Archive for the ‘Arts & Crafts’ Category
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Hand Crocheted Blessings
If you are expecting a baby or know someone who is,
please take a moment to check out
These hold a very special place in my heart.
as does their creator, Mat. Anna. -
When It Is Too Hot To Play Outside…
Spunky and Punky made several popsicle stick frames yesterday.
Punky was very creative and made his in square, triangle and diamond shapes.My children are starting become very tired of this terrible heat!
We set up their new bubbles (the no-spill type) and they went outside for a little while and
then came back in because it was “too warm” outside.The thermometer attached to my kitchen window keeps reading 100 degrees or higher.
It is in direct sunlight, but is a big factor, but, regardless, it is hot, hot, hot! -
Alone Time & A Watercolor “Class”
I recently found out that our local library is having a series of art classes during the summer– for free! I signed up for a class this Friday afternoon and hired a babysitter to watch all three kids. This is the first time that I have done anything by myself since before Bunky was born!
The watercolor “class” wasn’t much of a class at all. I didn’t learn a single thing. I had hoped to learn watercolor technique or brush strokes or something, but I learned nothing at all. How disappointing!
So here is my pitiful painting- I had no idea what I was doing:
I would like to take another art class sometime, but, hopefully, it will be taught by someone who knows how to teach!
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Pinecone Bird Feeders
Punky has been asking to make Pinecone Bird Feeders for a long time now.
One quiet evening, we finally got together all the components and made them.
There was a lot of finger licking…
… and concentrating.
Punky and Spunky worked hard…
… and ended up with these…
… which we hung from our bird feeder…
that my dad built for me.
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If Only I Could Quilt
.. then I would make this:
This is seriously the most adorable quilt I have seen!
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Quick and Easy Thanksgiving Craft
Punky and I did this together one afternoon. It only took about 10 minutes, but we both have fun gathering the leaves, scribbling on the paper, and glueing down the leaves. -
Concentrating on Personalities and Cutting Paper
Nearly every morning, the children and I either do a craft, lesson or bake something together. Punky enjoys cutting and is starting to get the hang of it. Of course, in Spunky’s mind, whatever Punky can do, she can do. So I handed her a pair of scissors and showed her how to hold them. She did an excellent job.
I have learned so much about my children’s personalities through these activities:
Punky is a perfectionist. If his tracing isn’t exactly following the dots, he crumples up the paper and throws it away. If he cuts something crooked, he needs to start over. If he spills something, he has to clean it up immediately. His favorite activities are baking and gluing.
Spunky, on the other hand, just has fun. She isn’t serious about coloring or tracing or cutting. She just enjoys doing it and puts no pressure on herself to try to be as skilled as her older brother is. Her favorite activities are Bible stories and coloring.
I love how different my oldest two children are. Since the day they were born, Punky and Spunky were about as different as night and day. He slept through the night at just a few weeks old and she didn’t sleep through the night for months and months. He was very serious, even as an infant, while she was bubbly and talkative from day one. And even though they are incredibly different, they get along perfectly. Yes, they have their moments, as all siblings do, but they truly love and care for one another.
I am excited to see where Bunky fits into the mix. As far as I can tell, he seems to be a people person. He likes to be held most of the time and smiles and coos at anyone who will give him attention. Although, I do think he is a man’s man. He smiles and talks more with his Daddy and brother than anyone else. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
We are so blessed to have such wonderful and amazing children.
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Mothering Day Four: Crazy Crafty
In honor of Mother’s Day, I am posting a week’s worth of information on the things that I have started to do since I became a mother. Here are Day One, Day Two and Day Three.
It has been a while since my last Crazy Crafty post. We have been just a little bit busy over the past few months with the pregnancy and moving. But I have high hopes that I will get back into a pattern of crafting with my kids on a regular basis.
Here are some Easy Crafts to Do with Kids:
- GOOP- Mix 1 tsp of Borax with 6 Tbsp of water and stir to dissolve. In another bowl, combine 1 Tbsp of glue and 1Tbsp of water. You can add food coloring if you would like. Then add 2 tsps of the Borax solution to the glue mixture until it forms a clump. Pat it dry and knead it until it is pliable. Punky loved making this and it lasts a long time since we kept it in the fridge.
- Paper Mache Covered Balloons- To make Paper Mache combine 1/2 cup flour, 2 cups cold water, 2 cups boiling water and 3 Tbsps sugar. Mix together the flour and cold water. Then add boiling water. Stir in sugar. The mixture will thicken as it cools down. Cut strips of newspaper or you can even use tissue paper. Blow up a ballon. To cover the balloon, dip each piece of paper into the paper mache and place on the ballon. After the entire ballon is covered, let it dry. After it has dried, pop the balloon. You can then decorate how ever you want.
- Rain Stick- This a great way to repurpose paper towel tubes. Trace two circles that are larger than the end of the paper towel roll onto a piece of waxed paper. Adhere one on to one end of the paper towel roll using a hot glue gun or a rubberband. Take a long piece of tin foil and tightly roll into a snake. Push it into the tube, zig zagging it back and forth to make it fit into the paper towel roll. Put some dried beans or popcorn kernels into the tube. Cover the other end of the tube with the waxed paper circle and adhere. Let your children decorate it however they want. To play with it, turn the stick back and forth- it will sound like a gentle rain fall.
- Salt Dough Crafts- Combine 2 cups of flour, 1/2 cup of salt, and 3/4 cup of hot water. Knead together and then form into whatever you would like. You can roll it out to make ornaments, but make sure you make a hole a little larger than you will want for the hole to hang it from. Then using a microwave-safe plate (not paper or cardboard), microwave for 1-4 minutes, one minute at a time until the dough looks done. Let your craft cool before decorating it. You can also use this dough recipe to make handprints of your children. This is a great craft for Christmas time.
Here are just a few that were a lot of fun to make together. I’ll post more crafts in the days and months to come.
- GOOP- Mix 1 tsp of Borax with 6 Tbsp of water and stir to dissolve. In another bowl, combine 1 Tbsp of glue and 1Tbsp of water. You can add food coloring if you would like. Then add 2 tsps of the Borax solution to the glue mixture until it forms a clump. Pat it dry and knead it until it is pliable. Punky loved making this and it lasts a long time since we kept it in the fridge.
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Crazy Crafty: Valentine’s Day Craft
Now that Valentine’s Day is approaching, it couldn’t be a better time for some heart-shaped magnets.
These look really easy and would be a great gift for your children to give to friends and family members.
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Winning Beautiful Notecards & A Possible Giveaway
I want to thank Kristina at Meadowlark Days for being chosen to receive a set of her beautiful notecards! Thank you so much. I’ll post photos when they arrive.
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I’ve been thinking for a while about doing a giveaway as well. With the stress that I have been feeling lately, I would like to made some notecards with uplifting and inspirational quotes. Anyone out there who would like to see this happen?
Leave a comment if you’d like me to put together a giveaway!
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Prayer for Children
O God, our heavenly Father, who loves mankind and are a most merciful and compassionate God, have mercy upon Your servants for whom I humbly pray to You to care for and protect. O God, be their guide and guardian in all their endeavors, lead them in the path of Your truth, and draw them nearer to You, so that they may lead a godly and righteous life in Your love as they do Your will in all things. Give them Your grace, and mercy so that they may be patient, hard working, tireless, devout and charitable. Defend them against the assaults of the enemy, and grant them wisdom and strength to resist all temptation and corruption, and direct them in the way of Salvation, through the goodness of Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
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