Elizabeth's Fairy Wings

What little girl doesn't need their own set of fairy wings? Elizabeth sent me this great craft idea that anyone can make.


I first made these wings when my daughter was about 2 years old. She still wears them!

First, here are the basic things you will need:

Cardboard – I used a plain moving box this time, but I originally used a diaper box. Even poster board would work for this (and be a lot easier to cut!)

Paint
Ribbon
Pen or marker
Glue
Scissors

The first step is to draw half of the wings on to the cardboard.

You’ll see in the picture that there is a ‘wing’ and a square piece. You’ll understand the square part later. I lined up the drawing so it went over a fold in the cardboard – this allows the wing to flap!

Now cut it out and trace another one. This is where thin cardboard is better. Corrugated cardboard is horrible to cut but it can be done!

Once you have the pieces – the painting can begin.

Depending on how thick the paint is, the wings may have to dry overnight before you can assemble them. My little one always puts it on thick!

Once the paint is dry, put glue on one of the square parts and glue the two pieces together. Allow the glue to dry a little before moving on.

Now cut some ribbon long enough to go around your little one’s shoulders like a back pack; tie the ribbon into loops and you are done!

If you are wondering about the other side of the wings, this is what my little one wanted to do the next day: She got out her markers and coloured it to look like a butterfly.

If you have a big enough piece of cardboard you can draw the whole wings and skip gluing them together. I never seem to have a big enough piece though!

Welcome...Carrie's Sweet Life

Today we have a great guest post from Carrie's Sweet Life. She creates "art" with let little one but it's not the kind you can hang on your fridge...it's the kind you EAT!  I dare you to check out her blog and not drool.  I mean really, how does she make everything look so good?  I kinda wish she was my neighbor so I could do some random acts of kindness for her in hopes of seeing those muffins on my porch in return. I hope you take some inspiration from Carrie and bake with your kiddos!

"Hello this is Carrie from Carrie’s Sweet Life.  My favorite hobby is cooking and baking, our daughter Maddy who is 16 months is now old enough to help out in the kitchen, when I saw that Ames was looking for guest bloggers I thought it would be fun and then decided with a little help to do a little baking with our daughter.

This recipe is so versatile that a younger ones can help but also the older they get the more they will be able

Maddy adding the egg. With the older kids I would use a bowl and spoon and let them mix it themselves.

I helped Maddy measure and add the flour.

At Maddy's age she LOVES watching the mixer go around.

It was then time to glaze the muffins, I helped her but when they were older they could do it without as much assistant.

And of course after glazing you have to taste test.

Take some time and get into the kitchen with your child I promise they will have a blast and the end result will be some delicious food. For the recipe for these delicious muffins check out my blog."

I promise I will be back!

Tomorrow morning we (meaning my hubby and his brothers) are loading up the moving truck and heading to a new house!  I am so excited to move but I am NOT excited that we will not have Internet for a week or so.  How will I find the phone number to the pizza place or get directions to the park I have been to 5 times (but can never seem to find)?  OK I am sure I will survive but I don't have to pretend to like it! 

Anyway, I hope you all forgive me for my absence.  I do have a few guest posters ready to go so keep visiting! Once Internet is restored we will be making more Easter crafts, homemade sidewalk chalk, Jell-o playdough, and lots more!!!

Happy Crafting!
Ames

Spring Trees

It you are ready to see green leaves on trees, raise your hand.  We had a week long tease of Spring weather here in The Mitten.  Now we have dipped back down to brrrrr temperatures...boo!  That doesn't mean we can't make a Spring tree to remind Mother Nature what trees should look like in late March. 

Here's what you need:

Put some green paint on a paper plate and mix with a few drops of dishsoap.



Cut out a "trunk" from brown paper and glue it to the paper.  Place the paper in front of the child with the "top" of the tree closest to them.  Dip hands in paint, and let them go crazy!

Ta Da!!!

Idea: Fold the paper to make a card.  Make a mini tree on the front and write "Happy Spring."  Have your child "sign" the inside and send to someone special for your To You Tuesday.

Happy Crafting!
Ames

Easter Egg Magnet

I've said it before and I will say it again...I LOVE magnets.  We made a bunch of these Easter egg magnets to give as gifts this Easter to each of Finley's grandmas.  Last Mother's Day I bought this kit on clearance to make handprint plaques for the previously mentioned grandmas. 

The marble things were not included in the kit

 The kit included ten individual packs of the clay stuff.  Needless to say we had several extra packs...this is what we used them for. I bought this egg candy mold at Hobby Lobby for like a buck (gotta love 40% off)!  Side note: The young male cashier was ringing up my purchase and said "ma'am, you don't want to buy this package, it's empty." I tried my hardest not to laugh and explained that it's a candy mold and was supposed to be "empty."  And why did he have to call me ma'am?  Do I really look that old?

Put a little oil on a paper towel and wipe the inside of the mold.

Roll the clay into a ball and press into the mold. If you don't have this stuff, you can use Plaster of Paris (but you would pour the mixture in, not roll it in a ball).

Once they are dry, glue a magnet to the back (I started with the glue in the picture but I ended up using hot glue).



 Some we painted with water colors.

 Some we painted in ziploc baggies. 

And yes even 3 month old Sidney can do this!

One of our magnets.  I already put him to work holding up our project from last week's playgroup.

Sidney's creations

Happy Crafting!

Ames

To You Tuesdays

Yes, I know it's Wednesday and I should have posted this yesterday.  Oh well...

Sometimes just a few words can change your life.  I have been following this blog (Warning: Sad) since I stumbled across it when they lost their beautiful baby girl, Maddie.  It reminds me to appreciate every single day with my girl.  Yesterday Kellie said something so simple but it touched me deeply.  "Tell your family, and friends you love them often, and enjoy life." 

Starting next week Finley and I are going to make a special project every Tuesday and send it to someone we love.  We always send special painted cards for holidays but telling special people in our lives that we love them out of the blue will be so much more meaningful.  With nothing but devastation on the news and nothing but bills in the mailbox, I think everyone will enjoy a happy finger painted surprise.

I hope you join us in spreading the love! 

Ames

Peeps Magnet

I love me some Peeps!  The crunchy sugar coating followed by gooey marshmallow goodness...what's not to love?  Have you ever put a Peep (or is it a Peeps?) in the microwave...they get huge!  Not only are they delicious...they are entertaining too! The first time I see Peeps peeking at me through the cellophane wrapper on a "seasonal shelf" at Target...I know Spring is here. How can we honor the beloved Peeps?  A magnet of course!

I mentioned yesterday that I made waaay too much shaving cream/glue mixture.  So we ended up with this afternoon craft too! (Since I didn't know if it would even work...I didn't take pics...sorry.)

Cut a Peep shape out of cardboard or thick card stock. Paint with the goo.  Sprinkle with sugar.  Add an eye (I cut it out from a brownish colored coupon that was sitting on the counter). When it's dry glue a magnet to the back.

The same suggesting apply as yesterday...it's made with food coloring and will stain...use a paint shirt. Shaving cream is NOT "non-toxic" so use caution!

Happy Crafting!
Ames