Category: Communicate it

Scratch-off Valentine Card

Scratch-off hearts valentine?s card 

 Make this fun Valentine’s Day card with BHG.com’s template and type in your date-night choices. To finish the card, follow the easy steps below.

1. Print the card onto cardstock and trim. Print the heart template and cut out, then cut a strip of clear Con-Tact paper long enough to make four hearts. Trace around the heart template on the paper side of the Con-Tact paper.

2. To make the scratch-off solution, mix 2 parts metallic acrylic paint with 1 part dishwashing liquid. Using a small, flat paintbrush, apply a thin coat of the scratch-off solution onto the front side of the Con-Tact paper and let dry for an hour. Repeat with a second coat, and add a third coat if your paint looks streaky.

3. Cut out the hearts (following the traced outline), peel off the backing, and place over the heart spaces on the card. Package the card with a new penny.

via BHG.com

Hand Print Calendar

I wish I would’ve seen this soooner! What a great project for kids. Here’s a couple of tips for doing clean handprints. Use acrylic paints, they are washable. Instead of dipping the hands into the paint, which is really messy, use a foam paint brush to apply the paint to the hand then press immediately and firmly onto the paper. Wash off with soap and water or a baby wipe. Best tip: wear aprons or paint smocks to protect clothes. project idea via E is for Explore.

Get Your Kids Involved in Coupon Clipping Savings

Mr. and Mrs. Not Made of Money have great ideas for all sorts of penny pinching ideas. Here’s how to get your kids excited about saving money with coupons:

1. Make coupon clipping a contest.
Many Sunday papers have two or three coupon circulars within its pages. Give a circular to each of your kids and let them peruse its pages. Set a goal, maybe the goal will be to find three coupons for products you regularly use, and reward the first of your helpers to reach it. A frugal reward might be an extra hour of television or video game time for each week’s winner.

2. Reward special coupon finds.
If one of your kids finds a particularly valuable coupon like a free item, allow your helper to get that item on your next shopping trip. It won’t cost you anything (except the sales tax) and you’ll keep your little coupon hunters enthusiastic.

3. Plan meals around coupons.
Maybe your little one loves those little frozen pizzas. If he finds a coupon for it one week, consider allowing him to plan one evening’s dinner around that coupon. Not only will you get help with your coupon clipping, but you’ll also get helping with your meal planning. For one night you won’t have to wonder what’s for dinner.

4. When grocery shopping, put one of your children in charge of the coupon book.
Make him your partner in grocery savings as you make your way through the grocery store aisles. He’ll love being your special helper and you’ll have less to juggle.

Clean Your Cell Phone

Rubbing alcohol is the best to use on most of your phone (buttons, speaker area, etc) for getting rid of germs and oils, however on some older models that have the plastic encasement over the display you will want to use glass cleaner on that particular part or else the plastic covering may turn opaque.

You may also want to occassionally clean the bottom where you connect the charger. For this, you can dip a soft bristled toothbrush in a bit of rubbing alcohol (do not immerse it) and gently brush the connection area to free up any goo or small particles that are wedged or blocking your connectors.

Another note: Never use any type of liquid behind the battery. Most phone manufacturers have a dot or line on the back behind the battery that – if gotten even remotely wet or damp – will leave a tell-tale mark. It won’t hurt your phone, but if you should have an issue while it is under warranty they will assume it is water damage and won’t even bother taking it apart to see otherwise. via