Fun Valentine's Day Shirts!

Last week sometime, I told my boys that I wanted to make some Valentine's Day shirts.  I figured it would be a fun craft to do with them and since t-shirts are cheap, I wouldn't care if they didn't actually want to wear them.  I worried that they'd protest, since obviously hearts would be involved and they are super macho boys.  But, surprisingly, all three kiddos were excited and ready to help!  

The first thing we did was think about our designs.  The Chief and Con-man actually came up with their own designs!  They sketched them out for me, told me exactly how to do it and then supervised as I drew everything out larger.  I decided on Monkey Man's shirt design because, well he's 3 so I still have some say!

We made these shirts using the freezer paper stenciling technique.  First you draw out your design, then cut it out with a utility or craft knife.  Monkey Man's design was a little tricky for me to figure out because I wanted the white heart and red ribbon.  I somehow managed to get it in one try, but I wasn't sure it was coming out right until I stuck the freezer paper to the shirt.  Here's what it looked like with the stencil:

I just used white craft paint and painted all over the design.  Make sure you have something between the layers of t-shirt first - the paint will go through!  It takes at least two coats before you get good coverage. Here is what it looked like right after I removed the stencil (allow to dry first):

You can see some of the lines aren't very crisp.  That's because a bit of the paint sticks to the stencil as you pull it up.  Just touch up any areas that really bother you with a small brush.

Here are all three finished products:

Awe, so I have a mama's boy, a rocker, and a boy that thinks girls and love are icky!  

I think I'll keep them!

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Luv Bug Magnets

This is the tutorial I shared over at Crystal's Craft Spot - I wanted to post it here, too for anyone who didn't happen to see it! 

I'd love to show you guys a little craft we just threw together with some items from our big craft box.  I'm sure the idea isn't new, but it's cute and fun!  AND, this is about the only time I've ever gotten my boys to use pink paint!

Luv Bug Magnets

You will need:

Clothes pins

Magnet strips

Paint

Glue

Ribbon

Googly Eyes

Pipe cleaners

Any other crafty items you like

Protect your work surface.  Paint clothes pins with craft paint.  Don't worry about it being perfect - mostly just cover the sides.  The rest will be covered with ribbon.

Let dry completely.  Glue ribbon to top of clothespin.

Now glue to the inside half of where you pinch.  

I just pushed the ribbon down in there with the tip of my scissors.

Now add any embellishments you like.  We used pipe cleaners, small pom poms and googly eyes.

Here are our little Luv Bugs hard at work!

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Dinner-time Conversations

Dinner time is supposed to be a great time to get the whole family together.  You sit around the table as a family, the children use their best table manners, you each take turns talking about your day and what's going on in the world and you come together as a family.  

ha ha ha ha ha!  Not in my house.  Don't get me wrong - I try!  I really try.  I have taught my boys manners.  They just refuse to use them.  And meaningful conversation?  That just doesn't happen often enough around here - it's more like trying not to raise my voice when I tell them for the 10th time to stop making gross noises and whining about broccoli.  

So here is where my good friend, Anna comes in.  She is one of those women that you just KNOW has a SuperMom cape hanging up in the closet.  I'm sure she has her off days like the rest of us, but I've never seen one!  She has GREAT, well behaved kids.  She does the most fun activities with them - and sneaks in Bible verses or other educational information.  I bet they don't even know they are learning; they just think they have a super fun mom.  

Well, she passed along this great idea to me and I want to share it.  It's called Dinner Talk or Family Preserves.  I think she said she originally saw it at Quirky Mama.  The idea is that at dinner time, when the whole family is around the table, you take out a question for everyone to answer.  It gets the conversations started and you get a chance to really get to know everyone even better.  I'll also share a great list of scripture verses - I'm making a jar of these, too so we can have some fun with memorization!  These are on my list of gifts to give this year - they are easy, fast and can be done low cost.  I'm getting my jars at the dollar store!

Dinner Talk Jar

What you'll need: 

Scrapbook paper - 4 sheets per jar

Printed conversation starters (links below)

Scissors

A jar

Ribbon

The first thing you want to do is print out your list of conversation starters onto your scrapbook paper (on the white side).  Choose a paper that matches your personality or the personality of the family you are giving it to.  If you don't change the size of the questions in the link, then you'll need 4 sheets of paper.  Print them all at the same time so you don't forget which ones you've done!

Cut the strips of paper out and curl.  You can curl with scissors or wrap them tightly around a pencil.  Make them look fun!

Use a scrap of coordinating paper to make the tag.  Attach with your ribbon and the jar is ready to give or use for your own family.

Want to make your own jars?  Here are the links!

Conversation Starters

Scripture Strips

Dinner Talk Tags

I can already see how some of you could personalize these - vinyl lettering on the side, spelling out your last name maybe?  Favorite sports team paper to print on?  Or maybe your child's favorite character?  Have fun with this!


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Christmas Countdown Craft

I've  been looking for an easy, cute countdown to Christmas for a while now.  I've seen a lot that I love on different blogs and websites, but none that I could make right away with what I have on hand.  This time of year I'm SUPER busy making gifts and crafts with the boys, shopping, decorating, and baking.  So I needed something simple and fast that wouldn't make me head out to the store for more supplies.  

Enter Random Thoughts Of A Supermom!

She always has great ideas that I want to try.  Today she posted a gorgeous Christmas Countdown tutorial.  

No need to post my own instructions - she did a great job showing all the steps here.  

Here are my final products - one is for me, and one is for a friend.

I did go ahead and put mine back in the frame - but only because BOTH pieces of glass had big chips in the corners.  :(  Apparently Kelli will have some ideas for what to do with the empty frames, so I'd say it would be ideal to follow her tutorial as much as possible.  I also put some shabby rolled flowers on one frame.

Easy, Inexpensive Gift Idea!

Woo Hoo!  

Christmas is finally on the horizon!

Ok, so I'm not actually THAT excited about it.  

The thought of shelling out tons of money on gifts for our ever-growing list of family and friends stresses me out!  My stomach hurts just thinking about it.  So this year, I've jumped on the homemade gift bandwagon!  At least following this crowd will have us putting more thought into our gifts and maybe a little less money.  

I'm also getting the kids involved.  There are several things I want them to take away this year:

1 It really is the thought that counts.

2 Money can't buy the best gifts.

3 Jesus is the WHOLE reason we celebrate!  As we make each and every item, the boys and I pray for the recipient.

I'll try to post as many gift ideas as I can in the coming weeks without showing EVERYONE on my list what they will be receiving this year!  

Christmas Coasters

For these super cute, totally customizable Christmas Coasters, you'll need:

4x4 inch tiles

scrapbook paper

Mod Podge or similar product

paint brush or sponge

sealant

felt

hot glue and glue gun

scissors & other cutting tools desired

Start off with your 4x4 inch tile

Cut felt into 4x4 inch squares and put hot glue around all edges

Line up and press down on back of tile

Yay!  Now it won't scratch the recipient's table.  

That's not the kind of gift I want to give.

Gather your cute Christmas or other decorative papers

Cut them just shy of 4x4 inches square

These are the products I used to apply paper and seal my coasters

Apply Mod Podge with brush or sponge.  

I apply directly on tile in a thin layer.

Place paper on tile and let dry 15 minutes.  If ripples appear, smooth down while wet.

Apply layer of Mod Podge on top of paper - but only when it's dry!

Allow Mod Podge to dry.

Spray sealer outside (!!!!).  Dry 15 minutes, apply again.  

I did 3 layers.

These were a few of the finished tiles.

I packaged 4 coordinating coasters together for a teacher gift.

And I'm sure she'll love it!

These coasters I show above are waterproof as long as you seal them well (I've tested mine).

I did very basic designs for the example on here, but others will have names or initials stamped on them, etc.  I'm also doing several sets that are not in Christmas themed paper so they can be used all year.  There are so many possibilities!

Tips I learned the hard way:

*If using photos, have them printed at the store.  Inkjet printed photos will change colors and run.

*Allowing Mod Podge to dry between layers greatly reduces ripples.

*Using a brush will leave brush strokes in the Mod Podge.  This does not bother me, but if you don't like that, experiment with sponges and other applicators.

*Be creative, but be careful of too many layers of paper - you want the glass you be level on the coaster.

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http://tinselcompany.blogspot.com/

Pumpkin Pie Play-dough

My kids are out of school for Thanksgiving Break right now AND my hubby is out of town on business.  So what am I going to do to keep my kids busy, happy, and NOT fighting?  Crafts, of course.  And hopefully lots of them!

Today we are using my favorite play-dough recipe - with a Thanksgiving twist!  

Pumpkin Pie Play-Dough!

You will need:

1 cup of cold water

1 cup of salt

2 teaspoons of vegetable oil

food coloring (we used red and yellow)

3 cups of flour

2 tablespoons of cornstarch

2 tablespoons (or so) of pumpkin pie spice

*This picture reveals a lot about me - mostly that I'm cheap! lol

Now gather your crew to help you.

Cute, right? Cute help is a must for this project!

Oh, and look at my helpful little Monkey-Man in his apron! 

Directions: 

Mix water, salt, oil & food coloring.

Gradually add flour, cornstarch and pumpkin pie spice until the mixture reaches the desired consistency - like bread dough.  

* When adding the last cup of flour, it was just TOO hard to stir.  

But it's fun to get your hands dirty, anyway!

Now just have fun!

*See our Thanksgiving Tree from last week?  And the printables I got at Craftily Ever After.  

Store covered or in a zip-top bag.

While I've been uploading pics and working on this blog post, my boys have been very happily playing with their play-dough at the table.  They almost NEVER sit for this long doing anything.  Ahhhh, this is nice!