Burn A Basket

 

My family gifted me with a woodburning set and I absolutely LOVE it!  It's so fun to make "one of a kind crafts" and personalize them if I choose. Last summer my friend and I spent a sunny afternoon "plugged in" to baskets, baskets, baskets! You can too!  It's easy, inexpensive, and LOVELY!

This is what I did:

1. I bought inexpensive baskets on sale at stores, garage sales, and thrift stores.
2. I traced leaves on the side but anything traceable will work.  I also used a tool in my set to make the circles.
3. I woodburned on my penciling.

That's it!  My friend created a basket for her granddaughter with her name on it and she's using it to hold her little socks. I'm using one of mine to hold tape, paper clips, pens, etc. Depending upon the size of the basket, the possibilities are endless.

Fire Up!

There's something about sitting around a fire!  Whether it's the comradery with friends,  the comforting warmth, or the hot coals for cooking, my family  LOVE'S  a campfire. But getting it started can sometimes be a problem and if you're like us you probably had to run back more than once for more newspaper and matches.  It could get pretty frustrating.  No more!  Now we get the job done the first try with these awesome fire starters that we make ourselves.  




 

This is what we did:

1. We cut paper towel or toilet paper holders into 5/8" sections.
2. We shaved or cut up paraffin wax and put it in a pan (Old candles also work well).
3. We melted the wax in a pot on a cooker and stirred in saw dust or wood chips.
4. On a flat heat proof surface, we spooned the mixture into the cut up sections (No wick is necessary).
5. We let it cool.

These fire starters are ready to burn.  We simply place one under some kindling, light the top, and watch our fire grow.  Most stay lit for 15 minutes or more!   Works great in our indoor wood burning stove too.

Grapevine Wreath

Welcome people to your home with a beautiful wreath on your front door!  I LOVE to change out the wreath hanging on my front door to fit the season, but let's be honest, store bought wreaths are SO EXPENSIVE!  I decided to try my hand at creating my own at a fraction of the cost.  I really like what I've come up with! 

This is what I did:

 

1. I purchased a large grapevine wreath at JoAnn Fabrics  (I think I spent about $8.00)
2. I purchased some silk flowers (when they were on sale).
3. I clipped the flowers from the long stem using a wire cutter.
4. I inserted the flowers into the wreath.

The first picture is my fall wreath and the second I changed out for Christmas.  I think it works well for Valentine's day too.  I'll probably find something green to add in March.  I didn't hot glue the flowers in place so I can just pull them out at the end of the season.  I'm saving the flowers to rebuild another wreath at a different time!  I need to find a tutorial on bow tying - mine obviously needs help.  I don't have a lot of experience in design so I tried to take a close look at the wreaths that were for sale in the stores.  I noticed that they were symmetrical, so I tried to do the same.  Let me know what you think!!






Love Monster Marshmallow Treats!

LOVE Monster Marshmallow Treats!  These are so yummy and adorable.  If you've spent time around kids you know that they LOVE marshmallows.  We took a craft inspired by this blog:  here and made it part of our Valentine's Day party!

This is what we did:

 

1. I bought the supplies:  lollipop sticks (Walmart, they come in a bag of 50), marshmallows (large white ones and a bag of small colored ones), spaghetti noodles (extra thick), candy eyes (baking goods aisle), heart shaped fruit snacks, and sprinkles (I made my own - add food coloring to 1/4 c. sugar and bake at 350 for 10 minutes)
2. I divided the supplies into plastic baggies (14 kids) and placed the bags on white paper plates.
3. The kids put the marshmallows on a stick and then dipped them into water.  (I suppose they could just lick them too - that's what some of the kids did)  hehe.
4. Once the marshmallows are wet and sticky roll them in sprinkles.  I asked their mommas to walk around and poor sprinkles onto each of their plates.
5. Use the spaghetti noodles to attach the fruit snacks and small marshmallows as attennaes, legs, arms, etc.
6. We used frosting gel to attach the eyes.

The kids then ATE their LOVE monsters.  Be sure that they don't eat the spaghetti noodles.  It was a fun little activity.  It took the kids about 15 minutes to make and eat them!  My boys LOVE the treats.  I think we've made them at least 3 times already - not including when we made them at the party!

 

This activity went along with the book, "I Loathe You" written and illustrated by David Slonim.

Feather Hair Clip

My oldest daughter (6) had a "Late Night" It is much like a sleep over, but all kids go home late (10:00 PM) instead of sleeping over. We had several games and crafts happening during the evening. While working on the Feather Hair Clip, feathers started to fly everywhere, I am still finding them floating round through my living room. I have been getting feedback from parents though how this was LOVED by all, the kids are wearing them at school, and putting on the feather hair clips when told to get dressed up. Who knew these few simple steps would be so fun.

What you need;

1. Hair Clip
2. Glue Gun
3. Fancy Beads and Pony Beads
3. Suede Lace
4. Feathers
5. Scissors

What we did,

1. Cut Suede Lace length of child's hair.
2. Hot Glue Suede Lace to hair clip.
3. Cut end of Suede Lace at an angle.
4. String Fancy Beads and Pony Beads alternating between.
5. Place feathers under Pony Beads.
(Last bead should be tight, you should not need to tie end.)

Fingernail Polish Necklace

Fingernail Polish Necklace

So, the fun thing about having a junk drawer is you can always turn that junk into a treasure. I have a 6 year old girl. Anyone with a young daughter knows that any project including fingernail polish is going to be a hit. 

Here is what you need:

Fingernail Polish (must have white)

Washers (Quarter Size)

String or yarn

Here is what we did:

1. Take washer and paint with WHITE fingernail polish. (let dry)

2. Take string or yarn and tie ends, then bring it through the loop to hold the washer.

3. Design as you would like.

Of course my 6 year old did not want to wear my design, she suggested I put BFF (best friends forever) on it and give it to dad. :) We had fun with this junk and LOVED making it into a treasure!

Beach Party - Cloud Sand

We discovered that it doesn't need to be summer in MN to play with sand!  We found a website teaching us how to make cloud sand that we can use INSIDE the house!  We LOVE it!  Here is the link:  here  The "sand" is super soft and has a great consistency to it.  My Little Guy made a huge mess on the floor and I was able to sweep it right up.  I looked at the mess and was pretty skeptical, but it was honestly a breeze to clean up (and to make).

This is what we did:

 

1. In a large bowl, I added about 12 cups of all-purpose flour.
2. I added about 2.5 cups of vegetable oil.
3. With a spoon I stirred the ingredients.
4. Once the oil was absorbed, I used my hands to mix it until the flour was lumpy.
5. I dumped it into a 9X10 brownie pan and added a few little toys and let the boys play!

My Little Guy LOVED this.  He played for about an hour.  I  enjoyed playing with it too.  Its better than outdoor sand because its so soft and its easily moldable.  I'm storing it in a bin.  I hope it lasts for awhile - at least the rest of the winter until we can get outside and really go to the beach!