Heading out to get some lemons...

"The playhouse will always be here for everyone to play in, forever and ever and ever.  And that you have my WORD!"

Words I am lacking with this.

Here are just a few Pee-wee/Paul Reubens posts from the MHiCTY archives that represent the joy/creativity/quirkiness he brought me:

Large Marge Sent Me

Did you hear?

Partypalooza

I Pity The Fool

 

Spongeorama!

 

Going to Spongeorama in Tarpon Springs, FL has been on my gotta-do list for ages. It's a classic Florida roadside attraction that has been in operation since 1968.  I also love the name of the place which I like to call Sponge-E-O-Rama.

Mr. Husband Sir and I found ourselves in the Tampa area on a bit of last minute business and happened to realize that we were just a whiff and a whisker away from SPONGEORAMA!

We made our way over through the deluge to the small quaint building.  I then covered my bases by pronouncing I think we are about to be underwhelmed.

We encountered lots and lots of beautiful sea sponges, but certainly not at discount prices.

I mean, I would think since the middle man has been eliminated and these sponges were plucked out of the sea just yards from the building they would have passed the saving on to us.  The above sponges started at 15 bucks each.  I guess they would be like 100 bucks in the commercial market or Walmart.

There are several shelves lining the walls displaying more sponges...dusty sponges.

Samples of different types of sponges to experience in their wet form.

Mr. Husband Sir got to wear the sponge hat.

I got a quick blurry photo in the iconic diver's mask between down pours.

The day we went the free movie on the history of sponge diving was closed.  So we were in and out of the place in about 5 minutes.  It's very small in there and other than the overpriced sponges the other stuff for sale isn't Spongeorama themed....I mean, goat soap?

In a round about way I do already have a souvenir from there.  Last summer when I was decorating/painting the bathroom I wanted to do a sea sponge paint technique on the walls.  It took me a bit to locate a sea sponge in town big enough but I found one at Ace Hardware.  I was thinking how neat it would be if the sponge was from Spongeorama and then I saw on the label it was from Tarpon Springs!  And it was only about 5 bucks.  Ace Hardware must have a connection in the underground black market sea sponge racket.

Spongeorama is located in a little Greek area with several other shops, restaurants, and interesting sites on the docks.  Because of the torrential rain and our short window of time to visit we missed all of that stuff but if we find ourselves down that way again we'll try again to see the Spongeorama movie and sample some baklava.

For now we are just enjoying the bragging rights of saying we've been to SPONGEORAMA!

Plast-i-clay

Here is another fun vintage craft package to inspire some summer crafting.

I have had this package of modeling clay forever.  I can't even remember where it came from.

The back of the package has some bonus fun:

You can cut your modeling time in half by using the supplied heads!  Just jab them down in a big ball of clay and be done with it!  

Fat astronaut, fat dog, fat cowboy, and a typical cat.

 

Pipe Cleaner Art

In with keeping with summer crafting I thought I would share this absolutely adorable vintage box for pipe cleaners.  We picked this up at an antique mall for 10 bucks.  A bit steep for me but I couldn't resist it!

The back of the box:

And not only was the box jam packed with pipe cleaners it did still have the 'complete instructions' inside!

Creative ideas of interest to invalids, shut-ins, convalescents! 

Entertainment for hours!

Most of the ideas that are in here just have me asking "But why?!  Why would you need to make simulated embroidery on an envelope (or maybe that's a bag)?  Why would you think it's a good idea to cover your salt and pepper shakers in rows of pipe cleaners?  Who would want a lyre shaped letter holder?"  Maybe shut-ins have these answers.

 

What Would Jesus Craft? WWJC?

What Would Jesus Craft? by Ross MacDonald is the perfect book for some summer crafting adult VBS style!

As I was growing up I absolutely loved participating in VBS (vacation bible school) during the summer.  There were crafts and snacks and friends and no tests.  I would do several ones each summer up through middle school  and when I was 'too old' then I transitioned to a teacher assistant.  To this day as I drive pass churches during the summer I look forward to spying the banners go up and seeing what their VBS theme will be.  I know ya'll are in disbelief knowing my potty-mouth and heathen ways but it's true!

I happened to see this WWJC? book online several years ago and was intrigued.  I put it on my wish list and found in under the tree last year.

It's a mixture of humor, quirkiness, and VBS all rolled into one awesome craft book!

Here are a few of my favorite projects:

Goblets of His Glory

These goblets are made from old jelly jars and look like stained glass!

Last Supper Lunch Box

Decoupaged religious renaissance meets baloney sandwich!  

Jesus' Pet Dinosaur Nacho Platter

I love dinosaurs.... and nachos!

Smells Like Holy Spirit Pillows

Sweet smelling oversized sachet pillows.  Fill them with cat nip and get all the kitties to come to your yard!

Infant-Of-Prague Lucky Lottery Ticket Caddy

A repurposed bunt cake pan with a touch of a prosperity whammy placed on it! 

This book is really cute and clever.  There are 25 other fun projects along with super humorous writing.   This book is a must have for my fellow VBS lovin'  sinful crafters!

 

American Eaglet Coconut Cut-Up Cake

 

Happy  'Beef, Beer, BBQ' and Illegal Fireworks Day!  We are celebrating by keeping off the streets, away from the redneck numbskulls and with cake!

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I have been slowly and sporadically working my way through making all the cakes from this 1956 Baker's Coconut Cut-Up Cakes Booklet and today bring you July's selection "American Eaglet".

I have decided to completely skip May and June's cakes as they are absolutely hideous, as seen below:

Not worth my time icing all of those crumbly raw edges for some weird abstract May Day pole contraption.

For the June cake we are suppose to believe this is a crown.

  

I usually like a challenge of making something weird and oddball but these two cakes are just boring and lame.

The May cake could have been a bottle of anti-anxiety pills for Mother's Day while the June cake could have been a 6 pack of Coor's for Father's Day.  Or a daisy for Mom and a pipe for Dad...whatever.

Here is a quick link list of all the other Cut-Up Cakes I've put together:

January Mr. Snowman Cake

February Ever-Lovin' Heart Cake

March Coco The Nutty Clown Cake

April Quick-A-Bunny Cake

October Hallo Witch Cake

November Gobble-Gobble Gobbler Cake

December Dear Santa Cake