Plan Ahead to Create a Memorable Teacher Gift!

Children's school activities accelerate after spring break. During April and May, field trips, field days, concerts and end-of-year celebrations make it hard to find time for anything -- much less shopping.

To reduce end-of-year stress, why not plan ahead – at least when it comes to teacher gifts?

Here are some of our favorites:
- Journals

- Seeds for Planting

- Personalized Notepads

- Canvas Tote Bags

- And, of course, a VoiceQuilt CD.

Last year, a very clever Room Mom named Deanna asked each child in a preschool class to record voice messages, sharing “what they especially liked about school this year”. The voice messages were adorable and the teacher later told Deanna that her VoiceQuilt was the most meaningful gift she’d ever received.

This year, Deanna created a VoiceQuilt for a 5th grade teacher. She’ll be presenting in the incredibly cute Vera Bradley cooler bag shown above. Check out Jordyn's incredibly cute voice message here (the first on my list!)

With a little planning and a dose of creativity, your teachers' gifts can be fun, meaningful and memorable.

Royal Wedding Viewing Party Tips: Music, Food and Factoids

Celebrations are a great excuse to get together with friends. As wedding fever peaks in London, why not use the Royal Wedding as yet another excuse to celebrate?

If you start TODAY, you still have time to plan a Wedding Watch party. Just remember to take Friday off (or plan a late arrival). Most coverage begins around 4am EST Friday morning with the processions from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. The actual ceremony begins at 6 am EST, which is 11 am in London.

If fish and chips are not your idea of breakfast fare, here are a few other British-themed ideas: mini meat pies, turnover pastries, potpies and various English cheeses such as Stilton, Cheddar and Shropshire.

To further set the mood, we recommend playing romantic love songs. VoiceQuilt gift givers are most likely to add these love songs to a romantic voice message playlist.

1. "At Last" (Etta James)
2. "Because You Loved Me" (Celine Dion)
3. "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (Elton John)

Last but not least, why not use the factoids below to test the wedding fever in your crowd?

"Make Friendship a Fine Art"

One of John Wooden's (legendary basketball coach) maxims is "Make Friendship a Fine Art". Now, researchers have uncovered data suggesting that strong friendships help us live longer.

Too often, friends falls to the bottom of the responsibilities we juggle: kids, work, parents, chores and errands.

Why not do one thoughtful thing for a friend this week?

Here in Atlanta, the azaleas are in full bloom. So, we’re listing ways you can express your appreciation with flowers.

Feast Your Eyes (And Ears) On These Quilts!

"Purple Passion" by Lorie Leonardi (Photo Courtesy of the Alliance for American Quilts)

The Alliance for American Quilts (AAQ)is a non-profit organization that celebrates quilting and history. Thanks to their project, Quilters' S.O.S. - Save Our Stories, over 1,000 interviews with quilters have been transcribed and archived by the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

Most recently, the AAQ ran a quilting contest called "Alliances: People, Patterns and Passion". Over 100 quilts were submitted. A photo of each is posted online here along with an artist's statement. VoiceQuilt proudly donated services so that quilting artists could phone in comments about their work.

You deserve a break. Indulge your inner artist by pouring a fresh cup of coffee and taking a moment to savor the amazing artistry here. And while you're at it, mark November 12, 2011 on your calendar! On that day, these quilts will be auctioned off on EBAY. Bids start at $50 and support the AAQ's amazing efforts to preserve quilts and quilter stories!

Interested in learning more? Check out "Scott's Victory Quilt", the second photo show here.

Tips for Going Green this Easter

With Easter 10 days away, we thought we’d share tips for “going green” with this year’s celebrations.

1. Natural Easter Egg dyes. Our experts tell us that you and your children can use blueberry and grape juice to create a wonderful hue of blue for Easter eggs; for red, we’re told that pomegranate juice is perfect. See this list of organic dyes.

2. The Annual White House Egg Roll will involve colored eggs made from a “bio-degradable paperboard material that promotes sustainable forestry”. (That’s quite a mouthful.) If you’re interested in alternatives to the plastic egg, check out these sites for crafting ideas.

Green Living Families
Handmade News
BabyParenting

Encouraging Words – Literally -- For Kids With Autism Spectrum Disorders

One in six children suffers from developmental issues that include autism spectrum disorders (ASD), ADD/ADHD, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Parents and caregivers are excited about recent treatments based on brain balance therapy.

Brain Balance Therapy focuses on stages of brain development and brain symmetry. Because the brain is a muscle, practitioners believe that different parts or hemispheres of the brain develop at different rates. This provides opportunities to conduct therapies that enhance different parts of the brain at various stages of development.

Dr. Robert Melillo is the pioneering Founder of the Brain Balance Program. Here in Atlanta, where VoiceQuilt is based, there are three Brain Balance Centers. Thanks to the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta, these centers offer treatment to families that normally could not afford it. Depending on the needs of the child, this treatment involves a variety of cognitive approaches - including audio.

How Much Do You Know About Voices & Audio?

Like a fingerprint, each voice is unique. New babies recognize the sound of their mother's voice – thanks to overhearing her in the womb. Of our five senses, the ability to hear is the last to go at the end of life.

So, how much do you know about voice and audio? Why not take a moment to find out?

1.) What’s the most recognizable song ever?
- “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen
- "I Can't Get No Satisfaction” by the Rolling Stones
- “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
- “Imagine” by John Lennon
- “Unchained Melody” by the Righteous Brothers

Answer

2.) Who received the first patent for a telephone device?
- Innocenzo Manzetti
- Antonio Meucci
- Johann Philipp Reis
- Elisha Gray
- Alexander Graham Bell
- Thomas Edison

Answer

Customized Music Boxes – and VoiceQuilt

We are seeing interesting trends in 2011 VoiceQuilt gifts. But the interesting part isn’t the trends; it’s the stories behind the numbers. Here’s what I mean:

• More than one-third of VoiceQuilt gift givers are uploading music to their keepsakes.
  

• Many times, only one person is involved in creating the VoiceQuilt. The gift giver records a song dedication and then uploads one or more songs. Some VoiceQuilts do not even include a voice message! The gift giver simply uploads meaningful audio – a popular song or a sentimental musical performance rescued from a cassette tape or CD. The VoiceQuilt Keepsake is, literally, a custom music box. Although these statistics are interesting, the stories behind the trends are even more compelling.

• In December, a daughter included three versions of “Amazing Grace” in a Keepsake Box and shipped to her father as a Christmas gift.