As we all prepare for Thanksgiving tomorrow, I am excited about the special time that I will have to spend with my family. There is just something magical about having those moments to create memories that will last a lifetime. I plan on taking many photos and capturing every single smile and hug so I can enjoy looking back on them for years to come. Since this is also a long holiday weekend, I am planning a few activities and arts and crafts with my boys to keep them busy. Both of my sons love doing puzzles so I thought it would be a neat idea to create their own pumpkin puzzle. It's a great way to get them to use their creativity and their imaginations. Also, they can enjoy putting their puzzles up in their room once they finish designing them. Pumpkin Puzzle Craft Material- Old puzzle pieces Orange craft paint Black craft paint Green craft paint Elmer's glue White paper Paint … [Read more...]
Halloween Chalkboard Place Markers
Everyone knows that Halloween is one of the most fun holidays of the year. It's a time to dress up and be spooky and it's also perfect for entertaining and hosting Halloween parties. I've always loved themed gatherings so I decided to create some Halloween chalkboard place markers to liven up our family dinner next weekend. As many of you know, I'm a pretty busy lady so I'm always on the lookout for activities and crafts that are fun but that also don't take a lot of time and effort to do. I am really excited about these place markers because they are a cinch to put together and you can get all of the supplies to make them at your local craft store. Halloween Chalkboard Place Markers Supplies needed: Wide wood craft sticks Chalkboard paint (spray paint is easiest) Chalk Felt stickers (Michael’s carries a Halloween themed bag that includes witch hats, candy corn, owls, and pumpkins) Craft glue Directions: 1. … [Read more...]
7 Ways To Use Pumpkin Pie Spice Besides Baking
If you are a lover of fall for its crisp air and delicious you thought the only way to get Pumpkin Pie Spice in your life was through pumpkin rolls or pumpkin pies you are in for a treat! Body Scrub - Body scrubs are ridiculously easy and can be made using things you have on hand in the kitchen already. To create a yummy smelling Pumpkin Pie Spice body scrub mix 1 cup granulated or brown sugar with ½ cup of coconut oil, and 1 T. of Pumpkin Pie Spice. Scrub a generous amount over wet skin, rinse, pat dry. It will leave your skin soft and smooth. Whipped Body Butter - One of the easiest and most decadent of diy beauty recipes body butter is a treat for yourself or to gift. In a hand or stand mixer whip ½ cup shea butter, 2 T. coconut oil, 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp. vitamin E oil, and 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract. Simmering Potpourri - Fill a small saucepan halfway with water, add 2-3 tsp.pumpkin pie spice and 1 tsp. vanilla, whole cloves, orange slices, or whatever … [Read more...]
DIY Beauty Treatments Using Pumpkin Puree
Did you know that pumpkin puree is not only delicious for fall dishes but it can also make you beautiful? Pumpkin has many benefits for your skin and hair which is what makes it so good for you. Pumpkin is packed with beta carotene, alpha hydroxy acids, zinc, Vitamins A, C, and E. All those benefits work together to brighten and smooth skin, boost collagen, reduce oil and acne, and moisturize. Pair it with a few other kitchen ingredients and you have the makings for beauty treatments that rival a high end salon. Be sure to get canned pumpkin puree and not pumpkin pie filling for these DIY beauty recipes-organic is safest for using on your skin. Face Mask: 1 Tbsp. pumpkin puree 1 tsp. honey 1 tsp. plain yogurt ¼ tsp. cinnamon Mix all ingredients together until thoroughly combined. To use: Apply mask to damp face in an upward motion, avoid the eyes. Allow mask to sit for 20 minutes on your face before rinsing away. Moisturize as usual. Some people are sensitive to cinnamon … [Read more...]
DIY Striped Picture Frame #DIY
If you are like me, you like to fill your home with photos of your friends and family. After all, home is where the heart is, they say. Unfortunately, I have been finding that picture frames have been getting ridiculously expensive and I wanted to come up with a more affordable option to display our photos and look great as part of our decor. The outcome was a beautiful striped picture frame that you can make right at home for a fraction of the cost of expensive store-bought frames. You can customize them and use colors that fit with your home's decorative scheme while saving a little money. Striped Picture Frame- Materials- 4x6 unfinished picture frame Cranberry Apple Barrel paint Tropic orange Apple Barrel Paint 3 foam brushes Clear modge podge Painter's tape Decorative flowers (hobby lobby) Hot glue/hot glue gun Directions- 1. Start taping stripes on the frame, starting at the … [Read more...]
Cinderella Inspired Fairy Godmother Wand #DIY
When I was a little girl, I loved to engage in pretend-play. I would spend hours with my dolls making them talk to one another and act out all of the scenarios that I could think of. Dressing up was a big part of these afternoons of imaginative time and I always enjoyed acting and looking like my favorite fairy princesses. Every single day, I would read fairy tales with my grandmother and then incorporate the heroines in those stories into my creative sessions. For some reason, the fairy princess Cinderella always was one of my favorites. I have never had an evil stepmother but I think I could relate to her ability to keep going despite all of the adversity that she was faced with. I was always very good at improvising with things I found around the house to create the outfits for my make-believe playtime. Whether it was a silver spoon from the kitchen that I used for a scepter or an ornate towel that I … [Read more...]
DIY Flower Clip Hair Accessory
Even though I'm a mom of boys and an aunt of nephews, I've always been very much a girly girl. Thanks in part to the fact that I have adopted my Sister In Law's niece as my own niece, I am able to go shopping for dolls and girl's clothes in order to spoil her. Her birthday is coming up in October and I have been researching ways that I can fill a gift basket for her with all sorts of girly accessories. She loves getting her hair done so I found some tips online for making DIY Flower Clips for her hair. After experimenting with some of the ideas I found, this is what I came up with. I think she is really going to love these and I'm sure you will love making them for the special little girls in your life! DIY Flower Clip Hair Accessory: Materials- 1/8 yard of any type of fabric (I typically like cotton) 1 button Small circle of felt Lined alligator clip Hot glue gun Scissors Threaded needle Plastic cup for tracing Directions- 1. … [Read more...]
Memorial Day Patriotic Felt Craft
This weekend is Memorial Day and, while many are looking forward to having a long holiday weekend, the real purpose of this day is to remember all of the men and women who died serving our country in its armed forces. It is their sacrifices that allow us to enjoy the freedom that we have as citizens of this great country. What better way to spend some quality time with the family than by doing some arts and crafts together? The possibilities with these cute, no sew felt patriotic decorations are endless! Attach a magnet to adorn your refrigerator. Affix to a frame to add patriotism to your favorite photo. Wear as a pin. Attach to a gift box in place of a bow. Plant sticks, or even at your patriotic party table! Materials: Hot Glue Felt Buttons Skewer Sticks Scissors Directions: To make the blue (or red) circles: Cut four, 2" circles out of felt. Fold circle in half and half again and glue together at the seam. Hold for a minute to let the hot glue … [Read more...]
Make Your Own Lorax Drink Koozie!
I'm always looking for arts and crafts that I can do with my boys right here at home. It's a perfect way to inspire their creative sides as well as to spend some fun time together with them. They really enjoy activities that are connected to their favorite movies or their favorite songs. When I find projects to finish that revolve around their favorite characters, they are even more motivated to participate and to create their own! Do you want to keep your drinks cold in a way that is totally spectacular? Then give this easy Lorax drink koozie a try! It is just perfect for your Seuss themed parties and celebrations, this Lorax drink koozie is the perfect craft or party favor! You can craft one for just pennies, and as you can see they are so simple even kids can enjoy making their own. Here is how you can get started... Supplies needed: Foam drink koozie Crafting foam Scissors Craft glue or hot glue, glue gun Directions: 1. Begin by cutting a mustache … [Read more...]
