Mugshot Monday: It’s May

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Juliet Tiu

Springtime means allergies or a cold, or both.

But at least it’s (finally) getting warmer and plants are growing!

And, it’s always a nice treat to get flowers on Mother’s Day.

Mugshot Monday: It’s Finally Spring

Posted on April 7, 2014 by Juliet Tiu

This week’s Mugshot Monday is full of pics from last week – Spring Break. It goes by so quickly, doesn’t it? My family and I didn’t go anywhere too far since there’s a big trip in the works this summer. We didn’t want to bust our vacation budget, nonetheless we filled our week with kid-friendly activities at Goldberry Woods.

It’s so fun just hanging out, eating, drinking and laughing with friends! All our kids ran around the woods and only came in when they were hungry, or they wanted screen time. Imagine eight kids huddled around one computer screen! It’s the new fireside chat by the radio – and if you get that reference, kudos to you.

At Goldberry Woods

I had a good weather day which meant… bicycle maintenance checks!

Bicycles all cleaned up at Goldberry Woods

My hubby and our friend held a science lab for the kids… DIY calorimeter. Awesome.

Somehow I got the kids to doodle and draw with me. Hehehe.

We even had some time to walk around the property… checking out the seedlings in the hoop house (greenhouse)!

Seedlings at Goldberry Woods

… walking on one of the trails.

Now we’re back home. Everyone’s at work and school. Today, I’m finishing our taxes (crossing fingers!). My head was spinning from papers, so I took a small break outside with a cuppa.

I thought, “What a cool reflection in my mug! Oh, look, my grass is actually turning green!”

The Spring miracle.

This week, stay tuned for a “vintage” recipe redo and some Easter artwork!

Mugshot Monday: Spring Break

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Juliet Tiu

Creativity without rest, and productivity without renewal, leads to an exhaustion of our inner resources. -J. Philip Newell

Everyone’s home this week… so for today’s mugshot, I offer “My afternoon coffee with the hubby”. We’re enjoying Casi Cielo with soy milk creamer. Can I tell you, I’ve had far less stomach issues now that we’ve switched to soy?! (Yes, I’m a lactaid-carrying, lactose-intolerant person. Okay, too much?)

We aren’t traveling anywhere this year. But that’s not to say we won’t be enjoying our very welcome time off. Kids and hubby are enjoying sleeping in, and so am I. We’ll head to a museum, check out some new restaurants and play games. Easter lunch/dinner will be at our home, too. So I’ll have plenty of things to do before the weekend.

I leave you with these pics from the dining room… hope to have some more finished projects next week.

Check out some more pictures at Instagram.

Happy Easter

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Juliet Tiu

Happy Easter, superhero and tie-dye style! Will return Monday.

30 Days of Creativity: Day 10 with Crepe Paper Flower Tutorial

Posted on April 16, 2011 by Juliet Tiu

Day 10: Create something today inspired by nature!

We had a few days of fantastic weather, but over the last few days, it’s been cold, damp and gloomy. April showers bring May flowers, right? Well, I thought I’d make my own with some party streamers from our stash of supplies. They’re easy and fairly quick to make!

Supplies: Party streamers, pair of scissors and/or Martha Stewart fringe scissors

Cut 6″ lengths of one color for the center of the flower, then cut 36″-40″ lengths for the main color of the flower.
Using your fringe scissors or regular scissor, cut fringe about 2/3 of the streamer width. Crepe paper is delicate and difficult to work with. I found using regular scissors was quicker than the fringe scissors, but I like the texture of the fringe scissor cut better. If you cut the streamer from bottom up, you may have an easier time.
After cutting the fringe, roll the inner section then add the outer section. Keep rolling until complete.

For a little variation, I like layering two colors.

To finish them off, use floral tape or a little glue. You can either make into flowers with thick floral wire or even bamboo skewers. I strung them on some covered wire…