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Anna’s homework the other day was to create a heritage doll to highlight her ancestors’ cultures. After convincing her that Florida was not, in fact, a country nor was it a culture (although technically, she could have won that argued had she known a little more) we settled on Scotland and started our research.

First we tried regular old google search.  When we typed in ‘Scottish dresses’ one of the first few images that appeared was of a risqué Scottish marm. Apparently, some sort of sexy Halloween costume. I really didn’t want to explain why that was not ‘authentic’ highland garb so I took over the search for a few minutes.

Every entry we put in resulted in either something commercial from one of the big box stores or just something totally irrelevant. I was surprised that this was the first time I was encountering this issue but then realized I don’t really search using my kids’ eyes as lenses.

It was kind of horrifying what was popping up.

So next we tried safesearchkids.com which is powered by Google and the first 5 results were again links to costume shops and the 6th was an entry in Wikipedia.  Wikipedia is fine but it is super text heavy and completely over my 7 year old’s head.

So after a few more tries, I gave up and called my  friend who has his own computer consulting business. His answer: try Kid Rex.

Kid Rex?  What’s that ?

A kid-friendly search tool

This is another search site that uses Google’s safe search but also uses google custom search and maintains it’s own database of kid safe websites.  The results were MUCH better. Yes, some were still sites for costumes but they weren’t Halloween type shops with triple x-rated images. Phew!

I also really like KidRex’s suggestion to set this page as your homepage if you kids have regular access to the computer.

So that’s my tip for parents out there about to unleash their kids on the internet.

Got any other good tips to share?

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Want to know what is quite possibly the best craft for a +6-year old to do on a winter day? Make a fleece tie blanket.  It is the easiest and most rewarding craft they can do.

Materials needed:

• two pieces of fleece
• scissors

THAT’S IT!

You love me now don’t ya?

So here’s how you make a fleece tie blanket in 5 easy steps.

1. Overlay the 2 pieces of fleece cut to the same size. Shape doesn’t matter, square or rectangle, big or small – whatever floats your boat. You are making a lap blanket so it doesn’t have to be huge.
   
2. Take the scissors and cut 4″x4″ squares from the 4 corners (cutting through both layers). Discard the squares.
3. Starting at one corner, make a cut into both layers about the length of scissor shears (or longer – it’s totally up to you, I’m guessing it’s about 4″ long).
4. Move over about 1.5 inch (just eyeball it- DO NOT measure or stress about this) and make another cut. Repeat until you have cut strips all the way around the blanket.
5. Starting at one corner take a strip from the top layer and the corresponding strip from the bottom layer and double knot them together. Repeat until all ties are double knotted.

   THAT’S IT!

HOW EASY IS THAT?

My 6-year old daughter made one of these over the weekend as a birthday present for her cousin. She was incredibly proud of her accomplishment and the fact that she made this beautiful soft blanket almost entirely by herself. I did a lot of the cutting but she did ALL of the tying.

Tips:

• Use coordinating fleece for the two layers. There are lots of very cute patterns out there that can be mixed and matched for super cute combos. Think team sports or ladybugs or favorite TV show characters.
• Use a a coupon from Jo-Anns or your local fabric store. There are always LOTS of coupons sometimes for 50% off an item and this can make this an extremely affordable project.
• You can prep this project and then take it on the road with you (say to Grandma’s house) just tie a few of the strips at each corner to help keep the blankets lined up.
• I don’t recommend making the strips shorter than the length of the scissor shears (about 4″ inches) – otherwise it can be tough for little fingers to double knot the fleece, especially if you are using thick fleece.
• This craft is best for kids that starting to tie their own shoes – it might get frustrating for those that don’t know how to tie just yet but it will be great practice!

Tomorrow our Daisy troop is going to be making some blankets like this with the help of our older Brownie troop for the local Children’s Hospital. Apparently these blankets are in high demand at hospitals, retirement homes and even for animal shelters. A great community service project for your kids to do this winter!

Special thanks to Lucy for teaching me and our Daisy troop how to do this fantastic and simple project. Lucy, you’re awesome!

The post Best Winter Kids’ Craft: Fleece Tie Blankets in 5 Easy Steps appeared first on Periwinkle Papillon.

You guys are so awesome!

Thank you to all the Periwinkle Papillon readers who took a moment to send 10 year old Zach Bee a card over the holidays. On January 3rd, Zach underwent brain surgery to remove a tumor.  I’m happy to share that Zach’s already home and busy recuperating from his surgery.

Zach’s Aunt Jen started a Facebook plea to help boost Zach’s spirits by sending him a card. Soooo many people answered the call.  To date he’s received over 2,000 cards from almost all 50 states and various countries. Yes, I did say almost all 50 states because I guess he’s missing Vermont. C’MON VERMONT!!

Thank you to everyone who took a moment, wrote a card and mailed it off.

You can keep this going – Zach is still recovering and the cards arriving every day still help bring a smile to his face.

Thank you so much!

This is Zach (AFTER SURGERY! Doesn’t he looks great??) and you can follow his story on Facebook by clicking here:

1 week after BRAIN surgery! What a trooper! 10 yr old Zach Bee

The post Update: Zach Bee appeared first on Periwinkle Papillon.

You guys are amazing!

Thank you to everyone reading this blog and following me on Twitter,  almost everyone that I’ve pinged via social media has replied saying that you will send Zach Bee a card! THANK YOU!

Here’s a message from Zach via his new Facebook page:

A message from Zach

The Bee family has started a Facebook page to update his friends & family on his journey and as a place to post messages of encouragement. The best news on the site so far is the update of all the cards that are starting to arrive for Zach!

Please continue to send in your cards!  It’s amazing how something so small can bring such BIG joy! As my cousin said… for the cost of a stamp, you can lift a 10 year old’s spirits and I can think of no better gift.

The address is:

Zachary Bee
6343 Helen
Garden City, Michigan 48135 USA

Some of you have asked more about Zach’s reason for surgery, his family posted the following on the FB page:

Some of you have asked a few questions about Zach and his brain tumor. He has this tumor and others because of a condition he was born with called Neurofibromatosis (NF). This definition comes from The NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder of the nervous system. It mainly affects how nerve cells form and grow. It causes tumors to grow on nerves. You can get neurofibromatosis from your parents, or it can happen because of a mutation (change) in your genes. Once you have it, you can pass it along to your children.

There are three types of neurofibromatosis:

Type 1 (NF1) causes skin changes and deformed bones and usually starts at birth.
Type 2 (NF2) causes hearing loss, ringing in the ears and poor balance. It often starts in the teen years.
Schwannomatosis causes intense pain. It is the rarest type.
There is no cure. Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms. Depending on the type of disease and how bad it is, treatment may include surgery to remove tumors, radiation therapy and medicines.

To follow Zach Bee’s journey on Facebook please like his page here: Zach’s Journey To The Brain & Back Again.   Sending you courage, love, and hugs Zach!

And thank you to everyone that sends a card or two or more, you guys make my heart smile.

SARA

The post Update: Cards for Zach appeared first on Periwinkle Papillon.

This is Zach Bee.  Zachary is 10 years old and on January 1st , he will undergo brain surgery to remove a tumor.

I want you to send Zach a card.

Any card…A Christmas card, a birthday card, seriously ANY card. Just say hi. Because, it will mean the world to him.

His adoring Aunt Jen launched a Facebook plea to help lift his spirits.  I learned about it from my cousin Andrea (who is friends with Jen) when she updated her status with this message on Monday:

A friend posted this on her FB page.. I am writing my card out now!!
- asking all my Fb friends to send cards to my nephew, Zachary Bee he is having brain surgery Jan 1st to remove a tumor. He loves collecting things and would LOVE any card you send: 6343 Helen, Garden City, Michigan 48135 USA…pass this on to anyone wanting to lift his spirits! lets flood him with cards and see how many he can get! Love him so much and he will get through this, he is the most strongest 10 yr old I know!!!!

The status update came across my screen as I was sitting there writing the last of my Christmas cards.  A card? That’s it? I can do that. So I did.

And then when I told my 6 year old daughter’s Daisy troop about Zach they did too:

Please send any card. Seriously – you have an extra holiday card? Send it.

If you want to get more specific his favorite colors are blue and red he likes buses, trains, cars, army stuff Mater from Cars, Winnie the Pooh & big stuffed bears. Any vehicles, esp. big ones…buses, trains, tractors, dump trucks, etc.

Also? Please help spread the word via twitter and facebook!  You can tweet about it with the following message:

Send 10yr old #ZachBee a card! http://bit.ly/ZachBee  via @PeriwinklePapi

That will direct them back here for the address which again is:

Zach Bee
6343 Helen
Garden City, Michigan 48135 USA

It takes 2 seconds… THANK YOU for helping spread a little cheer and thank you from the bottom of my heart!

xo

SARA

P.S. If you send a card, please leave a comment here that you did.

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Diane von Fürstenberg maxi dress, $201
J Crew j crew dress, £110
Norma Kamali bandeau bikini, $350
High heels, $15
Michael Kors bangle bracelet, $150
Amrita Singh teardrop earrings, $80
Finesse gold stud earrings, £19
Vintage sunglasses, $740

The post Holiday Set 1 appeared first on Periwinkle Papillon.

We have a winner!

But first I have to admit that I sort of feel bad because we had some very enthusiastic entrants to this contest, namely, Alyssa from Near Normalcy and well… she didn’t win. Alyssa really really really really REALLY wanted the Elf.

I mean she REALLY wanted it.

She entered, facebooked and tweeted but unfortunately, Randomizer.org didn’t pick her and I hope she won’t be too sad. Maybe you could all stop by her blog and leave her a little comment love to cheer her up. Thanks Alyssa for your passion but seriously you might have just saved yourself from those 3AM panic wake ups when you realize you haven’t moved the little guy yet. Maybe consider yourself lucky? (Just trying to spin this for you…)

So without further ado, chosen by Randomizer.org, comment #13 is the winner of my Elf On The Shelf Giveaway.

Jennifer is now the proud owner of a new Elf On The Shelf!

Congratulations and welcome to Beauty and the Agony of your new holiday tradition!

Please be sure to link your Elf’s hiding spot on our Periwinkle Papillon facebook fan page. Remember there will be 3 winners of something at some point. I still don’t have that part figured out but it will be good.

And in case you missed it… click here to watch my little Elf Movie promo. 

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Wordless Wednesday: Cumulous

I see a dragon, a clown face, a bunny...

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Sometimes you see signs. Twice in one day I’ve been told to go check out Marais USA.

First, PureWow sent me an email with their love of summer white which profiled these amazing shoes.

Source: Pure Wow

Then I checked out Jordan  Ferney’s at Oh Happy Day and she has a great post on what to bring to Paris which also, low and behold profiled THE most adorable pair of ballet flats.

Source: Oh Happy Day!

So I did heed the sign and now I’m totally in love.

Check out these lovelies over at Marais USA:

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