Homemade Super Bubble Recipe!

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May 5, 2014 Dian 2 Comments

Homemade Super Bubble Recipe!

Today we are making my Homemade Super Bubble Recipe! I know there are much easier recipes for bubbles but this is my favorite. You need to make these bubbles 24 hours in advance.

You will need:

6 cups of water
2 2/3 cups of Ultra Joy Dish Detergent
1 cup of corn syrup

First you add your water and then pour in the corn syrup.

Add the Joy Dish Detergent. I use Ultra Joy Detergent.

Gently stir this mixture together so you don’t create bubbles. If you want glow in the dark solution, add about 6 glow sticks.

Now with a bubble from a solution from the store, if you tap the bubbles they burst. Not with our Super Bubbles! You can hold them on fabric. They get bigger and they fly higher!

This solution makes 1/2 gallon.

Tamona is a work at home mom with a husband known only as The Honey and four children, lovingly referred to as, The Tax Deductions.

Check out more of T’s Tips About Everything!

Etching Glass: What NOT To Do When Etching Glass!

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January 17, 2014 Dian 18 Comments

T is back with another great tip – Etching Glass: What NOT to Do When Etching Glass! I have never tried to Etch Glass, I would not even know where to start! That’s why I have T do these things to share with you, so you know how to do them correctly.

Most of the time T is showing you the right way to do something, well, today we’ll learn backward! lol We’ll learn what NOT to do when Etching Glass, and that will teach us what TO DO to Etch Glass properly! We all know we can learn as much, if not more from a FAIL than from a success, so let’s get going!

Without further ado, here’s T:

Would you like to see a trial and error tip? I definitely have one for you today. I thought I would try glass etching and I learned a few things. I want to share a bit of wisdom with you so you do not make the mistakes I made.

What NOT To Do When Etching Glass!

You will need:

Armour Etching Cream
Stencil (adhesive paper for stencil is ideal)
Scissors or X-Acto Knife
Glass object of your choice

Since this is more of a what not to do type post, you may want to bookmark this page for future reference.

Initially I thought I could make my own stencil with letters I printed from my computer.

I was pretty good at cutting out the letter I wanted to use.

I taped the letters to the glass and even figured a way to get it to lay just right.

Next I applied Armour Etching Cream.

This was pretty easy but definitely my first MISTAKE!

It looked good on the inside of the glass.

I let this sit for exactly 20 minutes because I layered it on pretty thick.

Putting on so much was not a good idea but luckily I had to learn the hard way.

Another MISTAKE was taking off the stencil. I should have washed it off with the stencil on.

I should have washed the glass straight on instead of leaning it over.

I definitely helped the image smear. I ended with a somewhat blurry mess.

I would have had a much smoother image if I had printed on adhesive paper and then cut the stencil out. This would have greatly helped the smudging and overall blurriness of the image.

I decided to try again with tape. I went with a bigger tape that had a tighter seal.

I had not learned my lesson in regards to too much etching cream.

It did look much better on the inside.

I let this one sit for 20 minutes again and this time I left the stencil in place.

I did not learn not to avoid turning the glass sideways when I wash it. This created yet another MISTAKE.

After removing the tape, the image was not great but it was a bit better.

It looked much better than I expected but I am not happy with the collecting around the edges of the triangle. I blame my excessive use of etching cream. I also packed the sides and should not have. I have learned a lot from my mistakes and now it is your turn.

Do not use a self made template that is not printed on adhesive paper. It is a HUGE waste of time.
Try not to use so much etching cream. Less is more for sure.
Make sure your image adheres without bubbles so that the etching cream does not leak underneath the stencil.
Use an X-Acto knife if you have one.
When washing, use water and a little dish detergent. I did this but my mistake was not washing it straight on. Do not tilt your object to one side. Doing so helps the cream collect in the corners.
Wash your object with the stencil on. If you take the stencil off you could run the risk of smudging your masterpiece.

I hope these WHAT NOT TO DO tips help you as much as they would have helped me.

T is a work at home mom with a husband known only as The Honey and four children, lovingly referred to as, The Tax Deductions.

Multiplication Math Tricks!

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January 15, 2013 Dian Leave a Comment

$Multiplication Math Tricks$

Multiplication Math Tricks!

My first thought this morning was to wow you guys with some homemade something or other but my daughter felt the need to toss out an idea. She thought it would be peachy keen (yeah they don’t say that anymore) to show you guys a few math tricks that will either make your kids learn their multiplication tables or find a different way to do them. My husband says one of the techniques is maddening and would force a child to memorize their multiplication tables. My kids enjoyed playing with these math tricks so I figured on a snow day, this might entertain your children as well.

This trick does not have a name that I know of but it is a lot fun. It really helped my daughter with her confidence when she was learning her 9 multiplication tables.

This particular trick teaches your little one their 9 multiplication tables. Simply write TEN lines on a sheet of paper and choose your math problem.

For this problem, I chose 9 x 7= . Simply count left to right and scratch away the 7th line.

To the left of the 7th line (the line with the squiggle), you will find that there are 6 lines and to the right there are 3. The answer to 9 multiplied by 7 is 63!

This trick is great to empower the children when they fear learning their 9 times tables.

This works well for 9 multiplied by any number between and including 1 and 10. Here is another great example.

Our next fun tip is a trick to learning your 7 multiplication tables. This one is odd and simple. Begin by drawing yourself a tic tac toe chart.

Starting on the top right, begin writing the numbers 1 through 9 working your way to the left. Here is an example:

Now comes the fun part! Starting by placing the number 0 in front of the number 7 and continue with 1 and on to number 2. Since 2 was the last number you used, begin the row with the number 2. Continue on until you reach number 4. Begin the last row with the number 4 and finish the Tic Tac Math-O!

This trick can continue on and on but I just wanted to give you a quick example.

Last but not least, multiplication made easy. I say easy but my husband says it will make a kid want to learn the “proper” way to multiply. That just means the way he finds the highest level of comfort.

Our math problem for this exercise is 14 x 12 =. For this exercise, I decided to color code the numbers.

For the number 14, I drew 1 line to represent the 1 in 14 and 4 lines to represent the 4 in 14. Notice that these lines are slanted. This is important as we will draw different lines to represent the other half of our math problem.

In brown, I have drawn a line crossing all of the existing lines. This line represents the number 1 in 12. Now I will draw 2 more lines to represent the 2 in 12.

Now that we have all the lines drawn, it is time to mark the intersections. Have your little student to draw a dot or circle over each intersection.

This problem is very interesting because you have to look at where the lines cross initially. On the left, it is clear there is one intersecting side. Draw a line that separates that one dot from the rest of the dots. Look to the right and draw a line separating the next section of dots. This may not seem as clear the first time you do the problem. It gets easier as you go.

Now it is time to count the intersections. Start from left to right and count the numbers in each section.

Now you see why the husband thinks this will force your kids to learn the traditional way to do multiplication. Once you get the hang of this, it’s very simple. Check out this next example and see if it starts to become clearer.

The first few steps are pretty simple. The toughest part is knowing where to separate the intersections. I think this problem shows the easiest way to perform this task.

Notice the intersection above with the arrow. Base your separation on the piece that intersects furthest to the right or left.

Notice how the line does not cross the second set of intersecting lines. This is the key to knowing where to separate. Now just count your intersections and you will have your answer.

Now you have a few starter tricks to share with your children. This is just multiplication, imagine what else we do when we get bored!

Tamona is a work at home mom with a husband known only as The Honey and four children, lovingly referred to as, The Tax Deductions. Get to know my more by reading, “It’s Tamona”

Check out more of T’s Tips About Everything!

How To Make A Decorative Necklace Hanger!

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June 26, 2012 Dian Leave a Comment

How To Make A Decorative Necklace Hanger!

T is back with another great tip! How To Make A Decorative Necklace Hanger! My oldest daughter is the Aaiyja B. of Aaiyja B.’s X-Ces-Or-Eez! She makes her own accessories and sometimes it can be a bit cluttered. To de-clutter her room, we decided it might be best to move some of her sale pieces and her favorite pieces to the wall. We did this by creating a board with hooks that could hold bracelets, necklaces, or KEYS!

How To Host A Stockpile Yard Sale!

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May 15, 2012 Dian Leave a Comment

How To Host A Stockpile Yard Sale!

Many of you sell a portion of your stockpile during the summer. After a long season of shopping, it is time to earn some cash for all of your hard work. Before you get your yard sale ready, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Tip #1: Get organized

You want to have a system in place. Small items should be located closest to your payment area. These items are subject to theft so you want to have them within your line of vision at all time.

Items that would fit in this category include:

Toothpaste
Makeup
Medicines
Lip Balm
Travel size products
Eye Drops
Nasal Sprays
Hair accessories
Nail Care products

Tip #2: Product Placement

Help direct the flow of your yard sale by placing your products in strategic areas. Since clothing tends to draw people in, hang clothing at eye level is ideal. Make sure that you put clothing in front of your sale as well as in the back near the payment table. The clothing that draw them in from the street will make them stop but the clothing near the payment table makes them walk through and see everything you have to offer.

Top sellers at yard sales consist of medicines, mouthwash, toothpaste, and personal care items as well as health and beauty items. Keep like items together so that you can keep an accurate count of the items. Spread these popular items throughout your yard sale so customers will be forced to view each table. For instance, place toothpaste on the table with knick knacks and other gently used items. This draws the customer’s eye towards those items that may not sell as quickly as toothpaste.

When placing items on tables, try to keep items that are in the same price range, in the same area. You want to know that everything on table “B” is $2. This will prove helpful when it gets busy and it also helps customers as they shop.

If you are selling video games or movies, leave the game covers out for customers to browse through and make their selection. The games and movies themselves should be separated and located in front of the cashier. **A shoebox with cardboard dividers makes a great game and movie holder.**

Tip #3: Layout

You want the layout for your yard sale to resemble the letter “U”. This will allow the customer to view every section of your yard sale. Since the goal is to increase your sales, you want the customer to pass what they saw when they entered the sale just in case they were on the fence about a purchase. A second look could be the move to push the customer to purchase.

Tip #4 Catching the Customer’s Attention

If you are looking to catch the customer’s attention in regards to a particular item, you may want to place this item at a higher level than other items at your yard sale. This method would work when looking to appeal to adults.

If you are interested in selling toys at your yard sale, you may want to keep these items lower so a child can easily pick them up. You also want to keep toys out front so that customers can see them from the street and you can keep an eye on them from your payment table.

Tip #5 Advertising & Timing

Start yard sales early in the morning. You want to begin your yard sale early so give yourself 1 ½ hours to set up and post signs around the neighborhood.

Place ads on websites like Craigslist, Backpage, and Oodle. Make sure all signs and yard sale ads contain specific times and give specific directions. All signs should have arrows that point the customer in the direction they should follow in order to reach their destination.

Customers should not have to stop and read small print on signs. Big letters and big arrows are key to getting the customers to your front door. When giving directions, the closest major intersection will be your starting point.

Many people start conducting yard sales as early as Thursday and end on Saturday. Yard sales begin to slow down after 12pm. It is imperative that you begin your sale early so that you have time to make money.

Check the city ordinances for rules and laws that govern yard sales in your area. Some areas will only allow yard sales for 1-2 days out of the year and require a fee. Make sure to comply with all laws and ordinances governing your area when planning your yard sale.

Tip #6 Inventory

A yard sale is pointless if you do not have a grasp of what you plan on selling. If you are planning for a large sale, you want to have a large inventory. The more you sell, the more you make.

Your inventory should be recorded prior to the start of the sale. No later than the night before you conduct the sale, write down the items you are selling and how many are in your inventory. This will help you monitor what is being sold and what should be left at the end of the day.

Tip #7 Pricing

There are two prices you want to keep in mind when conducting a yard sale.

• The price on the item
• The price you will take

Many customers see a yard sale as a place to haggle. I am not a fan of haggling so I set two prices. On my inventory list, I write the amount I am willing to take and on the item. If you have toothpaste, you want to sell it for $1. Write this price on your inventory list. On the product, write the price as $1.50. If a customer pays $1.50 for this item, you can be lenient on the price of another item. If the customer wants to negotiate, you know that you will take no less than $1 so the customer feels they have gotten a steal of a deal! Pricing items a little higher than you want will give you wiggle room and keep you at your targeted goal.

When setting prices, you want to make sure to price items for half the price of consumers typically pay in the store. Example prices include:

Toothpaste $1
Tampons $2-$3 (dependent on package size)
Sanitary Pads $2-3 (dependent on package size)
Toilet Paper (varies depending on package size)
Lip Balm $1 (bundles of 6)
Shampoo $1 Conditioner $1
Sunscreen $2-$3 (dependent on size)
Eye Liner $1
Foundation $2-$3
Concealer $3
Lipstick or Gloss $1-$2
Dish Detergent $1
Dishwasher Detergent $1-$2 (dependent on size)
Clothes Detergent $4 (Tide or Gain)
Clothes Detergent $3 (Extra)
Medicine depends on laws in your area and size.
Scope $2 (large bottles)
Listerine 500ml $1.50
Listerine $3 (large bottles)
Lysol Toilet Cleaner $1
Mr. Clean Erasers $0.50 for single boxes
Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Cleaner Starter Kits $2
Swiffer Starter Kit $4 (Sweeper)
Swiffer Duster Starter Kit $2
Swiffer Mop Starter Kit $5
Swiffer Wet Refills $3
Swiffer Duster Refills $2
Swiffer Sweeper Refills $3
Glade Aerosol 2/$1
Febreeze Aerosol $1
Glade and Airwick Automatic Spray Starter Kits $4
Glade Candles 2/$1
Airwick Candles $2
Drinks (cold in a cooler with ice) $0.50 for cans and $1 for bottles

Sell small bags of chips and individually wrapped snacks for customers who have been out shopping all day. The items should not exceed $1.

Create surprise bags (brown paper bags) worth a high value with various yard sale items for a set price. The bag should be stapled so that the customer gets a surprise. Write the value of the items in the bag and place a sticker with the asking price in the corner. This keeps the yard sale interesting. You want to have plenty of bags on hand. Whether you choose paper or plastic, bring out all of your bags because you will need them for your customers heavy bundles.

So, have you had a Stockpile Yard Sale before? How did you do? Share your tips in the comment section!