Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer

Palm "boot" piece, bow, eyes.

 When we lived in the panhandle of Florida, a parent of one of my kindergarteners presented me with the cutest "Rudolph" for a Christmas present. He had taken a "boot" from a palm tree, cleaned it, applied a clear varnish and added a bow and eyes--and of course, a cute nose.  When I went to hang "Rudolph" last year I realized the original bow, eyes and nose no longer looked very good. Still,  the tree piece was in great shape.  I removed the yellowing eyes, the crumpled and faded bow and the sad looking nose.

Hot glue bow, eyes and a nose.

The new, crisp bow just below the "antlers" part of the palm piece is now bright red (and made from outdoor, colorfast ribbon).The eyes are large, shiny "google" eyes and the new nose is a bright red. The transformation simply took some fresh ribbon, craft "google"eyes and a puffy craft ball and some hot glue to keep it all in place.

The old Rudolph is recycle, refurbished and renewed and . . . the handsome new Rudolph is ready to hang on a wreath on our front door.

Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer

Tag-It People! 

Bread, fruit, or veggie bag closure tags have an interesting flat shape. They are easy to come by and make cute little "Tag-it People." The best part is--they're free! Collect some tags and get some fine-tipped permanent markers. The tag points can be used as the "legs" of the Tag-it. Or, turn it upside-down and make the tag points look like pulled up pigtails. Look at some of the examples on the green board below and come up with some interesting Tag-its of your own. Tag-its are cute and positive little people you can use to "tag" someone and show them you care. Because of their shape, Tag-its will hook onto the bottom of a T-shirt, a belt loop or edge of a garment.

1. Most tags are plain. This one had a
paper attachment so I used it. 

2. Color both sides of the paper .

3. Cut the strip from edge to tag.

4. Add details to the tag to make a Tag-it Person.

5. Curl the strips to make "hair."

6. Just a few of my collection of Tag-its along with plain ones ready to be inked. 

Tag-its are not intended for small children. Keep small items like this away from children under 3 yrs. of age. 

If you create an especially cute Tag-it, please send it to my blog so that I can post it. 

Mini Picture Frames

Recently I received a piece of jewelry and hated to think of throwing away the cute little hinged box it came in. (Okay, I have "recycling" in my blood. It must be part of my DNA. I don't like to throw things away--especially if I can find another way to repurpose them.)

Anyway, I turned the hinged box over in my hand a few times and then realized that when it sat sideways it looked like a little picture frame. I removed the inside silky lining and cut a picture to fit in one side and made up a little verse for the other side. Of course, two pictures inside would have been nice too. Once the box is turned over on its side, it sits nicely on a flat surface. Kiddos will especially like that the box can close on its hinge and hide the picture(s) inside. That makes for even more fun. Decorate the outside with markers, or glue on plastic "gems" or foamy pieces to make the picture frame unique.

Time Capsule News

There are a lot of fun and historical things happening around the state of Florida in celebration of our 500 Birthday. 

My book, Happy Birthday, Florida! (1513-2013) was honored recently with inclusion in the time capsule event at the Seminole County Public Library System, East Branch. I was able to read a poem, "Florida's Name" from the book.  Now, if I can just live long enough to be at the "unearthing" in 50 years! 

Newest Book

It's here! I finished Happy Birthday, Florida! in time to have it available for the many festivities happening in and around the state as it celebrates its 500 "birthday."

When Ponce de Leon arrived and called the lovely land "La Florida" he was referring, no doubt, to the budding spring that surrounded him and his crew.

As the ending of "Florida's Name" states:

It's good he came in springtime
And not during torrential rain,
Or else our lovely Florida
Might have been named--
    "La Hurricane."

This book is loaded with zany and thought-provoking poems intended for the 3rd gr. to middle-school audience. But, as always, adults tell me they love the poems as much as the kids.
Happy Birthday, Florida!
1513-2013