Modern Parents Messy Kids

The Weekend Look Book

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Sat, 19 May 2012 05:23:00 +0000

As always, click on the photos for more info.

Pinned

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Fri, 18 May 2012 06:25:00 +0000

Happy Friday everyone. You may have noticed I've been playing around with sharing some of my favorite pins lately. I wasn't sure if I'd keep it up (it's surprisingly hard to pick a few finds out of all my boards) but then Pinterest did something kind of wonderful. They sent me an email highlighting my most popular pins. So here are this week's road tested and approved picks:

Pretty fish station via my Design with Kids in Mind board - the perfect meeting of form for mom and function for the kids.
Custom view-master card via my Fresh Finds board- loved these as a kid, would have loved one with me in it even more!
100 Best Children's Books via my Good to Know board - need I say more?
Mommy Fun Fact #17: Look Kids in the Eye via my Good to Know board - because there's nothing like a good visual to help you remember something important.
DSLR light metering tutorial via my Good to Know board- not sure if I actually have a lot of photography buff followers or if people just like the sweet photo. Either way, it's a good find.
"Car"d Game via my Learnin' board - a great play + learning activity.
DIY fabric dollhouse via my Tutorials board - falls squarely into the "only in my dreams could I make this" category.
9 DIY Outdoor Planter Ideas via my Tutorials board - can't wait to get started on some of these.

Similar Stuff: Previous Pinterest All Stars

POYEL: Decluttering

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Thu, 17 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Two Fridays ago I told you we were shipping the kids off to the grandparents for the weekend with the goal of decluttering pretty much the entire house while they were away. Today I thought I'd give you the quick and dirty on how it all went down. We didn't quite cover the entire house, our office and a few random drawers remain, but overall we were very pleased with our progress.

My husband almost completely cleaned out our garage (previously known as the black hole) and I conquered the master bedroom, linen closet, storage closet, kids' closets and dressers, all the kitchen cabinets, our ancient DVD/Blu Ray collection, and the play room. In the end, we were able to fill our truck up to the brim with all the eliminated clutter and happily haul it off to Good Will.

I know that dedicating an entire weekend to decluttering isn't feasible for a lot of you but it really was a great way to finally get it done. If you have family at your disposal, I highly recommend going this route. I'd been working on projects here and there for a while now but getting so much done at once has really motivated to maintain my cleaner, lighter home.

Whether you go big or patiently chip away at your clutter, here are a few tips I've picked up along the way:

Turn on HGTV while you work. It makes it so much easier to get rid of anything you don't love when you have graphic images of what you're aspiring towards flashing in the background.
Declutter and organize THEN buy the pretty storage containers. The anticipation of a shopping trip is a good incentive to get the dirty work done. Plus doing it this way will ensure you buy pieces that will function best in your space.
Set up stations around the house to temporarily corral items that don't seem to have a home. For example, last week I highlighted these too big/small tubs for kid closets. I'm also a fan of setting up a Good Will/long term storage/short term storage station somewhere in your house (DIY to come). The key to these, of course, is that you have to find a permanent home for the stations' contents before they're over-flowing.
Plan a time in your schedule to reorganize/clean out an area of your house on a regular basis. Maintenance is always the hardest part of getting organized. If you have the luxury of devoting an entire weekend to decluttering, build some time in to your regular schedule to make sure all your hard work doesn't go to waste.

Those are my pearls of wisdom, now how about yours? Are you guys making progress in your spring cleaning? What's made the most difference?

This post is part of MPMK's "Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life", which you can read all about here.

Similar Stuff:

Other POYEL Decluttering Posts

Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life - Meal Planning

Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life - Creating a Weekly Schedule

Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life - Daily Routines
Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life - Quiet Time Kits

Yarn Bombing!

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:33:00 +0000

Have you ever had a day you weren't really looking forward to, for one reason or another, but actually turned out to be really great? That's exactly what happened to me a few Fridays ago. We had C's dental appointment and I decided to bring S along so she could get the feel of the place for when her turn arrives.

The idea of trying to keep her still while making sure he was relaxed was already worrying me a bit that morning. To add to what could have been an awful series events, upon arriving for the appointment the receptionist kindly informed me that I was an entire hour early (long story short - my iPhone had been doing this crazy thing where only my calendar somehow got switched to mountain time).

Obviously this all could have gone very wrong very quickly. Instead, someone was smiling down on me that day. The staff kindly got us in early, both C and S were total rock stars, and - the cherry on top of it all - on the way home I spotted an honest to God yarn bombing.

I honestly couldn't believe it at first. Being a regular around the blogoshpere means I'm quite familiar with the concept of yarn bombing, in theory, but I never really expected to see it in all it's glory in real life. I have no idea who was responsible for this particular bombing but rumor has it that it's all the work of only one amazing woman.

Upon seeing the 20 - 30 brightly adorned trees, I immediately headed home to grab my camera. On the way I promised the kids a special surprise as reward for their exemplary dental office behavior. I think they were hoping for a park outing - they had no idea what they were in for.

This is them about 30 seconds after entering the park, running around the happy trees absolutely giddy. It was the only appropriate response, the sight of all that knitting called for an instant celebration.

The variation was really something to behold. Along with lots of stripes, there were trunks wrapped in patch worked pieces and even some fuzzy balls.

And just when the magic was finally starting to wear off, the kids spotted something else to get their hearts racing. Three guesses as to what it was...

A playground! Nestled right in amongst the magic.

It was a nice one too, complete with two sets of slides, swings, and a huge sand box.

And of course the trees were there all the while in the background.

All and all we spent about three hours hanging out and this was the face I got when I told C it was finally time to return home. To be honest, I kinda felt the same way. I love that we'll always have that day to remember (and the photos to prove it).

Fresh Find: Chevron (Again)

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:31:00 +0000

photo via ada & darcy

I admit I jumped on the chevron bandwagon with the rest of 'em. There was a time, in fact, when I could have easily gone for a whole room of chevron if I'd only had the means to do so. But like so many wildly popular trends, this one seemed to be dying down again. Or so I thought...

From home decor to accessories, lately I've been spotting a whole new crop of chevron fare. Or maybe not chevron exactly but definitely derivative of chevron. I'm dubbing the style chevron 2.0 and today, just for fun, I've got a roundup of six of my favorite finds:

What did you think of the trend the first time around? Will you be joining in for round two?

Contributors Wanted

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Mon, 14 May 2012 06:14:00 +0000

Welcome to the new week everyone. Did you have a good Mother's Day? My family spoiled me with lots of me time but we also managed to squeeze in a family hike and bar-b-que. I loved every bit of it but most of all I was struck by how big my kids are getting. Last mother's day S wasn't even walking or talking... she spent the better half of yesterday chasing her big brother around hiking trails and on her trike (yelling "Happy Mother's Day" over her shoulder as she went).

It made me realize that I really don't have much time left with them all to myself. That along with the exciting amount of growth MPMK has experienced over the last few months (thanks to you!) has brought me to today's big announcement. MPMK is looking for a few good contributors! Actually, it may be more than a few. I'm not exactly sure yet what I'm looking for - I sort of love the idea of working with my own team but it would also be great to get to highlight lots of talent from all over the web.

The details will be worked out but the point is... if you think you have something to offer that MPMK readers will appreciate then drop me a line! For a better idea of what I'm looking for, have a look at the categories in my brand new nav bar at the top of the site. If your idea covers one of these three topics (and you can take some stellar photos to go with it), email me at modernparentsmessykids@gmail.com and lets talk.

The Weekend Look Book

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Sat, 12 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

As always, click on the photos for more info.

Weekly Wrap Up

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:37:00 +0000

Happy Friday everyone! I'm so glad you guys are interested in hearing more on setting up natural outdoor play spaces - hopefully I'll have more on the topic soon. In the meantime, here are a few other things I've been wanting to share with you:

Kids plate DIY, because I'll try anything to get my three year old to eat his veggies and this looks fun.
Welcome to Art School, a new series for kids just in time for summer.
What's your definition of living slowly?
Another series I'm giddy to have recently discovered is Monday Missions (simple ideas to add a little magic to your week). This week's idea: Make a Wish Cake.
Mommy and me photo ideas, pick your favorite for Sunday.

Before I go, I also wanted to share what else I've been up to around the web:

I was so excited to be interviewed by the Huffington Post.
Earlier this week I gave you a peek at my watercolor cards and teacher terrarium posts for eHow. I'm also over there sharing tutorials on DIY rain clouds, finger knit bracelets, and cloud dough.
Finally, I've got a round up of six sweet DIY Mother's Day projects at momtastic.

How to Set Up Natural Play Spaces in Your Own Back Yard

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Thu, 10 May 2012 03:49:00 +0000

photo via Let the Children Play

I've written before about how much I value outdoor time for kids. Recently I've been thinking more specifically about the topic. Outdoor time of any type is great in my book, but time spent actively exploring nature is even better. You may remember a few months back I told you guys I had the pleasure of attending an amazing talk on raising creative kids in a hurried world by Nancy Blakey. The entire presentation was fantastic but during the two hours or so of talking, she said two things that really stood out to me.

The first was a statement: 90% of our best childhood memories take place outdoors. I'm not sure what type of science was involved in coming up with this conclusion but as I thought back on my own childhood it certainly seemed accurate. Activities such as camping, hiking, boating, swimming and just laying in the grass were pervasive.

photo via Let the Children Play

The second was a story. She talked about a young family who moved into her neighborhood and decided to install an expensive play structure in the back yard. Their hope was that it would lure all the neighborhood kids into wanting to congregate there. In the process of getting the structure up, they had to do some extensive landscaping and a giant dirt pile was created. This, of course, was what attracted all the kids in the neighborhood and what ultimately kept them coming back - even when the fancy new play structure was finally installed.

photo via Teacher Tom

You may also remember that a few years ago we had quite a mess on our hands when four massive trees fell down in our backyard. We've since rebuilt our demolished fence but there are still some dirt piles, chopped bits of tree trunks, loose landscaping rocks and even a brick pile remaining. Until that night I saw these items as eyesores but since then I've come to see them as valuable tools for outdoor play. I've encouraged the kids to dig in, climb on, and move around these objects as they see fit - they've had a great time. I truly believe these types of activity are so important in helping them to develop confidence, curiosity and a sense of self.

So why am I telling you all this now? Because we're finally pulling things together in the backyard and we plan to have it finished in the near future. Which means that I've been putting a lot of thought lately into how I want it to function for the kids. Ultimately I've decided I want to set up as many interesting natural play spots as possible. So I did a little research and found there's a whole movement growing around creating natural play spaces for children.

photo via Let the Children Play

One of my favorite resources on the topic is the blog Let the Children Play. They actually have several series on the idea including:

Ideas for Adding Natural Elements to Your Outdoor Play Space

How to Create an Irresistible Outdoor Play Space for Children

What Rusty Keeler Said: Dream Your Play Space

photo via Let the Children Play

photo via The Aspetuck Land Trust Blog

All the series cover lots of elements you can use to create a natural play space such as tree logs or dirt/sand piles - my favorite section is the one on loose parts. I've already witnessed my 1 year old and 3 year old work together to do nothing more than haul a pile of rocks back and forth with a play dump truck for unheard of amounts of time. I can only imagine what they'd do with an intentionally curated collection of loose natural parts.

I set out for this post to be a round up of natural play space ideas but it's already getting a little long and I haven't even scratched the surface yet. I'm realizing as I type that this could be a stellar summer series. What do you guys think, are you interested in more specifics on how to set up a space like this for your kiddos? Let me know in the comments.

Similar Stuff:
Outdoor Activities for Families in Honor of Earth Day
Good Idea: Bring the Garden Inside
Outdoor Kid Activities & DIYs for the 4th of July

The "Make Life a Little Better & a Little Easier" Mother's Day Gift Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Wed, 09 May 2012 04:35:00 +0000

Just in case any of you out there are procrastinators like me, I thought I'd offer up one more Mother's Day gift guide before you're really and truly out of time. Before we get to the goods, have I ever told you how fun gift guides are to put together? They're like cyber window shopping. Honestly, this one is nothing more than all the stuff I'd buy myself for Mother's Day.

As I was putting it together I noticed a theme, or rather two themes. Half of the products are all about taking care of yourself and feeling better in life. The other half are all about making life a little more indulgent. So what I'm saying is whether you're feeling a little "ohm" or a little "ahh" - I've got something for you.

bkr water bottles - Drinking a ton of water always makes me feel my best and there's nothing like a pretty water bottle to keep me sipping all day long. Especially one that's reusable, recyclable and apparently the hottest new celebrity accessory.
Vitamix Turboblend and Green Smoothie Revolution - You're all well aware by now that I'm on a major smoothie kick lately. These would only fuel my obsession.
Buddhism for Mothers - One of you guys recommended this when we were talking about swapping parenting book cliff notes and I've really wanted to read it ever since. The reviews are great, I just can't decided between the original and Buddhism for Mothers of Young Children: Becoming a Mindful Parent.
Marc by Marc Jacobs Embossed iPhone 4 Case - Purty!
Apple TV - My husband actually got me this for my birthday recently and I love it. My kids think its just about the coolest thing in the world to make a movie on my phone and instantly be able to watch themselves on our TV with the push of a button.
Downton Abbey, Seasons 1 & 2 - As a girl who loves a good Pride & Prejudice marathon (I'm talking the 6 hour Colin Frith version), I can't believe I still haven't seen this series yet!

Similar Stuff:

Mother's Day Gift Guide: Accessories

It's Never Too Early to Think About Showing Mom Some Love
DIY Vases for Mother's Day

My New Gig: eHow's Mom Channel

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:39:00 +0000

I have SUCH exciting news to share with you all today! I've recently signed on as resident education and activities expert for the brand new mom channel over on eHow. If you've ever asked the internet a question, then you're likely familiar with eHow. They're in the business of providing knowledge to web browsers on just about every topic under the sun and from now on I'm in charge of what to do with the kids.

Over the last few weeks I've been working like crazy to put together five brand new projects for them and I'd love it if you stopped by and gave them a look. Featured on the homepage today are my watercolor cards, perfect for Mother's Day. And if it happend to slip your mind that it's currently Teacher Appreciation week, then you really must check out my step-by-step on how to create the ultra cute Teacher Terrariums pictured above.

While you're hanging out at eHow Mom, be sure to also peruse the stuff by my new colleague Janet Lansbury. I really respect what she has going on over at her own blog and I'm thrilled to be working alongside her. You may even remember that I mentioned her here (the last link of the post).

Thanks for letting me gush about my new gig (I'm truly giddy with excitement!). Back with something fresh tomorrow.

Giveaway: Reinvention

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Mon, 07 May 2012 07:11:00 +0000

Did everyone have a nice weekend? I spent three whole days decluttering the house, recharging my batteries, and paling around with my husband. It was divine... except that I missed my little ones like crazy (even more than I expected). More details to come but first I wanted to congratulate Julie and Marci, the two winners of last week's rolled canvas print giveaway. If you don't happen to be Julie or Marci, I have good news, there's another fabulous giveaway starting today!

I received my review copy of Reinvention last week and was so, so impressed. I knew Maya (of maya*made fame) would deliver up some lovely upcycled projects but I didn't expect so many of them to appeal to my largely non-sewing sensibilities.

The hardbound book contains 28 projects involving sewing (and to my delight, printmaking) with upcycled materials. It covers a wide range of materials and projects including home decor, clothing, even storage options, and goes into great detail on deconstruction techniques and sewing tips.

Here's a glimpse at some of my favorites. There are so many great ideas here, my head is spinning a little. Wouldn't those arthimetic pillows be great for a kid space? And how cute would those onion and garlic sacks be as a hostess gift?

Along with some mighty enticing project photography, Reinvention also contains remarkably detailed and easy-to-follow tutorials. Want to see for yourself? For your chance to win a copy, simply leave a comment containing your email below. Additional entries are available for becoming (or already being) a follower of MPMK's facebook, twitter, or pinterest page.

YOU MUST LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT WITH AN EMAIL ADDRESS FOR EACH OF THE 4 POSSIBLE ENTRY METHODS.

This contest is limited to U.S. residents only and will end at midnight EST on Friday, May 11th, 2012.

The Weekend Look Book

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Sat, 05 May 2012 07:55:00 +0000

As always, click on the photos for more info.

This Blog is Brought to You By: Gap Kids Dance

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Sat, 05 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Oh my! This has got to be one of the happiest things I've seen in a long while. Inspired by the bright new Cabana kids line, our new sponsor GAP has produced a video of Debbie Allen teaching kids the Cabana Cha Cha. I guarantee it will make you smile...

...and here's a great reason to keep on smiling. Once it's over, click on the video to be taken to a special page where you can share it on facebook or twitter using your FB/Twitter log-in. For everyone who does so, GAP will donate $1 to the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. So take a minute to view and share. It'll add a little pep to your day and earn you some good karma points to boot!

What I'm Loving...

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Fri, 04 May 2012 04:28:00 +0000

Happy Friday everyone! I've been pinning again. Here are some of my best finds for your perusing pleasure:

(top left) Pool Noodle Backyard Games via the Playtime board.

(top right) DIY Gold Foil Journals via the Tutorials board.

(middle left) DIY Girly Pirate Ship via the Fresh Finds board.

(middle right) Too Big/Too Small Closet Organizers for Kids via the Getting Organized board.

(bottom) Colorblock Midi Dress via the Sitting Pretty board.

Similar Stuff: Previous Pinterest All Stars

POYEL: Decluttering

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Thu, 03 May 2012 02:38:00 +0000

image source

We're shipping the kids off for some fun with the grandparents this weekend. And while they're playing in the sun, guess what we'll be doing. Decluttering as much as two people can possibly manage in two days, that's what. (We're also squeezing in a few dates - in case you were worried.) My hubby will be spending the majority of his time outside while I've got my eye on our closets - all of them. From clothes and coats to toiletries and brooms, I intend to ruthlessly clean out and organize them all.

That means it's time for another installment of Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life. This week I'm challenging you to tackle that closet in your home that makes you cringe every time you open it (or worse, duck for cover). As always, I've rounded up lots of tips and inspiration to get you prepared. Ready? Let's begin...

If you're anything like me, it's your private living spaces that are the most neglected. On the organizational totem pole in my house, my bedroom is always on the bottom. This time things are going to be different. I'm starting with my closet and working my way out to the rest of the house. Here are a few resources I'll be utilizing:

11 Ways to Have an Organized Grown Up Closet - I love the emphasis on both form and function here. I just know having an honest to God "grown up" closet will motivate me to keep it looking good.
In case my enthusiasm starts to wane in the middle of everything (not that that's every happened before), I've bookmarked this post which is full of useful tips on how to pare down your closet (gradually if need be).
This post nicely illustrates how to use specific types of closet organizing products. It's also a great example of what to do when with all your stuff when actual closet space isn't sufficient.
Once I have my pretty closet, I vow to keep it that way by remembering to ask myself, "What is this closet for?" and acting accordingly.

Next on my list is the linen closet - where my haphazard collection of lotion and cosmetic samples go to die. I love the look of these inexpensive DIY storage baskets. The "neck" and "wrist" categories especially appeal to my quirky sensibilities.

In the end though, I'll likely go with a system more like the one pictured above from Better Homes & Gardens' Clever Closets Slideshow. According to them, rolling towels takes up less space then folding them (I'm currently drowning in towels). I also like their ideas of using shelf dividers to create cubbies within each shelf and towel racks on the back of the door for items that tend to wrinkle. Read on for ideas on three more types of closets.

Fresh Finds: Mother's Day Gift Guide

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Wed, 02 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

I never know how to go about Mother's Day ideas here on MPMK. Given that most of you are yourself the mom of the family, I'm not sure whether to highlight stuff for you or for your own mom. Today I'm doing a little of both.

Accessories are a great pick either way. They last longer than most clothing and get used all the time, giving Mom lots of opportunities to think of the gift-giver. Here are some of my current favorites:

Karma Necklace - I love delicate pieces like this one. And what could be a better gift than a little good karma? $74
Kate Spade Rosewood Dot Necklace - Get Mom on-trend while still respecting her classic style with this lovely rosewood and enamel piece. $128
Kate Spade Idiom Bangle - A sweet reminder of Mom's infinite wisdom. The inside is engraved with "mom always said" and the outside with advice ranging from "take a chance" and "have courage" to "wear sunscreen". $58
My sister-in-law got me a set of these designer hair ties for my birthday and now I wear them everyday. I perpetually have a hair band around my wrist (just in case) and these are so much cuter than the standard ponytail holder. The hand-died, hand knotted material can reasonably double as a bracelet and they're super soft and comfy (both on my hair and my wrist). $11
How sweet is this Jonathan Adler Elephant Keychain? It's perfect for a mom with really little ones. The whimsical little guy will remind her of her kiddos every time she picks up her keys. $18
Anthropologie's astrological map bracelet is a much more modern take on traditional Mom birthstone jewelry. $52
Just because your mom's a grandma now, doesn't mean she can't be chic. Give her reading glasses an update by trading them in for these Kate Spade Readers in watermelon. $68
The vintage feel of this stackable Druzy Ring makes it a really versatile piece. It would be equally lovely on you or your mom. $80

P.S. Have you heard of WU Pay? You can buy gift cards to places like Amazon, Zappos, Gap, Barnes and Noble and more and send them as gifts electronically. Plus you can earn $20 cash back when you spend $100. I've never tried it but I'm looking into it for Mother's Day so I figured I'd put up this affiliate link in case you wanted to do the same.

Giveaway: Rolled Canvases

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Tue, 01 May 2012 04:27:00 +0000

Lori Andrews via Poppytalk.

Just in time for Mother's Day, I've got a great giveaway for you. Literally every year I gift both my mom and my mom-in-law some type of photo gift. It's not just laziness on my part, both of them truly love pretty much anything with my children's faces on it.

Still, year after year it can be tough to come up with a new way to approach the photo gift. In case you're having the same dilemma, I have a suggestion - rolled canvas. Although not as popular as their stretched canvas cousins, rolled canvases are actually a much better deal. They're considerably cheaper (starting at just $10.49) and available in a much wider range of sizes - we're talking up to 40" x 60". And all it takes is some very basic DIY skills to transform a rolled canvas into a custom stretched canvas.

Today UPrinting is offering up a 16" x 20" rolled canvas prints (available with no border or a 2" border) with free shipping and a one business day turn around to TWO LUCKY WINNERS. Before we get to that, here are a few additional design ideas you could easily execute with rolled canvas.

Source

DIY Stitched Rolled Canvas via Under the Sycamore

Inspired? Here's how to enter...

For your chance to win one of two 16" x 20" rolled canvases from UPrinting, simply leave a comment below. For bonus entries like Uprinting's facebook page, follow them on twitter, or add them to your Google+ circles. You must be 18 or older and a U.S. Resident to win. Also, please leave a separate comment with an email address for each entry to qualify. This giveaway closes at midnight EST on Friday May 4th, 2012.

Don't Forget Teacher Appreciation Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:27:00 +0000

The title of this one is a little misleading. These pretty pencils aren't actually dip-dyed, they just mimic the look that's so popular right now. You see, ever since these cheerful spoons started popping up all over Pinterest, I knew I wanted to put my own spin on them.

Pencils seemed like a great mini-project to try out the technique. Plus one of the biggest perks of being a teacher has to be having an excuse to collect pretty school supplies (that and the whole helping to shape America's youth thing). As a student I always adored going back-to-school shopping to pick out gleaming new pencils and Pee Chees - why should teachers be any different?

I'm convinced these bright #2s will put a smile on any teacher's face - and the kids will have fun making them too. All you need to make your own set are pencils, a paint brush, craft paint in a few bright hues, 100 grit sandpaper and some painter's tape. To start, use the tape to wrap the ends of each pencil at varying heights.

Next use the sandpaper to lightly buff your pencils. Roughing up the slick top layer will help the paint adhere. Just don't get too overzealous. If your pencils start to look like the photo above, it's time to step away from the sandpaper.

Use a paint brush to apply the first coat of paint. I found it pretty much impossible to get good coverage with a single coat so I stuck my pencils in a small dish of rice and let them dry overnight. The next morning I applied coat number two and let them dry for another four hours or so.

I also experimented a big with a two-toned effect. I liked it on one but decided to stick to my inspiration and keep each pencil a single color.

Once the pencils were dry, all that was left was to slip them in a plastic tube procured from my local craft store for $1.99. I also attached a little note that reads "Thanks for helping me color my world". I'm not sure how these will fair once they meet a pencil sharpener but for such a quick and easy project I was pleased with the results.

Teacher appreciation week is May 7th - May 11th this year (the official day is Tuesday, May 8th). What will you be doing to honor the teachers in your life?

Last Minute Teacher Appreciation Ideas

Teacher Christmas Gift Ideas - DIY Treat Kits

The Weekend Look Book

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 06:02:00 +0000

As always, click on the photos for more info.

What I've Been Up To...

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 05:18:00 +0000

I've been a busy, busy blogger lately - working on something I'm really excited about. All will be revealed soon! Until then, I have a few other contributions around the web that I wanted to share with you.

(top) Aren't these colorful planters cute? It's finally starting to feel like spring and I'm dreaming of backyard grilling in style. Which is why my latest houzz ideabook features 20 of my favorite products for sprucing up any outdoor space.

(bottom left) In case you haven't gotten your spring cleaning fill yet, The Organized Parent is featuring two of my best decluttering posts on honoring kids' artwork and toy organization.

(bottom right) My weekly roundup at momtastic features one of the happiest DIYs I've seen in a long while. It's also got info. on how to enjoy eating out with the kids, 10 photos to take every month, and more.

Happy weekend everyone!

POYEL: More on Our Daily Routines

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

As I mentioned on Monday, a small bought of spring cleaning fever recently hit our family. This, in turn, got me once again thinking about Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life - but not how you might expect. Streamlining my home brought back (with a vengeance) all my yearnings to streamline my time.

I'd especially like to return to the topics of daily routines and weekly schedules. I'm really glad we covered all that we did in regards to cleaning in the beginning (Lord knows I can always use help in that arena) but that was never really the point of POYEL. If you look back at the original post, you'll see that I only actually wrote a single, solitary word about cleaning.

Recently we've touched on the idea of examining our priorities and establishing a rhythm to our days. Today, I want to get a little more practical and talk about what's needed to actually accomplish our lofty goals. I've talked with so many of my mom friends about this during play dates or over coffee. We all agree, when everyone's basic needs are met (we're talking kids and mom) things just go so much better.

So I sat down and wrote myself a list - a dozen commandments to try to stick to even when life is crazy busy (that's when these things are actually the most important). My basic needs may not exactly match up to yours. Maybe the sight of laundry piling-up doesn't give you an involuntary tick like it does me... if your mind doesn't seem to start racing the minute your head hits the pillow at night then #11 might not be essential... and perhaps you even like the challenge of figuring out a new recipe around 5:00pm each night (sicko).

I encourage you to take 15 minutes and think about the small things you can do to eliminate stress and frustration from your daily life. Write them down and resolve to stick to them for at least a week, even if it means putting your needs before the vacuuming every once in a while. Easier said then done, believe me, I know. But try it anyway and let me know how it goes!

This post is part of MPMK's "Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life", which you can read all about here.

Similar Stuff:

Other POYEL Daily Routine Posts

Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life - Creating a Weekly Schedule

Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life - Meal Planning

Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life - Decluttering
Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life - Quiet Time Kits

Good to Know: Parenting Tips & Tricks

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

I'm in a bit of a teasing mood today. I thought I'd tell you about a few of my current favorites in the realm of parenting thoughts and tips, but only enough to pique your interest. To get the goods you'll have to click on the links. I promise, though, they're all worth it.

The kids and I are sharing one of our hands-down favorite boredom busters at momtastic. Can you tell what it is from the photo above?
I'm sooo tempted to try this with my little ones, partly to see if it would really work and partly because it would be absolutely fantastic if it did.
The missing link to Pandora perfection.
A profound (and hilarious) insight into our parenting generation.
Finally, do you remember the first lasts?

Happy hump day!

Fresh Find: Introduction to Photography E-Course - Learning to Shoot In Manual

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:00:00 +0000

As soon as I read that my favorite photography/mom site, The Creative Mama, was offering their very first e-course, Introduction to Photography: Chapter One, I knew I wanted to participate. So I fired off an email asking them to become a sponsor. They graciously agreed and today I get to share a little about the course and offer you, my lovely readers, a special discount.

First, though, a little more about the site. The Creative Mama is my go-to source for photo inspiration. From their photography challenges to their how-to's, these ladies keep me aspiring to shoot better with every post. Having had my SLR camera for less than a year-and-a-half, I'm definitely still a rookie but I've learned so much from this site.

Never-the-less, half of my photos are still taken in manual mode (the other half in the aperture priority setting). I long to be able to switch the dial to manual mode without fear but I'm just not there yet. Which is exactly where Introduction to Photography: Chapter One comes in. In a very manageable three week timeline, the $129 course will:

Teach you how to get off the green square and shoot completely in manual mode, and will boost your confidence in capturing photos of your own everyday. Besides the written course content, you will also be able to watch several videos that show you how to use your camera. You’ll also get lots of short, fun assignments that give you a chance to test out these settings for yourself. You’ll even see videos of a photographer shooting and editing from beginning to end, and answering your questions every week.

You’ll have daily prompts delivered right to your inbox, access to a private website just for the class members, and the whole beautiful thing wrapped together in an e-book at the end of the course, so that you can continue to study the content over and over at your own pace. Best of all, the concepts and principles of photography are explained in easy-to-understand analogies and examples, so that the terminology doesn’t ever overwhelm you.

Sounds good right? It will be - one look at Stacey's blog and I know this woman can lead us to the promise land. So what do you say, will this be the summer you finally get those perfect beach shots of the kids?

If you'd like to join me, head here and enjoy a special 15% off discount by entering the code MESSY15.

Science at Play: Part III

noreply@blogger.com (Steph at ModernParentsMessyKids.com) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 06:50:00 +0000

It's been a busy, busy weekend on the homefront. Gorgeous weather led to some impromptu yardwork and spring cleaning along with lots of playing in the sun and a family picnic in the backyard. All that means two things: I'm up way too late writing this so I'll be keeping it brief and the nice weather has me thinking about summer.

What do these two things add up to? My third science at home roundup. (Because it's a relatively quick post and I know from past experience you'll love it. Plus who amongst us can't use a little extra learnin' come summer?) Without further ado, here are my latest top 5 ways to play Mr. Wizard with the kids:

What do you think? Which one will you attempt this week? If you really want to go all out, see this impressive-yet-totally-doable home science lab.

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More Science: 10 Ways to Amaze the Kids

Adding a Little Science to Playtime

Science at Home: DIY Colored Flowers