Homemade Valentines t-shirts for kiddos by kiddos

Let me first admit, these shirts are two stolen ideas put together. The first is from my extremely creative sister who made adorable name shirts with bias tape for the youngest twins first birthday. I just love the originality! The second is the painted doily idea from Ashley Ann Photography blog. I made a tote bag from her tutorial that has quickly become my favorite from her instructions. Thanks Paige and Ashley Anne!

With that said, I feel ready to start with some Valentine's Day shirts:

1. Apply a little spray adhesive to the back of the doily and stick it to the shirt. Let the kiddos sponge on the paint. No matter how many time I let them know the center didn't have to be covered, they insisted in painting the whole thing. :) My kiddos used a sponge brush, but any type of brush would do the job.  Put a little cardboard in the shirt to ensure the paint stays only on the front side.

Since boy's don't do doilys we modified the project for the only male of our trio. Using construction paper we cut out hearts and applied spray glue to the bottom side and set him loose.

2. Peel the doily off (the shirt looked like this). As you can tell there are a few imperfections around the edge, but I think it just adds to the childish charm.

Below was my first attempt at he Paige bias tape letters. This time the mistake didn't add so much charm. :) Turns out I should have gotten a tutorial from the creator before I tried to copy. :) Try number two was much better, but still look forward to having Paige show me a few tricks I think she has up her sleeve :)

1. Using tailor's chalk draw the letter or name you plan to add.
2. Fold bias tape in half (or purchase thin bias tape) and slowly stitch the tape over the chalk using a straight stitch.

The boy's shirt is read to wear after painting. If you want to stick with paint only for the girl's shirts, use the construction paper method to add a heart in the middle of the doily once it is dry.

I can't wait to see all the variations you come up with. Please leave me a comment with a link to any new creations your family enjoyed making. :) Happy stenciling, sewing, and Valentine's Day.

homemade thank you gifts under $5...transfer candles

These little transfer candles are so easy to make, but make a huge statement of gratitude when paired with a thank you note.

The materials you will need are as follows:

tissue paper (color to match candle)

permeant marker

candle

wax paper

hair dryer.

Step 1: draw with permeant marker on tissue paper (ensure drawing the size your desire on the candle)

Step 2: Cut closely around the edge of the design

Step 3: layer design and wax paper over candle (candle, design, waxy side of paper, paper side)

Step 4: heat with hair dryer until wax becomes slightly soft

Step 5: remove wax paper, without burning yourself rub over the design to ensure wax has covered the design (tissue paper will seem to disappear)

The size of the candle doesn't matter, but the smoother the better. You can also use this technique with stamps or  handprints. There is something irresistibly adorable about little handprints to me. :) Especially when they are on my candle instead of my windows. hehehe :)

Chalkboard coat hooks: how to make a kid friendly coat rack

I love displaying my kiddo's masterpieces, but I am not fond of my entire house looking like an overgrown overcrowded fridge. :) This chalkboard coat rack is a perfect mix of masterpiece and functionality. The kiddos loved making it, and can't wait to color on it again. It took about an hour of mama time (plus dry time) and 20 minutes of mama/kiddo time.

1. Gather the wood you would like to use for for the coat rack. I used an old piece of 1X6 that we had out in the garage. Cut the wood to the desired size. If you aren't a fan of power-tools, the local big box hardware store will often cut wood to length.

2. Paint the wood with chalkboard paint and let it dry, you may need two coats.

3. Allow the kiddos to create a chalk masterpiece. I used painter's tape on the bottom 2.5 inches because I did not want them to draw in that area. If you want to keep the masterpiece the same you can paint it with polyurethane or allow the kiddos to create with paint-markers.

4. Remove the blue tape (if you used it) and place hooks (purchased at a hardware store) on the bottom of the wood. As you are measuring for hook placement ensure that you will be screwing into your studs, not just sheetrock. I used one of the screws that came with the hook and substituted the other screw for a long one that attaches it to the wall.

5. Enjoy your kiddo's art each time you hang you hat. :)

As always, if you have a question...don't hesitate to ask.

Noodle in a bottle: the repost

This is a re-post of a quiet activity that was intended to be for the little ones, but everyone had a blast. I was inspired by the loves school blog and we added our own twist.

The little ones each got pan to catch the broken noodles with their goal being not to break any noodles. My youngest son is in need of gentleness training. The boy is a bull in a china shop. LOL Then they each got noodles and a water bottle. To add a challenge we added tape to the top of the bottle. Very simple, very fun! The big boys decided it was a building project and took it in a direction that I could not have planned.

This activity passed the easy set up, long playtime, and quick clean-up test. When I am looking for/evaluating a kiddo activity I look for a quick & easy set up, a long playtime, and quick & easy clean-up. If the activity takes too long to set up, my kiddos have lost interested or gotten into mischief before we start. If the clean-up is too intensive it gets left out until the kiddos go to bed...not good! :) So if your time to set up + your time to clean up is less than half the playtime the activity makes the cut at my house.

Noodle in a bottle: still going strong

We all need those little "standby" actives. You know the ones for those times. Those times when we count the seconds until daddy come home, those times when everyone is ready to go but we still have an hour to kill, those times when I have just one more thing to do but the kids don't have anything ;) to do. Well, this is one of our standby.

It's very simple...Noodles!

Yup, just noodles. Each time they get 'em out a new activity is created because the kiddo's imagination dictate the fun. On the bottle shelf of our pantry (just above the recycle/inspiration bin) sits a few plastic containers labeled "Kids Only"! One of them is filled with pasta of all shapes, sizes, and colors. Under the microwave is the "Kids Only" drawer filled with all kinds of kitchenlike treasures. The kids mix and match from the Kids Only containers, recycle/inspiration bins and Kids Only drawer.

No planning, easy clean-up, fine motor stills, imagination, entertained kiddos...works for me.

semi-homemade: how to make new clothes from old ones

The girls and I worked on the outfits they earned for the fancy Nancy tea party. We recycled-that is a fancy way of saying we used old clothes and material- to make our version of a fancy Nancy outfit. These are homemade-that is a fancy way of saying filled with love. I'm not very fancy so they are a bit tame, but with the right hat, boa, and gloves they will be perfect party apparel.

Banana Bread

What kiddo can resist the squishy fun of mashing up bananas? This is our favorite recipes. Oh (big inhale) the smell is so delightful!  I hope your family enjoys it as much as ours! You may want to double the recipe. :)

2 1/2 cups flour 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt

3/4 cup softened butter

1 /2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

7 ripe bananas (smashed by kiddos)

1 tsp. vanilla

1 cup nuts or choc chips (optional)

Preheat to 325 degrees. Grease 2 loaf pans. In medium bowl  combine flour, soda, and salt; set aside. In large bowl cream butter and sugar with and electric mixer. Add eggs, bannanas, vanilla; beat at medium speed. 

Add flour mixture & optional mix-ins then blend on low until combined. Do not over mix.

Bake for 60-70 minutes. Enjoy the smell as it fills your house. :) Let cool for 10 minutes. Freeze one loaf for a yummy treat later.

sew young?

Q: What is the right age to begin allowing kids to sew?

A: There are many sewing activities that kiddos can enjoy as early as two years old. I began allowing my kiddos to machine sew(with supervision) at age 6. Here is what the progression looks like at our house:

Age 2-3: Card Sewing - Cut out a cardboard shape, using a hole puncher go around the edge and punch holes approximately 1/2 inch apart. Tie length of string to around one hole and the edge to secure it to the cardboard. To help little fingers be successful I wrap the sewing end with clear tape. I love using food boxes from the recycle bin. To lengthen the activity let them color the card before you add the holes. Don't worry about the way they sew (across the card, skip holes, etc), just enjoy!

Age 2+: Fabric Markers & Sewing - If your kiddo can draw they can participate in this fun project. Iron butcher paper (shiny side down) to the back of any natural fabric. I used cotton for this project. After protecting the table with a tablecloth, let the artistic kiddo draw. Follow the directions on the marker box to heat set the design (if needed). Using their design the list of projects are endless! My oldest used two of his designs to make a pillow. A few years ago I used the same technique to make the cover for a "Grandparent's Journal". We placed a blank journal along with a list of questions that we knew the kids would enjoy reading someday. We gave it as a Christmas present, but we got the real gift when it came back with so many amazing family stories.

Age 3+: Hoop sewing - Place the fabric in the embroidery hoop and secure it in place. For the littlest kiddos I use burlap with a yarn (dull) needle. Using embroidery tread, tie the string to the needle (prevents retreading over and over again), and tie it to the material. Just let them have fun! As their skill increases, change the material and needle type needle as appropriate. Learning the embroidery stitches may begin as early as 6. Just make sure the introduction of stitches doesn't limit creativity. This is a design on felt that my eight year old kiddo created using  hoop sewing. You can see he added a bead (the eye) to embellish the design. He later added velvet to the back to make it into a pillow to give to his cousin.

Age6+: Machine Sewing - I love starting with pillowcases or kiddo-created projects. For more detail on introducing the sewing machine check out an earlier post on cleverkiddos.com

Happy Sewing!

Straw Painting

Here is a fun twist on painting. Arm the kiddos with a straw, small cup of watered down paint, and sponge. Make sure you don't put more watered paint in the cup than you are willing to have spilled. Have the kiddos dip the sponge in the watered paint and place in on the paper. Using the straw, blow the paint into a creative piece of art. 

Enjoy!

Noodle in a bottle...

A great quiet activity for kiddos of all ages. Although I intended it to be for just the little ones, those clever kiddos had other ideas. I was inspired by the loves school blog and we added our own twist

The little kiddos each got a pan to catch the broken noodles with their goal being not to break any. My youngest son is in need of gentleness training. The boy is a bull in a china shop. LOL Then each kiddo got noodles and a water bottle. To add a challenge, we added tape to the top of the bottle. Very simple, very fun! The big boys decided it was a building project and took it in a direction that I could not have planned.

This activity passed the easy set up, long playtime, and quick clean-up test.

Egg Carton Fun

Save those egg cartons....So many fun games are just waiting to be created. We enjoyed a matching game with letters, but  numbers, colors and patterns are just a few of the endless possibles. I used bits of felt, but I think paper would have worked a bit better. The kiddos loved using it as a target as well as a matching game....those clever kiddos, I would have never thought of that. 

one sock wonder...

When a pair of socks really love each other one must go and hide. For indeed if they truly love their mate, they let go. They let go in order to allow their mate to become a sock puppet. After all can you think of a lovelier life for a sock?

color sorting and a snack...

These trays are designed to make ice cubes that fit inside a water bottle, but they are perfect for sorting. Great for learning colors, patterns, fine motor skills, pouring, and maybe a little snack. A fun inside activity for children 2 - 6 years old. Two year olds do a little more eating while the six year olds tend to get a bit more creative.

This kid-friendly activity works well while I am working in the kitchen. They are entertained in their seats and I can get the dishes loaded without tripping over my little ones.

Color Sorting Cereal Supply List:

water bottle ice cube tray OR regular ice cube tray

scoop or spoon

colorful cereal

bowl

Graham Cracker Trains

Never attempt this one on an empty stomach. (LOL) The kid's imaginations were rolling as we made these "gingerbread" creations. This activity is great for fine motor skills, sensory, and of course the sweet tooth. After protecting the table with paper each child gets a plate and a spreader. A popcicle stick or butter knife work well to spread the icing. Give them a little icing, access to the graham crackers and let the fun begin. For a bit of extra fun I let them squirt the icing. If you don't have a decorator tip on hand just place the icing in a zip lock and snip a small hole in one of the corners. Make sure you keep a few wipes or napkins on hand because along with this fun comes messy hands. Shopping List: 1 can icing 1 box graham crackers 1 box graham cracker sticks Supplies: Plate

zip loc bag scissors popcicle stick OR butter knife