Crayon Art

This is one of those projects I did before I started my blog. There aren't a lot of pictures, but I LOVE how they turned out! We gave these to A's preschool teachers in 2010.

Overall, this project was not a very expensive one. I had a few leftover boxes of crayons from back to school shopping (when they were like $0.10 or $0.25 each) and the canvas was on sale at Hobby Lobby.

I'm sorry, there aren't a lot of pictures (I was only thinking finished project, not a step-by-step at the time). We did 2 different designs - one vertical, and one horizontal. It was a super simple project (because I love quick and easy and cute things)!

1. Hot Glue crayons to canvas (I used a cool-temp glue to not melt the crayon first). It works best to put the glue directly on the crayon paper then put on the canvas. The glue kind of squished out in between, but it worked out ok since the crayons were pushed together (it also helped "hold" them together).

2. Once all crayons are attached & dried onto the canvas, break out your hair dryer! We started with a high heat, low force setting to prevent splatter and get the "pool" effect. Once we got the "pool" big enough, we switched the dryer to a high force setting to make it splatter.

3. For the second canvas, we used a high heat, high force setting right away. The result was less pooling, more splatter.

** Side note: beware of splatter!! This is what my toilet looked like after the project! Very colorful!

I think A's teachers enjoyed their art work gifts. They would make great end of the year presents too!

Makes me Giggle

While shopping at our local bookstore before Christmas, I snapped this picture because it made me laugh. E is 13 and this kind of "marketing" even made her stop and go "what?!?!" The Teen Non-Fiction actually starts on the very bottom shelf with a total of 2 titles...

{Sorry the picture is so bad ~ it was taken with my cell phone.}

Have you ever looked at something and went WHAT?!?!

Feed Me Friday: Chili & Corn Bread

This week I wasn't feeling the greatest, but for some reason chili & cornbread sounded good! One of my customers turned me on to Stonewall Kitchen's line of products. Oh. My. Goodness. YUM!!! Their products taste *AMAZING*! And are SUPER easy to use as well. If it helps me put a good meal on the table quickly without sacrificing flavor - I am ALL for it!

{sorry for the crappy pics - I can not, for the life of me, find my camera cord...}

All I had to add was 1 egg, oil, and milk: mix it up and bake it in a 9x9 (box says 8x8 but all I could find was the 9x9).

It was super yummy!! Just the thing on a cold night!

Notes

I am a paper person. I like lists and making myself a note helps me remember what needs done, whether it's at home or work.

I wanted to make something to keep by my bed to jot the last minute stuff down on to help clear my brain before sleep. I might make one for my desk at work too!

I used some scrapbook paper from my endless supply, a clip, clear acrylic frame, and a pack of post it notes. Everything used for this project I already had on hand.

I LOVE easy projects! This was super simple to put together and turned out really cute. Just cut the paper to fit the frame, slide in, then stick the post its to the frame and add the clip. Put a pen along with it and that's it!

I joined the weekend wrap up!

Stop over at Tatertots and Jello to check it out!

http://tatertotsandjello.com/

Happy New Year!

A new year means new goals! One of my goals this year is to pay a little more attention to my blog. Another is to cut through some more clutter and "stuff" in the house and simplify. Always on my list is making my family a priority.

One of the tools I am going to use for this is this fantastic weekly calendar E made for me as a 4-H project.

She took a multi-picture frame that we found on clearance at Hobby Lobby (it was pretty scratched up and missing 1 glass pane). All other materials (paint, paper, cork, and stickers) were things we had in my stash of crafting supplies.



Here is how she completed the project:

1. Remove glass panes from frame. Paint frame.

2. While paint is drying, wash glass. Choose paper to go under glass and cut to fit backing. For the piece that did not have glass, she cut a piece of cork to fit.

3. Add second coat of paint & touch-ups when dry.

4. Replace glass and backings (with paper) into all openings.

5. Add Day of the Week stickers (she found these in my massive stack of scrapbooking supplies).

The glass can be used as a dry erase board and the cork will allow me to hang any notes/papers I need to help me complete the goals (along with birthday invites for the kids or other planning things). I can write down which day I plan on doing what (for example on Tuesday evening, I can organize the bath closet). She didn't use Saturday/Sunday because the hope is that we will be having fun on the weekends rather than working all of the time!

Happy New Year!!

State Fair Bound

On Friday, we will be loading up the lambs and heading to the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island. I can't wait! I love going to see all of the work the kids did this year and seeing how E's projects did. I kind of cheated this year by looking online, but nonetheless I am still super excited to go see them in person! This year, she had 7 projects selected at our County Fair to go on to the State Fair. She worked very hard on her projects and I couldn't be more proud of her! In order for a project to be selected for State Fair, it had to first earn a Purple ribbon at the County Fair. Here are her projects and how she did:

1. Recycled Garment - After last years not so good results in Recycled Garment, she out did herself this year earning praise and commendation, a purple ribbon and selected for State from the judges! She used elements from 3 different designs she found on Pinterest and combined them into a really cute dress - made from an old Men's 2x t-shirt!! She ended up with a blue ribbon at state.

Before: Men's 2x Shirt

After: Back view - it actually hangs better.

After: Front view 

2. Shopping in Style - Her other clothing project was a binder/scrapbook for Shopping in Style. This project involves quite a bit of work - figuring out what you need in your wardrobe, setting a budget for yourself, purchasing a complete outfit, figuring out how much it costs each time you wear it (and wash it), and presenting it in a format that's easy to read/understand! She got a blue ribbon at state.

 

3. Photography Unit 2 - Her first year in Unit 2 and being eligible for State Fair selection, and her composition print was selected! Her picture is one of A's friends. They go to pre-school and church together. He was eating his ice cream and though he'd show off his spoon flicking skills. E caught it on her camera. I just love the little twinkle in his eyes - ornery!! 

4. Heritage: Level 2 - E took this picture at her Great Grandpa's grave on Memorial Day 2012. She matted and framed it and wrote a letter to my Grandma about what it means to her that Grandpa served in the Navy and that my brother (her uncle) also serves in the Navy. She also thanked her for her support of him and our family. It brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it! She got a blue ribbon at state with it.

5. ESI: Interview and Entrepreneur - She interviewed my boss, Dave, about starting the floral wholesale business that I work at. She then designed a poster for it. She got a Purple ribbon at State.

6. ESI: Photo Story - After interviewing Dave, he gave her a tour of Cutts. She took pictures and created a photo story about it. She got a Blue ribbon at State. 

7. Activity with a Younger Child - Last fall, E and her 4-H club planned and raised money to put on a Dreams Come True tea party for the girls that lived at our local City Mission. It was an eye-opening experience for everyone! She created a beautiful scrapbook to document it. It got a Purple at state.

** I didn't have pictures of the last 3 projects. I will blog about her scrapbook and ESI projects once we get them back from the fair. **

The other project going is her sheep. She is taking 2 lambs to show. I can't wait to see how she does with them! I love that she is so active in 4-H. It is such a spectacular organization and she is learning so much! Along with learning skills, she is learning responsibility and how to deal with disappointment if something doesn't do as well as she would have hoped. Life lessons!!

We have stayed in the same hotel each time we've been out there. The kids love the pool and the waffle maker at breakfast. I love that it's not very far from the fairgrounds and my kids love the pool and waffle maker! Priorities!!

I hope everyone enjoys their Labor Day weekend - I know I will!!