Noob-Style Shirt-Painting

NEW SUPERPOWER, UNLOCKED!

Ok, ok… superpower is too much of an overpromise. Let's just go with new 'possibility'. There. Safer. :P

It all started with the boys whining about how not every T-shirt idea they have is available in our local department stores. They somehow have this notion that department stores should be able to read their minds. lol! But really -- something as basic as a Charlie Brown zig-zag shirt isn't available at our Snoopy Store. No gaming outfitter sells Half Life 2 shirts either.
So, Best Mom Ever to the rescue! :)

I've never tried hand-painting on fabric before so this was a huge challenge. The odds were against me, too. I had the right paint, but the wrong brush. I had 100% confidence, but zero patience. So you can imagine me throwing measurement duty out the window and jumping into the painting job without as much as a Plan B.

For the Charlie Brown shirt, I cut out a cardboard template which my hubby had to help with. Measurements. Pfft.

The Halflife 2 Combine logo though, I did freehand. My boy liked it a lot, but I know it could be better.

Bottomline: I may not have done the best kind of work for a first timer, but this opens up a new door for me. Shirt-painting is fun! And it's nice coming up with something when it's something money can't buy. My kids were thrilled their imagined shirts now exist.

Next step: Buy the right tools for serious shirt-painting! And --damn it, woman!-- learn to measure!

Paper Macheniacs: Fallout 4 Pip Boy

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM OUT HOME-MADE FALLOUT 4 PIP BOY!

If you're a certified gamer, you'd know that this fully-loaded little mechanism is awesome stuff for post-apocalyptic Boston. If you're a certified Papier Macheniac, you'd know that this little mechanism is a heck-load of hard work to make! The amount of details on this thing is insane!
But then… so are we.

I'd have to admit, our favourite part in the paper macheing process is hunting for the random parts that would make up the pieces of the prop. For Fallout 4's Pip boy, it was a mad hunt. We decided to use a T-shirt's plastic tube container, a photo frame box, and yep --my own mobile phone. The things I do for love.
Oh, a tip when hunting --make sure to choose items that are light and easy to get tissue paper and glue on. Everything has to be paper mache'd for consistency and a smoother finish.

YAY! PAPER MACHE'D! Sculpted details --not too shabby. If you're wondering about the bottle caps, they're there to keep my phone in place. Safety first. Teehee...

The attachments we had to sculpt and paper mache piece by piece. because we're OC like that.

Then came the assembly part which was loads of fun!

Now, like we always do, we went to town with the painting part. Our Pip boy came with the distress, the wear-and-tear, and just about everything you can throw at a nuclear war aftermath.

Glue stick bits for buttons and an old charger cable for the Pip boy's cable were pretty nifty touches, too.

And don't get me started on the Doop Doop Theme cassette tape!

So there you have it --us overdoing it with Fallout 4's Pip boy. And it fits like a glove!

Hey, why not make your own paper mache Pip boy and customise it to a fun prop like we did? Great weekend warrior project. Especially if you're into this futuristic wasteland scenario kind of thing.

The Smart Shopper's Choice for 2016? Shopback!

I know, I know… after all that Christmas shopping of 2015, the last thing you want to read about is another shopping post. Well, not if it’s all about smart shopping. And let me assure you that Shopback is all about that!

Shopback is pretty much the most mind-blowing concept that ever hit your cyber shopping experience. It's an online portal for big brass brands… AND, it gives you cashbacks per purchase you make through the site. Yep, you read that right. Shopback literally gives you money when you shop. 

*Ding-ding-ding-ding!* I can almost see the flashing lights of awe right above your head right now.

I know it sounds fantastic, but it's true. Shopback understands that shopping smart is what you aim for when you click on an online site. You hunt for Great Brands and Great Deals. So, Shopback gives you exactly those… and more!

GREAT BRANDS: THE BIG NAMES

With hundreds of your favourite online stores under its belt, how can this site possibly go wrong? Shopback aims for your ultimate convenience as it gives you access to anything and everything under the shopping sun. If I wanted to beef up the family closet, Zalora is here with discounts. If I wanted to hitch said family for a relaxing weekend getaway, Hotels.com is right here with cashback, too.

Here are just some of the fabulous names that have joined Shopback's bid to make your 2016 shopping bar none.

GREAT DEALS: THE CASHBACK

Now, here's where the magic happens. Each of these online stores is tagged with a rebate percentage. How so? You see, every time you shop, the brand you buy rewards Shopback with a commission. Which, in turn, Shopback generously shares a portion of with you. 

Yep, you read that right again! Shopback lets you earn while you shop. If you keep shopping with Shopback, this can easily translate to making thousands of bucks by the end of the year. How beautiful is that!

*Ding-ding-ding-ding!* I just heard the bells of complete and utter interest ringing through your head. Which is my cue to tell you how easy it is to enjoy this Shopback awesomeness.

ONE, Go to Shopback's site and click on the store of your choice.

TWO,  When redirected to your store's site, shop like you normally would and make a purchase.

THREE, Lo and behold --the cashback is reflected on your Shopback account in a matter of 48 hours.

FOUR, Keep shopping and then redeem your cashback at the end of each month.

You can cash out via Paypal or through the following banks.

That simple. That smart. And isn't that exactly how you want to start the New Year?

I bet you're itching to get started and I can't really blame you. So, Happy New Shopping and Happy New Earning, Smart Shopper!

Now, let me just park this video right here to get you in the mood even more.