The Studio is a new site from Kiwi Crate that lets you browse hundreds of children's projects to make yourself, or if you're not feeling up to dragging the kids to three stores to gather the materials, you can buy them right there! There are currently three craft kits, with many more coming soon!

 
It is always fun this time of year to do crafts with my kids for the holidays and when I received this Pipe Cleaner Christmas tree craft kit from The Studio, we had so much fun putting it together.

I love that the kit comes with everything you need to make the craft. It required no effort on my part to do the shopping, but the kids were able to enjoy a fun activity.

You put the wooden dowel into the wooden wheel and have an instant frame to start creating with! Then, starting at the base, wrap pipe cleaners around the base to create "branches." (The more times you wrap a pipe cleaner around the dowel, the shorter the branches will be.)


Once the entire dowel is wrapped up with fuzzy pine "needles," it's time to trim the tree.
 You can:

• -adorn the branches with wooden bead ornaments
• -top the tree with a pipe cleaner star
• -cut up the pipe cleaners to create a festive garland
• -wrap up the branches with sparkly pipe cleaners

It was fun to see the kids come up with their own ideas of how they wanted to decorate the tree and they got really creative!



Check out The Studio to see the instructions for the other crafts and to order your own fun holiday craft kits. Your kids will love it!

share this on »

{Facebook}

{Twitter}

{Pinterest}

1 Comment

We all know the holidays can get very stressful for women and moms. We run around getting all the gifts bought, decorating our homes, attending parties and more! Most of the time I think we tend to put ourselves at the bottom of our to-do list. This year I am making it a goal for myself to slow down a bit and take time to enjoy the season peacefully. I know that is easier said than done!

I recently heard of the book Body Back by Heather Porter. This is a mother's handbook to medical, physical and emotional well being. The book is filled with so many amazing insights and tips!

One thing I loved was this recipe for No-Sugar Added Lemonade...


This holiday season I have been trying to find ways to not pack on the pounds, but instead pack up the leftovers which is a great tip from Body Back. There is not need to avoid all the foods you love at the holidays, but you can choose healthier options and eat smaller portions. One thing I tell myself is that food can be enjoyed for more than one day! So pack up some leftovers and you can enjoy the food sensibly over a few days.

Body Back has all sorts of amazing tips, and ideas of ways to take care of yourself and get your body back to a state of healthy and optimum function.

There are also fun tips for beautiful makeup and manicures and more! I love this video on getting the perfect smoky eye. Use this for all the Christmas parties you will be attending.



Make sure to pick up a copy of Body Back and take time to pamper yourself this holiday season!

share this on »

{Facebook}

{Twitter}

{Pinterest}

Add a comment

I love fashion magazines. I love seeing all the  newest fashion trends and getting great ideas for different ways to pull outfits together. This time of year they always have great gift ideas as well!

This week, Target has a great deal going on. If you buy BOTH InStyle magazine and People StyleWatch (different than normal People magazine) during 11/25/12-12/7/12 then you will get a $5 Target gift card! Love it! My store didn't have any signage or ads showing this promotion but it is going on!

I bought my magazines yesterday...

Then I carved out a little "me" time on my couch...with my Christmas lights aglow...and read away...



I was happy to see this feature in People Style Watch on picking the perfect lip color. I have been wanting to try a red for a while but have been a little hesitant. This gave me some great tips!




Head on over to Target to get this fun magazine deal for People Style Watch and InStyle. It will offer some fun reading during the holiday rush and some great gift ideas!

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™, but all my opinions are my own  http://cmp.ly/3/KqtZiE

share this on »

{Facebook}

{Twitter}

{Pinterest}

3 Comments

Guest Post from Alexandra Jacobs who is an active blogger providing written work to the blogosphere pertaining to Hamptons homes, home improvement and the latest in architecture, design, and décor

This holiday season decorate your dining room and living room with holiday trim. Though most people do not consider it, a simple change in décor can change your mood and help you become more productive around the house. Many of these projects are do-it-yourself (DIY) and can be completed in a few hours or much less. This means there will be time to cook and relax also over the holidays. Quick holiday decorations are a lifesaver for many people. Here are some holiday décor ideas:

Hang Leaves From the Chandelier

Hang leaves from the chandelier using string and a needle. The leaves can be preserved with a special solution. When the leaves are preserved in glycerin, the leaves will last longer and resist breakage into your guests’ food. These leaves can also be scattered on a table around the centerpiece also. Many dinner party hosts use candles as centerpieces and scatter the leaves around the vases. Leaves are a festive way to stay in the holiday mood. Consider how leaves can make your holiday party festive and wonderful.

Make a Floral Arrangement with Pumpkins 

For this arrangement, buy a fall bouquet of flowers. This floral arrangement can consist of roses, pumpkins, squash, peppers, and chrysanthemums and callas lilies in colors such as red, yellow and oranges. These floral arrangements can be placed on the table and around the home to make the home more inviting.

Deck the Halls with Holiday Centerpieces

Holiday centerpieces make the home festive and bright. Everyone loves tasteful decorations. Consider making one of these easy creations to welcome your guests and help make your event festive. Most guests enjoy a well decorated home for the holidays. Luckily, these decorations are easy to make and are affordable in most instances. When you use natural elements such as nuts, leaf cuttings, leafs, mistletoe and other natural holiday leaves, you save considerable money. Consider DIY holiday centerpieces to enhance your holiday party.

Happy Holidays!

share this on »

{Facebook}

{Twitter}

{Pinterest}

1 Comment

Have something to sell this Holiday Season? I’ve recently discovered this great new way to sell products online called ShopLocket.  There’s no crowded marketplace that you get lost in, and there’s no time consuming and expensive setup like with some online store options. ShopLocket is neat because you're not sending your blog readers to a different site to shop. You can sell right on your own blog or website. If you don’t have a website, not to worry! Just share a link to the ShopLocket page on Facebook or Twitter for instance. Think of it like sharing a YouTube video online, but for selling your product.

It’s really simple: go to the website, sign up, put in a few details about your product (name, description, pictures, etc.) Sellers on ShopLocket are selling everything from hand made accessories, to t-shirts, and Halloween art. You can even sell digital goods like these sewing patterns or Star Wars printables! You can even use it for re-selling used items!


Even their pricing is dead simple: there’s no up-front or monthly fees, you only pay when you sell. When you sell a product, you’re charged 2.5% plus any payment processing fees from PayPal or Stripe fees. So if you’re selling something that’s $20, you’d pocket $18.62.

Did I mention how easy it was to sign up? It’s scary easy, you can be selling products in minutes. To sign up, just go to ShopLocket.com and you can be selling almost instantly!

As an added bonus, ShopLocket is going to be randomly giving out FIVE $100 gift certificates to Michaels to people that sign up before midnight on November 16th! Enter below!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to visit ShopLocket on Facebook and Twitter.

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

share this on »

{Facebook}

{Twitter}

{Pinterest}

60 Comments

I'm madly working on a blanket tutorial, painting my thrift store finds for my new craft room, and blowing this joint for a quick girls' trip with my sisters-in-law and mother-in-law, but I had to mention this awesome free holiday offer from Tiny Prints (I use them every year for my cards!). Click below and use the code to get 10 free holiday cards--hurry, ends 11/13/12! I also included a few of my favorite cards they offer below--it was seriously hard to choose though. Love, love, love their designs. The back of the cards are super cute, too. See you soon!

share this on »

{Facebook}

{Twitter}

{Pinterest}

Add a comment

We are over at According to Kelly guest posting today for the Holiday-Inspired Bake Craft Sew Along.

But, I get to help start the holiday season off with a bang, & treat you to an absolutely amazing giveaway as part of our crafty series. We are giving away a fabulous Prize Package worth more than $700!

share this on »

{Facebook}

{Twitter}

{Pinterest}

195 Comments

I haven't gotten around to unpacking my craft room yet (how did that get so low on the priority list?), so I haven't had any crafty things to show lately. Thanks to Jess for all the fun giveaways in the meantime! But I needed a quick and easy fall teacher gift this week, so I pulled out the ribbon box and an old favorite recipe: sugar hand and body scrub. One of my favorite sweet-but-not-to-eat-treats. That's what our teachers are getting for Halloween this year.
I've tried a lot of homemade sugar scrub recipes and come up with a basic combination that can be used to make lots of yummy scents. Sugar scrubs are wonderful because they soften the skin by exfoliating (sugar) and moisturizing (oil). Just wet hands or body and massage a little sugar scrub onto the skin, then rinse well. I love to keep a jar of scrub by sink in my hall bathroom for guests, and it makes a really fun gift for teachers, friends, and hostesses. You could take one to your Thanksgiving dinner host--she'll appreciate a sweet treat without the calories!

Sugar Scrub Basic Recipe
Ingredients & supplies
2 parts turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw--I found mine at Walmart) OR brown sugar (or half and half each)
1 part coconut oil OR cold-pressed oil like almond oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower, safflower oil, etc. (or half and half each)
Glass jars (canning jars work great--you just need something with a lid)
Essential oils for scents (optional)

To create your scrub, mix your sugars with your oils, store in an airtight jar near the sink or in the shower for about a month. I like using half coconut oil and half cold-pressed oil for a thinner mixture. Use all coconut oil for a thicker scrub, or all cold-pressed oil for an even thinner scrub. You can use all brown sugar, but I like using some turbinado sugar because the big crystals are better for exfoliation.

Mix dry ingredients together. Add oils and mix until no lumps remain. Divide into glass jars with lids. 


Mix dry ingredients together. Add oils and mix until no lumps remain. Divide into canning jars with lids.


1 cup turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup almond oil or other cold-pressed oil
1 Tbsp. coarsely chopped fresh ginger

Heat coconut oil and ginger in a small saucepan over medium heat for about 5 minutes. This will allow the ginger to infuse into the oil. Allow to cool a few minutes. Strain through a mesh strainer or coffee filter to remove ginger. Discard ginger.
Mix warm coconut oil with cold-pressed oil. Add sugar and stir well. Spoon into glass jars and cover with a tight lid.

share this on »

{Facebook}

{Twitter}

{Pinterest}

18 Comments

Time to announce the winners of our two fabulous giveaways!

share this on »

{Facebook}

{Twitter}

{Pinterest}

Add a comment

I love JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores. I recently found out that they have a whole section of fun Halloween and Fall crafts on their site with all the directions you need to make some adorable crafts! I saw the chalkboard paint wine glasses and thought it would be really fun to make some with my boys. I knew they would love to help paint and then to fill the glasses with "potions" for Halloween. I found wine glasses at my dollar store and JoAnn's provided me with the rest of the supplies I needed.

First I wiped the wine glasses clean and then we drew a design on them in sharpie that we could fill in with chalkboard paint.




You'll need to let the glasses sit for about 24 hours so the paint can dry. Then add more coats if necessary. Then rub over the paint all over with chalk, wipe it off and you are free to write whatever you want on them!

We filled our glasses with juice and my boys wrote "pumpkin potion" for the orange, and "witch brew" for the purple. I think any fun juice color could be made into a fun potion. Does anyone remember Ecto Cooler? Does that even still exist? That would be super fun to use as a potion with its bright green color!

The boys thought it was so fun to drink their Halloween potions! After Halloween is over we will have to come up with other things we can write on our chalkboard glasses. Check out all the fun JoAnn Halloween and Fall craft projects HERE.

Now for the GIVEAWAY!
Today, JoAnn Crafts is giving one of our readers the chance to win a $50 gift card to their store so you can buy your own craft supplies! All you need to do to enter is visit the craft projects mentioned above and find which one you would most like to make. Then come back and leave a comment with which it is. For a second entry you can share this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter (leave us a link!). This giveaway will end on Sunday, October 28th at 11:59pm PT.

JoAnn also has a great coupon for you right now. You can get 50% off one regularly priced item through October 31st! You can download and print it from below or you can use the code halloween133 online at JoAnn.


I was provided all the supplies for this craft as well as a gift card by JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores as well as the giveaway gift card for a reader; however, all opinions are my own.

share this on »

{Facebook}

{Twitter}

{Pinterest}

105 Comments

My kids got flu shots this weekend and when that time of year comes around, I always feel like I need to be even more vigilant about trying to keep germs at bay. Which means more cleaning, wiping, hand washing, and tissue use!

Seventh Generation recently provided me with some products to help my efforts. Seventh Generation offers household and personal care products that help protect human health and the environment. I love that I can feel great about using their products because they are safe for my family but also protect the environment. They have a fabulous line of products that I can use every day.

Check out this fun DIY video that Seventh Generation created showing how to turn an empty tissue box into a scary (but cute) germ monster! This would be a fun project to do with my boys.


Today, Seventh Generation is giving one of our readers the chance to win a gift box of products like this...

share this on »

{Facebook}

{Twitter}

{Pinterest}

68 Comments

Recently, I discovered Consumer Crafts. Dangerous, dangerous find. It is a great online craft store with great products and even more amazing prices! I know I will be shopping there very frequently. I ordered everything online that I needed to make some Halloween treat boxes and all the supplies arrived very quickly and without breaking the bank.

I am going to show you how simple it was to make these. They are cute little gifts and they were very inexpensive and easy to make. Fill them with your favorite treats or your friends or your husbands (sorry, Kev you aren't actually getting one) and gift away!

From Consumer Crafts, I ordered orange craft paint, brushes, bakers twine, patterned paper and these fabulous paper mache boxes that come in all different shapes and sizes. They were less than $1!


For my first box, which was circle shaped, I wanted to make a jack-o-lantern inspired treat box. I started by painting the box orange. It was very well covered in one coat, so I called it good.




For my second treat box, I decided to mod podge some patterned paper onto a square paper mache box.

I cut strips of my patterned paper and brushed mod podge onto all the sides to glue the paper on, as well as on the lid.

Be sure to visit Consumer Crafts to buy fabulous, inexpensive craft supplies for every project! They also have a great blog, Crafts Unleashed and you can follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Right now they have a refer-a-friend contest you need to check out! You can enter to win (1 of 6) $250 prizes!

I wrote this post as part of a paid campaign with Consumer Crafts and Blueprint Social. The opinions in this post are my own.

share this on »

{Facebook}

{Twitter}

{Pinterest}

2 Comments