Tag Archives

Joan Ambu

Kids Craft Children Education DIY: Projects

DIY: Grass Pet

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read629 views

For Earth Day, my son was given a round shaped pantyhose filled with sod and grass seed. All he had to do was place it next to a window for some warm Sun light, water and watch it grow. I stored it somewhere in the Patio and forgot about it until this morning. It’s a really fun and easy activity for kids and adults alike. This Grass Pet is almost similar to the Chia Pet, remember those?

Today, we will turn this plain round shaped ball of sod and grass seeds into a cute face.

Faceless Grass Pet.
Faceless Grass Pet.
Grass Pet all decorated.
Grass Pet all decorated.

Materials/Tools Needed:

  • Pantyhose, Socks, Nylon stockings
  • Scissors (to cut the pantyhose)
  • Grass Seeds
  • Potting Mix
  • Small Ice Cream and Yogurt container or Toilet Paper Roll (for the body)
  • Spray Paint (for the body)
  • Painter’s Tape (if you’re not planning to paint the container)
  • Chenille Stems, Googly Eyes, Permanent marker, yarn (for the eyes and mouth)
  • Thread to fasten the nose.
  • Craft Paper (to design the outfit for the body)
  • Craft glue, Hot glue gun
  • Bowl and Water

How to proceed:

  1. Mix the soil and grass seed together
  2. Fill the pantyhose, shaping it into a ball and then tie off the open end (leaving enough material for the nose).
  3. Grab a bit of the stocking with some dirt and twist it to shape the nose. Use some thread to fasten it.
  4. Start decorating your grass pet whichever way you want
  5. Place it in a bowl, water daily, sit back and watch it grow.
Grass Pet Face.
Grass Pet Face with Body.

How about some Shoes for your Grass Pet? Click here.
I hope you enjoy making your own Grass Pet and watching the hair grow.

Pages:
JM Perez By JM Perez
Personal Quest Death Inspire Gratitude People

Peace Within a Grieving Heart

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read558 views

Early this afternoon, the mail man delivered a special package. Inside this package were some souvenirs Mom brought back from her recent trip to Cameroon and France. I have been looking forward to seeing its content, even though I wasn’t sure how I would react and how it would impact my current state of mind. One is never too prepared for what to expect in life. Today, after fifteen years, I got to see my sister’s beautiful face before her final rest. I remembered all the little details on that treacherous Saturday morning of May 2nd, 1998.

For the first few days following her burial, I looked at her pictures every night after prayers and before going to sleep. I couldn’t find peace and rest the night I skipped the routine. Her still images were a tremendous source of comfort and I was so grateful that she could bring so much peace within my grieving heart. Some days I would be at peace with the facts and during others, a flow of sorrow would come upon me unexpectedly.

Photo credit: Brad Browne.
Photo credit: Brad Browne.

Going through a damaged and incomplete album this afternoon, I was overcome with anger. How could those entrusted with its safekeeping allow it to be exposed to the elements and others, since there are pictures missing. I had to calm myself down and remember that everything I need is indelibly imprinted on my mind. Nothing and no one can take away the memories of a loved one or the truth I’ve come to know. Today I wept, felt anger, laughed and experienced once again the peace that comes from acceptance and letting go.

My heart goes out to my Mother and I will live the rest of my life doing right by her, God being my helper.

We must all face loss at some point in Life. When it happens:

  • Give yourself plenty of time to grief. As long as you’re not planning on harming yourself or someone else, there’s no right or wrong way to grief. Deal with it your own way.
  • Talk about it. Reach out to someone you trust and open up.
  • Seek professional help when needed. Get some support to help you get through it.
  • Be gentle with yourself. It happened and nothing you do now will turn back the clock.
  • Strive to find joy and the will to carry on. Start by recalling the good memories and building on them.

“Give sorrow words; the grief that does not speak whispers the o’er-fraught heart and bids it break.” — William Shakespeare

Pages:
JM Perez By JM Perez
Rustic Primitive Shabby Chic Repurposing Garden Decor Home Decor DIY: Projects

Creative Ways to Use Box Spring

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read781 views

Last weekend, I walked into a Vintage store and was taken aback by the use of an old box spring. There were two actually; one was used as a wall accent and the other as a ceiling light.

That got me thinking about the endless possibilities of an old box spring mattress: holders,  storage, wall accent and decor, gates and fences, trellises, garden swings, yard arts, centerpieces, ceiling light fixtures, room dividers, and so much more.

Old Bed Spring.
Image Source: Pinterest.com.
Box Spring Wreath.
Image Source: JamsCraftCloset.com.
Box Spring Wreath.
Image Source: TheBackyardBungalow.com.
Box Spring Bird Feeder.
Image Source: Pinterest.com.
Box Spring Cupcake Stand.
Image Source: Etsy.com.
Box Spring Snack Holder.
Image Source: KarapaslayDesigns.com.
Box Spring Wine Bottle Holder.
Image Source: Pinterest.com.
Box Spring Wine Bottle Holder.
Image Source: AlleIdeen.com.
Box Spring Vase Holder.
Image Source: LiveLaughRowe.
Spring Box Vase Holder.
Image Source: FreePrettyThingsForYou.com.
Box Spring Pendant Light.
Image Source: GoodWillsp.
Box Spring Lampshades.
Image Source: TheArtOfUpcycling.com.
Box Spring Chandelier.
Image Source: TooWoolForCool.
Box Spring Ceiling Light.
Image Source: CraftyImaginings.blogspot.com.
Box Spring Ceiling Light.
Image Source: Pinterest.com.
Box Spring Card Holder.
Image Source: HomeHacks.co.
Box Spring Card/Picture Holder.
Image Source: FourCornersDesign.
Box Spring Hanging Pictures.
Image Source: CapitolRomance.com.
Box Spring Pot Holder.
Image Source: SammyDVintage.com.
Box Spring Christmas Tree.
Image Source: DaniellesPlace.com.
Box Spring Cross.
Image Source: Coastal Charm.
Box Spring Yard Art.
Image Source: FineHomeLamps.com.
Box Spring Garden Art.
Image Source: Yanzum.
Mattress Spring Flower Wall.
Image Source: ModernShelterBlog.com.
Spring Box Swing.
Image Source: Google.com.
Old Box Spring Shelf.
Image Source: Pinterest.com.
Arbor Topped with Old Box Spring.
Image Source: GlimpseOfMyWorld.
Box Spring Gate.
Image Source: Walking Berkeley.
Box Spring Shoe Rack.
Image Source: Pinterest.com.
Box Spring Wind Chime.
Image Source: Etsy.com.
Box Spring Sofa.
Image Source: Pinterest.ca.
Box Spring Coffee Table.
Image Source: Pinterest.com.

As you can see, the possibilities are endless …

Pages:
JM Perez By JM Perez
Independence Day History Gratitude People

Happy Independence Day

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read403 views

“Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed – else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die.” ― Dwight D. Eisenhower

Image Source: Phatory.net
Image Source: Phatory.net

From our house to yours: Happy 4th, everyone. Wishing you all a blessed Independence Day with Family and Friends. Be safe out there and enjoy your long holiday weekend.

Pages:
JM Perez By JM Perez
Events Summer Destinations High Desert

High Desert Summer Events

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read949 views

Early this afternoon, we took the kids to the movies to watch Despicable Me 2 at the Civic Plaza 12. Today being the released date, all seats were sold out for the 4:50 PM showtime. So, I went ahead and purchased four tickets for the next one, which was at 6:10 PM. What to do in the meantime? I asked myself. As I looked across from the theater, I saw a Music Band as well as lots and lots of people gathered around food, clothing and accessories stands. We later found out that they are all part of Summer events happening in the High Desert.

Despicable Me 2: Gru's got a Crush.
Despicable Me 2: Gru’s got a Crush. (Image credit: Illumination Entertainment).
Despicable Me 2: Minions on The Beach.
Despicable Me 2: Minions on The Beach. (Image credit: Illumination Entertainment).

While keeping the kids busy until it was time to watch the movie (which we very much liked); I enjoyed some live Pop and Country Music from the band Under Construction.

Concerts In The Park.
Under Construction Live @ Hesperia Civic Plaza Park.

Concerts In The Park
From June 1st to September 7th with a different Band each week.
Event starts at 6:00 PM and Music starts at 6:30 PM
1 (760) 244-5488

If like us, you support your local vendors by shopping local, the High Desert Farmers’ Market will be at Civic Plaza Park with some great produce for sale every Wednesdays until September 25th.

High Desert Farmers’ Market
HighDesertFarmersMarket.com
Wednesdays, May 8th – September 25th, 2013
4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
1 (760) 247-3769

Another free Entertainment that people love and look forward to this time of year is the Movies in The Park.

Movies In The Park
June 8th – September 14th, 2013
All movies begin at dusk
1 (760) 244-5488

All of these Summer Events are taking place at the following location:
Hesperia Civic Plaza Park
15833 Smoke Tree Street,
Hesperia, CA 92345

Hesperia, CA 92345
Pages:
JM Perez By JM Perez