Haunted Halloween Village Craft

All ten of my grandchildren crafted with me (in three different batches)  over Fall break to make these fun Halloween Village decorations. Simple, inexpensive, and oh so cute!

Check out the how to tutorial over at GrandmotherHen.

Puzzle Tin Craft

This is a very creative gift idea for the kids to make for just about anyone. I made this "Remember When..." puzzle tin for a Grandparents Day crafting idea over at Grandmotherhen.com but the idea can be tweaked to fit many different occasions.

You can find the complete how to tutorial

HERE.

These photo puzzles would be a great Christmas gift

that the kids could craft themselves.

Friends, teachers, aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents,

coaches, dance teachers, karate instructors, and more

would all love this special little gift.

Grandma's Bag of Tricks

What craft loving kids would not squeal in delight if grandma showed up at their door with a tote filled with craft supplies? I surprised four of my grands yesterday when I showed up at their door (mommy knew I was coming) for a couple of hours of crafting fun.

I also took along a vinyl tablecloth to protect our workspace and a small snack to share while we were together.

In the tote: A variety of construction papers, paper plates, paper sacks, googly eyes, pencils, crayons, markers, colored pencils, scissors, paper cutter, stickers, glue sticks, tape, stapler, and a ruler. 

They used their very creative imaginations to create some really fun projects from the supplies I had brought. We created a little art show display for mom to see when our crafting session was over.

Everyone was happy. Mom enjoyed the free time and the excitement of the kids showing off their artwork, the kids had a great time, and I adore crafting (doing anything)  with my grands!

Marshmallow Launcher

I saw this idea on Pinterest the other day and I decided to put it to the test. I was on my way out the door for a weekend at the mountain cabin when I remembered the idea. I made up a quick trial one in my kitchen. When it was time to launch I remembered that I didn't have any of the mini marshmallows on hand. Instead, I tore off a corner of a large fresh marshmallow and rolled it into a ball. I loaded it into the launcher and launched. The sticky ball of sugar flew out of it at lighting speed and has yet to be found. The test was a complete success with the exception of the missing sticky ball of ammo still being somewhere in my kitchen.

I have tweaked the idea since trying it out with the children (my focus group) at the cabin. The original idea was to use regular disposable plastic cups, a balloon, and marshmallows.

Although we did use the regular plastic cups because that is all we had we decided that a heavier duty cup would work better. The kids (and the adults) still had a great time with the launchers.

I came back home to my "test kitchen" to design a new and improved model of the marshmallow launcher. My results: A heavier cup works much better, like the kiddie drink cups you get at restaurants.

To make:

Cut the bottom out of a plastic cup, smooth any rough edges.

Tie a knot in the balloon.

Snip off the top edge of the balloon with scissors.

Stretch the open end of the balloon over the uncut end of the cup, try to center the balloon knot.

What was the top of your cup is now the bottom of your launcher.

That's it!

Load a mini marshmallow into the center of the launcher.

Find your target.

Pull back on the knot of the balloon.

and, Launch!

This is a great project for outdoor play or to use as an idea for an organized and controlled party game. Turning the kids loose with marshmallows on a hot summer day might not be so good for the black top, sidewalks, driveways, patios, and the bottoms of shoes!

Pinterest has my Interest!

Have you checked out the new Pinterest website? Awesome.  I have been compiling tons of grandma ideas there. Save yourself some time and check out my creative grand parenting board. Visit my other boards while you are there too. I have a Grandkids Christmas Day Camp board...... so much fun!!! Great Fall holiday board too. You can follow me if you like so you don't miss out on any of my creative finds! Best of all. It's free.

No Bow, No Ribbon, No Problem

This is a gift I wrapped for one of my grandsons. 

When I had no bow or ribbon that worked well with

 the gift wrap (20 minutes before party time) 

 I had to come up with something 

using the resources I had on hand.

1. Cut out the letters of the child's name from card stock.

2. Decorate the letters using markers 

to coordinate with the gift wrap.

3. Punch holes in the top right corners of the letters.

4. String the letters using yarn, string, cording, or twine.

5. Tie the string of choice tightly around the gift.

(add a bit of tape to the back to hold in place)

6. Add some festive hand tied bows 

to the personalized gift garland.

7. Watch them smile as they recognize the 

letters in their name!

This idea could be used as a wall art kid craft.

(I would add a piece of heavy tape on the backside

to reinforce the corner before punching the hole.

It could be made to match their bedroom

or

Red, white and blue for the 4th of July

Red, pink, and white for Valentines

Red and green for Christmas

Green and white for St. Patricks

Pastels for Easter

Black and Orange for Halloween

Can you think of any more?

A Day With the Boys

Summer has hit in Arizona and finding ways to keep the kids busy during the hottest part of the day is in full swing. Yesterday I volunteered to have two of my grandsons for the day while their mom took their big brother to his week long Invention Day Camp. The camp is an hour drive each way with a 6 1/2 hour wait in town until it is time to pick him up. The 8 1/2 hour days away from home with her two young boys are difficult for my daughter. It is truly a week long financial and time consuming sacrifice for their family. The camp is perfect for this grandson who hungers for learning beyond his years and who has been blessed with a very inventive mind.

So, yesterday it was my responsibility to fill the 8 1/2 hour hot summer day with grandchildren #4 and #7 who are very active five and almost 8 year old boys.

Here's how it went down.

We spent an hour or so outdoors before it got too terribly warm playing tetherball and watering the plants in the courtyard.

We went indoors and cubed up an ice cold cantaloupe for a mid morning snack. At grandma's house we  use colorful toothpicks instead of a fork to eat cubed cantaloupe. A tradition the boys will not let me forget.

Craft time: We went to my box of invention craft supplies and found two empty 32 oz. orange juice cartons.  I suggested that we could make bird feeders. "Do you have bird seed?" they asked. Yep!

My dining room table turned into a bird feeder craft center. Construction papers, glue sticks, scissors, paper cutter, rope, juice cartons, heavy wooden skewers, and a sharp knife (for grandma to use).

After crafting I decided to take the boys to our local ChickFilet for lunch. It was no ordinary ride to the restaurant. I was having some silly fun with the boys that made them laugh and laugh. I was morphing between myself and what they called a "crazy lady".  The crazy lady talked very loud, made silly comments, and spoke with an unknown accent. I of course had no idea what they were talking about when they told me about the crazy lady. All I know is that the crazy lady with the really bad accent made the 12 minute ride to the restaurant one of memory making silly fun between I and my grandsons. 

Lunch and the indoor play land burned lots of energy and nearly three hours of our day. The boys could not get over that they could stay and play for as long as they wanted.  Being a grandma is so much fun!

When they had their fill of play I asked if they would like to go for ice cream?  Once we got the drive thru cold stuff for the boys I headed for a nearby Michael's store.  We sat and talked in the car while they were finishing their treats. I knew the boys would have just as much fun checking out Michael's as I would. 

In the baskets out front we found a fun indoor game that was marked down to well to pass up. It was a door size embroidered toss game. You hang the colorful and well made game from the top of the door frame and stand back and toss balls through the holes for scoring. Originally $10 bucks for just $2.99!

As we were walking through the store checking out all of the fun crafting stuff the boys had no idea what was going on in my mind as I was tossing some great finds at great prices in my basket. (ssshhhh, it was fun crafting supplies to do with my grandkids for pennies on the dollar  that was on my mind.)

When we checked out of Michael's we only had an hour left before mom would be back. The boys groaned with the news that our fun filled day was almost over. Once home the new toss game was put up and our play began. I had told the boys that we could look at the pictures from our recent trip to  Alaska too .

When we gathered around the computer to check out the photo's of Alaska and our cruise ship I was preempted by a bunny that was spotted just outside my office window.

The boys quietly ran from window to window for a closer look.

Really, could this day have been any better?

The bunny kept their minds busy until daddy's work truck rolled up 

(beating mommy there) and scared the bunny away.

When I didn't think the day could get any better it did!

Papa arrived home in time to see the boys too. 

Papa was greeted with BIG excited hugs and the details of the day.

Mom later reported that when she arrived home she was flooded 

with chatter with the boys barely breathing between details.

It is amazing how simple and ordinary things can turn

 magical when they are shared between a

grandma and her very loved grands!

Crafting With the Birthday Girl

Last year we began doing birthday outings with our grandchildren instead of a wrapped birthday gift. We knew it was a keeper as a new tradition for our grandchildren and the grands thought so too. Last year it was a variety of outings to  museums, plays, theaters, and festivals. The one thing every outing had in common was hours and hours of one on one time with Papa and I.

This year we have kept the outings local and the birthday outing includes a movie of their choice, a restaurant meal of their choice, a shopping trip with a set budget to a store of their choice, and ending it with some kind of sweet birthday treat of their choice.

The kids are loving this year's itinerary. Our oldest grandson who just turned ten chose to shop in Target. When he shops with his mom and his two younger brothers it is a rule that they have to stay right with their mom with their hands in their pockets while in Target. With Papa and I we did not rush him one bit and if the toy said "try me" it was tried! He had quickly made his choice but he continued to explore the entire toy department and EVERY toy for probably another hour or so. Papa and I shared in his excitement of all of the neat gadgets. He was in heaven!

My oldest granddaughter chose a trip to the craft store for her shopping. She chose some craft supplies, and some glittery pink card stock prints that matched her bedroom perfectly. Lucky grandma.... this choice made for a birthday outing streeeeeeeeeeeetch with me!

She first painted her frame and the first letter of her name in pink and allowed to dry. She then added a coat of Mod Podge to both. The frame was covered using a glittery printed card stock that matches the wall paper in her bedroom perfectly. (Thinly coat the back of the paper in mod podge and stick to frame.)

The "K" was to be covered in a coordinated glittery pink polk-a-dot. We made a mistake and the "K" card stock was cut out opposite than we needed for the printed side to come out on top. Whoops!

Plan B: We used the unusable "K" as a template and we made a design of cut outs from the leftover frame card stock and we cut circles from the left over polk-a-dot print. She laid them out on the template exactly how she wanted them on her finished "K".

One by one she added them to the painted wooden "K" using Mod Podge! Her finished crafts couldn't have been any cuter and the birthday outing streeeeeeeeeeetch was just fine with me!

All supplies were from Michael's.

Holiday Tissue Box Cover

Tissue Box Cover

I saw this idea on line and I tweaked it to make is simpler to use supplies that you probably already have in your home or in the classroom.

Supplies you will need:  Construction Paper, graphics print out for the occasion of your choice,  Scissors, Glue Stick, and Crayons or Markers

I created a coloring page of graphics sized to fit on each side of the box. Have the child color the coloring page and cut the graphics out.

Cut the construction paper to the height of the tissued box. It should be about 5 1/2". Glue your construction paper together (overlapping 1/2") to get the length you need to cover all sides of the box and a little extra length to overlap on the end  ( about 18 1/2") . If you use the oversized construction paper you only need to add approx. 1 1/2" to the length.

Make crisp folds on the corners and lightly draw a line where the final corner will be once the paper is overlapped to create the box.

Lay the creased construction paper out. Center and glue one graphic between each of the folded lines. Add any other details you would like to decorate the box.

To create the " tissue the box cover" glue the extra length you allowed to the underneath side of the opposite end of the construction paper.

There you have it. A reusable tissue box cover for the occasion of your choice. This would be a great project for kids to make as holiday gift for teachers or grandparents. They could be made for Mother's Day or as a get well gift for someone. 

This could be an inexpensive and simple service project for your youth church group, a girl scout troop, or as a family. How about making some up for a local senior home or a homeless shelter?

You could tweak the quality and quantity of your supplies depending on your budget. 

You could add: Stickers, jewels, ribbons, lace, buttons, glitter, silk flowers, and more ....

St. Patricks Day Craft

I came across this idea and I thought it was absolutely adorable.  

The instructions and pattern are here for making this really cute craft.

You only have to make one frame and all of the lucky

little ones you love can see themselves as a very cute leprechaun!

The craft is a foam frame that is framing a mirror.

I would love to have pics just like this one

of my grands this St. Patrick's Day!

This idea could also be used for St. Patrick's day 

decor in the child's bedroom or bathroom.

Make the frame and stick it right to an existing mirror.

I'm certain it would be loved!

A Fringed Winter Scarf ... All by Myself!

Our gathering activity at this years

Grandkid's Christmas Day Camp

was a 

Winter Scarf

I had pre-cut lengths of fleece fabric. 

They were each cut the full width of the 

fleece fabric (approx. 58") and 9" wide.

1 yard of fleece fabric yields four scarves.

Each child was given a length of 

fabric of their choice, a pair of scissors,

 a  ruler, and a piece of chalk.

They began by cutting off the salvage edges.

Nice and straight cuts please!

They then used their rulers to measure 6" up

on each end and they drew a nice straight chalk line

using their rulers as a straight edge.

(a new skill for some)

They then cut the ends to create a fringe.

Cut 1/2-3/4" wide slits to the chalk line.

Each piece of fringe is tied across

the top of the fringe piece.

 Tie  like you would a balloon.

(another new skill many were happy to master)

They were pretty proud of their handmade scarves.

And they did look

pretty darn cute on them.

No sewing required and you can purchase any length of fabric so you could easily do this with one child or 20. Wouldn't it be fun to make matching scarves with your child? After Christmas there will be great deals on holiday fleece throws... for probably less than you can purchase fabric for. They could certainly be re-purposed for this project. So, plan ahead for next year!

Giant Gingerbread Village

While in search for fun resources for this years Grandkid's Christmas Day Camp I happened upon some 30  gallon lawn and leaf bags. They were super durable and they looked like giant lunch sacks. I was sure I could do something with them. The price tag was just two bucks for a pack of five of them. With nine grands the cost of crafts add up quickly so I am always looking for great craft ideas and activities with an even greater price tag!

These bags fit the bill. Right there in the store I opened up one of the bags and let the creative juices flow. In my head I could see the makings of a really fun and big project. The grands were going to love the idea!

How to make a 

Giant Gingerbread Village

using a BIG paper sack:

Purchase 30 gallon paper lawn and leaf bags.

I found mine in Big Lots ($2.00 for a 5 pack) and today I found them in Target on clearance for just $1.49 for a pack of five. Of course I picked up more!

Open up the bag and square up the sides.

The bags are so big that my grands had to climb inside to open them up. They didn't mind doing that one bit! When I made my sample bag I used a hot iron and pressed the wrinkles out of the bag. I would suggest doing this if you are doing the craft with older children.

Place some kind of weight in the bottom of the bag. It could be a gallon zipper bag of rocks. I used a 13" rounds of plywood since I had a bunch of them in my resources.

Once the weight is in place fill the bag 3/4 of the way full with crumpled newspapers. Don't overfill the bag because you want your sides to be straight. Work the papers and the outside of the bag for a nice square shape.

Fold the top of the bag over to create the roof. 

Square up the sides and staple in place on both sides.

This is what the bag should look like. 

I purchased a roll of wrapping paper with a candy strip. Cut paper to cover the folded over edge to create one side of your roof, over the peak, and the other side of the roof. I cut a scalloped edge along the peppermints to add a fun finish to the eaves. Run your pinched fingers along the top of the roof for a nice crisp peak. Staple along the sides. How cute is that?

This is my sample giant gingerbread "place of business" for our village. 

Cut a block of black construction paper in any size you would like to create your store front. You use the black paper as your guide.  Layer over it with your business sign, window decor, and window panes. Choose how many panes you would like and create them using coordinating paper and glue in place with a glue stick. I used a stripe from the same wrapping paper. I printed out the names of the businesses on my home computer with red and green ink on white card stock then matted them with a coordinating piece of colored card stock.

Trim out the window anyway you would like. I cut strips from the wrapping paper to top the window and to finish off the bottom.

I decorated the store front top windows with cutouts from the wrapping paper. I used chalk to draw the strings that the ornaments are hanging from.

Because this is a Post Office I filled the bottom windows with packages and letters.

Complete the entire store front (over the black paper) before sticking it to your bag.

When the front windows are complete use a hot glue gun and glue into place. Cut strips of batting to create some snow above the business sign and along the bottom. Glue into place using hot glue. You could also use cotton balls and craft glue.

I was working with young children on this project. Older children could decorate the sides too and add many more details. Ice cycle garland is really cute hanging from the eaves. I tried it.... so I know. I just didn't have enough for all of the kids. (shhhhh)

The kids had a blast creating their own giant gingerbread businesses for our village. I supplied lots of Christmas sticker books for decorating their store fronts.

And the finished project. 

The kids loved the Giant Gingerbread Village!

These giant bags were a great find. 

They could create a village any time of the year.

The windows would be cute decorated for:

Valentine's Day

St. Patrick's Day

Easter

4th of July

Halloween

or.... Fall Harvest

Don't forget about this weeks Ho...Ho...Ho...liday giveaway.

Check it out here for a chance to win one of three prizes:

Hallmark Recordable Books

New and Improved!

I have always had an invention box where I  throw all kinds of odds and ends for my grands to use as resources for inventions. It is a loved tradition when my grandsons come over.

One evening we were expecting three of our grandsons while their parents attended a meeting. A light came on in my head for a new and improved invention experience. Why, you may ask? Well, while invention crafts are an absolute keeper they tend to create a big mess while everyone's creative minds are hard at work.

So, on this night I decided to set up an eight foot folding table, folding chairs, and work lamp in the toy room. I took all of the supplies needed for a really great Invention Lab and set them out on some shelves.

A variety of tapes, strings, wires, pipe cleaners, colored papers, card stock, scissors, glues, a skewer (it always seems to be needed for poking holes), an adult supervised hot glue gun, and the overflowing invention box of odds and ends filled the shelves.

When the boys arrived we announced that we had created an Invention Lab and they LOVED the idea.

Their creative minds went right to work.

Being in the lab added a whole new layer of excitement!

Creating a pulley to run an arm than comes out 

of a garbage truck to pick up trash.

(It worked!)

After being in the lab for about an hour Papa stayed 

with the boys and I went and grabbed some snacks for the boys.

I bagged up some popcorn with M&M's and Capri Suns.

My powers of new and improved ideas were on fire this night!

An entire evening of creative fun and snacks.

And...... all confined to one room!

The youngest invented an airplane.

In fact, he invented a whole slew of things.

It was a great evening of watching their little minds tick.

As you see, they came in their pajamas because it was

going to be a late night for them.

When mommy and daddy returned it was bedtime.

And something else that was pretty great....

I could close the Invention Lab door and go to bed too!

Old Craft, New Generation

When the grands are over and want a project to do we look to the invention tub for resources.

The invention tub is a big plastic tub where I toss anything that could be recycled into some sort of invention, craft, or activity.

Egg cartons were in ample supply and the inspiration for this very familiar project.

Each of the boys cut the egg cartons into sections of three cups using kids scissors.

A skewer was used to poke a hole in the ends to connect the sections with a 3" piece of pipe cleaner.

(Wire, string, or bag twisties would also work.)

Adding in sections makes it possible for the creature to squirm in all different directions.

Markers were used to make the eyes and any other colorful markings the boys wanted to add.

Pipe cleaners, twisted around a pencil were used to create the very cute antennas.

To add the antennas, poke two more holes with the skewer on top of the creatures head. Push the straight end of the curled pipe cleaner through the hole and bend to lay flat against the egg carton, tape into place.

Since my grandsons had created the creatures their little boy imaginations went to work when it was time to play with them. This new generation of egg carton creatures had super powers, they were very aggressive, and very fast moving!

Balloon Powered Nanorover

My nine year old grandson and I worked together to create this balloon powered Nanorover.

My grandson who is really into building things went onto one of the internet Nasa sites to find something to do on a recent visit. While on the site he saw this project and he asked if he could make it. I was very skeptical and thinking that the project may be a bit out of my skill level. I read the instructions and there were rotors, struts, and axles that all needed to be cut out and put together. Secretly, I was almost hoping that I didn't have all of the supplies I needed so that I could save the project until Papa got home.

Well, I had everything that the project required right down to the gumdrops that were needed to hold the struts, rotors, wheels, and axles into place on the wooden skewers that were threaded through a drinking straw. 

It ended up being a great project. I was a bit out of my comfort zone but I was very proud of myself when my grandson and I pulled it off together. The balloon powered Nanorover even worked!

Check out the link below for instructions to this and many other Nasa projects.

http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/en/kids/muses1.shtml

Have you ever caught yourself secretly not wanting to do something with your grandchildren?