Owls... from Toilet Paper Rolls

This idea came from Rebecca Mikami. When my daughter saw the picture of these online, she wanted to do them NOW... it was really hard for her to wait until we'd accumulated a couple empty toilet paper rolls.

For this cute project, you will need empty toilet paper rolls, masking tape, paint, googly eyes, orange paper scraps, and fabric scraps.

• Start by folding down the top of the roll to make two pointed ears. 
• Tape it down. I didn't have masking tape, so I skipped that part, and the ears seem to be holding up just fine.
• Paint! 

• When the paint is dry... add the eyes, beak, and wings. I didn't have googly eyes. What kind of crafty mother am I? So I used my smallest circle punch and some black sticker dots to make our eyes. I cut orange triangles from scraps of paper, and cut wings from scraps of fabric.
• I used a glue stick for the wings, but thought the eyes and beak needed something a little more, so we used tacky glue for that.

Such an adorable and easy project, and even the little girl next door came over and made one. I hope her Mom doesn't mind the bonus pink paint in her hair.

Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Proverbs 2: 9-11

Pencil Eraser Stamping?

I found this idea on Pinterest, but it originated at www.lilmagoolie.com. My daughter enjoyed stamping a picture of flowers, and then I made my own flower picture. And as I stopped to look at it, I decided this would be a FABULOUS way to make interesting, UNIQUE, and creative greeting cards when the mood strikes me.

Just make sure you have pencils with new, unused erasers, a different one for each color. You don't want to put your eraser that has been stamped in yellow into your dark blue! Then start stamping your design. The cool thing is the first stamp is dark, but the second is lighter if you don't re-ink, so you can even do some shading.

Don't you think this would make a neat greeting card?

Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.  Ephesians 3:20-21

Boxed Condos

I recently saw a picture online of a cardboard box skyscraper that was TOO COOL. I was INSPIRED! We HAD to build one... we couldn't NOT build one. After all, anytime there is a spare box laying around, my daughter requests to play with it, so I knew this would be up her alley. I had a pretty good stockpile of boxes in the attic for times when I might need to send a package. So we had all the ingredients we would need for our creation.

You'll need boxes of all shapes and sizes. I held ours together
with mostly packing tape. I used glue in a few places, but still
reinforced with tape because I was too impatient
to wait for the glue to dry.

We started building together, the girls and I.
Then I sent them to bed and I finished building.
This is what they found when they got
up this morning.

I made it as 3D as possible, with balconies that dolls could really walk out on, a couple doors that really open, porch roofs over doors, and even a chimney. I left open boxes on the back side so they could have rooms to play inside.

Then we used a permanent marker to draw on
doors and windows. I told them they could
decorate it however they wanted, and use
as much color as they'd like.

They drew up a few things, but then the
dolls came out and they started playing.

We used an upside down shoe box lid to make
a swimming pool... and we even have a diving board.

The Lalaloopsy beds and table/chair set were a perfect fit.

We're having so much fun, we've missed
breakfast and it's time for lunch.

At its tallest point, our condo stands a tad over 5 feet tall and will be a perfect playhouse for the Mini Lalaloopsy dolls, Polly Pockets, Little Pet Shop, or any other similarly sized toys. My oldest told me she just loves it... and I'm wondering why we spent $100 on that Barbie house.

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. Proverbs 18:10

Color the Rainbow: Cornstarch Sidewalk Paint

I found this cool idea on a blog from the Pink and Green Mama. We gave it a try today.

This sidewalk/driveway paint is non-toxic and washable. Just mix corn starch, water, and food coloring to make your paint. Pink and Green Mama didn't give the recipe for how much corn starch and how much water, so I had to guess.

I mixed the paint in a cupcake pan. I started with 2 tablespoons
corn starch with 1 tablespoon of water, and I felt it was too thin.
In the end, I had about 4 tablespoons corn starch to about
1 tablespoon of water.

Some mixtures were thicker than others and those were given a tad more water. I do think overall I had it pretty thick though, and I could have put in a little more water to thin it out. It seemed fine as I was mixing, but when we started painting, it was obvious how thick it really was, but I didn't add any more water. I used both the gel type food coloring for some colors and the liquid type food coloring for other colors, and there didn't seem to be a difference in consistency.

I provided a container of clean water to wash out
brushes between colors.

Painting the sidewalk kept their attention much longer
than the average chalk would have.

Pink and Green Mama mentioned how, when the paint was dry, it did not keep the vibrant colors like she'd hoped. I, too, noticed that the colors faded somewhat when dry, but not to the extent that she mentioned. I was pretty generous with my food coloring. The purple color faded the most, but the other colors held up to the drying process much better.

It was really hot today, so we took a break from painting to
cool down with the help of our adorable turtle sprinkler.

And then it rained.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me -- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.  Philippians 4:9

If the Shoe Fits... Fabric Scrap Flip-Flops

It's been more than a year since I snagged this free idea from the craft section at Hobby Lobby. I don't know why it took me so long to do it, because while a bit time-consuming, the hardest part about this activity is picking out flip-flops and coordinating bandanas.

You will need a pair of flip-flops, coordinating bandanas,
and pinking shears.

For small or medium flip-flops, choose 2 bandanas. They can be two coordinating colors, or two of the same color. For large flip-flops, choose 3 bandanas. Again, they can be three coordinating colors, or three of the same. I found our bandanas in the craft section at Hobby Lobby, not far from the flip-flops. The girls loved being able to pick out their own flip-flops and bandanas.

With the pinking shears, cut off the hemmed edges
of each bandana.

Again with pinking shears, cut 1" x 8" strips from the bandanas.

Wrap the pieces around the straps and tie a knot.
I double knotted. Alternate the colors and push
them close together for extra fullness.

My 4-year-old has not yet learned to tie, and she wasn't
grasping the concept today, so I finished hers for her.
She didn't seem to mind and just played with the fabric
while I worked.

My 7-year-old was able to do hers by herself (after I cut
her strips). I did go back in on hers and push them together
and add more strips after she was done. She said
she wanted hers fuller like mine were.

Repeat the process on the other flip-flop,
and you're done!

They will be so fun to wear... but I don't want to get them dirty!
That's the trouble with fancy shoes.

I think you could easily do this project with whatever scrap fabric you might have about, if you don't want to get bandanas. I just counted about 60 strips on ONE flip-flop (the adult one), just to give you an idea.

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. Ephesians 6:15

Make Your Own Bowl of Ice Cream!

We did something really unique and fun tonight at a birthday party for our friends' daughter. We made our own bowls of ice cream! Well, actually bags of ice cream. I don't have a source for this idea, but I'm going to share it anyway.

For each individual, you will need:

• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
• 1 sandwich size zip lock baggie (we used the thicker freezer kind)
• about 1/4 cup rock salt
• plastic container with lid or a gallon-size zip lock
• enough ice to fill plastic container or gallon bag

Mix the sugar, milk, and vanilla in the small zip lock. Make sure there are no holes or leaks in your baggie. Place the small baggie of ingredients inside the larger container or bag and surround with ice and rock salt. Cover tightly or seal bag and shake it vigorously for about five minutes.

Ice cream! YUM!

I recommend having a dish towel handy, because that bag of ice and rock salt was COLD on the bare hands! It was a really fun party activity. The kids thought it was pretty neat, and my daughter gave the ice cream a thumbs up.

I think we'll try this again on a hot summer day when we need a little ice cream to cool us off.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.  Matthew 7: 7-12