Class Valentine's Day Valentine Round-up

Here are our top 5 favorite DIY class valentines to deliver to your child's classmates.  We chose our top 5 based on cuteness, ease in production, and cost.  No matter how cute a Valentine is, it won't be as cute on the fortieth step on your twenty-fifth valentine. 

#1
We love this Valentine because it is low cost and memorable without having mom do all the work!  Have your child, draw their best picture of a heart.  Use that photo to make one of a kind Valentines for our child's classmates.  Check out the blog "A Mom with a Lesson Plan" for this adorable tutorial.

From a Mom with a Lesson Plan


#2
Another totally cute idea that is customizable to your child's class!  What kindergarten or 1st grader wouldn't love to search for their OWN name in a puzzle.  Check out Soft Schools word search builder or Discovery Education word search builder to make a free word search featuring your student's classmates. 

#3
We love this Valentine idea for three reasons.   First off it is just adorable, extremely resourceful using up the broken crayons that are in the bottom of art bin, and as well as being candy free. Pinterest has several versions of these upcycled heart crayons but we like this packaging the best. Check out this design on East Coast Mommy's blog.  We found some heart molds at Joann's fabrics or Wal-Mart online. 

From East Coast Mommy blog



#4
We love this one because its a Valentine that is fun weeks after Valentine's Day.  Find inexpensive bouncy balls to the dollar tree, party store or Wal-mart using the free printable from The Crafting Chicks. 


From the Crafting Chicks

#5
We love this one because it is perfect for both boys and girls, contains no food allergies and extremely inexpensive!  A 12-pack of pencils and 25-count cellophane bags can be found at your local dollar tree.  We couldn't find this printable exactly but here are some free printables from Darling Doodles.

Happy Valentine's Day!

"Spare the Bear!"

A little over a hundred of years ago on a hunting trip, avid hunter and sportsman President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a helpless adult female bear who was unconscious, tethered and bloody.  The President is believed to have said "spare the bear! I will not shoot a tethered animal" (1). This moment of generosity and good sportsmanship was applauded by the general public (even though the bear was eventually killed by another member of the hunting party). 



Clifford Berryman, a popular political cartoonist of the time, portrayed this incident in a cartoon published in the Washington Post on November 16, 1902 as the President refusing to kill "a wide-eyed cub" instead of a huge adult bear (2) which led to century long love affair with the Teddy Bear.  While many people profited by the adorable stuffed creature, Berryman never saw a dime (1).

Using the cartoon as a guide, Morris and Rose Michtom of Brooklyn, NY, created and named a stuffed replica of the bear "Teddy's Bear" (2).  After being sold in their card and stationary shop, demand for the bear rose to such a high level that the Michtoms closed their card and stationary shop and opened the first Teddy Bear factory, Ideal Novelty & Toy Company, in the US.  The teddy bear remains a staple of childhood to this day.

Ideal Novelty & Toy Company has changed hands several times over the years, but chances are you own or have owned a toy that originated from this company.  Ideal is responsible for such toys and games as Mousetrap and Toss Across. While the company doesn't remain in existence today, Mattel currently continues to manufacture the Magic 8 ball and Rubik's cube which was originally part of Ideal's line (3).

http://www.feelgoodfalls.com/stuffed-animals.html

We at Feelgood Falls love the Teddy Bear as well and have the privilege to making two customizable teddy bears (with some help from our friends at Funky Friends Factory).  These bears are available on our website, www.feelgoodfalls.com.  We are so happy to include them in our Valentine's Day plush sale.  Until 2/14/14, all plush animals are buy 1, get 1 for $15.  Use coupon code VDAYPLUSH at checkout to receive this discount!


Bibliography

1.  Bryant, M. (2007). If You Go Down to the Woods Today…. History Today, 57(3), 58-59.
2.  Clay, M. (2003). TEDDY TURNS 100. American History, 37(6), 48.

3.  Ideal Toy Company & Novelty. (2014). Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ideal_Toy_Company

4.  Berryman, Clifford. (1902). Drawing the Line in Mississippi. Retrieved from http://www.collectorsquest.com/uploads/blog/2012/04/TR-and-bear-cartoon.jpeg

 

Nothing rings in the new year like Fireworks.... where to see them around Denver

Happy New Year's Feelgood Falls Fans! 

If seeing a professional fireworks display is part of your New Years plans, here is a list of shows in and around the Denver metro area.

Central Denver
Set off from two undisclosed places on the 16th Street Mall, partygoers can see two sets of fireworks simultaneously from the ground.  Shows will be at 9 pm and 12 pm midnight.  Thanks to RTD-Denver Light Rail and bus service is free from 7pm 12/31/13 to 6 am 1/1/14 so everyone can have a safe and fun night.


Northern Colorado
About 40 miles north of Denver on I-25, the shops of Centerra will be hosting a Fire and Ice New Years Eve Party complete with ice sculptures, face painting, a photo booth, a fire dancer and giveaways. The fireworks will end the festivities at 8 pm. 5971 Sky Pond Dr, Loveland, CO 80538

Holiday Photo Contest Announcement

Enter at www.feelgoodfalls.com

Creating a Magical Holiday..... Where to Ice Skate in Denver

This scene from the 2001 flick Serendipity always makes us want to lace up our skates and head to an outdoor rink.  Luckily the Denver metro area has six seasonal outdoor rinks to choose from.  Channel your inner John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale and hit the ice.

Central Denver

Southwest Rink at Skyline Park.  Located in the heart of downtown at 16th and Arapahoe, skaters can enjoy entertainment, family fun days and even free skating lessons.  Skates are available for rent for $2 or if you have skates SKATE FOR FREE.  Through Feb. 16.  More information at www.southwestrink.com.

Southeast/ Aurora

The Pond at Southlands.  After getting some last minute shopping done this weekend, head over The Pond and skate. They are even open on Christmas day. Admission is $8 and skates are available for rent $2.50. 6155 S. Main Street Aurora.  For more information and for special events, go to the Events page on Southlands website.

The Cube at the Streets of Southglenn.  Enjoy an afternoon skate under twinkling lights at the Shops at Southglenn until Feb 17. Starting Monday, the Cube is offer extended hours to curb some winter break boredom.  The Streets of Southglenn, University Blvd and Arapahoe Road. Call (303) 539-7141 for more details. For more information, go to the Streets of Southglenn website. 

Lakewood

The Rink at Belmar.  If you don't have your own skates, this is the place to go.  Skate rental is included in admission.  Adults $9.50, Children 2-12 $7.50, Military ID or skating without rental $5, Children under 2 or Seniors over 65 FREE. Hours vary by day.  Check out their website for more information.

Boulder/Louisville

Winterskate at Twenty Ninth Street.  Winterskate offers both group rates and punch cards for avid skaters.  Children three and under skate free, Children 4-12 $4, Adults $5, College students (w/ valid ID) and Seniors (65+) $3. Skate rental is $3/each.  The rink is open all major holidays including Christmas Day.  Central Plaza, Twenty Ninth Street Mall.  For more information, go to bceproductions.com

Winterskate in Historic Downtown Louisville.  Skate on an old-fashioned 6,500 square foot outdoor rink.  Same rates as Winterskate at Twenty Ninth Street.  824 Front Street. Louisville for more information go to bceproductions.com



Bibliography

Lace Up Your Skates. (2013, December ). Colorado Parent, p. 28 .

Serendipity Movie Clip . (2001). Retrieved from You tube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJvgjH9Tvpo

Twas the week before Christmas...

Twas the week before Christmas and all through the studio

the customers were buying; the orders were flying

Stuffed animals were being made each day

for special young children with whom they will play.

 

A horsey, the cow and the kitty cats too

were specially personalized and delivered to you.

Cursive letters were penned on the stockings with care 

and ready for Santa to come and to share.

Momma, daughter and her baby donned their matching aprons to bake
Christmas cookies, candies and cakes.
The table was set with the trivets and coasters
pretty enough for a poster.

Thank you SEW much for a bang out year
We can't wait to ring in the new year with cheer.
We look forward to meeting new friends and sewing their dreams
through Facebook, Etsy and Networking Divas its seems.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
from everyone at Feelgood Falls

Prepping for Leftovers Week: Vegan Apple Cranberry Quick Bread!

At Feelgood Falls, we love all kinds of cranberry sauce including homemade, whole berry and jellied varieties.  This recipe utilizes that little bit of leftover jellied cranberry sauce that never quite gets eaten after the big day.  This is also vegan because the cranberry sauce acts as a binding agent so eggs are not required.

Ingredients

1 cup jellied cranberry sauce (about 1/2 can of cranberry sauce)
4 tbsp and 1/2 cup water, divided
1 medium apple, chopped into small pieces
1-1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Heat cranberry sauce and 4 tbsp of water in a small saucepan over medium heat.  Stirring frequently until sauce is a pourable consistency (pictured below).  We used the jellied version of cranberry sauce but we think the whole berry type would also be very good.

 

2.  While melting the cranberry sauce,  chop the apple into small thin pieces.  We did this mostly because we didn't want some of our youngest taste testers to put their nose up to the bread simply because of large chunks of offensive fruit. 

3.  Mix cranberry sauce and oil to a stand mixer or a small bowl. In another bowl, add all dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon.  In small amounts, mix dry ingredients to the cranberry sauce mixture until completely mixed.

4.  Add water and apples to batter and mix. 

5.  Pour batter into a greased 5" x 10" bread pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes until top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.  We had to cover the bread for the last 10 minutes in order to prevent burning the top of the loaf.  Allow to cool before removing from bread pan.  

Makes 1 loaf