Thats the Power of Duck-o, My Friend

It seems that every time I hold a duct-tape class, a member gazes up at my stock of duct-tape in awe and says, almost reverently, “Where did you get all of that duct-tape?”

To be fair, I do have a fair amount, but I haven’t quite had the heart to tell them it’s about a sixth of what I *used* to have in good ol’ Anchorage.

That’s because I moved to Juneau not too long ago, and we might as tell it like it is. Um, there’s nothing here. Well, besides amazing scenery, boats, wildlife, and general awesomeness. Not even a Taco Bell.

We do, however have Wal-Mart. And hardware stores. And JoAnne’s. Even a tiny Costco. It helps to be the hub of Southeast. I guess.

The duct tape variety was pretty slim, though. I was slightly discouraged about it, since it had taken me *forever* to get our Wal-Mart in the ANC to carry a solid supply of the stuff.

No sense in whining about it, though. I had a bin full of about 30 rolls I had drug up here with me, and Wal-Mart had white, red, black, and gray. Maybe dark blue? Can’t remember.

It was a start.

So I bought it all. Yup. Every roll. Well, not the gray. But all the colored. Because spending $7 a roll at Joanne’s is not my idea of a good time. (p.s. sorry to any of my Juneau duck-os who suffered with zero tape for all these months! It was for a good cause.

I also hit AIH, (hardware store) which is my FAVORITE place to buy tape because it’s way cheaper. No, it’s not Duck brand, but I love it just as much. Maybe more, because it comes on 60 yard rolls instead of 20, 15, 0r 10 yard rolls like the Duck. They have a very good selection of colors, too, which is a plus. Am I boring you yet? I can talk about tape all day….)

Lo and behold, after following this pattern for 8 months, I went to Wal-Mart this week and guess what I saw? Over night, they had gone from 10 rolls TOTAL at a time, to 10 different COLORS at a time!

So if you are asking yourself as you watch the tutorials on this blog, how I get all these colors? Just remember. You too have the power to make a change. You are a duck-o; a powerful force in the duct-tape market. You too, can build a supply of tape over time, with every pattern, and every color imaginable. All it takes is time.

(and money, but we won’t talk about that…..eeee……..)

Basket, Easter, or Otherwise

• 
  
  

  Just under the wire I finally got the new post done, leaving just enough time for an emergency duct tape, balloon, and play dough run before the Easter Bunny comes!

  This is a great project to do with the kids; I generally do the first part (covering the balloon with tape) and then let them decorate it however they like. My kids are working on theirs right now; when they’re done I’ll post the pics of them on the facebook wall. Wait, you know there’s a facebook page, right? If you haven’t found us yet, please do,(www.facebook.com/duckos) and like us while you’re there! Feel free to post your pictures of your baskets or other fantabulous projects there also.

  Happy Easter, Duck-os!

  (Oh, and in case you were nervous, Chore Chart April will continue…probably in May, or maybe even June. heh heh.)

So many questions, so little time

I’m hard at work on the next part of Chore Chart April. It should be up as soon as my internet decides to work properly….so, two weeksfrom someday.

In the meantime, have you found us on facebook? I posted a question on the wall (click on “Questions” on the left hand side of the facebook page to find it, or just scroll down a couple of posts and you’ll see it) asking what YOU would like to see ME make out of duct-tape! The winning choice will be featured in an upcoming blog post! (Did someone really suggest the Mona Lisa? Thanks for that. Really. :)

Thanks for reading, duck-os!

Banana Split Incentive Chart

Welcome to part one of “Incentive Chart April”, Duck-os. The Banana Split is sort of the central piece to my entire incentive system, so it seemed the obvious place to start. In the coming weeks, I’ll branch out and show you several ideas for incentive charts, chore charts, or just plain cool wall art that all work together like cogs in a well oiled machine. Of course, you can use my system exactly or adapt it to your own needs. I recommend doing it my way…come on, not only has the work been done already, but could *anyone* do a better job?!? (Never mind. Don’t answer that. Actually, do. Comment if you have improvements or suggestions for your fellow duck-os!)

There is some additional info and tips that I promise in video to provide, but just know now that some of it is coming in future posts. Watch the video first, then puruse the info underneath at your leisure. As always, if you have questions, comment or see that little blue “f” at the top of the page? You can now find Art-Duck-o on FaceBook! (swoooon!)

Thanks for watching, Ducko-s…

So, I watched the video and I have a few questions..

First of all, didn’t you promise you’d post a link for the magnets?

Why, yesI did. Here is my pick for the best/most affordable/most versitle magnet I have found thus far:K&J Magnets

How big do I need to make my chart, and how big do I make each section in the banana?

For mine, I used an oil drip pan that measured 24″ X 46″. The middle sections were cut at 6 1/2 inches, overlapped each other by 1″, for a total finished size of 5 1/2 inches. The ends of the banana were a total of 11″ , which left me trimming room.

If you have less people in your family, you can buy a 24″x36″ sheet of metal at Home Depot. It comes in cardboard packaging, which makes it easier to not bend the thing on the way home.

For a little itty bitty chart, you could use a cookie sheet, but they’re pretty little for a banana split. Unless you didn’t want this to be the centerpiece of your dining room like me, that is, and then it might be just about right! I’ll be using a cookie sheet for a chart later this month.

To figure how long each section is, use the following formula:

mS=~(D-o+1)/bL

Where mS is defined as middle Section

D-o as Duck-0

bL as board Length

Which is, translated, just means the middle Section is equal to the number of sections you want total, plus one, divided by the length of your board. Then, reduce the number down a tad to “normal” measurements so you don’t have to work with .34532 inches or something crazy.

So, for mine, it was 7 duck0-s, +1 = 8. 8 divided by 46″ is 5.75″. Reduce to 5 1/2 as the finished size. Adding an inch for overlap, the final cut size was 6 1/2 inches.

For a smaller board, say 4 ducko-s on a 36″ board, it would be 4 ducko-s, plus 1 = 5. 36″/5 = 7.2 . Reduce to 7″ for your finished size, and add one inch for cutting at 8″.

For the ends of the banana, just roughly double your finished length of the middle section and then reduce by an inch or so to leave a little bit of wiggle room on either side.

What types of tasks are you writing on the backs of those ice cream scoops?

Stay tuned. I will do a tutorial at the end of this series that shows the whole system working together and the all the charts in play. I will also post the specifics of my

different charts at that time. Obviously, you can do whatever you want with them. List specific chores, tasks, lists, whatever. You could even use this as a weekly calendar.

Um…is that a taco on that scoop of ice cream?!?

Yes. And yes to the basket of laundry, too. There are certain tasks that rotate through, and laundry and dinner are two of them. Again, check back for more info on all the systems working together.

One Unhappy Duck-o

Well, I was bound and determined to post a video today, but that dream is long gone. Not only is the camera battery dead, (with about 2 minutes left of footage/photos–including the finished product!) but my husband just called and he won’t be home until an hour and half later than I expected him. Sigh. SO…tomorrow? I hope? It’ll be worth it, though. It’s a good one, I promise!

Squishy Bag

Level: Sticky (Beginner)

I made my first squishy bag about 4 years ago when my son was diagnosed with a sensory integration disorder. He went to a lot of occupational therapy in those days, and his therapist at the time gave him one after therapy one day. It was just a sandwich bag with a stretchy frog and a few beads in it, but he loved it. For the full 25 seconds it lasted before it busted open and he ended up with a lap full of gel, that is.

I figured there had to be a better way, and I was right. I developed this project over the following months and continue to revamp it for many purposes. All of my kids have used them, even the ones without sensory issues–they’re great entertainment for the car or any place they need to sit still! I’ve made ”Hide and Seek” type bags, “puzzles” where you assembled animal parts into a whole (as shown at the end of the video) and many more. Check back for future applications, Ducko-s; I’ve got a few things up my sleeve, including some Quiet Book pages that are going to be fantabulous!

If you have questions that aren’t addressed in the video, leave me a comment and I’ll try to help you.

Water Bottle Holder-Glacier Not Included

Level: Sticky (beginner)

**Make sure you scroll down to the bottom to see a genuine Alaskan hippy collecting genuine glacier water off a genuine iceberg in genuine duct tape water bottle!** (you can’t miss it…it’s huge)

So I’m putting all my video projects on hold for a minute, pending some copyright approval. In the meantime, I wanted to post something simple that can probably be done WITHOUT video while I wait. Since we’re going to the glacier today (Can’t waste the sunshine!) and will want to haul water I thought it was the perfect time to whip one of these out!

I like this project because it’s not only practical, but because it uses the cardboard rolls that duct tape comes on. I KNEW I saved them for a reason…not just because I have a little pang of guilt every time I chuck things into a landfill!

First, the supplies:

You’ll need 3 empty rolls of duct tape in any three colors you like–make sure they are still nice and round and haven’t been stepped on or anything. You will also need duct tape for the handle and bottom. Clear duct tape is also a must. Okay, so you don’t HAVE to use clear, but if you use colored you won’t able to see the inside of the duct-tape rolls, which I think is pretty cool. Beside that, you just need your basic toolbox (Xacto knife, scissors, cutting mat or board, wet erase marker).

Step 1: Pulling a Long Handle

The trick is to make the handle long enough to drape over your shoulder. I’d give you a measurement except it is different for everyone! I made this one 52″ for a medium height child. If I decide at the last minute to give it to her younger sister, I’ll just loop the finished handle and wrap tape around it at the appropriate length.

Pull the entire length of the color you want in the MIDDLE of the handle, carefully, and put on your surface sticky side up. Starting in the middle-ish, fold tape in half, working the tape as smoothly as possible towards either side until it is completely folded.

Pierce any air bubbles with the tip of your Xacto knife and push flat.

Step 2: Finish Handle

Take an 18″ strip (or so) of the color you want showing on the outside and trim the ripped edges with your knife. Turn sticky side up. Then, starting on one end, lay the folded handle down the center of tape and fold up edges. Rinse, Lather, Repeat until the entire handle is striped, taking care to line up stripes from one strip to the next.

Step 4: Tape Empty Rolls Together

Pull a strip of clear tape, about 10″. Carefully string your first roll onto the tape, with the cardboard against the non-sticky side. Carefully add the other two in turn, lining them up and then pressing the sticky side down so they are stuck together. Trim fairly close to the rolls so you don’t have a bunch of tape flapping around.

Step 5: Attach Handle and “Waterproof” bottle

Take a 10″ piece of clear tape and stick your handle to it–striped side UP (the solid color is now stuck to the tape.) Next to your first clear strip, but not overlapping, carefully tape the handle to the cardboard, keeping the 3 rolls lined up. Repeat for the other side.

Cover all remaining cardboard with clear tape so it won’t fall apart with the inevitable condensation from your bottle. Trim all clear tape against the rolls so there is no overhang.

Step 6: Prepare to Cover Your Bottom

Take two strips (4″) of tape and trace around an empty roll. Cut out the circle, right on the line. Then take three strips (4″) and trace around a partially used roll of duct tape. (the white roll on the left hand side was the one I used.) Cut out the second circle.

Flip larger circle sticky side up. Carefully center smaller on larger circle and stick-sticky sides together.

Step 7: Actually Cover Your Bottom

Cut “fringe” from the smaller circle out, about 1/4″ apart. Remember that the closer they are together the smoother it will lay.

Carefully place waterbottle on small circle, then press fringe up onto bottle to attach.

Step 8: Fill in the Cracks

Pull an 11″ piece of tape and trim ends. Cut strip into 1/2″ wide strips. Wrap around each seam in the holder. Add one to the top and carefully fold it down.

Add your scraps to your Duck-o ball, make plans to visit the glacier nearest you, and you are done!