DIY Disney Autograph and Memory Books

 For our recent Disney trip, I put together little memory books for my kids. These were so fun, and really added to the trip- especially after we got home.

 To make my little books, I used some plastic photo 4 by6 books, you can purchase at Walmart. They cost $1. I used washi tape to decorate the covers, with some stickers. The Mickey Mouse shape is an old paint chip card from Home Depot, that I just cut out. I don't know if Home Depot carries the Mickey Mouse paint chip cards anymore, but we have some from past years. {You can see my Disney Count Down calendar I made several years ago using them here.}

 For the back of the books, I used stickers I already had, and washi tape. All the pages in the book are just white card stock that I cut down to size.

 When we saw a character, we pulled out our books, and took one page out of the book. The pages inside also had random Disney stickers on them. I left about 1/2 of the pages empty for adding photos and other memories.

 To make signing the book easier for the character, we used little office clips to hold the page onto the book. I also brought a baggie of different colored sharpies for signing the books. My children really loved picking out a sharpie that was the same color as the character. (black-Mickey, orange-Tigger, etc.)

 When we got home we put our books all together. We added photos of the characters, to go next to the autograph pages. Since we did not spend all our time seeking character autographs, we had many extra pages in our books. These little books can hold about 25 pages. I had the kids write about their memories. For my younger children, I had them tell me what they liked and I wrote it down just like them said it. My three year old, (above) mentioned that he loved the Radiator Springs Racers, but they did not get trophies. It was fun to hear his perspective on the ride, and record it.

You can also add postcards, and other photos to the book. The postcards fit almost perfectly. We put postcards inside the back and front covers.

Now you have a nice little memory book for your kids! These are great- because you can throw them in your diaper bag or purse, and take them to church, doctors offices, or anywhere else you may need your child to do something quiet for a few minutes.

 

Happy Summer and Thanks for Reading!

Washi Tape Pendant Banner

This is one of those posts I started LAST YEAR- yes last year...and never finished or posted! {I have lots of those posts...} In fact, some of these photos are over a year old...oops.

Since I am trying to get back into blogging....I thought I would share it with you.

 I purchased several wooden pendants from pick your plum, or some other craft deal websites. I also have a little love for washi tape. If you haven't discovered washi tape, you must! It is so easy to use, so fun, and the clean up after a project is like zero. Love it.
I covered the pendants with washi tape. I cut off the edges with scissors, so it does not wrap around to the back. In fact, I could use the other side and have two banners in one. I strung them together using baker's twine.  Here are a few of the ones I have made:

 This one I used chipboard letters.

 This one is vinyl lettering. I use this one for preschool-- in the photo below- notice the stuffed monkey/gorilla...well that is our preschool class pet. He was just attending our little celebration. :)

And if you are wondering why on earth it took me a year to post such a simple thing...well I don't get much free time these days. In fact, for Mother's Day my husband surprised me with this, a Cameo Silhouette. It is still in the box. Still in the box. I need to do clear some space- as in clean up some junk- so I have a spot to set it up. Hope that happens soon!

If you have a Silhouette- PLEASE send me your best links to projects or ideas! I am not sure where to start.
Thanks for reading....

Cardboard Tube Cars {preschool transportation week}

 Here is another great craft using cardboard tubes. Turn them into cars. You need 4 lids for the wheels. Have your husband drill a small hole in the lids, so that you can attach them with brads.
Supply the children with crayons, markers, and dot stickers so that they can decorate their car.

 When everyone was finished, we used cardboard to draw our own roads. I asked them if they wanted a "straight road" or a "curvy road" and drew the basic lines. They added the yellow lines down the middle of the road, and the houses or trees. I pulled out some of our car cozies- and we added those in too.  Even the girls got into driving their cars!

Thanks for reading! Happy Spring!

Leprechaun Craft: Dudes from Cardboard Tubes

Don't be jealous that I stayed up late tonight making leprechaun dudes from toilet paper cardboard tubes. Seriously, I know it is really cool, that I now how 3 more dudes that think I am "da' bomb", but you can have some too. tee hee-

 So I know this blog is turning into the "one holiday post a month..." and I am sorry-{sigh}. But when I get to my 62 sewing projects, you will be happy and lucky that you stuck with me. Now on with the lucky dudes... I have had this idea in my head for weeks, and since St. Patty's Day is around the corner, I had to get it out of my head.  
Leprechaun Dudes from Cardboard Tubes:
You need:
cardboard tubes
paint
scissors
sharpie markers
button or scrap paper
Cut cardboard tubes to make a hat shape on the top half by cutting out the back part of the tube.  Paint the hat part and the back part that won't show green. I painted the face a cream color, and the crazy red orange hair by making random lines.
I used sharpies that were the same color as the paint I used, to cover my paint mistakes and do some outlining. I had some of that tape with dots on it, that I put over the black band part -which you could draw on with a sharpie or paint on, and glued a yellow button on top. That is it. I think kids would have fun with this craft. If you have little ones- I would cut out the shape of the leprechaun first, then they can paint it.

And I finally have a St. Patrick's Day decoration. ha ha ha. OK not really, but I have 3 more dudes in my house.

Thanks for reading! Happy March!

Kid's Craft: Star Wars Valentine's Box {R2D2}

You probably think I am just going to skip Valentine's Day blogging altogether right? WELL... I have a few little things to share. We had to make a little Valentine's Box for first grade. I remember when I made mine in first grade. We had a contest. I REALLY wanted to win. I worked so hard on decorating that silly box. Sure enough I won...and I was one little happy 6 year old.

SO...here I am with my kids- who are not girls- trying to turn a very "girly" holiday into a boy one. Enter Star Wars. If you saw our Halloween, and our Christmas ornaments, then you are probably not surprised.

Here is what we made from a shoe box.

 We just had a little R2D2 toy, so I googled, for images so I could get all the shapes right. Instead I found this design for a t-shirt, from Serial Moms. It fit perfectly onto the lid of the shoe box! So we just used that. I had my child trace and color all the shapes on it. I also had him cut out blue construction paper shapes that I had drawn for the head part. We attached the head-which is cardboard coverd in duct tape- to the lid of the shoebox, and then used popsicle sticks on the back to brace it so it won't flop all over the place. And since it was for Valentine's...we added a heart sticker where the red button should be.

We cut a hold in one of the biggest rectangles, and it is just right for dropping in those sweet little grade school cards. My son is so excited about his box, and I think I "boy-i-fied" the holiday. At least for this year!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Thanks for reading!

Magnetic Christmas Advent Calendar {using IKEA magnetic spice jars}

I love Christmas countdown calendars. I have made several different kinds in the past, and would probably sew one, if I had the patience for it. Years ago, that darn Martha Stewart made this one.  I finally got around to making my version this year.  {Twig and Thistle has a free download for for very cute numbers for this!}

I simply used my magnetic board that is always hanging in my kitchen and some magnetic spice jars from IKEA. These jars are about $4 for 3 of them. They can be used for anything, and I use these for other things throughout the year- such as paper clips, tacs, and small items like that. I could only fit 14 jars on my magnetic board -in the shape of a Christmas Tree, so that is what we are doing. I may change it and add more and not do it in a tree shape, but I really liked the tree shape, so that is what I did. {My kids won't care- we have lots of countdown advent calendars!}

I used scrapbook paper and rubber stamps to make my numbers. You could use anything. Then I filled each one with a few small objects or candy for the kids. Each day- starting on December 10th (since I only had 14 of them) we'll open up one. Some of them may include a fun activity we have planned- such as looking at Christmas lights, visiting Santa, etc.

I think this might be my easiest and favorite countdown calendar yet! Happy Holidays!

thanks for reading oxoxo

Frankenstein Feet {crafting with kids}

 We did some fun crafts in preschool this year for Halloween! One was this cute Frank-en-Foot . These turned out really cute. Simply paint the bottom of the child's foot with some green and black paint, and stamp it on some paper. We used white construction paper. Add eyes, scars, etc. and you have a cute frankenstein!

Happy Halloween to all the little monsters out there!

Don't forget to enter the CD give-a-way- (next post down!)

Coffee Filter Flowers and Banner

Chances are, you have made coffee filter flowers before- if you are a diy/crafter. Well, I made them a few weeks ago for the first time. Loved them!! I ended up making a lot more afterwards. They are so easy to make and so pretty too!

I used a combination of two tutorials- one for kids and one for adults- with some minor changes.

KIDS coffee filter flower {using Crayola markers}

Adult coffee filter flower {using food coloring}

I did some with my preschoolers. I gave them 4 coffee filters, and had them draw on the top one. Then using a spray bottle, we wet them so the colors ran together. When it was dry, I folded them like snowflakes, and cut the edges and a hole for threading through the stem which was a straw.

I attached the coffee filters to the straw using masking tape. When done, I covered the straw and masking tape with pipe cleaners.

I used the tutorial above to make these. I used food coloring to dye the coffee filters. I used about 7-9 filters per flower. I had some chopsticks, so I used those for the stem. It was easiest to attach each filter with masking tape, and then go back and use green floral tape afterwards to cover it up.

Since I had some leftovers, and it was our preschool program/graduation, I made a fun little banner- granted this was at 1 in the morning.....but it worked. :)

I am really loving coffee filters lately- for crafts that is!

Happy Crafting!

AND thanks for reading- I have loved the sweet comments/emails I have been getting lately. ♥♥

Kids Crafts: Bunny Basket from a Milk Jug

This is one of the things we are doing in preschool today. I seriously need a whole month for Easter  and Spring crafts! There are so many fun and cute ones out there.  You can find lots of ways to recycle a milk jug on the internet. Here is my version of a Bunny Basket from a milk jug.

I used a razor blade to cut off the top of the milk jug. Then where the nose was going to go, I cut two slits on either side. I twisted the three pipe cleaners together in the middle, and threaded them through the slit, to make whiskers.

From your paper scraps, cut ear shapes (use cardstock so they stay up) and eye shapes. This milk jug had 1/2 circle shapes left on it, after I cut it off- which was a perfect place to put the eyes.

Next glue on the pieces. I used Elmer's glue. The cotton ball tail and fuzzy ball nose could use a staple, or some strong tape. The ears work best with a stapler.

I think the kids are going to love making this! I have a fun game to go with it- "catch the bunny tail" using a white yarn ball. It should be fun!

Thanks for reading!

oxoxo

Back from Disneyland

Home. As fun as traveling and Disneyland and the beach can be, coming home is always nice.

Minus the 25 loads of laundry that has to be done.

This is one of my favorite photos from the trip.

Love it.

Now is someone can give me some good help with digital scrapbooking...it has been a while and I am rather rusty. I could really use some good resources with tutes for photoshop too... :) so if you have some- please share and I'll love you forever and ever. I've got lots of fun photos to play with after this Disney shin-dig.

Happy Weekend!

I have a few Halloween projects to complete...hoping I get some time. :)

Thanks for reading!

Disneyland Activity Countdown Calendar + { free download}

This fall we are taking our children to Disneyland for the first time. We have wanted to do this for years, and so we are excited that we are finally able to do it. So to add to the fun and excitement....I made a very simple Disney Countdown Calendar.

On the back of each number, I put a simple activity that we can do as a family.
You can download the activities I used by clicking on the link.

To make the calendar, I used the magnetic board that I already had in my kitchen area. I used Disney paint chip cards from Home Depot that we already had. I put a magnet on the back of each one. The magnet that says "Disneyland" is one I picked up at Disneyland years ago. I pulled out my stash of stickers and just randomly put numbers on each Mickey. I also added a few cards with Disney stickers I had on hand.

Most of the activities are very simple, using things I found at the store to eat; things I had around the house- like Disney music, games, books, movies, or puppets; and  things I plan to make- like a Mickey version of "Don't Eat Pete".

I liked the idea of adding an activity to each day- not that we need anymore HYPE about going to Disneyland...or maybe- we do! Regardless, countdown calendars are always fun-especially for my kids. ☺

Here is another super cute one from Crafting Chicks you can print out.

HAPPY FALL!

Photo Matching Game {Tutorial}

This is one of those ideas that has been out there in blogland for a while. In fact, I bought the stuff to make this last year and never got around to it until this year. Such is life. ☻ I loved how this turned out, and thought it was a great way to preserve memories from the past year, and make something fun for my boys for Christmas.

I found the perfect size wood rectangles (2 1/2 inches by 31/2 inches) at Hobby Lobby. They came in packages of 4, and I used about 8 of them or so. ($8 total cost if you don't use a coupon) Michael's carries ones that are 2 inches by 3 inches.

I used acrylic paint to paint them. You don't need to paint the entire surface, since it will be covered. It is also helpful to sand the edges a bit- to prevent splinters- my edges were quite rough. Lightly sanding them solved the problem.

I just used some paper I had already. You will want to use the same paper for each one, since it is a matching game.

I printed wallet sized photos from this past year, of different memories, and of all the kids.  You need to print 2 of each photo. I think I have about 20 matches total.

Make a cute drawstring bag to store your game in.

When using modge podge, make sure to let it dry completely, so that the cards won't stick together when stacked.

AND speaking of cute matching games for kids, here is one I found at Oriental Trading. They had free shipping on any order after Thanksgiving, and this game was around $5. It has a ton of cute cookie cards, and it is very sturdy. You could make your own cookie matching game using chipboard. What child doesn't love cookies? ☻ I see many "pretend moments" at our house with this one.

The game doesn't come with a case or bag, so I just made another drawstring bag for it.

Aahhh...a few presents are ready to go under the tree. I think I only have 559 more to do....

Check out some fun projects at The Girl Creative