Happy December

MODKIDBOUTIQUE

Hello again!  Has it seriously been since the summer that I have posted anything on my blog?  Time is flying and things are moving at an amazing rate of speed over here.  December is a busy month for all of us.  So, while making plans for holiday cheer, add these adorable elf stockings from Modkid to your list. I just had to share them with you.  Happy December and I'll try to check in a little more often.

*Blogging from my phone. I hope this works!*

Learn, Play, Create - Owl hand print art

We have had tremendous weather here in south Georgia.  A heat wave sent us all indoors and seeking air conditioned events and poolside parties.  It was a scorcher with temps hitting 110* leaving you exhausted at the thought of even walking to the mailbox and back. 

In attempt to have some indoor fun, a friend of mine hinted around about wanting to play in the paint and try to make a little hand printed owl canvas that she had seen posted online.  I was up for the challenge.  I had a blank canvas and paint in my stash so I thought I'd give it a try.  My daughters share a room that it themed in owl decor.  You Target shoppers have seen the line of bedding in the kids section, I'm sure.  So, I thought if the painting did turn out (fingers crossed), it would be a great piece to add to their owl themed room.

This picture shows a copy of the original picture that my friend had seen.

MATERIALS:

canvas 8x10 or larger

acrylic paint

paint pen

ribbon

I have outlined the painting steps out in the picture below.  Pretty simple and easy to do.  Suggestion: measure your child's hand on the canvas before you start to paint.  I used an 8x10 canvas and my four year olds hand print barely fit within the painted lines.

And the final product.  It looks great in the girls room!

catch a SALE

Potterybarn is having a great sale on their backpacks and lunch boxes just in time for back to school shopping.  Don't miss it!

soap opera

It's been one busy summer so far and I am rather enjoying this fast paced lifestyle, although I would not want it like this all the time. It's a challenge cramming all-day smiles and laughter into a 24 hour window. lol We ventured out to our first ever soapbox derby and the kids loved it! These were adult contestants and the cars were unbelievable. I wish I could have took pictures of all of them but there were close to 100 and the crowd was so thick it was hard to even snap a few pictures here and there without getting arms and legs dangling through your subject.

Romeo is a trooper for taking his three girls out to such an event. It was hot, the walk was long and the people were...different. We did have a good time and we were able to stroll around in an outdoor fresh market after the show. That was a lovely surprise!

I hope you enjoyed Father's Day weekend with special loved dad's, granddad's, and such. It was a full but fun weekend for us but I would not have traded it for the world!

Learn, Play, Create - Father's Day

I thought I would share a cute Father's Day gift idea here on the blog.  If you are looking for something quick and easy to make, here it is!

MATERIALS

10x20 canvas

acrylic paint

glitter

tree shape

numbers

I purchased a 10x20 canvas at Hobby Lobby for $8.99 and then applied this weeks 40% off coupon...great deal!  I used my Silhouette machine to cut out the tree shape and the 2012 numbers.  I cut the tree out of contact paper (love that stuff) and the numbers from scrapbook paper.  You could also use a tree shape template with decorative scrapbook paper and numbers stickers as well.  Once it was in place on the canvas, I began mixing the paint colors that I wanted to use.  I applied the paint to the tips of my kids fingers with a Qtip and gently pressed them onto the canvas.  After the fingerprints were finished and the paint was still wet, I quickly doused the canvas with glitter.  Voila, you're done!

You could also apply this idea to a card, framed artwork, tile, and much more.

Enjoy your Father's Day weekend with Dad, Grandpa, Uncles and all those other super cool men who have spread a little love into our lives and the lives of our children.

"gimmie that, no-no, good girl"... (insert tail wag)

It doesn't take much to talk me into taking up furry little friends for household pets.  Once I laid eyes on this little fluffy ball of cotton, I was smitten.  The girls have been begging for a new puppy and I have had a bad case of baby fever for awhile.  So, we cured our ailments!

Maggie a.k.a Mags is a great little pup. 

She's getting use to our routine and we are trying our best to keep up with her. 

She is full of energy and loves to bite, pull, and tug on anything within paws reach. 

Our flip flops seem to be her favorite ( note post title above). 

I hope your summer is going well.  It's been sticky hot here with a mix of rain the past couple of days.  The kids have been in summer camp this week.  Vacation plan are on the horizon along with swimming lessons and other summer fun.  Daily water fun with Maggie in the kiddie pool has become the girls new way to stay cool.  It's quiet entertaining!

Learn, Play, Create - Clip it!

Happy Monday!  It's a rainy Monday here in the south so crafting indoors is a perfect way to enjoy the day.  Today we will be learning how to customize a simple clip board.  When your project is complete you will have something that your little one (or yourself) can use for all sots of things.  Like I said, this is a simple version.  There are no sticky glues, paste or drying time needed! 

~~This project should be completed by an adult~~

 

MATERIALS

wood/laminate clipboard

straight edge (razor) cutting tool

large cutting mat

contact paper

ribbon or tulle

dry cloth

scissors

 

To get started, unroll your contact paper over your cutting mat.  Make sure that the the grid or bottom side of the contact paper is face up.  Lay your clipboard on top of the contact paper.  The backside of the clipboard should be touching the backside (grid side) of the contact paper.  Line up the clipboard with the grid lines on the contact paper.  If your contact paper has a directional print, make sure that the direction of the paper is going the same direction as the clipboard.  Making sure that your cutting mat and contact paper are in place, carefully cut around the edges of the clipboard.  Go slow and be sure to hold the clipboard so that it doesn't slip while you are cutting around it. 

Once your contact paper has been cut, peel away about 2 inches of the bottom edge of the backing of the contact paper and start laying it/sticking it to the bottom edge of the clipboard (the right side of the clipboard, not the back).  Be sure to line up the edge and sides.  Once your contact paper is lined up and you have a good start, begin unrolling more of the backing off of the contact paper.  Use the dry cloth to smooth out any air bubbles as you unroll and stick down the contact paper. 

Once you reach the top of the clipboard, around the metal clip area, use your straight edge cutting tool to cut around the metal clip.  Making small cuts around this area will be helpful.  One your contact paper is stuck onto the surface of the clipboard, be sure to use your dry cloth to smooth out any remaining air bubbles. 

 

OK, now it's time to add ribbon or tulle to your clipboard.  You can use any size or length that you would like.  Simply cut and tie it around the metal clip.  I used 3x7 in. pieces of tulle on the clipboard pictured above.  You can also attach a pen  to the clipboard by using a long piece of ribbon and tying it to the metal clip.

Enjoy!!

 

project: an apple a day

Welcome to the first blog post for Learn, Play, Create!  Thank you all for joining me here on the blog.  Toddlers, tweens and even you adults will find this project very fun and super simple.  Kids, please make sure that there is an adult nearby for help with this project.  Let's get started!

Materials:

apple(s)

acrylic paint or finger paint

sponge brush (works best) or paint brush

cardstock or other heavy weight paper/canvas

brown or black marker

Today we will be making a stamped apple print using apples as our stamp.  Pretty simple, huh!  To get started you will need at least one apple, maybe more depending on how many color choices you want.  First, have an adult slice an apple (or apples if you are stamping more than two color) in half.  ~IMPORTANT~  Make sure that you apple is sliced as straight and even as possible through the core.  This will allow the apple to lay flat on the stamped surface.~

You should now have two (or more) apple halves.  Using a sponge brush, apply paint to the open side of the apple in your choice of color(s). 

After you have applied paint to the apple half, place the apple half face down onto the paper or canvas that you want to be stamped.  Press firmly but be sure not to slide or move the apple half around on the paper.  Also, you will need to reapply paint as needed after you stamp your apple.

Younger children may need to have help from an adult due to the apples being a little slippery and oversized for their small hands.

Once you have finished stamping with your apple halves, allow the paper/canvas to dry completely.

When the paint has dried, you can use a brown or black marker to draw on stems and apple seeds.

Your finished apple stamped art work should look similar to this!

~If the apple was not evenly sliced you may notice that the apple stamp is not filled in. Use your sponge brush and carefully fill in around the areas that the apple did not stamp.~

You may also want to try using fabric paint to decorate canvas bags, tshirts, aprons and other items.
Happy stamping!

 

new goodies in the shop

It's been way too long since I have gotten around to putting new goodies in my Etsy shop.  But, after seeing how cute these little summer treat packages turned out, I had to share the love!  I packaged these up for end the year gifts for the kids at school.  They were a hit!  What kid doesn't like these crazy popsicles?  And the juice...they suck it dry! 

So, I've added a few of these over in my Etsy shop, just for kicks.  I plan on creating a few more gift wrap/packaging items and maybe even a few custom order products. 

I've got the crafting itch.  Can you tell?

almost there

As promised, a picture of our renovated master suite (not yet 100% complete)!  The wall behind my bed still needs a little touch of something.  I just can't gain enough courage to poke a hole in my wallpaper.  I've thought about using command strips...eh, not so sure?  I have been patiently waiting on Romeo to hang the ceiling medallion over my fan.  Maybe I can sweet talk him this weekend.

Anyway, while I was in Cinderella mode, I tossed up the bedding and decided to take this quick shot of the left side of the room.   I will post more pictures soon.  For now, off to finish my to-do list!

learn, play, create

If I could pick three words that would describe my goal for the summer, they would be...

 

I am going to start a summer program here on the blog called Learn, Play, Create.  I will post fun activities that you can do with your children that will take away

some of the "Mom, I'm bored" moments.

Join me (and my girls) as we dive into summer with Learn, Play, Create!

summer school

School is almost out and I am signing up for class.  Not to worry, it's a fun class with no homework.  I just signed up for the Happy Go Lucky Stitchalong with Amy Powers over at Big Picture Classes.  I have always loved the look of embroidery.  Perfect or not, it inspires me.  Roxanne has recently become interested in hand stitching with yarn, something I know little about.  I thought this would be the perfect way for the two of us to take a class together (in our jammies, if we want), as beginners and learn a useful and fun way to hand stitch.  I would love for you guys to join us.  We could all share our projects at the end of the class.  It would be so fun!!  Head on over HERE and check it out.  There are lots of other classes offered by Big Picture, art, photography, scrapbooking, you name it.  Even if the stitchalong is not for you, you'll find something you like at Big Picture Classes, I'm sure.

impressed

As I sit her in the AC trying to cool off from an afternoon in the Georgia sun, I am blog strolling.  There are so many post of pretty tables, food that is dreamy, bouquets of flowers, shimmery and glitzy glazed pots, and beautiful decor beyond words.  With each pastel M&M (left over from Easter) that I consume, I can't stream my mind to gather focused thoughts on what to do with all of this feminine goodness.  I suppose if I could physically make these wonderful goodies and monetarily afford to host such a shindig, my guest of honor would be my mother.

So, for Mother's Day, I am sending my mom a showcase of these items with a side note that says, "IOU".  No, I'm not that tacky, but I am smart enough to know that I could never pull off a Mother's Day gala with all of these fancy homemade goodies.

Check out those cake pops.  I mean, come on!!  This is fancy-schmany folks!

BHG goodness

If you missed the April issue of Better Home and Gardens, you missed THIS.  It was a complete "WOW" moment for me when I saw it.  After working with a sweetheart of a bride the past few months on a backdrop for her reception, this had my attention. 

I've got lots of plans for this little freebie!

celebrate

This totally speaks my language!  I love the mixed textures of this handmade piece.  Mother's Day is in a few weeks.  Don't forget to celebrate Mom. 

Happy Monday!

easy peasy

If you are looking for an easy recipe that is fun for kids to make and a dream to enjoy, THIS is it!

Notice the smudge in the gooey chocolate.  Yep, that's a sign of little fingers getting a taste of the chocolatey goodness.

 (pssst...JIF woks just as well in the mix.  I've also topped these with melted caramel and pecans.)

I hope your week has been a good one...TGIF!!  Enjoy your weekend.