the Crayola site, I saw some markers that I thought would be fun to play with for greeting cards and mail art.. Two sets of metal markers. Standard metal markers and metal markers with color along the edge. Both sets of markers require vigorous shaking and then pressing the spring loaded, bullet tip on a sheet of scrap paper to get the paint flowing.

The metal markers came in six metallic colors: Bronze, Copper, Titanium, Silver, Rose Gold, and Gold. The paint went on easily. There wasn’t much difference in color between the Titanium and Silver, and the Rose Gold and Gold. The packaging states the markers are permanent on fabric, wood, canvas, and terra cotta.

The metallic outline markers are juicy and write smoothly. I wish the color ribbon was wider than the metallic as some colors the colored outline doesn’t show up well. It may also be that I wrote with the tip and didn’t try writing with the side of the marker.


I was disappointed that the metallic outline markers bled through the paper. The paper I used was Canson 98 lb. mixed media paper. If using these markers to letter cards, maker sure you glue your writing to the card base.

The liquid metal markers did not bleed through.

Overall, a fun marker to add a bit of bling to ephemera.




Friday, March 19, 2021

The Friday Five Good Things


 Five good things that happened this week.

1. I was able to sign up for a vaccine appointment at the state's new pre-registration site. Easy to navigate and one doesn't need to stay on the computer all day trying to get an appointment. When appointments are available, you'll be notified.

2.I had fun teaching a Celtic Calligraphy workshop for the Newburgh Free Library in Newburgh, NY via Zoom

3. We celebrated Pi Day with chicken pot pie and apple pie.

4. Began working on Easter gifts.

5. Some new toys arrived.

How was your week?

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

T Stands for Memory Maker Envelope Punch Board

I've had students and friends who have gifted me with odd size envelopes . I've been making a lot of greeting cards and have started running out of the small, A2 size. (Fits 1/4 sheet of standard 8.5I x 11" paper or a 4.25 in. x 5.5 in. card. 


While indulging in some retail therapy, I came across the We R Memory Makers Envelope Punch Board. I thought it would be a useful tool for making envelopes in 60 different sizes. The punch board is available at Michael's, and you could get it cheaper with their coupon. I ordered it from Amazon at a much cheaper price.

There's a measurement guide printed on the tool as well as two paper inserts. It's too bad that We R Memory Makers went for pretty instead of functional. The aqua and buff print is hard to see for old eyes. Even my Seeing Eye Kid had trouble reading the guide. 

We ended taking screen shots of the guide from the We R Memory Makers website and through the magic of PSP changed the image to black and white so the guide can be more easily read.


I was making a Thinking of You card for a friend and wanted a matching envelope. The card is A2 and you find the card on the guide and look to see what size paper you need. In this case, 8 1/8 inch square and aligned to 3/4 inch on the guide.



From there, a simple process of scoring and punching



A bit of double stick tape or glue stick and a rounded corner to make the envelope look prettier. I only rounded the corner on the top flap as all the other flaps will be hidden when the envelope is sealed.


Et voila! A perfect envelope in the size and color I need.


We are Memory Makers has an instruction video on YouTube.


After all that hard work making an envelope, a well deserved cup of tea.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s blog to find out what the rest of the T gang is up to. If you want to play, include a beverage or beverage container in your post. Don’t forget to link your blog from Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s page.

Friday, January 15, 2021

The Friday Five Good Things


Five good things that happened this week.

1. Himself was craving something from Tony's, our local pizza and sub shop. No cooking for me!

2. A two, cowboy hat day.

3. New office supplies arrived

4. Organizing projects with clipboards that have storage space.

5. The Young One opened up an Etsy shop: Wish Upon A Spud

How was your week? 

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

T Stands for My Precious

I was picking up some office supplies. Glue sticks, double stick tape. And then, what the heck, a little retail therapy never hurt. Washi tape, functional pretty, and then I saw it


One tape to rule them all,
And to the paper bind them!


A black, Maneki-neko in a tea cup! Ink! My Precious!

Do you use washi tape or do you just look at it and pet it?

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s blog to find out what the rest of the T gang is up to. If you want to play, include a beverage or beverage container in your post. Don’t forget to link your blog from Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s page.



 

Friday, October 9, 2020

The Friday Five Good Things


 Five good things that happened this week.

1. I found Godzilla's heat ray, misplaced while cleaning.

2. The Eldest is making plans to move closer to the hospital where she works.

3. I saw the male cardinal at the feeder. The cardinals haven't been around for several weeks.

4. The shirt Himself ordered me arrived.

5. My computer chair has seen better days. Himself was using a kitchen chair when he worked in the office. We got early Christmas gifts and ordered new computer chairs.

How was your week?

Friday, July 3, 2020

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Took an online class on how to teach calligraphy on Zoom

2. Had my annual eye exam. I didn't need a new prescription (like I've had to get a new prescription each yer for the past 4 years) or a seeing eye dog!

3. Had a nice long chat with an old, high school friend from California

4.  While hanging out in the sunroom, we were able to hook up the little laptop to the television to watch Amazon Prime. We're currently watching DaVinci's Demons 

5.  The little laptop doesn't have a fast enough processor to run the document camera during a Zoom meeting/class, so Himself order me a new laptop as an early birthday present.

How was your week?

Friday, May 15, 2020

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1.For Mother's Day, Himself gave me a buoy bell windchime, with a black bear on the clapper, grilled Little Princess steaks (filet mignon wrapped in bacon), and baked brownies for dessert.

2. I also Skyped with the Eldest

3. I had fun playing with the Scan n Cut machine (to be seen in future blogposts)

4.  Himself also gave me a weather station as a very, early birthday present

5. With the weather finally warming up, we moved the television into the sun room.

How was your week?

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Throwback Thursday: What Was the Best Gift You Got As A Kid?


There were 2 gifts I got when I was a kid that I loved to death. And I still have them.

The first was the Spirograph, a drawing tool that made intricate designs using gears. I was around 10 or 11 years old when my parents gave this to me one Christmas. Out of all the gears that came with the set, only one small gear is missing. Not bad since a lot of children played with this set besides me in the 50 plus years I've had it.

The other gift was The Language Book. For those that followed my dad's Notebook series on Throwback Thursdays, this book was a Christmas in July gift from Charlie and Doris. They lived in West Newbury quite a distance from us, before the Interstate was put in. And the weather always seemed to turn bad during the Winter when my folks and Charlie and Doris would try to make arrangements for a holiday gathering. So, they decided to celebrate Christmas when the weather was better and traveling was easier during the Summer. I was 12 years old when I received this gift. The book covered the history of language from cave paintings to space communications. The subject just fascinated me and probably one of the reasons I majored in English Language and Literature in college.

What was the best gift you got as a kid?

Thursday, November 21, 2019

The New Toy

Not that I really wanted a new toy, but when buying from some sites, you need to spend a minimum dollar amount to get free shipping.Gawd forbid you don't get that free shipping. So I poked around the site to see if there was something I needed, wanted, or could use.


What's this?


A mini Buddha board. 5 inches square. The case opens up, and folds back like an easel. There's a small paintbrush, too. You can use any soft brush and water.


You wet the brush in water and then "paint" or doodle on the board. Then the drawing begins to evaporate. The board is clean, and you can start all over again. No paints, no inks, no real mess unless you spill your water container. I got this through Barnes and Noble. There's also a larger 9 inch x 12 inch board, too.

The perfect item to play with while you're on endless hold with customer service.

Friday, November 15, 2019

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Worked out the design for the Christmas card I am making for the card exchange with the women from the Saint Francis class at Enders

2. I enjoyed the altered book craft at my public library.

3. A new toy arrived in the mail.

4. On a frigid morning, a heated car seat is a very good thing.

5. Scored a pair of gloves on sale.

How was your week?

Monday, May 6, 2019

Happy Mail


Recently, I participated in a mail exchange hosted by Tiggy from Scotland. Back in the early to mid90s when the Internet and home computers was still sort of new, many calligraphers stumbled up a Listserve called Cyberscribes. Someone set up a chat room, and a bunch of us would hang out talk calligraphy, laugh, cry, the whole gamut that friends do. There were all sorts of art exchanges, ATCs, envelopes, small books. As the group grew and technology change, the listserve and chatroom became obsolete. No matter, many of us kept in touch by e-mail, exchanges, and meeting each other in person at conferences.

Then Facebook happened and with posts and messages, it's almost like the old listserve. Tiggy must have been feeling nostalgic so back in March asked people if they wanted to participate in a one on one exchange. You send something to one person, and they would send something back to you. The exchange would take place during the month of April.

I was partnered with long-time friend, Langley, from British Columbia in Canada. So I was tickled blue when her package arrived. An envelope covered in stamps, a pretty blue envelope beautifully addressed, and inside a very cool, clear pocket pencil case stuffed with fun goodies. Tiny brushes, a pretty notepad, small index cards, a lovely note, some erasers, and a couple of small, hard plastic, pouches to keep small papers from getting crushed. The pencil case fits perfectly in my tool tote and will keep me organized at workshops.

Thanks again, Langley. The pencil case is very cool, but your friendship is a real treasure.

Friday, February 8, 2019

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Found a calligraphic brush to use with Procreate on the iPad. Thinking of using the iPad for my demo in class instead of working on the chalkboard.

2. Got a text from the Eldest she wouldn't be able to do our weekly Skype because she was going to a friend's house to watch the Super Bowl. While I was sad I wouldn't be catching up with her, I was happy she seems to be settling in her new home and making friends.

3. Found a device for the basement that acts as a dehumidifier and purifies the air.  It doesn't need to be emptied either.

4. After 2 hour wait for paper work, we finally got to take the new car home.

5. I thought I lost my TARDIS and 10th Doctor car charms. I found them in a bag of trash when I cleaned out my car.

How was your week?

Friday, January 25, 2019

The Friday Five Good Things

Picture taken sometime between 1908 - 1910
Five good things that happened this week.

1. Had a nice long chat with my cousin making plans to see each other when the weather improves as we missed our annual Summer lunch.

2. We didn't lose electricity during the storm.

3. Himself wasn't using an Intuos pen tablet so now it's mine. Besides drawing with it, I can "mouse" with my left hand.

4. I won a postcard in a raffle from a blog buddy.

5. My cousin sent me a photo of his grandparents. Another piece of my genealogy puzzle. I got to "meet" my great-aunt Angelina and her husband, great-uncle Manny, the stone cutter.

How was your week?

Friday, September 28, 2018

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Nan and I spent a fun day at a Celtic Knotwork workshop.

2. Skype got all wonky during the weekly session with The Eldest. We texted each other while watching the finale of Worst Cooks.

3. Stopped in at the museum to photocopy some handouts. I lost one of my Weeping Angel earrings. It was found and returned to me.

4. Rescued Himself when the mechanic had to keep the car to have brake work done. Took Himself to school. Picked Himself up from school. We had a late lunch/early dinner and then went to pick up his car.

5. The new, flexible nib fountain pen I ordered arrived.

How was your week?

Friday, September 7, 2018

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1.  Spent the day in Boston with Nan

2. Happy, new, storage pouches arrived

3. Early dinner at the UXLocale as a last Summer hurrah.

4. the iPad Wi-Fi gave up the ghost in just a little over a month. A trip to the Apple store, and I left with a brand new iPad as the product was still under warranty.

5. I found something very cool in the garden.

How was your week?

Friday, August 31, 2018

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. Late night talk with Himself about hopes and dreams.

2. Art supplies for the Celtic workshop arrived. Love me new toys.

3. Had been told about Lily's chocolate. Not really a fan of dark chocolate, but found Lily's milk chocolate at the store. Tastes pretty good for no guilt

4. Laptop kept overheating. It's 8 years old and I don't think much long for this world. Managed to back up all the photos on it to Google Drive.

5. Repeat client called with a small job. A blessing for hands having work to do.

How was your week?