Our children, age 4 and 5, just celebrated their 100 days of school and as part of the school celebration of the milestone, they were welcomed to make something that contained 100 items. Recently, my daughter has been fascinated with googly eyes and my son with Monsters...so I surprised them with this activity. Materials Required Draw your monster on your letter sized piece of cardboard. If you aren't confident in your Monster drawing ability, feel free to use my Monster Template. NOTE: Cardboard makes a great base for this. It is rigid and lets the kids actually play with these monsters afterwards . |
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Walking the Plank
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Everything Else
- Straw flags were printed on adhesive paper and attached to the paper straws purchased from Omiyage.
- Tree netting we had in our gardening supplies was put up on the wall, covered in fishing lures I borrowed from my father-in-law, added a few signs made out of canvas and the serving area was done.
- More canvas drop cloth was cut to wrap the beverage bottles, rope and skulls finished them off.
- The front of the house was draped in red and white. I used dollar store table cloths, used same white rope to secure them and the flags were Halloween flags also purchased at the dollar store.
There were a few more details that I haven't shown here like mini treasure boxes everywhere with more jewels and chocolate coins, a pirate ship piñata, hidden treasures, fruit skewers, loot bags but from the moment of seeing my son's reaction to having the house decked out for his party...I simply forgot to take pictures of everything else.
Oh well, the important thing is that he loved every bit of it, he had a great day with his family celebrating his 4th birthday and he reminds me of the fun he had that day every time he puts on his pirate hat....which, a month and a half later, is still often :)
Oh well, the important thing is that he loved every bit of it, he had a great day with his family celebrating his 4th birthday and he reminds me of the fun he had that day every time he puts on his pirate hat....which, a month and a half later, is still often :)
Two weeks ago we celebrated my sons 4th birthday and we celebrated it with a Pirate themed party.
I will have a post about the party up soon but I thought I would start with a tutorial on
how to make a Pirate hat in four easy steps with no sewing required!
I will have a post about the party up soon but I thought I would start with a tutorial on
how to make a Pirate hat in four easy steps with no sewing required!
Materials Required
Step One
Fold foam sheet in half.
Cut a 12" opening down the middle crease.
This will fit most heads from age 4 - 13.
Cut a 12" opening down the middle crease.
This will fit most heads from age 4 - 13.
Step Two
Draw the pirate hat outline while folded in half.
Use chalk if you have it (pencil is harder to see).
Then cut it out while folded.
Use chalk if you have it (pencil is harder to see).
Then cut it out while folded.
Step Three
Add a quarter size drop of Fabric Glue (hot glue will work too) just beside the end of the opening you cut down the middle, fold it back up and let it dry.
Step Four
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There you have it, four easy steps to make a pirate hat with no sewing required!
Let me know if you try it...I'd love to see your results!
Let me know if you try it...I'd love to see your results!
It's been almost three weeks and I still can't believe my little girl is five years old. The other thing I still can't believe is that my little girl who would be covered in pink, purple, jewels and glitter, if left to her own devices, requested a Super Girl party!
This got me very excited because I grew up reading comic books with my dad and truth be told, comics are still on my Christmas list every year and I have these amazing posters hanging in our room...so a Super Girl Party? Whoo-hoo, yes please!
This got me very excited because I grew up reading comic books with my dad and truth be told, comics are still on my Christmas list every year and I have these amazing posters hanging in our room...so a Super Girl Party? Whoo-hoo, yes please!
You can't have super hero's without costumes and since her party was going to be a small one at home with mostly family, I decided to make all of the younger kids their own capes, cuffs and masks. They were all so excited to have them and they didn't take them off the entire time.
Logos: I have a wealth of comic books so I simply photocopied the logos, enlarged/shrinked them as required, traced them onto felt, cut them out, hot glued them together and voila...superhero logos.
Capes: I used wax paper that was folded in half, a large child size t-shirt as a guideline and freehand sketched the cape. I then cut it out and put it on my daughter to figure out the length for her. I add 3" if they were older than her and removed 3" if they were younger than her. I then used that as the pattern to make the actual capes.
Super Girl Tutu: I found a $3.00 yellow belt at Walmart with double holes along the length that was perfect to thread the tule through. It was a random but lucky find and I think it turned out well.
Logos: I have a wealth of comic books so I simply photocopied the logos, enlarged/shrinked them as required, traced them onto felt, cut them out, hot glued them together and voila...superhero logos.
Capes: I used wax paper that was folded in half, a large child size t-shirt as a guideline and freehand sketched the cape. I then cut it out and put it on my daughter to figure out the length for her. I add 3" if they were older than her and removed 3" if they were younger than her. I then used that as the pattern to make the actual capes.
Super Girl Tutu: I found a $3.00 yellow belt at Walmart with double holes along the length that was perfect to thread the tule through. It was a random but lucky find and I think it turned out well.
Cityscape: I purchased black bristol board from the dollar store and used a ruler to create a city scape for the food serving area (it took two and a half sheets). I used foam core board (also from the dollar store) to do the same over the fireplace, staggered the heights, hot glued them to scrap pieces of 2x4 to let them free stand.
Justice League Characters: I used the amazing printables by Maria De Marco found on Paper & Pomegranates to make loot bag tags, jelly bean markers and straw tags (paper straws were purchased from Omiyage).
Games: One of the games was a simple can toss using bean bags. I simply wrapped empty coffee cans, glued on a few 'bangs' and 'pows' that I found on One Charming Party and it was very entertaining.
Finishing Touches: We topped everything off with balloons, paper balls and streamers. She loved all of it!
Justice League Characters: I used the amazing printables by Maria De Marco found on Paper & Pomegranates to make loot bag tags, jelly bean markers and straw tags (paper straws were purchased from Omiyage).
Games: One of the games was a simple can toss using bean bags. I simply wrapped empty coffee cans, glued on a few 'bangs' and 'pows' that I found on One Charming Party and it was very entertaining.
Finishing Touches: We topped everything off with balloons, paper balls and streamers. She loved all of it!
Everything came together nicely, the weather was absolutely perfect, all the kids loved their costumes and my little girl was not only a Super Girl but Super Happy and Super Grateful.
Thank you for all the wonderful comments on instagram of my in progress pictures.
Thank you to all our guests who really made the day wonderful and special.
Happy 5th Birthday my sweet Super Girl!
Don't have too much time on your hands? Don't have want to spend a fortune on little treats? Have a small child who wants to create their own gifts for classmates? Then this is the perfect little project for your child and the perfect candy free Easter treat for their friends! What you need... - Egg shaped chalk - Clear cello bags - Cute little tags - Bags/Tags purchased at our local Dollar Store and Eggs from Walmart. |
It's December and the count down officially begins. As the month rolls by, time seems to tick faster and the next thing you know it's office parties, kids parties, schools out and you are scrambling about to get the little things done. In such times it can be easy to jump out and buy 'whatever' at 'whatever' cost. Handmade may not be your first thought but handmade doesn't necessarily mean time consuming, sometimes it can done relatively quickly and at a low cost.
These little packages contain homemade chocolate cookies, wrapped in wax paper, packed into brown paper bags, embelished with ribbon and mini ornaments. They tasted good (you have to taste test them don't you), looked good and the total wrapping costs was $5.00.
There you go, exhibit A on handmade done pretty quickly and at a low cost.
These were made with co-workers in mind. What do you think, would you like them?
These little packages contain homemade chocolate cookies, wrapped in wax paper, packed into brown paper bags, embelished with ribbon and mini ornaments. They tasted good (you have to taste test them don't you), looked good and the total wrapping costs was $5.00.
There you go, exhibit A on handmade done pretty quickly and at a low cost.
These were made with co-workers in mind. What do you think, would you like them?
Her first picture
When I first spotted her, just over eight years ago, she was playing with her water bowl. She was pouncing on it and knocking it about like it was prey. She was only about two months old but already feisty. I fell in love! The following week, that very same Salt & Pepper Miniature Schnauzer was in our home, our first dog and my husband and I named her Dakota. For the next four years it was just the three of us and she ruled our home and our hearts.
Then one day we insulted her, she wouldn't look at us for days and all because we brought home our newborn daughter. Oh the insult! It seemed she wasn't fond of the baby, if we were downstairs, she would go upstairs. If we went into any room she was in, she would simply leave.
Then one day we insulted her, she wouldn't look at us for days and all because we brought home our newborn daughter. Oh the insult! It seemed she wasn't fond of the baby, if we were downstairs, she would go upstairs. If we went into any room she was in, she would simply leave.
Snuggled when kids were sick
The day the baby gates went up was yet another insult. She couldn't escape anymore and so would just sit with her back to us! Fifteen months after our daughter arrived we brought home our newborn son. Yet again, she did not approve. Nap times and bedtimes became her favourite times, for she had us and the house all to herself, belly rubs, ear scratching, lounging on the couch with us and zero competition. It wasn't until our oldest was three that she came around...we found my daughter giving her a belly rub and Dakota purring like a kitten! Finally she would let them pet her, she would give them kisses and snuggle with them if they weren't feeling well.
This year however our sweet Dakota started to have some issues, seizures and pancreatitis. Being a terrier her stubbornness and strength (plus some medicine) would help her push through and bounce right back. This weekend, sadly she couldn't push through. Our sweet little Dakota fell ill, went downhill fast and was left in state that I simply can't write about. We started the weekend with her sleeping at the foot of our bed but it did not end that way. Our sweet Dakota is gone. My heart is broken.
Despite my attempt to explain this to the kids (three and four), they don't really understand and I am partly greatful for this. We loved her, we miss her terribly, even now as I write this I find myself in tears but I write this to honour her. She was with us for eight years, she was yappy, stubborn, a hand full but most of all she was loved. Thank-you Dakota, for your unconditional love and being a part of our family.
Rest in peace my sweet girl (Dakota 2004-2012)
Despite my attempt to explain this to the kids (three and four), they don't really understand and I am partly greatful for this. We loved her, we miss her terribly, even now as I write this I find myself in tears but I write this to honour her. She was with us for eight years, she was yappy, stubborn, a hand full but most of all she was loved. Thank-you Dakota, for your unconditional love and being a part of our family.
Rest in peace my sweet girl (Dakota 2004-2012)
My little boy is officially three years old. Where does the time go! With the end of summer here, my big girl saying good-bye to pre-school and prepping for Kindergarten and with my little man's party...it's been busy around here. Like many three year olds, my little one is a huge 'Cars' fan...he would probably watch that movie a thousand times if we let him. So what better theme for his party this year then Cars.
I love to throw the kids their parties but as I have said before, I try to do it using what I have and without breaking the bank. My best deal found this time around was the large decal that covered almost the entire sliding door; found it in a little run down local party shop for $5! With a little time, some bargain shopping and creatively using existing items, I think the place looked pretty good.
The kids loved it, he especially got a huge kick when he woke up and found the house decorated with all things Cars! More importantly we were in the company of our amazing family, we celebrated another milestone and we made him smile...now isn't that really what it's all about?
The kids loved it, he especially got a huge kick when he woke up and found the house decorated with all things Cars! More importantly we were in the company of our amazing family, we celebrated another milestone and we made him smile...now isn't that really what it's all about?
Alright, perhaps I am not FREAKING out but I am getting nervous excited. Why? Because my little girl, my 4 year old is getting ready to go to "big girl" school. She is finishing up the month in her pre-school and will officially be entering kindergarten in September. Thankfully she goes to an amazing pre-school and she is fully equipped with the skills and courage to start. At home, we've been talking about what to expect, what she'll need to do and what her schedule will be like. However, I have been dragging my feet on the tangible prepping, backpacks, lunch bags, drink container, etc, perhaps in an attempt to delay this reality. I know she'll be fine but I can't help but worry too. Crazy mommy I know!
So two weeks ago I stopped dragging my feet and almost bought 5 different back packs, 5 different lunch bags, 5 different canteens, well you get the picture. However, in the end she doesn't want anything new...she is still partial to her Skip Hop Zoo Pack. She has had it for 2 years now and still loves it so I will be sending her to school with that and a new matching Skip Hop Zoo Lunchie. I'm adding to that a new Red Klean Kanteen and a Rubbermaid Lunch Blox Container Set which does all fit into the Lunchie when all the pieces are laid flat.
So we are set and ready to go. How about you? Are you set? Any advice for a first timer like me or soothing words...I'd appreciate them :)
My children, like most children 'loooove' ice cream, freezies and popsicles and we, like many families, make our own ice cream and popsicles. With the hot weather upon us I doubled my usual batch of strawberry, banana and blueberry blend with the intent of making two batches of popsicles.
PROBLEM: When I pulled out my second popsicle mold it was missing 3 sticks and 1 was broken.
PROBLEM #2: I was completely out of popsicle sticks in the studio/craft room.
SOLUTION: What I did have on hand was about a million plastic spoons. So I used these plastic spoons instead and the kids thought it was the funniest and strangest thing to find a spoon in their popsicle.
ENHANCEMENT: Get a spoonful of yogurt on each spoon and freeze them just until they are hard and then stick them in the filled popsicles molds and then freeze.
RESULT: Not only a spoon surprise but with the enhanced version you get a yogurt filled popsicle.
It was an on the fly fix to a problem that the kids loved.
BONUS: If the kids know that popsicles are for dessert, their dinner plates empty really quickly. Truly a win-win-solution!
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Why Ink and Dirt Designs?
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Ink and Dirt Design here.
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