I Spy Bottles

Sure, the weather is beautiful outside. Sure, there are tons & tons of things to do & places to go. But sometimes, I must confess, when the heat is blazing, I'd rather just crank up the AC & stay home. Unfortunately, it doesn't stay quiet long at our house, pretty soon the "natives" get restless. So, we always have a bin on hand, filled with lots of goodies for arts & crafts. One of favorite creations were these "I Spy Bottles." They loved each & every step of the process... picking out the little "doo-dads" to fill their bottles with, as well as the actual "I Spy Bottle" creation. This project was a great way to recycle lots of teeny-tiny odds & ends I had lying around the house, & it involved no sewing, which makes it the perfect project for everyone. (Although, if you don't mind the sewing, there is a tutorial for an "I Spy Bag" HERE.) Anyway, want to make your own "I Spy Bottle?" (They are perfect for car trips, I might add.) Find step-by-step instructions HERE.

xoxo, K

Happy Fourth!

Have a wonderful Fourth and you can find details on
how to make this banner at Full House.

If you still need ideas of where to watch fireworks on the Fourth click HERE
or what to make for the Fourth click HERE.

xoxo, K & C

Bakerella's Patriotic Pops

I think THESE cupcake pops are going to go to the tippity-top of my to-do list. Watching the fireworks will be an entirely new, entirely delicious experience as I nibble on one of these tasty creations. Thanks Bakerella!

xoxo, K
image via Bakerella

Handprint Flag

This hand print flag spotted on Serendipity makes a cute and memorable decoration.
Martha and the Crafty Crow have many more craft ideas to spruce up your fourth.

xoxo, C

Patchwork

PATCHWORK 4 is coming to town!!!
Mark your calendars for a day of goods from local emerging artists and designers, amazing local food, drinks and music and diy craft booths for the whole family...
MAY 17TH 11-5
2202 NORTH MAIN STREET
SANTA ANA, CA 92706
ROAD LESS TRAVELED, HARVEY'S AND THE CRAFT KITCHEN PARKING LOTS

free!!!

park in the lot on main & buffalo across from the entrance to the 5 south

Homemade Mother's Day

Looking for some last minute homemade gift ideas for Mother's Day? Check out this list of crafts & projects to keep you and the kiddos busy...

Etch a Glass Vase for Mom
Make a Flowered Clip
Make a Bath Bomb
Rice Krispie Kisses
Use Photos to Make Bottle-Cap Magnets & Thumbtacks
Make a Silhouette Drawing
Framed Hand prints
Mother's Day Journal
Wire Heart Bookmark
Tissue Paper Flower Bouquet
Mod Podged Frame
Kid's Art Necklace

xoxo, K

Easter Crafts

Looking for a few quick & easy crafts for the little ones? Check out some of these projects & recipes...

Jelly Bean Carrots
Candy Bunny Racers
Easter Bunny Cupcakes
Pipe Cleaner Finger Puppets
Cadbury Creme Filled Cookies
Easter Egg Stitched Greeting Card
Spring Chick Cupcakes
Melted Crayon Eggs
Window Silhouettes
Fingerprint Bunny's

xoxo, K
image via Skip to my Lou

Bcreative

Are you the creative & crafty type? Or, perhaps you just want to be, but don't know where to start? Either way, you will be thanking us for introducing you to Ana Brandt & Bcreative. Last week we told you about Ana Brandt, & her incredible photography. Besides taking beautiful pictures, Ana's studio in Old Town Tustin offers "creative workshops". Either in their studio, at your home, or on-line, Ana & her team of creative geniuses offer workshops & classes to "inspire your creative soul". Their workshops cover everything & anything... making beautiful bows & headbands, sealing & soldering photos in metal charms for necklaces, bookmarks & ribbon charms, creative photo canvas creations, & glass etching, just to name a few. Check out the ENTIRE list of class offerings HERE.

For more information, or to check class times & offerings go HERE, or call (714)730-5050.

xoxo, K
images via Bcreative.

Mardi Gras

Have some fun with the kids and make masks for Mardi Gras, thanks to Skip to my Lou. Or you can also learn to cook up a Mardi Gras feast at the Sur La Table in Corona Del Mar.

A Handmade Valentine's

With Valentine's Day just a little over a week away, we thought we'd compile a list of some of our favorite crafts & treats to make...

Hand-stitched Heart Card
Rice Krispie Kisses
Candy Cane Hearts
Candy iPod
Red Velvet Cake
Crayon Hearts
Felt Fortune Cookies
Woven Heart Basket
52 Reasons I Love You Book
Red Velvet Bonbons
Heart Shaped Soaps

xoxo, K

Countdown to Christmas

The best countdown of all, has to be the Christmas Countdown. Last year I picked up THIS cute hat & mitten advent calendar... although there are several darling ones to choose from. THIS one is simple & basic, but will definitely get the job done. Pottery Barn Kids had a cute felt Christmas Tree calendar in the store, similar to THIS one, but THIS three dimensional house is cute too.

But you don't have to purchase your advent calendar. There are so many cute ideas out there, I'm honestly considering having two or three countdowns going on, I know... I sound crazy. But seriously, I love THIS cookie sheet advent calender, or HERE's another version. THIS advent in a box is a fun idea, & HERE's a DIY version of the mitten calendar. Or there's always THIS cute matchbox calender.

Looking for something a little different then your basic candy countdown? Try reading a different christmas book each night, or even watching 24 Christmas themed movies. Or, check out THIS idea for an "activity based" Christmas countdown. However you count down, it's sure to be fun.

xoxo, K
image via garnet hill

Oreo Cookie Turkeys

These yummy turkeys make a quick and easy Thanksgiving-inspired project for your little ones. Crafting with Oreo cookies, malted milk balls & candy corn? What could be better? As one of the comments said, "Even failure would result in eating a few Oreos. You can't beat that!" Find instructions HERE.

xoxo, K

Thanksgiving Countdown

I love counting down to anything. It just adds a bit of fun & anticipation to any & every event. & just because today is November 3rd, doesn't mean it's too late to start counting down to turkey day. I'm loving THIS calender made for Pottery Barn Kids. I saw it in the store last week, & it really is darling. (I also love that it comes with I am Thankful cards that promote the act of gratitude.)

But if you're feeling a bit crafty, you could easily make your own Thanksgiving countdown...


Over at Make & Takes, Marie put together THIS great "Counting Down to Turkey Time How-To". It's quick & easy and perfect to do with the kiddos. You can remove a feather or day, or better yet, write down one thing your grateful for each day. Either way, it definitely makes counting down to Thanksgiving a little bit more fun & exciting!

xoxo, K

Make your own Glow Lanterns.

How cool is this? These jars glow just like glow sticks. If we have a little extra time on our hands today I'm definitely going to try & "throw this together". All that is required is a lidded jar, a box of matches, some hydrogen peroxide & a little household bleach. I'm almost positive i have that all sitting around someplace. Already I'm imagining a walkway lined with lots of little glowing jars...

Glow Lantern How To! - The funniest bloopers are right here

xoxo, K

Kreepy Kreatures

Papersource has the template to make these adorable Kreepy favor boxes here. Such a simple craft to do with the kids and I am thinking that you could also use the same template to make paper bag Halloween puppets.


xoxo, C

Happy Columbus Day.

Looking for some ideas to keep your little ones busy this holiday? Check out some of these ideas. I know my boys & I will be busy making & racing paper boats, while wearing our newspaper sailor hats.

Paper Birch Bark Canoe
Easy Spyglass Telescope
Columbus Day Coloring Page
Eat Watermelon Boats
Milk Carton Spanish Galleon
Columbus Day Activity Book
Egg Cup Ships
Race Cucumber Boats

Have fun!

xoxo, K
image via flickr.

A Homemade Beach Ball

These fabric beach balls seem so magical and fun. The Purl Bee has this tutorial to make them. I think one of these beach balls would make a great gift to keep the spirit of summer alive throughout the year.


xoxo, C

Feeling lucky?

Lucky Kid is having a contest & you're invited... or rather your kid is, providing they are between the ages of 5-12. All they have to do is draw a picture of why they feel lucky. 12 lucky winners will receive a $50 Lucky gift card, & each winner's drawing will be printed & sold as greeting cards in Lucky Kid stores. For official rules & entry application go HERE. Entries must be received by August 7, 2008.

xoxo, K

Sandy Hand Mosaic

My boys love trolling the shores looking for sea shells, rocks & bits of sea glass. On our next beach day, I'll definitely be bringing some plaster of paris along so we can "preserve their sandy treasues in (this) handy display". Find step-by-step instructions on how to make your own sandy hand mosaics HERE.

xoxo, K

image via family fun.

Beach Towel Tote how-to.

This tote is a handy beach or pool accessory.... it's a beach towel & bag all in one. Martha Stewart has instructions for making your own HERE.

xoxo, K

image via martha stewart.