Tag: crafts

March Website Review: The Thrifty Crafter

Photo: Property of The Thrifty Crafter A Bargain Shopper’s Guide to Expressing Creativity This months website review is on one of my three favorite go to craft sites: The Thrifty Crafter. The thrifty Crafter offers tantalizing recipes like Halibut and Chickpea Salad or a Sweetharts 

Ways to Say I Love You! on Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is not far afoot. What do you have planned to surprise your little, and big, cuties on the day of LOVE? We have a few ideas to tickle your loved ones pink come the 14th.

December Website Review: Roots and Wings

This month’s website review is on one of my three favorite craft sites: Root and Wings. I came across the site last year when I was looking for a book my sister-n-law recommended on the importance of family traditions. I am not sure if this website is related to the book Roots and Wings. I did find that the sister’s who own the site Roots and Wings have a passion for the Holiday’s and the traditions surrounding them.

“Parents must give their children two things: roots and wings. Give them roots to keep them grounded through tough times. Give them wings to soar above everything, explore new worlds and fly farther than we ever did.” (Helen Bateman) Traditions are the roots that hold the family together. When our children feel safe they feel secure and confident. Their wings of imagination and creativity will let them soar to discover new things and share those ideas with their children someday.

Erika, Rebecca, Anjeanette and Katrina hope to help families establish the roots to grow from, and wings to soar with by sharing their ideas for fun traditions, stories and crafts.

August Resolution to Make

Photo: courtesy iVillage.com It amazes me that a single event can seem so far in the distance and then sneak up on me before I know it. Last Christmas I made a goal to be prepared. Unforeseen circumstances crushed that goal into tiny particles of 

April Website Review: Let’s Explore

Let’s Explore is one of my all time favorite kid sites. There are tons of ideas and links to help your children learn, create and explore. It is ok if you are not crafty there is something for everyone from sewing, gluing, cutting, pretending, cooking, 

Springtime Chocolate Nests

Springtime Chocolate Nests

The birth of Spring is a marvelous sight to see here in the Valley. The medians along the highway flourish with a backdrop of orange and red poppies in addition to random purple and yellow wildflowers. The once boring lifeless hills awaken with the fresh scents of vibrant greens. The fragrant air recently cleaned by the passing rainstorm breathes life and beauty into the sleeping earth.

These little chocolate nests are just as delightful as the surrounding landscape. They are a little messy to begin with but they are so darn cute. They would make an adorable place setting to welcome guests to for Easter day dinner or an extra special treat at a tea party. You could even share one with the Spring Bunny. So don the aprons and let’s make some Springtime Chocolate nests.

8 oz dark, semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips
1 bag (2 1/2 cups) chow mein noodles
Small egg shaped candies
Waxed paper

Place the chocolate in a bowl and microwave on medium for 30 second intervals, stirring each time, until melted. Or place the chocolate in a heat proof bowl set over simmering water, stirring until melted.

Gently stir in the chow mein noodles.

Divide mixture into 5-6 mounds on the waxed paper shaping to form the nest with an indentation in the middle. Let set 15-20 minutes. Place a few eggs in the middle.

Super Bowl Pom Poms

Women always get a bad rep when it comes to football especially in high school and college football games; the place to be to hang out with friends and have a good time. But I have to admit I am not so interested in the 

February Website Review: Instructables.com

Instructables is sort of like a combination of YouTube and Ehow.com in one jazzy spot. A few of my favorite posts are how to build your own BBQ-Barrel. Or how to make chainmaille from soda pop tabs. How to make a PVC pipe lego table. 

January Website Review: Chica and Jo

Chica and Jo is a website that offers tips for quick, easy and affordable home solutions and fun crafts. I stumbled upon it a few months ago looking for zoo animal ideas for the little preschoolers I teach. Once I started to look around I was hooked.

The site was started by two friends Chica and Jo with the goal to inspire. They enjoy a challenge and so welcome emails from their readers asking advice or sharing ideas on everything from entertaining to organization to kids and crafts.

Some of the subjects you can expect to find on the Chica and Jo website includes: crafts for adults and kids, sewing projects, green living, organization helps, using what you have to save money, shopping and coupons, general tips and advice, decorating inspiration, cooking, gift ideas, parties and entertaining know how, holidays and travel.

Some of my favorite posts I have noted are “making a tracing box with Christmas lights“, making purses from kids sweaters and the chili cookoff party invites just to name a few.

Rainy Day Fun: Animal Habitats

With the onset winter comes rain. Most days kids love to play in the pouring rain and stomp in the puddles. On the days the kids are stuck inside create a magical forest to host a tea party or fight off the bandits. We made