Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Teachers Appreciation Gifts

We have some new craft ideas to help you show your appreciation to your child's teacher at mom-stuff.com



 Click on the links to get materials and instructions.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Easter Decorations on a Budget

This year my family is on a toght budget due to anouther deployment to Irac for my husband. I wanted to make my home warm and welcoming for Easter using just the things I had around the house.
For the front door I added some lest over easter grass and eggs to a wreath.
Foe the kitchen table center pirce I added some pink tissue paper to a plant I had and sat one of the kids stuffed bunny by it.

I created a spash of Easter on the counter top in the kitchen. With a jar filled with some toy carrots, a jar with colorfil candy and a cookie cutter. Kinda cute, dont you think
I just had to carry my Easter them to the walls. I gues some ribbon to plastic eggs and hung them from a mirror. I put some pink flowers in to frames to complete the color.
When making the flowers I put some into some other frames for anouther wall.



Under the clock I added a wire with more eggs from ribbon.
I hope you have become inspired to make your home look like spring. It doesn't have to take money, it takes imagination. Happy Easter everyone.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

A Christmas Tale for Moms


‘Twas The Night Before Christmas…Mom Style

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the abode
Only one creature was stirring & she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
while visions of X-Box & Barbie flipped through their heads.
Yes, and dad was snoring in front of the TV,
with a half constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
which made her sigh, “Now what is the matter?”
With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, and saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes & soot, which fell with a shrug,
“Oh great,” muttered the mom, “Now I have to clean the rug.”
“Ho Ho Ho!” cried Santa, I’m glad you’re awake.”
“Your gift was especially difficult to make.”
“Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone.”
“Exactly!” he chuckled, “So, I’ve made you a clone.”
“A clone?” she muttered, “What good is that?”
“Run along, Santa, I’ve no time for chit chat.”
Then out walked the clone – The mother’s twin,
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.
“She’ll cook, she’ll dust, and she’ll mop every mess.
You’ll relax, take it easy, watch TV and rest.
“Fantastic!” the mom cheered. “My dream has come true!”
“I’ll shop, I’ll read, I’ll sleep a night through!
“From the room above, the youngest did fret.
“Mommy?! Come quickly, I’m scared and I’m wet.
“The clone replied, “I’m coming, sweetheart.”
“Hey,” the mom smiled, “She sure knows her part.
“The clone changed the child and hummed her a tune,
as she bundled the small one in a blanket cocoon.
“You’re the best mommy ever. I really love you.
“The clone smiled and sighed, “And I love you too.
“The mom frowned and said, “Sorry, Santa, no deal.
That’s my child’s LOVE she is going to steal.
“Smiling wisely, Santa said: “To me it is clear,
Only one loving mother is needed here.
“The mom kissed her child and tucked her in bed.
“Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head.
Sometimes I forget, it won’t be very long,
before they’ll be too old for my cradle and song.
“The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, “It works every time.
“With the clone by his side, Santa said: “Goodnight.
Merry Christmas, dear Mom, you’ll be all right.”
As a mom it’s easy to get discouraged and there are days that you want to sit down and throw a temper tantrum. On the days when you wished for a clone, take some time for yourself and remember the joys of being a mom. Please have a happy holiday with friends and family. I wish for you all of the joy and peace of the season. Merry Christmas Moms from mom-stuff.com

Monday, November 22, 2010

Stylish Blogger Award

I was just awarded the Stylish Blogger Award from Carla.

www.jollyjansen.blogspot.com
http://HoustonParentsMagazine.com
Thanks for the appreciation.

  I've been awarded the Stylish Blogger Award by the great blog Jansen Family Adventures. Carla is a writer and her blog is well written with great content.

Carla has been posting the things she is grateful for on her blog in celebration of Thanksgiving. Make sure you visit her blog for some great impiration at http://www.jollyjansen.blogspot.com/

Many thanks!!  I am very happy to accept it and share some blogs I've recently discovered!


Rules for accepting this award are: 

1. Thank & link back to the person who awarded you this.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pay it forward to 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their Blog Award!

Here are the 7 Facts About Myself:
1. I am a transplant patient. I am on my second kidney.
2. I love to make crafts.
3. I love to decorate my home.
4. I love to decorate for every holiday.
5.I am a military wife. 
6. I am a Harry Potter fan
7. I am married to a gamer. 


Well, I hope you feel like you know me better!  Here are 15 blogs  that I've recently discovered and totally love.  I think you will enjoy them too.

Ashley

Check out these blogs:


1. The Wright Hair 
2. Random Things Kids Say


Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Glitter Pumpkins



                                                  
 Materials:
Plastic pumpkins
Glitter
Paint

Instructions:

This was a really easy project.  I picked a color for each pumpkin. I did a brown pumpkin with gold glitter. I painted the pumpkin and then before it dried I sprinkled the gold glitter on to the pumpkin then let it dry
I did this with the rest of my pumpkins I did a green one and a black one and then a pearl. This is easy and you can put whatever colors you would like 

Monday, November 15, 2010

Indian Corn

                                                  
 Materials:
Twinkie
2 bags of candy corn
One with brown bottoms
One with orange bottoms 
Butter knife
Lemon frosting
Plate

Instructions
This is a fun craft that you get to eat and really easy for the kids to do the first thing that you need to so is unwrap your Twinkie and place on the plate then with the butter knife frost your Twinkie all over then take the candy corn and place in the frosting with the small side down to make it look like Indian corn then in joy 

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Turkey Door Hanger



  












Materials:
9 sheets of 12x12 scrapbook paper, in colors for the tail feathers
1 sheet of 12x12 scrapbook paper tan or light brown for the body.
Scraps of red, brown, white and yellow paper
Ribbon, 24 inches
Hot Glue gun, glue sticks and paper glue
Stapler
Oval Google Eyes
Instructions:
Print off the pattern. Pattern will be posted at mom-stuff.com. Cut out the pieces and glue the turkey together using paper glue. Glue on the eyes with the hot glue. Set aside while you make the feathers.
Take one of the 12x12 sheets and roll it into a cone shape using one corner as the point. After you have the cone shape, staple the end to hold the shape. Repeat for the rest of the feathers. Pick your color pattern for the feathers. Starting with the center one,  glue it to the back of the turkey (using your hot glue). Next glue the next feathers on each side of the center one. Glue to turkey but also along the length of the feathers. Continue with the nest two feathers lower the points to match the shape of the body. Make sure each feather is right next to the previous one.
Tie the ends together and glue across the back of the center feather at 4 inches from the tip with the knot in the middle. Glue the ribbon along both sides of the center feather up the back until you are at least 2/3 up the feather to support the door hanger. Pattern is posted at www.mom-stuff.com

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Monday, November 1, 2010

Pinecone Hand Turkey




   

Materials:
Pinecone Two
Googly Eyes (10 mm)
Low temp glue gun or tacky glue
Red pipe cleaner
Orange pipe cleaner
Wire cutters
Craft foam
Scissor

Instructions:
Trace the kid's hands on the craft foam for feathers then cut them out Cut the orange pipe cleaner into two (three inch) pieces. Fold the first orange pipe cleaner into half; twist about 1/4 inches from end and open Up ends to make the feet. Repeat for second orange pipe cleaner Stick the orange feet in the turkey a little less than halfway from the largest end. Glue In place Glue turkey body (pinecone) with feet down Glue kids hands in the pinecone closest to the largest end to look like feathers Glue wiggles eyes on the head Cut a tiny piece of red pipe cleaner to use as the waddle and glue below the eyes.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

If You Are NOT Ready For Halloween

NEW HALLOWEEN IDEAS

Come visit and get our ideas to  make this the best Halloween yet. We have some new pages this week and more coming. Thanks to everyone who shared their great ideas.
NEW Fun Halloween Recipes-kids crafts with food
Halloween Trick or Treat Bag re purpose T shirt
Plan your Halloween party complete skeleton theme

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

More Classmate Treats

Poodle and Dog suckers

Poodle, for the girl classmates
   Poodle, for the girl classmates
Dog, for the boy classmates
   Dog, for the boy classmates

Materials:
Colored index paper in three colors. (white, pink, and black)
Tootieroll Pops
Google eyes
Glue stick
Scott tape

Instructions
This year we used the Cricket Create a Critter and the help of a three year old. She wanted to give these out at her pre school. 
Using the Cricket Create a Critter:
Cut the Poodle shapes in size 4
Cut the Dog in size 3.5
Glue all of the pieces together to make the body.
Tape the sucker to the back. Placing the sucker under the head.
Glue the eyes in place.

   

Classmate Treats

Birthday Butterflies
The Cricut Create a Critter Cartridge  is used to make these class room treats ro give out to friends on her birthday.

   
Materials:
Colored index paper in two colors.
Black index paper
Tootieroll Pops
Google eyes
Glue stick
Scott tape

Instructions:
This year we used the Cricket Create a Critter. If you do not have a Cricket machine make a butterfly pattern be folding a pieces of type paper in half and cut out the shape of wings. Two make the top piece cut out the same shape ½ inch smaller. Make the body Pattern the same way.
Using the Cricket Create a Critter:
Cut the Butterflies in size 4 ½
Cut the body in size 5
Glue the butterfly wings together and onto the body.
You can let your child add any designs or embellishments.
After the butterflies are assembled tape the sucker to the back. Placing the sucker under the head. We let the birthday girl tape on the stickers.
Glue the eyes in place. 

   




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Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Pumpkin Craft for Small Children

Do you have kids who want to carve pumpkins but are to small to handle a knife? This is the perfect solution.
To get your instructions and material list click here.  

Spider Sucker

These are perfect for classroom treats.
These are easier to make than they look. Get materials and instructions here.

Small Spooky Spiders


These are so cute and fun to make. Put them all over your house. For materials and instructions click here

Large Spooking Spiders

Instructions: Great for Halloween center piece or decoration.


Fun Halloween Food Crafts for Kids

This year one of our moms at mom-stuff came up with some great Halloween kids crafts using food. Come and check them out. Click here to see all of easy and fun food crafts.

Pumpkin Pictures Easy Enough for Kids

Last weekend my three year old grandaughter wanted to make a Halloween craft.

   



Here is what I came up with. I made some pumpkin patterns.   She was able to cut them out  with a little bit of help and glue them on to black paper.
Materials:
Pattern
Orange, green, brown and black craft paper
Glue and scissors
Instructions:
Cut the pumpkin out on orange paper. Cut the stem out of brown. Cut the leaf out of green. Glue on to black paper. You can add writing with stickers. You can also add a face using our face patterns form our Pumpkin Craft for Small Children.

How to Scrapbook for Beginners

Scrapbooking has been around for decades. I remember my grandmother had a picture history book that was 4 or 5 inches thick.  People from all walks of life have discovered the joys of creating albums to showcase their treasured photos and keepsakes. But with all the elaborate scrapbooking techniques and myriad embellishments available, getting started can be intimidating.
The truth is, anyone that can use scissors and glue can scrapbook. And you don't have to spend ridiculous amounts of money to create attractive pages. With some basic supplies and a little imagination, you can create lovely scrapbooks that will be adored for years to come. I made my first granddaughter a scrapbook of the first year of her life. She looks through almost every time she comes to my house.
I suggest you start with just the basics to see if you enjoy scrapbooking. If you don't have the time, money or know-how to create elaborate scrapbooks, just start off simple, and learn new techniques as you go.
If you have ever wanted to try your hand at scrapbooking now is your time. There is no wrong way to do it. Just follow these steps and have fun. Click here to let the creation begin!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Ghost Lantern



   

Materials:
Clean plastic gallon milk jugs
Black permanent marker
Craft knife
String of 50 clear low-wattage holiday lights
Instructions:
Draw ghost eyes and mouths on the jugs (Tip: Leave the caps on while you do this so the jugs don't dent) Use the craft knife to cut a half-dollar-size hole in the back of each jug Arrange the ghosts near each other and string the lights between them (stuff several bulbs into each jug) **Craft came from www.familyfun.com 2008** 
Project made for mom-stuff.com. Visit for more great Halloween Ideas