Beadies

My boys used to be addicted to this beading craft. Their backpacks were adorned with lizards, frogs, Pokemon and more. Every zipper pull and clip, bore a beadie. We haven’t visited this craft for years. When I mentioned blogging about beadies I thought I would be greeted with groans but to my amazement they each enthusiastically started beading.

First you will need a pattern. There are thousands out there. We like Making Friends, Margo’s Beadie Critter Collection, Evelyn’s Beadie Page and Jason’s Beadie Page. The pattern you choose will tell you the amount and color of pony beads you will need and the length of cord. Most patterns will call for satin cord. We find that plastic lacing cord is much easier to work with. The stiffness of the cord makes it easy to thread the beads—no need for a needle. We choose clear cord instead of colored because it works for every project.

First you will divide your cord in half and attach a lanyard clip with a half hitch knot .

Beads are threaded on one side of the cord in color order according to your pattern

The other side of the cord is threaded back through all of the beads. You continue through the pattern in this fashion.

We made this leprechaun and leprechaun hat

and looking forward to Easter this bunny and chick.

If you have used the plastic lacing cord and have trouble getting your beadie to lay flat when finished, you can take it and drop it in boiling water for about one minute. Remove from the water and place on a towel. Press your beadie with another towel, adjusting and flattening. Use caution– it will be hot when it first comes out of the water (especially the metal clip).

Happy beading!

The Toymaker

I think this is the most wonderful site filled with beautifully illustrated toys ,boxes, books, games and cards. We made this sweet dancing Irish Fairie, you put her on a pencil, blow gently and she will spin and dance.

I think this magic fairie box would be so cute filled with chocolate coins for St Patrick’s Day. After we cut out our fairie and box we gave them plenty of clear glitter to make them sparkle.

There are holiday ideas and plenty of toys to keep us all busy. Many of the toys use a marble so they move easily—how clever. Check out the marble mice or bunny bowling. Too fun! This site has so many ways to add pizazz to a parties and holidays but most importantly it is the perfect solution to, “Mom, I’m bored!”

Treasure Bag

Here is a really simple to make crochet treasure bag for kids (or anyone).

The pattern can be found here.

Mini Swap

We participated in MollyCoddle’s mini swap—what fun we had. We sent off a box of wrapped goodies.

We swapped with a little boy named Lincoln. His mom, Katie, told us he loves robots and trains. We made him personalized notepads and bookplates. We drew the pictures and had Office Max do the rest.

I made him a special case to carry a drawing pad and some twist-up crayons. I used the pattern found on Craft Apple—except I made 8 pockets instead of 6 for the crayons. Later I will post a tutorial for a slightly different style.  We also sent a crochet treasure bag (I will post a picture later) and a personalized denim bag.

We received the most wonderful box of loot.

The boys each received personalized scrapbooks—all they need to do is add their own pictures. They also made us a holder for twist up crayons. We received some beautiful vintage books and Bella was totally spoiled with a handmade apron, carrots, tomatoes and a cookie. It is just the cutest food I have seen. I will be making these for some little girls I know. She also made Bella the sweetest collage for her room.

Thanks Katie and Lincoln!

Making bread in a bag

Last Friday my son’s fourth grade class made bread in a bag. The children were divided into groups of three and given a bread making kit. The kit included everything they needed to make three mini loaves of bread. The instructions can be printed from Kansas Wheat. More information about wheat, bread and nutrition can be found here or here.

Items needed to make a Bread-in-the-Bag Kit: (makes 3 mini loaves)

• 1 Two-gallon, heavy-duty freezer bag
• 1 Twist tie
• 1 Quart-size plastic bag with 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 Quart-size plastic bag with 2 cups of whole wheat flour. NOTE: To measure flour accurately, first stir the flour, and then spoon it into a measuring cup intended for dry ingredients and level with a knife.

• Two teaspoons of salt in a disposable container, such as a sandwich bag, small paper/plastic cup

• One package active dry yeast or fast-rise yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
• Two tablespoons sugar in small disposable cup or bag
• One tablespoon of vegetable oil, in small disposable cup, etc.,.
• 3 Disposable mini-loaf pan, 5 x 3 inches
• 3 One-gallon plastic bag, for transporting bread home

Recipe for Easy Wheat Bread

Mix in a heavy-duty (freezer) plastic bag:
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 package active dry yeast or fast-rise yeast
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup warm water (105° to 115°F)

Close bag, release air and work with fingers until completely blended. Let rest 15 minutes.

Open the bag and add:
1 tablespoon sugar
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup warm water (105° to 115°F)

Mix well until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bag–about 5 minutes.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead 5 to 6 minutes. Knead in just enough flour to make a soft dough; it should be a little sticky. If too much flour is added, the final product will be dry and low-volume. Divide dough into thirds. Cover with plastic bag. Let rest 10 minutes.

Press the dough out flat with fingertips into a 4 x 6-inch rectangle. Beginning at a short end, roll the rectangle up tightly like a sleeping bag. With fingertips, pinch the edge to the rest of the dough forming a seam. Fold over the two ends and pinch.

Place dough, seam-side down, in pan.

Cover with bag and let rise until doubled, about 45 to 60 minutes. Bake in a preheated 350°F to 375°F convection oven 15 to 18 minutes; or in a 400F conventional oven for 30 to 35 minutes.

Remove from pans; cool on wire rack.

The children also made homemade butter with an antique butter churn.

To keep the correct rhythm while turning the crank, the children chanted this authentic poem.

Such a simple way for kids to make a delicious mini loaf of bread. We made it again at home and put the entire amount of dough in one large loaf pan.

Bag Swap

I participated in the Tote Bag Swap(I will add the Flicker link when it is up incase you are looking for bag inspiration) at One Hour Craft.  Now that my partner has received her bag I can share.  I received a large brown roomy tote.  The fabric is so soft.  A perfect tote for carrying around a project.  My partner went above and beyond and totally spoiled me with tea, chocolate and lotions to pamper my feet! Her mother even knit me a wonderful scarf!

I sent this tote —

with a matching tissue holder.

The bag was made from Simplicity pattern 4670 view C. 

It was a super easy pattern and went together very quickly.   My only problem was finding the right sized handles—I couldn’t so those are 6″.  If you want to make the bag the yardage given is for one fabric.  If you want to use two fabrics you will need a 1/2 yard for the top and 3/8 of a yard for the bottom.  The other yardage requirements were the same.

Happy Valentine’s Day

See how to make these miniature cheesecakes here.

Happy Valentine’s Day

See how to make these miniature cheesecakes here.

You can find more information about the pan here.

Heart Attack

My friend Wendy has a fabulous idea for Valentine’s Day. She cuts hearts of all different shapes and sizes and writes nice comments about each of her children on the hearts. She then covers each of their doors with the hearts. We just finished this for one of our children  -two more to go before morning.

Sugar High

Sugar “High” literally—-do you see the height the boys were able to achieve with frosting. They came today after school to decorate cookies and cupcakes. It was definitely about the food. We didn’t even try a craft.

There were cookies and cupcakes —and plenty of frosting and an excess of candy.

They decorated, laughed and you didn’t hear it here —they talked about girls.

Yum!

Do you have a tissue?

I ended up mailing my friend’s birthday present in the heart pouch I made and then went on to make 10 travel tissue holders.

I wrapped them like this.

I started with a template from here. It was too small so I had to enlarge it to fit the tissues. I would love to give you the template but my computer skills aren’t there yet—–just give me time and I will have some goodies for you. Really though, the pattern is simple and was easy to enlarge.

A Celebration Of Hearts

I went to the most fabulous party on Saturday.  My friend Missy created the most magical atmosphere.  The invitation set the mood———–it was beautiful!

Every detail was totally and beautifully carried out.  The kids were greeted with this amazing table. Hearts hung from the ceiling dancing over their heads.  Plates were sat on handmade heart place-mats.

Each child received this handmade (by her) cone filled with treats and trinkets.

The children played fun games like eating sugar cookies off of a string and a conversation heart relay.  They shot darts at hand-painted heart targets while the moms crafted homemade valentines.

The moms sat down to this dramtic and stunning table. 

 We each recieved a hanging heart box (made by her) filled with a giant chocolate bar re-wrapped in a Love wrapper.

We dined on delectable goodies like creamy potato soup, chicken salad served over fresh greens and fluffy heart shaped blueberry muffins.  Trays of the yummiest sugar cookies could be found everywhere.

We finished  with a delicious double layer pot de creme served with whipped cream and a strawberry sliced to look like a heart.

It is truly a dreamy party every year.  Love is in the details and I  leave this party feeling loved!

Please Wipe Your Feet

It is really cold around here and they say snow is on the way. We thought our front door needed this.

To make this doormat you need a carpet sample , ours were free from our local store. Since we repeat this craft all year round he knows us! He didn’t have the rectangle size (or texture free) we like so these square ones had to do. It is best to try to get the regular pile-not Berber, shag or textured carpet.

We made our own stamps by cutting shapes out of foam sheets and rubber cementing them to a bock of wood.

Each stamp needs two layers of foam, so be sure to cut two for each stamp you make. Once you have the foam shape glued to the wood, put something heavy and flat on top of your stamp while the glue dries. This keeps the foam from curling.

We paint (we use acrylic) the paint on the stamps with a foam brush. This is easier than dipping and keeps the area around the stamp clean—which is very important. Use a lot of paint.

This is probably the only time that rocking and jiggling your stamp is okay. You are trying to work the paint into the carpet. I suggest asking for one extra carpet sample and give a few practice runs to get the feel of the amount of paint, pressure and jiggling you need to do. Kids love to use both hands and press really hard (an important reason you want to keep the surrounding wood of the stamp paint free). An adult probably needs to give the stamp a final press –depending on the age of the child.

If your print comes off light, simply take your foam brush and work a bit more paint in those areas.

Once you are finished the stamps can be rinsed off with water. Allow them to dry completely before storing.

If you don’t want to make your own stamps you can always use the large foam die-cut sponges found at craft stores.  Make sure to dampen your sponge and then dip into paint.  You will find an especially nice selection of these sponges around Halloween.

I have asked for 25 carpet samples at one time (give the carpet store some notice so they can collect them for you) so we could do this for the craft at a holiday party at school with 1st and 5th graders. It actually worked out beautifully. I was able to die-cut the shapes out of foam so I had plenty without me having to cut them all . I had parents each with their own stamp and color of paint and walk around the room allowing the children (who stayed at their desks) to stamp their carpets. The parents would paint the stamp each time. We set the carpets out in the hallway to dry. We did this at the very beginning of the party so they had time to dry before heading home (on the buses -oh my I am sure I was popular with those drivers that day!).

Pocket full of hearts

I was thinking about making these for some special teachers.  I would have to make about three more sets—so we will have to see if I have the steam.  If not I will give these to a friend.  They were very quick and easy!

Twelve 22 has a great tutorial on how to make the little pouch.  Instructions for the tissue holder can be found at Bell Dia, a beautiful blog.  She has a wonderful tea cozy today.  I did adapt the instructions for the tissue holder.  I used Kleenex sized travel tissues which must be considerably smaller than what she used.  I found mine worked if I used fabric and lining each measuring 6 1/2 inches by 7 inches.  I used 1/4 seams throughout. The final seams at each end were less than 1/4 inch (a touch more than an 1/8 inch).  I also left the opening to turn on the long side —this kept me from having to whip it shut once turned, because it is hidden on the inside. 

Heart Pop-Up Valentine

My son wants to have some friends over to decorate some cookies for Valentine’s day. I was trying to figure out something crafty to go along with the cookie decorating so we will also decorate some cards. Here goes the very basic how to. I will leave the embellishment with glitter, stamps, stickers, ribbon and doilies to you and the boys. However, I will warn you that this little party has very little to do with crafts and decorating but rather the FOOD —they are 10. I will show you the final results later but if they look too crafty—like they really enjoyed this, I will have to block out their heads because they would not want anyone to know that they still like crafts. If they don’t turn out we will know what I suspected all along was true — it is all about the food!

You will need regular weight copy paper and card-stock to make these cards. First fold the regular weight copy paper in half.

Cut out a space 2 1/2 inches over and 2 inches down from the upper right corner.

Fold the left edge over as shown in the picture.

Cut the top part away as shown. You might want to practice on scrap paper until you get the heart shape you are happy with.

Fold the heart to the center.

Cut two inches off of the long side of a piece of card-stock. Fold the larger piece in half.

Place your heart card into the card-stock and glue everything but the heart shape.

Decorate the front

Decorate the inside. When you open the card the heart pops up.

Crayon Shaving Hearts

Crayon shavings melted between wax paper and then cut into hearts make a beautiful display in windows. This is an oldie but goodie craft that we love. Here are ours made with lots of kid help! I can’t think of anything more cheerful or happy hanging from a window.

We made lots of crayon shavings with a pencil sharpener.

Place shavings on a piece of wax paper.

Either place another piece of wax paper on top or fold over the edge to cover all of the shavings.

Iron on the lowest setting for about 1 second. You can go always go longer after checking to see if the shavings have melted. Be careful to not burn the wax paper. It is a good idea to do the ironing on a piece of newspaper. Some shavings could leak out of the sides and it does leave a residue underneath the wax paper. If you are worried about your iron, just place your wax paper between two sheets of newspaper or scrap paper.

I think it is easiest for kids to trace around cardboard so I took cereal boxes and cut out heart shapes to be used for patterns. This is where you get variety so let the kids draw the hearts.

Draw around your pattern.

Cut out, hole punch and tie on ribbon, thread or fishing line. Hang!

Martha has directions and a gorgeous display at her place.