Friday's Feature {How To Make A Terrarium}

I'm loving this DIY terrarium that was made by Kandi from Woven Home.  Such a simple way to add just a touch of spring to a room.  Unfortunately, this would not work with my three little girls running around, but it's definitely on my "things to make once the girls are older" list. Rules:

• Any creative idea will do
• No selling or promoting, so no etsy stores
• Giveaways are now permissible ONLY if they are a handmade object
• Grab a button to link back to this blog
• Start sharing!
• And don't forget to check out other link party projects.

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Card Board Creations

Isn't it great when you come to discover that your kids love playing with a card board box more than any store bought toy.  A few weeks ago my girls and I discovered just how fun a plain card board box can be.

When I had originally made this little "house" for my girls I simply taped two boxes together, cut out some windows, then a door, and had two happy little girls on my hands.

When I pulled it out from storage to be played with again, I thought I would be fun to add a few embellishments.  So, I pulled out their kitchen, camping chairs, some books and baskets, and then let their little imaginations run wild.

While I sat watching them play my own imagination took off.  I decided that their little home needed some "homey" touches. So, I cut up an old sheet and used some ribbons and push pins to hang up some curtains.  Then, we hung up some art work thanks to some old Ensigns we had on hand.  Finally we added a bench with a vase full of flowers.

The place was really looking like something you would find on the Parade of Homes.  However, it was the idea of my oldest daughter to open the box up and create a wider space to live in.  After all who really wants to live in a box.

With my help we opened everything up.  Their little home was finished complete with a gourmet kitchen, a sitting room and reading room, and a pleasant little entryway.  Not bad for and afternoon of play which lasted a full two days.  It would have lasted much longer than that, but by the morning of the third day I was ready to have my living room back to normal.
What card board creations have you come up with lately?

Friday's Feature {Craft Trifecta}

This week, I wanted to feature Delicate Construction - Craft Trifecta.  I have seen string art before and I have seen ombre before, but I love the combination.  I think that this would be adorable as Artwork in a girl's or boy's room.  So cute.

Rules:

• Any creative idea will do
• No selling or promoting, so no etsy stores
• Giveaways are now permissible ONLY if they are a handmade object
• Grab a button to link back to this blog
• Start sharing!
• And don't forget to check out other link party projects.

Recycled Leapster or DVD Case

This year, my son needed to complete a recycled project.  I didn't want to just make a piggy bank from an old container or some other thing I would just throw away later.  So thanks to wonderful Pinterest, I found this great solution.  She used a DVD case.  I used a Leapster case because it was a little wider and could fit more colored pencils.

This project wasn't as fast as I thought it would be but part of that is because I probably took some unnecessary steps.  Here is the tutorial of how I did it!

 Take out the cover and save it.

 Remove anything from inside.

 Cut out anything that isn't flat.

 

 Be careful not to cut the outer sleeve. 

Pick out two coordinating fabrics and cut them out.

 Find a piece of something hard and flat.  This was a thick clear sheet.  You could use chip board, cardboard, etc.  Cut it down to fit inside the case.

This is where I could've made this simpler.  I tacked it down with tape.

 I did it with the other fabric as well.

Then I sewed around the edges.

To make the front a little more taught, I sewed a dividing line.  You may not need to do this if you make your fabric tight enough, but I left enough room to do it because it would keep the colored pencils from moving around so much.

 Then I super clued the back down.  BAD IDEA.  It didn't work very well.  Use hot glue!

Then I weighed it down so that it would adhere properly.

Then we took the leftover case and drew on the back of it. 

 

We slip it back in and this was the end result.

Place in the colored pencils and paper on the opposite side.

Let the kids color!

I loved this project because now I have something that is portable and fun for the kids to do.  I want to make one for all my kids now.  It's perfect for church, for the doctors office, road trips, etc.  You could also make one as gifts.  It would be great for Christmas, for Easter baskets, etc.

This one is a lot of fun.  Hope you enjoyed!

Happy Mother's Day!

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day! Reflecting on the sacred role of motherhood is a very tender and special thing. To think about what our mothers have done for us, and also what we as mothers are called to do! It is something that can feel overwhelming, but also bring the greatest rewards. I believe that is how Heavenly Father intended it to be, because sacrifice brings forth the greatest blessings. And as President Packer taught us, it brings forth understanding. I made this printable after April General Conference from his talk, "And a Little Child Shall Lead Them". It was my favorite quote from conference, and I hope you enjoy it. It is my gift for Mother's Day. I hope you all know how wonderful you are, and thank you to the many mothers who have inspired me!

Friday's Feature {Paint Chip Matching Game} and Link Party

I love, love, love this idea from Sew Fantastic!!!  It's absolutely brilliant and too cute.  In fact I loved this idea so much I ended up pinning it onto Pinterest.  And, before we headed out of town this weekend (we've been overdue for a family vacation) I decided to make these for my girls to play while we're camping.  Such a simple concept, but something that is sure to keep the kids busy and having fun for hours.  Well, maybe not hours, but long enough for me to start a load of laundry.

Rules:

• Any creative idea will do
• No selling or promoting, so no etsy stores
• Giveaways are now permissible ONLY if they are a handmade object
• Grab a button to link back to this blog
• Start sharing!
• And don't forget to check out other link party projects.

Easy Menu Planner

Sorry I have been MIA for the last little while! Previous to becoming an author on this blog I had taken a short hiatus from blogging and I am still trying to get back into the groove. I have a few posts lined up and more ideas coming! I also LOVED Camie's post about the DIY Custom Framing. I will definitely be trying that in the future, it looked amazing. 

The menu planner I am featuring today is an idea I found on Pinterest (of course :)). I am constantly struggling with menu planning and finding a cute and easy way to organize/display it. When I saw this FREE Menu Printable from Kaylee at Home I knew it was for me! It isn't the elaborate chalkboard menu board that I have envisioned in my mind, but I think it is really cute and only took me about 2 minutes to put together. After printing it, I just placed it in a sheet protector and plan on using a dry erase marker, simple! Simplicity and efficiency are something that I lack when it comes to menu planning, so this was a good start!

Now to start filling it.......