Tales From a “GREEN” Minivan

It looks as though I haven’t forgotten! One thing I had forgotten was just how much I love to bike ride! Earlier this week I mentioned I’d like to get the boys one of those Tag-Along bikes that attaches to the back of an adult bike. The next thing I know I get an email from Sarah that someone is selling one locally!

Here’s what they look like:

The Trail-a-Bike is made by Adams and meant for 3-6 year olds. They were introduced in 1986, so parents could have a safe way to enjoy longer bike rides without their child trying to keep up on their own bikes or for those still learning.  They also help in introducing “traffic safety”concerns as well.  Seeing that my boys are very small for their age, I know we’ll get lots of use out of it!  We already had a bike seat for Finn, so the plan is to get Liam confident with peddling  using the Tag-along and then move him to his own bike.

This afternoon Liam and I biked approx 2 kms!  I’m so proud of him and he did really great!  This is a boy that’s never even used a bike with training wheels before!

Here’s  a shot I took of us of our reflection in one of the windows of Saint John’s new Cruise Ship terminal on Water Street.

Over the past few years we’ve been fortunate enough to have a fantastic new trail system evolving right along the harbour front dubbed the Cranberry Trail due to it’s red asphalt, but it’s official name is Harbour Passage.  It welcomes biking, walking, running and also my favourite- inline skating. I started inline skating about 17 years ago when I lived in Florida, but did not really have a great place to skate here at home until Harbour Passage came along, nor did many others in the area skate.  Now at any given time you’ll pass by someone inline skating on the “Passage”.  I’ve decided that I’d like to get out at least 3 times a week and either bike or skate during the fair weather season, wish me luck!

Mom, if you’re reading this click your back button, I don’t want you to spoil your surprise!

There, now that I have that out of the way, I’m going to show you what I made on the weekend.  In March I took a class at our local Family Resource Centre that I really enjoyed and didn’t want to end!  I met Tina Weller (aka- The Serene Stamper) who is a consultant with Stampin’ Up!  She is a super exuberant gal with a passion for craft, and just what this gal with self-proclaimed “scrappers block” needed!

After the 4 weeks of  classes ended, some of the girls decided to start a “Stampin’ Club” and get together once a month to papercraft.  We made a commitment of 6 months to buy $35 each and each one of us will host a night and get some free products.

Last weekend’s project was a card and matching candle. I know I was a little curious as to how we could stamp onto a candle, but it was much easier than I thought and the result is just stunning!

We actually did not stamp onto the candle at all, instead, we stamped our designs onto some white tissue paper, the kind you use in gift bags. We stamped onto the shiny side of the tissue then used some chalks and blending pens on the opposite side.  We then cut each design out, Tina recommended wetting just around the perimeter to tear it away.

Next we positioned each stamped design  onto the candle and placed some wax paper and wrapped the entire candle we made sure to have some excess to use to hold onto from the back. The next step was using a heat gun, a paper crafting tool like a mini-hair dryer and in circular motions over each of the designs you will soon see the tissue disappear into the candle.  Once you see the edges of the tissue dissolve into the candle, roll the candle with the wax paper still attached several times on a hard surface.  Then carefully peel the wax paper away.

Here’s my completed project!

and the matching card!