Turkey Day

A turkey day from nature.

Grab a pinecone, leaves in different shapes and colors, and glue!

I drizzled glue into the crevices of the pinecone and then inserted the leaves.  Stack the leaves in largest to smallest from the back working your way forward.  See how I added my bigger leaves in the back and even added the colored ones in the front.

I cut out the head, beak and wattle and glued them together; then added the eyes.  Again you can add a drizzle of glue in the pinecone or just wedge it in.

I obviously skipped the feet part but I did use the caps of a milk container to prop them up or even angle them and it worked out perfect! 

Great project for kids and the uniqueness  of  their turkeys will shine through.

Gobble, gobble

#Nablopomo

Wipe Your Feet Here (DIY doormat)

Today I was feeling extra motivated and completed a few crafts and this DIY mat.  I love looking at DIY projects but they are not all created equal. I promise you this one is pretty easy and cheap!

I picked up everything from dollartree. This doormat cost me $4.  I do not sew hek maybe I can't sew so this mat is glued together.  So technically if you did sew it would be even less.

Gather your supplies.

     

Choose your mat.  I picked one without ridges so the leaf would adhere to it easier.

        

  In my store there were only two patterns to choose from.  Leaf it is which is fine for the whole fall season.

                    

  Next like I said I do not sew so I needed some strong adhesive.  I already knew how I was going to use the mat so consider that when you decided what you need.  I used glue dots and a sticky all purpose sticky glue.  The glue is sold in a 3 pack along with the glue dots in the craft section.

  I applied glue dots sporadically along the perimeter of the leaf.

  I then used the glue along the whole outline of the leaf.

I thought of placement prior to the glue application.  Did in want it off center, diagonal or in the center.  Since I was not adding anything else to it including words I just placed it in the middle.

  This is a very thin door mat.  It could be used outside or inside but this is not weather resistant.  I'm not sure it would even be vacuum resistant.   It would be great in the kitchen as long as you don't need the extra support.  Place it in front of a fireplace or bookshelf. I have actually put mine in front of my child's door.

  I am very pleased with the appearance.  That I didn't have to sew it and it looks nice.  At this point I am wondering how many rugs do I need.  These will be easy to put in storage on the off seasons so why not a few more.

Kids Crafts

  One of my resolutions this year is to make more crafts with my kids and start and finish DIY projects.  I think if I practice all year round by the end of the year I may have come up with some pretty cool gifts that are acceptable to pass out over the holidays.  As well as a bountiful array of cards for various occasions through the year.

  Todays craft with the kids was a card for next month.  It is a simple card that you can share with anyone your child may think is extra special!  

Supplies: glue, a heart and paper you plan to shred any color or texture

I choose to use tissue paper based on what I had on hand and what kind of paper I was putting it on.   I actually had some hearts from a previous project so I cheated and used those.

Little hands need to get busy ripping up the pieces of paper.  Size doesn't really matter.

We choose to use 3 colors! (although my daughter let me know mid way through she wasn't going to use the red since her heart was already red).

Glue the bits of paper to the heart! Any colors, styles or patterns they choose.  This craft is an all 100% kid made project.

Two hearts created by two different kids with 2 different styles.

  They are 98% complete I just need to write or have my daughter write

   I love you to pieces

Get it?  Cute idea,huh? I'm not sure on where I'm going to write the sentiment yet.  I think these came out pretty cute though and everyone will know they are made by kids with minimal adult help!

Christmas Kids Crafts

  Taking it slow with kids and pain meds has finally slowed me down to do some crafts with my kids.  I have a ever growing board on pinterest.  Jump over there and see what projects  caught my eye or that I would like to make.  My Christmas pins are a collection of kid friendly crafts, decorations and DIY projects.

  Of course I have more than just a Christmas board.  You can find a DIY board, beautiful nail art, science projects for kids and more crafty things for different seasons and holidays.

  I will try to share the fails and wins with you.  I think it makes it easier to see real people accomplishing things rather than pretty, proper, perfect pictures.


  Today we worked on 2 crafts on my Christmas board and they came out pretty well.  The kids are satisfied with them.  A great preschool project.  Discuss colors, shapes, numbers with the Santa craft.  The stained glass project I was pleased with!  I think my daughter enjoyed seeing the end result too.  We will hang this up on the wall.  She showed great patience when coloring it and took her time.

supplies: tin foil, sharpie markers, coloring page, gallon baggie

supplies: red, white and black paper, red pompom, cottonball, paper plate, crayon to color face, glue

  My kids that made these are 3 and 5.  Supplies were very basic. Use what you have on hand improvise if you have to! My kids would give up TV and video games if they could make crafts.