Displaying kiddo artwork...the entry way

I had been working on a photo wall for weeks,  after countless crooked pictures and awful spacing issues I got frustrated. I took them all down and started over.

First I went to the family,  husband didn't care, kids said they would rather see their artwork vs. photographs. I choose my biggest frames from the photo wall ruble, let the kiddos paint a stripe, touched up the stripe myself, commissioned the best artist I know while the paint was drying, and in the morning we had an art wall to welcome our guest.

fta: Sew simple dress...your kiddo can do this

This is a very simple project that the kiddos enjoyed helping. If you are a beginner seamstrist, this is the project for you. 1. Using an existing dress that fits the child well, mark the top of the shoulders and the bottom of the hem. Add about four to five inches to the top of shoulder, this will be the top of the tie. Add two inches to the bottom of the dress, this will be where you cut. 2. Using the dress as a guide, add an inch on either side and cut the shape above. 3. Using a contrasting fabric cut two shapes to match the top of the dress stopping four inches below the armpit. 4. Hem the contrasting fabric. 5. Sewing good sides together sew one side of the dress to the contrasting fabric and repeat for the other side. 6. Turn the dress right side out, including the ties. 7. Sew the good sides of the dress together starting at the armpit and stopping at the bottom of each side. Note: do not sew the ties together. 8. Hem dress to desired length. Enjoy!

getting a reaction...

Add a dish (or clay), vinegar, baking soda and kiddos and what you get is a lot of fun.

This one requires adult supervision, but after watching the kiddos' faces light up with each "eruption"you won't want to be anywhere else.

We enjoyed this activity outside, but with the right large piece of tupperware you can enjoy it inside too.
May all your reactions be happy!

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 :)

Seasons bag: easy fall craft for elementary school kiddos

Today was the day! After three long weeks of waiting the five year olds got to bring a craft AND CANDY for the class to enjoy. The teachers gave me the priveledge of coming up with a "fall" craft. So today, each kiddo got to make a "seasons" bag. Here is the fun that went into the bags.

At home, my seven year old stamped the word seasons on an old scrap.

He used a small paint brush, a 2/$1.00 bottle of brown paint, and foam stamps. This could have easily been done in the classroom, but I hoped the teacher would let us craft again so I kept the paint at home. :)

While it was drying we cut rectangles of burlap and stitched up the sides to make bags. I love the look of the raveling top. Using a straight stitch we sewed the words to the front of each bag. I added little grommets so that the kiddos could choose their ribbon at school, but a simple piece of tape on the ribbon would work just as well.

The kit for each kiddo included a bag, leaves that I punched (with hole puncher), leaves that came with wire stems, and yarn with the ends taped (to allow for easy sewing). There were three ribbon choices for the straps. Just look at what those kiddos created!

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.

packing up my little monsters: easy felt backpacks

Oh, that mixed feeling of seeing your baby walk into a classroom. The wondering of what happens when mama is not around, and the hope that every second is loved more than the one before. (sigh)

So with five of the oldest kiddos entering a classroom one day a week (co-op). I just had to send my three five year olds in with a little buddy on their back. I would have sent all five, but 60% complete isn't bad. :)

Felt is such an easy fabric to sew on! The kiddos loved cutting and designing the oh so scary faces of their monsters and picking out just the right buttons. These are the easy steps I followed:

1. Iron wonder under on white, black, and pink felt. A 4X5 square of each should be plenty.

2. Cut one felt rectangle about three times as long and one inch wider than your desired backpack. Cut one rectangle about 5 inches wide and as long as 2 straps + 14 inches for the tie if you are making a back pack. If you are making a messenger bag just make your 5 in wide rectangle as long as the desired strap.

3. If you  would like a fabric lining, cut a copy of your big rectangle out of fabric.

4. Let the kiddos design a very scary face and pick just the right buttons.

5. Iron the desired design on the front & zig zag with white thread around each piece. Hand stitch the button on in just the right place.

6. Stitch the sides of the bag (I like to use a zig zag). If you are adding a liner sew the sides of the liner too, but make sure the good sides of the fabric end up facing each other and the seems are on the outside. 

7.Then fold the strap in half and sew. After turning the strap right side out, zig zag down the center. 

8. Add the strap. I like the messenger bag style as well as the backpack. I have a fixed size strap on the messenger bag, but the backpacks tie in order to adjust the straps.

9. Sew the straps and liner (if you are using one) in.10. Find a kiddo to try it on and watch their face light up. My son was so excited to try to scare his friends at school. :) His sweet teacher did act very scared which made his day. :)

Happy scaring to you and your little monsters.

taking a risk: homemade board games

The "we don't have it" excuse no longer stands. Telling my oldest that we don't have something he wants is like throwing down the gauntlet. By golly that boy can make anything, we at least attempt it. 

We had sent our sweet 7 and 8 year old for a weekend with grammie and papa. But, when they returned we had a few "Risk" addicts on our hands. So the kiddos spent their first day home creating a board to fill their need to play the new found favorite board game. The original set-up look something like this..

but, obviously the men were too big for each of the armies to have 50 men. So they went to our recycle bins (birthplace of many great crafts) with no avail. They decided on beans and paint. Thankfully the hairdryer speed up the drying process. It wasn't so great for my hairdryer, but really who needs a paintfree hairdryer anyway?

It did take a little more paint than expected, and an extra lesson of "Becca, never paint your lips or teeth again." 

But, after a "all hands on deck" effort and five bath times the game was ready for action. What a geography lesson, kiddos sure weren't afraid to jump in there and "get their hands (and feet) dirty". (sorry for the puns, but the pictures were just crying out for them) Not sure how many geography lessons make such a mess, but I will add any amount of paint to see the kids so excited about learning the states. 

Hum, I have been told a time or two that we might be a little odd, you think this is what they were talking about? LOL Oh, but if they walked a mile in these painted feet I am sure they would deem up just as normal as next family.

How to: homemade bag tag ... you can do this!

When it's time to send them into the classroom with their big girl/boy backpack it's fun to add a little touch of love on the front.We have joined a co-op that meets one day a week, so I tagged each of my kindergartners with a little extra label of love. This project can't be easier! 

1. Find a design you like or hand write your kiddo's name (better yet, let your kiddo write their own name) on a piece of card stock. The size doesn't matter, but I like the look of 4inch by 2inch tags. For the diaper bag tag I used the same design for both sides, but the kinder tags I used scrapbook paper on the back.

2. Cut both sides of your tag the same size. Set the two pieces (blank sides touching) inside a self laminating paper or pre-cut bag tag, follow the directions and peel off the excess paper while sealing the tag/page.

3. If you have used the self laminating paper cut around the label (leaving at least 1/4 inch clear laminate around paper. Use a hole-punch and cut a hole in the tag, and add string/ribbon. The tags hang a bit nicer if you fold the string in half and insert the loop side thru the punched hole and tread the other end  thru the loop. If you have used the pre-cut bag tag you can skip this step and just add the enclosed plastic strap.4. Hang in on your kiddo's bag and watch as their face lights up knowing that Momma labeled them with love. 

These make a great label for any type of present (especially christmas). What grandma could resist having a one of a kind baggage tag hand written by her grandkiddo? If you are using it as  a luggage tag, I suggest you make it a bit smaller to increase the durability and reduce the chance of it getting torn off while the luggage is being moved.

Happy Labeling..I was going to say tagging, but that has a whole new meaning. :)

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.

a pillow for the toothless...

Another front tooth lost, and this time we were ready with this cute little tooth pillow. The center of the "a" has a little pocket. Safely tucked in, the little tooth waits to be joined by a dollar tonight.

The pillow is very easy to make:

1. Cut two squares of fabric and one square of stabilizer (available at most fabric stores) the size of your desired pillow
2. Iron on "wonder under" (available at most fabric stores) on to your accent/letter fabric.
3. Trace or draw you letter onto your fabric and cut it out.
4. Using fabric to match the front of your pillow (be aware of your pattern so it matches) about .5 inches wider than the opening in your letter and double the height +.5 inches of your desired pocket
5. Place the pocket on your pillow fabric and lay the letter over ensuring the pocket in under  the letter and trim as necessary. You want the pocket edges to be anchored under the letter.
6. Iron the letter in place which will temporally hold the pocket in place too.
7. Place the stabilizer on the back side of the front of the pillow, and use a zig zag stitch around the letter.
8. Place the good sides of your pillow together and stitch around the edges leaving an opening to add stuffing.
9. Stuff the pillow. I like recycling old pillows that are ready to be replaced by cutting them opening and using the stuffing.
10. Stitch the opening with a straight stich and start enjoying your pillow.Since there are only so many teeth to be lost, the day to day use for this pillow will be aromatherapy. We will place drop or two of lavender on a cotton ball tucked in the pocket and enjoy the benefits of essential oils.

50 foot slip-n-slide with sling shot

I have been envisioning creating a 50 foot slip-n-slide in our yard. Saw one on Jessica's blog with a rope to sling shot the kiddos at blistering speeds down the slip-n-slide. Oh this is something we have to try!! :) 

So I stop at the local big box home improvement and pick up a big plastic tarp and start calling/emailing friends last night. Well, I bought the wrong tarp, I couldn't find the stakes, but we made it work. When we make it again, this is what we will use:

• 1 or 2 large plastic tarp (at least ten feet wide)- the kids could all make it to the end of our fifty foot slide
• stakes to anchor it to the ground
• 2 or 3 bottles of  baby soap (so it doesn't hurt their eyes)
• hose and water (we used a spinkler and hose to keep it nice and wet)
• rope or elastic band to sling shot the kiddos

The preparation is easy, lay out the tarp and stake the edges down. We used wood but, stakes would have worked better. Pour on the baby soap to make it extra slippery, then add water. Make sure the slide stays nice and wet.

Be careful and have fun. This is a great group activity, can you already see your small group, moms group, or close friends on he slide. Jessica said a friend used it for  birthday party. Oh fun!

Birthdays...

I just love birthdays! What a special time to enjoy looking back, looking forward, and savoring today. We have a few traditions that have developed over the years. 

1. We give the kids 

a choice on their birthday to either A: have a big blowout birthday party with all their friends, B: take a weekend trip with on their own with one parent, or C: take a weekend trip with the entire family.  This

 starts around age 4, but is

 really enjoyed at age 5+. The kids talk about it all year and usually change there minds often and dream big. Our youngest daughter invites and disinvites other family members to her birthday

 celebration (including her twin)throughout the year depending if she likes their behavior or not. 

2. Each of the kids enjoy

 making something for the birthday kiddo. Gifts range from drawings to sock puppets, but each one is filled with love and thoughtfulness. The exchanging of these gifts is

 usually a very special and often touching time.

3. The birthday fairies come to decorate. Either the day before or while they sleep the other kiddos (with help) decorate the room of the birthday kiddo. We

 keep a decoration box that the kiddos usually pick from, but when parents are unprepared a roll of toliet paper and construction paper chains work well. 

4. Birthday Princesses/Prince wear their crowns. The girls have special birthday tiaras that they wear on their special day.

 Since one of the girls has a twin brother we have a special crown for him as well. :) 

5. Leave the icing off. When serving birthday cake we leave the icing off and serve each slice with a scoop of icing and a dash of sprinkles.

 That way each kiddos has the fun of decorating their slice and no arguments over who gets what piece.  Everyone wins, not to mention one less job for mommy on the special day.

6. Sleep where you want. The birthday kiddo gets to choose where they sleep after the big day. They are usually accompanied by at least one sibling and talking is usually not kept to a minimum. We made the mistake of doing this the night before the birthday but after one grumpy birthday boy we decided this was a better way to end a special day.

We just celebrated our 30th kiddo birthday last week. I can't wait to see what the birthdays look like after 30 more, according to my calculation that should be in about 4.5 years.