Back to School Tees…on the Cheap

...back to school tees - on the cheap. Check out what we made today using fabric pens and these really fun "doodle-pop" embellishments at Michaels.

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayArticle?articleNum=as0293

So simple - yet so cute.

The bright colored embelishments were actually iron-on embroidered art doodles.  I just used one white, and one black fabric pen and added some of the backfround designs.  (Swirls, stars, hearts, little buildings...honestly - anyone can do it!)

They also have some "flocked" matching iron ons that you can use to add detail (see the octopus photo).

Everything, including the transfers, tees, and pens cost me less than $20!

Click the link above for more information...and don't forget to grab your online Michaels coupon!

Sweet & Simple Summer “Bling”…Scrabble Tile Necklace Pendants

Do you need an inexpensive "pick me up" for your summer wardrobe?  I do.  I love adding a little splash of color to my otherwise dull summertime tanks and tees but I am not crazy about spending hundreds of dollars on matching necklaces & earrings.

Here's a simple and unique solution...scrabble tiles!  Recently I purchased a simple silver chain at Hobby Lobby (for less than $5.00).  Next, I visited Etsy.com and searched for some simple pendants and found these wonderful, bright and unique Scrabble Tile pendants.   Most are available for less than $5.00.

These cute pendants make it easy to add a little "flair" to your summer wardrobe without breaking the bank.  I simply swap out the pendant in the morning to match my outfit...  I purchased four for $20.00 so now I have four unique looks for less than the cost of a single necklace.

Crazy Crayons: A Fun, Inexpensive & Creative Classroom Gift Idea

It has been insanely cold here this week so instead of sending the kids outside to play, we've been creating gifts for our neighbors and their teachers & friends.  Yesterday, we made cookies & pumpkin bread...today is "crazy crayon" day.

I found this "recipe" on Martha Stewart and thought it would be a really great "rainy day"...(or just plain bitterly cold day) craft for the kids and I to try.  Once they were completed (see photos) the kids decided that they would make a great gift for their friends at school.  I couldn't agree more.

Here's how we made ours....

• We gathered up all of our crayon scraps (we used about 40 crayons and parts to make 10 crazy crayons).
• Then, I put the kids in charge of peeling.  (This takes awhile so you may want to pop in a movie or turn on some holiday music while they peel).  If you plan ahead, you may want to soak the crayons overnight or for a few hours so they are easier to peel.
• Next, I sliced the crayons (using an old chopping knife) into pea-sized pieces and sorted the chopped crayons into small bowls by colors - (reds & oranges, blues & greens, blacks & greys, etc...)
• After that, I let the kids sort the pieces into muffin tins.  We talked about "earth tones", primary colors, holiday colors etc...as they put the pieces into the muffin holes.
• Finally, I baked the crayon pieces in a 200 degree oven for 15 minutes.  You may need to bake them longer or shorter...they will look like liquid when they are completely melted.
• It takes an hour or so for the crazy crayons to become solid so I put mine in the freezer when the kids started getting impatient.

That's it!  Wa-la...a fun, educational & "green" craft project & gift idea.

We are going to make more later this week and put them into cute baggies for a little gift for the kids' classmates.

Simple & Fun Kids Activity – Milk & Dishsoap”Fireworks”

Ever since the Fourth of July...my kids have been begging to see a fireworks show again.  I remembered seeing a little note that was sent home from my daughter's summer camp showing how to make safe & fun "fireworks" from home.

It was a lot of fun..and a wonderful learning experience for the kids.  Y

You simply take 2 or three cups of milk...put it in a pan and let the kids add drops of food coloring randomly in the milk.

Then, allow the kids to put droplets of dishsoap on top of the drops of food coloring.  The reaction(caused by the milk-fat mixing with soap) looks like a mini fireworks show.

Our favorite part of this activity was watching the colors blend together.

Here are some photos of our fireworks show.  (The colors aren't nearly as vibrant as they are "live". =) )

Enjoy!

Picasso Pumpkins

Thought I'd share my children's contemporary twist on the classic Halloween pumpkin.  Personally - I love a little added color on my front porch and being able to avoid pumpkin "goop" altogether.

We simply used acrylic paints, big fat brushes...and LOTS of newspaper to cover the table.