Balloon Animals

My subdivision had it’s annual block party this past weekend.  The trustees have tried several things for the kids over the years.  They started with a petting zoo (not my favorite – something about petting animals and then eating didn’t agree with me).  After a few years they switched to a Bounce House.  Getting better.  This year they had a balloon artist.  He was AWESOME!  He was fabulous with the kids and we just couldn’t stump him.  He made anything a kid asked for . . . . .  an Octopus, an elephant balancing on a ball, a dolphin, a mermaid, Spiderman, an Alien who hitchhiked on your shoulders . . . . He was amazing and would be great for a birthday party!!

           

From Cozy Coupe to Batmobile!

My son wants to be Batman for Halloween.  Since I know him so well and he can’t seem to walk 2 driveways I decided to convert his Cozy Coupe from this . . . . .

Home Depot Workshops

My kids love the clinics at Home Depot.  They actually started going last summer.  Even though my son is technically too young they have always let him participate and he has the best time.  He has learned to read the instructions himself and even do a lot of the hammering on his own.  We recently went to the Lorax sponsored workshop where they got to build a bulletin board.

         

We start by laying out all the pieces and unfolding the directions.  Then they each pick out the pieces they need first.  My daughter is pretty independent at this point but I still need to get the nails started for my son.  (They also provide you with an apron – which we always forget to bring with us – and safety glasses – which we should be wearing).  Then we split up.  One of us works with each kid.

         

My daughter loves the pink tools.  I guess they do that so you don’t steal them.  When we first started going they had kid size hammers and you go to keep the first one.  We added ours to my kids tool boxes.  You can see the post about those here.  And before you know it . . . . a finished project to take home . . . .

        

We also made a football game on a different day.  They got to use screws for this one which was different as most projects use nails.  It also can with a printed sheet that can be folded into a triangular football so they can actually try to flick it through the goal posts they made. 

         

If you haven’t checked out these clinics yet I highly recommend them – even if you think your kids are too young.  The projects are pretty simple.

Organizing Scrapbook Embellishments

This is the best organizer I’ve ever had for all those small embellishments like brads and eyelets.  I first got one years ago at a garage sale for a couple dollars.  I was so excited to see another one in Michael’s when I was shopping for my kids vacation snack containers.  However, I wasn’t ready to spend $12 on one when I got the first one for so cheap.  I was finally able to get one for half off.  Still more than my garage sale purchase but not bad.

Ruffled Ribbon Socks Tutorial

These are so easy to make and my daughter loves them!  I made her about 12 pairs a couple years ago but she’s starting to outgrow them so I need to make more.  I thought I’d do a quick tutorial while I was at it.

Bathroom organization

          

Since my vanity looks so nice and new with it’s fresh coat of white paint I decided to organize the inside.  My inspiration was this post.  Such a great idea and simple to make.  Kind of reminds me of the laundry basket dressers I made using Ana White’s plans

Bathroom Vanity Makeover

 

I don’t like stock cabinetry.  However, replacing my large master bath vanity isn’t in the budget. 

         

I thought about staining it darker but I didn’t think that would go with the rest of the room.  I decided to take the doors off, sand everything, and paint it all white.

DVD Colored Pencil Cases

My craft club met a few weeks ago and made the perfect craft for our next trip.  We used empty DVD cases to make colored pencil cases.  We used an exact-o knife to remove the spokes that hold the DVD in place.  I recommend slipping a piece of cardboard in the front cover to protect the clear sleeve when cutting.  We didn’t do this and some of them were cut. 

To cover the front you just cut a piece of scrapbook paper to fit.  I wanted mine to match the fabric inside so I took a piece of fabric to Office Max and had them make a color copy.  It worked out great.  Just remember if you have text like my Mizzou one to make sure it’s oriented correctly.