One Savvy Mom ™ | NYC Area Mom Blog

Mini Canvas Snowman Ornament - A Quick & Simple {Super Cute!} Christmas Kids Craft Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 20:07:00 +0000

This mini canvas snowman ornament is the perfect Christmas craft to do with the kids this holiday season! They're super simple to make, they're great keepsakes and they're fun homemade handmade gifts too.

Friends, if you've been around for the past 10 years (almost 11 now...!) you know how much we love mini canvas kids crafts around here! Our kids have all loved crafting fun treasures over the years using mini canvases and other simple finds from our craft stash. A few years back we made adorable mini canvas snowman ornaments using mittens (which were crafted to look like little snow hats!) and a mini canvas - you can find those HERE. This year we decided to make similar ornaments - snowman mini canvas ornaments with earmuffs - using colorful yarn pom-poms a mini canvas and a handful of other simple supplies. These turned out just precious, don't you think?! They are so simple to make too! We will be adding a DIY mini canvas ornament to the tops of each of our packages/gifts for friends and family this holiday season. They are the perfect (super cute) way to pretty up a package wrapped in simple brown (recyclable!)) craft paper!

Grab the full supply list and our full tutorial, with step-by-step imagery, below.

Mini Canvas Snowman Ornament How-To

What you'll need:

scissors

paint brush(s)

black paint, orange paint, pink paint

pre-made yarn pom-poms or standard large pom-poms

pipe cleaner

mini canvas (we found the pictured 4"x4" wrapped canvas at A.C. Moore.)

mini low-temp glue gun and low-temp glue stick (steps using hot glue should be completed by an adult.)

How to:

Using paint brushes and paint, paint your snowman's face to your preference on your mini canvas (refer to imagery above and below.) Allow adequate time for drying.
Snip about 1" off of the pipe cleaner. Using low-temp hot glue, affix the pipe cleaner in an upside down U shape onto either (top) side of the mini canvas. Hold in place until hot glue sets. Add a large yarn pom-pom to either side, also using low-temp hot glue, to create the look of earmuffs. Hold in each pom-pom in place until hot glue sets. The pipe cleaner portion of the earmuffs also doubles as a hanger for your mini canvas snowman ornament.
Hang your completed mini canvas snowman ornament and enjoy OR gift to someone special this holiday season!

Happy Crafting & Happy Holidays, friends!

Check out our Mini Canvas Snowman Ornament tutorial (with Mitten snow hat!) from a few years back, HERE!

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mini Embroidery Hoop Ornament w/ Free Template - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #8

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 19:21:00 +0000

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, had a very shiny nose...Gosh, friends! How adorable is this Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mini Embroidery Hoop Ornament?! My daughter and I made several of these 4" embroidery hoop Christmas ornaments over the weekend. They were super simple to put together! They're actually they're just slightly modified version of the deer template from our Woodland Animal Embroidery Hoops, that we shared here with a free printable template back in the Fall. This is project #8 in our Kids Sewing Series, here at One Savvy Mom™.

After coming across a yard of brown fabric and felt in our tote of craft scraps and a ball of red yarn, the idea for this Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mini Embroidery Hoop Ornament was hatched! These ornaments make a great handmade Christmas gift idea. They also make a great holiday keepsake craft for the kids to make and for you to cherish as a parent, for years to come.

Read on for the simple supply list, our free printable template and our easy tutorial, to make your own Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Mini Embroidery Hoop Ornament, this holiday season!

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mini Embroidery Hoop Christmas Ornament How-To

What you'll need:

4" Wooden embroidery Hoop
(1) Fat quarter of light brown fabric (found for about $1 ea. at most craft stores)
(1) Sheet of brown felt
(1) Pre-made medium red pompom or red yarn to make your own medium sized red pompom (we used a handmade pompom for the pictured Rudolph Mini Embroidery Hoop ornament)
Dark brown embroidery floss
Light brown embroidery floss
Black embroidery floss
Red embroidery floss
A sewing/embroidery needle
A pencil
Scissors
Our free printable 5" Deer Embroidery Hoop Template (cut all of the shapes out along the outermost black line, using felt and scissors. Note: as we simply modified this template by adding a red pompom for Rudolph's nose, you should omit the black felt nose piece)
Ribbon, to create a ribbon hanger for your finished ornament.

How to:

Cut a piece of light brown fabric from your "fat quarter" sized to fit your 4" hoop. Place it in the hoop. Pull until fabric is fairly tight. Tighten hoop to secure fabric in place.
Cut all of the felt / fabric pieces needed for this project, using the template. Once cut, set pieces to the side.
Start with the large center "mask" piece for the deer. Center it on your embroidery hoop - lining the top curve with the edge of the hoop (refer to imagery above and below.) Using an embroidery needle and dark brown embroidery floss, stitch around the entire outside edge of this piece, using a simple back-stitch.
Once complete, using brown embroidery floss and a simple back-stitch stitch along the bottom of each "antler piece" affixing them to either side of your deer - making sure that they are evenly spaced out (refer to imagery above and below.)
Using red embroidery floss and a simple back-stitch, stitch your medium sized pre-made or handmade red pompom nose onto the end of the center piece of the previously stitched felt deer "mask" refer to images a
Lay one of the light brown small ear pieces over top of one of the larger brown ear pieces. Pinch the pieces at the bottom, drive your needle through the center of the ear pieces (from outside left through the center to outside right. Use a simple stitch or two to affix the ear at the bottom of one of the previously stitched antler pieces. Repeat this step, to complete the second ear (refer to imagery above and below.)
Next, use a pencil to lightly sketch your eyes onto the light brown fabric. Use black embroidery floss and a simple back-stitch, to follow the pencil marks / create the eyes for your deer embroidery hoop (refer to imagery above and below.)
Using light brown thread, add 10-15 small cross stitches to the center of the deer "mask" / head (refer to imagery above and below.)
Using a simple back-stitch, and black embroidery floss, stitch on two eyes for your deer (you can use a pencil to lightly sketch where you want to place your eyes and how you'd like them shaped etc.)
Pull a thin piece of colored or festive ribbon through the top of your embroidery hoop. Knot or tie in a bow at the top, to create a hanger for your ornament.

Hang your completed Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Mini Embroidery Hoop Ornament and enjoy, or gift to someone special!

Happy crafting and Happy Holidays, friends!

Like this sewing project? Check out these other fun projects from our Kids Sewing Series:

DIY Unicorn Tote - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #1

"Bee" Happy Canvas Clutch - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #2

Owl Embroidery Hoops - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #3

Embroidered Hand Prints - Perfect For Gifting This Mother's Day! Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #4

Easy Halloween Kids Embroidery Hoops - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #5

Woodland Animals Mini Embroidery Hoops For Kids + Free Printable Deer, Fox, and Owl Patterns / Templates Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #6

Mini Embroidery Hoop Snowman Ornaments- Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #7

DIY Giant Snowman Checkers Set - A Fun Family Gift Idea {Under $10 To Make!}

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 21:13:00 +0000

It's a Giant DIY Checkers Set! Yep, and not just any old Giant DIY Checkers Set, friends! We made ours Snowman themed! One of my favorite things about this DIY Holiday Gift (aside from the fact that it's ADORABLE?!) The total cost to assemble each Giant DIY Snowman Checkers, rang in at under $10!

My older daughter and I have been up to our elbows in craft supplies over the past two weeks. We've been brainstorming new DIY's daily, to make good use of our craft scraps for the upcoming holiday craft fair. In addition to making a few sets for the craft fair, we also made 2 sets to gift to close friends who have young children, as a "family gift." Each set only requires 2 boxes of mason jar lids / canning lids, and a few other simple supplies. If you've been reading here for a while, you may remember our original XL Checker Set made with Mason Jar Lids; my older kids STILL play with that set! It's definitely a family favorite, and it's super portable/durable.

Read on for the full supply list and our simple tutorial, to make your own Giant DIY Snowman Checkers Set this Holiday season!

Giant DIY Snowman Checkers Set How-To

What you'll need:

Scissors
A pencil
A sponge bush
A paint brush
1 piece of card stock (to make a template for your squares)
1 yard of white fabric
Fabric Paint (we chose a teal color for the pictured set)
24 Mason jar lids / canning lids (they are sold in boxes of 12 at most stores)
Krazy Glue
Multi-Surface paint ( in white, black, light pink, orange, and teal.)
Liquid stitch adhesive (to create a hem / finish the edges of your fabric checker board)
Optional: a wooden crate or canvas bag to store your Giant Snowman Checkers Set.

How to:

Start by creating a template for your checker board squares. We made our squares 3". Your fabric checker board will have a total of 64 squares. 8 rows of 8 squares.
Use your template and trace (with a pencil) to frame out your checker board on your fabric.
Next, on a protected surface, use a sponge brush and fabric paint, to paint every other square on your checker board (refer to imagery above and below. Tip: make sure to NOT saturate your sponge brush or the paint will bleed through the fabric to the surface underneath. Set to the side and allow adequate time for trying.
Once dry, trim excess fabric down, and finish off the edges of your fabric checker board by creating a simple hem using liquid stitch adhesive. Set to the side and allow adequate time for drying.
To make your giant checkers, start by gluing the canning lid / mason jar lid centers inside the rings (using a few dabs of Krazy Glue.) Allow adequate time for drying.
Now, using multi-surface paint and a paintbrush, paint 12 of your canning lid/mason jar lid checkers teal, and 12 of your canning lid/mason jar lid checkers white. Set to the side and allow adequate time for drying (note: checkers may require two coats of paint.
Once base coats of paint have dried completely, it's time to add the details! Using multi-surface paint and a paintbrush, paint a snowman face on each white checker, and a snowflake on each teal checker. Set to the side and allow adequate time for drying.
Optional: paint a simple wooden crate to store/gift your Giant DIY Snowman Checker Set, or store it in a canvas bag.

Enjoy your completed Giant DIY Snowman Checkers Set, or gift to someone special!

Happy crafting and Happy Holidays, friends!

Yarn Wrapped Snowman Napkin Rings

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:38:00 +0000

Yarn Wrapped Snowman Napkin rings are super simple to make, and such a fun craft for the kids! These adorable yarn wrapped snowman napkin rings are an easy fiber craft for kids, and add that special touch of fun to your holiday winter tablescapes and gatherings. My favorite part, aside from the fact that they are super cute, of course?! You only need a handful of supplies and upcycled / recycled materials to make these; all in, we made upwards of 30 of these yarn wrapped snowman napkin rings, for under $5! Not bad, right?! These yarn wrapped snowman napkin rings would also make a great handmade DIY holiday gift idea!

Read on for the full supply list and instructions to make your own yarn wrapped snowman napkin rings.

How to make Yarn Wrapped Snowman Napkin Rings

Estimated time needed: 30 minutes

Cost: Under $5

What you'll need:

Scissors
Heavy craft glue (or low-temp hot glue gun and low-temp hot glue sticks NOTE: if using a low-temp hot glue gun, steps that require gluing should be completed by an ADULT ONLY.)
Upcycled cardboard paper towel tubes (each tube makes 2 napkin rings - each tube is cut in half)
White yarn ( we found a skein of white cotton yarn at Michael's for $1.99)
Twine (about 6" for each napkin ring - 3" x 2 snowman "arms")
Jute rope (can be found for $1 a bundle at Dollar Tree - about 3" for the band for each napkin ring - creates band for "earmuffs")
Pompoms in your choice of color 2x for each napkin ring (to create earmuffs).
Felt - Black - cut into small circles for eyes & mouth pieces (see images above and below for reference.) Red -cut into 6"strips for scarf and cut into mitten pieces x 2 for each. Orange - cut into triangles for nose x1 each.

How to:

Cut the paper towel tube in half. Each tube makes 2 yarn wrapped snowman napkin rings. Starting with one half, cut a small slit in the top of the tube.
Create a knot in one end of the white yarn, and slide the knot down into the cardboard tube.
Wrap the yarn (looping through the tube) until the entirety of the tube has been wrapped in white yarn.)
Using glue, affix felt eyes, mouth, and nose pieces to the yarn wrapped cardboard tube (refer to imagery above and below for placement.
Use jute rope and 2 pompoms to create earmuffs. Affix using a generous dab of glue on each pompom to affix to each side of the yarn wrapped cardboard tube (refer to imagery above and below.)
Use twine and cut felt pieces to create arms with mittens for your yarn wrapped snowman napkin ring. Affix each to either side of the yarn wrapped cardboard tube using a generous dabs of glue.
Allow adequate time for the glue to dry/set.
Use your completed Yarn Wrapped Snowman Napkin rings for your next holiday or winter gathering, and enjoy! Or gift them to someone special this holiday season!

Happy Crafting and Happy Holidays, friends!

Embroidered Evergreen Christmas Wreath + How To Make A Double Embroidery Hoop

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 19:32:00 +0000

My DIY Double Hoop Embroidered Evergreen Christmas Wreath is easy to stitch, so perfect for the embroidery beginner, and it makes for beautiful DIY Holiday Décor or the perfect handmade gift when completed.

This Embroidered Double Hoop Evergreen Christmas Wreath is the perfect holiday embroidery project, even for the embroidery beginner / beginner sewers. If you're on the hunt for DIY embroidered gifts and embroidery projects for the holiday season, this is definitely one to add to your list! Even if you've never assembled a double hoop, our step by step imagery below, will help you make a double embroidery hoop wreath, in a cinch (it literally takes under 10 minutes to assemble!). The pictured double hoop embroidery wreath uses a 16" embroidery hoop and a 6" embroidery hoop, though you can use any size embroidery hoops you'd like; bigger or smaller. Overall, this took me about 3 days (a few hours here and there) to complete, and all in, it costs about $12 in supplies.

Read on for a full supply list and our easy step by step tutorial (including how to make a double embroidery hoop) below.

Embroidered Evergreen Christmas Wreath Using a Double Hoop How-To

Estimated Time Needed: 12 hours

Estimated Cost: $12-$15 (depending on hoop sizes chosen and materials needed based on hoop sizes.)

What you'll need

Scissors
Embroidery needle
Embroidery floss in your choice of various shades of green, brown (for branch tips /branches etc.) and burgundy (or another color) for the bow. The amount of each color needed will vary depending on the size of the hoops that you choose etc.
2 Pipe cleaners
2 Varying sized embroidery hoops (for the pictured double hoop embroidered Christmas wreath I used a 16" hoop and a 6" hoop - though you can use any size hoops that you'd prefer -larger or smaller - your choice!)
Base fabric in a color of your choice. I used ivory linen for the pictured Embroidered Evergreen Double Hoop Christmas Wreath. The size of the fabric needed with vary depending on the size of the hoops that you choose.
Optional: felt (sized to cover the back of your hoop wreath.) and low temp hot glue gun / low temp hot glue sticks to finish off the back of your wreath.

How to make a double embroidery hoop, for embroidered wreaths:

How to:

Assemble the fabric in your embroidery hoops to create your double hoop. If you haven't ever assembled a double hoop - refer to imagery above on how to assemble a double embroidery hoop wreath - note once fabric is secured in both hoops continue to pull tight/taught prior to gluing the fabric to the back inside of the inner hoop. Don't glue the fabric from the larger / outer hoop until your are completely finished stitching/finished your wreath and the fabric has been pulled tightly.
Now, start stitching! In all honesty, I just randomly stitched as I went … I looked at some random pictures of greenery and tried to replicate them using a needle and thread. I generally made one large central straight stitch for each branch and then several small backstitches that overlapped slightly (in a V, starting smaller at the top and gradually getting larger at the base) over top of the large central straight stitch. I wasn't incredibly uniform about how I was stitching either, because tree branches aren't super uniform. Each one is unique! I added small bits of light brown/caramel colored embroidery floss(using one to three small back stitches) - to the tips of each of the darker green branches - to create the look of branch tips.
To create the bow, I twisted two red pipe cleaners into a bow shape /form, and layered it over top of the evergreen stitching (top center). Then, I simply stitched over top of the pipe cleaner form (repetitively, back and forth, using a straight stitch) until the entire pipe cleaner bow form was uniformly covered in burgundy embroidery floss. This created the fun 3-D look for the wreath's bow.
I finished the back off by affixing felt using low-temp hot glue (to cover the exposed back stitching.) However, this is an optional step.
Hang and enjoy your completed double hoop Embroidered Evergreen Christmas wreath and enjoy. OR gift it to someone special!

DIY Dollar Tree Funnel Set Angels

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 15:09:00 +0000

These DIY Dollar Tree Funnel Set Angels are made from a 3 piece funnel set, and other simple supplies from Dollar Tree! Total cost rang in at about $6 each, to make. The pictured DIY Dollar Tree Funnel Angel stands at about 18" tall, and is perfect for displaying during the Christmas season (or even adding to the top of your Christmas tree!)

Hi friends, how was your week? We are super busy these days, but in the very best ways! These DIY Dollar Tree Funnel Set Angels, were our project of the day, yesterday. By stacking the funnels, and using them as a form/ base, it gives the illusion that the Angel is wearing a 3-tiered dress. My oldest daughter helped me assemble several of these, in about an hour and a half. I prepped everything by cutting down all of the ribbon into 5" strips, bundled the raffia to create Angel wings, and cut down all of the felt to create the face/hair. Then she helped me assemble them, using low temp hot glue. I was originally planning on leaving the faces without features - but my daughter had the idea of stitching on closed eyes / a mouth on each Angel, before gluing the felt down. I absolutely LOVE how they turned out, and I'm so glad that she suggested this super simple add-on. If you made our Dollar Tree Funnel Set Christmas Trees last year, these are just as easy to assemble! These make great handmade holiday décor and they'd also make a great gift!

Read on for the simple supply list and our easy tutorial to make your own DIY Dollar Tree Funnel Set Angels, this holiday season!

DIY Dollar Tree Funnel Set Angels How-To

What you'll need:

Scissors
Medium foam ball (2.5" foam ball used for Angel head, found at Dollar Tree)
Low-temp hot glue gun and low-temp hot glue sticks
Ribbon (we used 2.5 9ft. rolls of burlap wired ribbon from Dollar Tree, for each Angel)
Lace ribbon (pictured lace ribbon found at Dollar Tree) for collar and bow details
Raffia (we used one bundle from a 3 pack of bundled Raffia from Dollar Tree - one pack would be enough to make 3 Angels)
(1) Cranberry wired decorative pick
1 sheet of brown felt for hair (or color of your choice) and 1 sheet of taupe felt for face (found at most craft stores for about .25 cents each.)
Optional: embroidery floss in dark brown and light pink colors, and a sewing needle to stitch eyes and mouth / facial features onto the felt/face, prior to gluing.
Optional: 2 circular foam pieces to add height to your Angel (3" green circular foam pieces used for the pictured Angel, were found at Dollar Tree)

How to:

If adding height to your Angel, with the optional circular foam pieces, start with the largest funnel in the set, and press the foam down over the funnel spout (refer to imagery below). Repeat this step, with a second piece of circular foam on the medium sized funnel in the set.
Last, press the foam ball (from the center) down onto the spout of the smallest funnel in the set. If you aren't using optional foam pieces for height, simply do this step with the smallest funnel and the foam ball.
Now, slide all of the foam pieces off. Starting with the largest funnel, add a few generous dabs of low-temp hot glue to the center hole that you created with the spout. Quickly press the foam back in-place (hold in-place for about a minute until the glue has dried/set.). Repeat this step with the medium sized funnel, and the smallest funnel / foam ball. If you aren't using the optional foam pieces for height, simply do this step with the smallest funnel and the foam ball.
Once complete, it's time to stack and glue your funnel pieces together (refer to imagery below.) Using low-temp hot glue, add several generous dabs of hot glue around the optional foam piece on the largest funnel/base (or on the top outside portion of the largest funnel if you've opted not to use the optional foam for height.) Quickly press the medium sized funnel down on top of the hot glue. Press/hold in-place for about a minute until the glue has set/dried. Repeat this step with the small funnel.
Cut ribbon into 5" strips about 25 for the large funnel / the base, about 20 5" strips for the middle and about 18 5" strips for the top (we alternated patterns / colors for the base, middle and top.
Next, fold the end of each of the ribbon strips (about 1/2")add a dab of hot glue to the fold to create a finished edge / hem for each ribbon piece. Repeat this step with every ribbon strip.
Once complete, it's time to glue each ribbon strip onto the funnels. Starting with the bottom / large funnel, and a dab of hot glue to the top of the ribbon strip (pre-glued / "hem" side down.) Repeat this step until you've covered the entire base / large funnel. Repeat this step using an alternate pattern / color (or the same color / pattern if you choose.) with the medium funnel, and the small funnel.
Cut a large circular piece of taupe felt, for your Angel's face.
Optional: Use embroidery floss, a needle and straight stitch to create the features on your Angel's face.
Use a few dabs of hot glue to affix the felt onto the Styrofoam ball, front/center.
Cut a large semi circular piece of brown felt, for your Angel's hair (or from a color of your choice). Use a few dabs of hot glue to affix the felt onto the top/sides and back of your Styrofoam ball. Using scissors, create a few cuts to create bangs/hair strands all around the felt sides/back.
Create a collar for your Angel's dress, by glue a small piece of lace ribbon around the top of the smallest funnel (just under the foam ball.)
Add a small lace bow to the top front of the felt hair, using a large dab of low-temp hot glue.
Open / unroll one small bundle of raffia from a 3 pack of raffia, found at Dollar Tree. Bundle it at the center. Tie off with ribbon, in a large bow at the center.
Use a few large generous dabs of low-temp hot glue to the center of the bundle of raffia / Angel's wings press to the top center back of the smallest funnel. Hold in place for 1-2 minutes until you are certain that the glue has dried / set.
To finish your DIY Dollar Tree Funnel Set Angel, add a Halo. Shape the cranberry / festive wired pick into a circle. place around the top of your Angel's head / the Styrofoam ball. We simply press the Halo down around the Styrofoam ball, to secure it in-place (no glue required!)

Enjoy your completed DIY Dollar Tree Funnel Set Angel, or gift it to someone special this holiday season!

Happy crafting and Happy Holidays, friends!

Mini Canvas Snowman Ornaments - A Quick & Simple {Super Cute!} Christmas Kids Craft Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Looking for a cute Christmas craft to do with the kids? These Mini Canvas Snowman Ornaments are it! This is such a quick and simple {super cute!} Christmas kids craft; perfect for gifting to friends and family - or for your own Christmas tree. If you're into mess-free kids crafts {and what mom isn't, right?), this easy Christmas craft is definitely the craft for you!

Hi friends, how have you been? Each year, my kids make new DIY ornaments for our Christmas Tree, it's a bit of a tradition around here. It's always fun to look back each year on all of the ornaments that we've made together, when we decorate our tree. Last weekend, we got a jump start on our Christmas crafting, and made these adorable Mini Canvas Snowman Ornaments. This is such a quick and simple Christmas craft for kids. These Mini Canvas Snowman Ornaments come together in a cinch with a few simple supplies and Kwik Stix {fast drying} solid tempera paint sticks. If your house is anything like mine you might even already have a stray mitten or two {or 20!} on-hand, without a match, that you can easily upcycle for this craft.

Read on for the full supply list and our easy tutorial, to make your own Mini Canvas Snowman Ornaments with the kids this holiday season.

Mini Canvas Snowman Ornaments How-To

What you'll need:

Kwik Stix solid tempera paint sticks {these fast-drying kid-safe paints dry in just 90 seconds - they're the best!}
Scissors
Craft glue {or low-temp hot glues sticks + a glue gun - however if using low-temp hot glue it should only should to be used by an adult}
Ribbon {I found the pictured ribbon at A.C. Moore in 1 yard spools - currently 2 for $1}
(1) Mitten
(1) Mini 4"x4" canvas {I found the pictured canvases at A.C. Moore for a little over $1 ea. - the entire canvas section is currently 70% off. }

How to:

Start by slipping the mitten over the top of your mini canvas. Fold/cuff at the wrist of the mitten. add a dot of craft glue (you can also use a dab of low-temp hot glue - however if you do make sure that this step is done by an adult not a child) on the underside of the mitten to secure to your canvas. Press lightly to secure.
Using scissors, cut the tips off the top of each of the fingers on your mitten.
Gather mitten fingers and tie at the center tightly, with ribbon. Use scissors to cut the ends of the mitten fingers to create a fringe/pom-pom at the top of your snowman's mitten hat.
Slip another small piece of ribbon through your already tied ribbon/bow, at the backside, and tie ends to create a 4"-5" loop for hanging (refer to images below.)
Use Kwik Stix tempera paint sticks to draw on your snowman's eyes, carrot nose, and smile.
Allow 90 seconds for the Kwix Stix tempera paint to set/dry.

Hang your completed Mini Canvas Snowman Ornaments on your tree, or gift them to someone special this holiday season!

Happy Holidays & Happy Crafting, friends!

DIY K Cup Christmas Trees - A Fun and Frugal Holiday Gift Tutorial!

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 21:10:00 +0000

Looking for the perfect DIY holiday gift idea for friends, neighbors, family, teachers, the mail carrier, etc.(the list goes on and on)? These DIY K Cup Christmas Trees are an adorable frugal way to spread some holiday cheer this season!

Hi friends, how have you been? Christmas is coming! I have a long list of people to gift to during the holiday season. Teachers, friends, family, the pediatrician, the mail carrier, my husbands co-workers etc., like I said, the list is LONG. I don't have a ton of "free time" on my hands with 4 kids, so I've already started to assemble some of the gifts for all of the people on our list this year.

Who doesn't love K Cups? Perfect gift, in my opinion! I decided to make these {super cute}super simple DIY K Cup Christmas Trees to house/present K Cups (along with coffee/tea mugs) to some of the people on our list this Christmas. You can grab a variety of coffee, tea, and hot chocolate K Cups and customize each DIY K Cup Christmas Tree according to each individuals preferences,, too. Each one of the pictured DIY K Cup Christmas Trees holds (6) K Cups, although you could easily make them a bit smaller, to accommodate (3) K Cups, if you prefer. One of my favorite frugal K Cup brands, is Market Pantry (Target's brand). You can pick up a box of 48 K Cups (medium roast coffee) for just $15.99! That's a steal in comparison to some of the other K Cup packs on the market. It also makes assembling several of these K Cup Trees, a super affordable gift option this holiday season.

Read on for a full supply list and for my tutorial on how to assemble your own DIY K Cup Christmas Tree gift arrangements, this holiday season!

DIY K Cup Christmas Trees How-To

What you'll need:

Scissors
An X-Acto knife
A ruler
A pencil
A cardboard paper towel tube (cut down to about 2")
Double sided tape
18" x 24" Foam Board (I found them at Dollar Tree by the poster board for $1 each - craft stores tend to be pretty pricey with foam board - so head to Dollar Tree!). You'll get 6 K Cup Trees out of each foam board)
Scrap Book Paper ( I used 5 pieces of scrapbook paper for each board) in festive prints or green prints and 1 piece of yellow/gold scrap book paper to make the stars for the tops of your K Cup Trees.)
A mug / coffee cup of your choosing for each of your DIY K Cup Christmas Tree Arrangements (holiday themed, plain, or with cute sayings on them)
6 K Cups for each of your DIY K Cup Christmas Trees.
Ribbon
Cellophane Wrap

How to:

Using your double sided table, run a line of tape down the underside of each piece of your scrapbook paper. I used 4 long pieces of double sided tape ( ran lengthwise about 2 inches apart).
Stick your scrapbook paper to your foam board (making sure that the foam board is covered completely with scrapbook paper.)
Use your ruler and a pencil to lightly trace out the cut lines for your Christmas Trees. The pictured trees are 7"x 7"x7" with a 2 1/2 inch "tree trunk" (which is what will sit inside of the coffee / tea mugs when you're assembling your arrangements)
Use your X-Acto knife to cut out all of your K Cup Christmas Tree forms
Now, starting at the bottom of your K Cup Christmas Trees, lightly trace the inside of your cut cardboard paper towel roll 3 times (about a half an inch apart), 2 on the second row, and one close to the top.
Use your X-Acto knife to cup out each of the pre-traced circles
Using yellow/gold scrapbook paper, cut out a small star for the top of each of your K Cup Christmas Trees. Use a small piece of double-sided tape to affix each of the stars to the tops of your K Cup Christmas Trees.
Now that your K Cup Christmas Tree forms are complete, slide a K Cup into each of the holes/holders. They will fit snugly when pushed about mid-way through. No need for tape!
Use a small about of cellophane wrap to fill each of the mugs / cups (to help secure the base of each tree in the cup. Place a DIY K Cup Christmas Tree in each mug/cup. Wrap each arrangement with clear cellophane wrap. Tie the gathered wrap at the top of each DIY K Cup Arrangement at the top with a ribbon or two.

Gift your completed DIY K Cup Christmas Trees to someone special, and enjoy!

Wishing everyone a magical holiday season!

4 Calling Birds Yarn Craft For Kids

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Sat, 25 Oct 2025 13:59:00 +0000

This post is sponsored by PNC. All opinions expressed are my own.

"On the 4th Day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 4 calling birds....It's officially Day 4 of the 12 Days of Christmas Song, friends! Celebrate by making this super easy (super cute!) 4 calling birds yarn craft with the kids this season!

If you really want to raise the roof with holiday cheer, add the 12 Days of Christmas song to your holiday playlist, sing it with your kids (unabashedly, like no one's listening!) while making this adorable calling birds yarn craft! My younger kids are currently exploring textures, and this craft was a total win! It was easy enough for my 2.5 year old to do, yet still fun enough to hold the attention of my 4.5 year old. It requires the simplest of supplies and the total cost rings in at just under $5.

Have you ever stopped to imagine / guesstimate how much all of the gifts presented in the 12 Days of Christmas Song, would actually cost? Did you know that PNC has been calculating the price tag on the gifts presented in the 12 Days of Christmas Song, for 35 years? They do! It’s called the The PNC Christmas Price Index ®.

Such a fun tradition, and a great way to help kids (and adults alike) grasp where the economy stands. So many great lessons for young kids, can be derived from the Christmas Price Index ®. You can start by doing this “4 Calling Birds” yarn craft with the kids.

Read on for the full supply list and our easy tutorial, to make this 4 Calling Birds yarn craft with your kids this Holiday season!

4 Calling Birds Yarn Craft How-To:

What you’ll need:

Safety scissors
Paper plates (small dessert sized works) or upcycled cardboard
Yarn in your choice of color (s)
Black felt for eyes
Yellow felt for feet and beak
Felt for wings to make your choice of yarn color(s)
Craft glue

How to:

Start by cutting out felt pieces for feet, beak, wings, and eyes (refer to imagery) If making all 4 calling birds, make sure to duplicate pieces / cut enough felt components for all 4 calling birds. Set all felt pieces/ components to the side.
Prep a bundle of yarn for each calling bird. Create a knot at the starting end of the yarn bundle (refer to imagery.) Set to the side.
Cut (4) 4” circular discs from paper plates or upcycled cardboard. Cut a singular slit (from the perimeter to the center of each of the circular discs (refer to imagery below.)
Slide the knotted end of the yarn into the slit on the cardboard disc.
Randomly wrap the yarn around the cardboard disc, eventually covering the cardboard circle completely, with yarn.
Tie the yarn off in the back of the circular disc, using a simple knot.
Using craft glue, glue pre-cut felt eyes, beak, wings, and feet to your “calling bird.” Repeat steps 4-7 to complete each of your “calling birds”
Optional steps:

Add a small knotted bundle of yarn to the front top center of each of your “calling birds” to create a small tuft of hair.
Add a piece of string hanger to each of your “calling birds” (looped and tied in a knot at the back of each “calling bird”) to make use your completed 4 Calling Birds, as Christmas Tree Ornaments.

Display your completed 4 Calling Birds Yarn craft and enjoy, or gift them to someone special this holiday season!

The holiday creative fun doesn’t stop at this 4 Calling Birds craft! This year PNC has partnered with makers and DIY’ers all over the country, to DIY the 12 Days of Christmas. How fun is that?! Each maker will be showing you how to DIY each of the 12 gifts presented in the 12 Days of Christmas Song, for a fraction of their otherwise steep price tags. Visit the official The PNC Christmas Price Index ® website to check them all out: www.PNCChristmasPriceIndex.com

Happy crafting {happy savings!} and Happy Holidays Friends!

Did you catch my "2 Turtle Doves Mini Embroidery Hoop Ornaments" post the other day? If you haven’t seen it yet, CLICK HERE for the full craft supply list and my easy tutorial!

10 Minute Hot Crab Dip + Grab Your $1 Off Cole’s MIDDLES™ Printable Coupon {Available NOW At Walmart!}

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:09:00 +0000

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cole’s MIDDLES™. All opinions are 100% mine.

This 10 minute Hot Crab Dip is AMAZING, and it pairs perfectly with Cole's MIDDES™ Bread Five Cheese bites. So delicious, and simple! This Hot Crab Dip and Cole's MIDDLES, make a great fuss-free appetizer to serve to guests during the holiday season. It's also a great make-and-take recipe, for toting to all of your upcoming holiday gatherings.

Friends, not even gonna' lie. The past few days have been a bit crazy around here. The holiday whirl has definitely begun! As a busy mom (4 kids keep me super occupied, for sure!) I don't have a ton of excess time on my hands, and the busyness of the holiday season only tends to add to our already hectic schedule. In all of the busyness though, I want to pause and soak in some of the holiday magic with the kids this Christmas. So, in an effort to free up some time, I grabbed my recipe book and earmarked a few of my favorite fast and delicious holiday recipes, to ensure that I don't spend the entire month sequestered in the kitchen! One of my top 5 favorite family recipes, is this 10 minute hot crab dip. My mom used to make this when I was young; totally timeless and always a crowd pleaser!

Looking to grab a few extra special moments with your family this holiday season, too? Grab my easy recipe for 10 Minute Hot Crab Dip and print your $1 off Cole's MIDDLES coupon, below.

10 Minute Hot Crab Dip Recipe

Recipe serves: 6-8
Prep time: 5 minutes
Bake time: 10 Minutes

What you'll need:

A large mixing bowl
A 2 QT. (broiler safe) baking dish
2 Packages of Cole's MIDDLES (Bread Five Cheese) Grab your printable --> $1 Off Coupon before you head to Walmart!
1 6 oz can jumbo lump crab meat (drained)
1 8 oz package of cream cheese (softened)
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons creamy horseradish sauce
1 1/2 cups Colby Jack shredded cheese
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
a pinch of seafood seasoning
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper

How to:

Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees (Fahrenheit)
In a large mixing bowl, combine your Jumbo lump crab meat, bacon, softened cream cheese (cubed), sour cream, 1 cup shredded cheese (set the additional 1/2 cup to the side), horseradish sauce, seafood seasoning, salt and pepper. Use a fork to stir/combine the ingredients thoroughly.
Spoon your prepared crab dip into a 2 QT. baking dish. Set to the side.
Set your Cole's MIDDLES on a baking sheet (evenly spaced).
Place your crab dip, and your baking sheet into the oven for 7-9 minutes.
Remove your baking sheet (containing your MIDDLES) from the oven at 7-9 minutes (when the tops are lightly golden.)
With your Hot Crab Dip still in the oven, slide the oven rack out and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese to the top of your dip. Turn the broiler on for 2-3 minutes (until the top of your dip is golden brown). Remove from the oven, serve alongside Cole's MIDDLES - perfect for dipping!

Enjoy!

Cole's MIDDLES™ are available NOW at your neighborhood Walmart, just in time for the holidays! They come in a variety of flavors too; Pretzel Beer Cheese, Bread 5 Cheese, Bread Mac & Cheese, Plain Bagel Cream Cheese, Everything Bagel Cream Cheese, and French Toast Cream. They're perfect to serve up as a quick and delicious breakfast, for after school snacking, as appetizers, or paired with dinner. You can pop them in the oven or microwave; totally fuss-free, and totally delicious! Check them out here.

Friends, I'm wishing you all a fuss-free holiday season, filled with magical memories and delicious food!

Mini Embroidery Hoop Flowers - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #10

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Sun, 11 May 2025 04:00:00 +0000

These Mini Embroidery Hoop Flowers are so adorable, aren't they?! They're also incredibly simple to stitch together too, so this is the perfect sewing craft for kids that are just learning to sew. Once complete, these mini embroidery hoop flowers are perfect for gifting in bunches or individually in their own little flower pots. Fashion your mini embroidery hoop flowers after your favorite seasonal flowers or create a something totally original. Grab a few mini embroidery hoops, felt, and a few additional simple supplies and make your own very own mini embroidery hoop flowers!

This mini embroidery hoop flowers kids sewing craft is project #10 in the Kids Sewing Series here at One Savvy Mom™. Read on for the full supply list and simple step-by-step instructions to make your own mini embroidery hoop flowers with the kids.

Mini Embroidery Hoop Flowers How-To Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #10

What You'll need:

Scissors
An embroidery needle
Embroidery floss (in your choice of colors)
Felt to create flower petals (in your choice of colors)
Green felt
A "fat quarter of fabric OR scrap fabric of your choice
Giant 12" craft sticks
Green yarn
A hot glue gun and hot glue sticks (note: hot glue gun should only to be handled by an adult!)
Optional: If you would like to place your mini embroidery hoop flowers into a pot you'll need a mini / small terracotta pot, a small piece of floral foam, and brown felt or burlap.

How to:

Cut all of the petal pieces for your mini embroidery hoop flower(s) using felt in your choice of color(s) and scissors. Once complete, set to the side.
Secure your fat quarter or scrap fabric into your mini embroidery hoop. Use embroidery floss in your choice of color, an embroidery needle - and a simple straight stitch or cross stitch to secure each felt petal. Tip: to add dimension to your flower pinch the felt at the base of each petal before stitching it in place. Repeat this step working your way completely around the perimeter of the mini embroidery hoop (from the outside - inwards) until complete. We stitched two rows of felt petals for each flower however, you could definitely do more (or less) - depending on your preference.
Add creative cross stitching / stitching to the center of your mini embroidery hoop to create the center of your mini embroidery hoop flower.
Cut a circle of green felt (sized to the mini embroidery hoop.) Use hot glue to secure to the back of your mini embroidery hoop flower / to finish off the back of the mini embroidery hoop. (Note: this step should be completed by an adult.)
Create a stem for your mini embroidery hoop flower using a giant 12" wooden craft stick. Add a dab of hot glue to one end. Place the end of the green yarn in the hot glue, and allow glue to dry/ set. Once dry, wrap the entire craft stitch in green yarn. Once wrapped completely, cut the end and secure it with another dab of hot glue. Allow the glue to dry/set. (Note: this step should be completed by an adult.)
Use a large generously sized dot of hot glue to secure the yarn wrapped craft stick / stem to the back side of your mini embroidery hoop flower. Hold in place for a few minutes while the hot glue dries/sets. (Note: this step should be completed by an adult.)
Optional: If placing your mini embroidery hoop flowers in a small pot. Use a generous dab of hot glue to secure the small piece of floral foam to the bottom of your terracotta pot. Using the end of your scissors cut a slit in the floral foam. Add a dab of hot glue into the slit in the floral foam. Slide the "stem" / yarn wrapped craft stick of your mini embroidery hoop flower into the floral foam. Hold in place until the hot glue has dry / set. Cut a generous piece of brown felt or burlap. Wrap the brown felt / burlap around the "stem" of the flower to cover the floral foam completely and create the look of potting soil. Add a dab or two of hot glue to secure the felt inside the pot. Allow the hot glue to dry/set.(Note: this step should be completed by an adult.)

Enjoy your completed mini embroidery hoop flowers or gift them to someone special!

Happy crafting, friends!

Mini Canvas Butterfly Craft

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Sun, 11 May 2025 03:26:00 +0000

This mini canvas butterfly craft is so fun, and it's a great way to introduce kids to symmetry in art. Each mini canvas butterfly is comprised of two mini canvas panels and a wooden craft stick that joins the two canvases together. The concept of this project is fairly simple, so this would make a great craft for preschool kids, elementary kids, and even tweens and teens! You can easily make this craft more simple for the younger age groups (simple color block art) and more ornate for the older age groups.

I made these mini canvas butterflies with my tween daughter and my toddler; this past weekend, and both of them really enjoyed this butterfly craft project. My toddler kept it fairly basic (and colorful!) and my older daughter was pretty detailed with each mini canvas butterfly, This mini canvas butterfly craft is perfect for making some really fun DIY room decor or for crafting up as a gift for someone special. It's also the perfect craft to kick off the new sunny summer season with the kids!

Ready to make this mini canvas butterfly craft with the kids? Read on for the simple supply list and step-by-step instructions, below.

Mini Canvas Butterfly Craft How-To

What you'll need:

A hot glue gun and hot glue sticks (or permanent adhesive that is meant to bond wood and canvas.) Note: only adults should handle the step that requires gluing / use of a hot glue gun.
A paint brush
Paint (acrylic for older children and washable paint for younger children) in your choice of color(s).
Black paint (acrylic for older children and washable paint for younger children.)
Wooden craft sticks (we used 6" wood craft sticks and 12" wooden craft sticks for the pictured completed craft(s).
Mini clothespins (2 for each mini canvas butterfly.)
Mini canvas panels (we used 2" x 2" and 3" x 5" mini canvas panels to craft the pictured mini canvas butterflies.)

How to:

Using black paint and a paintbrush, start by creating symmetrical art / patterns on each canvas panel, to resemble butterfly wings.
Allow adequate time for paint to dry.
Fill your design in with color as a desired. Allow adequate time for paint to dry.
Paint your wood craft stick(s) as desired, allow adequate time for drying.
Using adhesive or hot glue, ad a thin line along the inside edge of each canvas panel. Press your wooden craft stick into the glue. Hold in place for a few moments until the glue has dried/set.
Add two mini clothes pins to the top center of your wooden craft stick (to create the look of antennae)

Hang your mini canvas butterfly DIY room decor and enjoy, or gift your mini canvas butterfly to someone special.

Happy crafting, friends!

Embroidery Hoop Suncatcher Craft

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Sat, 10 May 2025 02:30:00 +0000

This embroidery hoop suncatcher craft is so easy and fun for kids. We just love how beautifully these embroidery hoop suncatchers catch the light, when complete; they look like stained glass. Aren't they pretty?! This is also a craft that everyone can have fun with; young and old! Younger kids can make simple suncatchers using simple shapes and patterns, while older kids, tweens and teens can easily get more creative and detailed with their suncatcher designs. With the sunny warmer weather upon us and summer nearly here, this embroidery hoop suncatcher craft is the perfect activity to kick off a new season of fun, sunshine and creativity with the kids! These embroidery hoop suncatcher's would also make wonderful little handmade gifts.

Ready to make your own embroidery hoop suncatcher with the kids? Read on for the full supply list and step-by-step instructions, below.

Embroidery Hoop Suncatcher Craft How-To

What you'll need:

scissors
a pencil
wax paper
an embroidery hoop (in a size of your choice we used mini embroidery hoops to create the pictured suncatcher's)
glitter glue (in an array of colors)
a fine tip paint brush
black puffy paint
mini suction cup hooks (for hanging your completed embroidery hoop suncatcher in the window)

How to:

Cut a piece of wax paper large enough for your chosen embroidery hoop.
Use a pencil to lightly draw out a design of your choice (make sure that the design creates closed spaces to drop the colored glitter glue in - the closed spaces serve the purpose of holding the colored glitter glue in place - refer to imagery above and below.)
Secure the wax paper in the embroidery hoop (just as you would fabric - be gentle when pulling to tighten the wax paper in the hoop.)
Use black puffy paint to outline your design. Allow adequate time for drying.
Once dry, use a fine tip paint brush to fill your design in with glitter glue, in an array of colors. Allow adequate time for drying.
Once dry, trim excess wax paper, using scissors.

Hang in a bright sunny window, using a suction cup hook (hook the suction cup through the embroidery hoop screw top-center) and enjoy, or gift your completed embroidery hoop suncatcher to someone special!

Happy crafting, friends!

2 Ingredient Taste-Safe Yogurt Play Dough Recipe + Super Fun DIY Kitchen Experiment For Toddlers!

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Wed, 07 May 2025 18:44:00 +0000

My toddler absolutely loves play dough! It's a fun medium to play and create with, and it's even more fun when we make our own. This 2-ingredient taste-safe yogurt play dough is silky and soft, and it smells absolutely scrumptious! If you're looking for a fun science experiment to do in the kitchen with little ones, that also results in endless hours of creative play and fun, this yogurt play dough is definitely worth trying.

All you'll need is two simple ingredients (that you most likely already have on hand), a mixing bowl, and a spoon. I love simple recipes like this. My toddler can help stir and knead the ingredients, and then he gets to enjoy the fruits of his efforts, by playing with his homemade yogurt play dough! You can even divide the yogurt play dough up and use a few drops of food coloring to make a rainbow of colors.

Grab the simple supply list and instructions below, to make your own 2 ingredient taste-safe yogurt play dough.

2 Ingredient Taste Safe Yogurt Play Dough Recipe

What you'll need:

Mixing bowl
A spoon
1 6 oz container of vanilla yogurt (you can use other flavors of your choosing as well, so long as they don't have chunks of fruit in them)
About 2 cups of cornstarch
Optional: Food coloring

How to:

Add 6 oz of yogurt to a mixing bowl.
Add in 1 cup of cornstarch.
Stir ingredients until combined well.
Fold in the second cup of corn starch. Knead well. Dough will thicken as you knead.
Optional: Add a drop or two of food coloring to make a rainbow of colors of 2 Ingredient Taste-Safe Yogurt Play Dough.
Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 7-10days (or until the stated expiration on the yogurt that you use.)

Grab your play dough toys and cookie cutters and have fun!

DIY Shape Projecting Lantern

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Tue, 06 May 2025 15:53:00 +0000

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PowerYourSummer #CollectiveBias

This past weekend, my oldest daughter and I kicked off the summer season, by crafting this super fun DIY Shape Projecting Lantern. When placed in the dark, the glow of the battery-operated lights casts the moon and star shapes all over the surrounding surfaces, ceiling and walls. This DIY lantern craft was so simple to make, and all of the kids are absolutely LOVING the finished product. My toddlers are completely mesmerized. This was a total craft WIN!

Hi friends, how have you been? SUMMER. It's finally here. I can't even tell you how excited I am! I feel like a kid again. For real. So, as I told you all a few months back, we've ditched the electronics (almost entirely!) with the older kids. They have very limited access to the Internet for school, and not much else. Can I just tell you, the difference, is nothing short of amazing. Amazing, folks. They're reading again; for fun! They're going to the library to learn (real solid facts and all of the supporting information. Bye-bye Wikipedia!) They're creating and crafting. They're actually talking; they're not absorbed in screen time or social media. It's glorious. I'm never turning back. This is the way that childhood was intended to be. There's plenty of time for screens when they're all grown up. For now, they just need some uninterrupted time to be kids.

The agenda this summer is pretty simple. Sunshine, aquarium and zoo visits, museum visits, a camping trip close to home, hiking, pool time, water park visits, backyard fun, crafting and creating, reading and picnics. Lots of picnics. Simple, good old fashioned, fun. Friends, despite our lack of grandiose plans, I have a feeling that this summer is going to be one for the books. Bring on the fun!

Ready to kick off the summer fun with your family? Read on for the full supply list and our simple tutorial, to make your own DIY Shape Projecting Lantern craft with the kids this summer.

For this craft, we started out with a quick run to Walgreens for Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries. I wanted the best batteries to keep the strand of battery operated lights in our DIY shape projecting lantern shining brightly, all night long. Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries are the #1 longest lasting AA Batteries. Period. These batteries also have a leak resistant construction, which I appreciate as a mom, especially when using them in items that will be handled by the kids. So, I grabbed (2) 8 packs (look at those loyalty points - how could I not?!)

Next, I made a quick stop at the craft store, and we were set.

DIY Shape Projecting Lantern Summer Kids Craft How-To

What you'll need:

An 8 pack of AA Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries from Walgreens
A wide mouth mason jar / canning jar (with a ring lid with removable center) Note: the mouth of the jar that you choose must be wide enough to accommodate the light strand battery pack
A paint brush
A ball point pen
Scissors
Tin foil
White school glue
Star shape punch (found at most craft stores)
A strand of AA battery operated twinkle lights / LED Lights (found at most craft stores)
Optional - To create a handle for your DIY Lantern you'll need: 2 pipe cleaners, and beads or colorful drinking straws (cut into 2" pieces)

Using aluminum foil and scissors, cut a large circle of foil (large enough to cover the bottom of your jar.
Turn your jar over (bottom side up). Using a paint brush and white school glue, cover the underside surface of your foil (the dull side) with glue.
Next, press the foil to the bottom of the jar.
Now, place the jar bottom side down. Set to the side.
Cut several long strips of aluminum foil (about 2"H x 12"L.) We used 10 strips to cover the pictured jar.
Using your star shape punch press several stars into each strip of foil (about 1/2" apart.) Optional: use the tip of a ball point pen to gently press/punch small holes around your punched stars. This will allow more light to shine through (refer to finished images above and below.)
Using a paint brush and white school glue, cover the underside surface (the dull side) of your star punched foil strips. Press / affix your foil to your jar (working your way from the bottom up.
Repeat step 7 to affix each of the star punched foil strips to your jar, until the entire surface is covered (up to the mouth of the jar.) Set your completed foil covered jar to the side. Allow adequate time for the glue to dry.
Next, using a ball point pen, trace the inside circle of your jar ring lid (the removable sealing metal center). Cut your foil to size. Use your star punch to punch 2-3 star shapes. Use the tips of your scissors to gently cut 1-2 crescent moon shapes.
Using a paint brush and white school glue, affix your foil center to the lid ring for your jar (refer to images below) so that the light can shine through the top of the lid and project the shapes onto the ceiling / walls. Note: this punched foil piece will replace the sealing metal center.
Set the lid to the side. Allow adequate time for drying.
Place your Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries into the battery pack for your battery operated light strand. Place the battery pack / battery operated light strand inside your completed DIY Shape Projecting Lantern, secure the ring top / lid in place.
Wait for night fall, and enjoy the beautiful light/shape projections of moons and stars dancing on all of the surfaces, walls and ceiling! So pretty!
Optional: To create a handle for your DIY Shape Projecting Lantern, wrap a pipe cleaner around the mouth of the jar (in the bottom wrung where you screw the lid on) wrap one end around the other end to secure / create a secure circle. Using a second pipe cleaner wrap one end around the circle, secure well by wrapping the end several times. String beads or string cut colorful drinking straws like we did (or leave the handle plain.) Now, bring the other end around (creating and upside down "U" handle shape) and secure well by wrapping the end several times around the circle base.). Place the circular part of your lantern handle around the mouth of the jar (above the lid lip.) Screw the lid on tightly to hold the handle in place (refer to imagery below.)

I love earning points at Walgreens, and turning my points into dollars off future purchases. As a mom of 4, this is simply a smart way to shop. A total no-brainer, really! From now until 6/30/18, earn 5,000 loyalty points when you buy an 8 pack or larger of Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries with Balance Rewards at Walgreens. It's free to join the Balance Rewards program, and super easy too. Join in-store (at any register,)
online, or by downloading the Walgreens App. Earn points every time you shop, and turn your points into dollars off your future purchases at Walgreens. It's that simple.

Power your summer fun with Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries from Walgreens. Friends, get out there and make some spectacular memories with your kids this season. Let's all make this summer, one for the books!

What will YOU make and power with Energizer® Ultimate Lithium™ batteries this summer? I'd love it if you'd share in a comment below!

Happy crafting and happy summer!

Ice Painting - Fun Summer Craft Idea For Toddlers + How To Make Ice Paints

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Sat, 03 May 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Toddlers love nothing more than to explore the world around them with their five senses. Everything is new and fascinating to them. It's such a magical thing to sit and observe as a parent; the seemingly simplest of things are awe inspiring to them.

Our toddler is currently 2 years old, and he's been reveling in all thing's nature related this season. Being outside delights him in a way that nothing else does. It's his happy place.

While we've been experiencing a bit of heat wave in our area this week, we chose to use the heat to our advantage and get creative, rather than run for air-conditioned spaces. I whipped up a batch of ice paints using a simple recipe, an ice tray, and wooden Popsicle sticks the night before, and set everything up under the shade of the trees in our backyard. This activity was definitely a hit with my toddler, and my older daughter loved it too.

Read on for my simple recipe for ice paints + quick tutorial, to whip up a batch of ice paints for your toddler to enjoy this summer.

What you'll need:

Large pieces (or a roll) or heavy craft paper
Tape (to secure the paper to your surface /tabletop
Measuring spoons
12-14 wooden Popsicle sticks
An ice cube tray
Washable non-toxic kids paints (I found a box of fun neon colors to make our pictured paints - I thought they were perfect for summer!
Optional: A cheap / old muffin tin to separate your ice paints after their frozen

How To:

Mix 1 teaspoon washable non-toxic kids paint + 1 teaspoon water in each space in your ice cube tray - using various colors.
Place a wooden Popsicle stick in each space in your filled iced cube tray.
Place your ice cube tray of paints in the freezer for 2-3 hours / until frozen
Remove ice paints from ice cube tray and place in an old muffin tin.
On a warm summer day, cover a tabletop surface / sidewalk with heavy white craft paper (making sure to secure to the table/sidewalk with tape).
Set your muffin tin full of ice paints out alongside your heavy duty craft paper (that was previously secured to the surface) and let your little one get creative.

At first, my toddler was mesmerized by the melting action that was taking place when we simple set the ice paints down on the paper. With a little coaxing he quickly learned that by gliding the ice paints across the paper he could make lines / patterns as they melted.

He was also pretty intrigued when two of the ice paint cubes got stuck together from the condensation/melting process.

Overall this was a cool summer activity to do with the kids, that took very little to put together. If you're concerned about making a mess, let your tot wear their swimsuit while they use the ice paints, then take a dip in a splash pool or a run through the sprinkler to cool off / get the paint off afterwords.

This is a such a fun and memorable way to get out and enjoy the warmth of the summer sun with little ones.

Organising Parenting and Lifestyle Documents through a PDF Editor

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 05:44:00 +0000

It is easy to comprehend why people who engage in family life encounter some challenges in carrying out their roles. But knowing how to manipulate a PDF editor to cut down on the paperwork, which would previously be a daunting task for all the parents, is worth it! PDF editing applications will help parents keep up with every aspect of their family lives, e.g., where their children are, when they need to eat, money spent on them, and so on.

Managing Family Schedules with PDF Editors

Balancing activities, appointments, and tasks, in layman’s terms, creates a family timetable where all the family members are organised and highlighted. Parents using a PDF editor can prepare fillable calendars that suit the new family members. For instance, a parent can create a weekly planner indicating when children are dropped off at school when they are picked up from evening sports practice, and other family-together activities on weekends.

Such schedules include reminders that help remind every family member about important dates, making it less hassle for everybody. A PDF editor enables parents to include anything from reminders of school plays to dentist visits to family movie nights.

Utilising PDF Editors for Monitoring Children’s Milestones and Health Records

It is important to keep track of your child’s milestones and health information as it aids in their development. These guidelines can be considered while managing them effectively:

Establish a Virtual Health Record: Each child's file contains all health-related documents, vaccination calendars, allergies, and a history of illness.
Use Digital Signatures: Managing the consent document is much easier with digital signatures because it is easier to manage permissions for different activities.
Document Milestones in Child Development: You can record pivotal movement and speech milestones in a movement PDF file as developmental milestones for your child.
Manage the History of Medical Visits: A detailed account of the previous and scheduled appointments with doctors, including descriptions of the procedures performed and recommendations for further conduct.

This systematic approach encourages the development process and instils the child’s accountability and participation towards his/her medical care. Through a PDF editor, parents will never forget about any relevant piece of information they can keep within their reach, thus healthy and happy for their children.

Creating and Managing Household Chore Charts

Encouraging kids to take on their share of home responsibilities, including chores, is one way of teaching responsibility and instilling a sense of teamwork. PDF editor services enable parents to design chore charts and print them out in a way that will be almost a self-correcting chore poster. If chore cards are available, then a bedtime outline, washing dishes, putting a load of laundry, and other simple chores may be written down with the ostensible acquirement of points for completing them.

For example, pictures of tasks can be taken so that the digital charts can be rendered interactive with appropriate images of the children carrying out the tasks. Using a visual format, parents could create lovely charts with colourful pictures and fonts that would be sent to the children through email or printed out and placed on the refrigerator.

Organising Important Parenting Documents

Barring some parental rights in one’s life, it is crucial to keep hold of, for instance, birth certificates and education records in one way or another. A degree, certificate, and many other credentials of a professional person have no value if such information is not stored and organised, and maintaining a PDF catalogue helps managers avoid such a situation. There is a possibility of creating an impressive procedure whereby each child has a computer folder containing these certificates, which is very handy when the need to register a child in school arises.

Parents can quickly amend documents whenever necessary, such as changing a person’s address or including new health information. Also, the fact that parents can access such documents through their phones ensures that they have this essential information at home or on the go.

Using Custom Designs to Assist in Family Budgeting

One of the critical activities in managing a family is budgeting. Thanks to PDF editing tools, parents can create their family budgets to keep track of expenses, savings, and financial goals within the family. Categories that are incorporated in a family budget template would cover things like food, rent, and leisure, constituting a springboard for monitoring how resources get utilized by the family.

Parents can talk to their children concerning budgeting and why they should be thrifty by virtue of being in charge of their expenditures. This activity in savings tends to involve the children in the budgeting activities so as to bring out the need for putting aside resources for wants or needs that may come up in the future.

Noteworthy Occasions and Memorable Events of Family

With the use of PDF editors, one can design memory books and digital photo albums that explore life in the family imaginatively. For instance, an adult could take pictures from a family vacation that tell a story chronologically and fill in the picture with words from different events in the story. As a result, it preserves memories and helps strengthen the child-adult relationship since the stories contained in each photo are told.

This tool can help them plan even more complex family vacations where various leisure, cultural and educational activities can be undertaken. Making a travel itinerary in the form of a pdf includes meal and physical activity schedules, packing lists, places to visit, and money estimation for the trip.

Updating Forms And Permissions. Activities Of Children

These documents are still accessible in PDF form to parents so that they can modify such documents and share it with a specific school, club or someone else. Parents' Permission to take their child out or for any event in school is usually imperative. This could create a simplified permission for school trips that has to be filled in and sent out every time there is a need to do so, therefore relieving the parent on the go from a lot of pressure.

Easy Halloween Kids Embroidery Hoops - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #5

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 15:41:00 +0000

These spider and jack-o-lantern / pumpkin Halloween Kids Embroidery Hoops, are super simple to stitch together, and when they're finished they make some seriously cute DIY Halloween Décor! This is project #5 in our Kids Sewing Series, here at One Savvy Mom™.

Hi friends, how have you been? The summer was super busy around here. While it was fun to have a few uninterrupted weeks with the kids, I'm definitely ready to settle into a routine again. I'm ready for cooler temps, fall leaves, and all of the delicious flavors of the season. Seriously, bring on the pumpkin spice ~~coffee~~ EVERYTHING! As we're gearing up for the season change, I thought it would be fun to start with a few small sewing projects with my older daughter this past weekend, and begin adding to our Kids Sewing Series here at One Savvy Mom™, again.

Each hoop is easy to complete in an hour or less (depending on how quick your young sewer is with the needle work.) The Spider Embroidery Hoop and Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Embroidery Hoops rang in at under $5 (total/for both combined.) Not bad at all, in my opinion!

Grab the simple supply list and follow our simple tutorials for making these easy Halloween Kids Hoops, below.

Easy Halloween Kids Embroidery Hoops - How-To

What you'll need:

(1) 3" Embroidery Hoop (for the spider)
(1) 8" Embroidery Hoop (for the jack-o-lantern pumpkin)
An embroidery needle
Scissors
Black embroidery floss/thread
8 black pipe cleaners (spider)
(1) Orange "fat quarter" of fabric
(1) Black or black polka dot "fat quarter" of fabric
(1) White "fat quarter" of fabric
(1) piece of black felt (for the center of the spider's eyes)

How to:
(refer to simple image tutorials for back-stitch below)

For the Spider Halloween Embroidery Hoop:

Cut a piece of black or black polka dot fabric from your "fat quarter," sized for your small 3" embroider hoop.
Twist 2 sets of 4 pipe cleaners each together at the ends. Set to the side.
Place the fabric in the hoop. Pull it tightly. Before closing/securing the hoop, slide each of the pipe cleaner bunches of 4 into the embroidery hoop on either side (to create legs for your spider). fold over the inside of the frame, then tighten hoop at the top once in-place. Refer to images above and below.
Cut two large circles from your white fabric (sized to your preference) to create your spider eyes. Cut two smaller black circles from the black felt, to create the center of your spider eyes.
Using black embroidery floss / thread and your embroidery needle affix the eyes for your spider to your fabric using a simple back stitch around the edges or center (your choice / refer to images above and below.) Affix the small circles of black felt to the center of the whites of the spider's eyes, using black embroidery floss/thread, an embroidery needle and one large cross-stitch.

For the Jack-o-Lantern Pumpkin Halloween Embroidery Hoop

Cut a piece of orange fabric from your "fat quarter," sized for your 8" embroidery hoop.
Place the fabric in the hoop, pull it tight, then tighten the hoop completely.
Cut a triangle nose, eyes, and mouth for your Jack-O-Lantern from the excess black or black polka dot fabric, left over from your spider.
Using your black embroidery floss and an embroidery needle, affix the eyes, nose, and mouth Using a simple back stitch to outline/stitch the entire perimeter of each of the pre-cut pieces.

Hang your completed Spider Halloween embroidery hoop and Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin Halloween Embroidery Hoops and enjoy, or gift them to someone special!

Happy Fall, and happy sewing, friends!

First time sewing? Here's a simple back stitch how-to with step by step imagery:

Like this sewing project? Check out these other fun projects from our Kids Sewing Series:

DIY Unicorn Tote - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #1

"Bee" Happy Canvas Clutch - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #2

Owl Embroidery Hoops - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #3

Embroidered Handprints - Perfect For Gifting This Mother's Day! Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #4

Woodland Animals Mini Embroidery Hoops For Kids + Free Printable Deer, Fox, and Owl Patterns / Templates Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #6

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 07:30:00 +0000

These Woodland Animals Mini Embroidery Hoops For Kids turned out so cute, didn't they? They're incredibly easy to stitch together too! We even went ahead and made the Deer, Fox, and Owl 4" Embroidery Patterns/Templates available as a free printable (head to the link at the bottom of this post to grab your free printable templates/patterns.)

Hi friends, how have you been? We're back with another fun project today! This is project #6 in our Kids Sewing Series, here at One Savvy Mom™. These small woodland animals embroidery hoops only took my older daughter (11 yrs.) about 20-25 minutes each to stitch together. I helped her sketch out some patterns and shapes for the felt components, using a paper and pencil, first. Then, she cut them out and used them as a guide to cut her felt pieces. While we were sketching the shapes out, she proposed that I upload the patterns here as free printable templates, to make these little sewing projects a little easier for young children. So, that's what I did - I hope they help!

Read on for the simple supply lists to make these cute Woodland Animals Mini Hoops with the kids + grab your free printable deer, fox, and owl 4" embroidery hoop patterns/templates.

Woodland Animals Mini Hoops For Kids How-To

For the 4" Deer Embroidery Hoop

What you'll need:

4" Wooden embroidery Hoop
(1) Fat quarter of light brown fabric (found for about $1 ea. at most craft stores)
(1) Sheet of brown felt
(1) Sheet / scrap piece black felt
Dark brown embroidery floss
Light brown embroidery floss
Black embroidery floss
A sewing/embroidery needle
A pencil
Scissors
Our free printable 4" Deer Embroidery Hoop Template (cut all of the shapes out along the outermost black line, using scissors.)

How to:

Cut a piece of light brown fabric from your "fat quarter" sized to fit your 4" hoop. Place it in the hoop. Pull until fabric is fairly tight. Tighten hoop to secure fabric in place.
Cut all of the felt / fabric pieces needed for this project, using the template. Once cut, set pieces to the side.
Start with the large center "mask" piece for the deer. Center it on your embroidery hoop - lining the top curve with the edge of the hoop (refer to imagery above and below.) Using an embroidery needle and dark brown embroidery floss, stitch around the entire outside edge of this piece, using a simple back-stitch.
Once complete, using brown embroidery floss and a simple back-stitch stitch along the bottom of each "antler piece" affixing them to either side of your deer - making sure that they are evenly spaced out (refer to imagery above and below.)
Using black embroidery floss and a simple back-stitch, stitch your black felt nose onto the end of the long center piece of the previously stitched felt deer "mask."
Lay one of the light brown small ear pieces over top of one of the larger brown ear pieces. Pinch the pieces at the bottom, drive your needle through the center of the ear pieces (from outside left through the center to outside right. Use a simple stitch or two to affix the ear at the bottom of one of the previously stitched antler pieces. Repeat this step, to complete the second ear (refer to imagery above and below.)
Next, use a pencil to lightly sketch your eyes onto the light brown fabric. Use black embroidery floss and a simple back-stitch, to follow the pencil marks / create the eyes for your deer embroidery hoop (refer to imagery above and below.)
Using light brown thread, add 10-15 small cross stitches to the center of the deer "mask" / head (refer to imagery above and below.)
Using a simple back-stitch, and black embroidery floss, stitch on two eyes for your deer (you can use a pencil to lightly sketch where you want to place your eyes and how you'd like them shaped etc.)

4" Fox Embroidery Hoop

What you'll need:

4" Wooden embroidery Hoop
(1) Fat quarter of white / ivory fabric (found for about $1 ea. at most craft stores)
(1) Sheet of orange felt
(1) Sheet / scrap piece of black felt
(1) Sheet / scrap piece of white felt
Orange embroidery floss
Black embroidery floss
White embroidery floss
A sewing/embroidery needle
A pencil
Scissors
Our free printable 4" Fox Embroidery Hoop Template (cut all of the shapes out along the outermost black line, using scissors.)

How to:

Cut a piece of white / ivory fabric from your "fat quarter" sized to fit your 4" hoop. Place it in the hoop. Pull until fabric is fairly tight. Tighten hoop to secure fabric in place.
Cut all of the felt / fabric pieces needed for this project, using the template. Once cut, set pieces to the side.
Start with the large center orange "mask" piece for the fox. Center it on your embroidery hoop -lining the top curve with the edge of the hoop (refer to imagery above and below.) Using an embroidery needle and orange embroidery floss, stitch around the entire outside edge of this piece, using a simple back-stitch.
Using black embroidery floss and a simple back-stitch, stitch your black triangle felt nose onto the end of the long center piece of the previously stitched felt fox "mask."
Use black embroidery floss, and one simple cross-stitch to affix each of the black eye pieces (refer to imagery above and below.)
Use white embroidery floss, and one simple straight stitch to affix the small white eye center pieces (refer to imagery above and below.)
Lay one of the white center ear pieces over top of one of the larger orange outer ear pieces. Stitch the pieces together, using orange embroidery floss and a simple back-stitch. Use orange embroidery floss and a simple back-stitch (along the bottom of the ear) to affix the ear to one side of the previously stitch "mask" piece. Repeat this step, to complete the second ear. Add the second ear to the other side - making sure that they are evenly spaced (refer to imagery above and below.)

4" Owl Embroidery Hoop

What you'll need:

4" Wooden embroidery Hoop
(1) Black patterned fabric (found for about $1 ea. at most craft stores)
(1) Sheet of black felt
(1) Sheet / scrap piece of white felt
Ombre embroidery floss + a selection of embroidery floss in a few different colors of your choice
Black embroidery floss
White embroidery floss
A sewing/embroidery needle
A pencil
Scissors
Our free printable 5"Owl Embroidery Hoop Template (cut all of the shapes out along the outermost black line, using scissors.)

How to:

Cut a piece of black patterned fabric from your "fat quarter" sized to fit your 4" hoop. Place it in the hoop. Pull until fabric is fairly tight. Tighten hoop to secure fabric in place.
Cut all of the felt / fabric pieces needed for this project, using the template. Once cut, set pieces to the side.
Start with the small black felt "mask" piece for the owl. Center it on your embroidery hoop (refer to imagery above and below.) Using an embroidery needle and black embroidery floss, stitch around the entire outside edge of this piece, using a simple back-stitch.
Using color contrasting embroidery floss and a simple back-stitch, stitch each of your owl wings - on either side of your embroidery hoop (lining the each wing directly with the edge of the embroidery hoop on either side.)
Lay the large white circle felt eye pieces over top of the previously stitched "mask" piece. Note the eyes will overlap over the wings slightly.) Now, lay the black circle felt eye center pieces over top of the white pieces. Use black embroidery floss, and just one large cross-stitch to affix your eye pieces (right through the center of the black center felt pieces - refer to imagery above and below.)
Using contrasting embroidery floss, stitch two little legs /claws for your owl, using a simple straight stitch (refer to imagery above and below.)
Using Ombre embroidery floss, stitch several cross-stitches on each of your owl's wings (refer to imagery above and below.)
Using contrasting thread and a simple straight-stitch in a random / uneven zig-zag pattern, create a feathered look for your owl on the plain black patterned fabric space in between your owl wings.)

Hang your completed Woodland Animal Mini Hoops, and enjoy OR gift to someone special! These little Woodland Animal themed Mini Embroidery Hoops would also look SUPER CUTE as ornaments on a Christmas tree! I know, I know - it's only Fall! But still … just add a little piece of ribbon at the top center to hang them. So CUTE!

You can grab all 3 of the FREE printable patterns/templates for these Woodland Animals 4" Embroidery Hoops, by CLICKING HERE. Happy sewing, friends!

Like this sewing project? Check out these other fun projects from our Kids Sewing Series:

DIY Unicorn Tote - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #1

"Bee" Happy Canvas Clutch - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #2

Owl Embroidery Hoops - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #3

Embroidered Handprints - Perfect For Gifting This Mother's Day! Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #4

Easy Halloween Kids Embroidery Hoops - Kids Sewing Series at One Savvy Mom™ Project #5

Upcycled Halloween Kids Crafts & Simple DIY Decor

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 04:30:00 +0000

This shop featuring our Upcycled DIY Halloween Kids Crafts and Simple DIY Decor has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ReadySetSnack #CollectiveBias

With the kids back in school, I try to keep a variety of snacks on hand for their lunch, and for afternoon snacking. We all love Kraft Hershey's Ready To Eat Pudding Cups, so I make sure to stock up on them at Walmart. They're available in 2 delicious flavors, Chocolate and Smore's, and they're made with real Hershey's cocoa. YUM!

We've been saving up our empty Hershey's Ready To Eat Pudding Cups to make some fun upcycled DIY Halloween Decor Kids Crafts. We're so excited with how it all came out! We made cute upcycled Pumpkin and Ghost Halloween Walkway Lanterns using our empty pudding cups, plastic cake-pop sticks, and a few other simple supplies. We also made an adorable upcycled Bat Mobile using a few empty pudding cups and a few additional simple supplies from around the house and the yard.

Check out the supply lists and our tutorials on how to make these simple Halloween Walkway Lanterns, and a Halloween Bat Mobile kids crafts using your upcycled empty Hershey's Ready To Eat Pudding Cups, below.

What you'll need to make your own upcycled Halloween Walkway Lanterns:

Craft Scissors
Double sided tape (we found ours at Walmart for under $1)
Low temp hot glue gun/ low temp hot glue sticks (for adult use only)
6-8 empty Hershey's Ready To Eat Pudding Cups
6-8 Plastic cake-pop sticks
White plastic disposable party table cover (1.50 ea. at Walmart)
Orange plastic disposable party table cover ($1.50 ea. at Walmart)
Black permanent maker (to be used with adult supervision only)
6-8 Battery Operated Tea lights (NOTE: These lanterns are for use with battery operated tea lights ONLY)
Optional: Black & White Chevron washi tape or another pattern of your choosing (to decorate the rim of your lanterns - refer to images above and below).

How To:

Use the end of your scissors to carefully poke a hole in the middle of your empty (washed and dried) plastic pudding cups. The hole should be just large enough to fit the end of the cake-pop stick)
Cut 6-8 plastic strips ( 10" W x 6" H for pumpkins - 10" W x 10" H for Ghosts) from your orange and white disposable party table cover. Set excess aside.
Once complete cover the entire perimeter of the cup with double sided tape.
Cover with your pre-cut strips of plastic table covering (for ghosts and pumpkins. For pumpkins cover the bottom where your hole is positioned, and poke through with scissors after completely covered. For Ghosts, cut hanging excess into fringe to create a flowing bottom that hangs partially over the stick/lawn stake (refer to images above and below).
Optional Step: Decorate the rim of your pudding cups with black & white (or another fun pattern) Washi tape.
Use a black permanent marker to draw on your ghost face / pumpkin jack-o-lantern face.
Use a sharp pair of craft scissors to snip off the tip of the cake pop sticks (about 1/4" above the stabilizing ring (see images below).
Adult step: Use a low-temp glue gun and low-temp glue sticks to affix your pre-cut cake-pop sticks through the pre-cut holes in the bottom of your pudding cups. Affix on the bottom side & inside of your pudding cups using a generous dab of hot glue. Hold in place for a minute or two, until the glue has dried and the stick is securely attached.
Stake into the ground, as pictured above and below. Add a battery operated tea light to each lantern to light your walkway on Halloween night for neighborhood trick-or-treater's.

What you'll need to make your own DIY Halloween Decor Bat Mobile Kids Craft :

Scissors
Double-sided tape
Black plastic disposable party table cover
4 empty Hershey Ready To Eat Pudding Cups
Self-adhesive googly eyes in various sizes (we found ours at Walmart as a multi-size sheet for $1.97)
Black craft foam (for bat ears)
White craft foam (for bat teeth)
Craft foam glue or low-temp hot glue gun & low temp hot glue sticks (adult use only - adults should complete this step if using a hot glue gun!)
Clear plastic bead string (for hanging bats and for creating a hanger for mobile)
Sturdy stick or branch to create a hanger for your bats / base for your hanging mobile.

How to:

Use heavy duty craft scissors to poke a hole in the bottom of your empty (washed and dried) pudding cups.
Cut 4 8" W x 6" H strips out of your black disposable party table cover.
Cover the perimeter of your pudding cups with double-sided tape.
Wrap/drape your cups (top and sides (leaving the hollow bottom uncovered)with your pre-cut black disposable party table cover strips.
Use your scissors to poke through the disposable table cover to your previously made hole for hanging.
Cut the excess of your table cover away leaving two large flaps on the sides and less in the front and back of your bats to create the look of bat wings.
Affix 2 googly eyes to the front of your "bat"
Cut 2 black triangle bat ears and white bat teeth for each of your bats (x4) using your black and white craft foam. Affix bat ears to the top of each of your pudding cup bats using low-temp hot glue or craft foam glue (adults should complete this step)
Thread a long piece of clear beading string through the hole and knot on the inside a few times (making the knot large enough that it won't slip through the hole).
Hang your 4 completed upcycled bats from a cut sturdy stick or branch (staggered at various lengths ).
Create a hanger for your branch using clear beading string by wrapping the string around both ends, tie. Create a loop hanger in the center by joining clear beading sting in the center and create a loop/knot.
Hang outside to greet neighborhood trick-or-treaters on Halloween night!

You can find Hershey's Ready To Eat Pudding in the refrigerated section at Walmart. Be sure to clip your coupon in the September/October issue of ALL YOU Magazine for $0.55 off Hershey's Ready to Eat Pudding, before you head to the store.

Check out more fun kids craft ideas and recipes using Kraft products at Walmart.com .

DIY Pumpkin Pie Slime - Borax-Free 4 Ingredient Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 21:27:00 +0000

The kids and I are diving headfirst into the Fall fun around here! We had a blast in the kitchen last weekend making this Pumpkin Pie inspired slime recipe, and these adorable DIY Jack-O-Lantern slime containers to store it in. The recipe that we concocted is borax-free, and safe for little hands to touch, plus it smells DELICIOUS! It's the perfect DIY craft to make with younger children at Fall / Halloween themed parties, or for using as fun candy-free party favors / to hand out to trick-or-treater's on Halloween.

Though we used larger jars from Maddie Rae's collection, we also found these adorable mini-containers at Dollar Tree ( they came in packs of 10 for just $1!).

Grab our simple 4 ingredient (borax-free) safe recipe for Pumpkin Pie Slime, below.

Pumpkin Pie Slime Recipe - 3 Borax-Free Safe Ingredients
Recipe yields: 1 cup of prepared slime
Prep time: 5 minutes

What you'll need:

A bowl for mixing
A measuring cup
Measuring spoons
A large craft stick / popsicle stick (for mixing/combining ingredients) or a spoon.
2 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice
2-3 tsp. saline
Maddie Rae's Clear Slime Glue
Maddie Rae' Food Coloring Kit (4 drops of red 2 drops of yellow to achieve the same deep orange color that we did)
Maddie Rae's Slime Jars / small containers with lids like the one's pictured from Dollar Tree
Black (fine point) permanant marker

How to:

For the slime:

In a mixing bowl, add 1 cup of Maddie Rae's Clear Slime Glue. Next add food coloring. Stir until well combined.
Next, add pumpkin pie spice. Stir untill combined well.
Now add saline solution. Stir quickly and continuously untill slime starts to form and seperate from the sides of the mixing bowl. If it's still a bit sticky, add a drop or two of saline solution at a time until you achieve desired consistency.

For the DIY Jack-O-Lantern Slime Storage Containers:

Draw fun Jack-O-Lantern faces on the front of each of your slime storage containers / jars with a fine-point black permanant marker. Allow adequate time for marker to dry (about 10 minutes).
Add your pumpkin pie slime to each storage container. Place the lid on and store in a cool dry place (slime typically lasts for 10-14 days).

Play, have fun, and enjoy! Happy slime making, friends!

Disclosure*// Our Thanks To Maddie Rae's for providing product samples for us to use for our recipe. All opinion expressed are our own.

DIY Glow-In-The-Dark Monster Eyes - A Super Simple $4 Halloween Lawn Decor Idea

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 18:31:00 +0000

If you're on the hunt for easy DIY Halloween Lawn Décor, this is it! These Glow in the Dark Monster Eyes were so incredibly simple to put together, a child can do it (or at least help out!) Another plus? These DIY Glow in the Dark Monster Eyes only ending up costing about $4 (TOTAL - for several sets of completed glow in the dark googly monster eyes.) Aside from the paint (that I picked up at A.C. Moore for a little over $1 with the help of one of their high value coupons at acmoore.com) I grabbed everything from Dollar Tree.

Friends, in all honesty, I haven't ever really gone over-the top with my decorations for Halloween. In fact, most years, I simply decorate for the Fall season. It's just easier. Think faux fall leaves, and flower arrangements, pretty wreaths, burlap garlands; basically items that transition easily straight on through to Thanksgiving. My oldest daughter is really into Halloween though, so this year I'm trying to amp up our Halloween Lawn Décor a bit. These DIY Glow in the Dark Monster Eyes were just the right touch. The glow in the dark paint charges in the daylight, and the eyes give off a yellow glow from our potted plants and garden beds, at night. All of the kids LOVE them, as do the neighbors.

Read on for the simple supply list and for our easy tutorial to make your own DIY Glow in the Dark Monster Eyes, below

DIY Glow In The Dark Monster Eyes How-To

What you'll need:

A paint brush
Folk Art Glow (yellow) Acrylic Paint
A 2 Pack of Floral Foam Discs (pictured below) found at Dollar Tree
A Multi-pack of Foam Craft Balls (pictured below) found at Dollar Tree
Black acrylic paint (or black felt, a glue gun, and a low-temp glue stick
12" Skewers

How to:

Paint 5 coats of Folk art Glow Paint on all of your foam balls and foam discs (allow adequate time for drying in between each coat.)
Paint a black center on each of your foam balls and foam discs (or cut out circular pieces from black felt and affix to the center of each of your foam balls and foam discs, using a hot glue gun and glue.)
Insert skewers into the bottom of each of your foam balls and foam discs.
Gently press each "pair" of Glow In The Dark Monster eyes, into planters and garden beds etc. Allow adequate time for the sunlight to "charge" the Glow in the Dark Paint.

Enjoy the glow from your DIY Glow in the Dark Monster Eyes at night, when it gets completely dark outside!

Happy Halloween and happy crafting, friends!

Must-Have Halloween Apps That Find The Best Trick-or-Treat Routes, Estimate How Much Candy You'll Need, Keep Track Of Your Kids & MORE!

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 15:54:00 +0000

Halloween is one of your kids’ favorite nights of the year, but as a parent it can be one of your most stressful!

From getting costumes together, to stocking up on enough candy, to keeping track of your trick-or-treaters while they’re going door-to-door, Halloween can be downright frightful for parents! Download the list of apps below so you can avoid all the worry, and instead prepare to have a great holiday with your little monsters!

Must-have Halloween Apps

Trick or Tracker - Rein in the tricks on Halloween night with this app. Install on your phone and your kids’ phones and you’ll always know where they are!
Nextdoor - Do you want to know what houses are the best to bring your kids to on Halloween night? This local social networking app can help you navigate around empty houses and make a beeline for the candy! Sign in under your name and put a candy corn over your house if you’re handing out treats, or use the map to scope out your neighborhood.
GoblinCount -Are you afraid of hordes of angry trick-or-treaters coming to your door and finding you empty handed? Use GoblinCount before you buy your Halloween candy and you can plan according to how much traffic your neighborhood is expecting.
Instructables - Why buy costumes for your kids when you can have a great time making them? Use this app for instructions on creating some cute kids costumes!
Halloween! - This is the comprehensive Halloween app for having fun with your kids. Find costume ideas, phone wallpapers, and spooky Halloween trivia all at the touch of a finger! It even comes with a Halloween flashlight to brighten your trick-or-treating path.

Thanks to our friends at AT&T for curating such a great list of must-have Halloween apps for our readers!

Mini Embroidery Hoop Halloween Suncatcher Craft

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 21:09:00 +0000

This mini embroidery hoop Halloween suncatcher craft is so fun and simple for the kids to do! Our mini embroidery hoop suncatcher craft that we shared here back in the beginning of the summer was such a hit, we decided to make some Halloween themed mini hoop suncatchers this past weekend. We went with simple jack-o-lantern pumpkin and ghost designs for our mini embroidery hoops, though you can get just as creative as you'd like with your mini embroidery hoop Halloween suncatchers (or use medium or giant hoops to make your suncatchers - the choice is yours!) These suncatchers only require a handful of supplies and about a half hour of time to make (minus drying time.) This is a fairly frugal Halloween craft (at just $1.50- $2 each to make), so it would a make a great make-and-take kids craft for a Halloween party too!

Ready to make your own mini embroidery hoop Halloween suncatcher with the kids? Read on for the full supply list and our easy step-by-step tutorial.

What you'll need:

Fine paintbrush
Scissors
Mini suction cup hooks (for hanging your completed mini hoop suncatcher in a window.)
Mini embroidery hoops (or larger embroidery hoops if you prefer.)
Wax paper or parchment paper
Black puffy paint
Suncatcher paint OR colored glue (that dries translucent.)
Optional: translucent white glitter, gold glitter / glitter of your choice

How to:

Cut s piece of wax or parchment paper sized to fit your mini hoop (or hoop of your choice.)
Secure the wax or parchment paper in your hoop (carefully making sure to tug it tightly in the hoop while still being gentle enough not to rip it - take your time with this step.)
Use black puffy paint to create your jack-o-lantern design (s) and ghost design (s.) Allow adequate time for drying.
Fill in the space around your jack-lantern design (s) using orange suncatcher paint and gold glitter (or your choice of colors / glitter.) Fill in the space around your ghost design (s) using light white suncatcher paint and translucent white glitter (or your choice of colors / glitter.) set to the side and allow adequate time for drying.
Once dry, hang your completed mini embroidery hoop Halloween suncatcher (s) in a window using a mini suction cup hook, and enjoy!

Happy crafting and Happy Halloween, friends!

Why You Should Consider a Vacation on Harbor Island

noreply@blogger.com (One Savvy Mom!) — Sun, 04 Aug 2024 22:16:00 +0000

Nestled off the coast of South Carolina, Harbor Island is a hidden gem that offers a perfect blend of tranquility, natural beauty, and recreational activities. If you're looking for a serene getaway that promises relaxation and adventure, then a vacation on Harbor Island should be at the top of your list. Here’s why you should consider making this picturesque island your next travel destination.

Unspoiled Natural Beauty

One of the most compelling reasons to visit Harbor Island is its unspoiled natural beauty. The island is part of the Sea Islands chain and is characterized by its lush marshlands, pristine beaches, and abundant wildlife. Unlike more commercialized vacation spots, Harbor Island has managed to maintain its natural charm. Here, you can take long strolls on uncrowded beaches, watch the sunset over the marshlands, or simply sit back and soak in the serene environment.

Abundant Wildlife

Harbor Island is a paradise for nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. The island is home to a variety of bird species, making it a prime spot for birdwatching. You can spot egrets, herons, and even the occasional bald eagle. The island's marshlands and tidal creeks are also teeming with life, including fish, crabs, and other marine creatures. For those interested in marine biology, the island offers a unique opportunity to observe dolphins frolicking in the waters.

Outdoor Activities

If you're an outdoor enthusiast, Harbor Island has plenty to offer. The island boasts a range of recreational activities that cater to all ages and interests. From kayaking and paddleboarding in the calm waters to fishing off the docks, there's something for everyone. The island also has several nature trails that are perfect for hiking and biking. For those who prefer a more laid-back experience, the island's beaches are ideal for sunbathing, beachcombing, and building sandcastles.

Cozy Accommodations

When it comes to accommodations, Harbor Island offers a variety of options to suit different preferences and budgets. Whether you're looking for a cozy cottage, a beachfront villa, or a luxurious resort, you'll find it here. One of the options worth considering is harbour island vacation rentals, which provide the comfort and convenience of a home away from home. These rentals often come with fully equipped kitchens, spacious living areas, and private balconies that offer stunning views of the island.

Rich History and Culture

Harbor Island is not just about natural beauty and outdoor activities; it also has a rich history and culture waiting to be explored. The island is located near several historic sites and landmarks, including the Penn Center, one of the first schools for freed slaves, and the Fort Fremont Historical Preserve, which offers a glimpse into the island's military past. Exploring these sites provides a deeper understanding of the region's history and adds a cultural dimension to your vacation.

Family-Friendly Environment

One of the best things about Harbor Island is its family-friendly environment. The island is a safe and welcoming place for families, with plenty of activities that cater to children and adults alike. From building sandcastles on the beach to exploring the island's nature trails, there are countless opportunities for family bonding. The island's calm and serene atmosphere also makes it an ideal destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life and spend quality time with their loved ones.

Easy Accessibility

Despite its secluded feel, Harbor Island is easily accessible. The island is just a short drive from Beaufort, South Carolina, and is well-connected by road. Once you arrive, you'll find that getting around the island is a breeze, whether you choose to walk, bike, or drive. This ease of accessibility makes Harbor Island a convenient and hassle-free vacation destination.

Local Cuisine

No vacation is complete without indulging in the local cuisine, and Harbor Island does not disappoint in this regard. The island and its surrounding areas offer a variety of dining options that cater to different tastes and preferences. From fresh seafood caught straight from the waters to traditional Southern dishes, there's something to satisfy every palate. Be sure to visit some of the local restaurants and seafood shacks to sample the island's culinary delights.

Conclusion

Harbor Island is a destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you're a nature lover, an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, or simply someone looking for a peaceful retreat, this island has it all. Its unspoiled natural beauty, abundant wildlife, and range of recreational activities make it a perfect vacation spot. Add to that the cozy accommodations, rich history, family-friendly environment, and delicious local cuisine, and you have all the ingredients for an unforgettable vacation. So, why not consider Harbor Island for your next getaway? You won't be disappointed.