D.O.D. - Department of Dad with Poweriser Jumping Stilts

I don't know about your husband, but mine is very high-strung.  He's got to be busy and by that I mean active.  If he's not playing hockey (which occurs up to 3 times per week) he will find another outlet.  When I came across the Poweriser Jumping Stilts it occurred to me that he could use these in our very own neighborhood -- or at least around the corner at the park.  Adult/Teen Powerisers allow you to jump 7 feet high and run 20 miles per hour. You must wear full safety equipment -- and you purchase them according to your weight requirements.  Hubby is drooling over them now.  Especially after watching this video: 

The Origami Shirt - A Personal Gift Card for Dad

My children have enjoyed making this Origami Gift Card for dad.  Each one can be personalized with it's own special message inside the shirt. The shirt works best on quality gift wrap -- preferably without the printed graph on the reverse of many wrapping papers today.  Practice on a plain piece of paper until you've mastered it.  I've tried to make it as easy as possible with pictures and descriptions of what to do.  Be sure to read the instructions so you know when to turn the paper over -- otherwise you may get confused.  I still find origami very fun and fulfilling.

Start with a square sheet of gift wrap. This one is 8.5 x 8.5

Cut the square in half.  You will use only one (& have an extra one too.)

On left, fold over about 1/4" (start of collar)

Turn paper over.  Fold in half, then unfold

Fold up the bottom and top to meet center fold.

Take center layers and fold outwards a little.

Open up the paper leaving the center folds still in place.

Fold right to meet left edge & put just a little crease on middle fold with index finger.

Open up paper.  You will have small vertical crease mark  in center.

Fold right end to meet that center crease.

Fold your top and bottom folds back in now.

Take your center layers and fold out as shown -- sleeves.

Turn it over and when you do, it should look like this.

Now give that collar section another fold over.

Now turn it back over.

Fold down left edges (collar) at an angle to meet each other at center.

Fold the right edge up and tuck it nicely under the collar.  Voila!

Attach to card stock and decorate.  Put a little message inside if you'd like ;-)

see:  Little Boot Napkin Fold
see:  Swan Napkin Fold

Joystick-It iPad Arcade Stick

Give your stubby digits a bionic upgrade

Bring your tablet-based gaming to the next level with the JOYSTICK-IT Tablet Arcade Stick. The gives you a real physical joystick for increased precision with touchscreen based games. Simply press down to attach the JOYSTICK-IT to your tablet based computer's screen for improved gaming. No wires or batteries needed.

The JOYSTICK-IT works with thousands of different game apps. Any game that has an on-screen control pad of some kind is perfect for the JOYSTICK-IT. Simply run your game of choice, place the JOYSTICK-IT over the on-screen control pad and push down. The JOYSTICK-IT sticks to the glass of your display and is ready for action. The lightweight solid milled-aluminum construction of the JOYSTICK-IT adds more precise movement and faster response time for enhanced playability. When you're done, simply pull-up on the JOYSTICK-IT to remove from the screen!

The Binary Dad - Ultimate "Geeky" Dad Gift

June is speeding right along.  With the sunshine comes the opportunity to recognize dad on his special day.  Here is an Ultimate Geeky Dad Gift.  The Binary Code spells...you've guessed it -- "DAD".  The   t-shirt is made from 100% cotton, heavy weight and in 'dad-friendly' blue.  For the tech-savvy dad, the Binary Dad t-shirt is a perfect gift for Father's Day.

If you love the binary dad shirt, and must have more, how about this Power Symbol shirt.  My oldest son actually has this one. The power symbol even Glows in the Dark!  The first day my son wore this to class he got all sorts of comments from "You have the power!" to "Just SHUTDOWN.."  (His belly also got button pushed to his feigned annoyance).  The T-shirt is also available in kid sizes.

This is my personal favorite.  If you are a "Princess Bride" fan, then this will give you a good, long chuckle.  The movie is one of our favorites and we often quote 'Inigo Montoya'.  The T-shirt is also 100% cotton.  Black with red and white name tag.  Have a look at for some of the most delightful and amusing gifts that will more than likely please any dad. 

What's in Your Garage? Style-Your-Garage.Com

A friend of mine sent me the link to Style-Your-Garage to give me a smile.  After I looked through the clever designs I thought I'd share them with you too.  The garage billboards can give any standard garage door a whole new look - (and I am using that phrase loosely). The printed 3D designs are deceptively realistic and will make everyone stop and stare.  They are well made and most importantly weather and fade proof!

There are over 250 different standard designs and a number of sponsored designs for you to choose from. What’s really cool is that Style-Your-Garage.Com can also create a customized photo mural for your garage door using one of your own digital images! 

Your garage billboard comes complete with a separate, self-adhesive Velcro fastener and can an be attached immediately! The billboard is fitted in the same sort of way as a fly screen at the window.
 

It doesn’t matter what material (metal, wood, plastic, etc.) the up-and-over garage door is made from. The standard size of the garage billboard is: Height 2.10 m x width 2.45 m.

Selections come in vehicles, animals, rooms, landscapes and many more.  Visit Style-Your-Garage to see many more fun ideas.

P.S.:  You can also access Style-Your-Door through the same website for some fun indoor/outdoor fun.

Silver Chinese Fortune Cookie and Chinese Take-Out Box

A touching Father's/Mother's Day gift,  a wedding favor, or decoration, this little token shows a lot of affection.  The cookie opens up to reveal a personalized fortune.  The outside can be engraved with a date or short message.  Mine arrived in a nice velvet bag, and presentable box, but I think it's even more fitting to place in a Chinese take-out box.  My husband, who has never been impressed by extravagant gifts, opened his to find a folded note saying, "You are my fortune..." 

About to 'pop the question'? Consider asking your host to put this on the tray after a tasty, Asian meal.  It can easily hold an engagement ring.  I wish I could be nearby to see -- how ROMANTIC!

The cookie measures about 3" in diameter and approximately 2-1/4 inches in height.  It is priced between $12.00 - $15.00 is of good quality and very attractive.

I purchased mine from: Hanson and Ellis 

The versatile take-out box comes in red and is 1 quart in size.  It is also available in white with optional sizing.   These are fun for delivering cookies or used as gift wrap. 

I got mine from: Keg Works with prices ranging from .35 - .75 a piece.