A Make It! Monday Follow-Up

So after I posted the Office Survival Kit last week, I thought of a few more things you might want to consider adding to your kit:
 - a travel-sized lin roller (particularly if you have pets that shed)
 - a travel-sized can of Static Guard
 - a stain remover pen like Tide-To-Go
 - a microwaveable bowl and plate
 - instant oatmeal packets (nothing beats a bowl of hot oatmeal on a cold winter's morning)
 - an extra pair of pantyhose (it never fails - the only day your nylons run is the day you're going out with the girls after work; this way you have a back-up available!)
 - an extra cell-phone charger

I've got some great Halloween-themed ideas for the next two Make It! Mondays that you'll want to come check out! Plus, watch for my review of my evening at the dinner theater with my partners-in-crime from work.

Until next time,
J.

Make It! Monday: The Office Survival Kit

Yes, yes...I know it's Wednesday.  I've been sick with the flu for the last couple of days.  But on the plus side, it gace me extra time to prepare this week's Make It! Monday post LOL!

Today, my gift to you is the "Office Survival Kit" (I call mine my "Box o' Wonders").  I got this idea from my mom when I started my second job.  My first job was right downtown, so if I suddenly needed something, I was minutes away from a large shopping center with everything you could want.  My second job was in an industrial area and wasn't as conveniently located.  My wise mama suggested I should put this together for any small emergencies I may encounter.  It's really easy to put together, and really inexpensive as well! Who doesn't love that? All you need is a large, plastic food storage container, like a Ziploc container.  Then, you fill it with things that will make your work life more comfortable.  The list below is by no means all-inclusive - there may things that aren't here that you want to add.  It's also tailored towards the ladies, but by leaving out a few things you could easily make one of these for the special man in your life.

Items for your survival kit:
Health:
 - Tylenol/aspirin/ibuprofen
 - Midol/Pamprin
 - allergy pills
 - cough drops
 - antacids
 - pocket-sized hand sanitizer
 - band-aids

Hygiene:
 - toothbrush/toothpaste
 - pocket/purse-sized hairbrush or comb
 - deodorant (this comes in very handy when you're going out after work)
 - trial-sized perfume (see above)
 - small manicure set
 - feminine hygiene products

Miscellaneous:
 - set of inexpensive utensils (great for those days when you forget to bring a spoon for your Chunky soup)
 - can opener
 - change for the vending machine (for your "Gimme chocolate before I hurt someone" moments)
 - small sewing kit

If you have additional space to store supplies, you may want to consider the following items as well:
 - tea bags and/or instant coffee (especially if your office has coffee like mine LOL!)
 - snacks for the afternoon munchies (granola bars, cereal bars, individually packaged crackers and snacks, etc.)
 - jar of peanut butter (saves you having to bring small portions of it for your bagel)
 - box of crackers (add this to the above item and you have an instant lunch, especially if you forgot the one you made last night - yes, I have done this)
 - cleaning supplies (I have a canister of cleaning wipes, a swiffer and a dustcloth - I work in a very dry, dusty office and these things come in very handy)

Take my advice: make yourself one of these kits, and you'll be prepared for anything life throws at you! Or at least, some of it!

Until next time,
J.

Ever wonder what happens...

...when artists get bored at work? The results may look something like this:

This is an 8"x8"  digital layout I did using the words of the Lady Antebellum song "I Was Here" (you can find it on the "Act of Valor" soundtrack or iTunes).  I'd been listening to the song a LOT and when I thought about the words I just kept seeing a sign somewhere that read "I was here".  I did an online seach in Microsoft Word and I found this picture, and it was perfect!  Once I had my picture all I had to do was add the title to the sign and put in a text box for the lyrics.  The hardest part was finding a font colour that would show up well against all the different background colours.

I love the message in this song about leaving something of yourself behind so that future generations will know who you were that you were here.  That's the very reason that I scrapbook!

Until next time,
J.

Welcome to Make It! Monday!

I'm going to *try* to make this a regular weekly feature here at This Beautiful Life.  I'll be sharing recipes and directions to make some of my favourite foods, crafts and activities

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, today's activity is "The Blessing Tree".  I often do this with my Sunday School classes to help illustrate just how much we have to thank God for.  The best part is, all of the materials are things you probably already have around your home, and if there's anything you do need to buy, they're inexpensive items.  Here's what you'll need:
 - a large dead branch with no leaves - try to find one with lots of smaller branches and twigs on it
 - a large bucket or pot filled with dirt
 - construction paper
 - large apple or leaf paper punches (you can also draw and cut these by hand if you choose - since I'm basically lazy and can't draw to save my life, I use the punches)
 - pens/pencils/markers/coloured pencils/crayons
 - scissors
 - hole punch
 - yarn or string

1.  Punch out apples and/or leaves from construction paper.  Punch holes in the top of each one and thread a short piece of yarn/string through and hole.  Knot the end to make a hanging loop.
2.  Give your kids some writing implements and encourage them to think of as many things as they can that they can be thankful for.  Encourage them to be creative! Nothing is too small or insignificant to be thankful for.
3.  While they're doing that,  "plant" your branch in your pot or bucket.  Then make some apples and leaves of your own!
4.  Hang your apples and leaves on the tree. 

And voila! You now have a visual reminder of all the blessings God has showered upon your family!

Tip: If you have enough different shapes you can use, consider making a different set of shapes for each child.  Alternately, you could use one shape and make it in different colours for each child.

Until next time,
J.