SCUBA Discovery Class

Posted on January 15, 2015 by tellingfamilytales

image from diveaddicts.com

On Saturday I’m taking an introductory class to SCUBA diving. The idea makes me a bit nervous. I’m not all that comfortable in the water and not a great swimmer. But my Dad suggested it would help me write about his time as a SCUBA instructor and I think he is right. I planned to take it in November but when I broke my hand a couple of weeks before they class that just wasn’t going to work. So I got to put it off. But now the day of reckoning is almost upon me. I’m sure it will be a learning experience and who knows maybe I’ll really enjoy it. I’ll let you know next week how it went.

Have you ever done something just so you could better understand a person or a subject? Are you glad you did?

The Family History Writing Challenge: 2015

Posted on January 14, 2015 by tellingfamilytales

I realized this morning that we are almost half way through the first month of the new year. Feels like I’m not getting enough done each day. How about you? After taking a long break from working on my Dad’s Key West history I need to get back into it. I’m thinking Lynn Palermo’s Family History Writing Challenge might be just the perfect motivator. If you’ve done it before jump on board again this year. February is just around the corner. If not check out her website, register and then get set to more writing done this year.

50 Button Crafts: idea #2 – 3 strand button necklace

Posted on January 12, 2015 by tellingfamilytales

three strand button necklace by Jodi Nobles

Got a box or jar full of buttons carefully saved by your mother or grandmother? For 2015 I’m in search of great ways to put those buttons to use. Here is this week’s idea:

I love this eclectic mix of buttons. It looks like Jodi used a similar wire-wrap technique as last weeks post on button pendants. (Jodi made it for her Etsy shop but is no longer available. You can click on the photo above to look at her current offerings.) So if you have a fun collections of buttons and want to tackle a more complicated button necklace this could be the perfect project.

It would be a good idea to document where the buttons for your project came from and any relevant stories or information about that person or family. If you are looking for more button crafts, check out my Pinterest board.

50 Button Crafts: idea #1 – wire-wrapped pendant

Posted on January 5, 2015 by tellingfamilytales

button pendants from craftsy.com

Got a box or jar full of buttons carefully saved by your mother or grandmother? For 2015 I’m in search of great ways to put those buttons to use. Here is this week’s idea:

What a simple and beautiful way to use some of those unique buttons in your stash. Click on the photo about for a very clear and detailed tutorial on how to wire-wrap your buttons to make them into pendants. I’m going to put this on my project list for the near future.

If you are looking for more button crafts, check out my Pinterest board.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #50 – New Year Survival Kit

Posted on December 31, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

New Year Survival Kit from SnapCreativity.com

This last post on jar gifts has been more than a year in coming. I’m so excited to finally complete this series. I though this survival kit would be the perfect way to complete 2014 and start 2015. Click on either image for instructions and more. It is a great way to start the year with the determination to write more memories and stories for future generations. I hope the new year brings many happy moments and lots of time with family and friends. Thanks for sticking with me through all the ups and downs of the past year. Happy New Year everyone!

tag for New Year Survival Kit from SnapCreativity.com

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #49 – snow globes

Posted on December 31, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

snow globes from tidymom.net

What could be more fun than a tiny snowy scene in a jar. Tidymom.net has a step by step tutorial on making waterless snow globes. Below are two more ideas for snow globes with the addition of light. Oh, the possibilities! Just imagine recreating a snowy scene from one of your family stories. My parents live on a quiet rural street with lots of trees along the road. My Dad even planted a make of trees with a winding path. I love to take a late night walk through the trees or down the road when we visit. It is so quiet and peaceful. I can imagine this as a simple snow globe to remind my family of their home in Idaho. Especially now as they will certainly need to move to a more manageable place in the near future.

Street Lamp snow globe from SaltTree.net

snow scene in a jar from BlitznGiggles.com

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #48 – snowflake jar

Posted on December 30, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

snowflake jars from YourHomeBasedMom.com

This idea uses tissue paper, scrapbook paper and Mod Podge to dress up any jar. YourHomeBasedMom also used her Cricket cutter to make it easy to cut out the snowflakes. This idea is adaptable to any season or any theme. It would be pretty with a candle inside or even filled with a tasty treat. You could even cut silhouettes of an ancestor and then share that ancestor’s story. Lots of possibility with this idea.

I entered the world of computer controlled personal cutters this month to make my Christmas gifts. I bought my niece’s Silhouette Cameo when she bought the latest model on a great black Friday special. I look forward to playing around with it on future projects.

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #47 – Message in a bottle

Posted on December 30, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

thumbdrive in a bottle from Urban Outfitters

I think this thumbdrive would be such a fun way to share a history of historical photos and documents with family. There is no way it would get lost among all the other storage devices kicking around our houses these days. I wonder how hard it would be to recreate this with an inexpensive thumbdrive and small bottle from a craft store. I’ll have to keep this idea in mind for some future project.

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.

Want some more ideas? Visit my Pinterest board dedicated to jar gift ideas.

50 Jar Gifts: idea #46 – Potato Soup Mix in a Jar

Posted on December 29, 2014 by tellingfamilytales

Potato Soup Mix in a Jar from innerchildfun.com

Can you tell it is still cold and snowy around here? The bad part is the storm is moving out and the real cold is on its way. So my brain is stuck on warm and comforting things these days. I also picked up a package of potato flakes at the store recently and made some potato soup for lunch yesterday. This mix is simple enough to have the kids in the family help put it together giving a great opportunity to share memories of working in the kitchen when you were growing up too. Or stories of warm comforting food on a cold winter night.Click on the photo above for the recipe and instructions on whipping up a batch of potato soup mix. It is quick and easy.

I enjoy throwing together a pot of soup from whatever I have on hand. Not sure where that comes from. While my husband doesn’t like “brothy” soups. He does better with thick stews and chowders. I’m guessing that both go back to childhood memories. What associations do you have with soup and your childhood?

If this idea inspires you, let me know. I’d love to share your project here too.