Bookmarks

I love making bookmarks since I use them all the time.They are very easy to make.  It's a great kid's craft looks nice, easy and you don't have to be precise.

With these bookmarks I used Tags that I got from the craft store. You can also use cardstock. It has to be heavy paper to keep it from curling with all the paint and Mod Podge.

Materials needed:

• Card Stock or Tags
• Mod Podge
• Paint (2 or more colors) Acrylic works well and is cheap
• Paint Brush or make up sponge
• Picture (I like page a day calendars)
• Ribbon or Yarn

Time: 15 to 30 minutes depending on how fancy you get.

Lord of the Rings 2005 Calendar

First, I painted the tag with a light brown color and sponged on an old gold color. I prefer make-up sponges because they are around the house and do a good job. You can by the expensive sponges at the craft store, they work well, too. They hold up to multiple washing better than the make up sponges. I used acrylic paints (the ones for $1 a bottle) which don't take very long to dry.

While it's drying I pick out a picture usually from a page a day desk calendar. Once it's dried I put Mod Podge on the tag and carefully place the picture on top. I pat it down then Mod Podge over top of it. It will dry clear. I find a ribbon and stick it on top.

From a Teddy Bear a day calendar

For the Teddy Bear book mark I used a fun looking yarn that I got at Big Lots. These also make great cat toys. I also used a grommet for the top hole since I had them lying around and thought hit might look nice. It is not necessary. I just end up with so much odds and ends from various craft projects that I try to use up materials any way I can.

This last one I went a little overboard on. I had a package of scrapbooking stickers and decided to use them all on one bookmark. I painted the tag blue and sponged a lighter blue on it just for extra color. I'm not an artist, I just think it looks better with at least 2 colors. I had just regular blue ribbon and tied a dolphin ceramic figure/bead at the end. It's nice, but the dolphin is a bit too much. I also had to glue the dolphin onto the ribbon to make sure he would stay. I don't think I'll make another bookmark with such a heavy end piece. 

The shirt also keeps the book from laying flat, so I haven't used it very much. It is fun to look at, though.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

1 serving
440 calories

8 oz Almond Milk (60 calories)
1 scoop protein powder (80 calories)
3 tablespoons chia seeds (150 calories for 3 tablespoons)
1 banana (100 calories)
6 frozen strawberries (50 calories)

Blend.

I use a lot of Chia seeds because they are so nutritious, have 5 grams of protein per serving (3 tablespoons), loads of fiber and I like the texture. If you're watching calories cut down on those.

This will be a smoothie I make often. It is simple and delicious.

Cake Batter Protein Shake

Cake Batter Protein Shake

8 oz Almond Milk
1 scoop VANILLA protein powder (I use Garden of Life Raw)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon butter extract (sounds weird, smells like movie theater butter popcorn)
1 tablespoon fat/sugar free vanilla pudding mix
1 Banana
2 cups ice cubes


Blend.

This wasn't a favorite of mine. I don't like ice cubes because they dilute the shake and don't add much to it. It might have been better if I had used vanilla protein powder, but I added the vanilla to hopefully  make up for that. Other recipes on the web show sprinkles on top. I didn't use them b/c I don't care for meaningless garnish. I might make it again when I get vanilla protein powder.

UPDATE: Do NOT use unflavored protein powder.I have revised it in the recipe. I also added a banana, because just cake batter is bland. Next time I will use frozen strawberries instead of  ice cubes. I'd rather have the added nutrition.

Strawberry Shortcake Protein Shake

Strawberry Shortcake Protein Shake
 It was a nice shake, but I think a straight out Strawberry Protein Shake would have been just as good.

Strawberry Protein Shake
1 serving = 350 calories


1 scoop protein powder  (Vanilla might make a good base, I usually use Garden of Life Raw Protein                                                     powder without a flavor.)
8 oz Almond Milk
6 large strawberries
1 tsp sugar and fat free vanilla pudding mix
2 tbs Chia seeds (I use these b/c they are nutritionally great and don't really impart a taste)

To make it a bit more vanilla-y I put in some vanilla extract.

Blend.

Cherry Vanilla Protein Shake

I've gotten started with drinking protein shakes for breakfast. I'm starting to really like them. They are filling, easy and packed with lots of vitamins and protein.

Today's shake is:

 Cherry Vanilla Protein Shake.

1 serving  = 285 calories and 23 grams of protein

1 cup Almond Milk
1 Scoop Protein Powder (I used Garden of Life Raw Protein, unflavored)
1/2 cup of frozen dark sweet cherries
2 tablespoons of chia seeds
1 tsp of vanilla extract

Blend it all up!

NaNoWriMo 2013

This year I will be participating again. I started in 2006 - 2010 and 'won' each time. I sort of quit doing it. I don't know why, because it is a lot of fun.

It is Day 3 and I should have 5,001 words written. Instead, I'm just writing in my blog.

Deep Scatter Etsy Shop

Deep Scatter is my Etsy shop. I am trying to clear out my craft room and am selling all my assorted crafty things I never got around to selling.

I love the idea of up-cycling and when I had small laptop and a few computer keyboards to throw out, I took out the parts that I thought looked the most interesting. I was hoping to make some sort of magnet set or jewelry items from them, but (per usual) I never got around to doing it.

On Etsy I have these items for sale: