Last year I saw, in a great magazine, the steps needed to make adorable Christmas trees out of old paperback books. I made about 3 or 4 of them and made sure they were different sizes too! I had such a blast making them and my kids like them too. This year when Fall came around (well, here at least) I found the best idea yet! Pumpkins made out of old paperback books! I just love it when I get to reuse something, or try a new twist on something. This pin made me run to my stack of old books and grab the necessary tools to make one for my fall decor. My oldest son really enjoyed watching me make it. It was pretty funny to hear him say after each piece "ooooh, a little closer mama!" Easy enough! All you need is a little pumpkin half shaped piece of paper and a craft knife or razor blade. Wanna know why I am showing you scissors? Pay attention to the later photos. Trace your half pumpkin shape on the first and last page of the book. Cut around 5-8 pages at a time, no more or your … [Read more...]
Fall Sun Spiral
My girls love anything you can hang from trees. They love wind chimes, sun catchers, and wind socks. Tottie and I had some time together this morning before preschool so I thought it would be fun to make a fall sun spiral with her. When it was finished and hanging on the tree, she was so excited to watch it twirl around and catch the light! To make your own fall sun spiral you need: Clear contact paper (2 pieces, equal sizes) Small leaves you find on the ground Glitter Any other flat, small decorations you may want (we used foam shapes) Sharpie Scissors 1) You'll start by drawing a spiral on one piece of your contact paper. Make sure it is on the contact paper side and not the backing side. Also make sure your lines are wide enough apart to fit your leaves in between them and have a bit of room left. 2) Next, peal the backing off the contact paper and add the leaves, glitter, and other decorations to the sticky side. Make sure to keep the decorations … [Read more...]
Paper Pumpkins
This is a really easy and pretty cute little craft project you can do with your kiddos. Cut several strips of colored card stock paper into 1 inch strips. I used my paper cutter cause it ensured they were the same width each time. Using your paper puncher punch a hole in each end of the strip of paper until all of your pieces of paper have two holes. String a green or brown ribbon (of your preference) through one end of the strips and knot. Pull the ribbon tight so that you create a C-shaped stack of paper and knot the other end of the ribbon. Fan out each piece of paper until you have a pumpkin shaped craft. Add more ribbon on top to create the leaves, if desired. (This project is great for little hand that need more fine motor skill activities). … [Read more...]
Easy Fallen Leaves Tree Craft
I came home from work the other day to discover these displayed in our living room: I guess my Mother-In-Law made them with the girls while I was gone and they were so cute I had to share them. Who knew my Mother-In-Law was crafty? I didn't! If you want to make these with your kids, here's what you'll need: A bunch of dried leaves with long stems (maple leaves work well) Markers, crayons, or colored pencils Cardstock, cardboard, or thicker paper (my Mother-In-Law used the back of clothes gift boxes so the project stood on it's own when done) Tape 1) Have your kids draw the trunk of the tree on the cardstock/cardboard. Let them add what ever other decorations they want to the base of the tree. Step 2) Bunch the leaves together like a bouquet of flowers lining the stems up together. Step 3) Tape the stem bunch to the cardstock/cardboard over the top of the drawn tree trunk. Step 4) Display and enjoy! … [Read more...]
Fall Leaves Print
The other day my kids and I were thinking to ourselves how sad we were that the pretty fall colors were almost gone (well, at least where we live) and how old man winter will be soon knocking on our door. I thought it would be fun to paint a photo of the pretty fall colors to "remember" them when we are staring out the window at the bitter cold white snow. It's really easy and relatively not messy! Here is what you need: Red, Brown, Yellow, and Orange finger paint A paint brush or sponge Paper A willing child Have your child paint their hand and lower arm brown (or if they are unable to do this you certainly can help out). Then place their arm and hand on the paper to look like a tree with the branches. Start with one of the remaining colors (red, yellow or orange) and use their finger tips to dot leaves on the top of the tree. Finish with the remaining colors. Ta-da...you have a pretty fall colored tree (and a keepsake of their hand print, make sure to date it!) … [Read more...]
Candy Corn Pudding Treats
I don't know about you but candy corn is a huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuge deal in our house (me- I could do without). When it comes out this time of year in the store my kids go crazy for it. So this year I thought I'd try something out on them, and be a little creative too! Here is what you need: Vanilla pudding a bowl candy corn milk (for the pudding) red and yellow food coloring whipping cream Have your kiddo mix up the pudding until it is read to eat Then divide your pudding into half and make half orange (a little red and a little yellow) After you fill the orange spot add the vanilla Top the pudding with whipping cream Sprinkle on a few candy corn candies then sit back and watch him enjoy! … [Read more...]
