Can you believe this is made from a Cereal Box! Christmas Tree Tutorial

I wanted to make a tree for the Sharing Time lesson ideas for December Week 2, this is what I came up with! It makes even a cute decoration or fun table center piece for Christmas parties!!

Shake, Shake, Shake Maracas...Homemade Maracas!

My son's class had a fun FIESTA party!!  My job was coming up with a craft to do. After scouring the internet for ideas I came upon some cute maracas.  There were several different ways to make them.  I needed an idea that I could do for over 130 kiddos in 20 minutes of time.  Here is what I came up with:

2X4 Snowman Decoration Tutorial

I love making stuff out of 2x4's and I love making snowman, so of course this would be one of my favorite crafts!  What I love about snowmen are they are great to decorate with in January too. Here are the how tos:

DIY: Toilet Paper Pumpkin and Bean Napkin Ring

Some more fall/Thanksgiving crafts to add to the list.  Years ago my family got  together and made some pumpkins using toilet paper as the stuffing.  The fabric we used was orange and pumkiny. This year I really wanted to make one that was more neutral and I love how it turned out! Here is what you will need and what you will need to do:

Gobble, Gobble, Turkey Thanksgiving Wreath!

Yes, this time I finished my little turkeys to put on the wreath with time to spare. I wanted to share the printable that I used for the template for my turkeys and also, how I used a cereal box to make these cute little gobblers.

Day 12 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Halloween Wrap UP (Crafts, Treats and Fun)!

Happy Halloween!!! Here is a wrap up of all the fun Halloween ideas posted the past 12 days as well as some new ones. Click the link to go to the full post for each:

Day 8 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Bat Burlap Wreath

Luckily I was given some burlap and I purchased the green wire wreath frame on clearance for under 2 dollars. So this little wreath project was an inexpensive one. I wanted to make a wreath that I could change out the look for each season.  See below how I accomplished it...

Day 6 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Scrap Wood Pumpkins

A little secret about myself... I love to make crafts out of STUFF I have around the house. That is probably while you'll see a lot of scrap 2x4 or other scrap wood crafts on here.

For Day 6 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun I choose to post about some Scrap Wood Pumpkins I've made:

This cute pumpkin trio are made of scraps of wood I found at my parents house.  I didn't have to cut them because they were just pieces left over, it worked out great that they are staggering sizes.  I painted them orange, drilled a hole the size of my sticks and then glued the sticks in as stems. Then I tied raffia and some scrap green fabric around the stem.  These cuties have been on my porch for a couple years, thus the weathered look.

These 2X4 pumpkins were also made out of scraps of wood. This time it was scrap 2x4's.  

Here is the tutorial for these PUMPKINS: 2X4 Pumpkins

Day 4 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: DIY Halloween Craft- Paper Haunted House

Day 4 of the 12 Days of Halloween Fun: Paper Haunted House

Day 1 of The 12 Days of Halloween FuN: DIY Halloween Craft- 2x4 Mummies

The thought came to me, wouldn't it be fun to have 12 days of Halloween? The idea is that each day, I will post a Halloween craft or idea. I love looking for ideas during the holidays of fun gifts to give, fun ways to decorate, fun activities to do, and yummy food to eat.  More ideas = More inspiration, right!

So, Welcome to day 1 of my 12 Days of Halloween Fun!!

This first craft is one I first created a few years back. I made some more again last year for my kids teachers. It is a fun easy craft, one I love making!!

These adorable little mummies make a fun decoration for any shelf in your home. They also make a fabulous gift for a friend, neighbor or teacher! Wouldn't they be fun for a Young Women or Activity day group to make? Or to give as a Visiting Teacher Gift?

For the tutorial of how to make these mummies, click the link: 2X4 Halloween Mummies

Leave a comment and let me know what your favorite Halloween Craft is...

DIY Halloween Craft: Foam Pumpkin Topiary

I have had these foam pumpkins spray painted an off white color, since last year. You know one of those projects you start and then can't find the time to finish.  With fall here, I decided it was about time to finish the project.  Here is how I took this ordinary orange foam dollar store pumpkin and turned it into a fun poka-dot topiary.

Easter or Mother's Day Gift: Who Doesn't Love Flowers!

I know Easter is now over, I still wanted to post what we gave our parents for Easter.  With Mother's Day approaching I was thinking it could even be an idea to show your mom some love.

For this gift, I purchased the plastic planter for $1 and the flowers were almost $4.  I did not pot them into the pot, but instead left them in the pot they came in from the store and then used two pieces of tissue paper, folded them in half and stuffed them in between the yellow pot and the flower pot.  I then cut a piece of fabric and tied it in a bow around the planter.  Then I printed out the little tag and tied it onto the bow.

Here are the printables:
Printing Tips: Click on the image and save it to your computer. Then print the image from your computer.

Easter Flower Tag:

Mother's Beauty Tag:

St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun Trap Ideas

How do you catch a leprechaun? Well, you have to make a trap and lay some "Lucky Charms" out to lure him in.  Have we caught one? Nope, but it's fun to try!

When we lived in Washington my kids and I would make taps for St. Patty's Day.  Here are some pictures of some of them and what we did to try to catch one.

This trap was by far the easiest!  It was made out of an empty tissue box. It was already green and St. Patty's Day-ish.  All we had to do was add a shamrock with a little note on it for the leprechaun and sprinkle some "Lucky Charms" around.  We didn't catch one, he just left some of his loose change behind and some black foot prints to a rainbow trail which led to some yummy treats.

This trap was my favorite.  It is made from an empty oats container, some green, black and yellow paper and some green saran wrap. Also, it wouldn't be a leprechaun trap without "Lucky Charms".

Lastly, this was the first trap we made.  This trap is from an empty tissue box. This is the one the kids were able to have fun with. We wrapped it in green paper and the kids decorated the box.  We propped it up with a plastic spoon and left some bait.  

Here are just a few ideas to have fun with the kids and try to get ya some of that  leprechaun gold. 

Minion Valentine's Box

It was crunch time...my son had to have his Valentine's Day box made to take to school tomorrow. We decided to do "Minion Dave from Despicable Me". After, some glue gun burns here is the finished product.

We used:

-An empty fruit snack box (For Body)

-Yellow paper (to wrap body and arms)

-White paper (used this first to wrap the body, so you couldn't see through the yellow paper)

-Card Stock (for the teeth and eyes)

-Two baby food lids (goggles)

-Paper towel roll (Legs and arms)

-Black Felt (goggle strap, shoes, wrap outside of goggles, gloves)

-Brown paper (eye color)

-Black Paper (pupil of eye)

-Old pair of kids levi pants (for the overalls)

-And of course a glue gun!

Thanksgiving Craft: 2X4 Pumpkin Craft

This craft could be used in September, October and November as a decorations.  It is inexpensive an pretty easy to do.  Just cut your 2x4 to the desired length.  I made a few of them and they were all different lengths.  Lightly sand the wood.  Find a stick and cut it to the desired length.  Using a drill and a drill bit the same circumference as the stick drill a shallow hole into the top middle part of the block. With a foam brush lightly paint the whole block orange.  Just paint a thin layer it is also okay if the paint is not even.  I did not put a lot of pain on my brush.  Let paint dry then sand it.  There will be parts that are painted and parts that will be bare wood.  Now, get some red paint on the brush and lightly pain it on. I did not paint it every where and it was a thin layer.  After this layer dries, sand again.  Last layer is going to be wood stain.  Apply the stain to the whole block and wipe off.  Allow to dry.  Put some hot glue or wood glue into the hole at the top of the block and insert your stick.  Allow to dry.  Tie some raffia around the stick/stem.  Then tie a bow out of either fabric or ribbon and hot glue it on.  Embellish your block.  I used a some meshy wirey ribbon and a silk flower that I had distressed with ink.  Add a button in the middle of the flower.  Spray the whole thing with clear coat and your done!

***Remember to always wear protective eye wear and follow safety rules when using power tools***

Thanksgiving craft: Gratitude Bean Bag

For the next couple weeks I will be posting some Thanksgiving craft ideas.  After that I will be focusing on some Christmas Crafts, since there are so many!

The Craft I chose today is the Gratitude Bean Bag.  It actually has a couple purposes.  The first, is it is a cute decoration.  The second, is that is can be used for a little game or "Name What You Are Thankful For".

Here's What You Need to Make One:

Muslin about 4x6 inches (size may vary, just make sure front and back fabric are the same size)

Fabric for back 4x6 inches (size may vary)

dry beans

sewing maching

scissors

embroidery floss and needle

pencil

crayons or colored pencil

Here's How You Will Go About Making One:

One a piece of muslin either free hand a design or find a patter you would like.  The one I did I just free handed it on.  Next, using an embroidery needle and embroidery floss, do a primitive stitch on you design.  Now, fill in any areas you would like colored with a colored pencil or crayon.  Put wrong sides of fabric together stitch around the edge with a forth of an inch to half inch seam.  Leave a small opening so you can fill it with beans.  Fill it with beans about 3/4 full.  Now stitch opening shut.  Use scissors and cut fabric into almost the seam every 1/2 inch, giving it a little fringes look. Now, you have this cute Thanksgiving decoration.

To Play the  "Name What You Are Thankful For" game:

You will need to sit around the room as a family.  Gently toss the bean bag to a family member.  That family member then needs to name something they are grateful for.  Then they gently toss the bean bag to another family member, who then names something they are grateful for.  Continue until everyone in the family names at least one thing they are grateful for.

Halloween Craft- Halloween Container (made from a baby food jar)

What you need:

Empty clean baby food jar

White spray paint

Cream craft paint

Black craft paint

White craft paint

Raffia

Clear sealant

paint brushes

pencil

black thin acid free craft pen

What to do:

Spray the entire outside of the jar with white spray paint

When dry, paint jar cream with craft paint

When dry, draw on spider web with the black craft pen. Then paint highlights with gray paint (mix black and white together to get desired gray color)

When dry paint on the spider with black paint.  Use gray for the mouth and dot eyes white.  Use craft pen to add black dots in eyes and other accents.

Spray with clear coat sealant.

Tie raffia in bow around the top.

Enjoy!  I filled mine with a bunch of spider rings.

I have also made many different designs on the front of these such as: a scarecrow, candy corn, witch, etc.

Halloween Craft #7: Toilet Paper Pumpkins

This has to be one of the easiest crafts!  Definitely one that the kiddos can do.

What you need:

A roll of toilet paper (this is going to be your form and batting for the pumpkin)

Fabric cut to a 17 x 17 inch square for the pumpkin body

fabric scraps/strips for the leaves

Raffia

Cinnamon sticks or a stick or dowel for the stem

Hot glue

What to do:

First cut your fabric into a square

Next place your toilet paper into the middle of the square and bring up the corners tucking them into the hole  in the top of the toilet paper roll.

Then lay your strips of fabric(mine are green) across the top. They make an x on top.

Now  place your stem on top of the green fabric and push inside of the hole. Secure with hot glue (this will need to be done by an adult).

Lastly Tie your raffia in a bow around your stem.  

Happy Pumpkin Day!

Halloween Craft #6 - Halloween Treat Containers

I made these a few years back and they were a hit!  The best part is you get to use the stuff you already have.

What you need:

A clean metal nut can (I used the Diamond Nut cans, because they wash out well.  Make sure you dry them immediately after you wash them so they will not rust.) **You could also use any nut can that has not been opened and not put your own treat inside**

Scrapbook paper

Mod Podge & brush

Jute

Hot Glue gun

Embroidery Floss

What to do:

Measure from the top of the can to the bottom of the can.  This is how wide you will need to cut your scrapbook paper.  Now, measure around the can over lapping 1/2 an inch.  This is how long you will need to cut your scrap book paper. After you have cut your paper, secure one end to the can with some hot glue.  Then wrap the paper around the can securing the end with hot glue.  Your can should be wrapped in scrapbook paper now.  Next, take the lid and trace it onto some scrapbook paper.  I liked mixing the patterns on mine.  Doing a different pattern on the top then on the bottom.  Next, cut out the circle.  Put some mod podge on the top of the lid with a brush.  Put some mod podge on the back of the circle.  Now place the circle on top of the lid, smoothing out any bubbles, and forming the paper to the lid.  The outer edges of the lid will be exposed.  This will be covered up with the jute. Apply mod podge to the top of the scrapbook paper on the lid.  Once dried, wrap jute around the edge of the lid. Tie a knot. I also like to secure this with a little bit of hot glue.  Now time to embellish.  On mine I cut a rectangle out of some white card stock and distressed the edges with some ink. I then wrote a little message on it.  I also, drew some ghosts on card stock and cut them out and distressed them and added some features and writing.  Then I poked a small hole in it and secured it to the jute on the lid with some thick embroidery floss.  I made some yummy treats and placed them in the container. I actually used these to give to the ladies I visit, they loved them.

Halloween Craft #5- Halloween Luminaries from recycled jars

This is a craft I actually did with the 8-9 year old girls in activity days when I was their leader.  We made them for the table decorations from the Father and Daughter dinner we were having.  They are a great one to make with kids.

What is needed:

- A Clean jar (As you can see any size will work.  I've used baby food jars, Queso Jars, Spaghetti jars, jam jars, etc.)

-tissue paper (white for mummies and ghosts, orange for pumpkin and yellow, orange and white for candy corn.  Black for eyes)

- Ribbon, or jute to embellish with

-Mod podge

-Paint

-Paint brushes

What to do:

Cut your tissue paper into strips.  Brush on a layer of mod podge onto the out side of your jar.  Then start placing on the tissue paper.  The mummy you randomly place it on in all kids of directions.  The candy corn goes on horizontal and the pumpkin and ghost you put on horizontally.  Brush a thin layer of mod podge on top on the tissue paper once it is on the jar.  And add any eyes, mouths, etc.  Next you need to paint the top part of the jar, this is usually where the lid would close onto.  You could also use tissue paper here instead.  Finish off by adding jute or ribbon to the top.  Then place a candle in the jar.  We used tea light candles at the party. But for these ones I decorate with at home, I put an fake candle in.  It works just as good,  and there is no flame.