Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Scratch Art



Recently, I was searching for more art projects to do with the kids in the after school program at the middle school and remembered something my son had done in one of his classes. I didn't know what it was called, but I knew he scratched off paint and pretty colors were underneath and it was kinda cool. So, on my search I found "Scratch Art" at Skip To My Lou in the arts &crafts section! Yay! She has all the directions, but I'll give them to you, as well.


On an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of white card stock color very hard onto your card stock. It doesn't have to be a picture, just blocks of different colors. Be sure to color hard until it is waxy looking. I found that it helps to draw a rectangle on the paper as the area to color in. That way, on your next step you won't be painting to the very edge of the paper.



Then mix together some black acrylic paint(maybe 2 Tbsp.) and a couple drops of dish detergent. Mix together and with a foam brush paint over the crayon. Let dry for an hour or longer.


Next, take a toothpick and scratch off the paint to make a picture or whatever design you like. I did a simple one to show how it looks. Hmmm. Looking at this I can't help but think of my 7th grade art teacher, Mrs. Stokes, and how she told us that the sun doesn't have sticks coming out of it. Ha!! Oh well, I like my pink and purple stick sun!

The kids at school had a lot of fun with this! We also did this for a family night activity,well, we still have to scratch ours. But my kids we're really into it. Give it a try!!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Magnetic Bookmarks



Another cute project to share today for magnetic bookmarks. This is another quick craft that I recently made with the after school kids at the middle school. I never really know how receptive they will be to my arts and crafts, but they loved this one! I'm glad I found it when I was browsing over the Family Fun website.

These are super easy to make! However, you can get as elaborate with the decorating as you want. The one in the picture is just a quick one I put together using markers, a felt flower and stick on rhinestone. I simply cut down the long side of an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of card stock for one bookmark(about 2 inches wide, I guess) and then fold that piece in half. Decorate. Then cut 2 small magnets and attach on each inner piece of the bookmark. Insert the bookmark on your page to mark and it doesn't fall out!! The school kids thought this was so cool. They decorated using the names of favorite books, teams or their name. A great activity for the kids!



Monday, September 20, 2010

Marble Magnets


A fun craft to share with you today that I first tried my hand at years ago, marble magnets. I think these are so fun. You can personalize them to your own taste by using scrapbook papers or even pictures.

I made marble magnets recently at the middle school's after school class where I do arts & crafts with the kids. They loved making these. My own kids did, as well when we made them for our family night activity not too long ago. They really get into picking out their own papers to go on the marble. With the exception of my 3 yr. old, my kids were able to do this little craft by themselves. Well, I did trim up the paper with my Cutter Bee scissors which I do not let them use because they are so sharp. They turned out super cute and now we have magnets to use on the fridge and on the girls' magnet board(that is still not made).


To make marble magnets you will need a bag of the clear decorator marbles with a flat side.(I got mine at Dollar Tree) You will also need a hole punch (I used 1 1/4"), magnet buttons, Sobo glue(use in a well ventilated area),foam brush, and patterned scrapbook paper or small pictures(which I forgot to include in the picture).

First, punch out a circle from scrapbook paper you have selected. Next, with a foam brush, rub the glue on the printed side of the circle and stick it to the flat side of the marble. Be sure to rub out any air bubbles. Then, take a magnet and put just a dab of glue on it and attach to the flat side of the marble. Press down and let dry. You might have to trim up the paper if it is sticking out beyond the marble. Have fun!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Pink Vinyl Pretties


Just thought I'd share a couple simple, but pretty projects I did recently. I found the black galvanized bucket at Target Dollar Spot and cut out a pink "A" and some polka dots to pretty it up. I gave this to Laci's teacher, Mrs. Adams, on parent/teacher day. It was filled with Lysol wipes, binder clips, sticky notes and little prizes for her treasure chest like cute erasers, pencils and rings.

Ivy had told me that she would like a water bottle like her brother's and sister's not long ago. Like theirs, meaning she wanted her name on it. I found this little water bottle at Wal-Mart and cut out her name with the Plantain Schoolbook cartridge. She was very happy to get it!

I've got more projects that I can't wait to get to using the Cricut. That thing is so fun!


Monday, September 13, 2010

Pumpkin Sheet Cake



A while back I was looking for a yummy cake recipe that would feed the masses and stumbled upon this yum pumpkin sheet cake from All Recipes. It is very good! I love it because it feeds so many, tastes great and is simple to make. This cake is great for potlucks. I just took it to one yesterday. I came home with an empty pan. : ) My pic is not so great. I remembered to take it right before we left for church. It's already cut and has toothpicks stuck in it so I can put foil over it. Here I've sprinkled half the cake with chopped pecans and left the other half without nuts for those who don't prefer them. Also, I took a short cut this time and frosted it with canned cream cheese frosting. Yes, I did. I found that it is much better, of course, when I make the cream cheese frosting. You can really taste the difference. Give this cake a try for your next gathering!


Pumpkin Sheet Cake
1 (15 oz.) can canned pumpkin puree
2 c. white sugar
1 c. vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 c. all -purpose flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
Cream Cheese Frosting
1 (3 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
5 Tbsp. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 3/4 c. confectioner's sugar
3 tsp. milk
1 c. chopped walnuts or pecans

Grease and flour a 15x10 sheet pan.In mixing bowl, beat pumpkin, 2 c. white sugar and oil. Add eggs and mix well. In another bowl, combine flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture and beat until well blended. Pour batter into a greased and floured 15x10 inch sheet baking pan. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes or until cake tests done. Cool. In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth. Gradually add 1 3/4 c. confectioner's sugar and mix well. Add milk until frosting reaches desired spreading consistency. Frost cake and sprinkle with nuts.** A note about the frosting, you might want to double the recipe if you like a thicker coat of frosting. This makes enough for a thin layer of frosting.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Happy Birthday Ivy!



Happy 3rd Birthday to our little miss Ivy! (I guess I should say Happy Belated B'day since it was actually yesterday, but our internet was down a good part of the morning so I didn't post)Wow! It's already been three years! We love our sweet, spunky, nice, playful, fun girl! She's such a sweet (and a handful at times)girl and I love being her mommy! Ivy can hold her own with the other two kids, but also gives us the best hugs and reminds us all frequently that she loves us very much.

Blowing out her #3 candle on her "pretty cake." The girl was so excited about it she couldn't sleep! The night before her b'day she woke up at 3 a.m., came into our room and said very enthusiastically,"Mom, you made my pretty cake!" She loved it!!


The cake with sprinkles and lollipops as requested!

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