Apple Process Art

 This easy process art project is perfect for little ones this fall. It requires only a few supplies, only 1 minute of set up, and it creates a gorgeous work of art that kids will be so proud to display!

Harper and I love to craft and create together. We love nothing more than a trip to Hobby Lobby, or a few bottles of paint and blank paper. We have been making art with a bunch of things, without brushes! This cork stamped apple art is our latest creation. 

We used a cork from a wine bottle, some acrylic paint and copy paper to make this. Really, that is all you need!

Supplies:

Paint in green, brown and red.

A cork

Paper

A paper plate

Directions:

Pour a small amount of each color of paint onto a paper plate.

Offer your child a cork and encourage the child to begin stamping the outline of an apple in red.

Encourage your child to stamp in the center of the apple until it is covered.

Ask the artist to roll the side of the cork into the brown paint, and then roll the cork onto the top of the apple to form a stem.

Next ask the artist to dip the cork into the green paint.

Ask the artist to give the apple a leaf.

Allow the painting to dry and then display.

This is so cute right? It begs to be displayed on the fridge!

Grandparents would also love to have an original from their favorite artist!

You can find all of my favorite kid crafts here.

Leaf Fox Craft

Paper Pizzas

4 Simple and Personalized Craft Ideas to Spruce Up your Home!

 There are bad days, and there are CRAFT days. For all craft and DIY lovers out there, the very act of crafting is a source of happiness and fulfilment. With COVID-19 shutting all outdoorsy plans, most people are turning towards sprucing up their homes. Simple crafts and personalized DIYs have become a rage in the last year.

When in Doubt, PERSONALIZE!

If you are one of those people who love to add a touch of 'me' to everything, using photos or memoirs to craft is an excellent choice. Be it a t-shirt or a photo frame; there is really no limit to what you can do with personalized crafts!

The simple act of sublimating or printing a photo or graphic on a mug can transform a very common dollar shop gift to make it super classy! If you aren’t too sure about DIY, you should check out Famiprints to pick out from a wide range of unique and pretty personalized gifts. It takes a lot of thought into picking out the perfect home décor gift, and here are four ideas to get you started.

1. Personalized Candles for Ceremonies

With the ongoing of the Fall, people are gearing up for the festive season. It is the season of the spiced pumpkin latte, and everything is warm and nice. What represents cozy more than a pair of personalized ceremonial candles? Simply imprint your favorite photo or even a doodle onto the candle using, and you are good to go!

2. Personalized Puzzle Coasters

You cannot have enough coasters! With seasonal décor changing, you need a nice set of coasters to match the theme. What better Thanksgiving or Christmas gift than a set of photo-personalized puzzle pieces for a coaster? Well, all you need is a few blank puzzles, your favorite photo(s), and hot glue, and you are all set to rock your festive décor.

3. Personalized Cutting or Carving Boards

What's an American holiday without good food? If you are a cook or want to give someone who loves cooking, making a DIY cutting board with their name or picture imprinted on it is a great gift that they will cherish for life! Choose a simple design or photo and ensure you use food-grade colors for printing.

4. Personalized Pendants and Charms

If you want to explore outside home décor, charms or pendants are a great fit for photo customization. Grab your favorite image and a jewelry casing and give wings to your imaginations. Since everybody loves charms, you can also give personalized charms to your loved ones. Use their favorite food, place, or something from pop culture to convert it into beautiful charms or pendants.

Summing Up

Personalized crafts are not just easy on the pocket but also have the power to transform a dull corner of your room into the perfect 'me' corner. So, whether you want to decorate your home or gift personalized memorabilia to a loved one, here’s hoping these four easy yet striking crafting ideas inspire you for your next project. Happy crafting!

12+ Fall Mason Jar Crafts

Mason Jars are fantastic for storage, but did you know they are also a favorite supply for crafters? 

This collection of 12+ Fall Mason Jar Crafts has fabulous ideas. I have a feeling you are going to love these ideas for how to use mason jars in your fall crafting sessions.

From lovely luminaries to mason jars that look like Indian corn, this collection has ideas for everyone. I can't wait to hear which is your favorite. 

Fall Leaf Mason Jar Luminaries by Create Craft Love
Fall Pine Cone Mason Jars by Pillar Box Blue
Fall Mason Jars by Crafts by Amanda
Hanging Fall Mason Jars by Live Laugh Rowe
Fall Leaf Mason Jar Candle Holders by Creative Homemaking
Fall Mason Jar Centerpiece by DIY Beautify
Plaid Painted Mason Jars by Daily DIY Life
Mason Jar Centerpiece with Burlap Rosettes by Oh My Creative
Fall Themed Mason Jars by My Turn For Us
Glittery Pumpkin Mason Jars by The Best Ideas for Kids
Scarecrow Mason Jars by Easy Peasy Fun
Fall Harvest Corn Mason Jar by Thrifty Jinxy

You can find more mason jar ideas here.

Some of our favorite fall crafts include:

Apple Tree Window Clings

Easy Ombre Pumpkins

Apple Desserts to Fall For

Pine Cone Rescue Fine Motor Activity

This easy fine motor activity is perfect for keeping little hands busy without requiring any special materials! This Pine Cone Rescue is great for quarantine, or anytime you need to challenge little learners with simple supplies.

This is a super easy to set up activity, but let me be honest, this is HARD! It will challenge the kids and their fingers!  Last week my kids were restless and they were looking to argue with each other and I whisked them outside for a walk, hoping to get the ants out of their pants. 

It didn't work; they had a fight or three in the middle of the street. As the 6 year old picked up a pine cone to throw it at her older brother, inspiration hit me. Busy work was exactly what they needed!

Supplies:

Affiliate links are used, if you buy, I earn a small advertising fee.

Rainbow Loom Bands

Pine Cones

Directions:

Place the small rubber bands around the pine cones.

Add more bands for older kids, and fewer for younger kids.

Encourage your kids to rescue the pine cone.

Be sure to dispose of the bands properly after removal because they can pose a hazard to small kids and pets.

Removing the bands is challenging! So, this is a great activity for kids of all ages. 

You can find more boredom busters for kids here
Mermaid Tail
Leaf Foxes
Easy iPad Stands

Queen of Hearts Bookmark

These easy no sew queen of hearts bookmarks are perfect for making and sharing! Give a few as a gift, or keep a few near your bookcase.

Summer is here and I am loving the lazy mornings by the pool. As soon as the kids get up they are want to jump in and spend the day there. We often joke they are going to grow fins if they don't come out and dry off for a little while. I don't mind sitting pool side, observing the kids and reading a book.  So, in the warm months, book marks are essential to my life.

I wanted to make something a little bit fancier than a paper bookmark so I checked out my craft supplies and decided to make a few of these. They were so easy and required no sewing, but are substantial enough to not fly away on a windy day.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I will earn an advertisers fee.

Supplies:

Wide Ribbon

Hot Glue Gun

Jump ring and clasp

Charm

Directions:

Cut a section of ribbon that is twice as long as the average book.

Fold the ribbon in half and liberally add hot glue.

Fold the ribbon over on to the hot glue and press.
At the end of the ribbon, insert a necklace clasp so that it just  barely hangs out of the ribbon.

Secure with hot glue.

Attach a jump ring to the clasp.
Attach the charm to the jump ring.
Secure with hot glue.

These are great for stashing around the house, where ever you like to relax and read.

These no sew bookmarks are also awesome to share. My husband is a school librarian and we love to make bookmarks to share with the kids, so I have a stockpile started for the day our kids can return to school and enjoy a visit to the school library.

You can find more craft ideas here

Reader favorites include:

Mermaid Tails

Paper Pizza Craft for Kids

Reclaimed Farmhouse Joy Sign

This farmhouse joy sign was made entirely from reclaimed materials to add a festive touch to your home.

I have been making a ton of things with pallets. From creepy Halloween signs, wooden black cats and even some fun pallet Christmas trees that I am going to share with you soon. I knew exactly what I wanted to make the last time I tore apart some pallets. Rustic and charming farmhouse holiday signs.

These reclaimed farmhouse joy signs are so easy to make.  They add a festive touch to your space or are perfect for gifting. Plus, they are so budget friendly you can make dozens for a dollar!

This is a really easy project. Gather some supplies, finding inspiration in trash.

Supplies for one sign

One pallet board section

One pop tab

One screw

One penny nail

Glue

One Christmas Bauble

Paint

Paint Brush

Screwdriver

Hammer

I cut one pallet board into 4 smaller boards, just big enough to proclaim my message, Joy.

I pulled tabs off of empty soda cans for my method of hanging.

Line up the soda tab so that it is even with the board. 

Place the screw in the small hole and tighten.

In the center of the other side of the board, place the penny nail. Drive it in half way.

Paint the board in the color of your choice. 

After the board is dry, place a Christmas bauble over the nail. Add a bead of glue to secure and allow to dry.

Use stencils, or with another color of paint, freehand  your letters J and Y. Allow to dry.

Now you can display your Joy sign, or share it with a friend this holiday season.

In the mood for more creative projects?
Check out some of my favorites here:
Ribbon Tree OrnamentsBarbie Serving TrayButton Tree Ornaments

Easy Rudolph Ornaments

These easy Rudolph ornaments are fun to make and share this holiday season. These come together with the most basic supplies and are perfect for making with the kids.

I got everything for this project at Dollar Tree. So, you know it is going to be a cheap and easy project that is perfect for the kids!

Supplies

Gold Pipe Cleaner

Clear Bauble

Red Button

Craft Eyes

Brown Paper Bag

Scissors

Glue

Directions

Attach the gold pipe cleaner o the top of the ornament and form Rudolph's antlers.

Have the kids cut or tear the brown bag into bits.

Fill the ornament with bits of the brown bag

Glue the eyes and button nose on the ornament.  Allow it to dry overnight then hang on your tree or share with someone special.

You can find all of my ornament crafts here

Mickey Mouse Jingle Bell Ornaments 

12 Mermaid Craft Tutorials

If your kids are crazy about mermaids you are going to love these 12 Mermaid Craft Tutorials! From adorable bags to upcycled crayons, this list has so many ideas you will want to make!

Spring is here, so my family is day dreaming of the beach, the pool and all of the fun we will have this summer. My daughter wanted to make our mermaid tail craft again last week and we had so much fun with it! I searched some of my favorite blogs and found 12 more ideas for our crafty fun. I know you will love this collection of crafts too!


Mermaid Shell Necklace by Moms and Crafters

Ombre Mermaid Tail Crayons by The Crafty Guru

Mermaid Bath Bombs by Buggy and Buddy

Easy Mermaid Tail Craft by Stylish Cravings

Clothespin Mermaid Dolls by Create Craft Cook

Mermaid Succulent Garden by Creative Green Living

Mermaid Suncatchers by Sugar, Spice and Glitter

Paper Plate Mermaid Twirlers by Red Ted Art

Beach Towel Mermaid Tails by Somewhat Simple

Mermaid Mailbox Playset by Hello Wonderful

Mermaid Wall Art by Resin Crafts Blog

Mermaid Iron On Tote Bag by Sew What Alicia

You might also want to check out my easy mermaid tail craft for preschoolers.

You can find all of our easy craft ideas here

Super Soft Playdough

This super soft playdough recipe is so easy to make. It requires no cooking and is made with a unique ingredient for squishable soft results.

Rolf and Harp are both crazy for play doh. They go through several cans a week on average. I tried making a scented play dough when they were smaller, but we found that it molded really fast. That was enough to make me not want to make it again for YEARS.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase I earn a small advertising fee at no additional cost to you.

Last week they needed play dough and the idea of going to the store for playdough to keep my sanity, because like I said, they NEEDED it (ie the little one was whining for it. Anyone ever see that old movie the Creepshow? Recall the old man chanting for cake? Harp was kinda like that but she was making a fuss for PLAY-DOH) made me feel a little overwhelmed.

Going to any store with a tired, demanding child sounds like the worst idea ever. So, I decided to just make it again and hope for better results.

I made this playdough with a bottle of cheap hair gel, because doesn't everyone have hair gel as a craft supply? The results are super soft and squishable.

Ingredients

1/2 cup of clear hair gel; the cheap stuff from the dollar store will work just fine!

1/4 cup of water

Neon Food Coloring

1- 1.5 cups of flour 

Directions

Place 1/4 cup of water and 1/2 cup of clear hair gel in medium size bowl.

Add 5 drops of neon food coloring to the liquid mixture.

Stir until well combined.

Add 1 cup of flour to the liquid.

Begin stirring until the contents begin to clump.

At this point, you will decide if you need to add additional flour. If the mixture feels sticky, add an additional 1/4 cup of flour, and continue to stir.

When the flour has been incorporated, test for stickiness. 

Add additional flour if needed

When the playdough is not sticky, it is ready to play with!

Store in an airtight container when not in use.

Find more crafts here:

10 Cute Tulip Projects

Glittery Sunscreen Playdough

 Mermaid Tail Craft

Cupcake Liner Sun Craft

Preschoolers will love this easy sun craft. It is perfect for spring days! All you need is a few supplies and a little imagination.

Harp is my crafty girl.She loves to make makeup, is a renowned perfume mixer, and is always drawing something! We had made these lovely perfumes to share that smelled like spring days so we thought we needed to make a few pictures to go with them. 

Samples were provided for inclusion in this post.

The perfume kit, you will want to check out independently! This is aimed at older kids, but with close supervision and assistance it was something Harper was well suited for. We got the STMT DIY Signature Scent Kit from the Horizon Group and LOVED it!

I gathered some easy supplies that you will probably already have at home.

Supplies

Yellow cupcake liners

White cupcake liners

Markers

Glue

Blue Construction Paper

Directions

Glue one yellow cupcake liner on a sheet of blue paper.

Using an orange marker give the yellow cupcake liner rays like the sun.

Using a white cupcake liner, cut out several puffy cloud shapes.

Have your preschooler do all of these steps independently. The cutting is good practice!

 Finally give the sun a happy face to welcome spring!

You can find all of our spring crafts here.
3D Paper TulipsBird Activities