More Bright Ideas Class 2014

Studio Calico currently has a class called "More Bright Ideas" which is designed to inject creativity into scrapbook layouts or card-making by using items/ideas that are not used that often in layouts/cards.  An example of this would be using a monogram.  We were challenged to use a monogram in our layouts; here is my take.

Scrapbook Page that tells a Story

Studio Calico recently challenged its online community to make a scrapbook layout that would allow the pictures to tell a story.  I've added some very simple journaling to describe that particular day.  I was very lucky to win the challenge- the Studio Calico community is filled with talented people.

Letterboxing

Letterboxing is just so much fun!  It is an archaic form of geocaching in which one relies on environmental clues to "find" the letterbox.  Once found, you can stamp your store-bought or homemade stamp into the journal left in the letterbox.  The letterbox will also have a stamp made by the owner of the letterbox that you can then stamp in your journal.  The above photo is a page from my daughter's journal- someone had made "James Bond" themed stamp to be located in Bond Park!  Love it!  You can find local letterboxes here online: www.letterbox.org
Have fun!

Oh Deer Me Kit from Freckled Fawn

Freckled Fawn makes a cute monthly kit called "Oh Deer Me".  Every month a kit arrives that contains a stamp set, stickers, washi tape, wood embellishments, etc.
You can find out more about it here:  www.ohdeerme.com

Lindsay Letters

This was a recent project I made using Lindsay Letter's beautiful print (she has so many!!!).  Take a look at her shop- it is just filled with loveliness!
Linky: http://lindsayletters.com/

A spoonful of science....finally! Fun with DNA!

OK, it is about time that I add some science to this blog largely devoted to all things arts & crafts (I did put it in my blog title...).  I think that elementary school is a great time to teach kids about DNA and some elementary principles of genetics!  While helping my Girl Scout Juniors earn their "Detective" badge, I threw in some additional items to earn an additional "Make your own" Science badge. As everyone knows, above is a depiction of DNA- a double stranded helical molecule encoding information to encode all sorts of proteins.  I could go on and on about how fascinating it is: but I won't so as to keep this post within reasonable length!

I had the girls isolate their OWN DNA by themselves (no need to be in a lab, but parental supervision is required) and they had a blast.
First, the following ingredients are required:  few drops of dishwasher soap, 6-8 milliliters of COLD isopropyl ethanol (70% is fine), pinch of salt, container with a cap and saliva (DNA source).
Have each child spit into the container until they have between 1 milliliter and 2 milliliters of saliva(the girls thought this was gross at first, but then hilarious).  Next add a few drops of dishwasher soap (or any kind of soap)- this breaks open cells and releases the DNA.  Gently tap the container to mix the saliva and the soap.  Add a pinch of salt to aggregate the DNA that is in the solution (you won't be able to see it yet).  Finally add 6-8 milliliters of COLD isopropyl ethanol to allow the DNA to "come out" or precipitate out of solution by gentle inversion of the container (will have to do this several times) and you'll be able to see it!  Yup, your DNA is that stringy slimy white clump!  All the girls brought their DNA home to show their parents- they were pretty proud of themselves! 

To add to the fun you can set up a fictional mystery.  I explained that when you add certain enzymes that can cut up DNA (restriction enzymes), that each person will have a unique DNA fingerprint when run on an electrophoresis gel (don't worry about this part- you have to run this in a lab).  You can set up a fictional mystery and use DNA fingerprinting to figure out the thief, etc.  My 9-10 year old girls were easily able to solve the mystery, once I explained what to look for on the electrophoresis gel (distinctive pattern).

My girls definitely thought that DNA was fun!

Kal Barteski- Life Scripted Class at Studio Calico

So excited for the Life Scripted class that starts on Feb 1st at Studio Calico.  I had to use the flyer (script is by Kal- see her blog: http://lovelife.typepad.com/  ) in a layout as I love how it looks and what it says (I want this to be my mantra for 2014).  There is still time to sign up for the class at Studio Calico, here is the link: http://www.studiocalico.com/shop/classrooms/life-scripted