We hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year!
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
2012 Year in Review
Posted by Larimer Associates on 9:41 AM
Do you ever wonder what the most important moments of the past year
are? Google Video makes a highlight video every year detailing how the
world has changed. Check it out below, and tell us how have you changed
in 2012?
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Holiday Cards and The Whole Family
Posted by Larimer Associates on 9:58 AM
What warms kids better than a mug of steamy hot chocolate with marshmallows on top? The next time you serve your chilly children this traditional wintertime treat, put out some paint and a few extra marshmallows to stamp with, and they can create some great winter greeting cards while they enjoy their cup of cocoa.
Supplies:
Blank greeting card
Blue paper or cardstock
Large and mini marshmallows
White craft paint
Black, orange and brown markers, paint or paper scraps
Glue stick or white glue
Scissors
Ruler
Paper plate
Googly eyes (optional)
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Here’s How:
- Start by trimming a piece of blue paper to about half an inch smaller than the blank greeting card.
- Cover your workspace and pour some white paint onto a paper plate.
- Dab a large marshmallow into the paint and then stamp it onto the blue paper to build a snowman, re-dipping the marshmallow in paint before each stamp. (If desired, find three marshmallows of slightly different sizes.)
- Then, use mini marshmallows to stamp snow around the snowman, and a large one to make snowy ground underneath.
- Allow the paint to completely dry and then glue it centered on the front of the card.
- Use markers, paint or paper scraps to add a hat, face, buttons and arms, and Mr. Snowman is ready to send off with warm holiday wishes!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
More ideas:
- Cut and fold a sheet of cardstock to create your own blank greeting card. Glue on 3D accents like googly eyes, a felt hat, a yarn scarf or real buttons.
- Decorate gift tags, giftwrap or place cards with this design.
- Stamp other winter pictures like wreaths, trees or fancy snowflakes.
- For other seasons, use marshmallow stamps to make faces, flowers, caterpillars, words or even abstract patterns. For more information see San Diego Family Magazine.
This year you can get help with your Holiday Cards. Have your children sit down and make this
adorable snowman card together. This is a great way to make your Holiday Cards faster, and you can get the whole family involved.
Supplies: Blank greeting card
Blue paper or cardstock
Large and mini marshmallows
White craft paint
Black, orange and brown markers, paint or paper scraps
Glue stick or white glue
Scissors
Ruler
Paper plate
Googly eyes (optional)
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Here’s How:
- Start by trimming a piece of blue paper to about half an inch smaller than the blank greeting card.
- Cover your workspace and pour some white paint onto a paper plate.
- Dab a large marshmallow into the paint and then stamp it onto the blue paper to build a snowman, re-dipping the marshmallow in paint before each stamp. (If desired, find three marshmallows of slightly different sizes.)
- Then, use mini marshmallows to stamp snow around the snowman, and a large one to make snowy ground underneath.
- Allow the paint to completely dry and then glue it centered on the front of the card.
- Use markers, paint or paper scraps to add a hat, face, buttons and arms, and Mr. Snowman is ready to send off with warm holiday wishes!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
More ideas:
- Cut and fold a sheet of cardstock to create your own blank greeting card. Glue on 3D accents like googly eyes, a felt hat, a yarn scarf or real buttons.
- Decorate gift tags, giftwrap or place cards with this design.
- Stamp other winter pictures like wreaths, trees or fancy snowflakes.
- For other seasons, use marshmallow stamps to make faces, flowers, caterpillars, words or even abstract patterns. For more information see San Diego Family Magazine.
This year you can get help with your Holiday Cards. Have your children sit down and make this
adorable snowman card together. This is a great way to make your Holiday Cards faster, and you can get the whole family involved.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
5 Tips for a Beautiful Tree
Posted by Larimer Associates on 10:22 AM
Have
you decorated the Christmas Tree yet? Here are some great tips on how
make that tree look like it is from a catalog. Start early and make
sure to get all the materials you need to have the tree of your dreams
in your home.1. To create more visual impact, hang larger, bolder ornaments closer to the trunk, and lighter, more simple ornaments closer to the edge.
Bigger ornaments can stand out against the bushiness of a tree's interior, and branches are stronger at the base, so this rule just makes plain good sense to follow. Use Glitter Spiked Burst Ornaments to punctuate the interior branches of your tree. Also consider tucking a few larger ornaments, like Paper Mache Animal Ornaments in spots where branches are sparse to fill up space and give your tree a fuller look.
2. Hang smaller ornaments near the top, and larger ones closer to the bottom.
Remember learning in art history class how the Greeks curved the columns of the Parthenon to make them appear straighter and taller when viewed from the ground? You can used the same forced-perspective technique on your tree! Placing smaller ornaments above eye level will subtly make your tree seem taller. It's also smarter as the smaller, more tender branches near the top are often not strong enough to carry the weight of large ornaments. Of course, the one exception to this rule is your tree-topper. The Capiz Star Tree Topper will seem even brighter and bolder when surrounded by smaller, more delicate ornaments at the top of your tree.
3. Mix up shapes and textures.
Variety is key to a perfectly decorated tree.Though it makes sense to stick with an overall theme when selecting ornaments, try to branch out in terms of texture and type. Knits are a great way to add a new, cozy texture to your collection. Try some Knit Animal Ornaments, or Knit Mitten Ornaments for cute shapes and comfy textures. If your tree has a more modern look, consider trimming with Knit Ball Garlands which add a new texture and shape in a clean, simple manner.
4. Use white lights to show off bright ornaments.
White lights, especially super-brights LEDs, provide the cleanest light for showing off glittering ornaments. When decorating your tree consider the placement of shiny ornaments in relation to strings of light. Shatterproof Blue/Green Ornaments, for example, will shine especially bright when reflecting nearby lights.
5. Estimate 150 lights per vertical foot of tree.
150 lights per foot of tree will provide a very luminous glow. Enough to illuminate ornaments as well as provide a soft light for the room.
Of course, none of these tips are very helpful if you don't have a tree to begin with! Artificial trees have come a long way since the days of bright pink metallic "trees". (Though if you're going for a retro Kitschmas, you could still get away with that one). Target has a wide selection, and we're a fan of the 7.5-ft Pre-lit Balsam Fir from Philips. It comes with a stand and is lit with 500 clear mini-bulbs so it's easy to set up. You can also choose an artificial tree by variety, like this Virginia Fir. Whichever tree you choose this year, follow the tips above for great results!
For more information see Apartment Therapy.
