Diy Principal Ruler Wreath

What you need:

o 15 wooden rulers

-cut at the 8 inch mark and you will have 4 inches for the center

o scrapbooking stickers and paper

o die cuts- .99 in the scrapbook isle seasonal bin at Walmart

o Wired ribbon...the poof 

o Regular ribbon...hanger

o Wooden 3D frame- .99

o Foam board painted black

o Mod Podge for printed name

o Jute

Cut your rulers...I just used some super sharp, heavy duty scissors. Sand any rough edges down. 

Mod Podge the name in the middle of the black foam board.

Attach the pre painted 3D frame on top. Set aside.

Assemble your wreath by applying hot glue to each end and securing to the outside edge of the letter  'O' with the 8 inch pieces. Go back around and glue the 4 inch pieces atop the middle of each open section from the 8 in rulers being aside each other. Let dry. Go back and squeeze glue between each section on the top, bottom, creases.....to stabilize the wreath and ensure durability.  Don't make the glue visible....just squeeze glue where it covered by the ruler.

*This ruler can be any size...7 inch and 5 inch or whatever you want. 

Get your ribbon and run it through the center and secure with a dot of glue on either side of the wooden letter. 

Attach the 3D frame atop the open circle. Get your die cuts and stickers ready by trimming as much of the plastic around it (leave it on the sheet it comes with). Especially the foil ones. You can put hot glue on the plastic and it not melt, but not the foil sticker. 

Cut your scrapbook paper for the banner according to the size of the wreath. I couldn't give exact measurements,  but size it up. To get the even cut at the bottom bend one corner to the next and slice at an angle. Do not fold the paper or it will crease. Glue to your jute and attach your welcome cardboard letters on the paper.

Glue the jute right behind the owl and bird die cuts. You can attach each of them to the top of the ruler now. Center them accordingly. 

This one stretches between five 8 inch rulers. 1st and 5th as attach points. 

Attach all the stickers where you want by placing a small dot of hot glue on the ruler. 

Same with the leftover die cuts you want to use. Make a knot with a loop at the top of the ribbon to hand on the door hook. Attach your decorative ribbon to the front on the knot. All done. 

I do not think I missed anything, but if I did or you have a question, just ask.

If you follow me, then I am pretty sure you have realized I am not a technical crafter.....I just craft. I go with what works and I do not measure.  

So, let me tell you a little more on the wreaths story. I made this wreath for my kids principals door at their new school. She really has been great with our daughter over the years and put up with me, so it was the least I could do. Their school was torn down in the Summer to be built more modern and safe. They are borrowing another school at this time and they moved during the Summer. We are blessed she is so good with the kids. She knows each and every kid in her school and is very involved throughout the school. Her door was bare, so it was a pleasure to make one for her. Plus, I wanted to make a ruler wreath and I had no place to put one, so this worked perfectly. It gives me joy to make stuff for people if I am able.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Ever made one of these? How did it come out? Have a wonderful weekend ya'll.

Budget and Craft Friendly Pool Noodle Wreaths

You can say that I am no wreath maker. I can say I am no wreath maker. However, I am always up to try out something new or different. I had so many pool noodles left over from the Summer time fun last year and literally had no place to put them. I really wanted a wreath, but I did not want to buy one. Thrifty, repurposed, craftastic and creative all marked off with this project. So far I have made three wreaths with pool noodles. It really is exciting to create new things. I figured why not go this route...the material is foam and foam works well to create things. 

So let me tell you about the pool noodle wreaths I have made. {In the order they were made}

Halloween Pool Noodle

I made this one last year. I ran into the issue of the hot glue melting the foam...duh...I know. I went with clear duct tape to attach the sides. You can use the hot glue still, however you need to put tape down first so it does not make the foam melt.

Materials:

Pool Noodle

Black glittered black wired ribbon (2)

Orange spider wired ribbon (1)

Black, purple and orange ribbon

Plastic Halloween floral arrangement with spiders

With a majority of the materials coming from the Dollar Tree this wreath was pretty cheap. This pool noodle was red and I spray painted it white. Wrap the black and then loop the orange over it. The black floral arrangement can be split apart so you can get your spider off. Pretty easy and all you have to do is look at the wreath to figure out how to assemble it.

Spring/Summer Wreath

Materials:

Yellow pool noodle

Frog hanger

Light blue bath poof- new

Dark blue bath poof- new

Green tulle

Handmade butterflies and dragonflies

Again, this was another thrifty wreath. Pool noodle taped at the ends to secure wrapped in the bath poofs. It was really neat to come across the little string that actually holds the poof together. All you do is cut it and the whole thing comes unraveled. I would be lying if I said I actually measured stuff, but I don't. I just kind of wrap and see how much I need and then I cut it. Normally, I do not make the same thing more than once and if I do repeat a project, it is always different. 

The dragonflies and butterflies are made with stocking, paint and floral wire. My mom handcrafts and paints each and everyone of them. They are all different. She actually customizes them and sells them to a local floral shop for the bouquets. The wire gives them the floating in air look. Love them! 

Autumn Wreath

Materials:

Yellow pool noodle- the spring one {spray painted gold}

Plum tulle

Light orange tulle

Faux Autumn leaves....some Mod Podged

Burlap 

Burgundy ribbon

Straight pins

This ones is my favorite so far and I am loving that I am getting a tad better in the wreath making department. The leaves I got on discount at .50 a bag last year for our Fall Crawl Centerpiece project. Autumn is my favorite time of year. Those burlap flowers were the first I have made and I was pleased they came out resembling a flower. I promise when I get a little better at making them I will share it with you. Each of the leaves I attached with straight pins.

With each of my wreaths, I often make sure all of the items are removable for future use. I like to make over everything over and over again. If I want the materials for something else then I can do that. 

Do you make your own wreaths? How do they come out?

{Guardian} Angel in a Jar Activity

Look what we caught! A Guardian Angel!

Isn't this just so cute! One of my sisters made this. The little thing in the middle is one of those bobble head photo pieces you can pick up for a buck. Glue it to the center of the bottom with hot glue. You could even put a photo of a passed loved one inside or draw your own face as your guardian angel.  All of the paint is on the outside and is acrylic.  Easter grass...you know the pretty metallic or the ones that change colors are a great option to surround your guardian angel.

Print this on a little note and attach it to the jar with a tag: 

My Guardian Angel

Dear Angel ever at my side,

how lovely you must be---

To leave your home in heaven,

to guard a child like me.

When I'm far away from home,

or maybe hard at play--

I know you will protect me,

from harm along the way.

Your beautiful and shining face,

I see not, though you're near.

The sweetness of your lovely voice,

I cannot really hear.

When I pray, you're praying too,

Your prayer is just for me.

But, when I sleep you never do,

You're watching over me.

--  psalm 91:11-12 

Really neat little project. Make sure that you put a little piece of lace or tulle over the top to make sure your guardian angel does not fly away. :)

3-D Embellished Smash Frames

Beach Embellishments on top of frame

Chip Board Spinner on upper right corner

Seashells to the right glue on top of the glass 

To the left a 3-D beach wave

Back is a beach themed scrapbooking paper

Footprints made with glue and sand

This Family Memory Frame is more about the kids and the fun they have at the beach.  I took a page out of the SMASH notepad and sat down with the kids and asked them what they thought about the top memories of Summer.

Outside is the beach embellishments with sand from the Mississippi Gulf Coast and a small shell to the left.

Glass was glued on back and scrapbooking paper was placed behind the glass. 

Note was placed inside the frame on top of glass

*Scrapbooking sand was Mod Podged to the frame and sand was sprinkled on top and once that layer was dry I went back over the frame with Mod Podge so the sand wouldn't fall off. 

His and Hers Smash frame is special to me, because His and Her time is especially important to me.  As a couple, we always make sure we have lots of fun in our family and in our boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.  I say boyfriend/girlfriend relationship because we make sure to keep the fun in our marriage.  Good Times Together!  Top frame- Embellishments, on top of frame is sand that was glued and 2 round seashells. The top of the glass frame is a fench along side a beach and each post is coated in Dimension paint for the 3-D effect.  On the back of the frame the rest of the beach scene was attached.

Top of the frame is 3-D Smash Frame Sea embellishments; a piece of cord my brother knotted up for me; 

small round mirrors with glitter glue placed around the for the port hole look.  On top of the glass frame is a patch of 2 types of dried grass and placed behind the seashell and message in a bottle.  Glue and sprinkling sand made the bottle look like it does.  All of the paper on top of the glass.

I hope you enjoyed these frames as much as I do!  

Please vote for me if you like or even love these frames...you can do that HERE and all you have to do is repin the pin from my Pinterest page.  :)  THANKS YA'LL!

So Many Fun Uses for Glow Sticks

I snagged glow sticks last year for .25 a pack after Fourth of July at one of the sales.  I love a great deal and am almost always suckered into the little after holiday sales.  I try to wait until the 90% off but often hit it at the 75% off too because most of the time there is hardly anything left by time 90% comes.  After I bought them, they were put in a box and pulled back out this year unbroken.  The little tubes they come in are pretty sturdy. 

What did we do for fun with the kids on the Fourth?  We went to a firework show and dinner the night before at my moms church; the kids shot a few fireworks with my sister and brother; we went for a walk with the kids after we shot fireworks; cooked out and enjoyed family time.  By the way, I have 3 sisters and 1 brother.  My sister Brandy is 2 years under me and my brother David is 2 years under her; then we have a 18 year old sister and a 7 year old sister. 

Glow jars are just so neat.  Glow stick are bendable and easy to shove into different containers.  LIKE-  empty baby food jars and lids to other jars.  Repurposing at its finest. :) The lids below came from the square glass jars with the hollow glass bubble lids. They had the plastic seal, but they were aged and came undone easily.  My first idea was to cut open large glow sticks and pour it into jars, but then I found that it was bracelets instead of a large glow stick in each package.  I plan on trying the larger ones later on.

Put your glow sticks in your jars and fill it with water for that extra glow factor.

My first holiday without my hubs and boy did I miss him.  Even though we were not together, he is always on my mind and in my heart.  So, I decided to create a sweet little nothing for him.  I used a expo marker and did my I <3 U message on there so it would be easy to read.  Then, I went back over the letters and heart with a circular motion to make it stand out more.  Bold it if you will.  Expo marker wipes right off and you can go on about your business. So sweet!  I snapped a picture on my phone and sent it to my hubs in NC.

 My sister Brandy and brother David decided that they were going to go swimming in the pool later and I thought it would be really cool to have the jars as underwater lanterns to add a cool factor.  I took them out because the kids were ready to play with them.

Glow sticks provide endless hours of entertainment, especially for little kids.  These glow sticks originally came as a set of 3 bracelets with the little plastic connectors per pack.  I pulled them out of the jars and gave them to the kids.  We had 5 kids ages 4-7 to entertain with glow sticks.

What did they do with them?  

1. The boys played like they were Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers fighting with swords.

2. The girls pretended they were little angels and put them on top their heads.

3. The boys wore theirs as a glow necklace at first because they each had 2

4. The girls wore them as bracelets

5. They put them on the animals

6. My mom and I got decorated with necklaces and such for the kids amusement.

 {the kids did the decorating}

7. They were sitting and spinning them and I thought it was so neat how they looked, so I snapped a pic. 

8. We put the jars out in the yard in a circle to make a designated 1 person firework safety area. 

9. They can easily make bath time more fun too, just throw 'em in there. 

10. Glow sticks are easily turned into night lights for bed time. 

{Eventually they were all undone and turned into all of the above back and forth.}

So you have had entire day and night of fun with glow sticks.  

Want your glow sticks to last longer?  Put them in the freezer and it will last some the following night.  

Captioned Clay Pots

What inspires you?  Do you tend to go towards the poetry side when jotting things down or do you need to put a little more thought into it?  I would love to say I had a poet within, but sadly I do not.  I tend to be the one that puts a little more thought in it and has that pile of paper crumpled up on side of me.  Just kidding, I use a pencil or S Note on my Tablet.  

 I am a vintage lover and a lover of this quote in particular:

"FAITH MAKES ALL THINGS POSSIBLE,

LOVE MAKES ALL THINGS EASY,

HOPE MAKES ALL THINGS WORK"

- Wall Quotes Canvas Banner

So grab a clay pot, some inspiration and get to creating!

 HOPE, FAITH, LOVE and FAMILY was the affirmations we chose to go with.  All of those are feel good words and are sure to make anyone smile.

You are just going to love this and I know even if you are not a crafter, this should be a breeze of a project.  The longest this project takes is waiting for it to dry.

Here is the how to:

Clay Pots

Some kind of glue to write with

Newspaper for your work surface

Toothpicks to adjust your writing if you squeeze out too much paint

Sponge Brush and Paint Brush

Scrapbooking paper- 8.5 x 11 cut length wise. 

The 4 papers- 4 that were placed on the shelf right by each other was my coordination inspiration. :)

*They are were my favorite and all scrapbooking paper is coordinated with matching colors and designs so you can't go wrong by choosing ones closest.

Paint- Craft Smart{Red} and Apple Barrel {Red Apple} blended

Matte Mod Podge

Step 1: Choose and paint out your words; let dry.

 Step 2: Blend paint and paint a few coats of paint over your letters. The glitter paint was a bit harder to paint over, because it kept popping through.  If you want that sparkle then I wouldn't worry about it too much. I did 3 coats of paint with a sponge brush. {Sponge Brush prevents lines and the sponge design blends with the pot} Let dry.

Step 3:  I cut the paper long ways to avoid bubbles in the design. Cut each strip 4 to 5 times depending on the size of your pot.  You want to be able to wrap it with no space in between the paper and pot.  Once it is measured out apply your Mod Podge on the planter; apply your strips and apply Mod Podge over your paper surface with a paint brush.  Let dry for 24 hours. 

* I made these to go inside my moms kitchen window for herbs, however I am not sure how long they would hold up outside. I am sure it is very possible they would be fine.  You can always apply material rather than paper and the Mod Podge works with material as well.  They would be able to be placed outside and rained on without an issue.  I am not all to sure on mildewing of the material depending on weather conditions.  This was my first time making these, so my experience with how they hold up is very low.   

I hope you enjoyed this crafts and I look forward to bringing you many more coming soon.  

MEET GINGER!

Her latest post is:

How To Get Silky Smooth Legs

I want silky smooth legs....I am headed to check it out some more and hope you will join me.

A Mother's Love- Art Activity

A Mother's Love Project how to:

Trace your little ones left hand and your right hand on a solid colored paper and cut out.

Paste to your favorite designed scrapbooking paper.  You can frame it, laminate it or just hang it as is on your wall or fridge.   Cute right!  My mom actually did this with my youngest sister and I just had to share it with ya'll. 

Make Your Own Ribbon Pony Tails!

Little girls are so lucky, they get to wear all kinds of pretty little pony tails and bows.  Normal bows do cost a bit and it is either you love it or not so much.  Make your own hair bows and save money and customize it to your outfit or liking.  Ribbon is pretty easy on the wallet and has endless possibilities.  Check out these cute hair bows the girls are sporting. 

Pretty simple right. You could do even more than just 2 different types of ribbons to make it more colorful or more full.  We haven't had any issues with the ribbons falling out or coming undone, so tie 'em tight.   I hope you have fun making some new ribbon hair pony's!   Stay cool and I hope you are enjoying your Summer.   I am currently on the Mississippi Coast spending some much needed family time with my mom, sisters, brother and everyone else.  I pop in here and there, so if you are wanting to chat or sign up for something just shoot me an email.  Away from the blog for the moment. 

Repurposing Glass Jars

I love repurposing things rather than throwing them away.   I have found a new appreciation for glass jars.  My latest repurposing activity was a Vlasic Pickle Jar!  I am working on my 2nd jar currently and plan on turning it into a flour jar.  It was really easy to do.  I had 2 jars; 1 was a Mt. Olive jar and the other was a Vlasic.  I was not able to get the plastic label off the Mt. Olive jar.  My kids took it upon themselves to store their crayons and other drawing tools in it as storage.  Proud mama moment there.  However, the Vlasic pickle jar has paper which is so much easier to get off with a little soaking.   It has a really nice design as well.  It has the 20, 40, 60 ounce lines.

1. Clean your pickle jar and let it air dry....make sure the pickle smell is gone. 

2. Spray paint your lid and let dry - I used metallic gold.

3. Tape your rectangle off for your black paint center. 

4. Paint a few coats of paint and let dry.

5. Line with liquid lead paint in a dotting motion around your painted rectangle.

After everything is all nice and dry you can place your descriptive block stickers on your jar or use the small chalk to write it.  I had a pack of multicolored scrapbooking sticker blocks that came in a set, so I just used those.  I do realize there is 1 letter that is a different color than the rest.....that is all I had and plus I liked that it made it not so plain.  Pour in your sugar or other dry ingredient you wish to decoratively store!

IF YOU WANT TO USE CHALK:

Use your sponge brush and alternate with the design in between drying.

1- sponge pat paint horizontally

2-  sponge pat paint vertically 

Repeat and let dry and it even works on plastic.

*One more thing I have found is that black acrylic paint is the same exact ingredients as chalkboard paint. I have not found any issues with using black acrylic paint as chalkboard paint.  I came across this discovery when I painted our kitchen door with chalkboard paint and ran out before it was completed.  I got to looking at the backs of the bottles and finished the door up with black acrylic and it worked just fine.  

Chalkboard Door

What do you like to repurpose?

Carnival Themed Giant Popcorn Box

What do you need to make a giant popcorn box set up? 

Red and White Vinyl Table Clothes

Xacto Tool

Giant Cardboard Box

Tacky

Doublesided tape

Clothes Pins

Decide how wide you want your strips and draw them on a poster board and cut your template off of the poster board and trace with a pencil on your vinyl tablecloth.  Once you get all of your red strips traced, you can cut them out.  I traced the top half and then the bottom because the poster board was shorter than the length I needed.  

You want your box to actually look like a old school popcorn box.  Well, I did because I have this tendency to want things one particular way.  In order to get that cute little ruffle type design at the top, I used the same exact template I used for the red stripes for the outside of the popcorn box.  I traced the rounded design at the top of the box and then to get a smooth design, I cut along each design with my xacto tool.  It worked beautifully because it was new, so if you plan on taking on this project get a new blade.  I tried scissors and the cardboard was too thick.  

Wrap your box with 2 vinyl white tablecloths and staple in the inside of the box so everything stays put and is hidden at the same time.   After you attach your white tablecloth to your box line up all of your red strips and place the clothespin at the top to hold it in place.  I placed double sided tape under the strips, but they really only worked at the top and for some reason the rest kept coming undone.  I resorted to blue tacky and it actually came out looking like a part of the design.  Once you get them where you want them, adjust your bottoms and cut them.    

 There was a part of a tablecloth place on the inside that overlapped a table that was placed in the inside  to hold the popcorn and stabilize the box.  

It was hard to get it as perfect as I wanted it because all my boxes came in late.  I needed larger boxes, so I was waiting for my husbands job to donate boxes for the event.  I got them 2 days before the event....which did not provide very much time to get everything I needed done.  Everything got done and the giant popcorn box was a nice addition to the party.

Circus Clown Fun Face Photo Board

Just like the Circus Monkey Fun Face Photo Board, I did the same thing with getting my design.  I did the light tracing from the computer and drew on squares of computer paper and put them all together in the end. 

So cute right!  This one was my favorite.  I love all of the colors.  I added a little trick flower with the pump for more of a clown person.   I found it for $1 at The Dollar Tree.  I thought about putting water in it for extra fun, because I knew people would squeeze it, but I thought about the marker and it would ruin the artwork.   Other additions was a felt strip for the hat, felt for the vest and dots from the background for his clown tie.  Pretty cute and simple.  I am sure there is possibly a less time consuming but more costly way to do it.  I went harder route because it fit in my budget.  I was so happy with the end result and I just couldn't stop smiling.  Let me know if you ever try this out, I would love to see it.

Circus Monkey Fun Face Photo Board

This was a VERY large box.  It actually opened up it reached about 12 feet across and  was about 5'5" high.      Don't quote me on that exactly though, because it was over a year ago.  

I searched the internet and coloring books for a design that would fit the theme and I ran across this one. 

At the time my printer was out of ink, so I did the old fashioned light tracing.  I placed a piece of computer paper on the screen and traced as lightly as I possibly could.   That is why it is a bit messy.   However, it just goes to show you that you can have something cool and not have to spend a fortune or need special equipment to do it.

I am sure there are easier and more expensive options, but sometimes you just work with what you have.  In order to get the shape of a little hand, I traced my then 3 year old sons hands and they worked perfectly.  I did the eyeballing drawing per square in order for it to fit on the larger board.  

So that is the process of getting my forms set up for the board.  Lots of tracing, sizing, measuring and measuring and erasing again.  For decorating I used markers, glitter and felt. I added a bow and a hat to my little monkeys to make them even cuter with more of that jazz factor!  I hope you enjoyed this.   

Make Your Own Themed Cupcake Toppers~ We Made Carnival Toppers

Have you ever spent a large amount of time trying to find the perfect cupcake topper for your special event? I know I have way to many times!  I have went to store after store going crazy and stressing out trying to find the perfect cupcake toppers.  Next step is to turn to the internet to see what I can find. Stress no more...make your own cupcake toppers.  Last year at our Central Foothills Mommies Birthday Bash #6 we went with the carnival theme.  First thing is first....birthday cupcakes.  One of the ladies decided that the cupcake toppers would be the best idea.  They turned out really great.  I am sure you want to know how they were made, so you can make your own.  Fret not, you can always count on me to share whatever finding and alternatives to anything I come across. 

It was actually super easy, tedious, but easy.  You print your image out on card stock paper and cut length wise and place your circle cutter over the image and punch it out.  

You need: 

 2 circles and 1 toothpick for each one of your cupcake toppers.   

I could have used hot glue but I wanted the image to be completely smooth so I used regular Elmer's glue.  I believe I ended up making about 60 cupcake toppers = 120 circles.  If I remember correctly it took about 3 hours total of cutting out and putting them together.  I placed a small dot of glue on the toothpick, lined up the circles right under the middle of the circle and held it tight for a few minutes until the glue started to take. 

I let them dry over night and they were all complete. 

The possibilities are endless.  It really was worth it once I saw them all put together and making all the cupcakes so festive looking.

Carnival Themed Party Decorations COMING: 
Monkey Photo Board
Clown Photo Board
Giant Popcorn Box
Cotton Candy Sign

Make a "Find It" Bottle

What I used:

I heated water in the tea pot and whisked it in with the glitter glue.  It was a process on finding out what worked best.  I ended up pouring out and adding a few times.   The only other thing that I used was the tacky glue.  It created that pretty swirl look.  The pink/purple/blue turned out more swirled than the green/green/blue one.  They were both pretty.  Pour your mixture into the bottle with a funnel and shake until it looks how you want it then add the rest of the water.

The first picture is what it looked like after doing 1/2 tube of each one of the above stated color. The little 1 oz glitter in the above picture is what turned the water pink.   Don't forget to add a nice squeeze of the tacky glue.  I am really an eyeball it type person...so just go with what you think works and if it doesn't then play with the mixture.    We bought some WAT-AAH bottle from the grocery store for $1 and I loved the picture of the little screaming kid.   Once they see the little kid after the glitter starts to settle it makes them giggle. 

This was the time table for the bottle.  Since I have a almost 5 year old and a almost 8 year old  we decided to add objects in the bottles.  I did not originally want a time out bottle but wanted to make it because they were pretty.  Everyone has different choices on parenting and disciplining and we go with whatever the situation deserves for.  

Find it bottle for Kaylei with buttons, charms, little toys, hearts, beads and other things.  Gerry's is stars, abc beads and other colored beads more for a learning thing.   I really like the 2nd option though.  They like looking at it and I didn't glue the lids because when they look at it and are done, I pick them back up.

So what do you think?   Have you made these? 

Assistant Teacher Appreciation- The Right Stuff

Even though it is Teacher Appreciation day, I didn't want to leave out the teacher assistant.   I just wouldn't feel right if I got a gift for one and not the other.  Luckily, my daughter only has 2 teachers right now.

Assistant Teacher Appreciation Gift:

You've Got the Right Stuff!

Teacher Appreciation Gift-Learning Wheel Bouquet!

I did not realize Teacher Appreciation week was already here.  I got to looking around the internet, then I turned to Pinterest and realized there are so many of the same projects out there that just are repeating.  I decided I didn't want to make something that has already been made, but create something new.  It really got the best of me because I just couldn't think of anything to make that was clever and creative.  I got the creative part in the bag, but the clever saying part not so much.  I had my idea by Saturday, but still no clever saying.   I decided to recruit my hubbies clever mind for a saying or at least something to go by.  He never disappoints!   We got to throwing words around and rolling, learning, sticks etc. came up.  Not much to go by.

So what did we come up with?

I happen to really like my daughters teachers this year because she has done a fantastic job at keeping her focused and learning.  My daughter really likes her and feels that her teacher "GETS HER" this year.  We haven't had much luck with her previous 2 teachers.  Kaylei was really struggling with her reading comprehension and was a few reading levels behind when she started 2nd grade and she has been caught up and ready for 3rd grade now.   Her teacher has really been a blessing.

My husbands brilliant words:  Learning Wheel! 

I had no clue what a learning wheel was but I loved the concept and went with it.

Beginning Project

Silhouette Melted Crayon Art

I tried the whole melted crayon art out around 2011 and I have to say it is harder than it looks.  This is my results.  Maybe I did it right, maybe I didn't but I gave it a go.  I grabbed my hair dryer, glue, poster board and I had to buy a bunch of boxes of crayons just to be able to get a large enough line of crayons for the poster board.  I placed a little super glue under each crayon and stuck it on the matte side of the poster board.  

I placed my poster board with my glued crayons propped up against the wall.   I used a vinyl table cloth and newspaper for protection.  Glue your silhouettes down so the crayon will go along the shape.   Turn your hair dryer on and start the melting process.   Start around the middle of the crayon and it will start melting and running down and you will get your designs.  I did it on the high setting to start the melting process and the crayon paper will get darker and it will start the run.  Once it does that, turn it down to low and pull the dryer back at a further distance to prevent too fast melting and splattering.

*I had a few of the no name brand crayons mixed in with the crayola crayons.   Crayola crayons have a thicker and more controllable melting process.  The cheaper crayons splatter easier and has a more watery and runny consistency....so try not to use those.   I did mine inside, but would advise to try to do it outside with your dryer plugged in through the window.   Once the melting process starts, it goes pretty quickly.   Do one small section at a time.  Control where your crayons melting run with the dryer.  If you want it to stop them quickly put the dryer towards the end of the running wax to dry it.  Watch out for wax splatters, they are super hot. 

I have seen plenty of forms of just the colors of melted crayon art and the ones with photos under it like the one with the little girl and the melted crayon art rain, so I decided to try something different.  These are the silhouettes I choose to work with.  I was actually trying to make a piece of framed art for my husband.   I wanted the crayon to melt over the silhouette and then I was going to remove them, but it didn't work like that.  So that is why I said glue instead of tape.  You will more than likely get a better result.

It is actually easier to see in person, in the photos it is a little harder to distinguish the outlines in at least 2 of the photos.  I still was happy to have tried the project the one time.  :) 

Have you ever tried doing the melted crayon art?  

Make Little Girl Balloon Flip Flops

It is getting warmer and we all love flip flops.  Personally, I wear flip flops 95% of the year.  My toes love the breeze.  Last year I saw a little girl making these balloon like flip flops when I was waiting to get my hair done and I even bought the water balloons to make them and I just never got around to it.  Old Navy had a sale on their flip flops the other day...sadly not the $1 sale but 2 for $5 works for me.   I refuse to buy something when I know I can make it myself.  Sometimes that is not always the most cost friendly option and in those times I make it or wait until it hopefully goes on sale.  

Let's Make Some Cute Flip Flops!

1 pair of flip flops

A large bag of water balloons

Hair band

Sounds simple enough right.  It is and even the most uncrafty person could make these they are so simple.   Size up the back of the flip flop with the foot you are working with so it is not to tight but just tight enough.  Tie a really tight knot as far at the end of the band as possible and then do it again to make sure it stays.  Repeat with the other side and the other flip flop.  Now, if you have a child that has a little bit of a problem walking in regular flip flops, problem solved.  I decided to go out on a limb and try to add a band to the flip flop, because I have one of those flip flop challenged children and she is unable to wear backless shoes or flip flops to school.  

I had actually purchased 1 small bag and 1 big bag of water balloons with the spouts in them last year at Dollar General during the summer time.  It was $3 total and I had some left over.  I did start running out of a few colors and luckily I had the 2nd bag to help me out. 

I started out at one of the sides and worked my way up.

Pink

Yellow

Green

Orange 

Blue 

Purple

The order was something like that.  I did about 2 repeats until I got the the tied part of the head band and I tied around 2 or 3 balloons over the tied part to make sure it was secure and covered.    I did a double knot on each balloon.  It depends on how you want yours to look with the balloon layout.    You can tie your knot starting with the end of the balloon on the inside or facing out.  You can alternate if you like.  I kind of alternated to get the look above.  It is not really set in stone once you tie your balloon off and you do have a little wiggly room to adjust the balloon look.  Play around with it and you will figure it out after a few balloons.   I hope you have fun making some cute little girl balloon flip flops!