Catch a Dream

Summers around here tend to be quite busy. There are sport camps and vacation bible school, play dates, picnics in the park, weekend trips, camping and we didn’t even get to vacation yet. Yet despite the go, go, go of it all, there are still the occasional days that the kids can’t seem to find anything to do.

I think sometimes they have so many choices, that they just can’t see any of the options in front of them and nothing seems like it would be fun. If I’m on my “A” game, I try to pick something simple for them to occupy their time to use some creativity. With nothing to do…I tossed some yarn and pipe cleaners on the table.

They were able to work together to bend the pipe cleaners into a variety of shapes, wrap them in colored yarn and create several dream catchers to decorate the light above my kitchen table. I’ll be keeping these supplies close at hand for the next time I hear “There is nothing to do”.

 

End of Year Teacher Gift

 

For my son’s Kindergarten teacher this year I planned a group gift from all the kids in the classroom. They will be giving her an apron and a cookbook.

Not just any apron…

The apron has a handprint from each of the kids in the class. I had a white canvas apron and some fabric paint. As the homeroom Mom, I knew in advance of a conference that our teacher had planned to attend. I talked with the sub and the dean of students to plan a time to come into the classroom.

Along with the apron and fabric paint, I took in some wet wipes, paper towels, several paper plates, a paint pen and a check list of student names.

My helper (aka my son) called back one kid at a time. Each child was able to choose the color they wanted, then I spread a little paint out on a plate, squished their hand into the paint and then onto the apron. While my son checked their name off the list a used the paint pen to write the name under their handprint. Then we were on to the next kid.

I timed it so I could do this project in the back of the classroom while the kids were having their snack time. I went in, set up, got all the handprints and cleaned up in just under 30 minutes.

And not just any cookbook…

I sent an e-mail out to the parents of each kid and asked them to please send me a recipe. I printed out each recipe including the child’s name at the top of the page. I put all the recipes together and found this great tutorial for bookbinding. She had great step by step instructions and a picture with numbers and arrows that made it so simple to follow. And the finished product looks so good.

 

 

I used brown cardstock for the cover and wrapped the front cover with scrapbook paper to make it pretty.

 

I made a template to mark off holes for the pages and then I used waxed linen cord to do the binding.

I also included this recipe for the teacher.

 

Recipe for the Best Kindergarten Teacher

(This will yield one very successful class)

 

You will need:

Handful of curiosity

1 Cup of Honesty

2 Cups of Teamwork

1 Cup of Effort

2 Cups of Kindness

1 lb. of Excitement for Learning

1 lb. of Passion for Teaching

A Pinch of Fun and a Sprinkle of Creativity

 

Combine all ingredients with a gentle hand and a loving heart.

 

Thank you for all the helping hands you have given us.

Enjoy your summer!!!

 

I think she’s love the gift and remember the kids when she’s looking up one of the yummy recipes.

A Snowman in Summer

As the school year comes to an end, our schedules are filled with talent shows and other school performances. They really are one of my favorite things. What could be more adorable than lining a bunch of little kiddos up in their homemade costumes? Oh, put them on stage, giving them music and a few cute gestures! Adorable!

I’ve been to two such shows so far this month and there are two more to go still.

When my middle child started planning her performance, I was all too happy to help out with some matching shirts for her and her buddies. While they planned a riveting, show-stopping hula-hoop routine to the song “Summer” (made famous by our favorite snowman) I went into action planning their shirts.

After finding a cute image of Olaf, I printed out 3 copies. I grabbed 3 T-shirts for about 3.50 each and a couple of paint pens and was able to make them matching Olaf shirts for less than if I had bought just one shirt at a Disney store.

 

 

Here’s the easy “how to”…

1.   Pre-wash your shirt
2.   Place a plastic covered piece of cardboard inside the shirt to prevent the paint from going through. (I taped my shirts to the table too so they didn't shift while I was working)
3.   Slid the image inside the shirt and trace.

Ta-da! Three happy hula-hooping little girls! Life is good!!

Easy Spring Décor

 

In my powder room, I have a frame that holds chicken wire. I use it to add a little touch of seasonal décor to the tiny room. I usually find a greeting card that I like and then cut it apart so I can show the front of the card as well as what might be written inside. It a simple way to bring the season or holiday into another room of the house. I use clothes pins to hold the card in place.

Originally I was using the first set of five clothes pins that I decoupaged with craft paper to match the room.

As each season rolls around, I’ve been trying to change the clothes pins as well. I bought a package of 50 at Wal-Mart of just a few dollars.

To get ready for spring, I pulled out three new clothes pins and put a quick coat of yellow paint on the top side.

 

 

 Then I used some rubber stamps that I picked up from the dollar bin at the craft store. With a little dab into ink then were ready to go.

 

I love projects that I can prep, finish and clean up so quickly. It’s a great way to get motivated for a bigger project too.

Saint Patrick's Day Shirts

I’ve been making festive t-shirts for my kiddos for years. This time around I thought I would give the reins over to them. I have to say, I think they did a pretty good job.

What you need to make one yourself….

T-shirt (I usually pre-wash)

T-shirt form (I made my own from cardboard and covered them with plastic bags)
Paper plates
Fabric paint
Pencils and/or sponge dabber
Pattern (I copied an image from google and cut it out of cardstock)
Glue stick
 

My son made his on a green shirt with white paint.

My girls made theirs on white shirts with different shades of green paints.

 

Slide your shirt over the t-shirt form to keep your fabric smooth and flat. This will also keep any paint from go through to the back of the shirt. Print out an image the size you need, cut it out and use the glue stick to hold it in place on your shirt while you work.

Put a little bit of paint on a paper plate and you’re ready to start dabbing around the edges of your pattern. As soon as you are done painting, peel the paper pattern off and set aside to dry.

 

Oh the concentration.

Working hard.

Thinking, thinking, thinking.

Ta-da!!

 

 
Voila!!! Job well done.

Valentine Theme Party Crafts

With less than two weeks to go before Valentine’s day and I’m busy getting organized for the classroom party. Here are two of the craft projects I’m planning.

The first one is an “I {heart} to read” bookmark.

 

While looking for ideas on pinterest, I saw this idea for making a colorful heart garland and it inspired me to think of a way to make a valentine themed bookmark.

I have to say the hardest part was getting the paint chips. I feel like they are watching me and they know I have no intention of painting. I’m sure it’s a matter of time before we have to pay a deposit to take these things out of the paint store. There are just too many cute crafts you can do with them.

 

Since most of the red was already gone, I gathered an assortment of colors. I picked up a little heart punch from the dollar bin at the craft store.

I punched a little heart out of each color on each of the paint strips.  I saved the dark shades for another step in the project.

I printed out a sheet of cardstock that says “I (space for a heart) to read”.

 



I cut this statement into small tags. Then I glued the colored hearts into the open space and punched a hole at the end of the tag.

 

I cut some ribbon into 12 inch pieces. During the party, the kids will pick the color paint chip they like, then pick an “I (heart) to read” tag and tie them together with the ribbon. If you have older kids and/or more heart punches I’m sure the kids could do more of the work.

 

 

One of the other crafts I have ready to go is a Heart Lei

Thanks again to pinterest, I found this paper wreath project.

I’m using softer paper and stapling rather than hot glue. (I try not to do too much with glue…takes too long to dry) I’m also making mine longer so it’s not round but will hang more like a necklace.

First cute your paper into one inch strips then fold them in half.

 
 
 

To start, open one folded piece and turn it around. Bring the end s together and place them inside the fold of the next piece. Use a stapler to secure the papers together.

 

 

   

  

 Now take the end of the second piece and bring them down until they touch. Now tuck them into the fold of the next (3^rd) piece and staple.

 

 Continue until you have enough hearts connected. It takes about 14 for a kid size necklace.

Ok, I’m off to see what I can get myself into next…



Valentine's Day "sewing" craft

 

I saw an image on Pinterest of a yarn heart. Once I clicked through I found it was a card from the Parents website.

http://www.parents.com/holiday/valentines-day/crafts/adorable-valentines-day-crafts-snacks/?page=3#page=3

They have a template you can download if you like. I decide to take their idea and make a few changes.

It’s still a card but not one that opens and mine is slightly smaller. I also added the phrase “I love you SEW much” to mine.

 

All I did was create a word document with the statement written out and then copy and paste several times until I had enough for the kids at my classroom party.

I can fit about 6 on a page. I printed them out on cardstock and cut them into individual pieces that are about 2 ½ by 3 ¼ inches. I used a very tiny hole punch to pre-make the holes. You can also use a needle to poke through so it’s easier for the kiddos to “sew”.

At this size they will need about 2 feet of yarn to sew their card. I ordered several blunt, large eyed needles from ebay at about 0.50 each including shipping. I had all the yarn precut and the needles pre-threaded for the first round of kids at that station.

(On party days we break the kids up into smaller groups and they rotate through different stations to do all of the games and crafts.)

I also added a little V at the top and bottom of the heart so when it’s done it looks a little more like a heart.

 

 

I'm off to do some more party prep, Valentine's day will be here before we know it.

 

 

Reusable Market Tote

 

My quick weekend project this past Saturday was to hand stamp a shopping tote. I love to personalize these and give them out as gifts or better yet with something fun inside. There are so many fun things you can do with them too. I’ve put initials on several and recently I put a John Lennon quote on one for a dear friend.

As “homeroom Mom” for my son’s kindergarten class I’m organizing a gift basket for an upcoming school fundraiser and the basket theme is “What’s Cooking”. The basket will be filled with all sorts of fun cookbooks, utensils and other cooking supplies. I thought it would be nice to add a reusable shopping tote, perfect for trips to the farmers market or a quick trip to the grocery store for some fresh produce.

I used letter stamps and some fabric paint to add the words “eat fresh” and then I used an actual apple to make the apple design.

 

After I used the apple to make the shape I went back with a small brush to fill in some of the spaces. (apples aren't the most perfect "stamps"). Overall, the project was easy enough that I made two totes. One for the gift basket and the other one, I listed on my Etsy site.

 

T-shirt scarf

For months I was seeing these T-shirt scarves on various blogs. They look cute and seem to be easy enough to make. I do love a good accessory to liven up the old wardrobe so I added it to my ever growing “to do” list. I was pretty sure I could handle the task but once I tried it I knew it would be great to do with my girls. It really was as easy as everyone said.

The straight forward version is to cut strips across the body of a T-shirt and then stretch them out and tie them together.

Ta-da. Yep, that easy.

I was about ready to make mine when I saw this post and she added a braid to hers. A little more sewing was needed to secure the braided ends but still really easy to make.

My girls made their's one Saturday morning.

My girls made their one Saturday morning. My six year old was worried about cutting by her self without a line to cut along. So, I folded the t-shirt and pressed down with my fingers to leave a mark for her to follow.

They also decided to get a little creative by mixing one strip of their colors with each other.

Through the magic of Pinterest I found this one. So I had to try it out for myself. Yep, still pretty easy. It takes a little more time to make but very simple and no sewing required.

Trace some circles...

Cut out as many as you can from one shirt...

Spiral cut each circle....

Ok, so I said no sewing but it satisfied my OCD to stitch the pieces together. After I had them all cut I laid them out on top of each other and put a couple stitches in the middle to hold them all in place.

They add the perfect touch to a T-shirt wardrobe and with a cute flower pin you can dress up the most boring outfit.