It comes with everything you need. I let the kids choose which ones to paint, then we went for it. The paint is gloppy, but dries perfect no matter how much gets plopped on. After a couple of hours, they are dry and ready to hang. We hung them on our tree that has our Fruity Garland strung on it. Go hit up the Dollar Store and come back to tell me what treasures you found!...
Easy Homemade Artisan Bread If you’ve been intimidated to make homemade bread, your store bought days are over. I cannot tell you how easy it is to make this bread… so I’ll show you! Yeast is one ingredient I still don’t quite understand and this recipe allows for you to just dump it in with the rest of the ingredients. No need to spend any time letting it foam/raise/bubble/activate/whatever it does....
Ever since I bought my stash of super cute mini yarns in 24 colors last week, I’ve been on the hunt for even more ways to put my stash of yarn to use! So I decided that I would start making yarn tassels for various DIY projects. They’re incredibly easy to make and so satisfying to hold in your hands! Supplies: Yarn Colorful wooden beads Key ring for a keychain Scissors Large Needle...
Wooden Box Hanging Planter: Talk about a wow-statement! These hanging planters are simple to make and look amazing on a wall. (via A Beautiful Mess) DIY Macrame Hanging Planter: this projects keeps on giving with 2 projects in 1! (via Make and Takes) Wood Slice and Rope Hanging Planter: Keep your plants up and out of the way with this super easy wood slice hanger. (via The Summery Umbrella)...
As much kids get older and become less interested in spending time anywhere other than bedrooms staring at screens I’ve had to get more and more creative in getting them involved in activities as a family. What I love about this calendar is the ability to change it each year to accommodate the ages of everyone and include new memories for us to make as a family. The stocking advent calendar below fits perfectly across my fireplace mantel that is about 71″ in length....
We’ve been using Post-it Notes for years as well. Back when I was teaching in a classroom, I had them all over my desk. It’s such a great way to jot down a few (or 15) thoughts. They’re also great for making short grocery lists or tucking inside a planner when you need just a little more room. We’ve also been having fun with them on the blog. The possibilities are truly endless!...
1. Crab Soccer This can be played with only 2 people or entire soccer teams. Split into teams and play a “normal” game of soccer walking in a crab walk the whole time. You can hit the ball with your hands or feet. The game ends when either the time runs out or the winner gets to a predetermined score. 2. Gorilla Ball You need a rubber kickball for this game....
Check out more great ideas from our 9 NOW ideas series! Sesame Street Podcast: Do your littles love Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Grover? Then they will really enjoy this podcast about friendship, patience, and sharing by Sesame Street! New episodes every Monday. But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids: This podcast from NPR is a show that’s led by kids! Questions asked by kids and answered on the show. Answering questions about nature, words, and even the end of the world!...
Once you make these place cards, instantly you’ve set the mood for a fantastic afternoon! The best part is that these are so easy to make, you can craft them in full-on, multi-task, “Quick! The kids will be home in 30 minutes!!” mode. You could even make this an after school craft activity to make with your kiddos. They’ll love using their handiwork with their snacks. Read on for the full tutorial....
This is not a sugary, too-sweet, thick smoothie. No. It’s a thirst-quenching “ade” that highlights the natural flavors of the fruit, grains, seeds, or flowers used. This can be made with any fruit you like. Typically you’ll find recipes for melon and tropical fruit flavors. Interesting flavors to try are Agua de Jamaica, made with hibiscus flavors and is sometimes spiced with a lot of ginger. Chia seed agua fresca is popular in Mexico, as is Horchata, made from rice....
Serves 2 (can be easily doubled, tripled, or more!) Ingredients: 1/2 cup quinoa 1 cup apple cider (or apple juice) 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon Toppings: diced or grated apple, chopped nuts, maple syrup Method: If your quinoa does not come pre-washed, give it a good rinse in a mesh strainer before cooking. Add the quinoa, apple cider, and cinnamon to a pot and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, then cover and turn the heat down to low....
(SCROLL DOWN TO PRINT RECIPE for Granola Bars) Chewy Granola Bars Recipe: 2 1/2 c. Oats – quick rolled oats 1/2 c. Rice Crispy Cereal 1/4 c. coconut 1/2 c. chocolate chips or candy coated chocolates 1/2 c. brown sugar 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 c. butter, softened 1/4 c. honey 1/2 tsp. vanilla Method: Add all of the ingredients and mix together until combined. Tip: Spray vegetable spray into the measuring cup before you add a sticky substance, like honey!...
(SCROLL DOWN TO PRINT RECIPE) Supplies: heart jellies and heart shaped marshmallows melted chocolate bowls, spoon wax paper party toothpicks with cellophane frills plastic baggie sprinkles Method: Skewer your jellies and marshmallows with the party toothpicks. Pierce them on an angle to make them look like they’ve been struck by Cupid. Now there’s a few ways to decorate these with chocolate. You can dip your treats in the chocolate. There will be chocolate on one end of the toothpick, but you can scrape it off as you pull it out of the chocolate bowl....
Bold primary colored fabric + tension curtain rods = transformation of a doorway into a stage for your child’s imagination. Don’t sew? It’s okay. I used to be afraid of sewing too. This project is a pretty simple one that really only requires you to sew lines. But if you don’t have a sewing machine or the thought of a sewing makes you squirm, you can still do this! Purchase inexpensive curtains (or repurpose old ones you don’t use anymore) and attach embellishments/trim with fabric glue to personalize your creation....
I have grown kids who are still picky eaters when it comes to vegetables. Two absolutely loved this, while the third did pick out the asparagus, which wasn’t surprising at all. Thankfully he actually likes spinach and peas. Summer gnocchi with pesto sauce Eat your greens this summer with our delicious gnocchi with pesto sauce that is filled with greens including peas, asparagus, and spinach. Ingredients These are the ingredients we used, however, you might like to include different greens such as beans, broccoli, spring onions, or kale....
These bars have a thick, buttery crust with a tart rhubarb filling. The rhubarb bars are finished off with a crumb topping and a sprinkling of cinnamon and sugar. This recipe makes about 24 bars, which makes them the perfect dessert for sharing with family and friends. They are delicious on their own, but I like to top them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Ingredients: For the Rhubarb Filling: 5 cups diced rhubarb 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice ½ cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1 cup granulated sugar ¼ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg For the Dough: 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 1 egg, lightly beaten 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Cinnamon and sugar-for sprinkling on top of the bars...
I love all the different fabric flowers there are to make these days. Here is the step by step for a very simple fabric headband. What I love about this one is that you can “slop” it together in a jiffy, and it still looks great! Here is what you need: one skinny headband (I have a thing for skinny headbands on little girls, I think they are adorable~! ) silky fabric (like treeko (sp?...
First day of school teacher candy dish As I mentioned above, I made several of these candy dishes for the teachers I work with. I made sure to include gourmet treats that were individually wrapped with a mix of healthy and not-so-healthy. Supplies Pretty bowl – I bought the pink glass bowls as a set at Marshall’s. Gourmet candy and treats that are individually wrapped Scrap fabric – any color or pattern you like Ribbon – I used t-shirt yarn that I had left from a crochet basket project...
We started our morning with a delicious Green breakfast. A big glass of Green milk and yummy helping of Green Eggs, followed by some Painted Green Toast. All are made with a few drops of green food coloring. My kids ate it all up, they wanted to “turn green” too. Next we will dress in all the green clothing we can find, so as not to get pinched!! Then we will be out hunting for a Leprechaun to catch....
What are those crafts you can do while you’re asleep? Those creative processes that come so easily to you, you’re able to watch TV and keep on going with out missing a step. Maybe you’re not quite sure what those crafts are or if you are still excited about them. Well, I’m here to help you figure that out. Here are a 3 ways to get yourself unstuck with creatively expanding who you already are!...
