Nap Time Craft Time: Fall Bunting

Here's an easy Nap Time Craft Time project that can add a little spice to your autumnal home decor.  Being a fairly new home owner, I don't really have a plethora of decorations for the seasons yet.  I wanted something that would be easy to make but look cute as well and this is what I came up with! This is a very cost effective and easy project that even the most "craft challenged" person can do! 

Here's what you'll need: 

• Felt of various fall colors
• Ruler
• Sharpie or marker
• Scissors
• Twine, ribbon, yarn, or string
• Hot glue gun
• Paper or card stock

Here's what you'll do: 

Trace and cut out a triangular shape on your paper or card stock to make the bunting template. You can make these as small or as large as you prefer.  I wanted to fit two triangles on each piece of felt so mine measured about 10" long. 

Now use your template to trace and cut out your desired amount of triangles from the felt. 

     Note: My bunting says "FALL" so I used four triangles, one for each letter. 

Now you will cut out the letters that you plan to use on your bunting.  I free-handed my letters but you can print templates out as well (try this site.) 

Next you will grab your hot glue gun and affix the letters to each individual triangle. 

Here is an example of what each triangle looked like once I had them cut out and the letters glued on. 

To attach the twine, you will need to cut two small holes in the upper edges of each triangle and then thread them (in the correct order) through your twine.  

 Now you are ready to hang it up and enjoy! 

Nap Time Craft Time: I Heart My State

When Everett was a wee little lad (and a wee little lad was he) and I had time to sew and make all sorts of crafty things, I had time to make him a few "I <3 My State" onesies (found here).  Ahhhh the days where he would sleep and sleep, those days are long gone!

Everett (2 months old) rocking the I <3 Virginia onesie

Anyways, they turned out so cute and I have been thinking about making a few t-shirts for him to wear this summer.  How adorable would it be for Everett and his little brother to have matching outfits?!  You can catch a glimpse of Nolan wearing his "I <3 California" onesie in the June and July Instacram posts! 

Here's what you'll need: 

• Freezer paper (NOT wax paper)
• Puffy paint
• Paint brushes
• Scissors or exacto knife
• Pre-washed onesie or t-shirt
• Sharpie
• Iron
• Print out(s) of the state(s) you want to create
• Make sure that they are proportional to the size of onesie/t-shirt

Here's what you'll do :

Trace your state on to the paper side of the freezer paper and cut out the image. 

Now place the freezer paper shiny side down onto your fabric.  You will now press the freezer paper onto your fabric holding down for about 5 seconds in each spot.  Make sure that all of the edges are adhered to the fabric (this is important!)

Time to paint! You might want to put some newspaper or cardboard in between the layers of fabric so that the paint doesn't seep through. I started around the edges and worked my way in with the paint. Make sure to add a heart to the city you love most! 

Now sit and wait! Don't peel off the freezer paper until the paint has dried! 

Finally, once the paint has dried peel back the freezer paper and check out your perfectly painted state! Now, heat set the paint by placing a towel over the paint and running the iron over it for a few seconds!

 So that's it! Think you'll take a hand at trying it?  Let me know if you do! :) 

Nap Time Craft Time: Painting Pots

This isn't so much a "Nap Time" craft because you will probably want to involve your kiddos with this one- although if you don't want to involve your kiddos you can definitely complete this project during the span of a nap!  This is a very budget friendly project and is a great gift idea for Mother's Day (which is May 12th).   Everett and Lilly had fun painting their pots and being able to get messy out in the back yard! 

Here's what you'll need: 

• Terracotta clay pots
• Patio paint in various colors
• Clear gloss spray paint
• Paint brushes
• Painters tape

Here's what you'll do: 

• Use the painters tape to create a design or pattern
• I just did a "stripe" of tape around the top

• Set out the paint and let the kiddos go crazy! Try not to interfere too much and really encourage them to get creative.  This is also a great way to practice learning colors!  

• Let the patio paint dry completely before you take off the tape.  Once it's dry peel back the tape and spray them down with the clear gloss spray paint. 

• Once they are dry, plant something beautiful! :) 

Here's the one that Everett and I worked on together.  I used the painters tape and did a zig-zag pattern on the "body" of the pot and a stripe around the top.  I had E put his hand print on the front! It turned out really cute! Thanks to Tiphany for the idea inspiration!! :) 

For more Nap Time Craft Time projects, click here! 

Nap Time Craft Time: Baby Supply Kit

Whenever I have a friend who is expecting a baby I want to give her something that I know will come in handy once her little one arrives.  These are items that I found were "must haves" for me when Everett was a newborn and I think are things that all new mothers can use.  You can easily pick most of these items up at your local drug, grocery, or super store and throw them into a nice basket while the kiddos are sleeping- voila, Nap Time Craft Time! :) 

Just a side note, I asked Tyler what some "must haves" he thought should be added to the list and he said coffee... yes, that is a nice one to have on hand too! 

What you'll need: 

A&D Ointment- I love this stuff! It is really easy to apply so slather it on and prevent those diaper rashes!  It's also great for dry skin and for tattoos! :)  (If you or the person you are purchasing this for uses cloth diapers you don't want to get this as it is not good for cloth diapers!)

Baby Q Tips- Pretty self explanatory.  The baby ones are a must because they prevent you from accidentally sticking it too far into their ears.

Cuticle Scissors-  Those baby nail clippers may be cute as can be but they do not work on the thin baby fingernails.  I picked up a pair of these cuticle scissors on a whim after Everett used them for at least his whole first year.

Disinfecting Wipes- These are so handy to have especially when you are on the go.  You can wipe down shopping carts, public changing tables, highchairs, tables at restaurants, etc.  

Gas Drops- Poor Mr. Everett has encountered many problems with gas and these have been a lifesaver.  He actually liked how they tasted so it was not a hard task to get him to take it!

Hand Sanitizer- This is a nice thing to have around just in case there isn't a sink available and you need to get your hands clean. 

Lanolin- This may be “awkward” to give to someone but they will come in handy!  Breastfeeding sucks (no pun intended) at first and this will definitely help to ease the pain.  Breastfeeding should be a great bonding experience and it is hard to do that when you're in pain!

Nose Frida- Gross in concept but it works wonders.  This snot sucker works so much better than the traditional bulb suckers that you get in the hospital. 

Rectal Thermometer- While this doesn't sound too pleasant it is the best way to get an accurate temperature on your infant.  The kind we have (pictured) is shorter in length and it reads the temperature in only a few seconds.

Saline Spray- Everett had some congestion and the pediatrician instructed me to use saline spray.  It helps to break up the mucous and lets him breathe much easier.

Vaseline- This comes in handy for mother of little boy's who are circumcised because it helps the circumcision heal.  (Ouch!)

*All photos found in the corresponding links. 

Nifty Thrifty Friday: Salt Dough Santa Ornaments

Nifty Thrifty Friday features items that I have either found a thrift stores or items I already owned and have given new life or upcycled.  These items may be as small as a shoe box or as large as a sofa! I hope you will join me on some of my thrifting adventures!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While this isn't a thrifting adventure, it is something that you can make with items that you most likely already have in your home.  Last year my friend Gina and I made salt dough ornaments of our kiddos hand prints and we wanted to continue the tradition again this year.  Tiphany and Micah came over too and we got to work on this years ornaments. I was excited to compare E's hand print this year to his last year! 

Here's what you'll need: 

• 2 cups of all purpose bleached flour
• 1 cup of salt
• 3/4 cups of water  

Here's what you'll do: 

• Mix all the ingredients together and knead it until it's a nice play dough consistency.  
• Use cookie cutters to make whatever shape ornaments you want. (I used a straw to poke a hole in the top so that I could tie string through it.)  
• Update: My friend Jess pointed out that I didn't tell you how I made E's hand prints! Duh! Okay, so I rolled out the dough and put it on E's highchair and then held his hand and gently pushed down each finger.  I saved his thumb for last because he likes to dig into the dough with it! After I got his hand print I took the tray and cut out around each little hand print.  
• Set your oven at 200 degrees and start baking.  I checked them about every 30 minutes or so, and it probably ended up taking 2+ hours until they were fully hardened.
• Once they have "baked" let them cool and then you can decorate them however you like!

Now to the fun part.. decorating!  Last year we cut circles out around the hand prints but this year I wanted to mix it up a bit.  I saw this idea on pinterest and knew that's what I was going to do this year!  So here's some step by step pictures of how to paint your own Santa hand! 

Here's what you'll do: 

• Gather up your paint.  I painted probably 8 hand prints and and this was actually too much paint.  Also, I didn't have a peach colored paint so I made due with what I had. 

• First, you are going to paint your Santa's face.  

• Next, add his beard, poof of the hat, and border.  You don't have to paint the white as the border- personal preference. 

• Now add your red paint for your Santa's hat. Make sure to outline the little poof at the end! 

• Finally, add some eyes and a nose! 

So that's how I did it! I am pretty impressed with them! :)  What crafts are you up to this holiday season?

Nifty Thrifty Friday: Halloween Wreathe

Nifty Thrifty Friday features items that I have either found a thrift stores or items I already owned and have given new life or upcycled.  These items may be as small as a shoe box or as large as a sofa! I hope you will join me on some of my thrifting adventures!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My friend Vivid posted a great tutorial on her blog, Things We Create on how to make a Halloween wreathe that uses items you probably already have on hand.  This is a cute and oh so thrifty idea and it is perfect for Halloween. 

Check out her tutorial for the play by play!  Here are a few pictures of mine! 

This is all you'll need!

In progress...

I LOVE how it turned out! 

Nap Time Craft Time: No Carve Jack O Lanterns

Welcome to Nap Time Craft Time! Shhh, don't wake the kiddos!  These posts feature a craft that is so easy you can complete this project during nap time! This project can also most likely be completed with items you already have at home! Simple, cute, and free?! I know, awesome right!  

This is actually a craft that you might want to include the kiddos in because it is fun and the kids will like it because it's messy!  

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I started thinking about how every year we carve pumpkins and every year they get so nasty that I have to make Tyler throw them away because I can't stand to look at them anymore.  So I have come up with a different idea that I think is a super cute way to create a Jack O Lantern without having to actually carve the pumpkin.  

I did some "research" (okay I googled What paint will stick to pumpkins) and found this article. It gave three options: latex paint, spray paint, and puffy paint.  If this weren't a craft that I was going to do with Everett then I would have probably gotten out the spray paint, made a stencil, and went to town but since I wanted this to be his pumpkin I went with latex and puffy paint. 

Here's what you'll need: 

• A pumpkin (clean and dry) 
• Various paint colors
• Brushes (or fingers)
• Sponges cut in triangles (for eyes and nose) and smile
• Towel, sheet, something to paint on
• Clear spray paint (optional)

Here's what you'll do: 

• First make sure your pumpkin is clean and dry 
• Now spread out your towel, sheet, etc so you don't make a mess! I used "cling wrap" on Everett's highchair and that worked out pretty well. 

• I used the paints that I had to make darker more "fall" colors and put them on different bowls so that they wouldn't all start blending when Everett got his hands in them.

• Start your kiddo out with the lightest color and let them at it!  You will want to work from light to dark colors so that they will all show.  Also, ensure to rotate your pumpkin throughout the process so that the whole thing gets a nice paint job.

• After your little Picaso is finished (or is too messy) let your pumpkin dry fully.

• Now it's time to give this guy a face! Using sponges or free-hand paint on the eyes, nose, and mouth! 

• Once Mr. Jack O Lanterns face is dry, use a clear spray paint to seal the masterpiece. 

That's it!  Pretty easy and the great thing is that this baby will last through Thanksgiving so you will be able to enjoy it all harvest-long! 

Nap Time Craft Time: Full Size Unpaper Towels

Welcome to Nap Time Craft Time! Shhh, don't wake the kiddos!  These posts feature a craft that is so easy you can complete this project during nap time! This project can also most likely be completed with items you already have at home! Simple, cute, and free?! I know, awesome right!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last week I posted Easy DIY Cloth Wipes/Unpaper Towels and this week I am posting a more in-depth way to make full size Unpaper Towels. 

Here's what you'll need: 

• Sewing machine
• Thread
• 2 yards of flannel
• 2 yards of 100% cotton
• Scissors

Here's what you'll do: 

• First you will want to prewash your fabrics BUT before you do I would suggest sewing a zig zag stitch down the raw edges so that the fabric wont unravel in the wash.  
• It is important to prewash so that any shrinkage will happen prior to you sewing your unpaper towels.

• After you have washed and dried your fabric you can get started! Decide how large your want your unpaper towels to be, you can either use an actual paper towel as a template OR you can make your own out of cardboard or plastic.  

  

• Now, trace out all of your paper towels using a washable marker, pen, or chalk. Make sure to measure out your fabric first to ensure that you can get the most out of it.  You should be able to get at least 18 unpaper towels. 
• NOTE: if you plan on turning and topstitching your unpaper towels you will want to give yourself an extra 1/4" or so.
• Turning and topstitching means that you sew the fabric together (wrong sides together) leaving an opening. Then you pull the fabric through the opening (thus, “turning it”) and then you sew all the way around the project again, sewing the opening shut.

• Now take one piece of your cotton material and one piece of your flannel and place them with the WRONG sides together (i.e. the fabric that you want to show should be facing out.)
• Begin sewing around the perimeter using a zig zag stitch.  You will want to sew right on the edge of your fabric so that you get both pieces together.
• You will need to sew completely around the unpaper towel at least twice. Some of the material may fray but by using a zig zag stitch you wont have to worry about it completely unraveling.
• NOTE: If you are turning and top stitching you will place the RIGHT sides together and use a straight stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance leaving a small gap, then turn the unpaper towel inside out and topsitich around the perimeter ensuring that you sew the gap closed. 

That's it folks! Now you have a nice batch of unpaper towels!