DIY Personalized Drink Tray

I found this cool tray at Marshall's and thought it would make a great addition to an "Al Fresco Dining" themed gift. I wanted to make it more personalized so I added an easy and inexpensive touch that made it the centerpiece of the gift.

 

The tray itself was rustic so I thought some burlap would be perfect for it. I found this laminated burlap at Joanne's Fabric. It cut perfectly (no frays!!) and was sturdier than standard burlap which made it just right for a placemat to have drinks or food carried out on it.

I cut the laminated burlap to fit the base of the tray.

Then, I used a permanent black marker and stenciled in the first letter of their last name (this was part of a wedding gift, so using the new married last name initial was perfect!!).







I used my spray adhesive to secure the burlap into the tray. It really made the gift look much more personal and it took about 5 minutes!!

I thought this gift theme was such a fun idea for a new homeowner, bridal shower or wedding!! Below are some ideas that you could include.

Al Fresco Dining Gift Box:

- Personalized Drink Tray
- 4 placemats
- 4 napkins
- Napkin Rings
- Table Cloth
- Candle holder (a tall round one could be a candle votive or a wine bottle holder)
- Bread tray with dip bowl
- Gourmet Olive Oil
- Seasoning for bread dip
- Bottle of Wine
- Shatterproof Govino wine glasses
- Chalkboard for menu or fun message to be printed on

Non-Lame Playdate: Upcycling Crafts

 I actually did these projects for a Brownie Meeting with an Earth Day theme, but I thought they would also work well for a fun play date.

I love the idea of "Upcycling" - someone's trash can indeed be someone else's treasure!

I found all of these ideas on Pinterest and they turned out to be pretty easy for a group of 8 year olds!!

Project 1: Tin Can Flower Pot/Pencil Holder/Vase

Materials:

Tin cans (I had all different sizes to choose from)

Burlap 

Twine

Ribbon 

Glue or Spray Adhesive (I used the spray adhesive in the interest of time although an aerosol can did not really fit my Earth Day theme!!)

Directions:

• I precut the burlap ahead of time and placed in the tin cans because I had a group of 10 girls and I wanted to make sure I had enough! It also made the process a little smoother to have this part done. 

• Spray the burlap with adhesive. 

• Line up the bottom of the burlap with the base of the tin can and wrap the burlap around the can. 

• Measure a piece of ribbon so it fits around the can. I bought a few ribbons for the girls to choose from so they had some unique looks. I also told them they could place the ribbon where they felt it looked best - secure the ribbon with glue or spray adhesive. 

• Lastly, measure and tie a piece of twine around the ribbon.

You could also collect or have them bring upcycled items to design their new can like buttons, artificial flowers, lace, etc. It is always fun to let them really design their own unique look!!! 

Project 2: Pop Top Bracelet 

Materials:
Pop Tabs (about 12 for each)
Ribbon - One 12 inch piece per bracelet

Directions: 

• Since I did this as a group activity, I found it easiest to make this as a "Ready to Craft" kit. Along with the pop tabs and pre-cut ribbon, I put the instructions into each baggie so that they could do this project again on their own and there are more complicated ways to make these too. 
• Weave the ribbon through the first pop tab and tie a knot, leaving enough ribbon to tie at the end.
• For the rest of the bracelet, we did the simplest bracelet design which is just weaving the ribbon through the pop tab holes - make sure the pop tabs are going in the same direction.
• For the last pop tab, I had the girls tie the end of the ribbon with the remaining ribbon from their first knot. You could also get a simple toggle in the jewelry department.

Project 3: Word search!

If you are doing this for a Girl Scout Troop or school group, I also found this lesson planwhich had some great activities. I printed out the word search and gave it to the girls that finished first so they were occupied while the others finished up. (Any teachers or troop leaders know why this is a very important back up plan!!!).

Department of Energy K-5 Lesson Plans

 

Snack: Edible Bird's Nest  

I thought this was a cute Earth Day themed snack!! I had seen it around Easter time.

Ingredients: 
5 cups Rice Krispies
40 large marshmallows
1/4 cup Margarine
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Yogurt Covered Cranberries (3 per nest)

Directions:

• Spray muffin tins with Pam, set aside
• Melt the butter in a large pot
• Add marshmallows and stir until mixed
• Remove from heat and add the Rice Krispies and chocolate chips, stir until mixed
• Fill muffin tins with mix
• Use a spoon or melon baller to shape each one into a "nest"
• Let cool 
• Once cool, remove "nests" from muffin tin and place on a platter. 
• Add yogurt covered cranberries to each nest

 

 

DIY Disney Autograph Books

We are taking our first family trip to Disney World this year - which means everyone gives you advice on what you should bring and do!! One of the suggestions was to get the kids their own autograph books for Mickey, Minnie and everyone to sign while we are there.

I looked them up online through Disney and they were cute, but I wanted something a little more personal for the kids (also with their names on it since it will be inevitable that they will argue or which one is theirs!!).

Off to Joanne Fabrics I went to get my supplies:

1) Photo Books ($0.97 each)

2) Disney Scrap Book paper (one for each - $0.99 ea)







3) Mouse Ear Letter Stickers ($4.99 in the scrap book section - they had a whole Disney scrap book aisle!!)

4) Sharpie (have the characters sign the plastic pages -  some characters have big hands and little pens are hard for them to hold!)






I replaced the photo book cover  (front and back) with the scrap book paper and then added their names with the mouse ear stickers - I luckily only needed one package of letters for all three books.

Besides the personalized touch, I like that the books have a plastic cover in case they get wet. I plan to add pictures of the kids with the character so they have a full memory book in the end!

I also got 2 packs of Disney stickers to add after, so in total, I spent about $16 which is a little less than if I had purchased them online...but I like these much more!!!

Crockpot Quinoa and Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Looking for a simple and healthy crockpot recipe that your whole family will love?! Keep reading!!! I actually did all the prep work the night before and then put them in the crockpot the next morning before work.

Ingredients:

• 5 large peppers
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 15 oz jar tomato sauce
• 1 cup quinoa (I use red quinoa)
• 1 small onion diced
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

• Wash peppers and cut off tops. Remove the stems from top of peppers and dice them, set aside.
• Wash, rinse and drain the quinoa. Add quinoa to 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Reduce to medium for 15 minutes, fluff with fork. 
• While quinoa is cooking, brown the ground turkey in a large skillet. 
• Once ground turkey is browned, add tomato sauce, peppers, onions, garlic and quinoa.
• Fill peppers with ground turkey and quinoa filling.
• Cook stuffed peppers in crockpot on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
• About 10-15 minutes before serving, add shredded mozzarella cheese to the top of stuffed peppers. 
• Last but not least....Enjoy!!!! 

Pinterest Craft Review: Duct Tape Belts

The only thing that my twin boys wanted for their 4th birthdays were belts for their pants (like Daddy). They each got one for their birthday and they wear them so much that they are getting a little worn.

I saw on Pinterest belts made out of Duct Tape (in case you aren't aware...Duct Tape has gone designer!!!). I thought that the new designs out there might be cute and maybe a little cheaper than buying a new belt. So....I gave it a try!

 

 

Materials:

•  Duct Tape - I found mine at Joanne Fabrics for $4.99 a role (I would use a coupon!)

• D Rings - Also got these at Joann's in the Fabric section for $2.49 for 2 sets of D rings.

2 belts = $7.50 (actually less because you don't even come close to using all the Duct Tape! Plus if you don't impulse buy like me and instead wait until you have a coupon...you can take 40-50% off that Duct Tape!).

Instructions:

I used the following tutorial that I found on Pinterest from a fabulous blog - www.Remodelaholic.com

It was very easy to follow - great pictures and step by step!

Chevron Stripe Duct Tape Belt Tutorial

Lessons Learned:

1) Duct Tape is sticky (duh, right??) - it is hard to cut if you aren't using quality scissors, so your ends are uneven. But the biggest drawback of sticky tape is that if you make a bad fold, it is impossible to undo.

2) For kids pants, make sure you aren't making your belt too fat to go through the belt loops - I was so focused on the length of the belt that I didn't think about that part! Luckily you have more than enough Duct Tape to make another one if you mess up.

The Outcome:

For kids, this is pretty cute - my belts weren't perfect, but I don't think they will care as much as I do! I did 3 belts in an hour, so it is a pretty quick craft to do. I give it a thumbs up....now I have two roles of Duct Tape that are only 25% used.....back to Pinterest...perhaps there is a Duct Tape Playdate in my daughter's future!!!

Dr. Seuss Decoupage

"Green Eggs and Ham" in a Dr. Seuss Box

Dr. Seuss's birthday is March 2nd! My boys are currently celebrating Dr. Seuss week in their preschool class and I thought it would be a nice gesture to take a moment to thank their teacher for helping to mold the minds of my "Thing 1 and Thing 2"!!

I found this cute idea on Pinterest to make a "Green Eggs and Ham" type treat and then I thought I put my own Seuss-esque spin on it and make a box to hold the treats in.

Dr. Seuss Box

Basically, I used Mod Podge to decoupage tissue paper to a Wilton cookie box. It took a little bit of time, but the level of craftiness you need is fairly low (heck, I did it!!).

Supplies:

• Mod-Podge
• Tissue Paper (Target)
• Dr. Seuss Scrap Book Paper (Joanne Fabrics)
• Cookie Box (Joanne Fabrics)
• Round Tags (Target)
• Dr Seuss Quotes

Directions:
1) This tissue paper had a glossy quality to it, so I had to put a layer of Mod Podge on the box and then put tissue paper on it.

2) I started with the bottom of the box - spread Mod Podge on bottom and laid paper over it, then smoothed it out.
















3)  Work each side individually - crease the paper at the corners so you know where to cut it, then apply the Mod Podge to the box and smooth the paper out. Don't trim the top edge,  you will use that to fold over after you finish the inside of the box.

4) For the inside of the box, I traced the sides and the bottom of the box and precut each section. Then I applied the Mod Podge and laid the paper in the box.

5) Now even out the top edges of the outside tissue paper and fold over.

6) With the Dr. Seuss scrap book paper I found, I cut out Dr. Seuss characters for each side of the box and decoupaged them.

7) I layered all my "Green Eggs and Ham" into the box (separated by clear sandwich baggies) and then wrapped it in plastic wrap. I attached a little Thank You note to the teacher and a Dr. Seuss quote (see the bottom - I found some Dr Seuss quotes that could be used for a teacher gift).

 

 

"Green Eggs and Ham"

Ingredients :

• Pretzel sticks
• Green M&Ms 
• White Chocolate Chips 

Directions:
1) Line a baking sheet with Parchment Paper
2) Lay sets of two Pretzel Sticks on tray (1 inch between sets)
3) Heat White Chocolate Chips in a small bowl in microwave until melted. Stir every 30 seconds (takes about 2 minutes).
4) With a small spoon, put a small round amount of melted chocolate on the pretzel sets.
5) Place green M&M in the middle of the white chocolate mound.
6) Let cool for 30 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Seuss Quotes that are good for Teachers: 

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

"You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose"

“Think and wonder,wonder and think”

“It is better to know how to learn, than to know”

I’m glad we had the times together just to laugh and sing a song, seems like we just got started and then before you know it, the times we had together were gone.”

It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become.”

I can read in red.
I can read in blue.
I can read in pickle color too.”

Oh, the thinks you can think!”

You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child

To the world you maybe one person; but to one person you may be the world

You can find magic
wherever you look.
Sit back and relax,
all you need is a book.”

Valentine's Day Box from a Gift Bag!!

Valentine's Day is coming to your child's classroom this week!! Many of you will get the note from the teacher that your child needs to bring in a decorated box to hold those all those notes. My daughter and I were working on hers tonight and I realized that I didn't have any tissue paper to wrap it in, so I started searching frantically for a replacement that wouldn't scream - I AM THE CHILD OF AN UNPREPARED MOTHER!!

Here is what I found - a gift bag!!!!

 

So once you find your gift bag (you all know you have that stash of gift bags waiting for the appropriate re-bagging opportunity!!!!!)....here is what you need to do.

1) Cut the bag up. Use the sides of the bag for the sides of the box and the face of the bag for the lid. I also split the flower design for 2 of the sides.

2.) Trace the sides and top of the box for an exact fit. Then glue those onto the box. I just used craft glue but used a quick-dry adhesive for the edges. 



 

3.) To hide the seams, I used the ribbon from the bag.

4) All ready for your child's unique flare - stickers, glitter, foam art...whatever!!

5.) The finished product!!!