Maker Mama Craft Blog

The Best Little Vacation Spot in Texas

2013-05-20T00:07:00.000-05:00

Earlier this month, Chris and I had an unexpected opportunity to take the kids for a weekend stay at Schlitterbahn's new beach resort on South Padre Island. We usually make a day trip to the coast every summer, but don't usually stay overnight so we can keep the cost (and stress levels) down. So this was a treat for us all.

After realizing I wasn't quite "swimsuit ready" for an early May poolside debut, I prowled the internet for a new swimsuit. It was a little more money than I'd usually spend on swimwear, I picked out a two-piece swimskirt set from Land's End, and let me tell you, it was so worth it. There was no worrying about my swimsuit-worthy butt on this trip.

Anyway. As any good mom would do, I stocked up on food and sunscreen, and we skipped out on school early so we would arrive at a decent hour. (I was worried the drive would take forever, but turns out the map on my phone was over by like 3 hours--that was a relief.) The drive was what you'd expect with four kids in the car for four hours. And we don't do the car DVD player thing. We play it old school, although we did add a podcast recording of Treasure Island to the mix.

The kids were of course bouncing off the walls the first night we were there. We had dinner at the Seaside Grill, which is outdoors right on the coast. The food was better than expected, and the service was great, probably because we were the only ones brave enough to venture out into the breezy evening (plus it was the off season). And we didn't have to stress about our noisy kids bugging anyone in the tiny dining area.

Before bed we took a swim in the heated guest pool. It was so nice, except when we got out. There was also a swim up bar, but we were too busy with the kids to enjoy a drink right then. Getting the kids to bed afterwards was crazy.

The room itself was great. We were given a two room suite with two king-sized beds, bunk beds, a sitting area, dining table, and full kitchen (I would have brought more food if I'd known that last part). We thought Amelia (who'll be three in August) would have been okay in a big bed, but we ended up having to call the front desk to ask for a playpen. They brought it up super-fast and the kids dropped like flies (and so did we) right after.

The next morning we had breakfast with the other blogger families. Afterwards, I went on a tour of the resort and water park while Chris ventured off with the kids. I got to hear the behind-the-scenes info on the resort, and let me tell you, I was impressed. One of the biggest things that convinced me to go on the trip was the fact that Schlitterbahn sourced almost all of it's wood for the resort from a devastating wildfire that destroyed hundreds of acres of forest here in Texas. It was all destined to become mulch until Schlitterbahn said hey, we could use that.

I won't bore you with numbers, but just about every piece of wood you see in the resort is reclaimed from the Bastrop wildfire--from the furniture in the hotel rooms, the picnic tables, even the beams and trim in the indoor waterpark. I have never heard of a theme park taking such efforts in sustainability.
Not only that, but much of the decor, from the signage to the nautical elements and even rope is reclaimed--the rope comes from old ships that have been salvaged by local companies. No factory-made kitsch here. Even their gorgeous carousel is a vintage piece sourced locally.

And the sustainability doesn't stop with the decor. The retractable roof of the indoor park was salvaged from an out-of-business garden nursery's greenhouse. And all of the water used in the park is recycled back into the system or used for their entire landscape irrigation. It felt good to bring my family to a place that cared so much about the environment and the community.

After the tour, I joined back up with Chris and the kids for lunch and a full day at the outdoor waterpark. I was initially worried about how much Amelia would be able to participate with the lazy river and rides, but it worked out wonderfully.

The park provides kid's life vests free of charge, and they are readily available throughout the park. And none of the water goes deeper than about 3 feet. There were double inner tubes with seats for little ones, and we had a blast going from the lazy river to the rides without having to get out of the water. There were also several play areas with plenty of seating to sit back and enjoy watching the kids. We could leave our bag and towels at a table without worry, and it was just a great atmosphere overall. The boys even rocked out the Boogie Bahn. The only not-so-great part about the day was that the water was still a little chilly outdoors this early in the year, but I'm sure it would be perfect during the scorching Texas summer.

We spent the next morning and early afternoon at the beach and indoor water park before making the drive back home. Things were definitely reaching their peak by then (kids and mama were getting a little cranky and ready for home). But overall we had a great time, and the Schlitterbahn Beach Resort was worth the time and work that go into a family trip--I only wish we'd traded babysitting a couple nights with one of the other families while we were there!

Where's your favorite family vacation spot? Planning any fun trips this summer?

Disclosure: I received a complimentary hotel stay and waterpark passes for this trip, but we paid for the food, gas, and sunscreen to get us there. I'm not required to (or being paid to) write this post, but I chose to because we had such a great time, and I think you'd love it, too.

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Happy Weekend and an Awesome Freebie

2013-05-18T12:16:00.000-05:00

Want to support Maker Mama? Clicking on the affiliate link below will keep the craftiness coming!

Happy weekend friends! It's been a busy week with Mother's Day, my birthday, and two soccer games today, but I thought I'd pop in to share a super awesome freebie that's going on today only! One of my favorite sponsors, Craftsy is giving away one free class to every new member that signs up today (that's up to $40 off, ladies).

I'm in the midst of a serger class right now with them (that I purchased myself because mine's been getting dusty) and am slowly but surely on my way to becoming a serging pro. The thing I love most about Craftsy is that you have access to the classes forever. No racing through a one or two week course hoping you get all the info down. You watch the video lessons when and where you want, which is perfect for this crazy-scheduled night owl mama right here.

Not only do they have sewing, knitting, and crochet classes on their freebie list today, but you could also sign up to learn about metalsmithing or making croissants, too! Too bad I'm not eligible to sign up for one of these :( But if you're not a member yet (why not?), then you are!

And yes, if you click on my little link below I'll receive a small amount to help support my little ole blog here. Plus, Craftsy will donate $5,000 to support crafting in schools if they meet there goal of 10,000 new members today! What's not to love? Click below to pick out your free class!

Maker Portrait | Eleanor

2013-05-13T23:55:00.000-05:00

Eleanor, as most of you know, is my four-year-old daughter. I love taking pictures of my kids in the act of creating, so I thought I'd share some of those moments with you. As a creative mama, teaching my kids how to make is one of my biggest goals. But the funny thing I've found is that the best way to teach them, is to lead by example, and they soon find their own way. Here's Eleanor.

Happy Mother's Day

2013-05-11T23:26:00.000-05:00

Happy Mother's Day friends! However you're celebrating today, I hope it's a day full of love and family. We're all coming from different walks of life, and I know today may not be an easy day for all--my prayers are with you, and I hope this brings you a smile. Have you read my story about becoming a mother? Here are some of my other favorite posts about motherhood, too:

When Mama's Not Looking
How this Mama (Sometimes) Copes

And a little treat for you (affiliate link) Craftsy's offering up to 50% off select classes for Mother's Day! What have you been wanting to learn?

Have a blessed day everyone!

Plastic Canvas Patio Set

2013-05-08T00:18:00.000-05:00

I'm taking part in the super-awesome Plastic Canvas Blog Hop hosted by Diane Gilleland (aka Sister Diane) of CraftyPod this week. When she put the call out for pc crafters I jumped at the opportunity. I have a little obsession with plastic canvas crafts (especially quirky thrift store finds), and I've been a big fan of CraftyPod for years now.

I went through a dozen ideas before I came up with my dollhouse-sized patio set, and I have to say, I'm quite proud of how it turned out. Here's a closer look:

5 Green Gifts for Moms

2013-05-01T02:24:00.000-05:00

Calling all people with awesome mamas in your life! Have you bought her a Mother's Day gift yet? No pressure or anything, but it's just over a week away! Don't sweat though, I've got five awesome finds that not only will she love, but Mother Nature will, too. Hey Chris (that's my hubby), this post's for you, too!

This post contains affiliate links

Clockwise from far right:

Backyard Date Dress from ModCloth Whether you're taking her to dinner or a picnic with the kids, this 100% organic and fair trade dress will make any mama glow. And it has pockets, every mama loves a dress with pockets!

The Honest Life: Living Naturally and True to You Written by actress and cofounder of The Honest Company, Jessica Alba, The Honest Life is an all-inclusive guide for living a cleaner, greener life--something almost every mama has high on her list these days.

Mother's Day Umba Box Give her the gift of handmade with this curated box from Umba. Gift box includes a handprinted organic cotton chickadee apron, handmade stoneware colander, and melt-in-your-mouth Fleur de Sel caramels.

Nest Learning Thermostat I was first introduced to the Nest thermostat during my tour of Treehouse, and immediately fell in love with its intuitive technology. Never battle over the thermostat again! Nest learns where you both like the temperature while saving you energy (and money) at the same time. Take the full tour at Nest.com.

Mother Mary Charm Bangle from Alex and Ani Alex and Ani is a unique line of jewelry made in the U.S. from completely recycled metals. I have two bangles (including the Mother Mary charm bangle) that I wear everyday. I love the design, the company values, and they make the most beautiful tinkling sound as I go about my day.

What are you waiting for? Go show the mamas of the world some extra love this Mother's Day! Mamas, which one would you most like your hubby to surprise you with?

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SNAP! Con Recap and Queen Bee Giveaway

2013-04-29T00:16:00.000-05:00

I took a trip out to Utah this month for the creative blogger SNAP! conference and left completely inspired. I met tons of amazing bloggers and left full of ideas on how to grow here at Maker Mama.

The conference was held at Thanksgiving Point, and although it was super chilly, the grounds were beautiful (I SO wanted to pick a bunch of tulips). Since you couldn't all be there with me, I thought I'd share some photos...and an awesome giveaway (with $200 worth of handmade goodies)!

I spent a good chunk of my time frantically scribbling notes during the back-to-back presentations, but there was a good amount of making going on too (and I had to bust out my Makers Gonna Make Tattly).

I also got to hang out with these lovely ladies(clockwise from top left): Shannon of Madigan Made, Lisa of The Pennington Point and Becky of Organizing Made Fun, the Ana White (okay we didn't really hang and chat, but she was there teaching a building workshop), and my new favorite gal pal Jamie of C.R.A.F.T. (and, no I didn't wear that stripey shirt everyday--these were all just taken on the same one).

There was even a huge craft market after dinner one evening. There was so much I wanted to take home with me, but my suitcase wouldn't have been big enough!

You may have seen some photos from the Queen Bee Market floating around Instagram and Twitter--but you don't have to feel left out because I've partnered with BlogPrizes.com and some of my blogging friends to give y'all a chance to win some of the hottest items at the Queen Bee Market. Several of these items were sold out before the show was over, and a couple sold out just after it started!

Check out what you could win:

One winner will be getting a box filled with all of this!

Be Kind Sign - Evie Ivy
Engraved Cutting Board - Alexis Mattox Design
Camera Strap - August Blossoms
Cupcake liners, straws, and cookie cutter - Bake it Pretty
Aqua Bracelet - Hoop-la (I bought two in different colors and love them both)
Crochet Rose - Made by Jewls
3 Bars Handmade Soap - Karol's Handmade Soap
White Flower Earrings - Love Stitched
Heart Necklace - The r House Couture
Moustache Covered Notebook - Ameroonie Designs
Leather and Fabric iPad Case - Sage & Harper
3 Lip Balms - Kustom Kissers

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget found below:
(giveaway begins at 12am PST on Monday April 29)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What's your favorite item on the giveaway? Have you attended any crafty conferences lately? I'd love to hear about your experience!

Austin Treehouse | Sustainable Home Improvement

2013-04-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

Earlier this month I was invited up to Austin for a tour of Treehouse, a home improvement store dedicated to sustainable living. I drooled over their website and immediately made plans to go.

I've never heard about a home improvement store dedicated to sustainability, and was excited to meet with local bloggers to learn more.

I have a big heart for green living (although I'm far from perfect at it), and to find a store that not only seeks to provide products that are good for you and your home, but that also holds itself accountable was like heaven on Earth to me.

At first glance, Treehouse may look like any other home improvement store--but there's no second-guessing once you take a closer look (inside or out--they have giant rain barrels and solar panels out front). I was pleasantly surprised to hear that they're housed in a former Borders bookstore (bittersweet memories). I love when companies repurpose old buildings.

After an amazing story about his passion for healthy homes, cofounder Jason Ballard led us on a tour around the store showcasing the high quality products handpicked by the Treehouse team. Each item goes through the Treehouse product filter and must meet health, performance, sustainability, and corporate responsibility requirements to earn their place in the store.

I must have thrown a couple dozen questions at Jason throughout the tour and he didn't bat an eye. He had straight answers for every question and was friendly in sharing his wealth of information--this guy knew his stuff.

One of the most shocking things I learned? Our homes are the number-one offender to the health of our world--there's no escaping the toxins we escape to each day--unless we make our homes smarter. Treehouse's mission is to help us do just that.

Some of Treehouse's top products include rain barrels (they actually sold the last ones that night--definitely high demand in South Texas), VOC-free paints (including milk paint--I also loved their clay plaster), and LED lightbulbs. In fact, Treehouse is the very first home store to sell the brand new omnidirectional LED lightbulb by Switch, how awesome is that?

And what home improvement store do you know that hunts down salvaged items to share with its customers? I didn't think so.

Treehouse also goes beyond your typical home improvement items, with awesome sustainable gift ideas for kids as well as home goods like locally sourced beeswax candles and eco-friendly cleaning supplies. I could have wondered the aisles for hours (and brought home one of everything).

They even have a garden section with native plants only, and homestead products like chicken feed and homebrewing kits! If I could marry a store, this would be the one.

I'm totally pining over it even thinking about it--I feel like prank calling just to hear Treehouse's voice--I'm that obsessed with this store. Now when are they moving to San Antonio? This is my new secret mission. I'll be there at the ribbon-cutting!

But seriously. I'm in love with this store because it's doing something that no other home improvement store has yet done. People come first, and the products on their shelves are their to make every life better. They have a dream and a vision, and it is good. 'Nough said. Forget Ikea*, who wants to take a trip to Treehouse with me?

Want to help Treehouse make it big and (hopefully) one day open a store near you? Go ~~stalk~~ like them on Facebook or Twitter. And make a few prank calls to their store. Okay, not that last one. But really, let's help them make it to the big time--it's about time for a store like Treehouse!

*Austin has the closest Ikea store for we San Antonians, but Treehouse is even closer!

This is not a sponsored post--I'm writing about Treehouse because I'm in love.

Fiesta Dress Redo

2013-04-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

Fiesta is underway here in San Antonio and it's all about colors that pop. With nearly two weeks of parties and parades, having something fun to wear is a must. The thrift store is my first stop when I'm looking for a new dress, and I immediately fell in love with the print and colors in this muumuu--but the fit was awful. I'm no expert seamstress, but I know my way around a sewing machine well enough to work on this fun Fiesta dress redo.

I like to keep my sewing simple, so all I did was chop down the sleeves and cut out a section in the bottom to shorten the length (and keep the cute border at the bottom). I pinned the top and bottom pieces back together, stitched them up, and then rolled the remaing sleeve fabric under and hemmed them for a sleeveless look.

There you have it, a super easy thrift store refashion! Which Fiesta event will you be going all out for?

Want more Fiesta? Check out my Top 10 Eco-Friendly Fiesta Crafts, too!

This post is a collaboration with Goodwill SA who provided me with a gift card to purchase the dress for this awesome redo. I received no monetary compensation for creating this project or post.

How to Find Cached Screenshots of Your Blog (And a Visual History of Maker Mama)

2013-04-17T00:58:00.001-05:00

Original image by Garrett Gill

Notice anything different on the blog? I've changed my banner! I have to say I'm pretty proud of my perler bead social media buttons (go ahead, click on them, I'll wait). Working on these changes got me thinking about the evolution of my blog. It's gone through so many different transitions! I started prettying up my little corner of the web about four years ago and I've almost always baked it from scratch--HTML and all!

The most obvious transitions over the years have been right at the top--the banner--it's like a welcome mat for my readers. I have several of my old blog banners on file, but thought it would be fun to go back and look at some old screenshots, too. Keep reading to find out what Maker Mama was originally called and learn how to track down cached screenshots of your own blog, too.

Read more »

Living with Chickens (and Favorite Resources for Raising Your Own)

2013-04-15T10:33:00.000-05:00

We've been thinking of getting chickens for almost two years now, and we finally took the leap a couple months ago. Like any new thing, it felt like there would be a huge learning curve, and the daunting task of building a coop made us apprehensive. We did a little reading up (I'll share a couple of our favorite resources at the end), Chris made some great plans for a coop, and once we brought them home it became a lot more fun than work.

We started off with ten chicks, five each of Rhode Island Reds and Barred Rocks. We didn't have the coop ready right away, but when they're so little all you really need is a small contained space to keep them in. We used a big tub with a rectangle cut in the lid and covered with chicken wire.

It was still a little cool out, so we kept them inside most of the time with a red bulb heat lamp. The only other supplies we needed to start were a watering bowl, feed and feed dish, and some hay (or some kind of bedding to keep them from slipping).

There was a slight smell in the family room while the chicks were living inside, but we cleaned out the hay 1-2 times each day and kept things tidy. We loved being able to watch them during the day--it was fun observing their sleeping and eating routines.

One of the Rhode Island Red chicks about a week old.

Chris got to work on the coop asap (although the chicks didn't move in for a few weeks), and it soon became the kids' playhouse.

About half of the wood for the coop were scraps we had on hand, but we definitely put a good chunk of money into the rest. We did get all the paint from our local Habitat Restore, though. Coops don't have to be as fancy as this, but I love the design Chris came up with and he did an amazing job.

Unfortunately we've already had a couple casualties with the chicks, but it's been a good opportunity to talk with the kids about the fragility of life. We lost one chick when one of the kids was holding her a little too tightly, and another one disappeared just a couple weeks ago since they've been living outside (we think it may have been a hawk that got it).

Of course the kids were upset about both situations. They even made a gravestone for the first one we had to bury. There was no sign of the second one, we even walked down the street and alley with a flashlight after dark to see if it had gotten loose. We like to think the second one just went off on an adventure.

In the meantime, the chicks have continued to get bigger.

And little hands have learned to be gentler.

We new the chicks were getting ready for the coop as they became more huddled in the tub, and began flying out whenever we opened the lid. The coop wasn't quite ready yet, but we let them out back for a little bit each day for some fresh air and bug hunting.

Once we moved them to the coop I definitely felt a pull on my heart-strings, not completely sure if they were ready, and we spent a lot of time all peaking in on them. (I guess this is preparation for me one day when our little ones leave their nest, too.)

The kids have always wanted some sort of pet, and although we like the idea of a dog or cat, we like the idea that chickens will help us live a more organic life even better. I can't wait for fresh eggs and the fertilizer is great for our compost. A couple of the chicks even paid a visit to Liam's kindergarten class (the kids were amazingly calm).

So, the coop is all finished now, and life with chickens has become the norm. We even started a meal worm farm to supplement their feeding (yes, I was totally grossed out when the package of 2,000 worms that sounded like Rice Krispies in their bag arrived in the mail). It'll still be a couple months before they're ready to start laying (we think one of them might be a rooster though), but we're having a great time.

Looking to get some chickens of your own? A couple of the resources that helped us get started were Ashley English's Keeping Chickens* and BackyardChickens.org. I also have a Pinterest board with all things chicken that I'm continually adding to.

Do you already own chickens? What was the biggest learning curve for you?

Stay tuned for more updates on our little chickies. I think honeybees might be something to look into next...

*Amazon affiliate link.

I'm Craftsy Are You?

2013-04-08T11:18:00.001-05:00

I first heard about Craftsy when I went to Craftcation last year. Since then I've had the opportunity to check out some of their classes, and even share some of my own projects with other Craftsy members. It's an awesome place to find new projects, share your own, and learn how to do anything from sew to knit to cook or even decorate a cake for your next party.

They're having an awesome spring sale with up to 75% off their online classes. So I'm continuing my crafty education with a beginning serger class. My wonderful hubby bought me a serger for my birthday a couple years ago (has it really been that long??) and I still haven't learned how to really use it. I know the basics, but actually getting it to work right and taking advantage of it's awesomeness in my sewing is a different story.

Now I have 9 video lessons and three projects to work on at my own pace. And even better, the class never expires. So I can take another two years to finish it all if I need to (not that I'm planning on taking that long).

Is there a craft you've been meaning to learn? Sign up today for up to 75% off all classes today only.

I'm also eyeing the How to Teach It Class, and they have several free mini-classes like Bag-Making Basics, Perfect Pizza at Home, Mastering Zipper Techniques, and for any of you who may have missed QuiltCon, you can check out the 2013 QuiltCon Lecture Series for free! You'd be crazy not to check them out.

Which Craftsy class would you like to take? Have you taken one before?

Disclosure: Affiliate links included in this post.

Perler Bead Earrings

2013-04-05T00:48:00.000-05:00

I'm guest posting over at The Southern Institute this week with a tutorial for some colorful perler bead earrings. Did you see my bangles last month? I think I'll work on some toe rings next (not really, but you could totally make some if that sounded awesome). Have a sunny weekend everyone!

Thrifted Clock Redo

2013-04-02T04:30:00.000-05:00

One of the things I always see at thrift stores are random pot lids in cute colors without a pot to go with them. I came up with the idea of turning one into a clock while shopping at my local Goodwill the other day, with the thought that I'd purchase a clock kit at the craft store. But for the sake of keeping it as green as possible (and making one less shopping trip) I decided to give an old clock new life, and voilà, the thrifted clock redo was born!

What makes this project even better is that supplies--and time--are minimal. Pick out a lonely (but cute) pot lid, a clock with hands to go with your pot (and that looks like it might work), a screwdriver, and you're ready. Here's a photo-tutorial to help you make your own:

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Exploring the World with Little Passports

2013-03-29T15:21:00.002-05:00

I recently had the chance to check out Little Passports, a monthly subscription package for kids that encourages them explore the U.S. and the world with kid-friendly characters Sam and Sofia. I've heard a lot about Little Passports and was excited to see what it was all about with my boys, Skyler and Liam (ages 9 and 5). I ordered the World Edition (for 5- to 10-year-olds), and the explorer's kit arrived in a bright blue suitcase with everything we needed to get started.

I took a peek at it before showing it to the boys (and so I could get a decent photo of the materials). Included in the introductory pack was a world map, suitcase stickers, passport, boarding pass, letter from and photo of Sam and Sofia, and an activity sheet.

Unfortunately I made the mistake of telling them that I had "something" for them, so of course they were thinking the best possible things they could think of (mainly candy or Legos). And the time we had to work on the activities was between snack time and soccer after school (not the greatest time of day). But despite some moaning and groaning at first, they soon worked together to find the different countries on the map and fill out the activity sheet.

It seemed a little much for my five-year-old by himself (he's a dual language student working primarily on Spanish reading skills), but it was doable with his brother by his side.

I liked that the world edition has opened the dialogue about different countries around the world, and the boys are eager to hang the map up in their room.

Overall, Little Passports is a great educational tool that's actually affordable. At about $10 a month (depending of the subscription plan you choose) you can explore new countries and have access to extra online games and activities. Plus, who doesn't love getting mail?

I look forward to exploring more countries with my boys (and encouraging a little sibling harmony), even if they get distracted drawing mustaches on Sam's face from time to time.

To learn more about Little Passports and about fun events and places around the world visit the Little Passports Facebook page.

I received a free introductory kit from Little Passports for writing this review. I received no monetary compensation for this post.

Last-Minute Easter Gift Ideas

2013-03-27T11:42:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I shared where to find the perfect Easter basket (or you could make your own), and today I wanted to share some last-minute gifts I bought for my kids without leaving the house.

I'm a big fan of Amazon Prime, but that didn't happen on purpose. I signed up for the trial last summer but then forgot to cancel before I was charged for the year. That was one of the best mistakes I've ever made! Their two-day shipping has saved the day (and more mula) more times than I can count! (Read more about the awesome benefits of Amazon Prime here.)

I'm not a fan of all the candy that usually comes with Easter, but don't want to totally deprave the kids. So I picked out some organic bunny fruit snacks from Annie's. You have to buy them in bulk packs, but you can save them or use them for a giant Easter egg hunt, too.

Next, I went for something faith-related and ordered The Loyal Kids Book of Heroes. It's a collection of stories about saints and Biblical characters who were heroes of the faith. I liked this book more than a regular saints book, because it shares different stories about Christ and categorizes the profiles by traits and values associated with each of the Bible stories.

Last up, Peaceable Kingdom's Count Your Chickens board game! This is a cooperative board game where the kids play together instead of against each other--best idea ever! Not only does it encourage sibling harmony, but it's also an eco-friendlier product with soy-based inks, FSC papers (that's Forest Stewardship Council which equals ecologically and responsibly managed forests), and corn-based plastic parts that are phthalate- and BPA-free.

And even better, you don't have to punch out all the little pieces to get started!

As you can see, I chose not to get a bunch of knick-knacks for the kids, opting for group gifts instead. I did this in hopes to focus less on the gimme-gimmes and more on the reason we're celebrating Easter. Gifts that nurture the body, mind, and soul? Priceless. Order your gifts today and they'll be at your door by Friday. Easy-peasy.

Have you found any awesome gifts to share with your kids this Easter?

Disclosure: Amazon affiliate links included in this post. I purchased all of the products personally, and received no payment for this post.

Go Green with Goodwill this Easter

2013-03-26T11:54:00.000-05:00

Easter is this weekend and although I know there are many of you mamas out there who are on top of your game, I know there are others frantically trying to figure out how they'll be celebrating this Sunday. Before you go hopping off to the grocery store, pop in to see what you can find at your local Goodwill first.

I picked up four baskets for the kids as well as some recycled paper grass, all for about $5. Sure, you might get the same deal at the dollar store, but with Goodwill you're not only reducing waste buying secondhand, but you're also helping to support an organization that supports your community. All that for five bucks? Amazing.

This chick thinks it's pretty cool too. What will you be putting in your baskets?

I received a gift card from Goodwill SA for the items purchased in this post. I did not receive any monetary compensation for writing this post.

SA locals, have stuff you want to donate? From now until March 30 you can drop off your goods at any Goodwill for their Giveaway to Getaway drive and enter for your chance to win a trip to South Padre!

Celebrating Spring

2013-03-18T09:47:00.000-05:00

1&2. Giant lite brite at Luminaria.

3&4. Working on the chicken coop with the kids.

5. Picking out plants for the spring garden.

6. Unexpected haircutting.

7. Lots of reading.

8-11. Enjoying Government State Canyon Park.

9. Burger and fries.

10. The chicken coop is coming together.

11. Hanging out with my gal Claire of The Half-Hearted Housewife.

12-14. And lots of kite flying (check out this homemade kite tutorial we tried).

We kept things simple around here over the boy's spring break. A few day trips, some work outside, staying up late, and just enjoying each other. How have you been celebrating spring?

Wardrobe Redo with Handmade Charlotte

2013-03-14T11:23:00.000-05:00

My girls have this giant wodden wardrobe in their room that came with the house when we moved in. And although it's great for storage, it's a little plain. So when I had the chance to try out the new Handmade Charlotte stencilsI knew I would use it for a wardrobe redo.

I received some of the Patterns stencils and picked the tear drop pattern to work with.

To pretty up your own wardrobe you'll need your favorite stencil (by Handmade Charlotte of course), some paint (I used a metallic gold Folk Art paint by Plaid), a bouncer sponge, and some tape to hold your stencil down.

Tape your stencil in place and pounce away!

You can use the full stencil, or only use parts of it like I did. I found it tricky getting a perfect stencil print, but I just used a damp rag to wipe away any excess. If you're hoping for a more exact print you might try using some repositionable spray adhesive on the back of the stencil.

Reposition the stencil by lining it up with some of the already dry tear drops. Repeat until you have your wardrobe covered!

It made a very subtle change to the wardrobe but I love it, and it won't be too hard to change up later down the line as the girls become more opinionated about their room. The wardrobe was a big job, and aside from running out of paint at one point, I had fun with it and even made a little Vine video while I worked.

Thanks to Plaid and Handmade Charlotte for the fun supplies. To see more awesome stenciling ideas follow Plaid at their social media sites and see what other bloggers are making below.

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I wrote this post as part of a sponsored campaign with Plaid and The Blueprint Social. All opinions in this post are my own.

The Day the Diapers Disappeared

2013-03-11T23:54:00.001-05:00

I couldn't tell you exactly when it happened, but Amelia--the baby of the house--is out of diapers! Somehow in the last couples months Amelia decided she was ready to use the potty and we made the switch. With four kids and almost ten years of having little ones in diapers it's kind of amazing. But it's one of those milestones that happened quietly. We hadn't "officially" begun potty training (we learned to take a relaxed approach a long time ago--it was so much easier for us that way), and we just followed right along when she decided she was ready. Now we have a stash of cloth diapers to clear out!

We started cloth diapering a few years ago (that's Eleanor who's four now), and although there were occasional rashes and extra laundry to deal with, overall I was really glad we made the choice. We did use disposables from time to time on road trips or when cloth just wasn't holding up overnight (my favorites were Naty's Nature Babycare).

I angsted over picking the perfect diapers at the best price, but in the end, it didn't matter. It's funny how we mamas can make mountains over molehill decisions, isn't it?

If I don't sound more excited about being diaper-free, I think it's because I'm a little stunned. Babies and diapers have been such a big part of my life for the last decade (that sounds crazy). Our baby isn't such a baby anymore and I'm seeing more and more proof each day that we're headed into completely new territory in our parenting journey--which is thrilling and terrifying at the same time.

Have your little ones grown out of diapers? If not I'm here to assure you the day will come. What milestones have snuck up on you unexpectedly?

Perler Bead Bangles

2013-03-07T09:42:00.000-06:00

Today I'm guest posting over at The Southern Institute with a fun tutorial for perler bead bangles. I've fallen back in love with one of my favorite childhood crafts and couldn't resist sharing the love with all of you! Did you craft with perler beads as a kid? Anyone making awesome stuff with them now?

Thankfulness this Week

2013-03-02T09:07:00.000-06:00

This week has been a bit of a roller coaster around here. Nothing terrible has happened, but there have been some emotional curveballs. But it's given my husband and I the opportunity to think more intentionally about our lives. And despite the lows, there have definitely been blessings this week, too. I don't want anyone to think that our lives are perfect here at the Maker Mama house, but focusing on the good, helps me to breathe and remember the good things. Here are a few from this week.

What were the good things in your week?

The Sketchbook Project

2013-02-22T07:00:00.000-06:00

I was recently invited to participate in The Sketchbook Project, and when I saw what it was, I jumped at the opportunity. Run by Art House Co-Op in Brooklyn, New York, The Sketchbook Project is a collection of over 26,000 sketchbooks from artists in over 130 countries, all housed in the Brooklyn Art Library.

The basic idea is that anyone in the world can purchase a sketchbook, paint it, write in it, decorate it to their heart's content and return for the world to see in one of the Sketchbook Tours. Here's a little peek at the Brooklyn Art Library where the sketchbooks live off tour:

And here's a glimpse of a Sketchbook tour:

Are you totally wishing The Sketchbook Project would come to your town? You can still check them out online! Artists can choose to have their sketchbooks digitized and shared in the online library (how awesome is that?). Here's one my favorites by ingthings.

And if you're headed to SXSW next month, The Sketchbook Tour will be in Austin! They'll be open to the public at the Co-Lab Project Space from March 8-10. If I can swing it, I'm definitely going.

I'm excited and nervous to start mine, it's been so long since I've just let myself doodle and sketch. But that's the beauty of this project, too. It's about connecting with the world offline, and getting back in touch with our creative roots.

I'm planning to participate in the How-To tour, with a focus on sharing my how-tos on being a happy mama. I have no idea what it will look like as a finished project, but I'm looking forward to making the time to slow down and find out.

Interested in making your own sketchbook? Well, I just so happen to have a discount code for my awesome readers! Use promo code MAKERMAMA2013 to receive 20% of The Sketchbook Project from now until November this year.

Which tour would you be most interested in joining? Find any awesome sketchbooks in the digital library? And I definitely love to see yours when you make one!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary sketchbook in return for reviewing and sharing this awesome project. I received no monetary compensation.

Secret Pinterest Search Tip

2013-02-19T14:36:00.000-06:00

photo credit: x-ray delta one

Have you ever found yourself frustrated with searching on Pinterest? Can't remember that one pin about that really cool craft on your friend's board (or your own)? Just want to find a great recipe in your current following feed? Read on to discover my insider's tip for how to really find what you're looking for on Pinterest!

Read more »

Five Vine Friday

2013-02-15T11:08:00.000-06:00

#Giveaway for one of these @barefootbooks on the blog today! vine.co/v/bvwV5JdJv3v
— Amy Johnson (@makermama) February 11, 2013

Happy Friday everyone! We've made it through another week (hopefully it was a good one for everyone). Since I'm such a Vine lover now, I thought I'd share a few of my favorites from the week (and a couple of mine you may have missed). Are any of you on Vine? I'd love to see your 6 second videos!

I shared a little preview of the books I reviewed earlier this week, and today's the last day of the Barefoot Books Giveaway, so make sure you enter or tweet again for an extra entry!

Happy Lunar New Year 🐍 vine.co/v/bviVxK1jvtM
— Khoa (@lazybearkhoa) February 10, 2013

This week was also the Chinese New Year. Vine user Khoa always has fun videos--definitely a must-follow.

Could I have a pancake please? vine.co/v/bvPw2dUOT6t
— Donal Skehan (@donalskehan) February 12, 2013

The adorable Irish Donal Skehan always has a fun take on Vine food videos.

@beeliked Drawing a rubber egg #art #animation #stopmotion #magic #drawing #myvinevideo vine.co/v/bv9dvKvDIBX
— Pinot (@pinot) February 14, 2013

Pinot is great with hand-drawn Vines.

Hot date tonight (shopping at @goodwillsa) #valenvine #thriftstore #loop #cute vine.co/v/brblHbxA6PU
— Amy Johnson (@makermama) February 14, 2013

And I couldn't help but make a Vine during my hunt for the perfect Valentine's Day dress at Goodwill! What were your favorite Vines of the week?