Jenny Gets Crafty

Melting Snowman Cookie Decorating

2012-12-04T13:03:00.001-08:00

I was searching for cute holiday cookie decorating ideas for my daughter's Winter Party other than Gingerbread Men. We aren't allowed to use anything specifically Christmas so this cookie decor was too perfect. After a few test runs with my kids at home we'll definitely be ready to do this with, oh, 80 or so more. :-P No problem, right?

Recycled Bird Feeder - Toilet Paper Roll

2012-07-11T22:08:00.000-07:00

This is an activity that we did with my daughter's Kindergarten class. I thought it was a great craft to do with kids. It is also pretty inexpensive! Who doesn't like that??

What You Will Need:
Toilet paper rolls (one per bird feeder)
String, yarn, or ribbon about 12 inches long
Scissors or hole punch
Peanut Butter
Popsicle stick or utensil for spreading
Bird seed in plate or pan

What You Do:
1. Cut or punch hole in both ends of paper roll.
2. Tie string, yarn, or ribbon on both ends of paper roll.
3. Spread peanut butter generously over the middle of the paper roll.
4. Roll peanut butter covered paper roll in the bird seed.
5. Hang outside where the birds can find it and wait for one to come eat!

Ready-To-Go Craft Kit!

2012-06-13T14:11:00.001-07:00

Bird Feeder Ready-To-Go Craft Kit

Do you have crafts in mind? Do you run out of time to get it together? Me too. I decided to make some organizational changes. And, oh how I needed to make them. My biggest problem is not enough planning ahead. My kids get bored so I threw together a make ahead craft box. At night I can round up materials we might need for a craft and put them in the box. The next day I can whip out the box and it's ready to go! You don't have the worry of the kids following you around as you get items ready asking "When can we start?!" That is no fun and my kids get overly excited. This also works out of those of us who are bad at keeping up with items or bad about forgetting where they were put up. If you start ready-to-go craft kit before you need to work on a specific craft. I obtain items randomly and do not usually go out of my way to get specific things. So I would gradually add them to the craft box for the upcoming craft idea. It won't work for every person, every craft, every time. But if you know you have one coming up this is a great idea to keep your craft-specific materials in order! Happy Crafting!

Recyclables You'd Find in My Craft Bins

2012-06-13T13:42:00.001-07:00

I do not have enough space in my home. Therefore, I do not own a craft room, workshop, let alone a craft area. That's something I should work on. Hmmm... future blog. Anyways, I keep all my craft supplies in 18 gallon bins. I am not 100% sure how many I have. Off the top of my head I'd guess 4 total. I keep a lot of things to reuse for crafts instead of buying everything new. It works out! I've got one out. Here's what's inside.

Cardboard

ribbon and pieces of fabric

coffee containers

condiment dispensers

toilet paper and paper towel rolls

formula cans

These are just a few of the examples of fun crafts you can do with recycled items. They are all simple and easy for beginners and children. All these crafts and more coming soon to a crafty blog near you!

Jolly Santa Rolls

2011-12-05T21:09:00.001-08:00

Hang them on your tree, use them as the tree topper, or set them on your shelf for a little extra holiday decoration! What are they?? They are Jolly Santa Rolls! These are fun for the kids to make. It's definitely a Christmas craft they will enjoy!

What you will need:

Toilet paper rolls
holiday colors construction paper
scissors
cotton balls
glue
marker for eyes or glue on googly eyes

Directions:

Trim the construction paper to fit around the toilet paper roll, but only about half the height. Glue around the roll. Cut a belt from green or black construction paper and glue around Santa roll's waist. Cut a belt buckle by first cutting out a square of yellow construction paper and then cutting a square within the square. Glue on. Pull cotton balls apart a bit to make Santa's beard and hair. Glue to roll. Cut 4 strips of red construction paper and fan fold (back and forth) for arms and legs and glue them on. Add hat by cutting a triangle large enough to wrap around your Santa's head and glue it on. Top it off with a cotton ball on the very top of his hat. You can draw on the eyes nose and mouth, or glue some googly eyes on. Either way you have a cute and easy Santa roll decoration!!

A Crafty Thanksgiving Feast!

2011-11-21T09:20:00.001-08:00

Last Friday I attended my daughter's Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast. It was blast! I have to make mention of the craftiness that was used for their feast attire. All the kids had made their own Indian vest and headdress as well as a Thankful place-mat. In a previous post you will find instructions and materials needed for the Indian headdress.

Make Thanksgiving fun this year for the kids by allowing them to decorate their own Thanksgiving table. Notice the place-mat. It is a turkey cut-out with feathers that state what the kids are thankful for. My precious Katy is thankful for her Mommy and Daddy. As I type this tears are filling my eyes. I love it! Along the tables are pumpkins. I would suggest letting each child decorate their very own pumpkin in a Thanksgiving theme. Also as a table decoration you have the Pilgrim cut-outs, which each child has colored. Not only is this fun, but think about the extra time you'll have preparing your Thanksgiving feast while the kids are busy working on their very own decorations. Nothing motivates a child more than feeling like they are responsible for something, especially when it's fun for them!

Here's to hoping you and yours have a happy, safe, and FUN for the kids Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving Crafts - Little Turkey Hat

2011-11-19T18:03:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of: Family Fun

Materials

Scissors
Brown paper bags
Cardboard (cereal box)
Glue stick

Colored construction paper
2 small white pom-poms
Black permanent marker

Instructions

From the brown paper bags, cut a circle 3 1/2 inches in diameter for the turkey's head. Next, cut a 3-inch-wide band to fit around your child's head.
From the cardboard, cut a strip 5 by 1 1/2 inches to use for a neck. Fold it three times accordion style, then glue one end to the back of the paper circle.
For a beak, fold yellow construction paper and cut out a small double triangle (1 1/2 inches along the fold). Cut a rounded L from red paper for the turkey's wattle.
To create eyes, draw a black circle on each pom-pom with the marker. Glue the eyes, wattle and one side of the beak to the head. Let them dry. Then, glue the loose end of the neck to the center of the headband.
Now, wrap the headband around your child's head; mark where the ends overlap, then remove the band and glue the ends. Finally, glue on construction paper feathers and wings.

A Cardboard Christmas! Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

2011-11-19T11:02:00.000-08:00

Cardboard Santa!

A couple years back I had a ton of large cardboard boxes taking up space in my storage shed. Yes, even though they were folded up, they were taking up valuable space. I had a creative idea, as I often do when I can't bring myself to get rid of things. I got out my kids' coloring books and starting drawing the characters onto the cardboard boxes. We painted them, cut them out, and used them for decorations that year. It was a blast and my kids asked me this year if we can do that again. Of course, I said yes! When we get started I will post more about it, but until then, please enjoy the pictures from the first Cardboard Christmas at the Reed Household.


Bear and Stocking!


Cardboard Elf!

Lane and the Snow Bunny

Cardboard Frosty

My kiddos helping out! Man, they were so small!

Yummy Pumpkin Cookies!

2011-11-19T10:13:00.000-08:00

Back by popular demand! By that I mean, my husband has been hassling me to make these cloud like cookies that literally taste like a pumpkin pie since I started decorating for Fall. They are truly delicious and are a huge hit every year. You have to try them! Get baking!

Ingredients:
2    Cup Flour
1    Tsp    Baking Powder
1/2 Tsp     Baking Soda
1    Tsp     Ground Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp     Salt
1/2 Tsp     Ground Allspice
1/2 Tsp     Ground Ginger
1    Cup    Butter, softened
1    Cup    Sugar
1    Can    Pumpkin
1    Lg      Egg
1    Tsp    Vanilla
1    Cup   Chopped Pecans
1    Cup    Dried Cranberries (optional)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a medium mixing bowl combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and allspice. ** I also add a dash or two of pumpkin pie spice to give it some extra flavor.**

In a separate large mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until it is light and fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl a couple of times to mix thoroughly. Add the pumpkin and vanilla, beating for at least one minute.

Gradually add flour mixture while beating at a low speed until it is combined. ** I always beat a little longer on a high speed to make it a bit more fluffy, obtaining the cloud like structure in the final product. **

Add chopped pecans and cranberries and mix well.

Drop by Lg TBSP onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. No need to grease.
**You can use the back of a wooden spoon to flatten a bit or leave them. I leave them, we like the clouds! Another optional treat is to add a half a pecan to the top before popping them into the oven. I normally don't do this, because I add plenty of pecans to the mixture and they are simply yummy. You could also add slivers of almonds as well. my husband loves this.**

Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and let them stand for one minute before removing to a wire rack to cool.

Serve them and enjoy!

Holiday Crafts - Fight the Boredom

2011-11-17T18:26:00.000-08:00

My kids are both looking forward to Thanksgiving Break. When school started I thought I would be dreading it, but the truth is, I am so excited to have the kids home with me all day. Obviously, most people do some traveling around Thanksgiving, but since we don't have far to go, we have a few extra days before hand to do some crazy crafting!

The idea of not having to wake up early and get ready to head off to school seems like all fun and games until they realize they have nothing to do... or at least kids seem to think that! Mine always do! This year, I have formulated a plan to keep them busy the day before Thanksgiving so I can get some prepping done for the family feast without the numerous "Mommy I'm bored!" complaints. Depending on your school you may have one or two days that the kids will be home, we only get one. I will be setting up a craft area with multiple crafts for my kids to choose from. A good idea would be to either have a photo of the craft bundled with the materials they'll need for each one, or have one already made for them to go by. Most kids will need a bit of instruction at first. I usually go over how I made each craft and then they go from there. Does it always turn out like mine?? No way. But, kids have great imaginations and it's wise to let them take the reins and come up with some of their own ideas. You would be surprised what they are capable of!