leaves & crayons – old school style

2009 November 6
by justbarefoot

Remember these from when we were little?!

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fall leaves

+

crayon shavings

+

2 pieces wax paper

+

hot iron

=

nov 09

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If you have any extra crayon shavings,

try some crayon leaves!

decoupaged name plates

2009 November 5
by justbarefoot

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I learned about Mod Podge Rocks a couple months ago, and have been totally hooked ever since.  I have made it a point of searching for fun projects I can do, just to use Mod Podge.  My latest endeavor was thinking of something I could make for our soon-to-be baby’s nursery.  I decoupaged the ceiling fan a few weeks ago, and was excited to do more.  Plus, with a 4th babe, it’s hard to justify spending a ton of money, right?  So I decided to make my own letter/name plates.  Cute, easy, and inexpensive… perfect!

*Materials*

Lucy Belle's room1

unfinished wood plates (I got mine at hobby lobby)

white acrylic paint

scrapbook paper

mod podge

foam brushes

.

*Directions*

print letters on cardstock, cut out

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trace letters, upside-down, on back of scrapbook paper

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and cut out

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paint wood plates

(I painted middles in my 2nd coat, got nervous it’d show)

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while paint is drying, cut out scrapbook paper to preferred size

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you should have something like this…

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time for our favorite medium!

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shmear it on the top of the wood plate

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carefully place paper on top, pressing out any air bubbles

let dry completely!

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measure & glue letters to top using mod podge. let dry!

(yes, I used a ruler b/c sometimes being anal is okay!)

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once dry, shmear the top w/ mod podge, being careful not to drip over the sides

let dry several hours.  re-coat w/ mod podge.

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that’s it!

~ ENJOY! ~

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all that candy!

2009 November 1
by justbarefoot

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Last night I was having a hard time deciding what to do with a 5-gallon bucket of Halloween candy.  We can only eat so much of it, I could send it to work with the hubs, donate it to the school, etc.  Then I had one of my better ideas… sort through it for the upcoming holidays!  Here’s a quick brainstorm…

cookie mix-ins

layered cookie bars

crumbled-up for toppings on pudding, ice-cream, cupcakes

crushed for a pie crust

gingerbread houses

mix-ins for homemade fudge

What are some of your ideas to recycle the Halloween candy stash?

P is for Pilgrim: A Thanksgiving Alphabet

2009 November 1
by Julie

And just like that, Halloween is over.  Time to take down the spiders and jack-o-lanterns and move onto pilgrims and turkeys.  Our family will be reading this library book, P is for Pilgrim, tonight to help switch gears.  Do you have any favorite Thanksgiving Books?

Easy Sew Tool Belt

2009 October 31
by Julie

If you’re really quick, you could whip one up for a last minute Halloween costume.

OR

you might be thinking ahead for a handmade Christmas gift

Photo tutorial over at One Hip Mom

 

Fall Candy Bracelets

2009 October 31
by Julie

I passed over the “Autumn Mix” while searching for the last bags of candy corn this week, and now I wish I grabbed a bag!

The Fall Candy Bracelets at little nummies are adorable.

Halloween Hot Chocolate Dipping Spoons

2009 October 30
by Julie

Need a last minute hostess gift or fun activity for the kiddos?

How CUTE.  All the info at my crafty mess.

Pumpkin Recipes

2009 October 26
by justbarefoot

I found some incredible pumpkin recipes on Disney Family Food.  If you and/or your kids like pumpkiny flavors, you have to give some of these a try!  I included a picture with the link to the recipe below each picture.  Enjoy!

{pumpkin biscuits}

{pumpkin butterscotch cookies}

{pecan pies in a pumpkin shell}

{ooze-filled pumpkin cupcakes}

{pumpkin pancakes}

{autumn granola}

{pumpkin fluff dip}

{frozen pumpkin mousse pie}

{mini pumpkin tarts}

{marbled pumpkin cheesecake}

Halloween Luminaries

2009 October 23
by justbarefoot

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*Warning… these are not your Martha’s luminaries*

I think they’re better!  That is, if you have kids who love to create, are always begging to do another project, and everytime they see the luminaries they made, their face just lights up with pride.  Really.  These could easily be made fancy and professional-looking, but sometimes it’s okay to just let go of the power and allow your kids to be kids.  Hope you find the same success we did!

*Materials*

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paper bags

sand or rice

votive LED light

hole punch, markers, paint,, etc.

*Directions*

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Decorate outside of paper bag (tip: don’t decorate seam-side, it’ll show)

Let dry (if necessary)

Fill bottom of bag with sand or rice

Drop in a votive LED light

31 Days of Halloween

2009 October 21
by justbarefoot

{Scrap Lovers Blog}

image from scrap lovers blog

I came across this incredible blog while doing a search today, and knew I had to share it with everyone!  They have been doing the “31 Days of Halloween” … meaning there is a new and creative project related to Halloween every day.  Super cute ideas, check them out!