Posts from the ‘Arts & Crafts’ Category

May 30

Easy Crafts For Kids – Chalkboard Plant Markers

The next time you are at the hardware store buying paint, you may want to pick up a few extra paint sticks. Making your own plant markers is a great way to add a little personality to your garden. Simply brush on a coat of chalkboard paint, and let the paint dry {about 1 hour}. Then use a piece of chalk {or chalk markers} to write the names of the vegetables you’ve planted in your garden. Before you know it you’ll have some {free} re-usable plant markers for you garden.

When the growing season is over simple wipe the chalk off the paint sticks, and store them away for next year.

*These chalkboard plant markers would make a great rainy day project for kids. Plus I bet grandma would love a set or two for her garden.

I’ve tried several different brands of chalkboard paint over the years and Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Brush-On is my favorite. You might be able to find it in your local hardware store, but if not, Amazon has it for $14.70.

Another great thing to have on hand are Chalk Ink Markers. Amazon has them listed at $24.21, but you can probably find them for less at the craft store with a coupon.

*Amazon prices are subject to change at anytime.

May 29

31 Comments

Gardening Tips and Tricks – How to Organize Seed Packets

If you are like me, you probably have a bunch of seed packets scattered around your house and you’re not quite sure what to do with them. I don’t know why, but I have a really hard time throwing out empty seed packets. The Botanical Interests ones especially. It must take days, if not weeks for the artist to create one drawing. And to throw away one of their seed packets seems like such a waste. Especially since there is so much valuable information on the back {and inside} of those packets.

I don’t know about you, but I find myself find myself checking the back of the seed packets from time to time to make sure I planted everything right and that the germination process is on schedule.

So this year, I finally got my act together and I organized my seed packets.

It took me about 5 minutes.

The last time I was at the dollar store I picked up a mini photo album for a buck. The small photo album holds 52 packets of seeds and I can store it on the bookshelf alongside my garden books. When I have a question about a particular seed, or want to know when I planted it {I mark the back of my packets} I can quickly pull out the packet and get the information I need.

And best of all, there is no more clutter.

How about YOU? Do you toss you seed packets or keep them. Please tell me I’m not a nut for hanging on to them.

Still looking for seeds?

Here are a few of my favorite seed companies

Botanical Interests
Ed Hume Seeds
Rare Seeds
Seed Savers
Territorial Seed Company

May 17

5 Comments

Easy Crafts For Kids: How To Make Sidewalk Paint

Whipping up a batch of sidewalk paint is not only easy, but it might just keep the kids busy long enough for you to get dinner ready as well. Have you ever sidewalk paint before?

If not, here is how to make it:

Mix equal parts water and corn starch {I used one cup of each} in a bowl and mix until the cornstarch is dissolved. Next, grab one of your old muffin tins and fill the muffin cups with about 1/4 cup of the corn starch and water mixture.

Add 2 drops of food coloring for lighter colors and 4-5 drops for darker colors. Walk the tin of sidewalk pint outside, hand your kiddos a few paint brushes… and let them have some fun. The chalk washes of easily when they are done.

Summer vacation is almost here. Are you ready? I know I am!

For more easy {and fun} children’s craft projects, check out Green Crafts for Children By Emma Hardy. Amazon currently has it the book on sale for $13.43.

*Amazon prices can change at anytime.

May 16

1 Comment

Garden Projects For Kids: How to Build a Bean Teepee

When Monkey Boy and The Girl Who Thinks She’s a Bird were young, I would build them a bean teepee every summer. Back then, we lived on a .25 acre lot and because there was not an abundance of trees, I would purchase 6 foot bamboo poles at Home Depot.

These days, we live in a more wooded area. Earlier this spring, when we were clearing the back of the property to make room for the new greenhouse, I made sure to save the saplings we had to cut down to build my now teenagers, their own teepee.

If you have never built a bean teepee {or even thought about building one} for your kids, and you have the space, you should give it try. Not only will your kids think you are the coolest parent ever… But if you space the poles far enough, your children will be about to walk into the teepee, giving them a unique summer “clubhouse.”

Lets get started.

First, you’ll need to decide how wide you want the inside of your teepee to be. I spaced my poles far enough apart so there was about 4′ of open space in the center, which is plenty of room for a child and their friend to sit down and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Next, gather {6} 1o’ wooden poles and secure them together with twine, both at the top and the bottom. Make sure you push the poles deep into the soil so they don’t fall over if it gets a little windy or Fido walks by. Most pole beans grow about 6′ tall, so don’t feel like you have to haul 10′ poles home from the hardware store. 6′ poles will work just fine.

Once you have your teepee poles in place, rake the soil from the center of the circle to build up a nice mound of dirt around the teepee base.

Then, plant a generous amount of pole beans in the mound of dirt surrounding the teepee, and water as necessary.

Wahooo! You should have a fully covered teepee in about 60-70 days.

If you are interested in learning about the history of teepees, check out Tipis, Tepees, Teepees: History and Design of the Cloth Tipi by Linda Holley. Amazon currently has the book on sale for $11.55.

May 8

12 Comments

Trash to Treasure Tuesday: Wooden Garden Sign

This past weekend I helped my neighbors Chino the Handyman and Girly Girl with two backyard projects. At some point I asked Chino about a ratty old wooden board I had noticed sitting against the retaining wall. The board had actually been propped up against his wall since last summer. And since they are both a little on the crafty side, I was wondering what they were going to use it for.

“Hey Chino, what’s up with that board? What are you going to do with it?”

“That? It fell off the trailer a long time ago. I was going to toss it on to the burn pile… WHY? YOU WANT IT?”

“Really?”

{Insert blank stare from Chino}

You mean you don’t want it?

“Uhhhh. No.”

“Sweet!” And I hauled it home as fast as I could.

Check this out. Now the Girl Who Thinks She’s a Bird has a sign for her vegetable stand.

I guess the saying is true. One man’s trash, is another man’s treasure.

Ha Ha Ha… I think the signed turned out great!

So tell me, have you picked up any “trash” lately?

Did you turn it into something really cool?

I’d like to think I’m not the only one who gets odd looks from my husband when I haul crap home.

Products Used

Rust-Oleum Chalkboard Brush-On, Black, 30-Ounce Amazon $14.68
Chalk Ink Marker 6mm Classic Colors Set/8 Amazon $24.21

May 2

3 Comments

Teacher Appreciation Gift Idea: Chalkboard Painted Herb Pots

If you’re trying to come up with a craft project for your kids to make for Teacher Appreciation Day next week, these chalkboard painted pots should do the trick. Not only are chalkboard painted pots easy to make, but your kids will love making them for their favorite teacher as well. Plus, the teacher will be THRILLED it’s not an another apple.

Supplies

4 Terra Cotta Pots
Fresh Herbs {I chose Basil, Chives, Rosemary and Oregano}
1 Quart Chalkboard Paint
1 Paint Brush
Potting Soil
1 Piece White Chalk or Chalk Pens

Instructions

Paint dry pots and let them dry for 2 -3 hours
Add moistened soil to the bottom of the pot, add herb, add additional soil
Label each pot with chalk and water

Personally I think these pots look great outside sitting on a potting bench. If you would like to give them as indoor gifts, I would suggest purchasing little terra cotta saucers to place underneath the pots to allow for drainage.

Another great thing to have on hand are Chalk Ink Markers. Amazon has them listed at $24.21, but you can probably find them for less at the craft store with a coupon.

*Amazon prices are subject to change at anytime.

Apr 26

5 Comments

Garden Projects For Kids: How to Make a Seed Tape

If you’re looking for a fun rainy day garden project to do with your kids, or if you are a new gardener and are concerned about planting tiny seeds like carrots and lettuce in the garden, I have the perfect project for you.

Seed tape.

To make a seed tape you will need to gather the following items:

Toilet Paper
Flour
Water
Seeds
Bamboo Skewer or Toothpick

Before you start you’ll need to figure out how long you want to make your seed tape. My garden boxes are 8 feet long so I used 8 feet of toilet paper. The great thing about seed tape is you can make it as long {or as short} as you need to accommodate your garden space.

For this demonstration I am using carrot seeds, however homemade seed tapes can be made with any type of small seeds.

Step 1

Make a simple paste out of flour and water. You want the “paste” to be the consistency of glue.

Step 2

Use a bamboo skewer or toothpick to carefully dab a little paste onto the toilet paper.

Step 3

Add 2 seeds to the dab of paste. I like to use 2 seeds just in case one does not germinate for some reason {blame it on the OCD}. If you are unsure as to how far apart to paste your seeds, simply look at the back of the seed packet for instructions. Most carrot seeds need to be planted 3″ apart.

Once the paste has dried, roll up your seed tape and head out to the garden.

Lay the seed tape down and cover with dirt {refer to your seed packet to find out how deep}. For carrots cover with 1/8″ of soil. Water and care for your newly planted seeds just as you would had they been sowed directly in the garden. The toilet paper should disolve in about a week.

For more simple garden ideas to do with kids, check out Kids in the Garden: Growing Plants for Food and Fun. Amazon has it on sale right now for only $10.85.

Apr 7

1 Comment

How to Make an Easter / Spring Centerpiece Using Fresh Flowers

I was able to make this daffodil centerpiece in under 10 minutes. By simply using the supplies I had on hand, I was able to create a gorgeous floral arrangement for my dining room table without spending a dime. Thank you Mother Nature, I love you!

Here is how I made it:

Step #1

Fill a mason jar 2/3 full with water and set the jar in a taller/wider vase.

Step #2

Add flowers.

Step #3

Gather moss. If you live in the northwest you can probably just walk out your back door and find some like I did. If not, head on over to Joann Fabrics, Michael’s, or even Home Depot and pick up some dried moss and simply hydrate it.

Step #4

Carefully push the moss down in between the mason jar and the vase. Make sure the moss covers all interior walls of the vase so the mason jar is not showing.

Step #5

Now comes the hard part. Do I want to keep this for myself and display it on my kitchen table? Or bring it to Easter Dinner?

Want to learn more about floral arranging? Amazon has Fresh Flower Arranging By DK Books on sale for $17.85. The book is filled will tons and tons of step by step directions and awesome photos. Go HERE to take a peek.

Apr 6

3 Comments

Last Minute Easter Idea: Treats in Glass Jars

If you can’t find a basket for all those Easter treats, forget about it. Use what you have. Most days these glass canisters are sitting on my counter filled with cookies. But not this week. After my kids polished off the last batch of cookies I made, I washed the canisters out and filled them up with a few treats the Easter Bunny had dropped off.

No basket? No problem.

Apr 4

10 Comments

Easy Easter Craft: How to Dye Eggs With Natural Ingredients ~ No Dyes!

how to dye easter eggs naturally

A few weeks ago I read a short little blurb in Bon Appetit Magazine about how to dye eggs using natural ingredients. I was fascinated. I guess it never crossed my mind since those fizzy colored tablets they sell in grocery stores this time of year are so inexpensive. Who knew you could use vegetables and spices to dye eggs?

As I sat there I wondered, does it really work? Did the pilgrims know about this? Holy canolies, what have I been missing all these years. My friend Jane is even doing it. Where have I been? Under a rock?

Since my chickens lay brown & green eggs I decided to splurge last week and buy 2 dozen white eggs at the store. I was worried if I used the brown eggs the dye would not be as vibrant, and in the end, I’m glad I went the white eggs {even if they were not as fresh as home~~grown~~ laid eggs}.

vinegar

The process is surprisingly easy. Here are the simple directions:

Blue Eggs: Combine 2-3 cups chopped red cabbage, 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 4 cups of water and simmer for 3o minutes. Drain colored water in a large bowl and steep the desired number of hard-boiled eggs in the colored water for 3 hours {less time if you don’t want dark blue eggs}.

Yellow Eggs: Combine 2 teaspoons turmeric, 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and steep the desired number of hard-boiled eggs in the colored water for 2 hours {less time if you don’t want dark yellow eggs}.

Red Eggs: Combine 1 cup shredded beets {2-3 beets} , 3 tablespoons of vinegar and 4 cups of water and simmer for 3o minutes. Drain colored water in a large bowl and steep the desired number of hard-boiled eggs in the colored water for 3 hours {less time if you don’t want dark pink eggs}.

blue eggs

*Keep in mind that the longer you keep your eggs in the colored water, the deeper your eggs shells will turn out.

naturally dyed easter eggs

Dry your eggs on a cooling rack. Once the eggs have completely dried, use a paint brush to brush away any extra bits. See, I told you it was easy.