Crafting Chicks

{Tuesday Tips} Peanut Butter Play dough

2010-06-29T06:00:00.000-06:00

We are beginning a new Tuesday series, {Tuesday Tips}. We will be imparting some of the tips and tricks we have in our motherhood/homemaking arsenal. We hope you enjoy. Please feel free to send us requests and we will try our darnedest to fulfill them.

On with my post....

A couple days ago I was having one of those days where I had too much to do and not enough time and my two little ones wanting lots of attention. A light bulb went off and I ran to the pantry to gather my supplies. It was time for some Peanut Butter Play dough (edible)!

{Peanut Butter Play dough}

1 cup peanut butter
1 cup light Karo syrup
1 cup nonfat dry milk
1/4 cup powered sugar

Mix the peanut butter and Karo syrup together. Sift together the dry milk and powder sugar. Add the dry mixture to the peanut butter mixture all at once. Mix it all together with a spoon and then with hands. Knead to finish making it smooth and pliable. Use as you would any play dough, then the children can eat their creations.

I know this seems like lots of sugar, but it really doesn't taste too overly sweet. And it beats having to sit and watch your kids like a hawk so they don't ingest that nasty other play dough

Have your kids help you measure and pour the ingredients into the bowl. You can also have them help you mix once you begin to knead by hand.

Then they are ready to play and you can have a little time to get things done, or you could snag a couple nibbles of the play dough yourself.

My girl's loved it. Can you tell that my little one has a mouth full while she is playing?
Enjoy!

{Chocolate Pudding Layer Dessert}

2010-06-25T06:00:00.004-06:00

This is one of our family favorites. I especially love it in the Spring and Summertime! I am sure this recipe is floating out there, but it is too yummy for anyone to miss out on so I thought I would share. It has three layers of goodness: a pecan crust, a cream cheese layer, and a chocolate pudding layer. Just a warning:: It does take some refrigeration so make sure to leave yourself enough time. Enjoy!

{Chocolate Pudding Layer Dessert}

Pecan Crust
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter Mix pecans, flour, and butter and press into a 9x13 pan. Bake at 300 for 20-25 minutes. Cool.

Cream Cheese Layer

1 (8oz) non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
2 (8oz) cream cheese, at room temp.
2 cups powdered sugar

Blend whipped topping, cream cheese and powdered sugar. Spread over cooled crust. Refrigerate 2 or more hours.

(Let your helper sample)

Chocolate Pudding Layer

2 (5.9 oz) chocolate instant pudding
4 cups milk
2 tsp. vanilla

Mix pudding, milk, and vanilla with an electric mixer on low speed until mixture begins to thicken. Spread on top of cream cheese layer and refrigerate overnight or for several hours. Garnish with a grated candy bar.

Makes 10-12 servings.

ENJOY!!

Other Ways to Use Digital Scrapbooking Products

2010-06-23T06:00:00.008-06:00

While I consider myself a digital scrapbooker, I haven't scrapped a page in over 4 years. I learned how to digital scrapbook about 5 years ago and it seems once I figured out Photoshop the fun was gone. But I still love the products. Much like non-scrappers have huge stashes of paper and scissors filling up closets, there's a pretty good stash of digital products filling up our hard drive. I'm sharing a few of my favorite ways to use them here. Digital products let you have a well put together project in no time, especially quick pages and layouts just waiting for photos. There's a lot of stuff I have that I didn't think I'd ever use until I found alternative ways to use them.

My favorite way to use brag books? Shipping labels. They have the perfect spot for an address--right where the photo should be. They take practically no time, and I like to think that I'm cheering up the receiver's day as well as the postal workers!

This poor box is the link between cousins in different states. Once opened, it is filled and sent back--with a new mailing label of course.This label is a page out of this brag book.

CD case calenders provide a great layout for playlists to be typed up.

They are designed to fit jewel cases, so there is no need to bother with dimensions.I believe this calender month was April.

And don't forget the regular embellishments and tags found in kits. We turned this tag into an invitation with the addition of a little die cut hat.

Digital scrapping makes mass producing a ton faster than the traditional way! Do it once and let the printer do the rest. If you think digi-scrapping isn't your thing, you may want to think again. The best part may be that you can never use your digi supplies up! There's always a new one waiting in the folder. If you hear all this talk about digital scrapbooking and you are still trying to figure it out, here is a good explanation. The Crafting Chicks use Photoshop and/or Photoshop Elements.

{Tweeting Chicks and Recipes}

2010-06-21T08:23:00.001-06:00

Good Monday morning! A few quick announcements:

The Crafting Chicks are now (finally) on Twitter! Come follow us as we share crafty tips and other fun finds-- and learn how to navigate the crazy world of tweeting!

http://twitter.com/craftingchicks

Also, now most of us Crafting Chicks will be attending EVO '10 this weekend in beautiful Park City, Utah and we are thrilled! Hope to see you there. :)

We have some BIG changes coming soon here at Crafting Chicks and we can't wait to share it with you when we're ready. I hate teasers but we're not quite ready to share the details yet. So stay tuned!!

Okay. Today I just thought I'd share some recipe cards that I made awhile back for some recipe exchanges.
I know some people who are having Summer Solstice parties--I'd recommend the Veggie Pizza (it's not actually pizza, it's veggies on a creamcheese/ranch spread on top of a "crust" of crescent roll dough--to die for!) because it just screams SUMMER! :) Oooh, and my Grandma's famous chocolate cake will definitely be hit at any party.

If you want any of them, you can double click on the image to make it larger, then right-click and save it to your computer. They are 4x6 inches in size.

Happy Summer Solstice! Enjoy your day!

The Vintage Birthday Paper Chandelier

2010-06-18T00:00:00.006-06:00

So for Dave's birthday I wanted to do something random and different.

Enter the Vintage Paper Chandelier. I saw the idea of a paper birthday chandelier somewhere on the Internet...cheers to you whoever you are.
I would tell you where I saw
it but I just saw the pic awhile back, and only saw it once. I ended up creating
my interpretation of it.
(scallop brush created by the talented Katie Pertiet from Designer Digitals)

Assemble like so:
choose a book you can use for taking apart...I had an extra church manual.
You could look at that one of two ways...wow that's harsh that
you would take apart your church manual...OR
you could think, wow, that chandelier has some real important
stuff in it. You can guess what I chose.

This book's pages were 6"x9" with the
diameter of the finished paper circle about 8 1/2", and
the diameter of the whole chandelier, 22".

You need three to make a tight circle, at least for this size.

Then you do lots of taping. Take each joint near the center,
near the ends and on both sides. Then grab a snack...

Then continue. The tape in the center should be close together so you
can put the wire hanger through it and it won't flop around, although
I did have a few of those. I ended up making 25 circles and there were spaces
between each one. You could also do double that, and have no spaces.
At this point, you take a hanger and make it into a circle and tape
the two ends together.
Then string them all on your hanger.

Then I used three 24" ribbons and secured them
each 1/3 of the way around the hanger to balance it out.
Then tied them all together at the top.

On comes the really fun part. I chose pictures from our life
together, some of our favs. I attached them with
little claw clips. I added a Wedding Picture, and The Kids
with Popsicles.

I added a silly picture of Dave listening to the baby in my tummy (my second
out of four)...we had no idea what we were getting ourselves
into for the next 3 years as 2 MORE kids came.

I just put 2 pics on each 4x6 and printed them at Costco, so each
one ended up at the 3x4 size, and put a picture on each side
with double-sided tape.
Then a picture of us at a UTAH STATE,
football game, when we had ONE child.

The little claw clips that you can find at any craft store clipped
right onto the antiqued brass ball chain and the copper necklace chain
I had laying around. Arrange the picture so they are at varying heights, and there you have it.

One had a happy birthday greeting.

"We Adore You"

I really liked how it turned out; it was a fun little surprise.

Now go get your craft on...Thanks all for stopping by.

XOXO Kirsten

EVO 10 Conference & The Mother Huddle

2010-06-17T10:40:00.000-06:00

CRAFTING FRIENDS WANTED: Are you going? It's June 24th-June 26th....

1/3 of the crafting chicks (Kirsten & Becky) will be there and we can't wait! We are so excited to attend all the wonderful workshops and meet all the great people that will be there, so hopefully that includes YOU. Not to mention that it is being held in beautiful Park City, Utah!

If you want to learn more, go to the EVO CONFERENCE website and come hang out! We always love to make more crafting friends to plan and scheme with. Plus, I swear that we will have treats to share.

ALSO.......our fabulous crafting chick Brooke as well as the Crafting Chicks site is featured today on the WoNdErFuL mama blog called the MOTHER HUDDLE. If you have never been here, you must stop by. It's a very charming section of the internet world. :)

Here is the link to our very own Crafting Chicks Bullet List , we'd love for you to check it out and leave us some lovin' over there--show how amazing and supportive our readers are! :)

At The Mother Huddle they have various segments on their blog with fun names like:
The Bullet List--different blogs featured in a creative way, a Simply & Charmed Life, Crafty Kids Corner, Maria's Kitchen, Kate's Fabulous Finds, Make it Monday, and Sew Be It.

Just hang around for awhile and you will find something that catches your eye, like when you read Real Simple Magazine, you know exactly what I mean. The writers on The Mother Huddle are all so sincere, real, and refreshing. Seriously these girls will not disappoint.

**This is Brooke now.....I had the privelege of meeting Destri of The Mother Huddle at the CBC Conference a few weeks ago, and attended a panel discussion where she was a speaker. Destri had great advice to offer and was so darling and genuine! She is definitely one of my favorites and is as kind, beautiful and down-to-earth as you can imagine. And her site has such valuable, inspiring content. I love her to pieces! :) We are thrilled to be included on the Bullet List today!**

{Reward Cards for Kids}

2010-06-15T20:39:00.000-06:00

Being the mom of six fabulous & crazy kids all home for the summer, I needed some sort of rewards system for them. After the first couple of days of summer break, I was already done with the fighting and not listening. So, I came up with this:

Everytime that I catch my kids being kind, helping, or not talking back when I ask them to do (or not do) something, they get to pick a card. The are a few different cards. I picked rewards that they would be excited about, and that I could live with. :) I printed the reward cards on cardstock and then had them laminated.

When they choose a card, they can't see which one they are getting, which makes it like a game. They love it! Some of the cards are 1,2, or 3 points. They can save these cards and use them to get things at the 'Point Store'. They love being able to 'buy' things.

So far it has been working great! Hopefully it will work the rest of the summer so we can all stay happy and sane!!!:)

{Library Bags & Tags for Summer Reading}

2010-06-14T06:45:00.002-06:00

I made some simple library bags with card holders for my kids and wanted to share. I thought it would be great for them to have a place to store their books (so they won't get mixed up with our books at home) and also a way to carry their books to and from the library. I followed this bag tutorial. I used it on the monogram bags as well. These were much more simple without the letters and pockets.

I used canvas material to line the bags, to make them more sturdy to carry the books. I cut the material 16 inches wide and about 19 inches long. I sewed the bag with about a 1/2 seam. The straps were about 14 inches. These bags will carry most sizes of books.

I also digitally scrapbooked a little tag with my kids' names to tie around the strap. I used the same plastic name tag holders that Brooke used in her adorable Color Mini Book. I too found these at WalMart. The tag is approx. 2.5 tall and 3.5 wide. For the boys label, I used one of my most favorite kits for boys called Wonderful from the amazing Shabby Princess. I cannot remember where I bought the kit I used for the girl label, but I love how it went with the bag material.

My kids were so excited to have a special library bag with their names on it. They carried them around all day full of books. We cannot wait to go to the library next week!

Also, you can insert their library card just behind the name tag on the other side. This will make it easy to find when you are ready to go check out books.

If you want to print one of the labels, just click on the images below and then right click on the image and select save.

Happy Summer Reading!

Dad Album Winners!!

2010-06-13T09:41:00.002-06:00

Hello, I'm here to announce the winners of the Dad Album "quick page" digital files!!

And the winners are:
#10:   Pamela and Austin Matthews
#20:   Mandi
#31:   Casey
#54:   Julie
#72:   Mrs. S.

Email us at craftingchicks@gmail.com by Monday night with your email address to claim your prize. :)

Thanks for your lovely comments! We have such amazing readers. :) Have fun getting ready to celebrate Father's Day in a week!!

{Visiting Teaching Handout for June}

2010-06-11T06:00:00.004-06:00

Wanna know the secret to wanting to get your visiting teaching done each month? Take your ladies a fun cute treat/handout. I have loved visiting teaching but since I started making cute handouts I can't wait to go! There are tons of fun sites out there that have great ideas. For the month of June the message is on the Sacrament and I just didn't find anything that I loved so this is what I came up with.

It's a little Sacrament booklet with quotes about the Sacrament, our Savior, and the covenants we make by partaking of the Sacrament. (If you would like to know more about the visiting teaching program please visit http://www.lds.org/.)

Here is what you'll need:
a small picture of Christ (I got mine at Deseret Book)
white card stock
a brad
a piece of vellum

I printed out the quotes that I liked best. I actually found some that weren't in the lesson but I liked these better. You can find the quotes in format here, or type up your own. I made a label document with each square the size of the picture so they would be easy to cut out.

I cut out the quotes and attached them to the picture with a piece of vellum over the front of the picture. I made them small enough that they can hang out in a set of scriptures. I hope my sisters enjoy them and I hope you are able to use and enjoy them as well.

Now make your appointments and go visit!

How does your garden grow?

2010-06-09T06:00:00.019-06:00

This may be too late for most of our readers, but if you have been slacking and haven't gotten around to planting your flowers (ahem. me.) then this is for you!

A nicely planted flower box is made up of the same design elements used in all forms of design--interior, graphic, fashion, floral and of course landscape!

The Rule of Odds:: Our brains like to see odd numbers. Even numbers look like they are fighting to balance each other. 1 spike, 3 geraniums, and 5 lobelia will result in a balanced basket.

Color:: Pick a color scheme, any color scheme you can't go wrong. Monochromatic (one color), Analogous (colors next to each other on the color wheel), Complimentary (2 colors opposite on the color wheel) or Polychromatic (any and all colors).

Mix Textures:: Just like fabric has a texture, so do plants. Some plants have feathery leaves, and others have spiky. Texture will add another dimension to your container when the flowers aren't at their best.

Height:: Plants grow different heights and it is important to know which is going to be your tallest and which is going to trail. The tags that come in the plants will tell you this. Plant the tallest in either the center of the pot or in the middle back depending on where the pot will be. Make sure your trailing plants go along the edge and fill in with medium sized plants.

Other things to consider::

plant flowers with the same light and water needs together
don't plant deeper than the plant is already (in the container from the nursery). if you do it can cause the plant to die
don't over water. plants like to go through wet and dry (but not too dry) cycles. roots need oxygen and they can't get it when they are sitting in soggy soil all the time.

And there you have it, an extremely quick crash course in how to plant beautiful containers!

{Summer Fun by the Crafting Chicks}

2010-06-08T08:18:00.002-06:00

Here are some fun summer ideas for you and your family. Happy Summer!

xoxoxo

the Crafting Chicks

60 Days of Summer Chart-Jamie
I got this amazing idea from the fellow Crafting Chicks Kirsten & Brooke! My family made a list of fun things to do this summer. I thought it would be great to make this poster to motivate us and get us excited about summer! Most of these activities are very simple and easy to do, but the kids will think they are awesome! (You can click on the poster to enlarge and get ideas for your family)

I am going to blow this up to a 16x20 at Costco and then hang it up. We will put stickers on our chart after each summer fun activity.

Summer Cooking-Becky

I have my 3-year-old signed up for a fun cooking class this summer. She will come away with a fun little recipe book full of things she can make. I am excited to try out different recipes with her after each class. I also think it will be a great hands on way for her to learn and develop skills. To get you started here are some fun links to cooking with kids.

Mini Oreo Surprise Cupcakes, Triple Strawberry No-Drip Pops, Mini Chicken Pot Pies, Personal Pizzas

Science Camp--Nikkala
I've put together a mini science camp for my pre-schooler and a couple of his friends. It will be a 1 1/2 hours a day for a week. Planning this with my scientist husband has been fun, but there's been constant reminding that they are only 4! I think he wishes he could plan a week for himself to do a bunch of fun experiments.

There are so many ideas we've come across, but its been narrowed it down to these activities and a few books to go along:

Water/Ice
sink or float
ice cube color mix
water vs. ice
water painting
water filtration (hydrology)
I Get Wet (book)
The Magic School Bus. Wet All Over (book)

Color
coffee filter
prisms
tie die
acetate color circles
batik w/glue
crayon/water color
All the Colors of the Rainbow (book)

Physics
balloon test--static electricity
bend water with a comb
paper airplane

marble track
parachute

Energy Makes Things Happen (book

Body
growth chart
brushing teeth--plaque
5 senses
taste without smell
germs
listen to our heart beats w/stethoscope
Germs
Hear Your Heart (book)
Germs (book)

Science In the Kitchen
cornstarch + water
baking a treat
baking soda + vinegar volcanoes
Diet Coke + Mentos
lemon juice invisible ink
dancing raisins

I think they will have a blast watching things erupt! And keep their little minds occupied at the same time.

Picnics at New Parks- Jen

Once a week, my kids and I pack a picnic and find a new park to eat at and play. We do a different park each week. It is so fun, and my kids love playing on a new playground. We look up parks in the area online or a couple of times, we have just driven around and discovered one. Yea for summer!!!!:)

What are some fun things you will be doing this summer?

{Father's Day Gift Idea--DAD Album + Freebie}

2010-06-07T08:38:00.005-06:00

**This giveaway is now closed.**

Today I have a Father's Day gift idea for you--a personalized DAD album. It's a perfect way to show love to the Dad in your life. :)

It was fun to create these pages in Photoshop as part of a class I taught at a digital scrapbooking retreat awhile back---see, I told you I LOVE digital scrapbooking! :) I made the letter page templates then added digital papers and embellishments along with photos of my kids and our family. Then I printed them off at Costco, cut each page out, and adhered to that thin cardboard paper that you get for free when you print 12x18 at Costco!! You could always use cardstock or chipboard too. I punched 2 holes on the side and tied cute coordinating ribbon to create the DAD album. It was a wonderful gift for Father's Day!

Here is what each page looks like (in digital form):

Credits: Digital Scrapbook Memories

I wanted to share the basic letter templates with you! If you have Photoshop or another photo editing program that allows you to work with layers, you can create your own Dad album too, adding your own digital papers and elements and photos and journaling. Simple instructions are included in the download. Even if you are a paper scrapbooker, you can still use these basic templates--just print out the templates and cut your papers! {This makes approx. 5.5 by 11.5 inch album.}

Here is the link to download the template files: DAD Album Template
Please do not distribute or sell. Thank you!!

And because I'm so happy that it's finally SUMMER, I want to add a little somethin' extra!! :) Leave a comment on this post and at the end of the week I will choose 5 lucky readers to receive the Quick Page version of this album---the design is all done, you just have to add your photos and journaling!

Have a lovely day!! Love you all! :)

Linked at these delightful sites:

Show and Tell with Blue Cricket Design

SMORES CUPCAKES...Welcome SUMMER!!

2010-06-04T02:13:00.008-06:00

Ok, so Nikkala was talking about doughnuts, and my mouth is now watering and I am going to talk about these YUMMY, cupcakes now. So you may have seen these on Martha Stewart....but these are BETTER. This recipe was made by my darling friend Jeneece, who is a baking goddess. She tweaked Martha Stewart's recipe by changing the chocolate cake part of the recipe into even more dark loveliness.
Jeneece surprised me with these, and some others that were equally great, after I spent an afternoon at her house with some of her SWEET friends teaching a Photoshop class in her theater room: (RANDOM SIDE NOTE: WE WILL BE TEACHING MORE CLASSES LIKE THIS SOON....PHOTOSHOP, DIGI SCRAPPIN' AND MORE!!!)

When we were setting up, she was making these for her daughter's class, and in not so many words, I demanded that she bring me a lovely set of these, PLEASE JENEECE!

She did not disappoint.

So here it is...please make these soon, eat them all, then go have a nap.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

RECIPE FROM JENEECE:
Line 24 muffin/cupcake tins (I use the foil ones for this recipe)

Bottom crust:(Reserve about 1/2 of this mixture for later)
2 cup graham crackers, crushed
1/2 c sugar
4 Tbl melted butter

Place in a bowl and combine until you have a nice crumbly mixture. Put 1 Tbsp or so of this mixture in the bottom of the cupcake liners and press down until they are smooth and flat. Cook for 6 minutes at 350 degrees to slightly brown the bottom. After the bottom has been browned, fill cupcakes with almost 1/4 C cake mixture. Sprinkle left over graham cracker crumbs and small chocolate chips on top of cake mixture and then bake for 15-16 minutes at 350 degrees or until cake springs back when lightly touched with your finger.

Mixture for chocolate cupcakes batter:
1 pkg of chocolate cake mix (I use Betty Crocker)
1 cup sour cream
4 eggs
3/4 c oil
3/4 c water
1 pkg small dry chocolate pudding mix
1/2 c small chocolate chips

Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting.

Frosting:
8 large egg whites
2 c sugar
1/2 tsp cream of tarter
2 tsp pure vanilla extract

Place egg whites, sugar and cream of tarter in a heatproof bowl of an electric mixer (I use my kitchen aid bowl). Set over a saucepan with simmering water. Whisk constantly until sugar is dissolved and whites are warm to the touch (about 3-4 minutes).

Transfer bowl to the electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and beat starting on low speed gradually increasing to high, until stiff glossy peaks form (about 8-10 minutes). Add vanilla and mix until combined. Pipe on to the cupcakes so they look like an ice cream on a ice cream cone. Take a creme brule torch and burn them to make them look like they have been toasted like a campfire. Makes 24 cupcakes.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

And there you have it, welcome summer!!

Medallions Ribbons and Donuts to Share

2010-06-03T06:00:00.019-06:00

I'm sort of, really, a lot in love with these medallion ribbons! It all started with the Minute to Win It prize, and has continued through the end of school and on! I don't know if I'll ever get enough of them.
National Donut Day is this Friday, and I think these ribbons would make a drop-by surprise of donuts to your friends even cuter. Use with just 1 donut, or go for the whole dozen if you are feeling generous!

I really wanted to share the Super Teacher one with all of you, but as far as I could tell sharing isn't allowed with the papers I used. So I came up with this cute one using a free kit from Shabby Princess for National Doughnut Day. Does anyone know the real spelling of doughnut/donut? I couldn't find a definite answer so I went with donut as it fits on the tag easier!

They are so simple to put together. First, you'll want to download the Happy Go Lucky kit if you haven't already. And you can download the template here. I added the Super Teacher option to it too, so if the end of the year is here and you need a little something to say thanks, I've got you covered. Shut off the donut layer and move the Super Teacher layer into its place. Here is a great tutorial on how to use a layered template if you are unsure. The dimensions are 1.5"x11" for the 2 wide strips and 1"x11" for the ribbons.

Let's litter the earth with cute medallion ribbons! (Not really litter, you know what I mean...right?)

After you have your papers inserted in the template, print it out. Fold the wider strips accordion style and glue the ends together. I used a glue gun for all of my gluing here. The thinner strips will get cut in half and notches taken out to make ribbons.

This is the tricky part--flatten out the accordion ring and glue the circle on. There was quite a large hole in the back so I cut a scrap piece of paper and glued down to cover it up. You could use a large circle punch if you want and have it handy. Then I glued the 4 "ribbons" on the back. Be sure you have these centered under the tag--you don't want all of your work to end with some sideways ribbon action.

Wouldn't I be your best friend if I showed up on your doorstep Friday with a donut and this cute ribbon!?!

{Flowery Frames}

2010-06-01T21:31:00.000-06:00

I just re-decorated my daughters' room in hot pink, black. and white. I found these frames at Tai-Pan in just the perfect color to match their hot pink & white bedding. They were so boring and kind-of cheap looking, so I just added some flowers to one of the corners. So simple, but I really LOVE how girly and cute they look!!!:)

{Treasure Charts}

2010-05-31T06:05:00.003-06:00

I am all about positive reinforcement and rewards at our house-it really helps my kiddos to behave or do things I ask-and it makes me feel good to get them excited about doing good things. I used to teach 1st grade and loved using these kind of incentives. (I even get a little excited when they earn a sticker:)

After Kirsten's Great Post about incentives, I wanted to try the treasure chest.

First, I made these charts in Word. I wanted these to be cute, but I didn't want to spend the time digi scrapping these, since we just toss them out when they are full. So I just made a simple template in Word with their name on it. (You can download the chart template below.)

Next, I got a Treasure Chest looking box. (Similar ones can be found at most craft stores)-You can even decorate a box with your kids, or use a plastic tote. Anything would work.

I then filled the box with some little goodies that my kiddos love. I put fruit snacks and treats that they normally can't have in the treasure box as well.

SO...in order to earn a trip to the treasure box, they have to earn five stickers. 5 is a good amount for 3 year olds (so they won't lose interest), but you may want to have your older children earn 10 or 20 before a trip to the treasure box. I like using stickers, because it is a reward in itself, they love being able to choose their sticker and put it on their chart all by themselves.

I hang the charts on the inside of my pantry door in the kitchen and used a sheet protector to hang the stickers above. I need these charts and stickers to be easily accessible during the day for this to work.

They earn stickers for waking up dry, helping me, cleaning up, going somewhere without mom (separtion anxiety has not been fun), being good on an outing, and other little good deeds. We've already been through a few charts and my little ones are still interested in, and loving our treasure box.

Side note...Abby did not earn any stickers yesterday, instead she decided to paint the downstairs wall...good old three year olds:)

Here is the TREASURE CHART Word file if you would like to download it. Just click on the word treasure chart and it will direct you to the download link. You can open it up, change the name to your child's name, print it on bright colored cardstock and hang it up!

What other incentive ideas work for your kids?

Jewelry Frame

2010-05-28T06:00:00.002-06:00

I have been asking my husband for a Jewelry box for just about 10 years now. I keep looking to tell him what I want and just can't find something that is big enough for what I have, but small enough that it doesn't take up too much room. Oh, and I want it to be cute and not grandma looking. Tall order huh?

I was flipping through Real Simple Magazine when I saw this genius idea. I just had to make it.

Here are the supplies you need:

An old frame
cardboard or foam core
material in velvet or another fun fabric, or textured wallpaper (which I used, and you will need to paint and glue).
and straight pins.

First off I cut some cardboard to make the backing in the size of the frame. I made an 8x10 for this one, but I plan on making a larger size.

I cut the wallpaper to match the size of the cardboard and glued it down with Mod Podge. Then I painted it a fun blue to match my room.

Once it was dry, I inserted it into the frame and started placing the straight pins hanging my jewelery from those. It is super fun and I can't wait to make a bigger one. I want to head to a thrift store to find a fun old frame.

I also thought it would be so fun to make a cute one for my girl's rooms. This might even make a fun gift for someone. You could always give them a fun piece of jewelry hanging from it. Hint, hint for those husbands out there. ;)

Have fun and let me know what you try!

Minute to Win It

2010-05-26T06:00:00.057-06:00

I love to throw parties! And often on Sunday night, as we are watching Minute to Win It, I comment on what a fun party it would be.

So last week I made it happen as a surprise party for my sister. Because I went through the effort to put stuff together I thought I'd share it here with all of you!

If you haven't seen Minute to Win It, the object is to complete a task in 1 minute and then move on to the next--earning money with each completed task (much like Millioinaire). There are 3 chances that can be used before you are finished. So you can re-try a game if you don't pass it on the first attempt.
MTWI supplies

There are a lot of games, but these are the ones we chose to do because of the ease of setting up/we already had most of the supplies.

We used a church gym, with the basketball clock as our timer (complete with a loud buzzer!). And took advantage of the wireless internet to show the game introduction clips (from the MTWI website) using a projector. If you decide to do this for a really large group (like a ward party) it may work best to have a laptop at each station so contestants can watch before playing each game. Or you could introduce them all at the beginning on the projector.

We decided instead of having 1 person play at a time that it would be better to let everyone play whichever game they chose in the same 60 seconds, and then keep track on their scorecards. There were simultaneous games going and they played on the same buzzer. We started out having people mark their strikes, but gave up as the games are much trickier than they appear--but also very do-able after some practice. So if you succeeded it counted. Some games allow more than 1 person to play at the same time, such as Face the Cookie, which speeds things up. At the end of the party we had them add up the number of games they successfully completed and the highest score was deemed champion.

MTWI Scorecards

The 3 boxes are for the strikes if you decide to use them.

The games were set up around the perimeter of the gym with these signs hanging nearby indicating which game was which.

Minute to Win It Tags

Have fun and let me know how your party turns out!

Casual Blogger Conference 2010

2010-05-25T15:07:00.000-06:00

So this weekend I will be attending the Casual Blogger Conference in Sandy, Utah!! I'm excited to learn things to make the Crafting Chicks blog even better and hopefully it will benefit us Chicks and our amazing readers and followers alike! There are some fantastic speakers and I know it will be worthwhile.

In all honesty, however, I'm a little bit nervous because I'm going by myself, a lone little chickadee in a flock of fabulous, brilliant, hilarious and crafty people. :) I'm trying to be a big girl but I feel like I'm in elementary school and looking for a table with nice girls to sit with in the lunchroom or hoping to get picked for Red Rover. :) Are any of you fellow bloggers out there going to be at this conference this weekend? Will any of you be my friend??? :) I promise, I'm nice. Look for me and make sure I'm not a total lame-o nerdy loser face?? THANKS! Let me know in the comments if you're planning on being at the conference and at least that way I'll know I'm not alone. :)

xoxoxoxo
Brooke :)

Personalized Photo Jewelry

2010-05-24T12:20:00.013-06:00

Sorry I'm a little bit tardy on my post today! My computer was having a small tantrum, I have an eye infection and my spectacles make me dizzy, and on top of that, it is SNOWING at my house today! What a lovely Monday morning. :)

Lately I've been having fun making some personalized photo jewelry. I love personalized stuff! There are so many great tutorials out there and awesome supplies for the DIY-ers. While this isn't really a super detailed step-by-step tutorial, I thought I'd share a few cute things I've made recently with some simple instructions. :)

A glass tile family photo pendant

A bracelet with faces of my loves. :)

I love using photos for different projects. I made the bracelets for my mom and mother-in-law (and myself!) for Mother's Day, with photos of their grandchildren. :) They were a big hit!

Supplies needed:

** Your favorite brand of "diamond glaze" (I got mine on Etsy called "Sun and Moon Scrabble and Glass Glaze)

** E-6000 or other super strong adhesive

** a glass tile of any shape or size (I ordered mine from Sun and Moon Craft Kits on Etsy, it's the rectangular size glass tile)

** silver bails (silver "hooks" to allow you to put your pendant on a chain--also available in craft stores or in abundance on Etsy!!)

Decide what photo you want to put on your glass tile. I measured my glass tile and in Photoshop cropped my photo to the correct size. I printed on luster photo paper at Costco. If you print from your home printer, make sure you spray your photo with some sort of sealant so that the color won't bleed when you put the adhesive on it.

Spread a thin, even layer of the GLASS GLAZE on the glass tile, then place your photo "face down" onto the glaze. Position it where you want it and smooth it out, making sure to get rid of any air bubbles. Then spread another thin layer of glass glaze on the back of the photo.

When dry, put a small amount of E-6000 on the silver bail, then attach to the back of the photo tile. Let dry for 24 hours. Then you can put it on a chain and it's done!!

I've made lots of these pendants, with different photos, cute scrapbook paper, initials, you name it. One of my favorite necklaces I've made is of the Salt Lake Temple, with me and my husband's initials. :) These make awesome gifts too.

For the photo bracelet, I got an "empty" bracelet at Hobby Lobby (we just got a brand new store close to my home and it's glorious!).

I measured the little squares (they were like .625 inches) and cropped my little photos in Photoshop. Printed them at Costco again. Then I put a thin layer of the GLASS GLAZE (used on the pendants) on the back of the little photos and place them into the bracelet.

Once placed in the squares on the bracelet, I squeezed the glass glaze to completely cover each photo, being careful to get rid of any air bubbles. I used a toothpick to pop any that showed up. The glaze will be cloudy until it dries completely. Make sure your bracelet is on a flat surface to ensure even distribution of the glaze. (apologies for not-so-great photos)

Let it dry for 24 hours before wearing. And there you have it!

I wore mine to church on Mother's Day and got lots of compliments on it! I had to chuckle when they asked if my husband got it for me for Mother's Day--I said I made it for myself as a gift. :) I love it!

Linked at these parties:

Blue Cricket Design Show and Tell

A Soft Place to Land DIY Day

Today's Creative Blog

Tip Junkie

Early 4th of July ideas

2010-05-21T10:16:00.003-06:00

So I recently saw these pages that I haven't printed yet....from 2 years ago....go figure, and it reminded me of how much I love all the memories that surround the 4th of July. If I am being even more honest I would say that besides projects here and there I don't really scrap all my photos, not enough time in the day. Now that I had my moment of honesty.......I can begin. A few of these pages were layouts I copied from the amazing crafting chick JAMIE. I love the way she digi scraps. These are digi layouts that are I will probably put in an 8x8 book one day.

On fourth of July this year, take some cute pictures of the details of the the day, through all the craziness. These elements are from Shabby Princess and Designer Digitals.

We really like to be nerds as you can see.
It really is all about the treats for me...

I really wanted these colors to pop, and so I made the picture black and white then left their shirts colored. To do this, all you do is get the magnetic lasso and lasso the parts of the picture you want to stay colored, then go to Select then Select Inverse, which selects the rest of the picture the turn that layer black and white, and there you go!

More sillies.
My baby boy was dancin' all over the place this day.....so fun. I made my favorite pictures of the sequence pop by leaving them in color, then making others BW with his bright red shirt colored.

I can't wait for the 4th of July this year :) Happy Scrappin'!!

Fruit Bouquet

2010-05-20T06:00:00.021-06:00

The Crafting Chicks are moms and we know that crafting isn't always picture perfect. And sometimes it is downright hectic and doesn't go as planned--especially when you are in a hurry!

I was asked to make a fruit topiary for a mother/daughter tea party and honestly when I bit that hook I could not visualize what a fruit topiary was. But I thought I could figure it out - with a little help from my friend Google of course :).

After consulting Google I sat off to the produce section and came home with the smallest head of cabbage I could find (it was still rather large), cantaloupe, grapes, and a box of toothpicks.

I had read that places like Edible Arrangements use cabbage as their base. I don't know if it is true but gave it a try. Number one, it is cheaper than a foam ball. And number two, I didn't have to make another stop at the craft store for a foam ball.

As soon as my boys were occupied with their lunch I set about creating the topiary. First, I pounded a 1/2" dowel into the bottom of the cabbage with a hammer. And then ran around looking for the floral foam I thought I had. Turns out I didn't have any, and I was running out of time. So my topiary really wasn't a topiary. I pulled the dowel out and sat my cabbage right on the pot. The cabbage was solid and held the toothpicks secure and heavy enough that I didn't attach it to the pot.

Borrowing a tip from my days as a floral designer, I started with my largest fruit--the strawberries and randomly stuck them in the cabbage. See that cute boy eating lunch in the background? He waited patiently for me to finish before wanting down.

I then filled in with the grapes and cantaloupe. By staggering the heights of the fruit you are able to cover up more of the cabbage.

It turned out great! I was on time and no one even cared that it wasn't on a dowel! Next time I'm planning on attempting the pineapple flowers with melon balls. It wouldn't be hard to appear super professional.

{ My Jett's Milestone Book}

2010-05-19T05:00:00.004-06:00

I finally finished this milestone book I have been working on for my little Jett. When I did this one

for my Derek, I did traditional paper scrapbooking. Oh, how I now LOVE digi-scrapping. So easy and mess free!:)

Jett is my number five of my six kids. After I had my fourth, I realized how fast they grow and change

and I wanted to remember every little detail of them being babies. I wish I had written down more of

the milestones for my first three.

I made this book 8"x8" and I love the size.

I picked my favorite photo for each of the months for one of the sides, then I typed the

milestones that I had written down for that month. I love to look back at their books and

remember all of the little things about my sweet babes.:)

{Homemade Cleaner} Tip of the Week

2010-05-18T06:00:00.005-06:00

I am such a dork, but I hate to buy dumb things like kitchen cleaner (especially since my hubby put me on a strict "spending plan"). I have forever wanted to make my own to be a little more green, and even have all the supplies I would need. Well I finally did it. You would never believe how easy it is, and it works better than any cleaners I have used. Here you go:

Kitchen Cleaner

2 TBLS Ammonia

2 TBLS dish liquid

1 quart water

I mixed it all in an empty cleaner bottle I had. Let me know what you think, or if you have other great green homemade cleaner recipes.

Enjoy!