Stop Sign

Anyone who has more than one child in their house has probably experienced the 'I was still playing with that!'  Since I have went from having just one child to 5-6 children in my house on any given day of the week I needed a quick solution to stop the squabbling.  

Insert the stop sign.  

On one side it says 'Stop' and on the other side it says a child's name.  Each child gets one sign.  If they are working on a tower (or whatever) and need to leave to go to the bathroom, work on a craft with me, or any other reason, the child can grab his/her sign and place it near their work.

This method has been a quick/simple fix for the 3 and older crowd.  The 1 year old in the group is still learning, but usually their is someone around to remind him not to touch.

Birthday Books

In a desperate attempt to document my children as they grow I was finding myself overwhelmed by the massive amount of photographs we have taken.  The thought of backtracking to the very beginning of their existence at this season of our lives seemed like such a daunting task.  So I thought why not save all that for when they graduate and we really must have something to show. Maybe we will just burn all their photos on DVD and be done with it.  Regardless, we will have one thing to show for......their birthdays.  I love planning for birthdays and very much enjoy themed parties.  I let the boys choose what kind of party they want and we plan a craft, game, and cake to go with the theme.  All this is recorded in the birthday book.

I found snazzy scrapbooks from JoAnn's and added sticker letters to personalize each book.  I recommend the chipboard stickers as they are more sturdy. Many people think scrapbooking is expensive and it can be but here are a few tips to keep it cheap and still decorate with some pizzazz.

Don't forget the cake photos 

What I am most excited about adding to the books is a birthday interview.  From now on each year I will interview the same questions to be added to the book.  It will be fun to see if the answers change over time. Here are a few responses from my interview with Mikah:  What are you best at? "Breaking down sticks."  If you could change your name to anything what would it be?  "Mikah-so, like in Spanish" After asking all the questions listed in the interview he added a few of his own categories such as favorite plant: "rainbow flower" and favorite game: "snap the bunny" (not sure what this is and not sure I want to know how to play).  This kid cracks me up!  

Tutorial Successes

I tried a few online tutorials this past weekend and they all were a success.  This definitely does Not always happen.  I made a skirt and hair bow for my daughter for Easter.  I also made a delicious carrot cake.  I was so pleased with the results that I wanted to share the tutorials with you.  I sometimes see recipes or tutorials on pinterest that I think I might like to try and usually if a friend has done it and succeeded it makes me want to give it a try even more.  So I hope you will find these helpful :)

I made Emily's skirt following this tutorial.  The only step that I did differently was adding bias tape to the material as well as the tulle.  I like how it looks and also I didn't have to hem.  If you do this, you'll want to cut your material a bit shorter (since you don't have to allow for the hemming) so that the tulle is still able to stick out the bottom.

Next up is a hair bow that I made.

I've read a few blog tutorials and they all seemed very confusing.  A friend of mine sent me this video tutorial and it is so simple.

Finally, this carrot cake from the pioneer woman.  It is DELICIOUS.  And it is very very easy to make.  Her online recipe has you bake it in a sheet pan.  In her cookbook, she makes it in a bundt pan and so that's what I did.  I also pulverized the pecans.  I have a few picky eaters and they thought it was "so good mom!".  I think whatever way you make it will make you happy :)

What tutorials have you found to be successful?  Or are you old school and all of your creativeness comes from your head?  I am not that good, but that's ok with me! :)

Sensory Dough

I have tried just about every Pinterest dough there is.

I can tell you that just about every time a pin claims 'Just 2 ingredients' one of those ingredients will be cornstarch.  This super fine powder can be mixed with any number of things for an unusual effect.  When mixed with water it is called "Non-newtonian" because it doesn't follow any of the normal laws of physics.  

The dough I made is no different.

I mixed cornstarch with hair conditioner.  

I read reviews of someone mixing cornstarch with shampoo, but I had way more conditioner on hand so I grabbed it instead.  There really isn't a recipe for this dough.  I just kept adding hair conditioner until it was holding together well.  If it is sticky, add more cornstarch.  Once I got the right mixture this dough was similar to play dough, only silkier.  

  

All the children enjoyed playing with it, and trying to mold it.  The dough is not like clay.  It doesn't hold its shape well, so poking it was a favorite activity.

We didn't use tools with this activity.  Just the dough was enough to keep them all entertained.  

I was a little concerned about the little guy in the picture above trying to eat it because he likes to taste the play dough we play with.  I was happily surprised that he didn't try eating it once.  The strong floral smell of the conditioner may have been a deterrent. 

I asked all the children if they enjoyed the new dough, and got a resounding yes.  I liked that it didn't crumble like play dough does, so a quick wipe of the counters was all that was needed to clean up the residue.  There wasn't any pieces on the floor to sweep up (hello, that's awesome).  

This dough does have its limitations though.  Since it doesn't hold its shape well it has a limit to what can be done with it.  

Do you try any of the Pinterest dough recipes?  What's your favorite?   

Brazilian Lemonade

After a first time visit to Tucanos Brazilian Grill I came home inspired to look up recipes for Brazilian lemonade.  Besides the enormous salad bar, this beautiful beverage was my favorite part of the meal. They had many flavor combinations to choose from but I ended up selecting the mango-lemonade...delish.  It came to the table looking a little weird and milky for lemonade and after searching through recipes I now know why. 

For this recipe you will need:

4 smooth, thin-skinned limes
1 c. sugar

6 c. cold water

6 Tbsp. sweetened condensed milk

So you are probably thinking the same thing I did when I looked at the recipe, why call it lemonade if it's made of limes? Let's just roll with it. Also,I accidentally used regular limes instead of the thin skinned and found the taste to be a bit bitter so you would be doing yourself a favor to buy the correct lime.

The first thing you are going to do is cut the limes in quarters. Mix the water and sugar together. Now put half the cut limes in a blender (still with the rind on) and pour half the sugar water in. Pulse the mixture five times.  Pull out a fine mesh strainer and pour the limey sugar water into the pitcher you are serving from. Use a measuring cup and push on the limes to get out every last drop of lime juice from the strainer. Repeat this process with the remainder of limes and sugar water. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk and that's it!  You can add your own flavor twists by blending some frozen fruit of choice with the limes and sugar water.  

It really is like drinking summer.  All I need now are some chips and guacamole!

Front Porch Mini Makeover

Last Saturday was an absolutely beautiful day.  I was going to work in our yard and get the outside of the house looking, if not top notch, at least a lot better than it does.  But then my mom convinced me to go fabric shopping and to look at quilts.  Who was I to let her down?

When I got home in the late afternoon, I had about 20 minutes and I knew I could complete one task on my list for that day.  I decided to give a little pizazz to our front porch by painting the front step the same color as our door.  Here is what it looked like before I got out my can of paint.

 (yes, I know the leaves need swept and the bushes need trimmed and and and....fabric shopping was so much more fun.) 

If you need to add a little punch to the front of your house, please paint your front door a cheery color.  You will. not. regret. it.  Then, if you're like me, and feel the need to "step" it up a little (hardy har har), you should paint your front step, too.

I love how it looks and now I can work on the rest of my to-do list.  Make a spring wreath, clean up the yard, get a bigger welcome mat.  The list is never-ending.  What have you done outside recently that brings a smile to your face?

Salt Dough

Salt dough is an easy craft to whip up on short notice.  It's also not just for Christmas.   

This week we made spring themed decorations.  

Here's the recipe I used.

2 cups white flour

1 cup salt

1 cup water

1 tablespoon oil (optional--this makes the dough easier to work with)

1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional--this makes the dough harder after baking)

Mix all those ingredients together, and hand it to the kiddos to roll and cut out.

Place on a cookie sheet and bake at 250 degrees for about 20  minutes. 

Below are a few tricks I used.

The rubber bands make it easier for children to evenly roll out the dough.

Wreath Transformation

I figured since it is officially spring it was time to take down those snowflakes on the front door. When I made the snowflakes on my cricut I had hot glued about 3 inches of pipe cleaner to the backside and twisted them to the wreath.  This way it was much easier to add/change the decor on my wreath to decorate for any holiday or season.  As you can see the sun has faded the gray color of the burlap from winter but it still works.

 Here is a tutorial on how to make a loop wreath.  I did not use the proper width of ribbon on mine so it isn't as full as it should be, but I don't mind. For my spring transformation I decided to make some fabric flowers in spring colors.  I used an old t-shirt that my husband didn't wear any more.  I used this great tutorial for the flowers. 

The blue-green flowers I made with the old t-shirt and cut six petals so they look a bit rag-style. For the cream color flowers I used a thin linen fabric and cut five petals.  It is fun to try different fabrics and see how the flowers vary. No flower will be exactly the same, just like snowflakes. The flowers are approximately 3 inches by 3 inches.

I hot-glued a clip to the back of each flower for easy removal later.  I could use them in my hair if I wanted or as a decoration for a handbag in the future. I had coral colored fake flowers leftover from my cousins wedding and stuck a few sprigs in the letter M.  We are all set for spring! 

DIY Photo Booth

I created a photo booth for a friend's 50th birthday party recently.  It was so much fun for all ages and this idea could be used for any kind of party (wedding reception, kids' birthdays, family reunions, etc).

I thought I would share what I used to set up the photo booth along with some variations that you could use.  The main thing to keep in mind is to just have FUN! :) 

Here are the main items you need for a successful photo booth: 

-a backdrop:  I used some graphic curtains from Ikea but you can keep it simple or go all out.  Anything from a large piece of material to wrapping paper, streamers, balloons, etc. will work.  Here is a whole pinterest board dedicated to ideas.

-table for props:  It is nice to have a spot where people can browse and choose a prop without having to dig through a box.

-props:  frames, hats, boas, signs, handmade props  Obviously, these are important.  Ask around and see what your friends might have that you can borrow for the occasion.  Scrounge through your kids' dress up clothes.  And go ahead and get creative and make some of your own that will be significant for the occasion.

-furniture: This is not a must have but it will add a touch of whimsy and interest to the pictures.  Old brightly colored chairs or even an interestingly shaped couch would do the trick.

-a sign for social media:  Post a sign by the photo booth (and even through out the party space) to let people know that they can post their photos with a specified hashtag.  This simple step will make it easy for everyone (and the guest of honor) to view all of the pictures taken.

-an "official" photographer: You may want to hire a professional to take photos but you can also just designate one person who has a nice camera to take pictures throughout the party.  Both of these are optional, because no matter what, people will have their phones out and will be snapping fun moments throughout the event.

Now just get people make sure to get people involved!  Once they do, it will be hard to get them to stop and the photos and laughs that are captured will be priceless!

Project 333

It's Spring!

And it's Spring Cleaning time!

Have you heard of Project 333?  I came across it last year when my family was getting ready to move to another state for 4 months.  We lived in a hotel, and had very little space, so I researched 'minimal wardrobes' and Project 333 is what I found.  In a nutshell, it is 33 articles of clothing for 3 months (but I suggest you check out the link to get a better understanding of the whole premise).  

Since we have been back to Indiana, I have been pregnant and had a baby, and have been in at least 3 different sizes of clothing.  My closet no longer contained a mere 33 items.  It was closer to 70ish.

I am a little embarrassed to show how messy my closet was getting.  Between having a baby, and slacking off on putting stuff away, it was in desperate need of a cleaning.  So, my weekend project was spring cleaning my side of the closet. 

Yes, that photo above shows purses mixed with diaper bags mixed with pants.  I just kept tossing stuff up there.  Yikes!

This project really didn't take all that long to do, mostly because 75% of the the clothes that were hanging in my closet do not currently fit me.  If it didn't fit the day I cleaned out my closet, it was placed in a tote to be re-evaluated in a few months when I am again a new size.

I love the idea of having only 33 items total in my closet, but haven't got my current wardrobe down to that number.  I think the idea of simplifying and not spending my weekends shopping for new clothes I do not need is the main take away from the idea of Project 333, and it is not necessarily about the exact number of items in my closet.  I plan to pare my closet down again in a few more weeks when the weather levels out and actually stays warm.

How big is your wardrobe?  Do you think you could live with 33 articles of clothing for 3 months?

Eggstravaganza

Easter is upon us and so the crafts have begun.  My mom is new to pinterest and found a project she wanted to start with me.  These eggs kind of remind me of how we used to make home-made paper mache for birthdays, but I digress.  We used tons of balloons and blew them up to the size we desired, about the size of a grapefruit.

Coat with mod-podge and wrap with string or yarn like a cob web.

 Put another layer of mod-podge over the string.  This project is messy fun, right!

Hang them to dry overnight.  Next was the fun part for my kids:  Pop the balloon and remove with tweezers through an open hole. Use the tweezers to remove excess crunchy, dried mod-podge from the holes.  

Here is a finished one.  I think I will string them together to create an egg garland to display on the stairwell or fireplace mantel.  You could hot glue an egg wreathe as well or just use them as a center piece in a bowl.