creativezazz.com

Roadrunners Rock

Need to add some spice to school spirit day on Friday? Check out creativezazz Chaparral Roadrunner t-shirts. Fun, colorful, retro style t-shirts featuring a roadrunner. A percentage of profits will be donated back to Chaparral Elementary in Claremont, CA. I’m putting the designs on bags, mugs and other items as well.

Let me know if you have other ideas you want me to work on to help support our school.

I have designs up at my Zazzle shop. Zazzle sometimes has coupon codes, so do a Google search or Twitter search using “Zazzle” and “Coupon Code” before ordering. I put up codes on the creativezazz twitter account when I hear of them.

Just Out: A Must-Have Book for Every Star Wars Lego Fan!

This book is sure to become a collector’s item . . . and it comes with a special mini-figure!

Just out in time for the holidays is a new visual dictionary of Star Wars Lego. My son’s room is filled with Star Wars Legos sets, and he is going to love this book when he unwraps it.  The book has lush photos of all the Star Wars sets and mini-figures.

I got mine at the Lego Store the day it came out and was very impressed. The store had promotional games and even people dressed up in top-notch clone trooper costumes. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a Lego Store nearby, but it also at bookstores, Lego.com and Amazon. If you know a kid who loves Star Wars Legos, get this book and get your holiday shopping done early. The book is reasonably priced as well.

The book comes with a cool mini figure. The mini figure and the book itself are bound to become collector’s items.

Product Description
In true DK style, LEGO® Star Wars ™: The Visual Dictionary elucidates, illuminates, and
excites even the most discerning LEGO Group, Star Wars™, and minifigure fans around the
world.. Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Yoda, Luke Skywalker, and more are brought to life with
dozens of little-known facts and hundreds of photos, as are accessories, vehicles, weapons,
and even the Death Star! Learn about the history, manufacture, and construction of the
minifigures of the Star Wars galaxy, and come away a LEGO® Jedi Master.

Product Details

* Reading level: Ages 4-8
* Hardcover: 96 pages
* Publisher: DK Publishing (October 5, 2009)
* Language: English
* ISBN-10: 0756655293
* ISBN-13: 978-0756655297
* Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 10 x 0.9 inches

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning book, Love it!, October 7, 2009
By L. A. REED
Very nice hardback book with lots of stunning pictures of what else? Star Wars Legos!

We are big fans of Legos in general and this book did not disappoint. It came with a bonus Luke Skywalker mini-figure. As with all DK books, you get great pictures, thorough descriptions, and just a generally enjoyable book to collect or read.

I bought 2 copies of this book, one to read, and one to collect.

The only thing that bothered me a (very tiny) little bit was how the Luke Skywalker mini-fig was packaged. At first glance it looks like a much thicker book, but about half of the thickness is a spacer placed inside the book to make room for the mini-fig, so it lays flush with the front cover. I posted some pictures on the main item page if you want to see what I mean. Nothing that I would knock a star off for though.

Overall, we are VERY happy with this book. Great price for a quality book that will not disappoint young and old!

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for Lego Star Wars Fans and Collectors, October 7, 2009
By Wendy Woudstra “PublishingCentral.com” (Ontario, Canada) -
My son adores Lego, and the Star Wars sets in particular. When this book arrived in our mailbox, he was gone for hours, hiding in his room poring over all the sets he has, the sets he wants, the sets he missed out on, the evolution of the various mini-figures, everything else included in this volume. While this book would NOT be appreciated by someone who isn’t a die-hard fan of the LEGO series, for those who collect, play with, and love the sets, it’s a great book at a great price.

The only problem with the book is that it will be out of date as soon as next season’s Lego Star Wars sets are announced.

On a final note, I didn’t realize when I ordered that it also came with a unique minifig, which is already selling on Ebay for more than the discounted price of the book.

Related post: Darth Maul Picking His Nose

Here’s some great tips on finding the best gifts for a volleyball coach. Affordable gifts for a volleyball coach, and a few that cost a bit more as well. Let me know if you have other volleyball coach gift ideas.

Photo Volleyball Trophy
I found a company that creates unique Volleyball Coach Gifts by printing a team photo directly onto a special trophy volleyball.

You order photo volleyballs from Balls to Go through Amazon. Here is a sample of what one team ordered.

You would need to plan ahead if you want to give this custom gift.

Volleyball Fleece Blanket

Love it Volleyball fleece blanket. Great gift.

Mini Volleyball Signed by the Team

This cute volleyball is a scaled down version of a real ball, but can easily be displayed on a shelf. Get the team to sign it in different colored Sharpies and you have a great coach gift.

Net Threat Volleyball Coach T-shirt

Creativezazz’s own Net Threat design on a black t-shirt with “Coach” on the back. How cool is that? Other designs available through Cafepress and Printfection.

Top Quality Custom Volleyball Ceramic Travel Mug and Sigg Water Bottles

Custom creativezazz volleyball designs are now available on quality travel mugs and Sigg water bottles. Order these quality gifts for volleyball coaches through my Cafepress shop.

Custom creativezazz designs are now available at my Zazzle shop.

make custom gifts at Zazzle

Gourmet coffee gift basket with a volleyball theme cup.

Oooh La La! Beautiful gold charm. Everybody kick in and this would be a great gift.

Every coach needs a flaming volleyball decal on his or her car. Get one for yourself as well.

Related post:
Volleyball tote bags

Creativezazz Cafepress Shops Now Open

Looking for cool volleyball t-shirts or gifts?  Creativezazz volleyball designs are up at my CafePress shops. Each design has a separate shop.

Just click on an image below to go to the right CafePress shop. Creativezazz CafePress shops include volleyball t-shirts and volleyball water bottles and volleyball mugs along with other great volleyball gifts. All designs are copyright creativezazz. Colorful, fun styles make great gifts for volleyball players or coachs.

You can also find my designs on t-shirts at Printfection and at Zazzle.  All the shops have t-shirts, but each has some other items as well. Shop from the site that has the best promotion and save.

To go to a CafePress shop, click on the image you like below.

CafePress often has coupon codes. Check here to see if there is a current coupon at CafePress

Related posts:

Best gifts for a volleyball coach

Volleyball shirt with numbers on the back

Best names for a volleyball team

Volleyball t-shirts and more (Printfection)

Volleyball tote bags

Here’s how to make deluxe bookmarks that look like they came from a upscale bookstore. Personalized bookmarks make a small extravagance perfect for a gift or party favor.

I made these baseball bookmarks to give out to the members of my son’s Little League Team at the end-of-season party.  If you bought these at a bookstore or gift shop they would run $3 to $4 a piece. They take a little time to make, but the cost breaks down to less than 50 cents each in supplies.

Step One:  Make the Art

Using photo imaging software (I use Photoshop) create your artwork to fit a 2″ x 6″ area.

These are printable bookmarks. You can print them yourself if you have a good printer. Or you can have them printed at a photo place. Remember that when you get photos printed, the edges often get trimmed a bit.  So do not include any vital art in the edge border.

Open a new file that is 4 x 6.  Duplicate your artwork and position 2 copies inside the new file so that you print two bookmarks on one 4 x 6 photo.

Have your photo printed on lustre finish (not glossy). Lustre is more durable and does not show fingerprints.

Step Two: Back and Trim the Bookmark

Once your photo is printed, you will want to back it with acid-free cardstock.  You can buy cardstock in 8.5″ x 11″or  scrapbook paper works as well.  Plain or a pattern will work. You can get paper at craft stores or online.

Carefully glue down the photos. If you do happen to get glue on the front of the photo, use rubbing alcohol to wipe it off. Next use an Exacto knife and straight edge to trim.

Separate the two bookmarks

Bookmarks with rounded corners look more professional.  Luckily it is easy to make them with a handy corner punch you can pick up for a few dollars at a craft store or online.

Step Three: Attach a Tassel

Use a hole punch to make a hole in the top. You can use a standard hole punch, or use a simple shape.  I used a star punch for this bookmark.

To attach a tassel, loop it through the hole as shown in the following photos. You can use store-bought tassels or make your own. 

Et voila! You now know how to make a bookmark that looks like you got it in a bookstore. My daughter and I make these and sell them at craft fairs.  We also give them as gifts.  I like to add them to a present in place of a gift card.

Now that you know an easy way to make bookmarks, get inspired by checking out some of my other bookmark designs. If you are a scrapbooker, you can probably find lots of paper, stamps, and punches to come up with interesting bookmark designs.

I’d love to hear your ideas about custom bookmark designs. I think they would make a creative party favor for a wedding, Bar Mitzvah or birthday party.

Related post: How to make a Tassel

Best Volleyball Team Names

Looking for an interesting volleyball team name suggestions? Try thinking of volleyball terms and then coming up with catchy slogans.

Let me know if you use any of these volleyball team names, or if you have other creative, clever, or funny volleyball team names you think should be added. Feel free to link to this page.

Follow volleyballzazz on Twitter for the latest Amazon deals on volleyball stuff.

By the way, creativezazz is designing volleyball t-shirts based on some of these names. Check them out.

Blockbusters

Bumping Maniacs

Spiked Punch

Serves You Right

Net Domination

Dig This!

Smashers

Block Party

Great Deals on Volleyball Jewelry at Amazon

Monster Spikes

Net Results

Over the Top

Spin Doctors

Go Take a Spike

Smashers

Spikers

Soaring at the Net

Now Serving

Slammers

Hit It!

Crush

Serves It Up

Jolly Volley

Fireballs

White Lightening

Net Masters

Bump it Up

Volleyball Above All

Smash Flash

Set to Win

Jet Set

Like to Spike

You Bet We Are Set

Attack Pack

Aces

Volley Vipers

Blocker Rockers

Atomic Block

Jump & Bump

Net Threat

All Set at the Net

Spin to Win

Digger Vigor

Hit and Miss

Dazzle

In Motion

Red Hot Spikers

Cool Blue

Fast and Furious

Dig Big

Volleywood

Spiker Chicks

Some Spike it Hot

On Your Knees

Airborne

Passing Fancy

Razzle Dazzle

Sugar and Spike

You Can’t Touch This!

Sizzle

Can You Dig It?

Dynomite

Tidal Wave

Spikaholics

Showtime

Lightning Spike

Smack it Back

On Fire

High Velocity

Speedy Spikers

Unstoppable

Untouchable

Score More

Make a Pass and Score

We Will Block You

Spike-edelic (psychedelic)

Red Hot SILLY Peppers

Sugar & Spike

You Got Serve

Saber Tooth Spikers

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Serve-ivors

To Kill a Rocking’ Serve

Itsy Bitsy Spikers

Mission Unblockable

Hit Squad

Tidal Wave

Serves of Steel

Some Serve

Serving Samuri

That’s the Way–uh huh, uh huh–I Spike It

Itsy Bitsy Spikers

Mission Unblockable

Teamwork

Net Ninjas

Sizzle

If you like these names, show your support by “digging” this post. Just click the digg button above.

Follow me on twitter for new names, great deals on volleyball stuff, and news about volleyball in Claremont CA.

Check out my t-shirt designs at Printfection and at Cafepress and at Zazzle. These shops often have coupon codes, so check for codes by googling the name of the shop and the word “coupon code” before ordering.

related posts:
Summer Volleyball Camps in Inland Valley CA

Best Gifts for a Volleyball Coach

Volleyball T-shirts at Printfection

How to Name a Sports Team

Volleyball T-shirts and Water Bottles at Cafepress

Great Books for Boys with a Movie Out or in the Works

How to Get Free Tickets to Legoland California

Review of a great Surf Camp in a cute beach town in northern San Diego. We loved it.

Shatterball 3-D Volleyball Static Cling Window Decal

Easy Custom-Made Baby Gift

New moms really treasure handmade baby gifts. Here’s an easy craft you can do with just cloth diapers, ribbon, and a straight stitch on a sewing machine. These cloths are perfect for throwing on your shoulder when holding baby.

Click on pics to see larger version.

Buy a set of cloth diapers and some ribbon.

Prewash and iron diapers to avoid shrinkage after you put ribbon on.

Measure and cut two pieces of ribbon that are the length of the diaper. These will go down the center.

Next pin on the ribbon about a third of the way in from each side.

Sew down.

Next cut the ribbon for the bottom.  Make it about an inch longer than the width of the diaper so that you can fold over the ends to prevent fraying.

Use an iron to fold over the ends twice to create a nice edge.

Wrap the folded edge around the back of the diaper, then pin the ribbon on at the edge.

Now pin into place.

Sew it down along both edges of the ribbon.

Trim off an excess threads, and you are done!

Use coordinating ribbons if you are making a set of baby burp cloths as a gift.

Every time the new mom uses these pretty handmade cloths she will think of how much her friends love and support her . . . the best gift of all for a new mom who may not be getting enough sleep and may be overwhelmed by motherhood. Let me know if you like this idea or if you have other suggestions. Did you know that Amazon has great deals on baby gifts? You can read real customer reviews, which makes shopping easy. And many of them qualify for free shipping.

Check out my post on donating umbilical cord blood. I tell about my experience donating cord blood. If you want details on how and why to donate, read my hubpage on umbilical cord donating. I highly recommend donating cord blood. It is a precious fluid that is discarded if not banked for private use or donated.

Donating umbilical cord blood is free, and it may save a life.

Check out my post on how to make bookmarks from a photo. You could make a cute bookmark with baby pics.

Yoga is a great way for a new mom to get in shape and relax. Here’s my post on how to make a yoga mat tote bag.

Creative Halloween Ideas for Halloween Decorating

Bestsellers in Baby at Amazon

Buying used figure skates is risky business. But you can save half off or even more. Check out these tips from a figure skating mom.

Check eBay and other online sources (search “used figure skates” also try “ice skates“), and you will see lots of offers.

Check this link for skates at Amazon and you will find both new and used skates.

You can also find used skates at some skate shops and sports shops. Also check bulletin boards at the rink. Don’t buy the first cheap skate you see.

What to avoid: anything with heavy creases at the ankle, a sign that the boot is broken down and won’t support you; rough patches inside the boot, which can lead to blisters; and rusty or nicked blades.

Be sure you consider only boots and blades that fit your level of skating.  Do not buy a boot for a more advanced level, just because you can get a deal. More advanced boots are stiff to support jumps. You do not want super stiff boots if you are a beginner. New skates for advanced skaters are too stiff for beginners. The toe pick is also too big for beginners. Used skates can be less stiff, but the toe pick stays the same . . . still too big for beginners.

You take a risk when you buy used skates online because there is no way to test how broken down the leather is. That being said, I bought my daughter’s third pair (pictured here) used from a shop in New York without trying them on (we live in Southern California). They were the same brand and model as at our shop but half the price. I think I paid about $110, whereas the shop at the rink was charging about $250.  The photo and description looked good. And I felt comfortable about the shop owner after she told me exactly how to measure my daughter’s feet and asked many questions about her skating level. She sharpened the blades and threw in a pair of soakers. The only flaw: the chrome on the lace eyelets was not as shiny as the brand new ones her friends had.

I think used skates in good condition might be just fine for a beginner if you are careful about what you buy. A beginner might even like the fact that the skates were “broken in” a bit. More advanced skaters needing stability for jumps should probably steer clear of used skates. If possible have a coach check used skates out before you buy.

ZÜCA Spotz and Pink Sport Frame & Bag

With the money you save buying used skates, you could get a ZÜCA bag. This is the hot bag to have for the ice. Amazon has them in all different colors and styles. If you buy through Amazon, please use my link (I am an Amazon affiliate).

If you are a skate mom and spend a lot of time at the rink, check out the Amazon Kindle. The best way to read while your daughter skates!

If you are thinking about buying new skates, please read my tips for buying new figure skates first.

Whether you buy used or new, please be sure to dry the blades after each use (so they won’t rust). See links below for more information on proper care of skates and blades.

Let me know if these tips on buying used ice skates helped. Good Luck.

For more skating tips, follow me on twitter
Follow @figureskatezazz

Related posts:
How to buy a figure skating competition dress
Best Gifts for a Figure Skater
My eHow on How to Sharpen Skates Properly to Give You an Edge.
My eHow on How to Skates for Skates Properly to Make Them Last
Best Zuca Skate Bags
How to Buy Figure Skates for Beginners

Text and all photos copyright by kpdesign, creativezazz.com

I tweet when I find good skate deals so follow me on Twitter.