All posts tagged: diy

BookS on MondaY: Guest Post~Creating the Perfect Outdoor Reading Space

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By Leslie Lindsay  I don’t know about you, but I’ve been getting these gorgeous catalogs from Frontgate, PotteryBarn and Ballard Designs with the most to-die-for outdoor seating areas. For a brief moment, I am transported to the backyard oasis of my dreams with a book in hand. But when I look out my window, I see brown (getting greener by the day, though), and desolate flower beds. And then Jen Altrogee came to me with this stunning how-to; transforming those brambles and brown into a world glittering with color and books. I’m honored to welcome Jen to the blog and to share her lovely article on creating outdoor reading spaces. Roll up your sleeves and dig in! “Unless you live in Miami or San Francisco, you’re most likely over winter. Over the cold, wind chill, and slush. In preparation for the warmer weather, I am going to give you 5 tips for creating the perfect outdoor reading space that will serve you from spring to fall (and possibly well into winter depending on how far south …

Apraxia Monday: Gnoming for Words

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By Leslie Lindsay Looking for some crafty things to do with your children during the winter months?  This one lends well to the spring season as you can make these Hobbit-inspired homes now, and then spray with that really great preservation stuff and place in a protected area of your yard/porch to attract little fairies and gnomes.  Perfect for that Irish-themed holiday right around the corner!    Now, don’t get wrong, this is not a how-to post on creating your own gnome homes, rather it’s a lesson on how to incorporate speech-language skills into your projects.            Rule #1:  You don’t have to be an artist.  Repeat that.  You don’t have to be an artist.                 Rule #2:  It’s about the process, and not the finished art piece           Rule #3:  Grab your child(ren).            Rule #4:  It’s okay to get messy, encouraged even.  (Wear old clothes or a smock)           Rule #5:  Have fun! Now for that part about how to incorporate speech work into your crafting.  For children of all ages and all skill levels, you can begin …

The Teacher is Talking: How to Love Creatively This Valentine’s Day

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By Leslie Lindsay Love is in the air…and I have a special guest post to share with you all today! This one is brought to you by the authors of The Missing Alphabet, A Parents’ Guide to Developing Creative Thinking in Kids,  Susan Marcus, Susie Monday, and Dr. Cynthia Herbert.   (image source: Amazon.com on 2.5.13.  Available in e-reader and paper form) 9 Creative Ways to Help Kids Say I Love You  by Susan Marcus Got a tactile-learner? A kid who loves to dance? Or maybe your child really loves color? While every child has a constellation of Sensory Alphabet strengths (shape, color, movement and sound are just a few), your child probably has one or two that really stand out — that you notice in his or her artwork or in elements of his or her collections and activities. Valentine’s Day crafts provide ways for parents to nurture these strengths and help kids say I love you in fun creative ways. Below are craft ideas designed for each element of the Sensory Alphabet. SHAPE: Is your …

Ficiton Friday: Amoxicillin Meets Decorating Meets Literary Agent

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By Leslie Lindsay Today I learned that an literary agent who I have had some “interest” in will be featured at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Writer’s Institute.  I have been to both continuing studies programs the university hosts for writers.  I love them.  I was kind of considering going again this April, but hadn’t made a formal committment.  Now that this agent is going to be there–and offering a chance for me to pitch my novel–I just may sign up.  But it scares the bejeesus outta me!  Sure–my ultimate hope is for is my book face out at a local bookstore.  Sure, I want readers.  And I guess it’s got to start somewhere, right?  That means I need to finish polishing this darn thing pronto!  That means I need to get some homework done before I pitch–what does my book compare to?  What else is out there like it?  Who do I write like?  And then I need to drop 10 lbs and get a new outfit.  Sounds so simple, right? Okay–here’s my revised chapter …

The Teacher is Talking: De-junking Your Kid’s Space

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By Leslie Lindsay Last Tuesday, we tackled the junky room of the century (my daughter’s) and now we’re moving on to the basement playroom.  While I love the idea of this space, I have a hard time keeping it clean–or rather, teaching my daughters to keep it clean.  Together, we worked out some of the kinks.  That’s not to say it will continue to be clutter-free, but when I indicated the basement playroom is still part of the house (not just a dumping ground), and that we put things away after playing just like we would in a classroom, they began to “get it.”  Here are some ideas that may work for you: Locate several buckets/tubs and mark them: “Donate,”  “Resale,” “Repurpose” Grab a trash bag.  Mark it “Trash.”  Then find a big paper shopping bag.  Mark is “recycle.”  That’s for all of the construction paper scraps and projects that are no longer. Turn on some music that you and your kids like.  You may even consider setting a timer, if your kiddos respond to that kind …