05/16/2013 11:03 am
Do you have someone in your life graduating this year? There are so many different stages of graduation in a person’s life it seems, from kindergarten graduation to college graduation. My daughter is getting ready for her 5th grade graduation this year, and that is all she can talk about. She has picked out a fancy dress to wear to the ceremony, and she has got her eyes on a special present to celebrate the big event. I’m not going to reveal the present we have planned for her here. No matter what physical present she gets, the biggest thing I want to her to feel as she moves onto the next level of her education is hope, excitement, confidence, and dreams.
I love this quote from Thoreau, ” Go confidently in the direction of your dreams and live the life you imagined.” I think that is good advice for anyone, in any stage of their life.
Today’s post is a pretty printable and homemade gift idea that you can use for a graduation gift idea. You may event decide to make one for yourself!
Grab your free printable here:
Go Confidently Graduation Poster Printable
Print and cut it out and place into a standard 5″ x 7″ frame. Decorate your frame for an extra special touch.
I used washi tape along the top and bottom edges of the plain white frame.
Enjoy!
Go confidently and craft! = )
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05/09/2013 9:04 am
My daughter recently took an after school art class with her cousin while we were visiting my sister and family in Northern California. The art teacher has a number of creative stations set up for the kids, and my daughter’s favorite was the melted crayon station. I was amazed at the ingenuity of it. The teacher had set up a couple of vintage hot plates, gave the kids safety instructions, gave them paper, and let them create their own modern art melted crayon art.
I just knew I had to replicate this at home. This is a fun boredom busting kids project – good for both outdoors and indoors. All you need is a hot plate, an electrical outlet, crayons, paper, and your imagination.
I found this hot plate at a local thrift store for the whopping price of $1.75! We used regular white copy paper, and just a regular old crayons.
My daughter had a friend over, so I plugged in a skillet for her friend to use. I set it at the lowest setting, and just made sure to tell the girls to not touch the edges of the skillet.
The trick is to hold the crayon upright without resting your hand on the surface. Draw very slowly and let the crayon melt as you draw. It creates the cool effect, and feels really slippery as you move the crayon around. You can peel away the paper as needed.
Another tip, is that when you are ready to pull your artwork off of the hot surface, use your nails instead of your fingertips so you don’t burn them.
The girls had a blast making their melted crayon art.
With just a few simple tools, and a little supervision using the hot plates, they were happily drawing for over an hour yesterday.
So if you are looking for a fun, and super simple, weekend or afternoon boredom busting project, try making art with melted crayons.
Happy Crafting!
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04/25/2013 9:41 am
Today’s craft idea is pulled straight from my daughter’s recent homework assignment. We tried potato printing!
Her fifth grade class is exploring the history of the 50 states, and what makes each of them unique. This week she explored Idaho, and their claim to fame — the potato. Did you know that the infamous Russet potato variety, in which Idaho is most commonly known for, was started by one man, Luther Burbank? He was a horticulturist, originally from Massachusetts, who planted exactly 23 seeds into the ground in Idaho in 1872. They all produced tubers (or potatoes), but there was one distinct one that was the largest and heartiest of the bunch. This one potato is what ultimately spawned the Russet Burbank variety we eat today. Talk about one little thing or person making a difference!
So, have you ever created art with the potato? The shape and texture of the inside of a potato lends itself well to carving. It is soft enough that I felt comfortable letting my 11 year use a paring knife to carefully carve a simple design out of it. The best part is that the potato is firm enough to hold it shape and stand up to paint without breaking down while using it as a stamp.
I set out white paper, craft paints, and sponge brushes. I cut the potatoes in half, some lengthwise, and some along the middle.
She carved her shapes into the potatoes, applied paint with a sponge brush, and then stamped onto paper.
My girl was going for a farm scene to depict the Idaho potato farmers. She carved a polka-dot shape for a cow, a face for the farmer, and a barn. It turned out great, and she had so much fun creating her potato print art.
I couldn’t resist joining in on the fun. I went for the purest form of potato printing, so I used the potato without carving it, except for a simple heart shape.
Then, I thought it would be perfect to combine it with doodling. After the paint was dry, I took a black Sharpie marker and turned each print into cute doodle cartoons.
The only thing that I was limited by, was my imagination. Next time you are looking for a quick boredom busting craft for kids, try potato printing. And don’t be afraid to join right in there with your kids.
Happy crafting!
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04/18/2013 9:45 am
In the spirit of Earth Day, and recycling, reinventing, and being crafty, here are 10 easy and fun recycle craft ideas for kids.
I’m still thinking up creative ways to reuse plastic eggs from Easter, and this great idea for Egg and plastic spoon maracas from Made is perfect. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo, make some music, or just have a maraca party.
And speaking of eggs, how about the egg cartons. These egg carton lilies from Mr. Printables are so pretty and easy to make. How about a homemade Mother’s Day bouquet? Love it.
Spring is in the air. How about a pretty colored key wind chime from Inner Child Giving. I know I have old keys laying around that I totally forget where they go to. I love this great Spring craft idea. Go on a nature hunt and find the perfect stick to decorate and hang these painted keys from.
Teacher appreciation day is coming up too. Here is a fun recycle craft gift idea – apple treat cups from Saved by Love Creations. The treat cup is actually the bottle of a plastic bottle, painted red, and then filled with red candies.
Love this creative recycle craft using old CDs. These CD coasters from Crafts by Amanda make a perfect homemade gift idea, or just some fun way to dress up your home decor.
And who doesn’t love a little glitter? Reuse a plastic container and add some sparkle. These glittery boxes from Madigan Made are a fun way to organize or use as a small gift box.
Planning a backyard party? or looking for a creative camping craft. Love these simple yet beautiful tin can lanterns from Mama Scout.
Looking for a little playtime? Or a and handmade toy idea? I think this mouse tin from mmmcrafts is the epitomy of cute! I want a little mouse friend for my desk.
Pop the champagne, and make these cork mushrooms from Red Ted Art. Pair it with pipe cleaner fairies and you are set!
And last, but certainly not least. I giggle every time I look at this picture. These Sumo wrestler bowling pins from Sugar and Dots would be a perfect homemade game for my nephews who like to throw things and knock things down. Hilarious!
So, next time you are ready to recycle something or throw it away, take a moment to look at in a different light, through your crafty glasses. Who knows what you can create!
Happy crafting!
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04/11/2013 11:23 am
Have you experienced a luxury movie theater before? Cinéopolis recently opened their newest location of luxury cinemas in Rancho Santa Margarita. As a Easter/Spring break treat, we made it a fancy family girls day out type of affair with my daughter and niece. They were dying to see The Croods movie that recently opened in 3D. (Two thumbs up, by the way.)
And yes, that is the girls dressed in their pajamas carrying pillows and a blanket – to go to a LUXURY cinema. Read on, and I will explain….
So, what makes watching a movie in a theater a luxury experience?
Hmmm… let’s start with the comfortable and inviting lounge-style lobby complete with bar/restaurant and outdoor dining area.
Guests are invited to socialize with friends in the lounge-style lobby, bar/restaurant area or outdoor patio dining area beforehand, complete with full dining and bar service. It isn’t like a traditional movie theater, where you want to hurry up and get your seat inside. They don’t actually allow you to be seated in the theater until 10 minutes before the movie starts. You reserve your seats, just like you would for a concert, either online beforehand or at the ticket counter at the theater.
Uh, we have to talk about the seating, for sure! In the lobby, the girls tested out the seats that are in every auditorium.
Every guest can enjoy a powered fully reclinable chair. They are arranged for optimum two person seating. There is a middle arm rest, but you can lift it up and make it into its own two-seat love seat. Small tables swing out if you want to enjoy food or drink within the theater too.
One of the coolest value-added features of Cinéopolis Luxury Theaters is that there is full food and beverage service inside the theaters as well. There are waiters inside the theater to bring you whatever you may want to order. They are trained to ask for an ID, so for parents, all auditoriums serve alcohol as well. Uh… can you say “date night” or “Mom’s night out”?
The menu offers restaurant-quality favorites such as angus beef sliders, wraps, sushi and flatbread pizza. Guests can also enjoy traditional movie snacks such as popcorn (available in Butter, Light, Caramel and Spicy Chili), soft drinks, specialty coffee drinks, milkshakes, gourmet finger foods and desserts such as Chocolate Godiva Cheesecake. We sampled the angus sliders, which my daughter gobbled right up! I loved that I could order a cappuccino and have it delivered to my seat.
One thing to consider, if you do order your meal within the theater during the movie, you will be eating in the dark. For finger food, like the sliders, it was easy to grab and enjoy them. I ordered a salad, so that was a little more difficult to eat in the dark.
Oh, and I have to mention, they even have fancy 3D glasses if you movie is in 3D.
These aren’t the disposable ones that you keep or recycle at the end of the movie. These fit right into the full luxury theater experience.
So, yes, you may have already guessed, seeing a movie like this is more expensive than going to the traditional cinemas. It is definitely a girls day out, date night, Mom’s night out, special treat type of occasion. It was a great treat for our older tween girls, but I wouldn’t bring my three year old nephews until they were older and could appreciate it.
There are five locations sprinkled throughout Southern California, with Rancho Santa Margarita being their most recent. They plan ton expanding in 2014. Check out the Cinéopolis Luxury Cinemas website to book tickets and check out the menu and other locations. Cinéopolis wants to make every movie memorable with a new level of a premium movie-viewing.
One more tip from my tween – wear flip-flops and bring a blanket.
Great way to kick off your shows and cuddle with your favorite person while watching a really good movie. = )
Enjoy!
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03/28/2013 11:04 am
Today’s post is a simple and sweet one. Many of you may be on Spring break, or just about to start it, and with the upcoming holiday Easter weekend, from me to you, I wanted to wish you all a Happy Easter. Peeps are one of those iconic Easter treats, and I couldn’t resist taking these brightly colored bunnies and putting them into a cute treat bag.
And, of course, I want to share the free printable with you in case you want to make some last minute treat bags for family, friends, or neighbors.
Grab the free printable here:Easter Peeps treat bag printable
Then all you need to do is print it out, and cut it out with scissors, XACTO knife, or paper cutter.
Place 3 colorful bunny Peeps into a small plastic treat bag. Fold the printable in half over the top and secure with a staple. Easy as that!
I made two different sayings, “Happy Easter to one of my Favorite Peeps!” and “Wishing you a PEEPtacular Easter!”
Have fun making your own Peeps Easter treat bags.
Happy crafting!
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03/21/2013 10:54 am
Spring is here, the Easter holiday weekend is around the corner, are you in the Spring spirit yet? Today’s DIY craft idea just might help put you in the mood.
I don’t know about you, but I still have baskets of empty plastic eggs from last year’s neighborhood Easter egg hunt. I couldn’t bring myself to recycle or throw them away. I knew they would make great craft materials, and of course, they will go to good use again this year. = )
With just a few easy steps, you can turn a basket of plastic eggs into a festive decoration.
The only thing you will need are plastic eggs, of course, but make sure they are the kind that have two holes at the bottom of egg. I also used Creatology Glitter Stretch Cord, that I found at my local Michaels.
The rest was simply stringing the plastic eggs together weaving the cord in and out of the holes at the bottom of each plastic egg.
I fed one end of the cord through the first hole, opened up the egg and fed it through the second hole out of the egg. Then I closed the egg bag up and repeated with more eggs.
I strung 11 eggs together, but you can try more or less eggs if you prefer. I tried different number combinations, but 11 eggs gave me a nice full party plastic egg “globe”.
I finished up this easy craft by tying the two ends of the cord together in the middle. Then I added a pretty blue ribbon for hanging my Easter egg globe.
The question is, where should it go?
It can make a pretty window decoration, room decoration, or even an alternative to a traditional wreath as a door decoration.
Where would you hang it? Get the kids involved, and have fun making this festive and super simple colorful craft with plastic eggs.
Happy crafting!
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03/14/2013 12:31 pm
Are you looking for a fun family adventure this weekend? It’s the third annual Up in the Air event in Mission Viejo. This unique event celebrates everything that can fly in one way or another, like planes, kites, bubbles, balloons, pinwheels, and more! The free event will include a variety of scheduled entertainment from dog shows, to a BMX show, and kite demonstrations.
Up in the Air takes flight on Saturday, March 16, 2013, from 10 AM to 3 PM on the Green next to the Norman P. Murray Community Center. It looks like it will be perfect weather to enjoy the outdoors, and take part in flight! Check out their website for the full schedule and details. Remember, this is a FREE event. Don’t miss out!
If you can’t make it, or if you just want to some flying fun at home, put yourself or your kids in their own paper airplane. Folding a paper airplane is one of the oldest and simplest paper crafts, perfect for kids of any age. Spice up your paper airplane and tape in mini pictures of you or your kids.
Here is a free printable for you to use for the bodies:
I used a scissors to cut each out, and then I printed out pictures of my daughter and niece and nephew. I cut out each of their faces and glued them on the cute silhouette colored bodies.
Then it was just a matter of folding my paper airplanes. I couldn’t use just plain old white paper. I thought the kids would like to fly in style. I used letter-sized sheets of patterned scrapbook paper and folded each into paper airplanes.
Then, I just taped each kid into an airplane. My girl went solo, while I thought my niece should be co-pilot to my nephew. = )
Try this fun and easy craft at home, and get out and enjoy the Springtime weather in Mission Viejo at Up in the Air.
For a great resource for folding a variety of different paper airplane shapes, with free templates, check out the Fun Airplanes website.
HAPPY FLYING!
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03/07/2013 11:39 am
Are you in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day yet? Here is a quick craft idea that is sure to get you in the lucky frame of mind.
The four leaf clover is a standard symbol for luck. Why not spread some St. Patty’s day cheer with this easy paper craft.
Here is a quick and super easy way for you to cut out your own four leaf clover in seconds!
You can create a fun decoration for any drink, even fresh squeezed lemonade. Simply add a couple drops of green food coloring into lemonade, and dress us your straw with your homemade four leaf clover. Cut small slits in the center of your shamrock and slide onto straw.
Enjoy! And good luck!
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02/28/2013 9:19 am
What do you get if you combine 2 absolutely delectable large cookies baked to just the right amount of softness and a scoop of creamy ice cream in your favorite flavor? One of the best ice cream sandwiches you have ever tried!
Now, you may be asking, where can I get one of these delicious ice cream sandwiches? If you are in the Huntington Beach area, you have to check out The Scoop on Cookies shop located at 126 Main Street at Walnut in “Sweet”102. But I bet you didn’t know, is that they have a food truck business too, that caters to parties, weddings, and corporate events.
I recently had the pleasure of Suzanne Meriden, the owner of The Scoop on Cookies, and when she told me about her ice cream sandwich food truck, I knew it would be the perfect addition to our family birthday party at our house celebrating my husband’s 45th birthday and my daughter’s 11th. We were planning on 40-50 people at our house for a casual outdoor open house type party. We set up a burger bar where guests could make their own burgers along with plenty of sides including Grandma’s famous macaroni salad. We arranged lawn chairs and tables outside in our backyard, and told all of the kids to bring their scooters, roller blades, and skateboards (along with helmets), to enjoying playing outside in our cul de sac. And I was delighted when The Scoop on Cookies ice cream sandwich food truck was available to come and treat our guests to some of the best tasting ice cream sandwiches ever!
Here is how it worked: I was able to choose 3 different cookies flavors and 2 different ice cream flavors for the The Scoop on Cookies food truck to have on hand. They have 10 different cookie varieties to choose from as well as 16 different ice cream flavors!
My birthday peeps chose double chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, and peanut butter cookies along with vanilla and chocolate ice cream.
Then after Suzanne pulled up with her truck and got set up, guests could go up to her window and customize their own special ice cream sandwiches. For instance, they could pick two different cookies, and even a little bit of each ice cream flavor if they wanted. Every single one was custom made for them.
It truly was the hit of the party. The weather was perfect, and the guests really enjoyed the food truck experience. Many went up for seconds!
If you have a large party, or special event coming up, I would highly recommend you arrange for The Scoop on Cookies ice cream sandwich food truck to show up and serve your guests.
Suzanne from The Scoop on Cookies will take really good care of you!
For more information, call Suzanne at 714-595-8974 or or email: Suzanne (at) TheScoopOnCookies.com
She can give you a private quote based on your party size and event.
Also, check out their store in Huntington Beach at 126 Main Street @Walnut, “Sweet” 102.
Enjoy!
I also want to give a shout-out and thanks to Ted Jung Photography for all of the great party shots!
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