sun catcher!!

I made this cute sun catcher out of melting beads in a cup cake pan and hooking them together with jewelry wire!! So simple aand now I know what to do with all of those cheap plastic beads I have laying around!!

preschool

So, I am trying to get my son into preschool.  I never did with my older two, but everyone is pressuring the preschool thing!  OK, he will enjoy it and it can't hurt.  I was researching the head start program AND MAN! we will see if you qualify IF you can turn in everything AND the kitchen sink.
I want to hear your preschool knowledge.  GOOD OR BAD?  NECESSARY OR NOT?

finishing it up

Almost forgot!
Because I love MOD PODGE and sparkle

I mixed glitter and modge podge together and just dabbed it all over!! 
can't forget the sparkle!!


hope you liked it!
Hope you make it!
It seems like a lot, but it is really simple! AND  beautiful! AND frugal!
happy crafting!

paper roses

OK this was quick SO hope I captured more of this than the "ball"

Supplies:( I am taking from my previous list)
construction paper
pencil (or something in the shape of)
scissors
in addition You may also want to use a dab of hot glue (which I forgot to mention previously)

Start with a circle

start cutting curving your scissors, or if you have them, you can use the scissors with a curved edge.

you will eventually end up with this

Start rolling the same end u begn cutting first around your pencil (or whatever u use)

try and keep it rolled in one spot

I took a picture and unrolled a little

hot glue the very end flap to the rolled up part

careful not toglue the pencil

pull it off the pencil carefully

you have your rose!

hot glue them to the base wherever you want to have them

YESTURDAY TURNED INTO TODAY

I apologize for not posting the tutorial I said I would.  Alas, My mommy tasks kept me busy yesterday.
Anyway, I made this centerpiece for a friends wedding because she had a smaller budget.  Mine too is the same, so I was trying to come up with a beautiful, unique piece, that was low budget (or what I had in the house), yet elegant.  This is what I came up with:

This is technically my first step by step so hopefully it is easy to understand.

What you will need:

paper mache' or glue (if it dries clear)

crochet string

balloon

scissors

construction paper

pencil (or something shaped like one)

mod podge and glitter

Paper mache' recipe:

1 part flour

5 parts water

1T salt(to keep from molding)

Heat until first boil and cool before using!

Step 1: Prepare your items

blow up the balloon as big as u want your globe to be

I cut pieces of string (it was easier to work with) about 1 to 2 feet long

put paper mache' or glue in a bowl to make it easier to dip

Step two: Wrap the string around the balloon

Take the string and submerge it in the paper mache' or glue

squeeze the string with ur finger and thumb and run it down the string to remove any excess

start wrapping the balloon with the coated string  to form the design that u want

hide the end of strings under other parts so it looks like one big string

keep at the bottom of the balloon form a circle around the part that u blew up (it will form a hole of sorts to later put a fake tea lite

Step three:

Let dry for a full day or over night

Step four:

Once it is dry push slightly on the balloon through the cracks to loosen it from the balloon

then pop the balloon.

My first one wasn't very full and adding string later is not possible I tried

not the best

much better

sit it down on a flat surface to kinda flatten the bottom

now bare with me for a minute so I can take pictures of the roses I made or how to make them rather..I learn better by image

But this is the base...any color or shape or addition is up to you obviously :)

And to all a good night

I love my kids.  I am very lucky to enjoy every moment of their lives.  HOWEVER a full day of whining and tattling has made me slightly crazy.  So, I sit at mid night watching the whole house sleep and enjoying the beauty of a sleeping child.  There's nothing wrong with sitting back and relaxing and enjoying a job well done!

In the mean time, excuse any bad grammar and typos!! I am tired

previw pic

Preview for tomorrow!

My finished centerpiece and how to!

Plan a party on a budget

there is Birthday in every month from May to October in our family.  It leave me think up cheap and unique ideas for birthday celebrations..Here's my latest idea:
IMAGINATION!
OK, I know that's broad, but what is a child without an imagination. 

Idea #1 Pirates!
turn a large cardboard box into a pirate ship and let the kids create telescopes from toilet paper rolls, paper eye patches, swords, and newspaper pirate hats!
since I am a pinterest addict I of course Found this link for I cardboard  pirate ship there!
http://pinterest.com/pin/36591815692498548/
 as well as :
how to make eye patches
http://pinterest.com/pin/36591815692543414/
And not to mention
newspaper pirate hats
http://pinterest.com/pin/287597126173640213/
last, but not least
swords!!
http://pinterest.com/pin/64950419596145141/

Ironically, I was unable to find a simple telescope..so looks like i may have to add my own.
put it on my list...unfortunately, the list is quite long and unorganized! 

Money saving tip 1 - LEARN TO BAKE

oK, I can honestly say that I would NEVER have baked anything before that didn't already come in a tube.  My mother laughs sometimes when I tell her I am baking.  However, my definite need to be "cheap" won me over.  I mean, baking supplies aren't super cheap, but the amount of products that can be made compared to buying prepackaged cookies is astounding.  For instance, a bag of flour contains 73 1/4 cup servings.  This amount in a recipe is equal to about 1 dozen cookies.  So, you will have enough flour in one bag to make 73 dozen cookies!!  A bag of flour is roughly $3 and a package of cookies off the shelf is around $4; not to mention you only get about 2 dozen. 

Hopefully I explained my thinking well here!

Other benefits can come from this trick as well. 

• keeps you busy
• can include the kids
• you know exactly what u are putting into your and your children's bodies
• and if you have to make sweets..you eat less of them!!