MY new toy arrived!

I'm feeling oh so snappy today. We came home from a birthday party and there was a huge gift from me to me on he front porch. My snap press had arrived! I was so excited, I couldn't wait to get started on these cute little pumpkin bibs for my twin 'punkins. They match the outfits that I finished this morning for the trio. I will post about those later. 

Then I just had to add a little blue snap to the bag that matches the outfits and bibs.

Then I thought wouldn't it be a snap to make a little pencil bag to match the bag, that matches the outfits, that match the bibs? Oh yes, it was!

All this excitement about matching and corny snap puns brought to you by this lovely hunk of metal. Isn't she a 'bute? Any snappy names for the lovely lady? :) Gotta go to bed, after re-reading the post maybe I should have gone a little while ago. :)

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. :)

Displaying kiddo artwork...

Keeping special artwork in a visible place is an easy way to remind your kiddos how much you value their creativity. We had a few extra boys over to spend the night and this was one of their creations. Outside painting is a great activity when friend come over to play. We have talked about it before, but I think it is worth repeating. Paint is not something to be scared of, with the right prep it can be a fun and easy activity. And what kiddo doesn't love to paint? I love that our guest's mom hung up the special flag at home. My boys were so proud when they heard that the flag was hanging in their house. What a fantastic way to remember a great day! 

How to: bleach design t-shirts..you can do it!

It doesn't get much easier than this! The kids loved creating their own special shirt. Although we followed the same steps, each shirt has it's own look.

Supply list for this simple kiddo craft: Freezer paper, Scissors or razor blade, Pencil or pen, Stick-on letters (if you want words on your shirt),  Iron, T-shirt (any color but white, but darker colors work the best), spray bottle with 80% bleach 20% water, container for rinsing shirt

1. Allow the kiddos to draw a design for the shirt on freezer paper (the non-wax side)

2. Cut out the design and iron it onto the shirt (wax side to shirt). Once the design in cool, allow them to add sticker letters if desired. 

(not sure why he chose "story lover", but glad he loved it!)

3. Lay the shirts out in an area that is safe to spray bleach. Make sure your container (or bowl) of clean water is ready so you can dip the shirt after you spray. Spray the shirt with a 80% bleach/20% water solution. I used an old no more tears bottle that had been cleaned.

4. The longer you leave the bleach on the shirt the lighter the shirt will become. The more bleach you use the greater the contrast. This one had a lot of bleach and sat for about 1 minute before rinsing. When you have the desired color change dip the shirt in the clean water and rinse throughly.

5. Peal off your design and letter and allow it to dry in the sun. This shirt we used less bleach and only let it sit for about 30 seconds. As it dries the color change will be more evident (see picture below for final product).  

6. If desired turn the shirt over and add another design or just mist with bleach solution to match the color of the front. Once you dip in the water you can allow it to dry in the sun or wash it immediately. I used a color catcher when I washed all five shirts together. After the first wash the smell of bleach was still strong, but after the second wash and dry they were ready to wear.

7. Let the kiddos enjoy their new creation.

This is great for old t-shirts that have seen better days, and I just love this twist on the same basic idea.

Getting a grip on dinner..Week 3&4

The new calendar is here! Congratulation on completing your first two week of your "getting a grip on dinner" meal plan. The hardest weeks are behind you and come FANTASTIC recipes are before you. Enjoy! This system has made such a big difference in my family I am excited to hear if you enjoy it too. Happy mealtime!

Getting a grip on dinner..Week 1&2

The first two weeks of the meal plan is here!  In the first two weeks with get you will be become acquainted with the wonderful feeling of "having a grip on dinner." I hope you enjoy the feeling as much as I do. It feels good having an arsenal of great mealtimes at your fingertips! Being prepared makes a day feel comfortable. I love being able to share a special meals with ease. If I know friends are coming to play , I just defrost one of our frozen meals. It is often easier than making sandwiches and oh so much yummier. If a friend just had a new baby, bring a few frozen meals. Homemade frozen meals are so convenient. Their family can enjoy them on their own schedule and savor the feeling having an easy meal waiting in the freezer. You may just bring a smile to another mom's face at the end of "one of those days" when she can serve a delicious homemade meal with minimal effort. The directions for cooking the meals are listed at the top of each sheet. I find helpful are planning my grocery shopping trip so that I can cook when I get home. If I go ahead and start the meat cooking when I get home, I find things go much smoother. I may have to put the meat in the refrigerator until I can prepare the recipes, but I feels good to have a key to success complete. I have not made any meal plans for the weekends. It is a great week , but doesn't ofent happen that we eat at home seven days a week. Shift the meals to fit your schedule. If you eat at home three times a week, this plan will last longer for you. Enjoy and celebrate your familie's schedule, this meal plan allows for easy customization. Each family also consumes different amounts of food, so what makes three family meals for you may only give me two. Just make sure you are freezing the right size for your family and customize where you need to. Likewise, if you miss a day here or add a lunch there the basics stay the same, enjoy and savor your homemade meals!

getting a grip on dinner...pre-made shopping list

Walking through the grocery store collecting stares the friendly "boy, you have your hands full" greeting is no place to be making decisions or organizing a list. So that should be done in the peace and quiet (chuckle) of my home. The grocery list are organized to include the following categories: produce, dairy, meat, frozen, beauty/paper, and other. If you keep a list on the fridge, divide it into the same categories. As you fill in the items, you will be making your shopping trip more pleasant with each pen stroke. The grocery store is divided into departments, make your list fit the store. It is much easier standing in the dairy department knowing you need cheddar cheese and milk than figuring out you forgot the cheese when you are at the check-out line. Or, even worse making the discovery when you are preparing a meal. Bringing a pen helps if you mark things as you buy, but scanning the entire list in each department waste precious time. The best foods are in the perimeter of the store. Wendy Boswell says is well, "That's where all the fresh foods are. The less you find yourself in the central aisles of the grocery store, the healthier your shopping trip will be. Make it a habit—work the perimeter of the store for the bulk of your groceries, then dip into the aisles for staples that you know you need." By using the divided list, it is evident when when I am taking to many dips into the aisles. The meal system shopping list for the first week looks like this: Please remember the first two weeks may be a little more expensive and time consuming than the other weeks because we are beginning to stock our dinner arsenal (freezer). Stick with the program, the reward is great! As a little bonus... this is the matching fridge list. Simply cut in half and use a magnetic clip to keep in on the fridge. Enjoy! P.S. I am excited to share this system. Please leave me a comment, let me know if you have any suggestions to make it better or what part you enjoy the most. Tell a friend, too.

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.

charting progress...

I love charts! Not because they look cute, but the peace they bring my household. We are currently enjoying the tea party chart. There are a few reasons this chart has worked so well for us. The first is that the rewards are quick. My kiddos don't have the attention span to work six months on a big prize. They only have to earn seven stickers for each part of their reward. The kiddos also go "outside the lines" and use their stickers at bartering tools with each other. I will clean your room for you if you give me two of your stickers, etc. Secondly, the kiddos feel like they are part of a team. Since they are all working toward the same reward (tea party) they have enjoyed talking and planning their contribution. Noah is very excited about cupcakes while Abby can't wait for brownies. They have been very encouraging to each other,"Becca, just one more sticker and I will help you make a cake." Most importantly, I have a easy reward/discipline. When they get in the car, buckle up, and are kind to one another they each get a sticker. But, if I hear an unkind word I will remove one of their hard earned smiley face stickers. We don't set up clear guideline about what constitute a sticker, so the kids will often ask if I _______ can I get a sticker? We don't have a set time frame for each chart, we just make a new one when they loose interest. Generally we have a new type of chart every other month. Some stick around longer than others, we still uses the reading club chart that we started back in November. I make my charts in photoshop, because I like the way they look. This is a blank, ready for your imagination and pen to make it fit your household.Happy Charting!!

dog gone

Dog gone...these appliques are so much fun. 

There are just a few outfits that I really love, but this little dog has stolen my heart. I have been counting down the days to seeing the twins in their new outfits. They are old onesies that the applique gave a new life. Remember how simple appliques are to make?

 The same pattern on different items makes an adorable set for you or gift for a friend.

semi-homemade: how to applique & make baby pants

Once you start doing these appliques you won't be able to walk around your house without seeing something in "need" of enhancement. :) Remember the tie shirt? That is one of my favorite appliques. These directions start with the legs to some pants that I made into shorts for my seven year old son. You can use any material but old pant legs are really easy to make into baby pants so we will walk through both.

For the pants:

1). Once the legs are cut off, measure the length of your desired pants and add one inch ( for the waist band).

 2) Cut the pants so that you have a "U" shape cut out when they are side by side. Turn the fabric good sides together and sew together.  Turn the pants right side out and fold down the top to create a waist band. You can add a little elastic or a flap of velcro. So easy and (kinda) homemade. :)

For the applique:

1) With the scraps (or any fabric you would like to use), iron on wonderunder. Ask for it at the fabric store if you haven't used it before. Trace your design (backwards) on the paperbacking and cut out your design. For a world of great ideas try etsy. 

2.) Remove the paperbacking and iron it to your shirt. Stitch around the design, you can use a zig zag like I did for this one or a straight stitch like I did on the tie shirt.

We are headed to VBS this week and just hate to pass up an opportunity to dress for a theme.  So the oldest boys and I went to a local thrift shop and found these camo pants for $4.  I stopped by a craft store and picked up the thread, velcro, and onesies for $12. Then grabbed a t-shirt from Jo Jo's closet. $14 spent, and we get to enjoy two matching onesies with a coordinating big brother t-shirt, one pair of shorts, and one pair of baby pants. Not bad!