by Sharon | Jan 12, 2016
Yes, TwoCansOnAString.com is ready for Easter
You’ve probably concluded that I’ve been procrastinating.
Well, yes and no . . . I’ve been thinking . . . thinking about crafts and how to make them work for me. I love doing various crafts for all of the holidays. I’ve been watching a lot of “how to” videos and doing a lot of research. Just when I think I know what’s going on . . . I realize I don’t know where I’m going . . . and if I don’t know where I’m going, I can’t help get you there either.
I’ve been thinking long and hard about the process. I am amazed how people figure out their templates for boxes and how they can add other parts that all seem to fold into place.
Yes, I did get lost within this “figuring” process. One minute things are so clear, then in the next . . . it’s lost.
I don’t know about you.
I just know it’s important to make things easy so you can spend some quality time making some exciting Easter boxes to fill with Easter goodies for your family.
I guess it is all about the children, but adults are just big kids at heart, too.
Minnie Mouse’s Easter Candy Box
Disney characters are always popular.
For Easter, Minnie Mouse is on the scene. She’s been out and about gathering Easter goodies.
You’ll be able to assemble her quite easily and she has a box you can fill with your favorite Easter goodness. Just click the image and you’ll be taken to the download page. The free print-able is complete with instructions for assembling these delightful boxes.
I love these! They’re great for decorating a shelf or a mantle. I have a table in my entry that I fill with these candy boxes. You see, Family.Disney.com has the whole “family” of characters decked out for Easter.
You May Also Enjoy:
http://family.disney.com/crafts/daisy-duck-easter-candy-box
http://family.disney.com/craft/donalds-easter-candy-box
http://family.disney.com/craft/winnie-the-pooh-candy-box
I hope these brighten up your Easter celebration. No matter what type of crafting you’re into, I’m sure these candy boxes will fit right in to something you can use. They’ll be a big hit with your family and friends.
I wish you all the best!
Sharon
by Sharon | Dec 31, 2015
Do You Ever Get Confused About The Word “Eve”?
There’s “All Hollows Eve”, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve . . .
For the Halloween one, it seems to be a shortened version of “evening.” For the Christmas and New Year’s Eve meaning the “night before.”
But I could have it wrong . . . it’s how I see it.
In any event, I wish you a safe and sound New Year’s Eve. Yes, it will be a night of celebrating . . . some may be foolish and drive under the influence . . . please be safe and if at all possible, stay off the streets tonight. And caution your children . . . we want to have a Happy New Year, not start it out with heart ache, sorrow, loss or serious injury.
I know most people don’t think about such things . . . and it isn’t something to dwell upon, but a word of caution is important as a reminder.
I’ve Been Thinking
Always a dangerous thing to do . . .
I want to give you some sort of paper craft you can do with or for your family and friends. I think I’ve pretty much shared things in the past . . . and this is a last minute thing on my part . . .
I do love Ray Keim’s paper crafts. He is truly a master with the DisneyLand and DisneyWorld Haunted Mansion. I know it’s New Year’s Eve rather than All Hollows Eve . . . but when people gather . . . there are always ghost stories told or stories of strange or unusual or even funny events shared . . . and everyone seems to like these paper crafts . . . It will keep the family busy for quite some time.
It is a fun way to spend the day and through to the New Year. Just click the image and you’ll be able to print out the instructions and the actual pieces you’ll be putting together of this wonderful Liberty Square Paper Craft. And take some time to look at Ray’s website. There may be something you would prefer to download. It is a wonderful website.
You may want to help this talented artist out by giving him a donation to help him keep these paper crafts free.
For younger children, this Mickey and Friends Ice Skating Paper Craft Playset may be exactly what you need to
keep children engaged this New Year’s Eve.
Just click the image and you’ll be taken to the page to download this winter playset.
This is great fun for children to engage with their favorite Disney icons. It’s good for children to use their imagination and come up with some sort of story . . . perhaps preparing the a great ice skating race or a delightful ice skating talent show. Children have better imaginations . . . maybe you can give your children a little boost in seeing what story they could create to go with this delightful playset.
I downloaded mine on card stock to make them a bit more durable. They do get a workout when children are playing and racing their favorite character to the finish line . . .
Have a safe and fun New Year’s Eve!!!
Sharon
by Sharon | Nov 23, 2015
I Found This Great Thanksgiving Cootie Catcher 
It’s a way of getting everyone to think of how thankful they are for so many of life’s blessings.
This is fun for kids and adults, too. I hope you enjoy it.
You can get the Cootie Catcher Here.
Some like printing it out on card stock so it doesn’t wear out as quickly, but regular printing paper works fine. It may actually be easier for folding.
I like this cootie catcher. Here’s a quick look inside:
- How can you show people that you are grateful?
- How do you feel when you say Thank You to someone?
- Three things I’ve Thankful for today are.
- Why is it important to be grateful for things in your life?
- Which book are you thankful for reading?
This may get everyone talking about their memories of personal experiences they’re grateful for having — maybe not at the time, but now that you’ve had time to reflect. It’s a wonderful activity for young and old to share their thoughts and feelings.
And the Assembly Instructions.
Have a great Thanksgiving!
Sharon
by Sharon | Oct 28, 2015
Do You Count Your Blessings Daily?
Are you truly thankful for your many blessings?
Is this a thought that comes around only during Thanksgiving?
There’s plenty of negativity around us. The trick is to ignore it and fill your heart and mind with positive thoughts. I know it is easier said than done.
Would You Rather Be Happy Or Complaining All of the Time?
Have you noticed how many say the former and do the latter?
Most of us are a mixture — we may start out happy and then something we see or hear turns us into a complainer. Or we may get into a rant about something.
I know it may seem foolish and childish, but you can make a Unicorn or Pegasus or a combination of the two creating your own little critter to remind you to be thankful, gracious, think positively and count your many blessings.
It’s Easy To Find Fault
But, at times, not so easy to find things to praise.
We do it with our family, friends and neighbors. We appraise people regularly, but may not say anything — hopefully not when negative thoughts come to mind. And many times praise comes out sounding flat and shallow.
Why?
Because it isn’t practiced enough. The negative too often comes to mind and right out of the mouth.
In Order To Be More Positive, You Need To Do Acts Of Kindness
Around the holidays it’s always easy to do little acts of kindness.
It isn’t so easy to do them on a daily basis or we haven’t given it enough thought.
I was running this idea by many friends and neighbors and complete strangers I encountered the other day.
One theme ran through their responses:
Society Has Such An “Entitlement Attitude”
One man said, “I don’t give as much as I used to. What you do isn’t appreciated. They think they’re entitled to a free meal at Thanksgiving or buying school clothes for their kids. I’m disgusted.”
Others chimed in:
“There was a man on the freeway off ramp with a sign, ‘Will Work For Food.’ I didn’t have a job for him, but I had a fresh cold container of orange juice I gave him.”
“That was very thoughtful.”
“Yes, especially with the weather being warm and who knew how long he was standing there.”
“Do you want to know what that man did?”
We all nodded in unison.
“He threw that orange juice bottle at my car as I was moving forward. I have a dent on my trunk where it landed.”
You may think this is just an isolated case
There were stories about giving food to someone who came to the door at dinner time.
“We were eating spaghetti, so I fixed a plate and gave it to the man at the door. He looked at it, stuck his fork in a meatball, took a bite and spit it out.”
“We were in the back yard with steaks on the bbq. This guy comes along without saying a word and takes a steak and walks away without a thank you or even a grunt of acknowledgment. I was thankful he took only one steak.”
I may not have succeed here with thoughts of kindness, being thankful and being more positive, but I have illustrated why with such experiences, we aren’t as giving and positive.
I have made and set out many of these paper craft Unicorns and Pegasuses around my house. I don’t want to be tainted by my own experiences and those of others.
I don’t know from where this “entitlement attitude” materialized. I know I don’t like it. I learned a long time ago that no one owes me anything.
Not a kind word and definitely not a hand-out in whatever form that may take.
These Unicorns and Pegasuses are a reminder to me to be more thankful, positive and kind. I think it’s a gentle way of encouraging children to think of others in a more kind manner and to truly appreciate all the blessings they have in life.
We Are Responsible For Changing Our Own Behavior
I don’t like others manipulating me to change my beliefs and attitudes any more than any other person likes being manipulated.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, beliefs and attitudes. It is wrong to inflict yours upon others, just as an individual declares something is offensive to them.
My goodness, if I had a nickel for every time I was offended by something . . .
To be completely honest with you, I don’t go around looking to be offended by certain things. I don’t think “offended” comes into play as much as not liking something. But my not liking something refers to my not liking it for myself, not trying to change something in others.
If there’s something about yourself you don’t like, then you can focus on it and take action to change it. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen over-night, but with continued effort, you’ll make those changes.
I believe that what you concentrate upon is what you bring to you. It’s not magical. You’re more apt to notice those things you have in mind.
While I focus upon blessings and being thankful, I realize how truly blessed I am and how I have many things for which to be thankful.
The paper crafts are merely a reminder for me to leave the negativity behind and concentrate upon positive things. Things that enrich my life. Not tear it down.
It’s also helpful to find the humor in things, rather than being disgusted by them.
It’s all about choices and priorities. They’re different for everyone.
I’m pushing my thoughts ahead to Thanksgiving during this Halloween week because I’m prepared for Halloween and not for Thanksgiving. I know there are many who have Thanksgiving and Christmas all planned.
I am happy for them. They have travel reservations to set up. I admire planning ahead.
I’ve rambled long enough.
I’m very grateful to those of you who have read this post to the end.
I hope the Unicorns and Pegasus find a place in your home. They are cute and well fed on your many kindnesses, positive thoughts, blessings and thankfulness.
Sharon
by Sharon | Oct 22, 2015
It’s Amazing How Something Simple Can Be Made Halloween Creepy
I’m not into the gross, but I can appreciate the spooky and the thought provoking.
This image with the Victorian Birds seems tasteful, but also creepy in a Hitchcock sort of way. Maybe a bit Poe . . . and Stephen King as well. Many writers get their ideas from normal everyday objects . . . and ask “What if . . .”
It got me thinking . . . always a dangerous sign . . .
So many . . . yes, so many people have a fear of clowns . . . how would clowns work in place of the birds. Maybe a bit too creepy to create if you have a fear of them . . . Yet these birds do have a bit of a clownish feel with the ruffled collar, yet that could be the Victorian or Elizabethan era theme.
Witches would be a safe bet . . . ghosts, too . . . and all those people who are into zombies . . . that would be a scary way to go.
You get any sort of gathering of the creepy and scary and it brings inspiration of other frightening spooky images.
A Typewriter Seems A Natural Centerpiece . . . but a Haunted House Works Well, Too
Or a witch’s hat or shoe . . .
I was thinking of a model train engine . . . maybe even a model car . . . an old airplane . . . or a pirate’s ship . . .
You may like a skull with some bones . . .
It’s great to allow your thoughts to get into the creative mode and do something scream worthy for your very own centerpiece decor. The more original you can be, the better . . . but you can get plenty of helpful ideas from http://ravensblight.com
I find The Dark Promise appealing . . .
And you’ll find a lot of interesting things by Ray O’Bannon from Ravens Blight of interest.
Here’s a Haunted House Treat Box you may enjoy.
It’s perfect for giving treats to the neighbors and for kids to give treats to their friends and maybe even their teacher.
I love paper craft boxes for all occasions.
Thanks for stopping by and have fun over at Ravens Blight.
by Sharon | Oct 12, 2015
Boo-ing the neighbors is a good thing to do. I see it as a “pay it forward” type of activity.
Image and Free Printables Courtesy of http://www.sistasfun.blogspot.com
I did this last year and had a great time. At our annual Block Party around Christmas, Boo-ing the neighbors was the buzz. And it can happen around Christmas, too — stay tuned.
My neighborhood is changing with more families moving in. It’s nice to have more children in the neighborhood. I believe it keeps the neighborhood young. And any activities you can do to get the neighbors involved with other neighbors, all the better. It doesn’t matter if you know them or not . . . maybe it would be more fun if you don’t.
Now this next part may be a bit creepy, but bare with me. You need to go out in the neighborhood on a leisurely stroll. You’re going to do a mini stake-out. Just checking out the neighbors that you don’t live around. The idea of boo-ing the neighbors is to go in the dark of night, leave a packet of goodies at the door, ring the doorbell and run like the wind to a safe place where you won’t be detected. I like going out in the early morning, leave the goodies and get home before the neighbor opens their door and finds the goodies.
This spy thing you’re going to do is to find the best time to do your initial delivery — you don’t want your neighbors to find out who left the packet of boo-ing instructions and the goodies. And, you need to see how many people use their front door. Many go through the garage or have a back or side door they use. Also, watch out for those motion detector lights. If your target has those, you need to know when you should deliver your packet while your neighbor is out shopping or picking up the kids or dropping them off at school.
I pick four houses. Two of retired people and two where there are children. I want the retired folks to get involved by receiving something for this Halloween/Harvest season. They may get a kick out of leaving a packet at a neighbor’s door or they will just enjoy the goodies they received. Now families with children are more likely to get involved in the activity.
I drop my four bundles at the four doors and I wait a couple of days to see if the sign “We’ve Been Boo-ed goes up on their door or in a window. If not, I have to select a couple of more houses.
For me, it doesn’t matter if the neighbors get involved or not. I’m having fun giving.
Yet, I do like it when I see those signs popping up that read, “We’ve Been Boo-ed!”
You do have a decision to make. You can either put your “We’ve Been Boo-ed!” sign up or wait to see if you’ve been boo-ed. It doesn’t matter either way. You just don’t necessarily want the neighbors to know who started the whole thing. Not that it really matters, but I think having the neighbors guessing is a good thing. It’s all in fun with good candy for the neighbors to enjoy.
I believe it starts the ball rolling for Halloween . . . even if it isn’t a holiday or activity in which you choose to participate. My neighborhood is very good about honoring the porch light rule — if the porch light is off, don’t knock at the door.
I’m curious to see if any neighbors from last year will get the ball rolling this year. Wouldn’t it be delightful to see two or three neighbors getting involved at the beginning? My goal is to have every house in the neighborhood Boo-ed before Halloween.
You can look online and see all kinds of different designs to use for your boo-ing pleasure.
I do like this design on the right. It has both the poem and the sign on one sheet of paper. If you go to the website you’ll find there are three versions for you to print out . . . also you may want to do some boo-ing at work.
Some people don’t like the idea of making 2 goodie packs to distribute when they only received one.
The idea for me is to spread the good cheer for this harvest time of year. No one will know if you participated or not in all honesty. So, if you choose not to participate, that’s perfectly all right. If you choose to give only one, that’s perfectly all right, too.
It’s something you want to do . . . not have to do.
The same is true about participating in the Trick-or-Treats on All Hollow’s Eve.
I enjoy participating within the neighborhood. Most holidays are personal involving just the family. Yet for Christmas we do outdoor decorating for the neighbors to see and to enjoy.
As I said, this is a fun activity I enjoy doing . . . even if I’m the only one doing it. And maybe it’s a good idea not to overdo it. I was looking online and I saw different similar activities for Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day and Valentine’s Day.
The act of giving or paying it forward comes in all forms and the idea is to give without expecting anything in return. I know I’ve paid for the bill of the car behind me in a drive-thru fast food place on a whim. I know people have done the same in restaurants and at theaters. It is just something nice to do and give some stranger a pleasant surprise.
I don’t think this will change the world, but it couldn’t hurt.
Thanks for stopping by!
Please leave me a commented if you’re so moved to do so.
Sharon
