tipsandsolutions

Easy Mother's Day Craft- A Mother's Day Breakfast Tray

This Mother's Day give your mom a special breakfast tray that she can display or use again and again. For the woman who has served you and your kids breakfast for years, this is a great way to return the favor while giving her something she'll always cherish! All you need are a few simple supplies, a wooden tray, little helping hands, and Lifetime Table to assemble everything with minimal cleanup.

Checklist

• Lifetime table
• Lifetime chairs
• Wooden tray
• Patterned paper (in her favorite colors or colors that match the home decor)
• Solid colored cardstock
• Journaling pen (acid-free)
• Thick thread and ribbon
• A sharp pencil 
• A photo of your children 
• Scrapbook letter stickers
• 5-6 Buttons
• Hot glue gun
• Decoupage or regular white glue
• Paint matching the patterned paper (optional)

Steps

1. If desired, paint the wooden tray and allow to dry.
2. Have children write what they love about mom on patterned paper.
3. Cut cardstock into several peices. One to fit the length or width of the base of the tray, and some peices that are just 1/4" bigger than your photo on each side.
4. Smear the white glue or Decoupage on the back of your peice of cardstock, and adhere it to the inside of the tray against the left wall.
5. Do the same to the back your peice of patterned paper, and place it centered between your cardstock and the right wall.
6. As you allow both peices of paper to dry on the tray, use the needle and thick thread or ribbon to stitch around the cardstock that is just slightly larger than your photo. You can use a sharp pencil to poke holes along the edges beforehand.
7. Use white glue to mount the photo to the piece of stitched cardstock (that is 1/4" larger than the photo) so that it forms a frame. Adhere some thread or ribbon across the bottom and use hot glue to add a button or two.
8. Use the hot glue to adhere the ribbon along the length of your cardstock, near the center of the tray. Glue on the remaining buttons and washers to the ribbon. 
9. Adhere embelished photo to tray.
10. Place sticker or title letters to the cardstock. Create a saying that means something to her, or something pertaining to what the children have written, like "Mom, we love you because..." ... and you're done!

Tips

• To preserve the tray design and images, spray a coat of clear matte fixative over the inside of the tray. To create a water-proof coat, pour in a layer of high-gloss coating. Spread evenly by tipping the tray from side to side, and use a blow-dryer set to low to blow air over surface to eliminate bubbles.

Tips for Planning the Ultimate Family Reunion from Edith Wagner.

  Editor-in-chief of Reunions Magazine, Edith Wagner brings you tried and true tips for planning your next reunion. Although some family reunions can involve hundreds of people and take years to coordinate, it’s never too late to plan a gathering of loved ones and relatives. Such occasions are great times to bond with the family, and below are some tips and techniques to help minimize the work and help you enjoy the event as much as everyone else.

Getting Started!

1. Two 8ft. Lifetime Tables – Put them end to end to form one long banquet table.
2. Lifetime folding chairs – enough for each guest
3. Setting parameters – This is your job as host. The first thing you should do is decide:
   • How many family members will likely attend?
   • What type of space is necessary to accommodate that number of people?
   • How much money am I personally willing to invest, and how much, if any, will need to be contributed by others?
4. Set the date – Poll a sampling of key family members (grandparents, siblings, cousins and other people whose presence is essential) that you have easy access to via email or telephone. Ask if they are interested in a reunion, and if they have any major conflicts coming up. This will help determine if it is feasible, and if interest is high enough to move forward.
   • Once you have a general idea of a date, make sure it doesn't fall too closely to any other major events like weddings, baptisms, graduations, etc.
   • Once a date is selected, stick to it.
5. Finalize a location – A reunion at home has a very personal and relaxed atmosphere, but not everyone has the space needed for such an undertaking. Every town across America has parks, recreation centers, hotels and resorts, etc. that are perfect meeting places for such events. Just remember that if the event isn't at someone's home, organization and proper planning will be even more important.
6. Create a budget – When money is spent as needs arise, costs can shoot through the roof. Devise a budget first, and follow it as closely as possible. Also, be upfront with family members about appropriate contributions. Spearheading such an event is a large contribution in itself, and this should be reflected in the level of assistance from others.
7. Delegate – If you try to plan everything yourself, you’ll produce undue stress. Early on, find family members who are willing and able to provide assistance. Talk to them about what they would enjoy being in charge of, and let them control that aspect of planning. Examples of different responsibilities to delegate are:
   • Site selection
   • Invitations
   • Food
   • Decorations
   • Activities
   • Music & Entertainment
   • Tables & Seating
   • Keepsakes and party favors
8. Communicate – Once all of the work has someone to oversee it, set up weekly meeting times, and stay in contact (in person or by telephone) to ensure everything is getting done in a quality and timely manner. Be sure to follow up after meetings.

Planning and Logistics

1. Create a theme – One of the most important things to remember is that a family reunion celebrates who you are, and where you come from. Invest time brainstorming a theme that works for the family. The theme can shine through in many different aspects of the reunion.
• Invitations – Pick symbols and a color scheme appropriate to your theme, and use them in the invitations and decorations.
• Food – Serve foods traditional for your family and heritage. Grandparents can be a great resource for this!
• Games and activities – Do things that your family enjoys, but also try to incorporate something specific, like bocce ball for an Italian-American family, or Jai Alai for a family of Latin heritage.
• Keepsakes - When creating party favors or other creative items, remember your theme and colors.
• Music – No party is complete without it, so use it as a way to bring your theme to life.
• Clothing – Encourage everyone to dress along the lines of the theme. If you do this, you are only one step away from having a costume contest for a fun activity!
2. Create a Layout – Outdoor spaces are large, so take advantage of it, but plan ahead where everything will go. Lifetime® tables and chairs can be set up in different areas of the party. They are lightweight and easy to move around, making it easy to toy with several different set-up options. Once the layout is finalized, label each table with what will go on it. This way, as guests arrive with their contributions, they will know where to put them. A few areas to think about are a registration area, space for sitting and eating, food and drink service and a keepsake table for displaying articles of family history or photos.
3. Prepare for the Weather – No matter how much hard work you put into planning, bad weather can foil an event. Have tents on hand, or plan your event adjacent an available indoor area or pavilion so that plans can proceed despite the weather. It may not be possible to tent the entire event, but a few strategically placed covered areas can keep the party flowing. If possible, plan a rain date.
4. Create a Comfortable Space – If you can’t have the reunion at someone’s home, put time into thinking about what needs this adds. As you go through a day in your home, ask yourself, “What am I doing that wouldn’t be possible outside in a park?”
• Restrooms: Renting temporary toilet facilities to ensure that everyone can be comfortable throughout the day. Too many guests can cause a strain on septic systems.
• Shade: The same tents you have on hand for rain can be used to create shady areas if the weather reaches the opposite extreme. Provide sunscreen and bug spray, as your guests will likely forget.
• Water: There may not be an adequate water source at your event-site, so have plenty of bottles on hand. Factor in how long the reunion will be, and how many bottles each person might consume over that time period.
• Electricity/Gas: This might be necessary for cooking.
• Clothing: You never know when someone will catch a chill or overheat, and not have extra clothes on hand. Purchase a few inexpensive sweatshirts, t-shirts and hats to have around, or choose these as party favors.
5. Utilize Your Family's Talents – This will help everyone feel involved and can save money. Ask the good cooks to provide favorite family recipes, engage teenage participants by asking them to take photos, shoot video or baby-sit. However, keep in mind that everyone, including you, should have time to enjoy the festivities, so distribute assignments evenly.
6. Plan for Food – Food is often the centerpiece of a family event, but it can also be the downfall if not planned appropriately.
• Decide if you want to serve one or more full meals or simply provide snacks.
• Think about how much you would personally want to eat at the reunion. Allow for a little extra, just in case, and multiply this amount by how many will attend.
• Reach out to local food distributors for quotes to help you find the best deals.
• Use steam tables and coolers to keep foods at safe temperatures.
• Always keep food in the shade.
• Screen attachments on tents can be great for keeping away the bugs.
• Tag a few family members to help be in charge of maintaining the food, helping little ones get their plates ready, etc.
7. Create a Schedule – While it is important to relax and not be inflexible during a fun party, if certain time guidelines aren’t set, activities that took a lot of resources to plan might get overlooked. Print a schedule for the day, and run through it with guests as they arrive.
8. Keep Safety in Mind – Always have first-aid supplies and cell phones on hand. It’s also not a bad idea to call the local police department, and let them know that you are hosting an event with lots of people. This way, if something should go wrong, they’ll be aware, and will know right where to come.
9. Create a Keepsake – Even after the reunion is over, the fun and memory making can continue by making something collectively as a family.
• Quilts make great keepsakes. Provide every participant with a square of fabric and set up an area to decorate them on-site. After the reunion, ask a family member who is good at sewing to assemble the pieces. This simple process is a great way to create a new family heirloom that will be cherished.
• Sign-in books not only keep a record of who attended, but participants can write a short note next to their name to create a simple keepsake.
• Collages of photos from the day can be compiled and emailed to all participants.
• Recipes that are featured at the event can be combined into a family cookbook.

The Day of the Event

1. Set Up – Ask a few family members to arrive early to help set-up. You won’t want everyone standing around as preparations are underway, but a few extra hands (and the muscles of nephews and grandsons) will be welcomed! Have a brief meeting with your helpers when they arrive. This way, there will be no confusion and things will be able to come together quickly.
2. Make Use of the Last Hours Before Guests Arrive – Timing is extremely important the morning of the event, especially when it comes to food. Here are some helpful guidelines:
3. Four hours from guest arrival
• Helpers should arrive
• Set up of tables, tents, etc.
• Set up all activities
• Begin decorating
4. Two hours from guest arrival
   • Refrigerate drinks
   • Purchase ice
   • Make last runs to the grocery store, etc.
5. 30 minutes before guests arrive
   • Make sure all sign in materials are in place
   • Turn on steam tables for food if serving hot dishes
   • If cooking out, turn on the grill
   • Transfer drinks and other food into coolers
   • Put out eating utensils, plates, and napkins
6. Include Family Who Could Not Attend – Have a cell phone dedicated to this purpose and give the number to family members who were unable to attend. This will give them the chance to call in and get passed around to say hello to everyone. Be sure to give those that might call in a good idea of what times would be most convenient.
7. Plan the Next Family Gathering – Having everyone in one place at one time is a rare occasion, so take advantage, and set a tentative date for the next family gathering. Once you see how easy it is to pull this off, you may want to have another sooner than you think!
8. Clean Up – Whether the event is at home or in another location, have sufficient supplies on hand to clear trash and other clutter. Before the event starts, find a few younger helpers who are willing to be in charge of collecting trash and bagging everything up. You can even offer them each a few dollars for their help.
9. Encourage Post-Event Contact – Reunions are great ways to rekindle lost relationships. Create a phone or email chain while everyone is together. This will be great for spreading family news, and to pass along reunion follow-up. After the event, digitize photos, and use the email chain to pass them along to everyone. The next time big family news comes about; it will be easy to get the word out to everyone. This information can even be put together creatively to make a post-event gift to send to all participants.

After Everyone's Gone Home!

• Thank Key Players – Give yourself a few days for everything to settle after the event, but as the planner, it is a good idea to send a special thank you note to everyone who helped make the event a success.
• Stay in Touch – If you follow these tips, you’ll have an improved capability to stay in touch with your family after the event. Do your part to keep family bonds strong.

Composting is an excellent way to reduce, reuse, and recycle!

Don't throw away your kitchen and garden waste! Composting these organic materials creates a rich, black fertilizer full of nutrients and conditioners for your garden. Why spend money on expensive fertilizers when you already have all the ingredients you need to make a wonderful soil conditioner--ingredients that would otherwise end up in an already overflowing landfill?

Compost heaps may be contained in a homemade bin, a commercial bin, or simply in an open pile near your garden, but bear in mind these materials will rot and will therefore create an odor. For that reason, you may prefer an enclosed bin.Storing the material in an enclosed bin will also create much more heat, which will speed up the decomposition process.

Checklist

• Lifetime composter
• organic vegetable matter from your kitchen, including coffee grounds and egg shells
• manure
• grass clippings
• dead leaves
• sticks and twigs

Starting Your Compost Heap

• Keep a plastic bag or container in the kitchen to store your vegetable peelings, fruit rinds, and egg shells for later disposal into your compost heap.
• If possible, use a bag on your lawnmower so that grass clippings can be easily dumped into your compost heap.
• Rake up those dead leaves and twigs in your lawn and flowerbeds and add them to your compost heap.

Maintaining Your Compost Heap

• Regularly mix the materials in your compost heap to distribute the heat that is necessary to decomposition. This can be done with a pitchfork or shovel if you are not using an enclosed commercial bin If you are using a commercial bin, the material can be easily rotated within the tumbler with a few turns of a handle.
• It will take a few weeks for your compost material to decompose into a rich, black crumbly loam that is ready to be spread onto your garden.

Important Tips!

Some organic material is not suitable for composting and can actually harm your plants.Do not put the following materials in your compost heap!

• Meat (including grease) and dairy products because they create a very strong odor that will attract pests and insects to your garden
• Yard vegetation that has been chemically treated with pesticides because that is harmful to the organisms in your compost
• Dog or cat *** because they may contain parasites harmful to humans
• Black walnut leaves and twigs because they release a substance that may be harmful to plants
• Coal or ash because it might contain a substance that is harmful to plants
• Diseased vegetation because it may transfer diseases or bugs to your garden plants

Get the most for your money by maximizing the storage capacity of your outdoor shed.

Your home isn’t the only thing you should be concerned about when it comes to spring cleaning. How about that outdoor storage shed? Your yard is ready for a spring makeover and spring plantings, so you’ll be spending a lot of time in your outdoor shed during the coming summer months.

An outdoor shed is a big investment so be sure you’re getting the most for your money by maximizing its storage capacity. Organize your shed with shelving units and peg strips to keep your smaller items on the wall and free up floor space for your larger equipment.

Checklist

The following accessories will have you well on your way to your storage shed’s total spring makeover

• Peg Strips - Use peg strips to hang tools and equipment of all shapes and sizes from hammers to hoes.
• Shelving Units - Use shelving units to keep smaller items from getting lost and chemical products out of reach of children. You can utilize every little niche of your storage shed by installing corner shelves as well.
• Bike Hook – Use a bike hook to suspend your bike from the ceiling so it's not always getting tipped over as you move around inside your shed

If, after you’ve utilized your Lifetime shed to its fullest storage capacity, you still find you have more stuff than space, we offer shed extension kits to expand your Lifetime shed from 2.5 feet to 36 feet, depending on the model of your shed.

Tips to plan an unforgettable Easter.

In spring, the Easter bunny is busy hopping from house to house, delivering baskets filled with candy and colorful Easter eggs. We throw open our winter-weathered doors to welcome back the cherry blossoms, tulips, and daffodils, breathing in the sweet scent of a new season. Bunnies, baskets, and fresh flower bouquets, spring brings it all to your door! Now it’s time to let it all inside and celebrate Easter with a party like never before. Whether you plan to invite friends, family, or fellow church members to your Easter celebration; make it as colorful and exciting as the season of renewal with these dinner party tips.

Checklist

• Banquet or round Lifetime tables
• Lifetime folding chairs
• Yellow and baby blue square silk table toppers over white to-the-floor cloths.
• Blue hydrangeas, yellow daffodils, and white roses, all in little silver pots.
• All white china with yellow and baby blue stick-on dots around the rims.
• Blue, yellow and white Jordan Almonds in little “nests” made out of colored Easter basket grass.
• 1 chocolate egg for each guest.
• Pale yellow and blue napkins tied with white satin ribbon and fuzzy chicks in grass “nests”.
• 1 Easter greeting card that has a photo of a bunny on the front. It can be cute, funny or silly…your choice. Check out the downloadable bunnies below if you’d rather print them at home.
• Vellum
• Yellow cardstock
• Pale blue ribbon

Steps

1. Push together three long tables to make one big square table.
2. Invitations- Make copies of your greeting card at a copy store (or print them at home on white cardstock), then mount onto yellow corrugated paper or heavy cardstock. Use a Lifetime table for easy set-up and clean-up. Cover the whole paper with a same-size piece of velum with the invitation message printed on to it. Punch 2 holes at the top. Tie the cardstock and photo together with blue ribbon. Find envelopes to match, and send them out to guests at least 1 week before your party.
3. Make or buy the silk toppers- Find fabric at your local fabric store and have 60” square toppers made. If you sew, hem the edges yourself. These are inexpensive, and you can use them again and again for birthdays and other parties.
4. Set the table- Use your materials to set and decorate the table. Put the silk toppers over the long white tablecloth. Put the silver potted flowers in the center, and, place the Jordan almond ‘nests’ randomly in and around the silver pots. Use a knife to cut a 1/2” deep slit in each egg, and insert a name card into each egg. Put a chocolate egg at each place to reserve your guests seats. Set out the white china, and place yellow and blue stick on dots.
5. Make some delicious Mexican Easter brunch eggs to serve (recipe below).

Tips

• Having weekend guests? It is nice to make a breakfast tray and leave it outside their room. Place a Lifetime Personal Table by their bed, so they can eat in comfort. Everyone appreciates a little extra private time in the morning and it will make your guests feel pampered.
• Use smaller Lifetime square or round tables for extra seating. Cover with white cloths to-the-floor and top with 60” square silk toppers.
• Invitation materials www.envelopments.com This is an invitation website (they have a store in Irvine, CA) that will give you all the necessary materials to build your own invite.

Recipe: Deb’s Mexican Easter Brunch Eggs

• 12 eggs
• ½ cup flour
• 1 tsp. Baking powder
• ½ tsp. Sea salt
• 1 pint cottage cheese
• 1 lb. Jack cheese
• ½ cup butter, melted
• 8 oz. Can diced green Ortega chilies

Toppings:

sliced Avacado

grated cheddar cheese

salsa

sour cream

chopped green onion

crumbled bacon

1. Beat eggs until lemony and light. Add the flour, baking powder, salt, Cottage cheese, jack cheese and butter.
2. Mix well and stir in the chilies.
3. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan and bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
4. To serve: cut eggs into squares and place on a plate. Allow guests to choose toppings. Great served with fresh fruit kebobs and poppy seed dressing and croissants, coffeecake or cornbread with honey butter.

Free Downloads

• Printable Candy Nest recipe.
• Printable Mexican Easter Brunch Eggs recipe.

Put a fresh twist on your traditional egg dying with Egg-celent Egg Decorating Ideas.

Making your own Easter eggs is a fun way to celebrate Easter and it’s a tradition for most. Who doesn’t remember decorating eggs as a kid? This year, try a new twist on your egg decorating—go natural! Get creative with fruit and vegetable juices, and materials you already have around the house. Follow these “egg recipes” to decorate your eggs as simple or fancy as you want; without making that trip to the store. There are many traditional and non-traditional methods for decorating Easter eggs, but the most important thing to remember is to do what suits you and your creative crew.

Checklist

• Lifetime banquet or round table
• Lifetime folding chairs
• Large Eggs
• Teacups and spoons
• Paper towels
• Egg holders (old egg carton or lined Easter basket)
• Natural dye: coffee, saffron, cranberries, beets, spinach, blueberries,1/2 tbsp. vinegar, cold water, and a saucepan
• Homemade dye: 1 tbsp. food coloring, 2 tsp. vinegar
• Long needle
• Crayons
• Elastic bands
• Egg people: Yarn, Ribbon, Fabric scraps
• Easter Bunny eggs: Construction paper, cotton ball
• Collage eggs: White craft glue, miscellaneous craft supplies

Steps

1. Find a creative workspace. Before you begin find a clean workspace for you and your Easter egg decorating party. Dying Easter eggs can be a messy endeavor, so we recommend stain resistant surfaces like a Lifetime Table and Lifetime chairs. A Lifetime 6-foot folding table is ideal for a modest size group, and should be perfect for up to six people.
2. Hollow or hard-boiled? Decorated eggs may be either hard-boiled or blown out of their shells. Hard-boiled eggs are traditional and a sturdier egg for children to work with, while the blown shells are the best if you want to keep the eggs on display for a considerable time. To make blown shells, use a long needle to make a small hole in the small end of the egg and a larger hole in the large end. Stick the needle into the yolk to break it. Shake the egg large-end down over a bowl until the contents come out. Rinse the shell under cool running water and let it dry.
3. Hard-Boiling: Unless you are using natural dyes, you need to hard-boil your eggs before decorating. Place the eggs in a large saucepan. Add cold water; enough to completely cover the eggs – at least one inch above your eggs. Place on medium-high heat and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer eggs for 9 minutes. Remove from heat and fill with cold water. The eggs must be completely cool to decorate successfully. Place eggs on a soft towel and allow them to dry.
4. Try Natural Dyes. For environmentally friendly egg dye, try using natural dyes. Combine the dye source with 1/2 tbsp. of vinegar with some cold water in a saucepan. Add raw eggs (make sure there's enough water to cover the eggs, at least one inch above the eggs) and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 to 15 minutes. The longer you simmer, the darker the color will be, but simmer at least 8 minutes so that the eggs cook thoroughly. Use the color chart below to create all natural tones. Color chart: Brown – Tea or coffee, Yellow – turmeric, Red brown – cranberries, Pink – beets, Green – spinach, Blue – blueberries.
5. Make Your Own regular dye. Combine 1/2 to 1 tbsp. of food coloring with 2 tsp. vinegar in a cup that is deep enough for the eggs. Add water to about the half way point. Gently place the eggs into the cups. The longer they are left in the dye, the darker the color shade. Experiment with different combinations of colors. When you remove the egg from the dye, pat dry with a paper towel and place in a holder.
6. Create plaid designs: Wrap elastic bands around your eggs (hard-boiled are recommended for this method), then drop them in food-coloring dye. Remove eggs, pat dry with paper towel and remove rubber bands. The parts of the egg covered with rubber bands will not be colored. Once the rubber bands are removed, you can drop the egg into a different color dye.
7. Marbled Eggs: In a mug or jar large enough to contain one egg, place 1 tbsp. of oil, 1 tbsp. of vinegar and 1 tbsp. of food coloring. Add enough water to cover egg, stir quickly with a spoon and drop in hard boiled egg. Pull egg out quickly and pat dry with paper towel.
8. Egg People: (as seen in header image) Use craft supplies such as yarn, ribbon and fabric scraps to create the members of your family. Attach each addition with craft glue. Add facial features using permanent markers for the mouth, nose and eyes. Then cut a paper towel tube into different heights for Mom, Dad, sister etc. Decorate the tube with construction paper for clothing. Place the painted egg onto the holder. You can also add the individual's name to the tube. These make an entertaining name card for the Easter table.
9. Easter Bunny Eggs: Use food coloring dye or natural dyes to dye eggs in solid colors. Dry with paper towel. For each bunny egg, cut two oval shaped ears from colored construction paper. Glue the ears to the top of the egg. Use markers to add a small triangle for a nose and some whiskers, then add eyes with a marker or use some googily eyes available at craft stores. Glue on a cotton ball for a tail.
10. Collage Eggs: Adorn your eggs with miscellaneous craft supplies, using white or craft glue to attach. Items to try include sequins, buttons, glitter, or beads. Stickers are a quick and easy solution, or even color with markers.

Tips

• When dying with natural dyes, or any dyes for that matter, be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind staining. Also be sure your workspace is stain resistant, and easy to clean. Lifetime tables are ideal.
• Mix it up! Experiment with some funky patterns using interesting stickers, letter stickers, or wrap your eggs in lace. Let your imagination go wild!

Free Downloads

• Printable Easter bunny and egg people template.