Hair Flowers (Micki)

When Teri was here for craft day and her daughters birthday we wanted to make her daughter some flowers to go in her hair. My daughter wouldn't be caught dead with something as girly as that (she is a tom boy). I had learned how to make them at a church activty. They are super easy. Here is a tutorial I found since we forgot to take pictures of the steps. Instead of sewing ours together we just stuck a scrapbooking brad through the center and used hot glue to glue them on aligator clips. Here's our finished products. The green ones in the middle are the leaves off some of the flowers. Our mom came up with that idea. Thanks mom....they are supere cute!!

Tadpole Tuesday: Mod Podge Picture Plaques Micki

The kids and I were looking for a simple project. I took them to Michaels and let them pick out a cheapo wooden plaque and a paint color. And here is what we created.

First, saran wrap the table (a must in crafting in our world):
Mom lays out the paint, brushes, bowls for the paint and the plaque:

The kids do a fantastic job painting the plaques:

Then you let the paint dry:

While it's drying you pick your matching scrapbook paper from moms stash:

You rip up the paper and mod podge the pieces on:

Then mod podge your picture on and viola:

We had a good time doing them and now they have pictures in their rooms. :)

Tadpole Tuesday: Seamless Gift (Teri)

My darling daughter loves to create with fabric. She has made Barbie clothes ribbon and fabric as well as out of toilet paper.I need to get her involved in 4H or something, but I digress. For her brother’s birthday she wanted to make him something, she had learned at Activity Days how to tie a fleece blanket, so she decided she wanted to do that. She raided my fabric stash, and found some fabric with sports balls on it, perfect for my son! I didn’t have the heart to tell her (especially after I yelled at her for using my fabric without permission), that because the fabric was flannel (some yardage that was destined to be pj pants that never happened), it would fray and not stand up to well in the wash. She was so proud of this project, that after I apologized for being momzilla, that I just complimented her on it. She really did do a great job, her ties are pretty even and tied well, I just wish it was out of fleece. So far it is doing fine, but it’s only a month old, and hasn’t been washed yet. Maybe she has developed a new type of rag quilt, who knows. Only time will tell, but I AM proud of her ingenuity, and it didn’t take her much time at all.

She also made a darling pillow sham for my nephew the same way, but somehow the pictures got deleted and it’s already been given. If I can get a picture at a later date, I will post it.

Tadpole Tuesday: Valentine Cards (Teri)

While we were “watching” the Superbowl on Sunday we pulled out stuff we had at home to make some Valentine cards to send to our out of town family (that would be all of our family). We used everything we had on hand with the exception of buying a package of cards to decorate. This whole project to make 20 cards for my son’s class, 10 for my daughter’s friends, and 15 to send away cost us less than $3 because we had everything else on hand.

This is one made by my son, he wanted a picture of a ship from the old reading book I was using. He’s still little, but he loves to be creative.

This one was made by my daughter, she was very much into making unique cards this year (and about using her paper trimmer). My daughter had a good eye for different ways to put things together. She had a lot of fun slicing up the paper for the front of this card.

I wanted to include more of my kids cards, but I wasn’t up to editing their names out of the pictures (and of course I didn't think to take a picture BEFORE they signed their cards). Trust me though, they were darling!

Here are my three favorite cards that I made using an old reading book and some aged sheet music.

No this picture isn’t sideways, I put a piece of the pronunciation guide from the back of the reading book on sideways on purpose. (I keep telling myself it’s okay to tear this already falling apart book up to use creatively, but I’m telling you it goes against every fiber of my being. I am a true book lover, and it feels like murder to tear and cut pieces of a book). I love the way that the “onion skin copy paper” curls up around the edges of the book page.

It’s a toss up between this one and the next one which is my favorite. I thought that the title of this song was perfect! I loved that I was able to turn the card so that the lines go diagonal down it, I covered the front and back of this card.

I loved the picture on this card. I also loved the texture I was able to add with the ric rack and the fabric patch letters. It was also fun to use the juxtaposition of the misspelled letters on top of the page from the reading book! I know, it’s silly, but I am easily entertained.

Linked to:

Talented Tuesday @ My Frugal Family; Market Yourself Monday @ Sumo's Sweet Stuff; Met Monday @ BNOTP; Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design; Get Your Craft On @ Today's Creative Blog; Craft Party @ Crafts In Bloom; Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous; Get Your Craft on Thursaday @ Live as Lori; Weekend Wrap-Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello

Tadpole Tuesday: Birdhouses (Teri)

Apparently my family has a bird affinity lately. Our city has an annual winter bird festival. It has bird watching walks and a couple of activities for kids. Home Depot always sponsors a free activity where the kids can make their own birdhouses. We did this last year, and it was really fun! They also received a recycled bottle that had been turned into a birdfeeder (you saw last years here). It was a chilly morning, but really fun. Here are some highlights.

I love this picture because it was my attempt to pose my kids and them just wanting to be who they are. I think they’re pretty dang cute! Apparently I didn’t get a great picture of the finished product. My cute daughter decided that she had enough bird houses and feeders at home, so she gave hers both to my nephew for his birthday. He was excited to get something his cousin made!

Have any of you taken your kids to Home Depot for their Kids Workshops or Lowe’s for their Build and Grow Workshops? My kids love them, and the best part? They’re free! It’s so much fun. They each do them once or twice a month. If you call your local store or go online, you can sign your kids up for the next one. My kids have done some really fun projects.

Tadpole Tuesday: Pictures for Mom (Micki)

This is kind of a corny Tadpole Tuesday but cute. When I got home from work the other day my kids had painted me pictures. They never get to paint and dad had let them. So I was thrilled. My son always copies his sister cuz she is so cool. So his pictures were a copy of his sisters. And my daughter made me a holiday paint by number too.

Tadpole Tuesday: Kids in the Kitchen (Teri)

We have been working really hard lately to eat out less. So far we have gone from eating out about 5-7 times a week (I know *gasp*) to once maybe twice a week. I know awesome huh? Better yet, we are all cooking more. As part of that, I have been having my daughter who is almost 12 cook once a week. She plans what she will cook and I put it on the menu for a day I’m not working and can help her. She LOVES to cook, and especially bake (she is in the kitchen working on the recipe I will be posting tomorrow right now). For Christmas a couple of her gifts were cooking themed, and she got measuring cups and spoons in her stocking. So what have I found that is easy for her to use, and that she loves you ask?

My son also likes to help, but at six, sometimes it’s mostly just a fun activity (for them anyway) than it is actual help.

For Christmas my daughter got Paula Deen’s Cooking for the Luchbox Set. It’s fabulous for kids (and beginning cooks) because not only are the recipes simple, but there are illustrations to boot! The recipes are given step by step, which is annoying to me as a more experienced cook but awesome for her.

My daughter also got the Perfect Brownie Pan. I know you are holding your sides and laughing (and would be laughing even harder if you knew that her brother gave her a Snuggie). It’s so fun for her though, and the brownies (from a mix so far is all) turn out great and in perfect proportion to each other.

Micki has been working with her daughter (if you read this post, you will know she is almost 12 as well) on cooking as well. Her daughter’s favorite food is tacos, so that’s the first thing Micki taught her to make. Now, I realize you are going, how hard are tacos? But there are a lot of beginning skills to be learned by making tacos. She does everything including chopping all the veges. She may have a Perfect Brownie Pan coming her way someday soon!

Is there anything out there that you love for the budding chef (or the experienced on as well)? We would love to hear about it.

Tadpole Tuesday: Fishbowl Cupcakes (Teri)

Micki gave me the best cupcake book ever, it’s called Hello, Cupcake. The cupcakes are absolutely darling. A while back, we had some friends who’s fish died, so we decided to take them some cupcakes (okay, I was looking for an excuse to make cute cupcakes). This is what my daughter and I managed to create. Aren’t they darling. They aren’t exactly the same as the book, but they were a lot of fun to make all the same. There are a ton of others that I want to try, but none that I have been brave enough to do yet.

Mystery Monday and Tadpole Tuesday in one: Scarves

Okay I know its cheating but I am doing a 2 for 1 post. My post for yesterday didn't get done after I worked my 4th 12 hour shift in a row. I am sorry. But todays is about the same thing so it all works out...right? :) My daughter got a gift from her Aunt Teri several years ago of a knifty knitter loom. On the loom you just figure 8 wrap the yarn up and down the loom to the desired width and then wrap it again the other way. Then you use a little tool to take the bottom yarn over the top one and it knits a scarf. Its so easy!! Well we never did really use it. So this week my friend Amey inspired me to get it out when she used hers to make me a scarf. So I made one, and each of my kids decided that they needed one too. So I took my tadpoles to pick out their yarn and bought the loom for hats too. Well, okay it wasn't just one loom, it was the variety pack of looms. I can't do anything small. I have to get everything that they have out for every project I do.

The new looms and my kids yarn
The scarf loom and tool (and partially done scarf)

My done scarf

Tadpole Tuesday: Christmas Gifts (Teri)

Remember these soaps that my daughter made for her friends for Christmas? Here’s the completed present:

The cute box started out looking like this:

A little Mod Podge and some scrapbook paper and a total transformation:

Here’s the breakdown:

Box - 50¢ at a local thrift

Mod Podge & scrapbook paper already on hand – free

Soaps – approx 50¢

Cute colored wash rag - 50¢ (came in a package of 8 for $4)

Nail polish kit – $1 in dollar section at Target

Pedicure kit – on clearance for 50¢ in dollar section at Target

Basket - $1 in dollar section at Target.

Grand total: $4 a piece (we made 6) and time and love. Not a bad price for something so cute I don’t think. My daughters friends seemed to love them. My only regret is that we put the paper clear to the top of the box, so when we put the lids back on some of the paper got squished. I guess you just live and learn.

We haven't participated in a linky party in a few weeks, so we are linking up to Finding Fabulous' Frugalicious Friday

Tadpole Tuesday: Email to Santa (Micki)

My kids and I wrote an email to Santa. It’s a great website! We had fun.

Here’s the link so you can do your own.

Here’s my letter and the response I got :)

Dear Santa Claus,

My name is Micki. I am a girl and I am already 35 years old!! I live in the great city of Whoville. Of course, that's in Utah, United States, but I'll bet you knew that!! This year I've been so good that, well, ok, maybe my halo has been to the repair shop a few times this year.

Santa Claus, some things I might like for Christmas this year are:
- peace on earth;
- friendship for all; and,
- crafting for everyone!!!.

Santa Claus, I almost forgot to say... Santa Claus I almost forgot, I would also like a Rockem' Sockem' Robot Game

Love, Micki

#1, Rudolph Way
North Pole, Canada
HO HO HO

Whoville, Utah
United States

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Merry Christmas Micki!

Thank you for sending me your email all the way from Whoville! (Make sure to say 'Hi!' to Max from Rudolph when you get a chance!) Did you know that Whoville is one of Mrs. Claus' favourite places? The other thing she really likes is to read all your wonderful emails. As a matter of fact, she was just asking if I had heard from you lately!

My goodness, Micki! Are you fibbing to ol' Santa Claus?!? You can't possibly be 35 years old already! Why it seems like only yesterday that I was leaving presents for a certain little girl and here you are now, practically one of Santa's elves! (*grin*)

Sorry the presents the last little while probably haven't been quite as exciting as they were when you were a little girl but, well, you know how these things go (*wink*). Anyway, Santa's glad to see some of the 'older kids' (not to mention anyone in particular!) still take the time to write. I also hear you've been a sorta good girl. (Of course, you won't mind if I do a little checking, will you? HO!! Ho!! ho!!).

Let's see what you put in your letter for Christmas wishes: 1. peace on earth; 2. friendship for all and; 3. crafting for everyone!!!. Well, I have something to tell you about your Christmas presents. An elf is working hard on them right now! The elf's name is Clumsy. We really do love Clumsy (he really does make the best presents!) -- I just wish he'd be a little more, well, careful sometimes. I hope you won't be sad Micki if I can't bring you everything you want because Clumsy the Elf really wants you to have a very Merry Christmas!

Well, it's time for Santa Claus to go do his chimney exercises. Up! Down! Up! Down! Have to be in tip-top shape for the big night! Take care Micki and don't forget to come back and visit me here at EmailSanta.com on Christmas Eve!! And remember... only 10 more sleeps until Christmas!!

Lots of Love,

Tadpole Tuesday: Homemade Soap (Teri)

**If you are one of my daughter’s friends, don’t keep reading unless you want to see part of your Christmas present**

In an effort to make more homemade Christmas presents, my darling daughter wanted to make something for her friends. When I was blog stalking back in October I found these darling soaps, and knew that it was a craft my daughter could do with just a little help. I also thought that most girls love fun bath products. I found some darling silicone muffin trays in Christmas Tree and Snowflake shapes at Target in their bargain section for $2.50 and some Christmas Tree shaped silicone ice cube trays at Dollar Tree. I think the cute shapes made all the difference. I bought the glycerin soap for molding at Michael’s and used a 40% off coupon. I bought the scents and glitter on clearance at Michael’s. Total for twelve large soaps and twenty small soaps for less than $20, but I will be able to use the molds and glitter for multiple other projects, and the scents for at least one more batch. If you adjust for that I spent about $10. No too bad for that many darling soaps. I will try and give you a short version of how to make these, if you want to know the exact steps go here.

We cute the glycerin into pieces and melted it in the microwave, after it was melted, we added the scent and the glitter.

Then we filled the trays (just a little note, the glycerin sticks to the sides of the container and the spatula, we just let it cool a little, and melted it again in the microwave and used it. I was apprehensive because of the glitter, but we didn’t have any trouble with it sparking).

We let them cool undisturbed for about twenty to thirty minutes and then my kids popped them out of the molds.

I tried to stage them so that you can see how cute they turned out. I wanted some Christmas paper, but I wasn’t at home and wasn’t going to have another chance to take a picture later, so I apologize for the busyness. Don’t you think they are so fun? We will defiantly be making more.

Tadpole Tuesday: Micki's Nativity Crafts

With mom's help with the glue gun my kids made Nativity Kits to proudly display by their trees on their dressers. I personally think it goes nicely with the black tree and the crooked tree. :)
This is what it started as:

This is what it ended up as:

Also participating in Somewhat Simple's Strut Your Stuff Party

Tadpole Tuesday: Micki’s Mini Kids Trees

Note: The TREES are mini, not the kids

My kids got mini trees this year. The crooked one in the boot my mother in law bought, on clearance at Michaels 90% off last year, for my son. So it was like $1.50. And the black one I bought after Halloween for $1.19. My kiddos loved them and had fun decorating them. They love that they each have their own tree in their room.

Do not adjust the color on your monitor, the following tree IS black.

Remember this gorgeous flooring we featured here? Now you get to see it up close.

Tadpole Tuesday: Christmas Decor

Last Saturday, my daughter and I went to a project day at our church. It’s called a Super Saturday, where they offer projects and you sign up ahead of time and go there and complete them. Anywho, I had signed up for a couple of projects, and my daughter was in need of some 1:1 mommy time, so I brought her with me. She completed one of my projects all by herself pretty much! One of the projects I hadn’t signed up for was a Christmas Centerpiece. The idea behind it was that you use what you can find in nature, thus making it free. I didn’t sign up because I didn’t know about it. When we got there the cute lady doing the project said to my daughter, “I don’t have anyone doing my project, why don’t you come over, I have a lot of extras”. Hers turned out so cute, I had to make one too!!! They are supposed to have candles in them, but mine are packed away with the Christmas stuff, so just pretend okay? I’ve showed a top view so you can see where we drilled down with a paddle bit to create a “well” for the candle. She had already baked the foliate and dipped it in a glycerin mix to preserve it, so all we had to do was use a little hot glue and voile! We finished it off by brushing the tips with white paint to make it look snowy.

Front view of my daughter’s creation

Back view of my daughter’s creation

my centerpiece, you can see where the candle will go

We are also participating in Modern Country's Holiday Treat Party and Somwhat Simple's Strut Your Stuff Party