Family Tea Party

Today I have a post up at Blissful Kids on hosting a family tea party. I included links to some yummy recipes, so go check it out and head to the grocery store. Enjoy a fun and delicious tea party with your family this weekend!

Glow-in-the-dark constellation paintings

Today at Blissful Kids, I'm sharing a painting/sewing activity we did this week with our preschool co-op. It's a good one for hanging in your child's bedroom as it appears one way during the day and another way at night. Come and see!

The Scrambled States of America

This is one of our favorite books. So fun and surprisingly educational. I've shared our experience with this book over at Blissful Kids today. Come and see!

Hanging photo display

Every once in a while I have this need to make something specific and this morning was one of those whiles. I constructed this simple photo display using materials I had on hand: computer-printed photos, cardstock (optional), laminating sheet (optional), tin can lids, ribbon, double stick tape, scissors and/or circle cutter. Oh, and a power drill. I cut and laminated photos (backed with yellow cardstock) to fit some lids from the recycling bin. I drilled some holes at the top and bottom of each lid and threaded an 1/8" ribbon through (with the ribbon behind the lid). Lastly, I stuck the photos in and hung it from a little nail.

Related: Some time ago, I shared a little tutorial for making single photo magnets with can lids.

And just FYI, in case it makes any of you feel any better...things do go pretty much to pot in our home if I take time to work on a project by myself without first having a plan for keeping the kids occupied. This morning I had no plan. I never learn.

Also today, catch me at Blissful Kids. I'm guest posting with our faithful granola recipe.
They have some very talented and creative contributors at Blissful Kids. It's a great resource for playful and educational activities to do with your children. Check it out!

Mini Icebox cookies

I noticed multiple posts about old-fashioned icebox cookies and cakes recently, just as I was preparing some for a friend's baby shower. I'm always surprised when that happens even though it seems to happen often.
Today I have a post up at Blissful Kids on making miniature icebox cookies. Perfect for a child's Valentine party, or if too late for that, for you and your family to enjoy over the weekend.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Cereal box garland

My final garland this week is made from cardboard cereal boxes. I love the bold colors, graphics and unexpected quality of this garland. Nice to stray from the traditional pink and red combo, too. Detailed instructions for making your own are posted at Blissful Kids today.

Woodworking for kids

Today I have a post up at Blissful Kids about the kids' workshops at Lowe's and The Home Depot. I've mentioned it on this blog before, but today I've shared pictures of another project of ours as well as details on the upcoming projects at both stores. Check it out and make your plans for tomorrow morning!

Cereal box turkeys

I think this cereal box project has been the most fun for me. This is the 3rd in my Cereal Box Cut-outs series. First, game. Second, mobile. Now, Thanksgiving turkeys.

Materials:
Cereal box circles (or boxes and circle cutter)
glue (glue stick or craft glue)
small cardboard or foam core scraps
scissors
popsicle sticks

I set out all of my cut circles and began layering to create colorful little turkeys, not gluing until I was satisfied with the overall appearance. Experiment with the front and backsides of the cereal boxes, patterns and solids, so as not to have too many competing patterns or like colors on top of each other.
Place a large circle in back, cutting off the bottom and making slits around the rest to form the tail feathers. Choose smaller circles for the body, one or layer two. Cut one circle in half for the wings. Use the smallest circles for the head and wattle. (Sidenote: It surprised me to see how many people have googled "What's the name for that red dangly thing on a turkey's neck?")
Cut little eyes and a beak.
For added dimension, layer small pieces of cardboard or foam core board between some of the body parts. See the middle picture above.
Once you're satisfied with your design, glue.
Glue a popsicle stick on the back and poke your turkey into a plant, centerpiece (make a bunch for an all turkey centerpiece), bowl of candy or cranberries, your baked sweet potatoes, whatever.
For clip-on turkeys and turkey napkin rings, see my corresponding Cereal Box Cut-outs, Part 3: Thanksgiving turkeys post at Blissful Kids.

Colorful Play-doh cookies at Blissful Kids

If you missed the brightly colored play-doh-like cookies we made last year, then see them here at Blissful Kids. I was thinking we may try these with holiday specific colors this season. Maybe add the lollipop or popsicle sticks for the kiddos. These are a lot fun to make and kids love the unusual cookie colors. Try them!

Cereal box mobile

My first mobile was so much fun to make, I thought it was time for another. This time, I was trying to use as few materials as possible, primarily various sizes of circles cut from cereal boxes. This is a follow-up project to my first cereal box circle post, the matching game. You can find my instructions for making a mobile like this over at Blissful Kids: Cereal Box Cut-outs, Part 2: Mobile.

Blissful Kids guest post

I've shared my cereal box cut-out matching game over at Blissful Kids today. It's the first in a series on ways to use all those circles I've cut from boxes. I should be posting there every Friday, so check back next week for a new project, the next installment in Cereal Box Cut-Outs.

Blissful Kids

Today I'm guest posting at Blissful Kids, a new channel in the extensive world of Blissfully Domestic. Blissful Kids will focus on crafts and activities to enjoy with or to create for your children. Check out Blissful Kids for great ideas for your little ones, and be inspired by the many creative minds fueling the other fourteen channels that make up Blissfully Domestic. I'll be guest posting regularly at BK and hope you'll join me there!