Creative scarecrows can spice up fall decorations. Many neighborhoods hold scarecrow decorating contests. My sister and I have worked together to enter a few of these and have been lucky enough to win grand prize a couple of times. Our best tip? Use old clothes to come up with a scarecrow theme, then pay attention to detail to make a whole scene.
I used my daughter’s old flower girl dress, for example, to come up with a scene depicting “The Ring Bearer and Flower Girl at Frankenstein’s Wedding. I used her old figure skates to come up with “Skate Crow.” I used my son’s old Kobe Bryant jersey and old basketball shoes to come up with a scarecrow shooting hoops . . . (Kobe Die-ant of the LA UnderTakers.) An old saddle gave me the inspiration to come up with “Ghost Rustler,” a cowboy lassoing a ghost.
Next up: I want to do a hula girl in a bikini to make a beach scene. Got you thinking? What clothes do you have that be used for a creative scarecrow scene this Halloween?
Make your scarecrows pop at night with a blacklight.
I hope my pics inspire you. Let me know if you have other creative scarecrow decoration ideas for Halloween.
I asked my almost-10-year-old son a tough question: if you were stranded on a desert island, and could only take one book series, which would you take: Ranger’s Apprentice Series or Percy Jackson series He had a tough time. Finally he noted that one series had more books. So maybe he would pick that one. Otherwise it’s a dead heat.
Finding good books for boys his age is so hard I am thrilled he is so excited about both these series. He is also reading the Artemis Fowl Seriesnow, but Percy Jackson and Ranger’s Apprentice have him begging me to take him to the library, and when the books are not there, to the book store.
Both Ranger’s Apprentice and Percy Jackson series published new books in January, 2010. Book number 7 of the Ranger’s Apprentice series came out in January, and a special “movie”edition” of book 1 of Percy Jackson and the Olympians came out as well. I’ve found that most of the books in both series have waiting lists at our library, (LA County Library system).
The Lightning Thief, the first book in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians seriesThe Ruins of Gorlan, the first book in the Ranger's Apprentice Series
Number of Books in the Series
Both writers Rick Riordan and John Flanagan are prolific, coming up with new adventures for their young heros (who age as the books continue). In the U.S. the score is Percy Jackson: 5 books, and Ranger’s Apprentice: 7. Flanagan has written 10 Ranger books, but the last three have not yet been released in America.
AR Rating
Both books have AR tests. Ranger’s Apprentice has a slightly interest level (between 6 and 7) than Percy Jackson (between 4 and 5). This means they probably appeal to readers in 6 and 7th grade vs those in 4th and 5th grade. Although I think both books appeal to a much wider range.
Ranger’s Apprentice books also have higher AR points possible (between 12 and 14). AR points for Percy Jackson range from 3 to 13 with many between 9 and 10.
Action
Both series are packed with suspenseful action and plot development. Both feature both battle strategy and detailed descriptions of battles. Both have fierce enemies. Both have cool weapons. Percy Jackson has more mythological characters.
History
Although both series are fictional adventure stories, they both teach you something about history and culture. In Percy Jackson books you learn about Greek mythology, and in Ranger’s Apprentice books you learn about Medieval times.
Characters
Both have likable, young, male protagonists with various sidekicks and friends. Ranger’s may have more in-depth character development of some of the characters.
Movies
We’ve already seen the trailers for the first Percy Jackson movie, based on The Lightning Thief. The movie is due out next month (Feb). Ranger’s Apprentice has a script and a director, but no word on when it might be out.
Video Games
Nintendo has a game in the works based on the first book and movie of Percy Jackson.The video game is a tactical role-playing game for Nintendo DS that puts players in command of Percy Jackson and his fellow demigods as they battle for survival in a world ruled by vengeful Greek gods. Nintendo says the game will be in stores when the movie comes out. No word on a video game for Ranger’s Apprentice as of yet.
Cover Art
It’s interesting to see what publishers come up with for cover art for tween and teen readers. My kids are voracious readers, and as a graphic artist I appreciate the thought and creativity put into book covers. The U.S. editions of both Percy Jackson and Ranger’s Apprentice series are stunning. As a personal preference, I like Ranger’s a bit more. Pubishers sometimes change the cover art when they release books in different countries or when they do a second printing. If you do a Google image search you will see differences in covers in both of these series.
Accolades
Both books have garnered praise from critics and been on the New York Times best-sellers list. Both have been published in several different countries.
Websites
Both books have official websites, and to be honest, I find both annoying, just because they take too long to load and I do not always like background music or spooky rainfall and wind howling. Kids probably love it though. On the Ranger site you can log in to become a “Ranger” and get access to more info on the site. Even without doing that you can download beautiful graphics for your desktop. There’s some interesting info about the author. On the Percy site there is a page describing all the Olympian Gods and Monsters. It also has downloadable games and wallpaper. You can also access the trailer for the new movie.
Rick Riordan has an author’s website that has some additional features without all the fancy sounds and effects.
Creativezazz opened a Zazzle shopwith tons of volleyball designs on gifts such as t-shirts, water bottles, coffe mugs and more. I now have shops at Printfection, Cafepress and Zazzle. The designs are the same, but each store offers a range of merchandize, and each has its own specials. So now you can shop to get exactly what you want at the best deal.
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
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.
bookmark printed two-up on standard 4 x 6 photo
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.
Back the bookmark with acid-free paper. Use an acid-free gluestick to glue it to the paper.
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.
Use an Exacto knife and straight edge to trim.
Separate the two bookmarks
Separate using Exacto.
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.
Use a corner punch to round the corners.Corner rounded.
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.
Put loop through the hole.Insert end of tassel through the loop.Pull tassel tight.
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.
Creativezazz launched a new line of t-shirt designs for volleyball enthusiasts, available through Printfection. I love this t-shirt printing company because they do quality work and have a money-back guarantee. Printfection offers many different colors.
They also offer volume discounts. If you are interested in team shirts and need something special, just let me know.
Some of my designs are also available at Cafepress. You might check both sites to see if one has a better promotion going. Cafepress also offers my designs on other products such as water bottles and mugs. Volleyball water bottles and mugs make great gifts.
I can also work with other t-shirt vendors if you have one you like.
It’s hard to find fun t-shirts with a volleyball motif, so I will be filling the void. Here are just a few examples.
My heart t-shirt design features a volleyball swooshing down from a spike against a heart.
My spiker chicks t-shirt shows a high velocity volleyball crashing down from a spike. Show your style & your love for volleyball.
Tips for Finding and Affording a Competition Dress that Wows
You’ve spent hours taking your daughter to the rink and spent hundreds on skates and lessons. Now it’s time for her first competition. How do you go about buying a skating dress that won’t take forever to find . . . and won’t break your budget? Here are some tips from a skate mom to consider.
If you have more tips to share, please add in comments section below.
Even if you do not have a figure skating competition coming up, a new skate dress can inspire you to skate your best on the ice.
Age. Do not pick something too provocative for a young girl or too cutesy for an older girl.
Style. Do not pick a style based on what it looks like in a picture on a model. Some ice skating dresses work well with thin bodies and others with fuller ones. Choose a style based on what it looks like in the mirror. Remember you will be moving in the dress, so make sure it works when you bend and jump.
Size. Buy something that fits now with a little room for growth.
Color. Not everyone looks good in every shade. If you are not sure, read up on color analyzing to see what “season” the skater is.
Theme. Pick music and routine before you get the dress. Classic music requires a different style than, say, pop, rock or 60s music. Have the dress fit the theme. In the photo above, my daughter’s theme was the 60s. She skated to “These Boots are Made for Walking” by Nancy Sinatra. She is third from the left. In the photo at right, she chose another 60s song, “I Feel Good” by James Brown.
Budget. Only look at figure skating dresses you can afford.
Competition Rules. Sometimes there are competition requirements so check this out first. Never buy or make dresses with adornments that fall off easily as this is hazardous on the ice.
Timeline.Do not wait until the last minute. This is especially important if you are having the dress custom made or buying online.
Advice. Ask coaches and more advanced skaters where they get their costumes.
Where to look. First place to look is a skate shop, usually located at or near a rink. The manufacturer’s tags will have model numbers. Jot down the numbers of the best styles along with the size that fits and price. Even if you do not find the perfect competition dress, you now have information for comparison shopping at other stores or online.
Also check shops that sell dancewear.
Attend figure skating competitions as the rink often allows companies to bring merchandise to the rink and set up a rack.
Other skaters often sell their old costumes, so ask at your rink.
Choose a dress that is age-appropriate and fits well no matter how you move, as shown above. This color is great on this girl as well.
Google “figure skating dresses” or “ice skating dresses” or “competition dresses” and you will find many online stores. If you have done your research you will have a couple model numbers in mind. Check return policy and shipping time.
Ebay has hundreds of competition dresses. Check the seller’s rating as a seller, not just the overall rating. Communicate about size before you bid. Ask to see additional photos if needed. If there are crystals, make sure they are Swarovski. Make sure you have time to receive item well before the competition. Have a back-up plan in mind. We bought a dress off eBay once . . . and the seller never sent it! So always have a back-up plan.
Keep in mind: you can zazz up a plain skate dress and make it dazzling by putting on Swarvoski crystals yourself. Practice on another item as applying them properly takes a little practice. You will need to buy Hot Fix Swarovski Crystals and a hot fix applicator, found at Amazon or in better sewing stores or some craft stores.
Custom Seamstress. If money is not an object, hire a professional seamstress who specializes in skating outfits. Schedule your dress to be made well in advance of the competition. Find a seamstress by asking at the rink.
Sew it yourself only if you are a good seamstress. Be advised that figure skating costumes are usually sewn on a specail sewing machine called a Serger that allows seams that stretch. They are made from 4-way stretch material. Check to make sure it is truly 4-way stretch and not just 2-way. You can find patterns online.
Another less expensive and maybe easier option is to convert a dress, like I did with the dress above. Go to the thrift store and look for prom gowns made of 4-way stretch material. Have your daughter try it on and see if you think you can alter it. We did this a couple of times with great success. I shortened the dress made a slit in the sides, took in the seams, and added crystals. We used dance shorts for underneath. I had a beautiful custom dress for under $20! Click on any picture to see a larger version.
Note in the photo above: the theme was “Glamour” since the song was Fergie’s “Glamorous.” I altered a prom dress, used hot-fix Swarovski crystals, and had a friend do her hair to fit the theme.
Take good care of your competition dresses. After you are done you can sell them on ebay or at your rink, use them as practice dresses, or give them to a younger skater who is a friend.Please let me know if you find these tips helpful, or if you have others to share, by leaving a comment below. Good luck finding a dress that wows for less!
Text and all photos copyright by kpdesign, creativezazz.com
Commemorate your daughter’s first competition with a charm she will cherish her whole life. Finding well-made figure-skating jewelry is not easy, but I did find a few items and am sharing a link to figure skate jewelry.
A good cd case is going to come in handy if your daughter starts skating in competitions as she will need to carry her own music with her. Be sure to label all your cds with her name and her coach’s name. Always have at least 2 copies of her edited music.
Here’s another tip: Second Spin is a great place to buy used cds for music. They have really low prices and ship fast. We have used them many times. Click the link below for the latest deals at Second Spin.
Free Creativezazz Heart Art to Zazz Up Your Valentines
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Creativezazz is offering you heart art to get you started on creative Valentines. Free for personal (not commercial) use). Have fun. Let me know how yours turns out.
Each says I Love You in a foreign language. Try making hearts of your own in other languages.
Then cut them out, put on stems and leaves, et voila! You have a romantic bouquet!
Everything You Need to Know About Buying Figure Skates
The time had finally come to fork out money to buy my daughter pretty white skates. She was about 8 and had been taking lessons twice a week for a year at Center Ice Arena. Using rental skates—stiff, brown and less-than-attractive—she had mastered swizels, one-foot glide, backwards crossovers, hockey stops, ballet jumps and increasingly advanced moves required to pass a test to move to the next level. All without complaint. Ice is hard when you fall. In those early months bruises testified to her perseverance. Her class dwindled as the difficulty increased. Now she was the only one left on the brown rentals. She was starting jumps and spins. She needed better skates. She had earned them.
Starting out on rentals.
.
But entering the skate shop gave me shivers, and not from the cold. I had zero knowledge of skates. I knew girls at her rink spent hundreds of dollars on a pair of skates. I did not want to get the wrong thing!
Well, Skate-girl is almost 11 now and is ready for her fifth pair of skates. We learned from each purchase we made. We paid from $5 (a lucky used bargain) to about $530. More advanced skaters pay much more. Here’s my tips for avoiding pitfalls in this expensive sport.
Know when to buy. Don’t buy until you try. Rent first. I’ve seen a lot of ads on eBay for skates worn only once or twice because the enthusiasm wore off after a couple of falls. After a year in rentals I knew my skater was committed, and I think she valued her new skates more after waiting to get them. I’ll never forget the giddiness she felt finally getting her first pair of brand new white skates.
Know where to buy. Sporting goods stores and department stores sell figure skates, but the best place to buy is a shop that specializes in figure skates. You will find more choices, better skates, and a knowledgeable salesperson. If you are lucky, your rink has such a shop. But beware: some skate shops at the rink specialize in hockey. Sales staff may have only a few figure skate models and limited knowledge of how to fit and recommend figure skates. Such a shop will be fine for a beginning pair, but you may have to go elsewhere if your daughter advances.
A good fitting technician will: ask about the skater’s weight and height; observe how she stands; measure length, width and ankles carefully; and ask about skating level. If you are not asked these questions, you need to find another fitter.
Know what to spend. Be prepared to spend $150-$250 for a entry-level set of boots and blades. You may find a deal for less, but you do not want cheapo plastic boots . . . you would be better off renting.
Know your level of skating. A more expensive skate is not better for beginners! Entry-level and recreational skaters need a boot that is more comfortable and flexible than the stiff skates made for jumpers. Beginning skates also have smaller toe picks. So don’t think you are doing your daughter any favors by buying something that is more expensive than what she needs. It is counterproductive!
Buy skates and blades as a package at first. Beginning skates come as a set with a blade already mounted (but not sharpened). As you advance you buy the boot separate from the blade so you can customize what you need. Beginners do not need (nor want) the more advanced blade, so why pay more?
Blades. When you do buy blades separately, get them slightly large. That way you can use the same blade for the next pair of boots. One blade can last through two boots if you think ahead.
Know your shoe size vs. your skate size. Shoe sizes and skate sizes are not the same thing! Each company has its own sizing system. A reputable skate shop will have rulers from all the brands they sell. For example, if you buy Riedell boots, you will be measured on a Riedell ruler. If you buy Jackson boots, you will be measured on a Jackson ruler. You can research how each company’s skates fit by visiting their website.
Online tips. If there is no good shop near you, or if you want to save money and are willing to take a bit of a risk, you can buy online. But be careful about communication and return policy. You want to buy from an online shop that converses with you by email or phone. The salesperson should ask your shoe size and have you trace around both feet on paper and then measure the drawing both in length and width. (Be sure to do both feet as one is often larger.) Give the skater’s age, skating level, height and weight. Be sure to say if feet are narrow or wide, if the arches are high or low, etc. If you buy online, be sure they do allow returns and under what conditions. You may have to pay shipping on returns.
Wear the right sock. Try the boot on with the socks you will be wearing. Most coaches recommend wearing thin socks or skate tights, not bulky socks. Regular cotton socks absorb sweat and may make feet cold. They also bunch up. You will never see them on serious skaters. Skate shops sell skate tights and skate socks, but you can also use nylons or trouser socks. Bring two pairs as you may want to try the boot with two pairs of tight-fitting socks. Some growing skaters will buy the skate a half size big to allow for growth and then wear 2 pairs or add a sole liner to start.
Try on skates properly. Once your foot is in the boot, kick the heel back firmly several times to make sure your heel is snugly against the back of the boot. Kicking the heel back is important. Make sure you lace up correctly. Start from the bottom and pull laces firmly before each crisscross. The laces should be roughly half inch apart at first but may go a bit wider and looser at top. The salesperson will help you lace up, but pay attention so you know how to do it.
Test properly. Stand and lean forward. For a child, you want to be able to wiggle a finger into the back of the boot when the skater is leaning forward. For an adult they should fit snug but not feel tight. Coaches and fitters recommend buying no more than a half size up.
Ask about heat fit. Many better boots can be “heat fit.” The shop will heat them in a special oven. You then try on the warm skates let them cool. The skates mold to your feet. We did this with my daughter’s first pair of new boots, and it worked like a charm. Do not try doing this in your oven at home. If you buy the skates at the shop, this is free. You can heat fit again later as the skater grows, but you will be charged a fee for subsequent heat-fitting.
Get waterproofing.Water is a pair of skate’s biggest enemy. Blades rust and leather rots if exposed to water. Better skates have leather soles. You can protect your investment if you have the shop waterproof them. They will charge you and it will take a couple days. They remove the blades, put on the waterproofing and let it dry, then out the blades back on. Our shop painted the skater’s name and a design on sole first, which the girls loved. It made the boots more special. I am glad we went ahead and paid extra for waterproofing. A skate-dad told me he did not know about this option when he got new skates for his daughter at a different shop. After a few months they had water damage and it was a hassle to wait until they were dried out to have it done later.
You should also periodically put Sno-Seal or similar beeswax waterproofing product on your skates.
The best price is not always the best choice. We all want a deal. But getting the correct skate and right fit is so important, it may be worth it to have a professional help you. Returns are always a hassle. You may wonder why the shop at the rink charges more than the same skate online. Good skate shops work with you for the initial fitting of the boot at no added cost.This may mean providing a sole liner, or “punching out” the leather near the ankle, or stretching the boot or heat fitting. Skate shops have special tools to fit skates. Buying skates at a shop also includes the first blade sharpening. If you buy skates online, and then take them into the shop for this work, you will pay ($10-$20 each time) for each of these services. That adds up. But no matter where you buy, it is a good idea to research skate models online before you plunk down cash. If you do buy online, many places will price match. Ask if they will throw in blade guards.
New boots with waterproofed soles and sharp blades.
Sharpening. When you buy skates, the blades are not sharpened. Make sure you like the fit of the boot before you have the blades sharpened. Once the blades are sharpened, the return policy is usually voided. Be sure to get figure skate blades sharpened by someone who knows how to sharpen for figure skating (not hockey). Ask experienced skaters at your rink who sharpens their blades.
Break them in. You can break your skates in by wearing them around the house with the blade guards on and by skating for short sessions. If you find they still hurt after a few weeks, take them to the shop for readjustments. On my daughter’s last pair, we went back for adjustments about five times. We got the sole built up a couple times and the ankles punched out a couple times until it was right. You can also buy special blister pads or gel ankle wraps. The gel ankle sleeve was great for my daughter and worth the money. Skate shops sell these. Later we got her boots stretched for a small fee.
Take care of your skates. Every skater needs two kinds of blade protectors: hard and soft. Only put on the hard ones while walking in the skates. Never store skates with the hard plastic protectors on, or your blades will rust. I have seen blades less than a year old covered in rust because they were stored this way! After each use wipe the blades off and put on terry cloth covers on for storage. It is best to let skates air out to dry. Scratches on the leather are inevitable . . . if you want to keep your skates pretty you can buy over-the-boot tights or nylon skate covers that go over the boot. They come in a variety of colors.
Enjoy your skates.
Please let me know if you find these tips helpful or if you have additional tips to add.
Even though the rink is cold, skaters need to stay hydrated. We try not to use disposable water bottles as they are bad for the environment. Here is a bottle from Amazon that I like.
Text and all photos copyright by kpdesign, creativezazz.com
or 
now, but Percy Jackson and Ranger’s Apprentice have him begging me to take him to the library, and when the books are not there, to the book store.
