Saturday, April 27, 2013

Ruler Height Chart Tutorial

HOW TO MAKE A RULER HEIGHT BOARD
 
I seen this idea on Pinterest some time ago and thought it was a good one, and then just last week decided I would like to make one.

So this morning I set the kids up outside to play in this beautiful Queensland sunshine and I hit the sander...

It was so simple to make and it only took half a day.

Better still I needed not to purchase any materials, they were all here on our property, but you might have to.....


WHAT YOU NEED

:: A piece of pine board (I found mine under our shearing shed and it was ALMOST already cut to size.
:: Varnish
:: Rags
:: Paint Brush
:: Nikko Pen in Black
:: 30cm Ruler
:: Sander
:: Grinder
:: Sprit Level
:: Drill
:: Screws
:: Stencil
:: A hunky husband or tradie to help you with the fiddly bits ;-)

Here's how too:

 
Purchase your piece of timber {probably pine would be best} this is not any particular length or width, it is what it is and it's about 7 foot {most kids and adults aren't any taller!}
 
NB:: If you are purchasing your timber from the hardware store you won't need to do this step.
Measure out the width of the board and mark all the way down the thickness.
 




 
Join together with Nikko making a straight line. Cutting the along the line with a grinder, sander or jigsaw

  
 Make yourself some smoko .....


 

Once you've cut the timber straight, give it a sand on all edges and front and back to give it a nice smooth finish.
 


 Using your decking oil, rub into your timber board with a dry cloth or a paint brush, on both sides, not forgetting to do the edges and watch the timber soak.it.up.....
 


 I am lucky enough to have this shearers wool bag stencil on our wall from our shearing shed, so I used it as the stencil for the numbers, but you can download some off the net, make your own in word or buy some from your local art and craft supplies store.
 
 
Next step. Prepare your board to the measurements of choice.
 
I used feet and inches, because it has the nice effect of the larger numbers {and was less lines to draw on the board compared to cm}
 
Using a Nikko Pen in black is best I think, compared to painting, it iscleaner and is more effective and easier to handle and looks neater in the finish. It stays on well.
 



 
 Now place your stencil at the end of each bigger line {which will be 'feet'}
 
It's advisable to trace around stencil first with a pencil or chalk to make sure it's going to be where you want it.
 
Then, just colour in with your Nikko.....
 
 

If you make a mistake using the Nikko pen {see here I had the 1 too close to the foot line and was not even with the rest of the numbers} just use some Metho on some cotton wool buds and dab on the area you wish to 'delete' and it will come off and you can start again.



Now if your a women doing this, this is where your hunky hubby comes in......
 

 Select your desired place for your new Ruler Height Measurer and have him level it out and help you secure it


 
Once secured, I then added the kids heights from birth until now {only using the month of Februrary as a time we will use it as it is both their birthdays in this month}
 
I used a smaller marking pen for this so it didn't over power the rest of the measurements on the ruler.
 
 
And there you have it - you've just created a lovely new piece for your home for the whole family!
 
 
 
 
 An estimate of cost is $80
An estimate of time is half a day
CREATING A LIFETIME OF MEMORIES
 
 
 


Thursday, April 18, 2013

Back on Track

Things should be back on track now for me, creating and looking after my cherubs. I am happy now the Blog and Facebook Pages are set up and I will update the Facebook Page Daily and Post a Blog once a week......

Kids Food ...........

This is all I've done this week so far.

Duckies swimming :: What you'll need ::

Manderine
Half a pear
Toast {cut with a cookie cutter}
Cheese Singles {cut with a cookie cutter}
Green Apple


Jelly Baby Iceblocks :: What you'll need ::

Water
Cups
Ice Block Handles or Paddle Pop Sticks
Jelly Babies or any other type of lollie

Heidi loved these today as she is teething and it soothed her pain



 
 

Handy Hints ...........

 Spray some purfume on a book with flowers in it for your kids, they will love being able to smell the flowers!
 
 Winter is almost here...... get your scarves out and have fun with them! {Sorry about my work clothes, it's just what I am wearing today when I thought of doing this}
 
By rubbing butter on the sides of cheese when your going away or if you don't eat it often, prevents the cheese from going mouldy.
 
 Did you know that putting baby powder on you and your kids after you have been in the sand at the beach or sandpit, will make it fall off you and not be sticky and leave such a mess everywhere?
 
Keep all your free motel lotions and potions and put into a basket in your spare bedroom for your guests to use "Just in case they forget something"
 
 


Monday, April 15, 2013

And so it begins.....


{for each photo in this post, please view my Facebook Page for more info on each subject if you would like to know what it is or how it's done :: https://www.facebook.com/Mysmokobreak the blog from now on will be more in debth with more details for each this is an example of what I'm about!}

This blog will give you a taste of what you will see on here on hopefully a daily basis.......

Baking....
{My love for baking is strong and my freezer is FULL of yummy sweets because I refuse to leave it out for ME to eat} #needmorevisitors!

Recipes.....
{How could I possibly post a pic without sharing the recipe with you?}

             Delectable Chocolate Caramel Slice
             Base
1 cup plain flour, sifted
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup desiccated coconut
125g butter, melted
            Filling
400g can sweetened condensed milk
2 tablespoons golden syrup
60g butter, melted
            Topping
60g copha, chopped
125g cooking chocolate, chopped
Add all to
 
Method
Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a 3cm deep, 28 x 18cm (base) lamington pan.
Combine all base ingredients in a bowl. Mix well. Press into prepared lamington pan. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until light golden. Remove from oven. Cool.
Make filling: Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, whisking, for 8 minutes or until golden. Pour over cooked base. Bake for 12 minutes or until firm. Cool completely. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 hours, or until set.
Make topping: Place copha and chocolate into a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir until melted. Pour over caramel. Refrigerate to set. Cut into squares to serve.
 
 
Childrens Craft Ideas.....
{Ideas I have come across on Pinterest, Facebook or done before when I worked for Frontier Services as a carer}
 


Creative food Ideas for kids.....
{Teaches your child food groups, new words, animals, objects, tastes and is generally all round fun for me and them! {Another bonus is anyone can do it and copy these becasuse its everyday food items you would have!} and maybe, just maybe..... they.will.eat.more!}

 
General Creative Food Ideas.......
{As
seen on Pinterest, Faceboook, Websites and Books plus some of my own ideas that I have tried and want to tell YOU wether it works or not!}









 
 
Craft projects and ideas for adults.............
{These are projects I have done on my own property/house/garden and you can try them too!}
 
 
 
 
 
Sewing ideas ......
{I like simple yet effective sewing, anyone can do what I have done in the following pics}
 










 
Household Handy Hints, Tips and Remedies......
{Things I've learnt over the years or found out recently that you may or may not know or perhaps do similar or something better works :: feel free to share yours as well ::}
 








Happenings on our farm......
{I make a point of not being housebound! Sharing with you a story or two about things that are happening here on our SW Queensland Property}
 
 












 
 
Handy Household Recipes ......
{I'm not really frugal but I'm willing to try some ideas, especially if they are known to work and have ingredients that are in my supply}
 



Family and Friend dramas, kids talk and questions, advice and opinions......
{Well is there anything else I haven't covered?}

 
{Feel free to have your say. No items are for sale}