by Vicki O'Dell | Apr 10, 2017 | Craft Tutorials
It’s those small, extra touches that make family gatherings special. From a favorite dish to a sweet dessert, creating something with your family is what builds traditions. Sit down this Easter and craft something up with the family! From Easter decorations, table settings or a simple Easter wreath on the front door, even a small Easter craft project with the family will help bring some special bonding time to the holiday.
Take a look at some of these easy DIY Easter projects we rounded up. We love how adorable these turned out and that Easter Bunny Bark is calling our names!
Easy Easter Projects for the Family
A slice of wood and some buttons from the craft store are all you need to create this super cute Button Easter Egg. Add a ribbon to hang it on the front door (a protected area) or place it on a small stand to display on the buffet table. Either way, it will add a pop of spring colors to your home in minutes.
Who doesn’t love a FREE printable? These treat bag toppers for Bunny Tail Favors are super cute and quick to make. Just pop some powdered sugar donut holes into a treat bag and pop this free Easter printable on top for an adorable party favor.
Imagine Easter bunnies and flowers down the center of your holiday table. Now imagine creating it yourself in almost no time at all – what a great Easter idea! These DIY Recycled Easter Bunny Vases are just the ticket for decorating on a budget.
Do you have a family of adults that still would like an Easter Basket or Easter treat? They are sure to love these Springtime Marshmallow Wands. Stack, dip, decorate and repeat.
Looking for something for the little people to do while dinner is cooking? This Easter Bunny Paper Plate Craft might just be what you are looking for.
Are you the kind of mama who isn’t afraid of a mess? Shaving Cream Painted Easter Eggs are super gorgeous and your kiddos will have a blast making them.
This Pastel Flower Bouquet with Eggs is deceptively simple to make. Place a clear drinking glass or thin vase in the center of a large-mouth jar or canister, and stack eggs between the glass and the jar. Fill the glass with water and arrange flowers. Easy peasy!
Who says the kids get all of the candy? Not us! This quick Easter Bunny Bark is a great treat for the adults in your world. But you know, make enough for the kids too. Just in case.
Finally! A project that uses up the plastic Easter eggs. Plastic Easter Egg Flowers are so easy to make you’ll want to make a whole bouquet. And why not, it keeps them out of the landfill!
Here is another fun project for the little people. This Paper Plate Easter Bunny Craft will have them hopping around pretending to be bunnies and wearing themselves out. You know, so you can enjoy that Easter Bunny Bark above in peace.
And finally, a Wine Cork Sheep Craft. Have the pieces of the sheep cut out ahead of time and let the kids go to town stamping the sheep wool. The bonus here, of course, is that you get to drink wine so you can use the corks!
Those are just a few of the great ideas we’ve seen. Which ones are you going to try with your family? Tell us in the comments or share your finished projects on our Facebook page!
by Vicki O'Dell | Mar 24, 2017 | Craft Tutorials
Hosting a bridal shower for a friend or family member can be expensive. Food, gifts, games and decor can all add up quickly. That is unless you want to roll up your sleeves and DIY to create some custom bridal shower decor! You can provide a lovely party with wonderful memories and not break the bank. That leaves you a bit of extra money for dress and shoe shopping (just don’t tell the bride-to-be).
Take a look at some of these awesome bridal shower DIYs we found!
DIY Bridal Shower Decor
Repurposed Glass Bottles What a pretty way to unify a mix of sizes and shapes. Spray them all in one color and add a stem or two. Viola! Table decor done.
Pretty DIY Dessert – Pretty whipped cream filled meringues with blueberries and violets. Almost too pretty to eat.
Useful Sweet Favors – Find tea cups, measure cups or other small vessels at the thrift store or flea market, wash them and then fill with candies for pretty useful favors.
Is a large floral centerpiece not in the budget. Get your flower fix in a unique and pretty way with this DIY Flower Chandelier. Leave the flowers until they are completely dry for a pretty garden chandelier too!
Tissue Paper Pom Poms are an easy way to create a decoration in colors that go with your theme or with the bride’s chosen colors. They are easy to make and super affordable.
Super glam and pretty these DIY Glitter Champagne Bottles are a great way to add some fizz and sparkle to a shower. Glitter a few as a centerpiece or glitter lots of small ones for party favors.
Whether you use it to decorate the room, as a photo booth backdrop or even to simply wrap a present you can’t go wrong with this DIY Heart Garland.
Another garland that is perfect for a party is DIY Tassel Garland. Again, you can create it in almost any color you want. Perfect for mixing and matching.
This DIY Floral Monogram is a great way to decorate the cake or cake table. Keep it from the shower to use on the card table or cake table at the wedding too if it works.
What is a party without balloons? And DIY Confetti Balloons are even better. Easy to make, fun to look at and easy on the budget.
Now that we’ve got your inspiration flowing, which DIY bridal shower decor projects are you going to try first? Is there an easy DIY decor project that we missed? Let us know in the comments!
by Vicki O'Dell | Mar 2, 2017 | Make It
Waiting at soccer practice, dance, pre-school, nap time, or doctor’s appointments, there are lots of short periods of time when a mom can sneak in some creative time. They don’t come at regular intervals nor do they last long but if you are organized and have all you need in one place you will be surprised at how often you can get a little creative. This art kit tutorial will show you a quick way to get your creative side flowing!
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For this version of Mom’s Tiny Art Kit I used an inexpensive pine box and I added a little wood burned mandala to the outside of it. Never tried wood burning before? Check out my basic wood burning tips to get started! Feel free to use a shoe box, a recipe box, or even a zip-close plastic bag if that is what you have on hand right now – anything can hold your tools and be easy to carry around.
You can draw on your container, paint, or stitch on it. You can even just decorate it with washi tape. The important part is to set aside a few supplies just for you that will be easy to carry around.
Whether you draw, doodle, paint, watercolor, or stitch, generally, you can fit a few supplies in a small container for most creative endeavors and have them at hand when the occasion arises.
For example, if you are used to working large watercolor paintings, cut some watercolor paper down into 4″ x 4″ pieces so that you have a smaller canvas ready. It’s easy to fill the canvas quickly and much easier to carry around. This also works if you are simply trying out different art supplies and don’t want to work on a huge surface. I’ve learned from experience that 4″ x 4″ is just the right size for experimenting and learning. 
Smooth Bristol 4″ x 4″ paper is perfect for doodling with pencils or markers. But if you are just looking to get creative and not sure where to start, pick up a Zentangle or Zendoodle book and get to doodling.
If the kiddos want to use your art kit, you can make them an extra special one of their own. Even some blank paper and a few crayons will feel special to them and they can create right along side mom if they want.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite products to use in making our art kit and art-on-the-go ideas. Do you have more to add to our list? Tell us in the comments below!
by Vicki O'Dell | Jan 29, 2017 | Make It
In a perfect world we would all have a personal chef and dinner would be on the table when we came home in the evening. Piping hot, satisfying and healthy.
While we don’t live in a perfect world a slow cooker gets us a bit closer. Add the ingredients in the morning before heading out the door and arrive home to the delicious aroma of a fully cooked meal. Add a side salad or some crusty bread from your favorite bakery and you can have your family fed before they can even think about asking, “What’s for dinner?”
Check out these 12 Slow Cooker Soup Recipes for tons of inspiration
- Homemade Minestrone Soup – Minestrone soup is loaded with tasty veggies, like spinach and zucchini. It’s also protein packed with red kidney beans and great northern beans. You’ll be full for hours from this healthy, nutritious soup!
- Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup – The ultimate comfort food and cold/flu panacea. Make it for yourself, your family or a sick friend and don’t worry about spending all day on it. Toss the ingredients in the crock pot and snuggle on the sofa until it’s done.
- Slow Cooker Potato Soup – Served plain or piled high with garnish this recipe is one you will turn to again and again. Put the ingredients in the slow cooker and it’s ready to finish off 6-8 hours later.
- Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup – A perfect warmer upper on a chilly day. This soup will fill you up and warm you from the inside out.
- Crock Pot Vegetable Lentil Soup – Are you looking for a hearty vegetarian soup? Look no further.
- Slow Cooker 15 Bean Soup with Turkey Kielbasa – Add more veggies to this if you like. It’s a great way to clean out the crisper drawer at the end of the week.
- Crock Pot Cheeseburger Soup – What’s better than hot soup? Hot soup with cheese! This thick and creamy soup will fill your tummy in no time.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup – Put it all in the slow cooker and when you walk in the door in the evening you will have dinner ready to serve. This is a super easy recipe that the whole family will love.
- Slow Cooker Broccoli and Cheese Soup – Are you a big fan of Panera’s Broccoli and Cheese Soup? If so, you will LOVE this recipe. Can’t live without the bread bowl? You can find a recipe to make them right here – Homemade Split Peas Soup in a Bread Bowl.
- Slow Cooker Ham and White Bean Soup – If you aren’t sure what to do with the left over Christmas or Easter ham this recipe will save the day. Loaded with fiber and protein you will stay full a long time.
- Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup – Pair this soup with a loaf of crusty bread and you are all set for the evening meal.
- Slow Cooker French Onion Soup – A rich beefy broth loaded with caramelized onions and herbs and topped with an amazing Gruyere cheese topping! Who could ask for more?
Which one are you going to try this week? Let us know in the comments!
by Vicki O'Dell | Jan 25, 2017 | Make It
Did you know you can save energy at work and home by wearing a scarf? It is said that by wearing a scarf you can lower the thermostat by 5 degrees.
Even if you aren’t always cold it’s nice to have a pretty scarf to wear when you go outside in the winter.
Crochet is a very relaxing and usually affordable hobby. Even the luxe yarns can be used in a small project like a scarf and not break the bank. Check out our Free and Easy Crochet Scarf Patterns for inspiration.
Free and Easy Crochet Scarf Patterns
Crochet Scarf Pattern from Yarnspirations – It doesn’t get much easier than this! Basic chain stitches along with double and single crochet are all you need to create this pretty scarf. So easy to make you’ll want one in all of your favorite colors.
Double Wrap Infinity Scarf – Not only can you get the directions to make this beautiful crochet scarf pattern but there is also a downloadable FREE e-book of free scarf patterns. Bonus!
One Hour Scarf – One hour? Really? This pattern uses four yarns at once so not only does it work up quickly but it is also super thick and loaded with wonderful texture.
Easy Ribbed Infinity Scarf – This is a simple scarf to make, in fact you only need to know three crochet stitches: slip stitch, chain and half-double crochet. Using a soft chunky yarn guarantees you’ll never want to take it off.
Chevron Infinity Scarf Pattern – The perfect crochet scarf pattern for those among us who still love a good chevron pattern.
Braided Crochet Scarf – Three. Three. Three scarves in one! It’s a simple concept but it looks complicated. Simply create three small scarves and then braid them together. Genius!
Chunky Rib Crochet Scarf – Using two strands of yarn together creates a beautiful chunky scarf that is sure to keep you warm no matter the temperatures. The best part is the button that keeps it around your neck and not flapping in the wind.
Soft as a Lamb Scarf – Nice, soft yarns are fairly expensive but you can enjoy them for less when you create something simple like this scarf. The stitches are shell stitches which give this scarf a pretty texture.
Crochet Chevron Scarf Pattern – A subtle chevron stitch lends texture and pattern to this elegant scarf.
Snapdragon Stitch Scarf – Add to your stitch repertoire with this beautiful scarf. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks at first. The V stitch is simply a combination of other basic stitches.
Easy Woven Crochet Cowl Scarf – At first glance this looks super complicated but you are going to be amazed at how easy it really is. This scarf is one you will always get compliments on.
Which one of these is first on your list? Let us know in the comments!
