Make It: Recycled Chipboard Mini Book

Mini Book - 30 & Flirty cover
Originally uploaded by udandi

I wanted to make something for a friend's birthday, but first I needed to attend the party and take photos. It's like one of my best qualities, to be an awesome party guest with a camera and then turn it into a photo album! You may remember, I made an engagement party album and they loved it so I figured no need to change up my style!

I pulled out the empty cereal boxes and decided that ~4.25" x 6.5" was something I could get enough pages from the chipboard on hand. Again, this album was considered complete on my end because it had photos, but the birthday girl was given instructions to finish out the book with her own journaling and doodles (because I figure, what's the point of my memory of the night when it was her party?!)

If she liked the album, it was hard telling because she was not as excited as other people who get really pumped to see the projects I create. Or maybe the idea of journaling frightened her, who knows! The cool thing is that our Teen Librarian liked the project idea so much she booked me for a program in December! I am very interested in doing this project to show people that you do not need to buy tons of scrapbook supplies to create awesome projects.

We have been collecting terrific ephemera and embellishments for our Altered Book program on August 28, which I will post photos from the program and my book afterward.

The Affictionados Reading List

Yesterday, we had our selection meeting for next year's book discussions and I realized I have not been posting what The Affictionados are reading each month so here is a recap.

Feb - The Bad Behavior of Belle Cantrell
March - The Sparrow
April - Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life
May - Ines of My Soul
June - Unwise Passions: A True Story of a Remarkable Woman---and the First Great Scandal of Eighteenth-Century America
July - The Camel Bookmobile
August - The Wild Girl

The Camel Bookmobile was my favorite and Ines of My Soul was the toughest for me to get through, I think because it was written in Spanish and translated. It is one that I probably would have done better with the audiobook, which is what some preferred for Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I tend to stir away from Sci-Fi/Fantasy, but The Sparrow is good pick if you would like to dip your toes in that genre. I thought Unwise Passions was surprisingly good while others had trouble keeping track of names, although there is a family tree in the beginning of the book that I found very helpful!

If you are in the Northern Kentucky area and interested in discussing our picks, The Affictionados meet the second Monday evening of each month. Contact me for time, location and upcoming titles.

Columbus: Crafternoon on High - Sept 20

Ohio crafters, if you are looking for a show to participate or shop, consider Crafternoon on High in Columbus, September 20.

We are planning an alternative craft show to benefit a wee little girl who's family is buried under a mountain of bills from her cancer treatment. On September 20th, we're going to hold Crafternoon on High, an alternative art + craft show for a cause. We're very very excited. Right now, we're accepting vendor applications. We're also planning a raffle to raise even more proceeds.

October 1966 Family Circle

vanity sizing
Originally uploaded by udandi

I was looking through the October 1966 issue of Family Circle reading the advertisements looking for something to add to my projects when I saw this ad.

The daughter wished her mom was slim but didn't say anything because she didn't want to hurt her. But she let them use that photo of mom?! geez.

Mom weighed 227 pounds and wore a 22 1/2, now she's 130 and a size 12! As for her looking great, how would we know?! That's not even the same woman and it's not just because she took off her husband's glasses and got off the phone!

Happy Monday! I told my sister I'm so excited for vacation that I figure I've got about 62% to give this week and that's going to peak on Tuesday and tapper off by Friday.

Want the Going Rate for Babysitters?

Sorry, but your search continues. I found a post at Rocks in My Dryer asking moms to comment on how much they pay for babysitters. The answers and justifications are wildly different.

As a pre-teen in the early 1990s, I marketed my babysitting services around my neighborhood. My keystone was that I was a Red Cross certified babysitter, which seemed to mean little to the parents I encountered. Anyway, I typed up and printed fliers on our sweet dot matrix printer and targeted those households with children that I thought I would enjoy babysitting, which meant I purposely avoided some households. I could always pretend the flier blew off their door or that I thought they had pets and I had allergies.

My first gig paid $4/hour for four kids ages 18 months to 3rd grade. From then on, I was pretty much locked into the rate of $4 or $5 per hour regardless of how many kids I was babysitting. I never enjoyed a holiday or fiasco tip. In writing that, I realize that it was probably foreshadowing of a work life to come, but I was too green to see it. That I would hold jobs that pay below market rate, that my first real job out of college would include the experience of both getting a bonus and then having it taken back, that all my attempts at negotiating will end in disappointment and that when I am told my new job's pay expected increase will be 5%, that will be the year they lower it.

That last part is something for my "letter to my younger self" journal/mini-book project.

Cincinnati Women Bloggers

Today, I had the pleasure of meeting Cincinnati women (and one guy) bloggers! If this was a work meeting and I was keeping a tally sheet of frequently mentioned words, I believe the top five would be blog, blogging, BlogHer, Twitter and Pod Camp!

It is always fun to meet new peeps and this was no different (although I ducked out first because I was starting to get nauseous with a migraine creeping in). Many came with business cards, which will probably end up in a scrapbook layout - ha!

Here's the list of attendees, in reverse alphabetical order since as a "u" I am at the bottom so it is nice to flip the list on occasion!

Laura: World's Best Burger
Loree: World's Best Burger & Hermits Gone Wild
Susan: WorkingMomsAgainstGuilt.com & MrandMrsGetFit.com
Cara: Working Moms Against Guilt
Jane: Work & Joy
Olivia: Where's the Blue Crayon?
Julie: WineMeDineMe Cincinnati & Ditto Chic
Olivia: Where's the Blue Crayon?
Maureen: Taking the House by Storm
Amybeth: ResearchGoddess.com
Shannan: MommyBits and MommyBits Reviews
Olivia: Just Five Minutes a Day
Debba: Girlfriendology.com
Dennis: CincinnatiTherapyGuy.com
Barb: Barb Trimble Blog

Cincinnati: Busken 10 cent donuts Tuesday

It is not not a deal I will enjoy because as much as I like donuts, if there is a crowd I will not be lining up for a 10-cent donut. But for those who are in the habit of getting a donut and coffee, this deal is for them!

Busken Bakery is noting its 80th birthday by offering a special from bygone days: donuts for a dime.

The special, on Tuesday, July 29, includes one glazed donut and a small cup of coffee per customer, said President Dan Busken.

"We are planning to make close to 1,000 dozen glazed donuts," Busken said in an e-mail. "Our normal production this time of year is 1,400 dozen a night (this is all varieties of donuts), so Monday night we will probably fry about 2,000 dozen total donuts."

The promotion limits one small coffee and one glazed donut per customer. Busken is not, for example, offering a dozen for $1.20.

The Cincinnati-based bakery was founded by Joe Busken Sr. in 1928 and has 20 locations in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Source: Cincinnati Business Courier

$1.50 slices @ Cheesecake Factory

My dad sent this along even though I reason you are not going to go there just for the cheesecake. Although when I had dinner there, our server suggested we come back just for cheesecake because we were unable to stuff another ounce in our fat gobs due to the serving sizes being so large. These kind of promotions always make me think pushy crowd so that is another reason I won't partake, but if you do, enjoy!

On Wednesday, July 30, Cheesecake Factory restaurants nationwide will offer every delicious slice of our more than 30 varieties of cheesecake for $1.50 per slice - just like we did when we opened our first restaurant back in 1978!

It's no coincidence that Wednesday, July 30, also happens to be National Cheesecake Day.

Library: Breaking Dawn Ball

breaking dawn ball
Originally uploaded by udandi

If Breaking Dawn and Twilight mean nothing to you than, than you apparently are not eagerly anticipating the release of Stephenie Meyer's fourth book in the Twilight saga, Breaking Dawn on August 2.

Just as bookstores will have release parties, libraries will have programs to celebrate this new book. Trivia, costume, art and fan fiction contests...oh the fun is endless!

I had I thought about it earlier, I could have whipped up some Team Edward or Team Jacob tees since I still have some black tees and supplies from the days of my online shop. Instead, it is an easy DIY project for any crafty chick!

Bazaar Bizarre Cleveland

Normally a December show, Bazaar Bizarre Cleveland will be having its first summer show this weekend.

Bazaar Bizarre Cleveland's first-ever summer show takes place this weekend inside Ingenuity Festival. We'll be located near Stage 3 in the All Go Signs Performance area. Maps are available here: http://ingenuitycleveland.com/maps

This edition of Bazaar Bizarre features everything from amazing ceramics (Gina DeSantis) to jewelry (Lise Anderson), to fiber art and wearables. We'll see you at Ingenuity:

4:00 - 9:00 p.m. Friday 25 July
noon - 9:00 Saturday
noon - 6:00 Sunday

Thanks to Ingenuity and our vendor sponsor CRAFT magazine!

Chronicle Books: 30% off + Free Shipping

Chronicle Books is having their annual 30% off PLUS free shipping sale now through August 3. It is a good way to get books for gift giving. They used to have a clearance section where you could really score some deals, but I do not see that on the web site. In any case, use the promo code FRIENDS at checkout.

I'm checkout out this pantry gifts kits because it is more than just a book, there's stuff to make your jams and pickles look pretty for gift giving!

Cake Pans for Loan? @ Your Library!

Yesterday, I posted about people not realizing all the great materials you can get from libraries and then I learned a library in northeastern Ohio loans cake pans! Skip over to Pop Goes the Library to read her interview with the children's librarian about this creative collection at the Reed Memorial Library in Ravenna, Ohio.

By the way, the photo of my sister-in-law's Dora the Explorer cake is my all-time most viewed photo on Flickr!

Libraries + Brown Bagging

It's Sunday...I'm printing photos out on my printer for a project while catching up on the blogosphere. JP asked How Cheaply Can You Brown Bag Your Lunch? because of a WSJ article about brown bagging it. For as much as I love Coco-Cola, my lunchtime drink is water and you get more crunch with nature's chips (aka carrots) than potato chips. A 16oz bag of baby peeled carrots are about $2 where as chips are what $3.50 for probably less then 16oz? You know, you're going to eat those chips for more than just lunch!

I liked Boston Gal's post title You know the economy is bad when the WSJ rediscovers libraries and then one of her posters remarked on having seen the third article of frugality in the Wall Street Journal. Some people don't realize in addition to books, CDs and DVDs some libraries even have software to checkout. Or that you can access your library's catalog online, place requests for materials available in the entire system and then choose to pick them up at one location (however this is not an instantaneous action). That's just the beginning of what your library probably offers, go find your library and see what else it does (than take your librarian some Simply Lemonade! because she's just drinking water, you know!)

In Cincinnati, the Anderson Township Library Association's used book sale raised $56,700, which was the most successful sale in the organization's 28-year history. The ATLA benefits two branches of The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.

Photoshop Elements for $79

Today is the last day to get Photoshop Elements 6 for $79 from Amazon. I missed getting it on Thursday when it was a deal of the day for $59, because I was not feeling well when I got home from work.

If the enclosed rebate is the same as the sample rebate on the web site, you can get $20 back if you are upgrading or have proof of purchase from another image editing program.

Library: Web Developer postions

If you are a web developer/master looking for a non-corporate position you might consider a position with a library:
Dayton Metro Library - Web Specialist
Washington Centerville LibraryWebmaster
Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County - Web Developer

Unfortunately, the Franklin-Springboro Public Library, who could use a little tweaking on their web site, is not hiring a web designer.

Credit/Debit Card Scam at Kroger gas stations

I just got this email from a friend from when she used her Fifth-Third debit card to get gas at a Kroger in Milford, Ohio on July 12:

I used my debit card to get gas at the Kroger in Milford on Saturday and less than an hour later someone was racking up charges at the Kroger in Ann Arbor Michigan. In less than an hour they tried to spend over a $10000....luckily only the first purchase of $360 cleared and then two additional attempts were declined.

I talked to 5/3's fraud department and they said it looks like someone within Kroger has set up a "chip" scam. Basically they hook up a chip to the scanner and when you swipe your card it records all the information. Then they simply call the numbers into another Kroger and they take all they can out of your account or off your credit card :-(. It sucks but they cancelled my card and will put the money back in my account within 10 days.

The fraud specialist advised using a credit card, especially at gas stations because they are an easy target for scams like this. The information can still get stolen, but at least that way they aren't cleaning out your checking account.

I did not ask if she reported the pump she used to that Kroger. In any case, this is rotten news for people who use credit cards to pay at the pump. Not to mention Kroger, who many in this area go to for gas purchases because of the per gallon discounts offered through their credit card or loyalty card programs.

Music: Feed the Animals - Girl Talk

Girl Talk's Feed the Animals is available as a "pay-what-you-like" system. You can stream the album on his myspace page (warning, his albums are labeled explicit).

I bought and loved the Night Ripper album because it is like musical trivia, trying to identify all the songs he samples. Then, I learned there was a wikipedia entry for that album (and this new one) so I can check myself. I am enjoying this new game of song identification and am happy to have something peppy for my workouts.

Recipe: Hot Potato Salad

My friend and her recipe are in our local entertainment weekly! I've known her since first grade when we were the only two girls with glasses and people confused even though she's blond and I'm brunette.

Since it contains bacon, I can totally get down with her grandmother's hot potato salad!

5 lbs potatoes
2 cups mayonnaise (approximately)
1 lb Velveeta cubed
1 lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 onion chopped (optional)

Instructions

1. Boil potatoes, peel if you like, and cut into cubes.
2. Combine potatoes with other ingredients in a large dish.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until hot throughout.

Library: Dip-off Day!

Today, was the dip-off at work. I entered bagel cheese dip, which was renamed Bagel Dippin' Cheese by my coworker, LE, who made the table tag. I made it because it is easy and I would be happy to take home leftovers, not because I thought it would win. As it turned out, someone else brought the same dip, but with plain, not everything, bagels. It's all about the bagels, my friends!

In a field of 10, LE had the come from behind win with her Dip in a Jif - aptly named because she ran out to the grocery during her lunch break and then made it on-site in a matter of minutes. It is actually a bacon cheddar dip served with potato chips. I'll post the recipe when I get it. I was excited she made something because I really enjoyed her taco dip when she came over to craft!

You may remember I won the brownie bake-off* so I was doubly excited someone from my department won, because the score is now: Reference - 2, Youth Services - 1.
Circulations, Tech Services and Administration need to step up their game! ;)


*Yes, I am still reveling in that win because it is the first and probably last time I will win a cooking honor!

Got a problem? Blame oil

For a sense of how deeply the oil-price story is woven into the fabric of life in 2008, Buzzwatch compiled a list of 50 things being attributed, at least in part, to high fuel costs. Not all the news is bad, and our list is by no means comprehensive.

I clicked on this article because I was looking for someone or something to blame for my achy legs after my walk, but really I cannot place blame for be able to walk my errands. I quite enjoy being able to walk to the post office, library, bank, drugstore, grocery and ice cream shop!

Qdoba's Eat Free Faster promotion

I just got an email for Qdoba's Loves Ya Back summer bonus where I (and other card holders) can earn a free meal faster through double points. I have not been to Qdoba in months and surprisingly my birthday/holiday gift cards are not burning a hole in my pocket!

Make sure you have a registered Qdoba Card. Purchase up to 5 entrées between now (yep, whatever day you happen to be reading this) and Labor Day, and presto…you just earned yourself a free entrée!*

*For existing card holders, 1,000 total points are still required to earn a free entrée. During the promotion timeframe you will earn double points for each entrée. If you have existing points on your card, you may have to purchase fewer than 5 entrées to hit the 1,000 point limit needed for the free entrée.

Make it: recycled chipboard photo album

recycled chipboard photo album
Originally uploaded by udandi

Continuing to recycle cardboard from cereal boxes rather than buying chipboard albums from a retailer, I made this album of friends' engagement party photos.

I used scrapbook paper to cover the cereal box printing, but then some pages were left blank and left the kraft-color cardboard as the background. I did not do much in the way of journaling because I thought the couple (or just bride-to-be) might want to add their own memories of the evening.

One thing I tried my best to do is take a photo of all who attended the party, but than that meant I was not in any. oh well.

Happy Red, White & Blue Day!

Red, White & Blue
Originally uploaded by udandi

Two appropriately dressed coworkers posed with the July color display - book covers that are red, white & blue!

To see the rest of our library displays, visit my Flickr set.

Librarian patterns at Sublime Stitching

aw-yah! Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching says:

This sheet is overdue! It's the theme you've been begging us for: sexy librarians, office supplies (typewriter!) and a memo-taking secretary. Check them out, and bring them back in two weeks with projects you've made.

I think these patterns are what will finally spur me on to get on the embroidery wagon (because of course I need another project)!

The designer of these patterns is Alicia Policia who has a fantastic cake on her blog - go check it out!