I didn't use wood except for the dowels to hold them up for display. At the time, plywood was running about $25 a sheet in this area whereas a sheet of 2" foam insulation was less than $10. The foam is so easy to work with. The only problem/"con" was when cutting it. When using a hot-wire cutter there was tons of fumes. When using a jigsaw the foam dust stuck to everything and was a nightmare to try cleaning up.

No, I don't.  My digital camera battery was dead and I had no film for my other cameras. I hate it when my greatest creations go undocumented.

I've been meaning to post about this for a while, but never got around to it until now. I love going all-out for Halloween and last year I converted my front yard into a graveyard. I learned a lot about what works and what doesn't by trial and error. There's tons of info available if you do some web research.

I used latex paint and an paint sprayer (because I'm a construction geek and have those tools). Rolling the paint on with a thick nap roller works just as well, but takes a little longer. Spray paint does melt some foams, but I found that it also give it a great aged effect.

Here's a gallery of the photos I took. http://gallery.borninazoo.com/viewimage.asp?gallery=40 I never did finish putting all of the captions in. Perhaps, I may go do that now.

I had a buffet out last year during trick-or-treating so it wasn't specifically for the age bracket you're looking for, but my biggest hit with the 4-year-old neighbors was the bologna sandwich spread display. An old doll from the thrift store with the head split open and the sandwich spread spilling out was the most popular of all.

I'm planning on making a bunch of stepping stones as a Christmas present for my grandma, with the names of all the grandchildren (all 15 of them!) stamped in the stones. Now here's a math problem for you - I have a 12 inch round mold, and I have to make 5 stones. How much concrete do I need?

I can't remember for sure how big the bag of vinyl patch compound I used for my 12" stones, but I know that one bag did 2 stones that were about 2" thick.

Fifteen names seems like a lot to fit on a 12" stone. I did family stones and I used photos mounted to glass marbles then sealed the backs before setting them into the concrete. I left mine outside over winter and the photos are fading. My sisters all put theirs inside and they're not fading.

Try checking thrift stores. I was lucky enough to find one for $6.99 in nearly new condition.

http://www.borninazoo.com/archives/001607.php

I love that bracelet! Great job.

Thanks for the great tutorial! The different color ribbons made it so much easier to understand compared to other tuts I've seen.

This is a great idea! I am getting so tired of the plastic stakes and now I have a use (besides mosaics) for the tons of tiles I've collected from jobs that I did for friends.

[Atouria]

This swap is spreading joy everywhere!

My mail carriers have commented on holiday yard decorations, landscape improvements, and sometimes the excessive amount of large packages received in a week addressed to and from myself. After I told them about the swap … they have been checking out the crafty cards I'm receiving.

My younger brother (LilBro) has been living with me this past year after a work injury. Since he moved in, he's been my cohort in elaborate yard decorations. He's crafty and a handy-guy but has never had an outlet for it until now. It's great to have someone around to brainstorm with when I come up with an off-the-wall DIY or craft idea. He didn't know about the card swap until a few days after getting the cards in the mail. My favorite quote of the week has been from him: "You got ANOTHER one of those crazy cards today. You just have to see it!" This announcement came in the midst of a bad day and I was happy to learn that I had something great at home waiting for me.

In alphabetical order (with commentary), I've received cards from:

Atouria - "Whoa! Foamies can make it through the mail! Awesome!" I've always been reluctant to send foamies on postcards through the mail. Now I know they can survive.
Bluegoat - This was the one of the only cards I was able to see before LilBro did. When I posted it front-n-center on my fridge, my friends asked what the cute dude card was all about. Now they're all envious that I live with and "know" a crafty guy.
Craftacular - While LilBro is picking at the papers to see what type they are I'm screaming, "At least let me see whom it's from before you destroy it!"
crafty_dame - LilBro calls me at work: "The card today is really pretty. You should see the background. The pattern is probably what you've been looking for to put on your bedroom ceiling."  I'm getting jealous that he gets to see my mail and get great ideas from it before I do.
crazy_bc_jen - After spending a good amount of time removing the sticker that the post service placed on the crafty side of the card without damaging the artwork :::grrrr::: and then staring at it for a while, I would really like to use this design for the faux stained glass holiday project for the picture window in my kitchen.
darkhairedgirl - My mail carrier has learned that when I travel I mail a lot of things home addressed to and from myself rather than lug them around. "You sent yourself a Valentine? That’s different." was his comment. Love Me Do was the first card I received from the swap.
Jessicakes - The dictionary pages is such a great idea! Of course, the first thing I had to notice was the picture of the louver boards being that I'm a construction manager. My boyfriend grinned at the 'rock bottom' and 'rollaway' entries at the top of the card. He's very anti-valentine.
Pyawhacket - This is the card that initiated the quote of the week.

So far, every card I've received has arrived on a different day. It's a daily dose of goodness. Sorry I haven't PMed anyone, but my computers have been kaput. I think my computer is finally running and stable enough to re-connect the scanner to it. If so, I'll post scans before the weekend.